[Mal's Loft] Fear is what it really was. [Julian]

Julian was always a bit of sensitive soul but in his earlier years, he hadn’t always been so sweet with everyone. Being in the Slytherin house was the first time he really belonged somewhere. It was like his own little family he was part of so at the time he did what he thought was needed to be a part of that family. He felt superior; becoming usually very cunning and a bit malicious to others except his own house.  But it soon changed in his later years of Hogwarts when things took a turn and he was forced to look around him with fresh eyes. Seeing the manipulation and deceit around him was enough to break him of his hateful ways to let him see that people were just people. No blood, money, fame, or status made someone better than another. Julian as an adult still possessed his Slytherin traits, such as being slightly reserved and resourceful, but with a broader compassion, understand, and acceptance for those around him. It was so long ago to him, though, it was hard for him to even remember himself being such a way but he was glad that Mallory didn’t see him as such.

The tattooed man listened to his blonde companion with a regretful expression, nodding for her to continue at the right places. It was unfortunate that someone so beautiful and joyous had to come from such tempestuous beginnings, but he sure wasn’t a stranger to the idea either. Ironically, it helped her with her powers so something good at least came from her hardships, “Most people aren’t able to see a learning experience from their pain, that fact that you are able to see it as a lesson shows a lot of strength.”  He was being honest. Mallory finished by winking at him and Julian reciprocated with a crooked grin, “Amazing, well...I try.” He meant this all in good fun.

The wizard sent Mallory over to the mirror when he was finished and he was silently relieved with her reaction. No matter how many times he tattooed someone, he always felt a light relaxation come over him once he got the thumbs up with his work. This was all inwardly, of course, and he smiled pulling off his gloves and throwing them to the nearest bin. Thank you, he turned to look towards Mallory and walked into a slight awkward one armed hug. The action was a surprise to the wizard so he hesitated for a moment before returning a brief one armed squeeze around her waist. Julian laughed a little, grinning widely and looking down to her slightly, “You’re quite welcome.” She pulled back and explained herself, my, she is attractive isn’t she. Julian batted away her words with a playful shake of his head, “Not to worry. Good hugs are hard to come by.” Julian was a man of few words but hopefully that would put her at ease.

Mallory sat back in her chair as Julian slipped on a fresh pair of gloves as he stood, his back was a bit stiff from sitting and his long legs needed to stretch. He chuckled a little towards her words as he grabbed some ointment to rub on Mallory’s brand new tattoo, “Smart people ask questions so you ask as much as you like.” He dabbed two fingers into the ointment as he reached out for Mallory’s arm and bent forward a little, “This is for the healing process. No spells, it has to mend on its own, otherwise you’ll heal it straight off and we spent all this time just getting to know each other.” Not that it was really a bad thing, and he winked at her playfully as he thought this.

He put a bandage over her tattoo and secured it before taking a seat, “Just to cover it for a few hours. Alright so- “ Julian’s gloves went to the bin again as he went into autopilot explaining the tattoo healing process to her, clarifying to Mallory that her tattoo wasn’t any different from a wound so there were steps that needed to be followed through with in order for it to heal properly. He gave her some instructions on paper and continued, he’d done this a hundred times before so his whole spiel was unintentionally rehearsed and unemotional. When to apply the ointment, how to apply it, how to wash it, no scratching or peeling, what soap to use, warning signs, things that are expected, “Since your tattoo is on the smaller side, I would say…two to three weeks, and you’ll be completely healed.” He relaxed into his chair a little, ignoring the fact that he had to clean up for the time being, “You got all that?” Julian smirked lightly, that was his way of asking if she had any questions. He was glad it was a quick tattoo, sometimes traveling tattoo work was a bit of a hassle but it was his livelihood so it was a necessity.

He looked to Mallory, apparently amused, “Is that glass of wine still up for grabs, love?” A bit bold for Julian but he didn't want to just get up and leave after telling him personal things, thinking it would be rude and as he was also enjoying her company.

Mallory listened to his instructions. It did not seem that hard. Coming from a wizard not using magic was going to be the hard part. Mallory was already not very talented with many spells but magic was thing of everyday life. She could take a step away from magic though so her tattoo would heal properly. At least it seemed pretty simple. As he continued about how many weeks depending the size she nodded. "Seems easy. You probably would not recommending morphing my body to hide it til it heals right?" She chuckled. "I am not worried about hiding it much, my work place would not care... just other people might." Chael might kill someone if he knew she had a tattoo. Hiding this tattoo would take a lot of her concentration which is going to be hard for her. He will find out eventually though.

As he mentioned the glass of wine, she smiled and nodded. "Of course it is!" Mallory picked up her wand and flicked her wand. She spoke something quickly and under her breath and the bottle of wine lifted and filled the glass with wine and both floated over to them. Mallory picked up her glass and took a sip and waited for him to take his glass. "Thank you by the way. I really like experiencing new things and pretty much amazing I can discover something that many magical folk would not attempt." Mallory smiled at him. It was small but it was her. It involved her love of astrology and just fit her.

