Who: Therese Bonaccord & Michal Conway Lynch
What: ADORABLE THINGS? OH MON DIEU!
Where: Falmouth shoreline!
When: Today!

She had been walking along the Falmouth beaches for some time now, the sun was nearly hitting the horizon and that told her it had been at least two hours. As much as Therese loved the city and the rapid pace it moved, she’d come to the realization that a change in atmosphere might be the best thing for her. Her mind had been a constant whirl these past few months, and it was time for her to put everything to a halt to reassess her current situation.

There would be no more sex outside of a (semi-established) relationship. Therese didn’t blame Rupert for her madness, but the adrenaline rush he caused in her had finally waned and she realized she wanted more for herself at this time in her life. Thankfully she found no regrets, and that helped her conscience weigh a little lighter on her shoulders. The stress her ex-boyfriend was causing her, however...

Therese took in a deep breath of sea air as she continued along the stretch of beach. She was not going to think of Rupert, and she was definitely not going to think of Remy. This was the beginning of her fresh start.

After spending countless hours in Mungo’s for Seth and his brother, Michal could not find it within himself to care enough to move from this spot on the beach. It was as if his presence was necessary here, waiting for his energy to return or witness an especially amazing event within the waves. Maybe it was just that he was able to justifiably wear sunglasses here. He enjoyed wearing sunglasses.

He should really come out here more. Michal would admit he was by no means a beach dweller, and had seldom used the beach that came with his house. It had always just been... there, something nice to look at, but not anything worth investing his time into. He supposed he would have to thank Seth for forcing him to come out here earlier, but his friends would never hear those exact words from him.

Just as Michal was beginning to form the thought that he should probably head inside in an hour, he spotted a lone figure making its way across the shoreline. Intrigued, he watched as it approached. Usually, any person wasn’t worth this kind of attention, but was that....?

Refusing to move from his chair, Michal waited until Therese was much closer before addressing her. “Hello,” he stated, scrunching his nose a bit while looking up to her. What was she doing here, exactly?

His voice jolted her out of her deep thoughts and it took a lot of strength on Therese’s part not to yelp. She had been accosted far too many times in the past few weeks by her stealthy, auror ex-boyfriend to not immediately assume she’d been followed, but as the situation registered in her head, Therese realized that this was a much different situation. She blinked down at the person and had to stare for a couple of seconds before it dawned on her who exactly was behind those sunglasses. Her cheeks heated up and she hoped she’d gained enough sun from her walk to cover up the blush.

“Michal Conway,” she said, resting her hands on her hips, trying not to seem too surprised. It was Falmouth, after all, but she hadn’t expected one of its quidditch players to be lounging on the beach, especially one she’d drunkenly snogged at a wedding. Her luck was pretty miserable, these days.

This was not someone Therese ever thought she would run into again. She had sworn off quidditch events and matches, so how on earth had she ended up within five feet of him? She toed the sand, resisting pulling down the hem of her cover up in nervousness, “Enjoying the sun?”

He significantly brightened at her proper use of his name. Not many people got it right, and Michal readily admitted he significantly judged anyone that misused it. Which was practically everyone, especially reporters--- which he enjoyed, it giving him good reason to completely ignore them. Not that really needed a reason to do it anyway.

The point was that Therese had only solidified his determination to keep his interest in her going. Their interaction at his cousin’s wedding had been, in all intents and purposes, not where he had hoped they would finish, making this encounter with her instilling his usual need to upkeep the chase.

“Surprisingly, yes,” he drawled, leaning back in his chair. “I was told I should use my beachfront more, so...” Michal trailed off, giving a slight wave to his house behind him. Which was true; his sister had a right fun time telling him off about that after a casual mention of hardly ever stepping into the bay of his team’s homesake.

“But I live here. What are you doing here?” Michal had thought of a cleverer delivery, but then he realized being blunt really was far too easy and too much fun. After speaking, he took his time to look her up and down, enjoying that at the very least beaches lead to smaller and tighter clothing.

