Settling

Sawyer set down the hammer, looking at the shelter for Darla. It had been fully functional the last time he had been on the property, but it had fallen apart since had left. He'd change the color later, add a few more comforts, and the aging doe would never leave it. For now, it was safe and dry, enough to get her through the cold nights and the rainy days.

Korin was already settled on the roof of the shelter, looking pleased with herself for having already found somewhere to hide from Sawyer when she needed a bath. Walrus was running about the property, sniffing everything he could push his nose into. Sawyer buttoned up his windbreaker and reached up to grab Korin. He released Darla from the shelter and she shook her coat, gently taking off towards the woods to sniff around as well.

"Wally!" Sawyer called. The dog turned and chased after his master, who was stepping into the small home. A kettle was whistling and Sawyer dropped the kneazle on the sofa, hurrying to pour himself his hot tea. He took his mug into the living room, stopping at a radio to tune it to the wizarding world news channel, WWNR. A dry voice began speaking of more upset in Bulgaria as Sawyer kicked his shoes off, taking in a long drink of tea.

The engine of his motorbike rumbled as it flew through the air. Manning the helm was a small black cat with a motorcycle helmet and goggles on its head; and sporting a tiny fleece-lined leather jacket, as it was slightly chilly up in the air.

"Excited to see Sawyer?" James asked of the feline, receiving an affirmative 'meow' in return.

James had heard that Sawyer was back from Jack, who was planning on handing him her position in the Department of Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. James had a feeling that Sawyer would find the job a bit dull. He imagined the head dealt more with paperwork and registries, rather than actually tracking down the rogue beasts. Perhaps if there was an exceptionally vicious case....

James ducked underneath the clouds to gauge his position, and sure enough, there was the place. Only a few miles past the Burrow. James grinned in anticipation of surprising his favorite cousin with a sudden visit.

James angled in the motorcycle for a landing, making sure to keep clear of the deer. He was not sure how accustomed the animal was to loud, flying motorbikes, but he was willing to bet it would get spooked. With a thump, James landed his bike in the front yard, where it appeared there had used to be a driveway, though now it was overgrown with grass.

Before shutting off the engine, James revved it up to a roar to alert Sawyer of his presence, as if a flying motorbike suddenly landing in his yard hadn't been warning enough. James winced immediately afterwards, remembering the doe. He looked 'round back to where he had last seen the animal, making sure that he hadn't spooked it unnecessarily.

"Tensions have increased with a sudden visit from the American Wizarding President in Bulgaria to discuss trade relations, bringing up the touching topic of trading dangerous creatures, which have now incited a small riot in the town-"

A sudden roar interrupted Sawyer, who had nearly been lulled to sleep by the words of the dry radio announcer. He sat up, listening. Korin had yowled and ran off to hide in the shower as she did during thunderstorms, and Walrus had rushed the door, pushing open the screen to go outside and watch.

But Sawyer felt a small smile work its way onto his face. He knew that sound. James had come to see him.

Outside, Walrus stood on the back door steps, barking a deep bark at the motorcycle. Darla had watched James land from the treeline and she now snuck up behind him. Domesticated, Darla had become a curious creature with few instincts of flight that deer usually had. She was nearly behind him, her neck outstretched to smell the back of his head, when he turned around. The little Flight instinct Dalra had kicked in and she turned, running off like a child caught by his mother with his hand in the cookie jar.

Walrus had finally caught James's scent. Though quite some time had elapsed, Sawyer had been a regular enough visitor for his smell to trigger a reassuring familiarity. He panted, wagging his tail, which beat heavily against the screen door. Sawyer smiled, inside, knowing his cousin would be barging in soon. Let him barge.

(Erm...I'm guessing Walrus caught James' scent. XD )

When James turned, he saw a large brown eye staring at him. Startled, he jumped back, and the deer did as well, giving him a sheepish...well, doeish look. Doom mewed in mild amusement, earning him a flick across the nose. James lifted Doom out of his basket, removing the helmet and jacket, then set Doom down on the ground.

"Well, go get 'em," James suggested to the cat, indicating the large dog on the porch.

Doom trotted off, his bushy tail held high in the air; James strolling behind him. Doom reached Walrus first, standing up on his hind legs and playfully batting the dog on the snout. James gave him a pat on the head in passing, and pushed the screen door open.

"It's the pizza man!" James called as he stepped inside.

((I fail. XD Edited))

Walrus, despite being a large dog, had one cattish quality. When nervous, he stood up on his tiptoes and arching his back. As the adventurous little cat approached him, Walrus did this, standing stock still. Doom's scent began to work its way into his brain as well and he felt a rush of recognition, allowing him to settle back onto his feet. He wagged his tail against the screen door and playfully poked Doom, knocking the cat off its feet. Doom meowed with pleasure.

Sawyer heard the screen door screech open, causing him to flinch. He needed to oil that. He summoned an oil can and stood, walking over to the screen. He reached the screen as James announced his presence. Sawyer reached out a hand. "Where's the pizza, then?"

He smiled, moving his arm to catch his cousin's hand in his own for a shake. "You already tracked me down. Impressive! And overbearing."

