No Frikken Way! (Kitty)

[Lauryn de Vampyre]

His Highness? That meant Nova's Father was The King for the Court. Lariel looked over at the Canine and realized she was in fact looking at His Excellence Casanova. Well, even if the haughtiness didn't suit him (to which she was grateful for), it certainly had a nice ring to it. She would have never guessed the small pup she had first met on the streets of the Capitol would grow up to be The Jack for a Court, and so... manly.

Lariel sighed. Her parents' actions were almost always a mystery to her. "They've stayed together because it's convenient and because it's expected. They're a wealthy couple in the Range and people in their town kind of look up to them like patrons. Even the Mayor sometimes goes to them for advice. So they can't be seen as having any kind of weakness," she explained. "Though I agree with you. They should have split up ages ago. I didn't exactly have the greatest childhoods, though I never lacked anything except affection..."

Her voice trailed off as she was suddenly lost in her memories. It was a few moments before she shook herself out of the trance and cleared her throat, adjusting her body straighter in the chair. Lariel had no idea why she was telling all of this to him. It wasn't exactly a good topic of conversation and she felt a little embarrassed and hoped to change the subject quickly.

And it was.
Date! He had said date! She was torn between wanting to smile out of sheer happiness, having her mouth hang open in shock, or running the hell away in fear. She couldn't decide which reaction would be more appropriate just then. Finally settling, Lariel flashed him a brilliant smile, the bell choker she wore tinkling lightly.

"Well, with business as slow as it's been I'd offer sooner rather than later. I'm starting to get bored out of my mind!"

She turned her head to watch the back of Blanca disappear back inside the Cafe. The light was too bright outside for her to see past the windows so she turned back to Casanova. She couldn't stifle the chuckle when he said the word 'hotsauce', once she'd definitely never heard before but immediately understood. She had to hand it to Blanca though, Nova definitely was 'hotsauce'.

The Bobcat felt herself blushing again but quickly took a deep breath and began fanning herself with a napkin. Boy, it was a hot day outside!

Lariel was about to ask him why he didn't just go somewhere else when he admitted to being amused by the whole situation. She frowned, not sure how to feel about that. If she was dense enough not to get his hints, maybe she didn't know he would never take her out again. Did he not realize he was in fact stringing her along?

"Nova, you really should to explain it to her. Tell her that you appreciated the time with her but it will never happen again. It's... not nice, letting her think she still has a chance with you," she said, pursing her lips in only a slight bit of concern for the unknown woman. She'd been strung along, once, when she was a very young kitten. She thought she'd been in love and he'd taken advantage of that in almost every way. She never liked seeing other women treated the same, although for some reason she just knew it was by no means the same in this situation. Still...

[Kitty]

Sooner then later then, eh? how about three days from now? Maybe we could find a different cafe to meet up at? There's another Jack that owes me a solid, I can get another day off.

Which largely meant no Blanca to make things awkward. Besides, he needed a little change of scenery. Besides, he didn't think that using up a favor for something fun, or someone pretty, was a waste either.

He cocked one ear to the side at her little bit of chastising before he sighed again, bringing a hand up to rest his cheek on it.

I've tried, even in the simplest terms possible. But.... the damn girl is just delusional.

He peered back at the doorway for a minute before looking back to her.

The owner is sort of a friend of the family. He's a lowland supporter, tries not to broadcast it too much to stay out of trouble.... but mother's been coming here since he was little. Offered to fire her for bugging me, but I declined. Know how I said I could make anything fun? Yeah, even covers stalkers.

Maybe he was a little too nice of a guy, but he just didn't see the sense of getting someone fired just cause they bothered one person. And if that one person was him? Well, all the better, he could live with it.

However, if she starts following me home or something like that? Yeah, I'll retract my peace treaty.

He flashed her a smile, it looked a little tired at the edges from the subject, but he brightened up rather quickly.

[Lauryn de Vampyre]

Three days from now? Her heart leapt into her throat at the thought of the 'date' occurring so soon.

"That sounds great," she said, smiling and doing her best to seem cool and nonchalant about the whole thing. "Are you sure no one will mind you taking that day off? We can wait until your regular off day if you'd prefer."

She liked the idea of going to another Cafe. She enjoyed coffee so often she had the sneaking suspicion she was addicted. At least it wasn't Checkmate! After all, she supposed, she could just as well be addicted to Tobacco or that Midori Grass she'd heard about. But no, she preferred just her coffee; black.

Lariel watched him rest his cheek on his paw and bit her lower lip. Why was it that a little innocent movement like that could actually speed up her heart? What was wrong with her?! No one ever affected her this way. Ever. It just wasn't.... logical.

