November 1st, 1895 - Harvest Festival

The last month since the ice cream shop had been an interesting turn of events. Tabitha couldn't quite put her finger on what it was, having Mr. Colton call on her a few times over the course of the month, but she was feeling some type of way about it. Perhaps it was simply because she had been one of the first people he'd encountered since his arrival to the area; it could quite easily just be his straightforward nature, but Tabi always had that underlying sense of guilt that came with any sort of male attention. It wasn't intentional, and she wished it wasn't something anyone had to deal with, but she always worried, especially after her broken engagement, that it was something that would later cause problems. The insecurity of worrying if it was indeed a genuine interest or the byproduct of her heritage always crept over her when she least expected it and it made it hard to put herself out there. It would come up, certainly, eventually, if they continued to spend time together, but Tabitha always wavered between wondering when was a good time to bring it up; sooner so that it was out there and if it was a problem, things drifted before anything else happened, or later, after there was some sort of attachment formed and perhaps that helped to soften the blow? Historically that hadn't helped her, but she still didn't think she would ever figure out which was the right way to go about things.

That aside, she had thoroughly enjoyed his visits and his stories of the States and his job. She had also, thankfully, had yet for him to crossover with a visit from Barnaby. Tabi wasn't quite ready to detail her friendship with the ghost to anyone who didn't already know. She already faced some looks from her step-mother, but she refused to let that bother her. Barnaby could also be rather... forward, certainly not shy in asserting his opinions. He and Mr. Colton were alike in that way and Tabs couldn't help but to worry about what the two of them in a room would end up being like. It was also hard to qualify what her situation with Mr. Colton was yet, so she didn't know how to explain that to Barnaby, either. He was quite intentional with his visits, but Tabi had her walls up so high, she didn't know what to make of him or any of it yet. It was silly to put any hope into their interactions, it had only been a month and she kept her feelings closely guarded, but it was equally as difficult to keep the optimism from rising up in her chest. So for now, she was going to attempt to enjoy their afternoon together at the Harvest Festival without worrying about any of the extraneous entanglements that might pop up.

The weather was a little chilly, the festival was usually held earlier in the month before the whisper of winter winds started to creep across Hogsmeade, but Tabitha could understand with the devastation in Irvingly, why these sorts of social gatherings might have been delayed a little. She was dressed warmly in a charmed cloak, thick gloves and a scarf, but even still she could feel the chill down in her bones. The warmth of the late autumn sun was the only thing warming her cheeks and that, at least was something to hold on to. They had only just arrived and Tabitha wondered if they couldn't find something warm to drink or do to help her shake the cold in her limbs. She was doing her best not to show it though, hunkered down in the warming charm of her cloak and steering toward the sunny lanes of the aisles between all of the stalls and activities. "The festival always has such fun things to offer, was there something you were looking forward to trying?" Tabitha had enjoyed the nature walks in previous years, and of course anything to do with plants or flowers. She always made a little flower wreath or crown if she could, as childish as it might seem. "They have all manner of little activities, wonderful food, hayrides?" She would likely not last too long in the cold, but there was the dance this evening which Tabitha had also enjoyed in the past. "I believe there are picnic spots as well?" She might be misremembering, but thought that might be the case. Surely they would find out while they wandered.

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It was hard for him to believe that it had been only month since he'd known Tabitha. In that time, he'd grown fond of being by her side, and took advantage of every opportunity to make that happen. There was a quiet comfort about her, and her presence alone made him feel calmer. After losing John and his mother, he'd felt at times as if he were coming undone at the seams – and he'd noticed that around her his threading felt a good deal tighter. Glancing down at his companion, he found himself wondering if she saw the same strength in herself that he could see. He wondered if she even knew the effect that she was having on him, one that went beyond romantic intention, being that he'd found a friend in her as well. She had become a little light that kept the edge of the night at bay and allowed him to simply enjoy living again.

While his feelings of tenderness toward Tabitha were unwavering when apart, he found the intense, even lustful desires, faded just slightly. It was a curious thing, and Rhett's mind couldn't allow any such curiosity to pass without challenge. He was an experienced auror, after all, and trained to noticed such small changes. Now that they were together, he could feel the same emotions fighting for dominance once again, but he forced himself to contend with them within the arena of his thoughts. Then she spoke with that voice as gentle as a summer breeze and smoother than the finest Tennessee whiskey. Her being half-veela would've certainly made for a convenient excuse, but in reality it was Tabitha that drew these emotions out of him – just Tabitha, and nothing more.

“That all sounds very nice,” he said in regards to her description of the festival.

