Open RP: The Three Broomsticks

[fabpenny.livejournal.com]

((Backdated to here. Ok'd by Lizzy-mun. Feel free to join Penny and Lizzy for lunch!))

The Three Broomsticks was almost a typical pub, thought Penny, aside from the disembodied shrunken heads hanging in by the doorway that greeted her and Lizzy, and the plethora of pointy hats and broomsticks. There was a general smell of ale and mutton about the place, which was reasonably crowded. Penny gave Lizzy a satisfied nod. “Excellent,” she said. “The food must be decent or we wouldn’t see so many here for lunch. I wonder if we seat ourselves?”

For answer a pretty blonde behind the counter waved a rag to get Penny’s attention. “Anywhere you like, dearie,” she said. “It’s warm by the fireplace if you’re cold.”

Penny glanced to the large stone fireplace along the back wall. Seated at a round wooden table in front of the fireplace was a group of large, shaggy, and rather disreputable men, their damp clothes steaming happily in the heat as they beamed a welcome at the two women. She exchanged looks with her friend. “How about over there, by the window?” Penny said hastily, and headed for an unoccupied booth.

Comments

[mageofanima.livejournal.com]

*Penny and Lizzy aren't the only ones who've headed to the Three Broomsticks for once. Erk, identifiable as usual by his unusually-colored hair, has found a seat near the kitchen and is looking over the menu. He's a rather picky eater - being raised in a castle'll do that to you. Spying a vaguely familiar face, he wanders over and addresses Elizabeth.* Hello. Didn't I meet you during my Sorting?

[moonlit-jemmers.livejournal.com]

Jemima heard the familiar voice of Elizabeth, and hurried over to her, "Elizabeth, it's you!" she exclaimed, "I wanted to talk to you after my sorting, but I couldn't find you."

[fine-eyes-lizzy.livejournal.com]

Elizabeth was vaguely puzzled by the appearance of the young brunette running over to her. The last time she'd seen Jemima, Jemima had been a cat. Lizzy put her reservations aside, but her inability to remember the young lady's name down to a bad memory, and, smiling, held out her hands.

"Oh, hello, my dear! You must forgive me; if I had known you wished to speak with me, I should have searched you out. Have you met Lady Penelope Creighton- Ward?"

[moonlit-jemmers.livejournal.com]

Jemima had never met anyone with such a long name, "I'm afraid I haven't. A friend of yours?"

[fabpenny.livejournal.com]

Penny extended a hand to the pretty girl, smiling. "Yours, too, I hope. Call me Penny, will you?"

[moonlit-jemmers.livejournal.com]

Jemima shook her hand, inwardly cartwheeling at the thought of making another new friend at this strange place, "It's nice to meet you, Penny. My name's Jemima, but you can shorten it to your liking if you find it more convenient."

[fine-eyes-lizzy.livejournal.com]

Jemima! That was her name. However, the name did not match the face Elizabeth remembered. "Pray forgive me, my dear, but were you not... a cat at your Sorting?"

[moonlit-jemmers.livejournal.com]

Jemima smiled, "Actually, yes. Turns out the potion I found on the floor was one that turned Jellicle applicants human. Funny how these things work out, huh?"

[fabpenny.livejournal.com]

Penny gestures to the empty seats. "I wouldn't dare. Jemima is a lovely name. Would you like to join us for a bit?"

[moonlit-jemmers.livejournal.com]

"Oh, thank you! Don't mind if I do," Jemima grinned, taking a seat with them, "I've never been here, though, so I'm not sure what they have that's good. Any suggestions?"

[fine-eyes-lizzy.livejournal.com]

Elizabeth seated herself, taking care to sweep her skirts out of the way. "Oh pray do not rely on my judgment- I have never been here before either. I have heard good things about butterbeer, though."

[moonlit-jemmers.livejournal.com]

"Butterbeer?" Jemima repeated, "What in the world is that? Sounds bizarre..."

[fine-eyes-lizzy.livejournal.com]

((ooc; Reposted for typo))

"Some sort of wizarding drink that is said to warm you up enormously. I think it cold enough to be of some use." Elizabeth smiled and turned to Penny. "Have you any suggestions?"

