May 3rd, 1895 — Bixby Residence

Wallaces mood was brighter these days though he lived in a sketchbook more than he did the real world as well. He never showed anyone what it was he did in it. He thought it was a bit of a pipe dream but it still pleased him to sketch things out and jot down ideas and plans even if they would only ever live in his head.

He had finished a session of it before being made to close it and wheel himself to a table to have some proper lunch. He didn't know where the rest of his family had gotten off to but it was a Saturday so he presumed they'd all had obligations or were spending their days elsewhere. Still, maybe Sloane would at least show her face.

Sloane Bixby

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wally has extensive burn scars on the right side of his upper body (including his face and over his right eye) and the lower part of his left leg is missing.

For two whole days Sloane had been peeking at the paper on the desk in her room skeptically. Mr. Podmore had given her the offer a couple of days ago and she still wasn't sure what to do with it. She wasn't sure her parents would agree to it. However, he'd thought she would be a good fit for the expedition, they were specifically seeking a few apprentices to go on the voyage, and he had spoken highly of her to get her the invitation.

She wanted to go. Sloane wanted to get out of Hogsmeade for a little while, to do something with herself that had a purpose and would hopefully help her find her sense of self again. This last year felt like limbo, trying to reconcile being gone for the previous year and then suddenly being thrust back into a life she didn't quite feel like she fit into anymore. Everything seemed so off balance that she spent more time at the zoo than anywhere else, because at least she had a purpose there.

With half a mind to go see Mrs. Hatchitt about the whole thing, she tucked the letter into her pocket, thinking she ought to eat something before she went. Honestly, asking Mrs. Hatchitt felt like a stretch still. Would she tell her mother? Would she tell Lester? Sloane wasn't sure she was ready for anyone to know, especially if she wasn't able to go. What she needed to do was talk to Harrison or Alvin to see what they thought her chances were. The expedition was also looking for healers and she wanted to see if maybe Harrison would go with her, given that it was in his area of expertise. What she needed to figure out was how to make this possible.

Upon finding Wally at the table for lunch, the invitation in her pocket suddenly felt much heavier; it felt like this opportunity would be rubbing her good fortune in her brother's face somehow. "Well hello there," she greeted with a smile, trying not to let on to her pensive mood. "Did cook leave out anything good?"

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Wallace looked up with a mouthful of bread as his sister entered the room. He swallowed it down and smiled at his sister. "Cold meat sandwiches with fresh cheese," Wallace informed her once he had swallowed it down. "More than enough if you were looking for something to nosh on."

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wally has extensive burn scars on the right side of his upper body (including his face and over his right eye) and the lower part of his left leg is missing.

"I could eat." Maybe. She probably should. If her stomach didn't revolt at the very idea. She hated being nervous, it always ran through her body like a freight train, leaving a trembling mess of insecurity in its wake.

Standing on her tippy toes to reach a plate from the cupboard (ridiculous to behold, given she was a fully-grown adult now), she managed to get a small one down, along with a glass to pour herself some of the lemonade that was in the ice box. In stretching out, the agreement for the expedition fell from her pocket and in her haste to pick it up, she nearly smashed the glass on the counter.

Nonchalant she was not. Trying to recover, she moved more carefully, turning toward her brother, asking over her shoulder, "Do you want some lemonade?" It was a poor recovery at best, but she was antsy.

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Wallace watched as Sloane reached for a plate, finding it amusing. Obviously it was a lot harder for him these days to reach the cupboard but he typically just used a summoning or levitation spell so it had not been a big deal. And now that he was able to stand for a bit at a time, he was able to reach once more. It was more amusing for him to watch her do her tippy toe thing so he kept zipped on suggesting she utilize the fact she was a magic born witch.

He did blink when she nearly smashed her glass to recover something that had fallen out of her pocket. The haste was confusing since it wasn't like he could have gotten to it anyway. "Yes and while you're at it, share whatever your secret is with me," he said with a chuckle before taking another bite of his food.

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wally has extensive burn scars on the right side of his upper body (including his face and over his right eye) and the lower part of his left leg is missing.