"So whats your plans after this?" Mallory was trying to figure out a topic. She was not even sure if he wanted to stay and hang out with her. Well, if he did not want to spend time with her he could leave. Maybe she would make a new friend out of it. She was already modeling for him. It would not hurt to have another employer as a friend.


[so tinnnyyyy]

Mallory asked about her morphing effecting the tattoo healing and Julian pursed his lips as he thought momentarily. It wasn’t something he thought about or ever came up in his career, “Great question…I have no idea.” He laughed lightly, “But if I had to guess, yeah, I would advise against it unless you absolutely have to for whatever reason.” He looked to her as she continued, “Fuck them. You’re a grown woman. If your work doesn’t care I don’t see how it should affect anyone’s personal life.” He shrugged.

She mentioned the wine still available, “Brilliant,” He grabbed his glass after she conjured it, “Cheers.” He took a healthy swig before focusing his back to her, “Of course.  It’s my job.” Julian relaxed into the couch, “Well, I do plan to go out a little later with a few friends of mine but I did want to discuss another photo shoot with you while we drink this wine, if that’s alright?” He smiled crookedly, as he continued, “I mean I’ve took photos of plenty of women and I had some brilliant shots of you from before but I find that sessions seem to go a lot smoother when you get comfortable with someone, you know? Not as mechanical but more fun, seamless even.” He took another swig, “The more inspiration I get, the better the work is kind of deal so substance is everything. Substance meaning you, for instance, I know you’re gorgeous but what do you bring to the table. What are your passions?”

She chuckled at the response about the morphing her body. Being able to will your body to do whatever it wants was nice but it was hard when you listened to everybody else and not your heart. When he said fuck them, she was sort of shocked. Nobody ever told her that. It was amazing advice. Mallory cared more about what everybody else thought and cared more about making other people happy... never one thought about what would make her happy. She needed to take that advice to heart and actually do it. Chael would be pretty mad if she told him off though. That was one thing she never would do. If he did not appreciate her tattoo, then he didn't... that's not her fault. She adored the tattoo and adored many things about herself.

She nodded to the question he asked. It was perfectly fine with him to discuss a photo shoot. Mallory never thought she would be a model, but when she was in Hogwarts she did not focus on her beauty she focused on the beauty of the clothes around her. Mallory always was a pretty girl, but when she matured she earned a different kind of beauty. She became more strong and independent since she left school and acquired the taste of being an adult. Personally, she was glad she did not finish school. It would've held her back and she would have not gained even more knowledge or the experience she acquired currently. He continued and Mallory listened, he mentioned her being gorgeous and she couldn't help to chuckle slightly. She wasn't called gorgeous often. When he asked about passions, she smiled. "I love art... one of my main passions in school was to become an interior designer or fashion designer." She chuckled. She was not sure if he meant that about passions but she continued, "I also love astronomy. Not sure what else... I am not good about my passions... not even my relationships are super passionate." That was true. Chael was her first real boyfriend. She had many other boyfriends, but first one she was faithful and was with him for a while. Most of her boyfriends lasted a week. Chael was comfort, not really passion.

He let his free arm drape over the top of the couch behind Mallory, it was easy for him to feel more comfortable around her at this point. He spoke, “That’s brilliant. You know…we could always have you model in your own pieces…whatever you design…just an idea for you...but go on...” He took a healthy swig of his wine, wanting something stronger as he noticed the half-filled cup. When she finished, Julian looked to her, a bit perplexed. Passion was everything to the wizard, sometimes too much, but it helped when he needed to express. It was hard for him to imagine an artist without it…how they would be…just existing and throwing talents to waste. Not living up to her potential…it was saddening, really since she had no stimulation.

But the wizard had been there before, for a long time, in fact. Right after dropping out and all the nonsense with his mother and Amara, he couldn’t focus on his skill, he remembered being angry and bitter. Working jobs that he knew he would be miserable if he’d stayed. And then he turned numb, distant even. Only showing himself through his work…which is how he got recognized in the first place. He eventually turned his hurt into passion, to inspiration when he finally found something to direct his energy into and challenge him in positive ways. And he was also fortunate enough to find someone who believed in his abilities, “I’ve been there before, trying to figure out what it was that sparked me up… To not have that desire, that hunger in a relationship…especially with you...I can’t even imagine what the hell that would look like…” He shook his head though playfully, he was astonished. Mallory was a goddess, it was obvious to anyone who saw her. Sure, there was connection to take into consideration but...it was hard for him to imagine indifference when she was involved in a bedroom like scenery.

“All of my relationships, monogamous or not, seem to be…perhaps too passionate…to intense at times.” He looked to her, “Honestly you just have to let go of your limitations…things might be holding you back that you don’t even realize are problems…” The wizard trailed off. Something clicked for him as the words left his lips. He’d held onto so much in his life…was he really the person to be giving out advice? Even his confusion with Eva was a problem for him that he held onto, Amara, Elaine. Women that did little to nothing for him besides drive him nuts. Well not so much Elaine, she’s just sexy, he thought shamelessly. He threw back the rest of his wine, sitting in silence for a moment to collect his thoughts.

