Closed The Lives We Lead

[Aeon Summers]

Hogwarts was on break, and Aeon could once more relax at home with his family. He knew how tough it was on his husband, not being able to see their children throughout much of the year, while Aeon had the privilege of seeing them daily, to watch them grow and change. The holidays were short, too short, and it was still years before the kids would graduate. By then they'd probably move out, get jobs, have their own families. It was the fleeting time they had together again that mattered the most, and Aeon was regretful that they couldn't do it more. As much as the man wanted to spend all of that time with just the four of them, the kids wanted to do other things and see other people. Lysander was off with his cousin, and Ellie was with another of hers, leaving Aeon to take the time to catch up with his own. He hadn't had a chance to see much of Kida. She had her own academy now, on top of all her Quidditch matches. He didn't know how she juggled it all when it felt impossible for him to find the time to do anything with far less on his plate, though as he sat at a cafe in Brightstone, sipping a mug of coffee and waiting for her to appear, he was sure he'd find out all about it.​

 

[Kida Frost]

Kida finally had some time away from the Academy, she had been flat out since it's opening plus the end of Quidditch Season kept her mostly occupied, normally she would have time when her cousin worked together with her at Hogwarts but now she had a new role within the education system which wasn't Transfiguration like her cousin. Moving through the bustling street she had the hood of her robe up to avoid detection, even though she would often come down to Brightstone, during the Christmas season there were more people out and sometimes she didn't want to be recognized and just spend time with her family.
Noticing her cousin sitting alone drinking coffee she bee-lined right for him and slipped into the empty seat opposite him taking his coffee from his hands as she sat and stealing a sip 'So nice of you to wait for me'

 

[Aeon Summers]

Aeon exhaled in silent disapproval as he felt the mug of coffee leave his hand, almost before he'd even recognised Kida as the one opposite him, and set his arms down on the table in defeat instead of bothering to try and object. "Yours is on the way." He said, smiling lightly. He gestured a hand towards his own head, pulling back at a make-believe hood of his own. "Must be hard, being a local celebrity. I take it the animagus form is too alarming for keeping a low profile?" He joked. A wolf wandering down the streets was entirely out of place in New Zealand, even in its wizarding world, though given that his cousin could become something else entirely, he found humour in the hood.​

 

[Kida Frost]

Kida chuckled 'Excellent, Double the coffee' as she handed Aeon his coffee back. He made a comment about being a local celebrity and she huffed and blew her hair out of her face before tilting her head back and allowing her hood to drop 'Jealous?' she smirked as her coffee arrived and she picked up her spoon and moved the foam around slightly so she could put in some sugar 'Well Wolf or not I'd still get recognized, it is on my chocolate frog card after all' she picked up her coffee and took a sip 'You haven't come to visit me at my Academy yet Cousin, and I thought you cared' she pouted dramatically

 

[Aeon Summers]

Aeon chuckled to himself and set his own coffee aside, now that Kida had taken her paws off of it. "Mm, yes. I envy you having to hide from all the attention. It sounds like such a great time." He remarked with playful sarcasm. He supposed once he was at a point where it was easy to be jealous of his cousins fame, whereas his own life had seemed less exciting. But he was accomplished, and he was happy with what he had. Seeing the more unpleasant side of stardom had certainly helped to shake any envy. "Trust me, I know. The kids wouldn't shut up about it anytime it changed." He laughed. The excitement anytime the picture of their aunt was suddenly a changed into wolf had been endearing the first ten or so times. Aeon gave his cousin an apologetic wave of his hand, and raised his coffee to his lips to take a sip. "I know, I'm sorry. One school is a handful as it is." He said, setting the cup back down on the table. "This year may have been the biggest class I've had to teach. I don't know what happened eleven years ago, but apparently a lot of people decided it was a great time to have kids. I had to conjure more desks just to fit them all." It was an exaggerated joke, but only barely. He wasn't sure he'd seen a bigger group of first years since he'd started working there. "Catch me up to speed. How's it going over there? Is it everything you dreamed it would be?" He asked. Teaching students was something he certainly loved to do, but running an entire school was something else entirely. Aeon couldn't have done it, and he admired Kida for it.​

