They were inseparable once upon a time: joined at the hip, thick as thieves, a bond stronger than the ties of blood. Childhood friends with a history that dated back to the girlhood tea parties they fancied, and the hours spent watching him ride his broom. Innocent times, happier times—all of which were something of the past. Theodore doesn’t remember the last time he spoke to either lady, but if he were to guess, it perhaps started when he spoke of another girl in their presence, a Gryffindor who inevitably left his heart in pieces.
Perhaps it was all part of Fate’s plan, the parting of ways lead to new the opening of doors, and second chances. It gave him the chance to reconnect with those he had left behind, and Theodore hoped to rekindle the friendship that had, for years, been his support system while growing up. It was an opportunity that hadn’t presented itself before, until now.
After speaking with Devon and leaving her with a parting gift, Theodore tells her he hopes to hear her answer soon. With a bow, he leaves her to mull over her thoughts. Turning on his heel, he walks with purpose towards the library, knowing well that Eliana would be there.
Devon and Eliana were, and always will be, a package deal. You cannot have one without the other, just like light cannot exist without darkness, just as life cannot come full circle without death.
Entering the library, he makes his way through the bookcases, easily finding her at a table with a window view, surrounded by books. Theodore takes a moment to bask in this peaceful moment, watches with rapt attention as she scans the text, how she thumbs the spine of the tome before flipping to the next page. Taking a step closer, he makes his presence known by calling out to her.
“Eliana,” he greets quietly, a timid smile on his lips as he takes a seat across from her. “It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”
He immediately curses himself for bringing up the past, but is quick to rectify the situation by pulling out a parcel from his pocket. Unwinding the twine that held the package together, he places the small velvet box between them, opening it to show an equally beautiful ring like Devon’s own Opal bauble.
It’s a vintage piece, elegant and classic with a thin band made of platinum. Sitting upon the center is a Moonstone held by rounded, double prongs. The band itself is decorated by .25 carat diamonds to create a double halo effect. It was stunning, just like Devon’s piece, and likewise, the ring held a specific purpose.
“Moonstone…it reminded me of you, how mysterious you are, like the moon with its many faces. This stone in particular is meant to give insight to a person’s individual journey. It helps cleanse the mind, and clears your aura—it even helps with dreams,“ Theodore speaks fondly, a smile on his face. “You always seemed to look troubled when we were younger, so I hope that this ring may help you in your time of need.”
Plucking the ring out of its velvet casing, he takes her hand in his, placing it upon her ring finger where it fit perfectly—as if it were meant to be on her hand, no one else’s.
“I have already asked Devon,” Theodore intones. “It would be just like old times, us three. I want to earn your forgiveness for my past transgressions, and leaving you both alone for as long as I have. So with this gift, I ask that you open your heart a little to me, and have me as your date to Yule Ball.”
the assigned text is laid spread out upon the table before her, scribbles lining text as makeshift notes while neatly written cursive displays itself upon the paper her wrist presses upon. she scans the readings, once twice, thrice, repeated imagery until it sears itself into her mind. her brain is so devotedly occupied elsewhere that the voice of an intimate ( or once upon a time intimate since he made the decision to lay his eyes elsewhere upon one brazen lioness ) does not bring comfort but a jolt of a shoulder in surprise at the unexpected voice.
her head shifts slowly, eyes boring at the intruder to her sanctuary, lips set in a straight line almost begging him to read her as intimidating && guarded but it is only barking without the bite, no venom slowly dripping from her fangs. but she has always been raised as a paltry child && so she raises her brow as the only sign of response to his cordial statement, silent defiance seeping through the pores of her skin. it has been a while, much too long for her to welcome him back ( but she knows she always will because, in the end, he is a rare light from the shroud of her childhood ).
his words are unexpected, like the sudden onslaught of hail upon her sunlit day. no forewarning, no hints to his plan, simply an appearance out of nowhere to woo her heart like a prince charming upon a white horse or a knight in shining armour. she’s long told herself to become artemis && allow nobody to stray into whatever crevice that still lays exposed upon her heart. dangerous, but if it’s for him, for his well thought out words which she knows carry only genuine raw emotions because she’s known him for so long ( she hates this && she hates herself for being like this ) that she thinks just perhaps, perhaps she should offer him another chance. devon would, the instance the name slips out from his mouth, she knows that there is only one response.
“you are always so thoughtful, carefully thinking every little detail out when it comes to the people around you... it is part of your charm i suppose and it is something i will always appreciate about you...that and this honesty which you offer me.”
she glances from him to the ring, careful fingers tentatively bringing the box closer but not wearing the ring quite yet in case he takes it as a too willingly back down of her the guards around her heart. she can’t allow that, she’ll never allow that to peak so quickly, so eagerly.
“if devon agreed then i will go with you. as you can probably guess, i am not leaving her to fend for herself alone.”
