aefenglom | 001 💗 Voice to All

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001 💗 Voice to All

[The voice that echoes through the device is sweet and feminine. The topic of her call is the fresh start that has been forced onto her. It should be a good thing, she has a chance to live a new life here, but Justine still isn't sure how she feels about this world, the parliament or the Coven.]

Hello. I have met some of you but I know that there are many of you who I have yet to come across. My name is Justine. I am not a fighter, like most of the people brought here, but I hope to sell the skills I do have. I was a caretaker in my previous life. I can cook, clean and fix minor tears in fabric.

I can also crotchet and I'd be happy to take commissions to those who wish to get a head start on winter. [Ignore the fact that it's spring.]

If anyone is interested in my services, please contact me.

If money isn't an option, I would also be interesting in trading. I would like to learn to fight but if nothing else we can come to some sort of arrangement. I am a witch and once I perfect my potion making, I hope to sell those as well.

Thank you for your time.

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Thank you.

[She steps to the side and gestures with a hand.]

Yes please.

I wasn't sure where we should go or how much room we'll need. We're home alone for now but if this will take long it might be best if we clear space in my room so we're out of the way. [She has the master bedroom so it's the biggest and has a decent amount of floor space.]

[He walks in, nodding.]

It might take a while. And I wouldn't want to knock anything over.

[Not that he expects they'll be doing much actual sparring, Justine isn't that advanced yet.]

Then lets see if we can clear some space in my room.

[She takes his hand and leads him through the house towards the stairs. There are three rooms upstairs and a bathroom. Justine guides him towards the front room before gently releasing him.

She doesn't have much in the way of personal affects. Most of what Justine has are books. Which are littered around a plush chair that's been pushed against a circular bay window at the front of the room. A large bed is set against the wall to the left and there are a few odds and ends but the dresser looks to be mostly empty.]

We can clear the space here.

[She gestures to the decent sized area in front of her bed. A plush carpet has been stretched over the area, which Justine imagines is alright for what they're doing.]

[Connor lets her guide him through the house, looking around curiously once he's let go. It seems like she really likes to read.]

What do you need moved?

[He asks it as he picks up a nearby book, looking it over before putting it back down again.]

[Justine takes a look at the space and points to one of her two bookshelves.]

Maybe that over against that wall. It should give us more than enough room to work here, don't you think? [She glances over at him and then at the book he'd picked up. Most of the books in her room are fantasy novels, some romance while others are history or magic books. Justine has a lot of interests and it generally varies by what she can find.]

Do you think so? I've never done this before.

[She's going off what she's seen in movies.]

[Connor does as he's told, then looks around with a nod.]

We shouldn't be doing anything too crazy. Don't worry, I won't be throwing you around.

[He steps into the center of the room and gestures for her to come closer.]

Try to hit me. Don't hold back.

[If he couldn't block someone with no experience fighting before, then he wouldn't deserve to be teaching her in the first place. He just wants to see what he's working with.]

That's a shame.

[Justine retorts effortlessly as she approaches Connor and comes to stand at his side. He beckons for her to hit him and she suddenly feels unsure. She didn't want to accidentally hurt him and she really didn't know who to strike without someone first attacking her.

Not without completely snapping.]

I'll try.

[She dashes forward and decides to try and use her elbow and body weight to ram into Connor's side, dipping low in the process.]

[Connor sidesteps the attack and lets her keep going forward without hitting him.]

Have you ever had to fight anyone before?

[He asks as he comes at her, aiming to sweep her legs out from under her while she's straightening up from her attack. If he does succeed, he quickly grabs her before she falls. He doesn't want to hurt her.]

[A soft cry tears from Justine's lips as she stumbles forward. Connor catches her and she clings to his arms as he pulls her back to the safety of her feet.]

No. I-

[Her cheeks blush as she slowly loosens her hold on his arms.]

I've never done this before.

[At least not on purpose.]

Hopefully you won't have to, either.

