Arabella/Asher 2

[Shava]

17 Oct 13, 01:09 AM
Arabelle: She's sitting at the edge of the lake, a book and a roll of parchment perched precariously on her knees. She appears to be alternating between focusing hard on the pages and raising her face momentarily every now and then to enjoy the sun, which is providing just enough warmth to keep the chill in the air from being overly uncomfortable.
17 Oct 13, 01:15 AM
Asher: -Circling the lake jogging, sweatshirt around his waist, Asher sees a pretty set of legs under a green dress and slows, giving her a good eye before she can see him. After a second wands away most of the sweat and stink off himself and pretends to be walking slowly around the edge nearesther as if he has only partly aware of her, keeps looking around-
17 Oct 13, 01:20 AM
Arabelle: She's been aware of his presence for some time, but unwilling to acknowledge him. This paper wasn't going to write itself, and besides she knew his time, had heard the rumors same as everyone else. Guys like that were best avoided...avidly. avoided. Still, she tilts her head, trying to get a covert look at him from behind her hair. He was....her breath caught and she blushed, eyes falling back to her book hoping he hadn't caught her looking.
17 Oct 13, 01:21 AM
Arabelle: time=type
17 Oct 13, 01:23 AM
Asher: -thinks there is something familiar about her but can't put a finger on it, mostly distracted by the legs, watching her out of his peripherials, misses the glance, but pretends to see her and hesitates before approaching- Excuse me, what's your name?
17 Oct 13, 01:27 AM
Arabelle: She'd been so busy trying to appear busy that the sound of his voice manages to startle her and she jumps, upending both book and parchment onto the grass. She glances up at him, looking mildly wary. "Arabelle" she turns her focus to locating her things. "And you're...." she looks as if she's concentrating on something. "A--Astin...Arthur...Asher..." her eyes light up. "That's it!...right?"
17 Oct 13, 01:31 AM
Asher: -steps on a paper to keep it flying away, wands a few others to his hand before stooping and pick that one up- Asher. -studies her face before he holds out the papers, a slight frown on his face- I know you.
17 Oct 13, 01:33 AM
Arabelle: She accepts the pages, "Thank you" she says simply, her eyes scanning the parchment for damage rather than meeting his. When he speaks, she glances up, looking skeptical. "I don't think so, I probably just look like someone you've..." but then she stops, because she does catch his eyes again, and a twinge of something surfaces, a half of a memory, almost like a dream. "A-Asher you said..." she trails off, studying. "Why does that seem familiar?" but she mumbles it softly, as though speaking to herself.
17 Oct 13, 01:37 AM
Asher: Huh. -stands there looking at her directly, rudely mostly- So it's not just me. -goes down on one knee, puts a hand under her chin and lifts it so he can study her face- I defintely know you. -eyes squint suddenly and he looks at her suspiciously- WHo are your parents?
17 Oct 13, 01:41 AM
Arabelle: He gets closer and she tenses, she'd been at the orphanage up until Hogwarts, and the boys there hadn't been known for their chivalry. He takes her chin, and though his touch is warm and not all together threatening, she's obviously uncomfortable. She bites her lip, "I have no idea" she answers softly, embarrassed by the admission. "I never knew them."
17 Oct 13, 01:45 AM
Asher: -satsifaction in his eyes as he leans closer nodding- That's it. You were at Inglewood's. So was I. I was ten when I left...
17 Oct 13, 01:47 AM
Arabelle: She looks at him, then closes her eyes, concentrating and thinking back. It takes a second, but a face materializes, a little blonde boy with nice eyes and a winning smile. "Asher!" For a moment, her eyes light up, before it goes out an instant later and the walls come up again. The excitement dulls also. "I...I do remember you."
17 Oct 13, 01:50 AM
Asher: -releases her chin, nods as he sees the walls almost come up, his own chin goes up a bit in a reverse nod- Yes. That's it. I did 6 to 10 there. -eyes look away, remembering too much- It...wasn't the best time. -eyes return to her- I suspect you understand. Are you still there? Or somewhere else? -all orphans like to hear that someone has escaped their orphanage, but he never had much hopes about that kind of thing-
17 Oct 13, 01:57 AM
Arabelle: She nods, "I remember" she admits. She'd had a a childhood crush on him, remembered wondering where he'd gone, and then there had been others to go away also...everyone always seemed to go away. "I understand" she confirms. "Yes and no" she shakes her head, "I was never adopted, but when I turned sixteen I...left" she shrugs, "I spend the summers wandering, the rest of the time I'm here."
17 Oct 13, 01:57 AM
Arabelle: It felt like admitting some terrible secret, no one had wanted her, not then, not now, and now of course, she was too old. Her expression darkens.
17 Oct 13, 02:04 AM
Asher: -turns his eyes off her and across the lake- Yeah, No one ever understands, I get that. Too d@mn right I do. -hears she got out and turns back, now more interested- Oh really? Good for you. Everyone should, good to hear it actually happens. -frowns- Until this summer I couldn't get free either. Mind me asking how you get by? -knowing she wouldn't be able to use magic-
17 Oct 13, 02:08 AM
Arabelle: She laughs softly, unsure why she finds this whole thing funny. She follows his gaze across the water. "Free" she murmurs almost reverently before she focuses on his question. She smirks, looking a bit proud even. "I'm...resourceful" she tells him, but then, thinking that sounds dirty, she adds, "mostly odd jobs here and there getting paid under the table. I worked as a waitress in this little Bistro in Paris for most of last summer, spent the last couple of weeks giving dancing lessons." She smiles, "that was one of my better ones."
17 Oct 13, 02:15 AM
Asher: -still doesn't feel like sitting- Resourceful is good. Paris. -switches to french with an impecable accent- Then you have done better then me so far. Eventually I will find a way, at least I have freedom now.
17 Oct 13, 02:19 AM
Arabelle: She gives up on the book, places the now organized pages inside and lays it on the grass. Looking slightly thrilled by the prospect of getting to use her first language, she switches as well. How do you do it then? Get by I mean?" She gives him a look that's transparently envious. "Someday" and there's a determined edge to her tone.
17 Oct 13, 02:25 AM
Asher: -actually has a small smile- My grandfather gave me a trai car to live in. So at least now I'm out of the house, I have to figure out a way to pay for keeping it going. That's going to be tricky. -shrugs as if it's not a big deal when it really is-
17 Oct 13, 02:29 AM
Arabelle: She looks intrigued by this information. "Keep it going" she repeats, "couldn't you just find a spell or something?" She shrugs, "Sounds like an interesting place to live. I never stay in one place very long."
17 Oct 13, 02:32 AM
Asher: -snorts- Food? And I have to make sure it stays in good shape. It's already got magic in it to keep the muggles from finding it so using it to go places is easy. and Pay the man who takes care of all of it. -sighs and removes his sweatshirt, tossing it carelessly on the ground and sitting down, not next to her but facing back to the lake- Yes, it's good, I'm not complaining about that. I will be able to go wherever I want. But it also means responsibilties even when I am not using it.
17 Oct 13, 02:35 AM
Arabelle: She tilts her head, appearing to eye him critically. He sounded almost...mature for a moment, and it didn't jive with what she'd heard about him. Still, the idea of having free reign...of being able to go anywhere. The envy was instant. I have a feeling you'll figure it out. He sits, and she can't resist commenting. Hey now, if you're going to start stripping, I'm going to the library."
17 Oct 13, 02:40 AM
Asher: -frowns- I'm sure. Eventually. It's just-- -glares at her- I don't give free shows so don't worry. Merlin, it's just a sweatshirt! -puts hands up as if saying to the gods what he has to deal with- I'm sure you spend far more time in the Library turning pale as it is. You are a raven after all.
17 Oct 13, 02:45 AM
Arabelle: She arches an eyebrow. "I was just kidding, relax." She runs her fingers through her hair. Then something seems to occur to her and she smirks, "does that mean people pay you to strip then?" She looks pleased with this assessment. She glares back at him, "I am not pale, and I do not spend all of my time in the library. Not all Ravenclaws are social pariahs you know." She crosses her arms and shoots him a look.
17 Oct 13, 02:50 AM
Asher: -face lightens slightly, finding it odd he is comfortable with this conversation, but reasons it must be because she alone can understand the past- I am sure no one has ever tried to tell me that to my face. -wonders if they make good money- You are covere up nearly completely and you spend more time studying I bet then time out enjoying the weather. As to SOCIAL, no I know a few Ravenclaws who are very social on their backs indeed, I wouldn't assume that of you. -smirks-
17 Oct 13, 02:55 AM
Arabelle: She sees the slight give in his expression and feels oddly accomplished. Of course not, they save it for the dorms. She arches an eyebrow at him, So because you can't see up my skirt or down my blouse I'm 'covered up'?" She shakes her head, "You need higher standards." She blushes and looks away "No...I'm not, and you shouldn't." Not that there weren't a few boys at the orphanage who hadn't tried. They were the reason she'd taken up MMA.
17 Oct 13, 03:03 AM
Asher: -raises his eyebrows- So, you are telling me there are Ravenclaws who will give me money to take my clothes off. This is good to know. WOuld you care to give me a few names to approach? -now smiles more, though not big- higher standards? Why? I've been a gutter rat practically, lost anything important, never been loved, and been treated like crap. Seems my standards are higher then I should have. -expression grows more grim as he speaks, shrugs at her last words-
17 Oct 13, 03:09 AM
Arabelle: She blushes then, "I...that isn't what I meant." She's obviously a bit flustered and frustrated by the fact. Her expression softens, becomes apologetic as he speaks. "I'm sorry Asher, I didn't mean anything like that." She frowns, "Yeah? Well, join the club, at least you don't have guys pinching your butt and offering to tip you for 'private service'."
17 Oct 13, 03:13 AM
Asher: -looks her dead set in the eye- Did you not? You said they say that in the dorms. Maybe the foolish can be parted from some galleons. -shrugs, knowing she didn't he just feels flippish- Then wear a chastity belt and let them hurt themselves or stick a high heel through their foot. Simply enough. However if you think you are low, you are not low if you stil lthink doing "private services' is beneath you for I assure you, Ara, you could make good money that way. Most guys would be interested I imagine.
17 Oct 13, 03:20 AM
Arabelle: She's slightly unnerved by the eye contact, off-balanced by it, but she doesn't back down. "They say a lot about you in the dorms, Asher. If I listened to half of it I wouldn't be sitting here right now wishing you had a higher opinion of yourself." She smirks, "I know how to take care of myself. I'm tougher than I look The name was new, no one had ever given her a nickname before. She shrugged, "I'd pay a higher price than I'm willing to." She answers in a very soft voice, "I've done a lot over the years I'm not proud of, but my body, at least, is still mine."
17 Oct 13, 03:27 AM
Asher: -snorts- I don't care what people say, they have no idea about my life. And if they are superficial enough to think I give a d@mn they are dumber then they look. I am my own and always will be; it's never changed. -higher opinion? Who did she think she was? What did she know? Just because they were and had been friends did not mean she knew enough to judge his standards.- Pride goeth before a fall. Never make statements about what you won't do. There is always someone waiting to change that. Think it if you must, but do not speak of it. -shrugs, goes back to English for a moment as it seems to fit better- What is flesh after all? Nerves, our eyes to see the world physically. If you never use it you never learn how much you miss. I do not see a body as partiularly valuable when you have no money to do what you wish in this world. It is only something we wear for a short time; I just prefer to use it and get what little pleasure there is in this life that can't be truly bou
17 Oct 13, 03:27 AM
Asher: bought and have value.
17 Oct 13, 03:34 AM
Arabelle: Her eyes widen at his unexpected response. There was vehemence to it, but thought also, and so she listened. "My pride is all I have" she goes on the defensive. "I know exactly what I will and will not do." She glares at the sky, "let them wait." She eyes him as he speaks about flesh and nerves. "I think you're exaggerating" she accuses lightly, "its not that big a deal, two people lose their heads for a bit, get tired of each other and move on, there's nothing worth pursuing about that."
17 Oct 13, 03:41 AM
Asher: Then you have chosen your battle lines, but do not bet your soul on them, They will shift, it is only a matter of time. -stands and picks up his sweatshirt, refastening it around his waist as he speaks- Oh really? Have you ever dated? Kissed in a rainstorm, the water flowing all over and down throgh your clothes like the caress of a god, heartbeat pumping so loud you can hear it in your ears while your nerves scream at you for more, begging for the touch of another as they slide their hands down your skin, like wildfire on a moonless night? -bends down to her face, eyes locked on hers- Have you never discovered what the tongue can do to not only find flavors you have never discovered, but to cause you to throw back your head and scream to the heavens from the bottom of your toes? -face an inch away, eyes on fire- Or the first kiss, the first hand hold knowing the other wants you, to know the anticipation of that touch, to be driven mad waiting for them to make the move while
17 Oct 13, 03:44 AM
Asher: beads of sweat pour out of you and your face flushes with more heat then you thought existed in your skin? -stands up, gives her a look of pity- Then no, Ara, you don't know sh!t all about life. You live in a box compared to the rest of the world never kowing the traures that the world has provided us and yes, I pity you then. For you sound more a fool to spout such nonsense where others can hear it. ANyone -raises a finger- ANYONE who has been there knows of what I speak and it can never be forgotten. It changes the entire world you percive in ways you can not conceieve of. COme back and talk to me when you have some inkling of what it is to date a guy for long. The tell me I don't know what I ma talking about but until you do -points at her- don't pretend to knowledge you have no clue about.
17 Oct 13, 03:52 AM
Arabelle: She's about to retort, but the words fall silent. She sees the images he's painting, vividly, and because she has no other point of reference, she sees him. Kissing her...touching her...her eyes widen and then go dark as new feelings spread fast-moving tendrils over her skin. She inhales sharply, a beat away from a gasp, and realizes she can't quite catch her breath. She stays silent for several seconds, contemplating, calming herself, trying to process his words, the intensity in his eyes, and its all too much, sensory overload. She meets his eyes again after a moment, emotions warring in her eyes, confusion prominent among them. What if he was right? What if she'd been missing out all this time on something that might have brought her some enjoyment...maybe even some sense of pleasure? When was the last time she had truly enjoyed anything, that her life hadn't been purely about surviving the next day, the next hour? All of this she realized in the span of a minute or two. She gets
17 Oct 13, 03:54 AM
Arabelle: to her feet and after another moment, manages to find her voice. "Asher, wait." the tone is odd, almost hoarse, and her throat is oddly dry. She swallows hard. "I...have no idea...what you're talking about." She clears her throat, "you're right."
17 Oct 13, 04:02 AM
Asher: -doesn't even smirk, no idea of pleasure in what he said is visible, more like knowledge and his own acceptance of the facts of life laid to rest long ago- I know I'm right. I tried like you once to keep back and build invisible walls, but people came in there and ****ed me over anyway. I'd say -makes sarcastically large quotation marks in the air with his fingers- 'You show wisdom child' but we'd both know that was ridiculous. Such is life, eh? -silent a moment only, looks at the ground his hand opening and closing as if he just realized he wasn't holding something- I don't take pride in being right, Ara, I just know what's real. Don't wrap yourself in illusionary knowledge, you'll just get your @ss burned for it. -half turns away, looking over the lake again, wondering why this seems such an important moment to him and not uderstanding why-
17 Oct 13, 04:06 AM
Arabelle: She laughs, but its an odd sound, as though she doesn't quite know what else to do. She feels so overwhelmed all the sudden between the images and feelings from a moment before and now all the realizations piling up at once. "How am I supposed to know what knowledge is real and what isn't, Ash?" She hesitates a beat over the name, testing it. "You don't learn this stuff in books, and the kind of knowledge I'd find on the streets I'm not interested in."
17 Oct 13, 04:11 AM
Asher: -looks back at her, smirks at the thought of the streets being the place to learn- No, not the streets. You go out and you experience life, Ara, that's all you can do. There's no one special place, person, or time to it, you just live and learn. Truth? That is up to each person to decide on their own. Make your own path, I only have my map, not yours.
17 Oct 13, 04:12 AM
Arabelle: She's mostly caught her breath now and regained herself. "Figures" she manages to smirk back at him. "Meet a guy who tells me I need to plot my own course and he forgets to bring the map."
17 Oct 13, 04:13 AM
Asher: -now he laughs for the first time a real laugh, not restricted then it clamps back down some- d@mn straight. It was burned up a long time ago. It's better not knowing what's behind the next step anyway.
17 Oct 13, 04:16 AM
Arabelle: "Spoken like a true wandering soul" she teases lightly. "Come on Ash, I need more ink and I'm positive you could study more."
17 Oct 13, 04:16 AM
Arabelle: --End Scene--[/a]

[Shava]

