|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 6:45 pm
Serah had thought, since taking Elzo's advice, she could handle anything. But apparently.. not.. everything. She sighed in a resigned manner, her fingers curling a pink lock of hair. She should have suspected as much. She had been thrilled to be invited to a karaoke party-- especially since it seemed like Elzo's results would have been rewarded when taking the time out of his day to bring her to hillsworth.
Unfortunately, Serah would have to regretfully pass the message to Audrey that it didn't work so well.
The minute karaoke had started, most of the males flocked to the other wise, where the busty and provocatively dressed girls sat. The males who stayed by Serah's side stayed through reluctance .. Serah didn't need the pity. After leaving the party (and some males with very sore feet,) Serah stood, leaning against the wall in the middle of a popular karaoke place. She sighed, turning her gaze heavenward. This didn't put a damper on her cheerfulness-- not in the least, she told herself. Since she was here, she'd grab a bite to eat and leave the batch of lust-filled hillworth boys to their fun.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2010 1:30 pm
Not terribly far off, Serah was being watched.
Well, okay, she was being half watched.
Akio had been taking a break by the concession stand when he'd spotted the pink haired girl out of the corner of his eye. She wasn't being swarmed by a flock of friends or boys - why was she alone?
Hands fiddled with the machine in front of him, his attention being drawn back towards the quarter machine that was busy cranking out his newest prize. After an hour of belting out tunes to The Goddess of Music's Monster Ball album, he had decided to give his voice a few minutes rest time, less he have to deal with a sore throat the next morning.
Pocketing the small knick-knack, a second spare quarter fell into a slot of the adjacent machine, his eye literally on the prize. Turning the knob, he snagged and popped open the plastic ball, collecting the plastic ring inside.
As the girl wandered past him, he feigned a loud sigh, then angled himself to face her, as if only noticing her for the first time.
"Damn, put it in the wrong one - but hey! Look, it matches."
His hand extended itself out, offering the small pink ring and a gigantic smile to the short (and rather cute) stranger as he motioned towards her outfit. "Would be a shame to just toss it out - would you like it?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2010 1:57 pm
Serah turned, taking slow steps down the hall. It was out of the ordinary to see a teenager by the gatchapon machines. After all, it was an attraction for younger kids. It wasn't exactly a teenage hotspot attraction after all. Most of all, she hadn't expected the stranger to address her. When he turned to her, she was caught off-guard as he spoke, his hand extending out. It was almost suspicious-- With looks like that, she expected a equally gorgeous girl to rush out and grab the stranger by the arm. That's how it always seemed to go. But nobody rushed out in the seconds following his question.
....
"Only if you're not planning on wearing it." She remarked, her fingers lightly brushed over the other to pick up and examine the pink ring. It was a simple and cheap ring, sold for less than a dollar. But the simple act from a handsome stranger had brightened up her sorely disappointing day.
She glanced down at the ring cupped in the palm of her hand, reflecting that this shade of pink was probably the best of the lot. Better than the machine on the left. (Yes, Serah had visited these machines.) She glanced back up at the other, offering him an mutually large smile, leaning against a machine. "Was that your agenda for the day? Cheering up a random stranger? I'm expecting your company to come out and drag you back to a karaoke room soon." She tipped her head to gesture down to the hall, towards the direction of shouts and sounds.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2010 8:35 am
"I think it might be a bit too tight for me." He grinned slyly, ignoring the ring entirely as his eyes met hers, "Though it seems to be my lucky day to end up finding a girl who'd be the perfect fit."
The taller boy laughed at the comment about company, his own lanky form moving to press against the front of the machine. If any little children wanted to play with the quarter machines in the next several minutes, they'd be sorely disappointed. He glanced back towards the hallway. "I probably would be expecting the same thing...if I had brought any company with me."
To be fair, he usually did bring along a friend (or several) to sing, but tonight's visit had been a spur of the moment decision, Akio having been feeling restless.
His grin grew wider as he gave her a wink, one arm shifting to cross the other over his chest. "What about you? Any jealous boyfriend I should be worried about?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2010 2:29 pm
She chuckled, partially out of humor, embarrassment and a mix of other emotions. Personally, she was thinking, everyday was his lucky day. To put it more accurately, the good luck scale was more likely tipped in her direction for the day than his. Either way, this karaoke night wasn't turning out as dismal as it had once seemed.