“I have been on a hayride once, while at Ilvermorny. They love them up that way. Not so much in Texas.” Rhett commented, and despite being from the Lone Star state, the cold didn't bother Rhett any great deal. He'd spent enough time around America that'd he'd encountered everything from blizzards to hurricanes and his body was naturally resistant to external discomfort of any kind. Regardless, he wore a heavy sheepskin coat lined with with wool over his customary flannel, the coat stopping at his upper thighs. Seeing her buried about as deep as she could get in her cloak, he chuckled deeply and the smile reached his eyes with ease.

Undoing the buttons of his coat he turned and wrapped it around her in a single, deft motion. His body heat had been retained, giving the coat a deep comfortable warmth that paired well with her cloak. His large right hand held the front together while his left playfully pointed a finger at her. “Now, I know you're about to start in on this, darlin'. So, I am going to tell you now that I am too dumb to understand propriety and too stubborn to freeze to death.” Rhett smiled down her and said nothing for a moment, only moving his hands to smooth out the coat and turn the collar up to lay over her scarf to shield her cheeks and ears. “There now, prettiest yeti in England.”

“I greatly enjoy spending time with you, Tab.. Ms. Chevalier. I just want you to know that. You make me laugh, and I wasn't sure I knew how to do that anymore.” There was having no filter, and then there was Rhett Colton, a man who would interrupt God himself if it meant getting his point across. There he was, getting lost in those eyes again. Clearing his throat he nodded toward the crowd, “anything in particular that you're hankering for?” The cowboy asked as the smell of food caused an audible growl to escape his stomach.

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   Tabitha Chevalier

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You know I recall somebody saying, "There ain't no cowboys left."
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Thank you so much for the graphics, Bee!

Tabitha should have known he wouldn't actually make a decision. She certainly wasn't used to making them outside of work and frankly tended to avoid it. So many questions and decisions made at work during every shift that she often felt a sort of fatigue around it all. She was perfectly happy to just go along with whatever anyone asked her to do. Perhaps that's why her friendship with Barnaby did so well; he just dragged her (metaphorically of course) out of the house to do things of interest and she was simply along for the ride.

The topic of Ilvermorny was of interest to her; Tabitha often wondered what some of the other magical schools were like. Did they have houses like Hogwarts? What were the classes like? Was the culture all that different? What was the actual school itself like? Surely they weren't all castles like here in Europe.

Of course those thoughts flew from her head as he plunked his coat over her shoulders, nearly knocking her over in the process. It had been extremely unexpected (was she shivering that badly?) and very forward. Not surprising, she supposed, he had been very forthcoming in his mannerisms so far. It was quite heavy though. Tabitha was a small person in stature, there really wasn't much to her frame, and his coat dwarfed her immensely. It was nice and warm though. Still— "Are you sure you won't you be cold?" She blushed at the compliment, despite its oddity. Being compared to a yeti didn't exactly strike her as something endearing, but he seemed to have such a wild way with words, she knew he meant it be genuine. She also wanted to point out they were currently in Scotland, but it really wasn't all that important.

Especially as he continued. She had questions; just what was it she did that made him laugh? Tabitha did not think she was a naturally humorous person. More importantly, what was the reason he hadn't been? As straightforward as he had been, comments like that threw her off. Not that she was privileged enough to get too far into his personal life, and she wasn't about to pry, but she too, against her better judgement, had been enjoying spending time with him. In the interest of transparency, she smiled softly at him, choosing to gently let the comment go until a better time to discuss it came up. "I would like some hot cocoa, Honeyduke's has the best, then maybe you can tell me about Ilvermorny while we wander? Or Texas, perhaps" Whichever he preferred. Surely the festival would offer something of interest in their meanderings and then they could make a decision.

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   Rhett Colton

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It wasn't that Rhett wouldn't make a decision, in fact, his decisiveness had a way of rubbing people the wrong way. It was only that this was his first time in Hogsmeade, not to mention a local festival and he didn't fully know what was available without meandering for a moment to get the lay of the land. He'd seen a sign about the proceeds going to the displaced families of Irvingly and his heart sank just a little. He'd heard of their troubles recently and silently wished he could help in some fashion. Rhett was not a man who delighted in the suffering of others.

Shaking his head a little when she asked if he would be cold, he smirked just a little. It was touching that she'd asked, though he was pleased she had accepted the coat nonetheless. He looked behind her, taking in a a little more of what he could see beyond their immediate area before turning his attention back to Tabitha. “You're an awfully little thing, Ms. Chevalier, it means your coal burns cooler.” Rhett smiled to himself when he said this. “It's just some foolishness my granny used to say. I'll be alright.” He said, explaining in his strange way, why he wouldn't be as cold as herself.

“I would like that, Ms. Chevalier. I would like us to know one another a little better. I would tell you any story you wish to hear and maybe you could tell me one or two of your own. That is to say, if there is ever something you'd like to know about me, or to share something with me, I'd be happy to oblige you either desire.” He glanced down at her, but he made no attempt to force eye contact. The cowboy stepped slowly then, in the direction of Honeyduke's stall, giving her time to acknowledge and follow his lead. He didn't know his way around, but he figured he was on the right path when he saw so many people leaving the stall with steaming mugs of cocoa in their hands. His own hand moved instinctively to her back as they walked, in a warm, almost protective gesture.