Beachfront property! Therese would never make it to work if she had such a view right at her doorstep. It was amazing how different the lives of these players were, but Therese knew how badly it could mess them up. Maybe they weren't so different after all.

“The beaches of Falmouth are world renown for their beauty, I’m simply taking them in.” There was nothing like the repetitive crashing of the waves against the shore to help clear one’s mind. Therese felt the need to clear her thoughts now, but that would be rude and how would she ever keep his attention if---Her weekend with Mackenzie and the other girls came to mind. She'd bombarded them with most of her latest issues, and the consensus had been that she was giving in too easily. She had been hurt and was now scared to do anything that could ruin a potentially interesting relationship. Therese had been doing what she believed everyone else wanted...

The nervous, anxious Therese that she had gotten used to in the past few years would have already blurted an apology to Michal for leaving the wedding abruptly before things could get too far, but that would cause her to lose the upper hand. Mackenzie had insisted Therese wake up her inner Slytherin, and with that thought she sent a little wave toward Michal Conway and continued her walk along the beach, "It was nice seeing you," she said with a smile over her shoulder.

Merlin. He was an all-star quidditch player, he probably had a girl waiting for him back in his house. What about her would make him want to follow her down the beach? She had to walk like she believed she was something to chase after.

Wait---- Michal sat up straight with Therese’s impending departure, jaw a touch ajar. That was not what he wanted to accomplish. How had that happened, exactly? Miffed, he slouched slightly. Feeling the burn of abrupt, albeit slight, passivity was not something he had experienced in a while. It did not--- nope. He was not going to accept this; they would separate on his terms, thank you very much. None of this waving and smiling over the shoulder business.

Refraining from calling out to her, he instead hopped from his seat, intent on simply appearing beside her momentarily. Taking long strides, it did not take Michal too long to catch up to her. He shoved his hands in the pockets of his zip up before looking at her.

“Falmouth, renown? That’s generous,” he spoke, a slight grin on his face. While he enjoyed the town that had been his home for many years now, Michal would be the first to admit the only thing going for it was it’s quidditch team. Muggles did seem to enjoy skirting around in the water of the bay, too, he had noticed, but they were there so much he wondered if they became just as bored as the wizards did here.

“Do you also enjoy perusing the northern isles for their inhabited landscapes?” He couldn’t help but tease; if she was going to attempt to blow him off, he was at least allowed to do that.

It took much effort on her part not to smile, not to grin like an idiot at sight of him beside her. Coming after her. Therese could not remember the last time she’d been the one that was pursued and it was thrilling. She managed to cover up her excitement, feeling as if she were once again walking the corridors of Hogwarts and ignoring the advances of the boys who simply did not suit her needs. She would have to thank Mackenzie for reminding her that she was more than capable of capturing a bloke’s attentions in ways that didn’t involve snogging against a wall. Or an alleyway.

“The rolling highlands of Scotland,” she laughed, “Hey, they could prove interesting...there’s a dragon reserve up there, no? Standing a hundred yards away from fire breathing monsters...so very fun.” Therese smiled, having no desire to visit a dragon pen, but she did appreciate the majesty of nature. She would just rather appreciate it in picture form, though the beach was much easier to see for herself than the fiery, dirty pit a dragon reserve must be.

“I am more of a city girl,” Therese admitted. There was nothing like roaming the city at night, when everyone was still alive and awake when the rest of the countryside had retired for the day. Knowing that she was not the only person who ready to do something always excited her. She smiled at him again, her lips curving up into a smirk. “Avez-vous jamais allé à Paris?"

Did he look like someone that could speak french? Or better yet, someone that desired to speak french? No. Michal was perfectly content on staying within the UK-- though if anyone in his family asked, then he was simply dying for the next opportunity to go back to Poland. Nevertheless, his small victory of obtaining her attention was now short lived with his absolute distaste for the french language. Polish had been enough of a hassle, and even now Michal would openly admit it was alright at best.

