18 Dec 2023, 04:30
Yes? No? Maybe? Pick one.
Continued from Festival of Lights Banquet
Oct. 6th, 2023
He didn't know what had gotten into him, but just sitting there and eating bowls of stew wasn't what he'd hoped for from this evening, for either of them. EmmaLee could have easily protested her displeasure about being unceremoniously guided over to the area where the lanterns were rising out and over the Great Lake, but he wasn't at all surprised when she didn't. Instead, she quietly just allowed it.
His plan had been to get them to the area to make their own lanterns for release, but something turned over again and again on his insides that said, 'No'! So, instead of turning and taking her towards the lantern making station and row boats as they came upon it, Stephen just kept on walking straight ahead. He knew exactly where he wanted to take her, and it was not to a place in the midst of hundreds of other students.
He wanted more of her and a whole lot less of everyone else.
He really didn't know much about much when it came to girls, but he felt he knew enough about this one. Upsetting her or disappointing her was not anything he would do cavalierly, but he thought he might have some reason to believe that while she might be confused about his bypassing the lantern station altogether, she would also trust him enough to follow, if for no other reason than curiosity.
One of the things he most admired about EmmaLee was her gentle nature and because of that, she was a good sport about things. She showed that well enough last summer after being injured in the Prank Wars. If this possible bone-headed idea of his fell flat, he at least felt confident that she was not going to turn into another Kamila. YIKES!
He felt just the slightest resistance, or was it hesitation, as he walked with her past where she probably assumed they were going. He tightened his grip slightly about five or so steps, still moving them along the shoreline and away from the castle and the crowds. Five minutes later, still navigating a bumpy, non-existent pathway as the gentle waves lapped the shore, he turned to her and unapologetically smiled.
"EmmaLee, we can go back if you like. I should have asked you before making an executive decision, but the truth is, as beautiful as those floating lanterns are, they are not as beautiful as you." He came to a full stop now, having arrived at the spot he had discovered on his very first visit to Hogwarts in the Spring of 2022. Feeling the heat rise to his cheeks, he let go of her hand while unbuttoning his jacket to lay it out on a log for her to sit upon, but though he let loose his grip, he held tight his gaze.
Clearing his throat, he motioned to have her take a seat and then he took a place next to her. "I swear, EmmaLee, I don't know what the heck I'm doing, or even why I'm doing it really. I trip over a million thoughts when it comes to you and sometimes, to be perfectly frank, those thoughts come, and linger, at the most inopportune times."
He stopped talking momentarily as he became aware of the moonlight highlighting her beautiful tresses. He wanted so badly to reach up and twine his fingers in her hair, which utterly shocked him, but he forced himself to resist the urge. "I - ... I brought us here because, well, honestly I'm not sure about that either, but I think it's because I wanted something just for us tonight," Even though his heart had been replaced by a jackhammer and he was scared as hell at what he was revealing, he kept his gaze steady.
"This was a dumb idea. I'm sorry. C'mon, and he stood and offered her his hand. "We should go back. Those row boats do look rather fun, come to think of it," and as words just tumbled from his mouth, he finally averted his eyes from hers.
------- ----------- -------
@EmmaLee LeDamesLongstanding permission exists between Stephen and EmmaLee's writers to godmod each other.
The magic is real.
6 Jan 2024, 01:12
Yes? No? Maybe? Pick one.
Date: October 6, 2023 | Time: Evening | Language: French – English | WC: 653
Interacting with:@AngelFyre McCubbin as Stephen Schwartz |
Mentioning:
EmmaLee speaks with a light French accent.
Calming Presence is in effect.
Allies: AngelFyre McCubbin as Stephen Schwartz
Interacting with:@AngelFyre McCubbin as Stephen Schwartz |
Mentioning:
EmmaLee speaks with a light French accent.
Calming Presence is in effect.
Allies: AngelFyre McCubbin as Stephen Schwartz
We could sit on the shore, we could just be friends, or we could jump in.
The whole world could change in a minute... We could think it through,
but I don't want to, if you don't want to.
We could keep things just the same, leave here the way we came with nothing to lose.
I don't want to, if you don't want to...
