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 Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2007 9:54 pm
Crystal sensed disaster almost immediately, but was helpless to do more than cast a nasty look over her shoulder at her mother, who in turned called out before the door closed, "Come back anytime, Qadir! There's plenty where that honey came from!" Her laughter could be heard between the swinging panes of the door.
The young woman ducked her head, carefully taking off her apron as she walked next to Qadir. The hand-holding hadn't even made her pause in thought. Carefully folding the white fabric and draping it over her clasped hands, she smiled faintly at the man. "You could have warned me that it was you I had to be careful of." She could have slapped herself as soon as the words left her mouth; she grinned broadly, hoping to take the edge off of how rude it had sounded. "I have to admit, that was...quite the spectacle." Crystal shook her head a little, her face lit with wonder at the event that had just transpired. It seemed more like a movie and less like she had just seen it with her own two eyes. She secretly doubted any movie could find a man who looked quite like Qadir and was half as dramatic. Except for...that 'other' guy, as Rose liked to chide.
Her eyes were turning back to their normal steely-blue luster, the grey swallowing most of the blue, even though her dress did its best to bring out the clear color. Not as tall as her companion but not short by any means, she also slowed her stride; her mother often joked how Crystal was all leg, especially when she was in a hurry and sped around like a gazelle. She glanced over to Qadir curiously, once again taking in his stunning visage; he had a nice profile, and she could swear his eyes were still glowing like the sun. Crystal dropped her gaze to the apron in her arms. "Mother certainly approved. I'm glad you got along with her. Most people are somewhat intimidated by her; can't imagine why." She flinched and bit her lip at her dry remark. It was no business of hers to speak so freely of her opinions, but it was almost as if the man next to her was coaxing them out without trying. The short amount of time that had passed between first laying eyes on Qadir and walking by his side to dinner seemed like a lifetime ago.
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Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 4:16 pm
Qadir's walk was something akin to a models. No that he was attempting to show off, but after so many years wit nothing to do but live, Qadir had taken it upon himself to 'learn' how to walk properly. Properly wasn't exactly what one could call it, since the only people he could ever find that would teach him how to walk were runway models and they only knew how to strut. Now, Qadir didn't strut. He'd managed to keep that bit of the lesson far from him for the only type of staring he cared for was the good kind. Pointing at a vampire and saying they 'walk funny' isn't the smartest of moves even with one as laid back as Qadir. The vampire prfered the phrase 'walk with confidence' but what he was confident in wasn't very clear to either him or his company.
As she talked, the man would watch her with a smile, shrugging off her accusations with a bit of a laugh. "Warn you? About me? My dear, if I thought there was anything to warn you about I would, but you see, I thought my performance was quite brilliant. I don't see why you'd be out here walking with me if you disagreed. Let me hold that," he'd say, holding out a hand for the apron. It was his fault she'd been dragged out without the opportunity to remove the article, so the least he could do was carry it for her. He enjoyed walking beside a woman that didn't have to huff and puff to keep up with him or force him to slow his stride, though he was always more than happy to keep the others pace; it was when women whined about him walking too fast that got under his skin.
Honestly, the man didn't know what to say to the woman beside him. Usually he'd attempt to get a girl to tell him about their day or about their life or whatever it was they were interested. Qadir was interested in anything others were interested in because it meant something new, or a different perspective on something he was already fond of. He felt like Crystal was holding something back however and it felt awkward for him to try and hold a conversation with her. The girl no doubt knew from the way her mother acted how to treat customers, especially those with money and looks, but he didn't want to be treated like that and he wasn't going to play word games with the woman beside him like she was probably used to.
"I can't imagine why either honestly, she seems quite cheerful and more than eager to please. I can't imagine the amount of customers you get coming in just to catch a glimpse of her, he said after a short laugh before adding in a tone that could almost be labled bashful, "or you."
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Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 5:56 pm
Crystal's gait wasn't as sharp as a model's, although her hips swayed generously beneath her simple gown with each step. As one being raised to cater the wealthy and high class, she was taught to move carefully and quickly, making her steps more of a gliding motion than a simple stride. If her hips were made to hold still, she may look as if she floated rather than using her legs at all. Years of moving fragile objects and flowers in a bustling and busy atmosphere taught a person many things, like the art of hip-swiveling to avoid charging children or misplaced chairs. All this was incorporated to how she moved, the lower half of her body moving around oncoming people without breaking her stride.
