An Invitation for one Mary Brooding. on Defense Against the Dark Arts

Tabitha Hawthorne

September 02, 2018 4:31 PM

An Invitation for one Mary Brooding. by Tabitha Hawthorne

It was a few days after Tabitha's Legilimency/Occlumency lesson and she was sitting alone in her quarters, having just finished planning her next few lessons. It had been a slog to get through as she'd been struggling to maintain her concentration but she'd pushed herself to the finish line. With her lessons, she found that a lot of preparation was required, from her research which consisted of going through many books including her own journals to the many debates with herself as to exactly how to teach the material. Then, there were all the potential dangers to take into account, depending on how advanced the spells were. She did love teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts, though. She felt like she was preparing future generations for a life outside in the big wide world that, if they hadn't already discovered, wasn't always very warm and fuzzy.

The source of her distraction was, of course, none other than the Potions mistress Mary Brooding. There was nothing wrong between them. In fact, everything was simply wonderful. Well, except for one thing.

Mary had been in Tabitha's Legilimency lesson with her Advanced students, had performed the spell and entered Tabitha's mind. She'd had access to see all of her memories and thoughts, most of which had been focused on Mary. Then, she'd come across an open door that shouldn't have been and Tabitha had abruptly slammed it closed and thrown her out. It had been the point of the lesson, of course. To show that Occlumency was the art of stopping people from traipsing through minds as they pleased. Still, Tabitha hadn't wanted Mary to come across the memory like that. It wasn't that she wanted to hide anything from her but the middle of a lesson full of students hadn't been the time nor place. It was something that had to be shared in private and that was exactly her intention. So, she'd penned a note and sent it with an owl.

Dear Reader,

Would you please do me the pleasure of coming to my quarters this evening? I'd like to see and talk to you.

Yours, Writer.

She'd received a wonderfully warm reply from the woman confirming that she would indeed come to see the Defence professor, something that warmed Tabitha's heart.

When evening fell upon them, Tabitha was ready for Mary's arrival, having skipping dining in the Hall and simply requested a prairie elf bring something to her room while she tidied it and prepared herself. Unlike their date, Tabitha was much more covered up this time, wearing a long sleeved dark red shirt tucked into a pair of high-waisted black slacks that made her seem much taller than she was. As for shoes, she'd settled on a simple pair of low-heeled suede black boots. She'd placed candles all around her living space and lit them and they cast a warm orange glow around the room, making it seem more intimate. She'd asked for a tray of drinks and nibbles from the kitchen which rested on the low coffee table in front of her sofa.

She was very excited but also very nervous for Mary's arrival. The truth was, she wanted to show Mary her secret memory, show everything about herself to the woman. She wanted to be able to move forward with no secrets or hidden thoughts. She wanted Mary to truly know her.

She looked up when there was a knock at her door and went to open it, butterflies in her stomach. Despite her nerves, she was ready.

20 Tabitha Hawthorne An Invitation for one Mary Brooding. 1417 Tabitha Hawthorne 1 5

Mary Brooding

September 02, 2018 4:50 PM

May I impose upon you? by Mary Brooding

The walls of Sonora were like old friends, smiling at Mary as she made her way past them. Or perhaps Mary just couldn't stop smiling herself. She was well aware that her meeting with Tabitha was likely in regards to something more serious than just an evening jaunt together, and maybe even stemmed from the same source as her own thoughts that night: the advanced lesson a few days previously.

Mary was sure of many things that she had previously been more hesitant about. It had only been a few weeks since they'd met and since then, everything had been sort of muddled. Scars from previous relationships ailed them both and decisions about their relationship were made only after careful consideration. Mary, however, had never been one to carefully consider very much of anything. She was driven by her heart and her hands, trusting the work she could do when her brain was not involved.

That being said, she recognized a more intellectual streak in her companion, and hoped to appeal to both tonight. Her gown was different than usual in that it featured no buttons, no high collar, and no petticoat. Instead, it was soft layers of silk and lace in a soft rose color. Her overgown, that item of clothing she so treasured for making her presentable as she made her way through the halls, was dark green, and set off like a forest in the torchlight and against her skin as she approached the door to Tabitha's quarters.

In class, Mary had felt dangerous because she felt powerful. Now, she felt dangerous because she felt vulnerable.

