Darkness before dawn

Well, hi there! I'm Fallon Slater. I've grown up in the majestic city of New York since I was pretty young, so I'm pretty sure I've heard of you somewhere, if not, I'd really love to meet you. I work as a party planner, and I couldn't think about doing anything else for the rest of my life, so if you've got questions, don't be afraid to ask. I don't bite, promise! -  Curious

[fallon-slater-blog]

I feel like I just crawled out from under a rock.

[owen-harris-blog]

Well that’s unhealthy.

[fallon-slater-blog]

I thought so too!

[fallon-slater-blog]

I feel like I just crawled out from under a rock.

[dakota-pence-deactivated2012072]

That must have been very claustrophobic. Do you need some therapy?

[fallon-slater-blog]

Fortunately, this rock was made of silk, so I think I can skip the therapy.

[fallon-slater-blog]

I feel like I just crawled out from under a rock.

[fallon-slater-blog]

.

[tabbyshayinwonderland-blog]

Oh my there's so much to see.

[fallon-slater-blog]

You're telling me! We should explore together.

[punchajay]

It's a man's, man's, man's world. || {Fenry}

[punchajay]

When offered an explanation to why did the blood rush into her once porcelain white cheeks, it was his time to felt embarrassment settling in; not because her assumption of him complimenting her was far from the truth, but because it was exactly he was aiming for. He held certain affection towards Fallon, and though he urged to make it as subtle as possible, she somehow managed to see through him and strip him bare to his emotions. By no chance did he want to ruin the bond two of them had established, and even less to think how he was anything less but mesmerized by her being. Quick, almost way rushed and desperate, words fled his lips – aiming to both offer apology and to please. “Oh – I was trying to compliment you, but I thought I said something that made you feel uncomfortable rather than flattered. I really wouldn’t want that.” He flashed her with a genuine rather than devious smile, something he didn’t have in a while – or when he thought about it better, not ever. He was no man of happy childhood memories, his parents being ones who are always working and therefore didn’t have time to offer him a colorful shot at growing up. But it’s not only business that kept them away from Henry; he was sure that even if they were poor, or of average social status, he still wouldn’t get as nearly enough love as other kids would from their parents. From the very moment when he became aware of his existence, he was pushed aside, neglected and hurt by many – only to grow into the person that was subconsciously doing the same to others, for he knew no better.

But here he was, trying to be a better man for a complete stranger. Except that she didn’t feel like a stranger. She felt like someone he knew forever and someone who he could trust with his life – possibly his heart as well. And his heart did skip a beat at the mere thought, making him feel more vulnerable and exposed than he had felt in his entire life. “Maybe I’m just growing impatient with this challenge of mine. Maybe I want something way too bad for my own well being.” He admitted in a soft, soothing voice of his. Everything about Fallon had him captivated to the point of not even noticing that she was the one to pay their drinks and he might have never felt as embarrassed as he did at that very moment. Henry had to literally bite on his tongue not to make a scene out of it, but his mind managed to find a way to make the best out of the given situation, and as he took another step forward, he dared to offer “I’m not usually paid for drink on the first date – tell me, what doesn’t happen on your common first dates, but you wouldn’t terribly mind it, so I can return the favor? Please, I insist.”

[fallon-slater-blog]

The caffeinated beverage Fallon held in between her fingers which slid around the elliptical sides slowly, was proving to calm her quite quickly. The sweet, musky scent of vanilla that steamed from her cup posed as a friendly impostor of scented candles or several oils. Allowing herself the liberty of straying from the intense conversation the two were sharing, the female watched eagerly as a few began to approach where the the pair stood to walk by, dressed prim and perfect. They returned her curiosity with their own, with slightly widened eyes glinting with superficial skeptic and assumptions, through the two. Exhaling deeply in attempt to keep from choking on her coffee when realizing she was only feeding their curiosity by returning their gazes, Fallon turned back to Henry quickly, in attempt to avert from the eyes that were seemingly obstructively locked on the pair, with another sip from the white cup. Dropping the edge of the coffee from her lips as he began to indulge in conversation- much to her delight, the brunette raised her gaze to meet his in anticipation. Slightly surprise at how quickly the apology seemed to tumble from his lips, Fallon only smiled and shook her head slowly, disregarding his tone. "Don't worry, you did nothing of the sort, my honor is still fully intact," with an amused chuckle, she continued, "Generally, you won't have to worry about me falling silent or gaining colour if I'm uncomfortable, if anything- the last thing I am is quiet, depending on the situation, I'm rather open." What she stated was very true, although she knew when falling silent was necessary, Fallon had always been one to speak her mind, not afraid to voice her opinion, regardless of what the situation was.

