June 19th, 1892 - Padmore Park
@"dahlia potts"

Ever since spending some extended time as duck, Quin had always felt a strange fondness for his feathery brethren. He'd been a kept duck, so didn't know the struggles of living in the wild, but still he liked to take strolls on Sunday afternoons sometimes to feed the flock down by the lake. Quin wasn't exactly sure what he should feed them, but felt like vegetable scraps were probably fine? He had some lettuce and peas from dinner last night that they usually gobbled up.

The sun shone brightly across the sparkling water and Quin sighed softly as he took a minute to take in the scenery around him. This was one of those cases where he told himself he really needed to get out more and enjoy places outside of the shop. If he could just remember moments like this, maybe he could persuade himself some more leisure time. Quin had lived in Hogsmeade for so long now that he tended to forget it was nearly as magical as Hogwarts.

As he meandered down the path toward the lake, he was humming happily to himself, thinking he might pay a visit to Mason this afternoon to see what his former roommate was up to now that school had let out. The ducks were floating peacefully in the shallows of the lake as he approached, their lunch carefully tucked into a small basket on his arm. Quin gently scattered some of the vegetables onto the ground at the edge of the lake to entice the ducks to snack, but little did he know they were not alone.

A loud, angry honk echoed across the quiet and startled Quin. He turned to find a large goose coming his way. "Oh that can't be good," He said aloud as he started to back up, crashing into someone as he wasn't looking where he was going. The goose picked up speed and Quin didn't even think twice, he grabbed the wrist of the person he'd bumped into and pull them away from the water at a brisk pace, the goose giving chase. "Run!" He advised as he too started to do just that.

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The shop was closed this afternoon giving Dahlia an afternoon off. Truthfully, she didn't mind the store much - but plants were her family's passion not her's and the long hours amid the flowers was simply not what she wanted from her life. It'd change eventually, but eventually wasn't here yet. So she contented herself with these afternoons off and looking forward to social events that might find her a husband.

The sun was out this afternoon, shining down on her as she and Amaryllis walked with the children. Amaryllis was scolding one of her children so Dahlia moved forward on the path a little to give her sister a little privacy. Perhaps she'd look at the ducks, she thought turning to the lake - only tot have someone back right into her.

She didn't have time to wonder at who it was - or to indentify them by the back of their clothes, because the next thing she knew the man's hand was around her wrist pulling her away from the lake. "Wh-" She began to call out when he started to run. Was she being kidnapped, she wondered idly?

She recognized that voice, Dahlia realized, as she stumbled forward, skirts twisting around her as the man started to run pulling her forward. She glanced for his face and realized she was right - it was Mr. Honeyduke. Well if said run it was more likely trouble than a kidnapping. So she tried to run. Really she did. But the skirts wrapped around her legs, layers of petticoats and gowns, and it wasn't more than a few steps and she was tripping on them. And then, much to her horror and embarassment - falling to the ground, one hand still caught in Mr. Honeyduke's wrist, as she hit the ground.

  

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Pretties by Bee <3

Quin should have realized that in his haste and without much explanation this could look terribly wrong, but when he said large goose, he meant large.

It was a woman's voice who greeted his hasty retreat and again he should have realized that ladies did not have quite the easy time moving quickly as men did. The lass toppled and with his hand still on her wrist, Quin nearly went down too. He however, was quite used to moving around heavy sacks of flour as if they weighed nothing and therefore he quickly snagged the young woman around the waist with his free hand and hoisted her to her feet once more.

"I beg your forgiveness, you'll have to excuse me, but that goose looks angry," It honked accordingly so— "And frankly I would rather deal with your wrath than hers." Quin continued as he half-carried the lady from harm's way. A woman he could shower in sweets to make up for his current less-than-gentle handling of the situation; a goose, well, they were Satan's spawn and there was no placating them. Perhaps they had wandered too close to a nest or something, but Quin did not want to stick around long enough to find out.