Mary entered Tabitha's rooms when she was invited in and was thrilled to find soft pillows, candlelight, and the warmest scents she could think of. Tabitha was dressed much more conservatively than she was and for a moment, she worried she had misread the situation. Then she decided that it didn't matter: that was a concern of the brain, and tonight she was just a heart.

She offered a bottle of chocolate wine she'd been clutching in one hand and smiled softly at Tabitha, biting her lip.

"Hello," she murmured. Then, closing the distance between them, she wrapped her arms around Tabitha's waist and hugged her, her face pressed against Tabitha's neck and shoulder. "It's lovely to see you."

(OOC: An idea of what Tabitha's room looks like was also provided by Tabitha's author.)

22 Mary Brooding May I impose upon you? 1424 Mary Brooding 0 5

Tabitha Hawthorne

September 02, 2018 5:31 PM

Impose on me all you like. by Tabitha Hawthorne

Content Warning - perhaps just slightly over PG in their greeting.

Tabitha had not expected the beauty that stood on the other side of the door. Her breath caught in her throat and wondered vaguely if this is what Mary had felt like when Tabitha had dressed so daringly for their date. She seemed to have forgotten all of her social niceties, words having been lost when Mary stepped into the room in layers of silk and lace. She'd shut the door without thinking, her eyes fixed on the woman. Then, Mary hugged her and her jasmine and pine scent seemed to kickstart Tabitha's brain again and she returned the embrace. She could feel Mary's warm breath on her neck and decided that she wanted more than just a hug for a greeting. It was with this in mind that she broke the hug to take the wine from the Potions mistress, set it upon her coffee table and return. She pulled Mary closer and felt the woman rise to her tiptoes as they captured each other's lips in a kiss. It was as electrifying and wonderful as their first kiss had been, making Tabitha's lips tingle.

When they broke apart, Tabitha smiled down at the woman, her arms still wrapped around her. "It's wonderful to see you. Thank you for coming."

Another brief kiss and then they parted completely, Tabitha moving over to the sofa and relaxing into the cushions. She wanted to let Mary choose where she wanted to sit, not wanting to force anything upon her. She reached for the bottle of Mary's chocolate wine, a delicacy that she had never had the pleasure of trying before and opened it, pouring each of them a glass. She wanted to get the serious part of the evening out of the way, so they could move on and enjoy themselves without it hanging over them.

"I have to admit, my reasons for inviting you to my rooms are not just because I wanted to see you," Tabitha began, looking momentarily serious before sending a warm smile to the woman. "Though I'd love to just see you any day of the week," she sobered, her features pulling together in a slight frown. "I want to... share everything about myself with you. I need you to know everything before we go any further. I want you to know the person that I am."

She took a deep breath, feeling tense, her fingers gripping her wine glass perhaps far more than they should have been. To try and distract herself, she had a drink of the wine and, though it was delicious, smooth, rich and velvety, she couldn't fully savour or enjoy it, given the situation.

"When you were in my mind, I closed a door to a memory that you could've accessed. It's not because I wanted to hide it from you. It's because I didn't think it was appropriate for you to see it in front of a classroom full of teenagers. I've invited you because I want you to have free access to my mind with no interruptions or onlookers."

She knew what she was asking of the woman was a lot and also probably quite terrifying. It was a big responsibility to walk through someone's head, perhaps even more so when doing it twice in one week. Tabitha remembered how the first time had knocked her a bit sick, a feeling she hadn't been able to shake for hours. However, she'd put it down to simply not having had to fight Legilimency for a long time and had hopes that this would go better. If not, she trusted that Mary would look after her should something go wrong.

"I trust you completely," she told her, hoping to reassure the woman, meeting her eyes. "I know that you will not hurt me."

20 Tabitha Hawthorne Impose on me all you like. 1417 Tabitha Hawthorne 0 5

Mary Brooding

September 03, 2018 1:13 AM

How's the chocolate wine? by Mary Brooding

Mary smirked, glad that her self-presentation had at least done its job temporarily in disarming Tabitha's intellect. Quick as ever, though, the Defense professor was back to it and Mary satisfied herself with taking a seat on the couch, close enough to Tabitha to reach out and touch her but far enough away to get a full view of the breathtaking beauty of her girlfriend.