When they arrived at the stall, he tried desperately to take in the decorations as quickly as he could. The counter, he thought, looked to be made of polished oak, and glistened like fresh varnish no matter how many mittens and mugs rested on it. Wreaths of dried autumn leaves and sugar-frosted berries looped around its edges, and seemed to glow faintly he thought. The air around the stall was thick with warmth and the scent of rich chocolate, cinnamon, clove, and toasted marshmallow. The scents were perfectly set against the crispness of the autumnal festivities.

Rhett's hand didn't move from her back until they reached the counter itself, where mugs were passed to them when purchased. The cocoa was dark and thick, and had been poured from a brass ladle that gleamed in the light. It looked velvety to him, and it moved in heavy, slow, and steaming swirls that highlighted the deep ribbons of chocolate. Any hope of playing the rugged cowboy was defeated when he caught the first scent of the bittersweet cocoa, a whisper of cinnamon, and the faintest ghost of toasted sugar. A sheen of cream floated on top, melting in lazy spirals that turned the drink from black silk to luxurious shades of brown.

His hand found its way to her back once again as he moved them towards a small brazier next to a gathering of chairs and benches. The warmth was refreshing and inviting, and washed over him in waves of comfortable heat. When they were seated on one of the benches, he positioned himself in such a way that their own warmth could be shared but not to make her uncomfortable with any direct forwardness. His arm was extended out behind her along the back of the bench, allowing her to be closer to him, if she desired, without the appearance of snuggling.

“I had half the mind to picnic with you, but it might be best to feed you indoors.” Rhett said, speaking of the cold. Bringing the cocoa to his lips he took a sip and rested the mug against his thigh. “You know,” he added with a pause and looked down at her with a certain care in his eyes. “I plan on taking you to that dance this evening. Would you like that, little lady?” It wasn't truly a question, but the illusion of one. His mind was made up on the matter and his voice betrayed him when he spoke.

  

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You know I recall somebody saying, "There ain't no cowboys left."
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Thank you so much for the graphics, Bee!

Tabs had to suppose it made sense. She didn't have much to her, so she didn't generate much heat of her own. The weather in the region of France where she used to live was much milder than here too. She missed it sometimes, but not enough to think about moving back with relatives of any kind. It had come up a time or two, when she was fresh out of Hogwarts, most likely her step-mother's idea. It had come up again after her broken engagement, but not since she'd silenced the idea of running away when she hadn't any real reason to. A broken heart was not a good enough excuse to uproot one's entire life, especially when she'd just gotten into her career.

Mr. Colton's little phrases and colloquialisms were always some sort of amusing. They didn't always make sense to Tabi, but she smiled at this one, almost shyly, shrug barely noticeable beneath the coat. Those sorts of things were almost as educational as asking real questions. She never really had to, he was usually a fountain of facts and sometimes subtle nuances about his upbringing or life in the States just in the things he mentioned offhandedly. Pulling his coat closer to her chin, she had to admit she was warming up some, but she wouldn't be able to keep it for very long in good conscience, because he would get chilly sooner or later, plus is was a little too heavy for her. The cocoa would help and then she could strengthen the charm on her own cloak.

It was hard to miss the feeling of his hand at her back, even through the multiple layers. It was comforting when it shouldn't be. Tabitha had never enjoyed places that were all that crowded, too many eyes on her, and though it wasn't too bad at the moment, she could get overwhelmed somewhat easily. Fortunately the line for cocoa wasn't too long and though she pulled out her coin purse to buy her own drink, she didn't get the chance. As they took a seat near the braziers, it was almost too warm, but she hadn't reached it quite yet. Her cheeks felt the heat from the fire and the steam from the cocoa, along with the enticing aroma.

Blushing a little at the invitation to the dance later, Tabi wondered if it was a good idea. She would stick out like a sore thumb, her dancing skills were more for the ballroom than the barn, though she thought this at least might be more fun. She wasn't about to count out the possibility but, "I think we have a few hours before that can happen." It would be the first time she'd stayed, in the past off to a night shift instead, not entirely sure what to expect and a little intimidated by it all. Tabs perched herself on the bench comfortably, cocoa in her lap until it cooled off and ankles crossed beneath her, as always. The position had been drilled into her head growing up as she was directed to act like a lady at all times. His posture did not go unnoticed, so she was turned toward him a little bit, still keeping some distance between them.

"What was Ilvermorny like?" She asked, circling back to her previous thoughts, still curious. She brought her cocoa to her lips tentatively, blowy gently on the top before taking a sip, pleasantly surprised that it was good to drink.

