A Northern Rose

Jonna Leifdotter - warlock - twin sister of Fenrin - owner of The Winter Rose Apothecary

[jonnasnaturaltouch]

@ Eld Cottage Hospital

Jonna had added an apron over her dress when the initial rush of activity had lulled. Though she wasn’t sure why she’d bothered, her dress was already ruined. Though it did hide the worst of the stains from the people she was treating and helped identify her as one of the healers she supposed. She’d been kept busy administering remedies to those still waiting for healing, those who didn’t wish for magical healing and those who needed something to help them sleep. Thankfully there was a good stock of her remedies at the hospital already, and she’d sent Iver off for more supplies from her shop.

She was heading back to the store room to brew another batch of her sleep tea, crossing the wood panelled lobby when she spotted a familiar face. Almost instantly she felt some of the tension ease from her shoulders.

@secure-with-j-lockhart

[secure-with-j-lockhart]

Jonathan had gone back to the Pack House with the others, helping Adam make sure that everyone had been accounted for in the wake of things. Thankfully that had been the case. But Emma and Rory lingered on his mind, and he offered himself up to drive over to the hospital to be on hand whenever they needed to be brought home, which he suspected would be sooner rather than later.

Once he’d arrived, though, Emma had been quick to wave him off, saying that Rory was recovered bar the tiredness really and that she was sleeping it off. And then came the less than subtle comment about his ‘girlfriend’ still being here and how he ought to talk to her instead. Jonathan shared a knowing smile with his pack mate before going in search of Jonna now.

They must have been ships in the night, as they crossed paths in the lobby now. He offered her a warm smile, walking over to take her in his arms. He’d tidied himself up from some of the dust and the like, but had no qualms towards sullying the sweats he’d donned. He wanted to be able to hold Jonna. She was strong, he’d known as much for quite some time now, but even in that strength he wanted to support her. He wanted to bear some of the weight of the night’s events.

“I should have known you’d volunteer to stay on,” he said softly, resting his head atop hers for the moment.

[jonnasnaturaltouch]

Jonna let herself lean into the hug after it became clear he wasn't worried about the state of her. She took a deep breath, inhaling the clean smell of him. In so many ways this was exactly what she needed right now. Of course she'd have carried on regardless, pushed herself till all the works was done. But she could feel herself sighing in relief at some of the invisible weight being lifted. It wasn't surprising to her that he would be able to do that for her without really doing anything at all. Just by being there. Just by holding her for a moment. The more time they spent together, the more sure she was becoming. That this was it for her.

She smiled just a little at his words. "I couldn't have gone home when there was still more I could do," Jonna replied. "That is still the case," maybe in the morning she'd let herself go home. "How is your pack mate, the one who went home?" she'd already checked in on Rory to see how she was doing. "And the rest of them? No one else was hurt?"

[jonnasnaturaltouch]

@ Eld Cottage Hospital

Jonna had added an apron over her dress when the initial rush of activity had lulled. Though she wasn’t sure why she’d bothered, her dress was already ruined. Though it did hide the worst of the stains from the people she was treating and helped identify her as one of the healers she supposed. She’d been kept busy administering remedies to those still waiting for healing, those who didn’t wish for magical healing and those who needed something to help them sleep. Thankfully there was a good stock of her remedies at the hospital already, and she’d sent Iver off for more supplies from her shop.

She was heading back to the store room to brew another batch of her sleep tea, crossing the wood panelled lobby when she spotted a familiar face. Almost instantly she felt some of the tension ease from her shoulders.

@secure-with-j-lockhart

[baby-blue-nephilim]

At the Institute Door...

"Erm...Hayden isn't here right now." He commented softly. "Actually I believe he took a holiday with Avalon. But you could leave a message for him. Or I can call for Odette if its important." He said politely to the person waiting on the steps.

