thenearshore | -Overflow- for 24

If I did that, I'd have to head home that way too.

[She didn't want to get them dirty. That would be a waste, especially since Izumo had helped with picking them.]

It's not like I can't dance for a little while longer...

[Alex was rather used to getting around the city in heels all day, so a bit more dancing wouldn't hurt. She wriggles a little in his hold, glancing towards the balcony doors in case someone were to come out.]

So you can put me down...!

Do I have to? [ He could let her wriggle out of the hold, but as amusing as it would be, it would also be kind of jerkish move- ] Ah, I guess I do.

[ He puts her down gently, taking care she lands well because- heels. His hands are still on his waist, but his hold is light- almost not there, and if she wanted to move away she could do it at any moment.

"Comfortable" isn't a good word to use, probably. But what would be a correct one, he can't guess. If someone wants to come to him, he rarely pushes them away, but he's also the type that won't try someone to stay - wouldn't be a right thing to do. And sure, some people when they finally leave, become pleasant memories of time spent together. But there is that small category that also leaves a-

-disappointment. Disappointment more time wasn't spent together when a chance for it was still present. ]

If you want we can rest a bit, before I collect that another dance.

[She makes a face when he asks that question, but it’s brief as he complies rather quickly.

Her heals click as they connect with the ground one at a time, but she doesn’t step back or pull away just yet, looking up at him with a confused expression instead, her hands still resting against his shoulders.]

I didn’t say I was tired yet. [Plus, she’d just gotten the hang on the steps!] ...Unless you are?

[He might’ve spent too much energy on his other dances already.]

[ He gives her a stare, wanting to say that no, he was just being considerate, and he's absolutely FOR more dances. But why do that, when he can do something unexpected instead, his knees giving up, pretends to sway on his legs- if he was theatrical enough he'd maybe go full way, but he stops, frozen when his back arches backward as if he was to faint ]

Oh- yes... so tired---

[ He jumps back to normal, back straight, standing firmly on the ground ]

So exhausted. But just looking at you renews my energy.

[ If this was possible for real when he needs it, hah ]

Ah—!

[The moment he tilts backwards Alex grabs the upper parts of his arms to try and steady him.

The moment he follows up with that line, her concern dissipates. It’s a good thing he straightened himself out, otherwise she would have just let him drop. Instead, he get’s a heel to the top of his foot.]

I’m changing my mind on that dance.

[She huffs as she turns on her heel. This giant child!]

OW- ow! [ To remember: heels are weapons, stabbing to be exact. This time he jumps back, one leg raised, and nope, that wasn't a pretend- but might have been played for laughs anyway ]

How cruel-! [ Now he's laughing again, even if still stumbling on one leg. ] See, this is why you're my favourite person on this party.

[She stalks over the the banister where she left her drink, picking up the glass to finish the rest of it.]

And this why you’re probably going to get hit someday.

[There’s a frown on her face when she turns back to him. But her annoyance doesn’t last for too long and starts to simmer down quickly.]

Flattery isn’t going to help you every time, you know.

Well, I guess it's fair. Now we both have suffering feet.

[ He casually sits on the said banister, shaking off his foot a little as if to ease the pain. He puts his hand under his chin and tilts his head ]

You think your mind could be swayed? About that dance I mean.

[ Not giving up™ ]

Mm...How were you planning on swaying it?

[She asks as she tilts her head backwards to look up at him, rotating the glass in her hand.]

[ Challenge? Challenge accepted. ]

I could kneel and apologize profoundly. Maybe even offer few favours, like being your butler for the rest of the night...

[ He muses out-loud with a glint in his eyes ]

Or I could instead- [ Caster jumps off that comfortable perch he just got. Because it doesn't have enough impact if he's sitting there. So he's right before her on his feet again, scooping her free hand gently to press an almost kiss on top of it ] -please, kindly consider allowing me one more dance tonight.

[ An honest request, instead of trying to sneak into her good graces! How noble! ]

[ She was about to comment on the bribery when he changed tactics. How could she stay ‘upset’ when he was acting nicely? She resigns herself and shakes her head.]

Alright, alright. Do people even do this anymore?

[Alex refers to the gesture.]

A true shame if they don't. [ It's a nice gesture- all kind of kisses are, but hey, this one is pretty neutral as far as kisses go. Can be affectionate, can be a sign of respect- all is left to interpretation ]

Sometimes a bit of old-fashioned can be a good thing, no?

[And because of the number of interpretations, and because it was Cú, Alex will take it as a neutral one.]

Are you talking about the gesture or yourself?

[ No luck again, insert sad face. He lets go of her hand with just a tad of linger ]

The gesture, initially. But I suppose it fits both.

[ He's adapting pretty well to the times, he's almost ALMOST up to speed! ]

[The tips of her finger catches onto his for a moment before letting him slip away. It was kind of fun being on the other end of the joke.]

