Behind the Curtain

[Lady Alainn]

-Beatrice-

"Who, in its right mind, would refuse such an offer? I may be young but I know what 'chance' means!"

That was the correct answer. Smug with satisfaction, Beatrice relaxed her posture once more, propping her elbows up on the table to rest her chin upon folded hands. For a good few seconds she stared down the actress as if to dare her to change her mind. When all that met her was the fiery gaze of fierce determination, the teacher knew they could finally get somewhere.

"Believe me, if you do end up wasting my precious, valuable time, I will revoke my offer immediately," she gushed in a poisonously sweet voice. It wasn't meant to be unnerving, merely an acknowledgement that this was a no-nonsense business. "I know you'll deliver, though. You have guts. Guts and an innocent complexion. That is a deadly combination, Diane, and one that could see you go far." Beatrice sat evaluating the girl across the table for a moment before setting her hands on the table to push herself back up. She turned to Ioria and settled a hand on his shoulder to pull him after her.

"Well, darling, I say we call this a successful night and head on home. Shall we go find the waitress?"


-Micah-

Throughout the entire conversation, Micah could feel a cold sweat building under his arms and above his upper lip. Part of it was from excitement, part of it from nervousness. This was actually happening, wasn't it? He'd actually be spending time with Diane! Practically alone! Maybe they'd be able to get to know each other better and her sweet frankness would be because she liked him and not a tease like it was tonight. He almost crossed his fingers right then and there.

Next thing he knew, Bea was tugging Ioria away to leave him alone with Diane again. He cleared his throat and barely kept the wavering from his voice, "Thanks for the coffee, Ioria." Jitters invaded his stomach. 'Please don't leave, please don't leave, please don't leave,' his thoughts begged while at the same time he couldn't wait to have some privacy with the girl he was trying to woo.

As his thoughts waged war with each other, he bowed his head and stared hard at his hands. It struck him, not for the first time, just how slender his fingers were. Long, slender, and scarless. Musician's fingers, his mom had always called them. Kids at school had always called them something less favourable. While other boys had paraded around with bruises and cuts, his hands had remained undamaged and uninteresting. A small smirk crossed his face. His hands were just an outward symbol of who he was, weren't they? Some people wore their emotions on their sleeves. He wore his life story on his hands.

Suddenly feeling self-conscious, Micah sat back and stuffed his hands in his pockets lest those deep-seeing eyes of Diane's landed on them and read the words printed so plainly there. He flicked his gaze in her direction, the shy smile forgotten on his face. "Hey, looks like this party's over for today. Want a ride home?"

 

[Nay'ar]

- Ioria -

Ioria followed every word with a smirk on his face, he had crossed his arms to his chest and was striving not to chuckle. He knew Bea would have spoken like that. He liked that 'modest' way of thinking. She was one of the best and never tried to sell herself as something less. For every 'no' she received there were at least other 5 offers. He loved how he could count on her when he was playing in an orchestra to be put in the right spot... sure he had yet to play as first violin but Bea always said he was too good to play first... because as second violin he could cover for the other's mistakes 'Sure... but I'd like to play first too...' he thought.

Bea's hand gripped his shoulder "Well, darling, I say we call this a successful night and head on home. Shall we go find the waitress?" he looked at her, his mismatched eyes inspiring peace and satisfaction "Of course my dear. I think I saw her wander around the rear... should we go?" he asked getting up elegantly and giving her his arm. Well, it was more to keep himself from falling but it always gave off a gentleman's vibe and he didn't dislike it in the slightest. "I'll see you both tomorrow. Have a nice evening my fair Diane. Micah get her home safely" he added with a wink.

- Diane -

Diane knew that the woman was just testing her but even so she couldn't avoid feeling lost when she agreed and talked about ending the meeting... was she to be alone with Micah... in a car? She half bowed to Ioria when he dismissed themselves and stole a glance of her 'driver' with a little blush making his way to her cheeks. "Thank you Ioria. It was delicious" the man smiled and bowed his head before leaving them alone.

