One fine day in the middle of the night...

It was almost eerie to be back in the same flat, the very same room she had been in when Calixta had gotten that fateful message from her brother. Yet there she was, curling her hair around her wand at the mirror with a pensive look on her face. She'd been back at work for the past two weeks, and hadn't spent a whole lot of time in her room, quite on purpose. Being away from her family only heightened her anxiety, and the mere sight of the fireplace was enough to set her heart racing at random intervals. Tonight was the exception because sharing a flat with four other people meant she couldn't exactly hog the bathroom to get ready for her date.

For the first time since she'd gotten back, Calixta was in a truly good mood as she got ready, even singing to herself as she thought about how soon she'd been seeing Bastian again. She'd donned an airy silk gown for the occasion, chosen for its lightweight breathability in the high humidity, and pale in colour, with golden flowers creeping up towards her waist from the hem. It was pretty enough to be a wedding dress, but she didn't care; having spotted it in a shop window, she had to have it, and it was her birthday, after it. The dress was probably too formal for the occasion but seeing Bastian was rare enough that she felt the trip warranted it.

With a final flourish of her hand, Calixta's hair was finished, and it was the work of a minute for her to get her makeup on. She'd learned from experience it was best to keep these things light, since it'd all just melt off in the heat, anyway, and so she let her freckles peek out. Some light mascara and a rosy lipstick finished off the look, and she pinned her curls up off her neck, finally finished. She stood and leaned against one of the posts of her four-poster bed, staring out of the window at the rapidly setting sun, waiting.

Bastain came in with a pop from is portkey carring flowers in one hand and wrapped present in another, he imagined he looked quite typical of a boyfirend wanting to please his girlfirend. it was her birthday after all of course he wanted to please her. He was wearing a set of nice n looking Dress rodes. he wasn't miuch for complicated fashions. The simpler the better was his motto.

He walked up to the address he had been given to see Calixta, and checked the time, he sighed slightly annoyed with himself.. he was a little late. Only by five minutes, as he had got out of work late, rushed to get home and change. almost forgot the flowers and gifts. He shock his head, hoping Calixta didn't mind.

He knocked on the door, eager to see her, which was understandable, as he hadn't seen her in weeks yet, and looked forward to the hours ahead.

It was one of Calixta's flatmates who opened the door. The tall, gangly ginger took one good look at Bastian, scowled slightly, and turned over his shoulder, hollering for Calixta.

"Oy, Cali! Yer boyfriend's here," he called out, and she ran over to her bedroom door, skidding slightly on her heels, and thrust it open, peeking her head out shyly as she caught a familiar glimpse of her dark-haired beau.

"Thanks Trevor," she replied, walking towards the front door without once taking her eyes off of Bastian. "Why don't you go put a shirt on?" she hinted, rolling her eyes and tossing Bastian an apologetic grin.

"Bas, this is Trevor, one of my coworkers and, obviously, one of the flatmates. Trevor, you obviously know who this is," she said, finally reaching Bastian and automatically wrapping her arms around him. Even in her heels, she had to lean up to reach his lips, and upon Calixta kissing Bastian quite soundly, Trevor rolled his eyes and sauntered off to his room, closing the door behind him.

"Thank you for the flowers, they're beautiful!" she added, tightening her hug. "I really missed you!"

Bastain chuckled and put a arm around her waist, she looked beautiful, like a angel even.. the dress, her hair and make up were perfect.

"Aye, I missed you as well, and Happy Birthday Darlin" he said casting a spell on her gifts of float beside them as he twirled her around for a moment. "Ya looked beautiful" he murmered to her after a moment.

He had missed her dearly since her departure, he was always wondering how she was doing, or if they found something that would let them come home sooner... But most of all he hoped she was well. Luckily by the look of things she seemed quite well indeed, and just for that he placed a kiss on her forhead just for the sake of it.

Calixta giggled as Bastian swung her around, surprised by the unexpected gesture. Now that she was back in his arms, she didn't want to leave, and it would have taken a force of nature to get her to tear her eyes away from him at that moment.

"Thank you," she murmured back, going a bit pink at the compliment. "You look...just wonderful. A sight for sore eyes, that's for certain. How did you ever conspire to be so handsome?" she joked, biting her lip.

"You really know how to sweep a girl off her feet...and, Merlin! Are all those for me?" she asked incredulously, finally catching sight of the presents floating beside them.

Bastain shrugged and chuckled at her comment to his own looks not really sure what to say.
He looked at the presents and nodded, " Aye Lass, Unless it is someone else birthday I am confused with?" he murmered.

