Lost Information

(for RP purposes only)

[carver-huxley]

Dinner and Company (private rp play)

Connor Huxley had just gotten out of work after dealing with a messy scene. The other tech on duty had mishandled a bag of fluids and ended up soaking Connor’s clothes. After the hottest and longest shower at work, he’d changed into jeans and a plain t-shirt he had in his locker. He was cranky and tired. After looking at his watch, he realized it would take too long to go home and cook dinner if he stopped at the market for fresh vegetables. Instead he opted to stop and grab a burger.

He pulled into a parking spot near the Ship Inn. It was a little out of the way but they served good food and had a hefty selection of alcohol. Something he thought he could use after today. He was feeling a bit on the lonely side as his world was slowly disintegrating. His fiance had left and everything else he had built outside of his actual career had slowly come to a standstill, including personal connections.

He was about to head in when he spotted a young woman with dark brown, possibly red hair, standing by the door. She looked like she was waiting for someone. He hoped not. He walked up to her. “I don’t mean to be completely forward but don’t suppose you’d like to join me for dinner?”

[theloneliest-sweetpotato]

After a long day fighting with her boss and extremely tired of being pushed aside, the only thing Emily felt she could do was accept the damn assignment and get away from that office as soon as possible. There she was, standing by the door of Ship Inn, waiting impatiently for her sister to appear, so she could pour her heart out about how she hates her job at The Golden Star, while doing the job she’s supposed to do, that is a review about the place. The thing is, Katie was awfully late, what was usual for her, but each second that passed would get Emily even more upset than she already was.

She watched the movement of people coming and going, and heard the loud talking, she felt the loneliness creeping into her, so she putted her hands on her jeans pocket and grabbed her phone to text Katie asking where she was, when suddenly a blonde man, walked up to her and asked “I don’t mean to be completely forward but don’t suppose you’d like to join me for dinner?”. She jumped a little, not expecting someone else other than Katie to approach her. “I’m waiting someone” she managed to mumble. She saw him start to walking in, when she felt her phone vibrate in her hand, on the screen she saw that Katie had just answered her “Just met a cute guy on my way out of work!! Raincheck? Katie sham”. She exhaled loudly at the disappointing message from her sister, then she quickly turned around, looking for the blonde man who’d have just entered the place. “Hey! The invite is still up?” She asked a loudly and blushing a little as she realized how loud she just sounded, while a shy smile creeped into her face.

[carver-huxley]

She was much more beautiful than he’d appreciated as he walked up. When she turned him down, he simply nodded. “Of course. I couldn’t imagine you would be dining alone. Apologies.” He walked into the place and was immediately assaulted by the live musc. He took a moment to adjust. He thought of how company would have made the night better. He was looking for an empty stool .not needing a table when he heard her call out to him. He turned and smiled widely. For such a small person, her voice carried above the music and a few other patrons looked at her. 

“The invite is very much there. Please.” He spied an open table in the back. “Follow me.” He led them both to the back of the restaurantas the band played on. He pulled the chair out for her and waited until she sat to push it back in. “I must say I’m delighted you could accompany me.” A server was upon them the moment he had taken a seat. “Oh.. two pints please. Unless you wish for something else?” The server looked at the young woman and waited until she replied before heading to fetch their drinks. “I’m sorry my manners.” He extended his hand. “I’m Connor.. Connor Huxley. And you are?”

[theloneliest-sweetpotato]

Emily felt relieved that she wouldn’t be alone right now, they got to the table in the back of the restaurant and asked for pints, which she gladly accepted, she was really needing something to chill after the day she had. He introduced himself and extended his hand. She shook his hand and blushed slightly, “I’m Emily Fitch and sometimes I’ll blush out of nothing” she half joked and half admitted as she felt the warmth in her cheeks. She wasn’t sure why she was nervous, and she hoped he couldn’t tell, because down the table she was anxiously fidgeting her hands. She just met Connor, and didn’t have a clue of who he was, actually she didn’t even know why she had accepted his invite, this wasn’t something the reserved twin would do.

The server came back with the pints and she took a quick sip, letting out an appreciative sigh as she downed her cold drink. She decided she wasn’t let her timidity ruin her night and for at least one night, that night, she would be bold and try to have as much fun as she could, she knew she deserved. “So, who are you Connor? What do you do?” She asked with a beam.

[carver-huxley]

Her hand was soft when she introduced herself. He smiled at the way she did seem to blush easily. He liked that- the innocence of her Thoughts began to form in his head about something more than dinner but he needed to foucs, to keep himself in the present. “Emily, a pleasure to meet you.” Her composure was less confident than when she’d accepted the dinner. It was alluring to him. He really did enjoy the aspect of a hunt. She drank from the glass and he took a sip of his. He was being somewhat discrete but he was obersving her mannerisms as much as he was observing the crowd around them. Always alert. 

When she inquired about him, he gave his warmest smile. “I don’t suppose I can lie and say I”m a gentleman of leisure. It would be more attractive.” He chuckled. “I work for the forensics unit with the Bristol coroner. Nothing too exciting and rather dull.” He played with his glass after taking another drink. “As for who I am? That one is ever more boring still.” In his mind, he flashed to his former life of duality - forensics for his career and anonymous criminal in his work. “I come from a well to do family. Though we aren’t close. I live on a farm estate left me by my grandparents, I enjoy puzzles, not dining alone and incredibly beautiful women for company.” He almost laughed as he pretended to be his brother oozing charm. He wasn’t that nice. He wasn’t that good at acting the suave dapper chap. But he was learning. “Tell me Emily Fitch… who are you?”

[theloneliest-sweetpotato]

She couldn’t help but giggle at his compliment, she never knew how to react when someone was flirtatious around her. When Connor asked Emily about herself she wasn’t able to avoid the frown in her face, the response for that question was unknow even for her lately. For a moment she seemed lost in thought, until she remembered that she didn’t need to tell him everything about her true self, even though she strangely wanted to. His features were calm and light, and it made her feel comfortable. She decided that she was going to stick with the basic answer. “I write food reviews for The Golden Star newspaper, but I hope someday I can write about something that really matters like equality, or climate change, or feminism, or any kind of ism,” she said with a sigh. “I’ve never had a boyfriend” This time she laughed at her own joke, she remembers precisely of that first day at Roundview College, she said that exactly phrase, but in that time, she wasn’t sure about her sexuality. She paused a second to take another sip of her drink and steal a quick glance at him. She adjusted herself on the chair as she started speaking again “The Fitch family can be a bit demanding and messy at the same time, but they’re good people. I have a twin sister and a creepy little brother… My parents own a gym and we’re the kind of people who have family dinners every Sunday.” She could only smile at that part, ‘the infamous Fitch dinner is unpredictable, it could be peaceful and fun, but also could be a world war right at my mother’s six-seater table’.  

Emily sensed that even though the night wasn’t going as she planned, she was delighted with Connor’s company, as she found out that he’s a good listener. That was exactly what she needed when she asked Katie to go out with her, she secretly thanked to any invisible force, that it wasn’t Katie there with her that night, she knew Katie’s topics only involved Katie.

“You said you don’t like having dinner alone, how come you got here by yourself? Is this how you get your girls? She smirked at her tease.

[carver-huxley]

Her laugh was a delight. The frown was genuine and implied even more how purely innocent she was. He didn’t know which he was hungry for now - the burger or her. He continued to watch as she sorted her thoughts. WHen she spoke about the job, he smiled wider. She was an intellectual of sorts. A journailst. He burst out laughing when she mentioned never having a boyfriend. It seemed both out of the blue and preposterous that a woman like her wasn’t sought after. But it made sense that she was still bright eyed if she hadn’t been damaged by love and its faults. He took another drink and let her go on about her family. He made mental notes. “Family dinners every Sunday. You’ve a brave family. Mine would likely end up bloodied.” 

Emily asked him about him having dinner alone and made an attempt at flirting which he was pleased by. He laughed again. “Hmm... not always how I get my girls but it’s definitely an idea.” The server came by and interrupted them. He waited until she’d placed her order and then told the server he wanted a double burger with a side order of fries and another round of ale for the two of them. “I wasn’t planning on having dinner out at the start of my day. Expected to be out of work in time to go to the market and pick up a steak and possibly vegetables. Make a meal at home but a poorly coordinated coworker made my day... long.” He finished his first glass. “It would take too long to do that all by myself. So... here I am.” He stared into her eyes. “I should buy my coworker an ale. Good fortune given my present company.” He decided to push his luck. “You are a vision Emily. Tell me... how have you never had a boyfriend? And more importantly, you mentioned if this was how I got my girls... does that mean you’re mine?”  

[carver-huxley]

Dinner and Company (private rp play)

Connor Huxley had just gotten out of work after dealing with a messy scene. The other tech on duty had mishandled a bag of fluids and ended up soaking Connor’s clothes. After the hottest and longest shower at work, he’d changed into jeans and a plain t-shirt he had in his locker. He was cranky and tired. After looking at his watch, he realized it would take too long to go home and cook dinner if he stopped at the market for fresh vegetables. Instead he opted to stop and grab a burger.

He pulled into a parking spot near the Ship Inn. It was a little out of the way but they served good food and had a hefty selection of alcohol. Something he thought he could use after today. He was feeling a bit on the lonely side as his world was slowly disintegrating. His fiance had left and everything else he had built outside of his actual career had slowly come to a standstill, including personal connections.

He was about to head in when he spotted a young woman with dark brown, possibly red hair, standing by the door. She looked like she was waiting for someone. He hoped not. He walked up to her. “I don’t mean to be completely forward but don’t suppose you’d like to join me for dinner?”

[theloneliest-sweetpotato]

After a long day fighting with her boss and extremely tired of being pushed aside, the only thing Emily felt she could do was accept the damn assignment and get away from that office as soon as possible. There she was, standing by the door of Ship Inn, waiting impatiently for her sister to appear, so she could pour her heart out about how she hates her job at The Golden Star, while doing the job she’s supposed to do, that is a review about the place. The thing is, Katie was awfully late, what was usual for her, but each second that passed would get Emily even more upset than she already was.

She watched the movement of people coming and going, and heard the loud talking, she felt the loneliness creeping into her, so she putted her hands on her jeans pocket and grabbed her phone to text Katie asking where she was, when suddenly a blonde man, walked up to her and asked “I don’t mean to be completely forward but don’t suppose you’d like to join me for dinner?”. She jumped a little, not expecting someone else other than Katie to approach her. “I’m waiting someone” she managed to mumble. She saw him start to walking in, when she felt her phone vibrate in her hand, on the screen she saw that Katie had just answered her “Just met a cute guy on my way out of work!! Raincheck? Katie sham”. She exhaled loudly at the disappointing message from her sister, then she quickly turned around, looking for the blonde man who’d have just entered the place. “Hey! The invite is still up?” She asked a loudly and blushing a little as she realized how loud she just sounded, while a shy smile creeped into her face.

[carver-huxley]

She was much more beautiful than he’d appreciated as he walked up. When she turned him down, he simply nodded. “Of course. I couldn’t imagine you would be dining alone. Apologies.” He walked into the place and was immediately assaulted by the live musc. He took a moment to adjust. He thought of how company would have made the night better. He was looking for an empty stool .not needing a table when he heard her call out to him. He turned and smiled widely. For such a small person, her voice carried above the music and a few other patrons looked at her. 

“The invite is very much there. Please.” He spied an open table in the back. “Follow me.” He led them both to the back of the restaurantas the band played on. He pulled the chair out for her and waited until she sat to push it back in. “I must say I’m delighted you could accompany me.” A server was upon them the moment he had taken a seat. “Oh.. two pints please. Unless you wish for something else?” The server looked at the young woman and waited until she replied before heading to fetch their drinks. “I’m sorry my manners.” He extended his hand. “I’m Connor.. Connor Huxley. And you are?”

[theloneliest-sweetpotato]

Emily felt relieved that she wouldn’t be alone right now, they got to the table in the back of the restaurant and asked for pints, which she gladly accepted, she was really needing something to chill after the day she had. He introduced himself and extended his hand. She shook his hand and blushed slightly, “I’m Emily Fitch and sometimes I’ll blush out of nothing” she half joked and half admitted as she felt the warmth in her cheeks. She wasn’t sure why she was nervous, and she hoped he couldn’t tell, because down the table she was anxiously fidgeting her hands. She just met Connor, and didn’t have a clue of who he was, actually she didn’t even know why she had accepted his invite, this wasn’t something the reserved twin would do.

The server came back with the pints and she took a quick sip, letting out an appreciative sigh as she downed her cold drink. She decided she wasn’t let her timidity ruin her night and for at least one night, that night, she would be bold and try to have as much fun as she could, she knew she deserved. “So, who are you Connor? What do you do?” She asked with a beam.

[carver-huxley]

Her hand was soft when she introduced herself. He smiled at the way she did seem to blush easily. He liked that- the innocence of her Thoughts began to form in his head about something more than dinner but he needed to foucs, to keep himself in the present. “Emily, a pleasure to meet you.” Her composure was less confident than when she’d accepted the dinner. It was alluring to him. He really did enjoy the aspect of a hunt. She drank from the glass and he took a sip of his. He was being somewhat discrete but he was obersving her mannerisms as much as he was observing the crowd around them. Always alert. 

When she inquired about him, he gave his warmest smile. “I don’t suppose I can lie and say I”m a gentleman of leisure. It would be more attractive.” He chuckled. “I work for the forensics unit with the Bristol coroner. Nothing too exciting and rather dull.” He played with his glass after taking another drink. “As for who I am? That one is ever more boring still.” In his mind, he flashed to his former life of duality - forensics for his career and anonymous criminal in his work. “I come from a well to do family. Though we aren’t close. I live on a farm estate left me by my grandparents, I enjoy puzzles, not dining alone and incredibly beautiful women for company.” He almost laughed as he pretended to be his brother oozing charm. He wasn’t that nice. He wasn’t that good at acting the suave dapper chap. But he was learning. “Tell me Emily Fitch... who are you?”

[carver-huxley]

Dinner and Company (private rp play)

Connor Huxley had just gotten out of work after dealing with a messy scene. The other tech on duty had mishandled a bag of fluids and ended up soaking Connor’s clothes. After the hottest and longest shower at work, he’d changed into jeans and a plain t-shirt he had in his locker. He was cranky and tired. After looking at his watch, he realized it would take too long to go home and cook dinner if he stopped at the market for fresh vegetables. Instead he opted to stop and grab a burger.

He pulled into a parking spot near the Ship Inn. It was a little out of the way but they served good food and had a hefty selection of alcohol. Something he thought he could use after today. He was feeling a bit on the lonely side as his world was slowly disintegrating. His fiance had left and everything else he had built outside of his actual career had slowly come to a standstill, including personal connections.

He was about to head in when he spotted a young woman with dark brown, possibly red hair, standing by the door. She looked like she was waiting for someone. He hoped not. He walked up to her. “I don’t mean to be completely forward but don’t suppose you’d like to join me for dinner?”

[theloneliest-sweetpotato]

After a long day fighting with her boss and extremely tired of being pushed aside, the only thing Emily felt she could do was accept the damn assignment and get away from that office as soon as possible. There she was, standing by the door of Ship Inn, waiting impatiently for her sister to appear, so she could pour her heart out about how she hates her job at The Golden Star, while doing the job she’s supposed to do, that is a review about the place. The thing is, Katie was awfully late, what was usual for her, but each second that passed would get Emily even more upset than she already was.

