<div class="post" style="font-family: verdana,verdana,serif; color: #718BBF; background-color: #;"><span class="username">Paris: </span> Wearing her usual casual clothes of a simple pair of jeans, tshirt and light jacket, Paris showed up at the corner with her hands in her pockets. After having a great date out of Ebrille the other day, she had high hopes that a day out with Drake wouldn't be as awkward as she was expecting. <span class="time">-10:07 Jul 05</span></div>
<div class="post" style="font-family: verdana,verdana,serif; color: #404040; background-color: #;"><span class="username">Drake: </span> Drake was waiting outside his thumbs hooked into his pockets as his mind pictures a dozen reasons why she hadn't arived yet, and never would. It only stopped when his eyes found her and his lips curled into what could best be desribed as an amature's attempt at a smile. <span class="time">-10:10 Jul 05</span></div>
<div class="post" style="font-family: verdana,verdana,serif; color: #718BBF; background-color: #;"><span class="username">Paris: </span> Paris' smile was a bit more genuine. Stopping a few paces away from him to give a slight shrug of her shoulder. "Sorry I took so long. I had to make sure my grandpa would stay put. What did you want to do today?" <span class="time">-10:13 Jul 05</span></div>
<div class="post" style="font-family: verdana,verdana,serif; color: #404040; background-color: #;"><span class="username">Drake: </span> Drake's face reflected his thoughts as he realised he didn't have any plan between the meeting that had just taken place and... een the thought of showing her the places made his spine tingle, but thinking fast he stood up straiter. "Was thinking we'd just hand out and maybe grab something to eat. Leave skating to those who can and just start over without the dating service or preasure or any expectations. Just be ourselves." the smile that follewsd was genuine buy short lived, more than anything he wanted to be himself, but only when she was ready. <span class="time">-10:20 Jul 05</span></div>
<div class="post" style="font-family: verdana,verdana,serif; color: #718BBF; background-color: #;"><span class="username">Paris: </span> She let out a relieved sigh. "Whew... To be honest, I really wasn't keen on the idea of scooting around on the ice looking like a big idiot. So that's cool! We can do whatever." <span class="time">-10:25 Jul 05</span></div>
<div class="post" style="font-family: verdana,verdana,serif; color: #404040; background-color: #;"><span class="username">Drake: </span> "Yeah.." he said with pehaps too much emphesis. "I've never scated before and well.." he stopped realizing he was actually nervous but he pushed it down focusing on what he came here to do. To show her what he'd shown noone else. His eyes avoided hers as he began walking, leading the way back towards the hotel they had met in. "I remember my mum taking me to a steakhouse nearby... I think they're still open. Want to eat then take a walk to see what we'll find?" he had rehursed this line but with the nerves boiling in his insides it came out sounding like it seemed, a guy asking a girl a question and hoping she wouldn't say no. <span class="time">-10:35 Jul 05</span></div>
<div class="post" style="font-family: verdana,verdana,serif; color: #718BBF; background-color: #;"><span class="username">Paris: </span> Paris fell in to step next to him, her hands never leaving her pocket. She spent most of her time watching her step or glancing around to look at shop windows as they passed them on the sidwalk. "I'm not all that hungry really, but a drink or coffee or something sounds really good. Between work and school I don't think I've been getting sleep at all. Do you go to school?" <span class="time">-10:41 Jul 05</span></div>
<div class="post" style="font-family: verdana,verdana,serif; color: #404040; background-color: #;"><span class="username">Drake: </span> "Uhh no." the question was unexpected "I did..." of course you did you idiot. He looked at the ground "I dropped out when mum couldn't work anymore, it was strange spending so much time with her after she was always out." you made it so she could never leave again. He shook his head in an attempt to keep his thoughts on what he needed to do. "Sure a drink sounds good." <span class="time">-10:49 Jul 05</span></div>
<div class="post" style="font-family: verdana,verdana,serif; color: #718BBF; background-color: #;"><span class="username">Paris: </span> "Have you ever thought about going back?" She asked curiously, now turning to look at him. "Er.. not that I have my own school stuff all together. I haven't even picked a single major yet. Kinda studying a bunch of useless things for the credits." Paris probably seemed like she had her life together and was on the ball. School was a major part of her life, but she didn't really know what she wanted to do with herself and her future. She kinda envied how some people just knew... <span class="time">-10:54 Jul 05</span></div>
