Courage is a heart word [tag; Montserrat]

Disgraceful.

He thought as he looked at the lesser men, their insignificance blanketed under humorous quips and badly layered cologne. It was baffling that he shared the same space with them. He found he lacked the drive to compete among his peers, it was unfair to stack them up against someone such as himself. To have him measured against men who had no chance of surpassing him was wrong, it was thoughtless and insensitive. But, as he looked out at her he knew he was being measured beside those lesser men. He knew his value outshines them but was well aware that their ability to share their personalities might leave him at a clear disadvantage. His gaze washed across her and he willed himself not to approach. let her notice you, he thought as he shifted his gaze. He shouldn't stare it could read wrong. Though he considered most things he did - or rather - enjoyed could be read wrong and misconstrued. He was the face of something to be his, a legacy of great responsibility. His future did not give way to romances led by the beating of his heart. No, he knew love would come later - if at all - in whatever marriage was contracted his by father. It was the burden of whatever legacy he hoped to leave, the drawback to his responsibility. Something hopeful cast in the dark shadow of a soulless man.

Augustus inhaled deeply as the glass of tea he'd been nursing was lifted to his lips so that he could have a sip wetting the back of his now dry throat. He often wondered at the true difficulties that came with courage. It was easy he had learned to be cruel and appear to not care one way or another. It was easy to become mysterious when speaking of one's life seemed a horrible endeavor. But to be courageous took depth and risk and as he was often reminded he was a cautious man. Augie knew his peers questioned his motives, his sincerity, his abilities which could have been hidden behind the nepotism of his position. His eyes drifted ever so slowly back to her, a treasure amongst meaningless things. He looked upon her and saw a kindness that had escaped his life. What meaning he had derived from his accomplishments seemed unworthy of impressing her. His head tilted as he considered what speaking to her again might feel like, if he might gauge her affections in the tempo of their words. That her needs and desires might be mirrored in the tones she might take. He wondered would he feel the blossoming of emotion in the sound of her laughter or bask in it from the depth of her gaze.

His gaze shifted once more as he rose, his slender form dressed immaculately. The tailored suit hung along him perfectly, moderately hidden behind the opening in his robe. He swallowed as the glass was twirled between long nimble fingers. She was there just on the other side of his vision, a glance away. Angie walked smooth measured steps toward her but not directly an approach. How could he? He might have appeared confident but beneath his etiquette rested insecurities. Such things he hid very well for showing them would mean facing the wrath of his father and the heir doubted he would ever be prepared for such a thing. She was closer now and he could hear the sound of her voice bringing back the memories of their past. He could hear her laughter, the way she had often said his name. He could smell her perfume and feel the warmth of her touch as if she had reached out to him as he walked past. Merlin, he thought once more needing a sip of tea as his mouth seemed unbearably dry. He’d heard his name and his gaze drifted to the man striding towards him. Augustus cleared his throat, “Yes, Harold.” He acknowledged though his mind was on far more important things.
 
He sighed softly as the other man spoke briskly about several test he needed run by the end of the business day, tests Augie had already run for his own knowledge. “Yes, of course, I’ll have the result reports on your desk first thing.” Another sigh as the man went on and Augie was reminded that not all men knew their worth. Some, like Harold, needed to appear bigger amongst their superior peers so that their lives simply had meaning. Lording his position over Augustus was the older man’s way and Augie would allow it, for now. With time he would outshine the man, a buffoon meant to guide him in an I’ll-placed apprenticeship. “Well,” Augustus began having grown bored of pretending to listen, “One only has so long for break… “ he hinted and a brow rose as it became clear the older man did not mind wasting the heir's time. “I’d much like to finish my own in peace.” He said gently though he meant for his words to be taken rudely, “Again Harold, first thing I will not forget.” He said more to appease the man who looked on the verge of a rant about manners, one in which Augie would surely ignore. He sighed and simply turned to walk away as Harold attempted to broach the subject again not truly caring how rude the action may have been perceived. It was better that everyone knew now he had no time to placate nor stroke emotions and egos.
 