The girl started to stare at the palm of her hand and thought back at Esmeralda's lyrics that said how her story resided there. What would be written on it now? Was the right choice? Was it really the best for her? She just had to find out for herself but she always liked challenges or she wouldn't have 3 works to juggle.

A move on her side made her look at Micah who was putting his hands into his pockets. Could it possibly be that he was thinking something similar to her? No, it surely wasn't like that. It was a coincidence. "Hey, looks like this party's over for today. Want a ride home?" he asked her. She shook away her thoughts and smiled "Sure, sorry to intrude and disturb" she said lowering her head. Would she really be able to endure his presence once she started to look at him as 'her Esmeralda''s lover? She who didn't know anything about love and interaction would she succeed? After all she never had talked to her collegues out of work... the circumstances could well turn interesting.

 

[Lady Alainn]

-Micah-

There was something in the way Diane lowered her head that tripled his nervousness. It was like she was assessing him or something. Or assessing herself with him, and that possibility had him scuffing his shoes against the floor as the chair scraped backwards and he stood up to pull back her chair. Wait, was that acceptable? Chair-pulling happened on dates and gentlemen had a habit of doing it regularly, but he wasn't usually inclined to pull back chairs for just any lady. He paused with his hands on the back of Diane's chair, trying to determine if he should go through with it or not.

Gah, why did she have to be so sweetly shy about everything? While he found it endearing, it only made moments like this more excruciating. How much was she reading into all this? Or was it just him? Great, he could feel his sweat start to return. Maybe he was just over-reacting about everything. As far as he knew, she wasn't interested in him in the least. 'Keep it casual, Mick. Keep it cool and casual.'

His hands were already on her chair, he finally decided, and so he should follow through. Otherwise, it would look even more awkward. Micah slid the chair back and quickly let go to stuff his hands back in his pockets. He still didn't trust them not to scream out his pathetic nature to the mysterious Esmeralda. Okay, he helped her up. Ioria was paying the bill. All that remained was taking her out to the car and finding out where she lived.

'Where she lives!' His pulse picked up. He hadn't clued into that earlier and now he felt like a dunce. He was going to find out where Diane Silverpeak lived! Oh gosh, he hoped he didn't turn into poor love-sick Freddy Eynsford-Hill from My Fair Lady. Although he wouldn't put stalking her street and belting out "On the Street Where You Live" past himself. He was pathetic after all.

Right, conversation would probably be good about now. She had said something and he was just standing here behind her chair like a fool. He cleared his throat. With as often as he was clearing his throat and squeaking on high pitches like a per-pubescent boy, he wouldn't blame Diane in the slightest if she was under the impression that he was an awkward teen trying to act older than he really was. Clearing his throat was a little better than a strained voice though, wasn't it? Or no voice at all? Micah tried hiding it this time by coughing into his sleeve.

"Don't worry about it, Diane. It's really no trouble, I promise. In fact, it's an honour. It's not often I get a chance to escort a pretty lady." Yikes! He actually said that? Crap... Micah ducked his head as his cheeks warmed and quickly ran ahead to hold open the diner door for her. Maybe she wouldn't remember his comment by the time she caught up. Fat chance, though. Change of subject, that's what he needed. "So, um, which part of town do you live in?"

 

[Nay'ar]

- Diane -

Diane was stunned by Micah's move. She never expected him to pull her chair, he didn't seem the type and in fact, stealing a glance at him, she noticed his awkward expression and his diving his hand in his pockets. He was so kind with her. She felt so honoured by his action, but then she started to wonder: was she the only one he did that for? Was he just pretending to be shy? His face wasn't showing any sign of deceiving or hidden agendas, still 'What are you thinking about, Diane?' she said to herself 'He's Micah. You talked to him until 2 minutes ago!' she went on. The girl was so ashamed of herself. How could she think something like that about him? He who had been so kind. He who had been so openly vulnerable before her.


