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This was one of the birthday presents this year, and my friend has actually read it so I'm gonna share it now.
They asked for my witch gays having to deal with the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, bc that do be where they live
I fully used it as a chance to complain about the fringe.
~
They’d met in Qualitea, of course. Katida got there first and had already made their order by the time Tamsin swung in the door.
“The traffic in this city,” she grumbled. “If everyone would just trust the public transport that would be great.”
Katida giggled as Tamsin dropped into the seat beside her, kissing her cheek as she pushed the cake nearer. “You could always get an earlier bus.”
“… So anyway, how does freedom taste?” Tamsin flicked a ring laden finger against the glass in front of Katida.
Katida laughed and pushed it closer to Tamsin. “Have a taste, if you like.”
The drink came in a tall glass and smelt faintly of sugar. There were ice cubes floating in it and a bedraggled mint leaf and a strawberry hull on the plate beside it. It was an unnerving shade of blue.
“I’m good, thanks.” Tamsin picked up her own cup and took a sip of it instead.
“Coward.”
“It’s all sugar, Kat.”
“Hm, you probably don’t need more of that.” Katida smiled, reaching for the straw with its shiny tassels to have a sip.
“Because I’m sweet enough?” Tamsin grinned.
“Of course.” Katida patted her hand. “That exactly.”
Tamsin narrowed her eyes slightly, then shrugged. “So. Now just to wait a couple of months for judgement, right? How shall we distract ourselves?”
“It’s Edinburgh in the summer, I’m sure we’ll find something to do.”
“We have all sorts going on,” said one of the staff, cleaning a table nearby. “There are flyers near the counter if you’re interested.”
“Thank you.” Katida smiled. “We probably will.”
“Great.” The staff smiled back. “After all, pride is for life, not just for Christmas.”
Tamsin snorted into her cup as Katida laughed.
They didn’t stay for much longer; just long enough to finish their drinks and their cake.
Katida picked up one of the leaflets and tucked it into her bag. “Thanks for – mph!” She crashed into Tamsin’s back as she stopped in the doorway. “Tamsin-” Katida pushed her out onto the street.
“It starts,” Tamsin said, in a low tone of dread.
Katida follows her gaze up to where the skeleton of scaffolding rises against the skyline. “Oh.”
“Doom is approaching.”
“It’s just the festival.” Katida winds her fingers through Tamsin’s and pulls her away.
“Just, she says, as though that doesn’t mean open season for tourist,” Tamsin mutters.
“Tourists are here year round.”
“It’s too late to leave for somewhere else, right?”
“And become someone else’s tourist problem?”
“Touche.”
Katida laughs. “It hasn’t started yet, at least.”
“No, it’s just going to be ominously looming.” Tamsin sighs. “Summer is ruined.”
“As it is every year.” Katida tugs Tamsin down to kiss her cheek “It will be fine. Come on. Botanics?”
“Sure.” Tamsin turned eagerly from the sight of the scaffolding.
#
They’d just reached the Mile when the rain hit, and ran for the shelter of the building on the corner without a second thought. They weren’t alone in their dash, and Katida and Tamsin found themselves pressed up against the ATMs.
“Told you the raincoat would have been a good idea,” Katida said, shifting to let someone actually use the machine.
“Hush. No one loves a smartass,” Tamsin replied, running fingers through her scruffy mohawk and flipping it to shake droplets free.
Katida laughed, raising a hand to shield her face. “You do.”
“Hm, true.” Tamsin grinned and pressed a quick kiss to Katida’s upraised hand.
Katida flipped her hand to cup Tamsin’s cheek, and for a moment they just stood there, watching each other.
“Why didn’t we wait this out in the bookshop? It’s right there,” Tamsin murmured.
“I like watching people deal with the weather.” Katida smiled slightly.
There were people still braving the sudden shower, fighting with their umbrellas or just trudging along, head down against it. It was easy to tell who belonged to Edinburgh and who didn’t, in these moments.
Katida giggled as someone’s umbrella flipped inside out and they got a face full of rain as they struggled to fix it.
“And I thought I was the mean one.” Tamsin snorted.
“But if you want to buy me some books…” Katida wrapped her arms around Tamsin’s neck, drawing closer.
“Oh, no. Nuh-uh.” Tamsin shook her head. “I’m not playing your loophole, your mum terrifies me.”
“She doesn’t have to find out,” Katida murmured.
Tamsin slid her hands about Katida’s waist, resting her forehead against Katida’s. “Yes she will,” she replied. “She always does.”
“Coward.”
“Hm, always.” Tamsin kissed her.
“It’s not going to clear up.” Katida glanced up at the sky, all dark grey with clouds.
“Where’s a Weather Witch when you need one?”
Katida laughed. “Come on.” She tilted her head towards the street. “Since we’re wet already.” She interlaced her fingers with Tamsin’s and tugged her out onto the slick street.
Together, they crossed the road and stepped up onto the pavement, weaving around stands of hats and hoodies – all under plastic wrap – and rain ponchos that were already proving their usefulness.
As people spilled out of the shops or off the tour buses, the pavement filled up. Tamsin tried not to growl as they had to slow to a crawl, sidling around groups that just stopped in the middle of the pavement as they checked where they were going next.
“To the castle or the shops, it’s not hard,” Katida muttered, keeping hold of Tamsin’s hand.
Tamsin glanced at her and grinned. “Thought that was my line?”
Katida jumped down a few steps to get around a clump, weaving past a bin and a lamp post. “These pavements aren’t wide enough for this.”