Hanging on the edge of her thought about following Stephen to the moon, EmmaLee watched the lantern area pass curiously as he lead her towards the lanterns and then seemed to determinedly change his mind and lead her past the lanterns to a small area away from the larger group of students and teachers. Her cheeks warmed without permission when he tightened his grip on her hand, ensuring that she would follow him this way instead of that. In that moment, she was glad that he was keen to look away from her and focus on where they were going. To the moon they go.
Ever chivalrous Stephen, EmmaLee smiled as he took off his jacket and laid it on a log for her to sit upon. She curtsied and said, "Please do not worry, Sir Stephen. Thank you. This is a wonderful place to watch the others' lanterns go up." as she sat down and looked over to him, putting a reassuring hand on his arm. A blush raced across her pale face as her mind finally processed Stephen's complement and she floundered for something to say in reply, but before she could speak, he was speaking instead.
And there it was again, his amusing, adorable embarrassment. EmmaLee shoved down the bubbling giggle in her stomach as he floundered with his words and fixed him with an affectionate smile instead. Maybe it was because he seemed so perfectly put together most of the time, always the man with a plan with the right words to say, that it was odd to see him be awkward. Whether she understood that it was his affection for her making him awkward is an entirely different conversation.
When he hopped up abruptly and suggested they go back and try the boats, EmmaLee gently reached up from where she remained seating, took his hand, and pulled him gingerly to sit back down. "It was not a dumb idea." She said kindly, letting a little of the giggle in her stomach escape and turning his face back to hers by gently putting her hand on his cheek and turning it.
"This is nice. We can see the lanterns and the stars from 'ere." She pointed out, moving her hand from his cheek, turning, and gesturing to the sky. Away from the lights of the ball, the stars were twinkling brighter, welcoming the floating lanterns into their midst like far away friends. She watched the lanterns float up for a moment before turning back to Stephen. "It is nice to be alone for a moment. Thankfully this ball seems to not be too much of a disaster as the last few, but, admittedly, sometimes it is nice to get away from the crowd and just enjoy the night with the person you came with." She said, contentedly.
She drew her legs close to her chest, taking a special care to cover her legs with her dress, wrapped her arms around them, and casually laid her head on her knees while still looking at Stephen. Her curled, white hair fell to her side like a curtain and brushed the grass lazily, but she didn't seem to mind. She was content and relaxed, willing to let the night roll where it would like a boat on a calm sea, and she found that she trusted Stephen and felt safe in his presence. She knew that they were both more than capable of handling anything untoward that came their way and any adventure he wanted to lead her on otherwise would be an interesting adventure.
Additionally, she was so glad that this night hadn't erupted into pure chaos for once. She had heard some splashing from the boats as they walked by, but it seemed to be a situation more or less under control by other parties, so they were free to be unbothered by it and just enjoy each other's company.
Song in quotes is Want To by Sugarlandbut I want to.
Fearless | Calming Presence | E.L. | Prodigal Transfiguration
ST: 9 | EV: 9 | STR: 3 | WI: 8 | ARC: 9 | ACC: 11
Caretaker: A. P. Finch | iNPC: Yasha V.
ST: 9 | EV: 9 | STR: 3 | WI: 8 | ARC: 9 | ACC: 11
Caretaker: A. P. Finch | iNPC: Yasha V.
13 Jan 2024, 20:13
Yes? No? Maybe? Pick one.
Oct. 6th, 2023
Things were going so differently than he would have imagined. Actually, what was going on now was nothing he had really imagined. Sitting here alone with her and wanting to touch her hair was completely alien to him. Never saw that coming.
He was mostly a facts and equations and straight from the playbook kind of guy. In short, a linear thinker. For months now, whenever thoughts of EmmaLee would surface, his mind tended to amble off in a million different directions, sometimes seemingly all at once. It was confusing. The confusion, however, was nothing compared to the other feelings. Feelings of distraction were frequent when distractions weren't welcome, or at least, not in some particular instances. And there was a strange, for lack of a better word, tugging, that pulled not only at his thoughts, but at his chest, too. That last thing was the most confusing to him. The tugging would stop pulling at his thoughts the second his mind landed on EmmaLee, but then it seemed to increase exponentially on his chest at that very same second, too.
Weirdness. Complete and utter weirdness. Maybe he needed to visit the Hospital Wing when he got back to Ilvermorny and talk to a Healer about it. Maybe nothing. He put that on his mental "To Do" checklist right then and there.
