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Dora's lips curled upward as Leo complimented her and Pansy. He was incredibly charming and then there was that smile.... If they'd not been in a room full of children, Dora might have reacted very strongly to that smile but managed, somehow, to keep herself together. Leo explained he was here with his nephew and pointed out a little boy in an adorable costume. "Oh Merlin, isn't he precious!" she exclaimed softly as the toddler hurried over to get a look at Pansy.

Pansy was thrilled at having a new face to look at, squealing and giggling in a way that often gave Dora headaches but at the moment it was too cute to look away from. A camera clicked next to her and then Leo apologized. It was a strange reaction to taking a picture, but Dora supposed she liked being asked permission before her daughter's image wound up Merlin knows where. "Of course not. Pansy's going to be a model, she needs loads of practice in front of a camera. Isn't that right, love?" Dora smoothed a stray curl on Pansy's head and then flicked one of the butterflies on the infant's dress to make it wiggle for Blaise and Pansy. Pansy squealed and reached for the butterfly, her hands clasping around it and shoving it into her to suck on happily.

"Are you having fun with your uncle?" Dora asked, leaning forward and talking in a more gentle tone to the little boy. She was secretly wondering why anyone would name their child after fire, and hoping there wasn't another nephew or niece wandering around named Smoke or Ember. Actually, Ember was sort of a cute name if you were going with a fire theme to match Blaze.

Valentine’ Day was a sappy holiday that Dora only cared about because it meant that Fin spoilt her a little more than usual, though since he got serious with her cousin that was apparently not the deal anymore. Last year she’d not made a fuss, she’d been so excited at the prospect of Fin and Jovi getting together, but the novelty was wearing off and Jovi had started acting as though she was better than Dora because of her relationship with Fin. Not that Dora was jealous. She had her own men to spend time with, though they were either not the sort she’d want to settle down with (the idea of which was a horrid thought for someone as young as she) or they were the sort who would never see Dora as worthy of anything more than a few rolls in the hay. “Eww, no.” She pulled a face that showed her distaste for the idea of seeing Hunter on Valentine’s day. Not because she didn’t want to or didn’t fancy him, but because it was too coupley. It was very much unDora like. Valentine’s Day was for the loveable and now that Fin had Jovi it seemed there was no one left to love Dora, and thus no point in trying to lock down a date for Saturday. She might as well stay home with Pansy and become a spinster. It seemed her destiny.

A year ago, Dora had been out partying with friends and flirting from across the pool with all of London’s handsome healer mates. Now she was attending a children’s book reading and pushing a pram about; my how things could change so quickly. At least she wasn’t a bulbous cow this Easter. She hadn’t shied away from wearing a skimpy bikini to Lo’s Easter barbeque, even eight months pregnant, but she much preferred to saunter when showing off her body instead of waddling around like an overweight penguin. It was easy enough to add the stretchmarks of pregnancy on her stomach, thighs, and breasts to the long list of scars she hid magically every morning (or afternoon, depending on when she actually got up). One long scar running up the length of her leg from knee to hip from where a chandelier fell on her during an attack on a shop she’d happen to be in by Death Eaters some years ago, numerous scars across her thighs from severing charms used on herself to quell the pain of existence that were becoming less commonplace thanks to her newest addiction, and most recently the little puncture wounds on various parts of her body from Hunter’s enchantingly erotic vampiric bite. She was a sight to behold without her vanity charms in place, but there was one useful thing Rebekah Parkinson had instilled in her daughter from a very young age that Dora could never be anything but thankful for; worth is in the eye of the beholder, and attractive witches catch more kind eyes than dowdy ones.

Assuming she and Pansy would arrive fashionably late for the fairy book storytelling, Dora was slightly miffed as she pulled open the bookshop door and pushed Pansy’s pram inside, having realized that she had gotten the time wrong. They weren’t early nor late, but rather right on time which meant their arrival didn’t have the same impact as she’d been hoping for. She was fresh faced and all dolled up for the occasion and she was expecting people to turn and stare when she entered. The only person who seemed to notice her was Pansy as she squealed happily and looked back at her mum before reaching for a plush rabbit that was waving at the children as they came in. “You’ve plenty of stuffies at home, lovey.” Pansy didn’t seem to understand but Dora pushed her further into the shop and let the door swing shut behind them. “Auntie Alice said Jasper is going to be here to read to you, won’t that be fun? A handsome bloke reading a story just for you, you’re a lucky little girl. Mummy needs to get lucky soon or else she’s going to explode.” Dora muttered the last bit under her breath to herself, green eyes scanning the little shop for where the storytelling would be taking place. There was a sign pointing guests out to a garden patio and Dora followed, hips swaying prominently as she heard the door open behind her and wanted to ensure any eligible bachelors that might be entering got a good look at what was on offer before she was sitting with a bunch of other mums with a toddler on her lap.