She watched the movement of people coming and going, and heard the loud talking, she felt the loneliness creeping into her, so she putted her hands on her jeans pocket and grabbed her phone to text Katie asking where she was, when suddenly a blonde man, walked up to her and asked “I don’t mean to be completely forward but don’t suppose you’d like to join me for dinner?”. She jumped a little, not expecting someone else other than Katie to approach her. “I’m waiting someone” she managed to mumble. She saw him start to walking in, when she felt her phone vibrate in her hand, on the screen she saw that Katie had just answered her “Just met a cute guy on my way out of work!! Raincheck? Katie sham”. She exhaled loudly at the disappointing message from her sister, then she quickly turned around, looking for the blonde man who’d have just entered the place. “Hey! The invite is still up?” She asked a loudly and blushing a little as she realized how loud she just sounded, while a shy smile creeped into her face.

[carver-huxley]

She was much more beautiful than he’d appreciated as he walked up. When she turned him down, he simply nodded. “Of course. I couldn’t imagine you would be dining alone. Apologies.” He walked into the place and was immediately assaulted by the live musc. He took a moment to adjust. He thought of how company would have made the night better. He was looking for an empty stool .not needing a table when he heard her call out to him. He turned and smiled widely. For such a small person, her voice carried above the music and a few other patrons looked at her. 

“The invite is very much there. Please.” He spied an open table in the back. “Follow me.” He led them both to the back of the restaurantas the band played on. He pulled the chair out for her and waited until she sat to push it back in. “I must say I’m delighted you could accompany me.” A server was upon them the moment he had taken a seat. “Oh.. two pints please. Unless you wish for something else?” The server looked at the young woman and waited until she replied before heading to fetch their drinks. “I’m sorry my manners.” He extended his hand. “I’m Connor.. Connor Huxley. And you are?”

[carver-huxley]

Dinner and Company (private rp play)

Connor Huxley had just gotten out of work after dealing with a messy scene. The other tech on duty had mishandled a bag of fluids and ended up soaking Connor’s clothes. After the hottest and longest shower at work, he’d changed into jeans and a plain t-shirt he had in his locker. He was cranky and tired. After looking at his watch, he realized it would take too long to go home and cook dinner if he stopped at the market for fresh vegetables. Instead he opted to stop and grab a burger.

He pulled into a parking spot near the Ship Inn. It was a little out of the way but they served good food and had a hefty selection of alcohol. Something he thought he could use after today. He was feeling a bit on the lonely side as his world was slowly disintegrating. His fiance had left and everything else he had built outside of his actual career had slowly come to a standstill, including personal connections.

He was about to head in when he spotted a young woman with dark brown, possibly red hair, standing by the door. She looked like she was waiting for someone. He hoped not. He walked up to her. “I don’t mean to be completely forward but don’t suppose you’d like to join me for dinner?”

[songbirdmya]

Blue Rose | Connor

Mya’s life had been very stagnant lately. Her daily routine was mundane and almost nonexistent, which was no one’s fault but her own. She’d convinced herself in order to stay clean, to stay safe, she was better off not doing much of anything. She listened to music, even wrote music and kept to herself. She participated in daily strolls to the park with Milo and to a small bodega she liked, for a snack for the way home. But that was as exciting as her life got. Mya felt like need needed a change, she was practically looking for one. And there was one, a huge possibility at a surgery that would be more than paid for. A chance to get her sight, or at least more than she had now. A stem plant transplant surgery that was still in the works in the UK. Mya was more than willing to be an guinea pig but she wanted to make sure she was doing the right thing. Out of all of the people she could ask, she valued Connor’s opinion the most. Mostly because he would be straight forward with her and he was smart about technical and medical things. That was why she texted him. That was why she was meeting up with him.

As she walked to the Blue Rose with Milo, she was worried that some undealt with feelings would arise again. But Mya had to remind herself that Connor didn’t see her that way and she had to be okay with that. He had his own life that didn’t revolve around taking care of her. She didn’t want anyone thinking they had to take care of her.  

Mya got there a little earlier than 10am just to make sure she would be the first one there. She was guided to a secluded area by an open window, she could tell because she could feel the warm sunshine on her arm. Milo positioned himself under her seat and the two waited. Mya placed her headphones on just so she couldn’t be left sitting in silence, alone.

[carver-huxley]

Connor had been somewhat surprised to hear from Mya. At least surprised that she hadn’t said anything about his run in with Ana. He wondered if he was walking into something when he agreed to meet her. Even if he was, he wouldn’t say no to her. For whatever reason, she still had a certain power over him. Maybe because she’d been able to see him for something more than what he thought he was. He wasn’t sure she was right but he didn’t dwell on it. 

He woke early and got in a run with the pups. Fed them and left them to their own devices as he took a shower and shaved. He opted for casual in terms of wearing jeans but put on a button up, rolled the sleeves. He was on time as he drove into an empty spot and parked. He checked the area and saw no signs of a certain vehicle. It had been claimed from the impound lot already but he was pretty sure no one realized he’d had a hand in having it towed. He could see Mya through a window at the restaurant. The smile on his face was automatic. 

She’d had some rough spots and he’d been little help at times but he did care for her. Even if others told him it wasn’t real. He walked in and was greeted by a waitress. He pointed to Mya who wore what looked like headphones. Then he asked for tea for both of them. He walked up to the table and saw Milo lift his head alert first then slight recognition. He remembered having to steal the dog so she would be happy at his place. Connor waited until she removed her headphones. “Hi Mya. May I sit?”

[songbirdmya]

Mya was initially startled by a male’s voice but soon recognized it as Connor’s. She hadn’t heard it in a long while. It almost sounded foreign, deeper maybe. She nodded so that he would know to sit down, and felt Milo shift under the table to make room for Connor’s legs. He grunted loudly before laying back down. “He’s getting old. And stubborn,” she said referring to her trusty Labrador. “This is a little weird isn’t it? Very out of the blue.” Mya nodded to acknowledge her own comment and placed her phone and headphones back into her bag. “I just, um. Wanted to run something by you. To—sort of get advice I guess.”

She dropped her head and allowed her hair to fall over her face. It’d been months…but Connor still made her feel warm inside. She was sure it was showing on her face which was now also warm. Mya cleared her throat. There was no telling how anyone would react to her wanting to do something so drastic. It’d been awhile since she was told there was this experimental surgery happening and at first she wasn’t sure if she wanted to participate. But now she was.

“There’s this thing I want to do. Um, it’d be happening soon. And I just wanted to get someone’s opinion on it.”

[carver-huxley]

He sat down and listened to the dog express his discomfort. “He’s allowed a bit of character. He’s earned it.” He looked at her and noticed she was still a bit on the shy side. He smiled still even if she couldn’t see him. “I think weird is subjective.” He waited to see if Mya would say something to warn him off from interacting with her friend but she didn’t. She was nervous. He wanted to reach out and touch her hand. “Advice.. I think I can handle that.” She was hesitating and it made him wonder what it was she wanted to discuss. He knew that there had been things she had been involved with that had put a thorn in his side. He hadn’t been the nicest to her in those instances. 

“This thing happening soon? That’s rather vague.” The waitress came by and brought their tea. He thanked her. She asked if they wanted menus. He took a look at Mya and then addressed the waitress. “I think we’ll probably get the french toast. I’ve heard wonderful things about it. But I’ll let my companion decide if we are ready to order or if we’ll just drink the tea first.” He started preparing her tea remembering how she took it. “I hope you don’t mind.. I took the liberty of ordering us tea when I walked in.” 

He prepared his tea as the waitress left them alone. “What is it you need advice on Mya? It sounds important.” He took her hand and placed it against her cup so she would know where it was. 

[songbirdmya]

“Yeah. The french toast please. Extra syrup.” Connor reached out to move her hand to her cup and she felt her heart pounding. It was dumb, juvenile. She couldn’t still have feelings for Connor. He was larger than life and she was barely comfortable in her own skin. But Mya had been working on recreating herself, sort of – and this surgery would be a step in the right direction. Mya could feel from the cup that the tea was still too hot to actually drink. She she waited, resting her hands on the side of the thick ceramic mug.  

“Um..”

She cleared her throat again. This time so he couldn’t hear the way her voice shook when she spoke to him. Mya finally smiled and nodded her head. If she was going to convince people she was confident in her decision, then she had to be confident.  

“There’s this opportunity I have. To really change my life, you know? It’s like – a new beginning, I guess.” She was rambling and dancing around the point. It was obvious. “It’s this experimental surgery. For my eye sight. The doctors back at the hospital when— you know. They said I’d be a great candidate for it. But there’s always the chance it won’t work so…I don’t know. I guess I just want someone else’s opinion on it.”

[carver-huxley]

He waited with her for their tea to cool off a bit. He’d signaled the waitress to make it two orders of the French toast. She still seemed small to him. The world was much too big for someone like her. He was amazed at her capabilities in terms of getting around and such. He would always want to protect her. He thought back to before. When she was a guest in his home. The voice in his head, not his own, laughed at the thought of the word guest. She’d been a captive. He drank from his tea even if it was a touch too hot. She was still stalling for time and curiosity was getting the better of him. 

Connor smiled as she spoke. She wasn’t ever direct. Not really. Maybe a time or two when she was angry with him. He listened and drank a bit more. He nodded when she said experimental surgery. He frowned at the thought. The word experimental wasn’t exactly comforting but he was a person who valued science. And he also knew there were developments all of the time in terms of groundbreaking medical procedures. She mentioned the hospital and he did know. When he’d had her committed until she was clean, until they helped her with her condition. He turned the cup as she finished speaking. 

“So you want my opinion in terms of knowledge or in terms of emotional impact? I’ve more experience in one than the other.” He swallowed. Mya would never need him again. It was odd that it would feel a bit sad at that notion. He looked at her. He would never be able to get away with that, watching her like he did. He blinked. “Scientifically.. if there’s a chance.. I don’t see the downside. If it doesn’t work, you’ve lost nothing. If it works, then your life changes.” He wondered if she would still want to see him. To know him. Maybe she would see the look in his eyes and be scared off. “I would like to speak with the doctor directly.. get a better sense of any risks.” He moved his hand without thinking and brought it closer to hers. 

[songbirdmya]

Mya was realizing she really didn’t know anything about the procedure besides the fact they were offering her the treatment. She didn’t have a doctor’s name or the location of where it would take place. All she knew was to contact the hospital, if she agreed to go along with the surgery. She hadn’t even done that yet.

“Well I don’t know all of that…yet. But I will find out. I just want to make sure I’m completely sure I want to do this.”

In the back of her mind, Mya hoped this drastic change would improve her life. There was nothing wrong with living with Ana and Mac, she mostly kept to herself. Milo was comfortable and that was what was most important. Suddenly she tilted her head to the side, like something clicked in her mind. “If I get the surgery Milo could retire. He’d like that.” She grinned, her pointer finger moved around the rim of the warm cup.

“Being able to see…that’s going to be so weird…I know I shouldn’t get my hopes up and I promise, I won’t.”  She went quiet for a moment, taking in the sounds of her surroundings; dishes clinking, murmurs of people talking. “I won’t be sitting in the dark anymore,” she mumbled.

[carver-huxley]

Connor shook his head. Mya didn’t have any of the pertinent information. Either she hadn’t thought to ask or it was more than experimental. He watched her features light up at the thought of Milo retiring. The way she tilted her head as if listening to her thoughts. It made smile. She was saying she would promise not to get her hopes up but she already was. He couldn’t blame her. Her entire world would be turned inside out. No dog. No cane. No needing things read out loud. 

He heard the mumble and knew how different it would really be. He reached out then and took her hand. “I think it’s a good idea.” He squeezed her hand. “We do need all of the information, check their credentials in terms of how many surgeries they’ve performed, their success ratio.” He paused a moment. “You’re not doing it alone. And I speak their language. I’ll go through all of the details and explain it all.”

The waitress interrupted them and he let go of Mya’s hand as she placed the plates in front of them. He thanked her and took his napkin and placed it on his lap. “Do you need a place to recuperate.. after? I’m living alone now so there’s plenty of room..” 

[songbirdmya]

Mya grinned and shook her head. It was sweet of him to offer but Connor was doing what he always did, getting too involved. Him mentioning that he was living alone was a sharp pain of a reminder. There had been someone else, before. Even if it was over now, there was that constant nagging that she wasn’t the one he chose. She wasn’t the one a lot of people chose. But Mya wouldn’t left herself dwell. Dwelling on specifics led to her spiraling, which led to a stay at a mental hospital. She needed to distance herself in a healthy way, and declining help every now and then was her way of doing so. 

“No it’s okay.I can stay at the hospital for a few days afterwards. I just…really wanted your opinion. This is something I’d like to do on my own without people checking on me. I trust that the doctors are able to do their job. I could even hire an in home nurse. You know, someone who’s job it actually is to help…”

She had the bank account from her parents. Mya hadn’t even touched it yet. Besides groceries and a smoothie here and there. She’d never been a big spender anyway.

“I just wanted someone else besides me to offer up an opinion. So thank you..” Mya picked up her fork and held it in her hand for a moment. “So how are you doing? Really?”

[carver-huxley]

Mya decided that staying at the hospital was good enough. Connor couldn’t say that he wasn’t disappointed. He did miss her. But in the end it was probably better for her to be far away from him. He wasn’t exactly a model citizen. Not anymore. Probably not ever. He thought about how he met her and knew that it had been wrong from the start. His eyes took her in. His mind remembered how they met. It hadn’t been ideal. It hadn’t even been sane. Not really. He recalled her dropping her tea and how she felt when he touched her for the first time in a non-threatening manner. He withdrew his hand when she picked up the fork. He swallowed when she asked how he really was.

He cleared his throat and played with his napkin. Connor wasn’t sure what to tell Mya. She was someone that elicited honesty by just being herself. But he knew it wasn’t right. “I’m.. ” He paused. What could he say? He was anxious? Angry? Needing to strike back at someone? How could he explain everything that was going through in his head to her? He always saw her as pure. Someone who should never cross paths with him. She didn’t know the deepest and darkest. Only one other person knew. Then he remembered he might have mentioned something to someone else while they were under the influence. “I’m not great.” The truth won out.

[songbirdmya]

Mya could hear it before he even said it. When Connor spoke business, it was because he was covering up something in his personal life. She’d grown accustomed to his mannerisms while living with him. She probably knew him better than he knew himself. But he would never know that. She would never tell him she’d found her way inside of his head and could navigate it pretty easily. She wasn’t trying to trespass. But not having her vision had it’s advantages. She could read people in ways they weren’t familiar with, in ways they’d forgotten to cover up. 

“Why not?” Her words were soft and simple. She wouldn’t pry too much. Mya didn’t want him to offer up any information he would be uncomfortable with sharing. 

Milo shifted again under her feet. He was probably trying to fall asleep. The old dog didn’t seem like he was on such high alert when Connor was around. Mya trusted his instincts. 

[carver-huxley]

He smiled as she asked. Their relationship would change once she got her sight. She would see how cold he was. “I’m… I’m alone… lonely… angry..” he said it quickly as if he’d lose his nerve if he paused. How often had he wanted a connection, a real connection with her. He had fucked that up by being employed by the people who hurt her.

His thoughts came back. He was targeting her friends out of anger even after he said he wouldn’t. But it wasn’t his fault. In his mind he was simply paying Ana back for her assaulting him. “I’m finding that my choices for myself… aren’t the best… I tend to not do the greatest things.”

[songbirdmya]

“Then make different choices,” Mya chimed in almost immediately. “Hang around new people. The type of people that reflect who you want to be.” She nodded as she spoke as if she were reciting something someone had said to her. And she was. Therapy was paying off. It was giving her a little more confidence every time she went.

“You can’t sit around feeling sorry for yourself because that would just make you more miserable. You don’t deserve to be miserable even if you think you do. No one does.” Mya finished her sentence by placing a fork full of french toast into her mouth. She smiled softly, mostly because of the warm sweet taste but also to show Connor she wasn’t trying to judge him.

