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 Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2008 10:02 pm
Hae-min tossed her hair to get it out of her eyes; it wasn't long enough to get in her food anymore, at least. That brought a smile to her face despite the irritation she felt at the planning of this opening event. With a cheerful smile at the man next to her- not Brad, unfortunately, he was sitting behind her at a separate table- she murmured, "Do you think they intended to keep us here for so long?" At least it had been a restaurant's opening, she thought, so there had been plenty of distractions in the form of waiters popping up at her elbow. The large number of attendees helped, too; yes, she was uncomfortable, but it wasn't unbearable. Yet.
She shifted, drawing one leg up under her and sitting oddly- until the same man glanced nervously at her, as if he was... Hae-min had to remind herself that she didn't have the monopoly on lust and smooth her black dress over her stomach and thighs. Just because she was restraining herself didn't mean people wouldn't act on their basic natures, after all. And she had kind of asked for it, wearing something that laced up the sides in such a way.
At least she didn't have to leave yet, she decided as she pushed some strange greenery around the edges of her plate. Unable to stop herself, really, she twisted in her seat to look back at Brad and smiled when she caught his gaze. "Aiyeh," she said quietly, "These tables are set up so strangely, aren't they?"
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Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2008 10:19 pm
If Brad didn't have a reason to dislike being social, he would undoubtably find one if he had to sit out the full duration of the grand opening.
"Why oh why did I agree to this?" he groaned under his breath to one of the partners of the firm that hired him, earning a quiet chuckle in response. "You don't pay me enough for this." That earned a laugh from the gentleman at his side; while it was gratifying that someone was enjoying his discomfort, it did nothing to unrankle his irritable mood. Sure, he helped build many of the chains from the restaurant and it was all for show, but why did they want to bring him? Why did he have to dress nicely? Why did he have to sit here?
More importantly, why was Hae-min wearing that?
Brad has been distracted ever since he first saw her. He had politely inquired as to the location of her table, and when first directed, he had thought the person was wrong. Not only was it full of its occupants and then some, but the woman there had been wearing an oriental number with stitching up the side, enough to make the mind wander but not enough to be considered unclassy. For the second time in the past few weeks, the Italian had found himself admiring a short-haired woman, only to catch himself seconds after realizing it was Hae-min.
Hae-min. In that dress.
It was like some mantra that would not go away. Everytime someone looked at her, he felt the unreasonable urge to be violent. He'd even accepted a glass of wine to cool his frayed nerves, but it wasn't helping as well as he had hoped. Unwilling to get buzzed at such an affair (and having not had a drink for nearly a decade had something to do with it), he had simply sat and stewed. Certainly, he'd had polite conversation, debate and more praise than he knew what to do with, but it wasn't very important in that moment. He could see their eyes flick beyond his shoulder, was staring right at them as their brows raised with interest. Violent was beginning to be an understatement.
It didn't show on his face or in any action. Brad was very mindful of himself and kept his composure, all plastered smiles and cordial pleasantries, with the occasional glance over his shoulder to see how Hae-min was holding up. It was during one of these glances that he noticed she was looking at him, giving him a start and automatically pulling a smile from his lips, perhaps the first real one all night.
Tugging at the tie around his neck, fighting not to roll up the sleeves of his dress shirt, he smoothed his slacks and gave an uncomfortable shrug. "Could be worse," he whispered back, looking over some of the more pompous attendees, "Could be stuck here all day."
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Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2008 10:30 pm
"Oh my," she giggled, eyes dancing. (Meanwhile, some old airbag had begun to ramble up at the front of the room. She ignored him; Brad was much nicer to look at. A momentary look of shock crossed her face at that odd thought, but she remembered where she was and found a genuine smile again.) "Well, the day's only another few hours so it may not be that bad, ne? Especially with good company?..."
Really she wouldn't mind staying here, in a crowd of people that rather diffused her desire to jump on some poor man and--
If only she weren't so damn uncomfortable already. She hoped they got back on the schedule she'd memorized soon- with a glance at the nearest clock, she noted they were almost an hour over and not likely to catch up to their proper place soon. Instead of commenting on that, she widened her smile and whispered, "You look well. Is that a new tie?" Of course, she almost never saw Brad wearing anything more formal than jeans and a button-down shirt, but he did look good and she couldn't remember ever seeing him in that particular tie before.
She folded her arms over the back of the seat and ignored the rather surprised look of her boss. Soon enough she'd have to go anyway- if she could think of an excuse. She frowned and shifted again, brow furrowing for a moment before she remembered (again!) where she was and the smile came back.
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Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2008 10:40 pm
His smile remained in place, his indigo gaze shifting to the nearest clock to confirm the time. A soft hiss of air escaped between his teeth, casting an annoyed glance to the speaker. "Haven't these guys heard of a schedule? I almost wish I had a project I could duck out of here for." A wistful sigh and he rolled his broad shoulders in a shrug, his smile lop-sided. "I'll agree with the company part. I probably wouldn't have come at all if you weren't."