Needless to say, what Henry said next worried Fallon slightly. She had always been a relatively worrisome figure, most of her troubles consisted on the mere fact that she over-analyzed most simple-minded experiences and vise versa. The last thing the brunette had aimed for when she explained her own personal goals, was to lead him astray, and onto a dangerous path that, if her fears deemed true, would only prove to lead him to believe that she had deliberately been attempting to sabotage his view on taking a different direction, and perspective in life. Impatience and deeming his challenge un-healthy were two exceptionally different situations, that did not go hand-in-hand in her books. "Being impatient is to be expected, really. It's the satisfaction of realizing you were able to successfully sever through it and finish your challenge when you do, that you should use as an initiative to proceed through it. Plus, every goal must have some sort of personally appealing outcome or factor for you to accept it in the first place. Although, I remain curious as to what your challenge is." Now, was the fact that he thought his aspiration may harm him- whether it may be physically or emotionally. 

"If you believe your challenge is dangerous to the point where you fear it rather than long to finish it.. It is your decision whether or not you'd like to give up. I don't want to see you hurt because of something I subjected you to. Nonetheless hurt at all, really." The thought of seeing Henry upset made Fallon go openly rigid and tense, stricken with overwhelmingly raw emotions of worry and fear, clearly evident in her eyes. Fallon was quickly distracted from her worried when hearing Henry address their meeting as a date. Honestly, the female had been internally referring to their first encounter as a date, but hadn't known if he considered it one as well. The very thought of the fact that he had claimed the meeting as one raised an unknowing, soft smile to her features. "I hardly believe that it's necessary for you to compensate for the cost of a mere coffee, don't worry about it."

[farrah-may]

It sure appears that way, have you started yet?

[fallon-slater-blog]

I've finished, actually. 

[farrah-may]

I finished packing, sort of. Yay.

[fallon-slater-blog]

Procrastination will be the death of us all?

[fallon-slater-blog]

I was attacked, by a viscous drunken landlady.

[p-henshaw-deactivated20120812]

It depends on the puppy and exactly where you were walking. Anywhere near Tribeca?

[fallon-slater-blog]

He's an adorable Yorkie, who wants to attempt to kill the owner of a Yorkie?! Not Tribeca, actually, I was walking on 98th.

[fallon-slater-blog]

I was attacked, by a viscous drunken landlady.

[p-henshaw-deactivated20120812]

I wonder what you were doing to be attacked.

[fallon-slater-blog]

Walking my puppy, actually. Is that worth almost deeming me a headstone?

[fallon-slater-blog]

I was attacked, by a viscous drunken landlady.

Who didn't speak anything but German! I thought she was going to attempt to murder me.

[punchajay]

It's a man's, man's, man's world. || {Fenry}

[punchajay]

After quite a while, someone’s words managed to reach out at Herny’s mind and get it running, seeking for more meaningful purpose of his life than just womanizing. One certain thing Fallon had said held him captivated for longest of time; the part about deceiving others, and initially, himself. Was he doing that? None ambitions did he have neither was he doing anything to change the very situation; did he really believe that what he had now would be enough for having eternal happiness? He was in his mid thirties with many years ahead of him; after all, he wasn’t one of those people who wanted to die young and beautiful. He wanted to grow old and enjoy a nice settled life for he had lived a rushed one – but still, he was dangerously close to the middle of one mortal’s life frame and yet wasn’t heading the right direction to settle down. It was only now that his smile slightly faded away, subtle crease forming between his brows and upon his forehead. His features held a hint of seriousness and curiosity, making it visible that her words had an effect on him. But luckily, Herny was not a man afraid of feeling, though this kind of feeling was uncommon to him; he ought to let her know of his ponderings and perhaps to ask her for an advice. “Do I look like a man who’s deceiving himself? Should I lower my standards or ask more of life?”