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   Rhett Colton

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Rhett couldn't help but notice the way she crossed her ankles. There was nothing remarkable about the gesture—he'd seen women sit like that all his life, but when Tabitha did it, it stirred something low and restless in him. The simple act drew his eye and held it, as though every small motion she made was done with some purpose that maybe she wasn't even aware off, and that he certainly wasn't meant to name. When she turned to face him, her body angled just so to his liking, it was a movement that his mind tried to twist into an invitation. His breath caught, his collar suddenly too tight, and the air felt heavy. He should have looked away, but he couldn't. Not from Tabitha, not when she looked the very image of something he would have carved from stone himself if he'd had such a skill.

Every primal instinct told him to reach out, to brush his thumb along the soft heat of her cheek, to feel the warmth of her skin beneath his hand, to let his fingers trail up to the curve of her neck and the delicate shape of her ear and to toy softly with every part of her that he touched. He didn't move, but the wanting of it burn through him all the same, his pride and what was left of his dignity kept his hands restrained, and both were failing him quickly. When she asked her question, he furrowed his brow some in thought, and tapped his fingers on the back of the bench to occupy them momentarily. It was a bit of an open question and he wasn't entirely sure about the specifics she wanted, if any.

“Well, from my understanding it's a lot like Hogwarts is some ways, and very different in others. What exactly were you wanting to know?” As he spoke, the fingers which had been tapping that back of the bench had moved ever so slightly, subconsciously even, to gently play with a loose strand of her hair. It was such a subtle movement that no one looking at them would have been able to detect it, in truth, Rhett wasn't fully aware he was even doing it himself. His eyes however, were locked on the features of her face. They had adopted a strange type of gaze as the auror in him took over, and he studied her with greater precision. The green of his iris became sharper and more vivid, and his eyes took on the appearance of highly polished glass as that shot from one point of her face to another. Rhett had looked at her many times, but never like this nor with such wolfish intensity.

The fingers that played with her hair released it, and his hand moved to touch her face. The warmth of his hand pressed against the side of her neck softly, tenderly. His large thumb extended to run nearly the entire length of her jawline. Her features felt so small in his grasp, like a doll given life. The hand slowly pulled his had away and returned to the bench. He offered no apology for what he had done, nor did he cover it with some white lie—that simply wasn't Rhett and he wasn't made that way. “Please, tell me what you'd like to know.” It was a request not only to continue the conversation but also to break away from the part of him the wanted to pursue other avenues.

  

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You know I recall somebody saying, "There ain't no cowboys left."
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Thank you so much for the graphics, Bee!

Tabitha wasn't sure she had any more specific questions about Ilvermorny, so was prepared to ask in what ways he thought the two schools were similar but she swallowed any words and thoughts when she caught the way Mr. Colton was looking at her. Tabs was used to people looking at her, that was nothing new, but this, this was something else entirely. She couldn't put her finger on why. There was an intensity about it that screamed her worse-half was getting the better of the situation and she immediately felt guilty. If he looked too long, surely he would realize? Did they even have veela in the States? Did he even know what the creatures were? The sudden realization had her freezing altogether. This was... not good. She ought to tell him, but how?

That was of course, before he moved his hand, at first in the loose strands of hair behind her ear, hard to really perceive, but she could feel the gentle pull and she may have forgotten to breathe. Tabitha had never, ever, even with her former fiancé, had someone make such an intimate move. She swallowed hard, just barely able to suppress the little shiver that echoed throughout her body as she felt his hand met her skin. She was mesmerized by the movement, heat flooding her cheeks, but unable to look away. Mr. Colton had made himself quite clear about spending time with her, but she wasn't so sure, after only a month since meeting, his gaze should look quite like that when he set his eyes upon her. It had to be the unnatural allure of her veela side coming out without her intending for it to.

The moment was over as quickly as it began and Tabitha was left reeling. She bit her lower lip lightly, blinking a few times to try and clear the sensation, but it had hit her harder than she would have anticipated. This was silly, it had only been a month. It had been years since anyone had this sort of effect on her. She doubted the sincerity though— and it wasn't his fault at all. There was no way his reaction was anything other than a subconscious pull from the veela. She took a sip of her cocoa to cover up the reaction, sliding away from him ever so slightly, angling her body more forward and trying to school her features into something more neutral, despite the blush. Tabs had worked hard to try and make herself appear as normal as possible, plain clothes, nothing fancy with her hair aside from a plait or chignon, no jewelry, anything that might make her stand out even more. She had, thankfully, inherited her father's more down-to-earth personality to balance out the tendencies of her mother's kind. It wasn't always enough, clearly.

Best not to mention it. She would have to, eventually, but didn't know how to bring it up gracefully. She should probably try to figure it out sooner rather than later. "What were the classes like? Do you have a creatures class?" Tabs glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, trying to focus on the fire in the brazier before them and get her heartbeat back into a normal rhythm.

