16 Jul 2023, 05:08
Summer's End
An eventful night with @AngelFyre McCubbin
August 28, 2023.
While he was doing his best to keep busy and occupied, Simon stole another glance at the clock. "I think you're nearly as nervous for tonight as I am," Mark said, most likely taking notice and came over and placed his hand on Simon's shoulder. "All will go well. All will go well." Simon looked to Aunt Maggie's boyfriend and smiled to him, thinking his statement might be more for Mark himself than for him. "Don't you mean excited? I'm as excited for tonight as you are?"
"Oh, of course. Excited. Absolutely excited and not at all nervous.... What could go wrong" Simon watched as Mark stacked up a bunch of small white plates on top of one another. "Although, genuinely, if one listed out the possibilities, only about an infinite number of things could go wrong...."
"But it won't. You've got this, Mark," Simon said and smiled to him reassuringly. He then went over to him and placed his hand on Mark's shoulder. "All will go well. All will go well," he repeated the words told to him just moments before.
"We've got visitors!" Aunt Maggie could be heard from the other area of the restaurant. Simon flashed one more smile over to Mark before darting out of the kitchen and into the reception area near the entrance lobby. He was in a rush as it had been weeks since he was able to be physically close to his girlfriend. Sure, there was phone calls and video chats but that didn't allow him to lock gazes with her, run his hand through her hair, or hold her in his arms. It had been exceptionally hard because he had visited his father not once but TWICE since last seeing her and wanted to spill all the details. That, and she had unfortunately lost her dear Grandmother Ruth and while he was there for her service, he hadn't been able to properly console AngelFyre since then.
Aunt Maggie was already welcoming AngelFyre and her mother and father into the seating area. "I've missed you!" he said quickly, a little TOO quickly and stopped abruptly, not wanting to be rude and felt he should greet her parents before sweeping their daughter into his arms. "Mrs. McCubbin - Ma'am. Mr. McCubbin - Sir. Pleasure to see you again," he said and looked to both of them before pausing awkwardly for a nanosecond and then quickly brought his girlfriend into his arms and twirled with her half circle before pulling her close and holding her there. "I've missed you," he repeated but this time in a low whisper. Oh how it felt so good to have her back into his arms and entwined in his soul.
Introductions were made so that everyone now knew Mark Prescott, boyfriend of Aunt Maggie. They conversed and got to know one another and caught up over a meal there at Prescotts, Mark's own restaurant and the meal was cooked by none other than himself. He had a varied menu and made sure that evening to serve something with no meat for AngelFyre, even though it deviated from his normal steakhouse menu. "I was hoping during your visit we might discuss some options for a vegetarian menu. I'd like my restaurant to be more approachable to all."
They talked of old music, household upgrades, and the kids' upcoming school year. Simon and AngelFyre talked softly amongst themselves in a whisper when it was obvious that there was just 'old people talk' and joined in when the conversation fit. All the while, whether in private conversation between the two or conversing with the adults, they tapped their foot against the other's or took each other's hand under the table. When their early supper had ended, AngelFyre bid farewell to her parents as she was staying with Simon for a few days before departing for the next school term.
The restaurant was cleaned and locked up and the four made their way over to Crawford's, Aunt Maggie's bakery. "So good to see you all! We will open momentarily!" Simon heard Aunt Maggie say as they approached a rather long line that had already formed outside. Luckily she was prepared for this special evening opening and had prepared much of her tasty treats ahead of time. Tonight, the London sky was going to light up with fireworks in honor of a great football season - bringing solidarity to all of the London area teams.
"Blue is the color, football is the game.... We're all together and winning is our aim! So cheer us on through the sun and rain.....Cos Chelsea, Chelsea is our name!" Aunt Maggie sang the anthem for Chelsea FC, her favorite team. A couple customers in the line gave a playful boo but smiled and the others erupted into singing right along with her.
The four entered the bakery, made sure a few things were in position, readied themselves, and then Aunt Maggie turned over the open sign and it was ON. Simon looked over to AngelFyre and smiled as the door opened and people began to file in, still singing.
"Come to the Shed and we'll welcome you! Wear your blue and see us through! Sing loud and clear until the game is done, sing CHELSEA everyone!"
Simon had told AngelFyre allllll about this evening. There would be the decorating of cookies to be sold in the bakery and then they'd shut down ten minutes until the fireworks - leaving enough time to 'hit their mark' so to speak, locating themselves at the bench that was perfectly halfway between Crawfords and Prescotts. It was literally the spot where Mark had first spoke to Maggie and would be the perfect place for him to propose under the bright flashing lights of the fireworks.
He would do so in a supposedly stealthy sort of way, at least in Mark's hokey, yet adorable, way. Simon approved, as he knew Aunt Maggie would simply adore it and she deserved both this upcoming proposal and the man making it.
Simon smiled as he began frosting one of the football cookies, adding some black hexagons. Yep, nothing to see here Aunt Maggie....continue on your way.
When he was sure that she was busy helping customers, he broke out some more of the heart ones and looked over to see that AngelFyre was already on her second one. "Looking good, babe. Not....as good as you, but looking good." He took another round sugar cookie in his hand and spread some pink icing on this one before piping on some details. When he finished, he handed it over to her. "Some sugar for my Sugar Puff," he smiled, offering her the cookie.
They finished the heart-decorated cookies and boxed them up, placing them aside and then finished off the rest of the cookies for the football event. It was a rush trying to get both done on time and all while going unnoticed by his Aunt. Luckily, it seemed that Simon, AngelFyre, and Mark were like Charlie's Angels and the mission was uncompromised.
Ten minutes until fireworks, they closed up shop - some of the cleaning done that evening and the rest would wait until the next day. Mark and Aunt Maggie led the way and Simon grabbed the box and walked alongside his girlfriend.
There were lots of people that lined that street in South Kensington, London, and Simon loved the feeling of busy city nightlife. One firework went off, one solitary firework, and nearly everyone around began to shout" "DEDICATED TO DOMINATION, WE"RE THE [they inserted their favorite team's name] FOOTBALL NATION!" Immediately once the words were finished, fireworks began blasting across the sky.
Simon and AngelFyre sat on a nearby bench. He brought his arm around her and she nestled her head into his shoulder as they watched the lights dance across the sky. "That, right there, is what my heart feels for you - an explosion of emotion, bright and vibrant, always changing but brilliant - forevermore."
He brought his head from hers for just a moment to gently kiss the side of hers and smiled.
Their moment was interrupted, but not regrettably, as Mark turned toward the bench and took the box from it.
"Maggie Kincaid, it was in this very place that I first spoke to you, a man in desperation and despair over losing a baker for a catering job. I thought I'd lose my biggest company client and perhaps that would lead to the loss of my then catering business. I thought I would lose my father's trust and I certainty was trying my best not to lose my patience. But I didn't lose that day - I gained. I gained a baker, a savior, a friend, and a great love. You overheard my phone conversion with my father and immediately began the start of us by asking "how many dozen cookies would you like?" Today I ask you, how many dozen would you like? I'm hoping one will be enough," and he opened up the box of decorated round sugar cookies with hearts on them. The cookie in the middle was slightly different than the rest though, as it had a diamond ring resting upon it, that was sparkling a thousand different hues reflecting from the fireworks above. He took the ring and held it to her. "You started us. I want to continue us. For always. Will you marry me?"
