So it rolls

[Itzak Upier]

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For the Ministry memo!

Hogsmeade. Really? When he couldn't speak a single word of English? Yeah, that made a lot of sense. Some paper pusher that ranked higher up than he did in the Ministry had decided, against all common intelligence, that taking part in this Gobstones promotion activity made sense. That wasn't bad. Itzak would do it gladly. But that he had to go to it in Hogsmeade? Wow, were some people misinformed.

He'd made his peace with the situation, though, and, safety goggles still on after Apparating with his older brother Marek, he started to set up his little kiosk where he'd understood they wanted him to. Marek was off some place, presumably chatting up the local ladies. That was all fine and dandy, unless someone decided to actually come and talk to him. Not a good idea.

[Shayla Lennox]

Hogsmeade was exactly like Shayla remembered it to be. Snowy and delightful. She had come for a day of shopping free from the prying eyes of family and friends. She was hiding her pregnancy to most people, including her father, so she figured buying some maternity clothes in Hogsmeade village was the surest was to ensure that no one saw her and let and accidental 'congratulations' slip to him before she had the chance to actually tell him herself...whenever that would be.

She had just purchased a new, dark blue blue sweater when she came across a man standing alone setting up some sort of stall. She hung back and observed, curious as to see what it was for.

[Itzak Upier]

Itzak had finished setting himself up. The time for his presentation was approaching, but Marek was nowhere in sight. This was no time to chat up sexy Scottish women, there would be plenty of time for that afterwards!

The Polish man looked around himself nervously. Good, the passers-by didn't seem too interested in coming closer. He hoped it would stay that way. In the best case, it would, but the second best case scenario was that no guest come to enquire about Gobstones until Marek came back.

Oh rats, over there, a woman. Itzak wondered if he had a plan in case she decided to come nearer. Run away, maybe?

[Shayla Lennox]

Shayla watched quietly from a safe distance as the man finished setting up the stall. He did not seem too pleased to be there and made no attempt to draw in a crowd. He looked more nervous than confident. Once the stall was completely set-up, Shayla recognized it as a Ministry stall. She knew there was a push within all of the Ministries to promote Gobstones, but Shayla hadn't seen or heard anyone actually promoting them. She figured that, like herself, most people didn't really think Gobstones was something to care so much about. It was just a stupid old game.

Still, she waited in anticipation for the presentation to start. She placed her right hand on her swollen belly and felt as the baby moved inside. It was one of the strangest things she had ever felt, and she wasn't quite that she like it. After waiting for several more minutes to no avail, Shayla decided to go over to the man and offer some words of encouragement. He really had no reason to be nervous, as she was the only person who seemed to take much notice of the stall.

"Gobstones, huh?" she asked with a smile, "If you ask me, the whole promotion is quite pointless. No one around here wants to play the silly game. I mean, most of the kids around here probably don't even know what Gobstones is," she finished with a playful giggle, hoping that it would help relax the man.

[Itzak Upier]

Nope, not running away. Stupid as it sounded, Itzak could not be brought to run away when a pretty woman was standing in front of him, so he grinned, equally stupidly, looking at her, getting out of a bag large pamphlets in a language he could not read. Probably English, since he was in England, and all.

The woman, however, was just as impossible to understand as the pamphlets. Shame. She was rather pretty. He detailed her for a few seconds, and immediately noticed something was off. She was pregnant, and that was not cool.

'It's a shame you don't speak Polish, because you're sort of hot, and I'd totally try to get it on with you if you weren't pregnant,' he replied to whatever she had just said, in, of course, Polish. 'Marek!' He called out loudly, hoping his interpreter of a brother would come running.

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I plan to have Marek jump in after your next post.

[Shayla Lennox]

Shayla was taken aback by what came out of the man's mouth. It wasn't so much what he said but how it sounded. She couldn't understand any of it. She had expecting English and she got something else. It sounded familiar and she knew she had heard it somewhere. It wasn't Russian. Maybe it was Ukrainian? Or Czech? It was definitely in the Slavic language family.

She raised her eyebrows and gave the man a once over. He looked a tad unkempt but in a way the disheveled appearance reminded her of her ex-husband Yuri, although he only looked that unkempt when was utterly hung-over. She looked around for the man named Marek, hoping he would come sort this out. She felt kind of awkward in such a position. She really had no intention to learn about Gobstones but now she felt obligated to stick around because of the language barrier problem.

"Of course," she muttered to herself as she smiled nicely to the foreign man.

[Marek Upier]

Marek was indeed busy. He'd just introduced himself to a lovely young witch clad in pink plaid, who seemed very responsive to his bad puns. Perhaps the accent had something to do with it, or perhaps it was she rather was fond of his hands, but in whichever case, he was doing something right, and he was about to ask her name in the hopes of maybe sending her an owl sometime, when he heard his name called out.

And it was Itzak's voice, too. Curse his brother, ruining the momentum! Elegantly he shrugged away his company, and rushed towards the village plaza, in search of his brother. It wasn't long until he caught sight of the ragged, tall man, who was wearing goggles. And apparently was talking to a lady. Or, at least, seemed to be.

