Red Cedar - The Bandstand

[Eri]

He walked forward, taking her hands into his before wiping at her tears. He really had no idea what to do about a crying girl, and was just going on a whim that if he just wiped at her face enough they would stop. Simple logic.

"What? You think I'm going to just disappear one night? I'm not that cliche." he soothed, though he seemed to feel awkward. "Look, I just finished a job in a town not too far away last week, and it looks like in a place like this I'm going to have plenty of business." It was sick, how he didn't realize how he was manipulating the truth. "I already paid for two months lodging in advance, so..." he finally stopped trying to wipe away her tears. "Just...stop crying." I feel like an ass.

[Âłíșōñ]

Lu nodded and willed her tears to stop. She was relieved when they obeyed and stopped. She looked at him and smiled, holding his hand to her face. She had wondered what it would feel like to have his hand on her face, and now she knew it felt amazing. She lifted her free hand up and placed it on the side of his face. She smiled a small, soft, loving smile. She couldn't believe this man was a Werewolf Hunter. He was so....so....amazing.

She couldn't make herself look away from his amazing hazel eyes no matter what she did. Sighing, she ripped her gaze away from his. That's when she realized they were so close. Their chests were practically touching. She felt an overwhelming surge of warmth spread through her body. This would be the perfect time for him to kiss her. But he probably wouldn't since, obviously, romance was not really his thing.

[Eri]

“There we go.” He said, placing his lips to her temple again. It was the most he could muster himself to do, but it had made her laugh earlier and he hoped it would again. “I shouldn’t have made you cry, sorry. I can be such an ass.” He muttered, sighing in relief when he saw she had finally stopped crying.

He paused when he realized how close they were, and felt his neck flushing from embarrassment. Jeez, he must seem like a hopeless teenage boy! He was 25 already, a full-grown man! His parents were probably rolling in their graves at his awkward behavior. He could just imagine his uncle snickering at how childish he was acting.

He froze, realizing she was looking into his eyes intensely. It made him realize how thick his tongue was, and What am I? Sixteen? He questioned before gently pressing his lips to hers. It was a light brushing of the lips, just enough to spread his warmth to her before he pulled away. She felt so soft against his slightly chapped lips, “Come on, I was getting you something to drink, wasn’t I?”

[Âłíșōñ]

Lu smiled and her white china-doll-like cheeks turned a deep pink. She giggled blissfully and looked at him, her head down, still smiling gleefully. He had just kissed her! This was a huge surprise for her, considering how she thought they would never kiss on the lips--at least not today. But it was feather-light and soft and it left her wanting more. She was just about to go in for the kill when he spoke and reminded her of what their original intention had been for this walk.

Ah, yes. I was having a cough attack and there was no water around to help me soothe my voice. God, how things took such a different turn. She laughed as she thought about why she had started coughing in the first place. I was in shock because a werewolf hunter kissed my temple. I'm surprised I'm not having a heart attack right now. She thought skeptically. Yes. Indeed you were. She said with a chuckle, entwining their fingers and lightly pulled him along.

[Eri]

Good, she had giggled again. Even he, with all his lack of social skills, knew that it was a good sign. Unless she was evil but he doubted that. He’d read books where girls giggle but are full of trickery and lies.

He was glad that his kiss hadn’t earned him a slap in the face. It wouldn’t have been the first time, though normally he was too drunk to really remember when that happened. Upon the continuation of their walk, he glanced down when she once again took his hand in hers.

“You’re very open. I might have trouble keeping up with you.” He muttered, shaking his head. “Though I’m probably just as crazy as you now.”

[Âłíșōñ]

Lu chuckled and nodded. I don't like waiting. I like getting to the point and saying what I feel people need to hear. She said with a small chuckle. She looked at him with mock offence when he said that he's probably just as crazy as her now. She burst out laughing and then sighed when she stopped. She had smiled and laughed a lot today, and her jaw was starting to feel sore. But it was a good sore. A happy sore even.

A vending machine came into view and she suddenly grew anxious. Pulling him with her, she started to run. She was really fast. And strong. She was glad when she got to the vending machine he still had his arm in his socket. She laughed and pulled out a huge bundle of various bills.

[Eri]

“Ah, I’m straight forward. I just don’t have much that I go for.” He explained, which, when said sounded a little boring. He didn’t really stay in one place to grow attached to people, and his family had money. He could get what he wanted with little effort if he wished it.

“Woah!” he yelped, not expecting her to jerk him so suddenly. When they reached the vending machine he laughed, raising a brow at her. “I hope you ran track or something, you’re really quick. If you hadn’t tried to rip my arm off you would have left me in the dust!” he said before moving forward. He pulled out a few coins from his pockets, "No no no. Let me be the gentleman. We aren't emptying the entire machine." he said, eyeing the huge wad of cash. He procured two water bottles from the machine before handing her one.
“Not as tasty as beer, but it will do the job.”

[Âłíșōñ]

Lu laughed and put away her money. For a werewolf who had never worked a day in her life she was getting along just fine. Taking the water in her hand she grinned. Agreed. She opened the water bottle with too much ease and lifted it as to say cheers. Taking a sip she swallowed and licked her lips enticingly.

