Amelia Eva Steinbeck 📚 Teacher 📚 Witch 📚 Available for pop culture consultation regarding the arts, literature, and other foreign mediums of expression.
NOTE
I will block at my discretion. You have been warned.
Message @steinbeck
BIRTHDAY DIRECTORY QR CODE
NAME: Amelia Eva Steinbeck BIRTHDAY: February 28th FAV CAKE FLAVOR: Mixed berries, whipped cream, and lemon curd
WHAT THEY WANT MOST FOR THEIR BIRTHDAY: For her AP Lit. class to pass their test w/ a 3 or higher.
['Euryale' is a familiar term for a literature teacher such as herself but she wants to listen to Gale instead of interjecting. What he describes is not unlike the Western zodiac where being born under a star implies a certain set of traits. And isn't Gale's fitting?
Amelia takes his place and leans down to look through the eyepiece, pausing to push her glasses up to balance on her head.]
Pisces is late winter or early spring. For you, a late summer would mean you're born under Leo.
[He hums thoughtfully as he considers, moving behind her and lightly running his hands up the length of her arms to rest gently against her shoulders, looking up at the sky to appreciate those constellations that could be seen by the naked eye.]
Late winter or early spring... that would be Ches or Tarsakh, placing you under Balance or Sage. I can see arguments for both, but those born under the Sage are said to bear the Omen of Imagination. Brilliant minds, sharp wits, destined to solve life's greatest puzzles.
[Though he stands behind her, she can undoubtedly hear the affectionate smile in his voice.]
[She can feel his hands on her shoulders as she looks through the telescope and it makes her smile. There's nothing about his warmth that Amelia wants to shy away from at the moment.]
Omen of Imagination, huh? I'll take it. It sounds similar enough to a Pisces.
[Her eye takes in Gale's lucky star and then she notes that with the other stars around them, there are some similarities to constellations she can recall but for everything else, some reviewing would be needed. Standing up straight, she turns her head to Gale.]
What does Tarsakh look like? I'll try to find it and see if I get some extra luck tonight.
The month of Tarsakh shares its name with the star at the very point of the Sage's staff— also the brightest star in the constellation, as it so happens.
[His heart swells at her eagerness to seek out her own star, though he knows he should hardly be surprised that she would take an interest.]
If you look to the northwest, there should be a collection of stars that look something like a figure in robes holding a staff, if you can imagine such a thing.
[Says the wizard standing there wearing robes, as he so often does, and he gives a soft chuckle. If she needs a reference, there he is!]
[With a nod, she goes back to the telescope. After a minute or two and a bit of maneuvering of the instrument to point northwest, there's a pause when she makes out a particularly bright star.]
This one?
[Amelia moves aside for Gale to take a turn at the telescope.]
I'm no astronomer but I hope that my visual guessing isn't off.
[His smirk pulls to one side as though he's prepared to be particularly critical of her findings, but as he leans in to look for himself, he lets out another soft hum of approval, grinning when he stands once more.]
Well-spotted! You do have quite the knack for this, though I can't say that surprises me, astronomer or otherwise.
[She's exceptionally bright; it's one of the things that had most commanded his attention when they'd first met.]
Now that you've found it, tradition says you'll be blessed with good fortune in the coming year.
[He laughs openly as color floods to his cheeks again, physically unable to stop smiling as he takes a step closer to her and drops his hands to rest against her hips.]
Now, that sounds like something I would say. I must be rubbing off on you.
[He could certainly get used to that. He leans down to kiss her; he's almost proud of himself for having made it this far without doing so, dinner and stargazing both serving as excellent distractions, but he does make an effort to keep the kiss just this side of chaste, soft and lingering as it is.]
I'd say we're both long overdue for some good fortune.
[He can probably feel her smile through the gentle kiss and she returns it in equal measure while her fingers graze his jawline. She draws back but stays close enough that his forehead can touch hers.]
I have my moments. It's not inaccurate to say that you've become somewhat of an inspiration for them.
[A chill passes through and her hands find their way to Gale's as they rest against her hips.]
Back the blanket then? I like looking at the stars from there.
[He gladly rests his forehead against hers given the opportunity, his pulse quickening with the curve of her smile against his lips, the warmth of her hands over his.]
Of course— as you wish.
[He'd ensured they would be as comfortable as possible for their night of stargazing, the plush blanket and pillows not necessarily the most practical for a picnic, but practicality mattered a great deal less when you had magic on hand. As they return to settle in, he waves a hand so that what remains of their dinner is neatly set aside, still within reach if they decide to sample any more of it, but offering them plenty of space to stretch out and make themselves quite at home to fully appreciate the star-studded canvas above them.
He nudges a round velvet pillow in her direction as they seat themselves, the same deep burgundy as the wine his Mage Hand had poured for them earlier, and takes another for himself before he reclines, putting one hand behind his head while leaving the other free.]
