we don't have time for this. [alain]

Memphis was furious, no he was livid. His fists were balled and his cheeks were red as he landed on the grounds of Inverness. He had heard Alain was back and the other elemental hadn't even so much as sent up a red flare. Memphis thought they were closer than that. Apparently Memphis had just been running a free storage service for the last three years. He missed his friend, he even dusted the stuff in Alain's room that didn't zap him when he tried, that was how much he cared. When he found out that Alain had resurfaced he had immediately gone back to the apartment they had once shared in Neroli but there was no sign of him. Then he had gone to the St. Clare family home, searching for him, but finding only his parents living there. After a home cooked meal, courtesy of Mrs. St. Clare, Memphis continued on his journey. He was running out of places to check and then the thought came to him, Inverness. He had to be there. The air elemental found a secluded place and morphed into his element, using as he often did, and traveled quickly to Scotland. When he reached Inverness he tried to calm himself but it wasn't really helping. Being close to the Typh shrine could only bring him so much peace when he was this frustrated. He stalked through the grass until he found himself at the steps of the ancient building devoted to his element. An element he shared with the man he was currently hunting down.

He had understood why Alain had been so mopey after the battle at Beauxbatons. He understood his mood swings, he was patient and tried to be there for his friend, but he did not understand this. When Alain disappeared Memphis had assumed he left to do some thinking. He thought his flat mate would return in a week or so with a fresh lease on life or something profound but after months he began to lose hope. As people began to disappear and the Dark Lord gained power Memphis feared the worst. He left his apartment for weeks at a time searching for Alain in the worst of places. He had his own run ins with less than friendly individuals, but he never stopped looking. Not until Bella went missing anyway. When his cousin was taken and presumed dead Memphis had to change gears. He knew Alain could fend for himself, if he was still alive, but Belladonna was so fragile. She was a pureblood in love with a muggle, she was kind, and she needed his help. Unfortunately Memphis wasn't able to find her either. So he returned to Neroli after the war had ended and tried to put his life back together. Every way he looked he was missing some thing but he had started to accept that fact. It had been three years since Alain had left without so much as a note and Memphis rarely thought about his lost friend.

Until yesterday when he was told that Alain was back.

When he reached the steps of his shrine Memphis could feel the familiar tingle of like minded Elemental's near by. He was learning to be able to differentiate between the feelings for people he already knew. It was difficult at first as he walked into the Shrine with his silver eyes peeled for the familiar face of Alain. Having known the other man since he was twelve was helpful but it had been so long since Memphis had sensed his friend, he had almost forgotten the feeling, until it rushed over him. He turned sharply and followed his gut toward a bookshelf inside of the shrine. All around him objects were floating with miraculous magic. This place was like a second home to Memphis. He had spent so much time here he felt like he knew every chair, every window, every creak in the floor board. He approached a man standing near the shelf with a book open in his hand as the sensation in his nerves grew. "Alain." He said softly even though he wanted to scream. "We need to talk." He folded his arms across his chest to resist the urge to shake the other elemental violently in this place of peace. "Now."

Alain St. Clare had never been so angry in his entire life and that was in spite of the fact several days had passed since he’d regained his memories. What he wouldn’t give to get his hands on those ancient Nubian rogue elementals so he could watch the life sucked out of them at his own hand. Two and a half years, two and a half fricking years he had lost as a result of the curse that had been placed on the ancient scrolls they’d left. Years during which he’d lived as a muggle working in the most menial jobs imaginable (a fact that disgusted the normally snobbish air elemental). The twenty one year old was so angry he hadn’t even stopped to consider the mechanics of the magic as he would have under normal circumstances, was it powered by a runic pattern long forgotten? Or had they simply gotten the aid of a wand user?

In spite of the fact that Zachary’s apartment was the biggest Alain had ever seen the air elemental found himself feeling increasingly claustrophobic as the days since the return of his memories dragged on. This was in spite of the fact that he had actually left the apartment the day before to go and see Eleanor and his parents for the first time since his return. The blonde had felt guilty when he could clearly see how concerned Zachary had been about his increasingly angsty behaviour, but there was unfortunately nothing his dark haired lover could have done to help him. No there was only one thing that would help and he needed to leave the apartment to do so or risk his elemental status being discovered. It hadn’t been easy getting Zachary to concede to allowing him to travel to Scotland unaccompanied but after a stern reminder of the fact Alain was an adult and fully capable now his memories had been restored his British lover had ultimately compiled to Alain’s wishes.