Tamsin glanced behind her and then tugged Katida to a slower pace, exaggerating her trudging footsteps. “We’re not in a hurry, are we?”
Katida laughed. “Alright, fine.”
“If we were, you could always fly us.”
“Flying in rain is a terrible idea,” Katida replied, twisting her fingers up to brush against her bracelet.
The castle looked as much as it ever did; sprawling and grand, partially propped up in places by scaffolding. Covered in people. There was one ice cream truck still gamely doing business, despite the rain and the encroaching stands.
“Shame about the view,” Tamsin said, as Katida asked for ice cream.
The stands were almost completely up now, taking up the edges of the open space and restricting access down to a straight walk up to the castle. The views out over the city were barred off, unless one felt like ducking under and around.
Tamsin felt a little like ducking under and around.
“The view from the top of them must be something, though,” Katida said, looking for her purse.
Tamsin leant past her to pay. “I’d get tickets, but they’ve probably all sold out.”
“Hey!” Katida looked up. “You have got to stop doing that.”
“Yeah, death via your mother’s wrath is also fairly long lasting.”
The crowds were thicker inside the walls, where they slowed to a sluggish crawl into queues. The one for the tickets trailed back almost to the arch.
“When was the last time you went inside?” Katida asked, winding her way around to stand against the wall outside the gift shop.
“No idea. Probably a school trip.” Tamsin shrugged. “If you want to go, we’re booking tickets.”
“Obviously. Ooh, we could get a student pass!”
“If we don’t have to pay full price, I’m all for it.” Tamsin leant around the corner to look up towards the castle proper, past the queue and through the tunnel.
“Another time, then?”
“Sure.”
Tamsin glanced at the queue as they left. “Although Stirling is better.”
#
Katida met Tamsin outside the church, a bag over her shoulder. “Hey.” She grinned, leaning in for a kiss.
“Is that a new book weighting that bag?” Tamsin asked, reaching for the strap with one hand as she returned Katida’s kiss.
“Mum said I could, since my results were good.”
“So, Glasgow?” Tamsin grinned.
Katida nodded, smile growing wider.
“Glad to hear it! We can’t wait to be shot of the both of you,” said someone else.
Tamsin rolled her eyes. “Also, Ripley’s here.”
“Hi, Ripley.” Katida waved at Ripley as she stepped onto the wall beside Tamsin, dropping down to sit beside her.
Ripley grinned, crooking her fingers in a wave. “Still attempting to make a respectable woman of my cousin, Katida?” She slung her other arm around Tamsin’s neck, pulling her in for a half hug.
The cousins looked similar, could be mistaken for sisters at a glance. Ripley’s hair was shorter than Tamsin’s, carefully tousled, and still its natural auburn. Her eyes were different – Ripley didn’t have Tamsin’s penchant for red contacts – but there was the shape of their faces, the same grins.
“Of course.”
“It’s rotten work,” Ripley said, releasing Tamsin and kicking her heels against the wall.
“Not to me,” Katida replied, as Tamsin groaned. “Not if it’s you.” She grinned.
“If you’re done? I was promised celebratory lunch.” Tamsin fussed at her hair, making sure it was all lying properly on the right side of her head.
“My treat.” Ripley nodded, twisting to look about. “Just waiting on – ah, there they are. Hey, Bri!” She stretched up without standing, waving a hand in the air.
Katida turned about to see Briony wandering towards them. Despite the weather, they’re wearing a long duster coat over worn cut-off jeans and a buttoned shirt and docs, with a bright piece of fabric tied about their throat. Their long blue hair is tied up into a messy bun, showing off the shaved side of their head and the arc of piercings in their ear.
“Hey.” They smiled slightly as they joined the others, keeping a careful distance. “Sorry to keep you waiting.”
“Nice playdate?” Ripley pushed off the wall to stand before them.
“It went well.”
“Where were you?” Katida asked, tugging Tamsin to walk alongside her.
“Helping a friend with rehearsals. They’re in a show, you should come–”
“No.”
Ripley snorted. “Wow, Tam, that’s rude.”
“We’d love to come,” Katida said. “Dramatics aside.”
“I’ve managed this far through the month-”
“Oh yeah, how’s that going for you?” Ripley smirked. “Tamsin’s trying to avoid the Fringe entirely,” she said to Briony.
Briony nodded, looking slightly lost.
“If people would stop asking to meet along the Mile, it would be going a lot better.” Tamsin shoved her free hand in her pocket, turning her back to a street performer as the four of them walked past, trying to give him some room.
“You could’ve vetoed me, but as I recall you were keen on this place too.”
“It’s the principle of the thing,” Tamsin muttered.
“We could’ve gone to Qualitea for lunch,” Katida said.
“If Rip’s paying, I’m going to milk her for all she’s worth.”
Briony laughed.
“You’re going half on this,” Ripley said to them. “You owe me, Briar.”
“That was two years ago.”
“Yeah, and I still have nightmares about it, so.”
“Plus it’s like the only leverage you have.”
Ripley shrugged. “I take what I can get.”
Katida watched them, amused even if she didn’t know the context.
“Hey, excuse me-” Someone bumped into Tamsin.
“Shit, sorry man.” Tamsin pulled her hand from her pocket to steady them. “You alright?”
“Sure.” He shot her a winning smile. “Here.” He shoved something into her hand and disappeared towards the next group of people.
“Wait – fuck.” Tamsin stared at the flyer in her hand.
“We should’ve bet on that happening,” Ripley muttered.
“That’s an easy bet,” Briony replied. “See?” They passed Ripley a handful of leaflets they’d collected. “Everyone’s at it.”