“Be around whatever makes you happy.For me, it’s like Milo and my music. I surround myself with it. So…do stuff like that.”

[carver-huxley]

Mya stated the plain truth. He almost laughed but simply smiled. He shook his head when she mentioned hanging around new people. In the first case he no longer knew who he wanted to be, not really. He’d had notions of being a better person but those had been tossed aside. It didn’t yield anything. Hurt and misery. He shrugged when she said he didn’t deserve to be miserable even if his mind thought otherwise. He watched her eat and began cutting into his own breakfast. He mostly moved it around the plate. 

“What if I don’t know who I want to be? What if.. I don’t even know what makes me happy?” He thought about the things he had enjoyed in life so far. They all carried with it a hint of darkness and pain. He liked music but hadn’t picked up his trumpet in months. The pups made him happy but it wasn’t like he could live his life for them. He needed purpose. He needed a set of goals and responsibilities. “I used to do puzzles.. now it’s rare that I will sit and do one. I will sit and think of ways to balance..” He stopped what he was about to say and instead forked some french toast into his mouth, deciding he was getting too close to saying what he was doing. 

He chewed quietly. When he swallowed, he changed topics. “I don’t hang around many people.. some from… work.. but it’s not like it’s a close knit group or people I admire.”

[songbirdmya]

It was obvious Connor didn’t feel comfortable sharing the entire truth with her. Mya had learned months before not to bring up whatever topics Connor strictly avoided. She knew a little about his job and who he was versus who he tried to be. But she also understood she didn’t know him as well as her heart wanted her to believe she did. Connor was beyond complicated, and without her vision or being able to touch him; he was very difficult to read. 

“Well…I like puzzles,” she spoke simply. 

Mya took a bite from her fork and continued to eat. In a roundabout way she was insinuating they should hang out together since they both pretended not wanting to be bothered by anyone anyway. To anyone who knew them it was a horrible idea, and Mya knew as much. But Connor sounded lonely, more than lonely. He sounded like he’d completely given up. 

“They have textured puzzles for blind people or– you could wait until I get my new eyes and we can do a huge puzzle together. Like a million pieces.”

She continued to eat her breakfast nonchalantly, almost smiling to herself. “And Milo thinks puzzles are delicious,” she added.

[carver-huxley]

He smiled when Mya said she liked puzzles. He watched her eat and took a bite from his own plate. Maybe she was taking pity on him. Did he care? She was still whom she’d been when he met her. Pure. Innocent. Wouldn’t that be better? His mind toyed with certain thoughts. She talked about textured puzzles and his smile got brighter. She was offering her company. He chuckled. 

“A million pieces huh?” He took another bite. “That would take a long time.. sure you’re going to want to be around me once you can see my ugly mug?” There was something inside him that felt cold. Would she be able to see him for what he was? Who he was? “I’m thinking you might have more important things to do than puzzles with me when you have your sight back.” He let the doubt drift into the tone of his words. He was letting his guard down because she couldn’t see him. Would that change? He laughed again when Mya talked about Milo.

“He likes pretty much anything.. that much I remember.” He put his fork down as he looked at her. Such a face. Such a soul. He remembered dragging her out of the drug den kicking and screaming. He remembered a lot of things. “You’ve.. you’ve never been to the new place.. I’ve a house.. a farm.. my grandparents’.” He paused because she had been there. Only she’d been in the barn and nowhere else on the property. 

[carver-huxley]

Alerted || Personal

Connor had worked what looked like an accidental death but it took longer than necessary thanks to a new police officer who got overzealous in his duties. When he arrived home, the pups were ready to be fed and let out for a run. He didn’t check his computer until after the run and then a shower. It was then he noticed the alerts he’d set up. Someone had been looking into the files he’d planted. He smiled and checked who and how. No one that would reach him really though a couple of trails did go back to other computer experts. That bothered him a little. 

He prepared dinner and ate slowly as he decided what his next move would be. He rinsed the dishes and put them in the dishwasher. He left the kitchen looking immaculate. After pouring a small amount of whiskey he sat in front of his systems and proceeded to clear the files and any possible thread that might even hint at him. He knew she would be out the next day and thought maybe that was enough. He wondered if the two of them had learned their lesson. He picked up a burner cell out of a drawer and inserted a SIM card. He debated whether to place a call or send a text to gloat. He laughed to himself and drank his whiskey.

[songbirdmya]

Blue Rose | Connor

Mya’s life had been very stagnant lately. Her daily routine was mundane and almost nonexistent, which was no one’s fault but her own. She’d convinced herself in order to stay clean, to stay safe, she was better off not doing much of anything. She listened to music, even wrote music and kept to herself. She participated in daily strolls to the park with Milo and to a small bodega she liked, for a snack for the way home. But that was as exciting as her life got. Mya felt like need needed a change, she was practically looking for one. And there was one, a huge possibility at a surgery that would be more than paid for. A chance to get her sight, or at least more than she had now. A stem plant transplant surgery that was still in the works in the UK. Mya was more than willing to be an guinea pig but she wanted to make sure she was doing the right thing. Out of all of the people she could ask, she valued Connor’s opinion the most. Mostly because he would be straight forward with her and he was smart about technical and medical things. That was why she texted him. That was why she was meeting up with him.

As she walked to the Blue Rose with Milo, she was worried that some undealt with feelings would arise again. But Mya had to remind herself that Connor didn’t see her that way and she had to be okay with that. He had his own life that didn’t revolve around taking care of her. She didn’t want anyone thinking they had to take care of her.  

Mya got there a little earlier than 10am just to make sure she would be the first one there. She was guided to a secluded area by an open window, she could tell because she could feel the warm sunshine on her arm. Milo positioned himself under her seat and the two waited. Mya placed her headphones on just so she couldn’t be left sitting in silence, alone.

[carver-huxley]

Connor had been somewhat surprised to hear from Mya. At least surprised that she hadn’t said anything about his run in with Ana. He wondered if he was walking into something when he agreed to meet her. Even if he was, he wouldn’t say no to her. For whatever reason, she still had a certain power over him. Maybe because she’d been able to see him for something more than what he thought he was. He wasn’t sure she was right but he didn’t dwell on it. 

He woke early and got in a run with the pups. Fed them and left them to their own devices as he took a shower and shaved. He opted for casual in terms of wearing jeans but put on a button up, rolled the sleeves. He was on time as he drove into an empty spot and parked. He checked the area and saw no signs of a certain vehicle. It had been claimed from the impound lot already but he was pretty sure no one realized he’d had a hand in having it towed. He could see Mya through a window at the restaurant. The smile on his face was automatic. 

She’d had some rough spots and he’d been little help at times but he did care for her. Even if others told him it wasn’t real. He walked in and was greeted by a waitress. He pointed to Mya who wore what looked like headphones. Then he asked for tea for both of them. He walked up to the table and saw Milo lift his head alert first then slight recognition. He remembered having to steal the dog so she would be happy at his place. Connor waited until she removed her headphones. “Hi Mya. May I sit?”

[songbirdmya]

Mya was initially startled by a male’s voice but soon recognized it as Connor’s. She hadn’t heard it in a long while. It almost sounded foreign, deeper maybe. She nodded so that he would know to sit down, and felt Milo shift under the table to make room for Connor’s legs. He grunted loudly before laying back down. “He’s getting old. And stubborn,” she said referring to her trusty Labrador. “This is a little weird isn’t it? Very out of the blue.” Mya nodded to acknowledge her own comment and placed her phone and headphones back into her bag. “I just, um. Wanted to run something by you. To—sort of get advice I guess.”

She dropped her head and allowed her hair to fall over her face. It’d been months…but Connor still made her feel warm inside. She was sure it was showing on her face which was now also warm. Mya cleared her throat. There was no telling how anyone would react to her wanting to do something so drastic. It’d been awhile since she was told there was this experimental surgery happening and at first she wasn’t sure if she wanted to participate. But now she was.

“There’s this thing I want to do. Um, it’d be happening soon. And I just wanted to get someone’s opinion on it.”

[carver-huxley]

He sat down and listened to the dog express his discomfort. “He’s allowed a bit of character. He’s earned it.” He looked at her and noticed she was still a bit on the shy side. He smiled still even if she couldn’t see him. “I think weird is subjective.” He waited to see if Mya would say something to warn him off from interacting with her friend but she didn’t. She was nervous. He wanted to reach out and touch her hand. “Advice.. I think I can handle that.” She was hesitating and it made him wonder what it was she wanted to discuss. He knew that there had been things she had been involved with that had put a thorn in his side. He hadn’t been the nicest to her in those instances. 

“This thing happening soon? That’s rather vague.” The waitress came by and brought their tea. He thanked her. She asked if they wanted menus. He took a look at Mya and then addressed the waitress. “I think we’ll probably get the french toast. I’ve heard wonderful things about it. But I’ll let my companion decide if we are ready to order or if we’ll just drink the tea first.” He started preparing her tea remembering how she took it. “I hope you don’t mind.. I took the liberty of ordering us tea when I walked in.” 

He prepared his tea as the waitress left them alone. “What is it you need advice on Mya? It sounds important.” He took her hand and placed it against her cup so she would know where it was. 

[songbirdmya]

“Yeah. The french toast please. Extra syrup.” Connor reached out to move her hand to her cup and she felt her heart pounding. It was dumb, juvenile. She couldn’t still have feelings for Connor. He was larger than life and she was barely comfortable in her own skin. But Mya had been working on recreating herself, sort of – and this surgery would be a step in the right direction. Mya could feel from the cup that the tea was still too hot to actually drink. She she waited, resting her hands on the side of the thick ceramic mug.  

“Um..”

She cleared her throat again. This time so he couldn’t hear the way her voice shook when she spoke to him. Mya finally smiled and nodded her head. If she was going to convince people she was confident in her decision, then she had to be confident.  

“There’s this opportunity I have. To really change my life, you know? It’s like – a new beginning, I guess.” She was rambling and dancing around the point. It was obvious. “It’s this experimental surgery. For my eye sight. The doctors back at the hospital when— you know. They said I’d be a great candidate for it. But there’s always the chance it won’t work so…I don’t know. I guess I just want someone else’s opinion on it.”

[carver-huxley]

He waited with her for their tea to cool off a bit. He’d signaled the waitress to make it two orders of the French toast. She still seemed small to him. The world was much too big for someone like her. He was amazed at her capabilities in terms of getting around and such. He would always want to protect her. He thought back to before. When she was a guest in his home. The voice in his head, not his own, laughed at the thought of the word guest. She’d been a captive. He drank from his tea even if it was a touch too hot. She was still stalling for time and curiosity was getting the better of him. 

Connor smiled as she spoke. She wasn’t ever direct. Not really. Maybe a time or two when she was angry with him. He listened and drank a bit more. He nodded when she said experimental surgery. He frowned at the thought. The word experimental wasn’t exactly comforting but he was a person who valued science. And he also knew there were developments all of the time in terms of groundbreaking medical procedures. She mentioned the hospital and he did know. When he’d had her committed until she was clean, until they helped her with her condition. He turned the cup as she finished speaking. 

“So you want my opinion in terms of knowledge or in terms of emotional impact? I’ve more experience in one than the other.” He swallowed. Mya would never need him again. It was odd that it would feel a bit sad at that notion. He looked at her. He would never be able to get away with that, watching her like he did. He blinked. “Scientifically.. if there’s a chance.. I don’t see the downside. If it doesn’t work, you’ve lost nothing. If it works, then your life changes.” He wondered if she would still want to see him. To know him. Maybe she would see the look in his eyes and be scared off. “I would like to speak with the doctor directly.. get a better sense of any risks.” He moved his hand without thinking and brought it closer to hers. 

[songbirdmya]

Mya was realizing she really didn’t know anything about the procedure besides the fact they were offering her the treatment. She didn’t have a doctor’s name or the location of where it would take place. All she knew was to contact the hospital, if she agreed to go along with the surgery. She hadn’t even done that yet.

“Well I don’t know all of that…yet. But I will find out. I just want to make sure I’m completely sure I want to do this.”

In the back of her mind, Mya hoped this drastic change would improve her life. There was nothing wrong with living with Ana and Mac, she mostly kept to herself. Milo was comfortable and that was what was most important. Suddenly she tilted her head to the side, like something clicked in her mind. “If I get the surgery Milo could retire. He’d like that.” She grinned, her pointer finger moved around the rim of the warm cup.

“Being able to see…that’s going to be so weird…I know I shouldn’t get my hopes up and I promise, I won’t.”  She went quiet for a moment, taking in the sounds of her surroundings; dishes clinking, murmurs of people talking. “I won’t be sitting in the dark anymore,” she mumbled.

[carver-huxley]

Connor shook his head. Mya didn’t have any of the pertinent information. Either she hadn’t thought to ask or it was more than experimental. He watched her features light up at the thought of Milo retiring. The way she tilted her head as if listening to her thoughts. It made smile. She was saying she would promise not to get her hopes up but she already was. He couldn’t blame her. Her entire world would be turned inside out. No dog. No cane. No needing things read out loud. 

He heard the mumble and knew how different it would really be. He reached out then and took her hand. “I think it’s a good idea.” He squeezed her hand. “We do need all of the information, check their credentials in terms of how many surgeries they’ve performed, their success ratio.” He paused a moment. “You’re not doing it alone. And I speak their language. I’ll go through all of the details and explain it all.”

The waitress interrupted them and he let go of Mya’s hand as she placed the plates in front of them. He thanked her and took his napkin and placed it on his lap. “Do you need a place to recuperate.. after? I’m living alone now so there’s plenty of room..” 

[songbirdmya]

Mya grinned and shook her head. It was sweet of him to offer but Connor was doing what he always did, getting too involved. Him mentioning that he was living alone was a sharp pain of a reminder. There had been someone else, before. Even if it was over now, there was that constant nagging that she wasn’t the one he chose. She wasn’t the one a lot of people chose. But Mya wouldn’t left herself dwell. Dwelling on specifics led to her spiraling, which led to a stay at a mental hospital. She needed to distance herself in a healthy way, and declining help every now and then was her way of doing so. 

“No it’s okay.I can stay at the hospital for a few days afterwards. I just…really wanted your opinion. This is something I’d like to do on my own without people checking on me. I trust that the doctors are able to do their job. I could even hire an in home nurse. You know, someone who’s job it actually is to help…”

She had the bank account from her parents. Mya hadn’t even touched it yet. Besides groceries and a smoothie here and there. She’d never been a big spender anyway.

“I just wanted someone else besides me to offer up an opinion. So thank you..” Mya picked up her fork and held it in her hand for a moment. “So how are you doing? Really?”

[carver-huxley]

Mya decided that staying at the hospital was good enough. Connor couldn’t say that he wasn’t disappointed. He did miss her. But in the end it was probably better for her to be far away from him. He wasn’t exactly a model citizen. Not anymore. Probably not ever. He thought about how he met her and knew that it had been wrong from the start. His eyes took her in. His mind remembered how they met. It hadn’t been ideal. It hadn’t even been sane. Not really. He recalled her dropping her tea and how she felt when he touched her for the first time in a non-threatening manner. He withdrew his hand when she picked up the fork. He swallowed when she asked how he really was.

He cleared his throat and played with his napkin. Connor wasn’t sure what to tell Mya. She was someone that elicited honesty by just being herself. But he knew it wasn’t right. “I’m.. ” He paused. What could he say? He was anxious? Angry? Needing to strike back at someone? How could he explain everything that was going through in his head to her? He always saw her as pure. Someone who should never cross paths with him. She didn’t know the deepest and darkest. Only one other person knew. Then he remembered he might have mentioned something to someone else while they were under the influence. “I’m not great.” The truth won out.

