رضا

Reza Kasraoui-Müller, 40, Tunisian-German sorcerer.

[auntcass-hamada]

Reza started to lay out the different ingredients of his history and Cass paused in what she was eating to stare at him.

In some ways, she knew this was probably a relatively common story for Magicks in Europe. He spoke of crossing countries, of moving back and forth across borders, of people leaving their loved ones behind because the pain and the criticism were too big. Cass couldn't really understand a mother who would leave behind her children like that. After all, if she thought it was bad for herself, wouldn't she think it was bad for them too? But she couldn't really argue with the decisions made by a woman nearly half a century ago. It would hardly change anything.

But there was a little part of her that still wondered how she could do that.

"I'm glad that you were able to rebuild that relationship and Sabiha gets to know her. That's lovely. She'll probably have a great time at the wedding as well, get to see everyone and get to experience something like that. I'm sure its a very different experience than weddings here."

@rezares

[rezares]

@auntcass-hamada

"The German-Austrian side, yeah there's some folk traditions, but it's pretty similar. " Reza said. "But Sabiha loves visiting our relatives in Germany and Austria, so we should go."

He smiled.

"Weddings on the Tunisian side are very different they last like 3 to 7 days depending on how much your family wants to do/how much money they can put into it. Mine was 3 days of ceremonies, parties, religious and cultural traditions. I don't even want to think about how much my father and grandfather spent. We had...god, had to be close to 800 guests for the main ceremony. That's standard for a Tunisian wedding. A 'modest' guest list is 200. I didn't know 2/3 of those people. At least."

He shook his head. Never again; if he got married again, he'd want something much smaller.

[auntcass-hamada]

Not Exactly a Promposal || Careza

[auntcass-hamada]

Reza was supposed to be coming over for dinner shortly, so Cass had tossed everything into a pan so it could cook in the oven until it was ready. It would be delicious. But more importantly, it left her free to continue to work on the project absorbing her brain.

After all, prom was getting closer. That meant they needed to solidify the menu so they could get started on all the shopping and cooking to feed the whole town!

So. Dreams. Dreaming in Swynlake. The Swynlake Dreams.

She'd sketched out designs of light, airy, pastel desserts that would maybe go with the pastel decor they'd started to work towards. It could be beautiful and delicious, the kind of thing someone might take a picture with.

But so many of the dreams recently had been more in that high fantasy, pseudo-medieval range which had its own cuisines. Pies and roasts and delicious bread. That might be too much for a dance, but it was fun to think about. She continued to sketch, making notes of possible recipes that could go with it.

At the knock on the door, she hurried up, smiling at Reza as he came in. "Sorry, give me one more moment before I lose this thought, I'm almost done."

@rezares

[rezares]

@auntcass-hamada

Reza nodded and walked inside, careful to not say anything beyond "heard, you got it" to let her finish whatever the thought was. He could understand that, how being interrupted mid-thought could chase it away forever, never to be seen again.

He liked that she knew that about herself.

So he made himself comfortable on the couch, and waited, quietly.

[rezares]

You Rang? || Lucky Curse

[bad-moon--rising]

Lucky wasn't really sure what he was trying to accomplish. Didn't know where to begin really; wasn't like he could go track down the sorcerer that Roland had gotten to curse him even if his brother could remember much about them. So that was a dead end.

But he had to try something else; if it failed at least he'd attempted.

It just wasn't a comfortable idea; folks knowing about the curse. But if this Reza fella was a sorcerer who worked at breaking curses he probably was discreet about that sort of thing. Or at least Lucky hoped he was.

When the door opened he...actually he didn't know what he was thinking because what did he assume a sorcerer was going to be? He was around sorcerers all the time and down and they were just completely normal folks so he wasn't sure why I had gotten into his head that this one would be something different.

"Lookin' for somebody named Reza, actually," he offered a smile, "asked 'round town an' ya might be th'one 'round here who can answers some questions for me."

