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Here's to First Dates. (Attn: Reign)

Will paced his apartment, rubbing his palms along his jeans. She had called the day before, she wanted to meet some where for coffee or something. It had been years, several decades, fine...more than a century, since he'd had a first date. He didn't date. Life did not need the complications of a woman, not to mention that beyond seduction he found himself shy and tongue tied. How in the nine hells was he going to pull off coffee or something?

Sighing, he moved to the little table that held his things and put them on his person in their proper places. He'd fed a few days ago so he was glad to not be distracted by hunger, well at least not that kind. He closed his eyes and pulled the spunky blonde into the foreground of his memory. She was lovely and had a way of speaking that left him wanting to know more and more about her.

Well, she wouldn't be the first human he'd fallen for, and she probably wouldn't be the last. A beat up dark brown leather coat completed his out fit of jeans, a grey and green striped Polo shirt that his shop assistant had given him for Christmas last year over a white t-shirt, dark brown hiking type boots, and a matching belt. He hoped he looked alright and not too out of sync with the rest of the world.

The sun had set just over an hour ago and the sky far off past the towers was still painted in brilliant pinks and golds. He made his way down to the street loosing sight of that glorious sky. He loved the sunset, it was a majestic end to the day and a perfect herald to the night. The coffee shop they were meeting at was not too far from the towers, but he left early enough so that he would either arrive early or allow for some fated mis-hap.

The brass bell tied to the door tinkled as he let himself in, mis-hap free. A quick scan of the room told him she had not yet arrived. He found a table that was both intimate and public. The lighting was low, and it was in the front corner near the window, apart from the other tables. The two chairs next to the low table were dark and plush, lending to people curling up and staying awhile, maybe ordering more than one drink, to while away the time. To him it seemed perfect, he hoped Reign agreed.

Bastian 18 years ago
"Funny?" Did she think he didn't eat any more? Or maybe she thought he lived off the deer he killed while out running in the woods... Even less appealing was the thought that maybe she felt he was stalking her. A myriad of responses came to mind, but he let them all go out of deference to her.

"Will." Bastian nodded at the man, and acknowledged him for the first time then, extending his hand at the same time. He could be, and was at the moment, quite civil, even when he would have been much happier pushing the guy aside and taking Reign by the hand. Though he hadn't been away from her so long that he truly thought that tactic would work. Yet....he couldn't ignore the idea of just grabbing her up and running off with her. Things between them really needed to be resolved, and soon.

It killed him to just stand aside, but stand aside he did. He didn't want to make her life difficult, even if she saw it that way. And though he didn't want to see her go off with this guy, unless she came to him freely, he knew they wouldn't stand a chance.


"Please...don't let me keep you. Enjoy your evening."

Not wanting to see them leave together, Bastian turned, and walked out the door. He was surprised at how much seeing her like that had effected him, almost more than when he had found out she had married Vince. But then Vince was a known commodity to Bastian, and he had never taken that marriage seriously. This...Will...was an unknown, and that made him dangerous in Bastian's mind.

Jumping into his Hummer, he looked in his rear view mirror and pulled away from the curb when the road was clear, at a break neck speed that left tire marks on the street, and the sound of squealing behind.

As he drove towards home he felt pretty proud of himself for holding it all together, until he realized he had left his dinner behind. And then a string of loud Italian epithets could be heard streaming from his open window as he sped off.


(Bastian out - pending responses)
William 18 years ago
Reign's hand was warm and soft in his and he was glad she had accepted his gesture. He liked the way her had felt in his. Then a man approached, the ma that had been accosted by the waitress. It seemed she knew him, which would explain the more that usual reaction to the man's coffee mishap. They did not seem to like each other very much, but were playing nice, but then he could be wrong, he wasn't the best people reader.

"Bastian." He returned in greeting, taking the man's hand briefly. He had a good grip, but there was a bit more force behind it than Will expected. Not wanting to get into a pissing contest in front of Reign, Will simply let go. He felt slightly defensive of Reign all of the sudden and wanted to put his arm around her shoulder and show his possession of her to this man, but he knew he had no right to such a claim...yet.

Then the man left, taking the elevating testosterone level with him, his car making those awful sounds people feel the need for when angry.


"Pleasant fellow."

Will smiled down at Reign, and moved to the door. "I think the night air will do us good right about now."
Reign 18 years ago
That was odd. Not at all what she had prepared for. Reign had expected a scene, at least a minor tiff, Bastian could be a trifle on the jealous side.

