▲ my life is just constantly existing at ungodly hours
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Feb 18, 2021 14:49:05 GMT -5
Post by achromatic on Feb 18, 2021 14:49:05 GMT -5
He grinned. "Flattery doesn't get you anywhere, but for me?" he gave her a cheeky grin, before nodding at Maline, amusement flashing across his gaze. "When that happens, you can invite me over for a mimosa in your townhouse overlooking the sea."
Cato laughed at her expression as she ate the dart. "Good to know," he hummed, "that's my favourite dessert, so if you get to learn how to bake in your marriage 101 class, I make a great food taster. I even know how to do the critic voice."
The boy took his own fork, leaning over to steal some of her tart all the same, giving a dramatic–almost obscene–moan as the tart hit his tastebuds.
"If you have to know, my mother used to tell me that there are creatures living in Kama that you'd rarely see anywhere. My grandfather was a delegate there, so she used to live in Dorna for a couple of years. Apparently she took classes at the university and one of her teachers was a gorgon, like...snakes in the hair gorgon. Wild, if you ask me."
He grinned as he noticed the crumbs on the side of Elise's mouth. "You have a bit of something over there," he gestured to her mouth with a laugh.
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Feb 18, 2021 16:03:34 GMT -5
Post by nostalgic on Feb 18, 2021 16:03:34 GMT -5
"I'm actually pretty good at baking. I don't have a lot of time to practice, but next time I make something I'll save you some," Elise said, rolling her eyes good-naturedly at his moan. "Gorgon professors? It sounds too far-fetched. Maybe I will go to university over there, just so I can see if it's true."
When he pointed out the crumbs, she raised her eyebrows. "Where? I don't have a mirror- can you get it for me?" She asked coyly, leaning forward to put her face closer to his. This was Elise's element- flirting with cute boys and dining on luxurious food, and it added an extra layer to her beauty, an indefinable happy sparkle in her emerald gaze.
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▲ my life is just constantly existing at ungodly hours
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Feb 18, 2021 16:19:04 GMT -5
Post by achromatic on Feb 18, 2021 16:19:04 GMT -5
"Oh you better, Monroe," he smirked, "I'm holding that against you if I don't get to try any desserts before we finish this project." His teeth met his lower lip in a smile as leaned forward. Oh so that was the game she wanted to play, hm? A chuckle left his mouth as he leaned forward, his thumb brushing against the side of her lip briefly. They were soft, soft enough for Cato to wonder what it'd be like to kiss them. She was magnetic, that was for sure. His eyes seemed to focus on her intensely, before the moment broke.
Then they were just two classmates flirting around once again. "There you go, much better," he hummed, calling the waiter over for two glasses of martinis. He was underage, but the people here didn't care. A Rotherhithe was a Rotherhithe, after all.
"So you know my favourite dessert, do I get to find out what yours is?" he spoke casually, as if he hadn't just spent the last minute or so wondering what it'd be like to make out with this girl, "if you tell me it's something like fruitcake or pecan pie, I'm afraid I'll have to reject your marriage proposal."
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Feb 18, 2021 16:45:44 GMT -5
Post by nostalgic on Feb 18, 2021 16:45:44 GMT -5
"You'll have to accept my proposal, then. It used to be lemon pound cake, but now, like you, I am in love with this tart. I will never be the same." Elise said, smirking as she finished the last of the tart. Her heart was stuttering in her chest from the intense moment of eye contact and touch between them, and she disguised her nerve by finishing off her water.
She accepted a martini from the waiter, toasting Cato. "To new friends from dull senior year projects," she said, laughing. "I must say I've never drank on a study date before. I'm quite enjoying it. Though I am afraid I'll have to home before too long. My parents will be looking for me, unfortunately. But we must continue... studying, in the future. I'll come up with some good excuses to feed my parents about my location."
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▲ my life is just constantly existing at ungodly hours
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Feb 18, 2021 17:21:10 GMT -5
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Post by achromatic on Feb 18, 2021 17:21:10 GMT -5
He grinned. “Fine,” he replied, pretending to be reluctant, “I guess marrying a cute girl who wants to retire in Maline of all places won’t be too horrible. We’re already practicing our retirement drinks overlooking the bay.” It was all in good jest; it was clear that Cato was having just as good of a time as Elise was.
