Worry

[Loretta Browne]

Loretta couldn't stand what was happening over in London. She felt so utterly helpless as she stayed safe and snug at home. It made her feel guilty to think about all those souls either lost or waiting to be found despite the fact that the logical side of her said she had nothing to feel guilty about.

Coming to watch the ducks had been an attempt to get her mind of the tragic happenings and to try not to think about the fact that some of her friends could possibly be in the rubble. As she sat on the bench, it took her a long moment to realize that she had accidentally torn the Prophet she had been holding to pieces with all the subconscious nervous wringing she had been doing to it!

  

[Brian Brenton]

The Department of Magical International Co-Operation had been busy with reports of the many fatalities of individuals from other countries.. Mr. Brenton had been tasked with communication with the distraught souls that were looking for answers, and it would be a lie to say it hadn't taken a toll on his emotional state.

He wasn't the only one, either; it seemed that wherever he looked, someone was talking about the incident and someone looked upset. He didn't blame them — the whole ordeal was an absolute nightmare, whether it be to a miserable Ministry worker or a parent searching for their missing child. Luckily he'd had family members so missing, and so he was one of the many who would get to avoid mourning.

As Brian took his daily stroll in the afternoon park, his eyes couldn't help but be drawn to the young woman who sat on the bench. She looked confused ... or was that a distraught expression? His heart felt for her, and he pondered on whether or not approaching her was a good idea. In the end, after staring at her momentarily, he decided to.

"Er ... Are you alright, Miss?" the translator asked, cheeks pink. For someone who had to deal with people on a regular basis, he was not good with people. He was definitely an awkward turtle, one filled with worry and guilt over things he had no business feeling guilty over.

  

[Loretta Browne]

Loretta was so lost in her own mind that she was actually startled when someone came to ask her if she was all right. She stared at him in confusion for a brief moment before giving him a shy smile. "Quite all right. I'm just - well, I suppose I am not feeling all right," she said, rambling a little before managing to stop herself.

"I'm sorry. Yes, I'm perfectly fine, just a tad worried, is all." Merlin, couldn't she go through one conversation with the opposite sex without making an utter fool of herself?

  

[Brian Brenton]

Word Count: 106 | Tag: Loretta Browne | Date: July 13, 1887
The uncertainly in her voice made him feel slightly better about his own demeanor, as he too could not help but stumble over his words around members of the opposite sex. He usually just dealt with other men at work, and the occasional woman was usually older than himself, making him less nervous. He smiled at the girl, hoping to make her smile in return.

"Is there anything you need to talk to someone about?" he asked. "I wouldn't say that I'm good at giving advice, but I've always had the best listening ears," he said, raking a seat a solid two feet away from her.