17 Oct 13, 11:52 PM
Arabelle: She is sitting, back against a tree curled up in the grass with her nose nearly buried in an exceptionally large tome. The title reads "Horrible Hexes and How to Defend Yourself" Her fingers are ink stained from the paper she's been working on, the tip her of her nose is also smudged from brushing her face a time or two. She knows Asher should be coming any second, but had decided not to wait for him. look
18 Oct 13, 12:02 AM
Asher: Linky
18 Oct 13, 12:06 AM
Asher: -slumpwalks with his pack and spots her under a tree and stops to watch her for a moment, a slight frown on his face. Doesn't understand why she is different from others, gives up for the moment and walks up, slinging his bag so it lands next to her feet as his intro and drops his butt on the ground facing her, but next to her- Boo.
18 Oct 13, 12:08 AM
Arabelle: She jumps, more from the sound of the pack than from his voice. She shoots him a look as she catches her breath. "Have you ever considered just saying hello?" She lowers the book onto her lap. "Nice hair."
18 Oct 13, 12:11 AM
Asher: -smirks at her reaction first, then notes the bare lower back leading downward, smiles slightly- Eh, maybe. But you should also learn not to put your faith that nothing will ever happen around you so I'm doing you a favor by remining you of your environment. -nods- Least that's my excuse. -leans back on hands and looks over at her, sees the nose- You really get into books a bit too much you know. Thought you said you weren't entirely a stereotypical ravie?
18 Oct 13, 12:15 AM
Arabelle: She shakes her head, "I think you just get a kick out of startling me" she accuses, fairly certain its the truth. She tilts her head to study him, confused by the comment. "What are you talking about?"
18 Oct 13, 12:17 AM
Asher: -appears to think about this, nods- All right, fair enough. Though what experience you might have in that I don't know since this is the first time I've made you nearly jump out of your pants. -leans forward pulling out a handkerchief and before she can move, wipes the end of her nose, then shows her the black from the ink on the cloth- I mean, I've heard of people getting into a book, but that's a bit too literal don't you think?
18 Oct 13, 12:23 AM
Arabelle: She shakes her head, "its the second time" she corrects him. "The first time was the day we...err...met." She huffs, "but I was nowhere near jumping out of my pants." He shows her the cloth and she blushes, glancing down at her hands to confirm that they are stained too, she holds them up. "I must have touched my face without realizing it" she explains. She laughs softly, "you think you're funny don't you?"
18 Oct 13, 12:29 AM
Asher: -scoffs- Hardly my fault I just walked up and asked a question. I would again point out you were too into your books to notice anything dangerous that might have come up on you. Bad habit, my point still stands, I'm doing you a favor. -eyes drop to the pants in question then back up, nods at her comment about fingers- It hardly matters if I think I'm funny, only other people can make that true or false. A person can fool themselves to believe anything.
18 Oct 13, 12:31 AM
Arabelle: She grins, "because you're so dangerous, Ash" she teases. "Can the next favor not take the breath out of me?" She gives him a mock-pleading look. She nods, "ever the philosopher" she murmurs, then gets a mischievous look. She reaches up and drags her fingertips across his cheek, leaving dark trails of ink on his skin. "Now that's funny."
18 Oct 13, 12:34 AM
Asher: -looks as if making a mental note- Keep breath, check. -rolls eyes after she drags fingers across cheek- Ah yes, did you happen to think abot the fact you just made it easy for someone to start gossip about us being lovers? -motions from her fingers to his cheek with a smile- My rep won't suffer, but too many times people busy making out forget about things like this. Might look like you raked my cheek in the throes of passion. -winks with a slight smile, enjoying the truth-
18 Oct 13, 12:38 AM
Arabelle: She rolls her eyes back at him. Her eyes widen for a moment, but then she relaxes. "No one's going to think we're lovers, Ash. I don't have time for that and you have too many already." She reaches up and brushes the other side. "Well there, now you have a matching set."
18 Oct 13, 12:41 AM
Asher: -rolls his eyes at her, clearly amused- Your loss, but you really don't know much about gossip. -conjures a small mirror with his wand silently looking pleased at the success, looks at self- Okay, now it's more like American native war paint. Interesting. WHy do you still have so much on your hands? Been caking it on? -uses kerchief to wipe fingers as he wonders how she got so much on there- I had no idea Ravies saved it up under their fingernails.
18 Oct 13, 12:44 AM
Arabelle: She shrugs, "never been interesting enough to draw it I guess." She watches as he eyes himself in the mirror, barely concealed amusement plain as her eyes sparkle with mirth. "Well, we were talking about dangerous things earlier." She looks at her fingers then back up at him. "I've been out here for a couple of hours already, and I guess I haven't been paying all that much attention." She glances at her nails, relieved to see they're clean. "Keep it up and I'll show you what else we can do with them." She narrows her eyes at him in an attempt at appearing threatening.
18 Oct 13, 12:53 AM
Asher: So you decided I was dangerous or needed to be? -nods- I'll make note of that -eyes glimmer with amused thoughts, not coming off face easily- Ah the hell with this. -looks at her- Don't freak out on my or anything, but this is way faster. -soft shimmer, he transforms into a cloud leopard for about five seconds, then back into himself and the marks are gone, his hair lying flatter- -glances in the mirror with satisfaction-
18 Oct 13, 01:04 AM
Arabelle: She just shakes her head at him again. "Of course that's all you got from that." Her tone is half amused half wary. "Why would I frea--waoh!" She scoots backwards as a reflex. "What in Merlin's name was that?"
18 Oct 13, 01:06 AM
Asher: -holds out hands at her statement- What? -still looking in the mirror a moment later- Ah just my little alter ego, you know. It's a leopard, not a common one.
18 Oct 13, 01:07 AM
Arabelle: She takes a deep breath, "I know its a leopard, you were a...a...you're an animagus?" She looks impressed. "I take back what I said about dangerous things."
18 Oct 13, 01:10 AM
Asher: -vanishes mirror again without a word but using his wand- Yep, been one since I was a kid. Natural, Mom had to get someone to show me how to change back. -glances at her face with a rasied eyebrow- I was barely to your shoulder stretched out. And you think that's dangerous? They hunt from trees, you can't have a big one of those.
18 Oct 13, 01:17 AM
Arabelle: She nods, "I see, I'm jealous, I've always thought it would be a nice talent to have, particularly if I could fly." She eyes him again, "you had claws and teeth, ergo dangerous" she insists almost petulantly.
18 Oct 13, 01:32 AM
Asher: Jealous? Why? Take the class if you want, learn how to do it. I'd give you advice if you want it. -scoffs at her words about fangs- Please remember when anyone transforms, their teeth are their fangs, so if you really think I want to taste human blood, you're mad. -makes a face- That's such a disgusting thought, Ara...
18 Oct 13, 01:35 AM
Arabelle: She shakes her head. "I tried, but I was never able to get that far out of my head" she looks disappointed with herself. "I think too much." She makes a disgusted face, "that is so not what I meant. I was merely pointing out that human reaction to something with fangs is to freak out..." She crosses her arms and glares at him.
18 Oct 13, 01:40 AM
Asher: Well it's a long class, like two years, maybe if you had stuck with it you might have managed it. It seems easy for me, -he shrugs- You might think about it too much, true. To me it just feels natural, as if that is part of me to begin with. -sees the crossed arms and nearly grins- Ah, and all those people in the parks who have been killed trying to put their kids on a bear's back to take a picture? Or hold on, the lady who lost her arm by sticking it in a tiger's cage? Go ahead and tell me how that relates?
18 Oct 13, 01:49 AM
Arabelle: She's still glaring, and if anything it intensifies. "I think about everything too much." She opens her mouth to retort but falls silent instead. You're an @ss"; Not clever, but accurate, "Some people can do certain things and some people can't, that's life."
18 Oct 13, 01:56 AM
Asher: -nods, but looks amused at the @ss comment- And have you heard me argue with you about this? I don't see the point, Ara, it's your impression. I already know what and who I am. -tilts his head considering, decides she has a point- Well...true, but to strive and try is part of what makes life worth living, trying for something you want. So whether you can do it or not, it's the attempt which is the important part
18 Oct 13, 01:58 AM
Arabelle: She sighs, "I didn't mean that...I just..." She frowns, "I've always had this fascination with flying, but I'm awful at it." She sighs, "I did try, I studied everything they gave me for hours but...it just never clicked."
18 Oct 13, 02:05 AM
Asher: -shrugs, inwardly wondering wh yshe is backing off her comment- Flying? As in broomstick or bird? -now understands why it bothers her- Well I'm sorry it didn't take, Ara, since you wanted it that bad. However I am one of the few who can let you feel what a dangerous cat's fur feels like. -totally serious-
18 Oct 13, 02:10 AM
Arabelle: She looks up, and the sadness in her expression fades as she's distracted by the thought. "Really...and you won't...pounce on me...or anything?"
18 Oct 13, 02:12 AM
Asher: -rolls eyes- It's like stroking a cat, there's just more of me to love on. It's like... -debates on how to say it- like a full body massage so I am hardly going to object. Besides, I think that's the only time I actually look good. -holds out a hand for her to shake- FIve full minutes, no fair stopping and I promise not to pounce-
18 Oct 13, 02:15 AM
Arabelle: She laughs, "Sure why not?" It doesn't actually occur to her that she'll be stroking him, since the two are separate in her mind. "Deal" she takes his hand and shakes it.
18 Oct 13, 02:17 AM
Asher: -looks both pleased and amused- Excellent. Sit back down will you? -another shimmer and he's a cat again, moves over to her and does the turn around three times before laying down facing away from her slightly-
18 Oct 13, 02:21 AM
Arabelle: He's a bit heavier than the average house cat, but the warmth is comfortable. She starts at his head, working her fingers down his neck and across his shoulders and back. The fur is soft, surprisingly so, and without thinking she lays her head on his, pressing her cheek to it and closing her eyes. A moment later though, she sits up and blushes. "Sorry" though she feels silly speaking to a cat. She trails from his shoulders down his back and then starts over, stroking him. "I think I like you better this way."
18 Oct 13, 02:28 AM
Asher: -enjoys a massage, though puzzled about the head thing on his fur, ears flick back to show he is listening, but just enjoys the rubbing-
18 Oct 13, 02:30 AM
Arabelle: She catches the ear thing and the laugh this time is so purely delighted it sounds almost like a giggle. She brushes a fingertip over one ear. "Okay no, I definitely like you better this way." She continues stroking his fur, running her nails over him lightly and watching the lines as they trail through his spots. "All right, I think your five full minutes are up."
18 Oct 13, 02:39 AM
Asher: -ears twitches back to where it was after her finger passes, he listens, inwardly amused she can rub his butt this way and be fine with it, when she speaks about time he gets up and does a cat stretch and then shimmers back into himself directly next to her sitting up, shifts shoulders around a bit- Ah yeah, that's nice. We can do that again sometime, seriously.
18 Oct 13, 03:03 AM
Arabelle: She manages not to flinch when he shifts back this time. Nodding, she agrees. "It was, you're much nicer when you can't talk" she teases. She leans up from the tree and several pops can be heard. "Now I think I need a massage" she murmurs, rolling her neck. "Maybe leaning on a tree for several hours wasn't the best idea."
18 Oct 13, 03:08 AM
Asher: -looks mildly offended, but doesn't make a deal out of it- Gee, thanks I think. -debates answering that and decides she might as well know- Well, I have given them before. But usually it's without clothes which bunch up and get in the way and I somehow don't think that's what you actually want. -chuckles softly-
18 Oct 13, 03:10 AM
Arabelle: She smiles at the offended look. "Oh come on, I'm only kidding. I like talking to you...most of the time." She shakes her head, "oh no, I wasn't hinting. I'm sure I'll manage" she murmurs thinking there's got to be a spell for that somewhere. For now, however, she stretches her arms and then lays out on her back in the grass. "So you've never given a massage with clothes on before?"
18 Oct 13, 03:24 AM
Asher: -nods, resigned to the answer, one he had already guessed most people would have with him- Oh I know, you were right earlier I am an @ss. I don't make an excuse about it, I am who I am. -watches as she sits down then lies back- Well the clothing doesn't stay still that's the problem. No matter how you manage it, you can't use your fingers to feel the pressure spots, the sensitive places or the heat either so finding the right spots is much more difficult. Plus, no matter how slick the shirt is it bunches up under the hands. Not very good for a massage which uses the friction and heat in yourhands on skin, you know.
18 Oct 13, 03:32 AM
Arabelle: She could appreciate that, a person who was exactly what he claimed to be, no more and no less. Could respect it even. Even so there was a mystery to him, an uncertainty that intrigued and drew her. Getting to her feat, she goes and settles behind him. "Then you just have to know how to work past obstacles...it can still be good with the clothes on you know." She starts at his neck, kneading the muscles before she moves to his shoulders and down his back, lingering over the tenses spots she finds. "See? Not bad right?"
18 Oct 13, 03:35 AM
Asher: -as she settled behind him he holds up a finger- On condition that you let me give you one with your shirt off so you can see the difference. I promise, no tricks.
18 Oct 13, 03:37 AM
Asher: Not bad, though I think I like it better in Spots mode. Here, I'll turn my back, take it off and lie down and I'll give you one as well. That way you won't feel so "exposed" -he says with amusement-
18 Oct 13, 03:39 AM
Arabelle: She hesitates, "no tricks? You promise?" But she's curious, so when he turns she makes quick work of loosing both her jacket and the tank top underneath. Laying on her stomach, the grass tickles her skin. "All right, lets see this dramatic difference."
18 Oct 13, 03:42 AM
Asher: Ara, come on. -holds hands out- We've known each other how long and you wonder about that? No tricks, I promise. -waits with hands under his arm pits to warm them up more, then turns when she says- All right. Ready? -straddles her without putting his weight in her so he can lean over, beginds at the small of her back and moves up, using his palms and the ball of his hand to work the overall muscles untilhe reaches the shoulders and spends a good five minutes on each part of those-
18 Oct 13, 03:44 AM
Arabelle: As he's straddling her, she can't resist cracking the joke. "And you thought the ink was going to convince people we were lovers?" she teases lightly, but then his hands find her skin, starting low rather than high, and she tenses for a brief moment, before something in her seems to melt. resting her head on her arms, she makes a small relaxed sound. "Oh wow that's...wow..." It was an odd combination of relaxing and something else...electric almost. His touch felt good in several ways at once. "Okay, you win, your way is better."
18 Oct 13, 03:50 AM
Asher: -chuckles at her quip- Yeah I know but no one can see us from here I think right now. -concentrates on his work, working from shoulders up her neck into her hair slowly before making sure to get both sides of her neck before finishing down her arms- Thanks for admitting it. I know that was hard cause it's me, but I generally do know what I am talking about. And this way -puts his hands back middle of her back for example- I can feel that here -pushes slighhtly- is more sensitive then here and that makes a big difference to where I concntrate. -removes hands and unstraddles her, sitting aside of her- Still, I've had a lot of practice too. That can make a difference as well.
18 Oct 13, 03:53 AM
Arabelle: She feels oddly bereft when he moves, and she groans, burying her head in her arms. "I so could have fallen asleep like that." She rubs her eyes, makes a 'turn around' motion without getting up. Once he does, she stands, back to him, and puts the tank top on again tying the jacket off at her waist. "I'll make you deal, we can trade off, you can have your kitty massages if I can have those." She stretches again, satisfied when nothing pops. "I think that's fair."
18 Oct 13, 03:55 AM
Asher: Defintely. -smiles remembering the time he lay in a girl's bed as a cat for half the night before he changed and seduced her the rest of the way easily...- I've had a couple fall asleep on me I must admit. that's almost a compliment in itself.
18 Oct 13, 04:03 AM
Arabelle: She sees the smile, wonders at it, but decides its better if she doesn't know. She smirks at the information, "must have been awfully disappointing though" she runs her fingers through her hair. "So much for studying."
18 Oct 13, 04:06 AM
Asher: Not too bad, the others made up for it. -winks at her and looks like his eyes are laughing- But Ara, please! We've learned lots of stuff today. You scare easy, like massages from me, like cats, you know I'm an @ss, we've traded points of view, and I have not lied to you once yet. Okay, you may not realize that last one, but it's true none-the-less. Not all people can handle the truth about things, but you seem fine with that.
18 Oct 13, 04:08 AM
Asher: -purses his lips- To be honest, I rarely lie anyway. the truth is far more powerful for people to hear really. A much better way to deal with people then lies.
18 Oct 13, 04:15 AM
Arabelle: She laughs, "I don't think it counts if we study each other" she points out. "And I do not scare easy, maybe you're just scary" she smirks at him. She arches an eyebrow at the lying comment. "You've got no reason to lie to me Ash, I don't care you're an @ss, you make up for it." She nods, "I think it depends on the person, sometimes the lies are kinder."
18 Oct 13, 04:20 AM
Asher: -snaps his fingers in disapointed feigned as her comment it doesn't count- Hmm, maybe it's my reputation that's scary. I doubt I'm actually scary by myself. -listens to her speak about lies- No, those are actually deeper harm because you deny a person a chance to fix a problem or react and get it over with rather then have it revealed at a worse time. Do not give me half-truths and lies; that shows you really don't care about my progress either.
18 Oct 13, 04:24 AM
Arabelle: She laughs softly, but the expression turns more serious as he continues. "I've started listening" she admits, "and you're right, it is, especially if its all true..." She tags on quickly, "and I don't want to know if it is." She shrugs, "I've never lied to you before, why would I start now. Its nice...having someone I don't have to pretend with."
18 Oct 13, 04:32 AM
Asher: -not sure how to respond to the 'if it's all true' since he just told her doesn't lie- Oooooookay. The only reason you should ever hesitate to sk me a question is if you do not believe you can handle the answer, Arabelle. And it is I agree. Maybe... Maybe that is why I enjoy your company so much. -looks quizically thoughtful as if exaiming something-
18 Oct 13, 04:34 AM
Arabelle: She nods, "I understand" she murmurs, in a way it makes her feel special, but it also frightens her a bit. Could she handle his being totally honest with her? Was there anything he could tell her that would make her willing to walk away from the one person she didn't have to pretend with? She tilts her head, "what are you thinking?"
18 Oct 13, 04:38 AM
Asher: -after a full minute- I don't take to people very often, but when I stopped to ask you who you were the other day, we fell into a pattern like the old 6-10 had never stopped. -frowns, clearly still thinking about it- And I wonder about that. Why it worked with you , that is, and not any others so far...
18 Oct 13, 04:42 AM
Arabelle: She looks as if she's considering this. "Maybe because we have something major in common? Or because we're more familiar with each other than we are with most people?" She even tries to lighten the moment a bit, "maybe because I'm probably the only girl in your life you haven't slept with?" She shrugs, "Seriously, who can know?"
18 Oct 13, 04:50 AM
[×] Asher: -he had to admit they did- Hmm, maybe. But it's been years since I saw you and we don't really act like much has changed, it's just got me curious as to why. -chuckles- Not completely true, there are quite a few at Hogwarts I have not. I'm just more willing to accept what life rolls my way then others are. Too many people think everything is a trap or a trick. Trust is something a lot of people struggle with and I can understand why, I'm bad at it as well. -thinks of one of his major limits-
18 Oct 13, 04:55 AM
Arabelle: She tilts her head, considering, "that's true" she murmurs thoughtfully. "When you figure it out let me know." She laughs, "I think it comes with the territory. I don't trust many people either." Actually, she had trouble thinking of any, though looking at Asher she wondered if maytbe that could change. "Maybe its one of those great mysteries of life we're not meant to understand." She sprawls out into the grass again. "Some things are though, traps and tricks."
18 Oct 13, 05:00 AM
Asher: I don't trust adults. 0makes a face- I've not been treated well by any I felt comfortable about in my life. They all suck and I don't understand their motivations half the time.-frowns at her words- Sometimes, yes, but not always. that's the point. If you can't learn to trust, how are you to survive to begin with?
18 Oct 13, 05:02 AM
Arabelle: She shrugs, "I've never had much to do with any unless I was serving them food, teaching them something or otherwise" she wrinkles her nose distastefully. "And the ones I serve in the pubs were usually too drunk to say much." She sighs, "I actually think its safer not to trust anyone. Then you can't be surprised. Right?"
18 Oct 13, 05:13 AM
Asher: -sighs, wishing he wasn't the one to tell her this- That's false. You need surprise just like you need trust. I'm not very good at it, but that doesn't maean I don't need it. I just have to take it in a way few see. I had to trust my grandfather because he's the only family left, but I don't trust him much because he doesn't get me. If you never trust anyone, you can never have any kind of security. Do you trust a lock on a door? Your trunk? You have to extend it to advance to het to a better place and yes it's a risk. Humans need risk to feel alive, just as we may hate surprises, but need them to keep our lifes interesting. If everything was boring why would we make any effort at all? We'd fail as a specieis not just as individuals. So yes, we need trust and surprises, unfortauntely.
18 Oct 13, 05:13 AM
Asher: You just have to be picky about where you put the trust. That's the trick I'm not good at.
18 Oct 13, 05:18 AM
Asher: -his eyes looked at her and then past her shoulder slightly. It was rather interesting knowing that he could see down into the back of her pants slightly and it made him think about her in another way that was different from their current relationship. As she spoke his eyes came back to her and then he glanced around as if checking the area, his eyes coming back to try and memorize that view...-
18 Oct 13, 05:21 AM
Arabelle: She's never heard it the way he puts it, But she's totally unfamiliar with that perspective. "There aren't many people in my life who are constants, Asher. The teachers, that's pretty much it." She doesn't seem saddened by this, at least, not overly. "I've been taking care of myself most of my life. I do what I have to." Still, it didn't sound as fun as his way. If I'm not alive. What am I?" She notices his gaze and makes a face at him. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
18 Oct 13, 05:29 AM
Asher: -the truth ws he remembered the no constants because few things had been in his life- Understood. Same here and still somewhat withmy grandfather. But even in the orphanage you had to trust the adults to put food on the table, trust them to keep you a certain limited safety, trust them to be doing the things you needed which you didn't know you needed like schooling. Hell, trust another not to cheat at a game you were playing. It's there even if you don't think much about it. -she mentions life- You run risks with every job, do you not? Every summer finding a place to stay while you earn money? That's trust as well. -then she asked the question and his eyes met hers with honesty in them- Because even though I value you as a friend, I am reminded you are a better woman then most in my eyes and that's hard to not have thoughts about. Go ahead and smack me if you have to, but you are beautiful in your own way. You just reminded me of that again and I won't appologize for my reaction.