“When’s your curfew?” he asked, “if your dad sleeps early or you find a way to sneak out, you should come with me and my friends sometime. We could grab some drinks and head down to the beach. If this is the only time you’ve ever had a drink while studying, you definitely need to come with us sometime.”
Cato wasn’t trying to corrupt Elise, but it was clear that he had been allowed certain freedoms high-born boys often had. He took a sip of his drink. “You know, you’re a really cool girl, Elise,” he spoke genuinely, “and since we’re both obviously geniuses, I bet we’re going to get the best grade in class.” A chuckle left his mouth as he clinked his class against hers again, pulling the olive out of the glass and plopping it in his mouth.
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Feb 18, 2021 17:46:23 GMT -5
Post by nostalgic on Feb 18, 2021 17:46:23 GMT -5
"My curfew is ten, 'cause my dad's a buzzkill." Elise said. "But I'll definitely sneak out- my bedroom window is right next to some lattice. I can climb down- and it's not that I haven't drank before, dummy. I just don't usually do it while working on a group project."
She clinked her glass to his, grinning as she drained the rest of her martini. "I'll drink to leading the class as fellow geniuses. As reluctant as she was to leave, she did have to get back. Cato was nice enough to walk her back to the carriage and ride with her to the front of her house- a lovely gated estate in the most esteemed part of the city.
"Thank you taking me on the best date I've ever been on," she said with a smile, gathering her things. "And introducing me to the love my life- that peach and rhubarb tart. I don't usually kiss on the first date, but..." Elise leaned forward, glad they were still in the safety of the carriage so her father couldn't see. For a moment, she brought her lips close to Cato's, letting the scent of her vanilla perfume waft towards him. At the last moment, though, she moved to the side, planting a chaste peck on his cheek. "Nah, I don't kiss on the first date. But do let me know when I can see you again."
Elise climbed down from the carriage, waving a hand in farewell as she moved up the walkway towards the house.
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▲ my life is just constantly existing at ungodly hours
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Feb 18, 2021 18:00:20 GMT -5
Post by achromatic on Feb 18, 2021 18:00:20 GMT -5
"I'll remember that one when I sneak into your bedroom in the future," he joked, "one day I'll steal you into the night and we can set sail to our retirement home." He was laughing along with her, as he finished the rest of the drink.
The ride to her home was lovely enough; her own home seemed almost as grand as his own. Almost. Still, it was a lovely place and he already took note of the lattice he could see peeking out from the back. "You're welcome," he retorted, "I better get an invitation when you get married to that peach and rhubarb tart. I can be the best man, thank you very much."
He gave her a grin, prepared to give her a farewell hug, but when she leaned in, he held his breath. Was she–? The quick peck on the cheek was disappointing, but Cato quickly wiped that off his expression, the nonchalant amusement still on his face. "I'll see you in class tomorrow," he called out, giving her a wave.
Oh boy, he thought, as the carriage started once more. He was definitely into this girl.
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Feb 18, 2021 18:56:35 GMT -5
Post by nostalgic on Feb 18, 2021 18:56:35 GMT -5
Elise thoroughly enjoyed the next few days of class. She and Cato kept up the same camaraderie and witty banter throughout their project. They had it done by the third day, and yet she agreed to meet for another date on Friday afternoon. She told her dad she was heading to a friend's, but she met Cato down by the beach, to a secluded cove he had given her directions to.
"I brought you something!" She called when she saw him, sitting on a blanket in the sun. Elise was dressed in a loose sundress, carrying her sandals and a paper bag in her hands. Her curls were loose, spilling down her freckled shoulders, and her green eyes held a bit of sea-light as she sat down, tossing the bag of home-baked blueberry muffins onto Cato's lap. "As promised. Monroe-style muffins."
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▲ my life is just constantly existing at ungodly hours
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Feb 18, 2021 19:37:57 GMT -5
Post by achromatic on Feb 18, 2021 19:37:57 GMT -5
The beach was probably the favourite place of most teenagers around Vela, and Cato wasn't any different. Already soaking up the sun in his beach shorts, he sat up when he heard Elise's voice. Looking over towards its source, he lifted his sunglasses to see the other girl, dressed in a pretty sundress. He didn't mean to stare, but damn. One day, he was going to be pulling that sundress off her shoulders, he thought absentmindedly.