<div class="post" style="font-family: verdana,verdana,serif; color: #404040; background-color: #;"><span class="username">Drake: </span> ANother unexpected question, he couls hear her concern for her future, her school, her life. Drake was disapointed that the convosation had arived at something he couldn't really talk about and that she seemed to cling to what he saw was meaningless in the end. "I don't think I'll ever be able to." he admitted "I mean theres the cost and the time needed and I still have to find a job that doesn't involve fast food..." <span class="time">-11:00 Jul 05</span></div>
<div class="post" style="font-family: verdana,verdana,serif; color: #718BBF; background-color: #;"><span class="username">Paris: </span> "I guess it's not really worth it in the end. Unless you know why you're even going to school." She said with a grin. For her, paying for school was easy. Her family was mildly wealthy and money was never a concern. She understood not everyone had that same opportunity. Paris decided to change the subject. "So what does your mom do now?" <span class="time">-11:06 Jul 05</span></div>
<div class="post" style="font-family: verdana,verdana,serif; color: #404040; background-color: #;"><span class="username">Drake: </span> "Nothing... just stays home." Sitting on the chair where you left her, after you dragged her there. She'll neve move again because you ki... "No..." he blinked coming back to the light of day and realized he had stopped walking his head filled with memories... and he had just spoken aloud. "No I don't think its this way..." he covered his hands still shaking as he stuffed them into his pockets. "He used looking at road sighns as an excuse to look away before he continued. "I make enough to feed us." <span class="time">-11:16 Jul 05</span></div>
<div class="post" style="font-family: verdana,verdana,serif; color: #718BBF; background-color: #;"><span class="username">Paris: </span> Paris eyed him curiously. He seemed to have totally spaced out there for a second. Shrugging it off, she was glancing around at the street again, keeping an easy pace with him. "That's cool. That you take care of your mom like that. I'm not that close with my own parents. Never really see them that often." <span class="time">-11:21 Jul 05</span></div>
<div class="post" style="font-family: verdana,verdana,serif; color: #404040; background-color: #;"><span class="username">Drake: </span> He looked up. "I hated that when she was working, wondering around an empty house. I guess thats why I still spend so much time out. Anywhere is better than an empty home." he looked at her for a second before they reached the rustic steakhouse, a rough yet varnished wooden facade and matching interiour spoke to it's once wild west theme now under diffrent ownership it was more of a family resturant yet this early there were several of the outside tables free and drake pulled out a seat at one for Paris. <span class="time">-11:36 Jul 05</span></div>
<div class="post" style="font-family: verdana,verdana,serif; color: #718BBF; background-color: #;"><span class="username">Paris: </span> She sat down, mumbling a thank you as she settled in her seat. "I never really went out much. I always working on homework and school projects. I guess I still do most of the time. Working at Katrinka's is the first time I've done anything different in a really long time." <span class="time">-11:43 Jul 05</span></div>
<div class="post" style="font-family: verdana,verdana,serif; color: #FFFFFF; background-color: #000000;"><span class="username"> </span> <font size=1 face=verdana>[<font color=red>Paris</font> has timed out.]</font> <span class="time">-12:20 Jul 06</span></div>
<div class="post" style="font-family: verdana,verdana,serif; color: #404040; background-color: #;"><span class="username">Drake: </span> He sat down oposite her and ran a hand through his hair "we seem to lead pretty opposite lives." he commented, "Though I like to think we're not that different. I mean you care for your grandad and everything so you're not copletely absorbed in school." <span class="time">-12:29 Jul 06</span></div>
<div class="post" style="font-family: Courrier New,verdana,serif; color: #FFFFFF; background-color: #000000;"><span class="username"> </span> [Paris enters.] <span class="time">-12:30 Jul 06</span></div>
<div class="post" style="font-family: verdana,verdana,serif; color: #718BBF; background-color: #;"><span class="username">Paris: </span> Paris grinned. "Yeah, not totally. It's almost like a full time job just keeping an eye on him." She paused, kind of frowning for a second. "I miss when he wasn't so daffy. We used to hang out a lot." <span class="time">-12:42 Jul 06</span></div>
