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Post by Lyra Newbury on May 20, 2018 3:43:16 GMT -5
 Just as she had when Nicolas had first taken her on the motorcycle, and similarly to when Julian had taken her driving in the vintage corvette she had loved, Lyra felt an exhilarated thrill the faster they went. The road leading toward the hill had very few curves, which meant Nik could increase their speed tremendously and Lyra squeezed herself against him as she closed her eyes and melted into his back. It was utterly incredible. Surely nothing could be better than this, but she was wrong. They reached the winding road that wrapped around the rolling hills, weaving back and forth between creeks and deep canyons. The view was incredible and the pace with which it whipped past them was beyond amazing. They rose higher and higher before reaching the peak and beginning a steady climb down the other side. In the distance, Lyra could see a little village peaking out from behind the forest of trees. It disappeared from sight as they turned a corner, then reappeared after another. With each new sighting the village grew until they reached the base of the hill. Lyra wanted to ride that road again. Tag: Nicolas Everhart |
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Post by Nicolas Everhart on May 20, 2018 3:55:32 GMT -5
Nik was a skilled motorcyclist, then again anything he or Sam did typically was perfected before it was ever shared with someone else. That's the way things worked in their society, which is why Lyra was such a breath of fresh air.
Lyra was perfectly imperfect. She was real, not some china doll bred in high society, perfectly coiffed at all times and utterly boring. Sam was the exception in his book. There were a few others, but no one not even Sam that fascinated him as much as Lyra's childish awe and imperfections. If Lyra was angry, she'd be angry and hot, not cold and aloof with reprimand in her eyes. If Lyra was passionate she'd be...
That was too dangerous a road to travel, moreso than the one they had just survived coming down the hill as they did.
He reigned his thoughts in and came to a slow stop just on the outskirts of the village.
"Come on, if we're lucky we might be able to get to Dorothy before they're all gone." he said with a boyish excitement that was more than rare coming from him.
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Post by Lyra Newbury on May 20, 2018 4:01:56 GMT -5
The motorcycle slowed and eventually came to a stop. Lyra was too high on the excitement she had felt over that insane road to complain that they had come to a stop. But why had they stopped? Was there something wrong? Lyra loosened her grip on Nicolas' waist and looked at the little village around them. She had never been here before. She had never been on this side of the Montgomery property. In fact, she didn't even know that they were still on Montgomery property. "Who's Dorothy?" she asked curiously. Tag: Nicolas Everhart |
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Post by Nicolas Everhart on May 20, 2018 4:44:22 GMT -5
Taking his riding gloves off he pocketed them in his jeans before dexterously helping Lyra to the ground.
His only answer was a smirk as he pulled her gently further into the village.
"Well I'll be, is that Nik?"
He stopped in his tracks after hearing his name called, "May." he said without turning.
"You better get over here son before she gets it into her mind to tell Annabelle you're here."
Nik blanched and turned slowly.
"That's right, and bring that pretty little thing with you."
"Hush Frank." May ribbed her husband.
They were a darling couple in their late fifties, perhaps early sixties.
"Are you here for the festival Nik?" May continued and politely smiled at the girl currently holding Nik's hand, or whose hand Nik was currently gripping.
"Is that this week?" he asked taking stock of the couple's attire. May was dressed in a matronly dress that was plain, but still pretty. Frank was dressed in a nice button down with jeans.
"Tonight's the auction."
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Post by Lyra Newbury on May 20, 2018 23:50:01 GMT -5
Lyra still hadn’t found out who Dorothy was, or what would be gone if they were too late. She didn’t even know where they were and Nik’s little smirk was of no use to her at all. And older couple, who were clearly familiar with her friend, called out to Nik and before long Lyra was standing a step behind Nicolas, listening to a very inside conversation that Lyra wasn’t really a part of. There was a festival and an auction. Without anymore details than that, Lyra decided either would be fun to attend. At least, it would be more fun than what she had been doing with her free time since Nik disappeared and Sam had returned to school, which was a whole lot of nothing. She looked from the old woman, who had a kind smile, to Nik. “Going to piss all your money away at the auction tonight? I’d be glad to help you with that,” she said with a grin. Tag: Nicolas Everhart |
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Post by Nicolas Everhart on May 21, 2018 0:06:48 GMT -5
Nik released a brief laugh, "Not exactly."