Pursing her lips in concern she listened to what Nova had to say about Blanca. So he had talked to her, and the woman still decided to actually stalk him. Taping her claws on the table she realized she'd thought of the whole situation entirely wrong. Not only had he let the girl know of his true feelings and asked her to back off, but he was most certainly not leading her on.

Was it possible? Could it be that there were still nice men out in the world? Lariel dared not even believe it. This had to be a trick to get into her pants. But, if it was... then why wait to make the date three days from now instead of asking her to join him in a bar for a drink?

The Bobcat barely contained a hiss. If Blanca started following Nova home, he wouldn't have to retract his peace treaty. She would personally make sure the chick got the message to stay away from him. If that meant a bit of bodily harm, well, she could handle that. Someone so unbelievably nice didn't deserve to be hounded by someone so delusional. She made a mental note to keep an eye on the woman, just in case over the next few days.

"You know, you kind of amaze me Nova. You really do. And even after all of this," she said, waving back towards the direction Blanca had gone, "You're still able to smile with your whole personality behind it. You certainly give me a lot to think about on how I view the world."

[Kitty]

I took a day off for him for something silly that he'd like me not repeat.... so I'm pretty sure he won't mind.

Not to mention The Queen was pretty much like family for him as well. Aderlass had also been helping him with his fire training as well, they had a fairly good relationship.... he'd understand. He'd just work extra hard the night before to make sure he wouldn't be missed too, but he wasn't going to tell her that and make her, potentially, feel bad. No, three days. That was final.

Unless you're trying to very nicely brush me off. Hope not, I'm kinda looking forward to it.

He gave her a little play pout to exaggerate his pretend feelings of disappointment. He didn't think that at all, not with the way she'd flushed when he'd asked, but it just might keep her from trying to get him to wait a whole damn week anymore.

Through the years I've sort of come to realize that life isn't worth living unless you can honestly say you feel alive. Just get out there and really live it. I've always been chipper, but.... you just have to give everything you've got everyday. No regrets, you know?

He shook his head before putting his head on his hands again, it was just such a damnably comfortable way to sit.

My brother and sister could never really grasp that concept, but mother is finally coming around. Anyone can be happy, some people just have to try and little harder is all... and they don't. Life isn't just going to hand you lemonade all the time... right? You have to make your own sometimes, and yeah.... even I get a little acid in my eyes every now and again.

He laughed, shaking his head and giving her a mildly sheepish expression. Damn, he was preaching to her, wasn't he?

Sorry, didn't mean to lecture you there.

[Lauryn de Vampyre]

Lariel smiled. It was the nicest form of blackmail she'd ever heard of and hey, whatever worked! Plus, it meant she got to see him all the sooner and that was fine with her. Thankfully, seeing as how she ran her own business... businesses, she could set her own hours and made a mental note to herself to deny everything on that day. Chances were no one would be hiring her to work within the next three days.

"NO!" she shouted. Her eyes widened and she laughed, embarrassed. She hadn't meant to be so loud or forceful. What must he think of her now? "No, I uh, I just didn't want to impose on your job is all. I would very much like to get a chance to talk with you again. I'm... really looking forward to it as well," she said, toying with her Home Stone on her bracelet and looking down at the table. She simply could not meet his eyes right now!

Though hearing him say that...
"But what if you do something you do end up regretting? What then? What if you don't take the time to think things through and you end up getting hurt?" she asked, thinking of a few memories from her past. Ones she quickly shoved back down.

"I work hard to make sure that I take care of myself, since no one else will. I was handed everything I ever needed or wanted as a child, and when I grew up I walked away from it all. It was empty. I was empty. I needed to do things on my own; really earn them so I kind of get what you're saying. I just think it's necessary to think before you leap. I have worked hard to make sure everything in my life is stable and solid."

Lariel could hear that he really believed what he was saying, but for someone like her it was like asking her to walk on water. But the way his eyes lit up talking about it and the genuine enthusiasm for life was appealing.

"Do you really have no regrets?" she asked, knowing it was a very personal question for a random run in with an old friend.

[Kitty]

His grin turned absolutely toothy when she so forcefully denied that she wasn't trying to get out of seeing him, and his tail thumped against the chair leg. Oh, he bet he could make her turn crimson with this one.

So you think I'm hotsauce as well then?

It was rather cute actually, the way she was fidgeting and toying with her bracelet like she was. This was a brand new side of her. To be honest he'd never really expected her to have a soft side like this, it was nice.

I can't say I don't have any regrets, but I just never want to look back and my life and wish I'd taken more chances or went out on more limbs. Shit happens you know? But if you learn from it, it's not a regret anymore... it's a lesson.