The muffins landing on his lap shook him out of his stupor.
"Damn Monroe," he chuckled, "you're a tease, you know that?"
Cato was however, distracted by the muffins. Oh yeah, they already smelled great. He sat up completely now, plopping a bag in front of them. "Well thanks for the dessert because that's probably the only thing I didn't bring."
He pulled out a bottle and wrapped box, opening it up on the matt he was sitting on. Huh, champagne and what looked like a little box of snacks, with dips and sandwiches and even cheese and charcuterie.
"Our chef might've caught wind that I was going on a date and snuck me a whole snack platter for us, but I guess I should be glad he didn't throw rose petals and candles into the mix too, huh?"
He was already unwrapping a muffin, excited to taste her home-baked goods.
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Feb 18, 2021 20:10:15 GMT -5
Post by nostalgic on Feb 18, 2021 20:10:15 GMT -5
"Rose petals might have set the mood," Elise laughed, stretching her legs out as she leaned over to pour herself a glass of champagne. "Looks delicious." She popped a few grapes in her mouth, unwrapping herself a sandwich. As covertly as she could, she watched him bite into the sugar-crusted muffin, wondering if he'd like it.
"That moan was so over the top," she said, whacking him as he let his eyes roll back in an over-exaggerated manner at the muffin's taste. Still, her delight at his enjoyment was clear in her smile. Elise hated to disappoint.
"You're the tease, Cato. Bringing me on a romantic beach picnic with no engagement ring? It's a damn shame." She grinned over at him, biting into her sandwich.
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▲ my life is just constantly existing at ungodly hours
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Feb 18, 2021 20:27:34 GMT -5
Post by achromatic on Feb 18, 2021 20:27:34 GMT -5
He laughed as she smacked his arm. What could he say? The muffin really was delicious. "You know, maybe I'll have to steal myself a trophy wife like you if I get this kind of dessert all the time." He was practically wolfing it down, wagging his eyebrows playfully at Elise as he did so, before bumping her shoulder with a chuckle.
"You know me, I still have....maybe six years to be a rake and do whatever the fuck I want, don't ruin it for me," he teased, "I'm not ready to have kids and retire."
He pulled the cork from the champagne bottle, hearing the pop and pretending to drizzle it over Elise. "Sorry, no flutes, not even royalty has enough crystal glasses to go around," he grinned, taking a sip straight from the bottle before passing it to Elise.
"So am I going to see you in a bikini or are you staying in that sundress all afternoon?" he smirked, "because if you are, I'm dunking you in the water on purpose."
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Feb 19, 2021 7:48:37 GMT -5
Post by nostalgic on Feb 19, 2021 7:48:37 GMT -5
Elise laughed at the rake comment, accepting the champagne bottle and taking a long sip. "Poo. If I thought anyone in this world was rich enough to spare flutes for a beach picnic, it was the Rotherhithes." The warmth washed down her throat and settled nicely in her stomach as she passed the bottle back and took another bite in her sandwich.
"As tempted as I am to make you chase me around and carry me into the water, I am wearing a bikini underneath, perv. Maybe if you're a gentleman I'll go swimming with you after we eat." Elise grinned, offering him the basket full of food. "You should probably eat something besides the pure sugar that is my muffins."
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▲ my life is just constantly existing at ungodly hours
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Feb 19, 2021 10:04:35 GMT -5
Post by achromatic on Feb 19, 2021 10:04:35 GMT -5
He laughed. "Unfortunately I'm not my dad and you're not the queen of Lacaille," he gave her a pout, "pretty sure the last time one my brother tried to borrow the wine glasses, he broke one and got his ass whooped. I am not risking that." He held out a grape, tossing it in his mouth with a fluorish, catching it in his teeth as he grinned at Elise.
"Pretty sure we're supposed to swim before we eat," he hummed, as he grabbed a sandwich for himself, rolling over to lie on his stomach, "so where did you learn to swim? Private pool or did your parents just throw you in the ocean and assume you'd figure it out?" He held up a grape, as if asking whether she wanted to try and catch one too.
