A First Of Many? [Abby/Marius]

[ABIGAIL JAMES]

“How about while you look over the menu I’ll you, otherwise the server is going to keep coming over and next time something might break.” Abby giggled a little and turned her eyes back down to the menu. She was pretty sure she wanted scallops, but what kind? Her eyes roamed that part of the menu, finding she was interested by something spicy tonight. While Marius talked, she decided and folded her menu afterward. He told her he’d come across a woman with wings injured in his rural Romanian town, and she knew the woman must have been an Avisaille. “Now, in Romania, it isn’t normal for a person to be able to fly.” Abby laughed. It wasn’t normal in Scriptor Bay, either! But she supposed it was more normal here than anywhere else in the world.

“I patched her up as best as I could and befriended her. She told me all about Scriptor Bay and about the guardians. I decided then that it was my calling to become a doctor.” How interesting! He became a doctor because he met an unusual woman. Of course she wondered how far that friendship went with this mystery woman, but it wasn’t really any of her business. He was with her now, so there was nothing for Abby to worry about. Maybe she could actually meet the woman someday! She’d never actually seen an Avisaille’s wings and she thought it might be quite the sight. At least she had known for years that such beings existed. Marius must have thought he stumbled on an injured angel! That would have been quite a shock for anyone.

“And I happened to admire your garden when I picked you up. It’s magnificent.” Abby smiled wide. “Thank you!” she said cheerfully. “Most Geos have gardens, but not all of them have such extensive ones. My father and I run something of an apothecary business, though, so we need large gardens. I’ve pretty much taken it over since I came back, but my father helps me with some of my supply. We make all kinds of potions from purgatives that help rid toxins and toxic emotions from the body to hangover cures to love potions.” She gave a soft giggle, keeping her voice low as she told him. “Some of it sounds like New Age hippy stuff, but it works well. I’ve actually been using a pain relieving potion for my ankle since I twisted it. It works just as well as ibuprofen, but without the chemicals. Not that I don’t think modern medicine is just wonderful, but when I can I prefer all natural remedies.” She gave a big, playful grin, knowing that as a doctor, he probably leaned more towards his brand of healing. “I don’t just sell potions, though. I also sell rare herbs and plants needed for various spells and potions to other Geos. My family’s kind of known for the quality and quantity of our product among Geos, so if it’s something rare, they know they can come to the Jameses and we’ll probably have it for a good price. Nothing illegal, though. Some Geos go that route, but not me.”

The waiter walked up then and Abby immediately ordered the peppered scallops meal so he would just go away. As Marius ordered, she sipped her wine and thought what a great date this was turning out to be. She would have to tell Lafayette absolutely everything! When the waiter left, she smiled at Marius and cocked her head to the side cutely. “It looks like we’re both in the healing business. Your way is just slightly different than mine,” she said with a sweet smile.

[MARIUS DAKANIS]

"Most Geos have gardens, but not all of them have such extensive ones. My father and I run something of an apothecary business, though, so we need large gardens. I've pretty much taken it over since I came back, but my father helps me with some of the supply. We make all kinds of potions from purgatives that help rid toxins and toxic emotions from the body to hangover cures to love potions." This was fascinating news. Abby ran an apothecary seemingly out of her home. "Some of it sounds like New Age hippy stuff, but it works well. I've actually been using a pain relieving potion for my ankle since I twisted it. It works just as well as ibuprofen, but without the chemicals. Not that I don't think modern medicine is just wonderful, but when I can I prefer all natural remedies." She went on to say how her family sold some rare herbs and remedies but they were all highly legal.

When the waiter came over for their orders he got the chilean sea bass after Abby said what she wanted, then Marius watched him walk away. "It looks like we're both in the healing business. Your way is just slightly different than mine." It was true, they both helped people with their ailments just one was natural and the other medical.

"I take no offense to the use of natural remedies. I would rather put something pure in my body than some of those chemicals to be completely honest." He used as many natural cures he could when he was at home on himself. He didn't like the idea of pills filled with all sorts of chemicals. "Medicine can be harmful in the long run on your body. And when you have a chronic illness where you're on medication your whole life I think an alternative is a good idea."

"Perhaps you could show me a few remedies, I'd love to pick your brain. I'm always willing to learn new forms of medicine and might be able to send you some new customers."