[songbirdmya]

Mya could hear it before he even said it. When Connor spoke business, it was because he was covering up something in his personal life. She’d grown accustomed to his mannerisms while living with him. She probably knew him better than he knew himself. But he would never know that. She would never tell him she’d found her way inside of his head and could navigate it pretty easily. She wasn’t trying to trespass. But not having her vision had it’s advantages. She could read people in ways they weren’t familiar with, in ways they’d forgotten to cover up. 

“Why not?” Her words were soft and simple. She wouldn’t pry too much. Mya didn’t want him to offer up any information he would be uncomfortable with sharing. 

Milo shifted again under her feet. He was probably trying to fall asleep. The old dog didn’t seem like he was on such high alert when Connor was around. Mya trusted his instincts. 

[carver-huxley]

He smiled as she asked. Their relationship would change once she got her sight. She would see how cold he was. “I’m… I’m alone… lonely… angry..” he said it quickly as if he’d lose his nerve if he paused. How often had he wanted a connection, a real connection with her. He had fucked that up by being employed by the people who hurt her.

His thoughts came back. He was targeting her friends out of anger even after he said he wouldn’t. But it wasn’t his fault. In his mind he was simply paying Ana back for her assaulting him. “I’m finding that my choices for myself… aren’t the best… I tend to not do the greatest things.”

[songbirdmya]

“Then make different choices,” Mya chimed in almost immediately. “Hang around new people. The type of people that reflect who you want to be.” She nodded as she spoke as if she were reciting something someone had said to her. And she was. Therapy was paying off. It was giving her a little more confidence every time she went.

“You can’t sit around feeling sorry for yourself because that would just make you more miserable. You don’t deserve to be miserable even if you think you do. No one does.” Mya finished her sentence by placing a fork full of french toast into her mouth. She smiled softly, mostly because of the warm sweet taste but also to show Connor she wasn’t trying to judge him.

“Be around whatever makes you happy.For me, it’s like Milo and my music. I surround myself with it. So…do stuff like that.”

[carver-huxley]

Mya stated the plain truth. He almost laughed but simply smiled. He shook his head when she mentioned hanging around new people. In the first case he no longer knew who he wanted to be, not really. He’d had notions of being a better person but those had been tossed aside. It didn’t yield anything. Hurt and misery. He shrugged when she said he didn’t deserve to be miserable even if his mind thought otherwise. He watched her eat and began cutting into his own breakfast. He mostly moved it around the plate. 

“What if I don’t know who I want to be? What if.. I don’t even know what makes me happy?” He thought about the things he had enjoyed in life so far. They all carried with it a hint of darkness and pain. He liked music but hadn’t picked up his trumpet in months. The pups made him happy but it wasn’t like he could live his life for them. He needed purpose. He needed a set of goals and responsibilities. “I used to do puzzles.. now it’s rare that I will sit and do one. I will sit and think of ways to balance..” He stopped what he was about to say and instead forked some french toast into his mouth, deciding he was getting too close to saying what he was doing. 

He chewed quietly. When he swallowed, he changed topics. “I don’t hang around many people.. some from... work.. but it’s not like it’s a close knit group or people I admire.”

[songbirdmya]

Blue Rose | Connor

Mya’s life had been very stagnant lately. Her daily routine was mundane and almost nonexistent, which was no one’s fault but her own. She’d convinced herself in order to stay clean, to stay safe, she was better off not doing much of anything. She listened to music, even wrote music and kept to herself. She participated in daily strolls to the park with Milo and to a small bodega she liked, for a snack for the way home. But that was as exciting as her life got. Mya felt like need needed a change, she was practically looking for one. And there was one, a huge possibility at a surgery that would be more than paid for. A chance to get her sight, or at least more than she had now. A stem plant transplant surgery that was still in the works in the UK. Mya was more than willing to be an guinea pig but she wanted to make sure she was doing the right thing. Out of all of the people she could ask, she valued Connor’s opinion the most. Mostly because he would be straight forward with her and he was smart about technical and medical things. That was why she texted him. That was why she was meeting up with him.

As she walked to the Blue Rose with Milo, she was worried that some undealt with feelings would arise again. But Mya had to remind herself that Connor didn’t see her that way and she had to be okay with that. He had his own life that didn’t revolve around taking care of her. She didn’t want anyone thinking they had to take care of her.  

Mya got there a little earlier than 10am just to make sure she would be the first one there. She was guided to a secluded area by an open window, she could tell because she could feel the warm sunshine on her arm. Milo positioned himself under her seat and the two waited. Mya placed her headphones on just so she couldn’t be left sitting in silence, alone.

[carver-huxley]

Connor had been somewhat surprised to hear from Mya. At least surprised that she hadn’t said anything about his run in with Ana. He wondered if he was walking into something when he agreed to meet her. Even if he was, he wouldn’t say no to her. For whatever reason, she still had a certain power over him. Maybe because she’d been able to see him for something more than what he thought he was. He wasn’t sure she was right but he didn’t dwell on it. 

He woke early and got in a run with the pups. Fed them and left them to their own devices as he took a shower and shaved. He opted for casual in terms of wearing jeans but put on a button up, rolled the sleeves. He was on time as he drove into an empty spot and parked. He checked the area and saw no signs of a certain vehicle. It had been claimed from the impound lot already but he was pretty sure no one realized he’d had a hand in having it towed. He could see Mya through a window at the restaurant. The smile on his face was automatic. 

She’d had some rough spots and he’d been little help at times but he did care for her. Even if others told him it wasn’t real. He walked in and was greeted by a waitress. He pointed to Mya who wore what looked like headphones. Then he asked for tea for both of them. He walked up to the table and saw Milo lift his head alert first then slight recognition. He remembered having to steal the dog so she would be happy at his place. Connor waited until she removed her headphones. “Hi Mya. May I sit?”

[songbirdmya]

Mya was initially startled by a male’s voice but soon recognized it as Connor’s. She hadn’t heard it in a long while. It almost sounded foreign, deeper maybe. She nodded so that he would know to sit down, and felt Milo shift under the table to make room for Connor’s legs. He grunted loudly before laying back down. “He’s getting old. And stubborn,” she said referring to her trusty Labrador. “This is a little weird isn’t it? Very out of the blue.” Mya nodded to acknowledge her own comment and placed her phone and headphones back into her bag. “I just, um. Wanted to run something by you. To—sort of get advice I guess.”

She dropped her head and allowed her hair to fall over her face. It’d been months…but Connor still made her feel warm inside. She was sure it was showing on her face which was now also warm. Mya cleared her throat. There was no telling how anyone would react to her wanting to do something so drastic. It’d been awhile since she was told there was this experimental surgery happening and at first she wasn’t sure if she wanted to participate. But now she was.

“There’s this thing I want to do. Um, it’d be happening soon. And I just wanted to get someone’s opinion on it.”

[carver-huxley]

He sat down and listened to the dog express his discomfort. “He’s allowed a bit of character. He’s earned it.” He looked at her and noticed she was still a bit on the shy side. He smiled still even if she couldn’t see him. “I think weird is subjective.” He waited to see if Mya would say something to warn him off from interacting with her friend but she didn’t. She was nervous. He wanted to reach out and touch her hand. “Advice.. I think I can handle that.” She was hesitating and it made him wonder what it was she wanted to discuss. He knew that there had been things she had been involved with that had put a thorn in his side. He hadn’t been the nicest to her in those instances. 

“This thing happening soon? That’s rather vague.” The waitress came by and brought their tea. He thanked her. She asked if they wanted menus. He took a look at Mya and then addressed the waitress. “I think we’ll probably get the french toast. I’ve heard wonderful things about it. But I’ll let my companion decide if we are ready to order or if we’ll just drink the tea first.” He started preparing her tea remembering how she took it. “I hope you don’t mind.. I took the liberty of ordering us tea when I walked in.” 

He prepared his tea as the waitress left them alone. “What is it you need advice on Mya? It sounds important.” He took her hand and placed it against her cup so she would know where it was. 

[songbirdmya]

“Yeah. The french toast please. Extra syrup.” Connor reached out to move her hand to her cup and she felt her heart pounding. It was dumb, juvenile. She couldn’t still have feelings for Connor. He was larger than life and she was barely comfortable in her own skin. But Mya had been working on recreating herself, sort of – and this surgery would be a step in the right direction. Mya could feel from the cup that the tea was still too hot to actually drink. She she waited, resting her hands on the side of the thick ceramic mug.  

“Um..”

She cleared her throat again. This time so he couldn’t hear the way her voice shook when she spoke to him. Mya finally smiled and nodded her head. If she was going to convince people she was confident in her decision, then she had to be confident.  

“There’s this opportunity I have. To really change my life, you know? It’s like – a new beginning, I guess.” She was rambling and dancing around the point. It was obvious. “It’s this experimental surgery. For my eye sight. The doctors back at the hospital when— you know. They said I’d be a great candidate for it. But there’s always the chance it won’t work so…I don’t know. I guess I just want someone else’s opinion on it.”

[carver-huxley]

He waited with her for their tea to cool off a bit. He’d signaled the waitress to make it two orders of the French toast. She still seemed small to him. The world was much too big for someone like her. He was amazed at her capabilities in terms of getting around and such. He would always want to protect her. He thought back to before. When she was a guest in his home. The voice in his head, not his own, laughed at the thought of the word guest. She’d been a captive. He drank from his tea even if it was a touch too hot. She was still stalling for time and curiosity was getting the better of him. 

Connor smiled as she spoke. She wasn’t ever direct. Not really. Maybe a time or two when she was angry with him. He listened and drank a bit more. He nodded when she said experimental surgery. He frowned at the thought. The word experimental wasn’t exactly comforting but he was a person who valued science. And he also knew there were developments all of the time in terms of groundbreaking medical procedures. She mentioned the hospital and he did know. When he’d had her committed until she was clean, until they helped her with her condition. He turned the cup as she finished speaking. 

“So you want my opinion in terms of knowledge or in terms of emotional impact? I’ve more experience in one than the other.” He swallowed. Mya would never need him again. It was odd that it would feel a bit sad at that notion. He looked at her. He would never be able to get away with that, watching her like he did. He blinked. “Scientifically.. if there’s a chance.. I don’t see the downside. If it doesn’t work, you’ve lost nothing. If it works, then your life changes.” He wondered if she would still want to see him. To know him. Maybe she would see the look in his eyes and be scared off. “I would like to speak with the doctor directly.. get a better sense of any risks.” He moved his hand without thinking and brought it closer to hers. 

[songbirdmya]

Mya was realizing she really didn’t know anything about the procedure besides the fact they were offering her the treatment. She didn’t have a doctor’s name or the location of where it would take place. All she knew was to contact the hospital, if she agreed to go along with the surgery. She hadn’t even done that yet.

“Well I don’t know all of that…yet. But I will find out. I just want to make sure I’m completely sure I want to do this.”

In the back of her mind, Mya hoped this drastic change would improve her life. There was nothing wrong with living with Ana and Mac, she mostly kept to herself. Milo was comfortable and that was what was most important. Suddenly she tilted her head to the side, like something clicked in her mind. “If I get the surgery Milo could retire. He’d like that.” She grinned, her pointer finger moved around the rim of the warm cup.

“Being able to see…that’s going to be so weird…I know I shouldn’t get my hopes up and I promise, I won’t.”  She went quiet for a moment, taking in the sounds of her surroundings; dishes clinking, murmurs of people talking. “I won’t be sitting in the dark anymore,” she mumbled.

[carver-huxley]

Connor shook his head. Mya didn’t have any of the pertinent information. Either she hadn’t thought to ask or it was more than experimental. He watched her features light up at the thought of Milo retiring. The way she tilted her head as if listening to her thoughts. It made smile. She was saying she would promise not to get her hopes up but she already was. He couldn’t blame her. Her entire world would be turned inside out. No dog. No cane. No needing things read out loud. 

He heard the mumble and knew how different it would really be. He reached out then and took her hand. “I think it’s a good idea.” He squeezed her hand. “We do need all of the information, check their credentials in terms of how many surgeries they’ve performed, their success ratio.” He paused a moment. “You’re not doing it alone. And I speak their language. I’ll go through all of the details and explain it all.”

The waitress interrupted them and he let go of Mya’s hand as she placed the plates in front of them. He thanked her and took his napkin and placed it on his lap. “Do you need a place to recuperate.. after? I’m living alone now so there’s plenty of room..” 

[songbirdmya]

Mya grinned and shook her head. It was sweet of him to offer but Connor was doing what he always did, getting too involved. Him mentioning that he was living alone was a sharp pain of a reminder. There had been someone else, before. Even if it was over now, there was that constant nagging that she wasn’t the one he chose. She wasn’t the one a lot of people chose. But Mya wouldn’t left herself dwell. Dwelling on specifics led to her spiraling, which led to a stay at a mental hospital. She needed to distance herself in a healthy way, and declining help every now and then was her way of doing so. 

“No it’s okay.I can stay at the hospital for a few days afterwards. I just…really wanted your opinion. This is something I’d like to do on my own without people checking on me. I trust that the doctors are able to do their job. I could even hire an in home nurse. You know, someone who’s job it actually is to help…”

She had the bank account from her parents. Mya hadn’t even touched it yet. Besides groceries and a smoothie here and there. She’d never been a big spender anyway.

“I just wanted someone else besides me to offer up an opinion. So thank you..” Mya picked up her fork and held it in her hand for a moment. “So how are you doing? Really?”

[carver-huxley]

Mya decided that staying at the hospital was good enough. Connor couldn’t say that he wasn’t disappointed. He did miss her. But in the end it was probably better for her to be far away from him. He wasn’t exactly a model citizen. Not anymore. Probably not ever. He thought about how he met her and knew that it had been wrong from the start. His eyes took her in. His mind remembered how they met. It hadn’t been ideal. It hadn’t even been sane. Not really. He recalled her dropping her tea and how she felt when he touched her for the first time in a non-threatening manner. He withdrew his hand when she picked up the fork. He swallowed when she asked how he really was.

He cleared his throat and played with his napkin. Connor wasn’t sure what to tell Mya. She was someone that elicited honesty by just being herself. But he knew it wasn’t right. “I’m.. ” He paused. What could he say? He was anxious? Angry? Needing to strike back at someone? How could he explain everything that was going through in his head to her? He always saw her as pure. Someone who should never cross paths with him. She didn’t know the deepest and darkest. Only one other person knew. Then he remembered he might have mentioned something to someone else while they were under the influence. “I’m not great.” The truth won out.

[songbirdmya]

Mya could hear it before he even said it. When Connor spoke business, it was because he was covering up something in his personal life. She’d grown accustomed to his mannerisms while living with him. She probably knew him better than he knew himself. But he would never know that. She would never tell him she’d found her way inside of his head and could navigate it pretty easily. She wasn’t trying to trespass. But not having her vision had it’s advantages. She could read people in ways they weren’t familiar with, in ways they’d forgotten to cover up. 

“Why not?” Her words were soft and simple. She wouldn’t pry too much. Mya didn’t want him to offer up any information he would be uncomfortable with sharing. 

Milo shifted again under her feet. He was probably trying to fall asleep. The old dog didn’t seem like he was on such high alert when Connor was around. Mya trusted his instincts. 

[carver-huxley]

He smiled as she asked. Their relationship would change once she got her sight. She would see how cold he was. "I'm... I'm alone... lonely... angry.." he said it quickly as if he'd lose his nerve if he paused. How often had he wanted a connection, a real connection with her. He had fucked that up by being employed by the people who hurt her.

His thoughts came back. He was targeting her friends out of anger even after he said he wouldn't. But it wasn't his fault. In his mind he was simply paying Ana back for her assaulting him. "I'm finding that my choices for myself... aren't the best... I tend to not do the greatest things."

