Stich Witchery

[Dez]

Desmond, he was not doing well today. He was feeling sympathetic today, Watchers were supposed to point their Slayer in a certain direction and let them loose. If he didnt have a slayer, he sure as hell wasnt supposed to be dating potential supernatural threats. Then again, he'd seen X-men.. maybe she was more like Rogue. Wow.. the fact that entered his mind, he must have been really out of it. He'd bang his head against the wall later. He hadn't established what she was yet, maybe just an unfortunate girl... yeah.. right.. X-men was the source material for an amazing hypothesis on what Ashley was. Idiot.

"So.. like.. you cant have any human contact at all? That.. must have sucked growing up.. ugh.." His jaw was still bugging him. Like the sting after a good punch. "So.. no kiss after dinner then..." He gave her a weak laugh.

"eh.. so... Look.. dont feel bad.. just.. I still owe you for the jacket."

[Asri]

Asri sighed and looked at him. She was getting the idea something was wrong, like he didn't believe her or something. When he mentioned growing up she sighed...no, there was no way she was going to get out of this with her secret safe. Maybe he could be a nice person though...He didnt seem like any slayers or watchers in her imprints.

She took a deep breath and looked up to him. "I...I'll explain everything...then we'll see if ya still want to be around me..." She walked over to the group of chair on the far wall, waving him to follow. Once he was there she took off one of her gloves and rubbed her hand a bit, they got stiff now and then. "...I'm an Aeon, Desmond. And before you freak out I don't care what any book says I ain't no demon! I don't hurt people, not unless its an accident like with you...see we can make it so they don't feel, and most of us, we won't take what's not given. We just cant help the fact that touching our bodies is harmful to other creatures. Really it isn't our fault..." She was actually shaking a little, wringing her hands in her lap, never once looking at him. She didn't even know why she felt the need to tell him. Maybe it was some sort of hope she could put right what happened to her progenitor...Maybe she wanted to scare him away somewhere in her unconscious...she had no idea...

[Dez]

Dez followed her to the chairs and rubbed his temples while deep in thought. He listened to her with a frown on his face. Damn. Why? It was a risk for her to tell him about what she was. His brain scanned through his mental files on Aeons. Aeons were on the list of creatures that preyed on humans. Though they were nowhere near as common as vampires, the Council still did not appreciate their abilities. They were classified as demons.

It was okay that she never looked at him, he never really cast a glance on her either. He did not even know this girl. He never once shared an intimate conversation, he did not owe her much.. except for the duster. He could dump it and be done with her. He could forget she existed and try his damnedest to never pass near the store again. That would have been safer.

He'd known a lot of creatures that were "just born that way". They never asked to prey on human beings. Then again if livestock started rising up against the humans, maybe humans would start feeling more sympathetic to those who preyed on humans. Damn it. Damn it! Desmond did not get paid to care. Desmond was supposed to report any activity to the council, receive his orders and act accordingly. Then his mind went to Leo. She was just another Leo. SHIT!

Dez slouched in his chair. He remembered the night his brother's vampiric slayer visited him. She was a vampire, but she walked into the sunlight after risking her life to see him one last time. Every time he ran into a lovable creature, he caved. Especially the ones who could play the damsel in distress. This was when he wished he'd never agreed to become a watcher. Boys were trained young to be detached to slayers and other human beings. Dez grew up with a loving mother, and experienced things in the outside world that had taught him compassion, love, friendship, and all that other crap that was completely useless to a Watcher.

"Look.. Ashley, I'm a Watcher.. and a rather shitty one, frankly. I won't do anything to you.. I kind of understand your problem.. I.. have a friend.. who is a dhampir... before we met.. I was on my way to buy him steaks so he could last until the night until we could find him a non human to feed on... so.. believe me when I say I understand your dilemma." He looked over at the aeon and tried to make eye contact with her. He felt like a jerk. He still wanted the damn duster. He was horrible for acting on his material impulses.

"... so.. now you have to understand my problem.. I'm going to feel like a huge jerk if I cancelled our date."

[Asri]

She looked at him. A watcher? But...watchers were cruel and heartless. Hell slayers were kinder than watchers. What was with this man... She looked up at him finaly, a confused smile but a real one all the same. "Hey...as long as you ain't gonna hurt me I don't see a reason for you to have to cancel anything." She shruged and sighed a bit, tugging at her gloves to make sure they were tight and again adjusting her sleeves. "I'm sorry for putting you on the spot like that. If it makes you feel any better, I actually subsist off of plants..." She laughed nervously.

Standing up again she held out a gloved hand to him carefully. "It's up to you whether dinner is still on or not." She said with the best smile she could manage. She really did feel bad for him, she'd probably caused him a world of trouble now. "Oh, and the butchers shop is actually a block south of here, in case you were wondering..."

[Dez]

Dez watched her and smiled softly. He still found her attractive, but maybe they'd just be friends. He'd gotten stung, he wasn't going to try that again. He stood up when she did. He took her gloved hand and kissed it softly. He felt better, but God help him if someone found out about Dez' relationship with certain supernatural people.