"It's not often I get a chance to escort a pretty lady."

Wait. did he just say what she thought she heard? No... it was just a slip right? 'Calm down, Diane, your heart's beating too fast!' she said to herself trying to calm down as she approached him. And there he went with another gentleman's move: the door. Diane was still in a daze from his compliment when they got out. The air was starting to be chilly and she found herself hit by a brief shiver. she looked back at him, her hands behind her back "Left wing of 'Zoothrope Apartament complex', a bit downtown" she said.

"It's not often I get a chance to escort a pretty lady."

Those words started to echo in her head as soon as her eyed met his. The girl couldn''t stand that straight gaze and averted her eyes, damning her lack of courage. She repeated to herself that she had to jump, to trust what was laying ahead of her and she did. Diane started walking at his side, keeping a close eye on her shoes. "You--- you know... did, you... did you really mean what you said before?" she asked in a low and hesitant voice. She would have regretted it for the rest of her life. She was sure.

 

[Lady Alainn]

-Micah-

"Left wing of 'Zoothrope Apartment complex', a bit downtown."

His ears buzzed in the same way they always did during tuning sessions, like something was a bit off but he couldn't peg it as sharp or flat. It didn't help that his head felt thick and his thoughts were scattered all over his brain. He kept his eyes on the sidewalk in front of them. Honestly, he didn't know where else to look. A side-glance had confirmed Diane's averted gaze and so it was either bore holes into her head or watch where he was going. In the cool of the night, the latter choice was probably better anyway. He didn't have Ioria's excuse to trip and fall flat on his face.

Micah blew out his breath, watching the little puffy cloud materialize and dissipate in the blink of an eye. He lamented the fact he had no a coat to offer to Diane. Or would that have been too much? What was proper on a spontaneous non-date with a crush and what wasn't? He took his hands out of his pockets long enough to roll down his sleeves and button them at the wrists. It really was a cold, spring evening. He hoped she wouldn't freeze to death on him. Gosh, what would be the correct thing to do then? No, there was no reason to worry about that. Yet. He returned to figuring out the mess inside his head. 'Zoothrope, why does that sound so familiar?'

Working backwards, he went over the facts: 'A bit downtown, that means on the edge of downtown, right? That's about where I live. Apartments, there's a complex at the first traffic light, I turn there. Zoothrope... holy cow, that's where I live!'

She lived near him! Like, right near him! On the other side of the complex! Micah's pace unintentionally picked up as they approached the street corner across from the theatre parking lot. Diane's soft tones broke through his panicked epiphany:

"You--- you know... did, you... did you really mean what you said before?"

"Yeah, I meant it," he replied absently, his thoughts still whirling around inside. "It's really no trouble taking you home."

What else could she have possibly meant by that question?

 

[Nay'ar]

- Diane -

"Yeah, I meant it, it's really no trouble taking you home."

Diane's mind was almost blown out by his words and stopped for a couple of seconds. His voice was distant, it was obvious he was thinking about something else and that just confirmed her he was saying the truth. But why did it burn so much? The girl knew pretty well she just met him some hours before and she was pretty aware of her 'I don't give a damn' attitude in things like this so: why did she care?

The girl pulled out a smile, not one of her best ones, in truth, but she was almost paralyzed; after the cafè she didn't think he could turn so cold all of a sudden. She dove her hands in her sweater's pockets, gripping the cloth in distress, and lowered her gaze, staring at her feet as she followed along. "Then, thank you" she managed to get out after some struggle. What if he found her annoying? What if he was tired? He surely didn't seem to be bothered by her in the cafè but maybe it was due to Ioria and Beatrice? No, wait, it didn't make sense... he wouldn't cry on purpose, right? What was she thinking of... it was obvious he wasn't going to...

Diane was starting to to freak out. she didn't know what to say and so her mind wondered and made wrong assumptions, she knew it and tried to correct them but she just got in a spiral getting her deeper and deeper. That's why that light pole came unexpected "It' hurts" she said falling back 'Good diane... now he'll think you're a freak.'