The woman had responded to Itzak in English, and unless his brother had hidden some things from him for the past thirty-three years, then Marek didn't think that these two people were at all speaking to each other.

'All panicked and everything, brother?' Marek asked Itzak, then turned to the woman, and, with a smile, said in English, 'Good day, miss. I trust this man hasn't been bothering you too much?'

[Itzak Upier]

Itzak would have gone along with this machist, one-sided conversation if not for the arrival of his brother. He supposed that was a very good thing. At least now he wouldn't feel like such a foreigner. Well... Sure, he would, but with his interpreter of a brother, it wouldn't be that bad. Hopefully.

He smiled widely at his brother, clapping him on the shoulder. 'Of course. Without Marek Upier, the world would certainly be lost.'

[Shayla Lennox]

Shayla found the exchange between the two men interesting. She felt a bit like a third wheel because she couldn't understand the conversations between them. It was nagging her that she couldn't figure out what language it was, but at least the newly arrived man spoke English.

She smiled and shook her head, "No, not at all. I don't really think it is possible to bother someone who doesn't understand you. I see you are here for the Gobstones promotion. I find it fairly odd people from the British Ministry aren't taking on the task."

She surveyed the kiosk once more, "If you don't mind my asking, which Ministry are you two gentlemen from?"

She was curious, but mostly it would help her answer the burning question about what language they spoke.

[Marek Upier]

'Quite sorry for the strange language,' Marek apologized. 'This is my brother, Itzak Upier, and I am frightfully afraid they put someone who doesn't speak English in charge of this kiosk, unfortunately.'

He stepped closer to the young woman, extending his stumped hand for the shaking. 'Marek Upier, from the Polish Ministry. It's a pleasure, Miss.'

[Itzak Upier]

Itzak didn't have a clue what his brother and the pregnant woman were saying, but he did pick up on the fact Marek had said his name. And was introducing himself. Never the idiot, Itzak walked closer to the woman, and also extended his hand for her to shake.

'Itzak Upier,' he said simply. There wasn't much else he could say.

[Shayla Lennox]

Ah! Polish! Now that he'd told her, Shayla could connect their words to the language. Of course, she spoke about one word of Polish so it didn't help much, but it was nice to have the nagging feeling gone.

"No need to apologize, I was more curious than anything. I knew I recognized it but couldn't actually place it."

She was slightly taken aback by the appearance of the man's hand, but she smiled and shook it nonetheless.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Marek. Shalya Lennox, from the British Ministry."

She then shook hands with the other man, whose name was Itzak, and gave him a nod to say 'nice to meet you'.

[Marek Upier]

Marek grinned most politely at the young woman. Like his brother, he knew the pregnancy made her off bounds, but even in his mind he was much more curteous about that. Himself he wouldn't ever have made a pass at her in Polish. He might be unable to hold his horses and unable to hold in place, but he knew how to conduct himself, especially in the presence of a lady.

Marek's handshakes were something he was actually sort of proud of. Not because his hand was dysfunctional, which, in all fairness, it wasn't, since he could hold his wand and write with it, and all, but rather because he had mastered the art of it. If you didn't look down while shaking Marek's hand, it really felt the same as shaking the hand of someone who had all their fingers, and a completely formed hand, or so he'd been told.

'From the Ministry also, Miss? Are you involved with this Gobstones project too, then?'

[Shayla Lennox]

Shayla smiled and shook her head, "No, no. I've only been with the Ministry for a few months. I don't know if they trust me with such an important task." There was a strong sense of sarcasim in her voice as she plainly thought the Gobstones project was a waste of resources when there were other things concerning the wizarding world, particularly the British Ministry.

"However, I do work in the library so I suppose if the feel like they are lacking enough volunteers I could be put up for the task." She'd never really thought about that happening until now but she realized it could happen. She lacked seniority within the Ministry and even within the library so if each department had to eventually offer up one member to get this promotion over with Shayla was likely to be chosen. Bugger.

[Marek Upier]

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I'm gonna sound like a jerkface because you only posted because I was gone like five years, but do you mind if we keep the order? :) Thanks Izzy. :D

He had to grin at the young woman when she expressed her point of view on Gobstones. He couldn't say he entirely disagreed. Gobstones had not been a popular game in Poland during his youth, and it still wasn't today. They should probably abandon the concept, invent a new game.

'I suppose they have to make use of my brother's talents,' he grinned. He didn't think, though, that a librarian would need to work at such a kiosk. 'We joke, but his true calling is Quidditch. It's a shame,' he sighed, clapping Itzak on the shoulder.

[Itzak Upier]

Itzak rolled his eyes as his brother began speaking in English, possibly sweet-talking the little lady. English, English, why was it always English? Why couldn't everyone here speak a language he understood? Namely Polish, but come on, he spoke some Russian too, right?

'Quit it, Marek, she's pregnant, you can't stick it in her,' the youngest Upier said insolently, rather bored of not being able to understand anything that was going on. 'You know, you should hold this kiosk, and I go be all exotic and charming for the ladies here, and show my abs, and all.'