Simon watched the entire thing play out with a huge smile on his face. He knew this was difficult for Mark but Mark didn't need to be so worried - he totally rocked it!
Aunt Maggie said yes, of course, and if it weren't for Simon's quick dhampir reflexes, a box of cookies would have been dropped on the sidewalk as she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him just after the ring was placed on her finger - for the rest of the fireworks show.
Simon had eventually rested the box back onto the bench and he walked with AngelFyre a little further toward the bakery to give them some privacy.
When the fireworks died down after a grand finale, Simon and AngelFyre met back up with them and congratulated the couple. Mark then walked them home, but just as they got to the front door he bid them a goodnight. Simon watched as Aunt Maggie pulled him in for one more kiss and proclaimed that she had to hurry inside - stating she had phone calls to make to announce the engagement to some of her closest friends!
"Congratulations, Mark," Simon said to him again and reached out to give him a handshake. "You were great." Mark thanked him and wished him and AngelFyre a goodnight before turning to head home to his place.
Simon sighed and slowly turned back to AngelFyre and smiled. "Pretty big night. Makes me realize I'm going to have to start thinking how I'm supposed to ask you such an important question." And he watched as she raised her eyebrow to him in that manner that she was curious and wanting to know more. "Oh, come on, you know it'll come eventually. Maybe sooner than later. What can I say, I'm obsessed with you." And she tilted her head, as if encouraging him to still go on and explain himself. "Yes, obsessed. With you. I'M SIMON KINCAID AND I HAVE THE MOST AMAZING GIRLFRIEND! SHE IS MY EVERYTHING!" he shouted loudly and laughed, feeling quite carefree at the moment.
"Girlfriend? But I thought you were only fourteen and why shackle down to one when you can play the field? Is that not what you stated?" a familiar voice came from the shadows.
Be kind to one another. (*iNPC is Miles Thatcher)
23 Jul 2023, 06:00
Summer's End
I do LOVE nothing in the world so well as you, @Simon Kincaid
28 August, 2023
When Simon came bursting through the door from the back of Mark's restaurant, AngelFyre began to bounce step and immediately tear up at just the sight of him. The last three weeks since Grandma Ruth's passing had been hard. Who was she kidding? Hard would be easy. They had been gut-wrenching devastating with a few heaping sides of kick-you-in-the-teeth, horrific surprises. She and her mother and her father knew well where Grandma Ruth was, but the tears still flowed, sometimes at the most unexpected moments as little flashes of memories would tug at their hearts. There were moments of unexpected laughter, too, but AngelFyre would never say that the laughter balanced out the tears. Not yet anyway. She knew that day would come, but this was not that day. It would not be that day for quite some time.
The three.... correction... four of them.... had flown back to Texas to inter Grandma Ruth next to Grandpa Ezra. Four left Scotland, but only three returned. They had only been home less than a week before making this trip to London. AngelFyre had never known life without Grandma Ruth in it, so the days felt a whole lot less colorful. Life, in general, felt a whole lot less colorful. Her mother was simply devastated, of course, and AngelFyre knew part of her grief was compounded by the fact that she now no longer had Grandma Ruth for company just as she would soon be saying goodbye to AngelFyre as she headed back to Hogwarts for her third year. Seeing her mother mope around the house and on their trip stirred all kinds of emotions within AngelFyre. All of them conflicting and confusing. She was generally so decisive, but she did not know what to do to make any of it better.
Not for everyone, at least.
Two nights before they were to fly into London, AngelFyre sat with her father in his Library, playing their ritual game of chess. Neither was completely focused on it, and her father prompted her to tell him what was up. She smiled softy while looking down at the chess board and shook her head slightly, trying to keep her tears at bay. He reached across the board and took one of her hands while patting his lap with the other. "Come, M'eudail (Sweetheart), you are growing bigger by the moment and there may come a day in the not too distant future when you will be too big to sit on your feeble ol' Da's lap," and the moment he uttered the sentence, AngelFyre shot a terrified glance his way and accidentally upturned the chess board in her haste to get over to him and bury her face in his neck as the tears began to stream down her cheeks.
For his part, Iain McCubbin could be heard quietly cursing his choice of words in that moment and hugged his daughter tightly to him until her body had cried itself out. "Forgive me, lass," he whispered in her ear. "That was a careless thing to say. There will never be a day when you are too grown up to sit on my lap if you are so inclined," and he slowly stroked her hair as she quieted herself and toyed with one of the buttons on his shirt.
"Daddy, I just do not know what to do. Mom is going to be so lonely without Grandma Ruth and now, even moreso without me. I know she will have you... she will always have you... but we both know it will not be the same. She is going to be...." and AngelFyre stopped short of finishing because honestly, her father knew exactly how it was going to be for his wife. AngelFyre had seen that heartbreak in his eyes for weeks now, too.
"What would you think if I did not go back to Hogwarts and stayed here, going back to school with the old gang in Dunbar?" She had been thinking this for some days now, and each time the thought crossed her mind, the solitary thought that exploded in her brain was Simon. She would miss learning her magic lessons and improving her dueling skill set, and a million other things and people, Colin not the least of them, but ALL of that paled in comparison to missing him. She had lost so much of herself already. Not being with Simon would be the worst kind of heartbreak and torture for her, but she would do it if her father thought it would be the right thing to do for her mother.
She had not mentioned this idea of hers at all to Simon. I mean, what could he say to her other than he would support her choice? She knew he would, but even as much as they were in love, could they sustain their relationship with him there and her here? There would be radio silence. No technology. No face time. No video chats. Only owls. It would break his heart, too... she was not in doubt of that... but how long before he decided the distance was too much? He would outgrow her as his magic thrived while hers stagnated. Long distance relationships were a hard thing. She did not know from personal experience, but she had read enough stories and had seen enough movies to know the truth of it. Were they exceptional enough to survive such a break? She would hope so, but the odds were not in their favor. Part of her heartbreak was in knowing that she could... and would... wait for him until the moon turned to bleu cheese if she ever had to. He had said all the right things indicating they were a now and forever pairing, but they had never been tested. Were they? Really?
She was choking back a fresh onset of tears when her father lifted her chin up between his thumb and index finger so he could look her in the eyes. Or she could look him in the eyes more likely. "Ahhh, not for the wide world, M'eudail. Your mother would not ask, nor would she want, such a thing for you. AngelFyre, lass, this is a hard time, for all of us. But hard as it is, it has happened in the best way it could. It is right and the natural order of things that the parents go before the children. And because it is that way, your mother would never want you to give up the chance to become the extraordinary person you are destined to be to soothe her aching heart at this time." He then brushed aside a strand of hair that had stuck to her wet cheek.