“I do not speak french,” he responded bluntly, shaking his head with a small laugh. He wasn’t even going to attempt at understanding what she had said, though he supposed it had something to do with Paris (a word most recognizable). But, he supposed she would not enjoy hearing that he hadn’t been in a long time, and hadn’t really enjoyed it enough to return. That might just break her french-speaking little heart.

Michal let out another laugh, and brought his hands closer together in their pockets. The wind had begun to pick up, and not to say that he was cold.... but it was cold. “But cities are alright, I guess. Sometimes,” he thought for a moment, not completely believing himself. That wasn’t completely true. “I could do without the quidditch hoards.”

His blunt response made her laugh. All right, so no French unless she wanted to ruffle his feathers, which could actually prove to be entertaining. Therese was getting the feeling that Michal did not appreciate being out of sorts. She didn’t appreciate it either, but for some reason it was terribly fun and amusing when you weren’t on the receiving end. Therese recalled her days at Hogwarts. For the most part she stayed within a Slytherin social group, but terrorizing Matilda Rowle in various, passive-aggressive ways was always something she had been up for. That was another person that did not speak French and very much did not enjoy it when Therese did. Maybe it was the chance to feel as if you had the upper hand that made it so easy to do.

It was getting chilly, but Therese hadn’t packed anything; if she grew tired of the beach she would simply apparate back to her flat. Her feet in the sand were still rather comfortable, however, unless a wave decided to come up too far and cover them past her ankles.

“It’s easier to disappear in the city,” she said, kicking some water in his direction. Therese flushed but smiled, and she shied away immediately, unsure where the the impulse had come from. She was, however, wise enough to anticipate retaliation. It was strange to her, to have committed such a natural, relaxed action with someone she hardly knew, but she supposed a frantic snog at a wedding could break down some of the usual barriers. It seemed to be the way she broke the ice these days.

“Easier than in the world-renown Falmouth?” he teased, cocking one brow up in an amused manner. Michal wasn’t entirely sure why he was taking this stance on cities, they weren’t as bad as he was making her think he thought they were. But when did he not stretch the truth for the good of an amusing conversation? Practically everyday... with practically everyone.

Michal was just about to open his mouth with another comment when the distinctly cold and wet feeling of water contact made his skin jump. That was---! An act she surely knew that could not go without retaliation. A wry grin formed on his face once he stopped walking, and he took the moment to look fully upon her. It may have been too generous of a preemptive sign of attack, but then where would the fun in that be?
Jumping quick, he hooked one arm around her waist in a good effort to drag her into the chilly waters with him. With every further step, Michal almost regretted hauling himself down with her. Almost.

“Sorry!” he spoke loudly, and most unapologetically.

She managed a shriek before they splashed down into the water. Therese managed a quick breath before completely submerging, and her eyes shut tightly to avoid the burn of the salt water. Her hands gripped at Michal, hoping he’d have some sort of balance in the water as she didn’t want to get swept away by the small, rolling waves. She couldn’t recall the last time she’d actually been in the ocean, and the strange not-so-silent silence of being underwater was shocking in a pleasant way. It was a completely different world for a moment.

Her feet found footing on the rocky, slippery ground below and Therese burst up from the water, looking a bit lost as her hair was now plastered to her face. Her arms had gone over his shoulders to save herself, and it made it easier to stand and deal with the water. It also made it easier to realize that she was once again within close proximity with Michal Conway Lynch, and she wasn’t sure what to do about it. Well, she knew what she wanted to do about it, but her friends’ words rung in her eyes and she intended to make them proud.

Her hand moved to push some hair out of his face, lingering at the base of his neck. “I don’t believe you’re sorry at all,” she chided with a grin.

Michal pressed his mouth together in an amused manner, choosing not to respond. Instead, he shrugged his shoulders in an innocent manner, taking the time to watch her movements. No one could deny that Therese was an attractive woman, so this current situation of theirs was not one Michal would contest--- ever. And while he knew exactly where he wanted this to go, something told him that Therese would not follow his lead as keenly as other women he had shown interest in. Which meant... well, he wasn’t exactly sure. But since when had winging it come back to bite him in the arse?