"It's not..." she started to protest, but decided against it, shyly handing over her apron. She wasn't going to argue with him being a gentleman; so little of those ideals existed in the world anymore, especially to the extent that Qadir was displaying! "Thank you." Crystal fell silent for a moment after his last comment, mostly because it reached close to home...very much so in one special case. She blushed a little, because it was the proper thing to do, but also because there was a truth to it for her visitor and his words. "You are kind, sir," she murmured softly, touching her warm face. She wasn't so good at talking about herself, not to people she'd just met; she tried to turn the conversation back to him for the time being, so that she may be able to claim that she knew him well enough to banter so freely as she felt the desire to.
"Brilliant doesn't quite cover your display, good sir," Crystal replied good naturedly to his previous comment, a smile returning at the memory of his antics and words. "I would walk with you simply because you asked so kindly. Truth be told, I accepted because of your frankness and intrigue. Your sweet words are icing on the cake." She glanced at Qadir out of the corner of her eyes, her eyelashes batting in a bare echo of her sentiments to act freely. Again, her upbringing was holding her back; business before pleasure, she was told, and if that which brought pleasure could hinder business, she'd best not know pleasure at all.
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Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 7:13 pm
Taking the apron from the woman he'd tuck it over one of his arms and hold it more like he were holding one of those towels fine waitors carried about with them. Qadir couldn't help but notice the way she seemed to just slip about anything in her way when he'd turned to take the apron from her, but he didn't act the rude prit and continue to start at her inviting hips. Inviting was probably not the term she'd use to describe it either. Best to just focus on her. "Kind? I suppose that's one way to call it, but I'm sorry, I don't see it like that. How sad that we have a word like 'kind' that is used to describe what we should always be. How sad that 'kind' has become a compliment and not a given," The man was clearly upset about his negative view on humanity as a whole, but if she noted his face he simply looked the same jokester he always did.
At her next compliment he'd only smile and shrug his broad shoulders, tilting his head back a bit to watch the appearance of stars twinkling in the dusky sky. "Icing on cake, hmm? I think a better way of saying it is to say that my words are like the sugar on sour candy, he said with a laugh. It was true to him. People usually gave him the sort of expression that people have on their face after finding out something they thought was sweet was actually tart when he started talking. Perhaps they were just trying to hold back laughter, but Qadir loved to listen to people laugh and so he really wished they would laugh whether it was with him or at him.
"Ah, here we are!" Qadir took a step to the side and opened the door for Crystal. The pizza joint was just a small nook in the wall that served great pizza for cheap prices. Qadir was also a fan of their hours; anything that said 'Open 24 Hours a Day' on the door scored high on Qadir's scale of adoration. "I hope you like pizza of course, but they've got some great subs here as well! Of course he didn't know what she liked, he hadn't actually attempted to ask anyway so that was his own fault. He thought she might be the skimpy type that would sit and nibble on a leaf of lettuce, but he'd certainly never voice that thought out loud.
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Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 8:58 pm
Crystal turned her large eyes to Qadir, momentarily taken aback by his statement on kindness. Was this guy for real? That was the type of thing you'd hear in a sappy movie, or a love song. It was also the type of thing Crystal thought, and it astounded her that someone else - a man, no less - thought the same way. She had little time to do more than stare in shock before they arrived at their destination, the gentleman opening the door for her.
"Who doesn't like pizza?" she asked in mock-surprise as she regained her composure, smiling over her shoulder at the taller man. "It smells delicious!" Crystal laced her fingers together in front of her stomach, looking around the place and making sure to stay near to her...escort? Date? The woman shook her head a little, sending ringlets spinning around her face momentarily. What a strange effect he was having on her! "What's your topping of choice...Lord Qadir?" It took every fiber in her being to add his name to the end of the title; she had a feeling he wouldn't want her to refer to him as a lord, but she couldn't take the risk. He was...too different, too appealing to chance losing the evening.
There was something she wanted to say, however, before the relaxed atmosphere made her forget. Sure, it may have been a flippant statement on his part, but she couldn't let it go. It meant something to her. Crystal moved a little closer to Qadir, touching his sleeve very delicately, tilting her face up to look at him earnestly as she spoke softly. "Your words, about kindness," she murmured through seashell lips, "it's beautiful. As though the thoughts were taken from my heart." She smiled bashfully, lowering her gaze beneath heavy lashes.