As Tabitha spoke, Mary felt her throat tighten up. She was curious, as usual, but more than a little nervous to dive back into Tabitha's mind again. It seemed so invasive, but Tabitha seemed willing and even eager and Mary wanted to satisfy in that regard. She understood well the need to be transparent and knew the little things can be the most important. Some part of her was afraid, though. Something serious enough to block from Mary's view earlier but important enough to reveal before their relationship went any further was surely not a good thing in terms of their companionship.

Mary's mind raced, thinking of all the things it could be, and then she nodded, acquiescing. Before she could think too much more about it, she pushed herself back to her feet and took as firm a stance as was possible in slippers. She raised her chin and her wand at the same time and locked eyes with Tabitha for a moment. Waiting until the preparatory look in Tabitha's eyes had cleared, Mary pulled her shoulders back and relaxed her mind as much as possible.

"Legilimens," Mary murmured. Her vision disappeared, her breathing slowed, and her jaw locked. Then, just Tabitha.

22 Mary Brooding How's the chocolate wine? 1424 Mary Brooding 0 5

Tabitha Hawthorne

September 03, 2018 2:03 AM

Delicious... fancy a taste? by Tabitha Hawthorne

Content Warning - attempted suicide

Before Mary cast the spell, Tabitha positioned herself so that she was reclining into her collection of pillows. This was not going to be a pleasant experience so she thought that the least she could do for herself was make sure that her body was comfortable while her mind wasn’t. Just before the spell was cast, she gave Mary a slight nod. Then, the world was spiralling and she was sinking into her mind and into her memory.

Tabitha was standing at the edge of a large lake, in nothing more than a one piece swimsuit. She looked foreign, different to the Tabitha that everyone at Sonora had come to know. It certainly wasn’t the weather for tanning or swimming, given the dark grey clouds that blocked out the sun and threatened to unleash a thunderstorm. Tabitha hardly noticed. She wasn’t there for fun. Her eyes had dark circles underneath them and were red-rimmed, an indication that she had exchanged sleep for crying. Her whole body was trembling, from fear or cold, she wasn’t really sure. More than likely a mixture of both.

She was alone.

JJ was gone, having abandoned her in an unfamiliar country. He’d answered the call of his family, the summons that told him he was to be married and he’d gone with hardly a second thought. He’d thrown away more than a decade of a relationship, simply because his family had told him to. Did she really mean so little? Had their relationship truly meant nothing? It had seemed so easy for him to pack up and leave.

He’d broken her, thrown her to one side as if nothing they’d shared had mattered. All that time, wasted. She remembered the laughter and the tears, the hot summer days and the cold winter nights. The intimate moments when they were alone, hand holding, cuddling, kissing... it was all gone. He was all she had and all that she’d known and it had all been ripped away.

Tabitha, you are reckless. You don’t think. You just plough straight on into any new situation without first assessing the dangers. It’s like you have a death wish.

JJ’s words swirled round in her head, as they had done for days, like a record that was constantly skipping and going round in circles. She hadn’t thought they were true. She’d read Newt Scamander’s book from cover to cover, practiced all her spells, even paid attention to each beast’s danger classification. He’d confused it all with eagerness. Yet, standing at the edge of the lake, Tabitha was about to prove him right.

Lying some ways behind her, was her large rucksack full of her truly personal possessions like her journals and trinkets. Next to it, stood her suitcase which was packed with her clothes. Her wand lay abandoned on top of it. She’d never done that before. She’d always thought it foolish to run into an unknown situation without some kind of defence and her wand had always provided that. She’d relied upon it for her protection. Until now.

She was going to prove JJ right. She did have a death wish. There was a particularly vicious clan of merpeople, rumoured to despise humans. There was many a story of unsuspecting individuals who had gone for a swim and then never resurfaced. Tabitha was going to see if the stories were true.

She inhaled deeply, deciding that she’d waited long enough and that she’d done enough thinking. She moved right to the edge of the lake before diving straight in, the splash shattering the silence, sounding far louder than it actually was.

The water was cold, stinging her skin like a thousand pins were being stuck into her. The deeper she swam, the harder the weight of the water crushed her. She had no bubblehead charm or gillyweed. She had no wand to protect herself. There was no extended breathing time. Soon, it would all be over and the soul-crushing pain, the heartbreak and the loneliness would stop. The mess of emotions would finish and the witch known as Tabitha Hawthorne would cease to be.