I took care not to make it quite as cold as Waterdeep would be this time of year, but should we have need of it—
[Another wave of his hand and flick of his wrist and a second deep purple blanket appears between them, to be used as she sees fit.]
[Amelia sits with her legs tucked under herself as Gale settles them in with the pillows and newly summoned blanket between them. Humming under her breath, she takes the blanket and makes sure it's spread evenly to cover them both before she lies on her side just looking at Gale.
Surely, she'll look at the stars again soon.]
Coming from a warm and dry climate, this is cold for me.
[Her hand finds his under the blanket and she has it rest between her jaw and neck.]
[Those stars aren't going anywhere. After he does his part to help drape the blanket over the two of them, Gale shifts onto his side to face her, that smile of his persisting as she takes his hand and lays it against her neck, the pad of his thumb tracing the line of her jaw. Taking that as an answer to his own unspoken invitation, he inches closer, leaning in to rest his forehead against hers a second time.]
Far be it from me to deny a lady what she wants.
[His fingers curl against the back of her neck and into her hair, one slipping beneath her ear as it eases back, and he leans in to press his lips against hers once more, feeling that same flutter in his chest that he had the first time. That, he knows, will never get old; he parts his lips and swears he can taste a hint of the wine lingering on hers, a soft sigh of contentment escaping him against the sweet curve of her mouth.]
You look truly beautiful tonight. The very stars above cannot even dream to compare.
[Their kiss was like wine itself; indulgent, smooth, and something Amelia could get utterly lost in by drinking him all up for herself. Her hand presses against his chest and she lets out a low laugh against his lips at his adulation.]
That's a lot, Gale. [But she sounds pleased, regardless.]
[There's a teasing lilt to his voice as he asks without pulling away, though her hand against his chest does still his efforts for the moment, his heart beating steadily beneath her touch.]
Do you not trust me to be a gentleman?
[Though he knows she's absolutely right, it could get dangerous and escalate quickly, just as their first kiss beneath the mistletoe had, but the chill of the evening should certainly be enough of a deterrent— or so he tells himself.]
[And she surprises herself by how easily she admits it. Amelia shifts under the blanket so that it covers the lower half of her face. It makes her look cozier, contrasting with the soft and ardent glow in her eyes.]
We're playing it by ear after all.
... But this is nice. [She curls up some more and rests her forehead against Gale's chest.]
Just being next to you feels like a long rest at the end of the day.
[The admission causes his gaze to soften, easy at it comes, and he feels another bout of fluttering move through him— he had forgotten what it felt like, to have something that felt new but warm and reassuring, safe. He has always wondered about his place in the world, always felt the need to be better than he is, to be more, whatever it took to rise to those heights he's so aspired to since his youth—
But Amelia doesn't care about what he's capable of back home, about his reputation, about who he was. She only knows him as he is here. Not Gale of Waterdeep, but simply Gale. He never thought he would find that so comforting as he does now.
He drops his chin as she curls up against him, dropping a kiss atop her head and softly inhaling the scent of her hair.]
I feel quite the same.
[He almost sounds a bit surprised by that, himself.]
I... truly cannot remember the last time I felt so at peace.
[For far too long, Amelia hardly ever felt safe. She always had to stay weary of the Witch King's whims and spend long hours alone in that mansion, trapped by a world of snow and ice outside of its walls. Magic was not a wondrous art, but an arduous task that swallowed the whole of her life.
Outside of that, she was nothing. She left the cage to find no one left for her. It took so many more years to rebuild that no one would have blamed her if she had given up.
... But as Gale kisses the top of her head (she smells a little like honey and rosemary), Amelia feels the distance between herself and those early years. She too, feels peace.]
... I'm glad I can make you feel that way. [She makes a sound that's akin to a chuckle.]
I often spend the majority of my time being impassive or intimidating. But that never really put you off from the beginning, did it?
[He chuckles softly against her hair, shifting to put his arm around her shoulders beneath their shared blanket and letting his hand come to rest against her back, lighting tracing aimless shapes between her shoulderblades.]
If anything, it only made me curious to learn more. Whatever was underneath that exterior, I was certain it was worth finding. How could I resist such a puzzle?
[His tone is as playful as it is fond, but his words are nothing short of genuine. With her curled against his chest, he's nearly forgotten the stars; his heartbeat has slowed and steadied itself, its rhythm gentle beneath her touch despite the efforts of the orb. Even that pain feels insignificant in this moment.]
Fortunately, I'm a very patient man, but I was hardly surprised to learn that I was right. I often am, of course.
[For all intents and purposes, Amelia was sure that was a moment that would put him off from her. She was immature and bull-headed over a silly game and overreacted to the results. And at that time she was confused and angry about feeling like a fool.]