<div class="post" style="font-family: verdana,verdana,serif; color: #404040; background-color: #;"><span class="username">Drake: </span> "He must have been fun." he said without really feeling it. This was why he didn't speak to people. The things are compelled to say without really meaning it. Drake had neve had anyone to 'hang out' with and so he had no idea what it would be like, fun was just broad enough so it didn't feel like a lie. Though he was getting lost again, he always did, made him feel... insufficient... less than human. But stripped down to thier core it was them wh were less, while he was the one with the untimate power over them. He forced himself back to the surface as the waitress slid a menu in front of each of them. "I just think I want a lime juice." <span class="time">-12:52 Jul 06</span></div>
<div class="post" style="font-family: verdana,verdana,serif; color: #718BBF; background-color: #;"><span class="username">Paris: </span> "Coffee, with sugar and extra cream." she said to the waitress, giving the woman a quick smile. Once she was gone, Paris was fiddling with the silverware. "He was great. Always told awesome stories about things he did and places he went. He really loved the old hotel, the one Katrinka's is using now. I guess those memories were so good, that he always keeps wanting to get back to them." <span class="time">-12:56 Jul 06</span></div>
<div class="post" style="font-family: verdana,verdana,serif; color: #404040; background-color: #;"><span class="username">Drake: </span> So with your grandad lost in the past and your parents working you spend a lot of your free time alone." it didn't come out as a question. I'm sorry to hear that though. I think mymum used to work at the hotel too, I don't remember anymore." <span class="time">-01:19 Jul 06</span></div>
<div class="post" style="font-family: verdana,verdana,serif; color: #718BBF; background-color: #;"><span class="username">Paris: </span> Paris shrugged. "I never really cared too much about it. It's not like I've got the best social skills and all. Kinda feel stupid half the time, anyway so it's been weird suddenly doing all this stuff and talking to so many people." Working at Katrinkas she's been meeting more people in the past few weeks than she had in years. <span class="time">-01:21 Jul 06</span></div>
<div class="post" style="font-family: verdana,verdana,serif; color: #404040; background-color: #;"><span class="username">Drake: </span> "Yeah, I don't like crowds. A crowd being three or more people, though sometimes two can feel that way too." he looked down at his hand folded on the table in front of him "And sometimes one can too, to much thinking, to many memories, to much speaking." he looked up suddenly as the glass of juice was put in front of him and the strangly strained look on hos face came into view. "I... spend a lot of time overthinking." <span class="time">-01:27 Jul 06</span></div>
<div class="post" style="font-family: verdana,verdana,serif; color: #718BBF; background-color: #;"><span class="username">Paris: </span> She smiled at the waitress again. Picking up her coffee cup and blowing at it a bit before taking a sip. Paris shrugged her shoulders. "I probably don't think <i>enough</i> about stuff like that. I mean, no reason to unless you're really unhappy, right?" <span class="time">-01:30 Jul 06</span></div>
<div class="post" style="font-family: verdana,verdana,serif; color: #404040; background-color: #;"><span class="username">Drake: </span> He pulled his glass towards himself and looked down at the ice floating in it poking it with his straw. "I guess not." she had no idea she had just called him unhappy, or maybe she did. "So does that mean I'm unhappy?" <span class="time">-01:37 Jul 06</span></div>
<div class="post" style="font-family: verdana,verdana,serif; color: #718BBF; background-color: #;"><span class="username">Paris: </span> "Er... Are you? I mean, I didn't mean to sound like I think you are or anything! I just meant in general!" Speaking of crappy social skills and sticking her foot in her mouth, this was a prime example. She took another sheepish drink of her coffee. <span class="time">-01:39 Jul 06</span></div>
<div class="post" style="font-family: verdana,verdana,serif; color: #404040; background-color: #;"><span class="username">Drake: </span> He shrugged. "I have my outlets." he said before swallowing. Talking and thinking like this was making him... WHAT!? Why was talking and he wasn't... she was different this was different that he though it would be. "Though I guess I am in a way, I mean....." he didn't know what he meant to he just took a large gulp from his glass. "Sorry this isn't the best subject." <span class="time">-01:54 Jul 06</span></div>