 

[Kida Frost]

'I can always try convince Scarlet to become an Animagus as well, that might keep them entertained for a few more minutes with her card as well' she mused, she adored her niece and nephew but she hoped when they get a bit older they'd be more intersted in her as their aunt over the Quidditch Professional because sometimes she wanted to step away from Quidditch and unwind with her family and see what they've been up to over them asking about Quidditch.
She listened to Aeon's excuse and she rolled her eyes 'Or you could just come and teach Transfiguration at the Academy' she teased, she knew Aeon probably would never take her up on her offer but it was worth a try she took a sip of her coffee again 'The current professor is always ducking in and out of the grounds, absolute nightmare' she said knowingly smiling over her mug. 'gosh, good thing I left' she added even though she switched from a classroom of students to an entire school
'The Academy is wonderful, the school is almost whimsical where it's situated, got some new stuff on the curriculum as well, although' she trailed off wondering if she was just overthinking things or if it was actually worth bringing up with her cousin

 

[Aeon Summers]

Aeon shot his cousin a withering glance. "They've grown out of it, thank Merlin. I have to say, I'm surprised Scarlet didn't pursue it. It's all the kids talk about. They're old enough to start in the course, but I don't know...they do well enough for now, but we both know how tough it is. It's not for everyone, and if it doesn't work out, I don't want to have to be the one to let them down." He let out a solemn sigh. They were excited about it, and so was he. He wanted nothing more than to see them follow in his footsteps and achieve something so special, and he wanted to say he felt entirely confident that they could commit to it, but it was long and grueling, and he didn't entirely know if it would turn out exactly as they'd dreamed. He didn't want either of them to resent him if they failed, and he didn't want to feel like he'd failed them. "You should fire them." He remarked jokingly, knowing full well what subject Kida taught in her own school. "I couldn't leave the kids. It's been amazing watching them grow, seeing first hand how they do in their class. Not every parent gets the same chance." Like Brodie. He felt for him. It was a difficult thing for one parent to see their children every day, and have to return home to give their partner a second-hand account. "Until they start acting up. Did I tell you about Sander and the greenhouse? I don't know what comes over these kids. He's been trying to whole vegetarian thing, too. No more meat. They just...they both change so quickly. I don't know how to keep up with it sometimes." It had been difficult to get too upset over the things his children got up to, knowing full well that some of the misadventures he and Kida had at that age had been far worse, but it didn't make him feel any less like his grey hairs were coming in sooner. He took another sip of his coffee, watching Kida with an expression of interest as she trailed off. He pretended to drink for longer than he needed to, waiting for her to continue, before finally putting the mug back down and biting. "Although?"​

 

[Kida Frost]

'I think she was just more interested in having her own personality instead of being known as my daughter who was also an Animagus, she might consider it one day' she often hoped that Scarlet would becoming an Animagus, it was a great skill for a magical child to have, it saved her life and it was a good way to get away sometimes where no one could recognise you, but then again who was looking for a Quidditch Professional in the woods. Aeon quipped about firing her current Transfiguration Proffessor and she nodded in agreement 'Only if you join the staff' she leaned forward on the table keeping eye contact before reaching over and swiping a biscuit off Aeon's plate and leaning back to enjoy her steal even though she knew Aeon could just take one of her biscuits from her 'I understand, watching Scarlet and Leonidas go through school is wonderful, I'm thankful I have Leonidas with me now finishing off his education and being my first student, it's wonderful'
Kida couldn't help but laugh when Aeon mentioned the Kids acting up, like they never got into all sorts of trouble when they were at school and even better for them their parents weren't teachers so they could get away without having their parents on the grounds to catch them or tell them off 'Easy, once they are old enough, we'll just transfer them both and you to the Academy and they can go fall off the mountain or something' she smiled and shook her head slightly

