(open) No sleep for the wicked

[eric]

Eric was again taking on another forty-eight hour day. He took his job seriously and it took the head of the auror office to drag his bum out of the ministry and off of a job to get the man to sleep or at least take a day off. He never was really off when he was taking the day off either. Eric was what you would call a work-alcoholic. However he was not married to his job like many others seemed to be. He could drop everything and go help someone enemy or not in a blink of an eye. He stayed late at work because well he was a bachelor and found no reason to take days off or anything like that. A day here and there and he was happy. Going home at night brought him home to an empty house. One of his colleagues had told him that it might be a good idea for him to bring home an animal so that he wouldn't go home every night to an empty house. He just didn't think that would be fair to an animal.

Still others told him to get a girlfriend. He was far from doing that at the moment. He had money but not enough to raise a family or keep most girl's he thought satisfied. He could be shy around the ladies at times and outgoing at others. It was just generally the way that he was. He took a deep breath and he walked the main entrance floor of the ministry.

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Although Sirius liked his job well enough, he wasn't addicted to it. He pulled long shifts when they needed him to; however, for the most part, it was a normal ten or twelve-hour day for him. He wasn't married, but he had plenty of stuff to do when he left the Ministry like making old Grimmauld Place inhabitable again and bearable for him to live in. Work on top of more work. It had been hard at first because he had been so laid-back during school, though now he was kind of accustomed to it so nothing really bothered him. He was on the main entrance floor of the Ministry - the Atrium - when he saw another fellow Auror, Eric Asada.

Now there was a man that had him worried and concerned. Eric was a workaholic; there was no other way to explain it. The guy was crazy and that was all there was to it. Sirius grinned all the same because most of the Aurors were his friends and if they weren't then they were going to be -- whether they wanted it or not! Hah! He lengthened his stride, adding in his little trademark swagger that had the all of the ladies watch, as he quickly caught up to the other man.

"Hey, Eric, are you coming or going? 'Cause I was thinking you need to relax. Let me take you out and show you the town. Whaddya think? Are you ready to party like it's 1977?"

The rather randomly entered year was the year that Sirius had graduated from Hogwarts and had smuggled in some Firewhiskey for the Gryffindor House party that had taken place the night before the school ceremony where everyone collected their diplomas and awards and whatnot. That had been one hell of a party...

[eric]

Eric knew some of his colleagues found him crazy for not caring about the hours that he worked. He was also still in the stage of wanting to prove himself. He was only twenty-three for goodness sakes. Of course it was apparently bad to be at work almost all hours of the day. When he did go home to his run down little appartment he found himself busy tidying things up and making things look presentable. Everything had a place and he could be a tad ocd about that. It wasn't that he was extremely organized either. Most of his stuff was in an organized mess as he would call it buthe could make things look spotless when he wanted too. Of course that also made him weird. He didn't mind it many of his colleagues when they needed his help would reach out to him and he was always there to pick up after the rookies. He rather liked that bit actually and so wandering around a bit before the end of his forty eight hour shift allowed him time to relax. That was until someone strode up to him calling out his name.

The voice he knew well. It was Sirius Black and most every Auror was his friend. Part of him wanted to run and run quickly. The man could be a bad influence he was sure. However now that the other was upon him he had no choice but to hold his ground with the older male. It wasn't like having another friend would cost Eric anything and it might give him someone else to turn too though he doubted that. However, maybe he could become someone that Sirius turned too. Of course that might be wishful thinking but what would it hurt to try. A voice inside of him was screaming at him but he ignored it. There was no use fussing over thing that would inevidably happen.

"Hello Sirius how are you?" Eric asked before he even began to go into the queston that had been asked of him. "I'm just about to end a forty eight hour shift...I suppose a bit of partying never hurt anyone right." He had no clue what he was getting himself into but he did need an adventure. It would be something different then going home to an empty apartment and the couple next door that yelled into all hours of the night.

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"I'm fine, thanks."

He gave the younger man a rather charming grin. Even though Sirius was partial to women, he didn't really mind being with a guy. He had no preference either way. Some might even say that he was addicted to sex... Sirius whistled a bit when he heard that the other Auror had just finished a forty-eight hour shift.

"How the hell are you still standing after that?"

He shook his head. Back in his early days he had pulled longer shifts all the time. A day or two days... Sometimes even more... Just sleeping when he could on the cot in his office until old Mad-Eye poked his head in and yelled at him for slacking off. But of course when Sirius had first joined the force as an Auror the Dark Lord's war had been in full swing at the time so stretching the days had been necessary. Now, however, he couldn't understand why anyone would stay at the Ministry for that long when not much was happening in his opinion. Another grin sprung up on his face when Eric agreed to go out for a little partying. He clapped the man on the shoulder.