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Rhett was a direct man—he spoke his thoughts and moved with purpose. Tabitha drew this out of him more so than any other person he'd ever known. It wasn't the veela within her, it was her reserved and almost timid demeanor. At times she felt like a tiny creature that might dart off into hiding if she were startled or if pressed too much. He felt this keenly when she positioned herself just a hair further from him, and it caused a smile to pull at the corner of his lips. He could've kissed her then, and probably would have if it wouldn't have killed her outright. She made him feel like he had a purpose, one beyond hunting dark wizards. It was a simple thing, but just being with her or trying to make her smile was enough to take the weight off of his shoulders.

When she spoke he raised an eyebrow in her direction, as he certainly hadn't been expected that particular question. “Of course, Care of Magical Creatures or Magizoology, and there are others.” Rhett said with a hint of humor in his voice, still a little confused by it. “I studied a couple of advance topics in it, Intermagical Ecology as well as Creature Communication and Empathy Charms.” Taking a swig of the cocoa, he extended his legs out in front of him and crossed them. Rhett looked down and he toyed with the rim of his mug in an idle manner. “Is there something that you're trying to find a way to get at, darlin'?” Rhett knew questions like these could be completely innocent but he also knew they served as a conversational path—especially when a general question was quickly followed up by something so remarkably precise, even if he'd made such a request. She was trying to pick his brain and he knew it.

He turned his gaze back toward her, his own eyes projected a sense of safety and trust. Rhett found himself wanting to touch her again, to reach out and take one of those tiny hands into his own. She felt particularly reserved or even afraid to him and it made him instinctively protective of her, as if he needed to be some sort of wall between her and the world. Of course, it was fast thinking, but Rhett was a fast-thinking sort of man. He'd felt since the beginning that there was something about her that she wasn't putting on the playing field, something that wasn't yet on the level between them.

Eventually the desire to comfort her, to say something without words overtook the cowboy and he extended a hand towards her own and engulfed it with the massive size and warmth of his. He ran his thumb over her fingers and gently gave her hand a couple of pats before releasing it. It was just something to let her know that he was there and that he cared. She seemed so fragile at times, so uncertain and he had a keen desire to be a rock for her, or an anchor, that despite their short time together that she could grab him in whatever storm she was facing. He knew it could be considered early or even foolish to have such thoughts, but Rhett simply couldn't help himself when it came to Tabitha, she just pulled that out of him, calling it forth with no effort.

  

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You know I recall somebody saying, "There ain't no cowboys left."
-
Thank you so much for the graphics, Bee!

Intermagical Ecology sounded like a class she would enjoy... but at least she'd found her opening. And apparently not all that transparently either. He was observant, almost too much, it was hard for her to wrap her head around just what to say to him or how much to reveal in any given moment. Half the time he already seemed to know what she was thinking (which was alarming and also a relief?) and she didn't know what to do with it.

Well, at least it saved her from having to warm up to the matter. It didn't help her become any braver about the whole thing. Tabitha hated to face that half of her, let alone tell anyone else about it. It felt like this tightly locked secret that she needed to hoard until the last possible second. Everyone at school had just figured it out on their own and had made their decisions. It wasn't like Tabs had anything much to do with it, people had their opinions and that was that, she couldn't change their minds by doing anything specific. Being perceived like that, even when she tried really hard not to emulate the veela half at all, was hard, but people had their thoughts and often refused to see anything else.

She looked at the ground for a moment, hands wrapped around her cocoa as it sat on her knees, waiting to be sipped at. It felt silly, but she was nervous. This sort of thing was so hard for her. She could handle trauma and devastation at the hospital, but had always avoided the harder conversations in life, especially since she'd been left by people she'd trusted implicitly in the past. "Have you heard of a creature called a veela?" It was impossible to look up at him; she couldn't watch the recognition, if there was any, wash over him in real time. Despite the brevity of their acquaintance, Tabitha would be lying if she said she wasn't at least intrigued by Mr. Colton, charmed by him surely and she cared what he thought of her; this could change that entirely.

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Barnaby Wye has blanket permission to interrupt Tabi's threads, please reach out if you do NOT want this to happen!

Seeing her there with her head down, eyes staring at her cocoa, made his heart almost stop beating with guilt. It was hard for him to shut the auror out, to stop seeing clues everywhere but he had to, he had to quit piecing everything together. “You don't have to pick up every scent. You don't have to follow every trail. She is trying to tell you something in her own way, let her. Ignore the smoke... ignore the smoke... ignore the smoke.” The words pounded in his skull until the auror finally went quiet, and Rhett's mind became calmer and less primed to solve the mystery before she could speak it—less likely to rob them of a moment he would look back on with precious tenderness of the heart.

