Be Mine - Valentine's Day 2017

[londoncallingmods]

Lucky in love or not, London was a lovely place to find yourself on Valentine's Day. From romantic walks through various parks, to intimate dinners or shared deserts in the many restaurants and cafe's- There was something for everyone, because if wandering or dining wasn't for you, well, there were plenty of organised events to attend.

London couldn't claim to be the city of love, but it was certainly a city of possibilities.

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[wispofathing]

Last year, Valentine's Day had been a sober time for Curnen but she had been in rather a different place at the time. Mere months out of her curse and still not entirely restored in the breadth and depth of her feelings, she'd been so grateful to be alive that she couldn't be sad that Brushy was dead.

This year, though.

Every time she saw a couple holding hands, sharing a kiss, even so much as smiling at each other with that look in their eyes, it was like a fresh stab in a heart that had recently had all of its scabs and scar tissues pulled away. Raw and exposed to the world.

Everything set her off.

She had resolutions to the shit happening at home. Bliss had finally been able to call her. Bo-Kate was dead. Jeff was dead. Some murder-suicide craziness. Tain Wisby had finally made it official with Snowy Rainfield. Mandalay was experiencing her first puppy love with Elgin Somerville's oldest boy.

Curnen had been sitting at the same corner table in the same cafe for an hour and the only reason she hadn't shut herself in was because in public she only shed a few tears every time people kissed. At home, alone in her room, she just... cried.

[high_voltage_magic]

Isaiah figured that the only reason to be out and about today was, well, to buy all the crazy pink shit and eat as much of it as he could. After his debacle with his potion experiment, his head was clearer, at least, and amidst all of the lovey-dovey crap, he'd stopped into a cafe to pick up a hot cocoa. He was carrying a box of a half-dozen pink frosted donuts, and a half-dozen pink-frosted heart cookies sprinkled with crushed-up red sugar crystals by the time he was done buying things at the counter, and then turned around to see the lady he'd noticed still there.

And she looked bummed as hell.

Rather than take his cocoa and confections to go, he just took the bag and his cup over to the table next to her.

"I hate this holiday, too," he said, in the woman's direction, giving her a little smile. "But it's a nice excuse to eat horrible shit. Want a donut or a cookie?" he asked. He'd been planning on eating them all, himself, but that was a horrible idea. He wasn't going to stay slim and trim if he just ate his feelings all the time.

[wispofathing]

She smelled magic before she registered anything else about what had just happened. She looked up from the coffee that she'd more been using as something to stare at than something to drink and turned her head to look, dark eyes dull and red.

A child. A human child.

"No," she said. And then she uttered three words that had never crossed her lips since the curse had fallen on her all those years ago, since she'd been reduced to animal scrapping and panic over when and where her next meal would come: "I'm not hungry."

She turned her gaze back to her coffee.

[utterly_mysterious]

Angelique had met some of her dearest friends by approaching lost-looking people in cafes. While she certainly wasn't on the lookout for a new best friend, this approach wasn't at all unusual for her. Valentine's Day was one of those holidays Angelique kept for herself to do as she liked, with no clients and no demands on her time. She had nowhere else to be, and the tiny woman in the far corner with the hopeless eyes looked like she could use, if not someone to talk to, at least another human being to stare at.

She arrived at the other woman's table with a swish of crinoline under her skirt, a soup-bowl sized coffee with whipped cream on top, and a plate with two slices of flourless chocolate torte. "I thought you looked like you could use this as much as I," Angelique said, slipping into the extra chair opposite Curnen. "And if you don't... you might at least help me appear as if I'm not eating two slices of cake on my own."

[wispofathing]

Curnen blinked at the offered treat and found--much to her surprise--that she didn't want to eat it. "I don't think I'm hungry," she admitted with a little lip wobble that was probably supposed to be a smile. It faded quickly. "But thank you for the offer."

