Five Seconds of Fame

[James Vorpahl]

It was rather odd, really. After nearly four years completely submersed in the muggle world, he chose Knockturn Alley of all places, to be the site of his return. But James couldn't help it. He was attracted to the dank bar that smelled of crime and tawdry affairs. He hoped in the worse way a few curses, or at least, beer mugs, would fly.

All James was looking for, was an incident big enough that would invite some saucy red-headed newswoman to the scene. She would of course be drawn to him, what with his innocent eyes, kind smile and of course impeccably styled hair. He would woo her, they would run off together, they would have 2.5 or maybe 2.75 kids. She would agree to be the bread winner and him, the stay-at-home dad.

This fantasy was cut short as he ordered a beer from the bartender. The bartender gave James a nasty snarl as he eyed him warily. The bartender was clearly suspicious of someone who took their hygiene so seriously.

[Ally Bennett]

It had been 'one of those days' and Ally felt like she had fallen out with everyone EVER, hence why she was currently in Knockturn Alley, looking for an alcoholic beverage and anything else that might take her mind off of everything for a moment or two.

"Firewhiskey, large" she demanded of the bartender, not even a 'please' or 'thank you' was considered, she knew she was better than anyone in here & didn't feel the need to pretend otherwise.
Taking a swig of her drink, she sat herself on a bar stool before looking around the bar, not holding out much hope of finding someone to flirt with in a bid to make herself feel better when she spotted a familiar face, one she hadn't seen for a long time.

Walking over so she was behind him, Ally bent low so her mouth was next to James' ear, "You really need to condition that mop of yours...." she purred, pouting at him as he looked around.

(ooc. Hope Ally was ok, I remember they always had a rapport!)

[James Vorpahl]

(ooc: Ally is always delightful, particularly when it comes to bantering with James

James jumped slightly as he heard a familiar purr in his ear. He smiled as he turned to see none other than Ally Bennett in front of him. "And the first thing she says when she sees me is about the state of my hair" James said shaking his head playfully and gently touching his hair, "Let me roleplay how this situation should go."

James cleared his throat for emphasis and started his 'roleplay' in a dangerously high-pitched voice. "Oh my god, James, it's been so long! In fact, much too long! What have you been up too? I missed you dearly, and is it possible that you got handsomer since I last saw you? And then this is the point where you embrace me, and give me a kiss on the cheek. You know, just a standard greeting, really."

James took a sip of his beer - if you could even call it a beer, water would probably be a more accurate name. He really should have went for hard alcohol. "So my dear, what have you been up to in my absence? Or more accurately... what has brought you here today?

[Ally Bennett]

Ally couldnt help but laugh at James before ruffling his hair, "Aaaw sweety, still not over me then? I understand" she winked at him before leaning forward and kissing his cheek softly, leaving a perfect lipstick impression of her mouth upon him.

"I have had the shittiest day ever today, so my aim was to let some pathetic man get me drunk & feel better about myself whilst he clung to the hope that he'd get me in his bed before the night was through. Then I saw you & I knew I had found my pathetic loser" she smiled easily at James, taking a drink before looking back at him, "And you? Where did you decide to fuck off to for what? Four years? Did you finally embrace your homosexual urges?" she winked cheekily, thinking he wasnt as bad as she remembered.

[James Vorpahl]

"I could never be over you, Ally Bennet. Though my journal entry references to you have become quite few and far between lately.... you best be working on that if you fancy yourself some unrequited love." James angled himself sideways to check the aftermath of Ally's kiss in a rusty old mirror.

He quickly wiped off the lipstick impression she had left. "If you are going to call me a pathetic loser, I best be letting the ladies here know that I am a free agent." He said with a smile as he motioned to the 'ladies' around him. Unfortunately, the 'ladies' that surrounded him happened to be 50 year-old men with varying states of tooth decay.

"But anyways, I will admit my homesexual urges were quite tempting, as urges tend to be. But somehow, I persevered and only got cozy with the female variety. Though the majority of the last four years I did that 'work' thing. Worst decision of my life. I worked as a publicist for one of the most famous muggle authors, August Moob. The man spends more time on his hair then I do, which I think deserves an award, but he was never any good at it. And I mean, I got a bunch of free hair treatments because of it but...." James sighed "muggles really have such low standards when it comes to hair care."

"But enough about me... what have you been up to? Which man do you have wrapped around your finger now?"

[Ally Bennett]

"Im sure your journal is full of thoughts on haircare & Tim Mills" Ally laughed, pushing her hair back off of her shoulders as she watched him wiping the lipstick off of his face, "Yeah, the ladies all think you're batting for the other team because you never shut up about your sodding hair! Im still not convinced on your heterosexuality, I've never even seen you with a girl before, I've heard all about your 'fun times' with Tim though...just sayin'..." she trailed off, nodding her head as he spoke of working she failed to hide her surprised expression, James Vorpahl actually did a job? Wow.

