Chapter One: The Meeting
Contacting someone for something like this had taken a lot of nerve on his part. He'd always wanted children, but feared what might happen if his mutation passed on. He hadn't heard of any cases where passed mutations proved to be worse than the parents, or fatal, but... he didn't want to turn out to be the exception to the norm. So, it was with a great deal of nervousness that he had reached out to someone on one of the many sites that were designed to bring people together who just wanted to imbue - no relationship necessary.
After quite some time, he finally had secured an actual meeting date with someone who seemed compatible - at least in post-stone desires. They'd decided to meet at a local, secluded café. The lack of customers did little to ease his nerves... He hadn't exactly mentioned that he had a mutation- and the profile photo he'd chosen didn't really show it, either. Hopefully his prospective imbuing partner wouldn't mind...
For now, he waited outside of the café - dressed in his usual black attire as he'd let her know he would be in. Hopefully she would be coming soon...
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Mora wasn't sure what she was doing.
For the longest time she had considered imbuing another stone, or even two. Nex had never asked, but Mora had felt like the house was missing something. It was fairly large by herself, and even when Nex was home there were several rooms left to storage. She hadn't splurged like Adora had, but a two story house with three empty rooms and an attic felt.... lonely. It only sealed the deal when Nex has answered an honest question from a friend about not minding new siblings. So, awhile ago, she tested that site. The one where people could meet up other hopeful parents to imbue a stone with.
At first, it had been a bust. Too many people seem interested in her for her band and not for her. It wasn't long before she made her profile private and searched on her own. She had met someone like her, or, at least in the fact they wanted a stone and weren't about to bombard the other parent with expectations. Despite her nerves, they had agreed at a location. Somewhere nearby. She hadn't told the others yet, and she had no intention to attract her fans, so on went the cloak, hood flipped up and sunglasses placed firmly on her face. She arrived not much later after her partner, only barely noticing him through the shade of her glasses.
"Hello." Her soft yet slightly deep voice called out as she approached the black-clad figure, a hand drifting up to push back her red hair from her cheek. "Are you...?" She trailed off as doubt arose. What if she just walked up to a stranger?
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Feeling a little antsy, he checked his watch - it was almost time for her to be there... How long should he wait if she wasn't on time? Fifteen minutes? That was the standard wait time for things, right? He reached up to smooth out some of his hair, breathing in deeply and then exhaling slowly to calm himself down. It was just a meet-and-greet, nothing was settled - there wasn't anything to be getting nervous about..
His ponderings about waiting were for naught, though. She arrived shortly after him - though he didn't immediately recognize her due to her choice in attire... Did she not want to be seen..? Immediately he wondered if he should have suggested something more private - he'd opted for a public café for safety's sake. Blinking, he averted his gaze - most people couldn't tell his pupils were glowing a bright yellow if he wasn't looking directly at them - his markings tended to attract the attention - and nodded his head. "Yes, my name is Tethys, hello." He offered a small, polite smile. Hopefully this was her and not just... some other person who also happened to be meeting someone at this exact café, and this exact time.
Okay, that was silly. He brushed the thought away, then motioned to the café doors. "Shall we...? I hope this place wasn't too hard to find... it's a favorite... of mine." He swallowed, trying to get his natural hesitant speech to flow a little better.
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Ah, so it was him. She reached up, removing her sunglasses, blinking back the light. It was only polite to reveal ones face when another did, after all.
She caught the averted gaze, following suit immediately as the nerves erupted. "Ah, yes." She answered, nodding hesitantly. "I've never been here before, but I live nearby." She answered, fighting to avoid cutting her sentences off abruptly, a habit Nex had picked up himself. Not one to wait, Mora opened the door, holding it open for Tethys. Oh. Right. Names.
"My name is Mora." She added, internally twitching. Was this it? Would he recognize her name? Her profile hadn't really shown her much, and it had used a username, not a real name. Crap, was this a bad idea?
- - - - - -
"It's very nice to meet... you in person, ...Mora." He managed a small, fleeting smile - they always felt alien on his face even when he was happy. He nodded his head in a bow of thanks before stepping into the café, waiting for her before he continued into the small line that had formed. "I see... I'm... glad that you were... able to find it, easily.." He winced internally at his continued delay in words - it wasn't really something he had much control over, but it had been a topic of discussion before... Some people apparently thought that slow speech meant a slow mind - not something they desired in a potential partner or .. well, genetic donor for a child.
Hopefully she would not be such a person. Looking ahead at the menu for a moment, he scanned over his usual favorites, attempting to narrow down which one he wanted this time... ah, that would do... he looked back to Mora, or rather, just over her shoulder. "They have... a fairly wide.. selection -- d--do you see something... you'd like..?" Tethys made another attempt at a small smile - though this one barely lasted longer than the previous one had. "Lu--lunch will be, on me..."