Katida smiled, taking the flyer from Tamsin’s hand and looking it over. “Maybe we should go to this one.”
“Or – hear me out here – we could not.”
“Fate placed it before us.”
“Actually, a guy taking an opportunity did.”
“Still have a grudge against the Festival?” Ripley asked.
“It’s annoyance. There’s too many people around.”
“It’s a grudge,” Katida said. “It might actually be worse this year.”
“It’s exam stress,” Tamsin retorted.
“You got your results today, I don’t think you can use that as an excuse now.”
Tamsin pushed Ripley away as she cackled. “Who invited you again?”
“Oh, maybe it’s the fear of leaving home and never seeing the Fringe again. You know, lashing out and closing yourself off pre-emptively isn’t healthy.” Ripley moved smoothly with Tamsin’s push. “Isn’t that what Oscar says?”
“Gotta admit, I tend to tune out when he starts talking through his studying.” Briony shrugged, slowing to watch a street performer set up.
“Wow.”
“He just wants a sounding board, not actual engagement, otherwise he’d be talking to his department.”
The performer had cleared out a large circle of the road, and was chattering at anyone who slowed to see what he was doing as he set down a big trunk and started to pull things out of it. He reached up towards the sun and made some kind of pinching movement with his fingers, and music started up.
“Techno Mage?” Katida asked, looking for the speakers.
“Isn’t that cheating?”
“It’s not a competition, Tamsin.”
“The way this street ends up, could’ve fooled me.” Tamsin turned away. “Come on, I’m hungry.”
“Sure. Bri.” Ripley tugged at their coat.
They hesitate a little longer, until the performer makes the same gesture again and the music pauses. “Oh, maybe it’s the glove? He’s only got the one on.”
“Maybe a Charm Witch, then.”
“How low our kind have fallen,” Tamsin muttered, trying not to grin.
“Because you wouldn’t be caught dead doing anything that flashy.” Ripley raised her eyebrows, giving Tamsin’s rings a pointed glance.
“I have an aesthetic to keep up.” Tamsin shoved her free hand in her pocket.
Katida brought their tangled hands up to kiss one of Tamsin’s rings. “I appreciate the aesthetic.”
“And I appreciate you.” Tamsin smiled, angling her body away from Ripley and towards Katida.
“I want one of those gloves,” Briony said, as the performer started his music with a press of his fingers, skipping a track. “Rip, you could make that a charm, right?”
Tamsin snorted.
“It’s also possibly just tech.” Ripley narrowed her eyes as she watched the performer, who actually seemed to be starting his set properly. “Bluetooth or something.”
“It’s more fun if it’s magic, though, right?”
“Not that Rip would know how to make it.” Tamsin snickered, avoiding Ripley’s elbow by stepping around to Katida’s other side.
“You know, maybe you don’t want lunch.”
“Hey, no listen you promised.”
Katida tilted her head, gaze going distant. “Shouldn’t be too tricky to work out…”
“Dammit Bri, you’ve broken her,” Ripley said.
Briony shrugged, unrepentant. “She’s the only one I’d trust to get it right.”
“Oh. Oh wow.” Ripley and Tamsin exchanged a look. “Well. Honestly. If it’s going to be like that…”
Briony laughed and darted ahead. “Come on, they’re not going to hold that table forever.”
#
Tamsin led the way up the path, picnic basket braced against her shoulder. It was evening, the sun was on its way to setting, but it was still warm. Maybe that was just the walk up that was doing that, but she didn’t think so.
She turned to check on Katida, who was lagging slightly.
“Maybe we should have flown up here,” Katida said as she caught up.
“Hey, it’s not Arthur’s Seat.” Tamsin shifted the basket to her other arm, offering Katida her hand.
“You went for the steep side.” Katida took her hand, pulling the strap of the blanket further up her arm. “Is this for making you go to Bri’s friends’ show?”
Tamsin laughed. “Don’t tell Ripley, but that was kinda fun.” She walked at Katida’s pace, not minding the people overtaking them.
“Your secret is safe with me.”
They managed to find space on the grass facing across the city to the river, amongst other groups that had all had the same idea.
Someone was playing rock ballads from their phone, and Tamsin glared in their general direction as Katida spread out the blanket.
“Don’t start,” Katida warned her.
“They could at least have good taste if they’re going to inflict it on us,” Tamsin replied, setting the basket down in the middle of the blanket. “Not this… knock-off Eurovision wannabes.”
Someone nearby laughed and Tamsin flushed. She dropped to her knees on the blanket and shuffled to get comfortable, pushing off her shoes and setting them on her coat beside her.
Katida sat beside her, curling her legs into her side, and pulled the basket towards her. “You actually managed to keep Ripley out of this?”
“It was a hard fight, but I did it for you.” Tamsin leant over to place a palm against the knot of the fabric covering the basket. The trap charm released at her touch, and she untied the fabric.
“Oh, my hero.” Katida laughed, pulling out a sealed box of bhaji.
Tamsin searched through the basket for the scotch eggs. “Not that she tried very hard.”
“Hush, you’re ruining your reputation.”
“Oh. Oops. Yeah, she went at it real hard. Decoys and everything.
Katida laughed again, and then let out a gasp of delight as she picked a bhaji from the box. “Oh, they’re still warm!”
“Come on, babe, you have got to stop doubting my expertise in keeping things toasty.”
“I don’t!” Katida brushed crumbs from her chin. “I just didn’t expect it, that’s all.”
“Hm.” Tamsin narrowed her gaze, fighting (and failing) not to grin at Katida’s delighted face. “You’re lucky you’re so cute.”
