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Of Spicy Cider and Cozy Cocoa: A First Date With what one might call a swish and flick of fate, Diamond Marchbanks and Tristan Rivers were matched together for a date at the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade. Is this the beginning of a love story right out of a cozy winter romance novel for our two protagonists, or is this story destined for an unhappy ending? Text Cut: the date thus far, in the 2115-2116 Hogwarts term characters :: |
Tristan himself was surprised by the words that had just left his lips. He’d been so flustered he hadn’t had time to really think through his reply, and now…well, now that was out there. At least she had been the one to bring up a second date first, so his reply wasn't that forward or presumptuous, but even so, it felt like he'd said too much. If his face could get any more warm, it would. Diamond seemed to take it in stride though, which, well, he supposed wasn't a surprise. She appeared ready for anything, quick-witted and confident as she was. His eyes glanced briefly at her fingers as they drummed on the table, before returning to her face and pretty eyes. Merlin. It was very fortunate that they hadn't ordered drinks yet, because if he had taken a drink at the end of her reply there, he would have looked like one of those characters in a Muggle cartoon where the drink spewed out of their nose. Very fortunate indeed. Because snogging? He wasn't opposed to it obviously, but, well...he had never even kissed someone before. Luckily, he didn't let that admission slip out unawares. Instead he managed, "O- Oh, yeah, we can't have that," which wasn't a particularly witty reply, but at least it was something. "I'm sure there are a number of nice places around the castle to have a date." |
Diamond didn’t miss a beat—if anything, the stammer only made her smile sharpen with that glossy-lipped, knowing curve that said she clocked everything and liked what she saw. Her signatureーwell, ONE of her signatures. Her fingers, still idly tapping the table, came to a smooth stop as she leaned in just slightly. Close enough to make it clear she had no problem blurring lines, but not so close as to startle him. Yet. Hopefully? He was just so insufferably adorable it was a little hard to tell when her dazzling personality would become too much for him to handle. "Glad we are in agreement," she teased with a wink. "I know a few," she continued, voice silkier than her favorite pair of dress robesーdesigned by Candela, for the record, and bedazzled to the heavens and back with embroidery and rhinestones. "Some cozy spots perfect for something fleeting or impromptu have caught my eye and as long as you are not escorting me on glorified field trips to the greenhouses proclaiming a walk in nature to be oh-so-romantic, I am sure we will have a good time. I'm easy to please." She wasn't but she was also a girl of simple needs. Simple needs with high standards but, well, he would learn. She tilted her head and tapped her cheek. "Still," she added, giving him yet another once-over, playful but assessing, "you’re cute." A pause, then a sly smile. "Don’t worry, I’ll let you pick next time. Just... maybe somewhere with less risk of Professor Cole stumbling past at the wrong moment." And with that, she leaned back a bit in her seat but kept a bit of flirtatious contact with her foot brushing against his shin. "So, Hufflepuff Heartthrob. You want to order us those drinks or shall I do the honors so you can watch me walk away? Or maybe even get them to go?" |
Tristan did notice her lean in, while he...was sort of frozen. He didn't lean in, but he didn't lean away either. Because now that the idea of kissing had been brought up, he couldn't stop thinking about it. Was she expecting it to happen now, or...? But she was talking, so maybe...maybe not?? He had a fleeting thought about asking what spots she had noticed because he very much had not taken notice of any places like that - was he really that oblivious? - but fortunately for himself he couldn't quite form the words. Instead he replied, "Oh, yeah, me too," in response to being easy to please. Which he wasn't sure was a good response, but- well, it was true, he supposed. He was no expert in all this, so he had no reason to be strict about how things should proceed. He was...going with the flow essentially. Easy to please. Yeah. And...Merlin. Merlin. His brows rose a little at the idea of a professor catching them kissing. "N- No, we wouldn't want that." The very thought of anyone catching him, let alone a professor, was mortifying beyond belief, and just thinking about it made Tristan wish for the earth to swallow him up never to be seen again. He did note the contact of her shoe against his leg, but he was rescued from dwelling on it when she mentioned the drink. "I'll order them for us," he offered, maybe a little too quickly. It seemed like the gentlemanly thing to do, but it was also a relief to have something he could do besides sit frozen like a statue on fire. ...The metaphor made sense in his head. But as for whether to stay or get them to go? "Perhaps...a walk around the village would be nice?" he said as he got to his feet. They had admittedly only just sat down, but the more he sat there, the more out-of-his-element he felt. And it suddenly felt very public too, even if it was unlikely any of the other patrons were paying him any attention at all, and it also seemed uncomfortably warm in here, and maybe the winter air would be refreshing. If she was adamant about staying though, he wouldn't argue. "Which would you prefer?" |
Diamond’s smile curled at one corner like she knew exactly what kind of Fiendfyre-storm she’d set off in his head and, honestly, it was completely intentional. His whole body language had gone statue-stiff, the kind of frozen that read less I’m chill and more I’ve just seen my own ghost somersaulting through the corridors. It was sort of endearing and most definitely amusing ― in a chaotic, flustered, boyish sort of way. So she obviously let her foot linger just a second longer before pulling it back, slow and deliberate like a sweet little mischievous promise promise between them and not a retreat. "Mmmmm, we'll see just how easy," she hummed, chin tilting slightly as she studied him through heavy lashes. "Though hopefully not too easy. I do like a bit of a... challenge. Seven might be some sacred, fancy-pants number, but seven minutes in heaven? Tragically archaic." She had to stir the cauldron a bit more because DUH. Keeping Sir Blush-a-lot, well, blushing was her new favorite game to play. And then, he stood. It made her blink in surprise, though the motion was softened by the faint amusement glinting in her eyes. He was adorable. Skittish and gentlemanly in equal measure. "A walk, hmm?" she echoed, tapping her cheek in pseudo contemplation for a couple moments before standing up with fluid grace. "I see your play, Romeo. Get me alone in the cold and nothing but your arms to keep me warm because, lets be real, where is the chivalry in heating charms? Bold." She danced her fingers along the top of the table as she moved out from behind it to stand beside him, lips quirking in something that resembled a genuine smile. "A walk sounds nice. Maybe I’ll show you one of those spots I mentioned." She winked. And strolled ahead first without waiting, but with full expectation he’d follow ― he was, after all, going to order those drinks. |
Seven minutes in heaven…archaic? As in, she thought the game – if it could be called that? – was old-fashioned, or… …If blushing was what she wanted, it did indeed continue. Tristan couldn’t have stopped it at this point, even if he tried. And what did he even say to that? He couldn’t simply keep stammering out awkward one-word agreements. It was embarrassing, even if…even if Diamond did not seem to mind said awkwardness. She hadn’t left yet at least, for which he was grateful. He did not want this to end yet, no matter how much he felt like a newborn foal stumbling about on unsteady legs. So it was a relief when she seemed inclinded to go for a walk too – even though she was adding ulterior motives to it that hadn't occurred to him prior to her mentioning them. He had actually cast a heating charm on himself before he had headed for Hogsmeade, but now he wondered if he shouldn't have. If he had known how warm he would become regardless of their effect, he would've refrained from using them at all. Especially with the addition of finding one of "those spots." He swallowed before replying, "Right, that- that's a good plan." Back to the stammering agreements, of course, but at least it was more than one word. Grateful for the opportunity to focus on something smaller and practical, Tristan did follow up to the counter. He gave their order of two cups of hot cocoa to go and handed over the coins to the worker. It wasn't long before they were set on the counter in front of him. He picked up the cups, even warmer than his already warm hands, and offered one to Diamond. "Here you go." |
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