"Plants... speaking of which.. I have two questions for you. First, am I going to get the magic back that was taken? Second, do you even eat dinner?" He was still good to take her out, but now that he knew she wasn't human, taking her out to watch him eat was almost as bad. They could still do some sort of night time activity instead of dinner.

[Asri]

She couldn't help but blush as he kissed her hand. Yeah, there never really was any chance of a real relationship with her contact issue and all, but still it was nice to have someone with good feelings toward her. At least the awkwardness had died down as she brought her hand back, clasping them close to her to make sure they didn't stray.

She sighed and shook her head when he asked about his magic. "I can't give it back, I kinda already ate it...but you'll regenerate it in an hour or two, it ain't gone for good as long long as there's still some left." She'd never actually thought about that though, if the process could be reversed using reserve energy...something to look into indeed. When he asked about dinner she smiled nervously. That one was tricky. "Well, I can eat since for the most part I'm physically human...I just don't digest it well at all." It didn't really bother her, if he wanted to take her out to eat that's where she'd go. Beggars can't be chooser and he was her only potential friend.

[Dez]

Dez nodded and listened to what she had to say. He had read small things about Aeons, but he had never expected to see one in person. So far Ashley was doing her people some good. He would have to chronicle their meeting, but it was for his own private notes. Desmond had a side project about writing about the different creatures that inhabited the city. So far it was the usual species, but the Aeon was new. The information was written on papyrus and stored in a special container with a delicate phial of vinegar suspended above it. So if any unauthorized person attempted to open the container to get his documents, the paper would dissolve. That was a bitter sweet anti theft system to say the least.

He thought about dinner some more and on his regenerating his magic. He did not feel that much different aside from the extremely dull ache in his jaw. Maybe he would stop by Kyra's place later tonight to check out what had been done. Maybe she could also work on charming his duster.

"Hey dont worry about dinner. We'll go for a movie or something else instead. I'll see you at seven tomorrow, hun." He gave her one last quick smile. He had not wasted much time at Ashley's shop, but he did not want to leave Leo alone all day. "I had better get to the butcher's. Thanks for the directions." He turned to walk out of the store with his new duster resting on his shoulders.

He stopped half out of the door. "Oh.. if you still want to get dressed up.. I.. uh.. wouldn't mind."

[Asri]

Asri smiled a little and nodded when he mentioned a movie. Would be fun, she hadn't taken in the entertainment around here much. She nodded to him again when he began to leave and she turned back to her dress form, checking her design for reference. She liked the design, but was still confused as to why exactly the woman wanted it in twill. Shed managed to get her head back into work again just before he turned around in the door and mentioned to her about dressing up. She blushed a little and smiled, shaking her head and waving him off.

Asri began to wonder why she'd not been able to make friends with anyone before, as her first real chance at normalcy walked out the door. The day was good. Now, to get this dress finished....

(if needed will edit with prep scene)

[Dez]

_______ The Next Night _______

Dez had taken his time in getting ready that night. He'd made alternate arrangements with his clients, and had ensured his cat would have enough provisions to survive a two hour movie. For some reason he was putting a lot of thought into his appearance for the night. Meeting with Ashley was only a friendly get together, she'd demonstrated why Desmond never had a chance with her the day before. His jaw did not hurt anymore and his magic was at full power again, but he had remembered what it felt like to have the smallest bit of his magic eaten. Dez had been an amuse bouche to a hungry aeon, he could not fathom what it would feel like to be the main course.

Dez put some sort of styling product in his hair and checked his appearance in the mirror. He was clean shaven and wore a dark coloured shirt similar to the one that Ashley had recommended the day before. He left a few buttons open to allow for a glimpse of his muscular chest. Desmond had chosen dark jeans and dress shoes to go with his shirt, that was pretty much all that he had for semi casual attire anyways. Of course he would have his black leather duster on to compliment his attire. He had taken it to Kyra to look at after he left "Stitch Witchery". It was extremely hard for her to do, but she had managed to charm the jacket to make it scratch, bite, knife, and semi bullet proof. 'Semi' meant it would hurt like hell but the bullet would not cut through him like a knife through butter. She'd branded a part of the inner leather lining of the jacket with a magic seal of her own creation. The seal was only good until it was removed. Desmond did not foresee an incident where, if Kyra's charm worked right, that would happen.

"Alright Van. If you have any troubles, call Leo. His number is on the fridge." He scratched the Mau's chin and grinned. He knew she had no clue what Desmond was talking about, but it was still fun to treat her like a child sometimes.

"Off I go." Desmond grabbed his messenger bag, locked up his flat then made his way to the shopping district to meet Ashley for their movie.

[Asri]

Asri had been working late, again. With how few orders she got you'd think she wouldn't be so constantly busy. What with her limited knowledge of magic however, all her enchantments are self taught and take a while to get right. She looked up at her clock though and ended up dropping the bit of satin she'd been draping. 5 o'clock...great. and she couldn't risk using any of her reserve magic. no sense in getting hungry while hanging out with a warlock.

