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Post by Christian Patrick Elliot on Apr 8, 2007 0:01:25 GMT 7
Christian stood in the dim lighting of the Wreck Room entrance, his hands in the pockets of his jacket. His weight was shifted to one side, his back leaned against the brick exterior. He wore a coffee-coloured button-up, a pair of black dress pants and a casual jacket to match. Although he was not dressed to the nines, he still didn't want to come dressed in jeans and a t-shirt. It wouldn't seem fitting.
The scent of smoke wafted through the air, trailing from the door whenever a group left the music club. Just inside the entrance was a designated smoking area. It was one of the few things Christian did not like about the Wreck Room. Then again, it could be worse, he reasoned. You could be allowed to smoke everywhere.
He shifted his weight, for the fifth time, and glanced down at his watch. There was no real reason to be anxious or worried: it was only 7:12. He had chosen to get there earlier than planned. The last thing he wanted was for Alexia to arrive early and have to stand on the sidewalk, waiting for him. And so, Christian stepped out of the taxi promptly at 7:05, giving himself an overly comfortable ten-minute cushion.
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Post by Alexia DeMarco on Apr 9, 2007 12:21:27 GMT 7
As the taxi pulls up to the curb in front of the club, Lexi glances at her watch, hoping that she wasn't late. She had agonized for what seemed like forever over her clothing, and had finally selected something that she thought would be appropriate. Her brief time from the other day, talking to him in the coffee shop, had given her an idea of what she thought would please him. Something not too casual, but not too formal. So she had selected a dark brown paisley skirt, a pale yellow fitted blouse, some knee high brown boots, and her black leather jacket.
As her dark eyes see that it's 7:14, Lexi sighs in relief, and pays the driver, including a generous tip. Exiting the cab, and stepping out onto the sidewalk, she starts to look around, and try to find Christian. There seemed to be a lot of people coming and going, and she hoped that he was there. Or if he wasn't, that he was just about to call. It would be a let down if he wasn't there, and she would have to decide if she wanted to go inside on her own or not. She makes her way toward the entrance, wondering if she could ask someone that worked there if they knew him or not.
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Post by Christian Patrick Elliot on Apr 9, 2007 12:51:15 GMT 7
Christian was watching the street anxiously, eyes like eagles as he surveyed each woman passing by. Peering over the crowd was easy enough. When you're standing over six feet, you get a pretty clear view of just about everyone. Of course, Christian kept his glances short: the last thing the journalist wanted was to have someone snap at him for 'eyeing' some lady up. That was hardly his intention.
Woman after woman passed - blondes, brunettes, red-heads, and every other colour under the sun. It wasn't until Christian was considering pulling out his cell phone that his glance wavered. A young brunette stepped out of a taxi cab, and after a few seconds of observation, Christian was convinced it was who he was waiting for.
"Alexia!" His voice was raised over the crowd, the volume making him sound more desperate than he truly was. Ducking his chin down and rolling back on his heels, Christian made his way through the growing crowd and approached the young woman. He offered her a small, appreciative smile when he saw her. She looked wonderful, dressed perfectly for the occasion: not too dressy, not too laidback. "You look nice," he said over the busy New York street sounds. "Should we go in?" There was no use in even pretending to be able to hear anything on the bustling sidewalk.
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Post by Alexia DeMarco on Apr 9, 2007 13:24:48 GMT 7
At the sound of her name being called, Lexi turns, looking for the source. As she sees Christian making his way through the crowd towards her, she raises her hand, her thin fingers slightly outstretched, as she waves to him. Breaking into grin, and feeling relieved, she waits for him to reach her. She gazes at his appearance, as he reaches her, and sees the small smile. She thinks that she had chosen her outfit well, and as he compliments her, she knows that she has. Looking up to his eyes, she returns his smile, and her dark eyes show the effect the compliment has on her. "Thanks! You look nice yourself, I hope you haven't been here too long."
