|
Post by Christian Patrick Elliot on Apr 2, 2007 19:23:45 GMT 7
Lowering his chin just a little to return the flirtations, God help him, Christian smiled and said, "Another time." He chuckled at her, humoured by the playful account. His chuckle did not fade until he lifted the ceramic mug to his lips.
His heart was beating a hint faster, as it always did when he took a step out on a limb to be funny or make a gentle impression. The latte helped relax that slight drumming in his chest, though, making him sigh in content and drop his shoulders enough to get comfortable again. He didn't really want to go home.
Christian raised a shoulder in a mild shrug, not really sure what to call the music. "That would make sense, I suppose," he said, running the back of his neck as he pondered her question. "There are two, yes," he said with a nod and furrowed brow. "Though I haven't heard anything at all from the second group. The title is Twenty-Four Horses, but that hardly gives a clue to their sound." Christian shot her a smile from behind his mug and spoke just before taking a drink, "I suppose we can both be surprised."
|
|
|
Post by Alexia DeMarco on Apr 3, 2007 7:30:31 GMT 7
Her flirtations with Christian seemed to be getting him to respond, and he was actually pretty good at it. Why did he have to be so shy at times? He could be fun, when he wanted to be. That make Lexi curious about his background again. But she had learned patience over the short years since her first relationship, and it sometimes worked for her. So she just grinned at him, as she started thinking of other opportunities to flirt with him.
Christian was right about the name of the second group, it really didn't help to describe what kind of music they played. As he smiled at her, she nodded, with a slight smirk to her lips. "Well, yeah, it'll be a surprise. Let's just hope they don't play neo country, or something weird like that. But, hey, I like surprises!"
Still joking around with him, she takes a final sip from her mug, getting a little foam on her lip. Wiping it off with her finger, she sighs, looking longingly at her mug. "That was probably the best cup of coffee I've had in a long time." Lifting her chin to look at his eyes, she smiles, a genuine smile this time. She doesn't want to leave, but it's going to have to happen sometime. "Thanks, Christian, I liked that very much. But you will have to tell me about that fake ark sometime. You have me very curious, and it's not good to have me so curious." And there she was, flirting with him again. Why couldn't she stop doing that?
|
|
|
Post by Christian Patrick Elliot on Apr 3, 2007 8:27:15 GMT 7
Christian smirked -- actually smirked -- at the thought of the second band playing neo country. "God help us if they do," he muttered with a look of faux fear in his eyes and on his lips. Sighing through his teeth and arching his eyebrows, he simply shook his head, not really sure what else to say about the genre. There wasn't much to say.
He gave her a warm smile at the mention of surprises. "Surprises can be good sometimes," he said. "Hopefully Tuesday will be a nice one." He could only imagine what would happen if they were greeted by the twang of a fiddle, or some eccentric genre that only a handful of suburban teenagers had heard in their garage.
A deep, low chuckle sounded from the man's throat. Her phrase could be taken in so many forms and fashions, but he chose, for once, not to dig any further into her words. Once the laughter had faded from his lips, he looked at her beneath gently narrowed eyes and asked, "Is it not?" Perhaps she was the one who would go to all extents to discover an answer that haunted her thoughts. Or, maybe it was just light chatter.
|
|
|
Post by Alexia DeMarco on Apr 3, 2007 9:17:58 GMT 7
Lexi laughs at Christian's reaction to what she said about the band, it almost sounded like something that she would say. Maybe they were more alike than she thought. At least, this side of him was actually enjoyable to watch. Was it her influence bringing it out? Or was she just making him feel comfortable, and his true nature was peeking out. This was worth exploring a little more, and she wanted to. But she might have to wait until they were together on Tuesday. And that made her wish that today was Tuesday.
Nodding to agree with what he said about Tuesday, she returns his smile, and she can't help but wonder what Tuesday would really be like. "Yes, they can be good. And I am looking forward to it. Even if it turns out not so great, we can always find a coffee shop, and have another good conversation." She did enjoy good conversations, and just relaxing. But she also liked to go out, and have a good time. And she thought she would have a good time with Christian.
As she hears Christian's laughter, Lexi can't help but smile a large, teeth baring smile. And her eyes widen slightly from his comment. That had gotten him to respond in a more flirty way. Appearing slightly shocked, she says, "What? Do you doubt me? I meant what I said, it's not good to have me curious. I might say or do things that I will regret later. You don't want me to regret something that I've done, do you?" Looking at him, slightly wide-eyed, she couldn't wait to hear his response. Would he back down, or would he say something just as flirty and witty?
|
|
|
Post by Christian Patrick Elliot on Apr 3, 2007 9:53:11 GMT 7
Smiling softly, Christian nodded in agreement at her suggestion. She was correct - if the music turned out to be neo country or something else equally repulsive, a coffee shop was only a few blocks down the road. They both appeared content with sitting and making conversation with nothing but a cup of coffee to accompany them.
A second thought struck Christian, making him smile more shyly into his mug of coffee. Clearly she enjoyed his company, which he didn't quite understand, and was willing to see him again. Christian was not exactly overflowing with friendships. He was naturally introverted, with a quiet personality that rarely attracted attention from anyone. The feeling of being genuinely liked was somewhat satisfying.
