📜🎩 T H E ☆ M A G I C I A N - Act 47 (Patreon)

Content possibilities: original content, w/w(?) or overall queerness, fluff, angst, hurt & comfort, asexuality/demisexuality, cryptid (?) pregnancy, nb(?)preg, sexual & kink awakening, stuffing, nausea, gender ambiguity, partially male presenting pregnancy, birth, transphobia, dysphoria, depression & suicidal thoughts, parental conflicts, use of alcohol and other drugs, demons, religions & mythology (diverse), cursing, belly focus

▶ Read all from the start
Part I Acts: 1-3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 l 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19
Part II Acts: 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 28½ | 29 | 30 | 30½ | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 41½ | 42 | 43
Part III Acts: 44 | 45 | 46 

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T H E  ☆  M A G I C I A N

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Act 47

Mary

Her date seemed to be enjoying herself, so Mary was more than pleased. As she had never done anything like this before, she had little clue to what people usually did on such occasions: Melodie’s being content was all that mattered to her.

The second time they took the Watercress line seemed just as entertaining for the magician as the first time, if not moreso. They even had a little chat about how nice the weather was, and to Mary’s surprise, this small talk didn’t bother her at all. For the first time, discussing the weather was enjoyable and increased her sense of connection, rather than reducing it. Was this how people usually felt when they talked about such simple topics? If so, Mary had really been missing out. She had always felt very alienated from other people, as if she didn’t belong. People and the way they bonded with one another were a secret sealed book of rules to her; even though people did seem to like Mary, usually extending a simple level of politeness and kindness toward her, she was certain that she was just as distant from them, too. At least, in a way: a mystery, maybe.

And now that Mary was actually interacting with someone whose whole scheme meant being a mystery, she honestly felt close for once and understood the other in a way that didn’t need any deeper conversations.

Melodie just kind of got her. And Mary felt like she sort of got Melodie, too, even though she hid beneath so many secrets and mannerisms. It was hard to explain in words; it just felt right.

This time, they rode the train only for a short while and got off at Ropley Station for their next activity: a stroll through a rural British village.

“How are you holding up, Melodie?” Mary asked with honest interest when the pair got off the train.

The magician took a long look at her.

“Are you okay?” Mary advanced, nervously.

For a moment, her date looked disjointed, then emerged from her mental absence, smiling apologetically.

“Forgive me, It’s just…” She paused, seemingly a little embarrassed, “it's the way you say my name.”

“W-What about it? I did say your name before, didn’t I?”

“Yes, A few times. But… hm, how to explain… Do you know what I mean when I say this: when people say new or foreign names, they use them very awarely? Like trying it out carefully, like an expensive glove they haven’t bought yet?”

A strange comparison – but it made absolute sense to Mary, so she nodded.

“It felt like you said my name naturally for the first time.”

Mary felt a sudden cold shiver. She felt guilty for not saying Melodie’s name in a natural way sooner. “I’m sorry–”

To silence her, Melodie gently touched Mary’s cheek in the most tender way. “Please take it as a compliment, little dove. It made my heart skip a beat.”

The cold sensation instantly roused into a flaming heat, making Mary feel hot, and all she could think about was kissing those lips that spoke such touching words.

She probably would’ve done it, had they been alone. However, the station was full of people, and Mary wasn’t sure how much affection was appropriate or if Melodie even liked showing that level of intimacy in front of an audience– especially since she usually kept herself rather modest and decent.

So, Mary decided against it. She would have time for that once they were alone again… if she could bring up the courage, and if Melodie wanted it, too.

They began their little stroll through Ropley. It wasn’t as much of a picturesque village as Mary had hoped it to be – not like the medieval settlement she’d pictured, but more like a hideaway for people with mansions. It was still nice, though. Time felt like it passed slower, there was a lot of greenery and nicely groomed bushes everywhere. The houses kept mostly to one side of the road, with an ocean of green fields on the other, making everything feel much more open. Everything inside the village - people, feelings, time - felt like they were allowed to unfold as long as needed.

After about 20 minutes, more and more rural-feely buildings eventually sprouted up.

They arrived at the only shop in the village, a courtyard store that doubled as a post office.

“Do you want to take a look inside?” Mary asked.

“Gladly. I’d love to fetch a little souvenir.”

So, they entered.

The shop was rather small yet charming and offered all kinds of goods.

When they stepped in, an older woman, a customer, evoked happily, “Oh my!”

Melodie gave a slight bow - Mary was sure that she would’ve tapped the seam of her tophat had she worn it - and simply said, “Madame,” as a greeting.

She was so freaking cool and charming.

“What a polite young man, and such a beautiful lady, too! You aren’t from here, right? My, my, look at you, you remind me of my husband and myself in younger days.”

They did both wear vintage clothing, so Mary wasn’t too surprised by that comment. In fact, since the woman looked well-groomed and clearly had a sense for style, it was easy to take it as a compliment.

“Back then I was just as beautiful as you,” she added with a little sentimental smile, directed at Mary.