[ABIGAIL JAMES]

“I take no offense to the use of natural remedies. I would rather put something pure in my body than some of those chemicals to be completely honest. Medicine can be harmful in the long run on your body. And when you have a chronic illness where you’re on medication your whole life I think an alternative is a good idea.” Abby knew of course that there were many doctors who used homeopathic cures, but that wasn’t exactly what she was talking about. She was surprised that Marius was so comfortable with the idea of using potions instead of traditional medicine. Or was hers the traditional medicine? It was hard to say these days. “Perhaps you could show me a few remedies, I’d love to pick your brain. I’m always willing to learn new forms of medicine and might be able to send you some new customers.” Her smile grew as she nodded. “I’d love that! Wow, business and a date all in one. This is just a good day!” She gave a soft giggle, leaning her elbows on the table, forgetting it was rude for the moment. It was so comfortable sitting and talking with Marius, she didn’t even think of etiquette.

They passed the dinner drinking wine and talking shop, Abby giving some good advice on all natural remedies that worked even without spells. Basil for upset stomachs, lavender tea for anxiety and some other more off the wall remedies that people wouldn’t normally think of. He even had some suggestions of his own that she knew she would look into adding to some of her potions to make them stronger. She explained how magic felt moving through her, the tingling in her core that moved to her limbs until her fingertips were buzzing. Even when they finished eating, they continued talking, though it moved to conversation about food. Abby asked about Romanian food and what was common to find for ingredients. She talked about her mother’s and her grandmother’s authentic Italian cooking and silently marveled at how she wasn’t 500 pounds from the way she ate that cooking her whole life.

Before she knew it, they had been at the restaurant for nearly two hours, but it felt like it had been no more than half an hour. Where did the time go? And where did her food go? She could hardly remember eating it with all of her talking. Her eyes were wide when she looked at her watch and saw it was just after ten o’ clock. “When did it get so late?” she wondered out loud, her surprise sounding in her voice. A playful smile lit up her face as she looked across the table at her date. “I hope I haven’t kept you out past your bedtime.” She gave a lighthearted giggle, taking a sip of the glass of water that had somehow appeared in front of her over the past couple hours.

[MARIUS DAKANIS]

The conversation went from medicine to their professions to Abby's abilities then down to food. Marius and Abby sat there discussing every one of those topics with enthusiasm since they both had such a passion for them. Well, the food was just a bit of a bonus since food was always delicious, and the more Abby spoke about the Italian women in her family the more he wanted to try their authentic dishes. The night flew by, their food came and was eaten while they managed to go through an entire bottle of wine and after that settled on glasses of water. He'd lost track of time and his pager didn't buzz even once that night. It was refreshing since he'd forgotten about it halfway through their meal and relaxed once it was out of mind.

When Abby glanced to her watch he suddenly became aware that all of the other occupants surrounding them had changed to new guests that came to dine. "When did it get so late?" She sounded just as surprised as he was at the fact that they must have been there for at least two hours though he didn't bother to check the time and just took her word for it. "I hope I haven't kept you out past your bedtime." The way the woman across from him giggled was adorable and he could listen to it all night long if she'd allow him to.

He wondered where their waiter was and why he hadn't come over to make eyes at Abby in quite some time. Maybe they should get the check and head out since it was getting so late and he didn't know what her schedule was like. "I'm glad the hospital didn't interrupt us tonight. I would have been stricken if I missed this opportunity to learn so much about you." Marius thought the woman was so captivating in both her beauty and the mystery that surrounded her because she was a Geomancer. She was unique.

"I'd love to do this again sometime if you'll have me." He said with a smile and watched her. He'd never had so much fun on a date before and if she was willing then he'd love to take her out for a second date. There was so much more that he believed they could talk about.

It was almost like the waiter just appeared at their table the way he seemed to do earlier in the night. His eyes were on Abby, "Are we ready for dessert?" Marius wasn't much of a dessert person. He didn't like sweets at all actually but he wasn't about to say no if Abby wanted to get something. He raised a brow at her almost as if he was trying to ask her if she wanted anything with that little motion. "Dessert?"

[ABIGAIL JAMES]

“I’m glad the hospital didn’t interrupt us tonight. I would have been stricken if I missed this opportunity to learn so much about you.” The way Marius spoke was so formal, but Abby liked how it contrasted with her casual way of speaking. So much about the two of them contrasted, but there were still so many things they could talk about. One date, talking all the while, and they still had barely scratched the surface about each other! Abby smiled warmly, one hand supporting her head as she rested it on her elbow. “Me too,” she agreed softly. Marius was so interesting to her and just so easy on the eyes, she had to wonder what awesome deed she had done in a past life to earn a chance with him. The fact that he was several years older didn’t even bother her; it made him that much more interesting and captivating to her. It was so refreshing to finally have someone to talk intellectually with! None of the men her age wanted to have those kinds of conversations.