[But he still gently moves her so that she's facing him, and lifts her arms into a better stance.

After a little bit of work, with Connor teaching her how to position herself and how to effectively block and throw punches, he gets into his own stance and gives her a smile.]

Now I want you to attack me again, and we'll see if you can hit me.

[Justine follows his instructions carefully, moving her body to match his and then striking again. This time it's easier and she doesn't nearly fall but she is predictable. Her shoulders move, then her hips and then her arms.

It'll take more than a few quick lessons for her to land a real hit on Connor.]

How do you see it coming?

I can predict the probability of an imminent event based on the circumstances surrounding it. ...But even if I couldn't, your body language gives it away.

[This time when he stops her, he grabs her wrists and spins her around to press her back to his front, resting his chin on her shoulder.]

[Justine's lips twitch into a smile.]

I have nothing to hide from you. [Her voice is light and teasing but breathless as her back presses against his front. She pushed her hips back against his briefly, using her talents to tease him a little in return.]

I can't say I hate this position.

[Connor raises his eyebrows as she presses back against him because that is very distracting. He lets go of her, but he's smiling too.]

You're very good at distracting me.

[Not much can make his brain falter in what it's doing, but Justine seems to manage it easily.]

How are you feeling? Should we take a break?

Good.

[Justine steps away and turns to face Connor.]

I'm a little tired. I wouldn't mind a break. [She pauses thoughtfully.] I can make us some tea?

[Connor smiles at the offer.]

I wish I could, but unfortunately I can't eat or drink. You're free to have what you like, though.

[Well, obviously. It's her house. He sits on the bed, intending to wait for her to come back, literally twiddling his thumbs as he considers that he really likes Justine, and he would like to maybe ask her out.]

That's fine. I have some water in that glass next to my bed.

[She always keeps it filled.]

Do you know know what food tastes like? [She grabs the cup but briefly walks to the bathroom to refill the glass. When she returns, she takes the seat next to him and exhales a tired breath.] I like trying new tastes. I can't imagine not.

[She has no idea what he's thinking about.]

I can taste things, but it's mostly been blood up until now. My tongue is like a mobile lab, it analyses anything it comes into contact with. That was one of my functions back home.

[So yes, he's absolutely been analysing Justine's tongue. He turns to face her, biting his lip.]

Do you... want to do something...?

[He's not sure how to ask for what he wants, here.]

I mean, together.

[Justine tries not to think of blood as she takes small sips of her water. The remark does make her curious. They'd kissed and his mouth had captured more than just her lips. Had he tasted all of her?

She firmly pushes the thought away and tries to focus on anything else. It doesn't help that they're currently sitting on her bed.]

We're doing something together now. [It's only after she spoke that Justine realizes what Connor is trying to say.] You mean a date? You'd like to go on a date?

Yes. I'd like to go on a date with you.

[He thinks that's what he's asking for, anyway.]

...If you'd like to, that is.

[He reaches out and takes her free hand, giving her an almost nervous smile.]

[Justine returns his smile as a soft pink blush begins to spread across the bridge of her nose.]

I'd like that.

[She pauses and then asks.]

Have you ever been on a date before Connor?

No, I haven't.

[He looks thoughtful for a moment.]

What do people do on them?

It depends on the person. I haven't... been on a lot of dates myself.

[Her life is weird.]

But you learn about another person, maybe do something that you both have an interest in.

Towards the end of the date there is sometimes a kiss and maybe more if it's a really good kiss.

I'd like to learn more about you.

[What could they do together? He thinks hard on it as he talks.]

Well... I'm sure it'll be a very good kiss. It was last time, after all.

[Justine's smile turns bashful as she glances down at her water.]

Yes. I like the way you kiss.

But I might be biased.

[She nods her head in a gentle nod. There are some things that are difficult to talk about but other things... she'd like to tell him more but she's worried about how he might react. Her story doesn't have a happy ending.]

Do you have any ideas? Of what you'd like to do? I enjoy spending time with you. Even if we just talk like this.

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