[vampireevolved]

Grief had a scent unlike fear or lust or most of the emotions vampires commonly provoked. They were the cause of much grief, but they were usually gone by then. The pungency of deep, overwhelming grief layered with the effervescent scent of fae blood drew him to the woman sitting alone before he truly realized why.

He stopped a step away from the table, would've earlier, but the cafe wasn't that large and he wanted to be close enough to speak to her and her alone. He was small, looked young and unassuming – Godric was often underestimated by mortals, but with fae you never knew – and there was concern in his quiet voice. "I'd ask if you were okay, but anyone can see you're not. Is there any way I can help?"

[wispofathing]

Curnen looked up, confused at the attention from a stranger. A stranger who was no more human than she was, she could tell that right off the bat. "I, um..." she swallowed hard against a lump in her throat. "Thank you, but I don't think so."

[harrowgate]

Yes, of course, Felix should have placed his order earlier. Three florists had already told him so, looking frazzled and harried on what Felix surmised was their least favorite day of the year. He'd taken himself (and his custom) out of their shops, and now found himself perusing a much more relaxed sidewalk display of flowers several blocks away from his work.

"Really, darling, do I look like I'm buying for a lady?" Felix reprimanded the latest attempt at professional assistance. He shook his head, dismissing the florist to help other, more congenial, customers. "Honestly."

Felix turned, then, toward a flicker of presence beside him, and barely bothered to check to whom he was speaking when he began, "All I'm really certain of is that I shan't be purchasing anything pink. What do you think the most gorgeous man in London would like presented to him over dinner?"

[london_spy]

Danny had paused at the flower stall to pick up something for Hex, having decided a box of chocolates probably wasn't the medic's idea of a treat. He was clutching a bouquet of hyacinths- If only because he recalled Scottie once insisting they were far more romantic than roses- When he realised the man was speaking to him.

"Oh- Well, um, I've always been quite fond of orchards myself," he said after a beat. "They always seem so decadent. Rare, or something? I don't know. They just seem classy, I suppose."

[harrowgate]

Felix turned slightly to get a better look at the person he was now engaging in conversation, partly because it was always polite to know to whom one was speaking, and partly because Felix privately loved that first moment when a new stranger noticed his mis-matched eyes.

"Aren't they notoriously difficult to care for?" Felix considered thoughtfully. Then, with a faint huff of a laugh, he added, "That's not entirely inappropriate, mind you."

[akatawitch]

Sunny had only stopped to look briefly, but Felix was hard to look away from once you'd looked at him. She smiled at the question and started considering her impression of Shannon. "I'm guessing roses are right out."

[show_me_something]

Victoria's London home had fresh floral arrangements all year long when she was in residence, and Ivan had had a huge and ridiculously ostentatious arrangement delivered first thing this morning. So there was no reason for Victoria to be browsing the flower stall this afternoon other than she wanted to and had the time.

She took in the tall, brilliantly colored man with a glance. "Alstroemeria. Peruvian lilies," she pronounced, moving over to a display of the same, the flowers heart-shaped petals available in a wide variety of colors. "Less cliché than roses or orchids. Or you could go with callas of course, but only an intensely colored variety. Valentine's Day isn't the time for white."

[winter_wisp]

Winter had spent most of the morning with Phouka, laying about, eating chocolates and pampering the phouka with a basket of assorted dried meats. Meats that Winter hadn't even known existed! What was a venison? Where did it live? Who cared? It was a meat, and so it had gone in the basket. Yay meat!

On the verge of a tummy ache however, he'd decided to set out into town. He was sure it would be best to leave Phouka to enjoy his food coma for a bit, while he went hunting for something excellent that he'd seen on Instagram that morning. ...A giant teddy.

He'd had to visit a dozen shops, but eventually he'd found one- A giant golden brown beast of a plushy that towered over the (now fairly tall) pixie as he hauled it down the high street over his shoulder. Really, it was terribly cumbersome, and he should have taken it straight home... But coffee. Coffee sounded like such a good treat.

