Tea for Two? (private, Temperance Avila)

[Alexandrea]

She was humming a little tune in her head as Alexandrea set up the tea service in the upstairs Gallery of her shop in the 8th Dimension Mall. She hadn't gotten to spend time with Temperance in far too long, longer than she could remember. Unless one counted passing by in a crowd and just exchanging pleasantries. And Alex did not. Nor did Tempy, the blonde Allurist was certain of it.

Tempy was Alexandrea's very first teacher, the one who had brought Alex into the Society for Allurists. Between Temperance, Crissy and Elizabeth, Alexandrea had gotten a great head start on learning how to use her new abilities and to somewhat control her emotions. Something that was a never ending battle for the blonde.

There was just something so special about the petite brunette. From the start, just being around the older Allurist had a calming influence on the Alexandrea. Something only a very rare few had. Temperance Avila had always had such a nurturing vibration to her aura. There still was, even now.

But something had changed with Alexandrea's friend since she had been gone and Alex had no idea what it was. There was just something... different. The blonde couldn't pin point what it was but she was anxious to have this opportunity for the two of them to catch up and reconnect.

The two had arranged a casual get together but Alexandrea had switched dresses three times in anticipation of her mentor's visit, finally settling on a simple little red number with just a few pieces of her own hand made jewelry and some strappy shoes. She double checked the last email that the two had exchanged and smiled, relieved that she had remembered to send the other Allurist directions and double checked that she had plenty of nibbles for her friend to pick from.

The Dress.

[Temperance Avila]

As Alexandrea put it perfectly, it had been far too long since the pair actually got together for anything outside of Society of Allurists gatherings, work sessions, or meeting at The Metronome. Temperance had been spending all of her time in the club since her return and a quarter tending to some items within the school. If it was to finally get finished, after three years, she had to be on her toes and at her best. During which she knew Alexandrea from the start. She blonde was one of the first allurists to join the school. Temperance couldn’t be more proud that she had trusting individuals to be the life and breath of those walls. Alex was one girl in particular that she could not thank enough for doing so.

Temperance stepped across her bedroom floor to the closet. She slipped into something less confining and business like yet defined. The soft material of the grey dress hugged her curves. Fingers tussled her short brown locks. Studded earrings and long simple chain around her neck. She slide her dainty feet into a pair of comfortable ballet flats. Temperance called to her thrall before closing the door to her DC apartment behind her. ”Alena, I’m headed out. I’ll call if I’m going to be late.”

The journey was short as she popped from place to train and arrived at Wicksbridge station quickly. She knew her way around the city well, especially after holding a lengthy position on the city board to tend to street addresses and any new place that popped up within the borders of Harper Rock. Not much changed in the last year, or so within the small boundaries in which she traveled, not much had changed. She arrived at 8th Dimension mall. She had watched the tall building during its construction and thought it grand to have such a shopping spree near The Metronome. However, Temperance in her busy state, was never inside. She checked the directions in which Alexandrea provided and navigated through the halls, passing a human or two with a wink and a smile. They returned the charm with a wave or warm “Hello.”

Temperance arrived at the door. She turned the handle to find it was open and stepped inside the shop. Immediately inside she felt a pleasant aura around her. One a fellow uplifting allurist could only convey. One tender step after another, her crystal blues scanned the wonderful shop. ”Alexandrea?” She called softly.

[Alexandrea]

The kettle started to whistle and the Allurist quickly shut off the hot plate and filled the tea pot. The jiggle of a bell alerting her that someone had come in downstairs. Alexandrea went to the steps and made her way down the spiral stairwell to the first floor, spotting Temperance even before she had reached the end of the stairs.

"Tempy! I'm so glad you made it, thanks for coming." The blonde went and embraced the taller brunette, enjoying the scents of Jasmine and Lavender that always surround the lovely woman. "Would you like to take a look around while our tea steeps? Or would you rather just come right upstairs and sit down?"

Alexandrea wore a bright smile, her eyes sparkling. She was fine with whatever the other Allurist preferred, Alex was just glad to finally be getting some time to spend with one of her very favorite people at long last.

[Temperance Avila]

Despite her small frame, Temperance squeezed Alexandrea as tight as possible in the warm embrace. It was an immediate sign of her own over –affectionate side. She beamed from ear to ear, starring back at the flowing blonde, “I wouldn’t miss the invitation unless drastic measures bound me from visiting you.” With a light nod of her head, ”Please, I’d love for a short tour of your shop.”

