#;anthony

Anchor Brewhouse, Shad Thames, London ... present day ...

Thera was downstairs getting her mail when she noticed the activity. Delivery vans weren’t a rare sight along Shad Thames, even if it could be a bit of a squeeze, but there seemed to be a few more than usual lined up today. Parked, actually, and if she leaned in the doorway to look she could see tarps, boxes and other equipment being unloaded.

Alright, something was obviously going on, and she supposed she’d find out what it was soon enough. Or ... even sooner, as she walked back to the lift and began to flick through the letterbox stuffers of the day.

Oh ... oh dear. Tossing all the mail except one piece aside, she pulled out her phone and plonked on the couch to send a text.

       Adamant that each child deserved to be loved and nurtured, as fair a chance as possible for a good start in life, teaching had seemed an obvious choice but it didn’t quite sate her need to feel as though she was doing something significant. She didn’t want or need to be life altering to them or even leave a lasting impression. Thanks wasn’t what drove her to volunteer her free time in various orphanages and foster homes. No, it was the knowledge that she could potentially be a friend, confidante, comfort or even an inspiration to children that didn’t have parents there to do that for them.

      That was how she ended up at the local orphanage under an hour after finishing work. As soon as she went through the door she saw a familiar face, smiling brightly in greeting while she took her coat off. The moment his attention is elsewhere however, brown eyes flicked appreciatively over the man, lingering a little too long on broad shoulders that without her heels on she was sure she’d only just reach. But then a little girl was tugging at her skirt hem to show her a drawing and then she’s bending down and exclaiming that it’s the prettiest one she’s seen from her yet.

      Some time later, when the initial buzz around her appearance has died down and the children are mostly entertaining themselves, Lina finds herself moving to stand beside Anthony with a fond smile on her face as her eyes stay fixed on the kids. “You know, you made quite an impression the other day at the school. I swear all the boys wanted to be you and all the girls were reduced to giggle for the rest of the class.” Amusement is clear in her voice although it’s scarcely above a whisper. In another situation she’d have made some comment about how she didn’t blame them but as it was she just let out a soft laugh of her own and tucked a curl behind her ear.

[Bad pick-up line from @sevendeadlymusings.]

      Last year, Alice had gone with macarons for everyone and made them themed for each of her friends. This year, she had come across amazing geode cookies and instantly decided on them. But while Ki, Cass, Jo and their families all got actual geode looking cookies, when it came to what she made for Ant, she just couldn’t help herself.

@xaconite[ Deathless ]

     The words fall from his lips and it’s like time slows. Alice feels the way that seedling of emotion plants itself deep within the gardens of her soul and unfurls all across the fertile soil, blooming outwards in warmth and colors. They’re in the territory of a masterful nature witch, and because of it, she can hear the reactions of their friends and family in the whispering of the leaves. 

Ooh, that was a big one~

Nice going, Ant! 

Haha, hang in there, Alice!

Lifting her gaze to meet his, her lips mirror that beautifully bright smile of his despite the heat coloring her fair cheeks pink. “You have no idea…” She remembers, which only makes everything about this even more endearing. “You don’t know what you do to me, do you..?” Her voice is laced with overflowing fondness.

Gingerly taking his strong hand on hers, she lifts it shoulder high and leans in close, touching her forehead to his and breathing an ancient word to broaden his sight enough to witness the shimmering petals of her aura.