Looking at the wrapped presents, one was from him of course and there was another from Violet and Julian. The the idea had been entirely Violet's Julian helped from what he knew of, unless his brother added something he wasn't sure.

He suddenly wanted her to open his first as he thought it would go good with her dress and the rest of the evening.

He plucked a small box off the top of the pile, and handed it to her, "Want to open one now?" he asked.

Calixta looked up at Bastian with a huge smile, almost childishly pleased at the prospect of opening presents. She wasn't yet so old as to dread birthdays, and in fact, now that she was dating Bastian, she was rather looking forward to the big 3-0, still three years away.

"Of course I want to! Let's sit down, shall we? And you can set those flowers down someplace....oh, there would do," she realised, looking back at the main sitting area behind them. The little glass coffee table was bare, and, plucking her wand out of seemingly nowhere, Calixta whirled a vase out of its tip and set it down on the table, putting the flowers in it.

"There!" she said admiringly to Bastian, sitting down and beckoning Bastian towards her. It was then that she caught sight of the small box he had in hand, and for a moment her mind went down a very Laeticia-like route, until she realised the box was not quite that small, with a mixture of relief and regret. It was definitely still jewlery, she guessed. Gently, she took it from him and unwrapped it rather neatly. She'd guessed right -- it was a very beautiful locket that made Calixta's breath catch in her throat.

"Bas!" she cried in surprise, fingers already combing through the package to free the necklace from its confines. "It's beautiful! Can you help me put it on?" she asked, holding the locket out to him.

Bastain grined glad and relieved she liked it, he had almost been afriad she would think the box was an ring or something.. not quite yet.. they still only known each other for a few months, and had yet to really talk about the issue. Thought he didn't want to ruin her plan for herself so he would wait until they were both ready... for now. He always did like the element of surprise though..

"Of course Darlin" he was too happy to put the locket around her neck. As he placed on rhe clasp he place a kiss on her neck as well. " I am glad you like it Lass, it looks Lovely on ya" he murmered, still quite contention wrapping his arms around her once again, They had all night, of which he was glad, he wondered it going out to the villiage to look around there was warented.

"Want to open your other one? or save it for later?" he asked motioning to the other presents he had carried along. The one from Violet was an enchanted tresure chest of course perfect for putting all her treaure in.. even came with a key.

Calixta took advantage of Bastian's sudden proximity to her, and closed the tiny gap between them with a kiss. Having missed such things rather terribly in her absence, she might have gotten a bit carried away, forgetting that they were right in the main room of the flat, and that she had flatmates...they were interrupted by the appearance of another such a person, clearing their throat discreetly as she walked past, into the kitchen.

"Havin' a good birthday, Cali?" Katerina asked, smirking as she retrieved a bottle of butter beer from the fridge. With a blush, Calixta pulled away from Bastian and realised he'd even asked her a question, which she had completely forgotten about.

"Oh -- yeah, thanks," she stammered, looking rather sheepish. They should probably head out or move out of the main room, she realised...but there was still another present, which reminded her of Bastian's question.

"Oh, right! Yes, erm...well I don't really mind, I think. If you wanted to head out, we could, or if you wanted to go to my room and open this one now, that's fine too...I know it's my birthday but I want you to decide. I'm just happy you're here, honestly," she told Bastian with an earnest look that provoked Katerina to mime getting sick in the rubbish bin.

Bastain laughed, "Ja, Darlin, we can take the other one with us and ya can open it later" he said taking the only slightly larger box and shrinking it enough to fit in his pocket. For now going out for a walk might calm things down.

"Pleasure meetin you Lass" he said to Calixta flatemate with a nod and then wrapped an arm around Calixta. He had certianlly missed her as well, anywhere they went together he was happy to go. He led the way to the front door the same he just came in from and opened the door.

"Ladies first Lass" he said moving his arm for her to step a head

Calixta stepped out of the flat and onto the sidewalk; for once they'd gotten one that wasn't a walkup several levels up. The night was just slightly cooler than the apartment, but more humid, and she was instantly grateful for the lightness of the dress she'd picked out. Linking her arm through Bastian's, she walked at a leisurely pace, looking up at him more than she was looking ahead. The city of Kapar was beautiful in the moonlight, and from their position at the top of a very tall hill, they could just make out the lights of Kuala Lumpur, which looked like stars at this distance -- but it was nothing Calixta hadn't gotten used to fairly quickly.

Having Bastian with her made her appreciate the view much more, and suddenly it struck her forcibly that she was in a beautiful foreign country with her beautiful foreign boyfriend and everything was as perfect as it could possible be, and she said as much. "I'm a very lucky woman," she started, looking almost shy.