There was more to his question than he let one know; asking less would mean dropping his challenge and going back to his old ways of pleasing the brunette. Asking for more would mean overstepping all of his boundaries, being courageous, challenging himself beyond comprehension and potentially signing up for a mass destruction in which more than just himself could end up hurt. Was he that selfish? Yes, he was. “When I plan actions behind closed doors, they’re much more delightful, I assure you.” The answer itself was a hint, a warning for her, in case she goes for the latter, that opening herself up for him would mean risking, stepping out of her comfort zone. It was funny how he assumed that even the slightest part of her actually wanted anything with him and therefore he very quickly scolded himself for expressing his thoughts and feelings. Rosy shade of her cheeks comforted him though for she was obviously as flustered as he was; this was either heading for potentially disastrous and awkward or a very surprising evening. “Then why are you blushing?” he posed the question that so many times led to an intimate moment between two people, almost hoping that it would take the same direction this time too. But one of many things that Henry wasn’t was hopeful and he very quickly killed the mere thought of it, jumping in with oddly enough perfect excuse not to put himself under the torture of expecting, feeling. “One coffee, with milk please.” He ordered, realizing that they’ve been standing right by Starbucks window at the moment; but his eyes still denied the request of being taken away from Fallon’s, and the man from the window must have been handing him the coffee for minutes before he distractedly accepted it. “I don’t have a significant other either…but you might want to order something too.” He chuckled at the combination of two entirely random things in their conversation.  

[fallon-slater-blog]

The silence that had simultaneously fallen between the two that were becoming increasingly close to their destination was slightly unsettling. The brunette had never liked silence, even as a child constantly surrounded by ominous conversations about how fantastic her parents were; and how much their champagne must've cost. Listening to others speak, listening to the escalating harmony of the taxi horns from the streets, or the subtle breathing of her puppy napping next to her, was soothing. Unaware whether or not she had induced this bemused lack of conversation, the female decided it would be best to keep silent. If she had already cost them an interesting conversation, continuing to speak wouldn't prove to be a wise move on her part. Glancing upwards at Henry as discreetly as she could, Fallon caught the quick change of his expression, from a wide, sparkling smile, to a furrowed bewilderment. Was it something that she had said, about her goals? Obviously, whatever it was that he was so befuddled by, she hadn't meant for it to dig that deep into his subconscious, so much that it bothered him as much as it seemed to. Tilting her head slightly, her honeyed brown strands of hair following suit to the direction her head was in. Letting out a breath she hadn't even realized she had been holding in when the furrow in his brow receded the slightest, she listened eagerly to his question. Ah, so it had been the speech about her aspirations in her life. Blinking once or twice when realizing that he had found some sort of realization or empathetic emotion from her words, the female fell elusively still, trying to find an answer to his question. 

Chewing down on her bottom lip slightly, Fallon took a deep inhale, in contemplation. There was some sort of hidden subtext within his words, once again. However; this time she couldn't wrap her head around it. No one should have to lower their standards on life, it seemed as if even contemplating the action was reducing the fact that one that had a life to be grateful for, was doing nothing but settling for something that came easy. The thought of a person willingly doing so at her advice made the brunette feel sick. Of course, whatever it was he wanted in life, whatever he wanted to achieve, was going to be difficult to conquer, surely he understood that, he just wanted justification, and she felt relieved he would go to her for it. Hearing his statement rose an amused expression and small shake of her head in a mock scolding manner, realizing the deeper, and deviously adult inclined meaning within it, but not applying it to herself as he intended it to. Fallon had temporarily forgotten about the rise of the light colour to her cheeks, and went slightly rigid when realizing he had noticed it, she mentally slapped herself for being so easy to read. "I was blushing because I thought you complimented me, in a way? I'm sorry," she muttered in a soft tone, embarrassed, but honest. The female had been slightly caught of guard when realizing that they had arrived at Starbucks, and she hadn't noticed, smiling at the man in an apologetic manner and raising her eyes back to Henry's, which seemed to be almost instructively locked on her, as if he were trying to peer right through her. Finally able to relax slightly when hearing his chuckle, Fallon turned to the male with another apologetic smile, "I'll have a French Vanilla, please," allowing herself to become distracted while watching the male prepare her drink, she took it eagerly as he handed her the steaming cup, reaching into her jacket pocket for her wallet as she blew on the drink and turned to Henry. "As for your previous question, I don't think you should even contemplate lowering your standards on life, there's so much to offer, of course, nothing will come easy.. I was lead to believe you liked a challenge." A small smirk encased its way onto her features as she turned back to the patiently waiting worker, and handed him the cost for both drinks, shaking her head when he offered her change, she took a step backwards, beside Henry, and motioned for them to begin walking forward, away from her home and into the depths of the city.