"Good on ya, mate. Now the question is do you wanna go Muggle or Wizard? The Muggles have some awesome drinks that can really knock you off your arse if you don't know what you're doing. Haha!"

Sirius's laughter was more like a bark according to most; his Animagus form had a tendency to slip into his human form at times... He had always had problems with that though.

[eric]

Eric what are you thinking? whispered the tired voice in his head. There was not doubt the young man was tired but there was also no what he was going to say no to Sirius Black. In his mind that just didn't happen. It wasn't that he was friends with the older man yet it was just that well he had offered and Eric would probably just go home and sleep for two days like he usually did when he took forty eight hour shifts. Yes he was crazy but no one ever better say it. He hadn't slept so what would another four hours really do to him. nothing at all. His inner voice decided to not chide him and fell silent yet again. He was pulled out of his thoughts by Sirius telling him that he was fine. He gave a partial nod and then laughed when the elder asked him how he was still standing. "Sheer will power I do believe Sirius. Oh and tea and a muggle energy drink helps as well." He forgot what the energy drink was called but one of the rookies had given it too him because they said he looked like he needed it. He was partially glad that he was an insomniac and had to exhaust himself before he fells asleep anyways. He was not sure if the energy drink really had done anything for him.

A two day shift was nothing at all to Eric. He's done a four day one and Mad-eye had completely send him home after that. He said that if Eric stayed up an hour longer the poor child would be delusional. He was probably right at Eric had maybe two hours of sleep in the span of the four days and could sense he was becoming delusional. So Mad-Eye gave him two to three day shifts because he knew that the younger would not be happy otherwise. He was pulled out of thoughts yet again this time by a question from Sirius. He thought for a moment about where he wanted to go. He hadn't been partying in the muggle world in awhile and the wizarding world seemed too dull. So his mind was made up rather quickly. "Let's go muggle Sirius." He walked into get the his time slip filled out and then joined Sirius back outside the office doors. "Alright then lets hit the road Mr. Black." He smiled at Sirius and waited for him to lead the way. A few drinks would do the boy good.

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Sirius nodded his head slowly at the first comment. He had relied on coffee a lot in his younger years, but these days he didn't have to worry about it as much. He was actually kind of surprised though that Eric even wanted to go out and party after forty-eight hours on the clock; he would have been just about ready to collapse in his bed for a couple of days just to catch up on lost sleep and regain his barrings... But, hey, he wasn't about to complain because he was in the mood to go drinking and it wasn't nearly as much fun alone as it was with a buddy.

He followed after the younger man , but almost stopped in his tracks when the other called him 'Mr. Black' "Whoa, Eric, Mr. Black is my father. Not me. Call me Sirius or even hey you, knucklehead. Haha. I ain't that old." He shook his head.

Sirius reckoned it was kind of an 'elder' response. The younger Auror was just trying to show him some respect... But personally he hated the whole 'mister' title. He didn't really mind it so much when it was a reporter or someone else who didn't know him well, but the Aurors were his friends. They were supposed to call him Sirius. Just Sirius.

As soon as they left the Ministry, he began leading the way down the street. He knew just the place that wasn't too far away. It was a smallish pub called the Copper Kettle and it was the perfect place to get a drink or a bite to eat. "Well, this is it."

The inside of the Copper Kettle wasn't much better than the outside, which just looked like a badly fixed-up shack. There were a couple of tables that were empty and a long bar which only had one stool taken. It was kind of early for the normal drinking crowd to be about so it was rather quiet for once. The other times Sirius had been here, there had been a thin layer of cigarette smoke and the stench of sour alcohol in the air. He was glad that it was a little better than normal. He hated to think what Eric would have said otherwise... Sirius ambled right up to the bar and plopped himself down on one of the stools. He ordered a tall lager of Pale Ale and smirked over at Eric.

"So... you gotta tell me... What's your flavor? 'Cause I'm totally footing the bill. I mean, this has to be the first time you've ever gone out to party in like forever."