 

[Lady Alainn]

-Micah-


"Diane!"

Too late. Micah winced as his crush walked straight into a street lamp. She'd only been in his protection for five minutes and already she was getting hurt. Had Ioria been rubbing off on her? Oh great, just great. It was all his fault and he knew it. He'd been so lost in his own thoughts that he didn't look back in time to warn her. He should have warned her faster! He should have been paying attention to her!

Without thinking, Micah reached out to set a hand on her shoulder to steady her. "It hurts," she said meekly, before he could even ask if she was all right. Was that two strikes against him or still just one? She was a girl. It was safe to bet that meant two. Oh, heck, was she going to cry on him now? Actually, that wouldn't be so bad, would it? Maybe she'd throw herself into his arms like the actresses did in the movies all the time. Did stuff like that ever become habit? Thinking about just holding her... kissing her hurt away... 'Hold it together, Mick, hold it together.'

But what could he say?

Tilting her head up by her chin, the trombonist looked deeply into her eyes. "You going to be all right?" Could he kiss her?

'No.'

"I should have warned you sooner it was there, I'm sorry." That was much safer. Wait. He was touching her. And rather intimately, too. He promptly let go, averting his gaze shyly as colour flooded his cheeks-- no doubt as bright as the colour on her face. "...sorry," he mumbled again.

 

[Nay'ar]

- Diane -

"You going to be all right?"

He asked raising her head and staring into her eyes, what did he find in them? More than that, did he find something? Diane couldn't help but stare back at those deep mocha eyes, fearing she would lose herself in them; they were so warm she felt they could embrace souls themselves. but now... what was she reading in them? Diane was feeling like a blind without Braille but she wasn't sure about it being a good or bad thing. "Musician's eyes" she said in a whisper. What kind of answer was that? She didn't know why she felt that way toward them, she just felt that gazes could say a lot of things like when looking into a woman's eyes you can tell she is a mother 'Ok, now let's stop the spooky things and focus... you're staring and just said something strange...'

"I should have warned you sooner it was there, I'm sorry ... sorry."


She shook herself when he let go, her face still hot from his touch "Oh... do--don't worry. Really, it's nothing much..." she said rubbing her head, it hurt before but now... her brain seemed to have other priorities "It's not your fault... how could you know I was stupid?" she said chuckling before covering her mouth with a hand. Could she ask him to hold her like before?

'No. Stop it.' sure. Stop it Diane.

Diane was trying to find something to say... the silence was deafening her as they stood there more awkward than ever "Where---where is the car?" she asked lowering her gaze and starting to grip the hem of her shirt.

 

[Lady Alainn]

-Micah-


If Micah hadn't figured it out before, he knew it now. Diane was absolutely mesmerizing. Here she'd just walked into a street light, which anyone would find embarrassing, and she was commenting on his eyes. Not trying to wave off what happened, not crying from the pain, but distracted by the soul in his eyes. A subtle flush of pleasure raced over his body at her words. Just maybe he had something worthwhile hidden inside after all, and written on his hands. If Diane could find it, he wouldn't find believing it. But now he didn't know... with the way she was acting towards him now, did she, could she be hinting that she liked him, too?

"You're not stupid, Diane," he replied softly. "You're fascinating." Eventually Diane broke the awkward silence with a stammered query about his query. "Oh! It's...uh...just across the street here. Don't worry, we're almost there." He waited at the corner for a car to pass before he instinctively reached out for Diane's hand to cross the street. When he saw it sticking out there expectantly, he panicked. Why did his hand have to have a mind of its own? What was it doing and how could he retract the offer without looking stupid himself?

The street light!

There was another one at the corner across the street. Suddenly, it turned to his advantage. A sly grin crossing his face, he nodded in the direction of the parking lot and raised his hand more insistently towards her. "Come on, Esmeralda. There's only one more street lamp before we get to the car and I'll make sure you don't walk into it this time."

