Decadence- The Arcana One Shots

The Magician's Flower- Julian Devorak

Scents of moon-lilies and white hyacinths tickled your nose as you made your way through the flower district. It was close to midnight in Vesuvia, and the usually crowded streets were now quiet. The moon was full- a sign of good luck- and it lit your way back to your shop like a silver beacon, guiding you home.

In your arms you clutched a lilac flower, detailed with silver tendrils that stretched towards the full moon. Asra had said it was the fated "Magician's Flower"- a plant that amplified a magician's luck of utilized correctly. It had been a long, arduous night of searching, but you'd finally found the fated plant. And now, all you had to do was pot it and you could finally head to sleep.

Except, when you rounded the corner, it seemed that sleep would have to wait.

Hunched by the back window of your shop was a tall, lanky figure cloaked in a black cape. They were peering through the glass, two gloved hands clutching the window.

"Hey!" You cried. "What do you think you're doing?!"

Startled, the figure turned and held up its hands in surrender. A hint of red flashed in the moonlight, and with a jolt you realized the figure was masked in a long, pointed plague mask. A plague doctor.

Magic rushed to your fingers and you marched right up to the doctor. "Who are you? What are you doing here?"

"Excuse me- there seems to be a misunderstanding-" the masked figure replied. "I know the owner."

"I am the owner," you hissed, magic flaring. "You have three seconds to give me an explanation before I turn you into a frog."

To your surprise, the doctor chuckled.

"I bet you're Asra's new apprentice. My, my, you certainly are tenacious, aren't you? I can see why Asra likes you so much." He mused.

Wait, he knows Asra?

"You know Asra?" You blinked in surprise.

The man chuckled again. "Well, I told you I knew the owner, didn't I? I suppose he hasn't told you about me. I wouldn't be surprised... allow me to introduce myself: my name is Dr. Julian Devorak." The man slipped off his mask, and your heart jumped in your throat.

Looking back at you was the most heart-breaking your handsome face you had ever seen. He wore an eyepatch, but it only added to the mystery shadowed in his face. Sharp cheekbones framed smoldering eyes, which smiled seductively at you under a mop of curly auburn hair.

"I- uh-" you swallowed uncomfortably. "(Y/N) (L/N)."

"What a beautiful name," Julian murmured. He took your hand gently in his, a warm smile on his lips, and bent forward to plant a soft kiss to the back of your palm. "It's a pleasure to meet you, (Y/N)."

"Likewise," you breathed, shivers running up and down your spine. "I'm sorry- I didn't realize that you know Asra. Is he expecting you?"

"Not exactly- I came by to pick up an old book that belonged to me. I seem to have lost my key, though." Julian replied with a sheepish grin.

"Well, you're in luck. I'm heading in now." You smiled bashfully, fishing a key out of your pocket. You unlocked the door and you and Julian walked inside.

Once you'd set the flower down, you lit the lamps with a flick of your hand. Julian seemed slightly startled at the sudden light, but he quickly regained his calm demeanor.

"No matter how much time I spend around magicians, I'll never get used to that." Julian chuckled.

You flushed, busying yourself with re-potting the Magician's Flower. "Well, it's certainly easier than doing it by hand."

"I should think so." Julian cracked a grin. "Thank you for letting me in- I'm lucky you were there."

"Oh, it's no trouble. I was just coming back from the forest." You replied. "Asra sent me to get some supplies."

Julian came to stand by your side, peering at the Magician's Flower over your shoulder. You became acutely aware of your breathing and the way your shoulder touched his chest ever-so-slightly when you inhaled. "To get this, I assume?" He said softly, his breath tickling your ear. He reached one arm across your wrist to touch one of the petals. A small laugh escaped him when the petal seemed to lean into his touch.

You giggled softly. "It's the Magician's Flower. It can only be picked by a magician on the night of a full moon. It's supposed to grant luck to those around it." You watched it wrap a leaf around his finger. "It likes you."

"It's... cute." Julian

You tilted your head slightly, fingers drifting over the petals. "I guess it is. We'll have to see if it actually does bring luck, though."

"I disagree." Julian said, drawing his hand back.

You turned to him, raising an eyebrow. "Is that so?"

A ray of moonlight sparkled in Julian's good eye. "I believe so. Any plant that leads to our meeting must be lucky."

You laughed, warmth making your chest fuzzy. "I suppose you're right."

Julian dipped his head with a grin. You could just make out the tips of a cherry blush from under the curls of his hair. "I always am. But it's getting late, and you must be tired. I'll leave you to rest."

You wanted to tell him to stay- to sit with you until the sun rose just so you could look into those smoldering eyes and learn everything there was to know about him- but you couldn't deny the fatigue weighing down your bones.

"I'll see you again, won't I?" You found yourself asking.

Julian grinned, his eye meeting yours once again. "I have a feeling you won't be able to get rid of me, dear (Y/N)." He kissed your hand once more and strapped his mask back on. "I'll see you around."

"Bye." You breathed, watching the door close behind the mysterious docotor.

For a moment, you sat in the peaceful air of the shop, letting the last butterflies disappear from your stomach. You felt like you had been drinking, except your mind had never been more clear.

Turning to the Magician's Flower, you chuckled. Julian was right- if a flower could lead you to a man like that, it was a very lucky plant indeed.