[eric]

Eric was a rather odd person he was sure. After all most people would be collapsing after forty eight hours at work. However he was rather lonely with going home so going out wasn't going to kill him. After all Moody had given him two days off so he could get caught up with sleep that way if he got caught up with sleep that was. There was always the chance that Albus Dumbledore would call him to the school. The Triwizard Tournament had the young adult wizard a little worried. He looked at Sirius for a moment. "Sirius, what is your take on the Triwizard Tournament?" He asked as they were walking out of the Ministry. It wasn't like talking about such things in the muggle world would be an odd thing especially after a couple drinks. Muggles were rather facsinating when they were drunk. Wizards on the other hand could get rather interesting as well.

He gave off a laugh as Sirius told him not to call him mister Black. Fine then Knucklehead." He laughed even harder as Sirius took over the lead and showed him to a small pub called the Copper Kettle. Now this was an interesting place to begin with. Eric had passed it a few times on his way home when he decided that walking and not using the floo network would be a good idea. A little hole in the wall pub that would have its regulars and make for an interesting night he was sure. He walked in and looked around. It was rather early and the silence and emptiness caught the young wizard off guard. He was sure it would get more interesting. He walked as Sirius hopped onto a stool. He took another second to check out the place. It was something he always did just incase they needed to make a quick break or something. He tended at times to be slightly paranoid but having grown up the way he did and being an auror kinda made sense.

He sat down next to Sirius to hear him tell him that he was footing the bill. "You would have that correct. I haven't partied in a very long time." He couldn't actually remember the last time he had partied with friends or another person. He did go to a pub or two for a drink but otherwise he really didn't party much. "Well I think I will go with a Corona tonight actually. Might go to the harder stuff later tonight depending how the mood strikes up." Beer usually started off the night unless he had a very trying day which in that case the harder liqour was all that he was thinking about and usual in some random mixed drink because he wasn't to lose feeling. Yes he was one odd man but no one really seemed to care much about that.

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"Wish I was a student again, that's my take."

Sirius chuckled for a moment. He was really excited about the Triwizard Tournament despite the fact that he couldn't be a part of it. He might not even be able to get time off for some of the tasks, but maybe it was lucky Dumbledore or Mad-Eye would ask him to step in as an extra measure of security.

"I would have put my name in as soon as I could. It just sounds like so much fun and it's a great opportunity to test your skills... I only hope I can get some time off or something..." He sighed briefly as he sipped at his ale. "Well see? That's your problem, Eric. You don't take enough time out to actually relax. You need to kick back sometimes or you'll just became one of those dull paper-pushers."

A boyish grin broke out over Sirius's face when he heard the younger man order a drink. He motioned for the bartender and gave a nod of his head. Apparently they both liked beer. After a moment of sitting there sipping on his alcohol in silence, Sirius got up and went over to the jukebox in the corner. He placed a coin in and before long a song broke out over the speakers. It had a techno beat and for some reason it seemed to lure in a few more drinkers. He returned to his seat at the bar and grinned again.

"Let's get this party started!"

[eric]

Eric was sure that Sirius was a bit rash and crazy now if he hadn't thought that before. He'd like to be a student again to join in on the fun of the Tournament. Eric had it come up in his school years would never have entered his name in such a thing. Not with the history that was behind it and the fact that you could get killed if you made one wrong move in a task depending on what it was. Still he supposed if you had no fear or couldn't think about such things then it would be something that would intrigue you. If you could put that fear aside. However he was not simply that crazy. He was an auror and put his life on the line yes. But to do so just for fame and glory didn't seem to suit his personality well. He shrugged it off and pretty much figured that Sirius would do perfectly fine if he really had had the chance to be involved in such a thing. However the Tournament had been ban for many years and why they pulled it back out was beyond Eric's mind. However those older and above him were supposed to be smarter so he really should worry but he did. The way Dumbledore had requested him and what he had told him he needed him to do had him feeling that way.

He was pulled out of his thoughts with Sirius's next words. "I am already assigned to go to the school when Dumbledore calls. I'm sure if he needs you he will call for you."

[/color] In truth it would probably happen as Sirius had children at the school if Eric wasn't mistaken. One that the older man at least knew about as he had mentioned her earlier before the school year had started. He took a sip of his Corona and everything went out the window in a sense as the sensation of alcohol and the taste of it hit his belly. It would probably be a good idea to order something to eat but he was not sure what was good there. "Sirius what do you suggest for food. I mean I need some nourishment so that you know I don't go three sheets to the wind too fast now."[/color] He laughed remembering the last time he'd had way to much without eating. It was far less then he could usually handle and it had made him sad when he woke up the next morning. Thank goodness he did remember what he did that night at least.