It figured his first day seeing Lyra in over a month would also be an adventure, nothing with her was ordinary.
The couple in front of them laughed too at Lyra's remark. Nik most definitely would not be bidding on any of the auction proceedings that evening.
"Oh no dear, I don't think he'd find anything to his tastes."
"You might though." Nik said with a casual grin, but Mary tilted her head with a bit of confusion.
"Oh you mean you two aren't-"
Frank nudged her this time and she shook her head and smiled.
"We'll be there Mar" Nik said jumping in, "Just going to stop over at Dorothy's first."
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Post by Lyra Newbury on May 21, 2018 0:53:17 GMT -5
Insecurities welled up inside of her as the older couple, and even Nik to an extent, laughed at her remark. From the look of this little village, these weren’t the sort of people to be on par with the Montgomerys social standing, nor with Nik’s. Yet it felt as though Lyra was being laughed at once again for not understanding the social workings of the upper class. There would always be more opportunities for her to remember that she didn’t really belong in their world, even if she was killing it at the magazine. Apparently whatever was being auctioned off was not up to snuff for the posh Nicolas Everhart, but for the lowly Lyra Newbury it would do just fine. She hid her insulted expression as best she could, making a mental note to sulk properly once they were away from these people whom she didn’t know. She remained quiet and waited for Nik to lead her to this mysterious Dorothy’s house for whatever reason Nik had up his sleeve. She didn’t understand why he wouldn’t tell her what was happening but if he was going to keep mocking her publicly as he was, then she would have no problem disapparating and leaving him to play with his motorcycle by himself. Tag: Nicolas Everhart |
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Post by Nicolas Everhart on May 21, 2018 1:14:01 GMT -5
Dorothy's wasn't a house, it was a bakery. Well it was a house and a bakery, and the best baker in the entire world was a small plump woman named Dorothy. Nik was in love with her. He had asked her to marry him when he was ten after eating an entire pie by himself, and had maintained a strict ritual of visiting her first before any other when coming to the village.
Nik didn't know Lyra had felt slighted over their conversation with Mary and Frank, he would have put her at ease at once, well he liked to think he would have put her at ease. He also enjoyed teasing her far too much. And she needn't have worried about appearing upper class in present company. The village was a place of peace for the Montgomeries and for Nicolas. They were simple folk with simple lives. And while the village adored the Montgomeries and Nicolas, they didn't give any credence to the "king upon the hill" for Edward was not that kind of man.
"Dorothy!" Nik called once he reached the small building. Immediately the scent of berries wafted over him and he nearly melted into a puddle. It was different. This wasn't the cold aloof man Lyra had seen before, nor was it the stern brooding ass that judged her, it wasn't even the loving caring yet still incredibly gruff man Lyra had come to know as a friend. Nik was a little boy in a candy store, or a bakery rather, and his guard was down. He didn't show this side of himself to anyone outside of family, and Lyra unbeknownst to him, had made the cut. She wedged herself so deeply under his skin that he didn't even know what happened.
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Post by Lyra Newbury on May 25, 2018 22:40:47 GMT -5
It was a fairly short walk from Mary and Frank’s to Dorothy’s, and Lyra could see instantly why Nik’s phrasing had seemed so strange when speaking of a woman. It wasn’t a woman he was speaking of, but a bakery shop. A little bell over the door chimed as they entered and a plump woman turned as Nik excitedly shouted her name. Alright, so Dorothy’s was a bakery and a woman, but Nik’s words had Lyra convinced they were not here for purely social call. She watched with a poorly contained smile as Nik instantly turned into a bouncing little boy upon entering the shop. Lyra had never seen him like this. He was always so refined and proper, and if he wasn’t that then he was still exuding a sense of control and dominance. At this moment, however, he looked to be complete butter in this fat woman’s hands. Tag: Nicolas Everhart |
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Post by Nicolas Everhart on May 26, 2018 14:56:25 GMT -5
And the things that Dorothy could do with butter, words didn't do it justice.