Her lungs were starting to burn, like a fire had just started inside her chest but she refused to stop swimming. Her muscles were beginning to scream in protest, needing her to breathe oxygen. Her eyes were beginning to sting and her entire body felt heavier and heavier.

Then, she saw them. The clan of merpeople. She stopped and they turned to face her, some of them bearing their teeth and snarling. It was a warning, that much she could gather. She had one chance to turn and swim back to the surface. She didn’t take it. She swam closer and they moved sharply, swiftly, too fast for her stinging eyes to see. Her chest was on fire, the water crushing her and she could finally see the darkness crawling in at the corner of her eyes. It would soon be over, whether she drowned or the merpeople killed her. It would all be over.

Just before she lost consciousness and her sight faded completely, she saw the snarling features of a merperson in front of her.

Tabitha coughed and spluttered, hacking up the water that was still in her system. For a moment, she was disorientated and dizzy and confused. Then, her mind began to clear and she remembered what she’d tried to do. Yet, despite her efforts, she was still living and breathing. Her body ached, it hurt to breathe and her head was pounding but she was definitely alive and she was lying on the edge of the lake. She could’ve fooled herself, pretended that she’d just fallen asleep beside the water but the pain she felt and the fact that she was dripping wet and coughing up water confirmed that it had all been real.

Her vision was somewhat bleary but as she out over the expanse of water, she could’ve sworn she saw one of the merpeople - the same one she’d seen before she lost consciousness - watching her. When she sat up, it disappeared back below the surface of the water.

Tabitha came back to the present day with a sharp gasp as the memory ended and the door shut, forcing Mary back out and returning them both to the real world. Tabitha’s vision was blurred and for a moment she was worried, then realised that her eyes were filled with tears and that they’d been rolling over her cheeks for some time, leaving sticky tracks. Sweat covered her brow and trailed down the sides of her face. Tabitha covered her face with her hands, ashamed.

20 Tabitha Hawthorne Delicious... fancy a taste? 1417 Tabitha Hawthorne 0 5

Mary Brooding

September 03, 2018 2:26 AM

Or a chug. by Mary Brooding

Legilimency was not a skill that was acceptable to use often, particularly in polite company. Mary hadn't done it many times and almost exclusively in an effort to help someone else practice throwing her out. This was the first time she'd done it to someone who wanted her in their mind and the experience was terrifying. While she had never encountered Devil's Snare herself, she'd had nightmares, as most young witches or wizards do at some point, of the tendril-like vines wrapping themselves around her and suffocating her in their crushing strength. This was a bit like that.

The uncertain eagerness of Tabitha's personality wrapped around her own mind and they dove together into a memory Mary was horrified to witness. The voiceless presence of the Defense professor seemed to hold her in place as they watched and felt and relived the memory. There was no room for ending the spell as Mary's body was inaccessible, caught in a facade of confidence someplace far away, in another time. It was just their minds now and Mary suddenly understood why Legilimency and Occlumency could so easily send those involved mad.

Mary watched as a merperson disappeared beneath the black surface of a lake she'd never been to and then she opened her eyes. Standing in the middle of Tabitha's living room. Years later and miles away.

Her own memory, this one of her toothy brother smiling at her as she left for Sonora and then of receiving a letter during her sixth year that she couldn't ever do anything about. Her eyes were blurring and Tabitha's rooms seemed to waver in front of her for a moment and she realized that someone was moaning. No. Sobbing.

It was the sort of sound that makes those who hear it join in and it took Mary several moments to realize it was coming from her. She snapped her mouth shut and blinked, clearing her vision and looking at Tabitha, curled on the couch in front of her and looking very small.

Then, she leaned forward, and vomited on the floor.

She was still crying and the effort it took to stay upright was too much; she fell to her hands and knees, only narrowly missing the puddle on the ground, and cried.

Her ears were ringing and she couldn't understand the mess of thoughts that seemed so loud in her head. Why was her brother so unlucky? Why was Tabitha saved? Why should she have so much to thank the monsters of the deepest waters for when she also had so many reasons to hate the very surface they hid beneath? Why did she want to run from Tabitha as badly as she wanted to take her in her arms and never let her go?