"Its really creepy how we've basically followed the same career path. Im basically doing the publicists job for Seth but managing the shop at the same time. Who'dathunk it, Ally Bennett running a book shop rather than topping the charts?" she gave a sad laugh, she loved her job but sometimes she wished she'd gone down the fame route, she'd be a millionaire by now.

Smiling as he asked who she had wrapped around her finger, Ally gave him a sultry look "Who dont I have wrapped around my finger? Im Ally Fucking Bennett" she smirked before shaking her head, "Im still with Ryan, just Ryan" she smiled at his name, though lately they'd not seen very much of each other.

[James Vorpahl]

"Speaking of Mr. Timmeh... what has he been up to these days? I could use a little cuddle. I realize I am doing myself no favors by speaking of cuddles with a man, but his extra pudge.. it just squishes in all the right places." James couldn't help but smile as he took another sip of his beer, "My darling, mystery is the spice of life, if I was all blatantly heterosexual... what would be the fun in that? And one thing is for sure... I don't kiss, cuddle or otherwise and tell. My ladies like their privacy". James gave up on the beer halfway through and ordered a firewhiskey. The bartender looked unamused but sloshed a cup of whiskey down his way.

James couldn't help but let out a little cough as he took a sip of the whiskey. While the beer tasted like piss, the whiskey was ridiculously intense. "Ally Bennett not running after fame the first chance she gets? Do I know you? Is this the same Ally Bennett that I went to school with?" James asked raising an eyebrow, he had expected a little bit more from Ally FUCKING Bennett.

"Ryan, really? Still? When are the babies coming? Have they already came? Oh my god, I should have been there with the video camera, I AM SO SORRY. Why didn't you call?" James asked faking panic, it was clear from Ally's physique nothing that dramatic had taken place in his absence.

[Ally Bennett]

Ally rolled her eyes as he started to talk about Tim & cuddling him, she wasnt 100% convinced that those two guys hadnt had some kind of affair.

"Tim is fine, he's doing some menial job at the Ministry because his Dad told him he had to. He still follows Jason around like a lost puppy, Jase got into pro Quidditch & Tim always wanted to but his dad wouldnt let him. Its heartbreaking & pathetic all at the same time" Ally scoffed, she liked Tim well enough but couldnt understand his undying need to please his father, hell, the guy even hid his true sexuality because his dad was a raving homophobe.

Smirking as James coughed at the firewhiskey, she downed what was left of hers and ordered another, her face falling as he spoke of her not following her fame dreams "The price I chose to pay for pissing my father off. I went for an audition, charmed them all of course but then embarrassed my daddy by choosing some 'touchy' songs. They could see I was talented but werent sure the public were ready for someone so...vocal" she snorted softly, shaking her head, "I could still do it, Im just too into my easy life at the moment to do it. But I'll have a word with my Dad, see if they have a niche for possibly gay, hair addict" she pointed at him and winked, before shaking her head as he asked about babies.
"Do I look like I've had a baby? Answer that carefully, if you want to live! What about you? Still single but you might be doing a Cian & leaving a trail of babies in your wake" she shrugged, really doubting that James had it in him.

[James Vorpahl]

(ooc: Sorry for the late reply my lady, this past week was a little bit of exhaust-balls)

James nodded as Ally told him about Tim's lackluster career all to please his father - he wasn't too surprised. Tim had always been overly cautious and overly preoccupied when it came to his father. "Who's his latest cuddle buddy? Or am I still able to fill that void?" James asked with a innocent grin as he took another sip of his firewhiskey, this time managing to down it without a cough - but just barely.

James raised an eyebrow as Ally finished her firewhiskey and ordered another, but for once, decided not to comment. James shook his head as Ally told him of her thwarted attempt at fame, "I never knew Ally Bennett to be under the control of her father, I always thought she had him under her thumb? What has happened to you Ally?" He asked jokingly. "But don't worry darling, there is always a niche for fabulous, but you know, with my strict hair and skin regime... I just don't know if I would have time for the cameras, I barely have time for the ladies as is!"

"I wouldn't say you look like you had a baby per say...." James started coyly, "but I would say your body looks like one of those fabulous 'I just had a baby and lost all the weight in two weeks and then got a 6-pack' type of stories. So really, how could I not assume?"

"And babies? Yep, tons of those - have to pass this hair on to future generations. I mean, I realize if I were to let it die out, my hair would be recognized as one of the wonders of the world but the other day I said to myself. James - don't be so selfish. Don't stop generations of ridiculously good looking hair just so you can be honored as a wonder of the world. So in conclusion, lots of babies and I am completely selfless."