And that was how the twenty one year old found himself stood outside the shrine of air his all-encompassing anger quickly fading to be replaced by a tranquillity that came from being near a place so connected to his element and dare he say it excitement. He was going to get to morph, to become one with his element for the first time in years something he’d been unconsciously yearning for the entire time. The usually composed air elemental practically ran into the Shrine of Air in his excitement, in the end choosing an area near a book shelf on the second floor to morph. His form of choice had been a mini hurricane which blew freely through the room wild and unrestrained.

It was maybe a few hours since his arrival, time was pretty meaningless when you had become one with the air itself when Alain sensed that familiar aura approaching and morphed back into his human form. The twenty one year old looked different than Memphis would have remembered for one Alain was slightly more tanned and two he was in noticeably better shape from several years of lugging around heavy packages. His attire consisted of a rather simple black wizarding robe he’d acquired the day before.

“Memphis” he greeted in a calm tone the morph having done much to calm Alain from the heavy emotions he’d been feeling earlier. “You look as handsome as ever” the compliment offered with the flirtatious tease to it that his former roommate should have long been used to coming from Alain. Not that there was anything to it really at this point he was fully aware Memphis attention was solely on the fairer sex. “I am sorry I haven’t been in touch” it was rare for someone as arrogant as Alain to apologise and even rarer for his tone to be genuinely contrite as it was at that moment. “Some things came up that I hadn’t been expecting… So what did you need to talk about?”

The twenty one year old had opted to remain vague when describing his time away to Memphis not yet sure how much he wished to share. There was firstly a reluctance to share the humiliation of falling victim to a curse that stole his memories for two and a half years and secondly there was the fact the council would not exactly approve of the research he’d been undertaking at the time of falling victim to said curse.

Arms still across his chest Memphis' silver gray eyes narrowed upon his old flat mate. The calmness in the other man's tone only made Memphis more frustrated. How could he be so nonchalant at a time like this. He had been gone for years. YEARS! And he seemed like it was no big deal. "Don't flatter me Alain." He said without so much as a smile to the other elemental. He knew how charming Alain could be and even though Memphis didn't find him attractive it didn't mean he didn't enjoy being called handsome. He was sorry he didn't keep in touch? That was all he had for him? Memphis didn't realize it at the time and he probably wouldn't for some time but there were some parallels to this situation and the one he found himself stuck in with Farren. She was mad at him for leaving without any notice and he was mad at Alain for the same reason. Although Memphis fully understood the weight of Alain's apology it did nothing to ease his anger. He knew the other man rarely apologized for anything. Even when he had broken Memphis' nose he never apologized. That wasn't lost on the former Ravenclaw, it just didn't help. He took a deep breath as Alain continued to speak.

"Some things came up?" He asked, not caring if he was talking over his friend. Memphis was rarely as angry as he was now. If he had found Alain in some strange place and gotten an explanation that would of been one thing. Seeing him all calm and normal at Inverness was a whole other thing. It made Memphis feel like an idiot for leaving his life behind while he searched for him. "Some things came up?" He repeated, the words were dripping with angry sarcasm as Memphis continued to stare at Alain. "Are you kidding me?" He wanted to sock the his friend in the face but this was not the place to do it. He didn't even want to imagine the looks on the Acolytes that were floating around the Shrine. He assumed they would not be happy with violence in their place of worship. He felt the anger rising in him again and in the few times that he had been this full of rage Memphis usually lost control of his element. Being at Inverness helped to steady him, but he suddenly, and strangely, felt the need to get out of the shrine. Without second thought or notice Memphis reached out and took a firm grip on Alain's forearm. "What do you think I want to talk about? Kittens?" He flung the words at Alain as he pulled him toward the door of the shrine. Shaking his head and gritting his teeth together until they were standing outside of the building devoted to their element Memphis didn't stop up until they were a few feet into the grassy area of Inverness.