For the first time in a long time Nik felt free, it was an odd sensation, and at an odd time, and in odd company, but the weight he subconsciously wore on his shoulders every day began to lighten in Lyra's presence until - as previously stated - Nik was like a bouncing little boy.
He was still the devastatingly handsome man, but with an ease and unpracticed countenance that was somewhat hard to reconcile with the often too serious Nicolas Everhart.
Upon hearing his voice said plump woman turned with shock and joy, her hands coming to her face in excitement, "Nicky boy!" a name only Dorothy could get away with using. Sam had teased him once and he glared at her for nearly a week.
She wiped her hands on her apron and came around the counter to give him a proper squeeze.
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Post by Lyra Newbury on May 27, 2018 0:58:52 GMT -5
Nicky Boy. Lyra mouthed the nickname, eyebrows raised, as she watched the plump Dorothy come around the counter and the give Nik a hug. She would be reserving that nickname for only the most special occasions to mock her friend. Like when he really pisses her off, or on his birthday, or days ending in Y. As the pair pulled apart, Lyra smiled at the woman. Tag: Nicolas Everhart |
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Post by Nicolas Everhart on May 27, 2018 2:08:32 GMT -5
On any other day Nik would have threatened Lyra with some type of punishment were she to ever repeat the nickname. As it was, he was too busy being squeezed to death by the tiny woman who gripped like a bear.
He made a slight groan, but held her fondly just the same until she pulled back.
"It's so good to see you! Oh, and you brought a friend! How wonderful." Dorothy exclaimed looking Lyra over, "She's lovely." she said sincerely.
"Yes. Dorothy, this is my good friend Lyra." he said introducing the pair, "And Lyra, this is Dorothy, the best baker this side of Europe, and the other side of Europe, and on the other six continents."
Nik grinned at the becoming blush on Dortothy's cheeks.
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Post by Lyra Newbury on May 27, 2018 3:27:36 GMT -5
So, Nik must have really liked this woman’s baking. Lyra would have had to be deaf and blind to miss it. He looked practically giddy in her presence and Lyra wondered if there wasn’t some sexual excitement there as well. Merlin, she hoped not. She did not want to picture Nik and this round woman rolling around together in the nude. She shuddered internally at the thought. “It’s lovely to meet you,” Lyra smiled at the woman. She looked to Nik. “I suspect we’re ordering then, if its that good?”Tag: Nicolas Everhart |
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Post by Nicolas Everhart on May 27, 2018 13:43:33 GMT -5
Nik had grown up on the Montgomery estates. After the nasty business with his sister, Edward took a more active role in Nik's life. In some ways, without Sam to spoil, Edward turned his attention to Nik as the son he didn't have - at least until Jarred and Caleb.
Perhaps that relationship contributed to his pursuit of Samantha, to say nothing of the girl herself. Even if she wasn't a quarter veela, there was something about her that roped men in. But Nik knew her like no one else did. He was privy to her mother's insanity, and had at times been Samantha's lifeline. They would always be tethered by those memories, and Nik would always be tethered to the Montgomery family, a part of it - though he wasn't blood related.
The village held entirely different memories. Carefree days spent with carefree people. That wasn't true, they had their worries as well, but their difficulties were so different than Nik's it was easy to escape the pressures of life and responsibility whenever he visited.
Here there was no pretense. No high society snobbery. The people were kind if you were kind, and they were loyal if you were loyal. He knew every person in the village, though it was technically a hamlet, as there were less than a hundred citizens, but they were growing. Each family was dedicated to a profession or trade, and you'd be hard pressed to find a more skillful group. Even with their skills, that could easily take them far in the wizarding world, they didn't have a mind to leave or expand. They valued the simple life. They valued the small community and the intimacy of knowing one's neighbor.
As a protective measure Edward began supporting the endeavors of the village through the business. The Montgomeries had always been fiercely protective of the community on their property and took a firm hand against encroachment or exploitation, but it wasn't until Edward lumped the trades under the Montgomery name that there was an added level of legality against the snake oil salesmen who would take advantage of the beloved townsfolk.