18 Oct 13, 05:34 AM
Arabelle: She nods as she listens. "That's..." she trails for a second. "An interesting way to see it I guess." She'd never thought of her jobs as risks, they were her security, but even those weren't concrete. She knew that, but had never really acknowledged it. She flushes, the words lack the flowery aspect of flattery, and she knows he's telling her the truth. "I didn't ask for an apology" she points out, "and I'm not asking for one now." The corners of her lips pull up slowly, "is this because I let you talk me out of my shirt?"
18 Oct 13, 05:40 AM
Asher: If you are truthful to yourself at all then you need to accept it's more then just another way to see it. You of all people know knowledge is not only found in books, but in aknowledging what is happening in your life and the motivations you have to operate by. Nothing has only a face value to it in any part of life. -her words about an appolgy surprise him- Ah yes, I missed that part, sorry. -his eyes go back to her pants again as she speaks and closes on the sight for a moment while he answers- No. It's because you have no belt on, Ara, and it's hard not to appreciate that fact from where I am sitting. -slight smile, but slightly sad-
18 Oct 13, 05:45 AM
Arabelle: She tenses, "for someone who believes in making their own map, you seem to have no trouble giving me directions." But then her tone changes and she sighs. "I know, and I know I've got to find something more stable but...its a little difficult when you can't use magic to find a real job anywhere but in the muggle world." She meets his eyes, the walls wavering for a moment. "As for people...well, we'll see." She realizes after a moment that he's admitting to being able to see down her pants, and she laughs. "I doubt its anything you haven't seen before" she points out, "and besides, I'm comfortable. Probably not 'leopard getting a full body massage comfortable, but comfortable."
18 Oct 13, 05:55 AM
[×] Asher: -laughs to himself slightly- Call it sharing what I've heard about similar roads. Like traffic signs in a way maybe. I don't mind giving you what i already learned a harder way. I wouldn't do it for another, but we have the same ...experiences in some things. -sees the comment for what it seems, then eyes narrow as he makes the second meaning in his head, purses his lips a moment- Experience is the best teacher. -hesitates- Arabelle... you make a bad assumption. Every person is unique male and female and -smiles- there is nothing that makes the body the same to every person. I apologize for looking, but I'm not likely to stop either. If your comfortable with that, then that's good enough for me.
18 Oct 13, 06:05 AM
Arabelle: She gives him an amused smile. "I thought you weren't going to apologize for looking" she points out. She shrugs, "I don't really care. Its strange, because if you were anyone else I'd...but I really don't." She's suddenly very aware of herself however, as though her skin can feel his gaze. "So you've never seen two that were alike or even similar?"
18 Oct 13, 06:14 AM
[×] Asher: Correction, I should have said "I'd appologize." My mistake in choosing the wrong word. -becomes more intrigued when she says if he were anyone else- Oh really? -glances away now, suddenly wondering if that means something more then he had been expecting.- Girls are as varied as guys are, glance around at the faces at lunch and cound how many different looking people you see. I admit, there are a number I wouldn't consider because of their personalities, but I try not to imagine what each woman is like under her clothes either. That is one thing that is very true; each person is very unique underneath though we may all share some basics in frame and such, but no, each is a work of art and worth enjoying.
18 Oct 13, 11:23 AM
Arabelle: She nods, a smirk tugging resolutely at her lips. "You're forgiven" she tells him, "just don't let it happen again." And then she laughs, because the whole thing is so ridiculous. She nods, "really, but I don't understand it so don't go getting a big head" she teases. She studies him, looking both amused and intrigued. "You talk about women as though they're...a painting...or a statue...something to collect almost." She points out out distractedly, trying to process what it means.
18 Oct 13, 01:42 PM
Asher: -nods to her laugh, a slight smile on his lips- Do not people value a statue or painting for beauty? But people are far more worth then that, though I consider most of my gender to be a bunch of jerk-offs. Women are what keep the species around, teach little ones to grow right and well, and often are nuturing types who everyone turns to at some point when there is a connection. You probably even want a family yourself, right? -listens carefully- I've no doubt a person as smart as you will one day find the perfect guy for you and put down roots of some kind whereas I don't know if I ever will. -touch of melancholoy- Considering how badly things have gone I find it hard to believe personally. But yes, a woman is precious in her own right. One with a good personality and brains as well -turns and gives her a small head bow- is all the more precious for such as that.
18 Oct 13, 01:48 PM
Arabelle: She listens, becoming gradually accustomed to these talks from him. She arches an eyebrow at his comment about guys and smirks, "and you were trying to tell me I needed one a few days ago to...learn with." He seemed to have this deep abiding respect for women. He hadn't come to the orphanage until six, and she wondered what his mother had been like. It was on the tip of her tongue to ask, but since the woman had obviously died, she didn't want to bring up painful memories. His question about a family startles her. "I...um...I don't know actually...maybe." She lets her gaze drift to the water again. "I'm not sure I'd be very good at it, being a mom." She shakes her head, "that sort of stuff only happens in books and muggle movies Asher" she admonishes lightly. If it did happen to real people, it didn't happen to people like her. Sitting up finally, she reaches for his hand, brushes her thumb over his knuckles. "Hey, there's nothing wrong with drifting, some of my best adventures happen
18 Oct 13, 01:50 PM
Arabelle: that way." And some of her worst, she thinks silently, but doesn't say it. She's still so caught up in trying to lift his mood that she doesn't rebuff the compliment. Besides, no one had ever said anything like that about her before, and it felt nice to be acknowledged. She squeezes his hand but then releases it. "Glad to be of service."
18 Oct 13, 01:50 PM
Arabelle: ((Okay so she still made a joke, but at least this time she's making light and not ignoring all together))
18 Oct 13, 03:01 PM
Asher: ((I see that lol))
18 Oct 13, 03:27 PM
Asher: -rolls his eyes at her attempt at a joke about guys, finds it interesting she doesn't have any idea about family- Ara, no mother has a rulebook to go by, you just wing it. And from what I've seen in a short time you're about a mile past my own Mother in that department already. -her comment about books sings- hey now! Look around at the world; do you really think that many people met in perfect situations? Of course it happens outside books, don't quote fools, Arabella. A pretty girl like you if you were interested? You shouldn't have a problem finding a willing guy. It's finding one you can really live with it that will be your biggest issue I think. -frowns- trust me, I've done as much drifting as you have, only I didn't have any options to it. Appreciate the thought, but I don't know if I've ever settled anywehre really... -he knows he hasn't in his mind-
18 Oct 13, 03:53 PM
Arabelle: She pauses, but since he brought it up..."You...you remember her?" She smiles, "I don't know, maybe...someday if I met the right guy who could accept..." she trails off. "everything." She shrugs, "I don't think we're made to settle" she confides softly, "its not for everyone."
18 Oct 13, 04:04 PM
Asher: -the eyes that turn on her look a bit haunted, grimmer then before- I doubt I could ever forget her, she will dominate my life for the rest of my days. She had a dark mark, Ara, I was born on the run. I grew up moving constantly because the aurors kept catching up. She used to call me her burden and cuss at me if I didn't move fast enough or do what she needed done. It's one of the reasons I don't care so much about grades even. Whose going to give the son of a known DE a job? It's muggle bound for me for certain. -shakes his head as if to drive the moodyness off of him- Anyway, yes, I remember far too much I shouldn't and much I would rather forget. -looks away at the forest , pensieve- Yes but what's an entire life in the run? As you get older you have to have some place to settle for when you need to be taken care of. And who wants to do that last minute?
18 Oct 13, 04:08 PM
Arabelle: She tries to picture the life he's painting. The young scared boy from her past, being abused and mistreated by the woman who should have loved him the most. Was having a mother like that better than having no mother at all. She wasn't sure. "You could always change your name...couldn't you?" She works her way up onto her knees in front of him. "We've all got to die of something" she says in reference to his taken care of comment. "I'm not really planning to grow old somewhere Ash." She leans a bit closer, searching his eyes. "Did you love her?"
18 Oct 13, 04:23 PM
Asher: -shrugs- Only works if they aren't keeping tabs on you just in case. The aurors stop in occasionally to check up on me and I assume others. I've seen them most of my life. -smiles a bit at the death part- Yes, too true. Well, maybe you don't want to plan it, but it's a miserable probabl ending if you don't plan something i would think. -freezes at the last question for several long seconds- Yes. And hated her too. But she was all there was in the world that I knew. She is the one who taught me my french....
18 Oct 13, 04:26 PM
Arabelle: She shrugs, "so let them keep tabs, there are still things you could do. You're smart Ash, you could still do a lot of things." She makes a face, "how do you love...and hate...someone?" She shakes her head, "nevermind, forget I asked." She searches for something to say, wanting to erase the haunted look. "Will you feel better if you go all cat form again?" It was odd thinking of him in that context, but she felt bad for bringing it up.
18 Oct 13, 04:35 PM
Asher: Yep, muggle jobs. get out of the wizarding world all together. You ar a rover too, Ara, don't tell me you haven't noticed how much more is in their world then ours. it will make it far more difficult for them at the same time I can show I don't give a d@mn about them. -leans back onto the grass, first time he has done so in a very long time and it tickles his ears- It is hard to explain. Maybe sometime I'll attempt it but not today I think. -sighs- No, I don't think so. it's never really very far from my mind. As bad as things were in an orphanage, it still felt better then what i knew before. Still, might explain why I don't feel an attachment for any where.
18 Oct 13, 04:38 PM
Arabelle: When he settles into the grass, she lays out next to him on her back, though she's not quite touching him. "I know, that's where most of my summer jobs have been. Its as little hard to get any sort of job that doesn't involve taking off your clothes in our world without magic." She nods, "I get that" and she does. "Still, it might be nice to have somewhere to come back to some day." She folds her arms under her head and stares at the sky for a moment.
18 Oct 13, 04:42 PM
Asher: -knows it will be awhile before he can explain that to anyone- I have to start working at Christmas I guess. Find something short term. -he hated the idea, but he had to do something and get started; no sense wasting time.- Any suggestion on where to head? I can tain the train anywhere there is a city really. And as long as I take care of it, it will be home I think. Even if I have to end up parking it on a side trestle some day somewhere, it will still be what i have.
18 Oct 13, 04:44 PM
Arabelle: She's intrigued by the concept of living in a train car. "Most any of the pubs will take you without asking too many questions." She smirks at him, "you could always be a bouncer at one of the exotic clubs somewhere" she teases. When she speaks again, her tone sounds slightly envious. "What's it like? Your home?"
18 Oct 13, 04:52 PM
Asher: -pub life acutually appealed to him in a way- A pub huh? SOunds like an interesting life. -his face showed puzzlement- Exotic club? What the heck is that? Oh wait, you mean one of those stripper joint places? -gives her an odd look- I doubt I should work somewhere with lots of women. Seems like a conflict waiting to happen with management. -sticks a tongue out at her- The train? It's nice, not Hogwarts but what is really? I have a guest room, you are welcome to crash there if you want. The old man fixed it all up with muggle and magic tech, he liked his comforts. I just like the fact it's paid for and all I have to do is come up with food and wage money. There's a man who runs it for him, I'd hate to let him go cause I can't get enough money, but I might have to. I'm sure my grandfather will hire him off my hands...
18 Oct 13, 04:56 PM
Arabelle: She laughs, "true, I didn't really think about the conflict of interests issue." Picturing him in a room full of scantily clad women sent a strange pang through her, but she was distracted almost immediately. "Sounds nice" she admits, "but I think I've got things under control for myself" she tells him. "Besides, I wouldn't wouldn't to intrude on any of your...house guests...over the summer." That situation literally screamed awkward.
18 Oct 13, 05:05 PM
Asher: -smiles at her laugh- It is, but listen, If you need a shower or a place to escape a few days from work don't forget about it. Long as you don't eat like a horse I won't mind you being around. -clears throat- If there are any house guests, Ara, I can assure you i will be at their place to take advantage of the hospitality, not in a train car. hardly seems like a romantic idea to begin with. -rolls eyes- It's nice, but I don't think anyone write those kind of books anymore.
18 Oct 13, 05:07 PM
Asher: Heck, if I get a job near you you could save money and stay in a guest room if you want long as you pay half the food
18 Oct 13, 05:10 PM
Arabelle: She shrugs, "maybe I'm weird then, because it seems like it could be romantic to me." She gives it some thought for a few seconds. "A night with a handsome stranger in a well-decked out train car in the middle of nowhere. Romance or horror, could probably fit either genre." She's enjoying this, the ease of the conversation, teasing him this way. She feels oddly comfortable. The idea of having a safety net is appealing, though she doubts she'll actually take him up on it. "Tempting" she murmurs, "how would I find you?"
18 Oct 13, 05:25 PM
Asher: ((sorry for delays, highway has a 20 mile back up and everyone is here for leaf season so phone off the hook, I have not given up tho lol))
18 Oct 13, 05:26 PM
Asher: -Snorts- Maybe, I think it would need the right person. I suspect most would imagine the horror before the romance, bu nice thinking. -turns his head and looks at her for a long second- Oh I don't know, Owl? Or maybe email? Phone?
18 Oct 13, 05:27 PM
Arabelle: ((LOL I'll disappear around 6 my time which I believe is 7 there and I don't get off til 11 your time at which point I imagine you will be gone so meh))
18 Oct 13, 05:31 PM
Arabelle: She tilts her head, looking surprised. "You have a phone?" She's famliar with the pay phones in London. "And yes, I guess an owl might work." She's hesitant over the whole concept still. but she smiles regardless. "You're not going to try and seduce me if I show up one day are you?"
18 Oct 13, 05:40 PM
Asher: ((actually I'll probably be on out of sheer "I-don't wanna-go-to-bed-ness" for at least a little while lol))
18 Oct 13, 05:40 PM
Arabelle: ((yay for something to look forward to while I hash out the rest of this paper))
18 Oct 13, 05:50 PM
Asher: -nods- He put everything in there, thought the stuff was amazing. Some kind of satelite whatever. So it somehow gets owls and phone calls, though it will be answered by Jaimeel, he's the man who runs it for me now. Remind me when we're near paper and I'll write it down for you
18 Oct 13, 05:50 PM
Asher: (hang on))
18 Oct 13, 05:52 PM
Asher: -rolls over onto elbow looking down at her with a humorous look- You have not expressed any interest in it, my dear Ara, so you're safe. In fact I've already complimented you on your looks and you made no moves whatsoever. So I would say you are pretty safe on that score. -winks-
18 Oct 13, 06:11 PM
Arabelle: She just grins at him, shaking her head. "That's because I'm not interested" she sticks her tongue out at him, mimicking him from earlier. "Besides, I think it takes a bit more than just thinking someone is nice to look at..." She hesitates, looks at him for confirmation. "Doesn't it?" Because if it not it was possible she was in trouble.
18 Oct 13, 06:18 PM
Asher: -chuckles at the tongue bit and rolls back on his back again, point having been made- I would imagine so, not thatthe girls who seem to like me are worried beyon the fact I'm very good at what I admit to. If you're talking long term, I would think you need to have compatabilty. Someone who gets and understands you well, someone you think you can not kill in your bed for twenty years or so, probably someone with similar interests too. But I think everyone finds a different combination of things. On long term, however, I've no experience.
18 Oct 13, 06:19 PM
Asher: I just know it's none of the girls I've been with so far.
18 Oct 13, 06:23 PM
Arabelle: She turns her head, studies his face, "I'd say you're being pickley, but I know too many people who agree with you." She pulls a face, "and who apparently have no sense of privacy." Someone who understands...did that exist she wondered? Somewhere out there in the world was there someone would would get her despite her past? "Of course not" she tries to cover the direction of her thoughts. "But maybe someday...?" she trails, the question implied.
18 Oct 13, 06:28 PM
Arabelle: ((She's talking general there, not her specifically))
18 Oct 13, 06:29 PM
Asher: -her comment is so obvious, he doesn't see the need to speak just nods, then snorts- Eh, I doubt it given the way my life has gone so far. All I find mostly are empty headed girls who are looking and finding a thrill. They pass the time you could say I guess, -clearly not impressed by many of them- And once I start working well, I doubt I will be staying in any one area long enough to find out now will I? The road isn't an easy place to keep connections going.
18 Oct 13, 06:29 PM
Asher: ((I guessed))
18 Oct 13, 06:34 PM
Arabelle: She nodded, knowing this for a fact. Still, it seemed sad to think of him being alone. It doesn't occur to her that they're alike that way. "You'll probably have a couple of months at a time in the same place" she points out, "and if I can find you, well, so can someone else." But she knows its tricky to maintain any sort of relationship when you're constantly moving. "Well, if you ever need a reference, you've got me."
18 Oct 13, 06:41 PM
Asher: -frowns at the sky- Well they can't find the train without help, it's got it's own magics for that stuff. They would have to communicate first off. But I undnerstand what you mean. -smiles wondering how he would do with a waitress for a reference- Thanks, I'll take that. Probably need to start out in France at first anyway, probably down at the coast when the summer comes around.
18 Oct 13, 06:45 PM
Arabelle: She smiles, "ah, protective enchantments and the like? Clever." She nods at his assumption. "I have really good luck down there most times. There's always someone looking for temp labor." She wondered if maybe she really would see him, how strange would that be after all these years? To have him close by. She's oddly comforted by the thought, and it startles her. "Got any special skills...and don't say it...I know you were going to."
18 Oct 13, 06:52 PM
Asher: -he nods, knowing the area is famous for the coast, lots of very wealthy vacationers- That's good. I'm going to be starting from scratch I'm afraid, since I've never been free to work before. -not afraid of work, just been kept home mostly- In muggle skills you mean? -doesn't smile but his eyes twinkle at her warning- beyond gymnastics I don't think anything special. Bouncer might be interesting and maybe I can learn how to do some bartending. Probably can't do that at first though, don't you have to be a certain age for alcohol with muggles too?
18 Oct 13, 06:55 PM
Arabelle: She nods, "its not hard to learn, actually I could probably teach you" she confesses. "There are certain laws, but I know where to get papers for that." It was something she'd had to learn since she'd been young at the start. She eyes him oddly, "you're a gymnast?" ((Hi-ho-hi-ho its off to work I go but I will probably play from my phone a bit.))
18 Oct 13, 06:56 PM
Asher: ((LMAO))
18 Oct 13, 07:05 PM
Asher: -nods- I would appreciate that. Sounds like a lesson I could concntreate on. -d@mn straigh since he would be living of those skills probably. raises eyebrows at her comments- Oh really? You seem rather important to know all of a sudden! It's clear we need to talk about jobs more often. -nods- Been since the orphanage made us go to school. Only good thing to come out of that place besdes reading and writing. That's my main form of excercise -he teases her, waiting to see if she dares mention the other again--
18 Oct 13, 08:00 PM
Arabelle: She smiles, "do you know of the room of requirement? That's where I practice. It was also where she danced and honed her MMA skills, but she didn't mention that. She nods when he mentions the school. "I'd like to see that", she admits. After a moment's hesitation she adds: "I took dance." She smirks, "but probably not your favorite."
18 Oct 13, 08:07 PM
Asher: I do. Is it still blocked off? -the room had been unaailable during the last month and Filtch had been pretty upset wandering around up there a lot recently- What, watch Gymnastics you mean? I've been having to do mostly climbing in the trees recently. Oddly enough, Clouded Leopards are tree dwelling creatures and have quite a few skills that suit it very well. -smirks- No, the verticle kind never did much for me in school. The other kind I'm quite good at.
18 Oct 13, 08:26 PM
Arabelle: She's still grinning, "I meant I would like to see you. I have a hard time picturing that." She tries to picture him in a tree as a cat. "Bet that comes in handy for sneaking around." She shoots him a look, but then smirks. "I thought you could do that kind standing up too?.. Or so I've heard."
18 Oct 13, 08:37 PM
Asher: -laughs- Nimble little buggers. They can use a bent paw to hang their whole body from and swing froom one branch to another. It's why they are between a leopard and house cat size. And yes -he smiled- it helps quite a bit. -the grass still tickled his ears so he brushed both sides of his head as she spoke- Ah well you said dancing, not staying in one place really. Though -glances a her- Well, nevermind.
18 Oct 13, 08:43 PM
Arabelle: She listens, eyes widening. "Really?" She added that to the mental list of things she wanted to see. She shakes her head. "Oh no you don't, what?"
18 Oct 13, 08:51 PM
Asher: -smiling in total amusement he looked at her a full minute before he said- One of the Ravenclaws I hear says taking a bicycle down very bummpy roads was her way of relieving the pressures of being single. -waited to see if she would get it- And one of the lions told me he found doing it on a horse was more fun they he would have imagined.
18 Oct 13, 09:13 PM
Arabelle: She widens her eyes and flushes dark. "A horse.." She mumbles, then catching his amusement, she crosses her arms with a look dangerously close to a pout. "You're having way too much fun at my expense", she accuses.
18 Oct 13, 09:22 PM
Asher: Oh no -holds up a hand with one finger raised- Not a tall, i wasn't going to tell you in light of your feelings about relationships, but when I hesitated you wanted to know. You did that, not me. I was going to protect you from my own thoughts. I might have enjoyed telling you after you asked, but that was purely a side thing. This was all you, my dear.
18 Oct 13, 09:32 PM
Arabelle: She mumbles something unintelligible under her breath, but her tone is easy enough to infer. She can't argue with him, so she changes the subject instead. "So would you ever consider learning to dance? Or do you really hate it that much?" She needed someone to practice with, and wondered if he could be coerced.
18 Oct 13, 09:42 PM
[×] Asher: You-- -sits up on one elbow and looks at her with a curious expression- I never said i hated it, i said it wasn't a skill I valued. -tilts head at her- Why do you ask?

