While most people welcomed summer with open arms hoping to get away from the unbearable weather that had plagued London ever summer for the last few years, Piper only hoped for a few days rest which she hoped to spend in the countryside somewhere far from the office. It was wistful thinking at best; Piper had been slyly bringing up the idea of taking a few days off for several months now in passing conversation only to be met with her boss’ confused expression and a vague promise to consider it. Piper knew that with this sort of position of power came much responsibility and soon convinced herself that it was better if she did stay in the office while her co-workers took a few days off here and there. At least that way, she could finish her assignments earlier and take it slow once the next issue was published. In this manner, the few hours she had to herself at home when she was not sleeping could be spent on something other than picking up the slack from others at her company.
That was enough to convince her to let it go but it did not stop her body and mind from protesting. She was exhausted and due to the sheer amount of responsibility at the office did not even have the opportunity to go on an assignment out of the office or even lunch. But all was not completely lost. It was uncharacteristic of her to forget something so important but Piper had been losing so much sleep lately that her invitation to a fashion conference in Alexandria had been completely forgotten. To make matters more enticing, it so happened to coincide with the Wizarding Book Expo’s last leg of the yearly two-week celebration of literature. A true Ravenclaw at heart, the idea of spending some of the times in between meet and greets or symposiums reading through shelf upon shelf of literature was just as exciting as the idea of spending that time on vacation in the countryside.
Her first day in Alexandria was uneventful; her schedule had been so ridiculously packed with one meeting or conference after another that she barely had time to even breath in between. Nevertheless, by the third day, things had eased up enough for her to finally sneak away to the expo. Piper had attended one of the famous book expo events several times in the past and had been impressed every year by the amount of preparation that it took to gather so many great minds in one room. She perused each aisle with great interest, politely walking around the crowds of people that were gathered around. It was such an odd feeling to actually
enjoy something for once rather than to do it for the sake of her work.
Of course, the feeling did not last long at all. In fact, Piper found herself watching the people around her more so than the books, her eyes wandering down their frames as she thought about what they wore and what one of the fashion directors might think of it. It was a fun game, at least until her eyes landed on an abnormally tall man just a little down the aisle. Piper watched him with great interest, at least until she realized that she was probably staring a bit too much for someone so far away. Straightening her back and almost immediately moving into work mode, she walked over to him. The fashion director would praise her profusely for her great eye for models.
“Hi there,” she tried to be as pleasant as possible. She had assumed that he spoke English but could always use a translation charm is necessary. “May I ask how tall you are?” she looked up at the man that towered over her, “You’re quite beautiful…” she muttered before laughing a little at her impropriety, “I apologize, I’m Piper Morel, junior editor at Label Magazine, if you aren’t signed with an agent, I’d love to take you in to see one. You’d make a great model.”
@Marin Clare