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Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 9:32 pm
Qadir thought he was about to have a heart-attack at her words. A woman, who liked pizza? It was a trick, wasn't it? For a moment he watched a terrible scene in his head with a woman who ate a slice of pizza and then continued to b***h about how it would go 'right to her thighs' for the next 30 minutes. He shuddered slightly and cast a look out of the corner of his eyes at Crystal. She didn't look like the type that would blather endlessly like that, but you never knew, did you? He'd been about to reply that he'd honestly eat anything when she had to go and call him Lord. Lips were parted to reply but she didn't seem to give him the right moment, so instead he listened to her words and shut his mouth.
"They are nothing more than the truth my dear," he said, reaching out and tweeking her nose between two fingers since she'd turned her gaze downwards after her short speech. Qadir's fingers did not completely move away from the woman's features however; his index finger would slip to rest over those pink lips of hers and he'd lean in close to talk to her. Perhaps his intimately close approach would help to emphasize what he was going to say. "I very much hope that you called me Lord because you've just left work and it is habit, but let me assure you that I am nothing of the sort, inside or outside of your shop. Lord is a term reserved for pompous prats who know nothing of the real world and who live and flourish under the canopy of others and I, my dear, are nothing of the sort. I am sure that you were only trying to be respectful but some forms of respect can be insulting. I have spent more years working to keep myself alive than any Lord could imagine. I am Qadir and only Qadir. I am not Mr. Xi, I am not Sir Xi and I will never be Lord anything."
The vampire gave a wide, warm smile as he moved in close and pressed a kiss to the soft flesh of her cheek before turning and letting his finger slide from her lips. His words hadn't been cold or harsh and it was clear that although he wasn't upset this time, his point was final. Now, however, the man was simply concerned with where the two of them would sit. Live in the moment this one did. Which was better? An intimate little booth for two in the corner or a table for four in the middle of the hustle and bustle? Qadir chose a table for four off to the side, a sort of compromise between the other two options, bowing and waving his hand politely for the woman to go first and choose which seat she found most appealing.
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Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 9:48 pm
The flower girl feared she would have a heart attack at Qadir's sudden closeness, even if he was acting more in a lofty manner than a tender one. Crystal listened to his words, held in place as she was, and absorbed them. If the other nobles heard him, surely they would turn white with horror and wither where they stood, their self-important image torn down by one of their own. He systematically showed her what she already knew about 'nobles' as a class name; he stunned her once more, speaking words that he could have plucked from her own brain. She didn't even mind his touch, for it was gentle and somewhat comforting. She found herself deeply respecting the man for his blatant opinion and outlook on life. He was understanding, quite down to earth, and--
--he was kissing her face. Crystal's blush came back with a vengeance, making her mouth dry and her eyes a touch too wide. She was just a flower girl, and this magnanimous gentleman of high standing and low opinions just kissed her. In a public place. She was far, far from ashamed as she thought she should be; the woman was enraptured, for lack of better word, even though her view of nobles and their kind had just been shaken and stirred. The man was keeping her on her toes, as if challenging the well educated woman to be herself, sans her teachings. Certainly, there was no greater obstacle than that!
Crystal swallowed down her blush as much as she could, following the man's indication and taking a seat that put her back to the wall. "Thank you...Qadir." The name rolled off her tongue with the same respect and acknowledgement that she put in the word 'lord.' Title or not, he deserved it, and for the life of her she couldn't grasp on any English word long enough to form any other sentences. Instead, she opted to gaze at him, putting in her eyes the wonderment and warmth that she felt.
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Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 10:02 pm
Watching the woman blush was quite entertaining in Qadir's mind. The way her black hair framed her face reminded him of a rose being swallowed by the night and her eyes were like the stars that populated the skies. But that was far too corny for him to say aloud, even for a man such as Qadir. Letting her slide into her seat he'd prompty take his own, right next to her. Oh no, the man did not sit across from her as he was sure she'd prefer, but instead he'd slip in close and pick up the menu infront of him, humming softly to himself as he tried to decide what he wanted for the night.
Turning to look at her reaction to his sitting beside her he'd wink one of those gold-dripped eyes and say, "Just incase I wanted to kiss you again.
He finally decided he'd have a slice of plain cheese pizza when his stomach insisted to him that he was going to need more than that to make it happy. Sleeping all day and flirting with beautiful flower girls lead to a very hungry vampire by this point, and so he decided he'd also want an extra large Coke and a side of fries. Whoever heard of fries and pizza? Qadir was just odd like that. "Know what you want?" he asked, leaning over to see what page of the menu she was pondering over, if she'd even gotten so far as to pick up the menu.