His hand once again reached out toward her and his fingers gently curled beneath her chin and he lifted her beautiful face to his own. Like everything else about him, Rhett's hand was remarkably steady, and it didn't produce even the ghost of a tremor. He had, at some point, removed his hat and his shaggy hair lay over his forehead. “I have,” were the only words to escape his lips. His voice was painfully gentle and he spoke so softly that another person merely steps away could not have heard him clearly. He ignored any suspicions that had tried to creep into his mind moments before. What came next had to come from her, not from his own conclusions. Despite this, his face betrayed him in the strangest of ways, a calm smile spread over it and met eyes that held only safety for her, without an ounce of judgment nor hostility within them. It was the sort of smile you gave a child that was terribly afraid of something. Slowly, his hand released her, fingers trailing her neck before finally departing altogether.

Rhett had the sort of eyes that told stories, eyes that had seen men die—and some of those men at the tip of the same wand he wore that evening. Yet for Tabitha, if she cared to look, they held only a caring depth and serenity that gave silent words to the sensations he felt within. “Go on, darlin', it's alright. Everything is alright.” He positioned himself so that he was facing her more directly, though he kept his chest and arms open to her, letting her see that he was not reserved nor shut off from her in anyway. The cowboy fell completely silent and listened intently for what might pass those lips he wanted so badly to kiss.

  

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You know I recall somebody saying, "There ain't no cowboys left."
-
Thank you so much for the graphics, Bee!

The heartbeats that passed until she felt his hand again on her face felt like far longer than they should have. She reluctantly turned her head to look at him, but couldn't hold his gaze. Her eyes cast low, she winced when he said that he knew what a veela was.

Another beat passed, silence stretching out until she found her voice. "My mother was, is, I suppose, one." Tabitha felt no connection to that part of her lineage other than the frustration at how it made her feel. She'd never met or heard from her mother, had thought she might have finally found a family after her father's marriage, but that had crumbled too. Nothing ever seemed to work out the way she wanted it to.

His tone was very gentle, almost reassured her, but she couldn't bring herself to latch on just yet. "So I fear that probably plays a part in your," Tabs struggled for how to word it. Not wanting to assume anything but also unsure of really what was going on anyway. "Interest in the situation." There, that sort of encompassed the thought. She still couldn't brave a glance in his direction, feeling the heat in her cheeks, this time out of embarrassment and a sinking feeling in her stomach.

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Rhett turned some, placing the cocoa beside him and leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees. Like Tabitha, he was looking down, though at nothing particular. The cowboy was processing her words and moving them over and over again in his mind until it all made sense. He returned his hat back to his head, which cast his face unintentionally in shadow. His voice had changed when he spoke, it was deeper and more direct with a hint of gravel. “I can tell you without a second thought, that I am the most stubborn son of a bitch you will ever meet in your life. Once I dig my heels in, no act of God nor Congress is going to move me one inch. That said, veela or no veela, if I didn't want this, to feel this, I wouldn't let it happen, and no amount of magic would make a bit of difference. I am not interested in any 'situation'. I am interested in you, Tabitha Chevalier, all of you, not parts and not halves. This game we're playing, I am playing for keeps and I won't have my purse shorted one bit.” He said, in that strange tone and speaking in his customary parables.

He was silent for a while now, letting the words find meaning between them, but he wasn't done. He stood and moved in front of her and knelt down, one leg bent in front of him while the other was set heel-to-haunch, appearing almost as if he were about to tend a campfire. He was lower than her, able to look up slightly into her face, if she would meet his gaze, and if not it didn't matter. His left arm rested over his knee. “All women, for the most part, have at least a little veela in 'em, I reckon. They can all be mysterious, alluring and seductive. They can also be terribly fierce when angry. The only difference between you and them is that you just have the jump on the competition. That's all. Just a little extra training you happened to be born with. Now that I know she's in there, really in there, I don't want you hiding her away like some secret from me. Let her out, I am not afraid, hell, I'd like it. Captivate me, mesmerize me... it wouldn't be any jump for you, you do that already.” His voice tried to be gentle as possible but he was still somewhat agitated at her previous words and he bled through a little in his tone.

“Tabitha, I have to tell you that I don't think there is much in this world that you could do to really anger me. However, if I ever hear you refer to yourself as a 'creature' again... no matter how indirectly…” He paused to blow air out of his mouth, “darlin', you will be pounding on thin ice. You take my meaning? It wasn't a creature that shared her afternoon with me over ice cream, it was a little girl with a kind heart who just happened to bring a little something extra to the table.” He stopped and reached out and gently moved her pinky finger about in a playful manner. “Now then, what time does a half-veela like to eat dinner? Because this cowboy is about to starve to death.” His voice was softer again and hinted at a slight chuckle.