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Mora didn't notice Tethys' speech pattern, mostly because it both resembled her own and Nex's. She caught the small smiles, absently giving her own before it faltered into her usual stoic calm. She eyed the menu as she meandered to his side, tilting her head thoughtfully to the side before giving a brief and soft nod.
"A chocolate banana muffin." She admitted, mentally wincing. Childish, would that dock his view on her? What if he bailed? What if she wasn't right? All she did was mumble, and she hadn't really contributed much to the conversation at all.
Great, there went the nerves again. "Thank you. For covering lunch."
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He nodded - almost pleased she'd gone for something sweet... that meant he could, too. Right? Or should he not...? No, he was overthinking this. He should just get what he wanted and call it good. "Chocolate banana muffin it is." He flashed a slight smile, then stepped up to the counter when it was their turn. He quietly ordered her muffin, then got one for himself - just double chocolate - and then two waters for the both of them.
As directed, he stepped off to the side, then looked around the café for a free table. "Ah... would... you like to sit... over there...?" He nodded to a fairly secluded spot - one where they wouldn't be in plain view but would still be part of the general atmosphere.
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The slight smile caused a flutter of her tendrils in appreciation. Ah, he didn't mind. Good. Maybe this wasn't as scary as it seemed.... She watched him order, giving a polite smile before following him to the side, eyes trailing after where he nodded before she responded with a soft hum. "Yes, that'd be nice." Somewhere people couldn't see her, lessening the chance of this evening being ruined. Perfect.
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Oh thank goodness... she didn't mind sitting off to the side. He nodded, then headed on over to pull out a chair for her, then settled into one for himself. "So..." He started, then paused, realizing he had no idea what he was about to say. What should he say? "Have... you been using the site for very long..?" Oh. Brilliant. Mentally he sighed, wishing that for a brief moment he could trade off his academic skills for social skills. This was just going to be... awkward and terrible...
The muffins arrived a few moments later, along with their water glasses. Tethys quietly thanked the employee, then carefully went about unwrapping his straw before placing it into the glass.
- - - - - -
Once they settled she leaned against the table, propping her arms against the table as he began the conversation. Which, honestly, she was grateful for. She didn't have any idea where to even start. Slowly, she began lowering the hood and sunglasses so he could adequately see her, her own eyes rolling to avoid his. This was embarrassing enough as it was! "A few months." She admitted, giving a polite smile and hushed thank you when the muffins came. "How about.... you?" OH JOY. Awkward conversation, continue!
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So, she'd been using it longer than he had... but not by much. Was she just... picky? Or hadn't met the right person...? He hadn't really been able to see much on her profile... Her reluctance to actually look at him made him wonder if she'd already decided he wasn't what she was looking for... then again, he wasn't directly looking at her, either... Perhaps he should try...
Well, if she commented on his eyes, he supposed it would be a good way to find out whether or not this was a "match" or a waste of both of their time. "Ah, only a month." He responded slowly, then sipped at his water a little - risking a couple of quick glances directly at her. She was very pretty... Not that looks particularly mattered in this sense, but it was nice? "I... haven't reached out... very much..." He set his glass aside, then looked to the muffin...
Suddenly he realized that muffins were a bit awkward to eat. Well, at least she'd gotten one as well so he wouldn't be alone in that nonsense...
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Only a month. Briefly, the words had made her consider he had been seeking longer than she had. Yet, the next statement settled the uncertainty. Ah, he was like her. Mora's eyes spotted the glasses set aside, yet she didn't chance examining his face. Not yet. The nerves had erupted into a frantic rhythm, and now she was sure she'd ruin her ability to communicate if she spoke. What was she to say? Hello, I'm Mora and completely incompetent at speech? That was all she had to offer. That, or brag about her band, and Mora never was one to brag.
"I see..." She trailed off, eying her muffin before, gracefully, accepting the fork that had been placed beside it, cutting off a section before scooping it into her mouth. Adora liked to call her eating habits stuffy, she liked to say she just didn't want to make a mess.
"Tethys?" She might as well ask, right? They were here for one reason, anyway. "What made you want to meet me?"
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Thankfully she started first - using a fork. Ah, good, he could use his as well... he usually preferred to eat difficult things with silverware, but was a bit self-conscious about it in front of others. Especially strangers... He picked up his own fork, then delicately sliced out a small triangle of the muffin to start with. While she considered his answer, he went ahead and ate it...