[songbirdmya]

Blue Rose | Connor

Mya’s life had been very stagnant lately. Her daily routine was mundane and almost nonexistent, which was no one’s fault but her own. She’d convinced herself in order to stay clean, to stay safe, she was better off not doing much of anything. She listened to music, even wrote music and kept to herself. She participated in daily strolls to the park with Milo and to a small bodega she liked, for a snack for the way home. But that was as exciting as her life got. Mya felt like need needed a change, she was practically looking for one. And there was one, a huge possibility at a surgery that would be more than paid for. A chance to get her sight, or at least more than she had now. A stem plant transplant surgery that was still in the works in the UK. Mya was more than willing to be an guinea pig but she wanted to make sure she was doing the right thing. Out of all of the people she could ask, she valued Connor’s opinion the most. Mostly because he would be straight forward with her and he was smart about technical and medical things. That was why she texted him. That was why she was meeting up with him.

As she walked to the Blue Rose with Milo, she was worried that some undealt with feelings would arise again. But Mya had to remind herself that Connor didn’t see her that way and she had to be okay with that. He had his own life that didn’t revolve around taking care of her. She didn’t want anyone thinking they had to take care of her.  

Mya got there a little earlier than 10am just to make sure she would be the first one there. She was guided to a secluded area by an open window, she could tell because she could feel the warm sunshine on her arm. Milo positioned himself under her seat and the two waited. Mya placed her headphones on just so she couldn’t be left sitting in silence, alone.

[carver-huxley]

Connor had been somewhat surprised to hear from Mya. At least surprised that she hadn’t said anything about his run in with Ana. He wondered if he was walking into something when he agreed to meet her. Even if he was, he wouldn’t say no to her. For whatever reason, she still had a certain power over him. Maybe because she’d been able to see him for something more than what he thought he was. He wasn’t sure she was right but he didn’t dwell on it. 

He woke early and got in a run with the pups. Fed them and left them to their own devices as he took a shower and shaved. He opted for casual in terms of wearing jeans but put on a button up, rolled the sleeves. He was on time as he drove into an empty spot and parked. He checked the area and saw no signs of a certain vehicle. It had been claimed from the impound lot already but he was pretty sure no one realized he’d had a hand in having it towed. He could see Mya through a window at the restaurant. The smile on his face was automatic. 

She’d had some rough spots and he’d been little help at times but he did care for her. Even if others told him it wasn’t real. He walked in and was greeted by a waitress. He pointed to Mya who wore what looked like headphones. Then he asked for tea for both of them. He walked up to the table and saw Milo lift his head alert first then slight recognition. He remembered having to steal the dog so she would be happy at his place. Connor waited until she removed her headphones. “Hi Mya. May I sit?”

[songbirdmya]

Mya was initially startled by a male’s voice but soon recognized it as Connor’s. She hadn’t heard it in a long while. It almost sounded foreign, deeper maybe. She nodded so that he would know to sit down, and felt Milo shift under the table to make room for Connor’s legs. He grunted loudly before laying back down. “He’s getting old. And stubborn,” she said referring to her trusty Labrador. “This is a little weird isn’t it? Very out of the blue.” Mya nodded to acknowledge her own comment and placed her phone and headphones back into her bag. “I just, um. Wanted to run something by you. To—sort of get advice I guess.”

She dropped her head and allowed her hair to fall over her face. It’d been months…but Connor still made her feel warm inside. She was sure it was showing on her face which was now also warm. Mya cleared her throat. There was no telling how anyone would react to her wanting to do something so drastic. It’d been awhile since she was told there was this experimental surgery happening and at first she wasn’t sure if she wanted to participate. But now she was.

“There’s this thing I want to do. Um, it’d be happening soon. And I just wanted to get someone’s opinion on it.”

[carver-huxley]

He sat down and listened to the dog express his discomfort. “He’s allowed a bit of character. He’s earned it.” He looked at her and noticed she was still a bit on the shy side. He smiled still even if she couldn’t see him. “I think weird is subjective.” He waited to see if Mya would say something to warn him off from interacting with her friend but she didn’t. She was nervous. He wanted to reach out and touch her hand. “Advice.. I think I can handle that.” She was hesitating and it made him wonder what it was she wanted to discuss. He knew that there had been things she had been involved with that had put a thorn in his side. He hadn’t been the nicest to her in those instances. 

“This thing happening soon? That’s rather vague.” The waitress came by and brought their tea. He thanked her. She asked if they wanted menus. He took a look at Mya and then addressed the waitress. “I think we’ll probably get the french toast. I’ve heard wonderful things about it. But I’ll let my companion decide if we are ready to order or if we’ll just drink the tea first.” He started preparing her tea remembering how she took it. “I hope you don’t mind.. I took the liberty of ordering us tea when I walked in.” 

He prepared his tea as the waitress left them alone. “What is it you need advice on Mya? It sounds important.” He took her hand and placed it against her cup so she would know where it was. 

[songbirdmya]

“Yeah. The french toast please. Extra syrup.” Connor reached out to move her hand to her cup and she felt her heart pounding. It was dumb, juvenile. She couldn’t still have feelings for Connor. He was larger than life and she was barely comfortable in her own skin. But Mya had been working on recreating herself, sort of – and this surgery would be a step in the right direction. Mya could feel from the cup that the tea was still too hot to actually drink. She she waited, resting her hands on the side of the thick ceramic mug.  

“Um..”

She cleared her throat again. This time so he couldn’t hear the way her voice shook when she spoke to him. Mya finally smiled and nodded her head. If she was going to convince people she was confident in her decision, then she had to be confident.  

“There’s this opportunity I have. To really change my life, you know? It’s like – a new beginning, I guess.” She was rambling and dancing around the point. It was obvious. “It’s this experimental surgery. For my eye sight. The doctors back at the hospital when— you know. They said I’d be a great candidate for it. But there’s always the chance it won’t work so…I don’t know. I guess I just want someone else’s opinion on it.”

[carver-huxley]

He waited with her for their tea to cool off a bit. He’d signaled the waitress to make it two orders of the French toast. She still seemed small to him. The world was much too big for someone like her. He was amazed at her capabilities in terms of getting around and such. He would always want to protect her. He thought back to before. When she was a guest in his home. The voice in his head, not his own, laughed at the thought of the word guest. She’d been a captive. He drank from his tea even if it was a touch too hot. She was still stalling for time and curiosity was getting the better of him. 

Connor smiled as she spoke. She wasn’t ever direct. Not really. Maybe a time or two when she was angry with him. He listened and drank a bit more. He nodded when she said experimental surgery. He frowned at the thought. The word experimental wasn’t exactly comforting but he was a person who valued science. And he also knew there were developments all of the time in terms of groundbreaking medical procedures. She mentioned the hospital and he did know. When he’d had her committed until she was clean, until they helped her with her condition. He turned the cup as she finished speaking. 

“So you want my opinion in terms of knowledge or in terms of emotional impact? I’ve more experience in one than the other.” He swallowed. Mya would never need him again. It was odd that it would feel a bit sad at that notion. He looked at her. He would never be able to get away with that, watching her like he did. He blinked. “Scientifically.. if there’s a chance.. I don’t see the downside. If it doesn’t work, you’ve lost nothing. If it works, then your life changes.” He wondered if she would still want to see him. To know him. Maybe she would see the look in his eyes and be scared off. “I would like to speak with the doctor directly.. get a better sense of any risks.” He moved his hand without thinking and brought it closer to hers. 

[songbirdmya]

Mya was realizing she really didn’t know anything about the procedure besides the fact they were offering her the treatment. She didn’t have a doctor’s name or the location of where it would take place. All she knew was to contact the hospital, if she agreed to go along with the surgery. She hadn’t even done that yet.

“Well I don’t know all of that…yet. But I will find out. I just want to make sure I’m completely sure I want to do this.”

In the back of her mind, Mya hoped this drastic change would improve her life. There was nothing wrong with living with Ana and Mac, she mostly kept to herself. Milo was comfortable and that was what was most important. Suddenly she tilted her head to the side, like something clicked in her mind. “If I get the surgery Milo could retire. He’d like that.” She grinned, her pointer finger moved around the rim of the warm cup.

“Being able to see…that’s going to be so weird…I know I shouldn’t get my hopes up and I promise, I won’t.”  She went quiet for a moment, taking in the sounds of her surroundings; dishes clinking, murmurs of people talking. “I won’t be sitting in the dark anymore,” she mumbled.

[carver-huxley]

Connor shook his head. Mya didn’t have any of the pertinent information. Either she hadn’t thought to ask or it was more than experimental. He watched her features light up at the thought of Milo retiring. The way she tilted her head as if listening to her thoughts. It made smile. She was saying she would promise not to get her hopes up but she already was. He couldn’t blame her. Her entire world would be turned inside out. No dog. No cane. No needing things read out loud. 

He heard the mumble and knew how different it would really be. He reached out then and took her hand. “I think it’s a good idea.” He squeezed her hand. “We do need all of the information, check their credentials in terms of how many surgeries they’ve performed, their success ratio.” He paused a moment. “You’re not doing it alone. And I speak their language. I’ll go through all of the details and explain it all.”

The waitress interrupted them and he let go of Mya’s hand as she placed the plates in front of them. He thanked her and took his napkin and placed it on his lap. “Do you need a place to recuperate.. after? I’m living alone now so there’s plenty of room..” 

[carver-huxley]

Text | Connor

Mya: Hey could we

Mya: Talk

Mya: In person

Connor: Of course. Are you ok?

Mya: Yes. I'm fine. Just feeling a little stuck.

Mya: Just need someone to talk to about a decision I should be making

Connor: Do you want me to pick you up?

Mya: I can meet you somewhere if that's easier.

Connor: It's up to you. I will meet you wherever.

Mya: There's this cafe called Blue Rose. They have amazing French toast. How about there? 10am?

Connor: Sounds perfect. I'll be there.

Mya: Same. Soon.

[backtoeve]

Scrapes @Connor

For the first time in weeks, Evelyn Marie Logan decided to take the day to simply exist. She was the girl who got her lifeblood from deadlines and due dates that kept the heart pumping quickly, but hours locked away in a library for exams simply tired her out. It was nearly summer holiday. Why not venture out into the world? After thinking it over, Eve left her laptop at home. Her bag was so much lighter without the machine, though she couldn’t say she didn’t miss being up to type up some observations she scribbled in her notebook. The pages and pages of notes she’d taken would be marginally useful next term, but she could file those away later. Today was relaxing. Today was relaxing. Without a plan, Eve threw her hair back in a sleek pony tail and found one of her more casual dresses to slip into. Her makeup was light but noticeable. The first thought she had when looking in the mirror was stay-at-home mom going to lunch, a look that made her only marginal upset.

Eve walked the streets near her apartment. She could indulge in a proper meal for the first time in a few days but figured waiting until lunch hour would be best. People watching was interesting enough. There was a family of three toddling toward the bus, an older couple arguing about which early bird brunch special they were going to choose. It was mundane, but nice to observe. Eve kept walking toward some unknown destination when she tripped over a person standing in the middle of the sidewalk. In a perfect world, she’d have stayed upright but in this case Eve took a harsh fall. “Fuck,” She murmured as she noticed a small scrape on the side of her leg. If this was any indication about her relaxing day, she might already be doomed. She looked up at the culprit and groaned. “You wouldn’t happen to have a bandage, would you?”

[carver-huxley]

Connor had gotten back from London earlier than planned but left his pups at their spa. No need for their vacation to be ruined. Not that they had a rough life. His plans had been derailed but he was making the best of it. A few computer searches and information added and someone else would be paying for his annoyance. They would likely be paying for more than that. He was finally smiling. It had been a lot more difficult to smile but surprisingly someone else’s misery was just what the doctor ordered. 

He had been walking around after a morning coffee, working out the next step to his endeavor when he realized he could use a newspaper. He’d found a bin of them and had slipped in the coins, about to pull it open when something collided with him causing him to let go of the door and lose his purchase. He would have cursed but caught a look at what or rather who had happened.  striking woman was now sitting on the ground. He looked at her up and down. She asked for a bandage and he noticed the cut on her leg. Immediately he stopped down. 

“Unfortunately, no bandage but would a clean handkerchief suffice?” He pulled it out of his back pocket and began applying it to the cut. “Sorry if this stings. And obviously apologies for my lack of manners, knocking you about without so much as introducing myself.” He smiled at her and hoped she returned the favor. He extended his free hand. “Connor Huxley.. street obstacle extraordinaire.”

[backtoeve]

“A clean handkerchief could work,” Eve murmured as she inspected the injury another time. There was only a small amount of blood and even though she was  usually very high-strung about appearances, her exhaustion made it impossible to have the same sense of sharpness toward this man. Besides, her faint belief in karma made her less likely to be an arse and ruin the rest of the day. The stranger’s softer touch with the handkerchief was appreciated, though in a perfect world Eve would’ve preferred anti-infection cream.  “Apology accepted as long as you help me up, yeah?” Eve returned his bright smile and took his hand as the leverage needed to get up off the ground. By this time, a few people looked in their direction with curiosity. 

After standing up properly, Eve examined her leg another time and looked up at Connor. “Eve. I’m an expert in falling like a four-year old on the streets,” She  took stock of Connor, her mind working with observations and intrigue into this attractive stranger. “You lost your paper, right? I’ve got some change to spare.” Eve reached in her wristlet to search for some coins. She produced a few, but not nearly enough to repay the other man. “Well shit, if it’s the Daily News it’s probably not worth reading anyway. They don’t verify anything.”

[carver-huxley]

He helped her stand easily enough. She introduced herself and he laughed lightly at her own introduction. “Eve.. I think you’re selling yourself short. That was easily falling like an 8 year old.” He paid attention to her smile, her eyes. She was particularly striking. Her outfit wasn’t particularly revealing and looked rather comfortable. A woman out for a stroll. She mentioned losing his paper and was surprised she’d realized that. He held up his hand when she started looking for loose coins. “Nonsense.. really.. you needn’t..” She offered her change and then an anecdotal reply when she didn’t have enough for a fresh copy. “You’re probably right.. pure rubbish.” He put his hands in his pockets and regarded her kindly. “You’ve saved me from ignorance it seems. I should likely do something.. to return your kindness.”

Connor could hardly believe his forward approach and realized he must still be feeling the adrenaline from having ruined someone’s night. It felt good. “I was fancying grabbing lunch and was about to venture at it alone. But perhaps it was a serendipitous encounter and I’m meant to dine with a lovely woman.” He met her eyes and let himself relax even more. He hadn’t asked someone out in a long while and thought he would be rustier at this. Apparently spending a lot of time in the company of the boys hadn’t been all bad. “Please don’t deny me. It’s the least I could do for scarring you as I have. I mean that might need..” He looked at her leg and it was a simple scrape. “Maybe not stitches but some antiseptic. We can swing by a druggist and purchase some before lunch.”

[backtoeve]

Eve raised an eyebrow. “Return my kindness?” She half-expected him to defend his choice of reading since it was probably not her place to comment on his reading habits. Connor was a stranger who expressed no interest in her opinions on the veracity of news outlets. But instead, Eve was surprised by soft words and an invitation to lunch. Her romantic life was practically nonexistent at the moment, save a few hookups spread throughout the semester. The woman started to deny his request because she simply wasn’t dressed to go out to lunch, she didn’t know him, she wasn’t hungry, nearly any reason to avoid the social expectations. “You knocked me down a bit, but I doubt it’ll scar.” Eve countered as Connor offered to go by the druggist. While going with a random bloke was against her instincts of safety, Eve told herself it was bright enough outside to share a simple lunch. She’d be headed to a store regardless.