Wiping her mouth and trying to choke back another wave of nausea and tears, she looked up at Tabitha. For a moment, she saw Parker again. Tabitha must've known she would. She knew how badly this would hurt. But she knew that Mary needed to know. She understood. She trusted Mary to be strong enough for them both, just like she was.

Suddenly everything seemed very clear and the room was very quiet as each of their crying subsided.

Mary's heart poured from her mouth when she spoke, her words breaking the silence the way thunder breaks a storm. They were desperate, pleading words, full of every memory and every moment they'd had together, and every hope for many more. They were the truest words Mary had ever spoken and she thought open-heart surgery might have felt a bit like saying them.

"I love you."

22 Mary Brooding Or a chug. 1424 Mary Brooding 0 5

Tabitha Hawthorne

September 03, 2018 2:54 AM

Or the whole bottle. by Tabitha Hawthorne

Tabitha felt as small and as vulnerable as she had all that time ago, pain filling her chest. She wanted to disappear into the collection of her pillows, sink into the assortment of silk, satin and cotton. She felt so horribly guilty, feeling very much like she’d forced Mary to see a memory that Tabitha knew would have a larger impact than anyone else might have predicted. Tabitha knew about Mary’s brother. She’d been told when they first met. It was part of the reason why she’d shared the memory in the first place - Mary deserved to know. Tabitha also felt a crippling survivor’s guilt. Why had she been spared when Mary’s own brother, someone who had been surely worth more, had perished?

She was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she hardly noticed Mary’s sobbing... until the sobbing became retching.

Tabitha looked up in alarm, finding Mary on her knees and a pool of sick just in front of her. The Defence professor swallowed thickly, another wave of guilt washing over her. She had caused this. Numbly, she reached for her wand which had been lying on the coffee table and vanished the mess without a word. The situation was unpleasant enough with the sight and smell it adding its own tinge.

She felt that she should be down on the floor with the woman, doing something, anything. Hugging her, passing her tissues, getting her a glass of water... Yet Tabitha found herself unable to move. What if Mary now resented her? What if she no longer wanted to be with her, now knowing that she had survived what her brother had not? Tabitha didn’t know if she’d be able to bear that.

At least she wouldn’t have any regrets.

Mary was now in possession of knowledge about Tabitha that would allow her to make an informed decision as to whether she did indeed want to carry on pursuing the relationship they had together. Tabitha didn’t want to get her hopes up.

Then, she heard three little words that she felt held more magic in them than any spell.

I love you.

That made Tabitha move.

Suddenly, time seemed to speed up and the brunette was kneeling on the floor in front of Mary, pulling her into her and holding her tightly, like she was a lifeline. She kissed her, gently, delicately before pressing her forehead against Mary’s, their eyes locked. Grey met brown. Tabitha raised one of her hands to gently place it against Mary’s cheek.

“I love you too.”

20 Tabitha Hawthorne Or the whole bottle. 1417 Tabitha Hawthorne 0 5

Mary Brooding

September 03, 2018 3:15 AM

Maybe just some water. by Mary Brooding

I love you too. I love you too. I love you too. I love you too. I love you too. I love you too. I love you too. I love you too. I love you too. I love you too. I love you too. I love you too.

Tears leaked from Mary's eyes again, this time sweet tears that danced across her cheeks towards a watery smile. Well, danced across her cheek; they were caught on Tabitha's hand on the other.

"You really are quite lovely," Mary said quietly, surprised to find a steady voice make its way out of her mouth.

She didn't speak again until they made their way back to Tabitha's couch and had relaxed for a few minutes. Tension still hung between them but it was the sort that made Mary giggly and blushing. Mary kept one hand firmly engaged with one of Tabitha's, insistent that she wouldn't let go of the woman until she was absolutely required to do so. Unfortunately, that moment came sooner than she expected.

"May I use your bathroom? I'd like to rinse my mouth out before eating or drinking anything," she said, letting go and making her way towards the door Tabitha indicated.

"You know," Mary called as she pushed open the door and stepped onto the cold bathroom floor. "You really are the best thing that's happened to me. Or maybe Sonora is, for bringing us together. Either way, I'm really happy to have met you."

On her way back from the bathroom, her eyes fell on a gramophone in the corner. Mary smiled and gestured to it.

"Care to dance?" she asked, curtsying playfully before holding out a hand to Tabitha.

