I called this scene: Preparing for a Date
Anthony battled with his reflection –he was dressed in a starched-pressed suit; fiery auburn hair back combed and curling slightly at his nape while his wings stretched out like blooming roses on his back –he didn’t like it one bit.
“Lucian, are you sure this is how Light Angels dress to impress?”
The self-declared style expert pursed his lips arrogantly.
“Anthony, my reputation is at stake here.”
“So is my dignity.”
“Yes, yes,” said the lavender Angel absently; hands busily adjusting Anthony’s tie. Stepping back, he beamed –a master reveling in his masterpiece.
“You’re staring…” the warning tone was a startling contrast to the sleek and demure exterior; a warrior domesticated.
Lashes the color of mulberries fluttered disapprovingly. “Going on a date…,” he paused, trying to think of an easier analogy for the Fire Ordinal to understand. “Ah, it’s like going to a long drawn out war. You must be well prepared which means you need to understand your enemy –play on her strengths and exploit her weaknesses to your advantage.”
Anthony scowled.
“No nasty faces!” A sharp tap on his shoulder. “Rule number one involves talking –and I don’t mean your usual one word per hour –but serious conversation. First you say something then she says something then you say something again and the cycle repeats. Understand?”
The instruction was so ridiculous that Anthony simply rolled his eyes in response.
That earned him another tap on the shoulder. “Never, never roll your eyes!”
Anthony couldn’t help it. It was a reflex to roll his eyes at the ludicrousness of the situation. That of course gave Lucian the opportunity to jab a finger at him.
“Julia might be drawn in by the whole cold, uninterested and mystical thing you’ve got going on, but if that is all you’ve got to offer her then I’ve got news for you Angel, you’re going to bore her.”
The sudden seriousness in which Lucian displayed reminded Anthony that laughter and pompous displays were just a mask for the Light Angel’s true strength and masculinity. This was the same Ordinal who had hacked an Archangel to bite sized pieces. (to be confirmed)
He deserved a respectful ear.
“Would you suggest me to be more like… you?” The thought didn’t appeal to Anthony.
Neither did it appeal to Lucian for he stuck out his tongue in disgust. “Even if you tried, you’d be like those cheap imitations on Canal Street –the only thing you can read from those ten bucks a watch is that it shouldn’t spell Rodex.”
The Fire Angel kept his insults at bay by focusing on the bouquet of –whatever the hell it was –and tried to imagine her reaction.
“Is it just the women or do Light Angels have an affinity for those?”
“You mean calla lilies?”
“I mean flowers in general.” But Anthony had mentally stored the name of the flower.
Lucian stared; obviously insulted and shocked. “Have you seen Vlinder’s wings? Seriously, that Angel puts all butterflies to shame.”
“And your point?” Anthony’s lips thinned.
“Color is the reason for our existence and vice versa. Light Angels love symbols and oddities –which is probably why she finds you fascinating. But my point is, you chose the flowers and she will like it.”
“Thank you for that commentary Lucian.” Anthony picked up the bouquet and took a whiff. It smelled –well, it smelled like how flowers should smell. He hadn’t bothered to inquire the name at the florist when the slender form of the silky white petals had screamed ‘Julia’ at him.
“Just remember, this isn’t the usual case of veni, vedi, vici. You have to want to prolong this courtship. Don’t just plunge right to the end –which I know you want to –but savor the moment, get to know each other beyond your roles as Ordinals.”
Anthony managed a smirk. For all his flamboyance, Lucian sure gave good advice.
“Thank you Lucian.”
“You should thank Archangel Aria instead. She’s the one who forced me to prime you for the big night.”
The corners of his lips tugged into a smile. “I am now ready.”
***
The moment he stepped out of the elevator on Julia’s private floor, Anthony decided he wasn’t ready after all.
Where his own quarters were austere in their stark white furniture and naked walls, Julia’s was splashed in warm pastels; the combination almost eclectic but still daringly sensuous and inviting…
That dress.
It was all he could think about when she glided into his view.
Her curves were barely contained under the billowing white satin, with straps on the brink of snapping. But it was the exposed column of her back that drew his complete rapture –the dress appearing just above her tailbone.
“You look…” Bitable, he wanted to say but recalling Lucian’s words, stopped himself. “You might catch a cold in that dress.” Anthony decided practical words were the safest.
“I’m sure you know how to heat things up.”
Breathe, he told himself. “If necessary.”
Her laughter told him she enjoyed his discomfort. “Is that for me?”
Anthony looked down at his hands. The flowers! “Yes.”
The luminance in her eyes flickered with delight as she took the blooms, drawing in its scent and caressing her cheek against the tender petals. Anthony watched as she carefully placed it into a vase and gave the flowers one last decadent whiff.
“Are we flying?”
His view of her back was interrupted when she turned to face him. Julia must be insane if she thought he’d let her fly in that.
“No, I am driving.”
Hooking her hand under his arm, she looked up and smiled. Her Fire Angel was sharp to the point as always. It had always intrigued her to know what lay beneath his uncharacteristic layer of frost. Julia had seen his temper, even experienced a single searing kiss but beyond that?
What made this particular Fire Angel laugh or cry or show emotion for that matter? Did he find her as fascinating as she found him?
“Julia?” His voice sounded uncertain –even tensed. Julia found it adorable.
“Yes, I’m ready.”
She almost heard him sigh in relief.
I know as readers you already have an image of how the characters look like, but I thought I'd just share the images that I use to roughly help me describe the characters. Sometimes of course pictures that I find are unsatisfactory so then imagination is my next best friend.
Then I did a haphazard Photoshop job to roughly show how 'fiery' his wings should look. Lol! Okay I'm sure I described him better than this picture.
In contrast, I found this lovely picture and knew instantly that it was perfect for a female Light Angel -either Julia or Noor. Of course both of them have almost white hair but it's the wings that I was getting at.
Wings made entirely of Light -how miraculously beautiful. But facewise -no one jumped out at me.
So how about you? How do you imagine my characters to be like?