There was already a little crowd of children running around, most dressed like fairies and pixies, though a few clearly had dullards for parents and were just wearing normal everyday clothes. Pansy was most certainly not one of them. Smothered head to toe in tulle and frills, Pansy would have been the perfect little fairy had she not screamed bloody murder every time Dora attempted to fix her fairy wings on the back of her dress, but was perfectly content with tiny butterflies surrounding her everywhere else. So she was a non-flying fairy, she was still the most adorable little one at the event. And the most easily contained, by the looks of it. Pansy wasn’t walking yet, so her only options for the story was to sit in her pram or in her mummy’s lap. Dora’s heels were too tall today for her to be able to let Pansy hold her hands while she tried to take a few steps, but that was probably for the better. A pair of girls, twins by the looks of it, ran past Dora and Pansy, nearly running smack into the side of the pram before zig-zagging around it at the last second. “And that’s why you’re never allowed to learn to run, Pans. Reckless little monsters,” she said with a grin, coming further out into the garden and having a look around. She spied a few familiar faces but one stuck out as particularly handsome and so Dora turned Pansy’s pram and headed in the direction of one Healer Leo Somethingorother. “Fancy seeing you here,” she said with a flirting tone, taking a seat near Leo without waiting to be offered one. She parked the stroller in front of her, Pansy facing Leo where she would be sure to get all the compliments on her outfit. Dora was hoping for a few herself. “Do you often come to children’s events by yourself?” she inquired, not remembering him mentioning a child of his own on their last encounter.

Dora straightened up in her seat as Mimi pulled their conversation back to her interview. One question in and already Dora was stumped. Aside from a bloke a few years back who had a thing for role-playing in the bedroom – naughty secretary and strict boss was a favorite and Dora enjoyed dressing up and transfiguring her hair to different colors and styles, the closest Dora had ever come to reception work was in asking the reception witch downstairs where her interview was to be held. She had only ever had a single job and that was bore out of pure nepotism and an instinctual knack for anything related to alcohol. “Well,” she started slowly, her confidence beginning to wane without a hot wizard to flirt with and bolster her ego, “I don’t have much experience per se. Not with reception work, but…” How in Merlin’s beard was she going to spin bartending into related fieldwork? “I’ve dealt with loads of people in my current position. All sorts, really.” She shrugged, chewing nervously on her lower lip for a quick moment before adding, “I’m quite friendly.”

The idea of showing up to the Oracle with Fin and a baby in tow was mildly amusing, and Dora smiled briefly at the thought which triggered another pain in her head. Her smile quickly faded, timed perfectly with Fin blowing off her suggestion in favor for spending time with his girlfriend. Dora rolled her eyes and turned back toward the sink where she placed her nearly full cup down. The thing felt like it weighed a stone and her arm was straining to keep it upright. The water wasn’t doing her aches any favors anyway. Fin suggested they go away next week instead, but she was put out by the conversation already. She watched him walk out of the room, leaving her and Pansy to fend for themselves yet again. “Maybe,” she answered in a slightly raised, cold voice so that he could hear her, which only made her wince. “I might have plans.” Nothing concrete just yet, but if Hunter were available she knew he wouldn’t leave her out to dry like Fin was doing now. How stupid Fin would feel knowing his friendship was being bested by a sodding vampire, not that she was going to let on about her new relationship. Fin wouldn’t understand and he’d just go off and moan about it to Jovi who would take it as another excuse to come at Dora again like she had at the night club. Really, they were made for each other, weren’t they? Heartless monsters.