[Shava]

4 Dec 13, 01:21 AM
Arabelle: She had apparated to the location in his last letter. Everything shrunk down and packed carefully in a small bag equipped with an undetectable extension charm. She passed through his wards and slid open the door. "Ash?" She called, "Honey I'm home" she tried again in a teasing voice.
4 Dec 13, 01:27 AM
Asher: Laughter came from the back as he called back out "I was thinking you had gotten lost along the roadside somewhere, Ara, come on in" walks down the hall and opens the door to the lounge, towel around his neck and clearly just shaved, a bit of shaving cream still on his lip edge
4 Dec 13, 01:28 AM
Arabelle: She enters the lounge, sees him, and shakes her head. Crossing the room, she reaches out and brushes his lip, rubbing the stuff between her fingers and pulling a face. "Got a hot date?"
4 Dec 13, 01:31 AM
Asher: Looks annoyed he mmissed some, rubs the towel across his face again. "d@mn it, I thought I had it all. No, just staying in practice. Doing it always by wand is a mistake for a cover."
4 Dec 13, 01:32 AM
Arabelle: She smirks, "speak for yourself, I haven't touched a razor since I turned seventeen." She hears a noise down the hall and frowns. "is there someone else here?"
4 Dec 13, 01:35 AM
Asher: "Pffft, sloppy when you have to do it as a muggle cover. I still do it by wand mostly, but yeah." hears and sees her reaction. Sighs. "yeah well, I got dumped on so yes, I have a...rather permenant guest. Put your stuff away and come meet him." Looks to scowl slightly, but it loosens up a lot in his eyes
4 Dec 13, 01:38 AM
Arabelle: She nods, looking equal parts confused and intrigued. She drops her bag in her room, deciding to unpack later on. She heads in the direction of Asher's voice, and freezes in the doorway at the sight of a little boy. Her eyes fly to Asher's face. asking him to explain wordlessly.
4 Dec 13, 01:41 AM
Asher: Sitting on the bed in a single room, boy playing on the floor. "Max? This is my friend Ara, she's going to be staying with us while she works. Ara," he said his eyes turning to meet hers at the exact same time the boy looks up at her, "this is my son, Max." Pursed lips. "His mother dropped him off with me recently..." Looks like he doesn't want to say more in front of the boy.
4 Dec 13, 01:43 AM
Arabelle: She focuses on the boy, her eyes glued to his, or rather, to Asher's because they're copied almost exactly into his face. She nods wordlessly, understanding the wealthy of information in what he doesn't say. Dropping to her knees her face takes on an oddly soft expression. "Hi Max, how do you like it here so far?" Her voice goes soft and warm in a way she's rarely ever done.
4 Dec 13, 01:47 AM
Asher: Asher looks surprised when she drops down, the kids without fear. "it's cool! A train goes EVERYwhere and Daddy takes me to see stuff. Do yo not have a home to live in?" Behind him Asher puts a hand up to his face fearing the reaction slightly
4 Dec 13, 01:50 AM
Arabelle: She smiles as he speaks, though her eyes turn slightly sad at his question. "Well, for now, here is home, and someday soon, somewhere else might be home." She struggles to explain it in a way that a small child will not draw too much from. "Just like your home goes everywhere, I find homes wherever I go...see?" She bit her lip, she hadn't discussed with Asher how long she'd be staying now that she was graduated. She assumed she'd have to find a more permanent home soon. She'd discuss it with him later.
4 Dec 13, 01:53 AM
Asher: Nods as she answers, says to Max "She's a friend of Daddies from when he was in school so she can stay with us anytime she needs to, right kido?" Max nods and smiles at her. "Excuse us for a minute, Max, I'm going to go help her get settled, then we'll do a nsakc, all right?" Nods looking back at him "Okay!" goes back to trains as Asher follows her out
4 Dec 13, 01:56 AM
Arabelle: She waits until they're down the hall and back in the lounge out of earshot before she turns. "She just dropped him off and left didn't she?" Her voice is still soft.
4 Dec 13, 01:59 AM
[×] Asher: Expected a question though not that one. "Yep, surprised the hell outta me. I--" Looks frustrated "I didn't want to scare you away from thinking this was an okay place to stay, you know?" Shrugs. "we'll manage somehow, really, he's going to a daycare during the day and I'm doing a lot of day shifts instead of evening."
4 Dec 13, 02:01 AM
Arabelle: She nods, though she wouldn't have been able to imagine him as a parent a few months ago, he seemed to be handling things all right. "He made a good point though, Ash, I need to start looking for a flat or something soon. It wouldn't be right for me to stay now that I can work full time." Still, the thought of leaving makes her sad. This is the longest she's been anywhere other than the orphanage and Hogwarts.
4 Dec 13, 02:04 AM
Asher: Crosses arms, frowns. "See this is why i didn't tell you in a letter. You can stay as long as you want, don't be an idiot. Do you know how starved of company I am? Think about that. Bar morning crowd to day care talk. You can d@mn well stay. And I'll be glad of it, Ara. I'm learning this on the fly as it is. You won't believe how long it took me to learn to make tomato soup right." Growls under his breath and goes to look out the window, trying to relax his arms.
4 Dec 13, 02:07 AM
Arabelle: She listens, and as he walks away she realizes with a start that he was lonely. She supposed having a small child didn't leave much room for company of his usual sort. Had he spent all this time since winter break with just Max for company? She crossed the room, laid a hand on his shoulder. "All right, but I can't just stay for nothing." She had more pride than that, "what if...what if I kept helping with food and such like always, and I watched Max while you're at work?" She bites her lip, "daycare bills are expensive I bet." She grins when he mentions tomato soup. "And I can cook too."
4 Dec 13, 02:13 AM
Asher: Face in window looks reflective, softening a bit. "gah, same deal as before; you help with food, rent is covered. Not like it costs me anything. But, if you can soemtimes help with some shifts...yes, it would help." Turns around, shakes his head. "yes I admit it. I don't have anyone else around. We can still do the animal show in the day and stuff if you think it does better then bar tending. Daycare is expensive, but I got a good deal with a single woman whose kids arre home all day. not as bad as it could be, but if there is a chance you can help with an evening or two maybe?"
4 Dec 13, 02:18 AM
Arabelle: She bit her lip, "actually, I have some news of my own" She smiled, "I got a full time job teaching at that dance academy I told you about. The one I used to do summer sessions for?" "I'll be teaching in the evenings, so I can be home during the day." There it was, that word again. When had this place become home, she wondered? "I teach day classes on Saturdays and I'm off Sundays" she rattled off the schedule. "So yes I think I could be some help."
4 Dec 13, 02:24 AM
[×] Asher: Looks pleased at the news. "Oh hey, pays good? Congratulations, I know you love doing dance." Notices she said home and smile gets a bit wider. "That would save a lot of money I have to admit." Looks around so he doesn't seem to eager to seal that deal, knowing she would sense his interest. "Might have to switch bars and work one day so I don't take up your day off, so we'll leave that one for a moment. Sure you don't mind? he's a good kid, five years old. In two years I can put him in school which will be much easier on the wallet. So if you like, I will cover room and board if you can do that. The day time stuff. The weekends we'll work out separate if I can swing it."
4 Dec 13, 02:28 AM
Arabelle: She nods, "I think we'll be fine for now. I don't start until the first of July so you've got a little over a week to figure things out." She shrugged, not particularly bothered. "its not like I know what to do with free time anyway, Ash. I don't mind." She glances back down the hall. "Was his mother a witch?"
4 Dec 13, 02:32 AM
[×] Asher: Nods, listening. "All right, sounds very good. And Ara?" pauses, seriously. 'Thanks. I really do appreciate it. And you." Nods again. "Yes, a few years older then me. Met her well, five years ago or so. You cold say she was slumming."
4 Dec 13, 02:34 AM
Arabelle: She raised her eyes to his and smiled. "I know you do Ash. I appreciate having a place to come home too with doors that lock." She repeats something he'd said the year before when first convincing her. She frowned, not appreciating his choice of words. She still hated it when he was down on himself, probably always would. "So I should be prepared for random magic then?"
4 Dec 13, 02:39 AM
[×] Asher: Nods, remembering his first lock statement. "That and people who will back you up when you need them. Always handy." Sees her reaction and holds up a hand "hey now, I was fifteen she was in her 20s, ther eis no other way to call it less you mention robbing a cradle." Sees and hears Max enter asking "What's a cradle?" Rolls eyes and bends down, picking him up to giggles and flipping him upside down and onto his shoulder. "It's what they put kids into to keep them locked up as babies. You're not a baby are you?" "NO!" more giggles. to her "Nah, got five more years for that I think."
4 Dec 13, 02:42 AM
Arabelle: She smiled to herself. "Right, always" She narrowed her eyes, frowning suddenly. "I call it pedo--" She hears Max's voice and cuts off mid-sentence. "Hi again Max" her face lit up. "Have you guys eaten yet?"
4 Dec 13, 02:46 AM
Asher: Catches the word she was about to use and snorts. "Truth." Turns towards the dining room part of the car as he continues to move the boy from shoulder to arms, to back like a moving jungle gym to the boy's clear delight. "I think it is snack time and maybe just maybe someone has earned some juice. What do you think, Ara?" Upside down on his back Max nods at Ara as if she should agree with eager attention. "GRAPES?!" shakes his head and stops halfway to the counter to look at her. "Automatic renegotiantion mode. Fear it. Hmm, I don't know Max, let me think about that one." winks at her
4 Dec 13, 02:48 AM
Arabelle: She taps her chin, grinning. "I don't know Ash. Have you been a good boy today, Max?" She laughed at them both. She enjoyed this side of him, it was new and different, and she felt drawn to it. She wondered suddenly what her own father had been like. Had he even known she existed? Time for those thoughts later. "Maybe grape juice?" She compromised, glancing at Max, upside down and giggling madly for approval.
4 Dec 13, 02:57 AM
[×] Asher: "YES I HAVE!" 'Inside voice max. Like inside a box," he says wincing. "Yes daddy, I'm good." Nods, sets him down in a child's chair on a stool somehow stickied on. "All right then Max, choose; juice or grapes or grape jucie? You get one of those cause we're not ruining dinner.." House elf peeks over the counter, and Max speaks directly to the elf. "GRAPE Juice, pleaseeeeeeee!" Asher turns to the house elf with a half-snort. "Okay Gerta, he's been good. A tall glass of tea for me, and ..." turns to look at Ara waiting for her to say. Gerta nods and goes under the counter with a shy 'Yes Mr Asher," while he explains "Jaiveer is taking the summer off to spend with his family and will be back by fall. Max thinks he is amazing."
4 Dec 13, 03:01 AM
Arabelle: She winced, but was still smiling. Anyone calling Asher daddy was still strange, but it tugged at her heart. "Hi Gerta, tea works for me" She nodded, smiling gratefully. She smiled, "I wondered where he was." She tweaked Max's nose softly. "Have you been keeping daddy out of trouble?"
4 Dec 13, 03:06 AM
[×] Asher: Max nods and then looks puzzled. "he hasn't left any toilet seats up all week." Asher, holding his tea from Gerta winces saying "Must be passed down from someone." clearly meaning the boy's mom. As Max started to drink his juice from a magic sippy cup (no lid, but still works the same) Asher spoke with the assurance he wouldn't hear this part. "I've had a hard lesson in what someone picks up and broadcasts. Some stuff still gets through, if it embarrasses I apologize in advance." A glance but a rough smile in his eyes show he's changing. "We're, ah, all making some adjustments still."
4 Dec 13, 03:08 AM
Arabelle: She laughs out, unable to help herself. "Well, that's good, sounds like you're doing a good job then." She gave Asher a knowing look and rolled her eyes. Max's mother sounded like a priss. "I think I'll be all right, you said I'd be running for the hills by now and I'm still--" Her eyes light up, "I won!"
4 Dec 13, 03:13 AM
[×] Asher: Shakes his head partially amused. That turns to sudden realization as she suddenly remembers and he stops himself saying a bad word twice before saying "Sugar." With a glare at the little ears who are nearby. "I've been too busy to do anything about it," motioning with his head, " but I'll let you have that one." Doesn't look thrilled.
4 Dec 13, 03:17 AM
Arabelle: She gives him a triumphant look, but then it softens. "Told you so!" She glances at Max. "I'd still like to take you though, both of you even." She leaned up, kissed his cheek, but then gave him a 'poor you' look. "You'll survive."
4 Dec 13, 03:25 AM
[×] Asher: Shrugs, glances at the boy then sticks his tongue out at her. "Daddy! You said that was a no-no." rubs his eyes before giving her a look. "Yes wel lthis time Daddy has been gotten by Ara and he can't do anything about it. She knows I don't mean it." Gives her a long suffering smile for the kiss. "Somehow. Juice done?" "yes!" "Was it good?" "YES!" "Say thank you Gerta" 'Thanks you Gerta!" She grins and nods back, clearly shy. "You know what that means?" Boy nods as Asher gets him out of the seat. "I have to be quiet." Asher beams as he holds him in the crook of the arm. "Very good! Thought we try to take a nap I think during quiet time." Max nods as they walk out Asher still drinking tea. "But sometimes I can't nap. My eyes stay leggos." Asher rolls his eyes though Ara can't see it as they head back towards the boy's room. "Someday I am going to figure out where you get that from."
4 Dec 13, 03:30 AM
Arabelle: She grins cheekily at him, and it widens at Max's comment. "Right, daddy and I are only playing Max. He's not being mean." She watches the little routine with a smile on her face. She follows the two back to the bedroom and shakes her head at Max's comment. "When you do, I want to know" she murmurs. She wondered what it would be like to discover she had a kid at this age, wasn't sure she could fathom it. She stood at the door, not wanting to be in the way.
4 Dec 13, 03:35 AM
Asher: he hears her "We all want to. Jaiveer spent an afternoon trying to talk it out of him, it didn't work." Clearing the bed with his wand, it was clear the boy watched with great fascination not resisting and putting his arms up for his shirt to be pulled off. As he pulled the sheet over his son the boy said "I'm going to learn to do that just like you daddy and I'll be amazing and people will go WOOF!" Kisses him on the cheek with his back to Ara on purpose. "I bet everything you do will be amazing, Max. That's what they will call you, Amazing Max! But right now you need an amazing nap cause we don't want to feel grumpy later for Ms Ara do we?" he shook his head no and Max patted his leg then stood, stepping out in the hall and closing the door, taking a little teddy bear switch off the wall with him. "Hear, you might as well get used to this." Walking down the hall to the lounge he tossed himself on the couch and rubbed his eyes. "It does all the sounds from the room and when you press
4 Dec 13, 03:36 AM
[×] Asher: it's belly it does a live picture of the room. Better, it monitors his health and sounds an alarm if it finds something unhealthy."
4 Dec 13, 03:41 AM
Arabelle: "Sweet dreams Max" she murmured as she turned, hesitating to glance back at the boy before following Asher out. Once they were back in the lounge, she looked from him, back to the device and back again. "I'd never have guessed it a few months ago" she murmurs.
4 Dec 13, 03:43 AM
[×] Asher: Even rubbing his eyes he knows what she means. "I know, right? Me with a kid. Already five. Still blows my mind. And even more, why did she give him up? That keeps me up at night sometimes." Looks at her as he sips tea. "See lots of changes?"
4 Dec 13, 03:45 AM
Arabelle: She nods, "he seems like such a good kid" But then, there were a lot of people who gave up good kids. "You mean other than the toys, children's books and safety devices?" The teasing glint softens. "Yes, you've obviously been through a lot since I left at Christmas, why didn't you tell me?"
4 Dec 13, 03:48 AM
[×] Asher: Looks at her. "Yeah, that's me with a father, better life, better treatment, no death, stability. That's me as I could have been." Chuckles, sips, then looks at her again as he hooks a footstool with his foot. "Would you still have come? I don't think there are words that could have captured it, do you?"
4 Dec 13, 03:51 AM
Arabelle: She looks slightly affronted. "Of course I would have come" She gives him a pointed look. "Ash, we've been through a lot over the last year, no way would I have abandoned you during something like this." Her tone, when she speaks again is wistful, and there's an odd undertone of longing. "Besides, it'll be kind of nice to know what its like to..." She sighed and shook her head as though changing her mind. "To have a kid around" she decided that sounded better.
4 Dec 13, 03:55 AM
Asher: Sighs, shakes his head. "Sorry. I don't think as clearly about some things now." Seeing her look, he nodded, getting it. "Well, for what it's worth welcome to the family. We're a rag tag group. Indian, two house elves, an A--" glares "Donkey and his kid."
4 Dec 13, 03:56 AM
[×] Asher: Chuckles. "Gives new meaning to the phrase 'want a little @ss?' doesn't it?" lays down on the couch clearly a bit tired.
4 Dec 13, 03:59 AM
Arabelle: She gives him an understanding look. "I can't imagine why" she smiles ruefully. 'Welcome to the family'...she thought, and she gets a far away look in her eye for a moment. What would it be like, she wondered if they really were a family? If Max were her son and not some stranger who cared about him so little. Surprised at her thoughts, her eyes widen slightly for a moment before she's distracted by his comment. "Hey!" She swats his leg from where she sits on the other end of the couch curled up. "Still counts."
4 Dec 13, 04:03 AM
[×] Asher: laughs. Jumps a tiny amount as she hits him. "It was a joke, goof. That boy will never be an @ss and you know it. He's too cute and sweet. I don't think I was ever that cute." Frowns a moment. "Odd though. His mom had brown hair, but he got mine and both of our eyes. How wild is it when you start wondering which side got what? Neither of us have much of a good attitude, but he's like a lamb."
4 Dec 13, 04:06 AM
Arabelle: She grins, "I know, but you looked ready for a nap yourself, thought you could use a jolt." She smiled, getting a tender look when she thought of Max. "Guess he got lucky, after all, you're adorable" Clearly meant in a teasing way due to the obvious dramatics. She straightened her legs, laying them over his on the couch. "He's young, no one's taught him anything about the world yet really."
4 Dec 13, 04:11 AM
[×] Asher: "mostly just mentally tired I guess. Raising a kid by yourself is hard, but it's something I can't give to another you know? It's got to be parent's job." Snorts at adorable. "Eh, I'll be darn lucky if I can get him into school before he picks up anything from my bad side." Shakes his head. "Long as he doesn't learn what my version is or was."
4 Dec 13, 04:14 AM
Arabelle: She nodded acknowledgement. "But you won't have to do it alone, I'll help" she points out, though only time would tell how long this arrangement would last. She would, at some point after all, like a real family and someone to love her. She resisted being drawn into those thoughts again. She had plenty of time for that later. She frowns, and getting up, she settles herself on his lap giving him a hard look. "I don't think it would be so bad if he picked up a few things from you."
4 Dec 13, 04:18 AM
[×] Asher: "Thanks. I'll need some." When she moves he gives her a curious look and then opens up his hands as if to say 'what do you think you are saying.' "Oh really now? Like what? I can handle myself because I learned the hard way, I didn't learn 'clean living' and I have to fake it for him I'm sure. hell, I don't even know what most kids need past rules!
4 Dec 13, 04:23 AM
Arabelle: She thinks a few seconds. "Like your loyalty for a start" She says after a moment, "who gives someone they knew from childhood a roof at the drop of a hat?" She paused again, "you're determined and hard working, you're smart enough to learn several new skills in a few months' time and adaptable enough to survive the streets." Her voice softens, she stands, getting off of him only to sit in the floor next to his head. "You're kind enough to be a father to a little boy who had no one else." She shrugged, "I think you're giving him a lot more than just rules, Ash."
4 Dec 13, 04:31 AM
[×] Asher: "Loyalty? That's called friendship. Holding on to the little good that was in life. As for hard work, if I thought I could get away with it I'd be lazy as hell." He didn't know what to say about the smart business; he was a Slytherin; they didn't come very dumb. "As for Max, he's mine. Call it jealousy, but he's mine. Give him a home? I'd give him the shirt off my back period. That is what is due from anyone who has a child. You do the best for what comes about from your deeds." Even though he had been a kid and a victim himself, didn't matter. " Maybe you have some right to what you say, but I see it from another angle I think."
4 Dec 13, 04:35 AM
Arabelle: "I'll take it" she told him softly. "Its progress anyway." His avid defense of being a father and what it meant...she felt a twinge of something new. She found herself leaning closer to him subconsciously, but a second later she caught it and stood quickly. "I...think I'm going to get some more tea" She searched the room for her lass, found it on an end table and picked it up. "Want some?"
4 Dec 13, 04:39 AM
[×] Asher: He gave her a look for the progress comment, not getting why that was important, but then let it slide with the tea. "Yes, I'll take you up on that, I need the energy to keep up with Mr Amazing." he closed his eyes, trying to relax his mind for a minute and thinking that he might have a little more freedom of movement with her back around.
4 Dec 13, 04:45 AM
Arabelle: She nodded, but instead of going immediately to the kitchen, she took both glasses to her bedroom first. Taking a vial of pepper up from her bag, she returned a few seconds later, poured the tea into both glasses and split the potion between each. "Shouldn't keep you awake all night with half, and it'll give us both a boost." She handed him the glass and curled up on the edge of the couch again. "What did his mother say when she dropped him off?"
4 Dec 13, 04:48 AM
[×] Asher: Gives the tea a look. "What did you do?" Sniffs it and takes a sip, decides it's just fine. "Ah. That he was mine and she was returning what she got from me. Something to him about being a good boy and then she appirated off. Real quick and a shocker. I don't know what the heck was going on, but a look at him and anyone half blind can tell he's mine clearly."
4 Dec 13, 04:51 AM
Arabelle: She grinned at him. "I didn't poison it if that's what you're worried about. Its from my stash of pepper up remember?" She sighed, "sounds like a real winner that one." She smiled softly, "couldn't deny him if you wanted to" she agreed. Max had gotten his father's blue eyes, that soft blond hair, and there had been moments today, the way his face shifted when he laughed, the tone of his voice when he had negotiated over grapes, he was Asher's all right.
4 Dec 13, 04:56 AM
[×] Asher: "Ah! Thanks, was just curious, I doubt I would have thought of poison." Actually, he did trust her that much; you had to draw a line somewhere about who was worthy and who was not after all. Spotting her studying his face he motioned towards the teddy bear. "How's he doing? When he doesn't sleep he gets grumpy and fussy early in the evening."
4 Dec 13, 04:58 AM
Arabelle: She grinned, "good." Pushing the belly of the bear, the image appeared. Max was sleeping, but fitfully. "Looks like he might be having a bad dream" she murmured.
4 Dec 13, 05:00 AM
[×] Asher: Sighs when he hears this. "sh!t. Okay, let me go settle him. You need anything else for settling just ask for Gerta, okay?" Sips some more and salutes her with the glass "thanks for this. Meet you back here in a hour or so?"
4 Dec 13, 05:06 AM
Arabelle: She nodded, "sure" and then went to go and unpack her things. Once she'd finished, she realized just how much she'd done to this room in the year she'd been living there. There were things on the walls, books and smaller things that all said one thing quite clearly: 'someone lives here'. When she'd finished unpacking, she laid out across the bed, staring at the ceiling. What in Merlin's name had that been earlier? For just a second she'd almost... She shook her head, stupid hormones. She was just glad to be back, she told herself, among the familiar, and while yes, she had missed Asher, she definitely had no interest whatsoever in kissing him. Right. Deciding to head back into the lounge with her now once again empty glass, she placed it in the sink and then stretched out on the couch with a book entitled "Tips and Tricks for New Teachers" which she'd purchased on a whim at a bookstore near King's Cross.
4 Dec 13, 01:49 PM
[×] Asher: Observation/ lounge: i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r508/shava4/Scor/train/2_zps4c225946.jpg
4 Dec 13, 01:55 PM
Asher: Compared to the living room with it's bright stripes, Asher tended to like the lunge much better with it's muted tones and long sofa. Few things could he stretch out on with his long frame like that one so when the boy wanted to play, he often steered him towards that space. Max liked the whole place, it seemed, causing Asher often to just smile with satisfaction. After he had settled him (a process which only needed his hand on his son and the nightmares seemed to stop) the nap had continued while he sat there and read and now wide awake someone was suited to being active again. 45 minutes was a good enough nap that Asher often did a big play area after such. So as he walked into the lounge and found her there reading, he nodded saying to her "pardon us, but we're going to build a city right now." Max nodded as his father put down the box and they both sat on the floor and began pulling out all the big blocks, some of them three feet long and some only five inches. As he let the boy s
4 Dec 13, 01:57 PM
[×] Asher: et out the inside ones while he laid down the barrier of the outside wall giving adults still room to walk around he said to her "I'm rather proud of this block set. There are smaller ones in the bottom, but I made this set myself for Max. It just allows you to do so much more." Most of the big pieces were two inches wide as well and Max was already running a toy car down their upright edges as the construction continued, getting distracted from the inner walls he was supposed to be making up. Asher glanced at her and shook his head amused at his son's attention span.
4 Dec 13, 02:26 PM
Arabelle: She glanced up at the sound of his voice and grinned at the still steepy-eyed little boy. She watched as they began bringing out blocks. "You made thes?" She sounds impressed, "when did you find time for...something like this?" She wonders if he did it by magic or not. She laughed softly as she watched Max's toy car race along the outside walls. "Can I help?"
4 Dec 13, 02:28 PM
[×] Asher: Shrugs "Started in the evenings with some wood from a muggle store, made a few each night before bed. It was worth it." Shakes his head as the boy sends the car up the side of the wall. "You know kid, cars don't move up." Max grinned "Mine do." Glances at her. "Feel free. I just control the exterior, the innards are all his part.
4 Dec 13, 02:33 PM
Arabelle: She covertly reached for her wand and gave it a wave, the car zoomed up the side of the wall of its own accord again. before steadying at the top. She gave him a cheeky look as she laid the book on the end table and got down into the floor. "All right Max, ready to make a city?"
4 Dec 13, 02:36 PM
[×] Asher: Nods and gets up on his knees, moving blocks around in that pattern where nothing makes sense but seems amused. Asher watches them for a minute and occasionally moving pieces in. "Kind of fascinating how the mind works in putting things together. Or not together in this case."
4 Dec 13, 02:41 PM
Arabelle: She nodded as she worked, trying for a sort of pattern. She turned to glance at Max, who seemed to be working a pattern of his own. She caught Asher's attention with her eyes and motioned with her head. "See? Smart kid." She whispered, before saying a bit more loudly to Max. "That's great, Max, very cool." The little boy beamed at her, but then got distracted by what is father was doing. He came over to watch, car still in hand.
4 Dec 13, 02:45 PM
[×] Asher: Smiles, seeing what she was doing. "Tricky girl." Looks at max "hey kido, You want a bridge?" Nods. "Show me where." Points with the car "Over there, Daddy!" Moves down and sets in the props so he can make a bridge. "That vague pointing with whatever is in my hand sort of amuses me too."
4 Dec 13, 02:51 PM
Arabelle: She grinned at him mischievously and nodded. Glancing around, she wondered if Asher had any other talents he wasn't forthcoming about. Being able to craft things was a dying art even in the muggle world. She laughed softly, "at least he can talk so its not just the pointing." She could remember helping with little ones at the orphanage who were at that age where they knew what they wanted but couldn't articulate yet, frustrating as all.
4 Dec 13, 02:55 PM
[×] Asher: "Thank goodness, I think I'd be no where near as comfortable as this. This was I can at least tricky reason. hey Max," the boy stopped moving blocks to look at his dad. "If you move that one I can't finish the bridge you wanted. or is that no longer part of the design?" Max put the block back sideways from where it had been with the certainty his father would put it how it needed to be and went back to adding a street with no access. Chuckling, Asher finished the bridge. "Five second span of attention for sure."
4 Dec 13, 03:03 PM
Arabelle: She laughed, watching them both. "I'd give him ten" she said amicably as she worked on a sort of main street. She glanced up at Asher and smiled. "Not a bad way to spend my first night back."
4 Dec 13, 03:08 PM
[×] Asher: "ha, not many people can say they have built cities and max here" easily catches his son around the waist to his broad smile " Max builds AMAZING cities, right?" "Yep!" "Good kid. Need water yet?" Nods. "Okay, be right back then, you just keep building. Ara? Anything for you?" gets up.
4 Dec 13, 03:15 PM
Arabelle: She shakes her head. "I'm good" And she was, surprisingly so actually. The pepper up had begun to kick in, and she felt a jolt of much needed energy. She continued with her mainstreet, more focused on Max than on her own building. He was such a cute kid, and seeing Asher with him touched something in her she couldn't shake. She stood carefully, "actually, I can get it if you want to keep working in here?"
4 Dec 13, 03:25 PM
[×] Asher: "No it's okay, I wanted to grab a moment for the WC" max doesn't pick up on that at all "I'll just be a second." Goes and uses the restroom, gets water and a juice for himself (wondering why that habit was starting to get to him) and returned with a sheepish smile. "Don't ask, I've been drinking a lot more of it recently." puts the water next to Max saying "here you go, Max, drink up kid"
4 Dec 13, 03:31 PM
Arabelle: She nods, settling back down, cross-legged on the floor. She smirked at the juice in his hand. "Looks like someone's a good influence" she teased lightly. She finished the main street and stood, taking a high step over the walls to view the whole effect. Not bad, she decided, not bad at all. She watched Max pick up his cup and take a long sip before returning it to the floor. He had at least temporarily abandoned his lone street, and was currently racing his car across the bridge, back and forth as though it were the most amusing thing in the world. She turned to Asher, "what I'd give to be that easily entertained."
4 Dec 13, 03:38 PM
[×] Asher: Sits, makes a face. "Just by existing. Strange how it keeps it on your mind. But mostly I get tired of just water even though I need it." Watches the building continue and sits up on the couch, motioning for her to join him. "hey Max we're just going to watch, you keep on going, okay?" "Okay..." Continues. "I know. I'm just glad to know he doesn't know what i know about the world. Right now it fits within one train car."
4 Dec 13, 03:41 PM
Arabelle: She smiles as she nods, "I'm not much of a water fan either" she admits as she crosses to sit next to him on the couch. "He doesn't have to view the world as bad ever you know. You're his father, at least until he goes to school, you've got total control over what he sees and doesn't see." When he left for school it would be harder of course, but at least he'd have a good foundation.
4 Dec 13, 03:49 PM
[×] Asher: laughs "Doesn't matter if we like it or not, we have to have it. I try to make sure he and I drink enough each day to keep the healer's happy." He mused on her words and his face got still as he thought. "I don't know. I can protect him from a lot, but other kids? He's got to socialize. Poverty? Same boat. No roots? I can only do so much, Ara. I have limits like anyone does. And those are all life changing we both know that." Muses for a moment, watching max play happily. "Worse part is I feel like if I do make a mistake it's worse then doing it to myself."
4 Dec 13, 03:53 PM
Arabelle: She smiled, "careful Ash, you're beginning to sound like a parent" she teased. She shakes her head, "not a lot you can do about the outside world really, but here..." She glances around meaningfully. "Here can be safe." She knew raising a kid had to be expensive, but she knew she'd help them both in whatever way she could. "I think, given what he's been through, all Max really needs right now is someone to love him and put his needs first" she told him. "The rest you have to take a day at a time." She understood why he would feel that way. "Makes sense" she acknowledged. "But I think you're doing fine...how long has he been here?"
4 Dec 13, 03:58 PM
[×] Asher: Chuckles about being a parent. "That just fear of a healer's wrath, not parenting." winked. Sighs and nods, sipping juice. "Thanks for the pick me up earlier, it's helping. It's just that I think all my energy is going to him instead of my own stuff somedays." Knows that may be a natural thing. "Well he's got that. How could you not love him? He's a good kid, better then his father." Gives her a long look before he admits the answer. "Five months, a week, and three days."
4 Dec 13, 04:02 PM
Arabelle: She shakes her head. "I have a hard time picturing you being afraid of anything" she tells him. He'd always tended to come off ten foot tall with very few exceptions. She turns her attention back to the boy and nods, smiling. "He's a hard one not to love, true" She agrees, "he's going to have a hard time not being chased around when he starts school." She does the math quickly when he tells her and her eyes widen. "He showed up a couple of weeks after I left then?"
4 Dec 13, 04:12 PM
[×] Asher: Snorts. "You have not seen a Healer who was protective of children much I think then. Scarey threats about knowing how you are put together." Frowns. "that's what i mean, really, I need to help him toughen up against bullies later on. He probably needs some friends his age." Hears the surprise in her voice and glances her way. "Something like that yeah. Why?
4 Dec 13, 04:15 PM
Arabelle: She grinned at him, "well at least you know he's in good hands if he's ever sick" she tells him. She shakes her head, smirking, "not what I meant Ash" she says softly. "I don't mean he's going to have to worry for bullies." She gave him a wicked grin, "I have a dance class for his age group." She doesn't want to tell him how much it still bothers her that he didn't tell her, so she shrugs, "just wanted to get an idea is all."
4 Dec 13, 04:22 PM
[×] Asher: Smiles, nodding. It was good to know really, even if the woman was fierce. Looks at her and plays dumb. "Then what did you mean?" knowing she would get after him about that, but seriously what boy below puberty wanted to comprehend girls chasing them? "Are you serious? You teach the little ones too? He's five." Sits up more and looks her right in the face. "No, something about that bothers you don't give me the brush off. Why is that important to you?"
4 Dec 13, 04:28 PM
Arabelle: She glances from Max to his father and back again, smirking. "I think he's going to have a few admirers" she informs him, sounding slightly gleeful. " 'Girlfriends' and the like." She remembered watching other little girls chase boys at the orphanage, she'd never gotten it. She nodded, "Its my first class on Saturdays, 5 yrs to to 8 years, 8 to 9:15." She grins at him, "it'd definitely get him socializing" she teases. She looks slightly embarrassed, seeming to realize she's brought it up a lot. "I um...I guess it bothered me a bit, what you said about not thinking I'd come back." It made her feel like even after all this time he still didn't trust her to be there for him.
4 Dec 13, 04:37 PM
[×] Asher: The idea of it made him twitch slightly. Like father like son... "You have to be kidding. He's a boy! He doesn't care about that kind of stuff, what are the girls thinking of?/" serious for about five seconds, then grins cause he knows what they EVENTUALLY were thinking. THinks about the dance class. "Hmm." It would have him out of the house and with Ara around as well. Interesting thought. "I might see what he thinks about that later..." He gives her a look and then pushes her arm. "Doofus! That had nothing to do with trust! It has to do with you have your own life. Why would I expect you to hover around mine? Life happens," he said motioning to remind her the kid was here. "If you couldn't hang around I'd be the worse off, but I wouldn't blame you nor would I think you had betrayed me. Why would you think I don't trust you because your life is busy?"
4 Dec 13, 04:44 PM
Arabelle: Her smile widens at his reaction. "Oh I imagine something about charming princes and such" She's looking positively amused now. She hadn't expected him to actually consider the dance class, so she nods, trying not to look overly eager. "And I promise I won't put him in tights" at least not right off. The words 'hover around' made her frown, because the image that came to mind wasn't a flattering one. She went silent, thoughtful-looking, but didn't say anything about her internal thoughts. "I told you that you could depend on me Ash, busy or not, I meant it."
4 Dec 13, 04:55 PM
[×] Asher: Charming princes! Gah. Asher made a face. 'Little girl dreams, little boy horrors." Glancing at Max and seeing him busy with the bridge collapsing out from under the car he shook his head. "I don't think he would be anything but the clueless Prince right now anyway." Tights. "Better not. You can ruin a boy's rep that way. I doubt he understands that yet." Spots the frown and instantly gets what she might be frowning about. "I know what you promise, Ara, and you know you can come to stay anytime, but when it happened..." he gets quiet a moment before he ducks his head and drinks the juice all the way down. "It was my mistake early on so it was mine to take care of now." he says very quietly. "A man stands by what he does or he's not worth anything. I appreciate the help and I might need it, but he's my issue to..." What? Fix? help? Control? He didn't know what to say
4 Dec 13, 05:04 PM
Arabelle: She nods, "right, but we can't help it, those things are drilled in from birth, even at the orphanage." It appealed, maybe even more there, the idea of a rags to riches fairytale. She laughed softly, "he's a prince all right, but I don't think he needs a princess for a good while yet." She smirked, "Ash, he's five, and he won't see any of those kids in school anyway, the school is muggle remember?" She arched an eyebrow, "I don't think he's in any danger of ruining his rep right now." She frowned, not at him but at the situation. "Ash, you were a kid, and whatever happened, its done now and here we are." She takes his hand, wraps her fingers around his and and turns, leaning in closer so she can lower her voice. "Yes, you made a mistake, but...it doesn't mean it always has to be one." She gives him a meaningful look. "From where I'm sitting, you're worth a lot. Max isn't an issue, he's your son, and I'm more than happy to help. It may be the only chance I get to..." She sighs, "to be
4 Dec 13, 05:04 PM
Arabelle: part of a family."
4 Dec 13, 05:18 PM
Asher: Thought as she spoke. "Ah so I can use the muggle school as the learning curve, good point. Easier for him to get hurt though there I think." Her words spoke to him of some sort of hope and he looked out the window across from him, wondering what to say. "I've made a lot of mistakes over time, Ara, whose to say what else might show up i can't protect him from? Is it wrong to be sort of..." he hated saying it but he wouldn't have said it to too many people. "...afraid of making things worse?" That was the worst, the fear which had been hanging over his head a long time, especially when max was asleep and he could watch him. he glanced up at her words, hearing a longing there he understood far too well. "I could adopt you, you know. With muggles you aren't legal till 21." Smiled at the thought, amused. Putting a hand on her shoulder he squeezed slightly. "You already are family, Ara, who else would I trust something like this with? Max is salvation, a chance to make things so
4 Dec 13, 05:19 PM
[×] Asher: much better then what I had, the chances both of us got. I wouldn't let just anyone be near him when so much rides on his blond locks and dimples."
4 Dec 13, 05:38 PM
Arabelle: She nods, giving him a look as if to say 'now you're getting it.' She looked thoughtful a moment, "Maybe, unless you wanted to home school him like the other pureblood families do pre-Hogwarts." She shrugged, "would give you more control over who gets to walk in and out of his life. There are other ways for him to make friends, like the dance classes or other things like that." She tilts her head, searching his eyes. "Somebody once told me" she murmured, making it clear who the someone was, "that I couldn't live my life on what ifs. Her voice is soft, and she's smiling oddly. "I'm beginning to think he should follow his own advice." She brightened, "though as I recall it that same person kissed me after, so that might not apply here." She shakes her head at him. "i'd say that makes you a good parent actually, though I'm not exactly an expert on the subject." She snorted, the last thing she wanted to be to Asher was his daughter. She pulled a face, "sorry, I don't think I could do
4 Dec 13, 05:41 PM
Arabelle: curfews and groundings" She smirked, but it fell as he spoke and her eyes flew up to his again. They were so blue, so sincere, and for a moment she just...She'd never kissed him before, had never even visited the subject again really after the one time other than to joke about it. The image came then, of the three of them, a real family, and its so real and vivid she could almost reach out and...she leans in closer, only half-aware, and presses her lips to his, a kiss very similar to the one in the room of requirement, though it lacks the same finesse.
4 Dec 13, 05:47 PM
[×] Asher: Shakes his head "I think as much as I want to control that, experience is the best teacher. It'd be better to let him soar on his own and then help him with the aftermath in school." Doesn't like giving up that control, but knows it would be better. When she quotes him he glares at her tho not without a bit of humor in it. "I think I remember that source was impeccable about being right too," and he winked then blew out air as it sank in. When she responded, he saw something in her eyes and face he had not expected and suddenly she leaned in and he realized what she must be seeing in her mind's eyes, the idea of a real family. Struck by that vision, not something he had considered before he was still thinking as she kissed him and he took a chance and threw caution out the window for a moment, Sliding a hand into her hair he kissed her with some passion though still softly, aiming to let her know it was not a mistake sh e had made, but a new possibility to be explored, savored, lived
4 Dec 13, 05:53 PM
Arabelle: She nodded, "definitely up to you, but there are still always options, choices you can make about it." She didn't want him to feel powerless in the situation, it didn't fit. She's unintimidated by his glare, even going so far as to grin at him when he does. She rolled her eyes, "pfft, he had his moments." Reality hit less than a second after her lips were on his, and she felt a moment's panic. But then, she realized, he wasn't pushing her away. He was kissing her back in a way that she felt spread through her chest. The hesitation vanished, but still, when she pulled back, she wasn't exactly certain what to say. "Wow...um...I wish I could apologize for that but..." She wasn't sorry, that was what.
Deleted
4 Dec 13, 06:05 PM
[×] Asher: "Options are always good to consider." Her snippet about moments would have made him react if she hadn't already been surprising him in another way. The kiss was different, not from her clear hesitation and inexperience during it so much as there was something deeper to it that he didn't know what to make of. As she half joked, he smiled and looked past her. Seeing Max was busy he said softly "The apology wouldn't have been accepted. But I do wonder what brought that on. Not very important now though," he said and leaned in and kissed her, stronger this time and with more direction showing his interest was more then just accidental before he slid his hand farther across her scalp in her hair. This time when he broke he didn't pull back at all, but whispered "I think we need to have a talk somewhere else."
4 Dec 13, 06:08 PM
Asher: Speaking softly he said "Gerta" and there was a poof sound behind him which got Max's attention off the bridge repair he was badly attempting. "Yes Mr Asher?" Smiling at her he said "Gerta could you watch Max for a few minutes? Not long I promise." She nodded and he pulled Ara to her feet, slipping his hand in hers and moving through the hallway to another door, opening it and motioning at the couch there.