Though her next question brought up a new flurry of panic. What should he say...? She was one of the only ones that hadn't come off as terribly immature? Or simply not a good match...? Well, perhaps the latter was an acceptable reason... He finished chewing his bite while he considered what to say.. then finally swallowed once he was ready to speak.
"I thought we might... ...get along... ...I... have been a little reluctant to... meet some of the more... gregarious individuals I've interacted with..." He paused, thinking, this wasn't really going in the direction he wanted it to... "I... am an introverted person, you see... It gets to be a little... overwhelming..."
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"Ah." She hummed in response, giving a thoughtful nod. So, like her, in a way? "I understand that." Despite being in a popular band, Mora wasn't the most extraverted person. She liked to play her music, press into the back, and hide. "I can understand that." She finally hummed back, poking at her muffin as an absent head tilt followed.
"I'm glad I didn't..... overwhelm you." She almost said frightened, trailing as off as she tried to find something more suitable.
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That... really wasn't much to go off of... at all... Did she even want to talk...? Nervously he cut into his muffin again, mulling over the likelihood that this meeting was going to come to any sort of fruition... Likely it wouldn't. He was too quiet. Too withdrawn... she didn't seem all that interested... He really should have known better than to go this route...
"If... If you don't mind... my asking... why did you... want to meet me..?"
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Why did she want to meet him? Her head tilted to the other side, taking her time to slip another piece of muffin before deciding to give a response, leaning back. "You seemed nice." She admitted, tendrils flickering nervously despite the stoic expression.
"Seem. Nice." Ah, there she went, broken speech again. Great. Shrugging aside her insecurities for the moment, Mora offered a tentative smile. "I had a good feeling. When I clicked on your profile. You'd be a good partner. For imbuing."
- - - - - -
He seemed... nice. Okay. That was good? Yes? He managed a small, fleeting smile as he nodded in response. Yes. That was good... He picked up his cup of water to sip at it again, listening as she elaborated. So.. she did think he would be a good partner...? Or had thought he would be...? This was honestly a much more difficult thing than he had expected it to be...
"I'm... glad... that you thought so.." He nodded, finally settling his glass down again. "It's... good to meet you in person..." Really. They'd been talking for several minutes now and he only just remembered to say that? Goodness he was really just not good at this... He averted his gaze to the side, silently wishing he were even a little bit more outgoing... "....How... is your muffin...?"
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Was it good to meet in person? Now that she thought about it.... he didn't look too thrilled to see her. Well.... it wasn't like she was letting him actually see her face, either. Shifting nervously, the Geist glanced down at her muffin when it was brought into question, taking another forkful.
"Quite good." She whispered, casting a brief glance his way before rolling her eyes to stare out the window. "......Yours?" Was this going terribly? She found him awfully kind, yes, but.... Mora wasn't exactly the most charming lady out there. Oh no. He was miserable, wasn't he?
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He barely heard her - the noise in the café had almost drowned her out. Wasn't that a bad sign..? One that meant she wasn't really into this...? He should... bow out. Before she became too bored with him... or had much to gossip about with friends - should she be the sort of person who did such things. He wouldn't blame her if she was. He was being terribly awkward and unsure of himself.
He swallowed, nodding at the question. "Yes... it's very... good." He finally responded a moment later. Now what? He didn't really have anything else to say... he'd never really gotten his far with anyone on that site... was it appropriate to discuss imbuing...? That was what they had met for... but if she was truly disinterested in him, would she even want to talk about it? No, probably not...
Perhaps he wasn't interesting enough... or perhaps he simply looked too busy. He knew he had quite a lot of markings - most of which were horribly distracting... Perhaps he was just too much to look at. He glanced at his watch, attempting to do so subtly... He supposed he could pretend that he needed to babysit for one of his friends....
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It wasn't subtle enough. Then again, nothing ever was. Mora saw everything, even though she was rarely seen herself. The advantage of never being noticed was that you could be a part of everything. You could witness the world and no one would suspect you had. The glance at the watch made her throat tighten briefly before she averted her focus to the window. Ah. She thought so. So she was boring. What had she expected, honestly? She was Mora, the band member who had the least amount of fans and presence. It never bothered her, honestly, until now, when being noticed meant everything between her having children and..... not. Maybe she should just imbue by herself again....
She could pretend she needed to leave before he could announce his departure. Yet, Mora instead just finished her muffin delicately and set her hands in her lap, eying her finger nails with little interest.
"..... Do you live nearby?"
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He couldn't just bail on her.... that would be rude... but what if he was making her unhappy...? would it be better for him to leave? Or stay? what was more rude?? He wracked his mind for the answer, wishing things could just be simple for once... Or perhaps that he was brave enough to simply ask. If he were just able to do that then this entire dilemma wouldn't be a thing...
