Herbs and Spices // snowbaz

valentines day (part 2)

Penelope Bunce's eyes scouted the overstuffed coffee shop, the warm air of conversation and hot beverages heating up her frosted skin, frozen from the cool wind swirling outside. She had left Simon struggling in their kitchen, a smile etched on her face at the state of misfortune her friend was in. Penelope was fully aware that no matter what Simon did, Baz would still look at him like he had created the universe, that his feet were the first to walk the fresh earth, that stars had emerged from his fingertips in triumphant streams and the sun had been born from the palms of his hands. 

Simon never had to worry that Baz would look at him like he was anything less than the greatest Mage the world had ever known. That he was anything less than the sun the rest of them simply spun around. 

Penelope didn't have that, and she didn't yearn for it; not like other people she had met. Micah had been a beautiful boyfriend and was still a really good friend to her, but when she broke up with him she had been unsure who she was away from their relationship, and that was never something Penelope Bunce wanted to feel again. 

"Penny," a familiar voice called from the corner booth, and she turned to see Agatha Wellbelove's outstretched hand pulling her over, "Over here."

Penny walked through the many couples, her eyes straining against the red and pink decorations that were covering the walls and furniture, until she was hugging her friend, "Happy Galentine's Day, Agatha."

Agatha laughed, her tinkling laughed that had ensnared so many in its web, "Happy Galentine's Day, Penny, what are we doing today?" 

"Well, firstly we're going to have some sort of beverage amongst these couples, and then we'll go walking, possibly to a nice little store that lives around here, and then we'll go to your apartment," Penny paused for confirmation, and Agatha nodded her agreement, a small smile on her face as she watched her bossy friend in bemusement, "And then we'll do things Normal single people like to do on this day, which I'm leaving up to you."

Agatha laughed quietly, "That sounds perfect Penny, do you know what you want to order?"

"I would like a peppermint tea," Penny smiled.

"Peppermint tea," Agatha mused quietly, her expression now a million miles away, "It always reminds me of Watford, of you, studying with a huge pot next to you, with Simon always trying to distract you. And me, wishing I understood and liked magic the way you did."

Penelope smiled gently, "It reminds me of Watford too, that's why I love it. It reminds me of the Watford I knew before it all crumbled underneath our feet and before it became unbearable for us to go there, except for Baz," she laughed, but her face remained sad, at the thought of her lost education. Agatha was also saddened, but not for her education that was now gone, but for Ebb, the woman that had sacrificed herself and told Agatha to run. She owed Ebb her life, and that was more important to her than magic had ever been. 

All too soon, Penny broke free of her reflective thoughts and perked back up, "Anyway, this is no conversation for Galentine's day, let me go order," she paused, "Have you ordered?"  Agatha nodded her head and Penny smiled, "Then I'll go order and I'll be back before you know it." 

Agatha watched her walk over to the counter, feeling a wave of thankfulness for Penelope Bunce. In their times at Watford, the two hadn't been overwhelmingly close, but after the defeat of the Insidious Humdrum and Simon losing his magic, Penelope had become more understanding of how Agatha had felt all those years; the hopelessness, the unhappiness, the unsatisfaction with her magic. Penny was now more open to doing what Normal's did, what Agatha had done with her Normal friends; and Agatha always thanked her silently for being one of the greatest Mages, but still understanding how not everyone loves magic like she does.