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Laying in satin sheets, once gripped in pleasure, Stolas would lament. The words he ached to hear, echoing in his mind, a crude imitation of love, but all revealing of what it really was. He couldn’t bear it, the days bleeding by, his unruly plumage and sunken ruby eyes. He couldn’t stay this way, no, he needed to get up, just as he had walked away.
After some forceful thinking, he had managed to push himself from bed and prepare. Adorned in Velvet and dusky shimmers, he was once again reminded of himself.
With everything slipping away, the only thing that remained was the untapped well of sorcery beneath his palm. It was high time he returned to his duties.
Stolas would seek out an old stronghold, a small, cloistered shop in the bustling city, one that could be relied on time and time again to supply his magical endeavors. Having not practiced for a while, Stolas had a long shopping list, a menagerie of goods ranging from twilight dust to liquid screams.
Upon Arriving at the store, decorated in violet vines and pressed against tender stone, He would carefully step inside. It was secluded and inky, books messily pushed into wooden shelves, miscellaneous trinkets glinting quietly. He peered around, finding no evidence of staff, he glanced back to his list.
He struggled with items, a topaz, amber as his eyes, cursed blood, crimson as his skin, ivory talons, firm as his horns and an ever flame, bright as his smile. Stolas cursed himself beneath his breath, meeting his own gaze, wavering regret. Shaking his head and stumbling back, he would be eaten alive, but not before breaking something.
“AH!”
Stolas tumbled back, glass shattering behind him, himself, on the floor, beside it. “shit” He hissed, rubbing his back as he assessed the damage. What a mess. All of it.
He swallowed the ache in his throat, tears threatening his eyes. Unable to get up, as if he were in water.
It was then he saw you.
Illuminated by a candle, a feline’s knowing gaze.
“Are you alright?”
You lent him a paw up with a cheshire smile. Stolas blinked, thoughts only able showcase what he viewed, an evening cat, cat demon more like it, with large, starry eyes. “I really should find a better spot for it, hm” He listened to your murmurs, by magic you fixed the glass orb and returned to its former glory, carefully floating it back into place. “Well, I would if there were any room for it” Your laughter, an evening delight.
Stolas would eventually come to himself, straightening up. “M-my apologies”
“No need to fret, accidents happen” You explained. Stolas followed you through the shop, your arm brushes past him, he can’t help but notice the softness. “Now, how may I help you?” You pressed those small, magic filled paws together and smiled up at him, he could hear his heartbeat.
“Yes well-” He fumbled for his list; you glanced over it.
“Quite the list you have here, but I’m sure we’ll manage”
You would then spend the morning together, searching and exploring all the caverns and corners of the shop, despite its size, the building went deep.
Stolas was enchanted to say the least. You were such a mischievous thing and yet when you smiled it was so precious, and when you spoke, it was warm and true.
“Do you have any contained, petrified souls?”
“Ah! That we do” You would tap your chin, squinting towards the top shelves. “Just a moment” Then, you summoned your power, attempting to pull the jars down, they wouldn’t budge. “Tch, come on now” You tried once more but to no avail, the jars, unlike most objects, wouldn’t respond to your beckon. “Souls, always so stubborn” You shook your head whilst moving to fetch a ladder.
You would climb upwards, and pull out the colorful jugs, bustling with emotions. “How many do you need?”
“Just one will be fine” he smiled gently.
You hoisted it up into your arms, carefully holding it, but not careful enough with your feet. The ladder began to sway a bit, being old and worn. Stolas try to steady it, only by then you were about to fall.
“Careful!”
“whoa-!” you would slip, a sudden flick of your foot, eyes closed for a crash...
Only it wasn’t loud nor painful, but rather pillowed and safe.
“Are you okay?” Stolas asked quietly, watching as those ears flicked in confusion, how amusing. “You should really get a new ladder” He murmured, still holding you against him, you could hear his smile. He held your soft form to his chest, he couldn’t help himself, gently pressing on your nose. “I thought cats landed on their feet”
You would blink and shake your head, quiet laughter escaping. “I-...you” Snickers could be heard throughout the shop, to his delight you smiled at him.
The rest of the time would be spent gathering the goods, as well as playful jabs at one another, and occasional, light, deliberate touches.
“And that's your total” You explained, sliding the receipt. “Are you doing a summoning or something?” You asked playfully, leaning over the counter with crossed arms.
“No actually...” He explained, inspecting a charm you gave him, before looking back up. “I just really need to practice more”
“Same here, at least, the more special spells” You agreed.
The previous owner of the shop was an older demon, one who barley spoke. But you, you were new, with all your new spells, new face and smile with two small fangs. All of it, new and Stolas wanted to forget the past.
“Well, if that's all-”
“Wait”
You’re ear flicked. Stolas sucked in a breath.
“Would you, perhaps, want to go for dinner? Or a coffee if that works, do you like coffee? I myself-” You pressed his mouth closed.
“I’d love to, meet me here, Friday, six o’clock”
He grinned at your instruction, gently taking your paw into his own feathers.
“It's a date then”