[punchajay]

It's a man's, man's, man's world. || {Fenry}

[punchajay]

The absolute sense of humor that Fallon was gifted with was simply impossible to resist, and instead of foolish attempts to do so, he succumbed to the joy and let a vibrant laughter escape his mouth. There were no farther from the arch of her door just yet, and the anecdote telling had started. Circles of women he usually hanged in and around usually consisted of poorly educated, nowhere near lady-mannered girls whose only words were shouts of God’s name in vain. Not that they didn’t have a special charm on their own, although ‘charm’ would most certainly not be suitable for them one when used for a woman like this particular brunette was. Her mere presence made him want to read yet another book and expand his vocabulary, just so he could shower her with poems, quotes and flattery of his own.

“I wouldn’t exactly call them mad. Call me a lover of clichéd musicals, but there was something about elephants in Moulin Rouge that even to the day makes me fond of them. If a woman wants to ride that exquisite being, so let her be; in fact, let me sing the Elephant Medley in duet with you, just as she walks towards the altar.” He flashed her with a grin while taking step backwards so there could be space for her to step out. “And yes, it would be my pleasure.” He responded to her question, deciding to spare her of old-fashioned folded arm holding though. They might have ached to live in a different age and different surroundings, but what they see is what they get, and none of them surely wanted to be thought of as mad by those who surround them. Two figures started heading themselves down the streets, it being the one nearer to the very center ofNew York, he’d say; it must have cost a real fortune. He couldn’t help but ask her of her heritage “I haven’t met many women of your caliber, mind you telling me how you found yourself here? I would like to know more of you.”

[fallon-slater-blog]

Distracted in unison with his bright laughter, Fallon’s lips curved into a small smile as she watched him with curiously glinting cocoa coloured eyes. His mood seemed to have lightened at that very moment, and the brunette found that it did nothing but alter her own in accordance to his, her own small laugh emitting from her lips as she averted her gaze to her feet for a mere second, caught within the impulsive interest as to how his emotions affected hers so easily, when it was their première réunion, nonetheless. Stepping to his side in a simple step, Fallon glanced upwards at her rather tall accomplice slowly, slightly elusive as to how he was almost a half a foot taller than her. the twenty four year old didn’t even attempt to fathom how she would appear beside him in comparison to height while in the absence of her heels. She wasn’t counting on it doing wonders for her ego, that was for sure.

“I don’t hold any negative emotion toward elephants, I just don’t believe that it would be sane to plan for my client to descend down the streets of New York and it’s natural bustle on the elegant creature, we all know how ferocious those taxi drivers could be, they could cause an accident.” Watching in an interested manner with a raised eyebrow as Henry seemed to contemplate something internally, she resisted her initial urge to question him. Blinking once or twice apprehensively while hoping that she hadn’t said something to offend him, Fallon relaxed as he began to walk beside her and into the depths of the beauty that was New York City. The female raised her eyebrows slightly when hearing his question, not too forward, but something of a fairly exclusive interest. “I remain flattered that you continue to categorize me under such a seemingly rare position, although I believe it’s safe to say that I am, if anything, fairly normal.” Pleased to find that she found it rather easy to begin to ponder over how to explain how she had found her way into such a life, full of luxuriates, Fallon blinked once or twice before continuing, “My father is the city accountant, I wasn’t born here, but my family decided to relocate to ensure that they could provide me with everything I needed in life, so they chose New York.”