i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r508/shava4/Scor/train/9_zps3c6e69fa.jpg

4 Dec 13, 06:21 PM
Arabelle: She turned when the elf appeared, and smiled when it called Asher 'Mister'. She looked over to where Max was watching them. He grinned at Gerta, who repaired the bridge with a snap of her fingers to Max's delight. She allowed Asher to help her up, and followed him down the hall. She nodded, still not really sure what to say, whether she should brush the whole thing off or...She met his eyes, making it clear she was waiting for him to speak.
4 Dec 13, 06:30 PM
Asher: Sitting down beside her he showed more animation then he had in quite some time. 'Arabelle, I don't know what started that back there, but you also just reminded me how kids always notice what you don't want them to. So I thought an immediate change might be necessary before he interrupted and saw something...uncomfortable for him." A half sorry apology appeared to be in his eyes, but he kept going. "I am remiss for not telling you this from the beginning, but I didn't make a move on you because I assumed you wouldn't want to be part of that aspect of my life. I still think you wouldn't care much for that because that back there was much more then just a kiss." He watched to see if she was keeping up with his thought process. "Did--" He swallowed for a moment, his eyes intent on her face. "Did you really just..." He rubbed his face with one hand finding it very hard to ask what he really needed to know. "Um. How about this, tell me what possessed you to show interest in me like that?
4 Dec 13, 06:31 PM
[×] Asher: Oh look, I CAN finish sentences." he said with heavy sarcasm, then his eyes went back to concerned, looking her right in the eyes with quite an intensity.
4 Dec 13, 06:41 PM
Arabelle: Arabelle..he never called her Arabelle. A sinking feeling found its way to the pit of her stomach. She blushed. "I'm sorry about that, I...wasn't thinking about...well I wasn't thinking." She bit her lip, "it never really occurred to me either, well, not often at any rate." She'd thought about it before, passing moments that never went farther than the occasional thought. She tilted her head, confused. "Much more than just a kiss?:" she repeated, "why would you think so?" She had an idea what he meant, but would rather have had him explain. "Did I really just what...?" Was he mad at her for kissing him? He seemed a bit at a loss himself, and that was new. "What possessed me to...?" She felt defensive. "It was just a kiss Ash, we've done it before, it doesn't have to mean anything..." If you don't want it to, she added silently.
4 Dec 13, 06:47 PM
[×] Asher: She was suddenly acting different then before and it caused him to raise an eyebrow at her. "That's what I want to hear, what started the unthinking. You kissed me back there for a reason, I could tell it was palpable, Ara, don't--" He took a deep breath eyes closed and let it out again. Reopening his eyes he picked up her hand and held it between both of his a moment looking her directly in the eyes and said rather softly "Please, Ara, for all we have trusted each other before, please tell me what occurred to you to do that. I need to know before I can say what it means to me. I'm not kidding, this is not a joke, I'm not mad about anything, but I do really need to know."
4 Dec 13, 06:52 PM
Arabelle: Of course she'd done it for a reason, she knew. It didn't mean she wanted to tell him what the reason was. As she tried to back down, she realized he wasn't fooled, and when he closed his eyes, she took a deep breath. He took her hand, and it felt small, fragile even clasped in both of his. She bit her lip, hesitated, took a deep breath again, clearly unwilling to expose this particular part of herself. She looked away. "I..." she sighed, "just thought...for a second it felt like we...you and Max and I..it felt like a family and I let myself get caught up in that idea for a second." She's blushing, looking anywhere but at him. "I know after everything that's got to sound silly but I...it was just a momentary abdication of reality."
4 Dec 13, 07:10 PM
[×] Asher: He hung on her words, sensing something very pivitol here, something very deep was about to change. It struck him that this was also going to change their friendship forever "Family. You mean, you want a family-- no wait, you would like a family like Max and me?" He hesitated. No, that kiss hadn't just been about family. She had kissed him even if she didn't realize it for more then that. This wasn't about the physical either. And something told him he had to make sure she got that fact, understood HE got that part. "I Believe you, Ara, but you know I know about kissing. I think there was more to it then just family, I think it had a lot more to do with us. You may think it's a different reality, but it's one I would like to see more of." Still holding her hand, he leaned forward and kissed her soft and long, starting gentle and building it up as he knew how to. But it wasn't just about kissing because he put a lot of emotion in it deeper then she might have expected.
4 Dec 13, 07:19 PM
Arabelle D: She hesitated, then nodded slowly. "Like you said, what's not to love?" More to it than that? She wasn't sure she knew what he meant, and it showed in her face. "About us?" She repeated, she'd been doing that a lot tonight. Was there more to her feelings for Asher than she realized? When he kissed her this time, she was very aware of his lips on hers that seemed to mute out her conflicted emotions. This kiss felt different, intense in a way that was less about passion and more about emotion. She kissed him back, slowly at first and then less hesitantly, leaning into him as her body relaxed.
4 Dec 13, 07:24 PM
[×] Asher: After she began to move with him and relaxed, he knew he had been right, there was more, even if she hadn't been aware of it. After a few moments he brought it to a conclusion and without pulling back he nodded, his eyes more cheerful then she had seen. "Yes. I definitely want to explore 'us' more. You...you are a positive in a life of negatives. And you have no idea how beautiful you are."
4 Dec 13, 07:39 PM
Arabelle D: This time it was him who pulled away, and for a moment as she caught her breath, she felt a little dazed. She definitely liked the sound of an 'us' and an exploration sounded promising. If this was what it felt like to kiss him...She shook her head to clear it. There was a little boy in the other room who would need attention soon. She looked up at him, eyes wider than normal, vulnerable. "Ash..." She seems flustered. Landon had called her beautiful, as had a few others, but hearing it from him..."it's good to be home."
4 Dec 13, 07:50 PM
[×] Asher: His smile at her words certainly showed he liked what she was saying. "It's good to have you back home, Ara, we'll talk more later I think. Gerta isn't very confident with max yet. You want to help with blocks?"
4 Dec 13, 08:17 PM
Arabelle D: She nodded, "I can. Do you know what your plans are for dinner yet?" She stood and headed for the door, stepping out into the hall.
4 Dec 13, 08:24 PM
Asher: Following her out into the hall. "Nope, but if you have an idea better tell Gerta first." The kitchen was sized for her after all so it's a bit tricky cooking in there."
4 Dec 13, 08:42 PM
Arabelle D: A comical image of trying to cook in an elf-sized kitchen came, making her grin as they re-entered the lounge to see Max trying to explain the concept of a race car to a rather confused looking Gerta. She stepped back into the mess of blocks and smiled a them both. "Having fun, Max?"
4 Dec 13, 08:50 PM
[×] Asher: As Max responded with a grin saying "Yes. Gerta doesn't know what a car is!" Gerta took their entrance for a reason to back off and with a nod at Asher she appirated away. Shaking his head he got the block box and said "hey max! Do you want to put these up now or leave it out for tomorrow afternoon?" Max seemed confused by the choice and sat there looking around for a moment as if it was too big a thing to imagine.
4 Dec 13, 08:59 PM
Arabelle D: She noticed the boy's confusion. "Why don't I help you put these away and we can build a whole new city tomorrow?" Max nodded enthusiastically. "Okay!" She started picking up blocks, thinking it was probably better to do it this way than with her wand.
4 Dec 13, 09:03 PM
Asher: Grinning at her quick solution, he let them gather all the smaller ones from the middle and began collecting the big ones to one side, Max handing them both blocks. In a few minutes they had everything packed in, big blocks on top. "Hey Max, why don't you show Ara your toys and pick one out for now while we wait for dinnertime?" He nodded and hopped up, grabbing her by the hand to lead her down the hall (though all he caught was two of her fingers with his little hands)
4 Dec 13, 09:04 PM
[×] Asher: Meanwhile Asher stashed the box in the corner and then got Max's glass and went and refilled it.
4 Dec 13, 09:55 PM
Arabelle D: She bent down awkwardly, grinning. When they reached his room, she saw several more cars and a pile of stuffed animals. He held one up to her. "You can hold this one if you want." It was a rabbit with lopsided ears and she took it, holding it close. He brought her a book, one she recognized, Babity Rabity. "Can you read?" He asked. "Daddy is teaching me, but it's hard." He wrinkled his nose at her and she laughed. "Want to read it together?" She asked, wondering if it would hold his attention long. "YES!" Max nodded enthusiastically as he climbed into her lap on the floor. She had a bit of trouble balancing him, the rabbit and the book, but she managed.
4 Dec 13, 10:02 PM
[×] Asher: Coming down the hallway, he heard her voice and stopped, listening for a minute, hearing his small tenor against her alto. He stepped just close enough forward to see into the room where she sat and admired the moment, finding what he felt earlier to be stronger. When he was noticed he stepped in, squatting beside them to hand his son the water motioning for him to drink and letting his hand fall on her back as if to balance, but mostly approving.
4 Dec 13, 11:01 PM
Arabelle D: Max noticed Asher before Arabelle did. "Daddy!" He scrambled out of her lap as Asher squatted down. She felt his touch at the small of her back and she smiled up at him. "He was reading to me" she told him, and then, softer, "Ravenclaw" she grinned at him.
4 Dec 13, 11:07 PM
[×] Asher: As Max came to him and he swept him into a hug he handed the boy the water and while he drank he raised an eyebrow at her. "Did he really? More then thirty percent of the words you think?" Asher had noticed the boy had his letters but he hadn't been hitting all the words yet so they were working on them awkwardly. But he was five after all. "So you were reading huh?" the boy nodded while drinking sloshing the water in the glass as Asher winced. 'Very Good! And Mr Hot Buns likes her? Imagine that..." he said with a grin.
4 Dec 13, 11:31 PM
Arabelle D: She nodded with a conspiratorial smile at Asher over the Bo's head. "Twenty-five" she corrected. "He's having a little trouble with vowels" she murmured. "But he did a great job" she added, louder. The boy nodded at Asher "yes daddy, Mr. Hot Buns wanted to read rabbity too." She shot him a disbelieving look. "Mr. Hot Buns?" She mouthed.
4 Dec 13, 11:31 PM
Arabelle D: Boy's*
4 Dec 13, 11:39 PM
[×] Asher: Nodded, pleased to see max had someone else to challenge his reading. "Hey sounds good, kido! You keep doing so well it really will be amazing!" Max looked really pleased and grinned. At her question, Asher tilted his head and said "He didn't have them all named so I helped. Mr Hot Buns happens to really like nice warm curvy--" sees her look and grins wickedly "buns right from the oven. Doesn't he Max?" Max nodded and sat back down in her lap again, Asher catching the glass before water went everywhere. "He does! They're sucky." Asher quickly spoke "Succ-u-lent." with a half smile.
5 Dec 13, 12:35 AM
Arabelle: She shook her head, a rueful look on her face. "Of course you did" Her eyes widened as he continued to speak and she reached around Max to swat at him. "Ash!" Then he finished and she sighed. "You're incorrigible" she informed him. She laughed softly at Max's response then turned to narrow her eyes at Asher, "sounds like someone else i know."
5 Dec 13, 12:40 AM
Asher: Grinning, he wondered how he had gone so long without adults he could speak with! Kid talk was going to drive him nuts by himself. "You know me, I was naming toys and feeling a bit...well incorrigable and needed to do something to keep sanity. "Daddy? What's In coribobble?" Looking him in the eye he said "A kind of pastry, but we don't find it around here so don't worry. You don't need to remember them." Flashing her a look he responded with "Oh like you would know, silly one, now you are the one being silly."
5 Dec 13, 12:47 AM
Arabelle: Her expression softened only slightly at his grin. She shook her head. "I'll bet you were" but she'd have to cut him some slack. It must have been tough living between work and parenting by himself for nearly six months. She glanced at Max when he asked the question and then at Asher when he answered. "Right, the messy kind that's hard to make" She stuck her tongue out at him over Max's head. She would have crossed her arms, but she was still holding Max in her lap. "Tell me I'm wrong" she countered, smiling up at him cheekily.
5 Dec 13, 12:53 AM
Asher: "Very messy, we don't want to make Gerta's life harder do we?" Max shook his head, cleary used to Gerta being part of the family. "No we try to be nice and easy stuff for her. Did you pick a toy yet?" As Max turned to toys he stuck his tongue out at her as well. Most of the toys in the room were actually wooden except for a few of the cars.
5 Dec 13, 01:02 AM
Arabelle: She shook her head, standing as Max got out of her lap to go and pick a toy. While he was occupied, she turned to Asher, "you know if he takes Mr. Hot Buns to school with that story he's going to end up with a councilor" she pointed out, smirking. "If you're good, I'm going to go change into something a bit less..." She motioned to the skirt, "dressy."
5 Dec 13, 01:06 AM
Asher: Looks a bit iffy. "I don't think I'll be letting any stuffed animals leave the house anyway, quick way to get targeted." Holding up both hands he said "hey, naming things is the most I'm doing with an underaged audience, you should feel quite safe. Heck about half the time he sleeps in my bed when he has a nightmare."
5 Dec 13, 01:15 AM
Arabelle: She laughs, "just pointing out the obvious" she tells him as she heads for the door. She pauses at the door frame. "I feel safe anyway, Ash" then frowns when he mentions Max's nightmares as she turns the corner and heads down the hall for her room. She reappears a few minutes later, looking much more comfortable.
5 Dec 13, 01:22 AM
Asher: "Good cause you are." As Max chooses a wooden spaceship (which he had made with magic after seeing it online) they headed into the hallway just as Ara came around the corner. "Much more relaxed, I approve." Max went quickly landing the ship on the chair and then both the little figures getting out to go exploring. Asher watched and then turned to her. "Mind, if you do decide to do something, just work it out with Gerta, but I take it you are going to relax first?" Seems pleased about that