“I’d love to do this again sometime if you’ll have me.” If she’d have him? He was so silly! Abby grinned from ear to ear and nodded gently. “I’d love to!” she piped in her low, smooth voice. As she was smiling, starry-eyed at Marius, the waiter appeared again and she looked up at him with wide eyes. Once more, he was staring at her like a lovesick puppy and she was both flattered and embarrassed by it. Didn’t this kid know better than to stare when the object of his affection was with another man? “Are we ready for dessert?” Abby loved dessert. She loved sweets of any kind, but tonight she was fit to burst, she was so full. The woman had eaten a whole plate of food! There was just no more room in her tiny body for more food. Her eyes found Marius as he looked at her, his eyebrows raised in inquiry. “Dessert?” Abby smiled more and turned her eyes back to the waiter, shaking her head. The boy seemed almost disappointed, but he gave a half smile. “I’ll go get your check.” She hoped he had enough sense not to put that check in front of her. That would be awkward if he handed it to her and she passed it right on to Marius. What could she say? She lived on a teacher’s salary with a little side business to help.

Her eyes came back to Marius’ very blue ones and she let herself slip back into that blissful little world they had created out of their immediate vicinity. It was so perfect! Everything was just so perfect. “I haven’t had this much fun on a date in…well, ever,” she marveled with a hushed laugh. “All of the guys I ever dated didn’t want to have a real conversation. They just wanted to talk about sports or television, neither of which I’m very hip to. All of the celebrity gossip I hear comes from my students, and half the time I don’t know who they’re talking about.” She gave a playful shrug and shook her head as if she didn’t know these things, nor did she care. “It’s nice to find somebody who wants to talk about something interesting,” she said with a sweet smile. “And here I was beginning to think you couldn’t find looks and brains in one package.” She giggled before the waiter appeared again, setting the check beside Marius while looking at her. Abby shot him an awkward smile, before turning to the window, but throwing Marius a sidelong glance, with an uneasy look. The waiter went away and Abby gave him a strange look before looking back to Marius with a raised brow as if to say silently, “What a weirdo!” Normally Abby was pretty nice, but the kid was getting to be a bit much now. Wasn’t it obvious she was completely engrossed in her date?

[MARIUS DAKANIS]

Marius had to agree with Abby, the waiter was a weirdo. Part of him wanted to just leave the guy a bad tip because of the way he had been staring at Abby the entire night but he was just too nice of a person and couldn't be so mean to someone who made their living on tips. He leaned to the right and lifted up his left hip so he could pull his wallet out of the back pocket of his pants. He ran his thumb over the edge of an American Express card that was in one of the pockets of the wallet and slid it out to place inside the little black case that held the bill, setting it on the ledge of the table so the waiter could come and collect it. It took less than a minute for the waiter to come back, stare at Abby, and scoop up the bill to go and swipe his card.

Marius watched the man walk away once again and wondered why he didn't just pay with cash so that he could leave it and they could go without dealing with the waiter any longer. "It looks like you have more than one admirer tonight," he said and gave a lighthearted little chuckle. Even if he didn't like it he could act like it didn't bother him. The waiter was back before Marius knew it and he looked up to him, about to thank him for handing him his receipt and card, except once again he was watching Abby. The waiter didn't even look at where he was handing the bill to and Marius had to reach to snatch it out of his hand with as much grace as he could. The waiter bid them a good night and then finally left for hopefully what would be the last time. Marius wasn't watching him make his departure this time however, since he was scribbling down a tip - which he thought the waiter didn't quite deserve but because he was a nice guy - that was generous and then scribbling his messy signature.

"Anyway, I happen to have two tickets to a ball next week. A masquerade ball, and I was planning on just giving the tickets away but if you'd do me the honor I would be delighted to take you." He stuck his card back into his wallet and his wallet back into his back pocket when he got up to his feet. He was a bit reluctant to leave knowing that their next destination would be back to her place and he was enjoying the evening so much that he didn't want it to end. But it was growing late and he did have an early day ahead of him.

[ABIGAIL JAMES]

Abby felt very strange with the waiter looking at her dreamily while Marius was right there. She was trying desperately to ignore him, just keep her eyes on either the tablecloth or Marius, but the kid was just so strange. He moved away to swipe Marius’ card and she shook her head with a bewildered sort of smile. “It looks like you have more than one admirer tonight.” Abby cocked her head to the side playfully. “I do?” she said with mock surprise and then laughed when he chuckled. Before she could make another joke, the waiter was back, but he wasn’t paying attention. Abby stifled a laugh as Marius snatched the check from the waiter, finding his irritation cute. Marius just didn’t seem the type to get irritated often, so it was amusing that he was now. The waiter bid them goodnight and Abby nodded and gave a little smile in return. Finally, he was gone! She wanted to leave, but she didn’t because she knew it would mean Marius taking her home. She wanted some time with him really alone. She was having so much fun, but she didn’t want a creepy waiter to keep interrupting them.