[punchajay]

With the sun directly hitting his face and its rays gleaming upon Fallon’s eyes, it came naturally easy for him to have his gaze fixed on her features. Her caramel colored locks bounced against her shoulders, everything about her being deliciously joyful compared to the dull life of his. He could feel the muscles in his cheeks getting slightly tingly for it has been awhile since the last time he smiled for this long - and two of them just met each other. Each words passing her lips held him captivated but he urged to deny whatever statement she’d offer, only to captivate her just as much. To argue meant to have someone’s undivided attention and he more than enjoyed having Fallon’s. “It would be very unprofessional of you to deny services to a bit less sane clients, though. They pay you money for planning, it’s not like you’re forced to offer safety as well. Or is it possible that woman of your status cares for more than just money?” there was a sense of not quite insult but provocation in his tone and he had to press his lips tightly together to sustain one devious sneer gracing them. There was more to the question than provocation though, for he wanted to find out what she really craved for. Her hopes, her dreams, her ambitions; he wanted to know many things about her and wanted to know them quickly, as if there was no time to waste.

Even the second long silence between them irked him beyond comprehension and her words were ever so comforting; that brought yet another challenge of keeping her just as interested for the sake of his well being. Funny how his sense of entertainment shifted from mindless shagging to a humorous but adult conversation; what an effect did this woman have on him. “If anything, you’re extraordinary. But not normal, not in any way. I do assume you know that there’s more than insanity that is opposed to normalcy? I wouldn’t want to offend you with my words, but it seems that my flattery and charming skills got slightly rusty since the last time I used them” he let a laughter escape his mouth, his gaze shifting to the ground for a mere moment. Once devious man became a humble one and enjoyed it to a certain degree. “I like the fact that you have it all, but it’s not your parents only that are responsible for your success, but you alone as well. A smart, independent woman is hard to come by.” And then a thought fled through his mind, his eyes sparkling with interest at the idea of posing the question. “Forgive me if this is out of line, but there’s this saying about behind every successful man being a powerful woman. Is there a man who relies upon you?”

[fallon-slater-blog]

Fallon was impeccably greatful she had been posed the opportunity to spend even the slightest amount of her time with Henry today. Although, from their first exchanges, he seemed exactly what she imagined, she had summed him up within a matter of seconds, like any other business affiliated men found in ten depths of New York, irrevocably acquired to getting something by pulling strings, or, of they possessed enough of their own power, with a simple smirk and a raise of their finger. However, he had proven her completely wrong. Even if he was seemingly a pretentiously mysterious personnel, Henry was forward, and open, his aspiration for a different view of their glamorous lives bringing a feel of comfort to the one so familiar with accepting- if not craving, difference. The twenty-four year old knew how predictable life, and people, would prove to be as she grew older and more mature within the good graces of those the appeared around her. Well-renowned entrepreneurs would do anything in benefit to business, natural socialites that had every aspect of their lives mapped by the steady flow of checks from Mother and Father would find provision within themselves to justify their belittlement to others that lived apparent lesser, yet more fundamentally personal lives. Whomever and whatever she faced, Fallon had been expecting with silent skeptications and pretty smiles. Something she hadn’t been counting on, was Henry Eades. “As shocking as it may prove to be and as much as I’d like to deny your assumption, you’re correct. Money has always been something of little importance to me. Of course, I’m grateful to have it, and that my parents spent so many difficult years providing me with it, I look for deeper qualities in my life. I want to enjoy what I do genuinely, not under the influence of comparing my salary with others, I want to enjoy the mere experience. I wake up every morning aspiring to be different, and give others a chance at seeing that it isn’t as bad as so many make it out to be. One can make humbly extreme amounts of money without deceiving others, and initially, themselves.”

