Chapter 3: A little stroll.
Luna and Rolf Scamander felt replete after their excellent large breakfast at the diner and decided to take a walk around the small town of Cougar Canyon to 'burn some of it off' and to acquaint themselves with their temporary 'home'. Rolf's injured ribs, whilst still a little sore did not prevent him walking, as long as he didn't get too out of breath and have to start breathing heavily, so the couple began to gently saunter around the town taking in the lovely spring weather and observing the 'sights' that it had to offer.
They first saw the small gas station and automobile workshop that was next door to the diner they'd just left. There was a white coloured and slightly battered pickup truck in the building which was in for repair and which they could see through the open front door. As they watched a man in oily overalls, obviously a mechanic, emerged from behind the vehicle, with the rear wheel and tyre which had obviously previously been removed bobbing obediently along obediently in front of him in mid air. This he gently positioned onto the rear wheel hub and then began to fit and tighten the locking nuts, whistling happily as he did so, content in his work.
He finished his job and no longer distracted by the task at hand he looked up and saw that Luna and Rolf had been observing him. He yelled out of the building saying "Howdy ma'm, sir, didn't see yer there, how yer doin'? I'm Jeff Wheeler, master of all I survey." He waved his hand around his workshop indicating his 'realm' and began to walk out of the building's wide door and approach the couple, smiling as he emerged into the sunlight.
Wiping his hands on a rag he held the right one out to the Scamanders and they shook it, with Jeff moderating the strong grip he had used in shaking Rolf's hand when it came to greeting Luna.
You must be the couple Valancy told me about, the ones staying at her place that she and Cliff shared a bit of a 'mishap' with last night on her way back to town. You're the only strangers around at present, none of what we call 'normals' here, which is why I decided to use a Lift to shift that wheel, they're a tad heavy and I'm just gettin' over a strained back, didn't want to throw it out again. Hazard of the job I'm afraid. In any case Valancy came by and we had a chat as she was on her way to work up at the library and she told me you might be about in town and that you're magical folks from England, so wouldn't be upset seein' things bein' 'Lifted' or whatever. Pleased to meet you. Glad you two couples didn't have a crash last night, even though it might have been good business for me, fixin' up the vehicles if you had. Wouldn't want to profit from folks getting' hurt though." Jeff grinned and Luna thanked him for his kind words.
Speaking to Rolf Jeff added, "Sorry to hear about the banged up ribs fella, looks like Beth sorted 'em out ok though, good talent that lady's got, she's a strong healer, helps me with my 'trick back' when it's troublin' me, but sadly I think it's just plain weak now, strained it too many times so I need to take it easy. There's nuthin much Becky can do other than 'ease it' with her herbal medicines and a spot of localised warmth from those 'healin hands' of her's when it's plaguing me."
Rolf nodded in agreement as he replied, saying, "She sure is good, what with her 'healing hands' and the potion she gave me I slept like a baby last night, not the slightest twinge and I feel pretty good this morning. A bit bruised, and still need to breathe a bit shallow for comfort, but it could've been a lot worse. We're taking her advice and will be sticking around a few days 'till I heal up properly, just taking it easy and learning about The People, as hopefully you will about us. What you can do is amazing, that thing you just did with the wheel, you call it a Lift? We can do similar but our magic uses wands to control and direct objects and mostly we learn how to do it in school by using a spell called Wingardium Leviosa, wand-less and spell-less magic is considered very advanced amongst us Witches and Wizards and not all ever master it, but you made it look effortless and casual, brilliant stuff! Rolf beamed at the mechanic who seemed pleased at his words.
Jeff replied modestly, "Weren't nuthin', that kinda thing our children begin to do in kindergarten, that and flyin', although at first their powers can get a bit misdirected and they need an adult to supervise 'em and keep 'em safe. Adults can Lift heavier stuff than that wheel, varies from person to person but in the main an entire car is easy enough fer one of us ter handle. Anyway folks, must get on, that pickup needs an oil change too and the owner'll be here wantin' it back in an hour or so, so 'scuse me, I'd best get started,"
"Sure Jeff". Luna smiled and replied; "Wouldn't want to hold you up and stop you working, best be on our way ourselves, we're sure to see you around later in any case. It's been nice meeting you."
