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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]

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.]

[effet]

[ Those things are abundantly clear to Gus, but Gus is just as stubborn, and even though he gives up on laying those pouting lips on Iona, he still

manages to hug her. Yeah, take that.... take that, Oren... ]

You really need to learn not to hover, goddamn.

[infusion]

[Iona rolls her eyes, but gives a head pat to Gus.]

You made a good effort, hon, we're both giving you that much credit. Right, Oren?

[The golem looks away, shaking his head judgmentally. The most judgmental.]

[effet]

Effort... I feel like I'm being patronized, here.

[ A sigh, and he pulls up and away, running a hand through his (fluffy) hair. ]

Fine, fine. I've got my hands up! Count them, Oren, if you're that worried.

[oren]

... You should rest. Returning soon. Know you're excited, but rest more important.