"Oh, uh..." He blinked, momentarily looking directly at her before he realized what he was doing and looked away again, down at his muffin. "Somewhat... I live... a little closer to the Academy..." He shook his head lightly. "Since... I teach there... it's a little more convenient to... live near by..." He supposed that information was on his profile, but she might not have read it... Perhaps she hadn't read much of anything and hadn't really expected him to be so... bland.
"Do... you?"
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He was a teacher? Then that meant he was good with kids. Or, should be. She wasn't sure how the academy hired their teachers, but from what she knew they were very selective... A faint and approving smile touched her face before it was wiped clean by her inability to maintain any expression.
"I do." She admitted, looking up at Tethys finally, yet their eye contact only lasted a second. "My son goes to the academy, so I selected housing nearby. So I can be with him. He visits. Sometimes."
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Ah, so she already had a child... well, that was good..? It meant she already knew what she was getting into, and likely had the means to support them... "Oh... is that so...?" He tilted his head just slightly, once again looking just past her rather than directly at her. As if doing that would really distract from his pupils.... she hadn't made a comment yet so maybe she hadn't noticed...?
"Perhaps he's been in my class... I recently took over... social studies... but I was hired to... teach illusion..." He smiled faintly - illusion was his forte but he did love social studies, despite being terribly bad at socializing... He knew the rules well enough, it was putting them into practice that he wasn't very good at...
- - - - - -
"Might he be?" She mused absently, a thoughtful smile on her face as she finally seemed partially able to relax. "His name is Nex." How.... strange. Would Nex be upset if she imbued a stone or two with his teacher? No.... this was Nex she was talking about. Hardly anything upset to stoic boy. She doubted new siblings would, no matter the source.
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Nex... did he recall a Nex...? Oh, yes, he blinked as the mental picture of the boy came to mind. They were strikingly similar, how had he not placed that before...? "I think he has... the name is...familiar." He smiled softly and nodded his head. "Is.. he excited to be an older sibling...?" He tilted his head to one side just slightly.. this was an easier topic. Something to focus on that wasn't him or necessarily her.
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He was right, this was an easier topic! She was always eager to talk about her son. "He is." She admitted, a smile gently touching her face. "Or, when I told him I was considering he was. He asked if he could stay home. When they woke." She finally looked at him, a nervous twitch of her fingers following as she forced herself to just be normal. Eye contact. Maintain it. Converse like a normal Night- whoop, and there went her eyes, drifting to the window.
"Do you have children?"
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"That's very sweet..." He nodded, all too familiar with seeing siblings not getting along in his class. But the ones that he saw genuinely enjoying each other's company touched his heart... he'd always wanted a sibling growing up - someone to play with or spend time with... but his parents had waited to imbue until he was out of the house permanently. He hadn't even met his sibling, or knew their name, just that he had one and they were far better cared for than he'd ever been. Good... that was... good.
"Me?" He blinked, then shook his head, slowly. "No.... I... had been waiting... until I connected with someone but.. I am not much of a... dater, I suppose..." He shook his head. "So it's just me..." and hopefully soon a child, but he kept that to himself. No pressure. Hopefully his single status wouldn't be a turn off... then again, Mora hadn't mentioned having someone special in her life either.
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"Oh." Mora was surprised, honestly. Most the people she met online had kids and were looking for a change up. Most were like her, single imbued and now deciding to try something new. Yet, it didn't bother her. In fact, maybe it was even endearing. How much courage did he had to pick up to message back? To meet her? To even do this? She did it by herself at first, mostly because she was afraid of involving the other party. He just went for it, and maybe it was even admirable.
"For now." She interjected, blinking at her own comment. Did she mean to say that? Scrambling, Mora turned a soft pink as she looked at the window, tendrils sputtering briefly. "I mean, it's just you for now. You'll have children soon enough. You're very sweet. And a teacher. Anyone would be pleased if you asked them."
- - - - - -
Oh. Was... that a good 'oh'? He wasn't really sure- she was... terribly hard to read... Then again he wasn't really sure if he was particularly easy to read. Ugh, the nervousness was threatening to eat him alive at this point. Why did he have a need to be perfect? No one was perfect, logically he knew this, but he also.. didn't want another rejection.
"For now.." He repeated quietly, blinking, and then nodded a little as his tendrils flared just slightly in approval. "Ah, yes... I hope so, anyway... should the stars align..." He nodded his head, markings shining just briefly at her next compliment. "O-oh, I... thank you... for saying as much... you are very k--kind..." Could he please just say one sentence without stumbling over himself? Even one? "Oh,... really...?" Perhaps she hadn't noticed, then...
