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Black Tea & Lavender [Closed] - Printable Version

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RE: Black Tea & Lavender [Closed] - megs - 11-23-2019

His deliberate slowness felt like an eternity, but his mouth finally met hers and a delight coursed through her. Though Owen moved to cup her face, and his fingers still twisted in her curls, Julianna was frozen in place. She'd been kissed by her fair share of boys, and a couple of girls, but she had not liked any of them as much as she already liked Owen. It was chaste as far as first kisses went, but no less electric. If it was magic she was feeling, she had no way of knowing.

Julianna's hand left his face and she let it rest gently against his thigh. When she pulled away from him she was immediately smiling. It was a just a taste of him, a tease if you will. She may have lived a sheltered life, but she wasn't wholly oblivious to what she was doing.

Unbeknownst to her a pink Camellia flower had blossomed in her hair. It rest in the whorl of curls near Owen's hand as if it had been there the entire time. Julianna caught the burst of color out of the corner of her eye and turned her head. She giggled. "Did you do this?" She pulled the flower out of her hair and held it up between them.

There was a rustle to the curtain, a bit of a warning perhaps from a veteran of the speakeasy scene, before it was pulled aside to reveal their waiter and their meals.

RE: Black Tea & Lavender [Closed] - saronym - 12-03-2019

Owen was sure he could feel a surge of magic course through her. It felt the way the glittery bits of a snowglobe looked when it was turned over. A flurry of sparkling spinning and floating that came to rest again. They pulled away from each other and he surveyed her face. What caught his attention was the appearance of a flower blooming out of her hair like one of those time lapses of a plant growing.

His brow knit into a frown that deepened at her question. He took the flower from her and spun it on the stem. “No…” His voice trailed off as he inspected the specimen. The stem was blunt at the end. It didn’t look cut or pulled but grown over.

How odd.

“You did that.” He insisted as the waiter gave them a warning rustle of the curtains and delivered their food. Owen declined a third drink for him knowing he would have to drive them back to town. But the option was there for her to continue drinking if she chose.

With care, Owen tucked the flower back into her curls where it had bloomed. He picked up his knife and fork and bumped her arm with his elbow when he went to cut his steak. “Sorry,” he said gesturing with his left arm, “I’m left handed.”

RE: Black Tea & Lavender [Closed] - megs - 12-05-2019

Julianna didn't hide her confusion. He genuinely didn't come off as the culprit of the charming bit of magic that produced the blossom. She watched the furrow of his brow as he inspected the Camellia. It was fully formed at the peak of it's bloom. The color was vibrant and it looked healthy. She poked at one of the petals. "What do you mean I..." she wanted to ask more, but the waiter was pushing aside the curtain. While she was growing more comfortable talking about magic with Owen, she didn't want to do so in the presence of the stranger.

She ordered another drink.

He returned to flower to her hair. It did look pretty nestled into her curls. She stared down at it, almost mesmerized until Owen's elbow bumped her.

"It's alright." She giggled, scooting over into the empty space of the booth with her own meal. Giving him enough room to maneuver. She picked up her fork and twirled pasta around it. For a beat she twirled and twirled and it was obvious she was thinking about something.

"I really did that?" she asked him, before finally lifting that bite of pasta to her mouth. She chewed thoughtfully, but there was concern wrinkling her brow. "So, what's your theory," she asked, suddenly. "You're a teacher and you've been saying I can do magic for a while. Why do you think that is, because there's no magic in my family."

RE: Black Tea & Lavender [Closed] - saronym - 12-06-2019

The warmth of her thigh against his was gone when she moved over to give him a little more elbow room. Their coziness was a bit spoiled by the fact that he was left-hand dominant. It was also a bit spoiled by her unexpected display of anomalous magic. He could tell it was occupying her thoughts as she fiddled with her food rather than eating it.

Owen let her have her thoughts.

He was perfectly capable of sitting in a comfortable silence for a few moments. Besides they had food to occupy their hands and attention for the moment. He was cutting into his steak whens he asked him his theory of her magic abilities.