They watched the sun go down, trading snacks and drinks and soft words.
That man did not stop playing his music, but Tamsin did her best to just tune it out.
“Ok,” she said eventually, when the sun was mostly gone and the basket was almost empty, “Maybe it’s not so bad from here.” She eyed the lights spread through the city.
“At a distance?”
“Yes.”
“Warmer than Guy Fawkes or Hogmanay,” Katida said, sitting at Tamsin’s side.
Tamsin leant back, reaching for the bottle tucked into the basket on the rug beside them. “That’s definitely helping.”
“I knew I’d bring you round.”
“That’s not what this is.”
“Isn’t it?”
“No. I was promised pyrotechnics, that’s all. Pyrotechnics need good weather.”
And the weather was good. The sky was clear of clouds and there was barely a breeze to mess with the coming show.
“Wait, will we need to move to see it properly?” Tamsin asked, squinting across in the direction of the castle. She could sort of see it from where they were, beyond the curve of the hill and a couple of monuments.
Katida glanced at her. “Only if you want to pack everything up first.”
“Then no, we do not.”
Katida laughed and shifted to lean into Tamsin. “I almost thought you were excited for something Fringe-related there.”
“Pyrotechnics, Katida.” Tamsin wrapped her arm around Katida’s shoulders. “Fire. Explosions. That’s what we’re here for. The Fringe is incidental.”
Someone had their phone tuned to the radio station that was broadcasting from the castle. Not the guy playing his ballads – he’d finally moved away, maybe to get a better view.
The sound was stressed and tinny until a nearby Techno Mage turned the patches of gorse into speakers, so it sounded as if the earth was speaking to them.
“Show off,” Tamsin said, lifting her bottle in salute to the unknown mage.
The bagpipes could be heard from the castle regardless, clear through the still night.
“So you don’t mind that, but power ballads are where you draw the line?”
“I am a witch of many contradictions.” Tamsin shrugged.
Fireworks screamed up from the castle, stopping Katida from answering as they burst across the sky.
Tamsin tugged the fabric that had been tied around the basket free with one hand, draping it awkwardly across their shoulders without looking away from the sky. “They do know how to put on a show.”
“They do it every year, I would hope they know by now.” Katida helped pull the shawl about herself, leaning her head on Tamsin’s shoulder.
“It’s almost a shame we’ll never see another one.”
“What?”
“On account of moving across the country, remember? We’re uni students now.”
Katida snorted with laughter. “Term never starts until mid-September, Tam, we’ll still be free over the summer.”
“Nope, we’re never going to see the Fringe again. This is it. We chose to leave the city, and it will be barred to us forever more.” Tamsin grinned.
Katida buried her face in Tamsin’s neck, shaking with laughter.
“You’re missing the show.”
“You’re ridiculous, you know?”
“It’s realism, sweetie. The secret they never tell you when you’re choosing your future.”
Katida pushed her over and Tamsin let out a yelp, rolling onto her back. “You know what that’ll make us next year, then?”
“Banished? Homeless? Having to go somewhere different for the holidays?”
“Tourists.” Katida leant a hand on Tamsin’s shoulder as the fireworks exploded behind her. “Which means we can do tourist things. Like the Fringe.”
Tamsin hesitated. “Ah, fuck. Can I take it back?”
“No.” Katida shifted to lie beside her, patting at the folds of her hijab so they weren’t scrunched up under her. “You spoke it into existence.”
“Rats.” Tamsin slid an arm under Katida, pulling her closer.
@zmwrites hi hello again we really do keep meeting like this huh
I'm gonna use the witch gays for this one
“But if you want to buy me some books…” Katida wrapped her arms around Tamsin’s neck, drawing closer.
“Oh, no. Nuh-uh.” Tamsin shook her head. “I’m not playing your loophole, your mum terrifies me.”
“She doesn’t have to find out,” Katida murmured. Tamsin slid her hands about Katida’s waist, resting her forehead against Katida’s.
“Yes she will,” she replied. “She always does.”
“Coward.”
“Hm, always.” Tamsin kissed her. “Come on.” She tilted her head towards the street.
Katida reclaimed Tamsin’s hand and they ducked out into the rain.
@stuffaboutwriting @fields-of-ink if y'all feel like it?
@zmwrites, thank for the tag!! I love these ones lmao, but uh I'mma try not to get too distracted
We're using this generator and Katida, Tamsin, Ripley, and Briony from my witch gays/time travel nonsense, alright?
Ripley: Why are Tamsin and Katida sitting with their backs to each other?
Briony: They had a fight.
Ripley: Then why are they holding hands?
Briony: They get sad when they fight.
(I mean. that sounds about right)
Tamsin: Katida, I'm sad.
Katida: Holds out arms for a hug It’s going to be okay.
Ripley: Briony, I'm sad.
Briony, nodding: mood.
(they would)
Tamsin: On the count of three, what's your favorite cake? One, two, three-
Tamsin and Katida, in unison: Chocolate cake peanut butter frosting with chocolate chunks!
Ripley: Our turn, Briony! One, two, three- vanilla!
Briony, deadpan: I've never had cake, what is cake.
(Briony you little killjoy)
Tamsin: You are now one day closer to eating your next plate of nachos.
Katida: That's the most hopeful thing I've ever heard.
Ripley: But what if I die tomorrow and never eat any nachos?
Briony: Then tomorrow is nacho lucky day.
(... these are devastatingly accurate for Briony. I swear they can be nice ^^;)
Tamsin: Why are your tongues purple?
Ripley: We had slushies. I had a blue one.
