Closed Less Coffee. More Date

[Selene Le Fey]

It had been around a year since Selene and Poppy had started going on coffee dates. despite the word date the fact that it was a coffee date meant that they were just friends. Nothing more. though as time went on, it was becoming more and more clear to Selene that she wanted it to be less coffee and more date (not that she actually drank coffee on coffee dates; she much preferred tea, or chocolate or, if it was warm, juice). Poppy had become a close friend. they had celebrated Poppy's graduation, and Poppy had been the first person she had told about applying for her dream job, and the first person she had told when he hadn't got it. it was only recently that she had plucked up the courage to ask Poppy out on a proper date. and it had been so long since she had been on a proper date that it took her a while to think of what to do, they had been to most of the cafes in magical new Zealand, and the park was a regular walh for them. Eventually she had decided on the botanic gardens in christchurch. She had always liked it there, and she thought that it would be something Poppy would like as they were beautiful, they could have a walk looking at the plants and stop spmewgere for a picnic, and maybe even get a gondela ride along the river if they wanted to.
She had arrived early and collected a selection of foods from the market across the road, adding them to the basket of things from home once she was done she made her way to the fountain at the entry to the gardens and waited for her date.

 

[Poppy Perkins]

Poppy didn't think Selene's friendship could have come at a better time. Going to university had been something she really wanted to do, and while she never would take back the experience, she did have to admit that being away from magic and having to actively hide it had been hard on her. It happened slowly but suddenly she found herself with her degree but unsure where she fit in the world. That's where Selene came in. The other girl had grounded her and reminded her of all the things she liked about herself, magic, and just about everything else. Their coffee dates became something she looked forward to above all else as she found her footing in her post-grad life. So when Selene asked her out for real she wasn't scared. She realized her feelings had shifted long before the plans for today had been made. They had eased themselves into something, and the rest was a formality of sorts. Selene had planned everything but Poppy still packed away a few chocolate frogs in her bag, not wanting to show up completely empty handed. She smiled and waved when she saw the other girl standing by the fountain and hurried to close the distance. But she did hesitate, unsure of how to greet a date she had arguably been on a date with several times. In the end she reached out and gave Selene a quick hug. "Hope I haven't kept you waiting long." she said a little breathless. "I see you've got plenty of rations for today." she added with a laugh.

 

[Selene Le Fey]

Selene hadnt been waiting long before she saw the familiar mess of red hair which signaled the arival of poppy and brought a smile to her lips. she waved back and started taking some steps towards her, and then poppy was there in front of her. "Hello Poppy. how are you today?" she said, returning the other ladies' hug. "not at all. I only got here a couple of minutes ago," she said. Unable to help the smile that crossed her face whenever she spent time with Poppy. she chuckled at Poppy's comment. "What is a picnic without a good selection of food?" She said sure; the picnic basket she had was relatively small. but thanks to a couple of charms, one to expand the contents and one to make it lighter, she had more than enough to see them through. would you like to go for a bit of a walk?" she said gesturing to a tree-lined avenue not sure if she should hold Poppys hand or not.


[[if you are like me and like the visual inspiration of real places. here are some stock photos of the gardens. many are from specific events. but there are some of just the gardens]]

 

[Poppy Perkins]

"Hello." Poppy replied with a bright smile. "I'm doing very well. Especially now that I'm here." she added. It was a lovely day and getting to spend it in the garden definitely helped, not to mention the company. She was glad Selene hadn't been waiting long. It wouldn't have been the first time she had gone time blind. "That's a good question." she conceded but paused for a moment to consider it. "An unsatisfying sit around?" she joked. "Yes! Let's!" There was no better way to see the gardens then to simply walk through it. She kept close to Selene as they navigated around other guests. This did seem like the perfect time to hold your date's hand, and while she felt comfortable calling it a date the thought of touching with intention, however innocent, made her a little dizzy. Instead she looped her arm around the other girl's elbow and they fell into step beside each other.

 

[Selene Le Fey]

Selene couldnt help but let the grin spread across her face as poppy said she was good especially now she was here. she asumed that the emphasis on the here was the garden and not necessarily meaning with her though seeing as she had picked the garden she still felt assured. she chuckled at Poppy's response "I don't think it would ever be unsatisfying if it is sitting in a beautiful garden with company as amazing as you are" she said back trying to flirt a bit but note sure if what she had said made complete sense. why was she nervous? This was poppy, and they had been on many coffee dates before they started to walk. she did notice that poppy didn't take her hand, she was slightly glad as it meant one less sweaty palm size problem to worry about as they walked through the garden.
they turned a corner to a slightly quieter path shaded with large trees it reminded her a lot of her home growing up. due to the abundance of European trees. "so, how have you beem? she asked. she knew it was a very boring question but one she hoped would get conversation moving again.

 

[Poppy Perkins]

Poppy laughed at Selene's joke. "That's sweet, but a lot of pressure." she teased. "I guess it's a good thing we have snacks." she said lightly. "And it's not only the garden that's beautiful." she added with a grin, throwing out her own attempt at flirting before laughing again. She was glad for her date's more practical question. It was probably good to cover some familiar small talk before either of them spontaneously combusted. "I've been good." she replied brightly. "I've gotten some freelance work done which will hopefully lead to more, and I'm considering getting an apartment somewhere around Brightstone or Obsidian Harbour. I haven't really decided." she shrugged. "And how about you?"