hello hello(arden)

[Travis Elliot]

How long it had been since Travis had dared set foot back in the wizarding world. This place was not foreign to him though, everything was basically the same as it had been a long time ago. This was the place where he had called home for most of his life up until he was seventeen. That's when things started to go wrong. Travis subconciously looked down at his arm, at the place where his dark mark would be. It was safer now, he was supposed to be dead, he hadn't kept in contact with anyone he knew and as far as the wizarding world was concerned he was dead and had been for over ten years now.

He inched forward, not really wanting to quicken the enevitable meeting he wanted to have with the only person that he had felt kept him alive these past few years. Her door was only a few feet away, yet it felt like it was miles. He knew she wouldn't wait around for him, he was dead for all she knew she was probably happily married with at least a pet. He would just complicate things. His thoughts kept swimming around and before he knew it he was on the porch looking straight at her door.

Maybe she had moved? Or maybe something worse happened to her? He didn't want the second one to be a reality so he knew what he was going to do. He lifted his sweaty hand in the air and looked at it a moment before he balled it up into a fist and knocked on the door. This wouldn't be fair to her, but at least he'd know if she had lived through any of the chaos that had ensued since he had left. He didn't know what her reaction would be, but maybe the girl he used to know and love would still be holding onto the thread of hope that he was still alive.

[Arden Patricks]

((Gah, sorry. Should've cleared this up better - he 'died' about three years ago; they were together about four years before that. Other than that though it's all good. ))

I eye the door warily, not sure that I want to go get it. It could be just about anybody, including a lot of people I'd quite like to see... but I'm still not used to getting interrupted like this and I can't help but feel it's likely bad news. But it also might be good news, so after a few seconds of hesitation, I dust off my hands and answer the knock.

I've been sitting on the couch sorting photographs for about the last hour, reliving bittersweet memories. They were one of the few things I never did organize in my cleaning frenzy all those months ago, because by the time I got around to them I was in too good a mood to depress myself like that, but at the moment I feel I deserve it. So... probably I'm just having some sort of breakdown, or maybe I've fallen asleep, because it would make perfect sense in this situation to dream that my long-deceased boyfriend is standing on the porch, but it doesn't make any sense that he would actually be there.

That isn't what I'm actually thinking though... just a nice, clear-cut, logical explanation for something that isn't at all, because I know that he's real and know that he's Travis and know that I'm not in fact dreaming.

But I also know he's dead, died three years ago, but I never did go to his funeral because I still wasn't eating and wouldn't leave the house. Even if I had, however, he wouldn't be the first person whose funeral I attended and then chatted with later on. I know that these things happen. But I still can't seem to stop staring, mouth hanging slightly open for an indecent time until I finally manage to speak.
"Are you real?"

[Travis Elliot]

(Ok gotcha...sorry lol)
Travis tapped his foot a little impatiently, maybe this really wasn't a good idea. Thoughts began to swim through his head, what ifs just kept creeping up like there was no tomorrow. Maybe she'd think she was dreaming, you know the type of dream where you're thinking of someone and they just appear in the dream...maybe she'd wake up later. What if she thought he was a ghost? Well he'd have great complexion if he were one. What if she assumed the worst and thought he was an impersonator and tried to off him? His thoughts were interrupted when the door opened.

There was a very long pause, that seemed to last for eons. Maybe he had shocked her into a strange coma? After all it's not like a person could come back from the grave. Then again he remembered that she hadn't come to his funeral...few did actually which was rather funny. Just some of the closer people in his life. He had used polyjuice potion to transform into a muggle boy whom he passed off as his own cousin. He had actually planned to tell Arden at the funeral what his plans were, but she never showed. Afterwards he figured it was too late, he had to go before anyone began to catch on to his little plan.

Travis chuckled a bit under his breath, at least one of his theories were almost dead on. "In the flesh." he almost whispered. Why he didn't say it anymore clearer was beyond him, maybe it was just seeing her for the first time in three years. If it were possible she was even more beautiful than he remembered.

[Arden Patricks]

I nod, still staring at him... a little unsure if I should touch him. I am fairly certain I believe him... but that doesn't mean he won't pop like a soap bubble anyway, real or not because he's supposed to be dead.

Oh... and also if I touch him I think it's very likely that I'll want to kiss him - seeing's I already kind of do - and that would be slightly unfaithful of me. Maybe there's some sort of clause for formerly deceased lovers, where it's not infidelity where you kiss them because like it was your damn choice to not be with them anymore, and it almost is more like infidelity to remain with the person you're with now.

But then... well, then what? What am I going to tell Logan? 'Oh, don't worry, I'm not choosing Riley over over you. How many times do I have to tell you that it's just a silly crush combined with whatever sort of love it is but not very strong, plus pity and occasional loneliness? Seriously... it's only when I'm being an idiot that there's really any chance.

However... you know that dead ex-boyfriend that I secretly compare you to, generally not in your favor? Well, he's kind of not dead. And I'm really very sorry about the short notice and I know that you were trying and I really do love you like I said... but I think I love him more. So sorry.'

Not that I honestly know if I love him more or not. And maybe I'm getting ahead of myself, and he's going to wonder if I'm mental because I've been standing here staring for god knows how long. Hm.
I cough slightly, looking down at the floor and crossing my arms tightly... but then thinking that's maybe a little too unfriendly for a guy that I loved as much as I did - not going to think in present tense here - and I could at least indicate somehow that I'm happy he's not. Even if it is just a little inconsiderate of him to disappear for years.

"Where in the hell have you been and would you like to come in?" I ask finally all in one breath, looking up.