“You’re right. The least you can do is buy me lunch and accompany me to the  druggist.” Eve smirked a bit. Connor was bold enough to ask, better than most blokes without a pint in their hands. “Something casual though, I’m not dressed nearly nice enough for anything with proper tablecloths.” The self-conscious piece of her mind was telling her to cancel the encounter, but somehow Eve exuded confidence as she started walking toward their next destination. “You coming, Connor?” The woman teased when she turned round.

[carver-huxley]

“Yes.. your kindness. The paper would have brought me little joy and likely some angst.” He’d been interested in the advertisements mostly but it was neither here nor there. “Can never be too careful.. about the scrape.” He wondered if she would agree to his proposal. It would certainly add a bit of unexpected excitement to his day. His smile beamed and he nodded as she agreed. “Absolutely Miss Eve. Casual.” He thought about the area and the available choices. He was busy running through the options when she started walking and asked if he was coming. 

In truth he’d managed a look at her posterior as she’d begun walking and liked what he saw. Catching up in a couple of quick steps. “Right beside you.” He offered his arm. “While it may be old fashioned and perhaps presumptuous, my grandmother did teach me manners when attending to a lady.” He was definitely in a much better mood. The noise in his head wasn’t even a low murmur. Yes, the company was helping. “There are a few restaurants in the near vicinity that are casual and do not maintain linen table cloths. Sandwich shops and such.. there might even be a quaint osteria that serves some nice light pasta dishes. It all depends on what you would prefer.” 

[backtoeve]

The offering of his arm made Eve laugh lightly. “First you call me Miss and then you offer to escort me like we’re going to our first spring formal in 1905? You’re funny,” The woman said as she kept her arms by her sides, at least for now. His kindness was refreshing but also too nebulous to attribute to any type of sincerity. For now, Eve would just enjoy the one-sided gestures with enough cheekiness to get by. “Though sandwiches are incredible,” An image of her eating three grilled cheeses half-cooked in between exams flashed through her mind and Eve recoiled. “I’d prefer pasta, specifically the light pasta that you mentioned.” Regardless of the pasta quality, Eve knew there would probably be other types of carbohydrates she’d enjoy. However, their first stop was a block away.

As they reached the store, Eve smiled at her new companion and began to do what she did best: ask questions. “Do you ask out every beautiful girl you knock down, or just me?” She brought up casually, looking forward to another nicely crafted answer. “To be fair, I’ve only accepted one other lunch date from a bloke who caused me harm. Think I was about 4, 5?” Eve smirked as they entered and she went directly to the aisle filled with safety supplies and first-aid kits. She scanned each product, looking for the cream in question and a bandaid that didn’t make her feel like she was 10 again. 

[carver-huxley]

Connor smiled and walked along. She didn’t take his initial offer of his arm but not the only time he’d offer. “I’m polite.. no harm in that.”  They strolled as she spoke aloud what her preference of foods would be. “You will like L’Osteria then. They have outdoor seating as well so you needn’t worry about table cloths. Something they had everywhere in 1905.” He brought up the date she’d mentioned and looked at her as they reached the store. He opened the door for her. 

“Hmm… I think you might be the only beautiful woman I’ve knocked down.” He knew that wasn’t entirely true but those were on purpose unfortunately and with deeper consequences. He also hadn’t been admiring looks in those instances. “Ahh so you’ve been knocked down before? He asked with amusement. “I hope he was as kind to you as the situation merited.” He observed her as she went through the medications and supplies. Her skin was dark chocolate and her full lips were calling out to him. He picked up the antiseptic ointment. “Here.. this is a good one.” He looked for bandages and couldn’t understand why all of the colorful ones. He chose a box of clear ones. “There.. that should suffice.” He didn’t hand the items over to her and instead walked to the register. “Coming Miss Eve?”

[backtoeve]

Following Connor’s compliment, Eve rewarded him with a smile. “Let’s see, he sat by me faithfully when we ate our fruit cups.” She pretended to be seriously thinking about the event. “It went well, but I wanted to see other people. Then he smashed my juice into the sand. What can you do?” They stood there in the aisle longer than was probably necessary, but that was the way Eve did things. Thoroughly. “Which one?” She looked at Connor’s choice and approved of it, then did the same for the bandaids.”Again, Ms. Eve is unnecessary.”  Before long, they were headed toward the register and Eve started to reach for her wallet. She had a feeling Connor would object, though a purchase under six pounds wasn’t going to break either of their banks. “You’re too kind for offering, but I’m quite capable.” Eve said sweetly.  

After leaving the store,, Eve took exactly ten steps before she found a nearby bench and looked at Connor expectantly. “I need to get everything settled before walking. Tell me more about L’Osteria.” Another once-over of Connor made Eve hope this lunch engagement went well. If so, she’d definitely put more effort into her appearance for their next meeting. Preferably at a pub. As she methodically cleaned her wound, Eve decided against asking him too many questions before they sat down. “Mind opening up this bandage for me? My fingernails are making it hard.” She handed it over to blonde before her extending her leg just enough to show them off.

[carver-huxley]

“Smashing your juice? That’s utterly shameful behavior.” He smiled at her. Eve was definitely charming and beautiful. She thought his choice of ointment was appropriate after reviewing the name and ingredients. He thought that was rather clever. He shook his head. “I never said it was necessary if you recall. I’m simply choosing to use it.” She was about to pay when he held his hand out. While it may seem sexist to pay, he wasn’t thinking of that in the slightest. It was more of a courtesy he was offering. “I don’t doubt your capabilities. Not in the least.. but allow me a gallant gesture?” He paid for the items and they walked back out into the sunshine. He wished he’d brought his sunglasses but hadn’t thought that far ahead. 

Eve sat on a nearby bench and he followed suit. He sat close but not so as to invade her personal space. “Well let’s see.. it’s an open concept restaurant inside.. but as I mentioned they do have outdoor seating.. much nicer in this weather.” He paid rapt attention to her movements. She was meticulous. “They do have a full menu, including salads and pizza if you change your mind about the pasta.. but their Paccheri salsiccia is delectable.. Apologies.. pasta with sausage…They also have fantastic desserts.. some even to share.” He mentioned this as he took the bandage from her and opened it carefully. She extended her leg and he did the honors of applying it. “There you are. All protected now.” His fingers lingered on her leg. Soft. He met her eyes. “I suppose I’m being forward.” He removed his fingers but maintained eye contact. “Though you did not seem entirely against that.”

[backtoeve]

Connor reminded her of those chivalrous knights in TV shows, gallant and dashing and all to willing to help. Eve knew it was probably too good to be true. But hey, they’d only known each other for a half hour. “Paccheri salsiccia,” eve repeated, letting the Italian roll around her mouth for fun. Her companion had pronounced it effortlessly and she was immediately impressed with a hint of jealousy. “Paccheri salsiccia,” Eve repeated as Connor lightly placed the bandage along her leg. It felt nice to have someone doing things for her, though this was much more up close and personal than she’d been in far too long. “Thank you. You’re too kind.” Eve rewarded him with a small smile. Thoughts were going through her head as Connor’s fingertips stayed against her skin, touching softly enough for Eve’s breath to catch slightly. “While I’m not entirely against being forward, I am against being forward this openly. We’ve only just met.”

With that, Eve stood up again and reached within her purse for chapstick. “You mentioned us sharing a dessert, right? That’s only possible if you like chocolate.”At the same time, her stomach started to rumble. Hopefully they were close to the restaurant. “So, your name is Connor and you spend your days dressing…nicely enough,” Eve smirked. “And running into to beautiful women on the street. Anything else?” She applied the lip balm carefully, making sure not to have any excess left over on her lips. Though she was dressed down, the demeanor of someone who wanted their career to be in making connections and being articulate was bubbling to the surface. “I’m a student myself. Journalism.”

[carver-huxley]

Eve said the name of the dish over and over. She had a nice voice. Warm. Connor smiled as Eve replied to his candid comment about being forward. “Duly noted. Objection to being forward ‘this openly’ having just met.” He nodded as he stood with her and watched her apply lip balm. He could imagine those soft lips. “I do enjoy chocolate.. so sharing a dessert is a very good possibility.” He heard her stomach betray her hunger but refrained from mentioning it. He understood that it wasn’t polite. 

“Thank you.. I do care about my appearance. I have to say you dress rather lovely yourself. Beautiful really.” He laughed at her description of what she knew, had observed. “Hmm.. let’s see.. I am gainfully employed though it is on a rotational basis.. with the city’s coroner’s office.. I do forensics collection and analysis. I live alone on what used to be my grandparents’ home. They bequeathed it to me in their will.” He looked at her. “Journalism student.. I can see that. You’re inquisitive. Definitely observant. I also have two rescue dogs.” 

[backtoeve]

Scrapes @Connor

For the first time in weeks, Evelyn Marie Logan decided to take the day to simply exist. She was the girl who got her lifeblood from deadlines and due dates that kept the heart pumping quickly, but hours locked away in a library for exams simply tired her out. It was nearly summer holiday. Why not venture out into the world? After thinking it over, Eve left her laptop at home. Her bag was so much lighter without the machine, though she couldn’t say she didn’t miss being up to type up some observations she scribbled in her notebook. The pages and pages of notes she’d taken would be marginally useful next term, but she could file those away later. Today was relaxing. Today was relaxing. Without a plan, Eve threw her hair back in a sleek pony tail and found one of her more casual dresses to slip into. Her makeup was light but noticeable. The first thought she had when looking in the mirror was stay-at-home mom going to lunch, a look that made her only marginal upset.

Eve walked the streets near her apartment. She could indulge in a proper meal for the first time in a few days but figured waiting until lunch hour would be best. People watching was interesting enough. There was a family of three toddling toward the bus, an older couple arguing about which early bird brunch special they were going to choose. It was mundane, but nice to observe. Eve kept walking toward some unknown destination when she tripped over a person standing in the middle of the sidewalk. In a perfect world, she’d have stayed upright but in this case Eve took a harsh fall. “Fuck,” She murmured as she noticed a small scrape on the side of her leg. If this was any indication about her relaxing day, she might already be doomed. She looked up at the culprit and groaned. “You wouldn’t happen to have a bandage, would you?”

[carver-huxley]

Connor had gotten back from London earlier than planned but left his pups at their spa. No need for their vacation to be ruined. Not that they had a rough life. His plans had been derailed but he was making the best of it. A few computer searches and information added and someone else would be paying for his annoyance. They would likely be paying for more than that. He was finally smiling. It had been a lot more difficult to smile but surprisingly someone else’s misery was just what the doctor ordered. 

He had been walking around after a morning coffee, working out the next step to his endeavor when he realized he could use a newspaper. He’d found a bin of them and had slipped in the coins, about to pull it open when something collided with him causing him to let go of the door and lose his purchase. He would have cursed but caught a look at what or rather who had happened.  striking woman was now sitting on the ground. He looked at her up and down. She asked for a bandage and he noticed the cut on her leg. Immediately he stopped down. 

“Unfortunately, no bandage but would a clean handkerchief suffice?” He pulled it out of his back pocket and began applying it to the cut. “Sorry if this stings. And obviously apologies for my lack of manners, knocking you about without so much as introducing myself.” He smiled at her and hoped she returned the favor. He extended his free hand. “Connor Huxley.. street obstacle extraordinaire.”

[backtoeve]

“A clean handkerchief could work,” Eve murmured as she inspected the injury another time. There was only a small amount of blood and even though she was  usually very high-strung about appearances, her exhaustion made it impossible to have the same sense of sharpness toward this man. Besides, her faint belief in karma made her less likely to be an arse and ruin the rest of the day. The stranger’s softer touch with the handkerchief was appreciated, though in a perfect world Eve would’ve preferred anti-infection cream.  “Apology accepted as long as you help me up, yeah?” Eve returned his bright smile and took his hand as the leverage needed to get up off the ground. By this time, a few people looked in their direction with curiosity. 

After standing up properly, Eve examined her leg another time and looked up at Connor. “Eve. I’m an expert in falling like a four-year old on the streets,” She  took stock of Connor, her mind working with observations and intrigue into this attractive stranger. “You lost your paper, right? I’ve got some change to spare.” Eve reached in her wristlet to search for some coins. She produced a few, but not nearly enough to repay the other man. “Well shit, if it’s the Daily News it’s probably not worth reading anyway. They don’t verify anything.”

[carver-huxley]

He helped her stand easily enough. She introduced herself and he laughed lightly at her own introduction. “Eve.. I think you’re selling yourself short. That was easily falling like an 8 year old.” He paid attention to her smile, her eyes. She was particularly striking. Her outfit wasn’t particularly revealing and looked rather comfortable. A woman out for a stroll. She mentioned losing his paper and was surprised she’d realized that. He held up his hand when she started looking for loose coins. “Nonsense.. really.. you needn’t..” She offered her change and then an anecdotal reply when she didn’t have enough for a fresh copy. “You’re probably right.. pure rubbish.” He put his hands in his pockets and regarded her kindly. “You’ve saved me from ignorance it seems. I should likely do something.. to return your kindness.”

Connor could hardly believe his forward approach and realized he must still be feeling the adrenaline from having ruined someone’s night. It felt good. “I was fancying grabbing lunch and was about to venture at it alone. But perhaps it was a serendipitous encounter and I’m meant to dine with a lovely woman.” He met her eyes and let himself relax even more. He hadn’t asked someone out in a long while and thought he would be rustier at this. Apparently spending a lot of time in the company of the boys hadn’t been all bad. “Please don’t deny me. It’s the least I could do for scarring you as I have. I mean that might need..” He looked at her leg and it was a simple scrape. “Maybe not stitches but some antiseptic. We can swing by a druggist and purchase some before lunch.”

[backtoeve]

Eve raised an eyebrow. “Return my kindness?” She half-expected him to defend his choice of reading since it was probably not her place to comment on his reading habits. Connor was a stranger who expressed no interest in her opinions on the veracity of news outlets. But instead, Eve was surprised by soft words and an invitation to lunch. Her romantic life was practically nonexistent at the moment, save a few hookups spread throughout the semester. The woman started to deny his request because she simply wasn’t dressed to go out to lunch, she didn’t know him, she wasn’t hungry, nearly any reason to avoid the social expectations. “You knocked me down a bit, but I doubt it’ll scar.” Eve countered as Connor offered to go by the druggist. While going with a random bloke was against her instincts of safety, Eve told herself it was bright enough outside to share a simple lunch. She’d be headed to a store regardless.

“You’re right. The least you can do is buy me lunch and accompany me to the  druggist.” Eve smirked a bit. Connor was bold enough to ask, better than most blokes without a pint in their hands. “Something casual though, I’m not dressed nearly nice enough for anything with proper tablecloths.” The self-conscious piece of her mind was telling her to cancel the encounter, but somehow Eve exuded confidence as she started walking toward their next destination. “You coming, Connor?” The woman teased when she turned round.

[carver-huxley]

“Yes.. your kindness. The paper would have brought me little joy and likely some angst.” He’d been interested in the advertisements mostly but it was neither here nor there. “Can never be too careful.. about the scrape.” He wondered if she would agree to his proposal. It would certainly add a bit of unexpected excitement to his day. His smile beamed and he nodded as she agreed. “Absolutely Miss Eve. Casual.” He thought about the area and the available choices. He was busy running through the options when she started walking and asked if he was coming. 

In truth he’d managed a look at her posterior as she’d begun walking and liked what he saw. Catching up in a couple of quick steps. “Right beside you.” He offered his arm. “While it may be old fashioned and perhaps presumptuous, my grandmother did teach me manners when attending to a lady.” He was definitely in a much better mood. The noise in his head wasn’t even a low murmur. Yes, the company was helping. “There are a few restaurants in the near vicinity that are casual and do not maintain linen table cloths. Sandwich shops and such.. there might even be a quaint osteria that serves some nice light pasta dishes. It all depends on what you would prefer.” 