[Shayla Lennox]

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lol sorry. my turn not to post for a billion years...but i kept the order! :)

Shayla offered a smile. "Quidditch, eh? I used to play back in school but I'm afraid I blew my chance at a professional career long ago. Has he tried out for the draft before? It's coming up soon, isn't it?" Shayla felt a bit strange talking about Itzak right in front of him, even though she knew he couldn't understand a word she said. Perhaps that is what made it feel so awkward?

Her attention quickly turned to Itzak as he began to speak to his brother. Shayla couldn't understand a word he said either, but she got the feeling he wasn't quite pleased with the conversation. Maybe he understood more English than he was letting on. She quietly stood facing Marek, waiting for him to respond to his brother.

[Marek Upier]

Marek looked at his brother, torn between being mortified at what the younger man was saying, and finding it rather funny. He decided to opt for the latter, as the woman clearly spoke no Polish. It wasn't gentlemanly, perhaps, but if she didn't speak the language, how could she hold it against him?

'He had his shot at a professional Quidditch career, too, but...' He trailed off, and looked at Itzak. Fortunately, his youngest brother spoke next to no English, so it wasn't that bad if he spoke about him. 'Health issues came up, and his career was cut short. He was a very promising player, I can assure you. He's technically not allowed to play Quidditch again, but I do not think that it is something that will stop him, unfortunately.'

[Itzak Upier]

Itzak rolled his eyes, and figured he wasn't invited in the discussion anymore. They were talking about him, he could sense it, but about what, he didn't have the foggiest. Presumably that he was the hottest thing to ever grace this dingy village.

He walked away, looking for something to do while the number of people interested in Gobstones was in the negatives.

Kicking one of the tent poles seemed like the most interesting things to do.

[Shayla Lennox]

"Well at least he got the chance to try," Shayla responded, not sure what to say to Marek about his brother's unfortunate luck in the quidditch career.

She watched as Itzak walked away and stopped to kick the tent poles. It seemed like odd behavior for a grown man on the job. She wondered if maybe the health issue that ended his quidditch career was more of a mental issue. If that was the case then it was a shame not just for Itzak but also for Marek, who now appeared to be chaperoning his brother everywhere.

[Marek Upier]

Marek nodded his agreement, and then rolled his eyes towards Itzak, who was acting as childishly as he always was. Aaah, Itzak. Would he ever grow up.

'He is very pig-headed. Which I suppose would explain the fact he refused to turn down this opportunity to explain Gobstones in England when he does not speak a word of English. Of course being the Interpreter brother, that would make me his slave for the event...'

He brushed off a speck of invisible dust from his cloak.

'Family, what can I say...'

[Itzak Upier]

'Talking about your brother behind his back and using fancy words won't grow you any hands,' Itzak called out, smirking. He had no idea what Marek was talking about, but it was probably along those lines. He was pretty much the coolest thing around, so why would his older brother talk about anything else? As for the jab at Marek's malformed arms, well, that was hardly unusual. It had after all become almost a proverb, back home, to say that Itzak wouldn't recognize danger if it whacked him in the head, gave him a concussion, and stopped him from getting an interesting career. Kind of cruel humour, they had, but it was pretty darn true, all the same.

He'd continued kicking at the tent poles, harder and harder, until the entire tent structure, complete with metal beams, came crashing down on him. Oops.

[Shayla Lennox]

Shayla raised her eyebrows to Marek's comment about family. Yes, she could understand. Her family was far from perfect or normal. Even more so now than ever before. She shifted her weight from one foot to the other. She could feel her feet swelling. It was one of those many not-so wonderful perks of pregnancy. She was contemplating buying a pair of bigger, wider shoes when the tent fell down.

The noise in the bustling, yet calm village startled the young woman she jumped a little while letting out a gasp. Not half a second later, she felt something strange in her stomach. The baby had moved? She wasn't sure, since the baby hadn't been active yet. She stood still, hands on her growing belly, trying to untangle just what had happened.

[Marek Upier]

Marek's smile froze as soon as he heard the noise, and he ran towards his brother, immediately.

With a hasty wave of his wand, he made the tent fabric glide away, and it folded itself neatly, a few feet away. Under the tent poles, however, there was no such thing as neat. Itzak was just lying there, his right leg caught under a few of them. Or crushed, more like, since he appeared to be able to move the rest of himself, but not the leg. Absolutely fantastic.

'You're not alright,' he announced to Itzak, who would probably have said he was. 'What the hell were you thinking? Now we have to go to te Hospital!'

[Itzak Upier]

Itzak was quite annoyed that everything had fallen on top of him. Of course it would. It always did. He shouldn't even be surprised, he should just learn to accept this stupid kind of stuff happened to him. And probably only to him.

He tried to extract himself from under the poles, but of course failed miserably. Ugh. He seemed to be fine, and, well, of course nothing hurt, but that didn't mean nothing was broken. And judging by the fact he couldn't move his leg at all... Well, crap.

'Thanks for the help and input, brother,' Itzak grinned lazily at his older brother, extending a hand so that the man would help him get up. Not having hands didn't prevent Marek from being a useful buddy.