[jonnasnaturaltouch]

"Actually I was here to see Cece, but it doesn't matter if she's not in. Could you just let her know Jonna said her order for the infirmary is ready to collect please? I was passing so thought I might as well let her know in person,"

[jonnasnaturaltouch]

"I could never turn down such a polite invitation to dance,"

[secure-with-j-lockhart]

Outside of The Winter Rose

It was one of the rare occasions where Jonathan's shift ended at a seasonable hour, and not very far away from Jonna's shop, upon his recollection... or, more accurately, the acute awareness he'd helf of that fact since arriving for the job in question. He'd wanted to call by to see her again. She was intriguing, to say the least.

Upon arriving at the apothecary, he noticed the woman in question just shutting the shop. Ordinarily he'd have found approaching her rather impertinent. But Jonathan couldn't quite stop himself as he walked up to her, waiting until he'd caught her eye before he smiled in greeting. "I'm rather glad I've caught you," he admitted. "As I was hoping to be somewhat presumptuous and offer to take you out to dinner... that is, if you didn't already have plans for your evening, and if you'd like to."

@jonnasnaturaltouch

[jonnasnaturaltouch]

Switching off the last of the lights and setting the alarm Jonna headed out, pulling the shop door closed behind her. As she was locking it movement in her peripheral vision caught her attention. When she saw what, or rather who, it was her attention stuck there. She smiled in turn at the shifter she'd been very much hoping she'd get to see again. "Oh?" she asked of his admittance as she finished locking the door and slipped the keys into her bag. Jonna turned more fully towards him as he explained, the smile returning to her face. "Nothing that especially needs doing tonight," she replied by way of confirming she was free. "So where did you have in mind?"

[all-for-adeline]

At Mistmarr Stables

"And this one," Adeline began, approaching a white horse towards the end of the stables and scratching him between his ears, "is Phantom, who is the eldest male and--coincidentally--my favorite of the bunch. Although I shouldn't really say as much in front of the fillys in particular. They're rather clever and would surely catch on. So instead I do my best to alternate my affections amongst them all."

@jonnasnaturaltouch

[jonnasnaturaltouch]

Jonna came up beside Adeline, giving the horse her hand to sniff before stroking his soft nose. "That can't be too hard, they're all so lovely," she commented with a smile. "I can't believe I've never been out here before, that I didn't even know it was here,"

[jonnasnaturaltouch]

"I can not deny that," Jonna admitted. "It's something I took interest in as a girl and never put it down. My mother always said I had a way with it," she continued with a small shrug. Oddly it wasn't something she gave much consideration to. It was simply what she did. What she'd always done where ever Fenrin and she had found themselves. "Ah, I understand," she nodded to what Adeline said of her mother. "I'm sure it was still valuable to those around her?" she asked, wondering to what extent she'd done it. "Did you ever help her?" Something else she was curious of.

"It's settled then," she said with a nod of certainty. "I'll let you know when I'm next heading over there," Jonna added with a smile. It would be nice to have the company of someone else who appreciated plants and nature. She laughed at Adeline's reply, deciding to leave her to find that the tea was actually quite lovely.

Jonna watched Adeline as her brother left, watched her expression. Once again it was an effort not to grin. Clearly the pair had left an impression on each other. It was sweet, romantic. And Jonna could already see they'd make quite a good couple. She pushed off the counter as Adeline asked her question, moving to the kettle along the back as she answered. "He has a sailing school on the lake," she explained. "He teaches all ages and abilities, but lots of kids in the summer break,"

[all-for-adeline]

"Well it's lovely if she encouraged you in that. I was lucky that my parents did that for me," Adeline recalled, a fond smile tugging at the corners of her lips. She was only pulled out of her memories again as Jonna posed further questions to her. "Oh, it was. And she would never accept any grief over the more foul tasting concoctions since 'they achieved their purpose,' as she'd put it." She shrugged a bit. "More so with helping to source ingredients or making them bloom, but my mother could do the same so it was more so a mutual effort. She helped me fall in love with nature, more than anything."

"Please do. I'll be looking forward to it even in the meantime," she replied genuinely.