Mm, but you're a lot more relaxed compared to other old-fashioned men.

[Honestly, if he wore more casual ~~and decent looking~~ clothing, he'd fit right in with how he was.]

Or they're just not old-fashioned enough!

[ Wearing that actually-over-2000-years-old proudly ]

Should I fetch you a drink before round two? [ His throat does feel a little dry, so he'd grab some for himself too ]

[She's a little unsure about that..but she won't comment.]

Oh, I'm fine. I'll wait here.

[Alex tried not to think too hard about it, but she wondered if something was off. Had she maybe teased him too much? It seemed like he had gone from wanting to dance to finding an exit strategy.]

[ She doesn't have to wait long, because he just teleports hiself out to the main room, grabs two glasses and returns the same way in a blink- ]

There- [ The content is a surprise even to him. Might be juice, might be alcohol ] How about a toast to something good, and then the next song is ours.

[ The current one is kind of complicated dance he didn't yet caught up to- which is a shame because being more energetic it did look like a lot of fun ]

[Ah, really...and she said she was fine without one. Still, Alex takes the glass with a grateful nod.]

Something good? Mm...[She took a moment to think about it, looking down at her drink thoughtfully before looking back at him.] To good company?

[Alex was a little bashful about saying that, but she meant it. Despite his teasing and childishness, she was very grateful to have him around. Honestly, she still didn't know why he bothered hanging around her, but the his presence always lightened the mood. Cú made it easier to not think of the dark things lurking in the corners. So really, he was more than just good company, but Alex didn't know what to call it just yet.]

Sure, I will gladly make a toast to your name.

[ Sorry, Alex, you walked right into that one. While getting what she meant, and the fact that she considers him a good company, does warm his hand, he's also quick to shift the focus off him onto her. She is an incredibly good company. ]

To a first friend, I found in this place. [ He raises his glass and stares pointedly at her. "Friends" is good enough, even if he wouldn't mind moving past that.

But yeah, friend is really, really good. ]

[Except Caster didn’t realize what even the label of friend meant to Alex. She’s quite literally taken aback, confusion, shock mixed in with flustered.]

Eh..? Y-you consider me a..? [And his first at that?]

But..But I....[What even qualified her for that? Alex wasn’t sure. She hadn’t been called a friend or had one in who knows how many years. There were people she would have liked to call her friend, but that would have been presumptous of her. It was something that stuck to her even here in the Heavens.]

[ There are two scenarios he can take it from here. Joke/be serious that if she wants more than that, he's totally available, or interpret that he's assuming too much.

Guess which he takes. ]

Ah, did I just overstep my bounds? [ Have a sad-puppy face. He's not risking a pout and annoyed Alex again. At this second, at least. ]

[The look on his face made her heart sting, and she immediately jumped in to try and fix that.]

N-no! That’s not..I didn’t mean..you didn’t..! [Alex tried her best to be convincing, but there were still hints of hesitation in her voice. Just not for the reasons Caster assumed. Her eyes fell down to her glass where her fingers were already fidgeting over the neck of it.] I just didn’t think...that you’d consider me as...

[Friendship was a luxury denied her for who knows how many years. Barry never allowed her to spend time with people outside of work, and no one wanted to associate with her because of her job. Even after she met Worrick and Nicolas, Alex wasn’t even sure they were even that. Despite everything they had been through, in the end, Alex didn’t really know them. Even Connie, who was the closest one to maybe being a friend...well, that didn’t last long either.

Alex had been convinced that she just wasn’t someone who could have friends, as much as she wanted to. Someone like Caster though, as bright and warm as he was, he would. And maybe it wasn’t so far off that he would think of her as one. He was kind like that. But Alex wasn’t sure she fit in that circle. For someone like that to want to be friends with someone like her... She couldn’t be that lucky.]

[ Okay, he drops the sad face. He didn't think she will take it so seriously. But friends and bonds ARE a serious thing, no matter how many joke you throw along with it. ]

As a friend? Why wouldn't I? [ He takes her free hand and intertwines her fingers with his. Wouldn't mind more than that, but he gets a hunch it might not be best time to say that aloud. Things like these are best to be said when they can pass as a joke- and jokes right now would ruin the moment. ]

If the feeling is mutual, this will make me the happiest man at the party.

[ For that short time before everything collapses in fire around him! ]

[His hand is warm, but it could also just be that feeling when one hears something as touching as that.]

It's just..[Her eyes lift up to look at him, uncertain, but very much tempted to finally cross that line. Was it really okay? To accept his friendship, to feel worthy of that, and no be afraid to lose it or mess it up somehow?]

I...If that's okay with you..I'd like that.. [As she said this, she let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding, the tips of her fingers pressing lightly against his skin to acknowledge him.]

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futhark - 2018-03-11 14:23 (UTC) - Expand

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sing_for_me - 2018-03-30 06:21 (UTC) - Expand

-Overflow- for 24 - Autumn Reception

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