December 18th, 1894 - Flourish & Blotts

Tobias had sort of forgotten that this part of the world was bitterly cold and damp this time of year. He missed the fluffy snow of the northern States more when winter hit. At least if it was going to be cold, it ought to snow. Then again, snow often made the Alley a dangerous sheet of ice and piles of snow all over the place to dodge, that would eventually just turn into piles of mush and everything would be muddy.

Maybe hew was just being pessimistic. Work typically slowed way down this time of year, though they did sell some nice accessories and wand boxes around the holidays. Tobias had mostly taken to tinkering with hand carving other things he intended to give as Christmas presents, but he didn't exactly have a ton of people to make for either.

Today the damp had him seeking refuge in the Cauldron, trying to warm up with a pint and some stew. He felt as though he lived there sometimes, spending more of his meals there than most. He had a housekeeper and she would cook for him, but he only asked her to come by and tidy up every few days. He mostly lived off things he could pick up and eat easily from the mercantile or the bakery. His trip from the wand shop however was two-fold, lunch and the book he'd had sent to the bookshop had arrived. It was out of print, but the manager had gotten his hands on a copy of the book in question, so he'd take it. Tobias hoped it was just in decent condition.

Pulling the collar of his coat up, he hurried along the Alley, hoping to beat what looked like some impending rain. Rita sat on his shoulder, grumpy as she preferred the warmer weather and hated getting her paws too cold. The raccoon really was just a creature version of him sometimes. Fortunately it was a quick walk, so he pulled open the door a few moments later and stepped in, making his way to the counter. He sincerely hoped they didn't mind Rita being inside, she would refuse to wait on the stoop. "Excuse me?" He called softly as he reached the counter. "I'm here to pick up a book?" Duh, Tobias, it was the bookstore. How eloquent.

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Joni Woodswell

The following 1 user Likes Tobias Ollivander's post:1 user Likes Tobias Ollivander's post
   Corinne Dursley

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"C—"

Thump.

A few, barely audible swears – all Russian – floated through the warm shop air, followed by the delicate shuffling of shoes. When she came around from the back corner of the shop, the dark-haired woman was rubbing the top of her head with a rueful smile.

"Yes, hello," her grin twists into something brighter, practically beaming as she takes great care ducking under a walkway to reach the front, "Coming, coming – terribly sorry for the delay."

She seemed to pause for a moment, peering down at the wizard – and his—

"Ah!" Then, suddenly, much more quietly – they’re in a bookstore, which, she’s learned, is similar enough to the library that a certain level a peace and quiet is expected: "A… raccoon, yes? They're very cute!"

She put down two narrow books she’d totted along from the back with soft thuds, leaning against the counter and tilting her head to get a better look; curiosity plucked at her attention span, long strands, having escaped from the bun atop her head, cascading down over her shoulders to hang about her neck. She offered the peculiar creature a more closed-lip beam, tickled at how it perched on the stranger's shoulder.

It reminded her of a street performer she’d seen in Lyon with a trained songbird...

Minus the feathers, of course, and with the addition of cute little hands instead.

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Joni speaks with a slight Russian accent

If if the young woman was surprised by Rita, Tobias was equally as impressed by her height. She had to have over a foot on him. Still, he smiled warmly at her question and nodded. "Yes, this is Rita." The raccoon looked over her own shoulder toward the woman, but didn't deign to do more than that, as she tried to tangle herself further into Tobias' scarf. "I apologize, she has terrible manners, I hope it's alright I have her in here?" Stubborn creature, but he would have felt bad leaving her out in the cold.

"I had a book ordered, on trees indigenous to South America, under Ollivander?" He offered the information, hoping it was the one he'd been looking for. It was out of print and he'd gotten a colleague to get a copy for him, but tracking it down had been difficult. He would have to keep looking if it wasn't the one he'd wanted, but either way, he hoped it would be useful. Tobias didn't often get the chance to make wands with foreign woods anymore but he did like to have the knowledge if the occasion presented itself.

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