There was snow on the ground, but it was only a light layer. Enough to freeze the ground solid but not enough to sink into just yet. When he had gotten a suitable enough distance away from the shrine Memphis turned around sharply to face Alain. The idea of decking the other elemental flashed through his head again but he restrained himself. He wanted to know why Alain left, why he didn't tell him he was leaving, and why he didn't bother to tell him he was back. It would be hard to get all of that information if Alain was pissed at him and bleeding out of his nose. "Where the hell were you?!" He said, close to screaming, but lowering his voice half way through the sentence. He didn't want to attract attention. Even though they were outside the Shrines they were still at Inverness and he doubted they would take kindly to a physical altercation here. "Why did you leave? Where did you go? Why didn't you come back?" He spurted out questions faster than Alain could probably answer them and didn't stop there. Crossing his arms again as his cheeks grew red Memphis spoke once more before he stopped to give Alain time to answer.

"I thought you were dead."

The younger air elemental had to take several deep breathes in order to stop himself from growing defensive or feigning disinterest as was his custom. While he knew Memphis had every right to be mad at him for his extended absence it was still not easy for someone as proud as Alain to feel as though he were being scolded like a naughty child. “It’s not flattery when it’s the truth Memphis” the compliment offered in his most charming manner before his expression became serious once more.

“Repeating yourself does not become you Memphis it in no way furthers your point” the statement intended to remind his fellow air elemental subtlety that he was being overly emotional which Alain tried to avoid whenever possible. Far too much was missed when blinded by emotion. The twenty one year old had just been about to answer his companion when suddenly he found himself being ceremoniously dragged down the stairs and led to the outside of the building. Alain shot Memphis a glare to express his displeasure at being handled in such a manner, but the fact that he did not physically fight against it was a non-verbal admission of the others right to be mad at him.

As they stood outside the air elemental cooled the temperature of the air surrounding him making the ice below them harden from the extreme temperature. Even though it was far from the same thing Alain liked to use his element to affect ice in such a manner as it reminded him of his plans to study Garth as his second affinity upon completing his Advocate training. “I was in Abu Simbel, Egypt” the Beauxbatons graduate just about got out before Memphis started firing a series of questions at him quicker than he could answer. Rather than attempt to answer him further Alain simply stood there with his arms by his side just listening to Memphis’ queries with a calm expression on his handsome features.

“I am sorry” the repeated apology spoken soft but clearly “I really did not mean to cause you any pain or upset Memphis” the words while spoken in a seemingly neutral tone did have a hitch to them that could be spotted by someone who knew Alain well. “As I mentioned before I was in Egypt and the reason I left was a mixture of needing to get away and researching some Nubian runic magic I came across in one of my books”. What he had told Memphis so far had been the truth and easy to discuss, but now there was an indecisive look on the air elementals handsome features as he regarded the man across from him. Finally with a nod to himself and a determined look he offered the final revelation.

“And why didn’t I come back? Because I was foolish…” the admission painful for one as proud of their intellectual prowess as Alain “I was over eager in my quest for knowledge and became the victim of a curse that was designed to protect the information I sought. I spent the last two and a half years not even knowing who I was, that I was magical until I came across Za… uhm a friend by chance”.

It didn't matter that Alain had apologized, Memphis was too far gone for that to really weigh in on him. It didn't matter that Alain hadn't meant to cause him pain. It didn't even matter that those words were spoken with the tiniest bit of sarcasm and that Memphis had picked up on it. All that mattered was finding out why. Memphis stood still, never taking his eyes off of the man in front of him who he hoped he would one day called friend again. Right now, that word seemed like a bit of a leap. He didn't understand why Alain had needed to get away but he let the other Elemental speak. Memphis had his little rant and now he knew it was time to listen. If he didn't then he would never get the answers he felt he desperately needed. Nubian runic magic? Memphis felt a weird pang in the pit of his stomach. He knew what the pursuit of knowledge was like. Alain was one of the few people Memphis had met who's love of knowledge was matched by his own. That didn't excuse him though. An eyebrow raised as he was about to point out that fact but he kept his mouth shut instead. And he was glad that he had because the next thing that the French man said shocked him.