Temperance knew few fellow scholars who ran their own businesses, she was most proud of them all and yet had not visited many. Aside from Aura’s most delicious cupcake shop and Zodiac’s many places of work, she had not ventured to learn more about others. She both felt bad and happy at this thought as she stepped around the room with ease. The bad came from a feeling of regret in not taking in more of her peers hobbies and learning their roles in the community. Happiness in that no news is good news, usually. She hoped all of them knew that should they need her, whether the largest or smallest favor, she was here for them; like family.

”How do you find such time to dedicate to this beautiful place? I could swear some days you barely leave the halls of the academy. While Temperance knew who came and went, she too was seldom seen. Be it bustled up in the office behind property paperwork or fluttering in and out at the speed of butterfly wings. Often, after she left through the means of quick travel, she wondered if she should have walk instead.

[Alexandrea]

"Well I can be in several places at once, didn't you know?" Alexandrea said with a laugh, "But actually, running my businesses is mainly in the management. I hired good people. My head of security is the absolute best and every member of my staff is irreplaceable. Even my janitor, Nimmy. I couldn't manage without him. I just make things and sell them." And steal things to make things with... the blonde finished to herself silently. Her eyes sparkled as always just thinking about her favorite way to pass the time. Solo, at least.

"Maybe you might even spot something you might like, Tempy. Just let me know and you can try things on in my office upstairs." The Allurist led her mentor through the shop, pointing out things here and there that Alex thought might appeal to Temperance. One of the hats in particular Alexandrea thought would look great on the other Allurist and she took it down, holding it out to the darker haired woman.

"Humor me?" The blonde asked with a grin, "Unless you hate hats?"

[Temperance Avila]

She agreed with the women's statement, ”good staff and dedicated management keeps the engine running.”

Such taste and style shown in the fabrics and items that rested upon the shelves. Temperance admired them in passing; thinking she should have stopped in sooner. How many other little unique places like this were there? The colored beads on the well-designed hat in Alexandrea’s hand glistened beneath the shop lights. ”Indeed, I do not hate hats. I find some fit occasions quite nicely, though I do not have many of my own. A few winter knits, a Fedora with feathers, and Floppy straw for the races.” Even though she is not outwardly with it, gambling at the horse races was something she once shared with her father. The thought brought a grin to her lips.

Temperance winked in accepting it from Alexandrea. Crystal hues of the allurist took in every detail of the piece before placing it on her head. Black her favorite color and the luxurious feeling of fine felt rested to her forehead. It laid upon the short curled locks without weighing them down. Indeed, it is quite beautiful? How much? Temperance raised a hand to adjust the band once more. Taking in the hat by feel as a blind women would rather than asking for a mirror. She could envision the item and hoped it looked as perfect.

”I don’t suppose you would have a matching clutch in black felt.” She beamed brightly.

[Alexandrea]

"Not at the moment, no. But I could make one." Alex answered brightly and pulled a few purses out of a box after moving behind one of the counters.

"Something like this bead-work but with this fabric?" The blonde held up a soft leather clutch in a deep forest green, with beading that almost but not quite matched Tempy's hat and a shoulder bag that was made from the exact same fabric as her hat but had been decorated with tassels and embroidered with shooting stars in gold, silver and copper threads.

“But no payment from you Temperance, I wouldn't have made it this far if it hadn't been for you and the Society of Allurists. My sire was too busy sleeping to be much help and the rest of the Quartermaines seem practically extinct.” Her laughter was lighthearted despite her words and the blonde’s smile reflected the happiness that Alexandrea felt with her new life.

“I’m ready for a cup or tea, myself. Are you ready to see the second floor? You may even recognize some of the subjects of my oil paintings up there.”

[Temperance Avila]

”Oh, my!” She was simply stunned at the amount of detail that went into each piece. ”Yes, something like that would be great, Alexandrea. Are you sure you will not accept payment?” It was not really a question, but a statement. Temperance felt anyone who had talent and the willpower to prove such should get paid for their efforts. In some fashion she would be sure to provide Alexandrea’s offering with something in return. It did not register at first but she was quite like her. Always giving to others and never require anything in return. It was what made her complete and socially apt.

Temperance nodded in agreement. The allurist was always ready for tea. Growing up her great grandmother and grandmother would sit around their home for hours, drinking tea and playing cribbage for pennies. Sometimes for tea bags if they forgot their copper collection. Temperance thought the most hectic of days and energetic nights was always calmed by a good cup of tea. She followed Alexandrea. Her mind processing the last of the woman's statement.