 

[Nay'ar]

- Diane -

He was kind. Micah was far too kind to be real. How could he say something so embarassing and make it feel so natural? How could he comfort her and compliment her at the same time without sounding false and pretentious? She didn't deserve him 'Wait... now you're thinking of him as if you're like an item? You're totally screwed...' was she? Was she so stupid? No. Not THAT much. she just didn't think she could deserve to work with such wonderful people such as Ioria, Bea and... him. Micah.

Everything in Micah made her think he was ordinary: his brown hair 'Dark chocolate' she corrected in her mind, his plain hands 'Musician's hands', his brown eyes 'Mocha colored. They're deep and... beautiful'. Ok, maybe everything made her think of him as special... how deep did she fall? She couldn't know. Not for now at least.

"Oh! It's...uh...just across the street here. Don't worry, we're almost there."

So they were almost at the car... a little space with no walls nor people to separate them. Somewhere as intimate as a room... could she manage that time together without screwing up? Surely not.

"Come on, Esmeralda. There's only one more street lamp before we get to the car and I'll make sure you don't walk into it this time."

She smiled brightly, lighting up her eyes. Esmeralda? She was free as the wind and would never take someone's hand to be helped. Did he want Esmeralda? She grinned "Sure... that is if you catch me!" she said stepping in the street to cross it. The light green. Unfortunately a truck decided to cut the crossroad... would Micah notice in time? Diane was giving it her back... and couldn't possibly notice.

 

[Lady Alainn]

-Micah-


Rather than feel rejected by Diane's refusal to accept his hand, Micah instead was simply over-joyed that she was teasing back. That obviously meant she was comfortable with him, right? It was a step in the right direction, at least. Just maybe there was a sense of chemistry between them and she'd felt it, too. They could take it slowly. He'd be friends with her at first, being there when she needed him, offering her a place of safety to come to. And then he'd ask her out to a coffee shop without Ioria and Bea. Just the two of them, to hang out. No other reason. Maybe they'd have lunch the next time. Then supper. Then supper more frequently. At that point, they'd be an item and maybe they could reach some kind of understanding and he would never have to actually ask her out! There would be no chance for her to reject him, then.

But all of those careful, slow weeks of growing intimacy flashed before his eyes in a second. The dreamy smile that had crossed over his face vanished instantly as his eyes caught the headlights of a truck heading straight for them. For Diane. And she was completely oblivious to it, smiling and laughing and looking for him to chase her-- to chase her right into the truck.

'No!'

His lips parted in horror, but his voice could not push through the thickness that had gathered in his throat. He did not have time to wage the pros and cons of diving after her versus backing up and hoping she would do the same. He sprang into action, leaping towards the unaware angel. His fingers wrapped firmly around her closest wrist, then his heels dug into the ground as he threw himself back towards the sidewalk against his momentum, yanking Diane to his chest. The world slowed into a frozen pause between heartbeats as they fell, her body held firmly against his, her soft hair tucked under his chin. Then the earth began spinning once more. His rump hit the curb first, then his back slammed against the concrete as it forcefully ejected the air from his lungs, Diane's fragile form cradled in his arms to protect her.

The truck zoomed by, honking its horn at the foolish kids playing in the street.

That didn't matter, though. She was safe. As soon as his breath returned to his lungs, Micah looked down at her, a dazed expression on his face as he lay there panting. "Are you all right? Did I hurt you?"

 

[Nay'ar]

- Diane -

Diane looked at his face and read all his emotions pass through his eyes, sadly, she wouldn't remember it later on. There had been not enough time to carve them in her head because in the split of a second her point of view changed and she found herself much too worried about Micah himself than his emotions.

