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Post by Lyra Newbury on Dec 7, 2016 3:26:36 GMT -5
If only love were enough to fix the broken messes life had turned them into. Lyra had ignorantly thought that Julian's mere presence in her life would be enough to rescue her from the internal pain she felt, but her terror was too strong. Her fear turned to anxiety which would quickly unravel into an attack she could only keep at bay by jabbing a sharpened object into her flesh and ripping the pain forcefully from her body. The Beatles had it wrong; love was not all you need.
Beyond any sense of self-preservation, Nicolas had finally managed to beat it into Lyra's stubborn head that it was not fair to Julian for her to continue on as she was. Julian who had loved and lost and not dealt properly with his emotions; she was a monster for setting him up to feel that heartbreak again. To his credit, Nicolas had said it much more tactfully, but Lyra knew the truth. She was a monster and would remain as such until she granted Julian the time he needed to grieve.
But Lyra was selfish and spoiled and needed one more day of their false harmony before she let him go. She came equipped with her charmed jewelry to steady her and a simple black dress paired with blue heels. He was meeting her here and she told the hostess to send him over when he arrived.
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Post by Julian Faust on Dec 7, 2016 3:34:05 GMT -5
The longer apart they were, the easier it was for Julian to talk himself out of their relationship. He came up with reasons a mile long for why she deserved someone better, then the image of her dying and going through another funeral would jump to mind and he'd call her, or send her an owl.
He was anxious when she asked to meet with him again, though it sounded strange to his ears, truthfully if they were dating they should have been seeing more of each other, particularly in the early stages, but Julian simply didn't know what to do.
So he would wing it, as he had been doing all along. Dressing impeccably in a dark suit he arrived at the bar a little early and the hostess led him to where Lyra was sitting.
Just one look at her and every reason to stay away melted, his stern face melted into a warm grin as well.
"Is this seat taken?"
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Dec 7, 2016 3:51:44 GMT -5
She was playing with the pick that held the olive in her cocktail as he approached. She smiled involuntarily at the sight of him. He was breath taking.
"Actually I'm waiting for my date. Incredibly handsome. Strong. Fantastic lover. Have you seen him?" Her smile turned playful as she scooted the chair out from the table with her foot.
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Post by Julian Faust on Dec 7, 2016 3:59:38 GMT -5
"Well if he's fool enough to leave you waiting, he can't be that impressive. And I know someone who would kill for the chance to get to know you." he said kissing her cheek and taking his seat.
"I can keep you company til he arrives."
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Dec 7, 2016 4:10:43 GMT -5
"Such a gentleman," she cooed as he sat across from her. She ran her foot along his leg, then realized what she was doing and stopped as casually as she could muster.
"Were you painting?" she asked, noticing a grey smudge on wrist. It could have been anything but Julian used his art as a form of therapy that didn't actually seem to make him better. But Merlin was he a talented artist.
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Post by Julian Faust on Dec 7, 2016 12:26:30 GMT -5
Julian spent most of his time painting. He had completely abandoned the extension on his home and preferred to spend most of his time sequestered in his art studio.
He nodded at her, "Takes my mind off things." he said as though he had to explain.
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Dec 7, 2016 13:03:58 GMT -5
She smiled faintly at his remark, then the smile grew more confident. "I know your art is personal, but have you thought about doing an exhibit? There's a new gallery opening just outside of London. I bet the curator would fall all over himself to get a peak at your work."
She played again with the olive in her glass. "Or at the very least attending their grand opening and seeing other people's work. I bet that would be fun; artist on artist interpretation." She reached across the table and set her hand out in invitation for his.
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Post by Julian Faust on Dec 7, 2016 13:21:34 GMT -5
It wasn't the first time someone had suggested he add his art to an exhibit, and he had put pieces out there in the past which received acclaim. Still his art was far too private and personal, he physically ached at the idea of putting it out there.
"Maybe I will." he said surprising himself. He smiled then, "Would you want to go?"
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Dec 7, 2016 13:34:37 GMT -5
"You know I'd love to see your work," she said honestly. But Lyra knew she shouldn't be making plans with Julian right now. This was to be their last date for Merlin only knew how long. She needed to heal. Julian needed to grieve. And she was quite certain Nicolas would give her an earful if she attempted to set plans for them during their time apart. Still, Lyra had been known to make stupid decisions.
"I don't know if I would understand or really appreciate anyone else's art. Nik likes that sort of thing, though. Doesn't he? He might be a better date for the evening, though if you end up taking him home I would have to rethink our entire relationship." She smiled teasingly at him.
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Post by Julian Faust on Dec 7, 2016 13:47:15 GMT -5
Nik smiled, though his brow wrinkled in confusion as Lyra turned him down. It was a polite and charming refusal, but it was still a refusal and after she had fought so hard to get them together it struck a chord with him that she wouldn't jump at the chance.
Perhaps she was feeling insecure about the art as she had said, "Nonsense, you're much more attractive than Nik, though I do know he secretly pines for me. I think you'd enjoy it."
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Dec 7, 2016 14:24:13 GMT -5
"Well that's certainly true," she replied with a smirk as she fluffed her hair then let her hand slide down her shoulder past her breasts as she smoothed her dress.
"You know I'd go anywhere with you." She'd go to Hell and back if Julian asked her to, and he seemed to be under the impression that she'd already accepted the ticket and boarded the train.
A waitress appeared and asked Julian for his drink order. Lyra sipped her cocktail quietly and watched Julian as he spoke. She stared at his mouth and a hunger came over her.