He was half offended by being told he would become a dull paper pusher. He gave a half glare to Sirius for that comment as well. However, he didn't say anything to it as most people didn't realize that the boy could party when he wanted too it was a matter of if he wanted too. Then Sirius got up and walked over to the jukebox and music started to fill the place as a few more people walked in. "Yes the bigger the crowd the rowdier the party don't you think?"[/center][/size][/blockquote]

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Sirius was the type of guy who liked the fame and glory. He loved the idea of going down in history, which was why he had done so much shit at school. He had also joined the Aurors because at the time he had believed it was just going out and nabbing the bad guys, but it turned out things weren't that easy. Sure he had caught a few Death Eaters; however, the necessary paperwork involved had been a serious downfall. He also knew now how dangerous it was -- he had been injured a few times in the past, after all... Still, none of that had stopped him because he actually liked what he did. He couldn't stand sitting back and waiting for something to happen; no, he was the type who had to take action even and especially when no one else would.

"Lucky you. Hey, if nothing else I'll lend you my Muggle camera and you can take a few pictures for me. I'll even teach you how to use it if you don't know already..."

Contrary to popular belief, Sirius was quite Muggle. He knew a lot about their culture mostly because it had pissed off his parents so badly. He was attracted to their electronic devices, but his favorites included motorcycles and cameras. He had several photographs of his best mates and such that never even moved like some of the others.

"Well... If you want to go the safe route then I would get some fish and chips or maybe some of those little boneless appetizer wings. Those are pretty good." He chuckled a bit himself at Eric's words. It wouldn't be very fun at all if the younger man didn't even last long enough to enjoy the party.

The music continued to pump out from the speakers as even more customers entered the Copper Kettle. Some of the regulars who were already drunk by this time had started dancing in a wild and loose fashion. Sirius laughed heartily at the younger man's last comment. "That's the best part, mate. You seriously haven't been to any good parties, huh? Man, when I was a student, I used to sneak in Firewhiskey whenever Gryffindor won a Quidditch game... Good times, good times."

[eric]

Eric was the type of guy that had always been in the back or front of the class room doing his work. It was when it wasn't getting done that his teachers actually started to worry. Of course now he was out of school and being Auror and one that had special duties aside from the everyday things he had learned that his organization though not always neat was a good thing. It wasn't that he'd end up a dull paper pusher. Actually her rather hated the paper work after a long day. That was what he'd be doing when he got back into work the next time he did work. Reports were killer but it came with the job. He was a protector he did things before things needed to be acted upon. He was usually first on scene for anything and if muggles were involved he was there to make sure the the oblivators didn't do anything drastic though they never really ever did in the first place. Still he was a protector and he would step up to the plate when he needed too. Contrary to what most of his colleagues thought of him. He was quiet and dutiful and that seemed to bug a few. He figured however that fact that he lacked a social life really was something that urked them and not his work ethics.

He was pulled out of his thoughts as Sirius said that he was lucky to be called to the school. He smiled when the other told him that he would teach him how to use the muggle contraption called a camera. "No don't worry about it I do know how to use one. I'm be more than willing to take it with me and send you the pictures." He wasn't joking either. Contrary to popular belief even though his alma mater didn't take in muggle borns. Muggle things were not completely foreign to him and he did have a few muggle friends he went out riding with ever once in awhile. Which reminded him didn't Sirius have a motorcyle. "Hey Sirius, care to join a group of friends of mine on a sunday ride." He was sure that Sirius would know what he was talking about. He half payed attention as Sirius rattled off what was good to eat and he ordered buffalo wings so that he could drink to his hearts content tonight. After all he had a full day to recover in the first place.

He looked around as more people walked into the bar. A smile came to his face as he saw some of the regulars start to dance. He turned back to Sirius with a half glare in his eyes when Sirius half stated half asked about him being to any good parties. "Contrary to popular belief I do part. Just not used to starting off so early for one and seeing places nearly dead. At school we had them too after Quidditch matches but getting completey rowdy was not something that we did. It was not the way we were brought up." He gave off a sigh and wondered if Sirius was one of the ones that thought he should pick up a chick while he was out drinking too. Or someone...It wouldn't surprise him really.

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"Awesome. I wasn't sure if you did or not... Say, are you a Pureblood or what? I've always wondered..." He paused for a moment. "Not that it really matters of course. Just curious."