Adeline felt herself smile almost immediately at the notion of Fenrin being a sailor. It made a great deal of sense even in the short exchanges they'd had. And now she was even more interested in him than she had been previously--which she'd thought was a difficult feat to manage given just how deep that interest already ran. Her mind dwelled briefly on images of Fenrin on a boat, wind blowing through his hair as he sailed. And the reality would likely be far better than her idle imaginings. "Sounds like a passion for him, in that case. You both are quite lucky in that regard." Her smile deepened a bit as a revelation washed over her. "I suppose that's why I get along with you both--common interests in either direction," she admitted before explaining further. "My parents were sailors--well, pirates really. I grew up sailing."

[jonnasnaturaltouch]

"Then it sounds that we were both lucky in the parent department," Jonna replied with a smile of her own. She laughed when Adeline told her about her mothers view on foul tasting remedies. "She sounds like a sensible woman. I couldn't even begin to count the number of complaints on the taste of things I've had over the years. Mostly I try to make them palatable but there are some things there's no way of improving the flavour of." She listened to the rest of what the other warlock had to say with a soft smile. "That must have been nice, sharing your ability with her," she mused.

Jonna watched as the revelation that Fenrin was a sailor brought a smile to Adeline's lips. Her brother had never exactly had a hard time romantically. Over the centuries she'd grown quite good at telling the difference between those who just thought he was attract, that felt only lust for him, and those that just might be starting to fall for him. The look on Adeline's face had Jonna putting her squarely in the second group. Occasionally she'd run interference when she could see her twin hadn't even considered the person romantically. In this case she decided she might just do the exact opposite. Because the way Fenrin had looked at Adeline told her he'd already started falling for her a little too. She put the kettle on and pulled a tea pot down from the shelf above it. "Oh it is. One he's had his whole life. While I was training with our local wise woman, he spent every free moment with the boat builder," she explained as pushed the ladder along it's runners to where she needed it. She smiled when the other woman spoke about getting along with them both but then paused at what she said next. She was half way up the ladder at this point. Holding on with one had she turned to look at Adeline with practiced ease. "Pirates?" she questioned, completely surprised. "If you grew up on the ship does that mean you were one too?" She let out a joyful laugh as she thought about it. About how much Fenrin was going to love it. "I can just picture you on one of those old ships. Though I suppose I'm surprised given your power,"

[poppy-and-her-cuppa]

At Poppy's Brews

"Oh... I could make you something different if that's not to your tastes?"

[jonnasnaturaltouch]

"No, no, I like it. I'm just trying to figure out everything that's in it," she said, taking another sip.

[jonnasnaturaltouch]

“Thank you,” she said genuinely, touched by the praise of her craft. “I’ve had a long time to practice it,” she added with a smile. It was something she’d started as a young girl and had never put down. The centuries of her life spent learning from other across the world, studying plants and their benefits. So although she didn’t feel she needed praise or thanks, it was nice when it came. “You’ve never mentioned your mother did that before,” Jonna prompted, curious about Adeline’s own experience with it. “Perhaps,” she agreed with a small laugh. “True, but you are the one tending the garden they thrive off of. So perhaps it’s a team effort?”

Jonna smiled, glad the other warlock had had a good time. A very good time if the dreamy look on her face was anything to go by. “But I am serious,” she insisted. “It won’t be for some time but I’d love you to come, truly.” Jonna loved visiting the wild places of the world and didn’t mind doing so alone. But it was always more fun with good company she thought. “Don’t say that yet, you haven’t tried it. For all you know it could be awful,” she said with a grin.

“Oh,” Jonna glanced between them again, the cogs of her brain working. Not half an hour ago her brother had been telling her about a beautiful warlock he’d met. Had said he’d danced with her and that she’d kissed him in the gardens. And here was Adeline telling her they’d danced. She’d also just told her she’d escaped into the gardens. She had to fight very hard to suppress her grin. Because surly it was not just all coincidence. “How very gallant of him,” she commented.

