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You're really tense lately. Atropos said with some amusement as Candace wandered through the main headquarters of the complex. The woman arched a brow and tilted her head to one side.

Tense?

Yeah, you usually uh...relax more often.

Candace stopped walking and actually looked confused. What the hell did...did..Atropos mean what she thought she meant? She frowned, shaking her head with a small sigh. No. She wasn't in the mood for that. And her best source for relaxation currently scared the s**t out of her without her even seeing him. She didn't know what he would do okay. Stretching her arms high above her head with a soft groan, Candace looked around the immediate area. Atropos wanted her to relax? Fine. She'd find entertainment. There had to be something to do around here.

Or someone?

Nope. Not today.

Atropos chuckled and gave up. It was odd for her to be so insistent on this anyway but Candace didn't exactly want to find out why. Besides, she saw someone nearby. A familiar someone. "Da~ko~taaaaa~." She called out in a sing-song voice, grinning at the boy and waving her fingers at him.

Oh really. Candace couldn't help but grin at Dakota's words. Did he just use a pick up line on her? That was adorable. But he was like twelve. "All right, Dakota." She answered sweetly. "I'll do an interview. What would you like to know?" She had to see where he was going to go with this. She just had to.

Oh now that reaction was just beautiful. Had he expected her to just completely reject him right off the bat? But that would be no fun at all! Doing her best to hide a smirk behind a smile, Candace followed Dakota wherever he wanted to go. She may or may not have made a point to appear more graceful than usual when sitting down, making herself comfortable to listen to whatever Dakota wished to ask her. The first question did actually throw her off. She blinked. Where was he--oh. Another pick up line. Candace chuckled. "No, we're not related. My father was a much darker man than he is, and a lot less violent." This could be fun. Playing words with Dakota could be her tension relief for the day! Alternatives were always welcome.

A real question? Not a pick up line? Candace eyed Dakota almost suspiciously even as he asked his new question. It was more direct but it still seemed like a silly question. Did he not listen to gossip? Huh. "Define seeing. I'm seeing you right now, aren't I?" Her smile returned as she shook her head. "I am not in any kind of monogamous relationship, Dakota. No one holds any kind of claim on me or holds me by a leash and collar. I tried it, it doesn't work for me." Shrugging, Candace tilted her head to one side. "And yourself?"

Ah, now this was a nice Dakota. An honest one who wasn't using stupid pickup lines or hitting on her. Candace actually showed him a genuine smile as she listened to him speak of his old family life. "You have a little sister?" Shiva didn't exactly sound like a boy's name..but you never know. Girl sounded safer. This was nice, though. Having an actual conversation with an honest Dakota rather than some would-be womanizer who had flat out told her he wanted to be in Mist to form a harem of his own was a fine change of pace. He even blushed! Candace had to hold back a giggle. "Ah, yes. Too young. What are you now, thirteen? I'm sure there's someone out there who takes you seriously. Freedom is very nice, yeah. I didn't realize I'd missed it until.." Suddenly she frowned and shook her head, forcing her smile back when Dakota got her attention again.

Oh god, another line.

Candace laughed and stood, stepping up to Dakota to playfully ruffle his hair and then lean down to brush her lips against his temple. "Goodbye, Dakota." She didn't sound annoyed, at least. Far from it! There was clear amusement in her tone and on her face before the woman walked away.

"Don't tell me you've been out here all night and day." Candace was suddenly beside Dakota with a faintly disapproving frown and her hands on her hips. She didn't appear to be in as high spirits as the day before but she didn't seem volatile. Approach with caution, perhaps?

The same group of Mists? Candace blinked and glanced over her shoulder to see what he was talking about, spotting a vaguely familiar face in the group. Ah, her. She remembered her from her promotion mission. A sharp pang of regret and guilt in Candace's chest made her turn back around and shrug. "They're Mists. They could easily be ******** around with you to see how long you're going to sit here watching them pace back and forth."

At Dakota's question she blinked. No pick up line? Good, good. She forced a smile and shrugged, stepping closer to sit on the arm of the chair he was sitting in. "Tired. Don't worry, I'm fine...I think the problem is that someone hasn't said something to me, I think. Long story." He looked so serious about that, too! That did actually make her feel a bit better. Leaning over, Candace slid onto Dakota's lap and made herself comfortable; her back was against one arm of the chair and her legs were draped over the other, her arm rested along the back of it as well. "Apparently you really meant it when you said you'd see me tomorrow. That's cute." Grinning, Candace playfully tapped Dakota's nose with her finger. "What do you want today, dear?"

Candace chuckled and rolled her eyes. Right, because most Mists were women. He had such a one-tracked mind. She was also about to correct him on his assumption she wanted a pick up line until he actually started to deliver it. Her face went from amused to 'oh god please no oh god no Dakota no' in an instant.

Annnnnd there it was.

Candace..that was just awful. Atropos cackled. Candace gave Dakota the most deadpan look, though her arms were still around his neck.

Nope. Nope. Nope.

"Welp, it was nice seeing you." She moved to climb off Dakota's lap, only stopping when he asked her an actual question. Candace frowned, ruffling her hair a bit and glancing Dakota's way. Distractions were nice.. "...I should go. I'm..I'm not in the mood to play today. I'm sorry. It's not you, I promise." Candace gave Dakota an apologetic smile and pat his chest, leaning in to kiss his cheek.

"Be a good boy and maybe I'll see you tomorrow." Candace climbed off Dakota's lap after that, patting his head and walking off just as she had yesterday.