Scorpion's touch

Aftermath

I stood examining the wreckage in my room, Ivy and Sir Malcom were both stood by my side. "And you think it was the creature we seek?" He asked.
"I would assume so. I mean how many of them can there be? They do rather stand out." Ivy answered.
"I can't stay in this foul room." I snapped, storming out. "Then stay in my room." Ivy suggested, following me down the stairs whilst Sir Malcom rushed after us. "Did you sense anything last night?" He asked.
"No."
"Can you try?"
"I can't summon these things up." I growled.
"It was in your house. In your room! For God's sake do something!" He cried. "You don't think I'm trying? Leave me alone!" I yelled.
"Don't you know why we're doing this? Don't you remember Mina? I lost my family!" He spat.
"And I lost mine, do you remember that?!" I shouted back. Ivy took a step forwards but I gave her a look and she backed off. "I'll try." I said simply.

~One hour later~

Ivy had calmed me down and sat me at the little table in the lounge with my tarot cards. I ran my hands along them. There was something soothing about that simple motion. I reached out, selecting a card before adding it to the three already in front of me before selecting one final card to form a cross shape with them. "Vanessa... help me." Someone whispered. I flipped over the cards. The V of cups, the moon. Without warning piercing screams and the sound of a rocking boat invaded my ears. The screams got louder and louder. My gaze found the painting of ships docked in the harbour. I sped down the hall to where Sir Malcom and Ivy were. "And what did you see?" Ivy asked. "I don't know it was like an echo that had already passed. But two of the cards suggested a ship. Or something to do with a river trade. Something terrible happening with the ship."
"The port of London do you think?" Ivy asked. "I believe so."
"I'll check the shipping records and see what I can discover." Sir Malcom said.

~That night~

I was in Ivy's room. She'd insisted that I stayed in there with her as I did not wish to stay in my room for the moment. We had also agreed that it would be safer. I was secretly thrilled at the prospect of spending nights with her once more but I wasn't going to let her know that. A tentative knock at the door interrupted my train of thought. "Vanessa?" Ivy asked nervously.
"You can come in. It's your room." I laughed. "I know." She replied, laughing as well. I loved her laugh. It was sweet and clear as a bell. "I just didn't want to walk in on you changing." She explained, opening the door. "That's quite alright." I smiled. "What was it that you wanted?" I asked her.
"I was wondering." She began "Do you have any dinner plans tonight?" She blurted going bright red. "I do now." I grinned before saying "I'll meet you downstairs in half an hour." Ivy nodded, smiling before leaving the room. I rushed about, getting out my black and gold dress, brushing my hair and putting it up into a bun. I heard noises coming from the other side of the wall and hid a smile. Ivy was getting ready too.

~Half an hour later~

I quickly headed down the stairs to see Ivy ready and waiting. She wore a green dress that contrasted with her dark hair which was neatly brushed and tumbling down her back in natural gentle waves. "That's a beautiful dress Vanessa!" She exclaimed. "Please may I see the whole picture?" She asked. I turned around slowly so she could examine my dress from all angles. "I love it!" She said.
"Sir Malcom!" I called. "Ivy and I are going out if that's ok."
"Come here a second Vanessa?" Sir Malcom requested. "Go ahead." Ivy said, nodding at me. I hurried off into the drawing room where Sir Malcom was. "I love that dress." He said.
"You don't think it's a bit too..?"
"No. It's perfect. Is it a date then?" He asked. "No! Of course not!" I cried, blushing deeply. "Are you sure?"
"I don't know."
"Do you want it to be?" He asked.
"Yes" I muttered, blushing even more, my pale skin flooding with colour. "I've known since you first met Ivy, Vanessa." Said Sir Malcom matter of factly. "I can see it in your eyes every time you look at her too. I can see it in her eyes too. You should act on your feelings Vanessa. I think you'd both be very pleased with the results." He said knowingly. "Maybe I will Sir Malcom. Maybe I will."
"Go now Vanessa. You don't want to keep Ivy waiting." He smirked before I dashed off back to Ivy. "Ready?" She asked. "Ready." I replied before leaving the house with her. We wandered down the lamp lit streets before coming to a restaurant. We ordered with the waiter who seated us at our table before beginning to talk. "You look really beautiful tonight." Ivy commented. "That dress brings out your eyes. It makes the blue look even more beautiful." Ivy said in a rush. I silently vowed never to loose this dress before replying "Thank you. I love your dress as well."
"Thank you." I studied Ivy carefully before noticing that she had her hand on the table. Undetected, I did the same. Come on, Vanessa. I thought. It's simple just reach out and grab her hand. After several minutes I finally snaked my hand out and took hers before holding it in mine. Ivy looked pleasantly surprised and didn't pull away, blushing even more than she did before. "Your meal Madame." The waiter said before handing me a plate of chicken and vegetables. "Here you go." He said to Ivy handing her a plate of vegetables, smiling at her. "Thanks Matt." She grinned. He winked at her before walking off. "Do you know him?" I asked.
"Yes. I used to work here. We became good friends." She replied. We began to eat, talking whenever we weren't chewing. When we had finished our meal, Matt came over. "Here." She said, trying to pay the bill. "No, I've got this." I insisted. "This ones on the house, ladies." Matt winked once more before departing. "Bye!" Ivy called after him before turning to face me. "Shall we go?" She asked. "Ok." I smiled. We walked once more down the lamp lit streets. My breath caught in my throat every time the light caught Ivy's face. I couldn't wait any more. "Stop!" I cried to Ivy. She paused under a street lamp.
"What is it?" She asked curiously. I didn't reply. I simply kissed her. She stood, frozen for a moment before kissing me deeply back. After several minutes we pulled away breathless. "I love you." Ivy murmured, looking up at me. "I love you too." I replied before kissing her once more.