<div class="post" style="font-family: verdana,verdana,serif; color: #718BBF; background-color: #;"><span class="username">Paris: </span> Paris bit her lip lightly. After the past couple of weeks, she really didn't know what to think about Drake. But she was pretty sure he was a guy that needed more friends in his life. "You know, I <i>am</i> your friend. If you ever want to talk about stuff, I wouldn't mind. I know I'm not like, the best at giving advice or anything. But we can always hang out and stuff, right?" <span class="time">-02:00 Jul 06</span></div>
<div class="post" style="font-family: verdana,verdana,serif; color: #404040; background-color: #;"><span class="username">Drake: </span> He smiled, perhaps the hardest thing he had ever done. "Yeah I know and thanks." he took another gulp drinking most of the glass. "Talking is always nice, I mean with someone who understands you." <span class="time">-02:28 Jul 06</span></div>
<div class="post" style="font-family: verdana,verdana,serif; color: #718BBF; background-color: #;"><span class="username">Paris: </span> Confident that she had perked up his mood, Paris drank the rest of her coffee and sat down the cup to tap her fingers on the table. A change of subject was in order. "So what else will we do today? Take a walk around the city? The weather is pretty decent for December." <span class="time">-02:32 Jul 06</span></div>
<div class="post" style="font-family: verdana,verdana,serif; color: #404040; background-color: #;"><span class="username">Drake: </span> "I was thinking that." he said "The walking I mean "Theres a lot of secluded places around here..." his minds drifted again "I mean a lot has happened lately, and since neither of us can scate its better than sitting at home. I mean I've done that for the last two weeks." <span class="time">-02:51 Jul 06</span></div>
<div class="post" style="font-family: verdana,verdana,serif; color: #718BBF; background-color: #;"><span class="username">Paris: </span> Paris nodded. "Sounds great. You ready, then? I think the waitors are eyeballing us for the table." She muttered sheepishly. No doubt they looked like a couple of kids waisting time and tables in the place. <span class="time">-02:54 Jul 06</span></div>
<div class="post" style="font-family: verdana,verdana,serif; color: #404040; background-color: #;"><span class="username">Drake: </span> Drake stood pulling a couple of loose notes from his pocket and counting out enough for everything. "Alright.." he looked around getting his barings before deciding on where to go first. "How about a walk though the park towards the hotel?" <span class="time">-03:00 Jul 06</span></div>
<div class="post" style="font-family: verdana,verdana,serif; color: #718BBF; background-color: #;"><span class="username">Paris: </span> "Sounds like a plan." Up and out of her chair, Paris found herself once again keeping in step with Drake. <span class="time">-03:05 Jul 06</span></div>
<div class="post" style="font-family: verdana,verdana,serif; color: #404040; background-color: #;"><span class="username">Drake: </span> He led her across the narrow street to the park and started down one of the paths heading towards the pond. It wasn't the same part the service had visited but a smaller one closer to the hotel. It was impossible not to think of the night spent here, knowing just who'd come along... "Pitty we had to meet like we did, at the hotel I mean." he had screamed like a pig "Sorry I forgot we were mean to be taking things from the top." he took a deep breath. At least while he still had a throat. "Uhh..." I wonder what she'd sound like. <span class="time">-03:15 Jul 06</span></div>
<div class="post" style="font-family: verdana,verdana,serif; color: #718BBF; background-color: #;"><span class="username">Paris: </span> Her hands were in her pockets again as she looked around at the building. She recognized the area since it was close to work and her Grandpa tended to get loose on these same streets. "Yeah, kinda shitty circumstances. Still kinda freaks me out a bit." <span class="time">-03:18 Jul 06</span></div>
<div class="post" style="font-family: verdana,verdana,serif; color: #404040; background-color: #;"><span class="username">Drake: </span> He sighed with relief as Paris talking covered up the silence. He was forgetting where they were going as he lapsed iinto silence and only looked up when they reached the bright yellow tape at the mouth of the alley behind the hotel. "it does?" he asked forgetting the context of her sentence as he felt a tingle at the top of his spine. It was exactly as it had been, the police tape saw to that and he ducked throught into the alley. "This used to be one of my favorite places." he said looking over the crime scene "When mum was working I'd come here to be close and so she still woudn't see me. I stopped because..." his eyes locked on the corner of the alley behind the dumpster, the space just large enough for someone to hide in. <span class="time">-03:30 Jul 06</span></div>