Everything happened fast forwarded for Diane: the girl was standing in the the street a moment and was on the ground the next. Our little gipsy had just perceived a move from before her and then a pull, followed by a thud and some big horn sound going and disappearing in the distance. She was against something warm now, something comfortable that embraced her, it was soft and it was getting up and down very quickly and there was something thumping loudly and fast against her ear. It took some moments to make her realize it was Micah the thing under her, that he was hugging her 'Uh, not bad... oh shut up!' panting like crazy and with his heart almost out of his chest.

"Are you all right? Did I hurt you?"

The girl recollected: the sound, the street, th pull... he had saved her from well... from death itself. Diane's lips curved into a sort of smile and she started laughing as the fear pushed tears to flow down her cheeks. Her amber eyes slightly reddened and made her irises stand out even more under the light-pole next to the traffic light. She got up and took away her weigh from him as she she kept on trying to block the tears. By the time she managed to, though, some minutes had passed without her being able to speak a word.

The gold haired girl tried to wipe her cheeks as big tears kept on welling up at the corner of her eyes. It was in that moment that she realized and let out a thought "You caught me, Micah" she said in a soft and trembling voice looking into his dark, dazed, beautiful eyes.

 

[Lady Alainn]

-Micah-

He supposed he should have expected some sort of reaction from Diane. She had, after all, almost gotten run over by a truck. She could have died. But, for some reason, the lanky-legged gent was completely unprepared for her eyes to turn into spigots. Micah sprawled there on the ground helplessly; one elbow digging into the sidewalk behind him to prop him up, the other hand still holding protectively onto Diane's shoulder, one leg completely buried under hers, the other bent at the knee to form a perpendicular triangle, and Diane's body flung across his. In any other circumstance, he might have found this position highly evocative, but all he could think about now was trying to locate the turn-off handles before they were both flooded in tears like Alice in Wonderland.

"Hey, it's okay. You're okay now," he awkwardly soothed, patting her shoulder and even hugging her against him for a brief moment. That only succeeded in drenching his shirt, but he didn't mind. He just wanted Diane to be okay.

Slowly, the angel of a girl rolled out of reach of his hand to sit up and began wiping furiously at her eyes. Micah followed suit, moving from bracing himself on his elbow to bracing himself with his palm. His legs shifted in closer to his body and the other arm casually draped across his knee. He stayed there like that for a long while, hunkering over his raised knee, his bangs covering his eyes and darkening them. Somewhere in the recesses of his mind, Sobbin' Blues droned on sarcastically in a minor key, but other than that, all was silent except for Diane's sobbing. Then, they too ceased to flow and large, unassuming amber eyes turned upon him.

"You caught me, Micah," Diane murmured with a quivering chin. He looked up to meet her gaze, a small smile turning up one corner of his mouth.

"I caught you," he echoed, more to reaffirm this fact than for lack of something better to say. It hit him then just how serious this was. He could have lost her before he'd even had a chance to get to know her. Somehow, in some miraculous way, he'd been able to save her. And somehow, in an equally miraculous way, his hand found the courage to cup her jaw and settle his fingertips against her ear. In the same miraculous moment, he leaned in closer until his dark hair mingled with her honey-coloured wisps against her forehead and his lips brushed against the tip of her nose as he whispered:

"Next time you want to cross the street, hold my hand."

 

[Nay'ar]

- Diane -

"I caught you." Diane looked at him. His eyes fluttering worry and relief, not really managing to set on one. His hand touched her skin and he was warm. Not warm because she was cold. He was warm because he FELT warm. His gaze, his moves, his actions. He then tenderly touched her forehead. It was such an intimate gesture that she didn't even know how to react.

"Next time you want to cross the street, hold my hand." she could easily feel her cheeks growing hotter from the blush. Her hands moved before she could even think about what she was doing. One of her hands raised to touch his and the other gently stroked his cheek, she closed her eyes and "Ok" she whispered with a slightly trembling voice, "Ok" she repeated realizing what they both were saying.