s3files.core77.com/blog/images/ain03.jpg

5 Dec 13, 01:30 AM
Arabelle: She smiled to herself, but didn't answer when he spoke. She felt much better dressed in the muggle jeans and t-shirt she'd chosen. "Actually" she started, watching Max with the spaceship. "I think I may trust Gerta's instincts for tonight. Relaxing sounds pretty fantastic about now." She'd spent the morning on the train and then part of the afternoon in London before she'd come to find them. The pepper up had taken the edge off, but the idea of standing over a stove half her size and cooking without magic was a bit more than she could fathom at that point. "I'm sure she has it under control anyway" she added smirking. She eyed the space ship, remembering what he'd said about the blocks. "Did you make that one too?
5 Dec 13, 01:36 AM
Asher: He nods, thinking it's a good idea. "After a day of travel it's always better to take time off. Even just riding in this thing, Max needed two naps cause too much facinating stuff happened outside as we passed. Mind you, this is far more relaxing then most train travel." A glance at Max as he sat down on the couch and he nodded. "That one with magic, a few of the others once I had seen them online. Most of the rest I made half by hand and half without. Just takes time." He was mildly proud his son had such good toys and it cost him so much less then just buying them
5 Dec 13, 01:41 AM
Arabelle: She curled up on the couch, looking thoroughly at peace with the world. "They're great" she praised, "you've really got a knack for it looks like." She bit her lip, "have you thought about making them to sell?" She felt the tension go out of her shoulders as their conversation and the events leading up to it had been pushed aside for now.
5 Dec 13, 01:48 AM
[×] Asher: Looks at the spaceship with some pride, but knows his limits. "I can't use the designs, people made them up, though I guess I could find a way to enchant some some day. Mostly it's copying other people's work easier. Whenever I find a new one I just take a few days to make it for the future. I have a box of them set aside for the future." Notices she seems very relaxed and smiles, liking that
5 Dec 13, 01:56 AM
Arabelle: She nods, "true, but you could dream up your own if you wanted couldn't you?" She knows however that that isn't for everyone. She yawns, smiles softly, "I'm still kind of amazed the internet hasn't found its way into the wizarding world somehow."
5 Dec 13, 02:03 AM
[×] Asher: Shrugs. "I guess I could try, it's not my type of creative juice though. But I might give it some thoughts." He laughed. "My grandfather found it fascinating so had it installed in the train. Let me know if you need to use it sometime." Time passed with getting caught up on stuff, dinner, putting a rather sleepy boy in his pjs and into bed but it wasn't till he had read him asleep that he realized they had been carefully avoiding the subject till Max was off in dream land. Stepping into the lounge he chose the seat on the couch right next to her and raised an eyebrow as if to say 'you or me first'?
5 Dec 13, 02:14 AM
Arabelle: It was certainly different. She'd adjusted to living with him over past months, but adding a child to that routine proved a unique experience. She had sat on the edge of the bed while Asher read to Max, and then gone to unpack the rest of her things. When she returned, pajama-clad and once again tense, knowing what was coming. She sighed, motioning with one hand that he could go ahead, she needed to get her bearings.
5 Dec 13, 02:24 AM
[×] Asher: Nodding he looked at her pjs and smiled. "Okay so, I was wondering if you might want to have a date night sort of? A night where we spend time getting to know each other better and no more of this hiding stuff. I have no problem getting a babysitter for a night, because you will be saving me a lot of money on daycare" he laughed softly. "because I do want to explore this and see where it goes. And I doubt you want to do it by just hopping in the same bed." Sticks his tongue out at her. "Though it would get past the hesitations and nerves right off the bat."
5 Dec 13, 02:29 AM
Arabelle: She smirked, not even dating and the start of this conversation had the feel of a middle-aged married couple. He mentions getting to know each other and she arches an eyebrow that clearly says she wonders what else there is to know after all this time, but she appreciates the effort and she nods. "Sure, date night, we could do that." She almost asked if he'd be picking her up, but decided to pass on it. The strangeness of the situation amused her. She was aware this situation stood to be a bit precarious, and so she shrugged, shaking her head as she laughed softly. "Good guess" The thought of going to bed with him was downright intimidating actually, but that wasn't something she was willing to share. "Who's nervous?" She tried to joke, wanting to lighten the mood of the conversation.
5 Dec 13, 02:37 AM
[×] Asher: Smiles. "Okay any particular day work best? Like, your day off or the day you work mornings and we take the night off?" As she laughed at his comment about bed he shrugged and said "Ah well, it had to be asked." Then she made the mistake about asking nerves. Grinning now he suddenly leaned over and kissed her cheek before looking her straight in the eye close up. "You are trying to hide it, but it's easy for me to see." he pulled back and chuckled " alot of teens spend their time worrying over the physical when they should be wondering more about personality clashes. So it would iron those difficulties right out, but we can do this the long way too."
5 Dec 13, 02:41 AM
Arabelle: She gives it some thought, "Saturdays or Sundays would work best for me" she says after a few seconds. He seemed so calm about all this, and she felt incredibly on edge. She pulled a face at him, "I'm not nervous...I'm..." She searches for a word, knowing she most definitely is nervous but disliking his ability to read her so easily. "Processing" There, that would work. When he kissed her on the cheek, the skin warmed, it was an exceptionally chaste gesture for him. "I just don't know much about how this all works, and especially with Max to consider..." She didn't want to screw anything up, for either of them. "You seem like you're starting to figure things out and I don't want to complicate anything for you." There, that part at least, was out.
5 Dec 13, 02:49 AM
[×] Asher: "Well we can let it happen on one of them, that way if I get a chance at some evening work we don't have to move thigns around much." processing? He pursed his lips to let her think she had it. "Max will see you in the mornings and me in the afternoons. having us both gone one night in a week won't complicate things for him . He is only 5 after all; he has a lot to learn first. And if you like family, it will give him time to adjust to you being around all the time too." And he suspected being around Max a lot would have her interested in being closer to him faster as well.
5 Dec 13, 02:54 AM
Arabelle: She nodded, "right, doesn't have to be set in stone." His schedule, after all, was the one they had to worry about working around. She was grateful he let the moment pass without pushing her further on her nerves. She could almost feel her pulse in her ears. She nodded, smiling at the mention of Max. That little boy was quickly finding his way into a place she hadn't ever allowed anyone to touch. And he seemed to soften more toward him by the hour. "You've got a point" she acknowledged softly, Still, all the discussions they'd ever had about long-term commitment and people not being made for it came to mind. She bit her lip, not sure how to bring those up. "Are you...sure?" She realized how vague that question was and sighed. "I mean...sure you want to do this?" Whatever they might say, if they decided to go through with this, and it didn't work, even if they stayed friends, it wouldn't be the same.
5 Dec 13, 03:07 AM
Asher: An agreement with him was good and helped assure him he was headed down the right trail. Then she found an old log blocking things. Metaphorically. "Arabelle. I want you to listen carefully because I'm not going to keep repeating this. You are intelligent, clever, industrious, and d@mn determined. What's more you didn't give up on me and actually got a bit irritated I hadn't called you before now. You are so far above any other woman I have known and yet, despite me being a ....grown up burro sometimes" he smirked " you seem to like my company. That's not just unusual for me, that's rare in my life. I already liked you enough to avoid trying to sleep with you to -- well pass the time. I didn't want to cheapen our relationship back then, still don't. I'm going to do this right if I can, you deserve more then that from me. And when you made that move today you...surprised me." he fell silent for a moment only, as if taking a breath. "You changed something there. You proved to me
5 Dec 13, 03:08 AM
[×] Asher: something I can't explain truthfully. But you already put yourself above every girl I know. And that's not an easy thing to do. SO am I sure?" He grinned at her and held out a hand to her to take hers standing up. "Pulling her to her feet, he put his hands around her waist as if to dance a slow dance and said "Pretty d@mn sure."
5 Dec 13, 03:14 AM
Arabelle: She sighed, nodding understanding. She wasn't sure why his interest was hard for her to wrap her mind around. She knew he'd been with more people than she cared to think about, maybe that was it, she couldn't fathom coming out on top of a list like that. She narrowed her eyes at him "still counts" she repeated when he found another way around their bet. She smiles then, sudden and amused. "Ash, I wouldn't have let you take me to bed to pass the time then and I wouldn't be here now if I thought you'd try" she pointed out. She smirked at him, "though if I'd known kissing you was all it took to get your attention I might have tried it ages ago." The humor fades though, as he pulled her to her feet, and she looked up at him, surprised. They hadn't danced since school and even then not often, it just wasn't his thing, and she understood that. Rather than go formal with it, however, she laid her head on his chest and closed her eyes, a deep breath and an exhale. "Okay."
5 Dec 13, 03:19 AM
[×] Asher: Nods at both her comments, though the 'counts' one was the one that made him smile. "Kissing isn't what did it, Ara, I forget how little of it you have had." He touched her at the chest but not low enough to cause a reaction. "This is what did it, your putting feelings into it as you did. Anyone can kiss, but it's the emotions that come across which make the impact. and you did without thinking about it. I did something that got that reaction from you." When she puts her head on his shoulder, he did start a slow dance, once of those ever so simple round about things slowly. "Thank you. Just for being you because that's who I want to know more."
5 Dec 13, 11:13 AM
Arabelle: From anyone else, she'd have said they were just being nice, but Asher wasn't the time to say things like that just to say them, at least not in her experience. She shook her head, smiling at him. "I already think you're a good man Ash, when you' choose to be." She'd never seen him the way he saw himself, and she hadn't put much stock in the rumors either. Maybe that was naive, in fact it probably was, but that person just wasn't who she saw when she looked at him. She glanced in the direction of the hallway where she knew Max slept. "Though you are definitely that." Her smile was teasing this time. This dance felt a lot like something one might do at school, and it was by far one of the simplest things she'd ever done, but the fact he'd done it without being asked meant it might one day be one of her favorite memories. She raised her head off of his chest and looked into his eyes. "I think you may find that problem a bit easier to solve than you think."
5 Dec 13, 12:27 PM
Arabelle: type*
5 Dec 13, 01:55 PM
[×] Asher: Chose to be. Well, maybe that was true. He certainly didn't choose the way his life had gone as a child which set him against the world, but there was some good buried down he guessed. She was just one of the rare few people to activate it. "I tend to be more sarcastic and acidic, I admit. The rest is well buried usually." He snorted softly at the nod down the hall; he certainly seemed to produce good kids at least so maybe it was a twisted version of genetics. "We'll see. It's more a matter of working to suppress certain things then pushing others to the front."

[Shava]

5 Dec 13, 02:02 PM
Arabelle D: She smiled up into his eyes. "Or you could be yourself. I promise I can take it." She wasn't worried about sarcasm, acidic or not. She had a fair amount of it herself.
5 Dec 13, 02:08 PM
Asher: Looks a bit worried. "Promise you won't be easily offended? Cause I can be straight to the point form my view which most people don't seem to see."
5 Dec 13, 02:38 PM
Arabelle D: She nodded, "promise" she assured him. Then laughed softly when he spoke of being straight to the point. "Ash, I've been working in bars since I was fifteen. It takes a lot to get under my skin."
5 Dec 13, 02:41 PM
Asher: With a grin, Asher nodded. "Agreed then." and then she laughed and he shook his head. "It is amazing what some people will believe isn't it? I've never heard so much bullsh!t in my life then in the bar..."
5 Dec 13, 03:33 PM
Arabelle D: She pulled away, keeping his hands so she could pull him to the couch."I told you, didn't I?" She smirks, "what do you think of stereotypes now?"
5 Dec 13, 03:37 PM
Asher: Let's her lead for the moment. "Yes, you did. And those types do exist, though there is a lot of variety. But I can see why you find the men annoying." Sits down on the couch.
5 Dec 13, 03:40 PM
Arabelle D: She smirks at him skeptically. "So you never got propositioned? Not once?"
5 Dec 13, 03:42 PM
Asher: Looks at her wondering why she wants to hear he did. Curious, he nodded. 'Maybe twice so far. I thought the women might not be so bad as the guys though. They were persistant I must admit. One of them kept hanging outside waiting till i got off work."
5 Dec 13, 03:46 PM
Arabelle D: She makes a face. "That's a little creepy", she murmurs. If she was honest with herself, the thought made her a touch uncomfot
5 Dec 13, 03:46 PM
Arabelle D: Uncomfortable. She frowned . That was new.
5 Dec 13, 03:47 PM
Asher: Shrugs. "Finally got her to quit after the bouncer took her home and got suckered into her bedroom. She was much drunker then expected, probably went somewhere else before us."
5 Dec 13, 03:54 PM
Arabelle D: Her eyes widen, and the frown fades. "That's awful" She glances around oddly. "Seems almost too quiet doesn't it?"
5 Dec 13, 03:55 PM
Asher: Shrugs. "Yeah, she was a bit freaky. hope she is too embarassed to come back or maybe won't remember it." Pulls out the bear and checks. "It's like that for a short time after he goes to bed, but he looks alseep so far. I'll probably check several times tonight."
5 Dec 13, 03:59 PM
Arabelle D: She nods, "I just meant in general really. Guess I'm still used to dorm noise." It seemed odd to think she wouldn't be going back.
5 Dec 13, 04:01 PM
[×] Asher: Nods. "Ah well that. We're off on a side track for long term storage and there isn't much activity back here. It stays fairly quiet most o the time which is fine by me." Slips an arm around her shoulders and says "Missing school? Or is it having your own room which feels strange?"
5 Dec 13, 06:35 PM
Arabelle D: "A little of both I think" she admitted. She wasn't sure she'd ever get used to space of her own. The more cynical part of her couldn't help thinking it might be better if she didn't . Still, when he wraps his arm around her, she leans into him, pulling her legs underneath her. "Are you working tomorrow?"
5 Dec 13, 06:42 PM
Asher: Can see that. "Change. It's been a constant for so long Hogwarts felt secure. I got that. Well this place is more secure in that it can move with you, just depends on income. A moveable house is a handy thing. But it does take getting used to." He nodded. "I still have him scheduled to go to daycare though. So take a few days off before you start maybe, enjoy a bit of time to get set for school. Don't you have to make lesson plans or something or go check in with them?"
5 Dec 13, 07:34 PM
Arabelle D: She glanced around, then paused as something struck her. "Are you still planning to go to Russia?" When he spoke of lesson plans, she nodded, sighing. "I've started them, but I still have work to do for the younger ones." It made her smile. "A few days would be nice, but I feel weird having so little to do." She glanced around again, looking for something she might make a project of tomorrow.
5 Dec 13, 07:38 PM
[×] Asher: There was a hesitation in his face as he looked at her and his words came slowly. "Well, it's like this. Before Max came along I was thinking of it, but then I thought maybe I should wait till we've settled, you know? And now you are here and I wonder if it wouldn't be better to figure us out first and you get a grip on your job. Maybe..." he saw her glance around and an idea struck him. "You'll have time off at some point whne there are not so many clients, right? We could possibly go then. But if you think there is something you need to feel like doing..."
5 Dec 13, 08:23 PM
Arabelle D: She nodded as he spoke. "Probably not a bad idea" she agreed.she smiled, "I'm sure we'll figure something out" she told him. She tilted her head, looking interested. "Do you need something?"
5 Dec 13, 08:30 PM
Asher: WHile hearing her agree was fine, it was her tilted and suddenly interested look which caused him to think his idea a rather entertaining one. After all she did have more experience in the area then he did. "Well, since you know the area so well anyway, you should be in charge of the first date as to where we go and what we do. Surely you will have enough time to pick a non-bar scene for us? I can home from work and we can go take on your plans. I can arrange a babysitter for tomorrow afternoon..." He grinned at her
5 Dec 13, 08:45 PM
Arabelle D: Her eyes widened slightly, wherever she'd thought he was going, that hadn't been it. "I...yes I'm sure I could think of something." The idea of being just the two of them for a night had its appeal, but the concept of an actual date without Max for distraction made her nervous.
5 Dec 13, 08:50 PM
Asher: He felt a bit evil surprising her like that with such a thing, But she had said he could be himself so she shouldn't be surprised, right? And she could hardly blame him if something went wrong this first time. She'd be more 'bought into' the whole date as well since it would be her creation. "Excellent, I'll consider that all taken care of then. I'm sure anything you arrange will be more fun then anything I might think of." Seeing her nerves he smiled to himself. "Maybe when we both have a steadier income and schedule we can take Max along for a family thing. But right now I think we need to go a few times first."
5 Dec 13, 09:00 PM
Arabelle D: She new instinctively she'd been had, but really, how hard could it be to plan a date? She was about to snark at him when an image of the three of them flashed across her mind. "What time should I plan for?"
5 Dec 13, 09:03 PM
[×] Asher: "Oh I get off by five, but sometimes something comes up, should be home by fifteen after though, five thirty at the latest. Most days I'm back by five ten with Max as well. If you need me to pick up anything while I'm out, just ask Tigby to drop me a note. He knows how."
5 Dec 13, 09:08 PM
Arabelle D: She sighed , exhaled slowly, and then ran her fingers through her hair. This whole thing was a lot to absorb in one day. "So 6 should work?"
5 Dec 13, 09:10 PM
Asher: "Depends on how fancy you want me when I get back. If I have to put on layers it might take me a bit to dig them all out." He laughed. "Normally I should be good pretty quick, babysitter we can drop Max off at. She wouldn't understand the train business."
5 Dec 13, 09:15 PM
Arabelle D: She pictured him in a tux, seemed to realize it wasn't something she had seen before. "I was thinking more laid back" she promised. "Have you ever actually played tourist out here?"
5 Dec 13, 09:21 PM
Asher: he relaxed; fancy dating wasn't something that fit him too well but figured she would want it eventually. She was female after all and in his mind that was sort of inevitable. "Tourist? No, I don't have a camera. I know the ways to get from here to where I need to go. It's not like I have any time to do much exploring" he said holding up the teddy bear
5 Dec 13, 09:25 PM
Arabelle D: She nodded, but she was smirking. "Seems a shame to live in one of the most beautiful places on earth and never see it." She looks thoughtful, "maybe that's what we'll do then, and you wouldn't even really have to change after work."
5 Dec 13, 09:29 PM
[×] Asher: he frowned at the mention of beautiful place and said quite to the point. "It's a city. They only get so beautiful compared to the wild." Raises an eyebrow. "Uh oh, I smell plotting going on..."
5 Dec 13, 09:32 PM
Arabelle D: She met his eyes, grinning. "Hey, putting me in charge was your idea" she pointed out. "Don't tell me you're backing down?"
5 Dec 13, 09:33 PM
Asher: winks back. "I'm not backing down, just thinking if you get too sneaky I get to decide the next date." Smiled back
5 Dec 13, 09:39 PM
Arabelle D: She crossed her arms and gave him a cheeky look. "We'll, that's what you get for surprising me, Ash." She rolled her eyes when he winked at her. "Incorrigible" she repeated.
5 Dec 13, 09:49 PM
[×] Asher: "ah true," sets hand on his forehead pretends faint "how horrible that i should be so treated." Sits back up and laughs. "I'll deal, but it's fun to watch your face."
5 Dec 13, 09:55 PM
Arabelle D: "Fun to watch my face?" She makes a silly one. "What d you mean?"
5 Dec 13, 09:56 PM
Asher: "When I surprise you of course. You make good faces when I catch you off guard." winks
5 Dec 13, 10:01 PM
Arabelle D: She sticks the tip of her tongue out at him and crosses her eyes. "How's that for a face?"
5 Dec 13, 10:02 PM
[×] Asher: Wishes he had a camera. "Ah if I only had a camera, I'd frame that one." Grins.
5 Dec 13, 10:05 PM
Arabelle D: "I'm extremely glad you don't then" she rolls her neck, closing her eyes when it cracks. "And here I was thinking I was done with long train rides."
5 Dec 13, 10:11 PM
[×] Asher: Leans his head back on the couch back. "Well yes at the moment we're not going anywhere," knowing what she had meant but going with this anyway, "But train rides are fun, never dull, and always take you new places. Ask Max, he can't get enough of them because he still believes in adventures."
5 Dec 13, 10:20 PM
Arabelle D: She nods, "nothing wrong with believing in adventures at any age" she says softly. "As long as there is one to be had. She stretched out, laying her head on his lap so she could see his eyes. "Is your grandfather still around?"
5 Dec 13, 10:22 PM
Asher: Thoughtfully he sat there before he spoke. "Funny thing is, when you have a kid around you start realizing, or maybe remembering that everything is an adventure. He certainly dreams up things i would never have thought of." He was a tad surprised when she put her head in his lap, but didn't object at all. "Yes. He prefers being old. I suppose I have to tell him at some point he is a great-grandfather, but I hadn't really wanted to."
5 Dec 13, 10:29 PM
Arabelle D: She nodded, pleased that Max was helping to shift Asher's perspective some. She frowned. She had actually managed to avoid meeting the man so far. "Do you have to tell him?" It seemed deceitful, but Ara's opinion of the man was shaky at best, and the idea of him judging Max the way he'd judged Asher angered her.
5 Dec 13, 10:32 PM
[×] Asher: He was quiet for a bit this time before he answered. "Yes. It's not about right, it's about him knowing before he dies that the boy he took in does better with his child then he did with his grandson. Besides, Max is a bright and cheerful boy. I wasn't." He scowled, pulled out the teddy, looked, put it back.
5 Dec 13, 10:39 PM
Arabelle D: A pride thing. She sighed, and had to actively resist the urge to pout. It was also, she realized, a meeting she likely wouldn't be present for. She wasn't sure if Asher had mentioned her at all. So instead of arguing, she said simply, "when?"
5 Dec 13, 10:43 PM
Asher: Sighed. "Sometime, I don't know when I keep putting it off. I need to do it and others will probably think I did it because it was right for him to see his line continue. I don't give a d@mn about that, but it'swhat people will say. But I have to tell him to stay away from the kid and that's going to be harder."
5 Dec 13, 10:49 PM
Arabelle D: She took his hand, brushed her thumb across his knuckles. "Are you going to tell him about his mom?"
5 Dec 13, 10:59 PM
[×] Asher: He looked down into his lap at her, holding his hand and messing with it as woman always seem to be attracted to doing and he knew what he wanted to say. It was plain as day actually so there was no lack of honesty he told her "I'm hoping to replace her before then. It's none of his business."
5 Dec 13, 11:02 PM
Arabelle D: She looked up at him, distracted. Was he that serious about...? She but her lip. "So I...would have to meet him then?"
5 Dec 13, 11:03 PM
Arabelle D: *bit
5 Dec 13, 11:04 PM
Asher: His eyes never looked away. "If you want to. Or I can just tll him you don't want to meet someone like him. It would be your choice."
5 Dec 13, 11:12 PM
Arabelle D: She hesitated, taking several seconds. If this was about pride and image for him, having a complete family to show his grandfather would be better for him. She took a deep breath. "I'll go" she said finally. "I'll feel better that way anyway."
5 Dec 13, 11:16 PM
Asher: A slight flush showed in his cheeks at her word, but otherwise he said nothing. Slipping an arm under her back he raised her up, letting himself go sideways so they came up level face to face. His eyes were smiling, but they didn't need words. Asher kissed her not with any intenisity or guile, he simply kissed her with thanks and gratitude and did so for a very long time. And when he pulled back slightly, with both of their faces flushed, he whispered "Thank you, love, Max and I would be delighted to have you."
5 Dec 13, 11:16 PM
[×] Asher: And he wasn't necessarily speaking about the trip they had just mentioned.
5 Dec 13, 11:26 PM
Arabelle D: She was a bit surprised by his reaction, but surprise quickly melted into a warm flush that spread through her, tension from the day ebbed quickly and when he pulled away, her eyes were softer and she smiled warmly. "You're welcome, Ash." Her voice was just above a whisper. It amused her that they were going on their first date tomorrow, and as she leaned up to brush her lips over his again, she pulled away slowly. "Guess we're going to have to do things a little backwards."
5 Dec 13, 11:29 PM
[×] Asher: His eyes were good humored, maybe a touch of something else from his inner thughts, but he could be excused for being used to having women in his lap for those thoughts. "True. But doing things normal was never our way either. That's boring that is. Jumping to the good parts when you know everything else will happen isn't so much backwards as sensible really." he winked, but this time in a 'we both know the truth' sort of way. It included her.
5 Dec 13, 11:34 PM
Arabelle D: She arched a playful brow at him, "and we know everything else will happen because...you're psychic and forgot to mention it?" She teased lightly.
5 Dec 13, 11:38 PM
[×] Asher: "Now now," he said with amusement looking at her, "That sounds too close to psycho." with a laugh. "Let's just say if it didn't got that way it'd be a real shame cause I can see some pretty fantastic thing s happening, especially ones for Max.".
5 Dec 13, 11:45 PM
Arabelle D: She wondered then, if his decision had something to do with finding a mother for his son. Not that she minded that idea. It appealed on several levels, but it was something to consider. However, this wasn't a moment she was willing to ruin. Besides, she was a bit distracted for the moment by how good kissing him had been. "I already knew you were crazy, Ash." She tried to cover her distracted thoughts. "No harm there."
5 Dec 13, 11:50 PM
Asher: Running his free hand across her cheek, he stroked it through her hair, partly because it felt nice and partly because it felt good to feel possessive. Not that he had the right to be so outside of this moment, but this conversation was on an edge where some things might be allowed for awhile. "Mental. Totally. And I know why, but we'll save that for after the first date at least. Those aren't going to be plesant conversations." His hand came down to rest on her other shoulder, keeping her there lightly as he kissed her again, this time with more passion and clear desire in it, letting her know the way he was thinking at least. "People off their rockers are very fun to play with you know, never dull."
6 Dec 13, 12:03 AM
Arabelle D: He brushed her cheek and she tilted her head, enjoying his touch. She nodded when he spoke, unwilling to push. "Whenever you're ready" she agreed. "I'm not going anywhere." He kissed her more intently and she responded, moving her lips against his as anticipation began to build. Merlin but he was a good kisser. She made a soft sound in the back of her throat, caught somewhere between a moan and a sigh. "You" she told him between kisses, "are definitely never that."
6 Dec 13, 12:08 AM
[×] Asher: He grinned in the kiss, glad to know he was not dull. when next he took a short break it was to move so he was up, kneeling, and then sliding onto the couch on the outside of her, bending over her so if she lay back he could follow her down instead of being pinned. "Too bad it's not raining, but I think we can make do." This time from this side he was able to kiss her deeper, exploring her lips, her mouth, even exploring with his tongue, building up the impression without as much thought, his mind busy with the taste of her and her openness to his touch.
6 Dec 13, 12:17 AM
Arabelle D: Getting the gist of what he wanted, she laid back, entirely focused now on the sight and smell of him, the taste of him in her mouth. Nothing in her realm of experience had prepared her for this feeling. She pressed herself to him, arching to mold her body to his. Her mind half-gone, she couldn't seem to remember all of the reasons this was a bad idea. What she lacked in experience she made up in desire. She had never wanted anyone this much. Consequences be damned.
6 Dec 13, 12:21 AM
[×] Asher: When she began to press herself against him he did feel a momentary sadness for her that her other lovers had been so bad as to miss elementary kissing technique, but he covered it fast. Now he went for deeper kisses, running his hand down her form in her t-shirt where he might not have touched before, working alll the light touches he could, testing her extent of excitement and pleasure.
6 Dec 13, 12:39 AM
Arabelle D: How was it possible to be so aware of someone who was barely touching you? In theory, her experience with Landon had been similar, in practice it was so very different. Landon had touched her hesitantly, as though afraid she might break. The way Asher touched her gave her the distinct impression he was holding back, and it instinctively made her want to push him further. He was driving her crazy! But, unfortunately, she had no idea how to go about seducing someone. She made a frustrated noise even as she squirmed underneath him.
6 Dec 13, 12:49 AM
Asher: Hearing that frustrated sound had Asher mentally chuckling and uping a point on her invisible score board. She wanted him to go faster? he would oblige but not the way she was thinking. Sliding his arms under her even as he kissed her, he broke the kiss off as he hoisted her into the air, bouncing her very slightly to get his arm under her knees easier and then met her lips as she turned to him snogging her again. "Action huh? Not here." and he walked for the door to the hallway, Passing to the first door, he kneed it opened, taking her into his room, closing the door behind him with his hips as he stopped to kiss her again, and stepping around the freestanding wardrobe to set a knee on the bed and then lay her down on it, following her down with a kiss...

i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r508/shava4/Scor/train/5_zps5f0b08af.jpg