"You too folks." Jeff smiled, adding; "I might see you at Maggie's Bar tonight, if so I'm buying, I'll get you a couple of cold ones, see yer later." And with that he walked back into the shade of his workshop to complete the servicing job on the pickup.
As the English couple walked off up the main street of the town Luna said, what a nice guy, perhaps we will stop by that bar he mentioned this evening, Maggie's he called it didn't he? Rolf nodded and Luna continued, saying; "It'll be a good place to meet other people from around here and being how it's a Friday it should be quite lively tonight. But certainly there'll be no wild dancing or whatever for you Rolf, you'll be a good boy and sit and sip your beer or 'mama will spank'." Luna grinned, slipping back briefly into her Minerva McGonagall impersonation for the warning.
Rolf grinned sheepishly, as he had a bit of a 'rep' for dancing even more 'unusually' than Luna when he'd 'had a few', although he'd mellowed as he'd grown a bit older. His early 'cabarets' at The Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade were still talked about when he visited the village and school to give lectures in Magizoology to NEWT level Care of Magical Creatures students. Also his youthful 'performances', (whilst not always fully clothed), at The Leaky Cauldron in London were still the stuff of wizarding legend back home in London. He and Luna were certainly well matched when they did take to a dance floor together, despite the fact that Rolf was somewhat older than his wife he was still very fond of flinging himself around to music in her company and if they were dancing together most other couples gave 'em plenty of space.
As they progressed up the street they next came to a fairly typical looking smallish General Store, looking like many they'd seen in other rural areas on their trip, before they'd got to Cougar Canyon. Looking at each other the couple reached a silent mutual agreement and went inside.
Once into the shade and cooler temperature of the shop and their eyesight having adjusted from the bright sunlight outside Luna and Rolf saw pretty much what they expected to see, having been in similar establishments before in other places in America. There was a counter with a 'register' as the locals called what the couple knew of as a till, behind which stood a middle aged, kindly looking grandmotherly, grey haired woman. In the body of the shop stood and rows of wooden shelves, bins and racks, holding various foodstuffs and other household items. Also magazines and newspapers were to be found in another rack against the wall. Behind the counter there were other goods on shelves, consisting of a selection of cigarettes and bottles of spirits, medicines etc. There were also cold beers and also non alcoholic beverages in cans, located in a tall cooler cabinet next to the counter which, given the heat outside that had been building as the sun rose higher felt very tempting and the couple selected a diet cola each to drink and help keep them cool and hydrated as they walked around town. Luna also selected a local paper from the rack, thinking that reading about local news andd such was always a good way to learn about a place and find out what was going on there.
Taking their purchase over to the counter they smiled at the shopkeeper and she greeted them both in a friendly fashion, saying, "Hello there, good choice, a nice cold beverage will 'hit the spot', specially on a day like this. It's a tad early in the year for it to get this hot, being as it's April and not even Blooming Day yet, but it looks like it'll be a scorcher today sure enough. You two folks must be the visitors we've heard about, nuthin stays a secret 'round here' too long, what with it bein' such a small town and us People being 'pathic an' all.
The young couple confirmed their identity, introduced themselves and were warmly greeted. The shopkeeper lady said, "Glad you two folks and our own couple weren't badly hurt, wouldn't want that happenin'. I'm Ada Larkin by the way, me an' my hubby Harry own this little place, but he's off in Flagstaff, the nearest big town at the wholesale warehouse with our truck, pickin' up some stock, since not many deliveries come here, the roads not so good as you saw. He won't be back 'till later this afternoon and meanwhile I'm minding the fort."
Luna, her curiosity getting the better of her couldn't resist asking Ada a question and said; Oh that's nice a friend of ours is called Harry too. Excuse me Mrs. Larkin." But found herself being stopped in mid-sentence, by the kindly woman's insistence on being called Ada.
She smiled at them, saying, "Everyone else around here does so and I don't see why you two fine young people shouldn't do likewise my dear".