Yet.
Her responses to his flirtatious nature wasn't that of a seasoned female but it certainly wasn't a clueless one either. Meaning, she wasn't going to allow herself to experience yet another rejection for the night. She replied quickly, one knee bent inwards towards the machines, glancing up to keep her gaze on the other's eyes. "No jealous male to come stampeding out. Just a flock of mindless hillworth boys with some scantily dressed females. If I'm in for a night of disappointment, I'd rather it be now than later. They're coming out for a break shortly, if you're interested."
Serah didn't have low self-esteem. She just had precautions. She felt that it would be best to end the night on a cheerful note rather than a disillusioned one. Her sunset gradient hair fell over her shoulders, fingering the pink ring back and forth.If someone gave you a ring.. did you put it on your hand or on a necklace? It might have been presumptuous to put it on your hand (what finger was the next question!) but it certainly would be rude to tuck it into her pocket.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2010 12:51 am
"Mindless boys and scantily clad girls, hm? Interesting crowd you run with."
The knowledge she had been hanging around with either party failed to deter him, his arms relaxing and moving to reach forward. Without waiting for permission, slender fingers removed the ring from her palm as his other hand gently turned the smaller hand over. Just as quickly as he'd taken hold of her hand, the ring was slid on, the tips of his fingers brushing gently across her own, moving ever so slightly to adjust the small band. "But na, that's not my type. Sorry to disappoint."
His smile was anything but apologetic, his hands returning to his side, one moving up to slide into a pocket. "So...since I'm guessing you're tired of your friends over there, you might be up to making a new one?"
The smile was followed by a nod in the direction of the concession stand, his eyes glancing briefly over to the counter before returning to the young woman. "I was actually on my way to grab a drink - you interested?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2010 1:13 am
"Definitely not the usual crowd." She was surprised when he leaned forward, his hand taking hers. Before she could register what could have happened next, the pink plastic ring was already slid onto her finger. Being a cheap plastic band, it was a ring fit for all sizes but the fit on her only made it feel .. well.. no other way to put it than "special."
It was a ridiculous thought. But one that worked for now.
Obviously, the young Serah was caught a little more than off-guard by his amused refusal, her smile faltering for only a moment. But than she cast a wider smile -- wider than the last few minutes-- finally stepping up from her position of leaning on the machines. "Sure. You must be parched from karaoke-- Let me guess. You sing well too?" She walked, step in step, with him towards the concession stand.
She would have placed her treasured bunny clips in a bet that he was blessed with a little bit (if not, a lot) of everything. "So not only would you be, Mister tall dark and handsome, you've got a voice that would make girls swoon, right?" She teased, reflecting that he did have a nice voice. If that was anything to go by.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2010 12:51 pm
Her smile was infectious, quickly spreading back to him as he moved out to walk alongside her towards the vendor. It was probably good, then, that she wasn't with friends - for one thing, he certainly didn't have enough quarters. But aside from that trivial fact, it just felt...pleasant, to make someone smile. It had been a while since he'd been able to accomplish that feat.
He laughed at her tease, shaking his head and causing dark waves of hair to move with the motion. "I've been known to carry a tune from time to time. Hopefully not too many have swooned - or if they have, I haven't noticed."
His modesty was serving him well, for the time being. There was no sense in listing off all of his achievements, at least, not without the proper introduction. One finger motioned up to the menu as he stopped in line, his eyes glancing first at the items, then back at her. "My name's Akio, by the way. And pick whatever you'd like; I'm a bit tired out from singing so I'll need the time to figure out how else I can impress you."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2010 1:56 am
Serah could only keep laughing as they conversed, falling easily into conversation with the other. When was the last time she merely hung out for fun? It had been quite a while-- conversation with most had been about terroristbusiness, at most, if there was even a conversation.
Eventually, they reached the concession stand, Serah's eyes followed his movements. Her hands linked behind her back, bending down to look at a paper menu on the counter. She looked back up to him, holding out her hand. "I'm Serah. How else you can impress me? I'm afraid you've already accomplished that feat." She shook her head, gesturing to the pink ring. Apparently, the trinket had much more meaning that Akio might have previously thought.