But she was just as glad Reign reminded herself. He had no claim on her at this point he had no call to be jealous or possessive. Still why did she feel bad when he left in a bit of a temper. She wasn’t looking to get back together but she hadn’t meant to hurt him.

Reign frowned intently for several seconds before letting out a pent up breath and smiling weakly at Will.


“Ex.”

She said by way of apology and explanation. It wasn’t a pleasant sounding word this time.

Why did she have to destroy relationships rather than just breaking up with a guy in an amicable manner? Hell, why did she have to always wind up breaking up? Did this mean she was supposed to be dating women? No… that last one wasn’t at all right and the others she had no answer for.

Forcibly dragging her mind back to the present and her date for the evening she even managed a smile.


“I think a walk will be a good thing. Maybe we can find something to entertain us.”

The innuendo slipped out unintentionally and Reign didn’t even notice it.
William 18 years ago
Will gave Reign an understanding look about her "ex", that turned into a smile as he opened the door.

"I should think that won't be a problem in the least."

They departed the shop and made a left turn onto the Strip. Will had to take a deep breath and steel himself for the coming onslaught of technology. There were cars by the hundreds, people on phones as they walked down the streets, bright lights and cacophonous sound. Humanity and it's ever advancing world pressed in on him and he had to remember that he was better than all of it and would survive well past this age in humanity. That settled him a bit and he offered Reign his arm.

"Well I know you like Shakespear, and that you play billiards for a living, you are writing your dissertation and that you have a great sense of humor. So tell me, what is your favorite color?"

Will chuckled softly. He'd read a guide to dating the modern woman, a few days ago and found the conversational tips absurd. Does anyone really care what the other's favorite color was or what items they would want on a desert island? Will certainly didn't, and he doubted Reign did either.

"I'm sorry, I couldn't resist. I read a book recently about conversation starters and that one struck me as the most absurd thing to ask a woman. I'd much rather know what your favorite book is or which author you'd have lunch with, or if you want to write the Great American Novel."

Will smiled at her hoping she wouldn't mind his joviality.
Reign 18 years ago
“Blue.”

Reign answered without hesitation. Although she was a bit tempted to go into the Python bit of ‘no yellow… aaaaaarrruuuugggggg!’. However, that might be a slight bit hard to explain so she refrained.

Giggling softly at his quip she smiled at him.


“Now we’ve each had on lapse in logic so we’re even.”

The light tone he took was a relief after the encounter with Bas. Reign had been afraid they wouldn’t get the mood back. There was still a lingering doubt in her mind, a nagging feeling she wasn’t being fair to him but Will had brought things back to the point she could have some fun.

“I think I might like the color question better its easier. I’m not sure I could pick a favorite book if you held a gun to my head. Rebecca, Pride and Prejudice, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Dune, Ender’s Game, The Once and Future King… I could keep going but I’d probably bore you. I’ve always read a lot but traveling for tournaments seems to have increased that. I think every novelaholic has the desire to write, I’m just not sure I’d be very good at it.”

It seemed rather natural to take his hand about this time as they continued to walk.

“What about you? Any secret burning ambitions or something I could use for blackmail purposes?”

She teased him lightly as they walked.

Having grown up in a city not too different from this one, Reign was perfectly at home with the people, cars, and ambient noise. So much so, she didn’t even notice them.
William 18 years ago
"The subject of literature could never bore me. I do not think I have yet read Ender's Game. I will remember to pick it up at the library next time I go in."

Will opened his sense of touch just a little more and felt every line and crease in Reign's hand. Her skin was cool and soft, he could feel the light residue of lotion, and if he chose he could open his smell up and find out what kind of lotion she used, but that would open him up to be assaulted by the smells of the city. He damped his senses back to normal and smiled at Reign.

"I had thought to spend my time writing, but I have no talent there. So far I am comfortable in my life and have no desire to change things. As to blackmail...well I can think of a few things in my past that could get me into trouble should I ever run for political office."

He gave her a lopsided grin and pushed a lock of hair back from his face.
Reign 18 years ago
“It’s a good book. Sci Fi but only because of its setting in my opinion. It really is solid literature.”

She rambled on about the book without thinking. You had to love safe topics, great for first dates. Although books… you could really learn about a person from their taste in books.