"You let me worry about and take care of your mother. That is my job and it is my great honor to do so. Your mother is hurting now, but her faith is strong. She will get through this. I promise you she will. We all will, darling, even you and even if it does not feel that way now. The best thing you can do for her is to pray for her and to go back to Hogwarts with Simon and your friends and learn to be the best you can be, yeah? You must not ever, nor do we expect you to, give up your life and your dreams for us." And at that he had hugged her tightly and in silence until she felt a huge weight had been lifted from her heart.
So when Simon rushed at her and told her he had missed her, she suddenly felt like they had dodged a bullet, and it was her father they both had to thank for that blessing. "I missed you, too, love. So much to tell you, but tonight we concentrate on getting that Aunt of yours engaged," she laughed, and the sound of her first real laugh tinged with nothing but absolute joy stopped her cold for a moment. Simon just hugged her close and whispered to her that it was okay to laugh. It was not dishonoring Grandma Ruth to be happy, and she knew her brilliant fellow was right.
Goodbyes came almost as quickly as the slew of hellos, but her folks were flying to Rome this summer. They both walked her out to where the black cab waited for them, and hugged her more tightly than she could ever remember, especially, and not surprisingly, her mother. No words were spoken. None were big enough with a big enough meaning to say what the the three hearts were feeling, but they all knew. As she stood at the curb's edge, waving her goodbye as they drove off, Simon stepped out the front door of Mark's restaurant and slipped his hand into hers and squeezed it three times.
Tenderly she heard him say, "Come on, AngelFyre, love. It's going to be a wondrous night."
**************************
AngelFyre's heart leaped with unbounded joy the moment Aunt Maggie accepted Mark's proposal. Simon had been beside himself for weeks helping with the planning and shoring up Mark's failing courage at times when he was feeling vulnerable and uncertain. It was Simon's specialty... well, one of them anyway.
As he guided her away from the newly engaged couple so they could have some privacy amidst the 200,000 raucous futbol enthusiasts, AngelFyre just leaned into her boy and happily watched the fireworks. It was a glorious display, and she said her thanks a hundred times over in those minutes to the Good Lord that she did not have to break her ill conceived plan to him. She would tell him about it because she told him absolutely everything that was hers to tell, but not tonight. Tonight, as he had so aptly stated earlier was a going to be a "wondrous night".
As they walked back to the townhome he shared with Aunt Maggie, AngelFyre wondered if Mark would move in with Aunt Maggie, or if Aunt Maggie and Simon would be leaving their iconic mint green door behind for Mark's own front door, whatever color it may be. She was about to ask Simon this when he absolutely delighted her with his infectious good mood. Her heart stopped when he told her he was going to have to start thinking about his proposal to her, and she unknowingly reached up to grasp her her love locket, wondering if reality would echo what she had heard in Madame Puddifoot's last fall. Only time would tell.
She arched a brow at him, and he continued. What can I say, I'm obsessed with you." AngelFyre was in heaven right then, but playing along with Simon's extraordinarily expressive, jubilant mood, she tilted her head, her eyes sparkling at him, encouraging him to go on and explain further. "Yes, obsessed. With you. I'M SIMON KINCAID AND I HAVE THE MOST AMAZING GIRLFRIEND! SHE IS MY EVERYTHING!" She laughed along with him and was about to move in to kiss the boy, long and hard, but a chilling, clipped voice pierced the darkness before she could move even an inch towards Simon.
"Girlfriend? But I thought you were only fourteen and why shackle down to one when you can play the field? Is that not what you stated?" The figure spoke from the shadows, but without even seeing him, AngelFyre knew who it was. It could be none other than her worst nightmare. It was Simon's "father" - Adrian Hawthorne.
AngelFyre looked only at Simon, fixing her gaze to his for a few moments. They had spoken of her wanting to meet Adrian one day, but Simon had been against it. He did not want to give Adrian any more information than necessary to use against him if she turned out to be right about him. Given the nasty, challenging comment he had just tossed out to Simon from the shadows, AngelFyre knew immediately she was not wrong about the ... about Adrian.
Did she go along with Simon's ruse and play a part she likely would fail at, or did she blow his cover and pray that Simon's lie would not heighten the .... Adrian's suspicions about his son and put him in the very danger she had foreseen. She decided lying was out.
Holding his hand tightly in her own, she turned to the side just in time to see his fath... Adrian slip from the shadows and into the farthest reaches of the dim porchlight. Putting on her most welcoming, friendly smile, and hoping her tone matched it, she replied to the ma... Adrian. "Oh, Mr. Hawthorne," and she laughed a little as if the comment was an old friend, "Simon has been off the market for a solid year and half. He uses that line often, primarily when adults seek to scold him... or us... about being too serious at such tender ages." She dropped Simon's hand and stepped closer to the ma... to Adrian and looked him over briefly. She nodded approvingly and smiled at him. "It is easy to see where the glorious architecture of Simon's face came from," and she continued to smile, feeling the falsity of it would give her away any second now.
She stepped a little closer, fully in the center of the light now, reaching her hand out to him. "Hello, Sir. I am AngelFyre McCubbin, and the most important thing you need to know about me is that I am desperately in love with your son. If you do not know it yet, you soon will, but he is quite a remarkable human being."
------- ----------- -------Standing permission has long been given to god mod @Simon Kincaid
The magic is real.
23 Jul 2023, 22:37
Summer's End
Some slight hesitation with @AngelFyre McCubbin
Adrian kept his gaze onto the girl as if studying her, that emotionless sort of inspection that Simon once felt upon him. He didn't like it. It felt critical and judgemental - or maybe he was just feeling uncomfortable that his father would show up so unexpectedly there at his door in London.
As he tried to contemplate why he might be there and show up unexpectedly, AngelFyre took control of the situation, making the first statements and introduction. Had he hesitated that long or did she just take initiative? He listened, feeling anxious as she gave not only her real name but her first and last name. Although, the two were so intertwined with their lives now and certainly as the years went on would be more so - maybe it was for the best.
She kept him honest, that girl.
Simon continued to watch as AngelFyre extended out her hand for a handshake and he wondered if he really had heard her correctly in specifically stating that he was a 'remarkable human being.' Had his father picked up on that?
Adrian Hawthorne slowly reached his hand out to hers. "Thank you for the introduction," he stated plainly and shook her hand before glancing over to Simon.
A rather cold response. Simon was pretty sure he picked up on the quip.
"Yes, remarkable. I look forward to having him become further introduced into my ....family....as the years continue. He is a rather remarkable individual," Adrian seemed to correct her words. "He embodies his mother to a great extent."
Great, wonderful, amazing. So why was he here?! Simon was done remaining quiet and finally interjected. "A moment?" he asked as he sort of pulled his father's attention to him and stepped a couple steps away to try and create some distance between his father and his girlfriend - just because it felt like one should be more distanced from Adrian Hawthorne. At least so far there was no visions that might spark any curiosity, although the latest seemed more like a medical emergency than anything odd. "This is unexpected. I didn't realize you'd be in London."
"I am here on business," Adrian replied and although he was stepped aside, his gaze was back on AngelFyre McCubbin. Simon wondered what sort of business a vampire would have at all, especially in London on a night of a big festival but he wouldn't question.