“That’s always the goal,” Fenrin replied, the smile still stuck to his face. Oh it definitely wasn’t coincidence, Jonna was all but sure of it now.

“I wasn’t aware you we are bee keeper,” Fenrin commented in return to Adeline. “Or,” he continued, “that you were one of my sister suppliers. She’s right though, your honey in my favourite,” he walked to the gap in the counter and out onto the shop floor. "I'm gunna have to run or my students are gunna be wondering where I've gone," he said a little reluctantly, his gaze still on Adeline. Oh he really wished he didn't have a class to teach. "I'll catch you later," he said, finally looking at Jonna, who just nodded once in reply. "It was really good to see you again, even briefly," he then said, this time to Adeline. He lingered a moment, his reluctance at having to leave evident, before he headed for the door. Throwing a wave over his shoulder as he left.

[all-for-adeline]

"Even so, I can't help but thing you're rather given to it naturally, and that would certainly help," Adeline noted. It was another genuine opinion that she'd formed of Jonna over time, that her work seemed so second nature to her in a way that beckoned the belief that Jonna had always had a knack for it. That sort of quiet confidence in one's knowledge and abilities was something Adeline admired. "I suppose it's just that I viewed my mother's tonics and tinctures as somewhat more of a hobby than her life's work or the like." In truth, her mother would always claim the sea as her first love, which is partly why her parents had met at all. "And that they reminded her of her youth in Faerie, perhaps," she added, before laughing a bit at Jonna's insistence. "A team effort, then."

Adeline beamed at the offer. It would be a lovely trip, of that much she could be certain, what with the good company of Jonna and the gorgeous surroundings. "I would like that very much, if you're sure I wouldn't be any trouble to you." The comment about the tea only deepened her grin, although now with a tinge of amusement. "I'll sip it with a smile, nonetheless."

Jonna's assessment of her words made her smile return again, only emphasized by the reply and look from Fenrin. He was gallant, and he was here in the light of day. Goodness, that did leave her feeling terribly on the back foot. "Quite so," she agreed, her gaze shifting to Fenrin for a moment. "And I'm not simply agreeing because he didn't step on my toes."

Adeline could feel the slight warmth of blush rising to her cheeks again as Fenrin spoke, mostly because it felt like a new sort of dance between the two. Of discovering all sorts of secrets and delights in each other. And that left her wanting more. But then he was leaving. Her smile didn't falter though, maintaining his gaze as he addressed her. "Likewise, even briefly," she echoed.

She felt dazed by it all. So suddenly he'd appeared and vanished, leaving her mind swirling with the memories of the party and the last few minutes in tandem. She'd nearly forgotten where she was, but soon righted herself and turned back to Jonna. "How odd that I would have met your brother and not known," she began, hoping to dispel any of her own awkwardness about it all. But some part of her really wanted to ask about him. "Is he a teacher then? I hadn't known that either."

[jonnasnaturaltouch]

"I can not deny that," Jonna admitted. "It's something I took interest in as a girl and never put it down. My mother always said I had a way with it," she continued with a small shrug. Oddly it wasn't something she gave much consideration to. It was simply what she did. What she'd always done where ever Fenrin and she had found themselves. "Ah, I understand," she nodded to what Adeline said of her mother. "I'm sure it was still valuable to those around her?" she asked, wondering to what extent she'd done it. "Did you ever help her?" Something else she was curious of.

"It's settled then," she said with a nod of certainty. "I'll let you know when I'm next heading over there," Jonna added with a smile. It would be nice to have the company of someone else who appreciated plants and nature. She laughed at Adeline's reply, deciding to leave her to find that the tea was actually quite lovely.