The brunette explained her aspiration with a glint in her eye and a small smile, proud to know exactly what she wanted, and how she was to get it. “I do apologize for my seemingly Presidential speech, I just hope you won’t subdue me to the same fate of many of the Presidents in the nineteen hundreds and plan my assassination behind closed doors,” she joked with a hopeful tilt of her head and a playful quirk of her lips in his direction. Temporarily taken aback at his subtextual compliment of sorts, Fallon was surprised to feel the temperature of her cheeks rise, as well as the rise of a soft pink to her flesh. Attempting to regain her composure, she distracted her subconscious with a soft chuckle in unison to Henry’s own at mention to his charm and flattery. “Fear not, I don’t believe a man of your quality wouldn’t possess a commendable amount of charm and flattery skills, deeming to sweep any woman of your choosing off her feet.” Slightly amused with her own subtextual feeding to his ego, the female shook her head softly before averting her gaze to the minimal yet complex beauty of the scenery of New York, watching as the trees swayed softly as a breeze slithered through their leaves like a gentle caress. Her melted chocolate colored eyes widened slightly as she processed his question, Fallon turned her attention back to the obviously curious male standing next to her with a short shrug of her shoulders to console his apology, “I feel perfectly comfortable discussing things of this topic with you, there’s no need to apologize, Henry,” the formal term rolled quite easily off her tongue, and Fallon could only hope it wouldn’t prove too forward, “Actually, other than my handsome Pomeranian suitor waiting for his kibble patiently at home, I don’t currently have anyone of the sort. Although, I suppose your curiosity is contagious, because I’m curious as well.. Do you have a significant other of your own?”

[punchajay]

It's a man's, man's, man's world. || {Fenry}

[punchajay]

The absolute sense of humor that Fallon was gifted with was simply impossible to resist, and instead of foolish attempts to do so, he succumbed to the joy and let a vibrant laughter escape his mouth. There were no farther from the arch of her door just yet, and the anecdote telling had started. Circles of women he usually hanged in and around usually consisted of poorly educated, nowhere near lady-mannered girls whose only words were shouts of God’s name in vain. Not that they didn’t have a special charm on their own, although ‘charm’ would most certainly not be suitable for them one when used for a woman like this particular brunette was. Her mere presence made him want to read yet another book and expand his vocabulary, just so he could shower her with poems, quotes and flattery of his own.

“I wouldn’t exactly call them mad. Call me a lover of clichéd musicals, but there was something about elephants in Moulin Rouge that even to the day makes me fond of them. If a woman wants to ride that exquisite being, so let her be; in fact, let me sing the Elephant Medley in duet with you, just as she walks towards the altar.” He flashed her with a grin while taking step backwards so there could be space for her to step out. “And yes, it would be my pleasure.” He responded to her question, deciding to spare her of old-fashioned folded arm holding though. They might have ached to live in a different age and different surroundings, but what they see is what they get, and none of them surely wanted to be thought of as mad by those who surround them. Two figures started heading themselves down the streets, it being the one nearer to the very center ofNew York, he’d say; it must have cost a real fortune. He couldn’t help but ask her of her heritage “I haven’t met many women of your caliber, mind you telling me how you found yourself here? I would like to know more of you.”

[fallon-slater-blog]

Distracted in unison with his bright laughter, Fallon’s lips curved into a small smile as she watched him with curiously glinting cocoa coloured eyes. His mood seemed to have lightened at that very moment, and the brunette found that it did nothing but alter her own in accordance to his, her own small laugh emitting from her lips as she averted her gaze to her feet for a mere second, caught within the impulsive interest as to how his emotions affected hers so easily, when it was their première réunion, nonetheless. Stepping to his side in a simple step, Fallon glanced upwards at her rather tall accomplice slowly, slightly elusive as to how he was almost a half a foot taller than her. the twenty four year old didn’t even attempt to fathom how she would appear beside him in comparison to height while in the absence of her heels. She wasn't counting on it doing wonders for her ego, that was for sure. 

