Bookshop.

[veloxepistola.livejournal.com]

It's week two, and there is a steady rhythm to the people that come and go from the bookshop where Inara has found herself so recently. Sometimes Ivy has her behind the register. That isn't the part that entertains her though.

Watching people. Seeing what books they go for, what stationary supplies they need, what quills and inkpots and everything else they might be looking for appeals to them before they even realize what it is they want. That is why, among other things, Inara can be a very convincing salesperson.

While Ivy is in the stockroom behind the counter wrangling their copies of The Book of Flying Creatures from taking off out the window, Inara is balancing the ledger from the morning in an otherwise empty storefront.

Comments

[veloxepistola.livejournal.com]

Gesturing with her quill: "Or blow up in your face."

[scientiaeaquam.livejournal.com]

"Oh no, explosions are always a solution."

[veloxepistola.livejournal.com]

"Chemically-speaking, perhaps," Inara jibes.

What? She paid attention in class too.

[scientiaeaquam.livejournal.com]

"Well, they're all entertaining," Sokka replies, amused and enthusiastic, "the ones that take more preparation are just more fun."

[veloxepistola.livejournal.com]

"If you say so. I always preferred Transfiguration."

Which...brings Inara up a little short. She shouldn't have said that. Not really. But...Sokka.

Well. He's incredibly disarming.

[scientiaeaquam.livejournal.com]

Also? Not stupid.

"I remember! I think I was the only one in our year who didn't hold a grudge over your marks. But then, there's a reason I specialize in non-wand magic."

[veloxepistola.livejournal.com]

Not good with your wand, are you?

Inara's hand flies up to her mouth as though she actually spoke something aloud.

[scientiaeaquam.livejournal.com]

Sokka looks at her for a moment - then lifts an eyebrow, smirking.

Then sighs, ever so patiently, lifting a hand to gesture her onward. "Go on, get all the jokes out of your system. With certain ex-Gryffindor acquaintances of mine, I can guarantee I've heard them all."

[veloxepistola.livejournal.com]

With a polite toss of her hair, Inara shakes her head, grinning like a banshee.

"That seems entirely inappropriate, don't you think?

"I don't know you nearly well enough to crack a joke about your wand, good sir."

Teeheehee.

[scientiaeaquam.livejournal.com]

She gets a smirk. A smirky smirk filled with smirky goodness.

"That was rather tame, actually. If you're going to keep it that clean, you'll be a welcome change from the usual snide remarks."

[veloxepistola.livejournal.com]

"Perhaps my lewdness was trained out of me," Inara remarks. "Such a sad state of affairs.

"I'll work on my crude remarks just for you, Professor."

[scientiaeaquam.livejournal.com]

"Why, thank you, Madame," Sokka replies gallantly, sweeping into an ornate bow that is utterly ruined by a wide grin.

"Much obliged."

[veloxepistola.livejournal.com]

"Today is not at all how I expected it to be, you realize."

Cute Hogwarts professor-slash-former classmate requiring lascivious remarks made about his wand and all.

[scientiaeaquam.livejournal.com]

Were he privy to inner dialogue, Sokka would be offended by 'lascivious' and quite pleased with 'cute.'

Besides, she started the wand commentary.

"Well, I'm pleased to have been a shining beacon of light in your day, then!"

[veloxepistola.livejournal.com]

"If you are always this entertaining, I might have to request a repeat."

[scientiaeaquam.livejournal.com]

"I am, actually, always this entertaining," Sokka confides seriously, nodding with great dignity. "I'll check my schedule, see where I can pencil you in.

"Oh!" It's easy to switch from somber to grinning when you're faking the prior emotion. "You should join us at the pub sometime this week. Jo runs it and Leah will go, a few other professors show up. It'll be like a reunion, only with more interesting refreshments."

[veloxepistola.livejournal.com]

"Brilliant."

Jo runs it? That's enough to trigger Inara's interest, even if she weren't genuinely intrigued to see Sokka again.

"I'll be there with bells on."

[scientiaeaquam.livejournal.com]

"Literally, I hope. Should keep the conversation going steady."

[veloxepistola.livejournal.com]

"Sonnarius comincia?" Like a question, though it's a charm instead - unseen bells chime seemingly above their heads for a moment.

"I'll manage something."

[scientiaeaquam.livejournal.com]

Sokka shakes his head, failing completely at hiding his grin. "Too easy. Literal bells would be far more attention-grabbing.

"Inara." It's the start of a goodbye, though grand as he can make it, hand extended for hers and beaming. "Always a pleasure."

[veloxepistola.livejournal.com]

"Professor Sokka, Potions Master," she returns, bringing her hand up to his. "Likewise. Until the Three Broomsticks?"

[scientiaeaquam.livejournal.com]

Her hand gets bowed over - quite grandly, professor robes coming in handy for the billow-y. "Until!"

And grinning as he straightens. "Glad you're back."

[veloxepistola.livejournal.com]

"Thank you."

Inara doesn't stop beaming until Sokka leaves the shop.