Who: Vanessa and Tessa When: September Where: Much Ado About Books What: Catching up Rating/Warnings: Low/None Status: Complete
Vanessa was looking forward to seeing Tessa, she was a lovely woman and Vanessa was lucky to be able to call her a friend. The fact that Tessa wanted to hear all about her trip with Dorian was also a plus.
Entering the store she smiled as Capable waved at her and told her Tessa was in the office so Vanessa headed that way and tapped on the door, “Hello? Tessa?” she said as she popped her head around the door.
Tessa missed the door of the shop opening because she was so focused on the paperwork in front of her. She could normally hear everything happening in the shop from her office. Hearing Vanessa’s voice, she looked up and smiled, closing the folder she had been looking at. “Vanessa, what a wonderful surprise. Please, come on in,” she gestured to the seat on the opposite side of the desk.
“I hope this isn’t an inconvenient time” Vanessa said, moving to take a seat and putting down the coffees she’d picked up from Baxter’s on the desk, “I thought a coffee and a catch up might be a nice idea”
“It’s never an inconvenient time for you my friend,” Tessa shook her head and smiled. “Oh, thank you very much, very considerate of you. And yes, you absolutely have to catch me up on how your holiday went? How did it come about?” she asked.
“Oh it was amazing” Vanessa said after taking a sip of her coffee, “It was partly a surprise. I knew Dorian was taking me to Paris but then while we were there he surprised me with the trip to Greece which was amazing. So much history”
“That is so incredible and so romantic! How did he tell you then? Were you at dinner or something?” Tessa asked, lifting the lid off her coffee to smell it. She’d only recently grown to be able to stomach the taste and smell of the drink, but having been in the States for a little while had decided to give it a try. “Greece has always been a place I would love to visit!”
“Yes he took me to a beautiful restaurant and told me what he had planned” Vanessa said, it had actually been after that back at their hotel room but Tessa didn’t need to know those intimate details. “It was incredible, so beautiful and it had an almost peaceful feeling at certain places you know?”
“You’re so lucky,” Tessa smiled, imagining being whisked off for a romantic getaway. She knew they had other priorities right now like making sure Jem was adjusting to being a Silent Brother and Will was adjusting to not having his parabatai, but she could still dream. “So how long have you and Dorian been seeing each other now? Do you think there’s anything more serious on the cards?”
“Oh I definitely am. I know that, finding Dorian has truly been a blessing” Vanessa said before smiling a little brighter, “Almost a year now and since we’ve just moved in together I think we’ll be happy with that for a while but maybe yes, marriage one day would be nice”
“I think that sounds perfectly romantic and wonderful Vanessa, I’m so happy for you,” Tessa grinned. “So what are you going to do now you’re home?” she asked.
“It is rather isn’t it” Vanessa smiled, “Well my tarot reading is actually becoming quite popular, my regular slots at various shops around the county are booked up so that’s keeping me busy” Vanessa didn’t need to work a lot to support herself which was nice but she didn’t want to become too complacent.
“I keep meaning to book one for myself, do we have you booked into the shop anytime soon? I can’t remember,” Tessa said, reaching for her diary.
“First week of October I think” Vanessa said pulling out her own phone to check it from her side.
“Excellent, could I book myself a spot? There’s so much going on in my life right now I could do with a little direction,” Tessa smiled softly, trying not to bring the mood down any.
“Of course, I can’t promise anything. The cards show what the cards show I’m afraid but I would hope you would find something from it” Vanessa said, “And if you need someone to talk to I’m always around, you don’t need to book any slots for that”
“I know, but I will be happy for whatever advice they deem relevant to give to me,” Tessa smiled and nodded. “And thank you for the offer, I just…” she sighed and leaned forward on her desk. “I’m incredibly busy and what with everything that has been happening with Jem and Will I think things are just a bit strained at the moment,” she told her.
Vanessa gave her an understanding nod, “I take it Jem is still...disconnected from everything?” she asked softly, “The dreams can be difficult but I do believe they would not give you all something you could not handle”
Tessa nodded slowly, dropping her eyes to the coffee cup she was playing with. “He’s still...him, but he’s...muted if you know what I mean,” she shrugged. “It’s very weird,” she shook her head. “I’m not sure we’ve all adjusted to it yet.”
Nodding Vanessa lay her hand over Tessa’s, “It takes time, especially for something like this. From what you’ve told me I think you’re doing incredibly well. Has William opened up anymore? I know you were worried about him before I went away”
“Not really. I can't really imagine what they must be feeling. They had a special bond that broke when Jem...changed. They've both retreated and I'm not all sure how to reach them. I don't want to hurt them anymore than they already are,” she sighed heavily.
“You’ll find a way. I don’t need my psychic gifts to know that. You all love each other so much, nothing can break that. No matter what may try” Vanessa said.
“I hope you’re right,” Tessa smiled at her friend and patted her hand with her own. “I hope you’re right.”