"Thank you so much for coming, Bas. It means so much to me...I know you're very busy and you must be missing work to do this..."

Bastian shook his head yet still smiling, "Darlin, I would take you over work anyday, just like any other man in love with his girlfirend" he said squeezing her hand slightly. He was looking at her and the veiw and together they looked like a beutiful painting.

"Darlin I am the lucky one.." he said as he walked closer to the villiage along side her. It was beautiful out. Thought it was warmer then what he was used to, be had thought of that though and had a cooling charm on his clothing, he would take off the charm if and when it got cooler. The last thing he wanted to do right then was sweat all over Calixta.

"Now how have yeah been? " he asked curious to how she was and how well her work was going, though he was mainly more concerned with her own well being.

"You're so sweet," Calixta replied, blushing slightly in response to Bastian's words. She slipped her arm around his waist as they walked towards the shore, without a particular destination in mind. There were a number of nice restaurants and shops along the waterline and so she headed for it as she leaned her head against Bastian's shoulder.

"I expect it's been quite the same for me as it has for you: busy. Except I'm sweating it out here and you're in England," she shrugged, gesturing towards the deepened tan she'd acquired during her second trip out.

"Mostly, though...I just really miss you, and my family. I have to admit...despite how much I love my job, I don't like being away right now. It's safer here for me, but what about them? What about you?...I've been contemplating perhaps taking a leave of absence. I'm not sure yet though....there's a lot that goes into that decision."

Bastian nodded it was difficult decision to make, things in England were rather tense right at the present moment, especially after there ministers shooting. No one new who it was who had done it, and some people were pointing fingers. But that all it was, a "witch hunt"...

"It is your choice Darlin, your family is doing well, from what I could see of my visits with them" he said, though like anywhere else in the wizarding world no one was safe.. completely, there was a risk of getting caught in cross fire at the moment.

"Do what you feel is right" he said, as he didn't know what was right for her in that regard, anywhere was dangerous really.. He was fine, with his job and connections for the moment, he wasn't a target for attack.. Though should more attack happen on families like the Harpers, that may change.

Calixta sighed, and then thinking better of it, turned and placed a kiss on Bastian's jaw, whihch was the closest bit of bare skin she could reach. She lingered for a moment, enjoying his familiar, pleasant smell. As usual, his mere presence was soothing to her, and she began to see that perhaps she was making a mountain out of a molehill, so to speak.

"I'm probably overreacting," she admitted, grinning sheepishly. "The house is well-fortified and Innis is improving and you work in the Ministry, you're hardly defenceless. I suppose the truth is that I hate feeling like I'm running away from danger, leaving my family to face it without me. I mean I've been trained to go into dangerous situations, not away from them. It's not in my nature to run. But they're fine without me." She shrugged, finally admitting the truth of it.

Somehow, coming back to Malaysia made her feel like a coward...she wanted to be in England, actively looking for whoever attacked her family, instead of letting the Ministry search. But that was their job, and this was hers. She could only hope that whoever was assigned to their case was as passionate about their job as she was about hers, or else she might just go back to England, cursed treasure be damned.

The end of her little speech found them standing at a crossroads -- the obvious sybolism nearly made her laugh out loud. They'd reached the end of her street, and the road before them ran perpendicular, following the shoreline as far as the eye could see in both directions. This street was significantly busier than her own, with lots to attract the eye in the way of bright, colourful signs for the various restaurants and shops that dotted the coast. Calixta was in a quieter mood, however, and not particularly hungry. It occurred to her that she'd never asked if Bastian had anything particular in mind -- she'd simply assumed that they were just kind of winging it. Which was fine with her, because suddenly, looking up at Bastian's handsome profile in the semidarkness, she fancied a little walk along the beach, away from the usual distractions.

"Hey -- are you hungry? Or could I interest you in a stroll on the beach? The water is very nice and warm, and even the sand is better than back in England -- very fine and soft, like powder. We can eat later, I just -- I really miss you, and I guess I kind of want you to myself a little longer, if that's agreeable."

Bastin nodded in agreement, he could wait for dinner, The evening was perfect for it anyway, "You'll get no arguement from me Lass, a walk on the beach it is" he said with a chuckle, he had missed her as well.

He kissed her again, thinking about her word she had said, he didn't feel as of she was running away from danger. In fact he felt her job was dangerous enough, she might have been over thinking it a bit. "Your family is strong Darlin, like you... Your moving on with life, as are they" he said simply. Life waited for no one he had come to learn, it is bast you move along with it or you would get left behind.

He decided he liked the beach a walk idea, it was seeming like mini vacation, with the sun setting on the blue horizon and the sky turning various shade blues oranges and pinks it looked beautiful. And the warm breeze that blue across the beach was almost heavenly. The only issue was he was very over dressed for a beach walk...

