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Post by Asri on Jul 17, 2011 14:27:19 GMT
Asri sighed as she awoke from her work table. She'd passed out at work again...Needed to feed. She'd not found anyone willing in months, but she wouldn't force it...and risk bringing a slayer down on her? Ha! Not likely. She looked at the clock. Oh, good, it was only 7:30am. She still had time to get the showroom presentable, along with herself.
After a half hour of cleaning, hanging, and de-wrinkling, she finally fished the keys to her shop door out of the desk drawer and, still brushing out her hair, she opened up for the day. She just prayed she'd not see any magic users today...didn't want to frenzy on them. She was pinning dark blue twill to a dress form as someone walked in...and she felt a tug...Magic. Not good...she went stiff as she pretended not to notice.
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Post by Dez on Jul 17, 2011 15:26:03 GMT
The early morning rays seemed to be a comfort for Desmond. Though it meant his best friend was sleeping, it also meant that most magical creatures were also slumbering and posed no threat. Dez always felt calm in the mornings. The shopping district was just starting to open up, everywhere he could hear the sliding of metal gates and the unlocking of doors, signaling the start of a new business day.
Dez had not been down to the shopping district in a very long time. It was even longer since he went there to shop for something. He had been to the old district this morning to visit his friend at the magic shop and walked her home and was now heading to the butcher shop. He could not quite remember its exact location, which was why he was now wandering about aimlessly. He had all day to get a few slabs of meat after all.
Desmond's dark eyes scanned over the signs posted above the boutiques that lined the Shopping District sidewalk.
"Stitch Witchery" His lips curled into a small smile. It was a tailor shop, or perhaps a clothing store. The title had caught his eye and curiosity drove him to enter the shop. For all he knew it would just have women's clothing and he was wasting his time. At the very least he could go in to compliment the store owner on their choice of name for the store.
An attractive young woman was attending to a dark blue dress.
"Good morning." Dez greeted her with a cheery voice accompanied by a British accent.
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Post by Asri on Jul 17, 2011 20:15:32 GMT
Asri jumped slightly at hearing his voice, though its soothing, happy tone did manage to calm her nerves a bit. It wasn't often she was able to deal with a human who managed not to scare her half to death while working. She wasn't quite able to gauge just how much magic he had, but she was thankful for the black leather gloves and long sleeves she wore right about now. Screwing her face up into a believable polite smile she turned around, trying not to be so stiff. It wasn't often she got male customers either. Of course, the ones she did get were usually looking for a costume or a new suit. Somehow she didn't think that this was the case with this man...perhaps it was his shirt explaining how a local slayer had dusted the sparkling vampire from that horrid excuse for a teen-frendly horror movie.( This is priceless) She nodded to the man and steadied her voice, though it was still quite soft still. "Yeah, it's lovely out right now ain't it?" Her soft southern accent not doing much to fix how soft her voice was. God, was she hungry though. Tough it out, she thought, she'd find some little Wiccan to tide herself over tonight.
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Post by Dez on Jul 17, 2011 22:03:41 GMT
(That is totally something Dez would wear. That is an awesome shirt)
When she turned around, Desmond was able to study and admire the woman's figure. He liked what he saw, and would not have minded doing a fitting or two with her. He slowly crossed the room with the same charming smile still on his face.
"So, I was curious... Who's responsible for the awesome name of this store? Its catchy." He took a mental note about the layout of the shop. Most of it was women's clothing like he had guessed it would be. Dez could imagine women's clothing was more fun to design and play with any ways. Men only really had pants and a shirt to work with. Leo would probably laugh at him if he knew where Desmond was.
"So.. I've got a quick question for you. I'm looking to update my wardrobe. I know you're thinking that's not necessary, given the amazing outfit I am currently sporting... but what would you suggest?" Sadly, he was serious about asking for some style help. He loved his t-shirts, but he'd not been out with a girl in a while and was starting to wonder if a style change would improve his odds. If he was lucky, he could start with asking out the girl in front of him.
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Post by Asri on Jul 17, 2011 22:21:35 GMT
She smiled a little at his comment on her shop's name. Well he was a magic user so she could explain it to him. "Oh, I named it. I'm actually the owner...and only employee." She laughed nervously, scratching the back of her head. "...I'll let you in on a secret about the name if you promise not to tell." In true childish fashion she she leaned in and started speaking very low. "Some of my clothing comes with enchantments, hence the name..."
When he mentioned style advice and his current wardrobe she chuckled. "I don't see what's wrong with what you are wearing. Though, if that's ALL you own..." She smiled and looked at him for a moment. "Hmm...what colors do you normally wear, I may have something for you..."