6 Dec 13, 01:01 AM
Arabelle D: He lifted her, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, distracted long enough to blush at his comment. She knew where they were going without having to look. When he laid her on the bed, she felt anxious for a moment, but then he was kissing her again, and it faded in the face of several more powerful feelings. Some part of her protested this, but all she could here was his voice in some distant memory telling her not to 'knock it til she tried it'. If this was being wrong, it was d@mn underrated.
6 Dec 13, 01:06 AM
[×] Asher: A flick of his hand near the door and the door locked; he didn't have the time for doing it the hard way. As he kissed her he lay down with her, his pelvis rubbing against hers . As the kiss entered deep seduction, he got hold of his own shirt and pulled it up, waiting till they took a breath to slip it ovr his head in one swift movement before kissing her throat, making his way around to the hollow between neck and shoulder. A second experienced wave and he lifted one leg and then replaced it to do the other and his pants came off easily, a trick learned long ago. SLiding his hands under her shirt and spreading his fingers, he began sliding them up and when enough was clear he kissed her belly bending down and then followed his hands up as they scored the best part.
6 Dec 13, 01:16 AM
Arabelle D: She barely noticed when his clothes started disappearing until she felt his hands sliding up and over her bare skin. Her eyes closed and she but her lip as she moaned softly. When she opened them again, she realized he was near-naked above her and she paused for a moment, wishing the light was better. She arched her hips, sliding her shorts over them with relative ease and then grinding against him in return.
6 Dec 13, 01:20 AM
[×] Asher: Gliding up he slipped his hand into each side of the bra drawing her out and lowering his lips to each and using his tongue. he felt her movements and moved with her, making it as easy as possible for her to do what he would have in a minute anyway! With her shirt rolled up out of the way under her neck and her chest exposed, he shifted his weight to be on one side of her as he slide his hands down and stroked her between the legs once, twice, and then the third time sliding along her skin underneath the only remaining garment left.
6 Dec 13, 01:30 AM
Arabelle D: She's intrigued by the newly exposed skin, raises up to kiss his jaw, trailing down over his throat as his hands find their way lower. He brushes her just as she reaches his shoulder and she gasps, muffling her reaction in the curve of his neck and arching her hips reflexively. "A-ash" his name comes out shaky as though its the only thing she can think to say.
6 Dec 13, 01:35 AM
Asher: As she gasped his name out loud he let up on her chest and moved up at the same time, he slipped his finger up and down saying to her "Almost there, Ara," and he kissed her, sliding his leg up her inner thigh just before he inserted his finger, with quite a bit of anticipation he wouldn't need it for long seeing how she was reacting
6 Dec 13, 01:46 AM
Arabelle D: She nodded, had to work not to close her eyes as her muscles tightened. She wanted to see his eyes, but focusing on anything was getting harder as her breathing became ragged. She tensed, barely registering the sound of his voice even as she managed to nod. "M'hmm" she mumbled against his shoulder as she reached up, clutching for anything that might make the sensations less overwhelming. Every muscle was tight, and her glazed eyes were dark with anticipation.
6 Dec 13, 01:51 AM
[×] Asher: Sliding a hand under her he lifted her long enough to remove the last piece of clothes and his own with his hand wave he took her raised leg and held it up, slipping down between her legs as his finger came out. Putting her leg straight up and kissing her thigh, Asher moved inward and teased her lips himself as he watched her face, seeing her reaction and delighting in it before he lowered her leg onto his shoulder and took it down somewhat with him as he slid inside, an inch at each stroke, feeling her leg muscles tense on his side and relishing her loss of control, heightening his own excitement.
6 Dec 13, 02:00 AM
Arabelle D: It was so hot, and she could feel the sweat beading on her skin. When he entered her, she moaned again, only barely managing to remember the little boy down the hall. It took less than two minutes for her to come undone, going tense as her eyes squeezed shut and she but her lip hard to keep from crying out as she peaked. In the aftershocks she whispered
6 Dec 13, 02:01 AM
Arabelle D: only three words: "you were right."
6 Dec 13, 02:07 AM
[×] Asher: Experienced, Asher had very much control over what was happening from his end, and it wasn't long from his entry till the bloom appeared on her chest as she tried not to cry out. he went into a slower mode, keeping up the plesauring as she went into the ultimate, hearing her words and kissing her in return. As she reacted in pleasure he whispered back to her "Love, the night is just beginning..." and began increasing his rhythm after she seemed to be near the end of hers. There would be no way he was stopping for her till he had brought her over the cliff at least twice to make sure she never wanted to second guess her decision tonight to be with him as much as possible. When (eventually) he approached his own she was relaxed and welcoming and moving with his every thought so that his own was fierce, overwhelming and in no comparison with any other man she had ever been with before.
6 Dec 13, 12:26 PM
Arabelle D: When it was over, she found it difficult to work up the desire to speak, much less move. She felt completely relaxed in a way she wasn't sure she ever had before. She rolled over to face him, expression somewhere between dazed and awed. She had no words for what she had just experienced, what he'd given her. There was no room in this moment even for the doubts that might come later. She knew people normally made professions of love at moments like this, whether they meant them or not, but she had never said those words to anyone, and she wanted to be certain of them when she did.
6 Dec 13, 04:06 PM
[×] Asher: Running his hand over his face, he rolled onto his back, sliding his arm around he back so she could lay on his shoulder or chest with her head if she wanted. His hand slid down her back below her waist and just lay thre holding her as he kissed her forehead. "Well." he said, sort of at a loss for words himself because he had not been expecting this tonight, nor anytime so soon if at all. "You surprise me greatly, woman, I'm not sure what to say for once so that's another point on your side..."
6 Dec 13, 04:23 PM
Arabelle D: She laid her head on his chest, then raised it to grin cheekily at him when he spoke. After a moment, however, she but her lip and sighed. "This wasn't exactly part of my plan for the day either" but it wasn't like they could undo it. Truthfully, she wasn't sure she would have. Shifting, she stared at the ceiling. "So, we're keeping score now?" She asked with a smile in her voice.
6 Dec 13, 04:26 PM
Arabelle D: Bit*
6 Dec 13, 04:27 PM
[×] Asher: "Pfff, you don't plan moments like that, i just wasn't expecting you to be so interested suddenly. Maybe I was too charming?" he said with a grin, knowing she would get him for that one. "Hmm, on some things maybe. You did tell me I was right so I think I only have a point or two on you so far. I'm willing to wipe the board if you agree this is going to make things much easier. After all, no more nerves now I should say."
6 Dec 13, 04:32 PM
Arabelle D: She snorted, "right, that was it." She grinned. "A point or two" she agreed, still smiling. He'll, he had earned it. She hesitated, "I guess not" her tone was slightly softer. "Not for this anyway." This part, all in all, was easy. It was the rest that would prove tricky.
6 Dec 13, 04:38 PM
Arabelle D: Hell*
6 Dec 13, 04:38 PM
[×] Asher: "Good, then we can say this was definitely a good thing for both of us." He patted her rear softly and added "I know it doesn't solve everything, but it does make the playing field a lot smaller. That will help a lot. I am glad you agree with me though. There really is nothing like it without the spark " And it really did change everything; she would understand that easy enough now!
6 Dec 13, 04:44 PM
Arabelle D: "You don't have to convince me, Ash. I was there remember?" She laughed softly, "hope you weren't planning on much sleep tonight."
6 Dec 13, 04:47 PM
Asher: Smiles, hearing in her voice she liked it much more then she had realized. "None at all, if by saying that you mean you are ready for round two..." Chuckle and his other hand came over to push her hair back from the side of her face some.
6 Dec 13, 05:43 PM
Arabelle D: She buried her head in his chest and mumbled something unintelligible. When she raised it again, she rolled her eyes at him. " not so fast."
6 Dec 13, 05:45 PM
[×] Asher: Shaking his head he smiled at her. "Sweetie, you were the one making frustrated sounds about my speed. I would have taken a lot longer normally as you can tell by the aftermath."
6 Dec 13, 06:09 PM
Arabelle D: She blushed, but also looked somewhat surprised. She wasn't accustomed to anyone who lasted more than a few minutes at most. She smirked, "tomorrow then?"
6 Dec 13, 06:17 PM
Asher: Smirking back he leaned to her ear and whispered "That, my dear, will be in about fifteen minutes. I can go check on Max if you need some time though." he chuckled.
6 Dec 13, 06:23 PM
Arabelle D: She nodded. "Fifteen minutes" she agreed. She needed something to drink at the very least. She sat up and started looking around for her clothes.
6 Dec 13, 06:37 PM
Asher: getting up, Asher crossed to the closet, pulled out a fluffy white bathrobe and threw it to her side of the bed, then pulled on his underwear and a t. Slipping out the door, he went to his son's room and sat down beside him on th bed Sitting there with his hand on his son's back, feeling him breath reminding him so much of what all he needed to do, to change. And now there was someone who might be able to help him do that.
6 Dec 13, 06:39 PM
[×] Asher: Struck by both the possibilities of what could be and even more frightening for the young man, what he would have to do he sat there nearly the full fifteen minutes before he stirred.
6 Dec 13, 06:55 PM
Arabelle D: She wrapped the robe around her body and padded out softly behind him. Deciding water would suffice, she drank it slowly, and then headed for Max's room. What she saw as she stood in the doorway tugged at her heart. He would, she was certain, make a much better father than he anticipated.
6 Dec 13, 07:00 PM
[×] Asher: When he stirred, he turned and then saw her. Giving her a rueful smile he stood and stepped back in the hallway, closing the door behind him. There was a mix of emotions going on in his head, but tonight was not the time for them. He shoved them aside, locking them away for the later time after work. Slipping an arm around her middle he pulled her close and just held her a minute, tightly to him before he let go, but kept his arm around her waist as they moved back to his room. "So, first time you saw my room I think. Not bad for an orphan is it?" he purposefully chose a subject away from the child's room or the hug.
6 Dec 13, 08:20 PM
Arabelle D: She sensed from the moment he looked at her that there were emotions warring. When he pulled her close, she stayed silent, wrapping her arms around his waist and standing there, content in his embrace until he loosened his hold. When he spoke, she grinned. "Not bad for anyone" she answered, but mine is better."
6 Dec 13, 08:24 PM
[×] Asher: he held up a finger as they padded back towards his room. "You may not have noticed due to being distracted" he winked" but mine has a full bath and internet so I have you on that part at least." he grinned and opened the door for her
6 Dec 13, 08:50 PM
Arabelle D: She walked past him into the room before turning back. "Really? Show me?"

i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r508/shava4/Scor/train/6_zps2601d195.jpg

6 Dec 13, 08:56 PM
[×] Asher: Turning right instead of left he passed the couch with th view and opened the frosted glass door letting her step in to see. The tub was decently deep behind the door with the toilet on the other side of the shower. Maybe not huge and roomy, but by train standards very nice. The computer was just before that and he shrugged. "The old man liked muggle stuff, though he was not very good about passwords it seems." Catching her around the waist he whispered in her ear "Would madam like a demonstration of how roomy a shower can really be?"
6 Dec 13, 09:29 PM
Arabelle D: She looked around, impressed. She laughed, turning to face him and pressing her palms to his chest. She leaned in, raising her face to his but not quite meeting his lips. "If Monsieur would be so kind." She switched to French entirely.
6 Dec 13, 09:35 PM
[×] Asher: Smiling, he gestured behind him and the lock clicked. "If Madam would be so kind as to step inside I shall enter and show her the wonders of how a space can really be used!" he said also in french before stepping forward behind her and shutting the bathroom door. "Let me begin before the shower by showing you some of the features of the space" and he removed his shirt, displayed it, and then hung it out of the way on a rack above the tub and then did the same with his underwear before the rack slid back into the cabinet hiding both. With a smile as any stageman, he motioned for her to turn around and reached around her waist and untied the robe, sliding his hands up her form as he kissed her neck softly, moving up behind her ear as his hands came to her shoulders and gripped the fabric quite lightly to remove it for her...
6 Dec 13, 09:52 PM
Arabelle D: She did as he asked, looking very amused by the whole thing. She ran her hands up from his waist over his stomach and then his chest. Leaning up, she brushed her lips over his. As she turned to get out of the robe, she shivered when his lips brushed her neck. "I guess I'll be putting all that pepper up to good use after all."
6 Dec 13, 09:57 PM
Asher: Sliding the robe down off her arms, he endeavored to somehow turn it into a caress of her body as he did so before turning and hanging it behind his head and turning back to run his hands down her sides as he kissed his way down the other side of her neck, sensually. "Oui Madam, but perhaps this time we will move more slowly as you requested." Sliding his hands around her hips to the front, he brought them slowly up, caressing her inches of skin like an artist viewing a magnificent portrait. Moving his lips around her jawline he waited till she turned her head to kiss her, long and slowly.
6 Dec 13, 10:11 PM
Arabelle D: She took a step back, closing the distance between them. Her skin warmed under his fingers and her eyes closed. She turned, her lips finding his, and as she pulled away, she nodded. "The pace is yours to set, Monsieur."
Smiling as their lips parted and she muttered quietly permission, he stepped up behind her and sliding both hands around her waist, guided her hips forward, trying to ignore the solider trying to get his attention below. "I believe I spoke with Madam once about rain and how delightful kissing in it can be. Not quite the same here as the clothing is already gone, but the idea is about not caring what gets wet as they say." Shutting the shower door behind them, Asher kissed her in the break of neck and shoulder while reaching out one hand and turning on the water flow below, putting one foot under it to test temp and adjusting till he had a very lukewarm water running. "The warmth, as they say, should come from your partner and your enjoyment of their total exposure to you..."

[Shava]

BEGINNIG THE CHANGE TO BEAUX

[Shava]

12 Dec 13, 07:12 PM
Asher: becomes more awake, finds soft flesh pressed against his arm, opens eyes and looks around, seeing a variety of glittery stuff tossed to the side, slowly sits up, lifts the sheets and looks underneath evaluating, decides she's not too bad. gets a black magic markers, pulls the sheets back and writes her a note and phone number with a date on her inside thigh, hides marker as she stirs. They make out for a bit when she wakes up and dresses in the dark and Asher in pj bottoms and robe and tussled hair sets her out the side door with a kiss so she can appirate back home. Walks into the kitchen tapping the smell off him with his wand to get some expresso from Gerta, slides into a dining room table for a few minutes, hands around a cup, robe partially open at the top..
12 Dec 13, 07:44 PM
Arabelle: She appears a few minutes later, clad in shorts and tank top. Seeing him as she passes the table, she smirks. Asking Gerta for tea, she returns a moment later, mug in hand. "That's not the one you left with was it?"
12 Dec 13, 07:50 PM
Asher: Inhaling the smell and holding it there, he had only take a sip or two of the strong stuff when she came by. he looked up at her, shook his head with a smirk and said "Nope, her father was there, he took her home later."
12 Dec 13, 07:50 PM
Asher: (Fortunately while they had slept the train had carried them on an all night postal delivery back to the area they both worked in)
12 Dec 13, 08:09 PM
Arabelle: She shakes her head at him, still smirking. She notices the exposed skin but tries to ignore it, thinking he'll probably always be too attractive for anyone's own good. She takes a long sip. "Are you working tonight?"
12 Dec 13, 08:13 PM
Asher: "Well this one kind of threw herself at me, so I caught her." Shrug. Finishes off the strong drink and puts it down, rubbing his face with his hands to wake up more, give it time to work in. "Yep, this afternoon late. You?"
12 Dec 13, 09:37 PM
Arabelle: "I'm sure" she rolls her eyes. "I have the late shift at Duncan's, but I managed to get off tomorrow. Not much traffic on Christmas Eve down that way, and no class until after the New Year." She smiles.
12 Dec 13, 09:39 PM
[×] Asher: he smirked at her comment, but glanced out the window same time as they were now on a slightly different set of tracks. "Wow, lot of time off. Need a few nights work let me know, the bars are expecting a lot of extra drunks. I have to work the Eve afternoon, but I'm off before the evening shift and off Christmas day, then we're busy again. Want to do anything for the eve?"
12 Dec 13, 10:14 PM
Arabelle: She nodded. "That would be great actually" she said softly. She hesitated when he spoke. "I...hadn't thought about it really. I'm not used to...being in one place long enough." She bit her lip. "Did you have something in mind?"
12 Dec 13, 10:18 PM
[×] Asher: 'Well then come with me first when I go to work and talk to the boss, I'll give you the high sign of course. It's the least I can do," he grinned. he shrugged. "Not in mind specifically, but it will be Christmas, the only decent day we ever had back in the school. We should try and do something special and remember those days."
12 Dec 13, 10:26 PM
Arabelle: She nodded, gratitude clear in her expression. "All right, what time again?" She got a slightly nostalgic look, "true. All right, we'll think of something." She needed to talk to Gerta actually, some time today. She grins, "so how was it?" She asks, referring to the ball.
12 Dec 13, 10:30 PM
[×] Asher: Nodding he said "Noon." And he knew he would need to think of some ideas, maybe he'd ask around at work. And he knew what she meant but it was too easy a straight line to resist. Giving her a raised eyebrows with a naughty eye he said "A little tight, but it wasn't her first time so it went--" he ducked, laughing.
12 Dec 13, 10:43 PM
Arabelle D: She made a mental note. "Okay, noon it is then" She knew from the look his response to her question was going to be bad. "Ash!" she had to resist the urge to throw the cup at him, and might have done it if it had been empty. "Way way too much information" she gave him a dirty look.
12 Dec 13, 10:48 PM
[×] Asher: he came back up, hands held out to catch her hands if she tried to hit him, but smiling around the words he said quickly. "Just a joke, just a joke, it wasn't like that, but you did leave that question a bit open." Smiling, he corrected the error and reported, leaning back and gave her details from costumes to the rooms and the decorations. He mentioned Sarah on the dance floor with a couple of people and the fact she had managed to get back at the guy who was interested in her. He gave good detail to make up for his earlier transgression.
12 Dec 13, 11:01 PM
Arabelle D: She laughed, "you're grounded" she murmured, but then listened avidly as he spoke in detail about his night. "It sounds incredible" she murmured, "I wish Beauxbatons had done a Christmas ball this year, but I probably would have missed it anyway." She shrugs in a 'what can you do' sort of way.
12 Dec 13, 11:05 PM
[×] Asher: A sigh and he nodded as well. First one I've been to outside of school in I can't remember how long." He sat there, thoughtfully for a minute. "Do you want to do something Christmasy or something muggle like? I mean we can always just bring stuff back here, but I suddenly wonder about what Christmas would be like without strangers."
12 Dec 13, 11:16 PM
Arabelle D: She nods, understanding the comment. "It would be strange wouldn't it? Just the two of us?" It sounded uncomfortably domestic in her opinion. She'd already caught herself feeling a bit like a wife from time to time, best to stay away from anything that might bring those impressions.
12 Dec 13, 11:23 PM
[×] Asher: Shaking his head he said "I don't think you understand what i meant. I meant most of my Christmases have been with strangers, people I have never felt close to. I was wondering what it would be like to have a real Christmas."
12 Dec 13, 11:36 PM
Arabelle D: "Ah" She nods, "you're right, I was thinking you were talking about the orphanage" She tilts her head, "Real Christmas? You mean like in the movies?"
12 Dec 13, 11:38 PM
Asher: Shakes his head. "No, those were okay, but it stil was, well, a lot of strangers, not anyone you know, close." he waved a hand at her, tilting his head. "How long have we known each other, Ara? And what have we ever celebrated? We meet each other, go on with our lives, meet back up-- hell this time we're even in the same place and time and yet we've never had an occasion to be happy for life. What's wrong with us?"
12 Dec 13, 11:50 PM
Arabelle D: She pauses over that thought for a long time. "Never really...had time I guess" she says softly, looking thoughtful. "Most holidays I'm working or resting from working or..." She shrugs, "I never really thought about it much before honestly." She raises the mug to her lips, taking another sip of her tea. "I...am not unhappy" its a weak defense at best. "I don't think there's anything wrong, Ash, we just live differently than most people" Still, the thought makes her sad, and it shows.
12 Dec 13, 11:58 PM
Asher: Listens without interuption. Reaches out and takes her hand, not in a lovers way and puts it between his looking her in the eye. "Then at least once, let's celebrate. Just us. We're about as close to being family as either of us really has or cares about. Let's, for once at least, be family for something good. Celebrate being together. I promise, no hanky, no panky, just family."
13 Dec 13, 12:05 AM
Arabelle D: She meets his eyes when he takes her hand. The idea is appealing, the idea of actually having someone to spend Christmas with. Actually, even the idea of just not being alone. She laughs, "does that mean we'll have no additional guests for Christmas?" She gives him a cheeky look. "Is that my Christmas present?"
13 Dec 13, 12:12 AM
[×] Asher: laughs softly and shakes his head. "All right, no more visitors. I promise." But he shook his head again and said "Oh no, you have a present as well, but we'll say this is the one from before Christmas. A Sinterklaus special."
13 Dec 13, 12:16 AM
Arabelle D: She laughed, looking maybe mildly surprised. "I do?" She grinned, "so do you, but if you hate it there's no taking it back." She raised her mug, "Joyeux Noël, Ash"
13 Dec 13, 12:21 AM
Asher: He laughed and it felt good, not something he was used to feeling a lot. With that thought, he lifted his empty mug and saltued her back. "And a very Happy Holidays to you, Arabella! May it be filled with memories!" and then he set it down and went and got two glasses of sparkling grape juice and brought them back, handing hers to her and showing her how to link their arms so they were each drinking a sip while their arms were looped. 'Always wanted to do this. I wish you the best of all things, Ara. may good luck follow you all your days, my home is always open to you, my smile will always be at your arrival, and my help in down days eagerly given."
13 Dec 13, 12:29 AM
Arabelle D: She accepted the glass, beaming at him. "Its getting there" she said softly, she looped her arm through his, laughing so much she almost dropped the glass, but she quieted as he spoke. "Asher..." She sighs softly, smiling warmly back at him. "May your life be filled with as much happiness as being here has brought mine, may you always know there's someone in your corner when you need it, and may you one day understand what a good man you are." She tilted her head, "so long as we're toasting."
13 Dec 13, 12:34 AM
Asher: Drinks the juice down then slides back into the booth on the other side. "Thanks, Arabelle, I don't know yet what we will do, but I suggest we both bring back what we think would be fun after work. Sound okay?" Puts arm down on the table and rests his head on it looking at her, clearly still wishing he could go back to bed and knowing he could not.
13 Dec 13, 12:49 AM
Arabelle D: She nods, "I can do that" She grins at the look on his face. "Time to pay the piper, Ash." She takes pity on him a moment later. "Potion or more caffeine?"
13 Dec 13, 12:50 AM
Asher: "Yeah I know. I got to get a shower soon. which seems ridiculous since I have to deal with drunks." waves a hand no quickly "No no potion, maybe caffene though. yeah, might be smart."
13 Dec 13, 12:57 AM
Arabelle D: She waves him off, laughing to herself. "Go get your shower, I'll cook something up for when you get out."
13 Dec 13, 01:00 AM
Asher: brightens. "Really Ara? you sure?" When she nodded, he got up with a relieved smile scratching his bare chest and said "Thanks! I appreciate it, I do, maybe the hot water will keep me awake too." Stepping out of the hall he went back to his room and went to the shower with a change of clothes.
13 Dec 13, 01:02 AM
Arabelle D: She watched him walk away for a moment before she found her way to the kitchen. "@ss" she murmured too softly for him to hear as she began working her way through the cabinets to make an exceptionally strong espresso drink. She thought about what he'd said and about their plans. For the first time, maybe ever, she was truly looking forward to Christmas. She had someone, a friend. For this year at least, she wouldn't have to be alone.

[Shava]

OLDER

[Shava]

9 Apr 14, 12:39 AM
Asher: Hearing the bell, Asher walked out of the bedroom in his shorts, opened the owl-cote on the back porch of the moving train and got the message, telling the owl to wait a minute as he saw Gerta coming with some owl treats. Shuffling back to the bedroom, Asher slid in next to his wife where she was reading and opened the letter, putting his head back in her lap as before as he held the letter upside down to read it. "It's from Aiden, pretty short."
9 Apr 14, 12:44 AM
Arabelle: She paused in her reading of ''A Witch's Guide to Medical Mishaps, and eyed her husband curiously over the top. "Everything all right?"

9 Apr 14, 12:46 AM
Asher: As he read a curious look came onto his face. "Seems to be. He wants to bring a girl back for the week after Christmas. Ally." Puts letter down on his chest clearly thinking about it. "Interesting."
9 Apr 14, 12:50 AM
Arabelle: "A girl?" Looking surprised. She settles the book next to them and sighs. "Is it that age already?" She shakes her head. "I guess I hoped he'd stay little forever" she muses.