But then, out of nowhere, Stephen felt the actual gentle tug of her hand and he sat back down, his mind still reeling. She reached over and turned his head so that they were now looking towards each other, but he wasn't dialed in yet. He was vaguely aware she was speaking but did not hear a word of it. If their lives had depended upon his recall of anything she had said and was continuing to say, they'd both be taking permanent dirt naps right about now.
In a flash, the jackhammer in his chest and the sound of crashing waves in his ears was back. But he was also suddenly aware of seeing her before him. She looked calm and serene and ethereal in the moonlight; like a soft-focused mirage shimmering in the night. With no thought whatsoever to what he was doing, acting only on impulse, Stephen leaned over and brushed his fingers lightly over her hair, keeping his gaze on them as they trekked their way about two inches from the end. It was then that his eyes moved back to hers and did not leave as his fingers barely brushed over her cheek.
Instead of a tug this time, he felt a pull, and all went dark as he closed his eyes and pressed his lips to hers.
------- ---------- -------
@EmmaLee LeDames
The magic is real.
26 Jan 2024, 23:53
Yes? No? Maybe? Pick one.
Date: October 6, 2023 | Time: Evening | Language: French – English | WC: 479
Interacting with:@AngelFyre McCubbin as Stephen Schwartz |
Mentioning:
EmmaLee speaks with a light French accent.
Calming Presence is in effect.
Allies: AngelFyre McCubbin as Stephen Schwartz
Interacting with:@AngelFyre McCubbin as Stephen Schwartz |
Mentioning:
EmmaLee speaks with a light French accent.
Calming Presence is in effect.
Allies: AngelFyre McCubbin as Stephen Schwartz
I'm gonna do it darlin'
I could waste time tryin' to figure it out
But I'm jumpin' anyhow
I've never been this far
...
Holdin' you close, chasin' that moon
Spendin' all night
Likin' just who you are
Sparks flyin' in the dark
Shootin' out lights, runnin' down dreams
Figurin' out what love really means
Baby, givin' you my heart
Is a real fine place to start
A Real Fine Place to Start - Sara Evans
EmmaLee was caught in a weird space time where everything was happening in slow motion, but also
far too fast to do anything about it but go with it. Everything around the two students paused as Stephen's fair hand came up, entwined in EmmaLee's hair, and ran deftly through it. The motion of his fingertips felt like an hour and a moment all at once. The girl's scalp prickled with a kind of goosebump electricity as her hair pulled gently up from her roots and settled back down as his fingers left her locks. The hand then moved to place itself upon her pale cheek and pull it from her knees, drawing her face closer to his.
That weird, terribly fast slow motion feeling continued as Stephen's face came closer and closer until determined, but hesitant lips fell upon hers. All true thought had left her and only instinct remained as she closed her eyes and responded to his kiss by pressing her own lips against his in the same determined but hesitant fashion. As he pulled her face towards his, her legs unfolded themselves gracefully so that she could brace herself on the ground and the log as she leaned closer into the kiss, one hand finding a spot to rest on the log and the other reaching up to find his cheek once more. No thought, only instinct.
It was nice, though, kissing Stephen. His lips were soft and warm, and he smelled like brooms and fresh air. The kiss was over as quickly as it began, the world speeding up like a car crash as both pulled away, blinking at each other questioningly. Impulsively, EmmaLee leaned up and placed a quick, nervous kiss on Stephen's nose before leaning back and pushing her hair, the lock that was still electrified by Stephen's touch, behind her ear. She smiled impishly as pink spread across her pale face, covering the spatter of freckles across her nose in a blush.
A kind of joy she didn't understand bubbled up and out from her stomach like a shaken and opened soda bottle, prompting her to stand up abruptly and shake her hands to keep from running. She was exhilarated by the feeling and unsure of what to do with the energy, eventually deciding to walk it off by taking a brisk circle or two around the log. She completed her circles and then sat back down next to Stephen, but folded into herself, covering her blushing face with her hands as it really dawned on her what had just happened.
