September 15th, 1895 — Tarot Tea House & Parlor, Horizont Alley

Barnabas wasn't usually one for divination. He'd avoided it entirely during his time at Hogwarts, and even more so as an adult. It was frivolous magic, and frankly, he didn't quite believe in it. Perhaps some diviners' talents were genuine, but surely not as many as those who faked it. Rather begrudgingly, he'd entered the tea house owned by the Eventides. They were on the shadier side of society, but they were wealthy and powerful for good reason. He needed to get this damned curse removed before it ruined his life.

The last twenty-four hours had had him trying every spell he knew to remove it himself, but to no avail. He preferred to avoid the hospital or the Ministry, not wanting anyone important to recognize him and realize his predicament. There'd always been rumors that the eccentric tea house offered curse removal services. Here he was, executing plan B.

After a ridiculously expensive waste of time in which he was certain the Eventide who he'd met with was a charlatan, he was no better off than before. In consolation, the employee had offered him a free tea. Barnabas accepted, if only because if he didn't, he was worried that the curse would retaliate. Before he knew it, he was sitting at one of the little tables near the shop window with a delicate teacup in hand. Wary that not drinking it would cause the curse to bring him harm, he took a tentative sip. It had a familiar, strangely addicting taste that he couldn't quite place.

The cup was empty within a minute. The shop worker had ducked into the back just as he'd been about to request a refill. So whilst he waited (rather happily, which ought to have been his first warning sign), his eyes fell upon the most beautiful, marvelous creature he'd ever seen. Golden brown hair, small in stature, and wearing fashion-forward bloomers. Before he knew what was happening, he was out of his chair and approaching her with bright, shining eyes and a foolish grin, "I apologize if this makes you uncomfortable, miss, but I just thought you ought to know that you are a goddess."

Gemma Simpson

  

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Barnabas walks with a cane • Set by the lovely Lady • plot with me

Gems had done enough traveling around the world to know where and when to visit certain places. Broad daylight, early afternoon in the company of other patrons felt like a fine time to visit the Tarot Tea House. She was plugging into certain avenues of the world to know the reputation of the establishment without much digging, but Gemma wasn't here for anything nefarious. She had a surplus of herbs and plants they liked, she didn't mind selling them to someone willing to play. Business was business after all and while she was on hiatus from her expedition, she would take the pocket money without much of a second thought.

With the transaction begun, Gem thought to have a cup of tea while she waited on payment, but also rather thought she didn't trust it much. She sat herself in a cozy armchair to wait and people watch when she was approached by a blonde gentleman leaning on a cane and wearing a ludicrous smile.

Nothing could have prepared him for what he said.

She blinked a few times, waiting for it to sink in before she burst out laughing.

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Had Barnabas not been intoxicated with a love potion, he would have had the wherewithal to be utterly mortified at his behavior—and then shrivel up into dust and blow away upon her subsequent laugh. But alas, this was not the case. Instead, he laughed right along with her, thinking how delightful her laugh sounded. Better yet, he had been the lucky soul who had caused it. It was so delightful that he wanted to continue to make her laugh. Only, he wasn't a very humorous man by nature. He needed to do something amusing, and quickly!

"Flobbery-wobbery-worms." was apparently all his love-addled brain could come up with, and then a: "Toodle-mcgrubbins-convivery-jam." for good measure. Utter nonsense, the lot of it, but hopefully it was enouh. He waited with bated breath to see if he had been successful in his attempt to make his beloved just as amused as she deserved.

  

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Barnabas walks with a cane • Set by the lovely Lady • plot with me

Gemma's laughter died out after a moment, but the man standing before her, somewhat familiar must have absolutely lost his mind. Not only was he laughing now, his words made absolutely no sense and she had to assume he was drunk. Bold, considering the venue and the... clientele, but Gemma wasn't completely shocked.

"How much have you had?" She asked, far too familiar with dealing with drunks and their odd behavior. It was off-putting certainly, but she didn't exactly feel threatened or anything; Gemma could handle herself in most situations, plus she didn't think that the owners of this specific establishment would not tolerate too much in the way of shenanigans. Still, if she could save them both (moreso him) some embarrassment, she would give it a chance. Gemma wasn't easily embarrassed, especially when she was the target of some untoward behavior, but she wasn't exactly in the mood to deal with it for too long, either.

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Barnabas Skeeter

Well, that hadn't lasted very long. It was a pity that he wasn't very funny; he would have been far better at keeping his darling entertained if he were. Now, she sounded... concerned? Was it concerning to her that he wasn't great at jokes? He could learn. He would study jokes so that everything he said would make her laugh.

"How much have I had?" Barnabas repeated, doe-eyed and dazed, "How much have I had of what?" Oh! "I haven't had any training on humor or entertainment, my love, but I will be fixing that personal failing posthaste."

  

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Barnabas walks with a cane • Set by the lovely Lady • plot with me

Oh sweet Merlin's beard, he was so gone he was confusing her for someone else, obviously. Going on about theatrical training? How was he even upright?

"I think you've had a little too much to drink, chap." She offered a better explanation. "I'm not sure we've ever met, so calling me, "my love" feels a little forward, don't you think?" He must have been half a bottle in to be so forward. Or maybe she did look like someone he knew and was more familiar with. It was a little sad, but there wasn't much she could do about it other than try to get him to leave her alone. "Maybe you ought to speak to the staff about some floo powder to get home safe." It wasn't foolproof, and he was being pretty foolish, but Gem though it to be safer than trying to apparate or walk to wherever he needed to be.

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Barnabas Skeeter

Barnabas's blonde brows knit in consternation. She thought he was drunk? That his pure adoration of her was merely influenced by alcohol? That wouldn't do. He'd have to prove that his love was genuine. "Not at all!" He replied animatedly, "Don't you believe in love at first sight, Miss..." Wait—how did he not know her name yet? He was such a cad! He'd have to rectify that immediately, but first, he pressed his left hand to his chest just above his heart. His voice was sincere as he told her: "I've only been drinking tea." His hand slid from his chest to gesture to the table he'd been using, his abandoned teacup looking rather forlorn.

  

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Barnabas walks with a cane • Set by the lovely Lady • plot with me