She closed up, but didn't lock the door, and walked up a set of stairs in the back to her small room, getting dressed. the clothing was simple enough to get on; a purple satin dress with black accents, a black silk long sleeve high collar shirt beneath, and black rose lace tights. it was her makeup that was giving her issues...none of it looked right on her skin. She was uncharacteristically pale tonight...even her hair seemed a bit lighter. It took her an hour just to get her makeup done, and another half for her hair, which shed done up in big curls.

now it just came to hunting down her boots, damn thins always seemed to walk off when she needed them. She had only just managed to find them when Desmond arrived. Through her door he'd see her having fallen over a few propped up bolts of fabric, one arm flailing behind them as she tried to reach her boots, the other trying to push herself back upright. What a sight, up-skirt circa the can-can days.

the dress

[Dez]

Desmond had picked up a white lily on the way over to the shop. If Dez had a favourite flower, it would have been a lily. His father had said it reminded him of funeral flowers, but considering the Harker family's profession, maybe it was fitting. Desmond had the lily wrapped up with a little vial for water. He figured it would be easier that way because they were going to a movie and Ashley could leave the flower at her shop. Then again, she said she got her energy from plants.. whatever she did with it after he gave it to her, he did not really care.

The shop was still open so he let himself in. He raised an eyebrow at the sight before him. Ashley was bent over looking for something, she certainly was not being graceful about it either. He smirked then looked away. He was trying to be a gentleman.

"Good evening madam... you seem to be having issues with your merchandise.. is there something I can help you with? Or build you a few shelves perhaps?"

[Asri]

When she heard Dez speaking to her she jumped slightly, losing her balance and sliding down the propped up fabric rolls, tumbling to the floor facing him. She laughed nervously and scratched the back of her neck. "Hehe, how awkward. I was, um...just getting my boots..." She gave him a small bashful smile before she leaned over and pulled them out, setting them next to her as she blew some of her hair out of her face. "Such a klutz." She muttered to herself as she held out a hand to him, asking for help up.

When she'd gotten back to her feet she was blushing rather badly. "Sorry you had to see that...." She took a seat on her desk and started putting on her boots, a few seconds later they were laced up and she straightened out her dress. "Alright, I'm ready...You look great by the way. Most people can't pull off so much black so well." She smiled, reaching behind the desk and pulled out a black sequined handbag. Extra pair of gloves, she even had a bottle of plumb colored liquid latex to touch up her 'safety lipstick' if she happened to crack the layer she had now. After all, should she forget this wasn't a date and kiss him, it would be bad to make it an unpleasant experience.

[Dez]

Dez rushed to help the aeon when she fell over. He had instantly offered his hand to her, which was good and bad. He was being a gentleman, but had forgotten Ashley could sap the life out of him with one misplaced touch. Luckily, she was wearing her gloves. He helped her up and smiled softly.

"Dont worry. I did not see anything." He was trying to make her feel better. Dez gave her a playful wink.

"You look way better than I do. And.. I already told you.. I suck at dressing myself, but its great camouflage for my night job. The all black thing worked for Johny Cash, anyways." He watched her grab her things. She did look very nice tonight. He was planning on taking her out to a movie then for a walk down the river. Something nice and simple.

"Ready to go hun?" The Watcher held out his arm for Ashley to grab so he could escort her out of the building.

[Asri]

Asri laughed a little at his wink. She was glad he wasn't afraid to offer his hand to her after the accident the previous day. As she finally managed to make sure she had all her stuff She smiled. "Desmond, I think we'll just have to disagree on that point." She grinned to him, commenting on his assessment of who looked better. She took his arm as it was offered, hanging her bag over her free arm and started walking with him. This promised to be a night of firsts for her.

If she was honest, she didn't care that this was just a friendly get together...it got her out of her shop. As she finished locking up and they began on their way to the theatre she started to think aloud "...WIsh you could have left me a bit more information on this 'movie' buisness, momma..." She smiled a bit as she realised the error of her logic. "Though...I supose being modeled after a seraph made things like that a little hard..." Upon finally hearing her voice though she stopped speaking, except to mutter to herself "you think to loud Asri..."

[Dez]

Desmond let Ashley close up the shop then walked down the concrete sidewalks of the Shopping district. The day had already begun its descent into night, though that had done nothing to cut back on the plenitude of consumers running around from store to store. There was not a lot of trouble in the shopping district at night, from what he had been told anyways. Maybe the occasional vamp, but nothing spectacular. There were simply too many witnesses at any given time for violent attacks to occur. He silently prayed that the night would stay like that.

Desmond listened to the Aeon speak out loud to herself. It sounded like this was her first time to a movie. Or something like that. He'd been lost in thought, so he only caught the 'movie' bit. Dez had planned on taking Ashley to see something light and nothing too overstimulating, though, if something caught her eye, they could see that too.

"Hm? You okay, hun? What about movies?" Dez broke his train of thought and looked down at the Aeon.