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Post by Chase Firebrand on Mar 1, 2009 21:04:17 GMT -5
Chase's lips curved into a slow smirk, and a wash of crimson momentarily obscured the natural red-brown of his eyes. "I'll have to concede to you on that," he said. Yes, he was familiar with exploring the crowd and all his options, but it had been painfully long since he had done so and he'd forgotten just how much fun it was. "I suspect I simply haven't been in the right crowds lately." No, he'd been in a mass of girls who all wanted him to settle down, then another mass who wanted one turn and a line in the Daily Prophet. It was no wonder he'd lost interest.
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Post by Carolynn Firebrand on Mar 1, 2009 21:15:49 GMT -5
"Well, there is always a ball to go to or a dinner party to find." Carolynn didn't even begin to think that she would be the only one Chase would be with, she would be fine as long as he came back to her bed in the end and allowed her to do the same. But there was plenty of time in the future to worry about that. For now, the goal was to test him out. "Perhaps I can teach you the fun of the crowd, and you can show me why you prefer to be one-on-one," she suggested, everything in her face suggesting innocence once again.
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Post by Chase Firebrand on Mar 1, 2009 21:47:54 GMT -5
Always a ball or a dinner party. Chase's opinion of giving in to his duties skyrocketed at that. He hadn't been to a ball since before he'd come to Hogwarts, with the exception of a masquerade which hardly counted. It had been fun, but nothing the same. And his father, whether to punish him or try to straighten him out, had only brought him to the dullest dinner parties possible.
It occurred to him that this betrothal had opened doors into everything he'd been deprived of. Everything. He couldn't help the spark of anticipation in his eyes, but he tempered it. He didn't want to look desperate or overexcited, whether he was or not.
All that passed through Chase's mind in a flash that left his blood that much warmer, and running that much faster. Then his smirk became a sly smile, the teasingly sweet facade Carolynn wore only encouraging him further. So far, she was perfect. To all appearances, everything a lady was raised to be. He was eager to get her alone and see the rest. "I'd like that," he said simply, then bit his tongue on asking, when can we start?
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Post by Carolynn Firebrand on Mar 1, 2009 22:02:36 GMT -5
Carolynn's smile faded and she bit her lip lightly as she leaned closer to Chase. It was elementary, yes, but it always worked for just that last little bit of emphasis. "Are you busy tonight?" she asked, searching his eyes. "I would love to get to know you better, if you have the time." She had all the time in the world, even if she had promised Mano she would talk to him that night about Chase. If she was going to be spending the rest of her life with the person across the table from her, she might as well start getting to know him better now.
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Post by Chase Firebrand on Mar 1, 2009 22:15:54 GMT -5
It had been far too long. Chase's reaction was instantaneous, and he had to clench his teeth just to keep from blurting an eager yes. He'd had nothing in months, months and this teasing beauty was propositioning him. His gaze had dropped uncontrolled to that motion against her lip, but he still had enough presence of mind to raise it to her eyes again. "I think I can manage it," he said, the casual words nothing compared to the low, meaningful tone of his voice. "Any particular time you might have in mind? Any place?" She had to have lodgings in London, if not Diagon Alley itself. He, unfortunately, was one of the students who actually retired to his bed in the dormitory to sleep.
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Post by Carolynn Firebrand on Mar 1, 2009 22:21:26 GMT -5
"Actually, I'm staying with my cousin in the apartment in this building," Carolynn said. Anyone could tell that she and Mano weren't really related, but who knew? There were adoptions and interracial marriages. Anything was technically possible. "Unless you were wanting to try out the crowds first," she added, almost as an afterthought, and brought her hand from under her chin to rest lightly on Chase's with her fingers moving slightly against his skin.
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Post by Chase Firebrand on Mar 1, 2009 22:42:11 GMT -5
The thoughts in Chase's mind had to be showing in his eyes, though he tried hard to derail them. He didn't need to concentrate on what he wanted to do to her, especially when it felt like things were winding down. He needed to be able to stand up and leave with some dignity, and that wouldn't be possible if he couldn't get himself under control.