Briony: I had a red one.
Tamsin: oh
Tamsin:
Tamsin: OH
Katida:
Katida: You drank each other's slushies?
(for the record, Katida's probably right lmao)
tagging @raevenlywrites, @loopyhoopywrites, @magefaery if you wanna?
[image description: a traditional colour drawing of two women reclining in a window seat. One of the woman is white skinned with teal hair and a red flower pinned in it. She’s wearing a long red scarf over a black jacket and blue jeans, and holds a takeout coffee cup in her left hand. Her right hand is placed on the other woman’s upper arm. The other woman is lying against her chest and is wearing a red hijab that matches the first woman’s scarf. She’s darker skinned and wearing a brown coat over a yellow shirt and a long orange skirt, and also holds a red takeout coffee cup in her right hand. Both are smiling as they look out the window. There are shelves filled with books to their left and underneath them, and the top of a ladder leading down. The window frame is carved with vines. Through the window is the silhouette of Edinburgh Castle under fireworks. End description]
and here we have yet another fabulous example of one of my friend’s art skills! This was my Christmas present this year - friend has just put it up on Instagram here, so I can now share it with y’all. It’s based on a Christmas present I wrote them last year, which is up here uhhhh here
This pair is a couple of my witches, Tamsin and Katida, who inhabit the same world as the superhero set, but haven’t appeared in anything with them. so far.
they’re both charm witches, but Tamsin (teal hair) specialises in warmth charms and therefore calls herself a “hot witch” while Katida is more jack of all trades but does like to fly.
Anyway, I am delighted with this piece and if you too are a fan, my friend does commissions! the deets are here!
Anya is live and ready to show you everything. Watch her strip, dance, and perform exclusive shows just for you. Interact in real-time and make your fantasies come true.
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I have new writing! Sort of! I mean it’s from December (November maybe?) but I had to wait until I knew they’d got it, so. late Christmas.
I did put it up on Patreon on Christmas day? That counts right?
~
Tamsin stood leaning against the wall at the entrance to the narrow steps that led down into the public garden and kicked her boots against the pavement, knocking some feeling back into her toes.
The street was thronging with people heading home from work, or from the shops, or just heading out on late night shopping and pub excursions. She watched them from where she stood, half-concealed in the shadows of a bush, and hoped that they’d either clear away by the time Kat arrived or at least be easy to move around, or she may not be held responsible for her actions.
Hunching her shoulders up, she tucked her mouth down into the many folds of her scarf and puffed out a breath into it, trying to warm herself up by activating the heat charms sewn as small buttons into its length. Maybe a thicker coat would have been a better idea. Or maybe even a hat, but she’d only just dyed her hair teal and she wanted it on show.
“Sorry I’m late!”
Tamsin smiled, looking back into the gardens.
Kat landed in a plausible run, as if she’d just come up the stairs, and folded her broomstick back into the guise of a charm on her bracelet.
“It’s cool.” Tamsin pushed herself off the wall. “I thought you were getting the bus.”
“Missed it.” Kat adjusted her hijab, knocked off-kilter by her flight. “And it’s cloudy enough, so I could risk it.” She reached up onto her toes to give Tamsin a quick kiss. “What’s our first stop?”
“Seasonally appropriate hot beverages.” Tamsin smiled. “Qualitea should still be open for a while yet.”
“Ooh, yes.” Kat adjusted the straps on her bag. “I hope you brought your travel cup.”
Tamsin shrugged. “The seasonal cups are half the fun.” She gave Kat a crooked grin as Kat shot her a faux glare.
“The environment is doomed and it’s all your fault.”
“I’ll make it up to mother nature when I turn the dregs into compost.” She pressed a kiss to Kat’s forehead, just under the edge of her hijab, and wound their fingers together as they left the entrance to the park.
The crowds were loosely clumped across the pavement, but no one really wanted to be out in the cold for very long, so they were moving fast enough. It was easy for the two girls to cut through and cross the road, aiming diagonally up a street to reach their destination.
The coffee shop was lit up warm, the windows frosted with fake snow under the ornate sign of ‘Qualitea; we keep our prioriteas straight’. Inside was warm with laughter and conversation; there was a gaming night on taking up several tables, and a group tucked in to themselves playing an intense campaign of DnD.
The bell chimed above the door as Tamsin held it open, and the heady scent of spiced coffee rolled out with the warmth from the heat curtain.
Kat stepped under Tamsin’s arm without having to duck. “One day,” she promised, pulling a travel cup striped in shades of pink and orange from her bag.
“You’re going to wear heels?” Tamsin grinned, letting the door shut.
“I will. And then I won’t have to stand on tiptoe just to reach.”
“Yeah, but it’s cute though.” Tamsin followed her to the counter.
The barista looked up, smiling. “What can I get you?”
“Gingerbread latte, please.” Kat held out her cup. “And that red velvet cupcake. Tamsin?”
“Uh.” Tamsin scanned the board.
“We have all sorts of seasonally appropriate spices,” the barista – her name tag read ‘Shae’ - said.
“How about the inappropriate ones?” Tamsin asked. “I’m kinda... still on the pumpkin spice train?”
Shae glanced behind her at her coworker, handing Kat’s cup back. “What d’you reckon? Think we can do that?”
“Still not over autumn.” Tamsin waved, grinning.
The two baristas laughed.
“I think we can manage that.” Shae smiled. “What size?”
“Large,” Tamsin answered, without pausing to consider. “No cakes for me.”