"One sec Lass, my current attire just won't do" he muttered and took out his wand, he transfigured his cloths into something lighter, still looked nice, just more beach friendly.

"There" he finished wrapping an arm around her again. Now ready for the sandy beach and water.

Calixta took a look at the sand and realised her heels were not the most practical for their walk, either. With a little sigh at losing the little bit of height they'd given her, she leaned against Bastian for support and took them off, promptly tapping them with her wand and shrinking them so they fit easily in her small beaded bag. Since her dress was long, but light, she simply picked the bottom up and tossed it over her arm along with her bag, and leaned into Bastian with her other arm.

She visibly cringed as she stepped one foot forward and sunk a bit into the sand, although it did feel pleasantly warm and soft beneath her feet, making it necessary to look way up at Bastian even more than usual. Having always been a bit sensitive about her "vertically challenged" state, of course she would end up dating someone over six feet tall. Such was her luck, although looking up into Bastian's eyes, it was hard to be terribly upset about it.

"I think I need stilts," she joked, as she gingerly picked her way towards the waterline, doing her best to keep her dress out of the sand and keep up with Bastian at the same time. His words echoed back to her as they moved forward -- she was moving on with her life, wasn't she? Even in the weeks leading up to the attack, she'd been making strides forward -- heck, just dating Bastian was a step forward. It was continuing the forward motion that had Calixta stumped; she'd never had a real, "serious" relationship in her adult life, and she felt like she kept bumping up against that obstacle awkwardly, unsure of how to conquer it.

Bastain observed Calixta for moment, and shook his head, she didn't need stilts or even the high healed shoes she always wore. She merely needed to hold her head high, and she would be be as tall as she felt.

He stroked his hand over her shoulder and planted a kiss on her cheek, hopeing to relaxe her on there little walk.

"Your perfect without them lass, Angel" he muttered knowing his opinion was biased, but he couldn't hurt to say so anyway. But truely believed it to be true, she looked like an angel in the dress, And she acted like and angel to. Brave, sweet and selfless.

As if to prove a point he twirled her round again, marveling how she looked in the dress.

Calixta giggled at the unexpected gesture, holding Bastian closer as a whirl of adrenaline kicked up invitingly, sending her heart fluttering in time to the wind that whipped her hair around her face. The look he gave her as he twirled her around sent a shiver down her spine completely unrelated to the wind; Bastian was no liar and was indeed staring at her as though she were some angel of divine beauty. Despite her skin being rather more tanned than usual, a blush managed to peek out from beneath the brownness, infusing her skin with a warm glow which matched the brightness in her eyes as she bestowed the same wondering look upon Bastian.

He was, in Calixta's estimation, the handsomest man she'd ever laid eyes on, and she'd seen plenty in travels. There was something more than a simple symmetry of his features, or a tall, regular bearing; it was the warmth behind the eyes, reminding her of Gubraithian fire -- a kind, loving spirit which would never quit striving for justice until the day his eyes closed forever. It was the way that merely being in his presence gave her a feeling of unshakeable well-being, and the way that even when she was upset with him, the thought of being parted from him was intolerable. It was the way that he'd made her fall madly in love with him before she was aware she'd even gotten halfway there, and the fact that he didn't even mean for it to happen. And so she responded the only way that was appropriate, given the feelings that were welling up in her chest as she stared up into his eyes, spellbound.

"I love you," she told him, as confident as the words were calm. At this point, her German had gotten so good that she scarcely noticed when they switched back and forth; she was pretty sure he didn't really notice either, except for when people were around. But they were alone, and she was free to say whatever she wanted, however she wanted.

"I think that, perhaps...in a way, I was waiting. After what happened...I wasn't interested, you know? I've met many handsome men, many kind men, many good men....and at some level I can't even explain, I just -- knew. They weren't for me. And so I carried on, without them, just fine on my own. Til I met you." She carefully stepped onto Bastian's feet, quite like a little girl might, and just as determined, arching up as far as she could on tiptoe. Her lips still fell short of his by a few inches, so she aimed her kiss instead for where the collar of his shirt met his skin.

"I don't even know how this happened," she admitted, her confession a murmur against Bastian's throat. "I'm sure you remember how scared I was, at first. And then, without me even realising, it just...stopped mattering anymore that I didn't know all the answers. We've found our way along just fine without them."

Bastain hunched over slightly not even thinking really to lips with her for a moment, he lightly cupped her chin in his hand. Her confession as it was, was heartfelt.