She stopped for a moment, it hitting her that she had not only forgotten how hungry she was, but she was having a normal conversation with a human, without any fear at all. This was...nice. "Oh, by the way...Im Asri-Ashley! I mean Ashley..." She laughed nervously. She had to remind herself he was a human and to use her human name.
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Post by Dez on Jul 17, 2011 22:41:04 GMT
Dez leaned in and listened carefully to what the woman was saying. Enchantments. That was a handy tidbit of information. He usually got his friend Kyra to place protective spells over him once in a while, but... a magical shirt could really come in handy. Especially if it was enchanted to be as durable as chain mail.
"Thats.. actually really awesome." He winked at her. "Dont tell anyone, but yeah. This is pretty much all I own." He sighed and shook his head. "With different colour variations, of course. I was thinking about getting a leather duster, but I figured that would look too badass for me. I don't overly care about the colours.. though I think pink will be out."
He watched the with interest for a moment. Desmond could not pick up on magical/demonic presence like Kyra and Leo could. He bowed politely when she said her name. He assumed her fumble was her being interested in him.
"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.. My name is Desmond."
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Post by Asri on Jul 17, 2011 22:56:08 GMT
She blushed a little at the bow. She could get used to this..she thought. With a smile she turned around and walked off into the back. "I'll be right back, stay there." She had to wade through piles of disorganized fabric bolts and tripped over her sewing machines power cord, for when she didn't have the magic to power it that way, but she finally found the duster she made a while back. She was testing an armor enchantment on it. She never did get the enchantment to stick, but she'd not been able to sell the thing either. She figured she could part with it.
As she stumbled out of the back room she laughed nervously. She was holding the duster, and after a little hunting had found a button down shirt that went well with it. She was thinking of a vest too but that was overkill for someone like Desmond. As she walked up to him she smiled bashfully. "Try it on. If you like it you can have it for free."
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Post by Dez on Jul 17, 2011 23:29:59 GMT
Dez nodded and waited for the woman. He studied her figure as she walked off. When she disappeared he started looking around the shop. The clothes were very sharp. It was nothing Dez was used to, but he wouldn't have objected to someone dressing him that way. The Watcher reached out to inspect a small silk vest with a chain sewn into the pocket to give the illusion of a pocket watch. He looked up when he heard the crash and banging sounds from the back room. He smiled. He walked back to his original spot where Ashley had left him. Leo would definitely laugh at him if he saw him here.
Dez' eyes lit up when he saw the glorious black duster in her hand. He felt like a small child on his birthday. He'd just received the number one present on his wish list.
He pulled on the duster like it was a priceless artifact. The leather was cool and heavy on his shoulders and the end of the duster brushed just below his knees. It was a comfortable weight. The sleeves fit him perfectly, this jacket was some how made for him. He turned to the mirror to check himself out in the mirror. He felt like one of the old western cowboys in the books he used to read as a child.
"Wow.. that looks sharp." His dark eyes widened when she said he could have it for free. "Thats.. amazing.. Ashley, I refuse to take it from you without some sort of payment."
He turned to look at her properly.
"How about you go out to dinner with me tomorrow night."
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Post by Asri on Jul 17, 2011 23:46:27 GMT
She smiled, watching him put it on. Most of her customers had faces like that when they got their orders back, but it never stopped making her feel good to see it. It did fit him well actually, which struck her as odd since she hadn't given it a size enchantment. She let the thought go though, as he mentioned to her about not wanting to take it for free.
"Oh, please, i couldn't give the dang thing away before. Take it." She said to him, blushing a bit, though nothing compared to when he asked her to dinner. "You wanna what?....Don't think I heard you right..." She seemed to clam up again, suddenly very stiff and nervous. She'd never been out with anyone but herself since she'd been here on earth, let alone like this. She knew he was asking her out, even if the phrasing could be seen as a harmless offer for dinner...
She looked at him again, forcing a weak smile. She wanted to be normal, like other human girls...and they did these things easily did'nt they? She would to, even if she had to make herself do it. "Wh...Where should I meet ya?"
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Post by Dez on Jul 18, 2011 0:02:34 GMT
Dez forced himself to not ask her if she really meant it. He gave her a childish smile, he noticed her reaction to his question. Ashley looked even cuter when she did that. Dinner sounded harmless enough, it was under the pretenses that he was paying her back for the coat, though he knew it was a very weak cover. Though, dinner was still very innocent. He could pick an early time, take her to a nice restaurant (with his duster, of course), he could walk her home... and if it was a horrible night, they never had to see each other again. On the other hand, if the date went well, the ball was in Ashley's court. There was a nice restaurant in the old district by the river. It was near Kyra's magic shop, so he had a place to retreat to after if the date had gone horrible. Though, he seriously doubted it would. She interested him with her magic, she seemed nice, and she was beautiful.