Jonna watched Adeline as her brother left, watched her expression. Once again it was an effort not to grin. Clearly the pair had left an impression on each other. It was sweet, romantic. And Jonna could already see they'd make quite a good couple. She pushed off the counter as Adeline asked her question, moving to the kettle along the back as she answered. "He has a sailing school on the lake," she explained. "He teaches all ages and abilities, but lots of kids in the summer break,"

[jonnasnaturaltouch]

"Goodness you must have been working very late. Can I ask what it is you do?" she asked curiously. Jonna smiled at him when he explained the reason for his visit. "I see," she said, a laugh dancing in her eyes. "I can put something together for her, certainly. Do you know if she's ok with floral flavours? Sweet, or on the more savoury side?" she asked, already drawing together a mental list of possible ingredients.

[charles-knows-the-law]

"I typically do, I'm afraid," Charles added with a touch of a laugh. "I'm a lawyer. I work with Kyle Brooks, if you've met him... or heard of him. He's rather a marvel, even I must admit." He considered her questions for a moment, resting his chin atop his steepled fingers as he leaned against the counter. "Hmm, I do know she enjoys floral teas, or things with a bit of spice. Not too sweet, though." He had to laugh at himself then. "My apologies, I'm a terrible help, aren't I?"

[jonnasnaturaltouch]

"Ah," she nodded, understanding now. Lawyers did seem to have a reputation for working long hours. "I don't but maybe that's good sign that I've never needed a lawyer?" Jonna replied with a hint of a smile. "If I ever do though I'll be sure to keep you both in mind." She smiled at his laugh, "You've given me a starting point at that's a lot better than some people. To help with sleep we could go with something mellow and floral but not too sweet?" she proposed, "Or I could put together a naturally caffeine free chai for her?"

[jonnasnaturaltouch]

"Yes," she gave a light laugh, "Is that terrible to say? Perhaps if I was not helping them it would be?"

"That's very sweet of you to abstain so you could do that. I hope you still had a good time, even with being sober?" Jonna went to a small fridge she'd had installed under the old wooden counter. "It's not to everyones taste," she mused, returning to him with a bottle of pale pink liquid. "Hopefully this will go down better. And it's just one dose, so she'll need to drink it all,"

[secure-with-j-lockhart]

"It might be... but I said it for you, so perhaps you'll be off scott free," Jonathan pointed out with an accompanying laugh of his own.

"It's typically the case, but I don't mind. Never been one for much drinking anyways." He smiled and nodded in reply to her question. "I did, rather... you didn't attend yourself? I think I would have remembered you if you had." The bottle of pink liquid seemed so innocent, but he knew Elle would likely give off to him for having to drink it regardless of its taste or appearance. His gaze returned to the warlock then. "Lovely. How much do I owe you?"

[jonnasnaturaltouch]

"Hmm, yes I think you're right," she said almost seriously but then a grin broke over her features.

Jonna smiled at what that told her about him. Not that he'd never been much for drinking but that he didn't mind being the one watching out for the others. Much like the fact he was here buying a cure for his sister hangover. "I'm glad you did," she replied genuinely, "My brother told me it was quite the party, as Magnus's usually are." She shook her head lightly at his question though. "But no, I wasn't there myself," his comment that he would have remembered her made her smile softly, a faint blush colouring the apples of her cheeks. "I've been away and didn't get back until the party was already in full swing. Sadly I was much to tired from travelling to drop in," she explained. "Eight dollars please,"

[jonnasnaturaltouch]

"Well then I'm flattered you think so highly of my expertise," she said before fixing the warlock she was starting to think of as a friend with an insisting look, "But I still maintain you're a wonder. Non of my other suppliers are so forward thinking." She smiled with a nod, starting to shelve the honey where she always displayed it "A twin actually. And I think he has your honey nearly everyday. On toast, on yoghurt, in tea. You'll probably meet him in a minuet. He's here fixing my back door,"

"That does sound like Magnus," she chuckled. "I'm glad to hear it. I take it from that you had a good time?" she asked, over her shoulder as she finished stacking the honey. "Oh, so beautiful. You should come with me next time," Jonna suggested, turning back to her. "And speaking of my trip, the tea I have for us today is one I picked up there," she said, leaning against the counter. She always looked forward to the tea breaks she shared with Adeline when she visited. At that moment a voice came from the door to the back of the shop.