He held her close, the evening seeming like all time had stood still, it seemed like they both had been a important turn in the others life. He hadn't bothered with dating really.. not since his divorce and Annika's death. This was the first time he has fallen in love again... really truely. The feeling to be there for her, with her.. for as long as she wished him to be. He loved her so.. yet he lacked the words to fully voice what he truely meant.

He was ever so glad they had fallen for each other even if they had not intended to. they made it work, even the distence and there busy scheduals they had made it work. So from that moment he would protect and be by her side for as long as she allowed him.

"Cal.. Darlin I love ya unlike anyother you are smart , brave and wonderful" he muttered taking note he finally managed to use as shortaned version of her name. He had told her before his life was hardly anything special before her was with her, he as a cold man on the outside. His job was his job and minded his own business really... invisible to the rest of the world.. Now that he was important to someone and someone else was just as important to him.. things seemed to have lighten up.. and the world wasn't so grey now.

"Sometimes there isn't an answer Lass..." he said simply... an answer being for everything.. it just complicated matters.

"I am most honored that out of everyone you gave me a chance... I love you" he muttered again this time leaning down alittle to kiss her.

Taking advantage of the temporary proximity of Bastian's lips, Calixta leaned into his kiss, letting her bag and the hem of her dress fall the the ground so she could wrap her arms around him instead. She felt quite entitled to get lost in the moment a bit, as they only had so much time together before they both had to get back to the real world. The dreary thought reminded her that she had no idea when Bastian had to leave.

"I hate to ruin the moment -- you might have noticed that I'm rather enjoying myself, here...but I was wondering, how long can you stay? I'm fine spending our time just like this, but I just wanted to make sure that's okay." As standing on tiptoe was quickly getting very tiring, Calixta reluctantly returned to her own normal height, wrapping her arm around Bastian's waist and burying her head against his chest rather than straining herself to look up at him.

Bastian thought it over for how long he could stay, he came all the way to Malaysia, so for sure he would spend more the just a few hours with her. So he would at least spend the next day with her as well. He could afford to take the next day off work, he worked pretty hard over the weeks.. So one day of none of it would be nice, and marvelous to spend it with Calixta.

"Depends on how long you can have me around Lass, but I can stay till tomorrow night, or even the morning after that, up to you" he said with a chuckle tucking his arms around her back.

"I am content with doing whatever you want Darlin, it is quite peaceful out here" he said look out at the water and sand covered beach.

Calixta smiled at his answer; it was exactly what she wanted to hear. She gave Bastian a tight squeeze of affection and a happy laugh.

"I'll take you as long as I can get you, then! Next week we're off to the jungle again, and who knows how long it'll be before I have access to the Floo Network again! There's always owls, of course, but it's not the same...so your answer makes me happy. The necklace is lovely but as far as I'm concerned, you're my birthday present!" Calixta declared, gently untangling herself from Bastian and putting her hand into his.

Not forgetting her bag, she quickly dipped down and slung it over her shoulder again, picking up her dress with her free hand and tugging Bastian forwards with her other. As they were headed for the shore, she could have nothing else in mind but dipping her toes in the bath-warm water, although she cast a sceptical eye at Bastian's shoes, which clearly were not created with such spontanaeity in mind.

She let his hand go and, making sure her gown was well clear of the water, stepped in backwards, grinning mischievously at Bastian all the while. "Come on in, the water's fine," she teased, pretending to splash at him with one foot.

Bastian chucked at her mischievous look, and went along with her, anything to make her laugh, and the water did look inviting.. He almost wished they could swim actually, although Calixta seemed rather intent on keeping her dress dry.

He took off his shoes and walked through the warm pristine water.

"Have a question for you Lass, how intent are you on staying dry?" he asked returning a mischievous smirk. with magic and everything they could be dry again in a second.. or there was always the old fashion way he could leave his shirt behind anyway.. clean it later.

Yes there was a gleam in the germans eyes, he had a love for water he hadn't mentioned and the thought of taking the one he loved into the water... was a even more inviting Idea. Yet he didn't want to have to sleep in the dog house, if this was a wrong idea..

Calixta recognised the spark in Bastian's eye; if she could have seen herself at that moment, she would have known that it exactly matched her own. She could have cheered at his suggestion, and waded back out onto the sand for a moment, eagerly shedding her pretty dress in a neat heap where the water didn't reach.

"Does that answer your question?" she asked, modelling for Bastian the white cotton slip she wore underneath her birthday dress. It was very simple, but well-made, with just a smattering of lace at the top of the bodice, and hitting just above her knees. A moment later found her bounding back towards Bastian, laughing excitedly as she took his hands on her own.

"I take it you know how to swim?"