"Overbearing!?" James echoed in mock astonishment, "What baseless accusations! I have never barged in uninvited to a home and forced my presence on someone! For shame!"

James grinned at Sawyer, and made himself at home, flopping down on the sofa. He spread his arms out to rest on the back of the sofa, and crossed one leg; the ankle resting on his knee.

"Jack told me that you were back from your travels," James informed him, "Says that you have an interesting new position in the Ministry. After all those years of hands-on with magical creatures, you're going into office work! I must confess that I could never envision you in an office....doing paperwork.....acquiring the soft hands of a pretty lass."

James tipped Sawyer a cocky wink. He could always be a bit more brash around Sawyer. The man didn't seem to get easily offended, and knew not to take James seriously.

(Kind of guessed on Sawyer's character there. If he does indeed get easily offended, and takes James seriously, I will edit my post. )

((It's alright. I fully support a bromance between these two, so I think that James is the exception to a lot of Sawyer's rules))

Sawyer rolled his eyes. "I haven't even seen my own mother yet, but you made sure that you tracked me down. That means you're worse than overbearing. You're downright maternal, you are."

James then proceeded to do exactly what he had so offended him to be accused of. He settled in and Sawyer oiled the hinges of the screen door, opening and closing it testing-ly. The door had been rid of squeaks, so Sawyer turned and followed his cousin into his own living room.

James had taken up the whole couch, of course. Sawyer returned to his armchair recliner, turning it so he could see his cousin better. James immediately began his usual taunting and Sawyer grinned. "Nah, you've got it all wrong. Jack did hold the job before me- does that sound like a job she'd take? Back when Zoe Gould had it, there was a lot of paperwork, but it's evolved since then. I have more things to deal with than I could hope for."

He flicked his wand at the fireplace, attempting to eliminate some of the chill. He reached over and turned the radio's volume down a bit. "Want something? Beer? Firewhiskey?"

(lmao, this is reminding me of a friend of mine named Chris Teeter. We always called each other brother and sister, and he used to make my parents so mad, because he made himself at home. I'd come home from school on many occasions to see him sitting on our porch with one of my dad's beers shooting starlings out of the tree with a shotgun.)

"I was under the impression that Jack was not enjoying the department, which is why the job is going to you," replied James raising an eyebrow, "Can't say I'm complaining, though! We needed a beater of her caliber! Oh, and a whiskey sounds grand."

A sudden thundering sound reverberated throughout the room, causing James to frown in puzzlement. The nature of the sound became clear a few seconds later, however as Doom went screaming through the living room, clearly enjoying himself. Right on his fluffed-up tail, was Walrus, panting heavily in excitement as he chased the cat.

"Well, they sure are getting along," James commented, sinking back down into the sofa with a small smile.

((oh my God. Best friend material right there.))

Sawyer shrugged. "Probably wasn't enjoying the paperwork. I can tell, because there hasn't been a proper system in six months. I happen to like records- keeps everything in order." He had to admit, he was disappointed in the state of the department. Fortunately, it had come back to its original purpose and was not promoting creature-hate as it had in the past, but now it was a bit more like an unorganized zoo.

James accepted the offer of a drink and Sawyer said, "Okay" pushing himself out of the chair. He strode towards the kitchen when a small cat suddenly ran between his legs. It hit him a second later what was soon to follow, and he dove out of the way as Walrus came running on, putting on the brakes. He and the rug slid forward a good few feet, he stumbled around a corner, and he and Doom disappeared again.

Sawyer stumbled into the kitchen and quickly gathered a Firewhiskey and an ale for himself, bringing them both to the living room. He handed James the bottle of Firewhiskey and collapsed again into his chair, drinking deeply from his drink. After a moment, he sat up a bit more attentively, looking over at James. "So what have you been up to? How's Quidditch and the family and the Order-" he feigned taking a huge gasp of air "and everything?"

At the question, James tried and failed to keep his demeanor cheery. A shadow passed his face as he thought of the current events, each happening in such a short period of time. First, there was the betrayal of his brother and Jamie, then the attack on Diagon Alley, the kidnapping of Khaat and Nemo....though Jack joining the team was a bit more cheerful.

James wrestled with himself momentarily whether he should start out with the grave news, or try to keep things light for a little while longer. He decided to go with cheerful. No sense in putting a damper so soon on his first meeting with Sawyer in such a long time. The graver things in life could come after a few drinks, when they wouldn't have such a big impact on alcohol-influenced minds.

"Family's doing great!" James replied after the short pause, mustering up a smile, "Lily is in her final year at Hogwarts, and Albus lives on his own now, but he drops by the house so often that he may as well live there. Lily has been getting top marks, especially in potions. Seems to have inherited some abilities from her namesake. Albus hasn't quite found his stride in life yet. He is working at the Ministry as assistant to someone in Muggle Relations, but he doesn't seem to be enjoying it. I believe his superior has somewhat of a Pureblood mania, so that would make things difficult for Albus. He put in for a transfer, but so far it hasn't been honored.

As for Quidditch, I think we're going to do real good this year with Jack on the team. Best practices we've had since I joined the team. Girl's got an arm on her....a temper too for that matter, but I like women who are fiery. Give's them character. Don't you think?"