She continued to chuck down the water, not realizing how thirsty she was until now. Releasing a deep breath with satisfaction she realized she was still really thirsty. Crap. I would ask, but I don't want to be rude... She pursed her soft lips once again and sighed.

[Eri]

He watched her guzzle down the water bottle as he took a few tentative sips. He couldn't help but chuckle as he handed her his own water bottle, "Here, you can finish mine." he wasn't very thirsty anyways, and having a belly full of water while he was nervous seemed like a bad idea. He could easily read her expression as well, she was very animated.

"If you need something, just ask. Didn't you say you take what you want? Besides, I won't bite." he added with another teasing remark as he turned to look out at the park. He would go on a scouting trip later this afternoon, before the sun fell. He mostly planned on looking for signs of werewolf activity, and not so much on getting a kill. Not that he would be going out defenseless, but he wasn't going to be setting any traps. This area seemed frequented by humans, which could be a safety hazard. That doesn't mean he didn't plan on going deeper into the woods though.

[Âłíșōñ]

Luschka thanked him and took the bottle of water. She chugged that one too and she was about half way done with it when he said he didn't bite. That caught her off guard and she spit the water out to her side, making sure not to wet him. She started coughing. Isn't this what what she came here to fix? She swallowed the lump in her throat and laughed once. Bug, she used as her cover up. Smooth. Very smooth, she thought sarcastically.

She shook her head and coughed once more before clearing her throat. At least it wasn't as bad as last time. Putting the cap back on the water, she grabbed her bag that hung across her torso and put the water in there for safe keeping. I will be sure to remember that next time I want something. She spoke with a sexy grin.

[Eri]

He looked at her concernedly again, moving to her on instinct to make sure she was okay. He raised a brow at her bug explanation, but he figured she was just choking from trying to drink so fast. When she recovered he relaxed, and prodded her side teasingly with a finger. “You’re the type people probably fuss over, huh?” He was the type people looked to for protection.

At her grin, he tilted his head slightly. “You know, I think I will take up your offer on showing me around the park. Just don’t mind me if I get distracted. My uncle taught me how to track animals, so I like to stop a lot.”

Normally, he was against bringing a stranger on a hunt. But he had planned to simply look around for the first hike, so it wouldn't hurt. It would be harder to accept her offer later on, and going now might keep her from asking later when it was dangerous. Although werewolf hunters were the ones hunting, it isn't unusual for them to turn into prey in a moment. He had the scars to prove it. In fact, he still had an injury he was nursing from his last kill. It was mostly healed now, but he figured better safe than sorry.

[Âłíșōñ]

Lu smiled. No. No one worries about me. I'm not usually around people. I'm usually in the woods, exploring or exercise. She thought about what she had just said. A normal person could do that, right? She sighed and looked at him. The he told her that she could come and she was delighted that he agreed to let her come. Great. Now if we come across any wolves I can help them avoid us, she thought protectively. She loved her species and she hated that her sorta-boyfriend was one who hunted them. Oh, well. Your supposed to love your lover's flaws too. And I do, she thought lovingly now.

She touched his arm, lightly. So will this hike be sort of like our first date? she asked with a sexy and alluring smile. She moved close to him and looked him in the eyes intensely again.

[Eri]

He felt his neck flush at her touch, glancing away from her before giving a curt nod. First date? Holy crap, dating was not his forte. He could go into a bar, pick up a girl and get in to bed with her, but actually conversing on a date-level?

He wasn’t trained for that. Damn his uncle for not teaching him and his father for getting killed before he could learn anything. He had always just figured he’d be on his own, since his temper tended to scare most people off.

“Sure, you can call it that.” He mumbled, “But it won’t be until a bit later. I need to drop off my guitar. There is no way in hell I’m taking this where it can get hurt.” He was very protective of his guitar.

[Âłíșōñ]

Luschka laughed and lowered her head and then lifted it back up. They were still unbearably close and she just yearned to be closer to him. She touched his face and laughed again softly. They were so close he could probably feel the way her laughter moved her body. Then I will. She was so close, she could feel his breath. Since he had kissed her the last time she decided she would kissed him this time.

Looking him in the eyes, she leaned even closer, her breath becoming ragged and coming faster. Their lips were so close they brushed lightly and she closed her eyes, wanting him to do the rest. Standing still, she wondered if he would follow through and kiss her again. She really hoped he didn't disappoint.

[Eri]

He stiffened slightly when he felt her hands brush his face. For some reason, his instincts kicked in, the kind that he felt when he was on a hunt. It baffled him, but he quickly brushed it off.

He could feel her breath on his skin, and could tell she was nervous as well. It relieved him a little, at least letting him know he wasn’t the only one that was afraid of looking like a babbling idiot. His brain was still trying to figure out what was happening; when he felt her lips brush against his. They were still so soft, and slightly moist from her water.

Well, screw thinking about it. He wasn’t good with that aspect anyways, and he took the initiative. He pressed against her lips, bumping noses momentarily. He moved his mouth against hers slowly, placing his hands on her hips and bringing her even closer against his chest. It was strange to hold a girl like this, and he’d be lying if he said he didn’t like it.

He finally pulled away, pressing another light kiss to her temple (it seemed like it was something he liked to do). “Hey, we haven’t even gone on our first date yet. You’re going to have to wait for more now.”