Seldom, because he was just that smooth. Or at least, he liked to think so, and in reality was just able to think quick on his feet.

He kept arm hanging loose on her waist, at the very least finding her body to be a pleasant warmth to the chilly waves. “I’m not sorry,” Michal spoke in a smug manner, a smile still playing on his lips. Just as she had reached to push hair out of his face, he tucked a chunk of hair behind her ear before cupping his hand on the side of her face under it. It wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world to have a right snog session in the waves at sundown-- girls loved that kind of romantic--- stuff. But, alas, he had better plans for what would happen next, and it did not include that. Yet, anyway.

Taking the couple of moments to look at her seriously, Michal waited until his free arm was in position. Then--- “Whoops,” he declared, his serious face cracking as he pushed his palm forward across the water, directing a rather good wave of water at her. Grinning wide, he backed up as far as he could from her, knowing fully well that act would not go unpunished.

Therese wasn’t as slick. She let out a squeak again at the unexpected water to the face and immediately began to splash at him, slapping the water mercilessly. It was a fun time, her laughter mixing in with the uncontrollable screams of getting splashed, ducked under the water, and pushed around by the waves. There had been no intention of going into the water when she made her way out to Falmouth, but Therese was certainly pleased with the change of plans. While she was trying to cut back on how extreme her spontaneity had become these past few months, it was still invigorating to enjoy a little twist in your day.

Soon she felt like she would drown from all the water she’d swallowed and Therese laughed her way back up to the beach, moving quickly to escape Michal’s grasp (jumping, squealing, and slapping some water in his direction). Pushing her hair out of her face so she could see, Therese made it to the sand and promptly dropped down, needing to catch her breath and maybe try to nonchalantly get the water out of her ears. She stretched out her legs, wondering if the sun would still be warm enough to help her dry off.

She put her hand up to block the sun. The sight of Michal soaking wet was something she would not complain about. Therese sat up a bit straighter, dropping her hands back to the sand to prop her up. “How on Earth did you manage to keep your sunglasses on?”

His zip-up had become too heavy for comfort, so the first chance Michal got out of the water, he pulled it off and promptly tossed it to the ground. Then following Therese’s lead, he fell backward onto the sand to catch his breath. When was the last time he had done something like that? Froliced in the water like a girl, with a girl? Good thing he had never taken the time to get to know his neighbors, or else there might’ve been an embarrassing interaction in the making.

Michal laughed loudly, resting his hands on his forehead as he looked up at the sky. “I’m just that brilliant,” he sighed, shaking his head slightly. Honestly, he had forgotten about them completely until she mentioned it--- which was probably a bad thing, that his eyes had adjusted so much to a darker view than what it actually was outside. Oh well.

Letting out another content sigh, he lifted his head slightly to watch Therese out of the corner of his eye. This was... nice. “I need to come out here more,” Michal stated, shifting to rest his head on his hands. He also needed to figure out her schedule to ‘conveniently’ create another run in, but that wasn’t a worry; he knew he would run into her again. The shore wasn’t that big, and it certainly wasn’t like he had a hectic lifestyle, with his affinity to refusing to do almost anything anyone demanded of him on pure principle.

The ocean did seem to have healing powers. The ocean, the sun, nature seemed to be the key. Maybe she should move her sessions outdoors, to give her patients some much needed exposure to the natural healing remedies the summer provided. Therese pulled her gaze off the ocean to smile down at Michal. Running into him had certainly been a pleasant surprise. He’d intrigued her enough at the wedding to allow herself to be whisked off to a dark corner, and now he’d proven that it wasn’t just her wedding-bells blues that made him interesting.

The thought made her smile grow. He’d followed her down the beach, he’d teased and played with her and flung her into the ocean; it made her feel wanted in a way she hadn’t felt in a long time. Therese let out a breath; she should take the initiative before a wave literally came crashing down on them.

“You do,” she said simply, shifting in the sand. Therese leaned over, putting her hand to his shoulder before kissing him, having a good feeling that he wouldn’t mind the gesture. He tasted like the ocean and she shut her eyes to revel in the moment.