"She is quite enticing," Adrian commented, his attention still to AngelFyre. Enticing? Enticing?! What did THAT mean? No vampire needed to be calling his girlfriend enticing.
"Together for a year and a half?" It struck Simon when his father stated those words that it was a longer relationship than the one his father had with his mother.
"513 days. Nearly 17 months," Simon said proudly, not meaning to rub it in or anything but he he glanced to AngelFyre, just very briefly and smiled. His goal was to keep his body between Adrian and AngelFyre, as well as to keep a close eye on his father - just in case. Granted, AngelFyre felt that her visions were of Simon being in danger from the man, but Simon was going to be extra cautious, just in case. He wouldn't allow him to hurt AngelFyre.
"We should celebrate with frozen desserts, or something of the like?”
Frozen desserts or something of the like? Simon wasn't so certain that was the best of ideas but maybe if AngelFyre spent more time with his father, her visions would become more clearer and maybe, just somehow, she was mistaken about how horrible they were. Maybe there was some sort of interpretive misunderstanding somehow.
"We'd have to let Aunt Maggie know," Simons aid and stepped to AngelFyre, taking her hand. He opened up the mint green door and held it open. "If you don't mind waiting downstairs, we'll just be a moment." Adrian walked in, hesitating for a moment at the threshold and then came inside the house. Simon then walked with AngelFyre up the stairs quickly and first peeked in at Aunt Maggie's room to see her passed out sleeping on the bed - probably so tired after such an eventful night.
"...Are you wanting to go for - frozen desserts - or something of the like?" Simon asked her in a whisper.
Be kind to one another. (*iNPC is Miles Thatcher)
24 Jul 2023, 03:41
Summer's End
The best laid plans, @Simon Kincaid
28 August, 2023
"Are you kidding?"she asked him incredulously. "I want to go absolutely nowhere with that 'individual', nor do I want you, too, either, but wild horses could not keep me away now," and she put a finger up to her lips and quickly grabbed his hand and guided him from the hallway outside of Aunt Maggie's room and down the hall into her guest bedroom. She waited for him to close the door behind them before speaking once again, but it was still in a hushed tone barely above a whisper.
"Simon, we are short on time and you are going to have to think quick. We both are. The closer we stick to the truth, the better, but school and how we know each other is likely to come up, and on those points we must obfuscate a little. I agree you are safer if he does not know you are of magic. I will follow your lead there, though might I suggest we say we met through your church youth group or at your Library. As for school, I think we should have me in a girl's boarding school, so pick one or better yet, have me back at St. George's in Edinburgh. I can truthfully sell that since I did go there. Why my family moved can be made up on the fly, but we stick to the fact that we visit one another as often as possible. More truth keeps you safer."
She finished her rapid-fire plan of action, or thought she had, and took a deep breath, shuddering as she did so. More was still bothering her. AngelFyre stepped into his arms and looked into his beautiful, but hesitant, golden brown eyes. "The man is not an honest broker, Simon. Following you as he did last summer and now just showing up screams reconnaissance. Normal "individuals" get to know one another by talking and spending time together, not by playing games of "Surprise!" for criminey's sake," and she sighed exasperatedly.
She paused and reached up for a strand of her hair, twirling it around her fingers subconsciously as she was deep in thought on another aspect of their little improv performance about to take place. "Love, if he asks anything that I do not know how to answer, I am going to take a sip or a lick or a bite of whatever treat I have ordered and let you take the lead on answering, ok?" she asked, searching his eyes for any sign that he was not in agreement with her suggestions. "And one final thing. After being together as long as we have been, he has to know, or at least suspect, that I know what you are. Maybe we get some favor by virtue of the fact that I did not turn my back on you once learning it, but stuck by you, never revealing your secret. It may... possibly... calm his spidey senses about my trustworthiness... but more importantly, about your judgment."
They did not have the time to go over it, and she would not have mentioned it most likely anyway, but Simon had succeeded in love where his father had failed. She did not know how that would sit with one Adrian Hawthorne, but she did know he had once been deeply in love, himself. She hoped there was something still in him that could remember the splendor of that state of being and be happy for his son and not spiteful or jealous. AngelFyre was going to have to make it her mission to make certain Adrian Hawthorne knew she was 100% committed to Simon and to his deep desire to learn about the dhampir side of himself.
She tippy-toed up to kiss him softly, but quickly, on the lips. "Ready if you are, mo chridhe (my heart). Let the games of cat and mice begin."
------- ----------- -------
The magic is real.
24 Jul 2023, 16:16
Summer's End
Ice cream with a vampire and @AngelFyre McCubbin
Being on the same page about things was a brilliant idea and he quickly sought to remember all that was said. Simon was ever so glad that they had talked about himself at the earliest point and then later AngelFyre potentially meeting his father and all the reasons for and against. They would come in handy now as whether it would be a green-light topic to discuss or a red-light topic to halt.
"We will say library - Kensington Central Library, youth book club with the amazing Mrs. Higgings. If we went with church, he might easily find slight difference in our beliefs. He's a VERY religious man," and Simon was sure to keep his voice ever so low as well. "You'll do St. George's in Edinburgh since you'll know details and I'll be at Winchester College" - it was not as showy as Eton College or Harrow School, a bit more uplifted than Westminster School. Boys began there at the age of 13 and a couple of Simon's muggle friends attended there and told him about it. What was more perfect was that it was a boarding school, much like Hogwarts itself.
Simon quickly ran through it all in his head. They met at the youth book club of Kensington Central Library with Mrs. Higgins. Her family moved to Scotland and she now was attending St. George's in Edinburgh and he was a student at Winchester College there in London. They both visited each other as often as possible.
"We will be extra careful," he promised her and did his ever-so-often forehead tap to her. "We're but a girl and her half vampire boyfriend. Come on....we've got this."
Simon would have liked to say that maybe in spending some time with Adrian Hawthorne she would see that he wasn't so bad, that maybe somehow her visions were wrong - but he knew that to be a falsehood. It was wishful thinking. He trusted in AngelFyre's building seer abilities and therefore trusted in her visions.
This need he had to learn about his father, to learn about half of who he was, it was a risky game he was playing and he didn't like that AngelFyre had now entered into it.
With a quick kiss, the two set off: ready or not.
When they got to the lower level of the home they found his father in the Reading Room, his stance quite rigid and his gaze locked on a framed photograph of his mother, Arabella. If Simon would have guessed, he would have figured that he had been standing there most of the time while they were upstairs.
Was this some cruel commander of a vampire coven that had an abundance of intelligence and experience through life that they needed to fear? Was he an individual that would cause harm to Simon, to maybe AngelFyre, to others? - Or was he just a bruised man who had lost - lost his life, lost his family, lost the woman he loved.
Maybe he was broken.
"We're ready for frozen desserts or something of the like," Simon said, standing in entrance of the room, still in the hall with AngelFyre. His hand held hers, lovingly and securely. His voice didn't shake, and he would show only confidence to their guest; now and always. If needed, he wanted to be perceived as strong, able, a possible threat.