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For a moment Dahlia thought that her momentum might bring down Mr. Honeyduke as well, much as children well when they played ring around the rosey and someone went down, but he surprised her staying upright. In fact he not only did not fall, but managed to get her back up. Granted her hauled her to her feet in such a manner that her shoulder and arm throbbed and for a moment she had worried he would tear her whole arm off (a silly notion as Mr. Honeyduke didn't look like a strong man at the carnival but she'd never have expected such strength from him in any case). So arm throbbing, his hand tight around her wrist, she tried to keep pace with him. Her free hand pulled her skirts away from her ankles, in hopes of keeping herself from falling again.

At least he had apoligized, Dahlia thought grimly as they continued running, and the glimpse of the aforementioned goose behind her was enough to make her listen. But there was no way she would be able to talk as they ran. Her corset was digging into her with every movement and Dahlia could barely breathe against it's confines. Spots were starting to come into her vision with the lack of breathe, but she willed herself forward. If Mr. Honeyduke said ran, well she supposed that meant she was going to run.

This definitely wasn't how she had pictured meeting him for the first time since they had begun exchanging letters.

  

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Pretties by Bee <3

Quin could feel his new adventure partner struggling and felt immensely guilty. Skirts really were a bitch. He was panting himself and they were unfortunately slowing, the goose gaining... Faster than he thought as the large fowl creature made an evil hissing noise right behind Quin, just a second before he felt the sting of a bite right on his ass cheek.

Yelping, Quin was the one who nearly stumbled this time, he made a fierce swipe of his arm at the goose, releasing Miss Potts' wrist and praying she didn't topple. The creature released his trousers and Quin grabbed his wand. "Again I apologize!" He muttered before scooping Miss Potts up in both arms and the goose could recover; disapparating on the spot back to the shop without so much as a backward glance.

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Dahlia had been so focused on moving forward she barely registered the sound of the hissing goose behind them - it was only the yelp of Mr. Honeyduke and the fact that he stumbled that gave her any indication of what was happening. His hand left her wrist and she found herself moving forward a step or two before she could stop and spin around to see what was happening.

Had she been able to laugh through the gasping inhales to get more air she would have. The goose had firmly clenched it's bill around the man's pants - in an area no polite lady would describe.

Before Dahlia had a moment to think, or to register what was happening, Mr. Honeyduke had her in his arms and the unpleasant sensation of apperation was pulling at her.

When they arrived in the kitchen of the shop Dahlia could barely breathe, she managed a "What -". Before the black spots took over and she swooned.

  

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Pretties by Bee <3

Oh sweet Merlin's beard. With the literal pain in his ass and both his legs and lungs working overtime, Quin barely had the reflexes left to catch who he realized was a Miss Potts as she fainted. It was to be expected, he supposed, after the ordeal and the swift movement, but he was barely upright himself.

Briefly he had to wonder if this was Miss Dahlia, his correspondence partner. She had blissfully clued him in during their exchanges, but he had only recently begun to recognize Miss Daffodil as he had worked with the family for the flower show back in May, but there were still a couple more middle sisters he only vaguely could discern as Potts sisters and unfortunately this was such an instance.

That was neither here nor there at the moment and fortunately his wand was still in his free hand and as Quin gently cradled Miss Potts so she did not sag all of the way to the floor, he summoned a little cinnamon from the cupboard. Smelling salts it was not, but it was a strong, generally pleasant smell, hopefully it would do the trick?

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The first thing Dahlia's mind took in was the smell of baking, bringing to mind cooler weather and warmer flavors. Cinnamon. That's what it was. She smelled cinnamon. Slowly her eyes drifted open, the world shades of black and gray spots until her vision cleared. She could feel someone gently cradling her, warm arms holding her, but it took several rapid blinks for her to realize who it was - enough that a blush flared across her cheeks. "Sorry." She started - and then it all came flooding back.

And then she realized what he was waving in front of her face - "Is that cinnamon?" Dahlia asked incredulously, her eyes widening. Had she been watching the scene and not the participant who had just swooned she would have laughed at the site. But really, it was rather ingenious.