“Sure.” Shae wrote down her order on the cup and set it on the back counter next to the machine. “And money off for the reusable cup... more so because it’s ours... do you have a loyalty card?” She looked up. “Are you paying together?”
“Yes.” Kat handed over her loyalty card to scan.
While she was fitting that back into her purse, Tamsin leant over and tapped her phone against the contactless point.
“Tamsin!”
Tamsin laughed at her, leaning back out of the way of Kat’s harmless swipe. “You can buy the next one.”
“Which is what you say every time.”
“There’s your cake, your drinks will be just a moment.” Shae gestured to the pick-up point, and turned to help her coworker make the drinks.
“Thanks.” Kat smiled at Shae and moved to the end of the counter.
Tamsin moved with her, dropping her wallet back into her bag. “Is there a bookshop in the works after this?”
“Only if there’s time.” Kat tore her cupcake in half and offered part to Tamsin. “Otherwise, we should maybe head on up the mile.”
“We’re not running that late, are we?” Tamsin took it and held her free hand under it to catch the crumbs as she ate.
“Don’t think so, but-” Kat shrugged.
“Enjoy,” Shae said, setting their cups down.
“I make no promises,” Tamsin replied automatically, not looking up.
“Well, if you will try to turn back time with your seasonal requests.” Shae laughed, rolling up the loose sleeves of her shirt as she wiped down the counters.
“Have a good night,” Kat said, brushing the crumbs from where they’d collected on her coat into the bin.
Tamsin swallowed the last of the cake and picked up their cups as Kat adjusted her gloves. “Those’re new.”
“Lorelei made them.” Kat held up one hand to show them off. “We spun and dyed the wool ourselves.” They were fingerless mittens in rough colours; soft greys and mossy greens. On the backs was an interlocking circle picked out in red.
“Embedded anything in them yet?”
“Not yet.” She reached for her cup as they left the café.
Tamsin handed over the cup and then switched hers to that hand so she could tangle their free hands together. The gloves were soft against her palm, almost fluffy with residual heat.
“Where are your gloves?”
“Back home with my hat.” Tamsin shrugged. “Sometimes, you gotta suffer.” She tossed her head back to flick her mohawk, and smiled when Kat laughed at her. “For the aesthetic.”
“Don’t blame me when your fingers go polar.” Kat took a sip of her drink.
“Isn’t that why you’re holding them?” When they paused at the lights, Tamsin lifted their interlocked fingers and blew across their knuckles; as her breath hit the rings she wore, they began to glow and give off a faint heat.
“Among other reasons.” Kat smiled again. It seemed like she hadn’t really stopped smiling, but it came and went like waves on the beach.
They crossed the road and started up the mound, falling in behind other people heading upwards as well.
“God I love the smell of pumpkin.” Tamsin touched her nose to the lid of her cup and breathed in. “I’m glad Qualitea keep it year round.”
“They’re probably worried you’d curse them if they got rid of it.”
Tamsin laughed. “I mean-”
Kat squeezed her fingers.
The crowd heading towards the mile became thicker until they reached it, and it became apparent that everyone was moving towards the castle, too.
Tamsin wrinkled her nose and set her shoulders, forcing them a path through.
“Tam-” Kat tugged her sideways. “C’mon.” She wriggled sideways, looping and curving until they reached a close, and through it into an empty courtyard.
Kat passed Tamsin her cup and smiled again.
“Not much of a view from here, Kat.” Tamsin deliberately took a drink of Kat’s latte.
Kat stuck her tongue out and slipped her broom charm from her bracelet. “I know where there’ll be a good one.”
The broom expanded, hovering at hip height to Kat.
She reached out her hand for her cup again as she sat side-saddle on her broom. “Coming?”
Tamsin swung her leg over the broom and passed the cup back, draining hers and tucking it into her bag before setting an arm either side of Kat. “Like you could leave me behind.”
“Like you couldn’t fly up and catch me yourself.” Kat tapped her free hand against the broom.
They rose up past the buildings until they could see the streets laid out in a messy patchwork around the old buildings.
“Look, the castle is still covered in tourists.” Kat pointed with her cup.
“If we sit up on that, we won’t see the show,” Tamsin said. “The Obscura may be better?”
“Oh, well I was going to look for a bookshop to pass the time in, but if you’d rather-” Kat laughed, leaning to tilt her broom across the mile.
Tamsin glanced along at the castle, lit up in blues and still lined with people along the battlements. “Think they’ll realise their mistake?”
“Maybe they’re there to watch the street party instead.”
It wasn’t a long flight to the top of St. Giles. When they were hovering so that their feet weren’t quite brushing its roof, Tamsin released her hold on the broom and Kat slipped down first.
When Tamsin dismounted, Kat folded the broom back onto her bracelet and finished off the last of her drink. “Should we get another?”
“And me be responsible for another takeout cup roaming the streets? For shame.” Tamsin laughed, booping Kat’s nose.
Kat laughed. “Ok, but if we do, you’re letting me buy it, alright?”
The door was tucked into the shadows on the tower. Kat felt under the eaves for the key, bypassing the protective charm with a spark of her own unchanneled magic, and unlocked the door.
Tamsin ducked to get in the small door. “You just have to be faster than me, that’s all.”
Kat locked the door behind them and slotted the key back into the pocket it lived in, where it could be accessed from either side.
The bookshop was far larger than the tower; they stood at the top of a short flight of stairs, just on level with the tops of the bookshelves. Above, the ceiling was a low arch strung with fairy lights and wisps that bobbed between the rows on their patrols.
Kat led the way down the stairs and wound her way through the warren of shelves to an alcove by a tall window. There were beanbags for seats and a low table with a vase of red flowers on it already there.