I don't think I properly apologized for that. I was... Not thinking clearly.
[She rests her head on the pillow again.]
So, I'm sorry. I know the water is under the bridge but it needs to be said.
Apology unnecessary, but accepted. I was being a bit of a sore—
[He cuts himself off before he can say 'loser,' because he still maintains it was a draw, but he chuckles and reaches over to lightly brush a bit of her hair back from her face as she settles back in.]
Well. I think we can both agree it was all very silly, hm? I think we both got a bit carried away, but it would seem pride is something we have in common.
[They're both prideful but it is of varying shades. Gale had accolades, the favor of a goddess, and pure raw talent. Amelia? Well, it was all that she had left and even that was questionable.
Her eyes are half-lidded as if she's about to fall asleep. Instead, she keeps her gaze on Gale and her fingers reach up to trace the outline of his beard and then...]
... You have a lot of scars, don't you Gale?
[They're faded and faint but up close, she can see every jagged line and how they fade into the creases of his face whenever he smiles. Not to mention the dark veins that come from the orb's markings that travel from his chest, up to his neck.
Amelia wonders if she'll have enough time to memorize them all.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
no subject
Amelia takes his place and leans down to look through the eyepiece, pausing to push her glasses up to balance on her head.]
Pisces is late winter or early spring. For you, a late summer would mean you're born under Leo.
no subject
[He hums thoughtfully as he considers, moving behind her and lightly running his hands up the length of her arms to rest gently against her shoulders, looking up at the sky to appreciate those constellations that could be seen by the naked eye.]
Late winter or early spring... that would be Ches or Tarsakh, placing you under Balance or Sage. I can see arguments for both, but those born under the Sage are said to bear the Omen of Imagination. Brilliant minds, sharp wits, destined to solve life's greatest puzzles.
[Though he stands behind her, she can undoubtedly hear the affectionate smile in his voice.]
I rather think that suits.
no subject
Omen of Imagination, huh? I'll take it. It sounds similar enough to a Pisces.
[Her eye takes in Gale's lucky star and then she notes that with the other stars around them, there are some similarities to constellations she can recall but for everything else, some reviewing would be needed. Standing up straight, she turns her head to Gale.]
What does Tarsakh look like? I'll try to find it and see if I get some extra luck tonight.
no subject
[His heart swells at her eagerness to seek out her own star, though he knows he should hardly be surprised that she would take an interest.]
If you look to the northwest, there should be a collection of stars that look something like a figure in robes holding a staff, if you can imagine such a thing.
[Says the wizard standing there wearing robes, as he so often does, and he gives a soft chuckle. If she needs a reference, there he is!]
no subject
This one?
[Amelia moves aside for Gale to take a turn at the telescope.]
I'm no astronomer but I hope that my visual guessing isn't off.
no subject
[His smirk pulls to one side as though he's prepared to be particularly critical of her findings, but as he leans in to look for himself, he lets out another soft hum of approval, grinning when he stands once more.]
Well-spotted! You do have quite the knack for this, though I can't say that surprises me, astronomer or otherwise.
[She's exceptionally bright; it's one of the things that had most commanded his attention when they'd first met.]
Now that you've found it, tradition says you'll be blessed with good fortune in the coming year.
no subject
[Amelia crosses her arms at Gale with a light kind of smile as he praises and gives her the result of her fortune.]
I don't know, Gale. I think my good fortunate already happened and he's standing right in front of me.
no subject
Now, that sounds like something I would say. I must be rubbing off on you.
[He could certainly get used to that. He leans down to kiss her; he's almost proud of himself for having made it this far without doing so, dinner and stargazing both serving as excellent distractions, but he does make an effort to keep the kiss just this side of chaste, soft and lingering as it is.]
I'd say we're both long overdue for some good fortune.
no subject
I have my moments. It's not inaccurate to say that you've become somewhat of an inspiration for them.
[A chill passes through and her hands find their way to Gale's as they rest against her hips.]
Back the blanket then? I like looking at the stars from there.
no subject
Of course— as you wish.
[He'd ensured they would be as comfortable as possible for their night of stargazing, the plush blanket and pillows not necessarily the most practical for a picnic, but practicality mattered a great deal less when you had magic on hand. As they return to settle in, he waves a hand so that what remains of their dinner is neatly set aside, still within reach if they decide to sample any more of it, but offering them plenty of space to stretch out and make themselves quite at home to fully appreciate the star-studded canvas above them.
He nudges a round velvet pillow in her direction as they seat themselves, the same deep burgundy as the wine his Mage Hand had poured for them earlier, and takes another for himself before he reclines, putting one hand behind his head while leaving the other free.]
I took care not to make it quite as cold as Waterdeep would be this time of year, but should we have need of it—
[Another wave of his hand and flick of his wrist and a second deep purple blanket appears between them, to be used as she sees fit.]
no subject
Surely, she'll look at the stars again soon.]