- - - - - -
Mora heard the stammers, chalking it up to the same nerves she felt. Of course he was nervous. Here they were, discussing a giant future! He probably also was hoping Mora would just... leave, too. She was slowly becoming painfully aware of how absolutely horrendous she was with this entire encounter. Okay. Suck it up. Look at the poor man. Just make eye contact an-
And she did, eyes frozen on his for a brief second before she darted them to eye her empty plate. Mutated. His eyes were mutated, but it wasn't bad. Far from it! The short few seconds she had a chance to see them she had noted they were pretty, which, knowing her, she's stutter out randomly in a few minutes and he'd be absolutely horrified and walk away. Good job, Mora.
"Really." She confirmed, giving an abrupt nod. "And you have very pretty eyes." THERE IT WAS. Another tendril stutter followed as she immediately cringed into herself, physically horrified with herself. GREAT. Good job. A+ She nailed being a completely awkward example of a Geist.
- - - - - -
Oh no. Oh no. She saw. Right then. She'd seen. He could tell from the darting away - down to her plate. He'd seen it before in his previous meetings - any moment now she'd comment on it. Rejection was imminent, he just... He just needed to prepare for it. Betraying his composed expression, his markings temporarily flared in a small panicked pattern, but outside of a deep inhale he outwardly didn't react. If he reacted, she might... say something worse. Perhaps something about the carelessness of his parents, or something. How many times had he had to sit through a rant from someone about how careless people were to awaken stones in October? He knew. He knew... It was an accident.
"A-ah..." He managed to force a small response out - still holding his breath, bracing for it-- 'and you have pretty eyes.' .....He blinked, eyes temporarily widening in surprise. She... thought they were pretty...? He really had no idea how to respond to that - he'd been so sure that she was going to say something negative... His tendrils flared and shrank a little in his anxiety... He tore his gaze away for a moment, clearing his throat before slowly forcing himself to exhale. "O-oh... th--thank you... you have... pretty eyes as well. I--... um..." He trailed off- where was he going to go with that? She wouldn't want to hear about the negative things...
"...They--... they don't really... affect my vision, that much... I... can see mostly just fine..." There. That was a positive, right?
- - - - - -
Now it was Mora's turn to flare up, her tendrils swirling about rapidly as he complimented her eyes, too. Oh. Really? But they were just.... plain. They weren't an bright jade or a sea blue... The short-haired woman couldn't help the tiny smile that followed as she listened to him ramble, taking a chance to glance back at him. He was nervous. Had she done this? Should she have stayed quiet? Had she offended him? Did pretty mean something else where he came from?
"Oh?" Was he... trying to explain his eyes because he was worried about them? Why? Mora tilted her head, twining her fingers together. "Ah, I'm sorry." Nine, how awkward had she made him feel? A brief moment of distraught covered her features before her face went blank, eyes slightly narrowing in thought. "I should have thought before I spoke. I just.... thought they looked nice. If I upset you I apologize. I should have thought."
- - - - - -
She... wasn't curious about whether or not they affected him negatively? That... had to have been a first... He tried to recall if anyone ever just liked his eyes as they were, aesthetically, without wondering about the negative effects of having colored pupils... This was... refreshing. But still not quite enough to make him relax. "O-oh, it's--...it's okay..." He replied quietly, shaking his head. "I--.. I just, ah..." He trailed off, thinking on how to phrase this...
"I didn't... really mention it online... ah... Most... people seem to... think poorly of mutant conditions passing on... So... I sort of, clarify, out of habit, I suppose... that life really isn't, um... hard, for me. It's the only one I have - really... Plus, ah, mutations don't pass on... very frequently." He fidgeted, goodness this was the most he'd said all meeting and it was just... terrible. Absolutely terrible. "I'm sorry- I, probably... should have been forward about it - it was.. wrong of me to not mention it..."
- - - - - -
She was relieved, for a second, she hadn't offended him, though a perplexed frown followed. She wasn't sure why he needed to apology, honestly. She understood the risks that came with mutations, but it wasn't October. Any mutation he had might pass, but he was alive. The children would, in the end, be alive. Was that anger she felt? She had witnessed the world hiss and scowl at mutated children during October, but now witnessing someone apologize for not speaking about something that, to her, shouldn't be a deal breaker anyway? It honestly pissed her off. What was wrong with the world?
"It's fine." No, alter what you just said, Mora. He clearly was nervous, so she needed to take the few seconds to actually consider what to say. "I mean- it doesn't bother me. I understand not discussing it. I... wasn't entirely honest myself. Your eyes, even if they passed, wouldn't hurt the children. I would never judge someone or dismiss them for a mutation." She paused, swallowing thickly before looking down. "In truth, I was not upfront. I am fairly famous. I work in a band. With a few others. I didn't mention it because I am used to fans wanting me for the fame, or status. I was afraid you'd..... might only want children with me because of that."