“Are you actually here for books?” Tamsin sprawled into a ready beanbag and pulled her scarf off over her head, turning the charms off as she did so.
“Yes.” Kat smiled and set down her bag, turning to the nearest wisp. “I’d like the core charm series, please.”
“Oh, studying.” Tamsin shifted to get comfortable, thought about taking off her jacket, then decided not to. “Is this a study date? Have I been lied to and led along with warm drinks and cute girls?”
The wisp bobbed and let out a hum as it flushed a steady green to signify it was now helping a customer and was not to be disturbed before it flitted off through the shelves.
Kat laughed at her, pulling off her thick coat. “Cute girls?”
“Only because sometimes I see double. Dizzy with all that height, don’t you know.” Tamsin grinned.
Kat dropped her coat over her bag. “I am studying. You're here to keep me company.”
“And make sure you don’t get lost in the books.” Tamsin spread her arm, pulling another beanbag closer. “C’mon.”
Kat settled into the beanbag, shifted it closer and twisted to lean back against Tamsin’s near shoulder. “It’s just brushing up on a few things while we’re waiting.”
“Alright.” Tamsin shifted her arm around Kat’s shoulders. “Hey.” She waved at a wisp. “You got the newest volume of [witchy book title] in?”
The wisp flushed green and bobbed off in a different direction.
“Sweet.” Tamsin rested her head against the top of Kat’s, careful not to disturb her hijab too much.
“You could always study too. Learn more charms.”
“I like just being a heat witch.” Tamsin absentmindedly twisted her rings, turning off their charms. “It fits, because-”
Kat groaned, laughing, as she tried to place a hand over Tamsin’s mouth, trying to stop her saying the next words.
Tamsin laughed, leaning her head back away from Tamsin’s mouth, catching her hands and pulling free, “Because I’m so hot.”
Kat buried her face in Tamsin’s chest and groaned. “You’re terrible.”
“Sure, but you’re charming, which makes up for it.”
“Right.” Kat sat up on her beanbag, fighting off a smile as she looked away from Tamsin in mock disapproval. “You’re the worst and I won’t stand for it.”
“What else is new?” Tamsin smiled, the teasing tone in her voice turning fond. She ran a hand up Kat’s back and then let her hand fall back onto her chest.
“Teal suits you,” Kat said after a while, glancing back to look at Tamsin.
“Hm?” Tamsin looked away from the window.
“Your hair. It’s a good colour.”
Tamsin smiled and ran her free hand over her mohawk, fluffing it up back to its usual position.
The wisp came back bearing three slim books for Kat first.
“Thank you.” She gestured at the low table beside them, and the wisp laid them there before turning back to its neutral grey and hovering before them. “That’s everything just now.”
It bobbed away as Kat picked up the first of her books. She twisted about to get more comfortable, and ended up sprawled across Tamsin’s chest, book propped up on her knees.
Tamsin barely moved to accommodate her; now her arm was across Kat’s chest, playing with the edge of her hijab. “Oh, sweet.” She took the comic volume from the wisp as it held it out to her. “Thanks man.”
It bobbed and left them to it. The vents under the bookshelves that made up the alcove rumbled and started to pipe heat through the floor under them, keeping their small space comfortable.
For a while they sat there in the warmth, reading their books. The window frosted a little with their warmth against the night sky, which was clear of the city’s pollution but still showed their stars and the familiar streets below.
One of the bookshop’s cats – a small scrawny black thing, with huge eyes and a crooked tail – found them there, and curled up on a cushion beside the vent.
The announcement, when it came, spoke from the vase on the table; the red flowers there bent towards them and shaped their petals like mouths and said “The display is starting soon. If you are here to watch, we advise the roof, or the windows along the western wall.”
Tamsin nudged Kat. “C’mon.” She set her comic book back on the table.
Kat nodded absently and turned a page in her book.
Tamsin grinned and tilted herself so that Kat’s perch was dislodged.
“Tamsin!” She was laughing, even as she dropped the book on her face.
“C’mon. Time to go.” Tamsin signalled a wisp. “Can you keep these books aside for us?”
Kat set her books on top of Tamsin’s and stood, pulling her jacket back on.
Tamsin swung her bag back over her shoulder and shoved her arm through the loops of her scarf as she picked up Kat’s bag as well.
They slipped through the shelves and joined a throng of other witches at the door, all spilling out onto the roof to watch the show.
“C’mon.” Kat caught Tamsin’s hand and wriggled sideways to the edge, unlatching her broom charm as she went.
The small group of witches parted easily for them, murmuring greetings as they were recognised.
Kat let her broom grow in front of them and swung herself onto it, one leg on either side.
Tamsin climbed on after her and Kat took them away from the roof, back up towards the Camera Obscura and the castle, floating higher than the rooftops to give them an unobstructed view.
Tamsin activated the charms in her rings again. “Here.” She offered Kat the end of her scarf, unlooping it from her arm.
“How long is this thing?” Kat wound part of it around her neck and over her mouth and nose.
Tamsin shifted closer, left enough of a length of the scarf between them that they wouldn’t tug at each other, and wound it around her neck and mouth in the same way. “Long enough, I reckon.”
Kat laughed and brought them to a halt, leaning back to zip up her coat properly.
Tamsin activated the heating charms in her scarf and hugged Kat to herself, tangling their fingers together.
“All those heating charms are useful,” Kat said, relaxing into Tamsin’s chest. “What do you do in summer?”
“Get my guns out.” Tamsin flexed one arm against Kat.
Kat laughed.