22 Mary Brooding Maybe just some water. 1424 Mary Brooding 0 5

Tabitha Hawthorne

September 03, 2018 3:46 AM

Well, I have plenty of that. by Tabitha Hawthorne

The tension from Tabitha’s body slowly faded as she and Mary sat on the sofa together, their hands linked. She’d just been in an emotional tornado, prepared for disaster and heartbreak but found herself to be immensely happy. Mary had seen her darkest moments and had still accepted her. She couldn’t ask for anything more from such a wonderful woman. Mary was right. They both had a lot to thank Sonora for... or maybe Selina, seeing as she hired both of them. Tabitha wondered how weird it would be to thank the woman.

She pushed such thoughts away when Mary pointed to the gramophone Tabitha had sitting in a corner and she gave the woman a soft smile when she was asked to dance. The answer was, of course, a resounding yes but Tabitha felt the need to change into something more comfortable - she told Mary this, standing up and pressing a gentle kiss to the woman’s cheek before disappearing briefly into her bedroom.

When she returned, she was dressed in a plain purple tank top and a pair of pink and purple checkered pyjama pants. Her feet were bare. She returned to stand by Mary and picked up her wand, flicking it in the direction of the gramophone which obediently began to play slow but soothing music.

After setting her wand on the table, she turned to Mary and smiled and pulled her closer. One arm slid around Mary’s waist, the other reaching up and meeting her hand, in the traditional dance hold. Mary’s other hand came to rest on Tabitha’s shoulder. Tabitha had been classically trained as a child, her mother and father having considered it a necessity for their absurdly large parties. In fairness to them, it had come in handy over the years and, with a slight moment of annoyance, she found herself thanking them again as knowing how to dance allowed her to dance with Mary.

She dismissed the thought. Now was just about her and Mary. Nobody else and she smiled warmly at the woman.

“I’m so happy that you’ve accepted me,” she told her as they turned together. “And I’m sorry for inflicting the memory upon you.”

20 Tabitha Hawthorne Well, I have plenty of that. 1417 Tabitha Hawthorne 0 5

Mary Brooding

September 03, 2018 10:57 PM

Oh good? by Mary Brooding

Mary was glad Tabitha knew how to dance, as she hadn't gotten much practice herself. She'd only really had the opportunity to learn when she traveled, and when she'd met men who didn't mind dancing with someone who wasn't interested in being with them. Most of the boys at school hadn't been so open and she certainly hadn't been interested in the Balls at Sonora. She was all smiles as Tabitha's strong hands took their positions and Mary responded by doing the same.

"Don't apologize," Mary replied, a little firmer than was maybe appropriate. "there's no need either to apologize or to dwell on that sadness. Let us enjoy the changes in our lives that have brought us together."

She smirked and did a twirl under Tabitha's arm, then pushed herself to her toes and raised her own arm as high as possible to let Tabitha do the same.

"I wanted to ask...are you okay with this? With us?" Too much was on the table between them for Mary to worry now, but she couldn't help bringing her old insecurities out. "You said you've never been with a woman before and I don't want to make you nervous by moving too quickly or anything else."

Mary didn't have to ask about public acknowledgment of their relationship; that might be a question at some point but Mary was too private to be worried just now. She searched Tabitha's eyes, maintaining her curious smile as she waited for the woman's answer.

22 Mary Brooding Oh good? 1424 Mary Brooding 0 5

Tabitha Hawthorne

September 03, 2018 11:30 PM

Everything's good when I'm with you. by Tabitha Hawthorne

Tabitha knew that Mary was right. Absolutely and completely right. She shouldn't be dwelling on something so miserable and heartbreaking when their evening was finally moving in warm and happy direction that it always should have been. She was very aware of one of Mary's hand on her bare shoulder and the other linked with one of her own. They were gentle and warm, and generally soft though she could feel the odd callous, gained from her work with Potions. They were slightly smaller than Tabitha's own hands, perfectly in proportion with the rest of Mary's small stature. Tabitha would've been content to hold them for hours.