He chewed slowly and swallowed the bite before he dabbed his lips with a napkin. Owen cleared his throat and adjusted himself on the bench, turning more towards her. He adjusted his glasses also. He was stalling. “Well, it might not be a gentlemanly suggestion but…” he paused, “Perhaps your parentage is different than what you believe it to be.”

He gestured as if it were no big deal. To him, it wasn’t. How many reveals had he experienced in his life. There were memories of uncomfortable meetings with skeptical fathers and nervous mothers about mysteriously magical children who shouldn’t be.

“It’s more common than you think. You may have to have a frank discussion with your mother about it. Perhaps invite your twin brother?” His brow raised, suggesting a question about her brother's magical abilities.

RE: Black Tea & Lavender [Closed] - megs - 12-08-2019

A breathy laughed escaped her as she listened to his suggestion. It was ridiculous, to her at least, to think that outstanding moral citizen Harriet Maxillion had ever had an affair. Of course, she could have been biased, but her prim mother didn't come off to her as the type. Her parents had been married long before the twins had been born. "I don't think that's the case," she told him. "We may have to work on your theory." She reached over to pat his thigh, in a teasing bit of reassurance, but her hand remained on him as she went back to eating.

Julianna tried not to let his suggestion bother her. He made it sound so simple. Simple enough for her to wonder if it really was possible. He was throwing her whole life into question and had not batted an eye about it.

"I'll talk to Elliot about it," she offered. "See what he thinks. Find out if he's ever experienced anything like this." She lifted her shoulder to indicate the flower still nestled in her curls.

"Why do you think I would just now be displaying magical abilities?"

RE: Black Tea & Lavender [Closed] - saronym - 12-08-2019

Owen was distracted by her hand that lingered on his thigh. The erotic suggestion of the contact consumed his thoughts. It had been a long time since anyone touched him that way. He picked up his drink and sipped at it. He cut into his steak once more and listened to her make excuses for her mother.

"This is not the first time." Owen postulated through bites.

"Cain's hand wound." He reminded her.

"The … success of your farming business, could be construed as a product of your magical abilities." His suggestion was gentle and Owen watched Julianna carefully for her response not wanting to offend her.

RE: Black Tea & Lavender [Closed] - megs - 12-09-2019

Julianna's hand disappeared from his leg when she heard his suggestion. It went for her drink, refreshed at some point when she had been distracted by chatting together. She'd been enjoying the contact, but the idea that her success was because of magic rattled her. She took a generous drink. It wasn't like she had ever thought her farm had come from anything but her own hard work. That how well she worked with plants was from research and trial and error. Did having magic undermine those efforts or enhance them?

She knew Owen was watching her, worried that he might offend her, so she tried to police her expression.
Neutral wasn't one of her usual looks so that may have been enough to give her away.

"I didn't think of that," she replied, voicing one of the thoughts she had been having instead of seemingly childishly silent. She wanted to go back to flirting. "What shall we do after dinner?" she asked to change the subject. She smiled at him before turning her attention back to the pasta that threatened to go cold as they conversed.

RE: Black Tea & Lavender [Closed] - saronym - 01-04-2020

Owen shrugged off the awkwardness that arose from mention of her magic and its potential effect on her business. It was just a theory. He had no real proof per se.

"Well, I was thinking of walking down the river a bit. Grabbing a dessert. There's a couple of dessert food trucks down the way and some street performers. How does that sound?"

Owen had eaten faster than Julianna. Most of his steak was gone and he was feeling full. He rested hosts utensils on the edge of the plate and leaned back. He draped his arm over the back of the booth behind Julianna and picked up his glass to nurse the remainder of his drink.

The waiter came again to check on them and to try to make a dessert sale. Owen declined dessert and asked for the check signaling the start of the next part of their date.

RE: Black Tea & Lavender [Closed] - megs - 01-08-2020

Julianna took the opportunity to move closer to Owen again when she noticed he was finished eating. He'd extended his arm over the back of the booth, and she was feeling bold enough to take it as an invitation to establish the contact of sitting thigh to thigh. She wasn't finished eating herself, but now there was no risk of elbowing one another. After posing her question about the remainder of the date she diligently went back to eating instead of talking.