"Hinges replaced and door looking good as new," a second later the voice was followed by Fenrin. "Oh, sorry, didn't realise you had..." he cut off when he saw who was stood there. A warm, surprised smile lit up his face.

"This is Adeline, one of my suppliers. Including of your favourite honey," Jonna said to her brother, lifting up a jar she'd kept to the side for him. "And this is my brother Fenrin," she said turning to Adeline. She paused then though, reexamining the looks on both their faces.

[all-for-adeline]

"Being a proper apothecary takes a lot of knowledge and skill, so I admire that about you, absolutely. My mother used to know about some different tinctures and potions, but even she would have noted how they pale in comparison to your craft." Adeline shrugged off the compliment still. "Well maybe they ought to be," she teased with a wink. But she did appreciate Jonna's words. "Oh, that's dreadfully flattering. I ought to thank him, in that case. But I will remind the both of you that it's not to my credit. I'm hardly the one making the honey."

"I did enjoy it, in the end. It was surprisingly nice to step outside of my comfort zone," Adeline admitted, the dreamy smile still tugging at her lips. "Don't tease me, Jonna. If you were actually offering, I would join you in a heartbeat." She still loved to travel when she could, and especially if it was to destinations in nature rather than another city. Great forests and oceans always had her heart, even now. The mention of the tea from Greenland was an added bonus to the exchange. "You're spoiling me rotten, Jonna."

Adeline was about to say more when a voice interrupted her... and an oddly familiar one at that. Fenrin. There, in the flesh. And it made perfect sense then, looking at him in this light. He was Jonna's twin brother. And she'd kissed him... crikey. She was almost certain her face was a mix of wonder and shock in that moment. Because she'd just been thinking about him, of course, and now he'd appeared. In the middle of a technical business meeting, of all things.

Jonna's voice caught her attention once more and she fought to reign in her expression. "Oh, we've met, actually... at the party. Fenrin was kind enough to offer me a dance," she explained somewhat sheepishly, aware of the warmth rising to her cheeks in that moment as she glanced back to Fenrin. "I wasn't aware you liked my honey quite so much."

[jonnasnaturaltouch]

“Thank you,” she said genuinely, touched by the praise of her craft. “I’ve had a long time to practice it,” she added with a smile. It was something she’d started as a young girl and had never put down. The centuries of her life spent learning from other across the world, studying plants and their benefits. So although she didn’t feel she needed praise or thanks, it was nice when it came. “You’ve never mentioned your mother did that before,” Jonna prompted, curious about Adeline’s own experience with it. “Perhaps,” she agreed with a small laugh. “True, but you are the one tending the garden they thrive off of. So perhaps it’s a team effort?”

Jonna smiled, glad the other warlock had had a good time. A very good time if the dreamy look on her face was anything to go by. “But I am serious,” she insisted. “It won’t be for some time but I’d love you to come, truly.” Jonna loved visiting the wild places of the world and didn’t mind doing so alone. But it was always more fun with good company she thought. “Don’t say that yet, you haven’t tried it. For all you know it could be awful,” she said with a grin.

“Oh,” Jonna glanced between them again, the cogs of her brain working. Not half an hour ago her brother had been telling her about a beautiful warlock he’d met. Had said he’d danced with her and that she’d kissed him in the gardens. And here was Adeline telling her they’d danced. She’d also just told her she’d escaped into the gardens. She had to fight very hard to suppress her grin. Because surly it was not just all coincidence. “How very gallant of him,” she commented.

“That’s always the goal,” Fenrin replied, the smile still stuck to his face. Oh it definitely wasn’t coincidence, Jonna was all but sure of it now.