And they never took a cent. Any monies earned went back into the welfare and comfort of the community, and for that there was a mutual love between the Montgomeries and the citizens who lived on the estate.
Dorothy had known Nik since he was ten, she had been less plump then.
She chuckled when Lyra asked if they were ordering, "Most everything is at the auction, except for what I keep in here." she said indicating her own basket of goodies.
"Oh." Nik said disappointed, but he lightened when Dorothy indicated the basket, and grinned wolfishly, "Is that so? Well, he'll be the luckiest man whoever you intend to share that with. Don't suppose you'd want a strapping youngster with blue eyes, brown hair, roughly over six feet..." he said teasingly.
She blushed again, "Oh Nicky boy it's not kind to tease an old woman so, you know my Curtis would never forgive me." she lowered her lashes then laughed, "And I'm not sure I could afford you once Annabelle sees that you're here."
Nik groaned. Dorothy chuckled.
Dorothy didn't know that Lyra would have no idea about the auction and what or who rather would be on the block for purchase. She assumed Nik had told his girlfriend - his very pretty girlfriend - about the event and they had come to participate. It was very romantic, if Nik hadn't been so obtuse.
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Post by Lyra Newbury on May 28, 2018 1:46:44 GMT -5
Wow. Just wow. Dorothy’s baking was so good that right there in front of Lyra he was offering himself up to her. For what? A pie? A muffin? What baked good could be delicious enough that Nicolas Everhart would prostitute himself? And more importantly, why wouldn’t Nik just plan to outbid anyone else on the muffin basket or whatever Dorothy was offering up to the auction? Lyra looked around, as if suddenly in a new place, certain they had stopped in some strange parallel universe. “Right,” Lyra said, interjecting herself into the conversation, tired of being left out. “Looks like someone will be spending a few galleons at the auction then. I’m sure I can find something I’d like to pay for.”Tag: Nicolas Everhart |
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Post by Nicolas Everhart on May 28, 2018 2:10:43 GMT -5
Nik, had he been aware of what Lyra was thinking, would have been appalled, and yet he hadn't explained about the auction or anything else in his haste to get to Dorothy.
Disappointment now heavy in his features he resigned to waiting until the auction to indulge in the baked goods. Ironically Nik didn't like sweets. Sam did, and he indulged her, but he could take it or leave it - like most things in his life.
But Dorothy's was different, whether it was the baked good itself or simply the reminder of better days, Nik wasn't all together certain.
Nik laughed, "Oh I'm sure you will." he said with a mild eye roll. He was somewhat enjoying keeping her out of the loop, though he didn't know why. He would never have guessed that he was jealous at the idea of Lyra bidding on another man.
"Well I'm just about to close up, but for you Nicky boy.." she smiled and went to her basket of goodies. Nik's eyes just about widened like a kid in a candy store. She returned with an apple tart and handed it to him. Nik smiled an honest smile of pure childish glee.
"Alright now shoo." she said motioning for Nik to leave before turning kind eyes on Lyra, "It was lovely meeting you dear."
Dorothy liked the look and sass of the girl standing next to her Nickyboy. She loved the young miss Montgomery, but they were far too similar Samantha and Nicolas. They were both too perfect. They needed someone to penetrate that cold isolated shell and bring out life, and Lyra did not lack for vibrancy. The girl's energy was strong even with only a few moments in her presence.
Nik got a hold of himself and smiled, "You're too good to me Dorothy. We'll get out of your hair." he smiled toward Lyra and nodded for the door.
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Post by Lyra Newbury on May 28, 2018 2:49:01 GMT -5
Nik might have been having fun leaving Lyra to put the pieces of conversation together like a puzzle, only to wind up with a picture that still made very little sense, but Lyra was not enjoying it. She smiled politely and provided a salutation as the woman shooed them from her shop, then Lyra stepped outside. She waited until the door was shut behind Nik to speak.