"Thank you for the offer but why don't you let me take care of this? You paid for karaoke and I didn't." Serah insisted, her wallet untouched. She pulled out a small wallet with a bunny embroidered on front, handing the bill to the cashier.
"One sundae please. You?" She offered, gesturing for him to speak to the cashier. (She had conclusively and decisively beaten him to it. Victory!) This childish satisfaction was revealed in her expression, as it had been a small game.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 12:35 pm
Her victory was short-lived, however, as one long arm snuck its way around her, his fingers quickly taking hold of her wrist and pressing her hand against the counter. His grip was gentle but firm, his free hand reaching out to pluck the bill from the cashier and nimbly tuck it between the girl's fingers. Then, he reached into his back pocket as he positioned himself slightly behind her, ensuring she couldn't escape. A wallet was removed and, with the skill of someone who was apparently used to getting his way, he one-handedly removed a ten dollar bill and handed it to the cashier.
"Make that a large - two spoons and extra chocolate syrup."
A tickle in his throat reminded him of his parchness and he added, "And an ice water - please."
His grip loosened from around Serah's wrist and yet his hand lingered, resting atop hers as he received his change. His grin was cocky by this point, the young man proud of getting his way (once again). Glancing down at the pinkette, he winked. "I'm sure I'll think of something, sweetheart."
It wasn't until the sundae and water was served that his hand finally left hers, his fingers giving hers a brief squeeze before collecting their food. Turning around, he made a beeline to one of the few empty booths, sliding into one side with ease. His eyes moved back towards his new companion, his smile still wide. "So, are you always dressed this adorable? Or is it only for the Hillworth boys?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 4:38 pm
Serah certainly hadn't expected Akio to swiftly counter-attack her move, surprise visible in her expression, a little startled to feel Akio's arm take a hold of her own. His preventative actions was on the dot, Serah's head looked around for an escape to prevent the male form taking out his own wallet. But there was little room to maneuver around the other, much less to avert the other from paying for the snack.
She protested as the cashier took the order, trying to argue, unfortunately with little use, as the girl deposited the change within Akio's open palm. At Serah's cut off protests, she gave Serah and Akio a small smile, exiting to ready the order while Serah redirected her startled attentions back to Akio. "You'll think of something?" The corner of her mouth crooked in a helpless smile, forced to surrender to his cocky smile and wink.
Inwardly, Serah wondered if she was just handling the situation badly. Was she supposed to be taking this seriously? She wasn't, right? She didn't have the finesse that Audrey might of had or the cool exterior that Theresa displayed. She had neither of those. She wasn't what you'd call 'experienced' in relationships.. Her brown eyes landed on the hand that left her own, the sensation lingering. Before he could notice her delay, she turned her heel to follow him towards the table.
And then, she realized that they were sharing. Sharing. Sharingsharingsharing. Slipping into the booth on the opposite side, his compliment did nothing to lessen her reaction. (She has yet to get past the sharing obstacle. WHY GOD DID YOU THROW THIS ON HER.) One hand lifted to cover her flushed [removed](with little success,) her palm and fingers covering her eyes while an embarrassed smile showed below. The other raised in a gesture for him to wait as she tried to gain composure. "I can't believe how that was inserted so smoothly. You've got talent-- Wait while I try to respond back in what seems to be an experienced-but-unfortunately-lacking manner." She lowered her hands to look upwards to ponder on it for a second.. and back to Akio.
"I suppose, this is the time where I insert the line, I'm dressed this way for unforeseen plans with a mysterious stranger. So concluding that, no, it's not only for the Hillworth boys." She attempted a teasing smile, picking up a plastic spoon, handing the other one to Akio.
"My turn. Are you always like this? At this rate, there'll be a line for every stranger you buy ice cream for. A looooooong line. I'm not sure if they'll all appreciate the extra chocolate syrup. But I know I do." She grinned, emphasized, shaking her head. She didn't doubt he was, her hand reached out to take a tiny spoonful of ice cream and syrup.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
