001 💗 Voice to All

[ishisstrength]

[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.

Comments

[ishisstrength]

[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?

[plasticasshole]

No, I haven't.

[He looks thoughtful for a moment.]

What do people do on them?

[ishisstrength]

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.

[plasticasshole]

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.

[ishisstrength]

[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.

[plasticasshole]

Well... I can't eat, but I can take you to dinner. We could dress up nicely. And then maybe we can go to the beach and talk. They've been selling ice cream in carts on the beach, if you wanted one.

[He rubs his thumb over her fingers, unsure what people do on dates so he's just winging it, really.]

We can learn more about each other.

[ishisstrength]

[Her lips tug into a warm smile.]

I'd like that. All of that.

[Justine leans forward and lightly brushes her lips against his.]

Just tell me when you want to go. I'll- [Her voice cut as her lovely dark hazel eyes rose to met his.] And I'll tell you a little more about me. But it's a secret, okay? Just between us and just because it's you.

[Maybe it's because he isn't human but Justine feels as if she can put her trust in him. It's a startling feeling, rare and it makes her nervous but she isn't afraid of it. She doesn't want to run away.]

[plasticasshole]

I can keep a secret.

[He leans in to kiss her properly, resting a hand on her waist.]

I'll answer any questions you have about me, too.

[He's never sure what to say about himself without prompting. He's only been alive for four months, after all.]

[ishisstrength]

[The kiss steals her breath away, leaving her flushed and breathing just a little more heavily than before.]

Then it's a date.

[Her voice is light and teasing while her lips tug into a soft affectionate smile.]

Tell me when and where. Any day is fine.

[plasticasshole]

I'll meet you here tomorrow at noon? I'm not sure where are good place to eat would be, so I suppose I'll have to look for reviews tonight.

[He brushes her hair back out of her face gently.]

Is that okay?

[ishisstrength]

[The light flush spreads across the bridge of her nose as his fingers carefully tuck the strand of hair behind her ear. It's a cute and intimate gesture and Justine isn't used to it.]

Yes.

That's better than okay.

[She isn't thinking about training anymore.]

[plasticasshole]

[Connor is assuming Justine wants a break from training still, so he just leans in to press a light kiss to her cheek.]

What would you like to do while we take a break here?

[ishisstrength]

[Justine's lips quirk into a smirk.]

I think you'll find that I have a one track mind when it comes to the things I like to do. [She likes feeling close to other, be it intimately woven together or simply holding hands. She has her reasons but she's yet to fully explain them to Connor.]

For now, let's just sit together? Maybe I can convince you to read one of my stories.

[plasticasshole]

[Connor nods, looking over at the books Justine has.]

I've never read a book before. I've read magazine articles, but they weren't paper.

[ishisstrength]

You haven't?

[That surprises her.]

I don't think there is anything as amazing as the feeling of a book in my hand. [She shifts and reaches across her bed to her nightstand. The book she grabs is a smaller one but it's by far one of her favorites since arriving here. It's a play, similar to Romeo and Juliet but with a witch and a monster.]

Here. Read this. We don't have to read it all.

[plasticasshole]

[He can't help but smile slightly.]

You sound like Hank.

[He takes the book, looking it over.]

I can read it quickly, if you want me to read it all.

[ishisstrength]

Do I?

[She smiles.]

I met him once. He almost trampled me with a run away chair. [This is Justine's only interaction with Hank.] Read it out loud. Then we can read it together. I like the sound of your voice.

[plasticasshole]

[Hearing that Hank almost trampled someone with a chair is amusing, and he's glad at least that Justine and Hank met. He leans into Justine more, and starts reading clearly. It's a nice time, and when he finally goes home it's after giving Justine a kiss to the cheek with a promise to be there tomorrow.

He keeps that promise, showing up in a dark outfit with the jeans rolled down and dark black shoes, the tie black too. He straightens it as he knocks and waits for Justine to answer the door.]

[ishisstrength]

[Justine answers the door in a new outfit that she had yet to take out on the town. It shows a very limited amount of skin but the full length of her lovely legs.]

Hello Connor.

[Her smile widens when she sees him.]

You look amazing.

[plasticasshole]

[Considering he had to use some of his old wardrobe to make the outfit look just right, he's pleased that Justine likes it.]

Thank you. You look beautiful.

[He offers her his arm.]

But you always do.

[ishisstrength]

You're too sweet Connor.

[The tips of Justine's fingers trail along his arm before taking the offered limb. She let Connor lead her forward, her mouth widening as they moved away from the house. Justine really wasn't used to going on dates and she was a little thankful that it was Connor, a man who knew nothing about dating, who was taking her out today.]

So where are we headed first?

[She knows that their ending up at the beach.]

[plasticasshole]

I found a nice restaurant not too far from the beach. Still in the nicer area, but it means we won't have to walk too far after eating.

[Or, well, Justine won't. Connor still can't eat.]

It's called the Whale's Song. Have you been there before?

[ishisstrength]

That sounds perfect.

[She doesn't mean to sound surprised but she is. It makes her wonder how much work Connor had put into his plans between yesterday and today.]

I haven't and I am looking forward to it. [It's okay that Connor doesn't eat. It just means that he gets to talk while Justine eats and then it'll be her turn.] Connor?

Why did you ask me on a date?

[plasticasshole]

[Connor is, if nothing else, thorough. And he wanted to make sure Justine had a nice time with him. He glances down at her at her question.]

Because I like you.

[It's a very simple response, but it's the truth.]

[ishisstrength]

[It's a simple enough confession and it inspires a light rosy blush to spread across Justine's cheeks.] Oh. [Obviously that isn't the answer she's expecting.]

I like you too Connor.

[Which is also surprising.]

It's nice. Liking someone. [And scary.]