londoncallingrpg

Newt sat on a bench in the park across from the building that housed the small flat that the Ministry had provided for him. He held his suitcase on his lap, still wary about having it out of his sight for even a moment. This was a step for him, being out in the world at all. Since he had arrived here a few weeks ago from 1927, everything was simply too much. Too much noise, too much crowd, too much that was unrecognizable, unexplainable...

Sometimes he'd felt as if the world was not all that welcoming to him at the best of times, and now he felt like even more of an outsider. He was an alien here. And not only this, but the shock of going to the Ministry for help and discovering that everyone knew who he was. There was a portrait of him there. A first edition of his book under glass.

He watched a squirrel scurry up a tree. Once safely on a branch, it paused and looked over at him. He offered a little wave.

The latch on his suitcase popped open.

"Quiet down, Dougal," he said gently as he closed the clasp again. "I am not letting you out, not here. If you thought New York was a different world, you've no idea what you might encounter in this place."

The latch popped open again, almost violently this time, and Newt practically flattened himself against the case to make sure it stayed closed, then glanced up and around him frantically, as if afraid he might be caught doing something bad.

[OOC: for the deets on brand new newt, here!">

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

pippa_flynn

"I hardly think the park is the best place for this, Mr. Scamander. Why don't you come back to mine? We'll have a cuppa and talk properly. Without others around," she said. She didn't hesitate for a moment on her invite. Wizard or not, she was certain she could dispatch him if he proved dangerous, though she felt in her heart it wouldn't come to that.

From:

fantasticnewt

Newt thought of how Tina had had to sneak him and Jacob into her and Queenie's flat, that they weren't allowed to have men there. Or even if allowed, he understood that such things were quite scandalous.

"Is this a thing that modern women do?" he asked, genuinely curious. "Invite strange men into their homes?"

From:

pippa_flynn

"Modern faeries," she corrected. "I'm not afraid of you, Newt. If anything, you should be wary of me. But my invitation is genuine. Come have tea," she said, rising to her feet.

From:

fantasticnewt

Newt frowned, looking confused. "Fairies are only labeled threat level two X by the Ministry." Pause. "Harmless."

From:

pippa_flynn

"Ohhh, puppy. You have a lot to learn," she laughed softly, then rose. "I'm going home. If you want to know more, come with me."

She may have used just a bit of charm to entice him to join her.

From:

fantasticnewt

... puppy?

Newt got to his feet a bit awkwardly, holding the case stiffly by his side. "All right," he said.

He had followed magical beasts into much more perilous places than a woman's flat.

From:

pippa_flynn

Pippa lead him to the tube and it wasn't a very long ride to her flat. She made light conversation, chatting along and not giving him too much room to answer.

Her flat was...interesting. Much of it was shabby chic, but it was obvious that she had chosen pieces with great care and the quality was fine. In one corner of her flat was a large glass tank where her iguana, Ichabod, was warming himself on a bit of branch.

"Hello, my love," she said, dropping her handbag to go over and reach in to pet him. She looked back at Newt. "My last boyfriend," she said with a wicked little grin. She wondered just what this wide eyed boy would believe.

From:

fantasticnewt

Newt was clearly nervous on the tube, though he managed to not say anything directly. But he sat with his back stiff and his eyes darting around anxiously. He seemed relieved when it was over.

When she spoke about the iguana, he blinked in surprise. "Human animal transmutation is illegal," he said.

From:

pippa_flynn

"Illegal for who? Wizards? I'm not a wizard," she pointed out. She left Ichabod and went to the kitchen to put the kettle on.

From:

fantasticnewt

Newt sometimes had trouble telling when other people were joking. "Were... you joking?" he finally asked her. "About the iguana?"

From:

pippa_flynn

Pippa pulled down two cups and looked at him across the countertop.

"Of course I was joking, Mr. Scamander," she replied with a bright smile. "Had you going for a minute, didn't I? No, Ichabod is as much an iguana now as he was when I bought him as a babe. He is, however, my true love. So much less trouble than a man."

From:

fantasticnewt

"Is... that a joke, too?" Newt asked, and walked over to the iguana.

"Hello there," he said to it, tilting his head thoughtfully.

From:

pippa_flynn

"No, not at all He really is less trouble than any man I've met," she said. "You can pet him if you like. Just reach in the top. But be careful, he might bite."

From:

fantasticnewt

Newt still wasn't entirely certain that it wasn't a joke. He really did have so much trouble telling when people were lying to him.

He peered at the creature. He couldn't connect with them as well as magical creatures, but...

"He doesn't really want to be petted," he said.

From:

pippa_flynn

"Did he bite you?" she asked, a little surprised. She knew Ichabod could, but he didn't. Usually.

From:

fantasticnewt

Newt looked back at her, looking surprised. "No. He isn't violent. Just a bit grumpy. Do you bring a lot of strange men here?"

From:

pippa_flynn

"Why? Are you telling me he's spilling secrets?" she laughed and walked over to the tank. "Ichabod, stop telling tales."

Of course, that all but confirmed Newt's question about bringing men home.

From:

fantasticnewt

"He likes me better than most," Newt said, and then added, almost apologetically, "But most creatures do." He did not sound judging about her bringing men home, though coming from the time he did, it was slightly scandalous.

From:

pippa_flynn

Pippa bent a bit and looked at Ichabod through the glass.

"Snitches get stitches, you wanker," she scolded affectionately. Then she stood to look at Newt.

"Are you some sort of Doctor Doolittle, then?" she asked.

From:

fantasticnewt

Newt only looked confused. "I don't know what that is."

From:

pippa_flynn

"He could talk to the animals," she replied, then began to sing a bit. "...Walk with the animals. Honk and squeak and squawk with the animals..."

She trailed off.

"Don't mind me. Sit. The tea will be ready in a bit."

The kettle was popping as it began to boil and she went back to the kitchen to see to it.

From:

fantasticnewt

Newt decided not to comment on the odd little song. "I understand them," he said after a moment. "Though with magical creatures, it's easier."

He sat.

Then, backing up a few beats in the conversation added, "Why would a snitch have stitches?"