And so the pixie was parked at a small table outside a cafe, his giant bear in the seat across from him, with its very own cup of coffee.

"Lovely weather we're having today, Bearington Jr. Isn't it?" Winter said, doing his best impression of a stuffy adult, and then giggling to himself.

[wispofathing]

Curnen had been staring out the window of the cafe for a long time, sometimes unseeing. But it was impossible to miss... that. The toy that was rival to a real bear in size was something to focus on, and for that she was grateful. So eventually she stirred and came outside, blinking bleary red eyes up at the thing. "Where the fuck did you get that?"

[0_0_7]

Bond had resolved to make his first Valentine's Day as a married man a memorable one. He'd gone to his tailor who had Q's measurements and had had a suit custom made last week. He'd ordered a shirt, tie, pocket square, socks and shoes to go with it- a complete outfit.

He had chosen some elegant diamond cufflinks.

Finally he had painstakingly denuded roses to lay the petals out on the bed. He laid out the suit, the small box with the cufflinks, and a note for Q to meet him at Alain Ducasse at 8:30. Getting the reservation had been the most difficult part of his whole plan.

He had dressed for the occasion as well in a fine charcoal Tom Ford with a dove grey shirt and matching tie.

In Bond's line of work there were often mishaps and he had to think fast to keep things going as close to plan as possible. And so when his car indicated he had a flat he puled to the side of the road. He could, of course, change the tyre himself. But that would risk messing his suit. And that wouldn't do. And so he called for roadside assistance and stood by the car with casual ease, checking his watch and waiting until he thought he'd better catch a taxi so he'd make the reservation.

Until then, no rush.

[quartermaster_q]

Q had been quite charmed by the suit and the roses, dressing himself as requested before getting a cab to the restaurant. He arrived slightly early, and he lingered just outside with a cigarette between his lips and his mind on the gift in his breast pocket.

He always felt like a little boy playing dress up when he wore suits, and he fidgeted a little, tugging at his sleeves and glancing at the time. He hoped James wasn't inside waiting for him.

[sauntereddownward]

It was the grand day of love and Crowley could only wrinkle his nose and try to smoke the distaste out of his mouth. He did his bit to mess people around, but even at his most evil he couldn't fault humanity for this fleeting foray into their tender emotions. He did, however, add a nudge here and there to the sinful lustful thoughts of singles looking to hook up for the night and call it love for a few days.

There was a Valentine's bash at a club and Crowley lurked outside with his cigarette in his fine black suit, snake skin boots, and dark sunglasses. His hair was slicked back and his cheek bones seemed especially sharp.

A woman walked by in the highest of heels and a skirt so hort she may as well have not been wearing it at all. He blew a puff of smoke at her and she got a funny tickle down low and zoned in on the first bloke she saw.

The demon smiled.

He rather enjoyed the vast opportunity to corrupt people who were desperate to feel something that wasn't in his skill set.

[curio_arcanum]

Rebecca couldn't have looked less like the scantily clad woman who had just walked past. She was holding her corduroy coat closed tight around her, wrapping in on herself and shouldering against the chilly wind. Her red hair was thrown into a haphazard updo, and she was wearing her thick glasses as she needed increasingly often at night time. Just past thirty and already aging, she thought, grouchy.

With Izzy carefully contained and sleeping in her apartment, she felt more restless than she had since coming to this city and she had fled the shelter of her shop for once. Of course, it was too late at night for bookstores and coffee shops. Wearing her default black going-out-dress and studded boots, she set out to walk the sidewalk looking for the quietest bar in the city.

[codenamemilady]

In a purple satin blouse, black trousers and blazer, Milady looked more ready for an important business dinner than any sort of valentine's celebrations. Appropriate, as she'd just left the former, deciding to walk rather than share a cab with her contact, and had no plans or desire for the latter, when she saw a familiar face loitering outside a club wearing a smirk that was all too pleased with himself.