"I can pick you up from your place if you want.. or if you don't want that, I can pick you up here."
Desmond needed this. It was his first date after losing his slayer. Kyra had always told him to get back up on his feet and start dating again. So there he was, diving head first, back into the sea.
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Post by Asri on Jul 18, 2011 0:14:05 GMT
She looked down for a moment when he mentioned picking her up from her place. This was her place. She didn't have an apartment, since most of her money went to her supplies. "Er. Here, definitely here. I'll be working all day anyway." The last bit was added on as an after thought, and the nervous laugh just made it stand out more. What a mess she was making of this, she thought.
She pulled herself together though and smiled to him. "Should I dress up?" She asked, not really sure how else to respond. She didn't want to tell him that she wouldn't be able to eat anything they had there. She was determined to be as human as possible. She'd just have to deal with the indigestion later.
She was beginning to think it was a bad idea to accept this offer, what with how awkward she was...and how prone to throwing furniture...She wasn't going to allow herself to think that though. He'd managed to calm her down...so maybe it would be safe...
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Post by Dez on Jul 18, 2011 0:45:30 GMT
Desmond nodded. He figured he'd pick her up at her store. She had enough dresses to choose from, she'd look stellar in pretty much anything she decided to put on. He scratched the back of his head and thought about what the dress code was at the old restaurant. People had cleaned up nice to go to the place, but it wasn't formal attire. Semi casual was probably the best word for it.
"Yeh.. I guess we should coordinate what we're going to be wearing now. It'd be pretty embarrassing if I picked you up and we were wearing the same thing, hm?" He said it in a serious tone but ended with a wink.
"Semi-casual I suppose? Its a nice place down in the old district by the river. Candle lit dinner, Italian restaurant, Old Town charm... anyways.. I should let you get back to work.. thank you Ashley. I look forward to the next time we meet. I'll pick you up for around 7?"
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Post by Asri on Jul 18, 2011 0:53:17 GMT
She couldn't help but laugh at his comment about them wearing the same thing. That was an interesting picture both ways around. "Yes, that would be awkward." He finished speaking and she nodded a bit "7 sounds good." She hoped by then she could get a snack in. Old town could be dangerous otherwise...though she might be able to find a shop where she could find an alternate way of feeding herself...
She straightened his duster a bit then nodded. "I'll see you then. Have a good day..." When she pulled her hand back though, her sleeve had slipped up her arm enough to expose her wrist, which grazed Desmond's jaw. He'd feel an almost painful pressure there for a few moments before she managed to remove her arm and step back a bit. crap...she hated accidents like this. "God, I'm so sorry...please...don't be angry I didn't mean to, the sleeve it..." She looked genuinely frightened.
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Post by Dez on Jul 18, 2011 1:10:14 GMT
"You too." He said softly when she straightened his duster.
Suddenly his eyes widened, not from anger but from surprise. He took a step back to get away from whatever had hurt him. He had not realized yet that Ashley was the one that did it. When she grazed his jaw she'd hurt him. The pressure felt very weird. Like when he and his brother used to fight. Colin and Desmond used to spar as younger kids, Colin was older and always had the upper hand. One time Colin had pinned Desmond down on the ground with his foot planted firmly on his chest. The two boys had been fighting earlier and Colin was intending to hurt Desmond. Colin's foot kept pressing down on Dez' ribs. The pressure had gotten painful and his ribs had started to ache badly. That pressure is what it felt like on Desmond's jaw.
"..." He put his hand up to his jaw and rubbed it for a moment. "Your sleeve? Relax.. I'm not angry.. just.. ow.. what was that?" The Watcher rubbed his jaw again. It was tender still. Maybe she was too cute for Desmond to think she was a demon, or thinking about his brother had clouded his judgment. For some reason, he'd not come to 'that' conclusion yet.
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Post by Asri on Jul 18, 2011 1:22:52 GMT
She didn't want to say it though, it did help that he wasn't angry with her. She readjusted her sleeves as she rubbed her wrist, and straightened out her gloves. "Well...you see, its just that..." She sighed, it was so hard for her to say this. Sighing softly she closed her eyes. "I stole some of your power....I...I can't touch skin to skin...not without that happening." She didn't see herself as a demon so she wasn't going to call herself one, but for reasons of safety she wasn't about to say what she was either. Humans had a funny way of confusing extra-planar beings with demons even if they weren't outwardly malicious.
She remembered again what happened to her progenitor, and that fear started coming back, she almost seemed to shrink in front of him as much as she clammed up. "I...I'm sorry...you have to believe I didn't mean to...I'm not a thief..."
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