She peeked out of the side of her hands at an equally stunned and blushing Stephen and muttered, "Um...C'était bien. That was nice." quietly into her palms, continuing to peek out at him, but also continuing to hide her blush in her hands like a shy church mouse in the night
Just a kiss on your lips in the moonlight
Just a touch of the fire burning so bright
No, I don't wanna mess this thing up
I don't wanna push too far
Just a shot in the dark that you just might
Be the one I've been waiting for my whole life
So baby, I'm alright with just a kiss goodnight
No, I don't wanna say goodnight
I know it's time to leave
But you'll be in my dreams
Tonight
Just a Kiss - Lady A
Fearless | Calming Presence | E.L. | Prodigal Transfiguration
ST: 9 | EV: 9 | STR: 3 | WI: 8 | ARC: 9 | ACC: 11
Caretaker: A. P. Finch | iNPC: Yasha V.
ST: 9 | EV: 9 | STR: 3 | WI: 8 | ARC: 9 | ACC: 11
Caretaker: A. P. Finch | iNPC: Yasha V.
15 Feb 2024, 19:56
Yes? No? Maybe? Pick one.
Continued from Festival of Lights Banquet
Oct. 6th, 2023
Even as they were both pulling back from the kiss, Stephen was not entirely sure what he thought had just happened had really happened. The only time he had ever kissed a girl, well, girls, was at the Spin the Flagon game at the Pirate's Summer Camp back in 2022. It wasn't a terrible memory when it percolated up and into his waking thoughts, but all feelings associated with it were basically compartmentalized into gratitude for simply having had that particular rite of passage he supposed. Nothing about it had rocked his world and he sure hadn't rocked anyone else's either that evening. But this? Here and now?
This had definitely rocked his world.
His brain, usually 4-5 steps ahead on almost everything, was stalled out. He had no idea how long he and EmmaLee sat there looking at each other, but it must have been long enough to make her nervous as to what to do because she leaned up and kissed the tip of his nose. At least she did not seem to be angry, insulted, or disgusted. For his part, he was just utterly confused.
He knew enough to know he should say something, but what? Every thought he could muster was simply ping-ponging around his brainpan and never quite making the connections to his speech center. While he was silently struggling with this dilemma, EmmaLee brushed back a tendril of her white locks and stood. He was momentarily fascinated to see her shaking her hands before walking around the log a couple of times. Stephen marveled that she could stand. Even though he was still sitting like a bump on the log, his legs felt like quivering pillars of Jell-O.
He got a reprieve from having to speak first when EmmaLee once again took her seat next to him upon the log. She had smiled at him, blushing, and had hidden her face in her hands. When she turned to peek at him through her fingers, he heard her speak in French, and then in her soft, French accented English.
He wasn't embarrassed or any longer shy about any of it. He was rather past that. Maybe because EmmaLee didn't seem upset about it. He was still off kilter, but coming back to center with each passing second. "Ye - Yeah, it was nice," he replied with a couple of slow nods of his head. Now what?
Then he suddenly remembered the gift box he had put in his jacket pocket. He mind-numbingly smiled back at her as she continued to peek though her fingers at him. To his way of thinking, a distraction would be good for the both of them right then. As if performing some poorly done mime skit (was there any other kind?), he moved a hand up to open his jacket so that he could reach for the box, but he only managed to grab a handful of air. He immediately did a mental palm slap to his forehead. Oh. Right. He had covered the log with his jacket where EmmaLee now sat, and for the first time he could remember in the last half hour, he chuckled good-naturedly at the absurdity of everything.
Teens and near teens. Kissing. Awwwwkward.
"EmmaLee, I brought something for you, but I am sad to say it is in my jacket pocket and I used my jacket to cover the log," and he motioned his head down towards where she was sitting. "I had envisioned a more suave way of giving it to you, but uhmmm, may I ask you to please rise so that I can quickly grab it? I will be fast and get the jacket back down almost immediately," he promised as his smile was moving back into the realm of his eyes.
His hand moved over to hers and helped her up as he simultaneously leaned down and grabbed his jacket. Releasing her hand, he reached into the interior pocket and brought the box out. After the box had been retrieved, he spread the jacket back over the log and helped her back down. Once she had comfortably situated herself, he remained standing.
"One of my fondest memories from summer camp was the Gnome Races. I've had Gnome N. Clature sitting on a shelf above my desk since getting back to Ilvermorny, and I thought it would make me happy, but it actually has had me a little sad. When I think about him, I think of his enchanted self and the fun he seemed to have with your little guy, Gnome Matter What." And it was at this point that Stephen handed EmmaLee the small gift box. As she took it from him, he moved to sit back down beside her again.