She laughed slightly as the Potions mistress tried to make herself tall enough for Tabitha to fit under her arm. Despite her best efforts, Tabitha still had to duck slightly before they came back together. Then, Mary did give Tabitha a cause for worry, her question making Tabitha falter in her steps slightly and stumble. A blush rose to her cheeks at her mistake and she tried to recover herself. They continued to dance as Tabitha considered her answer. She was confused as to why Mary had asked the question. After all, if she hadn't been okay with it, she wouldn't have invited the woman to her private quarters, let alone dancing with her. It was true that she'd never been with a woman, JJ having taken up a decade of her life but that didn't mean that she hadn't been interested.

"I'm more than okay with it," she told her, gently squeezing the hand that she had a hold of. "You are so wonderful and beautiful, how could I not be?"

She smiled as they twirled together round the corner of the sofa and then Tabitha released Mary from hold and let herself fall gently into the nest of pillows. She put her feet up and stretched out, truly showing off how tall she was. The L-shaped sofa was cushy with lots of room and Tabitha had pointedly left a space next to her, just for Mary, should she choose to take it.

"We can take this as fast or as slow as you like," Tabitha told her, lightly patting the empty space as invitation. "I promise you that I can keep up."

20 Tabitha Hawthorne Everything's good when I'm with you. 1417 Tabitha Hawthorne 0 5

Mary Brooding

September 04, 2018 3:25 AM

I blame you, Dear Writer by Mary Brooding

Mary laughed as they twirled. Her smile was easy and relaxed, taking less effort than she ever remembered it requiring before.

How could I not be?

The question rang in her mind for a moment before she reminded herself that tonight was a night of the heart, not the brain, and she needn't worry so much about the answers that came to her then. There was a time for checking in and a time for seeking validation... maybe even a time for doubting. But this wasn't it. This was a time for twirling and oh how they twirled.

"You're wonderful and beautiful and oh, Tabitha," Mary practically sang as she took the seat the woman left open for her. Putting her head back and looking up at the ceiling, not really seeing anything, Mary laughed again. "I'm so happy with you."

She didn't comment on speed just then, leaving that promise alone. That was another area that required a brain and she was having none of that. Turning towards Tabitha with a blissful grin, Mary pulled herself atop the woman so they faced each other and Mary had one leg on either side of Tabitha's. Placing both hands on Tabitiha's face, she kissed the end of her nose.

"I love you," she said again, tasting the words as they sang from her mouth. Before Tabitha could respond, and before the look in Tabitha's eyes changed too much as she processed the change of seating arrangements, Mary slid back into her space on the couch and nestled into Tabitha's side.

She was tired now and yawned as she closed her eyes to just enjoy the sensation of being with her love. More thoughts threatened to creep into her mind but she refused them, obstinately focusing on the warmth in her chest and the sweet scent of Tabitha Hawthorne in lungs.

22 Mary Brooding I blame you, Dear Writer 1424 Mary Brooding 0 5

Tabitha Hawthorne

September 04, 2018 11:44 AM

Feel free, my lovely Reader. by Tabitha Hawthorne

Tabitha very nearly took back her words about being able to keep up with the woman. For a moment, Mary was above her and there was a kiss on her nose and another sweet declaration of love and Tabitha's hands only just touched Mary's waist when the Potions mistress moved again and was now snuggling into Tabitha's side. It had almost been one of those blink-and-you-miss-it moments and Tabitha couldn't help but laugh, amused by Mary's antics. Underneath all those conservative layers she wore in the daytime and the respectful facade, there was a woman with a cheeky and playful streak and Tabitha looked forward to seeing that woman more often.

"I love you, too," she replied with a smile before dropping a kiss to the top of Mary's head.

Of course, she also very much enjoyed the tame and loving woman who was currently curled into her side. Tabitha didn't fail to notice how well she seemed to fit there, one of Tabitha's arms wrapped around her, pulling her closer. Mary was warm and Tabitha was breathing in nothing but jasmine and pine which were fast becoming her favourite smells. Her fingers had found there way into Mary's long hair and were idly playing with it as conversation momentarily subsided and Tabitha became wrapped up in her thoughts.

She was thinking about how far she'd come in recent months. She'd started this new adventure of hers in a dark, dingy and dirty inn room, with no money and drowning in feelings of loneliness, heartbreak and despair. Then, after a frankly bizarre interview with Selina - it wasn't often that you got to experience the disembodied head of a potential future employer in a fireplace - she'd come to Sonora. Daniel Nash had been a wonderful mentor and, if she was honest, she somewhat missed him. There wee some instances that she'd come across while teaching that she felt that she could've done with his advice. Still, Tabitha felt that she was coping.