Pansy was making a mess of herself and Dora sneered as she grabbed a tea towel and began wiping the baby’s hands. Pans pulled away from her mother and fussed, but Dora kept on until at least a bit of the mess was wiped away. The edges of Pansy's sleeves had flecks of mushed bread on them but Pansy didn’t seem to mind and Dora was annoyed, so she didn’t bother with it. “Ta-Da.” Dora turned around to see flowers, chocolates, and champagne, with Fin and his stupidly handsome smile plastered on bright. She instantly felt guilty for her sour mood but in her defense, she was in the midst of a spectacular hangover and he’d left her with a messy infant to clean up after. “Oooh, goody! I’ve got some juice, let’s have mimosas!” A little hair of the dog would help perhaps, though the aches she was feeling was the absence of vampire venom or whatever the fuck it was that made her feel so good, but alcohol helped everything. Right? She gave Fin a quick peck on the cheek, then moved toward the refrigerator just as Mimi came bounding in, having heard her name and thinking she was going to get a treat. Pansy squealed, Mimi barked, Dora shoved her head in the fridge and briefly considered slamming the door on her neck but instead said, “orange or cranberry? I’ve got both.”

Pansy gnawed on the toast, turning it into a soggy mush that made Dora’s stomach turn. She looked away and looked toward Fin who was asking after her night. “Nothing spectacular,” she shrugged, avoiding eye contact as her gaze continued on toward the cupboard where she kept her potions. She could do with a pain elixir at the moment, but then Fin might get suspicious. Fin’s baby blues were trained on her, she could feel it even without looking directly at him, so she turned toward the cabinet where she kept her glasses instead and pulled one down. “A little dancing. A little socializing.” Let him assume what he would of her socializing, he'd be wrong no matter where his mind went. Fin was one of the few people who had never called her a whore, mostly because he’d been a bit of a whore himself before Jovian came along, but then again, blokes didn’t get the same sort of labels as girls did. Dora moved to the sink, glass in hand, and turned on the tap. Water wouldn’t curb the ache she felt in her bones, but it might help with something. She felt wretched this morning…erm…afternoon.

Wanting to change the subject off her night out, mostly because Fin could read her like a sodding book and would know she’d been out with a vampire somehow, Dora looked pointedly at Fin and smiled. “So where are you taking me this weekend for Valentine’s? I was thinking we could go to Greece again. Who knows, Pans might fancy a baby brother." She gave no thoughts to where her infant daughter would go while she and Fin gallivanted around the little peninsular country, even as Pansy let out a particularly unladylike burp that seemed to scare her, and cause the baby to give a little wail before stuffing mushed toast in her mouth again. "Remember that one year we went there and got lost in Delphi and had to ask the Oracle for directions back to our hotel?” Dora smiled, a slightly pained expression visible in her eyes for a brief moment as an ache swept down her neck and across her shoulders. “She was such a doll. Total fraud though. She thought we were romantic, do you remember?” She wanted to laugh but couldn't; the memory was hysterical to Dora, who would only intermittently find Fin attractive in the romantic sense. Yes, he was an Adonis and he couldn’t not be sexy if he tried, and given the chance she would most certainly shag him into next week, but most of the time Dora really only thought of him as her straight-gay BFF. She drank her water to soothe the pain but it didn’t help. Her hands shook the teensiest bit with the effort of holding her glass up.

Jovi was laughing at her now and Dora couldn’t stand it any longer. Her cousin had clearly come here just to put her down while simultaneously flaunting her perfect ministry career and child-free life. Jovi must have thought the same of Dora as her own mum did; Dora was worthless and her only purpose was to be the lightning rod for everyone else’s hatred. “Oh fuck off, Jovian!” Dora stood promptly, her arms and legs aching for no apparent reason. The energy required to stand in such a huff was tiresome, though really she had already been tired long before this point. She was tired of working all night long then going home to an ungrateful infant that cried and caused the dog to bark throughout the night. She was tired of being reminded of her shortcomings, whether it was as directly as Jovi was doing now or as subtly as Ollie asking if he needed to babysit Pansy again this weekend. She was tired of her life, full stop. Dora’s hands were shaking as she slammed her glass onto the counter as she passed on her way to the exit. She needed something to take the edge off, to help her forget what a wretched life she was leading. She needed a vampire’s kiss to keep her from leaping off a bridge and succumbing to that sweet relief she’d been dreaming of these past few weeks.