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Post by Julian Faust on Dec 7, 2016 14:37:48 GMT -5
And Julian would go deeper than Hell if it meant saving the woman he loved. He couldn't save Belle, and yet if he lost Lyra he would truly never recover.
His eyes trailed Lyra's hand across her curves and he smiled in appreciation, the girl certainly knew how to use her considerable assets, and he was happy to notice them.
He made his order then smiled back toward Lyra, "Then it's a date."
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Dec 7, 2016 14:53:56 GMT -5
She needed to fix herself. She shouldn't have been flirting with him now, let alone making plans for additional dates. But she loved him and when he smiled at her all sense and reasoning were lost.
"I'll see if there aren't any strings I can pull at the magazine to get us set up. That's something I can do now," she smiled. "Pull strings." Samantha's connections reached further than simply the fashion world, but mostly Lyra just wanted to be in control of this 'date'. She felt she could make things easier on Julian if he didn't have to plan it all out and she may have been thinking of something a little different than what Julian was expecting.
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Post by Julian Faust on Dec 7, 2016 15:02:36 GMT -5
Planning things for Lyra was surprisingly easier than having things planned for him. He didn't feel as though he deserved them considering his misgivings about their relationship.
But then he couldn't deny her either.
He smiled as she clearly reveled in her new position, "It looks good on you by the way, this job. You're rather adept at it."
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Dec 7, 2016 15:33:23 GMT -5
"It makes me happy. I never thought I'd say that," she said with a giggle. "I was supposed to go from my parents' house to my husband's house with no stops in between but working at Enchanted actually makes me feel useful. Like I have something to offer the world, even if its only my opinion on what people should and shouldn't find attractive."
Even while she was cutting herself, and with only the exception of the few days after she had come clean to Julian and Mason about her relationships with each of them, Lyra had managed to go into the office and do her job with a smile on her face. She didn't feel the fear or the pain while she was there, surrounded by people who waited for her direction and appreciated her insight.
"Plus, the perks aren't half bad," she said with a swish of her blonde hair.
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Post by Julian Faust on Dec 7, 2016 15:44:07 GMT -5
"So I've heard. Does Sam really employ a full service spa somewhere in the building?" Julian asked only slightly incredulously. It wouldn't surprise him, but at the same time the extravagance was mind boggling. Then again that was the Montgomery way, and it seemed to be successful; everything that girl touched turned to gold. It gave him a bit more confidence considering she had wanted to put his art on exhibit for a while.
He smiled at Lyra, hiring her had been high praise indeed. Sam would only employ the best when it came to her 'baby'.
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Dec 7, 2016 16:16:51 GMT -5
"Oh Merlin, you have no idea," Lyra said excitedly. "It takes up two whole floors and there's a secret entrance for VIPs." She puffed out her chest importantly and smirked at him. "That would be me."
Lyra told Julian all about the stylists, manicurists, and dermatologists as they sipped their drinks. She rambled on about enormous staff and who she liked the best, although Julian wouldn't know a one of them from Adam. But Lyra liked to talk and she smiled as she gestured excitedly. She explained that there was a wardrobe department that she could pull from if she needed something special, and that she had spent several hours having every muscle in her body expertly relaxed at the hands of an Adonis, who Lyra quickly assured Julian was not interested in the fairer sex.
"And there's this jeweler, Rose. She made my ring," Lyra pointed out the understated sapphire on her right hand. Julian was aware that it was embedded with a security spell that alerted the Montgomery security of any troubles. It was the reason Julian was sitting with her now, listening to her chatter on happily as if she hadn't a care in the world.
"She made me a few other pieces, too. They change to fit whatever I am wearing but oh, you should see what they look like naturally." If he had wanted to see she would only need to shed her clothes and the jewels would revert back to their original style. As it were, everything was a shade of blue to match the heels she wore as a splash of color to offset her black dress. Sitting perfectly cushioned atop her breasts was a sapphire pendant, and dangling from her ears were matching jeweled earrings. Both served their own purpose and while Lyra didn't explain exactly what properties they were enchanted to bestow upon her when she wore them, it was clear to Julian that they weren't simply an accessory.
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Post by Julian Faust on Dec 7, 2016 16:29:17 GMT -5
Julian could watch her ramble for years. She was so delightful when she chatted excitedly as she did now. Her features lit up and she possessed a youthfulness that was enchanting.
He also marveled at Enchanted's perks and jokingly inquired if they were still hiring.
He admired her jewelry, which laid atop other assets he also admired.
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Dec 7, 2016 16:42:40 GMT -5
"I can paint your nails for you, if that's what you're after," she teased as he asked about job openings. "I think a nice shade of pink would do wonders with your skin tone." She smiled as she rose slightly from her seat to lean across the table between them. Placing a hand on his cheek she sighed and then kissed him.
As she returned to her seat she accidentally bumped her glass with her elbow and the remaining liquid inside poured onto her dress. "F*ck," she said as she jumped from the chilly surprise. She stood next to their table, a large wet spot covering her lap. "My dress," she pouted as she took a napkin from the table and started dabbing the spot to remove the liquid.
She looked up to call over the waitress to ask for more napkins when she made eye contact with someone she hadn't been expecting. Lyra's eyes widened and she quickly sat back down, hoping Mason hadn't realized it was her.
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Post by Julian Faust on Dec 10, 2016 11:15:05 GMT -5
"Here let me." Julian said acting quickly and using his wand to clean her dress.
"There, good as new." he smiled.
***
Mason noticed them just before Lyra spilled the wine on her dress. They were a charming couple. He had seen her lean over and kiss her date then spill the wine. She finally noticed him in return, he'd know those brilliant eyes anywhere.
He stared hard at her with an unreadable expression on his face.
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