Kida sighed and ran her hands through her hair 'I've got a new teacher, he's teaching Aerial Dueling, it's a super interesting course and the kids seems to love it, but I keep on getting this odd feeling about Rhexenor, I don't know what it is' she shook her head 'it's probably honestly nothing'

 

[Aeon Summers]

Aeon quirked his lips into an understanding smile. He could understand it, it wasn't easy for Scarlet to be the daughter of a celebrity. He'd seen first hand what she'd had to deal with in the school alone, and the real world wasn't any nicer. He reached out to try and defend his biscuit from Kida's thieving hands, but he was too late, and simply resigned to rolling his eyes. "That simple, is it? The kids fall off a mountain and we breathe a breath of fresh air knowing they can't get into more trouble?" He shook his head and laughed. "I don't know if Ellie would enjoy the academy." He mused. It may have been perfect for Sander, and it was a great opportunity for him, being a specialised school, but Aeon didn't want his to see either of his children make it into a specialised school solely because they were related to the headmistress, rather than their own merit. Being kids of a professor seemed like its own hurdle in Hogwarts alone. He couldn't bear to think of what it could be like for them at the academy if they couldn't keep up with the more hardcore flyers. "Rhexenor?" Aeon queried. He'd never heard the name before, and it took a moment for the context to click because of it. "Ah, the new teacher? Odd how?" He asked, his tone more concerned now that they'd gotten past the light-hearted banter. Kida had been through a lot, and he knew she had good reason not to trust easy, but he wasn't sure how serious it was, coming from one of her own staff. "Tell me about him, what's he like? What's this course like?"​

 

[Kida Frost]

'Simple as that, I'm sure they'll find their way back to their dorm eventually' she joked, her school was much more secure than that but if a student really wanted to to circumvent the security measures they could 'sure she would, maybe, eventually...' she mused taking another bite of the biscuit she stole, she'd never accept anyone into her school which didn't want to be there and who wouldn't benefit from being there, although they did teach regular schooling classes the school focused on Quidditch and flying training it was a lot of work and you had to keep up your grades as well as your skill, not an easy education choice.
'Rhexenor Laspas' Kida filled in the rest of the name 'I can't put my finger on it, he just seems too suited for the school, his curriculum fit's in so well it's uncanny' Kida waved her biscuit in Aeons direction 'you know, too good to be true, He even offered Leonidas private lessons in Aerial Dueling' Kida noticed someone walk past them and stare at her for an uncomfortably long time, she checked her watch on her wrist and gave them another 15 minutes tops before they should make a move onto another location 'Another reason why I wanted you to come visit the Academy, to sus it out'

 

[Aeon Summers]

Aeon frowned, reaching out to slide one of Kida's biscuits to his own plate while he listened to her concerns. It was almost a relief to hear that it wasn't as bad as he'd feared. "Sometimes good things come your way, and there's nothing more to it." He offered. He was far from a licensed therapist, but from the sounds of it, it seemed more like Kida had difficulty accepting something going perfectly right for once, and he didn't want to upset her by saying so. "Maybe he's simply trying to impress the boss?" He suggested with a small chuckle, trying to shift the tone. "Okay, I'll find some time and come visit. See what this Laspas guy is like. Honestly, Kida, I get why you're on your guard, I would be too, but I'm serious. Sometimes things are just...perfect, and you should try to enjoy it while you have it." He said with another brief shrug. She didn't sound like she was in any danger, especially in her own school. He didn't want to play it down, though he wasn't sure he'd be on the defense in her position. "Best season to visit the place, I'd wager. Doesn't it get freezing up there?"​

 

[Kida Frost]

'I mean who wouldn't want to Impress me' she joked mockingly flicking her hair, Aeon agreed to make time to come see her and she smiled 'I'll have your quarters arranged' still joking about him taking a up a position at her Academy. She dropped her head a little 'You know I can't shake a bad feeling like that' Kida finished her coffee and shifted uncomfortably in her seat 'It gets a little chilly up there, but nothing a good fur coat can't fix' Kida herself of course would never wear animal products, but it wasn't the fur coat she was referring too 'besides when the sun hits the mountain, it gets nice and warm up there inside, just gotta keep out of the wind, that will go right through into your bones if you're not careful.

