Completed Dawdling toward the Denvali (Ricky)

[Leila]

Her eyes drifted over the food while she shifted against him, getting more comfortable. She watched it close, noting that the edges were beginning to golden. She leaned forward, grabbed her carving fork that she kept near the hearth. She got as close to the flames as she could, kneeling forward, not realizing that she was in a position that would've made her mother die of shock, with her small, dress covered bottom facing Ricky. She slowly flipped over the cod pieces and kelp fritters, satisfied that most of them were golden brown and only a few were slightly darker than desired. She stayed knelt there, a bit of sweat beginning to glisten upon her brow, watching the food much more closely this time. When she knew it was about time for them to be finished, then she stood up, and walked over to the table. She grabbed her knife and a sheet of paper, and cut two long triangles off of it. She rolled the short end of the triangle around her thumbs, and began rolling the paper up in it. She then doubled back the paper and rolled it the other way around. She then shifted it about, and tore to pieces that be used to anchor it in place. She folded the bottom tip to seal it off, then repeated the entire process on the second triangle. She now had two large paper cones, and just in time. She returned to the fire, and handed a cone to Ricky, "Hold this please," a cute smile on her face as she knelt down before the hearth once more. She grabbed her carving fork and first began plucking out the fried bits of fish, and put half of them in the cone, followed by the kelp fritters to fill in the gaps. Most of the grease had dripped off, but the rest would be caught in the cone. When it was full, she handed it to Ricky, and took the other cone, and put in less food for herself. One of the few things her mom had tried to teach her that she actually took to heart, was to never eat a lot in front of a man. There were some leftovers, so she whistled, and the bundle of fur that had been laying on her bed came over. She tossed him some of the kelp fritters and a piece of cod, and Shaco was the happiest dog in all of Mizahar. She then stood up, and looked down at Ricky with a slightly mischievous smile, "Would you like to escort me one more time? We have one last place to go."

[Ricky Maze]

Ricky watched her as she leaned forward on her knees to flip the cod, and somehow some part of him just instinctively told him to look at her back to see the lowere end of her skirt. With a quick blush he returned his gaze back to where Leila's head was, slightly embarrassed to have almost looked up the dress she wore. After a short bit of time Leila proceeded to her table and prepared a couple of paper cones for them to use. Ricky held onto the one she gave him as the other became filled with cod and kelp, and the cones were exchanged so the same cpuld be done with other. Shaco happen to get a bit of the leftovers which made him a very happy puppy to Ricky, and the guard couldn't stop the chuckle that came as he watched the dog.

He stood up when Leila spoke, a curious look on his face as he wondered where she wanted to go. "I'd be happy to escort ya lass, where is it ya want to go?" A warm grin came from him when he said this, a pinch of the hot cod and kelp went in his mouth as he waited to hear her reply. He panted a bit as the heat nearly burned his tongue, and laughed a bit afterwards when he managed to swallow after a few good chews. "By the way this cod is a really good combo with the kelp." He complimented with a smirk.

[Leila]

Leila giggled, liking the roll of mischievous, "Come along and you'll see." She bent down toward Shaco, "Now take good care of the house, you big, ferocious guard dog. That's my boy." He got vigorous head rubs, and his ears played with. She then turned, grabbed Ricky's free hand, and made her way out her door into the night, locking the door behind her. She began pulling him along, her hand pulling his, though fingers weren't interlocked, just cupped hand within cupped hand. She slowed their pace, her hand keeping a hold of his, keeping either of them from eating in their travels. She took him by a twisting route through West Street, heading in the general direction of the Old Quarter. And soon they arrived at their destination, the pair standing in front of the Lightshow Theater. Leila dropped Ricky's hand, pulled the flier that had assaulted her earlier from a pocket in her dress, and handed it to him. "Would you like to see an evening show with me, kind escort?" Leila wasn't about to take no for an answer, and without waiting for a reply, pulled two golds from her coinpurse, tucked away in her pockets, and handed them to the man at the doorway. He kept the coins, smiled at them, "The show starts soon, a tale of Kenabelle Wright's voyage. Enjoy you two." Leila's mother used to take her here when she was a girl, one of the few times that the woman wasn't totally despicable. She led Ricky up a flight of stone stairs, to a loft that wasn't occupied on the second floor. She pulled him over to the edge, where she sat down, feet dangling down, ankles crossed, so as to maintain her modesty. She patted the stone next to her gently, waiting on her companion. She then began nibbling on her food, "Have you ever been to the theater before Ricky? It's quite the experience."

[Ricky Maze]

Ricky couldn't help but chuckle a bit as he felt Leila tug him along, with no time to eat the cone of cod and kelp Ricky wondered just where she decided to lead him too. After a short trip past the Old Quarter they were on the University grounds, and before he knew it Ricky found that he was being taken to a play whether he wanted to or not. "It'd be a pleasure m'lady." He teased as the two went on to the doorway. Ricky would've paid his own way in but Leila somehow already had it covered, thus he made a mental note to pay her back in some way she wouldn't expect.