Continuing to speak as she unwrapped the box, he added, "They made such a cute team that it just made sense to me that they should be together. Since I knew I would be coming back here, I brought my plump purple pirate down from his shelf and reducioed him so that he would would fit easily into that box." Just as he had finished that sentence, EmmaLee opened the top to reveal a miniaturized Gnome N. Clature.
He knew few girls in his life back home so he honestly did not know if this was a stupid gift or not, but it truly did mean something to him, and based on the laughter he and EmmaLee had shared that day fawning over their respective gnomes, he thought she may feel the same. "Forgive me if this is just the dumbest gift ever. I just thought both our gnomes would look better together than alone. Who knows, they may even feel better together once again," and he shrugged his shoulders while his grin was growing by leaps and bounds. Heck, while you sleep at night, they may even come back to "life", and he did the air quotes sign, "and fist bump each other all night long while having great adventures all over Hogwarts."
Doubtful, but stranger things had happened.
Like that kiss.
------- ----------- -------
@EmmaLee LeDames
The magic is real.
5 Mar 2024, 18:54
Yes? No? Maybe? Pick one.
Date: October 6, 2023 | Time: Evening | Language: French – English | WC: 490
Interacting with:@AngelFyre McCubbin as Stephen Schwartz |
Mentioning:
EmmaLee speaks with a light French accent.
Calming Presence is in effect.
Allies: AngelFyre McCubbin as Stephen Schwartz
Interacting with:@AngelFyre McCubbin as Stephen Schwartz |
Mentioning:
EmmaLee speaks with a light French accent.
Calming Presence is in effect.
Allies: AngelFyre McCubbin as Stephen Schwartz
EmmaLee's brain was moving way too fast and also not at all as she peeked through her fingers at Stephen. For a moment, he seemed to be working through his own mental fog as he looked at her looking at him. She almost giggled as cognition seemed to come back into his blue eyes like a freight train and he broke out into a dazed smile, then reached up for his missing jacket.
EmmaLee pulled her hands down from her pink face as Stephen fumbled around, chuckled, and then helped her stand up from sitting on his jacket and pulled a small box from within a pocket. She tipped her head curiously and raised a pale eyebrow as he helped her sit back down and enlightened her curiosity to the contents of the package.
Her smile lit up across her face as he explained and she opened the box to reveal the gnome, even smaller than she remembered due to the spell. She chuckled a little as he flustered again, and she turned to him, still smiling widely. It was a wonderful gift. She had had just as much fun that day and had been sad when the enchantment ended and their little gnomes had become lifeless once again. Even now, months after they had become still again, Gnome Matter What, sitting comfortably on a shelf near her bed, and Gnome N. Clature, in his little box, still glowed with personality.
"It is a perfect gift, Stephen, and far from dumb." She said, gingerly holding the box with one hand and putting a reassuring hand on his shoulder with the other. "I think that Gnome Matter What 'as been looking a little lonely as well since being separated from 'is friend. Maybe you are right and being together will bring the life back into them." She giggled a little at not only the memory of the races, but also at the memory of Stephen making Gnome N. Clature in that awful Barbie pink tent extravaganza.
"Thank you for bringing 'im 'ere and thank you for enduring that pink monstrosity of a tent with me in order to make 'im." She said, giggling even more now and covering her mouth with the hand that was on his shoulder as if to try and hold it in. She closed the box back up carefully and put the present in a pocket in her skirt.
She twisted her skirt a little in her nervous hands as she turned back to him. "I'm so glad that we became friends, Stephen. I really enjoy your company." She said sheepishly, feeling a bit awkward at saying something so bluntly like that, but she was. She had a distinct feeling that her experience at camp in general and at even Hogwarts would be significantly more boring without him here beside her. She would definitely be down one good... friend... to make her life in general less interesting.
Fearless | Calming Presence | E.L. | Prodigal Transfiguration
ST: 9 | EV: 9 | STR: 3 | WI: 8 | ARC: 9 | ACC: 11
Caretaker: A. P. Finch | iNPC: Yasha V.
ST: 9 | EV: 9 | STR: 3 | WI: 8 | ARC: 9 | ACC: 11
Caretaker: A. P. Finch | iNPC: Yasha V.