Looking at Aeon's drink she looked at him as if to signal for him to hurry up so they could go for a walk, she noticed a more of a commotion happening around them and she didn't want her coffee date with her cousin to be splashed in some gossip newspaper about some mystery man Kida Frost was seen out with as most gossip places didn't ever do much research as it wasn't easy to figure out that Aeon was her cousin.

 

[Aeon Summers]

Aeon snickered and raised his cup. "I could think of a few." He muttered into it playfully. Kida certainly had a lot of fans, yet Aeon had seen first-hand what some of her enemies had been like, and he wouldn't have wanted to be in her position. "Could you imagine if you turned into a hairless cat instead? Oof." He laughed at the thought. They were lucky their animagi selves were hardy, rather than something more unfortunate. A fly, perhaps, or a blobfish. The International Symposium of Animagi was always a riot when it came to some of the transformations witches and wizards were stuck with. "Alright, alright. Let's get a move on." Aeon continued, downing the last of his coffee and stepping up from his seat to gather his things. "I've got to say, I feel sorry for your students. I'd be freezing flying around in those mountains."
​

 

[Kida Frost]

Kida faked acting upset when Aeon dared to suggest that she'd turn into a hairless cat 'Please, Cat. Hairless?. Never' although Kida assumed there were some unfortunate Animagus out there, maybe a worm. Kida stood up and pushed her chair in and dusted off her pants from any crumbs which may have dropped there 'Let's head on up to the park and see if the boys are still there' she said walking ahead hoping Aeon caught up.
Aeon made a comment about feeling for her students and she scoffed 'Please Aeon, We compete in any weather in any season, some cold wind isn't going to bother them, we even have altitude training at the upper pitches so they're prepared for anything, and how easy would be any other match if this is what you're used to for training' Kida knew what he meant though there were some days where she didn't want to go out because it was extra cold and rainy on the mountain.
Kida recognized a magical paparazzi up ahead heading in their direction and she quickly grabbed Aeon's wrist and yanked him into the robe shop they were passing 'Suddenly I feel like shopping' she said

 

[Aeon Summers]

Aeon walked alongside Kida, eyeing up her hood for a moment as they made their way to Tākarokaro. He didn't comment, instead following along with her explanation of the academy's more extreme training conditions. "Those poor kids." He reiterated with a chuckle. He wouldn't have been able to survive at their age. He'd already given up on Quidditch by then. Casual flying was enough for him, and competing with Kida had killed any desire to go back to the sport. The hand around his wrist was not expected. Whatever Kida had seen, Aeon hadn't, and he followed her into the store with a confused look. "Are you alright?" He asked, peering back over his shoulder to peer into the street. Everything looked ordinary enough to him. He frowned, unsure if he should be more concerned, particularly after she'd brought up her feelings about the Laspas guy. There was cautious, and then there was paranoid.​

 

[Kida Frost]

'Oh yeah no everything is fine, Unless you want to be on some gossip mag looking like that' she quipped as she pushed his hair the wrong way and chuckled, even into their 40's Kida still had a desire to make jokes with her cousin, she walked into the store and looked at some of the robes 'There was one of the Paparazzi for one of the various magazines heading to where we were, No matter who I spend time with now it ends up in the magazines as a future lover' Kida ran her fingers over some material and checked inside the robes to check the pockets 'They don't even fact check, Apparently only now they've decided is enough time since my Husband died that I should be getting back on the horse' she rolled her eyes, as if she had time to date, she had two children, and a school to run plus a Quidditch team to run and compete in, her alone time was making brooms and honing her craft.
'I went out to lunch and bumped into an old friend and it hasn't stopped, it's easier to stay on the mountain, although sometimes I think it may be a tip off to see what i'm doing when i'm not on the mountain' she shook her head slightly knowing that she may sound a little crazy, but it wasn't unthinkable that someone had bribed or given the gossip mags a suggestion to keep tabs on her for some big story but instead meant they got free and easy tracking on her.

