Alphard Black (![]() ![]() @ 2013-01-21 18:09:00 |
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Entry tags: | ! [1943-01] january, alphard black, thalia travers |
Who: Alphard Black and Thalia Travers
Where: Outside.
When: Backdated. Friday afternoon, January 18, 1943.
What: Birthday talk with a side of romantic nonsense.
Status/Rating: Completed log. PG. For kissing and stuff.
It had snowed fairly recently. And even though some of that snow had melted into a pathetic slush that still managed to seep through to her toes even though she wore extra-thick socks that day, it still looked very pretty outside and Thalia still felt very cheerful. She was quite finished being cross with Aloysius Nott, and even more finished with being cross, in general. Thalia always had a healthy pink blush to her cheeks but today they were especially rosy and her eyes were light and cheerful as she smiled at her companion. "So," she said as they walked across the path cleared of snow. "Now that Lucretia and Druella's birthday is done, we have yours to look forward to. What are you thinking of doing?" The snow was a refreshing sight. The beauty of it left him at peace, and he seemed to have no worries as he walked with his companion. Alphard might even have gone as far to suggest that it ought to be winter always. If it were not for the cold that seemed to seep under his clothes and linger. "I didn't plan to do anything," he said, taking her hand into his. "I'm much more fond of parties that don't focus on myself." He smiled, hoping she'd understand. Recalling how Alphard preferred his solitude, and how often she encountered him off by himself and doing individual activities, Thalia could very easily understand. But that didn't necessarily mean she would listen to him. "Well I can't very well give you nothing for your birthday," Thalia protested with dismay, giving his hand in hers a squeeze that was gentle in a manner that likely seemed uncharacteristic to anyone who wasn't often witness to Thalia's rarer moments of gentility and feminine softness. For all of her protestations, Thalia had some ideas but very few of them seemed appropriate to gift him in public. Like a nice long snog. She would prefer it if he told her what he wanted, and she would manage to get it for him, no matter the effort. "Are there any books you have been itching to read?" "You could," Alphard teased. He knew that response wouldn't satisfy her, but he found the entire subject amusing. He could understand the need to mark each year with fancy cakes or singing. That didn't mean he wanted to mark his own with much of the same. "Haven't we had enough of birthdays?" He did have a few ideas of what he wanted. Like a good snog without Aloysius interrupting, or a series of history texts. But he wasn't about to give in that easily. "No," Thalia insisted vehemently. "No, I haven't had enough of birthdays until I am quite satisfied that you've had a good one. I won't tolerate one of my best friends having a terrible birthday. It just wouldn't do." She pulled on Alphard's hand, resisting him and his attempts to divert her attention away from him and his birthday. "I won't throw you a party if you don't want one, but..." Thalia's voice trailed off and the smile on her lips was playful and a little suggestive, too. Thalia couldn't help herself, and kissed him on the cheek before she murmured, "I would be awfully remiss as your very old friend and the witch you are snogging if I didn't give you something you liked for your birthday." Alphard pulled her closer to him. "You're impossible," he said, a smile playing on his lips. "You know I could never have a terrible birthday. Not with so many well-meaning people in my life..." Her words distracted him, however, from the point of his protest. He hesitated, as if purposefully misreading the intent in her looks and tone. "Well, I suppose I can't have you neglecting your duties as my very old friend and very lovely, talented witch whom I happen to be snogging..." Even though his mind had leaped to a whole list of inappropriate gifts, he kept his voice light-hearted, almost innocent. "How shall we fix this?" He leaned into her. Close enough that he might kiss her, if he wanted. "I could write you a list of books, if that is what you'd like." All Thalia could do in response was smirk at him and glance at his lips which were not all that far from her own, as if she were thinking the same inappropriate things and daring him to say those inappropriate things and kiss her. It pleased her to hear him call her lovely and talented, even though she of all people knew that words could be hollow and only spoken to ingratiate oneself to that person. She did it all the time, saying things just to please people. But she believed Alphard then. "Maybe you should," she countered, quirking her brow at him. "It would be terrible if I got you a disappointing gift that you were forced to return." Thalia normally wasn't one to give terrible gifts but she enjoyed the repartee they were having. It made her feel giddy. Alphard did often say things simply because he could. He liked to charm people, particularly those who held authority over him and whom it was necessary to please. But here, now, Alphard wasn't thinking about his words, for he did believe that she was both lovely and talented. "Terrible, indeed," he agreed. He didn't believe for a minute that she could give him anything terrible. Just as he didn't believe that she could do wicked things. "I will do my best to assist you." Even though he spoke now of books, he thought only of how close they were standing. He brushed aside a strand of her hair, fingertips ghosting over the edge of her face. "But what if..." he said, quieter now, "what if I'd like something horribly improper for my birthday? Do you grant those sorts of wishes as well?" He looked at her, as if daring her to respond to such a bold request. He knew, though, that he was being an awful tease, and before she had a chance to answer, he leaned in and kiss her. Alphard's words surprised her, though she had barely any time to react before he was kissing her. Thalia leaned into Alphard as well, disentangling her hand from his grasp and wrapping her arms around his waist as they kissed. When they finally broke their kiss, Thalia sighed and rested her head against Alphard's shoulder. "Aye," she sighed. "I might be able to grant those sort of wishes for you." Alphard held her, resting his head against hers. "All right," he said, after a moment's silence. "I'll think about it." He took a step away from her. It was cold. He felt the winter air more sharply now that they weren't standing together. "Shall we head back inside?" When Alphard withdrew from her, Thalia too felt a sudden chill course throughout her, cutting straight through her cloak. But it wasn't just the bitter cold breeze. She felt as though him stepping away from her was almost on par with a rejection. If she were anyone else but Thalia Travers, she might have worried that she'd said the wrong thing, done the wrong thing, and what she ought to do to fix it. But instead Thalia felt somewhat slighted and she furrowed her brow for a second, the only indication that she was a bit bothered. Then it was gone, and she reached to grasp Alphard's hand, refusing to let him wander too far away. "I suppose we should," she said airily. Then she smiled at him and led the way. |