#the-eldritch-sorcerer

<He hands her a rose and if shines before opening.>

*dumbfounded for a moment, blinks several times* That's...wow, that's beautiful...*inhales deeply*...and it smells divine. But who am I to rate such a lovely gift--let alone the gift of your time?

@strangelockd

"I want the love, the money and the perfect ending." (Melt the Ice)

@sinisterstrange616

"You want the same as I, so stop pretending." (A Beautiful Stranger)

@sobeautifullyobsessed

"I wanna show you how good we could be together." (The Rain Falls)

"I wanna love you through the night, we'll be a sweet disaster." (The Golden Web)

✨ Happy Birthday, @the-eldritch-sorcerer! ✨

My family ... wasn't really much of anything that was worth talking about. Disappoinment and...tragedy. But that's not a subject for now. Anyone from anywhere can technically come from "magical background", should they choose to take the time to learn and open their minds it. I myself - as you have probably figured out by now - used to be a doctor and in that stage of my life I had no interest in metaphysical knowledge or abilities. But then...well, life finally broke down the walls of the "perfect life" I was building for myself.

<He smiled as he watched her look at the surroundings while he spoke, until the last part had drawn her attention back to him. Slowly, he held up his free hand to show her the scars she had noted on them earlier which were now more of a deep red than they were before due to the coolness of the afternoon air settling in on the Sanctum. He was still self-conscious about them, even years after the accident, but this was his Soulmate, the woman he loved before than even life itself. And if he trusted anyone to not judge him or their history, it was this beautiful woman in front of him.>

I was in a car accident that left me no longer able to perform my job, I was told of a place called Kamar-Taj, where I would be able to gain the ability to use my hands again. It was there that I studied - and continue to learn on many occasions - about the Mystic Arts. It was there that I met my two teachers: The Ancient One, who we lost to battle, and Damon Renner.

<He gently brushed a strand of hair behind her ear as he looked into her eyes while he spoke once more. He thought about it and began to realize things now that he hadn't been emotionally prepared for and it made him look away.>

He's the one I was getting the medical books to help when I found you. He's also the one who sent his familiar to me to lead me to your side. He...just lost his Soulmate to a very large battle and is very badly wounded. Of course...of course he would lead me to the one I'm meant to be with.

@sobeautifullyobsessed

*Our paths to here and now couldn’t be more different! Beauty’s heart, connected to Stephen’s through numerous lifetimes, discerned what he left unspoken. An unhappy childhood, marked by a painful loss. A family that may have been at odds with his sensibilities. A loneliness which he sought to fill with a brilliant career and the financial success it granted him. And then a sudden, tragic turn that changed his world—or rather, set him on the path he had been born to travel. She had to wonder if, in all that time, anyone had given him even a bit of unconditional love—whereas her cup of such had been filled to the brim. Surely this was by Design, and she was meant to bring that gift to Stephen’s life.*

I wish I could’ve known you then, Stephen. Not to change the course of your life, but perhaps to soften its edges. I think I had a luxury of kindness given me that I’d have been very happy to share with you…

*Beauty’s eyes reckoned the reddened weals that ran the full length of his fingers, and the slight tremor as Stephen offered her an unforgiving view of them. Even scarred, there was an undeniable elegance to his hand, and she could easily envision his confident dexterity as a surgeon. A mighty blow, that must have been—and his bones must ache as those of her arthritic grandmother’s. Her voice was hushed in soft consideration.*

Do they hurt, Stephen? Can your magic dull the pain? How…how do you manage? And…and how can I help? *she lowered her gaze a moment, carefully arriving at her next observation* Your hands...they’re beautiful despite your injuries, you know. Like something a great sculptor might have made. Those scars just can’t erase their grace.

*He extended that same hand to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear--a simple enough act, but eloquent in its own way, for its gentleness and familiarity. Something like uncertainty seemed to flicker in his eyes a moment before he went on to explain about his teacher and the loss he had endured. Moving Beauty to her next, natural suggestion.*

But about your friend, Damon—if he’s been badly injured, shouldn’t you be seeing to him now? I don’t want to keep you from where you belong, Stephen. I mean, we’ve lived our whole lives so far without even knowing each other. I can wait whatever time it will take for you to do right by him. I promise I’ll be here when your duty to your teacher and friend is done.

*He smiles at the cup, setting down the files he's been working on all day.*

I think we both work too hard, my beautiful rose. Do you have time for a man who's late for his own special day?

*Beauty had been daydreaming again as she moved up and down the rows of shelves, placing the volumes of bound sheet music back into their proper places. It was a good thing she knew their locations by heart, because her lack of focus might otherwise make it difficult for the next patron to find what they needed. She had, of course, been fully attentive and meticulous with her afternoon students—but even then, Stephen had been lingering at the back of her mind, as he always seemed to be these days. And she had no wish to have it any other way.*

*She’d been wondering where he was and what exactly he was up to this particular day. Knowing that the mystical world he moved in could be rife with unknown dangers. And saying her silent little prayers for his wellbeing—for with every hour she’d already spent in his company, his health and safety had become ever more important to her. I will not lose him before the fullness of our life together comes true, she had vowed; no, not this time, come hell or high water. No. So that when he stole upon her in the stacks and whispered his surprising query, Beauty wondered for a couple heartbeats if her thoughts had been enough to conjure him there.*

For you, Stephen? I always have time. Whatever the hour, whatever the day. *The soft quirk of his smile and the glint of understated humor in his eyes roused her curiosity, and her instincts told her something good was in the offing.* But what makes this day so special among the others—and as it’s not over yet, just how can you be late?

It's truly been such a fun time here with all of you and been one hell of a year so far. Thank you for the wishes and I hope you're doing well.

I saw the post you made about taking your holiday again this year. Would you perhaps mind doing a banner for my page before you rest? It would mean a lot to me, maybe of the variants of Stephen together since I've found myself playing all of them lately. If that's too much, then just 616 will do fine.

I hope you're well and have a great day. Bless you, love!

Aww, of course I remembered, silly!

You've been on my mind since your absence over the holidays and I hope that you had a wonderful time seeing your family. I know the little ones were apparently quite a handful! I'm sure they were happy to see their Uncles though. :)

Ohh, a banner you say? Of the variants? I can certainly do my best to make that happen for you. DM me a little late and we'll talk details so that I know exactly what it is you're wanting. Yes, the holiday is important to me because my mind - especially this yea - needs to recharge emotionally and with new inspiration. I know you were there for it last year and I hope that you will continue to be for the foreseeable future. I always enjoy your thoughts and input.

I hope you had a blessed day, Admin and that you'll find all the blessings and happiness in the world this evening. Much love for you and your partner. I think of you always! xx