If the man was, in fact, the one he was looking for.

@rezares

[rezares]

@bad-moon--rising

Oh, that wasn't terribly unusual, but still unusual enough that it took him by surprise.

"Right, well that's me. I'm Reza. Come in, make yourself comfortable." He said.

Reza gestured to the workshop's small kitchen.

"Tea? Or straight to what I can do for you?"

[auntcass-hamada]

Once again, Reza said something that probably should have been obvious to Cass, but she'd never thought much about his ex-wife. Or even the fact that he had an ex-wife. Sabiha was so much her own person, Cass had hardly thought about it, and neither of them had spoken about the missing mother/wife to her. She'd sort of assumed the woman had died in all honesty.

Hopefully she hadn't said anything too mortifyingly wrong before this. She knew she wasn't educated in everything, but that was no excuse for being stupid.

"I think that sounds wonderful! A wedding is a perfect reason to go back and spend some time with your family, and it can't really be that far from here. You should go!"

@rezares

[rezares]

@auntcass-hamada

Reza made a face.

"Eh, it's a bit complicated, my mother's side of the family. My mother." He said with a shrug. "Sabiha and I have a similar experiences where the anti-magick sentiment in Tunisia got so bad that our mothers both peaced out, mine back to Europe, hers back to a pixie hollow. I was fifteen, I resented her for a long time, my mother. I threw away my chance to go to university in Austria because it would've meant having to live with her, which was the stupidest thing I've ever done. Fadela hated her even more than I did but still took the opportunity to do it."

He shook his head at himself.

"My father used to live in West Germany, when it was West Germany. He was allowed through their gastarbeiter -- or guest worker -- program. My mother was born in West Germany but lived most of her life in Austria, though she went back to West Germany for university and worked there for a little while after, where she met my father. Then she moved to Tunisia to marry him. Didn't speak a word of Arabic, she learned it there. My mother's a badass. She's 67 now but we still fear the wrath of Ingrid, I think she could still punch. But yeah, she lived in Tunisia until she just couldn't take how anti-magick is was, it really got to her. So she left the three of us with my father and went back to Austria."

Reza smiled, because he didn't feel bad about this anymore and didn't want Cass to.

"We're cool now, my mother and I. I got older, I understood her, forgave her. She adores Sabiha, last time she was here she bought her whole closet. It just still feels awkward with her side of the family. Though I guess being invited at all means I should go. It's a chance to use German-- or try to anyway. A lot of my German-slash-Austrian relatives can't stand my Tunisian accent so they will just switch to English or French if they speak it." Reza said, chuckling about it.

"I was educated partially in French in Tunisia, a holdover of French colonization." He explained.

[rezares]

You Rang? || Lucky Curse

[rezares]

@bad-moon--rising

Reza was working in his and Fadela's workshop, which was a small barn on their property converted into such a space, when the doorbell attached rang.

He suspected it was someone for his sister, a love witch, but she was out. Most calls for her, a lot of his work was from out of town clients.

He opened the door and recognized Lucky, vaguely, from the cinema. "Hello there," he said. "Looking for Fadela?"

[rezares]

Midnight Snack || Careza

[auntcass-hamada]

"The incredible bond that tea can create," she said with a laugh. After all, it was true in many ways. They'd bonded over a shared love of tea and Hatter's willingness to try a new flavor and combination every single time he came in.

She didn't think that was true. If you made yourself a mystery, people gossiped about the mystery. There was no real way to avoid it. Instead, she did her best to seem so open that no one looked too much beyond that. She hoped anyway.

That last piece of information was a surprise, although she admittedly didn't know that much about Korea, let alone the Korean fairy experience. She should probably learn more.

"Oh, wow, that is impressive. And here I thought travel was tricky for me the last time I did it."

@rezares

[rezares]

@auntcass-hamada

"Well, thanks to you, we made the cut," Reza joked.