Ricky followed closely until she found her seat, a wide grin on his face as he raised his eyebrows at her, when she patted the stone spot next to her for him to sit. A chuckle followed when he sat down next to her, eyes curiously observing the whole theater. "Believe it or not this'd be my first time in 'ere. Gotta say its quite amazin' to see." He admitted with admiration, curious about what play they were about to see. "Ya come 'ere often?" He mused with another grin, an entertained look already on his face.

[Leila]

She finished chewing her fritter, and leaned against his shoulder, "I used to come here a lot with mother. It was one of the few good memories I have of her. We'd come here every time a new play was being shown. I didn't find this loft, no one ever uses it unless the crowd is completely full, until I came on my own once. Best seat in the house if you ask me, especially now that you're here. And if this is your first time, then I'm glad I could share this with you." She continued gently munching on her food, watching as the workers made sure everyone was ready. Then a man walked out on the stage, "Ladies and gentlemen, this is not the typical tale of the journey of Kenabelle Wright. In fact, there is no journey in this story, literally speaking. No, this is the fictional story, nay, the theory that Kenabelle Wright left behind an untold lover. This is the love story of Reginald. Scholars have yet to find proof, but I assure you, the feeling and sentiment left behind is very real. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the Tale of Reginald, a Love Unbound." Leila's eyes grew wide, she'd seen the play of the travels of Kenabelle Wright, but she'd never seen, nor heard of this. She leaned forward, her face showing childlike wonder, as the man who played Reginald took the stage. Then a woman that was Kenabelle joined him, and there was a large model of a ship in the background. "Must you leave, my dear Belle? We could have a family here, a child." "You know I must Reggie, it was what I was born to do. And if we are to have a child, I want her to have a mother she could be proud of. You know you don't have to wait for me? I could never ask someone I care so dearly for, to take on such a burden. "I would wait forever for you to come back to me my dear Belle, even if this body should die, my spirit will live on and continue to wait. For you are my other half, without you I cannot live, nor can I truly die. I will always love you Belle, my Belle." The play continued showing the ship leaving, the two parting slowly, tears flowing all around. It showed them both spurning advances from others, until one day, Reginald cracked. He settled down with a woman he liked, but there was an emptiness inside. Then Kenabelle returned, to find Reginald and his wife, and their newly born child. Heartbroken, for she'd not even been gone for two years, she dedicated her life to her book, never getting what her Reginald had. Leila's hand slid into Ricky's, as tears began to fill her eyes. She squeezed it gently, and looked over at Ricky, just watching him, not saying anything.

[Ricky Maze]

Ricky listened to Leila with interest as he picked out the cod and kelp with his finger and thumb, a warm smile on his face when she told him she was glad to share the loft. He felt a flattered, honored even, that she would feel like that about him. Although they had just met only earlier today he already felt as though she were a good friend to have, which came to be no surprise after he considered how cute and funny she was. When the stage had been set and the audience grew quiet Ricky's attention was all focused on the stage.

It came as a bit of a surprise at how this play was Kenabelle's love story, even though they said it to be fantasy it still interested him nonetheless. He felt a string tug at his heart when the two actors portrayed the scene where Kenabelle set sailed, his mind wandered to the night he and Hannah saw each other last. Why she left was a big mystery to him, even more so where it left their relationship. Unsure about what developed between them before, Ricky wished he knew what happened that caused her to suddenly leave. Was it something he did or said? Did he scare her off or did they move to fast? None of these could be answered as there was just nothing there to provide even a hint.

When Kenabelle returned to find her lover didn't wait Ricky couldn't find it in himself to understand why. If the man felt incomplete with the woman then why didn't wait? Kenabelle promised to return hadn't she? The story had brought tears and applause from the audience when the play came to a close, Ricky felt a hand slip into his again as Leila watched him. He only looked at her, a loose smile on his face as he felt a mix of emotions. He could see that she enjoyed the play well enough, and admittedly he did too even though it got him thinking.

"Aye, damn good story that was." He admitted with a better smile, his eyes were a bit glassy but he held back the tears that came. He wondered what he should do now, if he were to consider him and Hannah done. He really didn't want to call it off without knowing for sure their relationship was over, but the biggest question that rose up after tonight; should he wait to see if she would return? All of it seemed too much to process, enough to where his mind grew tired. "Ya sure know how to have fun don't ya?" Ricky mused a bit as he stretched out, his relaxed body now ready for movement again. He stood up to help Leila stand, the small grin still held its place as he waited to hear her response.

