Thread: A Knight without Shining Armor (Google+Velvet Stars)

Well...okay, if it's no trouble for you. Marisa's words were more than a little hesitant, her expression turning worried for a moment. His next comment quickly raised her spirits, however. R-really? The blush that slowly stained her cheeks had to compete with the sparkle in her eyes, even as they peeked up beneath shyly downcast lashes. I'm glad you feel that way...thanks. Marisa could clearly feel the touch and weight of his arm about her waist, a sensation both strange and surprisingly pleasant. It felt...right, almost as if they had settled into such an arrangement naturally. Her happiness was reflected in how she looked up at him, even as his lips touched her cheek again, and she couldn't quite stop a girlish giggle this time around. Congratulations on the scholarship, she added with a smile. I've heard a little from friends about how tricky winning them is. Was there a lot of competition? Though her attention was mostly on him as they walked, Melanie alternated between keeping an eye on the pair and taking note of her surroundings. This, however, would have been something that none of their friends would find odd. Despite their similarities, Melanie had always been the better navigator. It was something that the more perky sister had mentioned in conversation with Jason before - usually after getting lost going somewhere on her own. On the other hand, as Marisa would cheerfully note afterwards, she was better with seeing and remembering details about people. So it was only natural that the two had fallen into their usual habits Marisa focusing on individuals around them, Melanie building a mental map of streets and landmarks. Even as she noticed these things, she found herself distracted, ever so slightly, by his hand on hers. The contact was making her wonder if accepting the help up from her seat had been a miscalculation. She did so out of politeness at the time, but that meant she couldn't jerk away now without it drawing more attention to herself. And that meant getting chiding looks from her sister for the rest of the afternoon, and possibly putting Marisa in one of her stubborn moods...no, that wouldn't help anything. The last thing she needed was for her twin to decide they were staying, no matter what, if it turned out that they really had to leave in a hurry. She sighed inwardly, knowing she would have to put up with someone she didn't fully trust holding her hand for now. In fact, she was still attempting to find a way out of it when Jason winked at her. For a second, she was startled she wasn't so sure she wanted him carrying her sister around. Before she could say a word, however, a gasp came from his other side. W-what?! Don't do that! It'd be so embarrassing! Marisa squeaked out. She was so flustered at the idea that her face was actually tinted red, one hand pressed against her cheek as if that would stop her blush from spreading. It was hard to tell whether she was surprised at the idea, worried that it would happen, or glad that he would go out of his way to help her. In a rush, she stammered, I-I mean, it's not that I'd mind, b-but... The sound of a half-muffled snicker was almost lost entirely in Marisa's startled responses. Almost, but not quite. A split second later, the girl had peeked around Jason to look at her sister knowingly. It's not funny, Lani! Melanie simply blinked back at her as if she had said something strange. What? I didn't say anything. How she managed it while still walking was something to be questioned, but the little stomp of one sandal-covered foot was audible as Marisa pointed at her twin. I heard you, you were laughing! The sunglasses perched on her nose hid the amused spark in Melanie's eyes, though not the twitch of her lips that hinted at a repressed smile. No clue what you're talking about, sis. Marisa pouted for a second, only to turn a pleading look towards her date. Please don't let her encourage you! Lani's always teasing me like that. Perhaps Melanie would have responded with a retort of her own, but by that point, they had arrived. It wasn't all that strange to see a restaurant with tinted windows it gave privacy to the diners within while still allowing some natural light for those at window seats, so neither seemed perturbed at that detail. The simple exterior matched what the two of them knew of small local businesses, as well. It didn't take that long to get here, Marisa said with a smile. I knew it would be okay. Considering her response to the idea of being carried around in front of random passersby, the almost smug note in her voice was understandable. She let herself be guided inside, blinking slightly at the difference in lighting. Despite the hour, the inside of the restaurant was much darker in comparison to the bright sunny day outside. Once her eyes adjusted, she could tell that it was lit well enough for easy reading and viewing of someone seated across a small table, but not glaringly illuminated. In that lighting, she could also see how empty the place was. Once they were seated, she pointed this out. Hmm...I guess we're the only ones eating lunch at this hour. Then again, the Chinese place at home is busier during the dinner rush, too. After several seconds of being inside the building, Melanie slipped off her glasses. She had just settled them on the top of her head, letting them stay close at hand, when Marisa made that comment. A small wrinkle between her brows signaled that she noticed it as well, but was less neutral about that fact than her twin. Outside of themselves, it didn't look like there were any other visitors. There had been the young man that seated him, but he was clearly a part of the staff, and the other people she spotted were dressed similarly. They probably worked at the Golden Dragon as well. Still, this was a public place...someone would see or hear if anything out of the ordinary happened, and it wasn't as if they could get locked in. She could snatch Marisa's hand and head for the exit if the situation called for it. That idea was the only reason why she - reluctantly - sat across from her sister rather than next to her. Hopefully her position would let her see if anything suspicious took place on the other side of the table. Shrimp with lobster sauce? That sounds good... Even as she responded, Marisa's focus was on the menu. Oh, but this one sound good too! And so does that one... She frowned thoughtfully at the variety of options. I wonder how the sesame chicken here is? Her gaze turned towards Jason, about to ask if he knew, when a comment from across the table interrupted her. You could get that, and then I can get the shrimp. Since you're going to try some of what I get anyway. Melanie spoke up while splitting her attention between reading and watching them lunchtime or not, she was taking her task as chaperon seriously. Of course! We always share. Marisa blinked over at her, the look on her face making it clear that she found it stranger that they wouldn't have a little of each other's food. Apparently some things never changed, even if she was on a date. Hey, did you see this beef dish halfway down? Maybe we should try that one. It didn't take long for the two to get engrossed in their discussion, one occasionally turning her menu towards her twin and pointing at interesting items. A certain ease and casual air developed as they talked among themselves. They were obviously comfortable together, and Marisa's good mood seemed to draw a bit of animation and energy out of her more reserved counterpart. Neither one of them forgot that they weren't alone at the table, but such an ordinary interaction displayed how they were likely to act when they weren't trying to impress or being on guard. There was definitely a bond between them, one of best friends as well as siblings, and the sense that they got along well more often than not. Okay, Melanie said after a short while. You're definitely getting that one? Sure about that? Marisa nodded with enough force to make her hair bounce slightly. I'm sure! I just changed my mind that one time... Then she caught sight of her twin's raised eyebrow and giggled. Maybe more than once. But really, I'm going for the shrimp with lobster sauce, I won't switch around again. So you're getting that house special, right? The sizzling chicken? Marisa lowered her menu and looked across the table. Yup. I'm surprised you want to try that one, though... Melanie glanced over the edge of the menu at her, having already put hers down. This isn't going to end up like the time we went to that Thai place, is it Mari...? In the wary yet gently teasing way she said those words, there was a story behind that statement. No! I learned my lesson! From the look on Marisa's face, the lesson hadn't been an enjoyable experience, and her words only backed it up. I'm never going to make that mistake again... she uttered, pressing a palm against her stomach at the memory. Then, all of a sudden, her face flushed in embarrassment. Umm...sorry, I think I got a little carried away... Marisa looked toward Jason as she spoke, it only now having dawned on her that the girls were chatting with little attention turned his way.