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Feb 19, 2021 11:02:40 GMT -5
Post by nostalgic on Feb 19, 2021 11:02:40 GMT -5
"A lake house, actually," she said, leaning her head back in preparation to catch the grape he tossed her. She missed, catching it as it rebounded off her chin, and laughed good-naturedly at her own blunder before popping it back between her teeth and laying down on her back.
"My mother taught me. I don't remember it, but she says I was a quick learner." Elise closed her eyes, enjoying the heat of the sun on her face. "What about you? Did your parents risk the loss of their firstborn by chucking you headfirst into the ocean waves, or were you given actual instruction?"
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▲ my life is just constantly existing at ungodly hours
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Feb 19, 2021 11:26:54 GMT -5
Post by achromatic on Feb 19, 2021 11:26:54 GMT -5
He laughed at the way the grape just bounced off her chin, as he took another bite of his sandwich. Lake house huh? He nodded at her story.
"Nope, they chucked me in the infinity pool," he joked, "but nah, we had private instructors when we were kids. I got the hang of it pretty easy too, at least compared my siblings. They didn't really have to worry about me much, except apparently I had a habit of trying to jump into the deep end." He gave her a grin, as he finished his sandwich, standing up.
"Come on," he held a hand out as he took one more swig of the bottle, "you can sunbathe later. Either we can climb up on the rock–" he gestured to some of the small cliffs nearby, "or we can take a kayak out. Or...you can change into your bikini and I can dunk you in the water." He gave her a cheeky grin. "Your choice."
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Feb 19, 2021 13:20:46 GMT -5
Post by nostalgic on Feb 19, 2021 13:20:46 GMT -5
"I'll go swimming," she agreed, letting herself rest for another moment before taking Cato's hand, standing and stretching. After a coy wink in her companion's direction, she picked up the champagne bottle, took a deep drink, and removed her sundress in a single swift motion.
Elise knew she was hot, just as Cato knew he was attractive and popular. She had never been shy about her beauty, preferring to use it to her advantage. Underneath the sundress was a navy blue bikini, richly colored against her light skin, revealing the well-proportioned curves of her body.
"Are you going to dunk me in the water, or are you going to spend the rest of the afternoon oogling me?" She asked with a smile, dropping the sundress on the blanket.
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▲ my life is just constantly existing at ungodly hours
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Feb 19, 2021 21:39:22 GMT -5
Post by achromatic on Feb 19, 2021 21:39:22 GMT -5
He grinned. "Sounds like you actually want me to dunk you," he teased, before grabbing her by the waist and hoisting her up playfully, "better tell me to stop." He was already moving towards the water, a laugh leaving his mouth. Gods he could kiss her right now, his mind drifted, as he pushed the thought away. If he was anyone else–no, if they were anyone else–he probably would've done so already, but he didn't know what she was thinking. He didn't know whether any of this was appropriate, especially for her. After all, it seemed like she had plenty more to lose than he did, and as much as he acted as if he didn't care, part of him certainly did.
Still, he was laughing and carrying her as his feet stepped into the shallow waters. "Ready to get dunked?" he teased.
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Feb 20, 2021 9:43:48 GMT -5
Post by nostalgic on Feb 20, 2021 9:43:48 GMT -5
Elise put up a good pretend fight, wriggling in his arms and lightly slapping his back as he carried her towards the water. "No fair," she pouted, though she was enjoying the view from up here. "I was told I would only get dunked if I didn't take off my sundress. I did- so put me down, you oaf."
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▲ my life is just constantly existing at ungodly hours
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Feb 20, 2021 20:42:49 GMT -5
Post by achromatic on Feb 20, 2021 20:42:49 GMT -5
"I don't play fair," he snarked back, as he waded into the sea, the water soon washing over his knees, as he readjusted his grip on her, so that he was now carrying her, so that he was practically carrying her bridal style. "You know, maybe I won't dunk you if you make a convincing enough argument," he teased.
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Feb 21, 2021 12:01:46 GMT -5
Post by nostalgic on Feb 21, 2021 12:01:46 GMT -5
"What do you want?" She asked, grinning up at him from where he held her. "More home baked goods? Horseback riding lessons? For me to climb that rock? A kiss- a real one this time?" Elise seemed to enjoy this game as much as Cato did, as she really wasn't putting up much of a fight. She rather liked the feeling of his arms around her, held close to the warmth of his chest.
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