[backtoeve]

The offering of his arm made Eve laugh lightly. “First you call me Miss and then you offer to escort me like we’re going to our first spring formal in 1905? You’re funny,” The woman said as she kept her arms by her sides, at least for now. His kindness was refreshing but also too nebulous to attribute to any type of sincerity. For now, Eve would just enjoy the one-sided gestures with enough cheekiness to get by. “Though sandwiches are incredible,” An image of her eating three grilled cheeses half-cooked in between exams flashed through her mind and Eve recoiled. “I’d prefer pasta, specifically the light pasta that you mentioned.” Regardless of the pasta quality, Eve knew there would probably be other types of carbohydrates she’d enjoy. However, their first stop was a block away.

As they reached the store, Eve smiled at her new companion and began to do what she did best: ask questions. “Do you ask out every beautiful girl you knock down, or just me?” She brought up casually, looking forward to another nicely crafted answer. “To be fair, I’ve only accepted one other lunch date from a bloke who caused me harm. Think I was about 4, 5?” Eve smirked as they entered and she went directly to the aisle filled with safety supplies and first-aid kits. She scanned each product, looking for the cream in question and a bandaid that didn’t make her feel like she was 10 again. 

[carver-huxley]

Connor smiled and walked along. She didn’t take his initial offer of his arm but not the only time he’d offer. “I’m polite.. no harm in that.”  They strolled as she spoke aloud what her preference of foods would be. “You will like L’Osteria then. They have outdoor seating as well so you needn’t worry about table cloths. Something they had everywhere in 1905.” He brought up the date she’d mentioned and looked at her as they reached the store. He opened the door for her. 

“Hmm… I think you might be the only beautiful woman I’ve knocked down.” He knew that wasn’t entirely true but those were on purpose unfortunately and with deeper consequences. He also hadn’t been admiring looks in those instances. “Ahh so you’ve been knocked down before? He asked with amusement. “I hope he was as kind to you as the situation merited.” He observed her as she went through the medications and supplies. Her skin was dark chocolate and her full lips were calling out to him. He picked up the antiseptic ointment. “Here.. this is a good one.” He looked for bandages and couldn’t understand why all of the colorful ones. He chose a box of clear ones. “There.. that should suffice.” He didn’t hand the items over to her and instead walked to the register. “Coming Miss Eve?”

[backtoeve]

Following Connor’s compliment, Eve rewarded him with a smile. “Let’s see, he sat by me faithfully when we ate our fruit cups.” She pretended to be seriously thinking about the event. “It went well, but I wanted to see other people. Then he smashed my juice into the sand. What can you do?” They stood there in the aisle longer than was probably necessary, but that was the way Eve did things. Thoroughly. “Which one?” She looked at Connor’s choice and approved of it, then did the same for the bandaids.”Again, Ms. Eve is unnecessary.”  Before long, they were headed toward the register and Eve started to reach for her wallet. She had a feeling Connor would object, though a purchase under six pounds wasn’t going to break either of their banks. “You’re too kind for offering, but I’m quite capable.” Eve said sweetly.  

After leaving the store,, Eve took exactly ten steps before she found a nearby bench and looked at Connor expectantly. “I need to get everything settled before walking. Tell me more about L’Osteria.” Another once-over of Connor made Eve hope this lunch engagement went well. If so, she’d definitely put more effort into her appearance for their next meeting. Preferably at a pub. As she methodically cleaned her wound, Eve decided against asking him too many questions before they sat down. “Mind opening up this bandage for me? My fingernails are making it hard.” She handed it over to blonde before her extending her leg just enough to show them off.

[carver-huxley]

“Smashing your juice? That’s utterly shameful behavior.” He smiled at her. Eve was definitely charming and beautiful. She thought his choice of ointment was appropriate after reviewing the name and ingredients. He thought that was rather clever. He shook his head. “I never said it was necessary if you recall. I’m simply choosing to use it.” She was about to pay when he held his hand out. While it may seem sexist to pay, he wasn’t thinking of that in the slightest. It was more of a courtesy he was offering. “I don’t doubt your capabilities. Not in the least.. but allow me a gallant gesture?” He paid for the items and they walked back out into the sunshine. He wished he’d brought his sunglasses but hadn’t thought that far ahead. 

Eve sat on a nearby bench and he followed suit. He sat close but not so as to invade her personal space. “Well let’s see.. it’s an open concept restaurant inside.. but as I mentioned they do have outdoor seating.. much nicer in this weather.” He paid rapt attention to her movements. She was meticulous. “They do have a full menu, including salads and pizza if you change your mind about the pasta.. but their Paccheri salsiccia is delectable.. Apologies.. pasta with sausage...They also have fantastic desserts.. some even to share.” He mentioned this as he took the bandage from her and opened it carefully. She extended her leg and he did the honors of applying it. “There you are. All protected now.” His fingers lingered on her leg. Soft. He met her eyes. “I suppose I’m being forward.” He removed his fingers but maintained eye contact. “Though you did not seem entirely against that.”

[backtoeve]

Scrapes @Connor

For the first time in weeks, Evelyn Marie Logan decided to take the day to simply exist. She was the girl who got her lifeblood from deadlines and due dates that kept the heart pumping quickly, but hours locked away in a library for exams simply tired her out. It was nearly summer holiday. Why not venture out into the world? After thinking it over, Eve left her laptop at home. Her bag was so much lighter without the machine, though she couldn’t say she didn’t miss being up to type up some observations she scribbled in her notebook. The pages and pages of notes she’d taken would be marginally useful next term, but she could file those away later. Today was relaxing. Today was relaxing. Without a plan, Eve threw her hair back in a sleek pony tail and found one of her more casual dresses to slip into. Her makeup was light but noticeable. The first thought she had when looking in the mirror was stay-at-home mom going to lunch, a look that made her only marginal upset.

Eve walked the streets near her apartment. She could indulge in a proper meal for the first time in a few days but figured waiting until lunch hour would be best. People watching was interesting enough. There was a family of three toddling toward the bus, an older couple arguing about which early bird brunch special they were going to choose. It was mundane, but nice to observe. Eve kept walking toward some unknown destination when she tripped over a person standing in the middle of the sidewalk. In a perfect world, she’d have stayed upright but in this case Eve took a harsh fall. “Fuck,” She murmured as she noticed a small scrape on the side of her leg. If this was any indication about her relaxing day, she might already be doomed. She looked up at the culprit and groaned. “You wouldn’t happen to have a bandage, would you?”

[carver-huxley]

Connor had gotten back from London earlier than planned but left his pups at their spa. No need for their vacation to be ruined. Not that they had a rough life. His plans had been derailed but he was making the best of it. A few computer searches and information added and someone else would be paying for his annoyance. They would likely be paying for more than that. He was finally smiling. It had been a lot more difficult to smile but surprisingly someone else’s misery was just what the doctor ordered. 

He had been walking around after a morning coffee, working out the next step to his endeavor when he realized he could use a newspaper. He’d found a bin of them and had slipped in the coins, about to pull it open when something collided with him causing him to let go of the door and lose his purchase. He would have cursed but caught a look at what or rather who had happened.  striking woman was now sitting on the ground. He looked at her up and down. She asked for a bandage and he noticed the cut on her leg. Immediately he stopped down. 

“Unfortunately, no bandage but would a clean handkerchief suffice?” He pulled it out of his back pocket and began applying it to the cut. “Sorry if this stings. And obviously apologies for my lack of manners, knocking you about without so much as introducing myself.” He smiled at her and hoped she returned the favor. He extended his free hand. “Connor Huxley.. street obstacle extraordinaire.”

[backtoeve]

“A clean handkerchief could work,” Eve murmured as she inspected the injury another time. There was only a small amount of blood and even though she was  usually very high-strung about appearances, her exhaustion made it impossible to have the same sense of sharpness toward this man. Besides, her faint belief in karma made her less likely to be an arse and ruin the rest of the day. The stranger’s softer touch with the handkerchief was appreciated, though in a perfect world Eve would’ve preferred anti-infection cream.  “Apology accepted as long as you help me up, yeah?” Eve returned his bright smile and took his hand as the leverage needed to get up off the ground. By this time, a few people looked in their direction with curiosity. 

After standing up properly, Eve examined her leg another time and looked up at Connor. “Eve. I’m an expert in falling like a four-year old on the streets,” She  took stock of Connor, her mind working with observations and intrigue into this attractive stranger. “You lost your paper, right? I’ve got some change to spare.” Eve reached in her wristlet to search for some coins. She produced a few, but not nearly enough to repay the other man. “Well shit, if it’s the Daily News it’s probably not worth reading anyway. They don’t verify anything.”

[carver-huxley]

He helped her stand easily enough. She introduced herself and he laughed lightly at her own introduction. “Eve.. I think you’re selling yourself short. That was easily falling like an 8 year old.” He paid attention to her smile, her eyes. She was particularly striking. Her outfit wasn’t particularly revealing and looked rather comfortable. A woman out for a stroll. She mentioned losing his paper and was surprised she’d realized that. He held up his hand when she started looking for loose coins. “Nonsense.. really.. you needn’t..” She offered her change and then an anecdotal reply when she didn’t have enough for a fresh copy. “You’re probably right.. pure rubbish.” He put his hands in his pockets and regarded her kindly. “You’ve saved me from ignorance it seems. I should likely do something.. to return your kindness.”

Connor could hardly believe his forward approach and realized he must still be feeling the adrenaline from having ruined someone’s night. It felt good. “I was fancying grabbing lunch and was about to venture at it alone. But perhaps it was a serendipitous encounter and I’m meant to dine with a lovely woman.” He met her eyes and let himself relax even more. He hadn’t asked someone out in a long while and thought he would be rustier at this. Apparently spending a lot of time in the company of the boys hadn’t been all bad. “Please don’t deny me. It’s the least I could do for scarring you as I have. I mean that might need..” He looked at her leg and it was a simple scrape. “Maybe not stitches but some antiseptic. We can swing by a druggist and purchase some before lunch.”

[backtoeve]

Eve raised an eyebrow. “Return my kindness?” She half-expected him to defend his choice of reading since it was probably not her place to comment on his reading habits. Connor was a stranger who expressed no interest in her opinions on the veracity of news outlets. But instead, Eve was surprised by soft words and an invitation to lunch. Her romantic life was practically nonexistent at the moment, save a few hookups spread throughout the semester. The woman started to deny his request because she simply wasn’t dressed to go out to lunch, she didn’t know him, she wasn’t hungry, nearly any reason to avoid the social expectations. “You knocked me down a bit, but I doubt it’ll scar.” Eve countered as Connor offered to go by the druggist. While going with a random bloke was against her instincts of safety, Eve told herself it was bright enough outside to share a simple lunch. She’d be headed to a store regardless.

“You’re right. The least you can do is buy me lunch and accompany me to the  druggist.” Eve smirked a bit. Connor was bold enough to ask, better than most blokes without a pint in their hands. “Something casual though, I’m not dressed nearly nice enough for anything with proper tablecloths.” The self-conscious piece of her mind was telling her to cancel the encounter, but somehow Eve exuded confidence as she started walking toward their next destination. “You coming, Connor?” The woman teased when she turned round.

[carver-huxley]

“Yes.. your kindness. The paper would have brought me little joy and likely some angst.” He’d been interested in the advertisements mostly but it was neither here nor there. “Can never be too careful.. about the scrape.” He wondered if she would agree to his proposal. It would certainly add a bit of unexpected excitement to his day. His smile beamed and he nodded as she agreed. “Absolutely Miss Eve. Casual.” He thought about the area and the available choices. He was busy running through the options when she started walking and asked if he was coming. 

In truth he’d managed a look at her posterior as she’d begun walking and liked what he saw. Catching up in a couple of quick steps. “Right beside you.” He offered his arm. “While it may be old fashioned and perhaps presumptuous, my grandmother did teach me manners when attending to a lady.” He was definitely in a much better mood. The noise in his head wasn’t even a low murmur. Yes, the company was helping. “There are a few restaurants in the near vicinity that are casual and do not maintain linen table cloths. Sandwich shops and such.. there might even be a quaint osteria that serves some nice light pasta dishes. It all depends on what you would prefer.” 

[backtoeve]

The offering of his arm made Eve laugh lightly. “First you call me Miss and then you offer to escort me like we’re going to our first spring formal in 1905? You’re funny,” The woman said as she kept her arms by her sides, at least for now. His kindness was refreshing but also too nebulous to attribute to any type of sincerity. For now, Eve would just enjoy the one-sided gestures with enough cheekiness to get by. “Though sandwiches are incredible,” An image of her eating three grilled cheeses half-cooked in between exams flashed through her mind and Eve recoiled. “I’d prefer pasta, specifically the light pasta that you mentioned.” Regardless of the pasta quality, Eve knew there would probably be other types of carbohydrates she’d enjoy. However, their first stop was a block away.

As they reached the store, Eve smiled at her new companion and began to do what she did best: ask questions. “Do you ask out every beautiful girl you knock down, or just me?” She brought up casually, looking forward to another nicely crafted answer. “To be fair, I’ve only accepted one other lunch date from a bloke who caused me harm. Think I was about 4, 5?” Eve smirked as they entered and she went directly to the aisle filled with safety supplies and first-aid kits. She scanned each product, looking for the cream in question and a bandaid that didn’t make her feel like she was 10 again. 

[carver-huxley]

Connor smiled and walked along. She didn’t take his initial offer of his arm but not the only time he’d offer. “I’m polite.. no harm in that.”  They strolled as she spoke aloud what her preference of foods would be. “You will like L’Osteria then. They have outdoor seating as well so you needn’t worry about table cloths. Something they had everywhere in 1905.” He brought up the date she’d mentioned and looked at her as they reached the store. He opened the door for her. 

“Hmm... I think you might be the only beautiful woman I’ve knocked down.” He knew that wasn’t entirely true but those were on purpose unfortunately and with deeper consequences. He also hadn’t been admiring looks in those instances. “Ahh so you’ve been knocked down before? He asked with amusement. “I hope he was as kind to you as the situation merited.” He observed her as she went through the medications and supplies. Her skin was dark chocolate and her full lips were calling out to him. He picked up the antiseptic ointment. “Here.. this is a good one.” He looked for bandages and couldn’t understand why all of the colorful ones. He chose a box of clear ones. “There.. that should suffice.” He didn’t hand the items over to her and instead walked to the register. “Coming Miss Eve?”

[backtoeve]

Scrapes @Connor

For the first time in weeks, Evelyn Marie Logan decided to take the day to simply exist. She was the girl who got her lifeblood from deadlines and due dates that kept the heart pumping quickly, but hours locked away in a library for exams simply tired her out. It was nearly summer holiday. Why not venture out into the world? After thinking it over, Eve left her laptop at home. Her bag was so much lighter without the machine, though she couldn’t say she didn’t miss being up to type up some observations she scribbled in her notebook. The pages and pages of notes she’d taken would be marginally useful next term, but she could file those away later. Today was relaxing. Today was relaxing. Without a plan, Eve threw her hair back in a sleek pony tail and found one of her more casual dresses to slip into. Her makeup was light but noticeable. The first thought she had when looking in the mirror was stay-at-home mom going to lunch, a look that made her only marginal upset.

Eve walked the streets near her apartment. She could indulge in a proper meal for the first time in a few days but figured waiting until lunch hour would be best. People watching was interesting enough. There was a family of three toddling toward the bus, an older couple arguing about which early bird brunch special they were going to choose. It was mundane, but nice to observe. Eve kept walking toward some unknown destination when she tripped over a person standing in the middle of the sidewalk. In a perfect world, she’d have stayed upright but in this case Eve took a harsh fall. “Fuck,” She murmured as she noticed a small scrape on the side of her leg. If this was any indication about her relaxing day, she might already be doomed. She looked up at the culprit and groaned. “You wouldn’t happen to have a bandage, would you?”