“I wasn’t aware you we are bee keeper,” Fenrin commented in return to Adeline. “Or,” he continued, “that you were one of my sister suppliers. She’s right though, your honey in my favourite,” he walked to the gap in the counter and out onto the shop floor. "I'm gunna have to run or my students are gunna be wondering where I've gone," he said a little reluctantly, his gaze still on Adeline. Oh he really wished he didn't have a class to teach. "I'll catch you later," he said, finally looking at Jonna, who just nodded once in reply. "It was really good to see you again, even briefly," he then said, this time to Adeline. He lingered a moment, his reluctance at having to leave evident, before he headed for the door. Throwing a wave over his shoulder as he left.

[jonnasnaturaltouch]

[jonnasnaturaltouch]

Jonna laughed, "Then it is no wonder I was so busy," those fae drinks really could pack a punch the next morning if you weren't fae. "Hmm I did have a few that seemed rather perplexed at the way they were feeling," she added to the comment of them maybe not remembering. "You practically read my mind for what I need extra of, don't charge me extra and say I don't need to thank you? No, thanks is definitely in order. You really are a wonder Adeline," she said as she started unpacking the crate. "Oh, excellent," she said when she found the honey. "My brother was only asking this morning when I was getting more of this in. He'll be so pleased,"

She smiled at the other warlock, "Well I hope he appreciated that," she said, remembering she'd mentioned once she wasn't a fan of crowds. "I didn't get back in time from my trip to Greenland," she explained, "I was over getting some stock,"

[all-for-adeline]

"No surprise at all," Adeline agreed, joining in on Jonna's laughter. She always enjoyed days where she was able to visit the other warlock. Sure, it might have begun as a business relationship, but she genuinely enjoyed Jonna's company and their budding friendship. "I don't know about a wonder as much as being presumptuous about the party guests seeking out your expertise the morning after it all. I know that I would. But you're very welcome, in any case." The comment about the honey made her smile deepen with a touch of pride for her beekeeping efforts. "I didn't know you had a brother, or that my bees had a fan. That's lovely."

"I'm not quite sure. He did come out to the gardens to give me a gentle scolding," she admitted with an amused grin. "But I don't regret going out to them. Or to the party in general." She thought back on it, the moments she'd spent with Fenrin shining out amongst the rest. Especially the kiss, even with its interruption. Her focus drew back to the present as Jonna explained her absence. "Oh, I hadn't realized. I bet that was beautiful though, despite the lengthy journey."

[jonnasnaturaltouch]

"Well then I'm flattered you think so highly of my expertise," she said before fixing the warlock she was starting to think of as a friend with an insisting look, "But I still maintain you're a wonder. Non of my other suppliers are so forward thinking." She smiled with a nod, starting to shelve the honey where she always displayed it "A twin actually. And I think he has your honey nearly everyday. On toast, on yoghurt, in tea. You'll probably meet him in a minuet. He's here fixing my back door,"

"That does sound like Magnus," she chuckled. "I'm glad to hear it. I take it from that you had a good time?" she asked, over her shoulder as she finished stacking the honey. "Oh, so beautiful. You should come with me next time," Jonna suggested, turning back to her. "And speaking of my trip, the tea I have for us today is one I picked up there," she said, leaning against the counter. She always looked forward to the tea breaks she shared with Adeline when she visited. At that moment a voice came from the door to the back of the shop.

"Hinges replaced and door looking good as new," a second later the voice was followed by Fenrin. "Oh, sorry, didn't realise you had..." he cut off when he saw who was stood there. A warm, surprised smile lit up his face.

"This is Adeline, one of my suppliers. Including of your favourite honey," Jonna said to her brother, lifting up a jar she'd kept to the side for him. "And this is my brother Fenrin," she said turning to Adeline. She paused then though, reexamining the looks on both their faces.

[jonnasnaturaltouch]

Jonna was half way up a ladder, replacing a jar of marshmallow root she'd had out for her last customer, when the little bell above the door rang. "Ah," a warm smile lit up her face on seeing it was Adeline. Jonna got along with all of the few suppliers she used but she had to admit the other warlock was her favourite. She was rather starting to think of her more as a friend. "Good morning Adeline," sliding the jar back onto the shelf, she descended the ladder to meet her at the counter. "Oh yes," Jonna confirmed with a light laugh of her own, "I'm always very busy the day after a big party like that. This time especially so. I think it was all the fae drinks I heard were being served. They completely wiped me out of some things," she said, accompanied by an amused smile. "So thank you for getting this here so quickly, you really are a life saver,"

"Did you go to it, the party?" she asked as she fetched the envelope she'd already set aside with the payment in.