  

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Pretties by Bee <3

It didn't take long for Miss Potts to come 'round and Quin found himself exhaling in relief. "No, no, I am sorry, I should not have manhandled you like I did. I just did not want you to get bit by that nightmare of a bird." That was a lot, coming from a man who had spent months of his life as duck. Geese truly were nasty, nasty creatures and that one had been larger than normal, much larger.

Quin had been about to ask after her health when she figured out his trick with the cinnamon; fortunately she seemed well enough to ask him about it. With a chuckle, Quin banished the small jar back to the cupboard. "Yes, I don't tend to keep smelling salts with me, I thought it might work." Either it had done the trick, or Miss Potts came to on her own and it was a mere coincidence, but thankfully she seemed no worse for the wear as far as he could tell. "Art you hurt? Can you stand? I'll get some chocolate for you, or I can make some cocoa if you prefer?" Considering it was summer and he didn't make it during this season that might take him a minute, but regular chocolates, (and if this was indeed Miss Dahlia, even her preferred raspberry truffles,) were easy to come by.

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"It was a rather large goose." Dahlia admitted sheepishly at his profuse apology. Although, really, she was rather mortified to have swooned and caused such a scene. Goose or not.

He had a nice chuckle, Dahlia thought as she watched the cinnamon return to its home. "Preferable to smelling salts." She mumbled. Not that she'd had many experiences with any of them being waved under her nose - well there was that one random time when she had insisted her corset be tightened too as small as possible at a dress fitting... but once was enough to know that she certainly prefered cinnamon to smelling salts.

And then the attention was back on her, and Dahlia was still held up in his arms, feeling entirely foolish - and still a bit out of breathe. "I'm alright." She started, and then, because perhaps the truth would make her seem less foolish, "Just having a tough time catching my breathe." It felt shallow and tight in her lungs. "I can stand though." Or at least she was determined she would stand. "But something to drink would be lovely." Anything but hot chocolate would be lovely, but it seemed rude to add that. "Water?" She found herself asking, looking up into his face to try and read his expression.

  

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Pretties by Bee <3

Relieved that Miss Potts did not seem to hold it against him, Quin helped her to her feet and motioned for her to take a seat on the stool by the island if she wanted. Water he had, but found that something with a bit of sugar tended to help better in such situations. "How about some lemonade? I could use a glass myself."

Without waiting for a response, as he could easily get her a glass of water in the process, Quin flicked his wand and the materials sprung to life. The lemons lined up on the cutting board and he summoned the knife from the block. Since she didn't want to drink her chocolate, Quin then summoned her raspberry truffles from the display beside the till in the shop. They arranged themselves neatly on a plate on the island while he began to cut the lemons in half for squeezing.

"Chocolate makes everything better." He grinned at her over his shoulder quickly, hands expertly maneuvering the tools in his hands as he then moved the pitcher and the faucet, freezing it for a moment while he started squeezing the lemons. Cold lemonade (or water) was better, in his opinion.

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Mr. Honeyduke helped her up, a fact for which she was very thankful as she wasn't quite sure she would have managed on her own. She followed his gesture and moved slowly to the stool still feeling rather off. "Lemonade would be lovely, thank you." She smiled at him as she settled onto the stool and focused on trying to get enough air in her lungs now that she wasn't moving.

Her eyes watched him as he started to make lemonade himself and suddenly she found herself feeling awful for having agreed to it. She should have proclaimed water would have been fine so he wouldn't have had to go through the effort. But before she could protest about it a plate of raspberry truffles appeared before her. "Oh!" Came her delighted surprise. "You remembered." She hadn't meant to say it out loud, really she hadn't. But how was one supposed to keep one's wits about them after a swoon?

"It does," Dahlia agreed with a smile before taking a dainty bite. "Thank you." She added once she had finished her first bite.