The pocket watch was pulled from his vest pocket to see how long his time had been wasted on something better left in a note on his desk. He scoffed glancing at the man who muttered as he took his leave, mutterings Augie was sure reflected on how rude the interaction had turned. The boy might care another day but he lacked the effort to care about these false workplace relationships which would ultimately lead nowhere. Ah, back to the task at hand – Montserrat – or rather working up the nerve to strike a conversation. Would she remember him? He doubted he was forgettable but in a sea of men, he could forgive a lapse of memory if only to catch a fraction of her attention. He didn’t deserve such a wonderful thing but Augie had always been selfish, enough that he at times reckless went after the things he wanted. Yet, with her, there was a pause. Pause because she could very well deny him, could leave him lost on the rejection following her words. He best approach the situation with a bit of ease.
 
“Montserrat?” he called out as if he had just become aware of her presence, his expression questioning as he gazed at her before the surprise took his features. “Augustus.” He said though he hoped she hadn’t forgotten. “Finally a familiar face, perhaps this is a good sign I’ve picked the right place to finish my studies..” he gave a smile though the warmth had barely met his eyes before the smile vanished. “My apologies, I don’t wish to disturb you. So thoughtless of me, but, maybe one day we might have the time to catch up?” to revisit old feelings and see what their short-lived relationship might have been. “If you’d like that is.” He offered so she didn’t feel pressured.

@Montserrat Fábregas

“Haven’t you met the new intern, what was his name again?” one of the companions, Ella,  at her table began as Montserrat continued on with her paperwork, writing every piece of information meticulously as she recalled it. One of her greatest fears had been making a mistake as a Healer and so the things like paperwork took twice the amount of time to complete as she organized the contents with the sort of precision anyone obsessed with organization might have. Her mother might have noted that if she treated all things in her life the way she treated her notes, she would have led an easier life, but there was nothing she could do about that now.

She only listened to her coworkers halfheartedly, not sure about the new intern that had been on the mind of what seemed like every young witch on her floor since morning. She had only heard bits and pieces of conversations ranging from topics related to his looks to his wealth to his talent, but not enough for her to go downstairs to see what the fuss was about. Interns came and went from St. Mungo’s all the time, especially the sons and daughters of wealthy patrons of the hospital looking for a little life experience. The last time they had gotten one of those in the Maternity Ward, the girl had made several disparaging comments to the young mothers, and eventually, she needed to be reassigned. As long as the intern was suitable for the position and did not cause any drama on her own floor, she figured it didn’t really matter who the new face at the hospital was.

“He is so dreamy, super polite, too,” another one of her companions chimed in, the expression on her face making it obvious that she was daydreaming about an entire future for the two of them, but knowing her, the face and name of the man of her dreams would change within a weeks’ time, as it often did. At least he had manners, Montserrat noted as she signed one document then another, cross referencing the documents with her earlier notes several more times before moving on to the next section.

“I heard his family is quite well off,” Ella retorted, nudging an elbow into Montserrat’s side as if she were insinuating something. The young witch jerked away from the movement, much too sensitive to tickling before she finally put her paperwork away, closing the manila folder and putting it back into her bag carefully.

Montserrat opened her mouth to speak before she fell silent. Some of her coworkers were aware that she was seeing someone but the young witch had never gone into much detail no matter how many times Ella had asked about her mystery beau. This, too, felt like a trap for more information, one that she refused to fall into. “Want some coffee?” she asked instead, rising to her feet and leaving her bag at the table with her friends as she walked over to the coffee stand and waited in line, her mind wandering off to one of her many mental checklists.

As soon as she heard her name, however, she turned, her eyes widening in surprise. “Augustus?” she said almost exactly in tune with his own announcement of his name before laughing, the dimples on her cheeks deepening as she did. “Oh so you’re the new intern, I see,” she added, “you’re no trouble at all, care for a cup of coffee?” she offered instead, walking up closer to the front of the line as it shifted.

She looked behind her at the man standing there apologetically before she continued talking to Augustus, surely the man wouldn’t mind. “I’d love to catch up a bit now if you’ve got the time? I normally take my coffee outdoors, the weather is so lovely today and well, my girls back there are driving me a bit up the wall, you’ve caused quite a stir on my floor,” she smiled again, “it’s been so long, how have you been?”