Diane sat back and looked at him, then took his hands and started to look at them palm and back, her eyes darkening as soon as she found the scrapes covering them. "I'm sorry Micah... It's all my fault and you treasured them so much too" her voice was apologetic and her eyes threatened again to let go some more water. What would he think of her, now? A foolish actress that caused his precious hands to be hurt. And still... his eyes hadn't shown her hate or rage... they were just warm. Warm mocha holes that were, now, sucking her in.

 

[Lady Alainn]

-Micah-

His breath hitched in his throat as Diane's hands carefully held his own, studied them, almost... almost caressing them. Her hands were so warm, so soft, so gentle. He wouldn't mind if they stayed like this forever-- sitting on the sidewalk with his hands in Diane's. Although, his rump would probably complain about that position. Already it was quite sore and tender from the ungraceful way he'd hit the ground earlier. Actually, he really didn't want to stay here forever. His rump was beginning to protest rather loudly.

"I'm sorry Micah... It's all my fault and you treasured them so much too."

"Hm? Oh, don't worry about it. I don't care nearly as much about them as Ioria does about his. As long as they still function, that's all I care about. As long as you're still okay. That... I care about that, too."

Micah rolled onto the balls of his feet and made to stand up, his hands clasping Diane's firmly-- despite the cuts that stung-- to help her up after him. "What do you say we get you home before something else happens?"



-Beatrice-

Poking her head around a storefront display window, the wily music teacher crouched there with her hand clutched to her chest. Her breath was only now beginning to slow down to an even pace. That truck had been a close call, but Micah, brave little Micah, was gallantly playing the role of the knight in shining armor. He'd saved his damsel. He'd made his first move. His damsel really needed someone to watch out for her, like she watched out for Ioria. From the way she took out the light post and almost was hit by a reckless driver, Diane looked like she was almost as accident-prone as Ioria.

"Go get her, Micah. She needs to know love," Beatrice murmured. Then a broad grin consumed her features. "I don't even think two days is a good bet now, Ioria. Two hours seems to be the winner. Do I still owe you cake?"

 

[Nay'ar]

- Ioria -

Lovebirds are so cute during spring and what happened made Ioria smile. The man was now looking at some cookies while Bea couldn't help but spy on them. He chukled, it wasn't his idea to follow them but he had to admit it had been funny watch over his partner as she freaked out. "Come on Bea... there's a line we shouldn't go through... and stalking them, I'm afraid, crosses that line" he said settling on buying both the cookies and a little cake "Come on, darling. We have some more road to get you home aaaand" he said with a sly smile "Yes, you still owe me cake" he added dropping them in her hands and pulling her away from the window "And you owe me now. Come on darling let's check out from this evil grocery hotel" he added smiling and careful not to trip. He wanted to avoid tripping at least in there. It was something he had decided: no tripping in stores, it was more dangerous than in other places.

- Diane -

Looking at him as if looking at a hero in shining armor, Diane let him help her up. She couldn't speak a word and just found herself nodding lightly at his suggestion, gripping his sleeve, trembling a bit. She never was the clumsy type, she never had to be helped by someone but still, ever since she met this Micah, everything changed. She was always free but now... was that her true desire? Looking into his eyes was freedom what she wanted? Really? Because every single time his deep gaze crossed hers all she ever thought was how sweet could it be to lose herself into them. Something she didn't understand. Something she, maybe, wasn't even ready for.

"I--- I agree." was all she could manage as her hand gripped more his cloth. "And, maybe, you can come in so I can treat those" she added shyly referring to his hands.

 

[Lady Alainn]

-Beatrice-

Laughing, the teacher straightened and accepted the goodies from Ioria in her out-stretched hands. "I suppose you're right, as always, Ioria. I do need to get home, anyway. I still have a few more papers to grade and then it is the accursed grade book!" She opened the first bag and dug out a macadamia nut cookie to hand to the violinist before digging through her purse to find her keys. "I'll take you home first." Upon exiting the store, Beatrice glanced one last time in Micah and Diane's direction. "Are you sure they'll be all right? She seems even more accident-prone than you are."