  

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Pretties by Bee <3

Pleased Miss Potts agreed to the lemonade, Quin finished up squeezing everything, summoning the sugar from the far counter and the pitcher. With practiced movements he thawed the pitcher, tossed everything into the cold water, stirring it all together with a satisfied smile.

"I very rarely forget a favorite sweet, Miss Dahlia." He assured her, as he poured two glasses of lemonade and made his way to the island. "It's also rare for me to get such candid feedback on new sweets like yours has been. Which I appreciate." Quin slid one glass toward Miss Potts as he added a little lavender-honey syrup to his own glass and settled one hip against the wood of the counter.

His tush still hurt from the goose bite which is why he hasn't sat down and he sort of worried there was a hole in his pants, not to mention an actual wound, but he was doing with pretending otherwise, until Miss Potts was feeling more herself.

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That made her smile, it was so easy to imagine just how kind and considerate he was when he made such statements. As he spoke he placed the lemonade in front of her and Dahlia murmured a thank you, placing her fingers around the cool glass and enjoying the sensation of anything that was not hot after the experience she had just had.

But then his comment made her stop before she could take a sip. "Oh." A light blush staining her cheeks. She had been rather forward. Perhaps too forward? But then he assured her he appreciated it.

"I'm grateful for your feedback as well." She found herself saying, taking a sip of the lemonade after she made the comment so she wouldn't have to meet his gaze. But there was definitely a warmth to her cheeks that didn't involve running. "My sisters rarely give candid opinions." She admitted if only to keep herself from gulping down the lemonade in the most unlady like way. "Once, when I started baking, I accidently forgot to put flour in some brownies, and they all suffered through the diaster as if it were absolutely delightful." Dahlia hadn't even wanted to try the flat oily mess in the pan, but her sisters had managed it. She took another sip feeling that she had refrained well enough.

  

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Pretties by Bee <3

If there was a change in hue on her cheeks, Quin didn't notice. Between the running and the warmth in the shop (it always felt warm to him) he wouldn't be surprised to find a pink tinge on anyone's cheeks. Quin took a refreshing sip of his own lemonade and chuckled.

"My sister has never given me such kindness." Then again, she only got his beginning treats when he was still experimenting in his father's kitchen. He couldn't send her any magical treats and frankly he worried about sending anything the long distance home, so he tended to wait and bring a load home with him at the holidays or whenever he was able to sneak away for a long weekend. "I always find I learn more from my failures than my successes anyway. Plus it's fun to make a mess of it sometimes." And of course everyone had different tastes, so he needed multiple points of view.

"And my poor shop staff are leery, as they probably should be. Fortunately I can rely on a few good friends to give me honestly answers." Percy and Mason came into mind, Elias as well. They weren't afraid to share their thoughts on flavors or tricks he tried out.

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Dahlia chuckled lightly, treating herself to a truffle as he spoke. He did have a point though, messes could be fun - until one had to clean them up. But making one... well Dahlia could entirely agree with the sentiment. "Oh dear. You didn't poison one of them - did you?" Dahlia teased, hoping it might induce to him to tell her more of his failed ventures. It was hard to imagine he had any at all.

Well except perhaps with giant geese, she thought wryly. Before remembering that she had seen the creature biting him before they had made their escape - which. Oh dear lord, looked very much like a kidnapping. Dahlia's eyes flew open. Now that the world wasn't spinning and she was feeling better, treats did tend to do that, the whole thing crashed down on her. "Oh no! Amaryllis!" She cried, half a gasp as her hand flew to her mouth. "And - are you alright? Did it bite you terribly?" So many questions were flooding her mind that she couldn't quite figure out what order they should come out. "Amaryllis is going to kill me." She whispered horrified as the realization of what it had just looked like dawned fully on her. Especially because her sister had no idea that Dahlia was safe and sound and eating treats in the kitchen of the house of a man she hardly knew beyond an exchange of letters (which, honestly, felt like she knew him quite well, but she doubted the rest of the world would see it that way) and worst of all - she was unchaperoned.

  

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Pretties by Bee <3