He was foolish? Alain did not say things like that. Alain St. Clare was not foolish. That idea had been beat into Memphis' head since the time that they were boys. To hear him admit to something like that surprised Memphis much more than the other man's apologies ever could. It wasn't like him to confess to something such as that. Memphis took a deep breath and the puzzled look on his face was not masked at all. "You were? wait, what?" He mused out loud after Alain finished his startling confession. Memphis wasn't speaking to the other man as he processed this new information but Alain no doubt could hear him. He shivered in the cold as the snow crunched beneath his uneven feet. Memphis' cheeks were red as he conjured up the energy to force the temperature near him back to a reasonable level. Had he been paying closer attention he would of realized it was Alain that had made it feel like the arctic, but he was too distracted. "The curse wiped away your memories?" He said it with an almost unbelieving tone. It was an excellent excuse but something inside Memphis told him it must be the truth. Alain was smart and proud, he doubted living as a muggle would be his go to lie in this situation. "How did you get them back?" He hadn't over looked the fact that Alain only mentioned a 'friend' and as usual Memphis was going to pick at the scab. If there was something Alain didn't want him to know, it was of course number one on his list of priorities to find out.

It had always been that way between the two of them. Sometimes their friendly competition turned ugly but most of the time it only pushed them to be better. Memphis wouldn't of learned French if it wasn't for Alain's constant pushing. He probably wouldn't be half as capable as he was with his Element if it wasn't for Alain. Even if the other man had been missing for sometime. "Your not forgiven." He said suddenly as he went through the small conversation in his mind over and over. "But I would like to know more. Did you find what you were looking for?" He wondered about the Nubian magic but he was already assuming that Alain had been unsuccessful. Who knows, maybe he did learn something but then the curse stole that from him as well. Talk about irony.

Alain had to admit that he felt relieved when Memphis stood still and gave him his chance to speak. The air elemental was not the type to care for many people. For the most part he preferred his own company and even with those he cared about he tried to remain emotionally disengaged. However, Memphis was one of the few who had managed to make his way into the inner circle and although Alain would never admit it (even to himself) the idea of losing him as a friend hurt.

The twenty one year old sighed as Memphis started murmuring to himself and opted for remaining silent while the other elemental processed the information. Alain arched a brow, but said nothing as Memphis changed the temperature once more. He had been rather enjoying the cold. “Yes the curse took away my memories! I spent two and a half years living as a muggle who did not know magic even existed.” The elaboration offered in a low grumbling tone, it rather obvious that Alain felt both embarrassed and disgruntled as he spoke of the ordeal. 

‘Damn it’ he should have known that Memphis would not miss his earlier slip. The Hogwarts graduate had always been far too good at reading him for his own good. Alain took a deep breath before masking his features into an impassive expression, it his go to when he did not want to give away more than was absolutely necessary. “As I said previously I by chance came across a former acquaintance. He was visiting the muggle art gallery I had been working in and recognised me. When he realised I was without my memories he persuaded me that magic existed and asked for permission to help restore my memories to me.”

At this point Alain paused, his expression still a blank mask as he continued to deliver his highly edited rendition of the events in Abu Simbel and the days that followed. “He was particularly suitable for the task as he happens to be a master of the mind arts. Do not ask me any more about it; you know how wand magic bores me”. Although his last statement referred specifically to the mechanics of the magic used, it would have been obvious from the twenty one year olds cold expression and closed off body language that he was not willing to discuss the matter any further. The last thing Alain needed was Memphis finding out about Zachary and sharing their casual sexual relationship with the wrong people. The air elemental knew Zachary would never forgive him if that were to happen.

At the forgiveness comment he rolled his eyes starting to grow impatient “I’ve said my piece how you wish to go from here is completely up to you” the words delivered in what the proud air elemental hoped was a nonchalant seeming manner.  “I did, but my further research on my findings is far from finished” which meant Alain was not willing to share any more than that. Alain had always been a most secretive scholar, but he was especially reticent when his projects were still works in progress. “It has been two and a half years, why don’t you show me an example of what you have learnt about our element in that time? Since where would be better than here for a demonstration?” The air elemental hoped giving Memphis an opportunity to show off would be a perfect way of distracting his companion from topics such as Zachary and his research he did not particularly want to discuss.