“You ought to try it. I’ve had some of my work officially set down but it couldn’t hurt to play with it a bit.”

She giggled a bit at his blackmail answer. Everyone had something in their past no matter how innocent they seemed. She would have been disappointed if he was a complete choir boy.

“Do tell. I’d like to have something to sell to the tabloids if you decide you want to be mayor.”
William 18 years ago
Will chuckled softly, tucked wind-blown hair away and resisted the urge to take her hand again. "Is this the part where I tell you I've killed a man, or do we go with something less dubious? Oh I know, there was a time when I stole money from an employer. Though in my defense he didn't pay very much and he liked to spend his profits of whores, wine and gambling, not necessarily in that order."

He gave her a roguish grin and resisted once more the urge to take her hand. "Not very tabloid worthy I'm afraid."
Reign 18 years ago
“That’s it?!”

Reign was aghast, or at least pretended she was.

“It’s a bit disappointing. I was hoping for a major scandal. Maybe human smuggling and mafia connections. I can’t very well retire on selling that story, not even if you ran for president.”

Maybe it was the encounter with Bastian but Reign felt more forward than usual and again took William’s hand. If you were going to be on a date be on a date, at least that was her theory… right now.

“I’ll have to embroider it a bit come up with something juice and tweak some photos. I just question whether the pay off would be worth the effort.”

She returned his grin with a wicked one of her own.
William 18 years ago
Will nearly sighed with joy when her hand slid into his. It felt right to have it there, natural and comfortable. He grew just a bit more fond of Reign then.

"I think I could provide you with some photos you can doctor. Maybe you can say I was stealing from my own company and did the wine-laced whore thing."

He gave her hand a squeeze and drew her to a stop in front of a store window. It seemed some of the stores here had followed in New York's tradition of making a spectacle of their front windows and this particular place had a winter wonderland complete with sledding children and christmas muzak.

"It's a bit early for this isn't it?"
Reign 18 years ago
“Now that’s very considerate of you. Very few potential blackmailees would offer photos, thank you.”

She didn’t at all feel like being serious. If she was she would probably start to brood about the whole Bas thing.

The store window’s made a nice distraction. Laughing she shook her head.


“No, not really. The probably had it up a while ago. Or maybe I’m used to it, you see this sort of thing all the time back home starting about Thanksgiving.”
William 18 years ago
Will studied the window for a moment, trying to figure out how it worked, but the technology was beyond him. It was however a pleasant scene.

"I guess it is better than September. I was at the market just before Halloween and they had a set of Christmas decorations down at the end of the Halloween section. When I was a boy Christmas began after Advent and not three months before."

He smiled at her, letting her know that he was not being serious, but instead simply sharing an annoyance with her. For no reason other than it suited him, he brought her hand up to his lips and gently kissed the knuckles. With a much warmer smile in his he returned their hands to their sides. "Too forward?"
Reign 18 years ago
“Yeah but if you start Christmas at advent you’re not supposed to end it until Epiphany and that throws of Valentine’s Day and if we do that we won’t be back on track until Memorial Day.”

Reign quipped back. She hated the whole early commercial Christmas but tolerated it, that or out right ignored it; especially as some of her favorite traditions were being taken away.

Her smile softened from smart-ass to shy as kissed her hand. Reign was thankful it was still warm enough she hadn’t worn gloves.


“Not at all.”

She said with utter sincerity. It was actually highly romantic and very proper. She was the one being a hussy as she again claimed his hand, not wanting him to get discouraged or too proper.
William 18 years ago
Will responded with another warm smile and gave the display one last look. He took a step back and started them back on their walk down the busy sidewalk.

"Christmas is one of my favorite times of year. The cold, the lights, the music. Well not that hokey stuff they play in the stores, but the real carols. The ones you sing at church. Do you like Christmas? Do you celebrate it for that matter?"

He grinned at her and deftly steered them around a little boy who kept darting back and forth between his mother and a store window.
Reign 18 years ago
For a change, Reign was quite content to follow along rather than leading. She had no where to go, not really, and was trying not to think about anything other than this date.

“I’ve always liked the lights. I used to make sure to go downtown at least once during the season, either by myself or with someone to see State Street all done up and the lights on Buckingham Fountain. We always seemed to freeze to death but it was always great fun.”

Reign kept half any eye on the child, fairly certain if he got too close she’d wind up injuring him.