"I don't recommend their seafood by the way, it just tastes...off,"
"I heard that and I take personal offence y'know," came the sudden high-pitched voice belonging to one very friendly looking waitress chomping hard on a piece of gum and smiling like a hyena. "Ye gonna flirt with the girl all night or ye think ye might wanna order somethin?"
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Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 10:15 pm
Steely eyes watched Qadir glide around the table to take a seat next to her, his light humming forcing the edges of her lips into a bemused smile. She didn't mind his closeness, not as she normally would with other people. The man's frankness and kindred thoughts put her at ease, making her feel as though she were wrapped in a familiar blanket. Qadir was rewarded with raised eyebrows and an uncharacteristically girlish giggle from Crystal at his kissing remark. "As you wish," she chuckled as she gave him a smile that displayed her pearly teeth. Grin still in place, she quickly skimmed the menu, picking out the combo that had the majority of her favorite toppings. Woman or not, she was not afraid to eat in front of company, even if it was something as messy as pizza. Normally, she'd see this as an opportunity to practice eating like the dainty flower she was supposed to represent; tonight was different, though, and she was going to run with it.
"Pineapple and pancetta, with a lemonade, please," she replied to the horrific waitress with a thick layer of sweetness in her voice. Kill them with kindness, her mother always said. She leaned in towards Qadir, whispering with a mischevious smile, "Thanks for the warning."
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Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 8:53 am
Qadir let Crystal order first, smiling at the toppings she chose. It seemed...fitting for her he supposed, in a strange sense, but he couldn't quite place why. Maybe it was because he'd never tried those type of toppings on a pizza, which wouldn't make any sense for him to say it sounded fitting, did it?
The man blinked and realized he'd gotten lost in his own strange and convoluted thoughts and that the two women were watching him, waiting for his own order to come spilling out of his mouth. "The same thing," he finally managed, though it wasn't actually what he'd originally planned on ordering. "Oh, except I would love a Coke and seasoned fries as well," Qadir hastily added before the waitress could slip away, rolling her eyes at the couple. She'd seen Qadir about a million times before, but this was probably the first time the man didn't get his usual pizza toppings.
At Crystal's whisper the vampire would give her a playful salute and another wink. "I promised Mrs. Rose I'd get you home before sun-up, it just makes it easier for me to get you back healthy and in one piece. I so don't do good with puke," the man replied, wrinkling his nose and sounding something akin to a valley girl in his last words; well, as close to a valley girl as a tall, well dressed man from a foreign country filled with sand and sun can sound. "So what do you want to talk about while we wait for our food, hmm? No doubt you want to rave about how great I am," insert classic Qadir's charming smile here, "but I insist you tell me more about yourself, or even more about that delightful mother of yours. Is she looking to adopt a son at the moment?"
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Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 10:51 am
"I don't think anyone does well with vomit," Crystal agreed, also wrinkling her nose in a slightly more petite manner. His next comment caught her off guard, startling her into laughter. Pressing her dainty fingers over her smiling lips, she replied, "I think my mother would snap you up on such an offer." The amusement in her voice was tangible. "However, she is a sharp woman, and would barter for a son-in-law more than a helping hand." A chuckle bubbled from her as she dropped her hand back into her lap, giving a shake of her head at the thought. "She adores you, there's no mistaking that. You'd make her a very happy woman to come by and say hello. Of course, I wouldn't mind seeing you again, either." She added the last part as though it were an after thought, or perhaps a statement that didn't matter in comparison to her mother's joy. Even so, it was said in a teasing fashion, so as not to make the comment uncomfortable.
She sat up a little straighter, leaning back in the chair, watching the golden eyed man as she talked. "I haven't much to say about myself, but I'm more than willing to sing your praises if it makes you happy." Crystal's face lit in a ghost of a grin, lifting her arm to rest against the back of the chair so she could better face Qadir rather than looking at him out of the corner of her eye. His delightful expressions were as enjoyable as the words he shared.
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Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 7:14 pm
The man gave a soft, very 'unlordly' snort at her words and he shook his head, causing the gold threads to tickle his brow. In responce he'd lift a hand to rub at his forehead and wrinkle his nose. "I certainly do not want you to praise me miss Crystal. I should rather to praise you over your beauty and smile for hours to come before your lips should utter even the sound of my name." He liked the way she moved to face him better and he in turn shifted to better mimic her pose. It would be rude after all to keep himself turned while the woman had been so gracious to turn to him.