"Anthony J. Crowley, it's been too long," she said coming up beside him, an eager light in her eyes. "Please tell me you've found some delightful schadenfreude tonight."

[akatawitch]

Sunny did have to admit that she was in a bit of a tizzy about her first Valentine’s Day as someone’s girlfriend. Of course then that turned into ‘Oh shit, what are we going to do?’ There was so much pressure to do the right thing. What to do, where to go, how to dress... except no. No, no, they didn’t have to do anything perfect. If it was stressful rather than fun, then why bother?

So, new plan. And she had some supplies to get. Mostly groceries. It took a little thinking to find vegetarian options in Nigerian dishes, but she did and she found herself getting excited. Because she was nervous in a sweet, fluttery way she went the long way around on her errands, walking instead of taking the tube, stopping to look at displays in florist shops just because they were pretty, getting coffee to kill some time outside so she wouldn’t get stir crazy in her flat.

Though she kept an eye on the time and turned for home when it was time to get ready for the evening. Even dorks spending a night in was still a date.

(Date night for one lucky winner, otherwise find Sunny out and about during the day.)

[faizel]

Faizel had spent quite a long time looking at flowers, and while roses were the traditional option, he'd found himself leaning away from them. They were just so... Formal. Stuffy, really. And Sunny wasn't roses, she was more exciting than that. He'd been around a dozen flower stands, and though he'd thought he might leave with something tropical and vibrant, he'd found himself with a giant bouquet of lavender. A really vivid purple batch of it, actually. Sometimes nature just knew better, and it had called to him, insisting it be the one. Like a spell cast through scent, it had tugged at him until he'd finally gathered it up and taken it to the till.

Now he stood outside Sunny's door, flowers in one hand and a cake in a decorative box in the other- Leaving him with no way to knock.

Awkwardly, he tapped on the door with the toe of his shoe.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Shopping for your significant other was never easy, but shopping for Will was exceptionally hard. The fae wanted for nothing, and while chocolates and cakes would please him, Fin wanted to come home with something grand. Something exceptional.

He'd been up and down the high street, and was currently loitering in a second hand boutique, overwhelmed by choice and yet still uninspired.

"Well, fuck me," he sighed.

[just_hex]

Hex was just around the corner, looking through books. He was at a loss for what to get for Danny. He read titles growing more and more sure that a book of any sort wasn't the way he wanted to express his feelings.

He heard the muttered curse and recognized Fin's voice. He peered around the corner.

"Not finding anything either, yeah?" he asked.

OTA

[whispersoflove]

While Coby was out this afternoon, Anael had gone walking. Days passed by so slowly, despite the prayers he sent up to God, day after day. Sunny was still working on things, and he was not adapting well to 24/7 physical life. There were bags under his eyes, and he never seemed to be eating enough.

He was hoping that today, of all days, would bring him even closer to God, perhaps close enough to manage to fight off the ever itching glyph on his skin. There was so much love in the air, and he walked through the city doing his best to focus on that but looking more troubled than he usually did, and occasionally stopped to buy food from a street vendor or a chippery.

Re: OTA

[vampireevolved]

Godric really should go back to Texas soon, but he couldn't bring himself to care enough to start thinking of leaving yet. What was a few weeks anyway?

Shortly after sunset he found himself wandering London's streets, watching the mortals celebrating Valentine's Day, alive and loving in ways most of his kind couldn't remember after years of undeath. If Eric assumed he was hunting, Godric didn't try to correct him, but in truth he rarely hungered any more, and it wasn't entirely false. If Godric met someone charming enough to reveal his true nature and they offered, he might take a sip, but none of that was the point of his evening walks.

Passing a troubled young man –no, not a man, and wasn't that intriguing? – Godric offered a hint of smile. "Love is in the air tonight, isn't it?"