Deep inhale. Breathe. He wouldn't be angry, right? "It also means the children might.... be approached by other children. For the wrong purposes. Nex has had a very quiet childhood. I worked very hard on ensuring that. But I understand if that.... is worrisome. I apologize."
- - - - - -
She... didn't mind? Legitimately did not mind that he was not only a mutant, but hadn't disclosed his status as such before asking to meet? He blinked, a momentary look of surprise crossing his features before he brushed it aside, though he couldn't help the small flare of his tendrils and spark of his markings... This was so... rare... How many times had he met anyone who legitimately didn't care...?
It was a relief, really. Not caring was better than disliking, and honestly to some extent, even better than... well, liking. He'd met those people, too. He wasn't really sure which one he preferred... "A-ah..." he finally managed a small response, nodding his head a little, though-- she hadn't been upfront...? "Oh--, I, I see.." He blinked again, furrowing his brows in thought...
He should have known that, it was part of his job to be up to date with pop culture - but then again, she had been concealing her appearance - looking away any time he managed to glance over... Did... that mean that she wasn't actually disinterested..? She was simply protecting herself? "It-- it's fine." He managed a small smile and shook his head. "I don't blame... you for wanting to um... keep that, a secret... It's c--completely understandable..." He nodded again, twiddling his thumbs together as he thought...
"I... am not really a stranger... to such things. For different reasons, o-obviously but... It's something that... doesn't really bother me.. at all. It's not worrisome, to me.." Oh, he hoped that was reassuring enough...
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He didn't mind? At all? If he choose her, and she him in return, their children would need to be guarded to an extent. Maybe they'd love the attention, maybe not. Nex seemed the type to not even mind the extremely rare moments a fan realized who he was, but she couldn't assume that for the future babies. It wasn't only that, either. Mora kept his name a secret. When people asked about her son in media she'd just smile and mention something off-hand and lacking any substance. Nex was, again, fine, but with if the future children resented this? Felt erased? Oh, now she had her doubts.
Yet, this was why she wanted a partner. Someone to help her and the future children. Children. She was getting attached to more than one, already. Swallowing thickly, she managed a grateful smile, her shoulders relaxing. Relax. He was a good person. He wouldn't hurt her.
"I'm glad." She breathed, a tremble in the voice indicating relief washing through her as she sat back a little, letting her face finally be observable as the tension began to slowly fade. "It seems we both had our worries."
- - - - - -
He nodded slowly, faint smile actually staying in place that time. "Y-yes... We both did, it seems..." He sighed softly, fidgeting a little before mustering up the courage to continue speaking. Hopefully she wouldn't be offended, or something, but... it was a potential new place to go for opening up - perhaps towards agreeing to be one another's imbuing partners...
"I hope that... I didn't come off as... disinterested, um... With the looking away... It has been a good meeting, truly... I was simply.. nervous, about potential ah... not, positive reactions..." He chewed at his lip a little, glancing away again when the awkwardness became too much to handle. "So I... I apologize if I appeared that way..."
- - - - - -
"Oh, no. I did- Well, that's not entirely honest, either. I was worried, truthfully, but that is more due to my own insecurities than your glances." Mora admitted, a soft laugh escaping her. "I should apologize, as well. Oh," She paused, another smile appearing for a split second. "It's a relief to realize we both were simply nervous. I've considered this a pleasant meeting, myself, too."
There. That was out in the open, now they could both relax to some degree. Less worrying. Less tension. Now that she knew he wasn't itching to flee she could actually keep eye-contact with him, thank the Nine!
- - - - - -
Oh what a relief... she wasn't disinterested at all either, and considered this a good thing...! A flicker of pleased light moved through him as a slightly wider-than-normal smile graced his face for a few seconds, though he quickly covered it up with a sip to his water.. How embarrassing, getting so worked up over a small thing like confirmation that she wasn't bored.
"S-so... if, if you don't mind me asking... what sort of things... do you do in your off time...?"
- - - - - -
She saw that smile, almost feeling triumphant until she realized she herself was returning the smirk. No, don't be a weirdo. She quickly distracted herself by plucking at her dress, tendrils flickering at the question.
"Practice. My music." Ah, how dull. She looked up at him, giving a gentle nod to the side. "I like to sit outside and write poems, too. Or write small drabbles. About the people walking by. Or, if Nex is coming home, I spend the day cooking." She paused, folding her fingers together neatly. "What about you?"