-Micah-

Micah blushed when Diane mentioned tending his scrapes. They really weren't that bad, hardly worse than paper cuts. He swallowed and looked towards the road. It was clear. They should probably get moving again before they were out all night. Her hand was still in his. Micah swallowed again but didn't let go.

"Then let's get going," he replied, leading the way across the street. "But really, my hands aren't that bad. They'll be okay." Once they made it safely to the parking lot, he tugged his keys out of his pocket and unlocked the passenger side door, holding it open for Diane. Being out with a pretty girl like her was really pulling out the gentleman in him! When she was tucked inside, he closed the door and jogged around the hood of the car to unlock his door.

 

[Nay'ar]

- Diane -

The girl was brought and tucked inside the car like a child would be. Sure she had a meeting with a pole and another with a truck but that wasn't a good enough reason to... yes, it was a good enough reason. She never was one of those stumbling girls who would do anything to attract attentions. She always rejected the idea of the 'Damsel in distress' and always worked hard to be independent but still... since she met him all she was able to do was bringing shame on her and making embarassing scenes.

She sat still, tighening her hand on her shut knees, red face and low gaze. Waiting for him to get her home. Then again... why had she said yes? She didn't even know he existed... she never met him and now, after having sat foot in his car, she realized he could as well be a villain (to be polite) or worse... Sure, that wasn't the vibe he gave off but you never know, right? And she even inviteed him inside her house to treat his wounds! Diane covered her face with her hands and stole a look from the window to look at him. Whatever she was thinking before totaly crumbled as he got inside and her hands fell down as she claimed "I insist. Your hands must be treated."

- Ioria -

"Don't worry, sweety, they'll be fine." he said with a wink taking his cookies back and tripping on the little step of the shop. "Oh and... are you sure you don't want to sleep at my home? I still have your 'sleep robe' and, by the way, what you need to grade are just a red pen and the papers, right? No need to go back home just for that" it wasn't that rare for Ioria to invite Bea to sleep over, after all they knew each other since ages and he even had some of her spare things at his home, such as the 'sleep robe' as he called everything you put on to sleep. It was pretty late and her school wasn't too far from his place "You can even get my special pancakes tomorrow morning..."

 

[Lady Alainn]

-Micah-

"And I insist, they really aren't that bad, Diane," Micah protested as soon as he was behind the wheel. It wasn't that he didn't want to take up her offer. It was extremely tempting, to say the least, but not what a gentleman would do. A gentleman would see her home, walk her to her door, and if it had been a real first date tonight, kiss her on the cheek before leaving. Gentlemen didn't go into ladies' homes on a first outing without a chaperone of some description present, and by golly, he'd be a gentleman for the actress. He didn't have much say in the matter, really. His instincts were calling the shots now and there was very little he could do to think long enough to combat them.

But maybe she wouldn't see it that way. Maybe she'd think he was brushing her off! Or scorning her help or something. He quickly added, "It's not that I don't appreciate your offer. I do. It's just that... well..." Gosh, how to put it? While he thought about his answer some more, he shoved the gear shaft into reverse and began backing out of the parking spot. "Being in your home... alone... it's not... it's not proper. And I don't want to put you in that position."

He pulled out onto the road and started heading for downtown. And now things would probably be awkward. Good going, Mick, good going. He pursed his lips together and slowly blew out his breath, his fingers drumming on the wheel. Risking a glance at her profile, he cleared his throat. "So, um, what's your favourite colour?" Good golly, he must have jackass stamped onto his forehead!



-Beatrice-

When the school teacher did spend the night at her friend's place, it was usually on the eve of an appointment or special occasion for Ioria when he couldn't afford to be even the least bit clumsy. Though the offer of his pancakes was enticing, she knew she would get the best sleep at her house, and that was what was most important for her to be functional tomorrow. "Thank you, darling, but I really should just go home. See you next rehearsal!" And then she was off, prancing to her own car when they crossed into the parking lot moments after Micah's green Toyota zoomed out.