And if needed, he would be.
"So, Londoner amongst us, what establishment will still be open for business at this hour?"
Simon slipped his phone from his pocket to take a peek at the time. "Well, we've still got before midnight upon us. There's Snowflake Gelato here in South Kensington. Let's go there." They had sundaes, waffles and crepes, gelatos, sorbets, gelato treats, milkshakes, and other desserts. Did a vampire enjoy any of those? He didn't know. Still, it was his father who had suggested the frozen desserts.
Simon brushed his thumb against AngelFyre's hand just before they set off walking. He'd keep Adrian next to him, he in the middle, and AngelFyre on the other side - creating a buffer. It would be his plan and his intention that any time the two were close to one another, he'd be the buffer between. Precaution.
The crowds of London had thinned out, as most took in their pre-festival festivities before the fireworks and were now heading home. No conversation was made as they ventured their way to Thurloe Street but it was a short trip. The dark brown exterior of the building almost faded into the blanket of night that attempted to cover London but the bright white SNOWFLAKE sign, with the two points of the W being ice cream cones was illuminated and welcomed them.
Once inside, Simon was glad to see there were a few other groups in the establishment. Somehow it offered him some comfort - perhaps safety in numbers. AngelFyre ordered first, again, that keep-them-separated notion. As she did, Simon took a moment to look over the menu that hung above the counter but it was pretty obvious what he would end up getting - he went for a sundae in a glass using lemon sorbetto with a wafer stick. AngelFyre ordered second. Adrian finished their order, getting vanilla in a glass, with red strawberry sauce and then paid for the three.
Simon watched him curiously, thinking he might see some sort of oddity from a vampire being out in public like this, but Adrian took ordinary money out of an ordinary wallet. The only peculiar thing about it was that he had quite a lot of bills in that wallet and of high volume - more than most would travel with on their person.
The three were handed their frozen desserts and headed over to a table near the middle of the ice cream parlor. Simon set his down, claiming his spot and then quickly pulling out a chair for AngelFyre. He'd be sitting across from his father and AngelFyre would be sitting next to him on the other side of the table.
"So....your visit comes as a surprise. I didn't realize you'd be in London," Simon repeated his words from earlier. All three were sat now and he noticed his father's gaze still on AngelFyre. His describing her as 'enticing' early rang through his mind.
"You will be returning to school forthwith. I concluded that I shall frequent you with one last visit to wish you well in your studies and relations; although you have proven yourself more than efficient with your connections. I did not realize that you would already have a visitor. How did you two meet?" he was finally looking back to Simon as he spoke but when he asked the next question he looked to AngelFyre. "Is your accent American?"
Simon would take the lead in talking, as it was decided he would - although he knew that AngelFyre was just as capable as thinking quickly on her feet, if not more so. "AngelFyre and I met at Kensington Central Library in a youth book club that she attended before moving. Mrs. Higgins the librarian always had a way of keeping things interesting and fun but AngelFyre is definitely a driving force to encourage me to be somewhere. We gravitated pretty quickly to one another after we met."
Be kind to one another. (*iNPC is Miles Thatcher)
1 Aug 2023, 07:24
Summer's End
Cold desserts with a side of cold stares, @Simon Kincaid
28 August, 2023
The moment they opened the door and left her guest room, AngelFyre could feel Simon's full throttle protective energy surround her. Truth was, she felt it begin to emanate from him the moment he, like she had done, recognized that the voice from the shadows belonged to Adrian Hawthorne. She knew he was always watching out for her, but there were times when his you-really-do-not-want-to-mess-with-my-girl energy kicked into overdrive. No one else would likely notice because he did such a marvelous job of cloaking it, but she always recognized it.
The first time she ever caught wind of it was when her father told them that he had unilaterally decided AngelFyre no longer had a boyfriend. Boy was that a memorable morning. Her father, as far as she knew, had not picked up on it as Simon remained completely and respectfully silent throughout the whole ordeal, but it hit her in comforting waves as she handled the discussion with her father.
As they now went down the stairs, hand in hand as always, she prayed his fath... Adrian would not pick up on Simon's protective energy, but she felt he more than likely already had. He had existed for almost 900 years. There was probably not much he missed in all likelihood.
Then she had a spur of the moment thought as they descended. In order to cover for the extra few minutes beyond what it may have legitimately taken to tell Aunt Maggie of their plans, she told Simon in a low, but definitely audible voice, hoping Adrian might hear her, "I thought I left it on my bed, but now I have no idea where it is. I hope I did not leave it at Crawfords." Simon slowed his pace just a little and turned to look at her, confusion written all over his face. She just gave him that extra wide-eyed look that told him to just go along with her, and he nodded before turning back and leading them to the entrance of the reading room.
When they got there, the first thing she noticed was Adrian tenderly staring at a photograph of Arabella. He was in a world all his own right then, and most surprising to AngelFyre was how quickly her heart went out to him in that moment. If she was moved in the moment, she knew Simon had to be. She had been able to show Simon the merest glimpses of his mother's feelings for Adrian long ago, but it was good that he was seeing the same depth from this side of that relationship. He could never doubt he was created from anything but love, and for that, AngelFyre was grudgingly thankful to Adrian.
Simon stood still and gave Adrian some time to live in his memories. The protective field of energy diminished somewhat as he was moving through his own thoughts, but it did not last long. Calling Adrian's attention away from his reverie, he repeated the frozen dessert line. AngelFyre smiled a winning a smile as Adrian turned, and then pretended surprise as she glanced at a chair near the entry and saw a sapphire colored sweater slung across its back. She raised on her toes in relief as she released Simon's hand and clapped her hands quietly together and reached over to grab it. Looking to Simon, she draped it over her arm and stated, as her smile grew wider, "Look, Simon. It was here all the time. Now I will not be chilled while eating my frozen dessert." Simon turned to her and winked.
For his part, Adrian had returned to his cold, almost business-like nature. After asking Simon where they might go at this hour, followed by a quick search on his cellphone, the three found themselves less than 15 minutes later sitting at a table with their desserts. Simon had made certain he was always between her and Adrian along the walk, and that did not change as he chose their seats. It was a rather awkward walk getting there as no one spoke. Had it been she and Simon only, they would have been talking the whole way most likely. She wondered if such silence would have lived between Simon and Adrian had they been alone. Was she a damper for her dhampir and his vampiric progenitor, or was Adrian just naturally this laconic? She could not yet know.
As she took a spoonful of her chocolate ice cream, covered in chocolate syrup and nut sprinkles, Simon opened up the conversation by stating his surprise at the visit. She turned her attention to him as he spoke and then to Adrian. She had been careful to act interested and curious, but not too eager. Trying to get a bead on what would be a Goldilocks approach had been difficult as the ma... Adrian was wrapped up so tightly.
She was not unaware he had spent a good deal of time staring at her, and when she wanted him to know she was aware of his doing so, she stared evenly right back at him, sometimes with a slight cock of the head and a friendly smile and sometimes just with the stare... and a few slow blinks. His staring at her rubbed Simon in all the wrong ways. Her as well, but she hoped he was not realizing it.
