Lani

[Charles Hewer]

Lani, 

Hello, beautiful. Haven't heard from you in a bit, fraid' I've scared you off. Can't handle my insanity, huh? 
Anyways, I was wondering if you've read this book, it's called 'Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.' My bedsit mate gave it to me the other day. Said it was pretty decent. I enjoy my literature, especially muggle literature, so I think I'll give it a whirl. 

How about you, how are you? Last time we talked you were saying something about a difficult kid to transition? Something about low NEWT scores? 

Best, 
Charles 

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ooc: i'm going with the fact that Charles has been a little more open with her about his illness than his family just because it's usually easier to tell a stranger something than your family at times. you know?

[Olaniyi Shafiq]

Charles,

You haven't scared me of at all, dear! I've just been extremely busy at work. It would take more than your "insanity" to scare me off!

I haven't read that book, no. But tell me how you like it and maybe I'll run out to get it. I love all sorts of literature.

Like I said earlier, I am so busy at work. Yes, that student was a bit of a problem to figure out, but eventually we managed. He settled on a different university in the end, which helped on my end. I'm just glad we were able to work something out.

Stay well,
Lani

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((ooc: that's fine!! it makes sense to me.))

[Charles Hewer]

Lani,

I'm very glad to hear that; good friends are hard to come by. Especially good female friends and myself, if you'd met me- Don't let that ministry work you too hard. Take a break every now and then. Matter of fact, take one soon. Very soon and come into muggle London with. I've been meaning to scrape together my chump change and buy my little sister a gift. Ever since I . . . reemerged, she's been an utter angel. And aside from stupid trinkets, i'm not really good at gifts for her. She's seventeen, what do I buy a seventeen year old girl?

Will do. I've thumbed through it a bit, seems rather sad, but I suppose everything can' end with a happy ending, eh?

And like I said above, skip a day. You can do that, can't you? I mean, your . . . great uncle? grandfather? runs the place. Just pull the family card. <-- take the cheesy winking smiley face as encouragement. But i'm glad you sorted that through. Those kids have good people in their corner thanks to you.

Heard it's going to rain later. Don't steal my taxi again.  

Get some rest and stop working so hard,
Charles

[Olaniyi Shafiq]

Charles,

They certainly are. And I must say, I am pleased to call you a good friend. I'm a workaholic; haven't you figured that out by now? Writing to you is taking a break! However, your offer is tempting. Nothing is worse than a seventeen year old getting an awful gift. I suppose I could come and help you out. But you have to tell me a bit more of what she's like, so I can help you. Alright?

Unfortunately, no; not everything can have a happy ending. Have you read The Boy in the Striped Pajamas? Case in point.

Skip a day? Oh, dear. You might have to drug me. I've never skipped a day of work or school, in my entire life. Even when I was sick with the flu, I tried to go to school. Looking back, that's a little pathetic, isn't it? Maybe I can take a half-day. But I can't take a full day. Or we could shoot for a weekend day.

Your memory has failed you: you stole my taxi.

Stay safe and dry,
Lani

[Charles Hewer]

Lani,

You certainly know how to make a guy feel good about himself, don't you? Pleased to call me a friend? Should have met me a year ago. You would have probably pushed me down a flight of stairs. And merlin I wish I was joking. And writing a letter to an old man isn't taking a break. It's pity, yet, but not taking a break. You deserve a real break. So come. The sun is shinning and i'm awful at picking anything out. Lissie is a simple girl, really. She likes to paint, walk barefoot, play with animals . . . i'm making her sound like Snow White. She likes music - I always used to drag her around the house when I was younger, and she was just a tot, singing to her. Muggle music of course. My brother raises her primarily on his own, though there's in total five of us. Yeah, i'm pathetic on that end. But thanks for the help. i'll need it.

Never heard of it. Does it end that badly?

I won't drug you, but if you promise your Uncle won't have me arrested, I'll kidnap you and drag you along. Live a little, Miss Shafiq. Though never as much as i have A little pathetic to be honest, I lived for sick days. Half day? Merlin, i'm offering to buy lunch and you're only saying a half day?

No. I don't concur with that at all. It was raining and wet; the taxi slowed, I got in and then you got in. Therefore you're the thief.

Will do and same to you,
Charles

[Olaniyi Shafiq]

Charles,

I am pleased to call you a friend! If that makes you feel good about yourself, then that's even better. But did you honestly just call yourself an old man? The next time I see you, I'm going to hit you upside the head with the biggest book I can get my hands on. I am not pitying you! I'm offended you think that. Is it really that difficult to believe someone enjoys your friendship and writing to you? Now I am curious what you were like a year ago.

Wow, she really does sound like Snow White. Well, from what it sounds like, your sister seems to just be happy that you're back in her life. What if, instead of getting her a gift (however heartfelt it is), you just spend time with her? Take her out somewhere - maybe you can go to a concert together?

Yes, that book has an awful ending. It haunts me to this day.

Wait a minute, you never offered lunch until just now! That changes everything completely. I can say it's a business lunch. It's a one-time thing only. Understand?

I hailed the cab, it just happened to stop in front of you. Sexist arse driver.

- Lani

[Charles Hewer]

Lani,

Keep fluffing my ego, I'm quite enjoying it. It is making me feel good about myself. I am an old man. At least eight years older than you. You can't hit an old man, that's unconscionable, not to mention morally wrong - threatening an old man. Its difficult to believe I'm a horrid person honestly. A year ago? I was an utter asshole. Disgusting, really.

A concert? I think Lissie would like that. She and I have always had similar music tastes - I like to think we're hippies together. You sure she wouldn't be embarrassed by having an old man hanging around with her at a concert?

Oh, maybe I'll stay away from it. I think I need something with a bit of a happier ending right now. Hopefully this book i'm reading has a better ending!

Oh so free food and you're in? Now i feel like i'm being used just for a meal.

I precisely remember my hand being in the air, too. Maybe he just thought I was better looking?

-Charles

[Olaniyi Shafiq]

Charles,

I'm good at making people feel good about themselves. Everyone needs an ego-boost every once in a while - I'm the lady to give it to them. That sounds kind of dirty, though, doesn't it?

You may be 8 years older than me, but that doesn't make you old! It makes you older. Than me. Big, big difference.

Well, maybe you were disgusting a year ago, but you've changed. Change is possible. And it seems like you've been working really hard at changing, from what I'm getting from you. So you should embrace the new you and forgive the old you. It doesn't matter, it's in the past. The past can hurt, but the way I see it, you can either run from it or... learn from it. (I'll buy dessert if you can tell me where that quote is from.)

Oh, no, there is no doubt in my mind that your sister would be embarrassed going to a concert with an old man. But her brother, on the other hand, is definitely a different story. (I'm assuming, as I don't know your sister.) I think you should give it a try - memories are something she can cherish forever.

I hope your book has a happy ending, as well!

Free food and I'm in, that's right. At least I'm honest, eh? But don't worry - I'm a cheap date cheapo.

Maybe. Personally, I think I'm prettier than you. But you're still pretty.

- Lani