[fabpenny.livejournal.com]

((OOC: Rethreading below so we can all four be in the same thread. Do you think we need to post in a particular order?))

[fine-eyes-lizzy.livejournal.com]

"That looks quite perfect," Lizzy agreed, smiling wryly at Penny. Upon hearing Erk's greeting, she turned to look at him. "Oh, hello sir. I belive we have, but your name quite escapes me. I am Miss Elizabeth Bennet, and this is Lady Penelope Creighton- Ward."

[mageofanima.livejournal.com]

I am Erk, and it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance again, Miss Bennet, and yours, Lady Creighton-Ward. *Why does everyone here have two names?*

[fabpenny.livejournal.com]

Penny holds out her hand with a smile. "Please, Erk, call me Penny. Lady Creighton-Ward is my mum."

[mageofanima.livejournal.com]

*Erk shakes the proffered hand. Finally, someone who actually realizes that Erk is my full name.* Then I'm pleased to meet you, Penny.

[fine-eyes-lizzy.livejournal.com]

"Erk? Ah! I remember your Sorting, now. How do you enjoy Hogwarts so far?"

[mageofanima.livejournal.com]

It seems a pleasant place. The Library's very good, I know that. *Of course, the quality of Erk's life will drop considerably if one or two people ever show up...*

[fine-eyes-lizzy.livejournal.com]

"Though rather short on fiction, the library is quite interesting. What House did you end up in?"

[mageofanima.livejournal.com]

Gryffindor. Don't ask me how, because I never did figure it out. I'm beginning to believe that the Hat is insane, to tell you the truth.

[fabpenny.livejournal.com]

Penny quietly catches the bartender's eye and signals for service. "Forgive me for interrupting, but would anyone like something to drink?"

[fine-eyes-lizzy.livejournal.com]

Elizabeth smiled. "How very kind of you, Penny. I should very much like to try a butterbeer- I have heard good things about them. Erk, would you care for anything?"

[mageofanima.livejournal.com]

I think I'll pass. *The mage shivers slightly.* I have such a low alcohol tolerance I could probably manage to get drunk off butterbeer, and I have bad memories involving alcohol in any case. Thank you anyway.

[fabpenny.livejournal.com]

((OOC: Rethreading below so we all can be in the same thread. :) ))

[fabpenny.livejournal.com]

"Erk, do you know Jemima? And please, do join us. Butterbeer sounds an excellent idea, Lizzy." She signaled to the barkeep, who tucked her rag in her apron and came bustling over. "Three butterbeers, please, and... what would you like, Erk? Is anyone hungry?"

[mageofanima.livejournal.com]

No, I don't believe we've met. Pleased to meet you, Jemima. That's a pretty name.

I think I'll just have a water at the moment, thanks.

[fine-eyes-lizzy.livejournal.com]

((ooc; Thanks for the repost! I don't think we need any sort of posting order....))

"I'm quite fine, Penny, thank you," Lizzy added.

[fabpenny.livejournal.com]

((Sorry about the delay!))

"No?" Penny rubbed her stomach, which gave an audible, but ladylike, growl. "I'm famished!" She looked up at the waitress. "Could we get an assortment of cakes and so forth, please? Muggle, mostly, if you don't mind - I'm still a bit inexperienced," she added with a smile. "And extra plates in case people change their minds."

"Now, Erk, you're in Gryffindor? So am I - how do you like it? And Jemima - tell me about being a cat. You do mean a cat cat, as in felis domesticus?" Penny gave Lizzy a delighted look. "You do know the nicest people, my dear."

[mageofanima.livejournal.com]

Well, I must confess that I had expected to end up in Ravenclaw, but Gryffindor seems to be a nice enough place. And the friend of mine who first recommended me to Ravenclaw isn't exactly known for giving advice, so I suppose he could have been mistaken. *Erk has adopted a variant of his "talking to Lord Pent's friends" demeanor, and doesn't seem quite willing to let go of it.*

[fine-eyes-lizzy.livejournal.com]

Elizabeth smiled. "I do frequent Sortings a great deal. I suppose myself simply lucky to meet such pleasant people. And yes- I do mean a 'cat cat'. I am rather partial to Ravenclaw, since it is my own house, but I dare say that Gryffindor is just as agreeable."