Brad twisted in his seat as well, one arm draped over the back of his chair, not even bothering to pretend to be interested in what the man speaking was prattling on about. Using his free hand, he tugged at the tie again, looking down and over its blue hues. "Yes. Alex bought it for me last Christmas as a joke, but it turned out pretty well." His fingers drew over the arrow-like design with dark shades of blue inbetween, making his eyes really stand out. It matched his navy slacks and stood out nicely over his black dress shirt. The only downside was it made his skin more dark than it already was; it may have been a plus to anyone else, but the Italian seldom tried to flaunt his heritage.
Turning his eyes back to Hae-min, his brows furrowed in a silent question as her smile faded, but his own quickly returned as hers did. "Is your dress new? I know for a fact I've never seen anything even remotely like it in your vicinity," he joked warmly, "but you're gorgeous. It's gorgeous." His correction came a little late, but he couldn't help grin at his slip. No harm in it, he supposed.
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Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2008 10:46 pm
She laughed, clear and bell-like in a room that was gradually beginning to grow in nervous rustling. "Ha," she intoned, really very distracted by other problems even though she tried not to be. "I have no hope for a-" Her head turned towards a man two tables over who looked, well--
No. Hae-min definitely had to get out of there soon, but being able to actually have a conversation with Brad made her too giddy to really care. "--She chose really well, you look very good," she finished lamely with an embarrassed smile.
With a shake of her head, she tucked both hands under her chin. "Yeah," she said. "It's new. A friend bought it for me while vacationing on Isle de Gambino. And it's comfortable and easy to-- so..." She let her forehead slip down to touch the back of her chair. "I have to get out of here," she murmured, as if she didn't know she was speaking out loud.
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Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2008 10:57 pm
Even her laughter was different. It wasn't bad - enticing, even - and made him smile more broadly. He lifted his dark brows as she finished her statement with something that seemed unrelated, inclining his head with acknowledgement at the praise regardless. "Thank you," he replied in earnest, releasing the tie from his grasp. "It's not so bad. Not great, but I'm surviving it."
He kept his eyes fixed on her face as she talked about the dress, because to look it over would make it warmer in the room than it needed to be. A soft 'ah' escaped him as she mentioned the Isle, not in the least bit surprised about its origins there, starting to sit up a bit straighter as she fumbled her words. Brad's expression became neutral, a sign of alarm or cause for concern, catching the soft words as the speech momentarily lulled for a new shuffling of paper. He felt chilled despite his warm clothing; this was not good.
Touching the shoulder of his partner next to him, muttering something lamely about having to go outside, he stood and pushed his chair in, moving to Hae-min's side and crouching to wrap an arm around her waist. "C'mon," he whispered softly to her, jerking his chin towards the entrance of the room or the bathroom, wherever she needed to go. He wasn't sure what was wrong, but he'd never seen her like this. "Let's go, Min. Tell me where you need to go." He kept his tone low and encouraging, doing his best not to betray any of his mounting worry.
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Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2008 11:04 pm
Her look at him was a bit shocked. Had he even heard her- obviously he had, she must have misjudged how loud she was speaking or thinking or whatever. "Outside," she mumbled, standing and allowing herself to lean a bit into him. "It's chilly out." If she didn't bother getting her coat she would be able to calm down a bit and return for the rest of the speeches. "I'm sorry," she continued under her breath so only he could hear. "It's just- I found out--"
Distracted again, she cut herself off. Just a second of clarity would help so much, she thought as she clutched at his arm. "Please, let's go outside."
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Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2008 11:12 pm
He listened without question, one arm laced around her back and the other offered as support, giving a few quiet 'excuse me's and 'pardon' as he escorted the woman out of the room, jaw set grimly. "Don't apologize," he murmured as they passed the doormen, giving a curt nod in the process, "take a moment to breathe, and for heaven's sake, please tell me what's wrong."
The cool air was a welcome reprieve, curling through his hair and down his collar, almost chilling his neck. He held onto Hae-min for as long as she'd let him, or at least, as long as she'd need, there for support or just to lean on. Brad thought to take her to a bench, but recalling the last time they'd seen each other, he decided to wait and see what she wanted to do. For all he knew, this could end in them jogging around the block.
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Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2008 11:21 pm
She did as told, taking a deep breath and shivering a moment in the cold. It was exactly what she needed, though- her mind cleared a bit, so she could think of more than just out. No one had told her that if she turned the direction of her powers towards herself in a crowded area that it could sneak up that fast. She had asked the one who would know the best, too- now Hae-min wondered if Lucifuge had been keeping secrets from her. With another calming breath, she organized her thoughts into something more than... Well. It didn't bear repeating, even to herself.