- - - - - -
Ah, yes, the music... he still didn't know what band she was from... would it be rude to ask...? "That sounds... lovely." He nodded a little, contemplating whether or not he wanted to admit ignorance.... it would probably be better in the long run if he did. Honesty was the best policy, after all. "I... must admit I... don't actually know... what band you play in... I'm shamefully out of touch... with things, sometimes..." He shifted to awkwardly rub his neck, a small embarrassed smile coming to his face for a brief moment.
"I... suppose I read... Sometimes I write, but... not as much as I used to..."
- - - - - -
"Band of Below." Mora answered, shaking her head shortly after. "And it's alright. I actually am grateful, perhaps, that you do not know. It relieves the worries I had." She admitted, head tilting to the side shortly after.
"So we both enjoy quiet activities, for the most part. That's nice."
- - - - - -
"Oh... I think I do know that name." He nodded a little, trying to recall if he knew any of their songs off the top of his head.... no, not really. Well... hopefully that wouldn't be too bad. "Well, then, that's good... what... um... what instrument... do you play?" He tilted his head slightly, then nodded. "Yes, I tend to.. prefer quiet things at home..."
- - - - - -
"Violin." Mora gave a brief and fond smile at the word, laughing softly. "I tried to teach Nex. He wasn't interested, sadly." Nex wasn't a musical player, or, not of the instruments she had offered. For a brief second she wondered if her future children would be, squashing the thought immediately. She didn't want to get attached. Not yet, at least.
- - - - - -
"Oh, I love violin." He blurted out, then blinked in surprise and embarrassment as he looked away quickly... "I--... I mean, most... of the music that I tend to listen to... has violins or... cellos, in it..." He glanced over again, tendrils still flaring a little from the nervousness. "I see.. I suppose that... it isn't for everyone... I didn't particularly... like my music lessons as a child..." Not that he had much say in it anyway, he learned to play whether he wanted to or not.
- - - - - -
"Oh?" Without thinking, Mora immediately blurted her next response. "I could play for you. Sometime. Maybe? Oh, I'm sorry.... I didn't mean to indicate you.... had to see me again." WOW, go Mora! Queen of awkward. Slowly, she took a sip of her water, refusing to look at Tethys once more. Sometimes, she just wanted to play, alone, for someone. Her band was popular, but it wasn't like many people wanted to just hear her. It was nice having someone sit down and appreciate you for you.
- - - - - -
He blinked, then smiled softly and nodded. "I... I would like that... if you're willing..." He sipped at his water a little more as well, considering.... He liked Mora, as a person, so far.... She seemed to have a lot in common with him - and likely would make at least a good friend... She hadn't set off any red flags for him aside from thee assumed disinterest but that had been cleared up...
Was... this going to happen? If... if she was interested, he was... Was it too soon to think so...? He hoped not - either way he still wasn't sure he wanted to bring it up just yet.
- - - - - -
"I-if you'd have me, I'd be glad to." Wait, no, go back. "As in. Coming over. To play. Violin." Her face had turned a slight pink as the awkward truly settled in deep into her, body shifting slightly. Save her. Someone save her.
"I-I could give you my address, maybe?"
- - - - - -
He chewed at his lip a little, nodding slightly. She seemed flustered, which was in turn, making _him_ flustered... "I'd... love that... yes..." He nodded a little again. "I... could bring dinner...? Perhaps?" Oh. OH NO. He'd just accidentally made it into something more than just a violin playing. "I--... I mean, um... If... if you wanted, it would be the... um, least th--that I could d--do." Now it was his turn to be all sorts of flustered....
- - - - - -
Mora watched his own panic, a small smile creeping on her face. They were the same, nervous and uncertain but eager to get to know one another. Without thinking, her hand escaped her lap, touching his ever so gently.
"I'd like that. A lot." And the smile remained, for once. "Perhaps we could make dinner together? I could invite Nex over, too?"
- - - - - -
A ripple of light went through his markings as his tendrils flared slightly at the touch- coupled with a slightly bewildered expression for a couple of seconds, but he soon regained composure, managing a small nervous smile of his own in response to hers. "Th-that sounds l-lovely... Ah... wh-when is... a good time... for you?" At least she hadn't gotten offended at the accidental blunder -although... if he thought about it... he wouldn't mind it being more than a violin playing.... and she had offered to invite her son to join them..
- - - - - -
"The weekend is nice." She hummed back in response, suddenly consciously aware of their touch, though her hand didn't move away. It was nice, honestly. He was here, with her, discussing dinner and violin plans. Right here. Within touching distance.
This was real
"Nex has classes off on the weekend, so that'd be a good time to get everyone together.... if that is alright?"
- - - - - -
This weekend... was he free...? Yes. He was... he wasn't babysitting this time. He nodded in response, smile growing a little. "This w-weekend works nicely, yes... What... time..?" He tilted his head just slightly, hand subconsciously turning over a little to lightly return her hold...