As he explained his, in her opinion, lame excuse for just dropping by without notice, he did what she knew he would, and asked about how she and Simon came to know one another. When he did, she plastered a huge smile on her face and watched Simon devotedly as he sold their pack of fibs to his fath... to Adrian. She continued to scoop bites from her cup and slowly lick the spoon as he spoke, wanting to appear at ease... as if nothing he could ask was cause for nervousness. Making Adrian Hawthorne feel she was no threat was paramount to Simon's health and happiness, and who knew... maybe even to her own.
She chucked when Simon mentioned the Library, and interjected, "Aww...I miss our book club so much. I should look into that at home." When Simon had finished, Adrian responded to nothing Simon had said but instead sat in silence before turning his icy gaze to her once again. "Is your accent American?"
She had started to put a spoonful of chocolaty goodness into her mouth, but stopped a quarter of the way there and instead set her spoon back into her cup and wiped her lips with her napkin. Nodding her head quite enthusiastically, she smiled easily at the icy features staring at her. "It is indeed, American, though I myself was born and reared my whole life in Scotland. My father is a Scot and my mother and Gran- ...." and without the least warning it was about to happen, AngelFyre's voice broke off and a low, guttural gasp escaped her lips before she could stop it.
Hot tears immediately sprang to her cerulean eyes, and she immediately looked to Simon... raw, painful grief erasing everything she had been about tell from her mind. It was a story she had had to tell almost as often as she had had to explain her name, but this was the first time it had been asked of her since Grandma Ruth's death. He immediately set his spoon down and placed an arm around her shoulder. She blinked rapidly in an effort to quell further tears and when she looked back to Adrian, she could tell her long lashes were subtly glistening. Even she could see it.
Clearing her throat, she asked for his pardon. "I lost my Grandmother just a little over three weeks ago. This was the first time since her death that I have been asked about my accent. It is just second nature to mention her as I tell it because... well... she was a large part of why I sound as I do. I get asked about it quite often, but it kind of crept up on me just now."
AngelFyre took a deep breath and then took a long look at Adrian Hawthorne who was showing no more sympathy or understanding in his gaze than any rock she might pick up off the ground would. Okay, then. She knew with certainty right then and there that his son was a better man in his 14 and a half short years than his fath... than Adrian was... or ever would be... given his myriad chances over the past 900 years to become such.
She determined, for now at least, that she would answer only what he asked and not embellish with more, even if it did happen to be the truth. But she did reckon it may be time for a little quid pro quo ( this for that; a favor for a favor). Picking her spoon back up and leaning over to take a good look at Simon's lemony treat, she asked Mr. Hawthorne while swirling her spoon, "Have you ever been to Scotland, Sir? I am convinced it is God's country."
The magic is real.
3 Aug 2023, 15:51
Summer's End
Ice Cream Wars and Melted Dreams with @AngelFyre McCubbin and Adrian Hawthorne
Simon leaned into her, kissing her forehead gently and tossled his hand through her hair, moving it away from her face and behind her ear so it wouldn't get wet from her tears. His girl was an emotional being and he welcomed and respected that.
She reached a calm rather promptly and Simon reached from an extra napkin on the top of the stack for her. "Grandma Ruth was nothing short of amazing. My AngelFyre here is more like her than she knows," he said as he watched her eyeing his lemon ice cream and he did the little raised eyebrow to her like 'are you really going to steal MY ice cream when you have yours?' He placed his spoon down cross-ways on the side of bowl, protecting his ice cream from the possible intruder that was AngelFyre McCubbin; denying her easy access.
"It is daunting to lose the ones we love," Adrian stated although AngelFyre had already moved the conversation onto Scotland. Simon thought about how just twenty-five minutes or so before they were coming upon him looking quite intently over the photograph of his mother in the Reading Room. Was this man actually capable of something such as love and if so, had he truly loved his mother? Had there been others?
"How did you and my mother meet?"
Simon asked and as immediately as the question came into his mind and he realized it was somewhat rude to ask when AngelFyre was already engaging the man in a conversation, or at least attempting to. "Sorry, Scotland. Have you ever been? God's country...."
And here Simon thought it would be Adrian Hawthorne that would make the evening awkward.
Adrian's gaze remained hardened on the boy like he had just asked something unspeakable. Maybe it was wrong of Simon to have brought up his mother in a public place and with company. Maybe Arabella Kincaid wasn't a topic of conversation that Adrian wanted to have anywhere at any time.
"In 2009 Galloway Forest Park opened UK's first Dark Sky Park where you can see the bright band of the Milky Way arching across the sky. It is located in southern Scotland in the Dumfries and Galloway council area. In addition, I remember quite well The Highlands, where skies come as dark as they get and are thick with constellations. The northernmost coastline is rumored to be the best place to spot the Aurora Borealis. The Highlands hold exceptional beauty. Everyone should be so blessed as to visit - not to mention the Highalnds are the largest of Scotland's whisky producing regions."
At least the man was talking. Simon wondered if the Highlands boasting being the largest of Scotland's whisky producing regions even mattered to the man who sat across from him. Did vampires even drink whisky? They sure didn't seem to eat ice cream as now the scoops in Adrian's dish were smaller and the liquid level had risen since it had been sitting in the bowl untouched, the red strawberry sauce starting to spread out into the molten vanilla ice cream.
Simon took some of his lemon ice cream onto his spoon and brought the bite into his mouth relishing a "mmm," to try and taught the girl beside him, still with a 'you can't have any attitude.' "We shall have to try and visit The Highlands someday, love," Simon told AngelFyre with a big smile and now he took another bite onto his spoon but this time held it up to her, offering her some. The lemon ice cream war didn't last very long.
It was a good way to distract one another and the vampire across from them from any sort of tell that they in fact not only had visited The Highlands of Scotland, but lived there now most of the past years and years to come for their schooling.
"Your mother was a waitress at an American style diner across from Camden Town London Underground station in North London. It was open quite late, until 3am and I stopped in for some water. I believe it was an extremely slow night that caused your mother to feel such boredom because she attempted to feed me an entire meal and sat across from me, asking question upon question about myself and my life, and I attempted to turn it around to her and asked her about her hopes and her dreams. I quickly realized I wanted to be one of her hopes and part of her dreams. I returned to that diner many times."
Okay, so he answered Simon's question, but that only brought about a couple dozen more flooding to him in the next seconds that went by. What were these hopes and dreams? What did her laugh sound like? How long did their relationship last? What was some of their defining moments? Did they make any future plans together? What went wrong? Had his father ever tried to win her back?
"Cherish it while it lasts. Nothing in the world is permanent, and we are foolish when we ask anything to last, but surely we are still more foolish not to take complete delight in it whilst we have it."