You're doing better than 'just coping', Tabs...

The thought made her look at Mary, whose eyes were closed and Tabitha wasn't sure if she'd actually fallen asleep. It was true. She'd come to Sonora only with the intention to earn money, possibly eventually resulting in her returning to England. For a very long time, nothing had been set in stone. Tabitha was a fast-moving individual, never in one place for too long, eager to see something new as often as possible. Applying for a teaching position had been a moment of desperation as she couldn't carry on her journey without money, no matter how much she may have wanted to. Following her employment, she had planned to scrimp and save everything she earned and then depart again, only being a fleeting visitor in the history of the school.

She had not considered that she might find love.

Meeting Mary Brooding, who was as lovely as the first beam of the morning sun, sweet as sugar and warm like hot chocolate - Tabitha idly thought she might be hungry, given the sudden comparison with food - had caused a shift in her plans that she hadn't anticipated. Suddenly, she could see herself staying a lot longer at Sonora. She didn't want to give up her traveling, believing that the world still had so much to show her but this didn't seem to be a problem as Mary had previously said that she'd like to come along. Ideas burst in Tabitha's mind, thinking of places to take the wonderful woman, having new experiences and creating new memories.

"I want to show you the world," she murmured quietly, pressing another gentle kiss to the top of Mary's head. She wasn't sure if the woman was still awake to listen but Tabitha talked anyway. "I know that we've seen most of it already but never together and I'd like to do that. I want to take you to the snow-covered Albanian Alps where the sun shines on the snow and makes it glitter, to Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia to see the world's largest salt flat but only in winter as when it freezes, it becomes a giant mirror. I'd like to go swimming with you in Kuang Si Falls in Laos and see the beauty of the Huacachina oasis in Peru. I want to see everything with you, together."

20 Tabitha Hawthorne Feel free, my lovely Reader. 1417 Tabitha Hawthorne 0 5

Mary Brooding

September 04, 2018 7:49 PM

Free Indeed! by Mary Brooding

Mary was in fact, not awake. Well, not awake much.

She heard Tabitha's 'I love you' and she heard the gentle breathing of her partner that reminded her that her dream come true was flesh and blood now. The arm that wrapped around her was long and hard and betrayed the muscles that were hidden beneath Tabitha's porcelain skin.

"I like snow," Mary mumbled, trying to make a sentence. Tabitha was saying such lovely things, but with her eyes closed and her mind drifting, she might've been dreaming instead of listening, and she wasn't really sure. "Sparkles," she agreed.

Rolling towards Tabitha, Mary uncurled her arms a bit and wrapped one of them around Tabitha's waist. "Let me know if you want me to leave," Mary mumbled through a yawn in a moment of lucidity. "For the students."

Her words and actions didn't match because she emphasized her words by holding Tabitha a little closer, breathing in a little deeper, and sinking a little smaller into the couch cushions and into Tabitha's side.

22 Mary Brooding Free Indeed! 1424 Mary Brooding 0 5

Tabitha Hawthorne

September 04, 2018 9:36 PM

Free to sleep, certainly. by Tabitha Hawthorne

Tabitha was amused by Mary's sleepy murmurs that didn't really make much sense, the woman clearly falling fast into the world of dreams. She had made some comment about leaving which Tabitha had worried for a moment that she was going to get up and do just that. However, she rolled closer to Tabitha, slung an arm over her waist and seemed to settle more comfortably onto the cushions. Tabitha smiled gently and reached across her for her wand on the coffee table. With a slight flick, she summoned a warm blanket from her bedroom and let it drape over both of them.

"I never want you to leave, Mary," she told her before yawning herself. The warmth, coupled with the chocolate wine and the emotional evening they'd had seemed to be taking its toll. She reached over Mary again to set her wand back on the table before relaxing into the cushions herself.

As she started to drift off, all she was thinking of was Mary and how the woman she loved was sleeping in her arms and how Tabitha would've more than happily fallen asleep like that every night, with the smell of jasmine and pine in her nose, the feeling of Mary's hair tickling her skin and the comfortable weight of her arm across her. Tabitha slipped into the world of sleep with a smile on her face.

20 Tabitha Hawthorne Free to sleep, certainly. 1417 Tabitha Hawthorne 0 5