“Anyway, I happen to have two tickets to a ball next week. A masquerade ball, and I was planning on just giving the tickets away but if you’d do me the honor I would be delighted to take you.” Abby’s eyes widened with excitement, a big smile crossing her face. “I’d love to! I’d be crazy to pass up going to a ball with you!” she gushed, slipping her coat over her shoulders once more. She’d have to go out and buy a dress and a mask, but it was so exciting! She of course knew about the masquerade, they threw it every year at the museum, but she had never been invited. Being in a pretty dress with a mask…it was so old-fashioned and such an original idea for a date! She had to wonder if she might be able to convince Marius to help her out of her dress afterward…no, she couldn’t think like that. There was nothing worse than being seen as easy when you really liked a guy, and she really liked Marius. Something told her he wouldn’t like that in a girl anyway. She would be on her best behavior over the next few weeks. If she wanted him to stick around, she would have to be hard to get.

They paused for a moment at the door to get his umbrella from the stand, but once outside, she looped her arm in his once more, glad they could both fit beneath the shade of the umbrella. “I’ve never been to a ball before. You’re just pulling out all the stops to impress me,” she teased, smiling up at him. There was a strange comfort in even walking with him arm in arm like this. It was such a simple action, but she felt content. What a nice evening it had been…she almost didn’t want it to end. But maybe, if she was lucky, she would get a kiss on her doorstep.

[MARIUS DAKANIS]

It was nice to be arm in arm with a beautiful woman. Marius felt like the luckiest man in the world, walking under an umbrella as it rained after a marvelous first date and already they had plans for a second one. The night couldn't get any better.

"I've never been to a ball before. You're just pulling out all the stops to impress me." He hadn't thought of it that way, and when he thought about it from an outsider's perspective it did seem like he was trying to impress the woman on his arm. He hoped she didn't think that he was trying too hard. "There's a first time for everything. And if I was pulling all the stops to impress you, is it working?" He asked just as they arrived at the car and he pulled out the fob, unlocking the doors and opening Abby's while keeping the umbrella angled so as she got in she wouldn't get drenched.

When he moved around towards his side of the car he glanced around and in the distance out of the corner of his eye he saw something skittering its way in his direction. The breeze was blowing a battered, pink object around in the road and when he squinted he could see it was a beat up pink flamingo that looked like someone had stomped on it, or maybe it fell from somewhere high? He just gave it an odd look before he got into the car and tucked his umbrella securely under his seat.

The drive back to Abby's place was just as nice as the drive to the restaurant. The little bit of silence there was filled with the soft music from the radio. But the pair of them spoke about their estranged waiter, how nice the food was and how Marius really lucked out in picking her favorite restaurant to go to. The conversation then moved to Abby's favorite things about teaching art and Marius' favorite things about being a doctor. Of course it was the whole generic 'I get to help people' answer, but with a Guardian twist to it. He enjoyed being able to help those who couldn't find help elsewhere.

When they reached Abby's house, Marius found himself wanting to just drive around a little longer so they could keep talking. But it was getting late and he had work in the morning, not to mention he didn't want to seem strange keeping her out too late and not wanting to bring her home. It was only their first date after all. He did the same routine of getting out with the umbrella and assisting her out of the car.

The walk up to her door was an anxious one. He was unsure if she expected him to kiss her goodnight or not, or if he should just say goodnight and wait until the next time he saw her. But he already landed a second date, and figured that was a good enough reason for him to go for it. "I've had a wonderful evening, I hope you did the same." He said with a smile on his face, his eyes meeting her gaze and then moving to her lips. Could he muster up the nerve to do it? If he could tend to sick patients all day long then a simple kiss wouldn't be so painful.

He hesitated for a brief second and then leaned in, his head tilting to the side and slowly he planted a kiss on her lips. It was nothing fancy, just his lips against hers for a couple of seconds before he pulled away and straightened back up. Her lips had been so soft and sweet he just wanted to smile, but he waited, wanting to see her reaction to what he'd just done first.