Her face lit up in the middle of her last bite while he explained the rest of his plan. Dessert and street performers? On a regular Sunday night? Nothing like that ever happened in Cedgewick. Only an hour or so in and she was ready to leave the small down behind for the exciting charms of the big city. Green eyes sparkled up at him as she swallowed just before a smile broke out on her face.

"That sounds so great!" she had to struggle to keep her voice from pitching higher in her excitement. Julianna took to finish her drink, as to politely look away with Owen settled the check for them. He stood and she set the glass down. She grabbed her purse and slid to the end of the booth.

"Do you have a favorite dessert?" she asked, taking the hand he offered to help her out of the low table. He kept a hold of her as she smoothed out her dress and lead her out of the restaurant.

RE: Black Tea & Lavender [Closed] - saronym - 02-13-2020

Owen didn't want her to feel rushed to finish up her meal to get to the next stage of their date. She made herself comfortable next to him, and he relaxed back into the booth. His fingers played at a couple of her curls while she finished eating and they talked. He drained the last of his drink watered down now by melting ice.

She played her part as the polite date, glancing away from the receipt. And he played his part as the gentleman, helping her from the booth and escorting her outside. As they walked, he kept ber closer to the storefronts while he walked closer to the road. A chivalrous courtesy his father had taught him.

His nose wrinkled as he considered her question, "Probably cheese cake. I don't eat it often with three young boys, cheese cake is a bit out of their wheelhouse. They don't appreciate it. So we always have three different flavors of icecream in the house."

He let his hand slide away from her back, taking her hand instead and lacing their fingers together as they waited to cross the street.

"I'm glad Cain broke that display." He said only half looking at her with a crooked smirk.

RE: Black Tea & Lavender [Closed] - megs - 02-21-2020

It was dark when they exited the restaurant and the temperature had dropped. Early spring nights were still rather cool on the coast. Julianna got goosebumps, but she didn't complain. It could just as much be from the delightful feeling on his hand against her back. She could feel the warmth of his palm through the light material of her dress.

Streetlights and decorated storefronts festive colors across the sidewalk, and accentuated the angular shapes of Owen's face. Julianna glanced up at his profile as they walked and talked. His cheekbones seriously looked like they could cut glass.

The sound of a live band playing inside a bar grew louder as they walked down the avenue. "I love cheesecake," she replied with a huge grin. "My favorite dessert is..." she found herself distracted as he took her hand. He was holding her hand. She could feel her cheeks grow warm. She had never held hands with a boy-man-that she had actually liked before. "My favorite dessert if flan," Julianna finished. There was a bashful waver to her voice. "With warm caramel sauce."

Julianna giggled when Owen made the comment about her display. She pushed a lock of hair behind her ear with her free hand. "You didn't have to have your son break my display to ask me out," she teased. Childishly she stuck her tongue out at him.

RE: Black Tea & Lavender [Closed] - saronym - 02-23-2020

"I've never had flan." Owen admitted and it seemed truthful. His mouth seemed so unfamiliar with the word that there was no doubt he had never had the dessert. "I know what it is -- like a custard, right?" He chuckled kind of bashfully. Here he was supposed to be the worldly one and he'd never had flan.

They crossed the road and walked on the riverside. The walk was lit with idyllic lamp posts. Other couples and small groups of friends and families dotted the walk.

Owen whisked Julianna off to the side to look at the river. He gave her a dubious look out of the corner of his eye at her interpretation of events.

"Is that what you think happened?" He laughed. "I seem to remember you were the one who demanded I take you out as repayment."

Using his grip on her hand he pulled her closer, threading her arm around his back. "Nevermind that in Cedgewick nice girls like you shouldn't go out with witches."

He paused looking down at her, gauging her willingness to kiss. It wasn't as if he really needed to. All evening she'd been brimming with anticipation. Merely touching her hand and standing close to her then felt electric. He leaned closer, teasing her with the possibility of tasting him. "You never know what sort of nefarious and unscrupulous schemes witches are up to."

Finished teasing her, Owen let his mouth fall against hers, sweeping her closer to him as he kissed her.

