Your Ex-Lover is Dead

[Amelia Evans]

Her first duel had to be moderated by him. What in Merlin's name was the universe doing to her now? Amelia was nervous by all means - mostly annoyed though, but she didn't let that get in the way of her concentration. What annoyed her most was that seeing him seemed to affect her at all. After she'd let his house that night, she was determined to not let it the fact that he was going to propose affect her. Key word being was. He wasn't anymore. In fact, knowing him, he probably already had found someone already.

It was this last thought that saw her step up to the stage for her first duel. And it annoyed her this was her last thought. Such petty scenarios running through her mind, when all she had to do was not. think. about. bloody. Barnabas. Skeeter. Easier said than done, apparently.

As she hurled her curse at Mrs Hatchitt, Amelia's eyes flickered towards him. She saw his expression darken when he saw what curse she was going for. He remained calm and collected throughout the entire duel, it seemed. Even when a great jet of water hurled towards Amelia (though then, she'd been too distracted trying to redirect it to even glance towards his direction).

When Amelia finally won, she beamed toward the crowd of people watching. She could see her uncle in the stands, clapping proudly for her, and she curtseyed. After bidding Mrs Hatchitt goodbye and thanking her for a good duel, Amelia turned to see Barnabas right in front of her, a few yards away; her heart gave an involuntary jump and she froze on the spot.

@'Barnabas Skeeter'
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   Barnabas Skeeter

[Barnabas Skeeter]

He hadn't meant to be in her way, but his cane had stuck in between the floor boards and after being accidentally bumped by Mrs. Hatchitt on her descent from the stage, he'd somehow managed to shuffle into her path. He pried it loose just as he felt her approach. The back of his neck burned self-consciously.

He hadn't seen her for six months - six long months - so long as you didn't count the subtle walk-bys of the Beautiful Beast Boutique. He'd not had enough courage to enter or even make his presence known. She'd rejected him. Several times, even. He'd had to remind himself that several times throughout the duel and had selfishly hoped that she'd lose so that he wouldn't need to worry about seeing her against a formidable foe again. That, sadly, hadn't been the case... though he couldn't help but to feel some sentimental warmth toward her when he saw her uncle's obviously proud reaction at her winning. She'd done well, he had to give her that.

"Miss Evans," He tried to appear politely nonchalant, as if his cane wasn't wedged in and he had chosen to block her way to the steps all along, rather than speed-walking as fast as his prosthetic leg could take him to somewhere that was not here, "Congratulations. Your performance was admirable."

@'Aurelia Wallingford'

  

[Amelia Evans]

For how long it'd been, Amelia still remembered every part of him just like it was yesterday. The elation of winning a duel was quickly being overpowered by a sense of awkwardness and desperation. Desperation for him to know it was her that was the problem, not him. Well, most of it was her. His air-headedness was his own damn fault.

Not knowing what else to do, she bobbed a curtsey. "Thank you, Mr Skeeter." she replied, tucking her wand away and clasping her hands together in front of her. She resisted the urge to wring them in anxiousness. "Thank you for moderating." Thank you for moderating.... what a stupid thing to say. Couldn't she come up with anything better than that?

"I trust everything is well with you?" she managed again, though it was equally as weak an attempt as the last.
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   Barnabas Skeeter

[Barnabas Skeeter]

The formality between them was safe, though he had an oddly nostalgic ache in the pit of his stomach. He'd grown accustomed to her calling him by the more intimate Barnabas. They hadn't spoken in six months and as far as he was aware, were not involved romantically whatsoever. She had ended things by running off. He'd waited for her to contact him, but had come to realize in the past few months that perhaps her decision had been made with finality.

He nodded in acceptance of the politeness - despite knowing that had he had the option, he would never have moderated her duel personally. For the next few rounds, he would make certain that he was not around for it. Seeing her caused him far more discomfort than he'd imagined.

"Well enough," He returned cordially, though couldn't bring himself to quite meet her eyes, "And your family and Penny?"

  

[Amelia Evans]

If she wanted to transform and fly before, then now she wanted to just sink into the floor and disappear. She nodded politely at his return, expecting that to be the end of it. She nearly breathed a sigh of relief, however then he went on to ask about her family and Penny.

And Penny. 

There came that uncomfortable flutter in her stomach again. Looking down at her hands, Amelia took a breath. "Penny is doing okay," she said to his shoes, which were rather shiny, she noticed. Looking back up, she continued. "My aunt and uncle as well, thank you." This was the part where she had to ask something back, wasn't it? So why wasn't her brain working? Why was she at a complete loss for words?
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   Barnabas Skeeter

[Barnabas Skeeter]

"Good to hear it."

Their gazes met for a moment and he had to look away. He hadn't truly expected to catch up with her - or speak to her, for that matter - but with his cane wedged between the boards, he couldn't exactly run off. She could do that. Was rather could at that, he noted wryly, but for some reason had not taken the opportunity to do so. He could either a) say something that would make her run and likely put the last nail in the coffin of their relationship or b) remain polite and hope that she'd leave of her own accord. With it being Amelia, he didn't think she'd stand around for small talk for very long anyhow.

Barnabas fought the urge to run a hand through his hair, "Anything new and exciting happening for you?" He didn't find the need to say that it had been a while, no thanks to her. Half a year, even.

@'Aurelia Wallingford'

  

[Amelia Evans]

Of all the things she wanted to be talking about, it was her life. Though not much had happened since that night, that didn't mean she was blissfully happy with it either. She missed him, as much as she hated to admit it, and half of her was wondering if he missed her just as much. "Nothing of consequence," she stated, resisting the urge to look up at the cieling again. There was nothing very interesting up there, she just didn't want to be looking at him. It felt too....uncomfortable. He made her so nervous. "And anything new with you?"

@'Barnabas Skeeter' I am horrendous, Im so sorry <3 I know you're on absence right now, this is just letting you know I posted ^_^ take your time in responding!