[all-for-adeline]

Adeline hummed thoughtfully at Jonna's suspicions for the particular spike in business. "Oh, plenty of brave souls were downing fae drinks like water, this is true. I can imagine the after-effects took them quite by surprise... if they remembered any of it," she noted with an amused grin of her own. "Don't be silly, Jonna, you don't need to thank me for that. It's truly no trouble. I even brought double of elderflower, feverfew, and fleawort just in case you were completely out. But I won't charge any extra--they were in need of a good pruning anyhow."

"Oh, I did. Magnus rather insisted, I'm afraid. And I did humor him by remaining in the ballroom for the bulk of the night before I resigned myself to his garden." She cast Jonna a curious glance then. "I was surprised that I didn't see you there."

[jonnasnaturaltouch]

Jonna laughed, "Then it is no wonder I was so busy," those fae drinks really could pack a punch the next morning if you weren't fae. "Hmm I did have a few that seemed rather perplexed at the way they were feeling," she added to the comment of them maybe not remembering. "You practically read my mind for what I need extra of, don't charge me extra and say I don't need to thank you? No, thanks is definitely in order. You really are a wonder Adeline," she said as she started unpacking the crate. "Oh, excellent," she said when she found the honey. "My brother was only asking this morning when I was getting more of this in. He'll be so pleased,"

She smiled at the other warlock, "Well I hope he appreciated that," she said, remembering she'd mentioned once she wasn't a fan of crowds. "I didn't get back in time from my trip to Greenland," she explained, "I was over getting some stock,"

[jonnasnaturaltouch]

“It is,” Jonna nodded with an amused smile. “Ah, not one for parties?” She asked, leaning against the counter. “Well, what can I do for you today then?”

[charles-knows-the-law]

"Oh, I'm not opposed to them generally. Just happened to be a little too caught up in work to make it." He cast his gaze over the shelves behind the woman before looking back at her with a small smile. "I'm rather hoping you carry unique teas. My sister has been encroaching on my favourite tea bags because I haven't replaced the ones I'd used up of hers. Anything herbal will typically suit her... but if it can help with sleep, that'd be even better."

[jonnasnaturaltouch]

"Goodness you must have been working very late. Can I ask what it is you do?" she asked curiously. Jonna smiled at him when he explained the reason for his visit. "I see," she said, a laugh dancing in her eyes. "I can put something together for her, certainly. Do you know if she's ok with floral flavours? Sweet, or on the more savoury side?" she asked, already drawing together a mental list of possible ingredients.

[jonnasnaturaltouch]

“I’m afraid so,” she smiled, “but I will never blame people for enjoying themselves,”

“Ah,” Jonna nodded her understanding, “You’ve managed to avoid a hangover yourself I take it?” She asked as she went over to where she kept her hangover remedies, “Tea or cold brew?”

[secure-with-j-lockhart]

"Neither would I. And if it means your business is to benefit for their foolhardiness, then all the better."

"A sober night for me, yes. I wanted to keep an eye on the younger pack members." Jonathan laughed a bit at the question. "Cold brew. My sister always turns her nose up at tea."

[jonnasnaturaltouch]

"Yes," she gave a light laugh, "Is that terrible to say? Perhaps if I was not helping them it would be?"

"That's very sweet of you to abstain so you could do that. I hope you still had a good time, even with being sober?" Jonna went to a small fridge she'd had installed under the old wooden counter. "It's not to everyones taste," she mused, returning to him with a bottle of pale pink liquid. "Hopefully this will go down better. And it's just one dose, so she'll need to drink it all,"