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heart ~Introduction~ heart

Drumming her fingers along the stem of the wine glass, Aki tried to reign in her nervous energy. The entire evening had been Melisande’s idea…as soon as the Raevan realized Aki had no plans for celebrating the sweet holiday, the muse had started making plans for her. Unbeknownst to Aki, she’d left several neatly scribed cards in key locations...one in the lab, one at the flower shop, even one at the coffee shop where they’d met Lucretia! The message on the card was a simple invitation to meet, with little more than an address and a gold embossed cupid in the lower corner.

Totally unaware of what the Raevan had planned, Aki waited as patiently as she could. It was sweet of Pasha to try to set her up, even though she had little interest in love. At Meli’s urging, she’d dressed up in her favorite gold silk dress…hair pinned behind her tapered elven ears and a tiny diamond glinting at the hollow of her neck. The empty chair across the small table was starting to make her a bit uncomfortable…had she dressed up for nothing?

”Ohh, here comes someone!” Melisande clapped her hands together excitedly, watching the stairs from her perch at the edge of the café’s garden terrace. The pink bows in her hair bobbed as she leaned to the side for a better look.

“Someone?! What do you mean, someone?” Aki started to rise, but it was too late. Her (first) date was here!

"Hello!" Melisande trilled a greeting, delighted at the sight of the first arrival. Drifting forward toward the lovely woman, Melisande spread her skirt in a bobbing curtsy. For her own outfit, the Raevan had selected an adorable short pink dress with french maid accents...rather appropriate considering that she was working for Aki! "Thank you for your company this evening! My name is Melisande...and may I present the Lady Aki?"

Practically beaming, Pasha escorted Rachel towards the table as they talked, pausing to allow for the other woman's introduction. Aki remained standing as they approached, smiling bemusedly, and gracefully offered Rachel a hand in greeting. "It's always a pleasure to meet someone new. Please, have a seat?" She wasn't as nervous as she'd expected to be. In truth, the other woman looked confident and nicely put together...Aki was rather looking forward to some conversation!

Aki's long ears dipped, a bit of wry humor at the edges of her smile. Rachel certainly didn't look too comfortable! "Melisande seemed to think that I needed to meet new people, with Valentines approaching." As best she could guess, Pasha and Rachel hadn't met before...she was curious how the Raevan managed to set up a totally blind date! "Do you have a chance to get out often, Rachel?"

Meli floated a bit closer to the table, carrying a little tray with two tall bottles balanced upon it. Dimpling with a smile, she motioned to the selection and addressed both ladies once she wouldn't be interrupting. "Bubbly water? Or bubbly wine?"

"Champagne." Aki said, by way of correction, but Meli assumed it was a request and happily poured the first glass. "Ah-well. Nevermind. Thank you, Pasha."

"And for you, Lady Rachel?" Melisande's ribbon spiraled gently as she hovered, waiting on the woman's order.

Melisande carefully poured Rachel's glass as well, and floated back with another bobbed curtsy. To give the women some privacy, she retreated to the far end of the balcony, where she could watch for other arrivals. Everything seemed to be going splendid so far, and the Raevan was more than pleased with herself. Not bad, considering Aki wasn't going to even leave the house!

"Students? You're a teacher!" It wasn't so much a question, but Aki seemed interested in that tidbit. "I have several...well...I suppose you could call them adopted children, like Melisande. I used to home school them myself until we got a nanny! That's a hard job."

Tipping forward her glass to tink against Rachel's, Aki lifted the beverage in a toast. "To teachers! A labor of love, if ever there was one!" Taking a brief sip, Aki smiled, enjoying the feel of the bubbles.

As Rachel asked her own question, Aki shrugged...pale shoulders rising in a single graceful gesture. "Often? No. With a whole house to manage, I don't usually have the time. I'm glad I made it out this evening, though. Most people I meet are..." Aki waved one hand vaguely, making a looping motion. "...either very strange, or very hyper. I prefer company like yours, I must say. So, when you're not teaching, what takes up your time?" She looked too young to have children of her own...

The sound of distant, gentle music reached them as Melisande poked at the speaker system, finally getting it to work. Success!!

After chatting for a while about Rachel's profession, Aki let the conversation steer to the Raevan. It seemed like the other woman wasn't used to 'unique' folk, and it was actually kind of cute watching her steal glances in Pasha's direction.

"I call her a child, because...she is much younger than she looks. Melisande is not normal, but she is a sweet girl. She was brought to me through a place called Lab 305!" Aki scribbled the name and address on one of the little pink napkins, and handed it over to Rachel with a smile. "I hope to see you there sometime, if you're interested!"

Though the conversation continued, the champagne glasses were empty, and Melisande did not refill them. The 'one drink limit' was part of the Raevan's schedule for Aki, to encourage her guardian to meet more than one new person over the course of the evening. Without rushing, Aki was able to conclude the short date at its natural end.

"Rachel, I really enjoyed meeting you! Perhaps Meli was right...it's nice to get out more, especially with good company. Will I see you at the lab, or perhaps here again someday for a proper dinner?" As they stood, Aki smiled, hoping the invitation didn't make the other woman uncomfortable. Good conversation was hard to find, especially with company so lovely! Melisande, sensing the end of the date was near, drifted a bit closer...smiling brightly at the two women.

Her plan was working beautifully!!

Melisande returned after seeing Rachel back to the bottom of the stairs. From the roof terrace, Aki waved farewell, still smiling. This was turning out to be more fun than she'd expected!

Laying one hand on Aki's arm, Pasha leaned in to give her guardian a sweet kiss on the cheek. "See? I told you that you would have fun!" Mischief danced in the Raevan's bright blue eyes, and Aki laughed ruefully.

"That you did! Well Pasha, who is next?!"

For a moment, Melisande was shocked speechless! When she finally found her words, the Raevan offered a startled smile and dipped into a curtsy...spreading the hem of her little pink maid's outfit. A touch of pink settled onto her cheeks, as well. "Lazarus! And...doctor! Th-thank you for coming!" For a moment, she simply floated in place, still staring at them with wide blue eyes and pink cheeks, before she remembered that she had a job to do. "Ah, this way, please!"

Aki heard voices approaching, and gave her dress a last minute tug. She wasn't as nervous now that she knew what she was getting into, especially since the date with Rachel had gone so well. What she didn't expect, however, was to see the two gentlemen that Pasha escorted in next!

"Kyou! Laz! What a surprise!" Getting to her feet, shocked but happy to see them both, Aki offered both of her hands to Kyou. "It's been so long! And you both look so handsome!"

Melisande nodded from her place behind the group, agreeing wholeheartedly with the statement. She'd never seen Dr. Kyou look so nice!! Casting a small, shy smile at the other Sigel, Meli's fingers twiddled with one of ruffles at the edge of her apron. Laz looked handsome too!