Sirius grinned at the offer of going on a Sunday ride. He loved motorcycles. Aside from the one he had charmed to fly, he had a couple of ordinary Muggle Harleys as well. He closed his eyes for a moment as he imagined the wind blowing in his hair. Surprisingly enough he actually had a license to operate a motorcycle. Being an Auror meant that he had to follow the law sometimes, which was one of the reasons why he had gone public with his Animagus form. "Sounds good to me, mate. I love taking my cycle out for a spin. What kind of ride do you have?"

It kind of caught him off-guard a little that Eric even had a motorcycle, let alone actually knew how to ride one and went out on Sunday drives. Man, he needed to brush up on the personal history of his fellow co-workers. He was seriously starting to slack off. Sirius took a swig of his drink, effectively emptying the larger. He had a higher tolerance of alcohol than most people did since he had started at about seven or eight with wine. It had been a common practice among Purebloods to serve their children 'adult' drinks. So he didn't have to worry about getting a bite to eat like Eric did. At least not yet anyway... He raised his eyebrows as he listened to the younger man speak.

"Man, your years at Hogwarts must have been pretty dull. Don't worry though, the party will pick up in a bit and if this place doesn't suit your fancy I can take you to an awesome strip club down the road." When the waitress came over to refill Sirius's drink he told her to get everyone a round of beer, which caused the place to erupt in a few cheers. "So... Since this is a party, do you wanna dance?"

Cue awkward moment here.

[eric]

Eric cocked his head to the side for a moment before he righted himself and laughed at Sirius's later comment. "Yes I'm pureblood." It really didn't matter what they were. They were all wizards alike both muggle born and halfbloods. Of course he'd never really seen muggle born wizards or witches as they were not allowed at Durmstrang in all his years there. He wasn't sure exactly why it had been like that but he also didn't really care as he'd had his good times at school regardless of the bad ones. It would have been nice had the school been more diverse but as luck would have it mostly guys and purebloods were what populated his school. The whole reason why the man had no problem hanging out closely with other males or opening up to them in the first place.

He smiled as he got his answer for the ride on sunday. "Its been awhile since mine has been able to come out of the garage. I have two actually. I have a dirt bike and a harley. Love move harley. Thinking about getting another one so that I can use it for magical purposes. I hear you have one that can fly."

[/color] He smirked at the other. Eric knew who he was talking too. This may have been the first time that they were doing something like friends would do. Eric knew things about his colleauges because it was his job to know and his job to find the best way to help them should he need too. Sirius was no different it was just now he was actually starting to make friends with the older male and that made things a little easier he supposed. Maybe Sirius wouldn't be a completely bad influence on him after all but the night was still young and who knew what could happen.

He watched Sirius empty his larger and got rather sad as he went to take a drink of his own until it was refilled almost seconds later and his smile returned to his face as he picked up a wing to eat it. "I'm not a Hogwarts Graduate Sirius. I'm a Durmstrang graduate and you'll see why once more alcohol gets into me. My accent comes out more then. We did not get rowdy because too much rowdiness was punished. However that's not to say that it didn't happen once or twice." Eric laughed at the thought of going to a strip club. "Now now Sirius what type of man do you take me for." Okay so what man didn't like a strip bar. However that all depended on who was doing the stripping He was good with the girls and boys alike but that did not suit his fancy tonight. He laughed heartly at Sirius calling a round for the whole place which cheered.

He was not even taken aback when the older male asked him to dance. Most people would have cued and awkward moment at that time. Not Eric he stood up and half dragged Sirius out on the floor and little more. Hey he hadn't slept and he wasn't exactly liable for everything he did. However, they were partying and there was no partying without the dancing.[/size][/center]

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"Wicked. I have two cycles myself. One of them I modified so it flies, but don't tell anyone. Haha. I might get in trouble. The other is a brand new Harley I just bought a month or two ago."

Sirius tilted his head. So Eric had gone to Durmstrang? Well... That was an interesting piece of information. He just wanted to slap himself across the face. He didn't nearly know enough about any of the other Aurors. He made a mental note to brush up on those skills later, but for now he was a bit eager to get the party started.

"Right... I had no idea you went to Durmstrang. My parents thought about sending my brother and I there for a long while, but then they decided to opt for Hogwarts because it was closer to us. What was the school like? Is it truly into the Dark Arts like people claim?"

Both of his eyebrows went up at the next comment. What kind of guy didn't like going to a strip club? ...Unless Eric was gay. Sirius was surprised and momentarily caught off-guard when the other Auror half-dragged him out onto the floor. He had been expecting a reply, not immediate action. He laughed it off though and began to groove to the music. He was actually fairly good at dancing, believing that such a talent would win him a few ladies. And it had. Inner smirk.