  

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You know I recall somebody saying, "There ain't no cowboys left."
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Thank you so much for the graphics, Bee!

On some level, Tabi knew that his words were meant to be encouraging, but realistically, all she could think was that he was being dramatic at the veela influence. It wasn't uncommon, for men to get worked up and more passionate in the wake of extended time together. She hadn't noticed it with in her former romance, he'd hid it well, but he'd always been more reserved and Mr. Colton was an outspoken sort, so she wasn't surprised by what he came out with.

Unfortunately, it didn't make her feel any better.

Even as he knelt before her, Tabitha had to think of something to say, but was coming up short. She stared down at the cocoa in her lap, only chancing a glance up briefly before looking down again. He'd said an awful lot and she really didn't know how best to respond. The way he said it made it sound like it was an open and closed conversation, but Tabitha didn't think it was as simple as that. In fact, it was far more complicated. Perhaps she had underestimated just how far things had gotten without her realizing. Maybe it was good this had come out now, better to get it out in the open, even if made her feel on edge.

What to say still eluded her, but she ought to come up with something. He'd said so much that she didn't even know where to begin. "I‐ I do not wish to be any of those things." She whispered. Anything that made her stand out, anything that could be considered slightly attributed to the veela, she didn't want it. Maybe it was unexpected, anyone with half-veela parentage to be this way, but Tabitha had always understood that it was unnatural, that she was unnatural. Angry was a dangerous place for her to be. It was a dangerous place for anyone to be. Tabitha couldn't even remember the last time she'd even been truly angry, having avoided situations and people that made her that way. She had spent so long trying to train her innate emotions and reactions, to keep everything tempered and even, that she wasn't even sure what would happen if she was to lose her grip. She hadn't always been like this. As a child and at school she'd tried to mold herself, thinking if she could just be better, work harder, use the natural charm to her advantage, it might get easier. It had worked to a point, but she hadn't the restraint she did now. Then she'd had her heart broken and she'd had to start all over, building up walls from the pieces left scattered on the floor.

Underneath it all, she really just wanted to be herself, quiet, on the edge of notice and good at her job, without anything hanging over her head like a perpetual dark cloud, ready to rain and ruin everything at any unexpected chance. This was not a little something extra, this was in her blood, in her nature at the root of things, and she would undoubtedly slip at some point and everything would fall apart again.

The worst part was that she didn't know how to tell him in a way that he would understand. He seemed so set in his mindset that maybe there wasn't even the opportunity; maybe she shouldn't even bother trying. "I think that I should head home," she started quietly, biting her lower lip lightly as she struggled for the best excuse. This was not the time or place for this conversation and Tabitha needed to think about what was to actually be done here, if anything. She didn't want to ruin the outing, but the noise in her head was too much and she could feel a little bit of panic rising up. The long walk home would do her some good. Merlin where was Barnaby when she actually needed him? "Thank you for the cocoa, Mr. Colton." Even if she'd only had a few sips and it grew colder by the minute. She set it aside and moved to stand, skirting around him easily to make her escape.

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Barnaby Wye has blanket permission to interrupt Tabi's threads, please reach out if you do NOT want this to happen!

Before she could have made it two complete steps, his hand shot out quicker than a rattlesnake and caught her wrist. It wasn't painful, but it was firm and unshakably sure. Rhett turned on his heel, his boot making an audible sound against the gravel beneath it. He stood behind her now, close enough that she would feel the warmth of his body against her back. His entire demeanor had changed, even the energy that rolled off of him felt like a silent storm, making the air thick and volatile between them. Rhett said nothing at first, he let the moment pass between them, letting their bodies simply feel the presence of the other. He drew in a breath as though he were savoring the seconds before they slipped away. To anyone who saw them, they appeared to just be speaking, perhaps looking in the same direction.

“I never said you had to be those things, did I?” His voice had dropped to a whisper—it was low, rough and sinfully close to her ear. It was a deep rumble that was softened only by the heat behind it. There was a raw edge to it, that hadn't been there before, a gravelly rasp that sounded like he was done holding back what needed to be said. “You ambushed me, intentionally or unintentionally. You spoke in a way that made you seem afraid or ashamed and in my attempt to ease this, I misunderstood and misspoke. While I may have been overzealous in my enthusiasm, do you not think you have been overzealous in my punishment, making it so quick and absolute? Don't leave, not like this. Teach me, I can learn.” It was a promise threaded through a growl in his voice, intimate and intense.