Tamsin smiled. “It’s not always warm enough for that here, but...”
“Sacrifices must be made.” Kat turned her head, leaning out a little so she could see Tamsin. “For the aesthetic, right?”
“For the aesthetic.” Tamsin nodded, reaching out of her scarf to press a quick kiss to Kat’s cheek.
Kat smiled, resting her head against Tamsin’s shoulder.
The castle lit up in strobing lights, flashes of colour that sharpened into waves rising up and down the walls.
In the courtyard, there was a pipe band playing; they could hear it easily, even from as high as their vantage point was, the pipes roaring out amongst the rattling drums.
Waves became flags whipping in the wind, then a forest, down across mountains and into a glen of deer. A stag looked up, his branches cutting the background into pieces that became the stained glass of a window.
“Fancy,” Tamsin murmured.
“They’re so clever, to be able to do that without magic.” Kat’s fingers twitched in Tamsin’s, as if wanting to make the signs that would imbue that level of trickery into a charm.
Tamsin hummed in agreement and hunched forward in a tilt, resting her chin on Kat’s shoulder and trying not to disturb Kat’s own perch on her shoulder.
“Serves you right for being tall.” Kat laughed at her, straightening up.
“I never blame you for being small.” Tamsin smiled, lifting her chin away. “Li’l pocket sized girlfriend, that’s what you are.”
“Yeah, uh-” Kat pulled forward and ever so carefully turned herself on the broom, so she was sitting facing Tamsin. “Can I have my bag a moment?”
Tamsin handed it over, stretching more length out of the scarf to give them room.
“I- made this for you. For after.” Kat rummaged in her bag, looking for something.
“For after...?”
“When we go back down. Join the party.”
Tamsin looked down below, at the streets filled with people and torches. There was a river of them, all the way from the castle to the cathedral. “Ok.” She hadn’t thought that Kat would be joining her for that, but-
“Of course, your hair being short – or shorter now, I guess – may make this difficult, but...” Kat pulled a flower that looked like it was made out of leaves from her bag.
It was largely red, with a few green leaves behind it to sell the idea of it being a flower. Little glittering charms sat neatly at the centre of it.
“Um - if you want to wear it, I mean I don’t know if it... suits your aesthetic...?” She held it out.
Tamsin took it carefully. “What charms is it?” She could work it out herself, with some effort, but she didn’t really feel like delving into it that far at the moment.
Below them, the show went on, but neither of them were watching now.
“One to hold it in place, one for – um – luck, and...” Kat bit her lip, looking down.
“What?” Tamsin grinned, reaching up to place it on her head, just to one side of her mohawk.
The charm activated as soon as it touched, and settled into a good spot where the flower just brushed over her forehead.
“As long as you’re wearing it, you’ll... know if I’m thinking of you?” Kat flickered her eyes up, and Tamsin saw the faint beginnings of a blush across her cheeks.
“Is that what the warmth is?” She could feel it, not like one of her heat charms but similar.
“I - I guess?” Kat tucked stray hairs back under her hijab. “So you- you like it?” She reached up a hand to readjust it.
Tamsin hummed and caught Kat’s hand, holding it just shy of her cheek. “I don’t have anything for you.”
“That’s ok, I mean it’s just a small thing? I was practising, and it seemed like a good idea, so-”
“I love it, Kat. And it’s definitely my aesthetic.”
Something screamed by in the night, and fireworks exploded above them.
Kat flinched and looked up, eyes wide and mouth half open. She lowered her hands back onto her broom, steadying them.
“We should maybe get out of the flight path,” Tamsin said, as another exploded to their right.
“Before someone sees us.” Kat leant back on the broom, sending it forward even as she kept facing Tamsin.
“Well, preferably before we get hit.” Tamsin grabbed tight to the broom as it wheeled away. “Less concerned about being seen.”
“Of course.” Kat twisted to look over her shoulder, to steer their course.
With fireworks still exploding around and above them, she brought them in to land on the turreted roof of the camera obscura, on the gantry around the dome. She slid off first and offered a hand to Tamsin, unwrapping Tamsin’s scarf from about her neck as it grew tight between them.
Tamsin grinned and stepped off onto the railing, balancing with her arms spread out.
“Please tell me you have a flight charm of your own.” Kat hesitated to put her broom away, looking up at Tamsin.
”D’you ever want to work out how Howl walked on air?”
“By being a character in an animated film.”
Tamsin laughed and crouched down, shifting to sit on the railing. “Yeah, but-”
“Probably flight charms in his boots. Something in his hands to mess with the gravity around any passengers.” Kat shrugged and leant on the railing beside Tamsin.
“You really know your stuff, huh.” Tamsin looked up at the fireworks, then across at the castle, still all lit up by the show.
“That’s what I do.” She wound the end of Tamsin’s scarf about her hand when it brushed against her hand with the light breeze.
“Yeah,” Tamsin murmured. And then, “Hey,” when they’d been silently watching for a while.
Kat looked up at her.
“Thanks for today.”
“You bought the drinks.”
“You invited me.” Tamsin smiled, reaching a hand up to touch her flower. “So thank you.”
“You can choose the next date?”
“And you can buy the drinks.”
Kat laughed at that. “I don’t know if I believe you.”
“I don’t know if I do, either,” Tamsin agreed, and leant in to kiss Kat’s forehead. “But I’d like to find out, so...”
“Yeah.” Kat stretched herself up on tiptoe, pulling on Tamsin’s scarf to bring her in reach. “So would I.” She kissed her, smiling, as the last of the fireworks exploded in the sky over the gardens.