Smiling Luna began again and smiled at the older woman, saying; "Well Ada it is then, what I wanted to ask you Ada was about what you said, the phrase Blooming Day', it sounds interesting, what is it some sort of local celebration or festival? Only I heard Valancy mention it last night when we got here and something called two-ing, which she seemed to associate with it."
The older woman beamed and said; "Yes, bless you child, Blooming Day is a big annual celebration for us People. We've celebrated something like it since even before we got here, even way back before we left The Home. We just kinda switched it around a bit to suit local conditions better in these parts. You may have heard about what outside folks call The Painted Desert here in Arizona, it's beautiful anyway, with all the multicoloured rocks and such but when the rains come in spring the wildflowers bloom into a riot of colours around April. You folks are here at just the right time, it may happen anyday now and it's so beautiful. If I were you I'd definitely stick around to see it, Blooming Day's not a fixed date as it's up to nature, but it's due anytime soon and we have a big celebration to mark it, with picnics, parties, barn dances and such. It's also the traditional time for loving young couples to declare themselves to each other and their families and friends. Valancy must have been talking about Arnie and his sweetheart Becky I'm guessin. They're gonna declare themselves to each other this Blooming Day I'd bet for sure. The whole town's noticed they're hardly ever apart when they don't have to be. It's traditional for the boy to gather a posy of wild flowers for his beloved, formally ask her to be his girlfriend and get the approval of both their parents and I'm sure they'll have no problems getting it, as they're both great kids. Even if Arnie was a bit of a scamp when he was younger there's not a mean bone in the kid's body."
"Thanks for the information Ada, Blooming Day sounds wonderful." Luna said smiling at the older woman.
Then turning to Rolf she went on to say; "Well, beloved husband of mine, I think we're both a little too late to start two-ing, but if you feel moved to present me with the traditional posy I'll be most happy to declare my affection for you. I don't know about you but I feel most happy to remain here until at least Blooming Day, as it sounds amazing and I'm sure we'll be able to get some brilliant footage for our nature documentary."
Rolf beamed at his wife and replied; "Yep, I agree Luna my love, no matter if I'm fit to travel or not by then there's no way we're going anywhere 'till we capture Blooming Day and The Painted Desert on camera. It's exactly the sort of 'local colour' that makes for a good wildlife film and gives a good idea of the setting we find the creature's we're seeking in. In any case, as you know, we're going to 'cut' two versions of the film, a Muggle and a Wizarding one and we've shot plenty of 'conventional' wildlife recognisable to muggle viewers as well. The Painted Desert material will be ideal footage for both versions and will make the film even more saleable in both The Magical and Muggle markets."
Rolf's 'business head' had obviously swung into action, causing his wife to grin at his enthusiasm. But then he became more 'personal' and said; "What's more I could never leave here without giving you that posy Luna, I'll be the proudest man presenting one to his lady that day." With that he kissed Luna tenderly on her cheek, as Ada looked on, pleased to see the couple so happy and obviously in love.
Then her expression changed and frowning, a little, she said; "As to filming The Painted Desert, well no problem there, but it'd probably be best to get the townsfolk's permission to film any of the Blooming Day celebrations, since we tend to keep a kinda' 'low profile' round here and even if it's not going to be shown to the 'normals' some might not be too happy for strangers to find out about us here in The Canyon, even if they are magical folk too."
"Don't worry Ada." Rolf replied. "We always film ethically and would never use footage without permission. When would be a good time to ask folk's permission, when most are gathered together?"
"You'd be best seein 'if you can attend The Gathering. If Valancy sponsors you I'm sure you'll be able to, The older female members of her family have been 'Elders' here way back and she, whilst still a mite young, carries the Remembrance of those who were here before her. The Gathering is held every Sunday evening at the town hall, it's where we go to discuss matters arising, sort out disputes and also if someone has any new memories of The Home which they wish to add to the records. That'd be your best bet as a place to ask permission, as nearly everyone attends."
Then thanking Ada the couple left the store to continue their tour of the place they were swiftly coming to love and feel at home in.