[carver-huxley]

Connor had gotten back from London earlier than planned but left his pups at their spa. No need for their vacation to be ruined. Not that they had a rough life. His plans had been derailed but he was making the best of it. A few computer searches and information added and someone else would be paying for his annoyance. They would likely be paying for more than that. He was finally smiling. It had been a lot more difficult to smile but surprisingly someone else’s misery was just what the doctor ordered. 

He had been walking around after a morning coffee, working out the next step to his endeavor when he realized he could use a newspaper. He’d found a bin of them and had slipped in the coins, about to pull it open when something collided with him causing him to let go of the door and lose his purchase. He would have cursed but caught a look at what or rather who had happened.  striking woman was now sitting on the ground. He looked at her up and down. She asked for a bandage and he noticed the cut on her leg. Immediately he stopped down. 

“Unfortunately, no bandage but would a clean handkerchief suffice?” He pulled it out of his back pocket and began applying it to the cut. “Sorry if this stings. And obviously apologies for my lack of manners, knocking you about without so much as introducing myself.” He smiled at her and hoped she returned the favor. He extended his free hand. “Connor Huxley.. street obstacle extraordinaire.”

[backtoeve]

“A clean handkerchief could work,” Eve murmured as she inspected the injury another time. There was only a small amount of blood and even though she was  usually very high-strung about appearances, her exhaustion made it impossible to have the same sense of sharpness toward this man. Besides, her faint belief in karma made her less likely to be an arse and ruin the rest of the day. The stranger’s softer touch with the handkerchief was appreciated, though in a perfect world Eve would’ve preferred anti-infection cream.  “Apology accepted as long as you help me up, yeah?” Eve returned his bright smile and took his hand as the leverage needed to get up off the ground. By this time, a few people looked in their direction with curiosity. 

After standing up properly, Eve examined her leg another time and looked up at Connor. “Eve. I’m an expert in falling like a four-year old on the streets,” She  took stock of Connor, her mind working with observations and intrigue into this attractive stranger. “You lost your paper, right? I’ve got some change to spare.” Eve reached in her wristlet to search for some coins. She produced a few, but not nearly enough to repay the other man. “Well shit, if it’s the Daily News it’s probably not worth reading anyway. They don’t verify anything.”

[carver-huxley]

He helped her stand easily enough. She introduced herself and he laughed lightly at her own introduction. “Eve.. I think you’re selling yourself short. That was easily falling like an 8 year old.” He paid attention to her smile, her eyes. She was particularly striking. Her outfit wasn’t particularly revealing and looked rather comfortable. A woman out for a stroll. She mentioned losing his paper and was surprised she’d realized that. He held up his hand when she started looking for loose coins. “Nonsense.. really.. you needn’t..” She offered her change and then an anecdotal reply when she didn’t have enough for a fresh copy. “You’re probably right.. pure rubbish.” He put his hands in his pockets and regarded her kindly. “You’ve saved me from ignorance it seems. I should likely do something.. to return your kindness.”

Connor could hardly believe his forward approach and realized he must still be feeling the adrenaline from having ruined someone’s night. It felt good. “I was fancying grabbing lunch and was about to venture at it alone. But perhaps it was a serendipitous encounter and I’m meant to dine with a lovely woman.” He met her eyes and let himself relax even more. He hadn’t asked someone out in a long while and thought he would be rustier at this. Apparently spending a lot of time in the company of the boys hadn’t been all bad. “Please don’t deny me. It’s the least I could do for scarring you as I have. I mean that might need..” He looked at her leg and it was a simple scrape. “Maybe not stitches but some antiseptic. We can swing by a druggist and purchase some before lunch.”

[backtoeve]

Eve raised an eyebrow. “Return my kindness?” She half-expected him to defend his choice of reading since it was probably not her place to comment on his reading habits. Connor was a stranger who expressed no interest in her opinions on the veracity of news outlets. But instead, Eve was surprised by soft words and an invitation to lunch. Her romantic life was practically nonexistent at the moment, save a few hookups spread throughout the semester. The woman started to deny his request because she simply wasn’t dressed to go out to lunch, she didn’t know him, she wasn’t hungry, nearly any reason to avoid the social expectations. “You knocked me down a bit, but I doubt it’ll scar.” Eve countered as Connor offered to go by the druggist. While going with a random bloke was against her instincts of safety, Eve told herself it was bright enough outside to share a simple lunch. She’d be headed to a store regardless.

“You’re right. The least you can do is buy me lunch and accompany me to the  druggist.” Eve smirked a bit. Connor was bold enough to ask, better than most blokes without a pint in their hands. “Something casual though, I’m not dressed nearly nice enough for anything with proper tablecloths.” The self-conscious piece of her mind was telling her to cancel the encounter, but somehow Eve exuded confidence as she started walking toward their next destination. “You coming, Connor?” The woman teased when she turned round.

[carver-huxley]

“Yes.. your kindness. The paper would have brought me little joy and likely some angst.” He’d been interested in the advertisements mostly but it was neither here nor there. “Can never be too careful.. about the scrape.” He wondered if she would agree to his proposal. It would certainly add a bit of unexpected excitement to his day. His smile beamed and he nodded as she agreed. “Absolutely Miss Eve. Casual.” He thought about the area and the available choices. He was busy running through the options when she started walking and asked if he was coming. 

In truth he’d managed a look at her posterior as she’d begun walking and liked what he saw. Catching up in a couple of quick steps. “Right beside you.” He offered his arm. “While it may be old fashioned and perhaps presumptuous, my grandmother did teach me manners when attending to a lady.” He was definitely in a much better mood. The noise in his head wasn’t even a low murmur. Yes, the company was helping. “There are a few restaurants in the near vicinity that are casual and do not maintain linen table cloths. Sandwich shops and such.. there might even be a quaint osteria that serves some nice light pasta dishes. It all depends on what you would prefer.” 

[backtoeve]

Scrapes @Connor

For the first time in weeks, Evelyn Marie Logan decided to take the day to simply exist. She was the girl who got her lifeblood from deadlines and due dates that kept the heart pumping quickly, but hours locked away in a library for exams simply tired her out. It was nearly summer holiday. Why not venture out into the world? After thinking it over, Eve left her laptop at home. Her bag was so much lighter without the machine, though she couldn’t say she didn’t miss being up to type up some observations she scribbled in her notebook. The pages and pages of notes she’d taken would be marginally useful next term, but she could file those away later. Today was relaxing. Today was relaxing. Without a plan, Eve threw her hair back in a sleek pony tail and found one of her more casual dresses to slip into. Her makeup was light but noticeable. The first thought she had when looking in the mirror was stay-at-home mom going to lunch, a look that made her only marginal upset.

Eve walked the streets near her apartment. She could indulge in a proper meal for the first time in a few days but figured waiting until lunch hour would be best. People watching was interesting enough. There was a family of three toddling toward the bus, an older couple arguing about which early bird brunch special they were going to choose. It was mundane, but nice to observe. Eve kept walking toward some unknown destination when she tripped over a person standing in the middle of the sidewalk. In a perfect world, she’d have stayed upright but in this case Eve took a harsh fall. “Fuck,” She murmured as she noticed a small scrape on the side of her leg. If this was any indication about her relaxing day, she might already be doomed. She looked up at the culprit and groaned. “You wouldn’t happen to have a bandage, would you?”

[carver-huxley]

Connor had gotten back from London earlier than planned but left his pups at their spa. No need for their vacation to be ruined. Not that they had a rough life. His plans had been derailed but he was making the best of it. A few computer searches and information added and someone else would be paying for his annoyance. They would likely be paying for more than that. He was finally smiling. It had been a lot more difficult to smile but surprisingly someone else’s misery was just what the doctor ordered. 

He had been walking around after a morning coffee, working out the next step to his endeavor when he realized he could use a newspaper. He’d found a bin of them and had slipped in the coins, about to pull it open when something collided with him causing him to let go of the door and lose his purchase. He would have cursed but caught a look at what or rather who had happened.  striking woman was now sitting on the ground. He looked at her up and down. She asked for a bandage and he noticed the cut on her leg. Immediately he stopped down. 

“Unfortunately, no bandage but would a clean handkerchief suffice?” He pulled it out of his back pocket and began applying it to the cut. “Sorry if this stings. And obviously apologies for my lack of manners, knocking you about without so much as introducing myself.” He smiled at her and hoped she returned the favor. He extended his free hand. “Connor Huxley.. street obstacle extraordinaire.”

[backtoeve]

“A clean handkerchief could work,” Eve murmured as she inspected the injury another time. There was only a small amount of blood and even though she was  usually very high-strung about appearances, her exhaustion made it impossible to have the same sense of sharpness toward this man. Besides, her faint belief in karma made her less likely to be an arse and ruin the rest of the day. The stranger’s softer touch with the handkerchief was appreciated, though in a perfect world Eve would’ve preferred anti-infection cream.  “Apology accepted as long as you help me up, yeah?” Eve returned his bright smile and took his hand as the leverage needed to get up off the ground. By this time, a few people looked in their direction with curiosity. 

After standing up properly, Eve examined her leg another time and looked up at Connor. “Eve. I’m an expert in falling like a four-year old on the streets,” She  took stock of Connor, her mind working with observations and intrigue into this attractive stranger. “You lost your paper, right? I’ve got some change to spare.” Eve reached in her wristlet to search for some coins. She produced a few, but not nearly enough to repay the other man. “Well shit, if it’s the Daily News it’s probably not worth reading anyway. They don’t verify anything.”

[carver-huxley]

He helped her stand easily enough. She introduced herself and he laughed lightly at her own introduction. "Eve.. I think you're selling yourself short. That was easily falling like an 8 year old." He paid attention to her smile, her eyes. She was particularly striking. Her outfit wasn't particularly revealing and looked rather comfortable. A woman out for a stroll. She mentioned losing his paper and was surprised she'd realized that. He held up his hand when she started looking for loose coins. "Nonsense.. really.. you needn't.." She offered her change and then an anecdotal reply when she didn't have enough for a fresh copy. "You're probably right.. pure rubbish." He put his hands in his pockets and regarded her kindly. "You've saved me from ignorance it seems. I should likely do something.. to return your kindness."

Connor could hardly believe his forward approach and realized he must still be feeling the adrenaline from having ruined someone's night. It felt good. "I was fancying grabbing lunch and was about to venture at it alone. But perhaps it was a serendipitous encounter and I'm meant to dine with a lovely woman." He met her eyes and let himself relax even more. He hadn't asked someone out in a long while and thought he would be rustier at this. Apparently spending a lot of time in the company of the boys hadn't been all bad. "Please don't deny me. It's the least I could do for scarring you as I have. I mean that might need.." He looked at her leg and it was a simple scrape. "Maybe not stitches but some antiseptic. We can swing by a druggist and purchase some before lunch."

[backtoeve]

Scrapes @Connor

For the first time in weeks, Evelyn Marie Logan decided to take the day to simply exist. She was the girl who got her lifeblood from deadlines and due dates that kept the heart pumping quickly, but hours locked away in a library for exams simply tired her out. It was nearly summer holiday. Why not venture out into the world? After thinking it over, Eve left her laptop at home. Her bag was so much lighter without the machine, though she couldn’t say she didn’t miss being up to type up some observations she scribbled in her notebook. The pages and pages of notes she’d taken would be marginally useful next term, but she could file those away later. Today was relaxing. Today was relaxing. Without a plan, Eve threw her hair back in a sleek pony tail and found one of her more casual dresses to slip into. Her makeup was light but noticeable. The first thought she had when looking in the mirror was stay-at-home mom going to lunch, a look that made her only marginal upset.

Eve walked the streets near her apartment. She could indulge in a proper meal for the first time in a few days but figured waiting until lunch hour would be best. People watching was interesting enough. There was a family of three toddling toward the bus, an older couple arguing about which early bird brunch special they were going to choose. It was mundane, but nice to observe. Eve kept walking toward some unknown destination when she tripped over a person standing in the middle of the sidewalk. In a perfect world, she’d have stayed upright but in this case Eve took a harsh fall. “Fuck,” She murmured as she noticed a small scrape on the side of her leg. If this was any indication about her relaxing day, she might already be doomed. She looked up at the culprit and groaned. “You wouldn’t happen to have a bandage, would you?”

[carver-huxley]

Connor had gotten back from London earlier than planned but left his pups at their spa. No need for their vacation to be ruined. Not that they had a rough life. His plans had been derailed but he was making the best of it. A few computer searches and information added and someone else would be paying for his annoyance. They would likely be paying for more than that. He was finally smiling. It had been a lot more difficult to smile but surprisingly someone else’s misery was just what the doctor ordered. 

He had been walking around after a morning coffee, working out the next step to his endeavor when he realized he could use a newspaper. He’d found a bin of them and had slipped in the coins, about to pull it open when something collided with him causing him to let go of the door and lose his purchase. He would have cursed but caught a look at what or rather who had happened.  striking woman was now sitting on the ground. He looked at her up and down. She asked for a bandage and he noticed the cut on her leg. Immediately he stopped down. 

“Unfortunately, no bandage but would a clean handkerchief suffice?” He pulled it out of his back pocket and began applying it to the cut. “Sorry if this stings. And obviously apologies for my lack of manners, knocking you about without so much as introducing myself.” He smiled at her and hoped she returned the favor. He extended his free hand. “Connor Huxley.. street obstacle extraordinaire.”

[carver-huxley]

Planning ahead || Personal

The car alarm went off. Mackenzie groaned and hoped it would turn off on its own. When it didn’t, she wished she could aim the fob through a window and turn the blasted thing off. But she’d parked on the other side of the building. Ana was fast asleep and not moving. She got up and dressed cursing ever getting a nicer car. It meant it was more of a target for thieves. She thought about grabbing a weapon but decided it was likely someone accidentally bumping into the vehicle. 

The wind had a slight chill but nothing horrid. She jogged to where she could see the car and hit the off button. She didn’t see other cars around and knew if someone had bumped it, they were long gone. She turned to go back inside when the alarm went off again. Turning to face the car, she walked a bit closer. Her own senses told her something wasn’t right but she reminded her she’d been tired and asleep. Whatever she was sensing was leftover cobwebs. She looked around again and saw nothing and no one near the car. Walking to the car, she clicked on the alarm and turned it off. At the exact moment the trunk to the car in front of hers popped open. She stared at it and didn’t notice the man behind her until it was too late. 

He brought up a stun gun and applied it to the side of her neck. Her body tensed and she felt her skin burning from the inside out. Mac dropped to the ground after slamming her head on the side mirror. He pocketed the gun and knelt down next to her. She was twitching slightly and was barely conscious. He looked at her bloodied forehead and hissed through his teeth. “That will leave a mark. You’ve gotten sloppy. Shame really.” He pulled a folded knife out of his other pocket and opened it. “I was thinking of taking you on a ride.. put you away for a bit.. let the girlfriend try and find you.. but I’m thinking.. this will be slightly worse.” He drove the knife as far as he could in between her ribs. She made a noise but her body wasn’t in a position to defend itself. He pulled the knife out and wiped it on her hoodie. “You won’t bleed out quickly.. You’ll probably choke on your own blood instead. I think Ana will not be happy.” He stood and walked to his car, folding the knife as he went. He shut the boot before climbing in and taking off. 

Connor opened his eyes. He’d fallen asleep with his laptop on the hotel bed next to him. Different records open on the screen. He smiled as he decided what he had to do next.