The tone in Alain's voice made Memphis stand a little easier. The anger he had been feeling moments ago was starting to dissipate. Alain was here, he was alive, and he was acting like his normal self. That made it easier for Memphis to get over how he was feeling. It wasn't like Memphis to hold onto negative feelings. He let them wash over him and then drip away. As he stared back at his friend he felt himself calming down, his cheeks not burning nearly as hot anymore. It was a relief to see his friend again. And it was also kind of funny to picture Alain working as a muggle. The corners of the former Ravenclaw's mouth turned up just a hint as he imagined Alain doing manual labor. Of him being completely in the dark about the magic and mysteries of the world. It was a little entertaining, but he had to keep that to himself for now. He doubted Alain was in the mood to be yelled at and then made fun of. As Memphis probed further about the 'friend' he could see the change in Alain's attitude. Although it wasn't much Memphis was trained in knowing his friends body language. He knew when a fight wasn't worth it. He could tell when he had gotten all he could from the other elemental and pushing further would be futile. He resigned to let the information he was given be enough... for now... as he slid his hands into his pockets.

It was intriguing that Alain happen to run into an old friend, at a Muggle museum, who was just the person who could reverse the effects of the curse. Memphis wanted to ask more questions. Wanted to poke holes in the story he was being given, but he held his tongue for now. If he started demanding information or accusing this other person Alain was clam up tight and he wouldn't ever hear another peep about it. Sometimes it was difficult talking to the French man. Memphis felt like he had to navigate perfectly to get anything out of him. Like one misstep and the information would forever be lost to him. It was like this when things were important, sometimes it was even like this when they weren't. He had grown used to it by now. As frustrating as it was to only have bits of the story Memphis had kind of missed this. He hoped Alain wasn't doing it on purpose but the way he kept information from Memphis only made him more interested. Alain was an interesting friend to have, that had always been true. "Okay, well I'm glad he was able to fix you. I can't imagine you being happy in the muggle world." Memphis said with a tiny bit of playfulness in his tone. "It can be so boring." Growing up half in and half out Memphis had a unique perspective of the muggle world. His mother hated all things magical, she had tried to raise him the same, they were never very close.

Of course Memphis wasn't just going to write Alain off as a loss. Yes what happened sucked but he was back now and Memphis was over it. It was easy for him to shift so quickly. It didn't really matter that he left anymore, he was back, that mattered. Of course Memphis would probably return to being pissed at him for disappearing when it suited him, but for now, he relaxed. Nodding sharply Memphis understood that the research wasn't finished. He understood Alain's inclination to not share anything more. There was no use in giving him only half conceived theories and bits of information. Memphis wouldn't learn anything from that. So he again let the topic slide off the table. Thankfully Alain changed it quickly and his next words made a bright smile form on the Elemental's face. He had missed being able to talk to someone about his element. Sure there were people around he could chat with but he didn't have the relationship with them that he had with Alain. They had gone through the same things, around the same time, and they were similar in many ways and different in just as many. It made for riveting conversation, at least in Memphis' mind. And now it was time for show and tell and boy did he have something to show.

He took a deep breath and then started to speak. "Well morphing is basically second nature now, after quite a bit of practice I can do it without much concentration. Once I broke through that door it seemed like everything else started to fall into place." Memphis remembered the days when he could barely morph without feeling like he was drowning himself. It was a strange feeling. It was completely foreign to him but every bit of his being was screaming for him to complete the morph. Like his body needed it. And it turned out, it had. After he finished speaking he took a few steps away from Alain and stood in the middle of the snowy, grassy, courtyard between the Shrines. A few months ago he would not of dreamed of trying this spell here. He had barely survived when he did it in the middle of no where but now he had more confidence in himself. The Shrine of his element being so close served to steady his nerves too. Slowly he brought his hands up in front of his stomach and then looked back at Alain with a smile "Hold on to your Bonnet Mr. St. Clare." He said playfully before his attention returned to his hands. He felt his element coursing through him as he spoke the words. He moved his hands in the shape of a cyclone around one another as he finally said the incantation. "TYPH HELIX!" Whether the air came from his hands or was pulled down from the sky was a bit unclear because in seconds a funnel cloud had erupted from the sky and connected to the one he had created between his palms.