Leaning over, the man would brush the tips of his fingers from her wrist to her elbow, his touch using no more pressure against her flesh than a chick's feather. "As much as I adore your mother, I'll confess I would only visit her in order to catch but a glimpse of you my dear." he'd say softly, smiling wide and leaning over as if to kiss her cheek again, but instead he simply hovered near her. Silent and smiling like a cheshire cat he was.
"Ya'll wanna get a room?" the waitress grumbled as she set the drinks upon the table with a less than enthusiastic flare.
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Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 7:26 pm
Either Crystal chose to ignore the waitress or simply didn't hear her; given the expression on her face, it was very likely the latter. Her grey eyes were drawn to Qadir's gorgeous smile, how it lit his face even if he was just pulling her leg. However, after all the smiles and grins he had thrown her way, it was the first time the somewhat naive girl had really noticed his elongated canines; her eyes rested upon them, her slender eyebrows raising just a touch, her lips parting very slightly in surprise. To the waitress, it may look like she was bashful at his closeness, but he may notice where her gaze lay. His touch had kept her where she was, but his smile reached deeper than her skin.
Stormy eyes flicked up to Qadir's own, which were so very close. Her lips pulled into a wonderous smile, her face aglow with curiosity and interest. "It's hard to even think of myself when your charm makes me see little else but your smile." Crystal tilted her head, putting her just a little closer to him. "You bring forth many curiosities of mine. I cannot help but wonder about you." Her eyes shifted only briefly back to his smile before settling upon his eyes, her own asking an unspoken question if he so chose to speak of it.
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Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 7:37 pm
Qadir's was no stranger to the look on Crystal's soft features. Of course, he was more used to a look of fear and the scrambling of one body in the opposite direction of his, but he quite enjoyed the enraptured expression this woman had upon her face. Moving his hand from her arm to her hair he'd brush a few locks back so he could better see her stormy eyes and revel in the look. "Wonder about me? What do I have to wonder about? I am only a man that wants to enjoy life to the best of my abilities, to make as many friends as I can so I might laugh with them and if I am lucky enjoy my time with them half as much as I enjoy my time with you," he replied softly, his voice no more than a whisper just for her as he too had decided to ignore the waitress. He longed to give her a sharp reply about how they were in a room, thank you very much, but he was far too ensnared with the woman before him.
This time he did lean just the short distance towards her and stole a kiss from her lips instead of her cheek this time. It was quick and honestly nothing more than something a friend would give to another. Of course, the customs of friends and kissing was different wherever you went, but there was little in the quick peck that she could pin on anything deeper. "And if you keep staring at my mouth like that I'll have to give you more," he teased with another bright smile. He assumed he was staring at his fangs, but he quite enjoyed toying with her and he wanted to actually hear her ask.
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Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 7:54 pm
The flower girl was indeed enraptured, almost turning into his hand as he moved her hair from her face. Should she be afraid? Crystal didn't know what would make his teeth look like that. Certainly, she'd seen vampire films, but Qadir hardly looked like a caped bat and he didn't have that awful accent. And his words -- oh, his words were reaching to her heart, where they were holding fast and fond. He knew just what to say, and how to say it; no wonder her mother had adored him! She had wanted to reply, but her words were silenced with his lips.
Crystal didn't have time to think the kiss was anything more than friendly, as it was chaste and pure, a sweet reflection of himself. She raised her free hand to her lips, stealing another sly glance at his mouth, before reaching out the same hand to hesitantly touch his face. Just because he'd insisted she call him by his name didn't mean she had the right to encroach on him in any other fashion. Her hand seemed to move before she could think, cupping his jaw with her thumb touching the side of his lips delicately.
Unfortunately for both of them, Crystal's curiosity had completely beat her training back, which was no small feat. "I didn't feel them at all...your teeth. Are they...?" she whispered softly, her voice laced with wonder. The woman couldn't even muster a flirty reply at his acknowledgement of her blatant staring, which would have normally sent her into a horrified blush. She didn't know what to say beyond that; asking if they grew that way normally seemed too rude even for her currently broken standards, and asking if he was a vampire seemed so vapid and childish. The way he liked to play games, however, may not give her much of a choice; she hoped he would give her some venue to travel down so she might ask.
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