Coming from a warm and dry climate, this is cold for me.
[Her hand finds his under the blanket and she has it rest between her jaw and neck.]
So I'll be needing this.
no subject
Far be it from me to deny a lady what she wants.
[His fingers curl against the back of her neck and into her hair, one slipping beneath her ear as it eases back, and he leans in to press his lips against hers once more, feeling that same flutter in his chest that he had the first time. That, he knows, will never get old; he parts his lips and swears he can taste a hint of the wine lingering on hers, a soft sigh of contentment escaping him against the sweet curve of her mouth.]
You look truly beautiful tonight. The very stars above cannot even dream to compare.
no subject
That's a lot, Gale. [But she sounds pleased, regardless.]
And this could get dangerous, don't you think?
no subject
[There's a teasing lilt to his voice as he asks without pulling away, though her hand against his chest does still his efforts for the moment, his heart beating steadily beneath her touch.]
Do you not trust me to be a gentleman?
[Though he knows she's absolutely right, it could get dangerous and escalate quickly, just as their first kiss beneath the mistletoe had, but the chill of the evening should certainly be enough of a deterrent— or so he tells himself.]
no subject
[And she surprises herself by how easily she admits it. Amelia shifts under the blanket so that it covers the lower half of her face. It makes her look cozier, contrasting with the soft and ardent glow in her eyes.]
We're playing it by ear after all.
... But this is nice. [She curls up some more and rests her forehead against Gale's chest.]
Just being next to you feels like a long rest at the end of the day.
no subject
But Amelia doesn't care about what he's capable of back home, about his reputation, about who he was. She only knows him as he is here. Not Gale of Waterdeep, but simply Gale. He never thought he would find that so comforting as he does now.
He drops his chin as she curls up against him, dropping a kiss atop her head and softly inhaling the scent of her hair.]
I feel quite the same.
[He almost sounds a bit surprised by that, himself.]
I... truly cannot remember the last time I felt so at peace.
no subject
Outside of that, she was nothing. She left the cage to find no one left for her. It took so many more years to rebuild that no one would have blamed her if she had given up.
... But as Gale kisses the top of her head (she smells a little like honey and rosemary), Amelia feels the distance between herself and those early years. She too, feels peace.]
... I'm glad I can make you feel that way. [She makes a sound that's akin to a chuckle.]
I often spend the majority of my time being impassive or intimidating. But that never really put you off from the beginning, did it?
no subject
[He chuckles softly against her hair, shifting to put his arm around her shoulders beneath their shared blanket and letting his hand come to rest against her back, lighting tracing aimless shapes between her shoulderblades.]
If anything, it only made me curious to learn more. Whatever was underneath that exterior, I was certain it was worth finding. How could I resist such a puzzle?
[His tone is as playful as it is fond, but his words are nothing short of genuine. With her curled against his chest, he's nearly forgotten the stars; his heartbeat has slowed and steadied itself, its rhythm gentle beneath her touch despite the efforts of the orb. Even that pain feels insignificant in this moment.]
Fortunately, I'm a very patient man, but I was hardly surprised to learn that I was right. I often am, of course.
no subject
[His assertion makes Amelia lift herself so she's resting her weight on her elbows to make a bemused look at Gale.]
You were wrong about who won the Pocky game.
[yeah that was the one time so what]
no subject
That again.
[Oh, he hasn't forgotten.]
Looking back, I still believe I won. I got to kiss you.
[Ha!]
no subject
Were you aiming for a kiss back then? Or was that unintentional?
no subject
Unintentional, I'm afraid— swept up in the spirit of competition as I was— but I can't say I was unhappy about it.
[Which is to say that if she was wondering if he liked her then, the answer is yes.]
no subject
I don't think I properly apologized for that. I was... Not thinking clearly.
[She rests her head on the pillow again.]
So, I'm sorry. I know the water is under the bridge but it needs to be said.
no subject
[He cuts himself off before he can say 'loser,' because he still maintains it was a draw, but he chuckles and reaches over to lightly brush a bit of her hair back from her face as she settles back in.]
Well. I think we can both agree it was all very silly, hm? I think we both got a bit carried away, but it would seem pride is something we have in common.
no subject
Her eyes are half-lidded as if she's about to fall asleep. Instead, she keeps her gaze on Gale and her fingers reach up to trace the outline of his beard and then...]
... You have a lot of scars, don't you Gale?
[They're faded and faint but up close, she can see every jagged line and how they fade into the creases of his face whenever he smiles. Not to mention the dark veins that come from the orb's markings that travel from his chest, up to his neck.
Amelia wonders if she'll have enough time to memorize them all.]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
autofill why
2gale2handle
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
1/2
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)