At least for a few seconds, until he realized what he was doing and promptly froze up a little, eyes nervously glancing at their hands... should he move his?? Was this appropriate? Oh no... "I--I am free all... weekend so... Wh--when ever is best for y-you and Nex... I can come over..."
- - - - - -
Mora couldn't honestly help her tendrils fluttering in..... delight? Did she like the returned hand holding? It had settled her nerves a bit. He was accepting her touch, and accepting her dinner request, and just.... accepting her. He wasn't judging her cut sentences, or demanding autographs, or anything she had feared previously. He was just a guy. A nice, handsome guy who was just as nervous as she was and liked her for being her.
So, when he froze and glanced at their hands she didn't move, instead giving a comforting squeeze in return. "Perhaps 1 pm? On Saturday?" She paused, voice suddenly faltering at the end as her heart leapt. This felt right. They were both just people, eager to have a family and yet unsure what that meant. She felt, for once, comfortable. Her hand fit in his perfectly, and the smile had remained on her face for longer than it ever had. So, with a nervous and shaky sigh escaping, she locked eye with Tethys.
"Perhaps.... we could meet earlier." Pause. She was going to regret this, wasn't she? "I have enjoyed our meeting. Quite a bit. I'd be.... happy if.... we went through with this. Imbuing. Stones."
- - - - - -
It was okay.. she didn't mind. Instinctively, he squeezed back lightly - so unused to the feeling of holding another person's hand... It was nice, though. So nice.. "1pm s-sounds perfect..." He nodded slightly, smile finally forming on his face in a permanent fashion, small but there.
As she spoke again, he blinked, feeling his pulse begin to pick up slightly as she finished her thought. She wanted to go through with it... It wasn't just him that felt this was a good match... Perhaps even a perfect match in terms of just imbuing... The smile widened slightly as he dipped his head forward a little in a deeper nod. "I--... I would... qui--quite enjoy that... if... we went through with it... the imbuing... I think... we're fairly com--compatible... in this sense.." He added the last part as a sort of afterthought- to stop himself from making another blunder... But oh, this was exciting. So exciting.
- - - - - -
"Oh." This time, it wasn't a moment of hesitation or confusion. It was a soft and delighted sound, tendrils rolling about as a relief washed through her. He agreed. He liked her. She liked him. Nex would absolutely love him, she was sure. This was right. Perfect. Wonderful.
"I'm glad." She released a sigh of relief, a soft laugh escaping her after. "I was worried. That maybe it was just me. I'd be glad to schedule that. The imbuing."
- - - - - -
He shook his head gently. "No, no... It isn't j--just you at all... I... wasn't sure ne--necessarily how to b-bring it up, or... when would be the app--appropriate time... to do so..." He sighed softly, it felt a little cathartic to admit just how awkward he was when it came to this sort of thing... and, well... Mora didn't seem like the kind of person that would shame him for it...
"Y-yes, I would... like that as well."
- - - - - -
This was perfect. Wonderful, even. She could stay here all day and discuss the options laid out before the-
'Beep! Beep!'
She froze, releasing Tethys' hand to pick her phone free from her purse. Oh. Nex. He wanted her to visit, now. Panic settled before she set her phone back down, looking up at Tethys apologetically. "My son needs me to come over, I'm sorry. Can we email? About this? Perhaps have another meeting soon?"
- - - - - -
He blinked, watching as she moved away to look at her phone... ah, of course. He nodded and then pushed himself up to stand. "Of course.. here..." He fished his wallet out, then grabbed a card - he tended to keep them on him for such times like this ... well... not exactly like this, but it would do - and then handed one over to her. "Th--this has... my personal number... on it, if you would like that... I do... check emails frequently, though... if you would prefer that method..."
- - - - - -
Mora had begun standing up, carefully scooping her trash into a pile to throw away when, suddenly, a card was handed to her. His number? Flushing, the Geist took the card, nodding. "Oh, I will message you tonight." And she would! Why did having his number make her so excited? Of course she would have his number eventually! He was going to imbue stones with her! Oh, there went the nerves again...
She extended a hand, touching his once more. "This was wonderful. Thank you. I'll message tonight." And with that, she grabbed her trash and meandered to the trash can, making her leave.
- - - - - -
"I look forward to it." He smiled again, just barely, hand moving gently against hers to sort of return the touch. And then she was gone... he sighed, feeling some sort of warm... bliss? bubble up in his chest. Why, he wasn't certain, but it was a good feeling so he wasn't going to complain... He glanced down at the remainder of his muffin, deciding to just eat the rest of it on his way back to campus. He cleaned up his trash, and then headed on out as well...
