"It's been a weird day. Shall we go for a drink?" Nicola suggested as the pair left the magic shop.
"Yeah I could definitely use one" James admitted.
A short walk later the pair were sitting at a table by a window at a nearby pub. It was their usual after work spot.
"Dammit these things are impossible to get off" Nicola complained as she tugged at the ring Meredith had forced her to wear. James was having no more luck with his.
"Do you think they really are cursed?" James asked slightly nervously "I mean it's weird how hard they are to get off."
"Yeah, right" Nicola laughed "Do you see me following anyones orders?"
"Go get me another beer" James tested only half jokingly.
"Even if these were real she said we can't control each other remember?" Nicola smiled "So don't go getting any ideas"
At that point a well to do looking middle aged couple approached the pair.
"Excuse me" the man asked abruptly in a haughty tone, rudely cutting across the conversation "my wife and I always sit here. Would you move somewhere else?"
James and Nicola both quickly agreed and got up, taking their drinks with them. The entitled man nodded to his wife in satisfaction at their obedience. He did not bother to thank them.
"What a rude bastard" James complained as he and his friend resettled at a small, cramped table in a dingy, dark corner of the room.
"Well why did you just immediately do what he said? Nicola huffed.
"I don't know. Why did you?" James countered.
For once Nicola seemed lost for words. That really wasn't like her. She tugged anxiously on her ring once more.