The sky was darkened but his smile only brightened as he watched the tornado thrash around. Months ago Memphis couldn't keep a hold on it. Months ago it had gone rogue and ripped through the brush and tried to kill him and another student who took refuge in a cave. Things were different now. Maybe having Alain nearby helped him stay even more focused, he wasn't entirely sure, but he was concentrating on the vortex he had created so he would think about that later. As his hands spun around each other the tornado attempted to rip away from him like it had before. He was able to keep hold of it but it was taxing on his energy. After a minute or two Memphis struggled to keep the cyclone in his grasp. He knew it was time to reign it in and thankfully the words were on the tip of his tongue. "TYPH TRANQUILLA" He spoke, slightly short of breath, and soon the clouds moved away and the funnel retreated back into his hands before it was gone completely. He turned on his heel, facing his friend, with a proud grin on his features.

Alain stifled his annoyance as he noted the upward quirk of the other air elementals mouth. He was smart enough to guess that it meant Memphis was amused by the situation he had found himself in. “I was not particularly happy” he agreed coldly before his mouth twitched in amusement as he slyly added “But there were certain perks. Let’s just say muggle women are more open than their wizarding counterparts”.  Alain opted to leave it at that allowing Memphis to make what he would of the statement. Of course things hadn’t been entirely smooth. He still shuddered when he remembered the internalised homophobia instilled by the homophobic area he had been living in.

The air elemental was relieved when Memphis accepted his decision not to share his findings with him. Alain knew that the other man was just as hungry for knowledge as he was. While it was a trait that Alain often admired in his handsome friend it was also an attribute that he found vexing when Alain did not wish to share the information Memphis sought. Still although Alain wouldn’t admit it out loud he wouldn’t trade Memphis for the world warts and all.

“Oh so you finally mastered morphing did you? It took you long enough”. The teasing banter delivered with a wicked grin on the blondes handsome features. Morphing into his element had been Alain’s first known piece of accidental elemental and as a result that particular feat of elemental magic had been mastered remarkably quickly by the twenty one year old. The French man believed that a part of his natural aptitude had been sheer belief in himself. Since he had already morphed once, from the beginning of his training there had never been any doubt in his mind that he would be able to do so again. Of course that was balanced out by the fact there had been other areas Memphis had advanced through much quicker than Alain.  Nonetheless both Alain and Memphis were far too competitive to not make use of any advantage they had.

The French man watched his companion move into the middle of the courtyard curiously before grinning at his friends warning. “Whatever it is I am sure I can handle it Signore Gredel” the response delivered in a bright and equally playful tone. It had been too long since he had gotten to see a proper display of elemental magic or had a chance to flex his own magical muscles for that matter. A fact he had every intention of changing now that he was back to his normal self again.

As he watched the tornado spectacularly come to life and remain within the control of his friend the emotions Alain felt quickly shifted. A mixture of pride, anger and resentment simmered in him causing Alain’s face to transform into his cold emotionless mask. He was in no way mad at Memphis in fact he felt proud of his friends accomplishment. Yet he could not help but think that should have been him. He should be just as capable of performing such extraordinary feats of magic and Alain was convinced he would have been had it not been for the three years he had lost as a result of the curse induced amnesia. So much of his life had been stolen as a result of that blasted curse.

“That was impressive Memphis. You have clearly been keeping up with your studies”. Not one for handing out elaborate compliments (unless they were fake and simply used for manipulation purposes) that was as close to openly showing his admiration of Memphis that Alain was willing to allow. With a smirk he then added in a conspiratorial tone “You seem to have those spells pretty mastered. It’s been too long since I got to build on my skills. Do you have time to go elsewhere and start working on those spells with me?”. Although it grated on Alain to need Memphis help when the two had always been nearly evenly matched in the past, his need for knowledge outshone his pride in this instance.