[ABIGAIL JAMES]

“There’s a first time for everything. And if I was pulling all the stops to impress you, is it working?” Abby giggled and nodded at Marius. “Yeah, I would say it is,” she replied coyly. He was quite the gentleman as he opened her door for her and made sure she didn’t get wet. The door closed behind her and she buckled her seatbelt before running her hands through her hair again. Sometimes she wondered if she just had too much damn hair. It took a little longer for Marius to get back in the car than she would have thought, but she didn’t think much of it. He might have needed to straighten his tie or something. Once inside, their conversation continued, just as pleasant as it had been in the restaurant, and the drive over…hell, it was as pleasant as it had been all night.

She found Marius’ reason for being in Scriptor Bay sweet and endearing. He wanted to help others, but not just any others: he wanted to help Guardians. She wondered how many he had helped, or if he even knew how many. Her reason for teaching was much simpler: she just wanted to do art all the time and she was good with people, so it made sense. But she did love teaching, there was no denying that. She loved to instill the same love of art in the kids she taught that she had always had, or at least try to. At the very least, she liked to make them laugh and give them a nice reprieve from their more serious and structured classes. It was nice getting to know one another like this, connecting with Marius like she hadn’t connected with many people. The territory was new, but she liked what she found so far.

When they pulled up to her house, she was a little disappointed. She didn’t want the evening to end, but she had to be up in the morning to teach. Tomorrow was a short day for her, seeing as she had no classes after noon, but she still needed to be at the school at seven. It was for the best, really. Marius came to her door and opened for her once more, keeping the umbrella over her head which she thanked him for quietly. As they made their way to her door, she felt anxious and giddy. Would he kiss her? She hoped so! She was dying to know what it was like to kiss him.

At the door, she turned to him with a smile, giving a small sigh. “I’ve had a wonderful evening, I hope you did the same.” She nodded, smiling wider. “I did, thank you. I couldn’t have asked for a better first date,” she replied honestly. She gave a soft, almost nervous laugh, waiting to see if he would go for it or not. His eyes moved to her lips and she held her breath in anticipation. Please kiss me! It was like he could hear her thoughts. He leaned in and she closed her eyes as his lips came to hers. It was a short and simple kiss, but it sent electricity shooting through her body. His lips were soft in comparison to the harsh lines of his face and the rough stubble that tickled her chin. She held her breath until he pulled away, when she finally took a breath again. He was looking at her expectantly and at first Abby just stared back at him with her big eyes.

Before she knew it, though, a big smile broke out on her face and she gave a breathy sort of laugh. She bit her lip a little, trying to decide whether to kiss him or not…and decided, why the hell not? Her hands reached up and gently grabbed his face, standing on tiptoe, careful to avoid hurting her ankle again. She brought his face down to hers again and smiled as she kissed him. Her kiss lasted longer and she parted her lips just enough against his so that he could feel it. She found the touch of his lips exhilarating. When she pulled back, she was smiling again, biting her lip coyly as she flattened her feet on the ground once more. She let her fingertips play across his rough stubble before bringing them back down to her sides. “Thank you for a lovely evening, Marius,” she said softly, her cheeks flushed as she looked up at those very blue eyes of his.

[MARIUS DAKANIS]

Their first kiss might have been short but it was perfect in Marius' mind. He couldn't have asked for a softer pair of lips to touch with his own, and because of how much fun and entertaining her company had been he believed that was what made it that much sweeter. Only it wasn't the last of the night apparently as Abby reached for his face and he willingly brought it down to meet hers while she went on tip toe. His arms wrapped around her waist so he could hold her there so she wouldn't lose her balance and felt the spark when their lips touched once more. He swore his head was beginning to spin like her lips contained morphine.

When she pulled away he released her and stood upright with a big smile ready for her when she looked up at him. "Thank you for a lovely evening, Marius," he heard her say in his swooning daze, still affected by her lips. But he found his words and stroked her cheek gently, wanting to kiss her lips again but keeping himself at bay knowing he'd have plenty of chances to do that when they went to the ball together.

"Thank you, Abby. I can't wait to see you for the ball. I'll call you tomorrow evening if you're free?" He asked her and of course she confirmed that she would be in her excited manner and he had to chuckle. He'd be sure to call and let her know again how wonderful the evening had been and they could make arrangements for the ball.

"Goodnight, then." He said softly although he didn't want to leave, but he couldn't stay, he knew that. It wasn't right for a first date and he was a gentleman. He didn't want to ruin things by moving too fast, and he wasn't the kind of person who moved fast anyways, but something about Abby made him actually want to go inside. If he didn't leave now he was going to have a more difficult time than he already was. So he bent down and gave her another soft, sweet kiss on her lips before he pulled away and walked back out into the rain with his umbrella up high.

He just had the best date of his life.

End Thread