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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".

Comments

[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?!

[oren]

Not on purpose.

[It's... extremely difficult to tell whether that's just a blatant lie, what, with the way Oren says everything so bluntly.]

Besides. Told you to plan better.

[For this INAPPROPRIATENESS. Iona sighs, putting her forehead in her hand, but she's also trying not to crack a smile at the sheer ridiculousness.]

[effet]

Oren... I thought we were friends!!!

[ An accusatory finger-pointing motion, here. ]

[oren]

So?

Doesn't mean you have your way.

[Things about Oren that have been made increasingly clear over the few days that the Auberts have had with him:

Calm. Poised. Professional. Beautiful. A creature untouched by time.

Absolutely stubborn and controlling about the most random things.]