Nodding in reply to his suggestion to go in, she starts to make her way towards the entrance, and she finds that the crowd is slowing her down. Turning back to look at him, her dark eyes searching for his, she tries to make herself heard over the crowd. "I didn't expect this many people. Is it always like this?" Not that it mattered that much to her, just being there with him was good enough. And she couldn't wait to hear the bands, she was very excited about it all. She was glad that Cristian has asked her to come, just seeing him was a small thrill in itself.
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Post by Christian Patrick Elliot on Apr 10, 2007 1:12:47 GMT 7
Christian lowered his chin and smiled a little at her returning compliment. He rarely accepted flattery in any form, but he did not feel the urge to say anything against her words. Chances were it would not be heard over the street commotion anyway.
"No, not at all," he said, his voice deep with his rough accent tinging the final syllables of his words. He had been waiting for a bit, but that was more for the sake of his paranoia rather than impatience. There was no need to mention how long he had been standing, back against the brick wall. Christian did not want the young woman to fret over being tardy or feel any guilt for not arriving earlier than he had suggested. Just because Christian preferred extreme comfort zones, almost obsessively, did not mean the rest of the world did.
Making their way through the throng and towards the entrance was much more difficult than it ought to be. The crowd, thankfully, seemed to be mingled with street-goers in addition to those here for the evening performances. The sound of Lexi's voice made Christian raise his eyebrows and turn his head, looking down at her and struggling to listen to her question.
"No," he called out over the street ruckus. He shook his head with a frown before ducking down his chin and leaning closer to her ear. "I think some of the band members go to NYU. We've probably got half the campus fighting to get in," he said with a low chuckle. From what Christian could see, there was a great deal of teenagers and young adults pushing through the entrance of the Wreck Room. It was likely the reason for all the noise and extra pushing and shoving.
Spotting a hole in the crowd just a few feet to Alexia's left, Christian narrowed his eyes and took his hand from his pocket. "Come on," he said, placing his hand on her back and maneuvering her carefully through the crowd and closer to the front door. His height was to his advantage, giving him clear view of the small spots they could walk towards in order to approach the doors.
It wasn't long before they made it through the doors. The lighting was not much different from that of the street they just came from. It was dusky, with flickering bulbs in a few corners and low-lighting in the center room. The companions were faced with three doors, one to the left, to the right, and directly in front. Christian navigated them through the door on the right, opening into a huge room with a center stage and bar along the back wall. Students and young adults were chattering away, most looking as happy and excited as children opening Christmas presents. Two security guards were talking near the steps leading to the stage, while a couple of men were setting up equipment for the band.
"Welcome to the Wreck Room," Christian said with a white smile.
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Post by Alexia DeMarco on Apr 10, 2007 9:22:13 GMT 7
Lexi returned Christian's smile, it was very infectious, that smile of his. It was something of him, and his personality, that she really was beginning to appreciate, and she savored every moment of it. It almost struck her that his smiles, like that one, were very rare, and something to be treasured. And also his manner, the quiet politeness that was always there. Something she felt that was almost the opposite of her, and her personality. It actually made him more attractive to her, since it would be more of a challenge. It wasn't any stretch to say that she hadn't met many people like Christian before.
Lexi missed any changes to Christian's accent because of the crowd noise. It was just an effort to communicate, and she turns her ear toward him, as he leans closer so he wouldn't have to yell. Once again, there was his polite manner, and she did notice that he was trying to make her feel more comfortable. Grinning slightly at his explanation, her dark eyes dancing with amusement, she says, "Only half of the campus? Not as many students there as I had thought." Laughing a little at her own joke, she feels Christian's hand on her back, and she follows the gentle push, giving her an idea of which direction to go. He seemed to know exactly where to go, and that was good, she probably would have been a little lost on the way in.