The wind picked up just then and she shivered slightly, more out of instinct than being cold. She’d rather deal with that than her estranged family. That wasn’t exactly light conversation and not something she was prone to talk about to just anyone.


“We used to. Never very churchy more about having as many of us in one place as possible.”

And she was deliberately cutting herself out of that. Her parents, her sibs, they had to understand that. That she’d screwed up and couldn’t be around right now.
William 18 years ago
Will felt her shiver through their joined hands. He wondered if she was cold, or if the wind had just gone down her spine wrong. Either way, he felt compelled to make her more comfortable. He slipped his fingers from her's and let his jacket slide down his arms. In one motion he had it from his hands to her shoulders.

"Better?"

He smiled at her and reclaimed her hand. He liked having her hand in his and hoped he could keep it there for as much of the evening as possible.

"I don't exactly celebrate either. I go to midnight mass, and drink a cup of eggnog, but there isn't much else to do when you've no one to celebrate with."

Well that was awful melancholy of him. He'd never really felt lonely before and he wondered why his lone Christmases seemed so lonely now. 'And depressing...'

"Hmm, that came out wrong. I think what I meant was that I...nope that's going to sound the same. I'm not lonely, just alone. So there isn't much point in going to the twelves...no that's not right, the nines, for myself."

he was fairly certain that was the right figure of speech he was looking for, even though he wasn't entirely certain he knew what it meant.
Reign 18 years ago
Reign grinned and almost laughed at him. She’d never under stood chivalry, but had come to accept it more readily as she’d gotten older. She didn’t have as much need to prove herself and so could enjoy the little niceties of a date.

“Much thank you. You’d think I’d be smart enough to bring a jacket with me in weather like this. If you start to freeze we should go in some where though.”

His plans actually sounded nice. Quiet, small, relaxed and much more festive than her own, Reign currently planed on trying to scrounge up some games and see if she could make some money while she was at it.

This time she did laugh at his twelve vs. nine debate. It was sort of a cute goof.


“Not even an office party? Sometimes those are good, although you have to pretend you like the people you work with. Hell even we do a holiday get together, but usually closer to New years when the circuit starts again. Its in Vegas this year, that’s where the first big tournament is, but I’m not sure if I’m going.”
William 18 years ago
Will was glad she concerned for his comfort as well, but the cold didn't affect him like it did her human body, so unless they were out here for hours he wouldn't be bothered.

"No, there are only two other people that work with me and they don't really like each other, so I don't bother with more than their gifts, and vice versa."

He wondered just what had happened that would cause her to turn away from her work and possibly her family, if he was reading her cues correctly. He wanted to ask, but did not think it appropriate first date material.

"Taking an extended vacation then?"
Reign 18 years ago
“How can ya’ll work like that? I won’t say that we’re all squishy and warm but aside from professional rivalries we can be a fun group.”

There were of course cliques within the tour, if she didn’t go she wouldn’t see them for several more months, until her hiatus was officially over, assuming she didn’t extend it. Actually the more she thought about it the more she wanted to go back to work. She missed the competition, and could use the cash flow; time to worry about that later, she was here to think of less serious things.

“I’m thinking about going back to the city, if I can get on my adviser’s calendar. Maybe if she takes a look at what I’ve got written I can actually get this damned thing done. I’m not sure we’re communicating as well as we could via e-mail.”

Reign rolled her eyes and shook her head at that.

“How’s that for stupid, two educated writer types not understanding each other when they write?”
William 18 years ago
"Well we don't see much of each other, they pass for shift change and I pretty much just stay in my workshop. I like them both, the woman is a great friend, and the young man, well he's a bit of a cad but a nice enough fellow. It rather works for us actually."

He gave her a grin and a little squeeze of the hand.

"Perhaps I could look over it for you? I'm no scholar, but I know a little about a lot of things, fresh eyes might help you see the light at the end of the tunnel."

He didn't know much about e-mail. He'd heard of it and read a few articles about it, but computers were the very devil and he had as little to do with them as possible.

"I would assume that e-mail, much like a hand written letter, is difficult for discerning emotion. It is hard to know what a person truly means when you can not hear their voice or see their face. It seems to me that at the very least people shout go back to phone conversations. I do not always understand the fast pace we live these days, though I do try."

'Well, hell keep at it like that and you might as well hiss and show your fangs before feasting on her lovely neck, you dolt.' Will sighed softly, he really was much too relaxed in Reign's presence if he was making such rookie mistakes.