James was back in Hogsmeade. Not much more to say about that. He was just a student that was there one day, gone the next. And then he's back, not much to say. He sat at the bar, drinking some orange juice, wondering if he'd come across anybody... familiar.
"What'cha so tensed about?"
"Not your problem."
"Of course it's my problem, pal."
"Don't call me that."
He turned back to the barkeep. The keep was facing away from the boy, serving another customer. Ace checked his pouch, but instead took out a piece of chalk. Beneath the out crop he placed his juice on, he quickly drew a circle, carefully circling around the pieces of used gum inconsiderate patrons had left beneath it. He placed two fingers on the edge of the circle, practiced in the art of "underhand alchemy." The result? Nice, golden Galleons to shut mouths and "answer" questions. Nothing to it.
James fingered the gold pieces, a bit guilty. Was he really cheating people of their money?
"When did you start growing a conscious?"
"When I decided to leave the school."
"And yet, here you are."
"Some things are worth putting up with to live. Better to be bored than dead."
"Better to have REAL money for where it REALly matters too."
"...You already know my response, don't you?"
"If I didn't, I wouldn't be in your head."
by James Wake Mon Nov 23, 2009 3:43 am