"I don't hold any negative emotion toward elephants, I just don't believe that it would be sane to plan for my client to descend down the streets of New York and it's natural bustle on the elegant creature, we all know how ferocious those taxi drivers could be, they could cause an accident." Watching in an interested manner with a raised eyebrow as Henry seemed to contemplate something internally, she resisted her initial urge to question him. Blinking once or twice apprehensively while hoping that she hadn't said something to offend him, Fallon relaxed as he began to walk beside her and into the depths of the beauty that was New York City. The female raised her eyebrows slightly when hearing his question, not too forward, but something of a fairly exclusive interest. "I remain flattered that you continue to categorize me under such a seemingly rare position, although I believe it's safe to say that I am, if anything, fairly normal." Pleased to find that she found it rather easy to begin to ponder over how to explain how she had found her way into such a life, full of luxuriates, Fallon blinked once or twice before continuing, "My father is the city accountant, I wasn't born here, but my family decided to relocate to ensure that they could provide me with everything I needed in life, so they chose New York."

[punchajay]

It's a man's, man's, man's world. || {Fenry}

[punchajay]

It was the uncommon peacefulness around socialite inhabited areas that slightly irked Henry and he soon found himself fidgeting in the place while waiting for his - was the word ‘date’ appropriate? If yes, then while waiting for his date to arrive. His eyes curiously wandered across his surroundings, letting every detail sink into his rather exquisite memory. In fact, he was one of the gifted men with the privilege of having a certain kind of photographic memory. It was his gift that he blamed for ever being so lazy, for it opened many doors to him without even giving him a slightly hard time. His gaze shifted only when the familiarly looking figure opened the doors before him, looking far more beautiful in person than he could ever imagine her to. Her features were graced by elegance and obviously a good taste; the fact that he was already introduced to her wits only added more to the delight of finally and officially meeting her. 

“Am I not what you expected to see, miss Slater?” words fled his lips in fluent British accent, everything about him reminding of 18th century English gentlemen. His long fingers reached out for her hand, allowing himself to perhaps go out of the boundaries of modern age; then, with another hand on his back, he leaned in merely enough to place a gentle kiss against the lady’s hand. “Judging by your expression, I can’t but fear that my pleas won’t be answered. Tell me and spare my heart of giving out another 10 years earlier than yours - what must I do to drag you out of the house with me?” he flashed her with a genuine, ever charming smile while returning to his previous position - his eyes not ever leaving her lamb like ones. 

[fallon-slater-blog]

Warped into the depths of deep thought, Fallon attempted to recall when she had become so irrevocably familiar with the extremely exquisite and indefinitely glamorous setting that she had been surrounded by since her family chose to relocate into the inevitably bustling city during her seemingly fleeting years of pure youth. Perhaps it had been from the very beginning, although the young Fallon had never enjoyed attending a private school filled with several hundreds of spoiled children that didn't understand how to use a skipping rope, she had always known to bite her tongue and simply smile. However, the female resorted to figurative guessing that her theory was correct and refrained from questioning her judgment any further. Not wanting to engross herself in something of the sort and risk ridding Henry of conversation as he waited to begin walking to a nearby Starbucks in search of a coffee and hopefully, an entertaining discussion. The female doubted that their conversation would be anything close to dull or drudging, he was in fact a businessman, they were potently acquired to intelligent conversation.

Her eyebrow quirking upwards in an amused manner when hearing his British accent, Fallon smiled softly while she parted her lips in reply to his question, silenced immediately as he took her petite sized hand in his, and began to lean forward, his lips pressing against the skin located just above her knuckles, almost so softly that she could've sworn there was no contact between the two. Temporarily rendered useless, the female blinked twice and shook her head, letting out a small breath of awe when realizing that he had managed to achieve something she had prized to be rather difficult, silencing her. "Why sir, I don't think I ever declined your presence, I'm not sure any woman would pass the offer of being accompanied a man of your charm, especially in search of some well deserved caffeine. I'm not quite sure I'd like to be categorized as mad, especially if I'd be grouped with the few brides in this city that think an elephant is a suitable type of transportation to a Church." Letting a small, under her breath type chuckle escape through her lips, the brunette stepped outside the arch of her door and shut it behind her, pleased as she listened to the automatic click of the lock. "Before I acquire an impending status, do you think you would be so kind as to join me?"