Be kind to one another. (*iNPC is Miles Thatcher)
6 Aug 2023, 23:57
Summer's End
Surprisingly, like father, like son - @Simon Kincaid
28 August, 2023
Everything about the last few weeks had seemed surreal to AngelFyre, and tonight was showing no signs of shattering that feeling. The stakes here were bigger than just meeting and being introduced to her boyfriend's parent for the first time. She obviously had not factored her emotional outburst into their evening, but it had proved to be useful in a number of ways. She had repeated to herself over and again not to let her mind linger for too long on the realization that she was sitting, honest to God, across from a vamipre.
Right now. An actual Vampire.
That was heady enough to have to take in, but any nervousness had been compounded by her extraordinary distrust of Adrian Hawthorne and the threat she knew he posed to Simon. They were both playing with fire here and she knew it as surely as she knew her own name. She was beginning to get the idea that Simon was realizing it, too, and possibly for the first time as he was concerned for her safety now. He had his need to know about this side of himself, and that was all well and good ... in his opinion... when he thought he had it under his control and all risk would be his and his alone. Now he was beginning to understand some of what she had been experiencing for the last year and a half as he was on alert to any threat posed to her.
Her emotional response had actually depleted much of her nervous energy and that made it less likely she would make a mistake. It also may have exposed an unexpected hairline fracture in Adrian's impenetrable facade. Adrian had borne witness to an honest glimpse into his son's relationship. Nothing about Simon's response to her in her moment of grief was put on in order to convince Adrian of anything. It was just Simon and AngelFyre being Simon and AngelFyre... comforting, supporting, and finally even playfully teasing. When Simon spoke of Grandma Ruth, however, AngelFyre could have sworn she saw a flicker of something in Adrian's eyes.
Yes, your son has met my family and has spent a good deal of time with them. Maybe the flicker she caught was a bit of envy in that. He had not been introduced to Arabella's family, whatever her reasons may have been. What AngelFyre was not sure of was what questions that bit of knowledge would then naturally bring to Adrian's mind. Would he be envious or concerned? Happy for Simon? It was possible he could be all of the above and then some.
Her moments of frustration, and yes, anger, at his seemingly uncaring response to what he heard were frozen in their tracks when Simon hopscotched over her question about Scotland and blurted out one of things things his heart most wanted to know. How had his parents met? That was the real quid pro quo (this for that) was it not? She was not one easily set off course, but she turned to him in silence and wonder. She could see every thought she was having playing out on Simon's face, too, and she worried that his asking such a question of Adrian in her presence, in a public venue, would only anger him and have him shut down.
Simon tried to course correct and get it back to her question about Scotland, but she could hear the small doubt in his voice. She reached over and took his hand beneath the table and squeezed it three times. A few awkward moments passed as Adrian's gaze bore into Simon, but then he most surprisingly began to talk about Scotland. More surreal moments, but he talked of the Dark Sky Park and the Highlands. It all was quite informative, but the delivery was quite dry and clinical. Distant. And even so, AngelFyre could not take her eyes off him as he spoke.
Their plan got somewhat back on track when Simon made a joke about them visiting the Highlands some day, and then began to tease her with his frozen lemon treat. The boy could always surprise her and make her smile, and right then was no exception. Nice recovery, love. "Oh we absolutely must. I admit to knowing little about the Dumfries, but the Highlands, your Scottish lass is well acquainted with, ol' chap," and she laughed. That was not giving too much away. She was Scottish and she had been to the Highlands numerous times prior to attending Hogwarts. Then he started teasing her again by taunting her her with his frozen lemon treat. She knew it was a distraction, but it was also something so like him to have done anyway, that it gave the moment an easy feeling of spontanaeity and fun.
And almost as if he was going through a catalogue of questions to be answered, in the order in which they had been asked, Adrian most surprisingly began to answer Simon's question, and the two stopped their antics immediately and gave him their undivided attention. Again, it was dry, but softened around the edges, and there was an undercurrent of emotion girding every syllable he uttered. When he spoke of "... wanting to be one of her hopes and part of her dreams..." tears once again came to AngelFyre's eyes. She was naturally drawn to him in that moment of vulnerability because it was like listening to an older Simon. Beneath his own clipped and precise way of speaking, AngelFyre pondered if the reason for that was by necessity or by a matter of social devolution.
Adrian Hawthorne struck her as a devastatingly lonely 'individual' in those moments, and of course, he would have to have been, would he not? How many humans would a vampire really get to befriend through the years? Maybe he was not always this stiff and deliberate in his every word and action. Maybe he was just simply socially awkward and distanced from his humanity. When Arabella spoke to him and questioned him the night they met, it was probably like manna from Heaven was to the Jews at first as they crossed the desert, looking for the Promised Land.
He had honed his observation skills, that was obvious, but she was beginning to wonder if she had misjudged the stony stares and long silences from him as a means of withholding emotion and making those he was conversing with squirm on purpose? Perhaps it was not deliberate. Perhaps it was just a sad byproduct of his long and lonely existence.
She knew his communication style, in particular, frustrated Simon, but it was more similar to Simon's way of communicating than he might imagine. Or it had been. Simon had worked hard at digging deeper and sharing openly with her his thoughts and fears rather than just his casual, surface topics he excelled at with anyone he might meet. She wondered if the "being" sitting across from them was just simply socially awkward from living in a world for too long without any real, meaningful, human contact.
Maybe his thirst was not only for blood? Maybe he thirsted for that very contact and one of the things that drew him to Arabella was that she had taken the time and interest in getting to know him.
Simon was sitting in momentary contemplation of all that had just been said and she knew a million questions were going through his mind, but she had one of her own. It was not about his and Arabella's relationship as that was something for he and Simon to speak about. She leaned forward, bringing Simon's hand up on the table with her own, their fingers interlaced. Without a second thought, she covered them with her free hand, keeping her gaze fixed on Adrian's. All other customers had by now left and they were the only ones in the place. "Thank you. We will... we do... cherish our time together," and she turned her gaze from Adrian to Simon, her countenance softening as she did so, and smiled at him, letting it linger for a moment or so.
Pondering the irony of a vampire saying, 'Nothing in the world is permanent', she turned back and once again fixed her gaze on Adrian with some of the same softness she had gazed upon Simon with seconds earlier. In a low, but sincere and unwavering tone mingled with a good deal of caring and sympathy, she point blank asked him what was on her mind.
"Do you miss it - impermanence?"
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The magic is real.
10 Aug 2023, 15:45
Summer's End
Deep thoughts and randomness with Adrian Hawthorne and @AngelFyre McCubbin
Simon wasn't sure his father would continue the discussion at hand. The ice cream shop was now empty of other ice-cream-consumers but there was still one of the employees in the back but there was hope that it might continue when Adrian slowly leaned forward, placing his hands on the table as he did so but didn't disturb the ice cream that continued to melt, untouched, in his bowl.
"I see the impermanence all around - the growing of cities, the shifting of societies, changes in politics, wars, new thoughts, new cultural ideas, inventions and innovations. It is a dreadfully slow change. To not be part of the ever-changing can make one feel like an outsider to a world that they know more intimately than anyone - a literal and figurative shadow amongst the rest; a sort of haze that was never to truly exist. We should have seen our permanence like all other life."