Her brown eyes blinking from the change in the atmosphere, as the air seemed thicker, Lexi follows Christian's direction into the main room of the club. The background noise from all of the chatter was loud, but not deafening, and she glances around the room, noticing where the stage and the bar were located. Turning to look into Christian's eyes, her lips curving into a very genuine smile, her eyes shine with excitement. "Thank you, Christian, I can't wait for the band to start. From the looks of things, it might be a little while before they do. Should we get something to drink, before it gets too crowded?"
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Post by Christian Patrick Elliot on Apr 11, 2007 23:33:56 GMT 7
Christian smiled down at Alexia when she spoke to him. She was incredibly friendly, and the journalist was finding the more time that passed by, the more comfortable he felt with her. He was no longer tense or fretting over his posture - at least not as much as he usually did. His stride was casual, not forced or sharp. Over course, he wasn't ready to jump off a cliff and go racing into the sunset, but he was loosening up.
"Drinks sound marvelous," he said in agreement. He narrowed his eyes and nodded towards two empty seats at the bar. Throwing a glance back at the stage and the set-up, he added, "We've probably got about twenty minutes or so before they actually start anything."
Leading the woman towards the two seats he spotted, Christian hummed quietly to himself. His voice could not be heard over the youthful throng of college students, but it was clear enough for him. The Wreck Room always put him in a pleasant mood, even if it was more 'hip' than he usually appeared. Music was a passion, albeit a fainter one, and Christian always felt like he made the right decision when he walked through the doors on Tuesday evenings.
Once they approached the bar, Christian ordered himself a martini. Not but a second after the words escaped his lips, he began to wonder about his companion. Was she legal? No, she was twenty. Would she be uncomfortable if he had any alcohol? He wouldn't get tipsy - he never did. But still, would she feel awkward with him drinking alcohol when she wasn't? Or did she have a fake ID? Christian's mind spun and raced in multiple circles in a matter of seconds. Glancing over at Lexi, he ran his tongue across the back of his teeth and wondered if he should retract his order and get water instead.
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Post by Alexia DeMarco on Apr 12, 2007 10:15:59 GMT 7
Once they were inside of the club, Lexi could see that Christian's mood was different, he seemed more relaxed, and a little excited. She thought that he must really enjoy this place, and she felt a little honored that he has asked her to come. And his reaction to her suggestion for drinks brought out a wide smile, twenty minutes sounded like plenty of time to catch up a little with him.
Listening to Christian order a drink, Lexi is looking at the stage, and prep work going on. She always wondered exactly what they were doing to get setup, maybe she could ask him. Turning back to look at him, she sees the uncertainty in his face, and then looks over at the guy behind the bar. Patting Christian on the arm, she smiles at him. "Oh, that's right, you don't know what to order for me. Um, white wine, chardonnay is good." When the bartender asks her for her ID, she pulls out her fake one, and hands it to him. After the bartender hands it back, and it had passed his scrutiny, she quietly thanks him.
As the bartender disappears down the bar, Lexi turns back to Christian, and smirks, winking at him playfully. Reaching back into her purse, she searches for some money, and starts to pull some out. "Let me buy this round, it's the least I can do to thank you for inviting me here." She thought he might try to argue with her, but at some point, she was going to buy some drinks, and she was going to tease him if he insisted on buying them all.
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Post by Christian Patrick Elliot on Apr 12, 2007 11:53:20 GMT 7
"Smooth." Christian turned from the bar, attention towards the stage when he addressed the brunette beside him. Oh the life of fake IDs. Christian might not be a bad boy, but he was definitely not the poster boy for perfection either. He had a fake ID for three months before his twenty-first birthday. Though he wasn't desperate, he had planned to go out with friends one evening and wanted to be able to drink. Up until now, he had dismissed the memory.
She reached for money, making Christian frown and shake his head at her. "The least you can do is put your money back and have a good time," he responded with an arched eyebrow in her direction. Christian was never one to let someone else buy drinks, particularly if he had been the one to invite them in the first place. It was rude. Besides, it was the exact opposite of how the man had been raised.