 

[Aeon Summers]

Aeon clicked his tongue, stopping to fix the mess Kida had made of his hair in the closest mirror. "The paparazzi. Merlin forbid." He commented. Again, just another aspect of fame he certainly was happy to live without. "You don't think they could tell that I am so clearly out of your league?" He smiled, chuckling quietly at himself. "I feel like "back on the broom" is more appropriate. Does this place sell silk gowns? Pull off the grieving widow look and you may well be in the clear." He suggested, though a shake of the head from the young cashier answered the question that no, they did not have anything like that. Kida's comments did little to alleviate his concerns throughout the course of the afternoon. "Look, it's the holidays. If you want to get away from the academy for a while, you're welcome to stay with us. Perhaps all you need is some time to destress and unwind. Break the monotony of your day to day. The kids would love to have you around for a few days." He suggested. Kida may well have been right to be paranoid, but Aeon wondered if it was the stress of running a school that was getting to her. Fears that her staff were off, that people were keeping tabs of her, it was a lot, and it didn't sound healthy.​

 

[Kida Frost]

'Please, as if I would go for a blonde' she quipped back when he said he was out of her league, Kida groaned at Aeon's comment about getting back on the broom 'I live and breathe Quidditch Aeon, Can't I have one moment please' she pleaded, she chuckled at his comment about grieving widow 'It's been a very long time since Icarus died, I don't think they'd believe that' Kida wasn't even sure exactly it had been since he had died, the last she heard from her late husband that he was going to go spend some time doing some family things, she opted to not go as Leonidas was still too young and she had too much going on at home with Scarlet, It was a while after the massacre happened that she was told that she had lost her husband, publicly as well, no one had cared to contact her privately and let her know, she remembered the day as if it was a blur, she was in the public eye and the news broke, she quietly excused herself and disapparated away gathering her two children and going to their home in Italy she didn't make much contact for the month and no one knew where she was, Once she confirmed Leonidas was safe she returned home and picked up on with her life as normal but her absence wasn't unnoticed.
Kida picked up a new robe and showed it to Aeon for his silent approval on her outfit choice. Hearing Aeon's offer she tilted her head slightly 'Do you reckon you could handle me in your house for a few days, It's not as easy as I make it look' she smiled

 

[Aeon Summers]

Aeon grimaced. "Valid point." He conceded, waving his hand in an eh motion at the outfit. "Finally moving out of your place made me feel ten years younger. And I've had to pull my hair out less." He smiled and turned away, looking for something to browse through, though he didn't really need any more clothes, and he wasn't so sure Kida did, either. "Don't you have a full wardrobe by now? Could you fit another outfit?" He asked with a raise of his brow. "We can literally turn into dogs - a "wolf", sorry." He mockingly corrected himself because she had the chance to. Potato, potatoe. "If you want to slip away from your adoring fans. You could pass for a big, mangy stray, right?"​

 

[Kida Frost]

Kida fake gasped 'It's hard taking care of your half brothers and your cousins one of whom went a little cuckoo, plus having children and trying to live your own life' she said throwing the robe he dismissed at his face. Kida thought for a second and tapped her chin 'Do I have a full wardrobe, are you talking about my Room at the Academy, the House here in New Zealand or my house in Tuscany?' she asked with a sly smile, she had a lot of property which she could have keep her clothing 'There aren't any shops up on the mountain, sometimes a girl just wants to shop' Kida checked out the window and couldn't see the Paparazzi anymore, she thanked the person running the shop and put her hood back up gesturing with her head for Aeon to leave with her 'And you're such a cute puppy' she responded to Aeon mocking her, 'but at least it shows which one of us can be domesticated' she added laughing as she gave Aeon a shove whilst they walked on the street.