He flipped that ear down to the side again, feeling ever so slightly awkward with the next bet.

Exactly why I haven't been on a date in over a year. Don't skin me if I'm s little rusty, alright?

[Lauryn de Vampyre]

Her eyes opened wide, as well as her mouth as she tried to form coherent words.

"No! I mean, yes,...I mean..." She cleared her throat, took a deep breath and started again. "Its just really nice to talk with someone who doesn't get on my nerves within the first few minutes, is all," she lied slightly. "I just seem to meet a lot of people I simply cannot stand and I've really enjoyed our conversation."

Indeed her cheeks were flaming hot and flushed to the greatest of their ability. She frowned, hating being embarrassed. It felt like a weakness and she worked hard to squash any weaknesses she had. The BiPed squirmed in her chair, uncomfortable now, the little orange dots on the ends of her fins beginning to glow though in the daytime it was hardly noticeable.

He nearly exhausted her with his way of thinking, but it was a good mental exercise for her. She lived her life in a closed off box. Nothing ever usually got in or out. She'd thought it was the best way for her to live, but... was it really?

Lariel watched his face changed and wondered if that was embarrassment. No, couldn't be! He didn't get embarrassed, did he?

Lariel laughed, then realized he might take it the wrong way. "Oh don't worry about that. I haven't been on a date in many years, so you have nothing to worry about." Did the word date just easily roll off her tongue? Surely not! "Just think of it as two friends getting together for a cup of coffee," she added with a smile.

Dating was something she'd given up on long ago, so why was she agreeing now? He wasn't a Diamond and therefor couldn't be persuading her against her better judgment. Could it be that she just really liked him that much?

[Kitty]

Well, that definitely worked exactly as he'd thought it would. Well, the stumbling over those first few words was a nice little bonus, but it kind of went hand in hand a lot of the time. He resisted the urge to tell her how absolutely adorable she looked with that flush to her cheeks, that might just be a little too much too soon if a little banter could make her turn colors like that.

What can I say? I live to entertain.

He took a little partial bow, remaining in his seat to do so and laugh a bit before his ears perked back up.

Well good, wouldn't want you to bite off my tail or anything if I said something wrong.

Which was one problem with not really thinking many things over before doing or saying them. He'd gotten pretty good at making those types of things joke though.... so no one's feelings got hurt or anything lame like that. Little trick he'd picked up from so much time spent around children, well.... that's where he figured it came from anyhow.

So what sorts of foods and activities might you enjoy on a leisurely day with a friend?

Oh yes, this was a not so subtle way of asking for ideas on how to make three days from now pretty awesome for her.

[Lauryn de Vampyre]

Curse him for his obvious amusement of her discomfort! She fought the urge to stick out her tongue at him again or simply getting up and walking away. She didn't know why embarrassment made her feel so helpless, so out of control that most times she didn't like it.

Still, he meant nothing by it and besides... he really was flirting with her, the bastard. She couldn't help but give in to the smile stretching across her muzzle. "You live to be a pain in my ass," she retorted, jokingly. "But a welcome pain."

She loved watching the way his ears expressed so much more emotion than anyone would give them credit for. They were constantly moving depending on what he was thinking. Her own ears flicked forward in response, her smaller feline tail swishing idly behind her and her fins relaxed and flat against her back.

"You're not off the hook yet. I'll give you some leniency but I'll still bite your tail off if you really manage to piss me off," she said with a huge grin. "I hope for your sake you didn't grow up to be one of those macho type of men that love talking about working out and boobs."

He was asking her what she enjoyed and it actually made her have to stop and think. "I, uh.... well....." she said, pausing to turn her head to the side as she pondered the question. There really wasn't anything she preferred doing; how boring. "Well you already know I love coffee. I do enjoy pasta and I am a huge fan of almost any kind of desert. Maybe a nice walk after some food. Yes, I think that'd be nice."

[Kitty]

You'd be surprised how often I hear something like that around the court.

Ah, good times, good times. He really did love his job, and the people there.... most of them anyhow.

Oh no! not my precious tail! Anything but that!

And, just to make it even more melodramatic, he reached around, grabbed the fluffy appendage and hugged it to his body, staring at her with wide eyes for a moment before he just couldn't stand it any longer and burst into laughter. Oh, he was so having a good time!

Food? Ah, well ... you're in luck! I know some pretty great places, but they're a little close to the outer bazaar. Not so great location, but damn good food. No coffee though.... maybe we could stop by a cafe there and get a cup to go, so we can have some fuel to find a good place for some food?