"One thing at a time, Carolynn," Chase said, catching her hand lightly and drawing it away from his face. He still wondered at her acting skills, but at the moment he didn't particularly care which parts were an act, as long as they gave the desired results. "Tonight?" he reaffirmed, one finger accidentally shifting against the pulse at her wrist.
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Post by Carolynn Firebrand on Mar 1, 2009 22:54:41 GMT -5
"Tonight," Carolynn agreed, nodding faintly. Her pulse quickened against her will at his light touch and her eyes dropped to their hands and hovered there for a few moments. "There's a door at the side of the building, it leads right into the living room so you don't even have to come through here." It wasn't possible to hide the sparkle in her eyes when they moved back up to Chase. She was excited.
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Post by Chase Firebrand on Mar 1, 2009 23:16:35 GMT -5
There was the look he'd been waiting for. Chase's lips curved, only just this side of wickedly. "And your cousin will be out?" he asked, though it wasn't truly a question at all. There would be no use attempting anything with a relative present. They had appearances to keep up, even if it was expected for things to happen before the marriage.
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Post by Carolynn Firebrand on Mar 1, 2009 23:26:31 GMT -5
"I think I can arrange that," Carolynn said, a smile pulling at her lips. It wouldn't be hard to get Mano to go visiting or something for the night. He had already agreed not to be there the first few times, anyway. She didn't need any problems in the beginning. Once she had her foot firmly in the door, then she could introduce her fiance to her cousin.
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Post by Chase Firebrand on Mar 1, 2009 23:36:22 GMT -5
With the arrangements complete, Chase made his goodbyes, lifting Carolynn's hand to his lips and brushing them lightly against her skin in subtle promise. Everything was coming back to him, and he was glad of it. He'd need it all tonight. He left the shop feeling far more confident and in control than he had when he'd walked in.
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Post by Carolynn Firebrand on Mar 1, 2009 23:52:56 GMT -5
Carolynn watched Chase leave, then sat at the empty booth for a few more minutes before practically prancing up to the counter to talk to Mano. "I need the apartment tonight," she said, both hands on the counter and legs tight together like a little girl asking for candy at a shop. She didn't see any problems with asking for the apartment to herself for one night.
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Post by Lucretia 'Storm' Seyrrou on Mar 2, 2009 9:48:22 GMT -5
Lucretia was still looking back at the familiar figure that had nearly disappeared from sight. Her head turned back as she slowly stepped into the coffee shop. Watching the figure slowly disappear Lucretia was wondering what he was doing here.
“Chase?” she wondered aloud. She could feel the few stares on the back of her head, but didn’t really care. The fact that she saw someone she hadn’t spoken, nor wanted to in ages, had sent a shiver up and down her spine. Turning back to the coffee shop she made her way to a secluded booth her brows still furrowed.
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Post by Mano Berwyn on Mar 2, 2009 12:22:38 GMT -5
Mano's eyebrows came together at Carolynn's obvious idea that she could have the place whenever she wanted it. He had just opened his mouth to argue a little with her when he heard the unmistakable name. His eyes shot up around the room and hovered on the younger girl as she went to her seat. "Come talk to me later," he said. He knew Carolynn well enough to know she would want to talk to the girl. "You can have the place, as long as you spare a few minutes to talk to me about him. Looks like she knows him," he said, tilting his head toward the girl sitting in one of his higher backed booths.
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Post by Carolynn Firebrand on Mar 2, 2009 12:27:24 GMT -5
Carolynn had caught Mano's almost-argument and already had a comeback planned when he changed subjects. She had only faintly heard the name, but when she turned her head to look where Mano had decided, she smiled her feline smile again. There was nothing wrong with finding background on the person one was going to marry, was there? Her eyes turned back to Mano, "I'll be back in a bit," she said, perhaps a bit too brightly, then turned. She checked her dress, hair, and makeup quickly again, though there had been nothing to mess it up, and clicked her way to the booth.
"Excuse me," she said, her hands folded sweetly in front of her. "But it seems as though you know Chase?" she finished, her voice coming up just enough to ask the question on the last word. Underneath innocent gaze, Carolynn was looking over the girl, obviously younger than herself, and wondering how the girl knew Chase.
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