"Ephesians 6:12 lays out life as vivid portrayal of the warfare in the Christian spiritual struggle: for our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.... and yet, we see the forever change of all that is around, must live in it, must deal with it, and may not be able to achieve that perfect peace that God promises. That is our new impermanence - a quest to resolve whether vampirism is some form of side-effect to the human condition and may someday result in a dead vampire body and a human soul in Heaven, or if we are abominations that are forever damned with no redemption."
At this point, Simon was just staring forward in the direction of his father. Ever since demanding that he talk more frequently and more regularly, the man had a lot more to say that weird twisted metaphors from when they first met. Now he was saying so much. It was a bit crazy to think that a vampire, who some deemed soulless, could have such a deep look into life itself and contemplate such heavy things - not to mention carry such a exhaustive memory of the Bible.
"Gives us something to occupy our time, I suppose," and Adrian smiled and Simon glanced over to AngelFyre, wondering if his father was trying to lighten the conversation with that last statement.
It was hard to decipher, as the smile of a vampire was still something of an oddity to bear witness to.
Such a pondery was definitely something to think about. Simon decided it was best to probably lighten the mood and the first thing that came to mind was one of his rapid-fire question and answer sessions.
"Okay, rapid fire question time. I'm going to ask you a question and you state the first answer that comes to mind," Simon said as he looked across the table at his father, unsure if he'd actually participate or not. When his father didn't protest, he continued.
"Can you freestyle rap?"
There was a hesitation at first, but a silent one, a blank-emotioned one, as Adrian just stared forward at him before finally easing back into his chair. "No," he said, with a hint of amusement in his tone.
"Have you ever written a song for someone?"
"I have not."
"What is your go to: rock, paper, or scissors?"
Rock, and I will be sure that no important decisions are made in this manner as I have given away important information."
"What has been your favorite pet?"
"I have never had one."
"If you opened a store, what would you sell, and what would be its name?"
"A book store, called.... The Book Shoppe."
"What is your favorite room in your home?"
"My study."
"Who are you closest with?"
"Gideon."
"If you could be the best at something in the world, what would it be?"
"Understanding."
"Summer or Winter?"
"Winter."
"What is your go-to past time?"
"Reading."
"What was your first job?"
"Farmer."
"What is a nickname you've been called?"
"My father called me Ady."
"What is the most amount of pizza slices you've ever eaten in one sitting?"
"I have never had pizza."
"....Are you ever going to eat any of that ice cream?"
"No."
Be kind to one another. (*iNPC is Miles Thatcher)
19 Aug 2023, 19:27
Summer's End
Danger! Danger! Charming and Beguiling, @Simon Kincaid
28 August, 2023
For too many hours since Simon's visit to Adrian's uncharted home over spring break and the summer, AngelFyre had agonized over the amount of time and energy Simon had spent thinking on Adrian Hawthorne and getting back to his nest. She knew he had begun to be sucked in (yes, pun definitely intended) and charmed by one Adrian Hawthorne, and it scared her for him, more than he even truly knew. Having never met Adrian in person, AngelFyre had mistakenly chalked it up to Simon simply being enthralled with learning more about a lifestyle he had never been exposed to, but one which, at least in part, was half of who he himself was. It would not be the opulence of Adrian's lifestyle that would be the big draw because that would not be the thing that would in any way matter to Simon for too long. She knew what he deep down craved to learn about and it was of a much more personal nature.
He was getting to learn about it, in microscopic bits, but her suspicions were it had been a glacial introduction for two reasons: 1) Adrian would naturally be cautious and need to trust that Simon was trustworthy; and 2) he was hesitant to go too far too fast as he did not want to experience another loss with Simon as he had experienced with Arabella.
So, it was not a slip of her tongue when she asked what she asked. AngelFyre knew exactly what she gave away... or more likely confirmed... for Adrian Hawthorne when she asked about his permanence. There was no percentage she could see in their favor in trying to even pretend that she was not aware of what Simon was, and therefore, what his "father" must be. Adrian now knew they had been together for a year and a half. How could he not suspect she knew Simon's secret unless she was daft beyond all reason? Trying to pretend otherwise would only give him reason to distrust Simon and that she could not risk.
She fully expected to see a flash of molten ire in the mostly icy glances he had bestowed upon the both of them all evening, but once again, she was surprised by his willingness to engage. AngelFyre was beginning to well understand how Simon... but mostly how Arabella... could be lulled and charmed by the ma-... by him. There was an undeniable magnetism he exuded amidst the stiffness.
She had told Simon before they left her guest room that they were the mice in this game, but she was becoming ever more aware that the cat they were engaging with was not a mere house cat, but a sleek, dark panther. Most importantly, this was no game. She had gambled that Adrian might lose his cool a bit and Simon might see a spark of the danger she knew Adrian Hawthorne represented to him, but nothing came of it. She had studied strategy and patience and had been in training for years under her father's tutelage to look 2-3 moves ahead on any battlefield, her Seer capabilities notwithstanding. She was improving and had been assured by her father she would surpass his very impressive abilities in the not so distant future, but she was not yet there. Adrian would definitely find her father much more of a challenge, but he had the benefit of 900 years experience over Iain McCubbin's mere 50 years, probably capable of rendering even her brilliant father a plaything to be easily batted around on a whim. She was far enough along to know, however, they were so outmatched it was not even funny.
She had to keep reminding herself to keep her guard up as his answers were articulate and disarming. Letting her guard down would be so easy, partly because of what he said, but mostly because of what he did not, and most especially because of what he did not show of his thoughts while answering. That was the most troubling aspect, for her anyway, of conversing with him. He gave almost nothing of himself away, and the little information he was giving away was done so because he rightly knew there was little threat to him in doing so. She was even more convinced that Simon's ultimate safety absolutely rested on his element of surprise. Adrian could just never know of his magic.
That was imperative.
When Adrian concluded his thoughts on impermanence and how such had set him on a quest, of sorts, AngelFyre sat momentarily silent. "I believe in a most loving God. Redemption, absolution, and forgiveness will be granted to any who seek it. Those whom He loves He does not see as "abominations"," she said earnestly as she looked upon him squarely, "no matter how long it may take." Another couple moments of silence briefly followed before she added, "Second Peter, Chapter 3, verses 8 through 9: But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." They locked gazes. "I pray that for all of us."
Once again, Simon decided that a change of topic was in order and proposed a fun distraction from all of the seriousness. AngelFyre was delighted to see that there was an actual glint of amusement to be found in Adrian's eyes at the suggestion and he actually played along. AngelFyre could not help but laugh out loud when Adrian answered 'Rock' to Simon's Rock, Paper, Scissors inquiry, and followed it up with how he would never make an important decision under such circumstances since he had given too much away in his answer. There was a sense of humor to be found there after all. It was nice to know, but was it just the lure to draw one into a trap? Maybe and maybe not.
All she knew right then was that it was a seemingly nice, friendly diversion for the three of them, and it had been most welcome. She took the last spoonful of her ice cream and idly wondered if Adrian would reciprocate and ask Simon a similar series of rapid fire questions.
At this point, nothing would surprise her.
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The magic is real.