Closed Old Habits Die Screaming

[Odette Madison]

Odette hadn't felt this nervous since her first game as a Macaws beater, but just like back then, she had to push through and do what she had to do. She put one foot in front of the other, taking each step deliberately with her hands stuffed in her pockets and her hood over her face. She approached her destination: the arts center she knew Harley worked- that Harley managed. She had never been there before, but it hadn't been hard to figure out the address by asking around a bit. Was it a little cowardly to approach Harley at her work like this? Perhaps. Definitely. But Odette knew it would be easier that way. Harley couldn't run away and she couldn't curse her out or yell at her if things went south, and Odette could just leave if she felt like it. It was perhaps a bit unfair, but it was practical. She felt like she deserved an easy out. She was the one reaching out, after all.

Stepping into the center, Odette pushed her hood back and ran her fingers through her hair , shaking it out. There was a chance she'd be recognized, but she somehow didn't think most of the people here were big Quidditch enthusiasts. She looked around, taking it all in for a moment. A large variety of art was on display or actively being worked on, it was a little overwhelming. She saw a lot of young people hanging out, enjoying themselves while creating art. She immediately felt a sense of pride as she thought of Harley keeping this place running and helping these kids. Who would have thought, back in the day? Odette would've been first to say Harley likely would end up in jail or something. She scanned the area and felt her heart speed up when she spotted Harley's familiar blonde head, bent over a desk where she was helping a teenager with their drawing. Odette moved a little closer, then waited for the other woman to notice her, shuffling her feet a little awkwardly as she waited.

 

[Harley Tsuji]

Manager was one of the last jobs Harley had seen herself winding up in, but when she had been offered the promotion a few years ago she had taken it without a second thought. There was something special; something life changing about offering the arts to people who had never had access before - people who yearned to create and only needed the outlet. With a lot of hard work Harley had gotten the centre working like a well-oiled machine, classes and open sessions filling the days, keeping the space busy and cheerful, and it was hard to think of a day recently that she hadn't looked forward to work.

She had just finished up a class, some of the kids sticking around to keep working on their projects as she packed down. She paused by one of the desks and leaned over after a moment, smiling. "I really like this section." She said gently, indicating a particularly soft area of shading. "Try carrying that same technique further down, to make it cohesive." Stepping back after a short exchange, Harley turned to carry on cleaning up when she spotted the last person she'd ever expected to see in this place, brain briefly short-circuting as she tried to process the sight of Odette here, in her workplace. After a moment she moved over, giving an uncertain smile. "What's up?" She asked, so far from knowing what to expect from this encounter.

 

[Odette Madison]

Odette stood with her arms crossed as Harley noticed her and tugged on her sleeves a bit uncomfortably as she approached. She shrugged. "Maybe I just wanted to see this place." She said, sounding defensive even though she tried not to. She grimaced. "Maybe I wanted to see you." She added, attempting to sound more sincere but fully aware it still came out as a challenge. "I mean- can we talk?"