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[formidable]

Private AU/PSL RP, set anywhere from 1879 alternate history France to 21st century North America. A tale of two brothers and the witch and her golem who gets entangled in their lives. Urban fantasy, steampunk, magic, guns, and coffee collide. ➤ PART I ➢ "La Caravane".

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[infusion]

Hey.

[She reaches down to take a hold of his hand with her right hand. Because of the glamor and magic, it feels normal. But there's that faint feeling of roughness from her hand.]

You don't have to sidestep things. That makes it harder in the long run, you know.

[effet]

[ And, well. He knows that Iona is old enough to make her own decisions— older than him, even— so he stops, sighs, and throws a little bit of water on her in acquiescence. ]

Yeah, you say that, but Oren'd turn me into pâté if anything happened to you.

[infusion]

For a guy who's spent the past few years also telling me to take responsibility for my own decisions, he still worries too much.

[She lets go of Gus's hand to squeeze the water from her hair.]

Not that I blame him too much. Being a witch has is its own baggage, but hey. It got us out of a bad ending on our date, right?

[effet]

...Yeah, it did. But I'm gonna say it again: don't do something like that again, okay?

[ Shaking some water out of his eyes, he goes right for the eye contact this time. ]

There are people who're gonna be hurt if you get hurt. Don't forget that. Okay?

[infusion]

... Mm.

[Don't throw her life down so easily...

After what's been done for her, it's easier said than done.]

Say... Not that I want to be a letdown, but are you expected to take charge of your family's half of Paris someday?

[effet]

Me? Well...yeah, I guess that's the plan.

[ He says it like he doesn't really care, which is the only reason he's still able to keep going: to some degree, he doesn't take his role so seriously. he cares more about the people who get caught in it, honestly.

(It's what'll give him more trouble in the long run, but Gus will be Gus.) ]

Kind of glamorous, huh?

[infusion]

[Iona digs her feet into the damp sand, wiggling her toes, and eyes furrowed as she thinks.]

Ah, but isn't Claude older than you?

[Instead, he's Gus's doctor and allows the younger brother to do what he wants for the most part and doesn't even seem to regard his own words as significant as Gus's...

Yup, Iona thinks, I'm dealing with some weird family dynamics here.]

[effet]

[ Ooh, sore subject. Gus's expression wavers and wanes for a moment, before they smooth out and turn, just briefly, to his brother: still in his shoes near a piece of shade, arms folded and looking at nothing in particular. ]

Claude's...different. He's technically my half-brother, not that it makes that much of a difference to me. It does to him, though.

[infusion]

It's always gotta be complicated as hell, huh?

[SIGH. The witch crosses her arms and shakes her head.]

Still, you're definitely both related. Both of you know how to drive a person batty.

[effet]

[ And, well. That eases Gus up a little, takes out the tension in his shoulders so he can turn and float on his back on the water. ]

I don't think it's that complicated, but everyone else does. I'm not gonna diminish Claude's feelings about it, though. He's contrary, but he's not a bad person.

[infusion]

... Yeah. I don't think he is.

[There's brief flashback to that sincere smile she ALMOST saw. Would that count as just seeing it to begin with?]

Alright, one more serious question. That okay?

[effet]

Yeah, sure! Shoot, I don't mind.

[infusion]

[She narrows her eyes and gives Gus a rather sneaky smile as she puts one hand on her hip and the other hovering over her lips.]

Tell me, how many dates have you been able to go on that haven't ended terribly?

[Iona, is it okay to even joke about that pls]

[effet]

[ Iona, low blow... he actually sinks under the surface, she'll see the bubbles rising from where he's slowly deflating...

...and when he pulls up, he manages: ]

If we're counting this one... one?!

[infusion]

Seriously?

[Lauuuuuuuughing. She ruffles his hair again. He's just... Really cute. Iona's not gonna lie to herself there (but then again, she never lies to herself when it comes to these matters).]

But hey, at least I'm a start!

[effet]

[ His hair is a little coarse from the salt in the ocean, but he takes the headruffle with earnest gratitude; again, a big yellow dog disguised as a person, really. His mood is instantly restored. ]

You're the best place to start! Don't tell Oren I said that.

[infusion]

I'd imagine a lot of the Parisian ladies would be interested in being with the guy who's gonna be in charge of half of the city, but would also balk at the pressure...

Meanwhile, I'm extremely durable. And a knockout.

[effet]

And you paint, and you're fun and charming and make great coffee! So no complaints on my end.

[infusion]

[GUS YOU MAKE THIS SO HARD FOR HER GEEZ]

... You know what? If things weren't so complicated... I wouldn't mind a second date.

[effet]

Yeah?

[ And he straightens up, shaking water out of his eyes. ]

I wouldn't mind it, either. [ It's an honest statement, simple. ] I'll come see you anytime, okay?

[infusion]

[... This is kind of bad, she thinks to herself. Iona would sometimes go to great lengths for one thing, but for others, she's been trying to teach herself to not hope for much.

So much for that.]

Damn.

[Iona bumps her forehead against Gus's chest and takes a step back, shaking her head.]

Aren't I supposed to be the older one here?

[effet]

[ Gus likes to think that he's catching on to the small things— the fact that so many of her acquaintances are so much older than her, meaning that she'll probably follow in their footsteps with regard to time, for one. He appreciates that his time with her is limited, but he's used to that; it doesn't faze him, but he knows it'll be harder on Iona.

But he reaches out anyway, gets a tangle of salt out of her hair. ]

Are you saying that I sound like a sexy, mature man?

[infusion]

You'll have to prove that to me in a few years when you catch up.

Right now, it's not sexy and mature, but like...

. . .

. . .

Fluffy...

[effet]

Fluffy...




...in a sexy way...?!

[infusion]

You may be way taller than me, but nah.

You're all fluff, hon.