She queried him, making him lift his eyes and watch her as she spoke. She appeared humoured, offering wide-eyes and an anxious expression. Was she anxious on his response? Christian offered nothing but a raised eyebrow while he took the final drink of his second latte. Setting the mug down and resting his hands in his lap, elbows on the arms of the chair, he said, "I might doubt you, yes." Adding a pause, for the bold sake of being a hint dramatic, he smiled and said, "It would be unfortunate for you to have any regrets, but for all you know it might be worth it." With that, he nodded once for emphasis and sat back in his chair, chocolate eyes watching her reaction.
|
|
|
Post by Alexia DeMarco on Apr 3, 2007 10:32:49 GMT 7
Christian seems a little more shy, after Lexi talked about having a good conversation with him. It was kinda cute, he was modest about praise, and that made him retreat a little. She would then want to say something else, to pull him back out of it. She didn't intend it to be a game with his emotions. She wanted the flirty him back, and she would say what it took to get that part of him back.
As she watches him finish his coffee, and set his mug down, Lexi listens to Christian's words, and laughs. He was challenging her, and she would do something that she regretted, if she weren't careful. Nodding her head a couple of times, she says, "Why, aren't you the little manipulator? Yeah, it may be worth it, just to see what I do when I get curious. And I will probably regret it. But, I will make it so I think it is worth it. Let's just hope you are around to see it." She then gives him a little look, like she is challenging him, and a smirk plays across her lips. Would that push him back into his shell, or would he say something back? She didn't want to push him too far, but he did need to be pushed a little bit.
|
|
|
Post by Christian Patrick Elliot on Apr 3, 2007 10:45:36 GMT 7
Christian nodded slowly in acceptance of her answer. She could definitely be cheeky, though it might be side-lined rather than spit straight out. Coming from strangers, this typically intimidated him, making him take a step back and re-evaluate his decisions. He was always overly-thoughtful like that, not wanting to overstep any boundaries or cross any lines he was not ready for. Playing it safe - that was Christian.
"Hopefully so," he said after a few moments of contemplation. His dark eyes watched her for a second longer, wondering what she was thinking. She appeared to be challenging him, but Christian knew he was no match for her, nor anyone, in a spar of wit. He might be gifted with words, but using them for such argumentative purposes often troubled him. Wit was one thing in a film or song, but another when he attempted to shell one out. It never ended the way he desired, so most often silence or a humble response was relayed.
One glance out the window was enough to see the rain had ended it's pounding on the city below. The cement glistened with water while miniature streams flowed down the sunken sides of the street and into the drains below. Umbrellas were at their owners' sides rather than facing the skies, colours out. It was as though the word was wrapped in a spiderweb, all clear and gleaming.
Casting Alexia a regretful glance, Christian let out a breath, running both hands behind his neck and stretching quietly. "I need to be heading back," he said, looking at her almost sadly, though a friendly smile was still painted across his lips. After picking up his coffee mug and standing up, the man offered his spare hand to help the woman up. The shop was clearing out, and if Christian left in the next minute or so, he would probably avoid a headache of traffic.
|
|
|
Post by Alexia DeMarco on Apr 3, 2007 11:17:19 GMT 7
From Christian's reaction, his few, choice words, and his sudden glance toward the window, made Lexi realize that she had probably pushed him too far. Their little game was over, and she had won, but it was a slightly empty feeling. For it was obvious that he had backed down, and let her have her way. Keeping a soft smile on her face, she hides her disappointment, not so much in him, but more in herself.
And then it seemed like he didn't want to go. Maybe there was a little hope, after all. A hint of sadness, with the friendly smile, and she felt slightly redeemed. His comment about heading back, followed by picking up of his coffee cup, and the offered hand to help her to her feet. Taking his warm hand in hers, she stands, taking her mug in her free hand. Looking into his eyes, she wants to let him know that she didn't mean to push him so hard. But the only words that came to mind were ones of thanks. "Thank you, Christian. Thank you for the coffee, and spending part of your afternoon with me. I really enjoyed our conversation. And I'll see you on Tuesday."
Giving him one of her warmer smiles, she lingers, holding onto his hand a little longer than she thought she should. Finally releasing it, she looks at his eyes, and sighs. "You better get going, you have a ways to go, don't you? And it might be crowded, if you rode the train." She was going to have to think of something, if she spent more time with him, so that she wouldn't push him so far again.
|
|
|
Post by Christian Patrick Elliot on Apr 3, 2007 11:35:04 GMT 7
The feeling of a hand lingering in his palm was almost disheartening, but the thought was pressed to the back of his mind. It had been several years now, it was time to move on. Christian told himself this over and over, but he rarely listened to his own advice. Time was still needed to heal the wound, apparently.
"It was a pleasure," he responded with a stronger smile, not quite showing his teeth but bordering the extravagance. She kept her hand in his for just a second longer than normal, making him look briefly at the floor below until he raised his eyes to meet hers, just as she let him go.
He nodded at the mention of the train. Assuming it was still running on time despite the weather, he could catch the departing train one block over in ten minutes. He was pushing it, lingering in the corner of the Starbucks, but chances were he would be forced to catch the second one due to crowds. Even so, Christian smiled and nodded a farewell towards Alexia. "Call if you need anything or something changes." With that, he bid her goodbye and made his way towards the door and out into the glistening city street.
|
|