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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]

[The air of LA has its own kind of smog that's simultaneously blown and cleaned away from the distant ocean air and the heat that builds up in the asphalt during the day is released in the cool of the night. On the roof, there's two lounge chairs and various herb plants in pots; Oren's. Iona seats herself before replying to Gus.]

Sure! Ask away.

[effet]

[ It's a nice setup, and Gus takes to it like a fish in water: sprawled on one of the lounge chair, he squints up and tries to look for the stars. ]

How many non-magical people show up at your cafe? A lot? Only a handful?

[infusion]

[There are a few stars, but they're sparse and faint. The lights of LA prove much more powerful than the ones in the sky.

Iona opens up a bottle of yogurt and passes it to Gus.]

I'd say a handful sounds just about right. And usually, they don't find the cafe again.

[effet]

So.

[ He hums, looking pleased with himself. ]

I'm a special case.

[infusion]

Heh. Indeed you are.

Did Claude tell you that he found my cafe first though?

[effet]

Huh? Well, I figured— he seemed to know you two when we met up back in Paris, so. It kind of surprised me, actually.

[infusion]

Another thing you both have in common. Stupidly sharp eyes.

[Om nom, yogurt and berries.]

... But you know, I was really happy when you actually came back. I mean, even if it was just for a date.

[effet]

Yeah, well. You know what you said about your cafe being like your heart?

[ He follows suit, munching on his berries. ]

Maybe you wanted someone to worm your way in there.

[infusion]

[Iona chuckles, shaking her head.]

When you put it THAT way, I really sound sneaky.

... Hey. Are you and Claude going to get in trouble for disappearing? I know you both wanted to lie low in the first place, but...

[effet]

Hm? Me, maybe? But not Claude, he'll be fine.

[ He says so flippantly, matter-of-factly. ]

I'll just tell them I had to lie low for a day or two, it won't be too big of a deal.

[infusion]

[Inwardly, she feels relieved for Claude. Far be it for her to assume what it's actually like to be in a family like that, but she wouldn't want the older brother to get any punishment.]

If you say so... I was thinking I could help you two slip back into the city unnoticed. Invisibility isn't that hard to cast and no one would see me if I go back.

[effet]

[ The reality of it is that no one would actually care if Claude died aside for the minor inconvenience of a loss of expertise, but Gus doesn't like thinking about that, so he doesn't.

Her proposition, though...! He perks up a little. ]

Whoa?! Does that mean I get to like... lift people's skirts and no one would be able to see me?!

[infusion]

Uh... huh....

Gus... This is why you're all fluff.

[effet]

That again...! What can I do to convince you that I'm not fluffy?!

[infusion]

[She taps her spoon against her cheek as if seriously considering his question before shrugging and taking another scoop of yogurt.]

I'll get back to you on that. It's no fun if I give you the answer THAT easily.

[effet]

[ A blink, but a laugh follows soon after, cut short by a scoop of yogurt. ]

That means you're fine with seeing me again?

[infusion]

[Man, this is terrible, letting a younger guy make her blush. Iona's banking it on the nighttime to make it hard to see.]

I'd be incredibly happy if that can happen, Gus.

[effet]

Then it will. Promise.

[ Setting his bin of yogurt down, he leans over in his beach chair and motions for her to do the same. ]

Come here for a second.

[infusion]

[Iona blinks and sets down her spoon and bottle and follows Gus's suit, leaning over as well.]

Okay? What is it?

[effet]

[ DANGER, DANGER. Iona should know better than to indulge Gus, because he's reaching out, putting one hand under her chin, tilting it up a tad... ]

Okay, good. A little closer...

[ YEAH...HE'S GOING FOR A SMOOCH... ]

1/2

[infusion]

[Oh. OH.

Guess he's trying to disprove all the fluff she's been teasing him about and for a split second, Iona's impressed and going with the flow...]

[oren]

You're eating my yogurt.

[OREN HOW LONG WERE YOU STANDING BEHIND THE BOTH OF THEM OH MY GOD.]

[effet]

[ SCREAM... cue Gus almost slamming his forehead into Iona's, you have to warn a guy before you do that, Oren?! Or just not do that in general?! ]

—Fucking hell, Oren?!

[infusion]

Whoa! Oh, what the heck!?

[Iona jumps and pulls back when she hears her partner speak up and her eyes narrow.]

Really? REALLY???

[Oren's not gonna look guilty, but he's not looking innocent in this case either he never does]

Look, there's enough left to make another batch. Anyways, you totally just appeared right this second on purpose!!

[effet]

Sabotage! Voyeurism! Foul play! Aren't you gonna punish him, Iona!? Ground him and make him eat plain yogurt for a week?!