Clearing his throat and waving a hand at her search for money, Christian spoke. "Please put it back," he said, tone deep and accent once more beginning to push through on his vowels. He watched her beneath dark eyes, unwavering and quite demanding, all things considered. Even from one afternoon with the energetic woman, Christian was aware she could put up her own little argument with him.
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Post by Alexia DeMarco on Apr 13, 2007 1:36:39 GMT 7
Ignoring Christian a little at first, Lexi almost has the money out, and she hears the change in his voice. Turning to look back as his intense glare, she takes on a look of innocence, and then slowly puts her money away. "Okay, okay, don't get all dark and broody on me." But her eyes show that she is playing with him, and having a little fun. She didn't want to ruin the evening by having a stand-off with him right then. And it showed her a little more of his character. A playful smile, and a light laugh, as she tries to take any edge off of her words.
Taking one of the seats, Lexi crosses her legs, and looks over at the stage. While they waited for the drinks to show up, she points over in that direction. "Who's going to play first? And what kind of music do they play?" This was a good way to get Christian back on a subject that he clearly enjoyed, and in which she could show some interest. She was going to have to watch it, she didn't want to push him too far, and end up pushing him away. But she felt he needed a little nudge, he was so withdrawn sometimes. And the other day at the coffee shop, he was opening up, and that was nice. Sometimes it took a while to get to know a guy, and it could be such a challenge. And this one was one that she wanted to take a little more seriously.
((sorry for the shortness, muse is leaving me))
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Post by Christian Patrick Elliot on Apr 13, 2007 23:09:22 GMT 7
Christian wondered at first if she was being serious with her remark. A wary smile seemed to creep into his lips; but once she grinned, Christian dismissed the thought and returned her full smile. He nodded in approval when she returned the money to her purse. Pulling his wallet from his jacket pocket, Christian put the bartender's due on the table in front of him.
He turned around, eyebrows raised casually when Lexi pointed and asked who was going to be the first band on stage. "Hmm." Glancing around the young woman to the posters on the brick wall, his eyes searched for band names. "I think," he began with a pointed nod and thoughtful expression, "it is going to be Two Weeks. And my guess is that it will be some sort of rock, but I could be wrong." Christian smiled at her and leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest.
"I'm still amazed you have never been here before," he said as he watched someone attempt to talk into the microphone - unsuccessfully. The Wreck Room was practically known for it's young, thriving crowd of high school and college students. Whenever Christian returned to campus on his free days, a grand number of kids would say they had seen him at the music club before.
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Post by Alexia DeMarco on Apr 15, 2007 3:34:01 GMT 7
Sighing a little in relief, Lexi welcomes Christian's smile as he pays for their drinks. She could be her own worst enemy in these kind of situations, and she knew it. Why was she trying so hard with Christian? She hardly knew him, they could clash on so many levels. But it was like the effort it would take to make it work with him would be so rewarding that she would be really happy. Maybe that was why she really wanted this to work.
As Christian leaned back in his chair, Lexi leans into hers, her right arm draped across the arm rest. While he describes the band that is going to play, she studies him, his slow, deliberate changes in his face as he thinks had her interest. He was attractive on so many levels, his face, his manners, his personality when he showed it. She had been flirting with the guys in the party circuit for so long, Christian was like an unknown to her. And he had a nice, kind smile, as she returns the one he gave to her. "Well, some sort of rock is better than some sort of polka music. Not that I like polka music that much." A little joke to get him to smile again, that was what she wanted to do. Make Christian smile again.
Christian's question during the sound check that wasn't working made Lexi think a little. Why hadn't she been there before? It was a popular place, and she liked to go to popular places. "I'm not really sure, I've heard of it, of course. I guess the people I've been hanging out with lately don't come here that often. Maybe I'll have to spend more time here, get to see some really good bands. I am traveling to the city more often, since I'm doing that work at the Met." Maybe it could be something they could do together, as they got to know each other better. And she was really wanting to get to know him better, she hoped that he felt the same. Maybe it was a little too early to tell yet. Sometimes the best relationships were the ones that started off slow.
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