“Does this sodding place have a post office or are you just taking me on a tour of nothing for sh*ts and giggles?” There was a little bite in her tone but her expression was pleasant enough. She wasn’t angry, more just annoyed. Lyra did not like being left in the dark, no matter what the subject may be. She had enough insecurities to fill the caverns of Gringotts and then some, and feeling out of place triggered something in her. Growing up, Lyra had known exactly who she was. She was confident in herself and owned any room she entered. Over the last few years her self esteem had plummeted. Her parents’ abandonment had put her in the undesirable position of having to care for herself without having so much as iota of knowledge on how to do such a thing. Sam and Julian had taken her under their wing but they had introduced her to another world that she was unfamiliar with. The Newburys were upper middle class at best. On her own she was the lowest of the low. The Sam’s help she was a socialite of the upper class. Lyra bounced around from place to place and aside from when she was still a minor, she never quite felt like she belonged. Nik and his little secret village weren’t adding ease to her day, though it was still better than an extra therapy session with Dr Nadeer. Tag: Nicolas Everhart |
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Post by Nicolas Everhart on May 28, 2018 3:10:09 GMT -5
Nik was still waving goodbye when Lyra's tone wiped the smile from his face and replaced it with a furrowed brow of confusion, "Yes, there's a post." he answered tentatively.
Then he sighed while coming to the wrong conclusion. While he adored the village and the people, perhaps it was too much of a small town to Lyra. He had taken her to Milan for the fashion shows, had escorted her through Belgrade for the sights, comparatively - though he found it charming - Lyra didn't think so. He didn't blame her.
"We can head there now if you like, and then get dinner at Repas?" he asked looking to placate her. He didn't need to go to the auction, or see any more familiar faces, or eat Dorothy's baked goods - though the thought made him more than a little sad. There would be other times, he could return when he wasn't escorting a beautiful girl around.
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Post by Lyra Newbury on May 29, 2018 2:04:44 GMT -5
Morgana help her, Nik was being all dramatic with his sexy little eyebrow furrow and his sighs. She’d only asked about the post as that was the intent behind this little trip anyway. Alright, so she might have come off a bit b*tchier than she had planned but she was annoyed with him and they were no longer in the presence of any pleasant townsfolk, so there was nothing demanding she keep her composure. She had a right to her emotions. “Oh, don’t sulk. It’s nearly as unattractive on you as watching you flirt with that old bag.” Lyra gave a crooked smirk and turned down the street in the direction opposite of where they had come from, assuming the post office would be further in town. “I never would have pointed out that fantastic windy road if I knew you were just going to force me to stand by while you had little inside conversations without me. It wouldn’t hurt to include me in things, you know. I’m not going to embarrass you. And, really, I don’t understand your fascination in having a chat that I’m not a part of, or at least the subject of.” She gave a smug smirk, her chin held a little higher than usual. “I’m bloody marvelous, you know.”
“I don’t think we’ll have time for Repas. They’ll be serving food at the auction, won’t they? I’ve never been to a real auction before. I mean, we used to auction off the Ravenclaw students’ bookbags and notes when we nicked them in school, but I doubt a bunch of sixth and seventh years had the details of a real auction down pat. Besides, I’m afraid of what will happen if you don’t get a bloody pie.”Tag: Nicolas Everhart |
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Post by Nicolas Everhart on May 29, 2018 2:16:48 GMT -5
Only Lyra could scold him and flirt with him at the same time. Mentally he took a step back to see things from her perspective as she accused him of leaving her out. He chuckled.
"I suppose I got a bit caught up." he admitted. It was rare for Nik to lose his cool composure, but there was something about being at the Village that soothed him, and took away the pressures that held him down from day to day.
He could just be "Nicky boy" though he hated that damn name. He didn't have to be Nicolas Everhart, which was exhausting at times.
"Yes, I'm well aware how bloody marvelous you are darling." he smiled and offered her his arm.
He agreed too when she mentioned the pie that he would miss. As an apology he broke the apple tart in half and offered it to her.
"No more inside conversations. I promise." he was about to explain about the auction when they had turned the corner and the sign read "Annual Stud Auction" in large letters as well as a picture of a man standing on a stage while women raised paddles. The man preened and strut for his audience.
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