<div class="post" style="font-family: verdana,verdana,serif; color: #718BBF; background-color: #;"><span class="username">Paris: </span> "Yeah..." It had to be the third or fourth time she had said the word. Paris rubbed her hands over hers arms, getting the willies and that sick feeling in her gut thinking about it. It was surprising there was still police tape everywhere, but then again all of those investigations were still open. <span class="time">-03:37 Jul 06</span></div>
<div class="post" style="font-family: verdana,verdana,serif; color: #404040; background-color: #;"><span class="username">Drake: </span> He looked at where Paris stood seemingly in a differnt world now. "He dragged her right to where you are and she was already sobbing..." he looked up at her face. "It was cold ..." he lost himself the memories bluring into one another until he couldn't tell one rape from the other. It was always like this. His mouth opened in a grin as he realized they were alone even as part of him screamed that she wasn't like the others. "Her scalf is what was used to stifle her screams I think she went into the place she always told me to go when things are bad, deep inside." <span class="time">-03:48 Jul 06</span></div>
<div class="post" style="font-family: verdana,verdana,serif; color: #718BBF; background-color: #;"><span class="username">Paris: </span> The more he spoke, the more she had chills running down her spine! Everybody knew what happened, it was just... the way he was talking about it. He was almost smiling. Shifting uncomfortably on her feet, Paris eased a few steps back. Distance felt good. "I'm not really... comfortable with talking about that." <span class="time">-03:53 Jul 06</span></div>
<div class="post" style="font-family: verdana,verdana,serif; color: #404040; background-color: #;"><span class="username">Drake: </span> He followed her as she back off, even closing the distance slightly. He could see her fear, they always acted with fear. "Because you're afraid it will happen again? Its just us here. He couldn't hide it now, he fear excidted him as much as the memories, but not the first memories just the second... "Katrinka was here too, this is where it happened, she couldn't scream either." <span class="time">-04:04 Jul 06</span></div>
<div class="post" style="font-family: verdana,verdana,serif; color: #718BBF; background-color: #;"><span class="username">Paris: </span> Katrinka? ...Then who was he talking about before..? One of the other people? Though, she couldn't have been TOO surprise, some of the victims had been people from the service. This was just getting a little too awkward. "You know, it's getting a little late." <span class="time">-04:10 Jul 06</span></div>
<div class="post" style="font-family: verdana,verdana,serif; color: #404040; background-color: #;"><span class="username">Drake: </span> He didn't even hear her words, but her meaning struck him hard enough that iit broke his rapture with the past leaving into the present and brought his mind crashing down into itself. "You're just like them." he said the pitch of his voice uncontrolable before he froze. "it is late. Too late." <span class="time">-04:28 Jul 06</span></div>
<div class="post" style="font-family: verdana,verdana,serif; color: #718BBF; background-color: #;"><span class="username">Paris: </span> Awkward was no an understatement. Maybe it was the area and she was just being paranoid, but she just... couldn't deal with this right now! "I'm sorry. I really gotta get home." She looked apologetic, even hesitating a bit as she lift her hands. But finally she gave him a weak wave before she wheeled around on her heels and made for a brisk escape. <span class="time">-04:31 Jul 06</span></div>
<div class="post" style="font-family: verdana,verdana,serif; color: #404040; background-color: #;"><span class="username">Drake: </span> He watched her go him mind screaming for him to stop her. But he didn't he'd already lost her this way. The wieght of the kine in his back pocket came to his attention adn he grinned again. He'd have her another. <span class="time">-04:36 Jul 06</span></div>
Jon smiled at Vince as he laced up his skates. It was nice to be out and about with him and at least he could keep an eye on April as well as have a nice romantic date. When Vincent was all laced up and ready to go Jon led him off by hand to the ice.
Jon smiled as he held Vince's hand. "Don't worry, I won't let you go, but let's go rescue April. I don't think she's learned how to stop yet." He chuckled as he pulled Vince along with him, catching up with April in no time.