"I figured out how to... turn it off," she said, trusting he would know what it was. "And... Normally I can keep it under control for three or four hours in large groups like that, but..." It had been at least three, since she had arrived early. "That's what was wrong when you came to visit me," she told him miserably, covering her face with her hands. "When I'm alone, I can keep it turned to myself for hours and hours, but I'd already practiced a lot that day, so..."
Hae-min looked up at him through her bangs, and having forgotten the first part of his instructions, she continued, "I'm sorry."
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Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2008 11:30 pm
Brad blinked as she started to speak, mind reeling to keep up but not finding it too difficult; there could only be one thing she was referring to. He listened, his expression continually blank except for his eyes, which were bright with fresh concern and a tiny bit of fear. Turn it off? Under control? What was going on?
"It costs you?" he asked uncertainly, not certain how, exactly, she was quieting it. If he had an idea of how she did it, he could guess the rest, but he was genuinely uncertain. Hae-min seemed flustered and anxious, but if that was the worst of it, they could count themselves blessed. Unable to stop himself, he reached out to give her a light hug, thinking, and it was only after the last part that it struck him.
Was she saying...?
"Turned to yourself?" he repeated, startled. His eyes were wide, a greater fear threatening to swallow the vivid blues. "Then you...you feel it instead?" Brad was aghast at the implications. "You took the brunt of it for all those people? Wh...what does it do to you?" he asked bluntly, relaxing his arms enough to look down at her. Not wanting to confuse his words, he rambled onwards, "Not the obvious, but...you want to, expend that energy by...in a fashion true to its name?" Another pause, his stomach suddenly sickly. What would happen if she couldn't control it and didn't let it go...?
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Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2008 11:37 pm
She clenched her teeth together for a moment, closing her eyes and pretending... Hae-min didn't know exactly what she was pretending, but she was. Once she was almost calm again, she said, "Yes, I- I do, or did, or... will, and..." At that moment, she was beyond blushing, so she continued as frankly as she could. "...I don't. Expend it that way, I mean. I... I walk, or I run, or I do something, whatever I can." Even at that moment she was rocking her weight from one foot to the other- not enough that someone would notice if they weren't looking, but enough that it wasn't unbearable.
But she wanted to- God, she wanted so many things she shouldn't want. "Everything just caught up with me," she said, ashamed. "I couldn't concentrate enough to keep myself in order." Glancing up in a fashion that was almost shy, she continued: "Thank you. I do feel better now."
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Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2008 11:51 pm
Running a hand through his shaggy hair, he shook his head, not completely understanding. "I don't quite get everything you just said," he sighed, eyes shifting around the parking lot, "but it seems like you have some control over it." He couldn't be sure, but it seemed that she could convert it into energy she could spend without...well, intimacy. That didn't bode well for what had just happened, but he felt a little light-headed trying to make sense of it all.
He knew Hae-min was something like the avatar of Lust, and those around her were influenced by the Sin. Turning it on herself, it seems she felt the effects but was not bound to ease the strain through the conventional methods. It seemed too good to be true, but he'd accept it, if she said that's how it was. He'd have nothing else to base it on.
Brad wanted to hug her again, but he wasn't sure it'd be the right thing to do. He nodded, distracted, overwhelmed. "You're welcome. Just don't wait until it's that bad again next time, especially if I'm not there to get you out, hmm?"
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Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2008 12:00 am
"Oh, it doesn't always work," she said without a moment of thought, distracted by the play of the light in his hair. "When that happens, I just..." She realized what she was saying and clapped both hands over her mouth. Now, of course, she could blush, when she didn't want to because... He might figure it out, Brad was smart.
She frowned and stared at the pavement. "I didn't mean to," she said. "It usually... normally I can... tell, you know?"
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Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2008 7:37 pm
The man's dark skin paled considerably. His face fell, a crack in his neutral mask. Reaching out, he took her hands gently into his own, his indigo gaze trained upon her delicate features. "What," he asked softly, "would happen if it didn't work...in that room?" There was a sick and heavy pit in his stomach, afraid of the answer or notions but having to hear it from her anyway.
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Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2008 7:47 pm
Her color paled and she looked down at the concrete. "If I can't control it," she said in a monotone, "and I don't let go when it gets too bad... it hurts." She paused to take a deep, shuddering breath. "Once I tried, and it... after a while, it..." That memory wasn't one she liked. It was another thing Lucifuge hadn't told her about... "I couldn't bear to touch anything," she whispered, her gaze fixed on his new tie. "Anything. And if I let go of it when... it doesn't work. Then I don't think..."
Hae-min bit her lip and looked up at him. If there was any God in Heaven- and there had to be, because there was Shaitan in Hell- he would let Brad put that last bit together. Still, to make it more plain, she continued in a voice that was hardly audible, "I don't think any of them would have... left faithful to their significant others."
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