His hand released her but his body didn't move an inch. Slowly he inclined his head toward her, his hat blocking the nearby light from reaching her face. The wind caused loose strands of her hair to tickle his his own, dancing about his jaw that was set in frustration. “Have dinner with me, dance with me.” He insisted, and a twinkle caught in his steely gaze with the realization she still wore his coat. It was torture to be so close to her, so charged with desire and anger. He wanted to kiss her then more than he ever had. He wanted to bend her head back and become lost in those eyes, to kiss her deeply and passionately. The hurt and confusion in her voice had aroused something in him, something demanding and animalistic. Rhett pressed his mouth lower until his lips nearly touched her ear, the stubble of his beard grazing the delicate skin, “please, darlin', don't let the night end like this.” The sensation of being so close, the tornado of emotions he felt traveled in his voice.

  

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You know I recall somebody saying, "There ain't no cowboys left."
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Thank you so much for the graphics, Bee!

There was no time to make it very far because she felt his hand on her wrist. It was then Tabitha remembered his coat, a good barrier between the closeness. This really was not the venue for such a conversation and she regretted bringing it up already. For as composed as she was trying, and could be, she could not say the same for Mr. Colton and she knew if this continued that someone would notice soon.

So she pulled her hand away gently and shrugged from his coat. Tabitha moved away with intention, putting space between them, but reached out to hand his coat back. She'd be lying if she said the heat of his breath against her ear hadn't stirred something under her skin. Still, she had far more rational thoughts on her mind and that needed to take precedence. "If you wish to learn," she started, against her better judgement, still unsure as to what exactly was going to come out of this. "Slow down," maybe it was just a difference in culture and customs, but Tabi felt rushed. Maybe it was her, she was too guarded, too hesitant, but she was only going on her own life experience and that was what had gotten her this far without further incident. Maybe it was him, and an inability to see how strong he was coming across. Maybe it was the increasingly noticeable difference in personality.

"I should not have told you that here, that is my fault," she hadn't anticipated his reaction, but she should have known it would be something similar. "However, it is not a punishment," his word choice irked her more than she wanted to admit. He sounded so absolute, almost as if she had no choice in the matter and that added a layer of frustration. Tabi kept it in check, but something stubborn shone in her eyes as she looked up at him finally, brow furrowed and lips set in a thin line. She too could stick to her own principles, even with a mountain of an American towering over her. "It is a pause. This is not the place. I need space to think and you should take some time, and distance, to do the same. Really think about what I told you and what it means, because I am ashamed and afraid and you cannot change that with a few strong words."  This was probably the most she'd said in a conversation with him, because it was important and she needed to get her point across. It was also painfully honest, more than Tabi had admitted out loud to another person in a long, long time. "So I am going to say goodbye for today as I would like to avoid causing a scene." Her tone was one she often used on patients, leaving little room to argue, though she assumed he might try anyway. Hopefully the small rationale would help solidify her choice. If he pushed, she would have some serious thinking to do.

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Barnaby Wye has blanket permission to interrupt Tabi's threads, please reach out if you do NOT want this to happen!

He'd had her all wrong, and he knew it now. She didn't need saved, she needed understanding—true understanding, not the bastardized version he'd offered up so far. She projected such strength that it shamed him and brought him back to his senses, breaking any spell he'd allowed himself to fall under. His words were strong, but she'd seen through them. Stout little thing she was, and it gave him a strange sense of pride in her. His eyes were opening and he was seeing it all clearly for the first time. She stuck to her guns when he'd been to weak to even lift his from the holsters. Well done Tabitha, well done. Getting a truer sense of the woman she was filled him with a type of optimism that felt odd but welcome and powerful. Quiet as she might be, she was a real spitfire when her gears started grinding.

He managed to catch the coat as she moved from it, folding it over his arm.

“Ms. Chevalier, I am not myself. I am absolutely not myself. I... I am sorry for any discomfort or embarrassment I may have caused you. Good evening.” Rhett said, color rising in his cheeks from the realization of his behavior. He knew of her kind only from textbooks, never to his knowledge, had he actually met one. He had been weakened emotionally for quite some time, since losing his mother and brother. It had made him more susceptible to whatever this was, and the grief had twisted his intentions and caused him to behave in a way contrary to his nature. The understanding hit him like a biblical revelation; she was warning him of this very thing. The desire to kiss her had vanished like dust in the wind, and he only wanted to get away—not from Tabitha, no, from himself. She'd made him feel something close to happy, and he'd nearly ruined it by pushing for more when more wasn't what he truly wanted.

Rhett turned to walk away, stopping after a few steps to turn back to her. “There are factors at play here that I haven't made you aware of. This ain't your fault, none of it. Perhaps we could talk soon, really talk. Thank you for a wonderful evening, you truly are an amazing woman.” He touched his index finger to his hat, but offered no smile. In truth no emotion could be discerned from his face at all. Sliding back into his coat, he caught her smell on it though he gave no reaction. The cowboy, despite his size and appearance, vanished into the crowd as if he'd never been there to begin with.

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   Tabitha Chevalier

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You know I recall somebody saying, "There ain't no cowboys left."
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Thank you so much for the graphics, Bee!