[Leila]

Leila half smiled as Ricky got up and offered her a hand, which she took, letting him pull her to her feet. "It wouldn't have been fun if you hadn't been here. Thanks for everything today Ricky, you have no idea how much it means to me." She slipped her hand into his, this time interlocking their fingers. She pulled him down the stairs, and out the front entrance, the man who she'd paid, "Glad you could make it Miss Hughes, your mother came to the first showing. She'd be happy to see you being escorted by such a respectable man as a Wave Guard." "Thank you, it was a beautiful show." She pulled Ricky along, squeezing his hand enthusiastically, a slight skip in her step as she started home. The stars were shining, the food and play were enjoyable, and Ricky was the gentleman she'd always hoped to have met. Mother would love his personality, but not his station in life, for Wave Guards weren't wealthy enough for her. But Leila cared not. She was content, with him, and didn't care if this was the first time they'd met. He papa had always said she'd know the right one when she'd met him. It had been a while since she'd felt so happy, especially since she'd moved out of her parents' home. Eventually they arrived at her door, and Leila knew it was time to for them to part. She doubted he felt for her how she'd felt for him. She'd heard men don't feel things as quickly as women. She unlocked her door, and opened it just slightly, before turning to Ricky. "Thank you for everything, really, I'm really glad to have met you." Then a red flush filled up the area from her chest to cheek bones, and she shifted nervously for a moment. Then in a single swift movement, she put her hands on his shoulders, stood on her tiptoes, and for the first time in her life, pressed her lips to those of a man. She didn't know if she was doing it right, or well, but it felt right. After the longest two seconds of her life, she quickly said, "Good night Ricky," then disappeared into her home. Leila was giggling to herself within the sanctity of her home, as Shaco came over for head rubs, which she happily gave. Leila stirred up the fire with a skinny log, pushing the wood further into the hearth, then removed her dress, standing in just her slip. She then laid down in her bed, pulled her covers over her, and couldn't keep herself from smiling, reliving that moment over and over in her mind, before finally drifting off to sleep. OOCI figure you could do one more post, then we can wrap this baby up and turn it in.

[Ricky Maze]

Ricky smiled as he walked with Leila out of the theater, a bit proud of the comment he heard from the man who took entrance fee's. He thought nothing about how Leila grasped his hand as his mind found itself occupied with other things. He still couldn't stop thinking about Hannah and what her reasons for leaving could be, but at the same time he felt that it was something to just put behind him. He didn't know for sure what to decide on the matter, in truth running away from it felt better to do. Thus while he escorted Leila home he kept a smile, a warm attitude still present for the company he shared. He had to admit Leila just acted plain cute period, her step and cheerful attitude were enough make his smile real enough and at the same time; keep the troublesome thoughts at bay.

When they arrived at Leila's door to her flat Ricky looked down at her with the same smile he held on the way, ready to say goodbye for the evening. "It was a pleasure lass, a better way to end my usual day too." He admitted with a chuckle, but then something he didn't expect to happen did happen. Just when Ricky thought Leila went in for a hug her lips pressed onto his, and in that moment he'd forgotten what in Mizahar he was doing. Before he could connect the dots Leila already wished him goodnight and scurried into her home. "Y-yeah, g'night!" He smiled loosely, unsure what he should think now.

When he started on his walk down West Street to head home in the Old Quarter, he heavily wondered about that kiss Leila gave. 'Was it just a g'night thing? Or a see ya later? Should I be ashamed 'bout it or what?' He hadn't the answers, for some reason he never did. First Hannah comes along then leaves, now he meets Leila and can't get a grip on things. This whole situation confused him greatly, enough to irk him when he finally got home. Fed up with useless wonders he did what he thought would be easier, evade the thing until the answer came clear on its own. It may not be the best way to figure things out, but it seemed like the easiest route to take. After he changed into his night clothes he laid down in bed, and after what seemed like a long night of endless thoughts he finally slipped away into sleep.

[Stardust]

Leila

Skill	XP Earned
Socialization	4
Persuasion	2
Interrogation	2
Observation	2
Seduction	3
Cooking	3

•	Lores Earned
•	A Stroll Down East Street
•	Escorted By Ricky
•	Loveless: Where Curiosity Leads
•	Denvali: The Refugees
•	Cleaning Fish With Ricky
•	Taking Ricky's hand
•	First Kiss: Ricky Maze
•	Kenabelle's Love Story

Ricky

Skill	XP Earned
Socialization	4
Leadership	3
Rhetoric	3
Observation	2
Teaching	2
Cooking	2

•	Lores Earned
•	Approaching A Stranger And Her Dog
•	Meeting Leila
•	Rambling Conversations and Fish
•	First Time In A Theatre
•	Kenabelle's Love Story
•	Mixed Emotions About Leila
•	A Confusing End To An Evening
•	Flirting With Leila

Dream On

Oh my goodness this thread was cute! Leila was so outgoing and Ricky was so confused at the end! It was perfect, considering they were strangers earlier that evening! So cute! But what are they getting into? I must know! Nice thread you two!

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your grade, please send me a PM and we can figure it out.