“Why, forgive me for my blunt words, but you are still very beautiful yourself, Miss”, Melodie said, soft-spoken and kind.

Mary stared at her. Was she flirting?

The chatty grandma let out a silvery laugh, clearly both flustered and delighted.

“Oh my, oh my. You really are just like my husband! He’s dead now, you know. So I’m single.”

Mary now stared at the elderly woman.

Wow.

“Single? I find that hard to believe, my dear,” Melodie commented with a kind but somewhat crooked smile.

Wowowow.

The woman, who looked well over 70, laid one hand on her cheek and made a theatrical, fending gesture with her other.

“Such a charming, dapper young man. Are you a salesman, by chance?”

“A magician, at your service.”

“Oh, that explains that silver tongue. You folk are all about deflection. Can’t say I mind it, though. And what is this accent? Are you maybe from Sweden? Or Dutch?”

“I belong to the world, Madame.”

For some reason, this answer delighted the old lady even more, and she repeated her defensive gesture.

“Oh dear, oh my. I really have to go, or I won’t be able to sleep at night with all that excitement. See you later, Doreen,” she waved to the shop owner, “and hopefully you, too, young man.”

When they left the shop a short while later, some newly acquired postcards in their luggage, Mary had to take a breather. Of course, she knew that Melodie was naturally very charming; she always was so on stage or in interviews. But, it was different seeing her like that: live, with others.

It took her a moment to put her feelings into clear thoughts. Her first impulse felt out of jealousy, but after more reflecting, she understood that this wasn’t accurate. She never had been in a relationship nor been close to somebody who was – except, that is, for her father, but she never actually witnessed him with other women – so all of her references came from all kinds of media. There she had been taught that people should be jealous if their person of interest was doling attention to others, especially when it was romantic or flirty attention.

But Mary really wasn’t jealous, nor was she afraid or worried. She was… Well, she didn’t exactly know what she felt, but for lack of a better word, she decided that ‘excited’ was the best overall description.

She understood that Melodie behaved differently in front of Mary, compared to her stage persona: softer, more silent and relaxed, less personating. Even though Mary truly appreciated seeing this sweet, hidden side of the famous Melodie van de Sterren, she also liked the enchanting stage version of her just as much; as well as her third, more darker and gruff side encountered only once, apropos.

Being this charming, albeit with people or literally, with tricks, was part of who she was.

Though, there was something else occupying her mind now, too.

Melodie seemed to notice, because she asked, “Are you alright, Rozemarijntje? Or have I done something that has offended you?”

Mary quickly grabbed her hand to reassure her. “Yes, I am very good. I was just wondering about something.”

“May I be so bold to ask you about it, my dearest?”

Given the way Melodie formed sentences like that so naturally, Mary felt tingles of warm appreciation inside her stomach, even though she should be accustomed to the magician’s mannerisms by now.

“I was just wondering… are you really okay with me seeing you as a woman?”

The magician seemed surprised. “Little dove, what provoked this sudden uncertainty?”

“I… I don’t know. It’s not that sudden. I’ve been thinking about it for a while now, and seeing how, like – basically everyone refers to you as a man, and you really don’t seem to mind at all, and the way you dress, and all that–”

“How blessed am I to have somebody this considerate at my side. I’m grateful, Lieverd, but please don’t worry about it. I promise to you that I will communicate if I have any wishes or concerns regarding how you refer to me.”

Without being able to pinpoint why, Mary felt even warmer inside. Melodie’s words sounded sincere. She made it so easy to address matters like this without fear.

“So it’s okay, yes?” Mary asked, just to be completely sure.

“Of course,” her tall, androgynous date answered, then paused; her facial features took on an unfamiliar look. Was it… bashfulness?

“To be honest, I think that I might even enjoy it. Which is… unusual.”

The warm feeling inside Mary climbed into something stronger. She started to feel hot.

“I normally really don’t care. But I like being a woman for you, mainly because I like that you are into me as a female presenting person. It is – and I hope you don’t mind me saying this – even a little exciting for me.”

Again, that almost unbearable feeling to kiss this nonchalant, adorable person.

This time, Mary gave in.

She got on her toes, gently touched Melodie’s cheeks with one hand each and pressed her lips onto hers.

Her advances were rewarded with a returning kiss from the other in the sweetest way.

As they parted, Mary said, a little breathlessly, “Well. Uhm, as much as I like referring to you as ‘she’, please know that if you ever change your mind, I’ll be glad to adjust. Even temporarily or daily or whatever you prefer.”

“My word. I truly am blessed,” Melodie repeated and kissed Mary again, this time on her forehead. “Thank you so much, my love. And please know that I’d do the same for you, of course.”

Mary laughed first at the thought of it, but quickly noticed Melodie’s sincerity. “I haven’t planned to, but it’s good to know that you would accept me in all gender variations, too.”

▶️ NEXT CHAPTER 

Credit: Ropley Courtyard Shop

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Story written by RoseVirage
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