Model her own clothing line? That would be pretty awesome if she could do that. Mallory never thought about even attempting that. Normally they sat on her dummy and looked pretty. Thinking about it... it was a pretty brilliant idea. Mallory was instantly inspired, "If you want I could work on a few pieces if you give me an idea of where we can shoot. Then I could make some pieces that would match with the scenery. Working my pieces with your pieces." She smiled gently at him. Two artists morphing their work together. It was nice to get some support with her art. Her family wanted her to be a mediwizard just like them, her brother was supportive of everything but her romance. Every bit of the people around her were supportive of something around her but not everything. It made her feel like she was never good enough. It was pretty nice with someone who is appreciative of her art.

When he spoke about the spark, she listened to him. She couldn't help to chuckle slightly when he mentioned he wouldn't know what the hell that would look like. Mallory really never thought about being around another guy. Chael was the person who has been there for her since her fifth year. They were together for four years. Julian was a lot like Mallory. They both had the same artistic view at life. He had passion though, which Mallory lacked. Chael was her completely opposite, but that is what made them work. What she needed, he had. What he needed in life, Mallory had. As he continued to talk, Mallory listened. She was beginning to get sleepy. It was not from the conversation. The woman was actually enjoying the conversation... It was from the wine and pain from the tattoo. It exhausted her. Mallory tried to hold back a yawn and tried to hide her sleepiness as he spoke. She just listened to his words. His advice hit her pretty hold. Mallory held back a lot of things that she knew were problems, but what was she holding back that she did not realize was a problem... that would be some investigating for her. Mallory did have a bad habit since she moved out on her own that she held back her emotions to people and was not as blunt as she was in Hogwarts. Mallory just was realizing that she could effect people's emotions and life with the words she said. In Hogwarts she really did not give a care. She cheated, she teased people, and sometimes she was just mean. During the battle when she was hurt and it seemed like nobody cared, that was the point she realized she needed to be nicer.

Mallory bit her lip, still thinking. They both sat there in silence. Finally, she spoke up. "I hold a lot back that I know are problems..." She stared at the wine, just thinking more. She was really getting sleepy. She could feel her eyelids getting heavy on her and even her body felt heavy. Mallory did not want to fall asleep with him there. That would be rude. She grabbed her wine and took a swig from it. She hoped that would keep her awake, but it did not. Mallory begun to drift off to sleep. She laid her head back on the back of her sofa and felt his arm there. Well, isn't this going to be awkward. Mallory dozed off and her body feel right into the curve of his arm and body. She had no clue she was basically sleeping on him.

[gahh sorry if it sucks]

When Mallory finally spoke Julian came back to the present, she agreed that let things or people in her life hold her back. Julian nodded, “It’s alright love. We all do, you just have to acknowledge when it happens and prevent it from happening again. People will drive you mad if you listen to them but ultimately they’re not you, they don’t think the same way. You have to follow what you want in life and if you don't know what exactly that is sometimes you just need to take a break so that you can get yourself back on track…which reminds me…how would you feel about going to Italy with me? There’s a tattoo convention out there in a few weeks and it seems like an awesome idea to do the shoot out there with your pieces and…” Julian trailed off once he noticed the sudden weight on the side of his body. He looked down to his side to see Mallory fast asleep on him.

Uhhhhh. What a peculiar position to be in. Shit. Had Julian honestly put her to sleep by talking or was she just exhausted? Julian couldn’t help but to smile and fight back a laugh or two at the situation, it was comical. How the hell was he supposed to get up with her on him? He didn’t want to wake her up either, that was an awkward moment waiting to happen. He tried to think while he looked down at her. Alright, think mate, and he slowly reached for his wand in his pocket, very carefully as to not wake up the sleeping beauty. Once he got his hands on hit and jimmied it free from his pocket, he whispered, “Accio pillow,” and a pillow came, from what he guessed was her bedroom, and floated over to him. Julian managed to place the pillow between him and Mallory and very carefully got up so that the pillow now took his place and Mallory was still fast asleep, mission accomplished, disaster avoided. He found a blanket in close proximity to cover her with before the wizard quietly collect his things and when he was finished he left Mallory a small letter on her table that read:

Mallory,
Good morning sunshine.
I must say you, falling asleep on me has left me wondering if perhaps I should brush up on my small talk with the ladies.
At any rate, I had mentioned Italy for our photo shoot during your undetected slumber and the offer still stands.
I’ll be headed out there in a few weeks for a tattoo convention but afterwards we can get to work on our shoot.
And maybe check out a pub or something, whatever strikes you.
Money is not an issue I got it covered, so please do not decline my offer if that’s what makes you hesitant.

Send me an owl with your response and when you say yes, (which you should) I’ll give you the rest of the details.

-Julian

And with that the tattooed wizard threw his book bag over his should and very quietly made his way out of the witches flat and started on his way to the bar.