"Oh, yeah, I know about all that because my ex-wife is a fairy. Obviously, if Sabiha's half. Getting a her a passport to travel to Austria to see my mother, that was an adventure." Reza said, shaking his head. "Traveling while fairy can be tricky unless you were born a citizen of a given country, which not all fairies automatically are."

Speaking of passports and travel, he really should go see both of this parents soon but that requires flying to Austria then Tunisia.

"Ugh, I love weddings. My cousin in Austria's getting married later this year, I still have to decide if I'm going. I'm more close to my father's side, the Tunisia side. The Germany-Austria side, my mother's family, I'm like 'right, right...I kind of remember visiting you guys as a kid.'" He shrugged. "I'll probably go, if only to see my mom."

[rezares]

Midnight Snack || Careza

[auntcass-hamada]

"I've met him occasionally but I haven't talked with him that much before. Hatter only said little bits and pieces when we were hanging out, but it was enough to see how much he cared."

After all, if he hadn't cared, he would have said nothing at all. Even then, the little pieces he let drop felt more like accidents or a carefully laid trail for anyone who might be paying attention. She wasn't always, but she'd done her best to keep track of it where she could.

"But you know, most people wander into the Lucky Cat at least once, for curiosity's sake if nothing else, so I've met almost everyone. It was really amazing that so many of his family was able to be here, wasn't it?"

@rezares

[rezares]

@auntcass-hamada

"That's incredibly sweet. That man is so private, I'm impressed you got even breadcrumbs out of him." Reza said. "Don't blame him, people love to gossip. People can't gossip if they know nothing about you I guess."

At the mention of Mu-yeol's family, Reza had to smile.

"Yeah, all the way from Korea. That's impressive, had to be a logistical nightmare. Especially being fairies because fairies don't always have official documentation to fly so they'd've had to scramble to get it. Really shows how much they care."

[rezares]

Midnight Snack || Careza

[auntcass-hamada]

Cass was overjoyed she'd been able to go to Hatter's wedding! It had taken a little bit of creative scheduling to make sure she had the time free, but she was determined to do it. She and Hatter had built up a comfortable friendship over shared tea from both their shops, and she thought his romance was lovely to see.

Of course, weddings being what they were, Cass had barely remembered to eat. She'd tried a few bites here and there, and then got distracted talking to people or dancing or spending time with the happy couple.

She was still glowing from the wedding as they slid into the booth. "Oh really? Good to know that milkshakes are a danger food, I'll have to keep that in mind," she said with a laugh.

"Wasn't that so wonderful?"

@rezares

[rezares]

@auntcass-hamada

"It was beautiful," Reza agreed. "It was my first time meeting Hatter's partner -- well, husband -- too. He seems great, very extroverted compared to Hatter. It makes me wonder how he got him to talk to him enough to actually get to know him."

Reza smiled as he gently poked fun of Hatter's quiet nature.

"What about you? Had you met him before? I didn't realize he wasn't from here-- live-translating his vows into Korean so his family could understand almost got me."

[rezares]

Midnight Snack || Careza

[rezares]

@auntcass-hamada

As a sorcerer who was once married to a fairy, Reza had expected Hatter's wedding to be unconventional. It didn't have some of the bells and whistles of people more willing to be the center of attention, like a first dance, but it was sweet. He could tell that the kitchen witch had allowed his sister to captain things which was probably for the best.

And more importantly, Reza and Cass somehow made the cut for the invite list so you know what, good for them! That felt like an accomplishment considering how antisocial Hatter was for a man who made his living in customer service.

When he'd asked Cass if she was still hungry after the wedding, he was glad she said yes. Their only option at this time was Chippa's, but greasy food and milkshakes was the perfect thing to eat mildly buzzed after a wedding.

"Sabiha's going to be so mad I got a milkshake without her." Reza joked. "I might be nice and bring her home something."