9 Apr 14, 12:53 AM
Asher: Snorts. "I think he passed that age awhile ago, but he's mentioned her before, hasn't he? She's that wild one who never sits still or something?" They both knew their son never spoke about girls with that voice, just friends

9 Apr 14, 12:57 AM
Arabelle: "That does sound familiar" she says after contemplating it a moment. "They've been friends a while if it is the one I am thinking of. I wonder why he's only just asking now..."

9 Apr 14, 01:00 AM
Asher: Shrugged. "Not sure. But a whole week. He knows we don't really have a guest room. Do we bunk her with Celeste or the couch or..." he hesitated, wondering what sort of relationship his son was involved in with the girl. His eyes looked suddenly pensive. "He does know the charm, right? Did we teach him?"
9 Apr 14, 01:06 AM
Arabelle: She looks thoughtful for several seconds. "The couch might be best if she is staying that long" she observed. Her eyes widened. "The charm?" She searches her memory. "Did you not teach him?" Because she was fairly sure it had never occurred to her. "A string of less-than-polite French followed. "Maybe they are only friends" she suggested softly. "He has never seemed to pay much attention to girls that way" a slight sigh. "Not like his brother anyway."

9 Apr 14, 01:09 AM
Asher: Biting his tongue about Max he nodded. "I don't remember mentioning it actually. He didn't seem to be trying to hide anything in their room. It was always Max's stuff we found." And maybe that was the problem. "I guess the couch would be best. She surely would know he had a sister there same time. DO we try to keep them separate or so? It would be hard to do in the apartment..."

9 Apr 14, 01:11 PM
Arabelle: She smiled oddly. "I am not sure how we would manage very well that way" she agreed with his unspoken thoughts. "If she is as wild as...free-spirited as she sounds, we are going to have our hands full."

9 Apr 14, 02:44 PM
Asher: He frowned deeply thinking. Then a thought occurred. "Unless. Unless this is his hostel." His face softened as he looked up at her (though the frown was still there) "Maybe he sees in her what he is not and knows he needs it in his life." One hand came up to caress a cheek, rough fingers soft.
9 Apr 14, 04:08 PM
Arabelle: He spoke, and his fingers brushed her face, causing her eyes to close for a moment and the smile to soften. "It is possible" she murmured, and one hand moved into his hair gently. "I just hope it is not too much for him to handle."

9 Apr 14, 04:51 PM
Asher: "We all have to learn sometime." The smile was in his eyes as the frown ceased. "Still, I think we'd both better be paying attention to him before Christmas. And I'll make sure he knows the charm.
9 Apr 14, 05:07 PM
Arabelle: She nodded, her mind drifted back over that first night and she smirked. "I still remember the look on your face when you walked in" the smile widened slightly, became amused. "You did not recognize me" she accused teasingly.

9 Apr 14, 05:29 PM
Asher: Now he smiled slightly. "No, the girl I had a crush on had gone from pretty to gorgeous. Can you really be surprised still how much we had both changed? You were giving me the eye still an hour later..."

9 Apr 14, 11:18 PM
Ash: He quirked an eyebrow. "Oh really?" A few nasty french curses slipped out as he put a hand over his eyes. "I've heard her name before, thatshe seemed fairly wildly erratic in what she likes to do and that she is a friend. That's about it. Now this."

9 Apr 14, 11:44 PM
Ara: She laughed, she couldn't help it. "I wonder what the French word is for double standard" she murmured, seemingly idly. She grabbed onto the subject. "Wildly erratic, and you're sure this is the same girl our son wants to bring home?" She couldn't picture it, but then she wouldn't have pictured she and Asher under different circumstances either. She gives him a knowing look and a poor attempt at innocence. "Now what?"

9 Apr 14, 11:48 PM
Asher: "Not double standard, dearheart, but the idea of a 12 year old girl who is suddenly into boys makes any father get nervous. She's my baby, those are my boys." He noded to her other question, not sure what to do either. "Not sure. Is he trying to tame her or is she trying to wake him up? That's the real question..."

9 Apr 14, 11:58 PM
Ara: She nods, still looking amused but now at least making an attempt to hide it. "And she is very capable of taking care of herself. I have made sure of it." She brushes her fingers over his cheek. "I am very certain Aiden will not let anything happen to her, you know how protective he is." She smirked. "probably both" but closely followed by a sigh. "Maybe it will be good for him. I worry he is too serious for one so young." Ironic coming from either of them, but the circumstances were different.

10 Apr 14, 12:02 AM
Asher: Gives her a look. "Only if you give him a heads up on what is going on which she asked you not to. So being they are different years entirely I think I see a flaw there." Nodding again he muttered "If she kicks him into being more outgoing I'd kiss her myself. He is way too quiet most times. SO I guess we have to wait and see what their interaction is like. It will be super easy for her toget to his room or vice versa though."

10 Apr 14, 12:09 AM
Ara: She just smiles. "There is a difference between telling him who she likes and telling him to keep an eye on her and anyone who might be getting close." She looks mildly pleased with herself. "I worry about her too you know." A mock-affronted look with dancing eyes. "Will you now?" and then she nods again. "If there is one thing I remember from being that age it is that you cannot stop two fifteen year olds from doing with is in their heads to do." She gives him a pointed look. "So I think our best bet is to make sure he is prepared."

10 Apr 14, 12:16 AM
Asher: "Chuckles. "Sneaky, but good logic. I can leave that to you?" Seeing her look he rolled his eyes. "On the forehead, dear," with an exasperated way but knowing he is being messed with "I have only interest in one woman who still reminds me of a teenager, no others." Nods, remembering. "Right, I will have a talk with him at the beginning of the break I think. Enough time for it to sink in aheaad of time."

10 Apr 14, 12:25 AM
Ara: She nods, "I have things under control, and I will keep you as informed or uninformed as you like, darling." She laughs softly, "just make sure he's kissed her first, it would not be right for you to kiss her before he's gotten up the nerve to do so." She is clearly enjoying the humor of this situation. At his teenager comment, she rolls her eyes, shaking her head at him. "Tell that to my muscles will you?" She grimaces, rolling her neck. "I had to take over a rehearsal yesterday, and it was not a smooth one." She leans down, kisses him softly. "I think that is a lovely idea" she agrees. "All settled"

10 Apr 14, 12:30 AM
Asher: Sighing at his wife's teasing, Asher gives her a sarcastic look. "All right, good point." Slips an arm up and around her waist as he lies there looking up at her. "Sorry, I thought you were saying the other week how much the youngsters needed a pro to show them how it's done. Need a back rub?" He kisses her back and gazes up into her eyes as he stays lifted up a moment. "Still wishing your babies hadn't grown up? We can always give you another to play with if you like..." Winks.

10 Apr 14, 12:34 AM
Ara: Immune to his apparent sarcasm. "I know" she murmurs, then sighs. "They do. Some of them are not taking the upcoming tour nearly as seriously as I would like. I may have to cancel the first show." She looks very unhappy about this. After considering a moment, she nods. "If you promise to behave" she gives him a mock-stern look, but her tone is not even slightly serious. "Or not to behave, but you must choose one or the other." She grins when he winks. She is about to tell him she's quite finished with diapers and 2am feedings, when she stops. "Actually..." she bites her lip, a rarity now that she's older. "Possibly..."

10 Apr 14, 12:38 AM
Asher: Looks concerned. "Oh that sucks." Looking pleased at the answer he adds "Behave only if you want me to, love, you know that." But then her other words make him raise an eyebrow. "Oh really?" There's a silence. "Something occur to you then? Something change? Because after Celeste was born you seemed quite content for her to be the last..."

10 Apr 14, 12:43 AM
Ara: "It really does" she agrees softly. "Most of them are fine, it is just one or two, but I cannot afford to replace them so late." She grins, "I was hoping you would say something along those lines." She stretches out, still on her back for the moment. Turning her head to meet his eyes, she hesitates. "I do not know if occurred is how I would put it" she answers. "But I...would like another girl maybe. " She takes a deep breath. "I do not know, I have been thinking lately it might be nice to...slow down some."

10 Apr 14, 12:52 AM
Asher: Getting up so she can lie down he is about to move to reach for her shoulders as she turns her head towards him. "Ah, I see. Well love, let me tell you how I feel about this." Lying directly beside her he kissed her with a hand on her back before saying "I'll always love the idea of more of you around, those beautiful eyes looking back at me even if the next one runs me ragged. There is nothing so precious as you. I would be delighted to have more if you decide you do. But don't rush yourself. We can always tellthem they injured you too much and they have to step it up with me behind them with a wand waiting for the first slackard." He grinned and moved to kneal beside her on the bed

10 Apr 14, 12:59 AM
Ara: She listens, quiet for several seconds. Kissing him back, she lingers a moment before she breaks the silence. "Always so poetic, Ash" Thinks of the ragged part, "well, sort of." She rolls onto her side and kisses him again. "I do not want them thinking I am...wearing out?" But the image of him holding her dancers at wandpoint makes her lips twitch. Rolling onto her stomach, she keeps her eyes on his. "Sometimes I cannot believe we are here, sometimes I cannot quite remember how we managed..."

10 Apr 14, 01:03 AM
Asher: He smiles. "Only with you, Ara, only with you." He kissed her back. "Ah, so beyond feeling like you would like another daughter, it would also give you an excuse to ease them into doing more of the work for you. Very nicely played my dear." He gripped her shoulders and began there, a simple backrub but he had known her long enough to learn all the spots to work on with her.

10 Apr 14, 01:11 AM
Ara: She smiles, knowing that's true and enjoying the thought. "It does that, yes" She smirked, but the eyes fell closed as his fingers worked over the knots in her shoulders. "Merlin..." she murmured. "I had almost forgotten how good you are at that." She sank lower into the bed.

10 Apr 14, 01:15 AM
Asher: Excited at the prospect of another child with her, he moves to make the backrub as good as he can, "then I don't see a problem, Ara, we both would like one, another child around would be more delight to share, and it will be like having only one in the house again since the other will be out by the time another could be in school. Perfect for your work as well since you need to delegate more often anyway."

10 Apr 14, 01:28 AM
Ara: She lowers her head into the mattress. "Please don't say the D-word right now" she murmurs, muffled by the fabric. "I would delegate more if there was someone as dedicated as..." She took a deep breath. "Sorry, love. You hit a nerve. I had an argument with one of the benefactors a few days ago about something similar."

10 Apr 14, 01:40 AM
Asher: Purses lips. "Ah, that sort of problem. Sounds like you need to hire a hard noser." He worked his way across her shoulders up her neck and then down her spine slowly. "Yeah that's a tough call. I don't know what to tell you on that one. We usually fire a slacker at the bars and then everyone gets more work till we hire a new one. Rmeinds those left behind to make it work and make sure the new one learns fast."

10 Apr 14, 01:44 AM
Ara: She grins, "that just /sounds/ unpleasant" she jokes. "I wish it were as easy to fire some of them, but this close to opening it would be a disaster..." She goes quiet for a few moments. "Still, if I could make an example of one it might shock the rest into taking things more seriously, and replacing one might not be impossible..." She smirks, "you're a bad influence" she accuses, a moment before she hisses a breath through her teeth when he finds a particularly tense spot.

10 Apr 14, 01:48 AM
Asher: He nods tho she can't see it and begins down the sides of her back too. "Yeah, seems reasonable. And it should shake up those behind into makeing it up seriously. Should allow you to get your first night in at least even if shaky." Pretends surprise though it's clear he is teasing. "Moi? Never. I wouldn't even attempt to get you turned on so we might start practicing for the next child..." He gets her lower back while grinning. "Now that would be a bad influence I have to admit."

10 Apr 14, 01:52 AM
Ara: "It is a good idea, I am glad you thought of it" That out of the way, she relaxes considerably. "It would be better than having to cancel though, yes." She snorts softly, "but of course, getting me turned on has never been part of your agenda after all." She laughs, "I would not mind practicing" she admits, "and then maybe...after the tour..." She lets the sentence hang in the air between them.

10 Apr 14, 01:58 AM
Asher: He grins more "Of course not, love, I just like to turn you on period. I need no agenda for that part. Not with the one in my arms." Another smile and as he rests his hands just above her waist he leans aside and kisses her cheek. "If you think your 'old muscles' can handle it that is. But should I point out how good it is to stretch all of them? And sex is very good at that type of exercise..."

10 Apr 14, 02:01 AM
Ara: He kisses her cheek and she is about to speak when the 'old muscles' comment registers. "Darling, have I in the last five years or so, told you you are an @ss?"

10 Apr 14, 02:03 AM
Asher: Laughs, leans down close to her ear and whispers "First name Smart. Why yes, I think you have. I do answer to it sometimes when you are around I think." Lightly slaps her @ss as he gets over to the side again. "How do the shoulders and back feel though?" Serious.

10 Apr 14, 02:05 AM
Ara: She rolls over onto her back and smirks, "much better thank you, which is good I suppose since someone is in desperate need of being taken down a notch or three." She leaned up, kissed him deeply for several seconds before pulling back with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

10 Apr 14, 02:07 AM
Asher: Looks unabashedly honest. "Three? Well goodness, that many would keep me pretty quiet till morning at the very least if not most of the day." Kisses her back as equally deep and follows her when she pulls back to kiss her neck and make his way down to her shoulder.


10 Apr 14, 02:13 AM
Ara: You monsieur are absolutely incorrigible" she accuses, looking amused. When she shifts, her side grazes the book and she tosses it absently away, where it thumps loudly against the far wall before settling on the floor. She kisses his jaw before his lips trail lower, out of her reach. Ducking, she brushes her lips over his collarbone. "You did not specify which part we would be practicing tonight, did you?"

10 Apr 14, 02:16 AM
Asher: Enjoying her complete familiairty with his form, Asher arched slightly as she kisses his body and says softly "Oh I figure you always try to do a complete run through first off with anything,"

10 Apr 14, 02:18 AM
Ara: Another grin, "that, love, is why you could never be a dancer" she informs him. "complete run throughs take a very long time to achieve." A kiss to his shoulder and then further over his chest. "And I happen to know I am more patient than you are."

10 Apr 14, 02:26 AM
Asher: Rolls eyes. "that may be, but I recover faster I think then most of your dancers in this particular type of run through just because of how much I love my partner." His gymnastics had long since given him a flexibility he knew she enjoyed and encouraged.

10 Apr 14, 02:51 AM
Ara: Amusement obvious, clearly enjoying the analogy. "I think I can approve a run through in that case." She shifted upward, kissed his throat, lingered there for a moment, enjoying it. "I love you" she breathed against his skin. There could never have been anyone else for her, she knew, not a soul who would have understood her the way he did. A kiss to his lips, lingering and tender. "And I think a lot of practice will be necessary."

10 Apr 14, 02:56 AM
Asher: He loved the feel of her lips on him and it showed. As he felt her breath he replied "I love and adore you, Ara, there was never anyone else I could have loved..." He kissed her back and then "Oh I like the sound of that." And he moved his hands up her skin, letting her feel his possession of her, his desire for feeling every part of her

10 Apr 14, 02:58 AM
Ara: ---Jume Because Rose Refuses----

[Shava]

10 Apr 14, 02:58 AM
Ara: ---Jume Because Rose Refuses----


10 Apr 14, 03:00 AM
Ara: She stirred, slowly at first, obviously reluctant to acknowledge her own wakefulness. She moaned softly, resisting as best she could. Morning meant responsibilities and deadlines and stress. Maybe it was earlier than she thought. She opened one eye experimentally to discover the darkness and exhaled. Another few hours at least. She rolled onto her side to study her husband. Still a world of difference, she mused, between his sleeping face and his waking face.

10 Apr 14, 03:03 AM
Asher: Feeling her stir, Asher slowly awoke to find her watching him. "Morning, whatsup." He wiped both his eyes, wondering if she had heard something since it was still dark. "Everything allright?"

10 Apr 14, 03:05 AM
Ara: She nodded sleepily, "not really sure why I woke p all the sudden." She smiled apologetically. "Everything is fine, it must have been a bad dream." She smirked at him. "You still look like a teenager when you sleep, love."

10 Apr 14, 03:09 AM
Asher: Looks at her and nods, reaching out to cradle her cheek in one palm. "S'okay. I thought maybe you heard something." Makes a face. "I still feel like one when I haveta wake early..."

10 Apr 14, 03:10 AM
Ara: She shook her head. "Not that I know of" A soft laugh as she reaches up to brush the shock of dark blonde hair out of his eyes. "You do not have to do anything just yet. There is still time to finish getting your beauty sleep." She kissed the corner of his mouth.

10 Apr 14, 03:13 AM
Asher: Nods quietly, his thumb rubbing across her cheek near her nose. "Ok." Smiles sleepily. "I do need as much sleep with you as possible, s'true."

10 Apr 14, 03:14 AM
Ara: "Just think Ash, some day we will have all the time in the world to sleep." She wrinkled her nose, "but then we will be old."

10 Apr 14, 03:19 AM
[×] Asher: "Oh but by then we'll have great-grandkids to laze about the bed with who wanna take care of us. Should be good."

10 Apr 14, 02:35 PM
Ara: A soft laugh as she shakes her head once more. "Speak for yourself, I do not intend to ever 'laze about'" she insisted. "I do not think I would know how."

10 Apr 14, 02:43 PM
Asher: Cuddles her closely. "Let me remind you how sweet it is to be in bed with your husband because one day when we're both having trouble using our knees, this will be way more tempting..."

10 Apr 14, 02:51 PM
Ara: "I have a feeling that day will come sooner for one of us than the other" She was, after all, much harder on hers than he was on his in her opinion. She lays her head on his shoulder and her nose brushes the curve of his throat. Pressing a kiss there, she sighs, content. "It is hard to imagine anything so far away."

10 Apr 14, 02:57 PM
[×] Asher: "Ah true. Mine have the advantage of a natural form." His gymnastics were often done in cat form, a form for which it would be far more well-worn then her dancing. "Ha, if anything I can see us doing even more traveling really. But someday. Me, I plan on being the spoiler who gets down on the floor with the grand-kids to play."

[Shava]

24 Apr 14, 10:54 PM
Arabelle: She walked into the room, looking worn, but content, a quick look of surprise as he tossed her the galleon and held up the letter. "What is this?" She read over the words, the smirk came easily, and grew as she reached the bottom of the page. "It appears Christmas we'll be even more interesting than we had planned for, yes?" She looked up at him, amused.

24 Apr 14, 10:57 PM
Ash: "Yep." He frowned slightly, wondering if he should send him a note about the charm. "Not sure how we're going to handle it either. Do we tak to him as soon as he is home or sed a letter?"

24 Apr 14, 11:02 PM
Arabelle: She thought about it. "That depends" she says finally. "How far do you think they can manage to progress in two months?"

24 Apr 14, 11:04 PM
Ash: He looked at her for about fie seconds before he said softly "We didn't manage but a day if I remember correctly." He smirked. "I would think whether they have or not we have to assume they have really."

24 Apr 14, 11:06 PM
Arabelle: She finished crossing the lounge to curl up next to him on the couch, glad to get off her feet. She smirked. "One of us had...a lot more practice than the other of us as I recall." She nodded, however. "I think that is wise" she agreed. "There is also the possibility Ally may know, but I think you ought to go ahead and send the note."

24 Apr 14, 11:07 PM
Ash: A sigh. "Better then an accident I guess. How the Merlin do I write that one down I wonder..." He glanced around and then added "I wonder if the couch wil ever get used really."


24 Apr 14, 11:18 PM
Arabelle: "You could always send the note telling him to look it up. They would have books in the Hogwarts library for that purpose would they not?" She winced when he mentioned the couch. "Please, I would prefer not to think of my youngest son..." she made a face. "Merlin is right"

24 Apr 14, 11:21 PM
Ash: He cleared his throat uncomfortably. "Ah, there is but it details a lot more then that in there and I'd rather no pass on those ideas so soon." He hugged her close whispering "And we're not even old yet love," and then chuckled slightly. Holding up the picture of her kissing him he handed it over saying "Look at his face and tell me you see him not."


24 Apr 14, 11:33 PM
Arabelle: A frown. "I...did not think of that." She sighed. "Why did we not talk to him over the summer?" He hugged her close and she leaned against him, smiling softly. "Speak for yourself, mon cher. If you are only as old as you feel, then I am ancient." But she turned her head, kissed him softly a moment before he held the picture in front of her eyes. Taking it from him, she studied it closely. "He likes her very much doesn't he" she said softly after several seconds.

24 Apr 14, 11:39 PM
[×] Ash: "Cause he didn't seem to be interested in anyone, I think... We missed the signs on him at least, Max we saw." He kissed her back wit a smile. "I wonder if she knew, it's not a romantic kiss, but you can see it in his face."


24 Apr 14, 11:41 PM
Arabelle: "He has always been so steady" she complained softly. "I am not sure which of us passed that part on." A half-smile, "yes, Max was...rather obvious I should say." Another look, "I do not know, I think it is a sixth sense some girls have and others do not."

24 Apr 14, 11:45 PM
Ash: He nodded. "Very. He's a quiet kid." He nodded again about the way they had seen Max. " I suspect not, but I could not tell you why. I think it's the look in his face which tells me..."


29 Apr 14, 07:45 PM
Arabelle: She turned her attention from the picture back to her husband. She smirked. "You were a quiet kid" she observes, remembering. Then she frowned as it struck her he'd also been many other things below the surface. She bit her lip, "does this change anything?" and then "Should it?"

29 Apr 14, 07:49 PM
Ash: The frown returned. "I didn't have any reason to speak. He doesn't have the issues I had to deal with." He considered the issue. "Hmm. Actually, cnsidering that first night we had I really don't have a fot to stand on."

29 Apr 14, 07:56 PM
Arabelle: She nodded, "that's true. Still I cannot help feeling one of us should speak to him when he comes home before Ally arrives." She wasn't certain about what yet, but she felt an intense need to connect with her son. A soft grin tugs at the corners of her lips, giving life to previously tired eyes. "I do not recall much standing" she teased. The sigh that immediately follows is nostalgic and resigned. "He is growing up faster than I would like I suppose."

29 Apr 14, 08:01 PM
Ash: "Both of us, different times I think." That lessened the frown quite a bit. "You were just so...beautiful and safe, I just." He sighed letting out a breath. How could I resist someone so wonderful?" Well maybe that was the point really. "Maybe that is the real issue here, like his father he finds what helps him complete who he needs to be..."


29 Apr 14, 08:05 PM
Arabelle: "That is a good idea" she murmurs, beginning to lose the battle with her thoughts, which are drawing her to examine them more closely. "Beautiful and safe" she repeats softly, and she shakes her head, smiling ruefully at him. "I was a lost child trying to navigate the world on little more than luck and a bit of nerve" she reminds him. "But I am glad your image of me was so poetic." She leaned forward, pressed her lips softly to his. She gave him an intrigued look. "I do not see that as an issue so much" she pointed out, the question obvious.

29 Apr 14, 08:10 PM
Ash: "I was trapped with no one I could trust ad you were there like some sort of dream," he reached out for her cheek, touching it sitll with some wonder in his eyes. "If that's poetry then your name is a love song, love..." He kissed her back, softly as wlel the frown gone. "True, but it does say to me that mayb this should be left alone. Let him find his own way while they are both here after we have spoken to him."

29 Apr 14, 08:15 PM
Arabelle: "Ash..." the word is soft, part affection and part half-hearted exasperation. She thought about it. "Maybe you are right" she said finally after several moments. "He is a smart boy, but I reserve the right to keep an eye on the girl" she informed him. "Mother's prerogative" .

29 Apr 14, 08:20 PM
Ash: He smiled now, glad to hear the emotion in her voice. "That's fine. I want to know aout her as well, maybe it will take your eyes to see who she is."

29 Apr 14, 08:24 PM
Arabelle: "Aiden has always had good judgment. I doubt there is anything we should be worried about." She smiled, looking a bit more relaxed. "Still, I am curious."

29 Apr 14, 08:30 PM
Ash: He nodded, glad to put that to rest in their minds for the moment. "Agreed. And he took his time finding the right girl, that says volumes as well." He nodded to her oter statement with pursed lips. "I twill be an interesting week for sure..."