Damn her reaction. Had she just picked it up casually, she might have been fine. It was uncharitable of her to think it; but Wally wasn't exactly quick on his feet these days. Forcing herself to slow down, she pulled down a second glass and retrieved the lemonade from the ice box.

"Promise not to tell mum yet?" He had already seen her reaction for what it was, there was no point in hiding it from him. With everything balanced in her hands, Sloane slid into the seat opposite Wally and passed over his glass. She took her time piling some of the food onto her plate, thinking how best to tell him, but figured she probably should just go for it.

"I was invited on a magizoology apprenticeship... in South Africa and I really want to go." She admitted in a sheepish sort of whisper as she then passed over the paper detailing the expedition.

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He snorted to indicate that it was a silly question. He had never been one of the ones to run to Mama about everything. He watched as Sloane returned to the seat and passed him his glass. He took a sip of his drink as he waited for her to fess up.

His eyes widened as he listened to this opportunity that had come his sisters way. He pulled the paper to himself and read over the details. His chief thought was that she would need a chaperone. It would probably be one of the only ways most of their family or her friends would feel okay with watching her depart.

"Then you should. Take these opportunities with both hands and never let go. You and I know best out of almost everyone in our family that life is so short to not do as we desire if the chance arises." Perhaps Alvin also but that still felt a bit different. Sloane had been outright thought to be dead, had probably been almost there when she had first been found and became Sadie. Wally had been in a coma and his family had been told to prepare for his death.

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wally has extensive burn scars on the right side of his upper body (including his face and over his right eye) and the lower part of his left leg is missing.

Oddly relieved that Wally thought she should take the opportunity, Sloane hadn't realized she needed that external sort of validation. She also hadn't expected Wally to be so supportive so quickly. She had spent so long talking herself into it that maybe she didn't see what an opportunity it really was. He had a point; they knew better than anyone that these sorts of chances were once-in-a-lifetime. Sloane had already lost a whole year of her life, she needed to do this.

"You're right," she sighed, appreciating his straightforward support. "I just don't think they'll let me go." Convincing her parents to let her go back the zoo had been hard enough. Leaving the country? It was going to be impossible.

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Wally smiled when Sloane said he was right. Those were words one never did tire of hearing. He bit his lip and hummed in thought as she mentioned how she didn't think their parents would let her go. At least, that was who he assumed 'they' would be. He could see where they were coming from - they had lost time with Sloane, they had all thought she was actually dead.

And now she wanted to leave them again. At least, he figured that must be how it seemed to their parents.

"What if you take someone they trust with you? Not me, obviously, someone who could actually protect you."

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wally has extensive burn scars on the right side of his upper body (including his face and over his right eye) and the lower part of his left leg is missing.

It was a good idea. Alvin would have been her first thought, simply because he used to have the most flexible schedule, but with his job at the ministry now, she had to assume that he couldn't just up and go for a few months. "I think they want healers to go too," she was trying to think of a good argument here, either to convince someone to go with her or to get her parents to agree. "I wonder if Harry would go?" Her middle brother had always seemed so steady in his dedication at the hospital, he might not even go. Lester, well, he wasn't really an option to ask anymore either. "I should get more information from Mr. Podmore, he might have some convincing details that might make this easier to allow." Maybe he would take to her parents for her. She would do that tomorrow when she went back to the zoo and maybe after that she'd ask Harry what he thought.

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"If he doesn't want to, I'm sure you could charm him into it," Wally said with a chuckle. He didn't see why Harry wouldn't, aside from the job. But in his view, Harry had a whole life ahead of him to devote to the hospital. He could afford to spend a few months away and return to it.

"Sounds like a plan. Either way, you have my support for what its worth."

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wally has extensive burn scars on the right side of his upper body (including his face and over his right eye) and the lower part of his left leg is missing.

Harry was pretty easy to convince to do things these days. It really would be a good opportunity for both of them. "Thanks Wally, that means a lot." Sloane was finally starting to put things back together in her life and it was reassuring that her brothers (at least some of them) had her back when she needed them the most. This was going to be good for her, she knew it.

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