[outfit]

[rezares]

Midnight Snack || Careza

[rezares]

So What Are We Doing Here || Careza

[auntcass-hamada]

The words still had the power to make her blush, even as she moaned out loud again with each thrust and the sudden surprising tug on her hair. She arched into it more to relieve hte pressure, but that only brought her closer to him.

Distantly, she could feel the strangeness of the words. The idea that he could desire her so much even the thoughts of her could impact him was so far from her experience.

But she couldn't think about it now. Not with him hot and heavy inside her and the edge creeping closer with each powerful thrust. "I'm close. I'm so close. Reza."

@rezares

[rezares]

He loved to hear that, he delighted in knowing he could unravel her like this an felt privileged that he got to.

"Then cum for me," he said, getting close himself. "Show me how good you feel, how much you like being fucked like this."

And god, did she seem to love it.

[thesorceress-hera]

Walking in a witchy wonderland || Herza

[thesorceress-hera]

Hera did chuckle at that, though she was sure she didn't have to assure Reza that his market was very much safe. Hera didn't know anyone in Tunisia anyway, but she still did have friends on Piperi, who had often struggled to get more winter-focused reagents...

She hummed at the mention of Reflection of Cloud, grimacing a little at the thought of it. "I can only imagine how long that took." She said, shaking her head before she chuckled. "But, like you say, good to have it in stock." She had managed to get a good collection already this morning, and so she asked Reza, "Is there anything in particular you're looking for? I was about to wrap up, but if I can lend a hand...?"

@rezares

[rezares]

@thesorceress-hera

"Now that you're offering," Reza said, as it was rude to decline, wasn't it?

He sighed and looked rather sheepish.

"I always have trouble spotting good sunbeam. Are you more adept at that than me?" He hoped so!

[rezares]

So What Are We Doing Here || Careza

[auntcass-hamada]

He'd pulled her to the edge of the counter and she could feel the way she was tipping unsteadily on it, just short of tipping off in order to get as close as possible. Already she could feel the slight pull in her back as she reflexively tightened her core muscles to try and balance.

But as he stopped closer, she wrapped her legs around his hips and loosely locked her ankles. Then she wasn't thinking about her balance at all.

"Fuck, Reza, yes, just like that,' she moaned, gripping tightly at his shoulders as she felt the small tug on her hair.

@rezares

[rezares]

@auntcass-hamada

"Oh, fuck, you feel so good. God, you take my cock so well." Reza picked up the pace, fucking her harder, relishing every moan and gasp from her.

"I get so hard just thinking about you sometimes," he growled, gently pulling at her hair while he continued to mercilessly fuck into her. "Now you're mine."

[rezares]

So What Are We Doing Here || Careza

[auntcass-hamada]

"Great. Good to know. Love the planning," she said breathlessly. Interesting to know that was something men still did when they weren't in their twenties. Or did he start carrying it after they'd started to get involved? What was the process for being the kind of person who carried a condom in their wallet?

This was train of thought was immediately derailed by the flash of heat as he put his hands back on him.

When he broke the kiss she leaned forward to press her own lips to his shoulder and up her neck, panting and moaning in between each kiss as her thighs trembled slightly. The air was still a little chilly, but it felt like her own skin was steaming.

"I want you, I want you so much, I - " she moaned again, her eyes nearly rolling back in her head as he did something with his hand that felt incredible.

@rezares

[rezares]

For the record, Reza usually carried one or two condoms in this wallet when he was single, and made sure to since seeing Cass. There was nothing less sexy than having to move to a secondary location to go get a condom with your cock out, so better to keep one on him at all times. They could have kitchen sex in peace.

"Good girl, tell me what you want," he encouraged her, pumping his fingers inside her a bit longer, before slowing down and withdrawing them.

Reza picked the packet up from the counter and put the condom on.

He kissed her again, slowly, lingering, and one hand teased at her clit as they kissed someone.

