○ 04: Maybe they once locked eyes.

[acertifieduser]

[Filtered AWAY from George]
[AUDIO: There's a short pause before Eddie speaks.]

I have a favor to ask. I'm trying to help my warden understand a more modern approach to romance. What I need is a woman, between the ages of twenty-four and thirty-two.. thirty-three, who would be willing to take him out on a date. Maybe a private dinner, drinks afterward, and a starry walk in the CES or something. He'll know up front what this is; this isn't some trick and he won't be expecting to fall in love or anything.

I don't have anything specific to offer as a thanks, but I'm pretty resourceful if there's something specific you're looking for. I'm not providing any weapons and I reserve the right to refuse anyone for any reason.. because even knowing what's going on, he's still a nice guy and I don't want to mess with him. I'm really just looking to help him out.

Oh, it's George Crabtree. Some of you might know him.

[Private to George]
I want to know more about your time. Are there any books, fiction or non-, that you can recommend? I'm a pretty fast reader.

Comments

[Spam]

[scarlet-discord.livejournal.com]

"The wine? Yeah, I'm dry. I could have a touch more, but after that I'd better call it." A little laugh.

[Spam]

[acertifieduser.livejournal.com]

Eddie nods and fetches the bottle to pour her a little more. He still has about a third of a glass left of his own, so he doesn't add any more to his own glass and simply returns the wine to its situated place on the blanket. Then he took another sip from his glass and gave her a natural smile. "This wasn't too bad for a first date. You're a natural."

[Spam]

[scarlet-discord.livejournal.com]

"Thanks." She downed a somewhat overlarge swallow of her own wine and added, "Had a good tutor." He'd get a kiss if she could get up the nerve. He had more than earned it, and besides, she really did like him.

[Spam]

[acertifieduser.livejournal.com]

He smiles at that, neither particularly humble or entirely arrogant. Eddie turns his attention to his own wine glass and takes two consecutive sips to try to finish it off at about the same rate as her latest glass. "You don't have to rush. Take your time, then I'll walk you 'home.'"

[Spam]

[scarlet-discord.livejournal.com]

It's nerves, she almost says, but instead pulls her head together and just slows down. "Thanks for that. I'm a little fuzzy headed from the wine.

"If my Father saw me on a date with a human being he'd flip. The big hypocrite."

[Spam]

[acertifieduser.livejournal.com]

Eddie's expression twitches to something discontent for a split second, then he's back to the same, though his smile has lessened. "Hey, come on. Don't do that. First of all, I'm a hell of a lot more than just a human. More importantly, you're a human too, even if you have the benefit of having the abilities, and most importantly: your dad's not here. Stop worrying about what he wants and start focusing on what you want."

At the last 'you,' he pokes a finger gently into shoulder in a lighthearted gesture.

[Spam]

[scarlet-discord.livejournal.com]

"Sorry...I have no head for wine. What I want is to hang out with you more, damn it. My mother was human. And yes, you're more than a mere human, you're kinda more than a mere anything.

"Me, I...the pressure to do what he says is tremendous but...it's not here. It just haunts me sometimes."

[Spam]

[acertifieduser.livejournal.com]

He lifts the same hand he just poked her with to rest on her shoulder as reassurance again. Eddie's smiling again, unperturbed by the explanation. "Don't worry about it. We'll call it a night for now and we'll see more of each other around, alright? You can't get rid of me that easily."

[Spam]

[scarlet-discord.livejournal.com]

"Awesome." She sipped down the last of her wine.

Are you cool to assume from there? :]

[acertifieduser.livejournal.com]

Y/Y!

[scarlet-discord.livejournal.com]