RE: Black Tea & Lavender [Closed] - megs - 02-26-2020

Owen maneuvered her into walking closer to him, and she complied. Her hand rested comfortably around his back. Her fingers curled against his side. Julianna blushed, her face a bright red as his own arm draped over her shoulders. He timed his steps to match her shorter strides and they walked together with the practiced ease of a long time couple.

“It was a suggestion,” she corrected him. His laughter made her feel all warm and bubbly inside. “And, I, [i]personally]/i] think it was a great offer.”

Green eyes danced upward to meet his stormy gaze. She was still tucked close to his side when he leaned his face closer to hers. Just like back in the restaurant booth, moving towards her with deliberate slowness. Intending to tease her and succeeding. Baby’s breath bloomed in hair like a crown of flowers. Tiny white petals looking like snow in her dark hair.

She didn't notice the small bit of unconscious magic. Things like this had never happened to her before she met him.

“Maybe I don’t want to be a nice girl,” she challenged. Face still red as she smirked, which almost looked like an expression she learned from him. “If I’m a witch maybe I want to be up to nefarious things-” She barely finished speaking before his mouth was on hers. Julianna melted into the kiss, a happy hum in her throat as her fingers tightened into his jacket.

RE: Black Tea & Lavender [Closed] - saronym - 08-12-2020

Her suggestive comments and her pleased hum were invitation enough for him to kiss her openly on the side walk. His hand cupped the back of her neck and his tongue swept over hers. The kiss felt different out in public than behind the curtain at the restaurant. Like a little declaration. He was self conscious enough to not let it go too far, and he pulled away after a moment. Their lips parted and his brow arched at her, acknowledging what her suggestion meant.

"Shall we?" He asked, turning and placing his hand against her spine, they continued their walk. "Well, the confectionery likely doesn't have your flan, but hopefully there will be something else there you will like."

Owen paused their walk to observe a street magician for a moment. The performer was pulling off a disappearing coin trick for some children gathered around with their parents. The coin rolled tantalizingly across his fingers and poof! Would disappear only to reappear behind some shocked girl's ear. Such sleight of hand displays would be laughed at in Cedgewick. Or worse, condemned. It irked Owen to see childish tricks played out in the streets, while he was forced to the shadows with legitimate magic.

"Venha ate mim." Owen said under his breath and the coin shot from the magician's hand into his. He didn't have a plan for what he'd done. He'd just done it out of anger. The magician and the others had turned to look at him. The little girl gasped and started to approach the man who'd one upped the magician but her mother grabbed her hand and pulled her back eyeing Owen suspiciously.

Strange turn of events for their date.

He forced a smile, "Ah - invisible string." He lied unconvincingly to the worried looking parents and flicked the coin back at the magician. "Come on." He said to Julianna, and pulled her away from the small gathering.

RE: Black Tea & Lavender [Closed] - megs - 09-06-2020

Julianna's hair was full of blooming Jasmine flowers and she was feeling absolutely giddy after the kiss. Julianna felt like she was lighter than air and floating across the cobblestone streets. Owen leading her along with a firm hand on her back. The clicking of her heels was the only confirmation that her feet were still firmly on the ground. The slit of her dress was downright scandalous as they moved. "I'm sure I will be able to find something delicious," she agreed. She was oblivious to the tiny white flowers that decorated the top of her head. She could smell the sweet scent of jasmine, it was lovely and calming. "Something with chocolate," she gushed, excitedly.

They stopped together when they came across a small crowd. Admittedly she watched him more than the street magician. She was trying to read his expression. It was subtle, but there was a furrow to his brow that she couldn't decipher yet. Was he simply studying the other man? Did something about the display annoying him? She glanced at the performer, hearing Owen mutter something.

Owen now held the coin, and everyone was looking at them.

Looking at them in a way the formed a knot in the pit of her stomach. It reminded her of the ladies at church, when she was young enough for her mother to make her go to church.

"What happened?" she asked him, as he pulled her away from the display. The flowers in her hair were wilting as they walked. White petals were falling onto her shoulders and she wiped them away with her free hand. She looked up at if to find the tree that was the culprit. "Is something wrong?"