faterecanted | [action/accidental voice] backdated to the 12th

[action/accidental voice] backdated to the 12th

[action, for Nephry only]

[This morning, there is a suspicious looking Van lurking at the rear of the grocery store. A shady meeting has been arranged, you see, to pass over some goods. He's acting a bit twitchy, though. He'd really rather not be caught in the act. He's got one hand in his pocket, tapping his foot while he looks over the produce, pretending to be interested.]

[/lovebirds]

[Around mid-morning, there will be a sight potentially very disturbing to those familiar with both people involved: Van and Nephry, strolling down the riverbank, looking rather... cozy. He's actually offered her his arm. Which she has taken, without even hesitating to think about it. It isn't some sort of formal escort situation, either - she's leaning in, just enough to be conspicuous.]

I don't see any reason to tell them. [He actually laughs.] Not yet. I'll be your dirty little secret. Doesn't every politician have a few?

[Her return laugh is brighter than any of her friends might have heard in a long time.] Secrets of the state are usually less...incriminating. I do try to be honest. I suppose...just this once isn't going to hurt anyone. [Might help - she knows a person or four who wouldn't be pleased with this new arrangement.]

[He stops and pulls her closer, leaning in in a way that should be menacing, given just who it is doing it; but his expression is soft, and when he speaks, his voice is low and gentle with good humor.] Incriminating? ...That's one word for it. But not here. Not now.

No. [Ordinarily, being this close to the man who nearly succeeded in destroying her world would be something to fear. There is no fear, or even caution, in this smile.] This is...different.

[With a sigh, he wraps both arms around her, tightly. It's perhaps a bit forward of him... but then Van has always been bad about staying in his proper place.] Perhaps 'different' is what we all need in our lives.

[Now being an excellent time for someone to interrupt them and let them know their private conversation is being broadcast. Before they do something awful, like get even cozier and more contemplative.]

(OOC: Joint post! If you have a preference for which one of these unlikely lovebirds replies, please note it in the subject line. Otherwise, there's no telling who you may get. Remember to drive carefully, now, and watch for falling threadjacks.)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[And she wants to...step closer. Turn slightly, to stand next to him instead of opposite him. One foot almost does it, before she catches herself.]

...I'm sure she knows of your feelings. [Evidently that was not what she intended to say, judging by the look of mute surprise that follows.]

[Well... Can't get what you want if you're afraid to take chances for it, can you? He does reach for her hands, head down to better look her in the eyes, and eyebrows raised questioningly.]

Does she?

[As surprising as his gesture is...she can't say she didn't also want it, on some level. That blush is darkening.]

Brothers...don't always show their love in ways that outsiders will see as love.

[Oh, Ms. Governor. Why don't you stand a little close, you incomparable creature you?]

... I don't think I want to talk about my sister right now.

[It's Mrs. Governor actually. ...Or Governor who happens to be Mrs. But who's asking?]

You want...to talk about something else.

[All in one heavy exhale.]

[Yeah, he doesn't want to talk about her husband right now either... whatever's going on with her husband.]

I'd rather talk about you. [And him. Together. He's lost his mind, and it feels fantastic.]

About me? [Yes, this is a smile.] Thank you, but I can think of a few better topics.

I can't think of anything I want to hear about more.

We...could...we could talk. [Why is looking right at him like this not nearly as intimidating as she had imagined it might be?] I wouldn't...mind.

[The urge to add 'somewhere that people can see us' has vanished.]

[He squeezes her hands, gently.] Would you do me the honor of walking with me? The riverbank is particularly pleasant here.

That sounds like a wonderful idea.

[What she will do with her produce and secret gift is anyone's guess. Walking with Van is suddenly much more important.]

[Well loverboy is looking out for her.]

You should put those away first. [Although he's... not letting go of her hands.] Why don't you meet me at the bridge behind the clinic? [Now that he's thinking about it, there's something he'd like to run home and get for her...]

[This is a secret rendezvous isn't it.

Isn't it.

Nephry ducks her head slightly, looking away for just a second]

All right. I'll leave these at home and meet you there.

[Oh this is so definitely a secret rendezvous.

He finally lets go of her hands, sliding his grip down her fingers. The last time Van Grants looked this pleased with himself? There were bodies.]

I'll be waiting for you.

You won't need to wait very long.

[There is all the need in the world to hurry home and then hurry back. He'll get another smile, and maybe even a quiet laugh, before she turns in a slow reluctant way to leave the store.]

[He watches her go with a small, uncharacteristically gentle smile. In fact, he stands there watching the door long after she's gone. Eventually, though, he shakes himself out of his daze. He'll have to jog to his apartment and back now...

When she does reach the bridge, she'll find him with something cupped in his gloved hands. Whatever it is, it smells delicious and it's giving off little rising curls of steam.]

[She came dressed more appropriately for a walk - scarf and warmer gloves included - and greets him with a smile when he's within sight. ...Then there's a tiny wave.]

[When she gets closer, he opens his hands to reveal a warm apple turnover. He was saving that for himself -- actually he was contemplating murder if it happened to disappear from the communal fridge for any reason that was not him -- but giving it to her is a much better use for it.]

I brought this for you.

Oh. How kind of you, thank you. Would you like to share it?

[Oh, she's even better than he thought she was. He carefully tears it in two and offers her the bigger half. The one with more apple on it.

Normally, this is where he'd make a comment about her being afraid it was poisoned, but... Surely not her. She must understand him better than that.]

There are several things I'd be honored to share with such a charming woman, today.

[Such a gentleman. She will take his offer, and also take a polite first bite. Just delicious. Between the pastry and the compliment she has turned a pleased shade of red all over again.]

Thank you.

[When she does that, she's just so... cute.

After a moment, he also offers her his arm.]

Shall we?

Of course. [She takes his arm, gently, with the slightest of leans in his direction.] It has been such a long time since I took a walk in the snow with a...very close friend.

Close? I feel I hardly know anything about you.

[Not that that's stopping him from letting her lean on him while they walk. If he was doing anything more to encourage it, that arm would be around her waist instead.]

Well, I feel the same, but...despite that, I do feel rather close. Do you not?

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]