[punchajay]

It's a man's, man's, man's world. || {Fenry}

The evening was slowly settling in, shades of pink and orange blurring the now less bright blue skies. Henry was many things but not nostalgic, nor sentimental - but not even he could deny the beauty of this evening’s landscape. He could’ve denied himself the beauty of enjoying the fresh air by driving himself to her place, but there was something about Fallon that he wanted to impress with less than a limousine and an absolute show off of his wealth. Instead he went for a walk, though somewhat longer one; it served him well considering that he spent couple of past days locked in his mansion, all alone - unless you counted enormous amounts of liquor as a decent company. It took him a bit less than twenty minutes to find the place written on the red post-it paper that he held in his left hand. His brow cocked in surprise at the glimpse of her not so humble home, though he wasn’t quite sure why the luxury had him stunned for Fallon did both have looks and manners of a socialite. 

With a confident sneer on his face and a quick fix of his clothing, he took couple of steps forward to the young brunette’s home. Herny was a ladies man, and one that wouldn’t usually fight for woman’s attention but be begged to present ladies with his - and although he could’ve sworn that his mind found the easier and quicker way to charm Fallon, something about her made him take this as a challenge. She certainly must have not assumed that he could make her the challenge she was talking about, but it is what it is and Henry sure hoped this evening would prove itself to be a successful one. He bent his fingers into a newly shaped fist and laid three knocks upon her doors, waiting for the response to come. “It’s Herny.” he added, always being the one who liked to know who he was opening the doors for - so he treated other just the way he’d like to be treated. 

[fallon-slater-blog]

Settled comfortably in a dark leather seat beside a wall-length window that seemed to capture every morsel of beauty that the wondrous city that she currently lived in radiated as if it were a portrait filled with several types of different oils and watercolours, Fallon Slater exhaled softly, allowing herself the attempt to relax as she gazed through the clear glass with soft eyes. A coffee would work her wonders at this point, it had been a begrudgingly long afternoon, and she had yet to scummed to the aftermath of explaining for the one-hundredth time to a frantic bride, that she couldn't conjure last minute wedding entrees and flowers out of the tip of her metaphorically magical black inked pen. The fact that the sky that seemed to loom shyly behind the rows of skyscrapers and tall buildings, was still able to transfigure such colors, each shade of pink bleakly settling within the bright orange that wrestled away the blue of the previous day, deemed the brunette to awed silence, as she watched the pigeons attempt to dye the sky their own shades of grey and white as they took flight to return to their nests in the curves of the rather old apartments located in the Upper East Side. 

Once again submitting to a deep exhale in unison with the release of her taut muscles, Fallon crossed her legs together while beginning to relocate her focus to the rather fierce sounds that emitted from the streets of New York, the home that the female hardly considered the definition of lethargic. Every avenue and passage located within the heart of the city was filed with life at all hours, and she found it the epitome of refreshing. Blinking once over her softened pupils, the twenty-four year old strayed from her thoughts of beauty, and rather, to new found interest, settled in none other than the the mysterious businessman, Henry Eades. Although Fallon knew how impeccably intriguing the men of New York could be, he was different. She had yet to define exactly what different was in regards to his case, but she was distracted from her pending thoughts, by a noise coming from her door.

Fallon's lips curved into a small smile as she stood from her chair and walked toward the door. After slipping into her shoes and opening the door of her home to reveal the finely suited male on her doorstep, greeted him with a sweet smile. "If it isn't Monsieur Eades, what a coincidence? I'm sure you're not the mysteriously intriguing businessman that I've arranged for a coffee with." 

[fallon-slater-blog]

I think this is the only time I've ever wished it was winter.

[punchajay]

A wedding planner and a businessman who runs a Gentleman’s club; aren’t we a pair? Oh, and do you want to settle too?

Oddly enough, I’m quite an exquisite cook! I’ll be there in 20 minutes.

[fallon-slater-blog]

An event planner, and a perfectly successful businessman, thank you! I think that is a topic saved for vodka, chéri.

I'll see you in twenty minutes, then.