"So beautiful. And you make the prettiest sounds when I touch you." He muttered as his hands moved to position her on the counter so he had the access he needed.

He entered her slowly at first, giving her a moment to get her bearings as he'd never fucked her on the kitchen counter before. "Fuck," he sighed, beginning to rock his hips, and tangling one hand in her hair.

@auntcass-hamada

[rezares]

So What Are We Doing Here || Careza

[auntcass-hamada]

There was a part of Cass that couldn't help but be a little dazed at this whole experience. It seemed like the kind of thing that should happen to someone else. Someone younger and passionate and sexy who traveled to exotic places with her equally young and passionate and sexy partner. It seemed like something out of the romance novels she read occasionally.

But she could feel it all in the way the cool counter pressed against her thighs as he impatiently stripped her. She ran her hands down his chest and felt the way his muscles flickered under the light touch.

Before she could suggest that they move to the bedroom, he spoke against her ear and she shivered again, feeling the way she only got wetter. They probably shouldn't. Sure they'd cleaned it, but it had to be a difficult angle and -

His finger slid along her again as she felt his tongue against her ear and she moaned loudly. "Yes. I - oh the condoms are in...in the bedroom."

@rezares

[rezares]

He shook his head and chuckled warmly.

"Got one in my wallet." He reached into his pocket and pulled out the aforementioned wallet and dug the condom out, setting it down on the counter so he could unbuckle his belt and get himself out of his trousers.

Reza kissed her again as he impatiently pulled her underwear down, discarding them onto the kitchen floor with the rest of their clothes. He reached down to tease her clit, his thumb moving in circles as he kissed her.

"I like that you tell me I'm doing my job right," he muttered as he broke the kiss and slowly he let one finger enter her, then a second, and he pumped them inside her. "You're so beautiful, moaning like this."

He grabbed the condom and tore the packet open with his teeth as he continued to finger fuck her.

"How much do you want it?"

@auntcass-hamada

[thesorceress-hera]

Walking in a witchy wonderland || Herza

[thesorceress-hera]

Hera hummed, considering that for a moment. It probably wasn't a bad idea. Could make a decent amount of money. There were the occasional reagents that she exchanged with her grandmother and her friends, or Madame Zauberstab in Ingary, but she rarely sold them. She would get reagents in return, usually, or thing she could use for various potions. Maybe she'd consider it, though, if she never got her cauldron up and running again.

"Just collecting to have them." She agreed with a nod and a faint smile. The jars clinked in the basket by her feet as she set the latest one in amongst them. "I like to be stocked up, when I can. And like you say, spring is fast approaching. Though I might steal your idea, sell a few on somewhere."

@rezares

[rezares]

@thesorceress-hera

Reza chuckled then joked, "But the Tunisian market's mine, you can't have it."

He nodded to her basket.

"Can never be too stocked. You never know when you need a particular reagent. My daughter came home with magically dyed pink hair from a prank some kids pulled. I had to use so much Reflection of Cloud to clear it up. I hadn't used that in forever!"

[rezares]

So What Are We Doing Here || Careza

[auntcass-hamada]

Cass slid her fingers into his hair and let them tangle together as she dove into the kiss. The slightly cool air against her skin had a reflexive shiver going down her spine, but she was easily distracted from it. Especially as the heat began to rise under her own skin.

"Feel free. Go to town. I -" The breathless words were broken off as she felt his tongue brush over her nipple. She could feel them hardening in response to the attention even as heat began to pool in her core.

@rezares

[rezares]

@auntcass-hamada

.

Reza could tell he was doing his job right, which only made him more eager to continue.

He moved back to kissing her as he unbuttoned his shirt and let it fall from his shoulders, before moving to get her out of her leggings. He had no issue with moving her around with one arm while the other shimmied them down past her thighs, when he could set her back down on the counter.

He touched her through her underwear, opting not to comment on how she was already wet, then against her ear said, "You want me to fuck you, Cass? Right here?"