A Starlit Date

[Cyroa]

He nodded in agreement with her. "I was a tad nervous myself. This is one of the most pleasant and enjoyable evenings I've had in quite some time." He shook his head ruefully at the dances she mentioned. "I haven't been to a wedding on Earth in over twenty years. And apparently, they are still doing the same weird songs."

He chuckled at her as the swayed slowly around the dance floor, his hands keeping a gentle pressure. "It sounds like you had a wonderful time if things are fuzzy. Unless it happened years ago and that fuzziness is due to how long it's been?" He moved along, simply enjoying her proximity and the scent of her. "Are you close with your family?"

[Electra]

"It's only been about two years," Stesha admitted mischeivously. "But it was a really wild party. First big family party after I was old enough to drink, and before getting my powers meant I don't really feel it anymore. Jasha and his wife are expecting their first baby this fall. Most of my extended family is back in Chicago, but I keep in touch. I'm going out there for Thanksgiving and Christmas." Her fingers brushed his collar as they danced, so that she could just feel the warmth of his skin without touching.

"I haven't seen any of them in a few months, not since I moved." She looked a little wistful. "It's the only thing I don't like about living in Freedom City, being far away. It's nice that you can visit with your family so often."

[Cyroa]

He grinned. "Sounds fun. Last wedding I went to was a Lor ceremony about two years ago. Quite different in some ways. And I didn't get to participate much in the wild aspects. But I admit that I do enjoy weddings a great deal.I really enjoyed my brother's. That's probably the last one where I was a part of the 'wild stuff' though I was somewhat bookish comparatively."

He nodded at her. "Yes, it is." He hemmed and hawed for a moment before deciding to speak his thoughts. "If you miss them that much, I could, well, uh, drop you off there for a short visit if you like. Whenever. No trouble at all. Wouldn't take a minute," he said. "No strings or anything. I just...it seems like you miss your family. You appeared a little sad. I can help with that, so it's only right I should offer. If you like, I suppose you can think of it as a thank you."

[Electra]

"I appreciate the offer," she told him sincerely. "I might even take you up on it, except it would probably destroy my secret identity. I can't think of any way to explain how I'd get there without a car or flying. I just remind myself how good I've got it, comparatively, with webcams and email and cell phones. I can still talk to everyone every day, it's just not quite the same as face to face."

To lighten the mood and satisfy her curiosity, she changed the subject back. "You were able to go to a Lor wedding? I've always wanted to meet a Lor. I've read articles, but they don't travel much, when they do happen to visit earth. What are they like? What are their wedding like?" She grinned. "Anyone wind up with a lampshade on their head?"

[Cyroa]

He nodded. "I can understand that. While you could say you came by plane or whatever, it might be hard. I'm not exactly comfortable with lying either. If you do need a ride however, I would be happy to be of assistance." He let it drop, understanding her position and honoring it.

He steered them slightly around the dance floor, slowly moving in circles. "Indeed. I've met quite a few. They are very similar to humans in many ways, though their coloration in the hair and eyes is different. Personality-wise, they are much like humans. Good, bad. Funny, sad. The works. A little bit arrogant towards less developed species I suppose. But all in all they are pretty good folk." He chuckled. "No one ended up with a lampshade on their head. This was a bit, formal I think the word would be. Like massive wedding by a really old-school English family. That would be the best way to put it. Ritualized and form, but quite lovely."

[Electra]

Stesha nodded. "I guess once you have a certain amount of money poured into a wedding, or at least a certain number of people with a certain amount of money, they stop expecting to do the Chicken Dance at the reception. Which is kind of sad, in my opinion." She laughed. "With the right crowd, it can be the best part of the night. And the little kids just love it." She turned her head to look at the band, her head nearly resting on his shoulder for a moment. He caught the smell of gardenia from the flowers tucked into her hair. "I wonder..." She chuckled as she broke off. "Nah, we probably haven't got the kind of money it would take to bribe those guys into playing it."

[Cyroa]

He chuckled. "Indeed, I can't argue the kids love doing those. It makes adults look completely ridiculous though." He paused briefly. "Which can be all sorts of fun as well."

He breathed the scent in, pleasantly tickling his nose. "Would you like to? Do the Chicken Dance I mean? If you'd like to, I'll go arrange it," he said honestly. He was pretty certain that the music wasn't quite appropriate for this fine establishment, but he that didn't particularly matter to him. If she wanted to do it, he'd happily oblige. The embarrassment wasn't a problem for him. As for making it happen, well he had a decent salary and next to no expenses. Making his date happy seemed worthwhile to him.

[Electra]

She raised her head and gave him a considering look, finally breaking into a wide smile. "You could really do it, you think?" she asked humorously. "That's something to keep in mind. I suppose most of the people here wouldn't get into the spirit of it. But it's fun to imagine, isn't it?"

Stesha looked around at the other dancing couples, all of whom were also in eveningwear, some of which was rather tighter than others. "We're all dancing here, and suddenly the music changes, that guy up there on the piano pulls an accordion out of nowhere, and everybody boogies." She chortled. "It's the curse of a vivid imagination. But at least I don't get bored." While the combo continued on with the classic big-band era music, she hummed a few bars of the Chicken Dance and did a little shimmy in his arms, waggling her elbows, then her hips, then bending her knees just a few inches in a very subdued version of the dance. "Maybe some other time," she decided, still laughing as she resettled her hand on his shoulder.

[Cyroa]

He chuckled. The idea of all these people in their fancy clothes and lovely gowns suddenly breaking down into that silly dance certainly brought a wide smile to his face. "Indeed. I just had the same thoughts."

Of course, the wide smile faded awkwardly rather suddenly and his skin got very red. It suddenly got very hot in there. Or at least it seemed that way to Derrick. As Dark Star, his thoughts of the fairer gender and the idea of sex was minimal. It was hard to even dwell on it when you lived the majority of your life as an energy being. As Derrick? Right now, he was doing his darnedest to remain noble. But when a lovely woman standing in such close proximity, practically pressed up against him, shook her hips, shimmied and wiggled, he was finding it extremely difficult to not dwell on certain carnal pleasures. Subdued or not, it really got his mind going. And the fact that he kept thinking of her in that way, most inappropriate especially on a first date, was making him even redder. But he couldn't help but dwell on her movements, how she looked and how she smelled. It took a herculean effort to not stare down her front and bring his mind back on track (mostly).

"Uh, yes. We'll do that another time."

[Electra]

Stesha looked up at him and smiled as his face went red, raising her eyebrows a little. She was no fool, even if she was a little inexperienced, and it was nice to see that, whatever he spent most of his time as, Derrick as a man wasn't entirely immune to a little flirting. Taking pity on them, she gently steered their course over towards the big windows, which offered the promised starlit sky, as well as a view down over the theatre district. "It's a gorgeous night out tonight," she commented, looking down at the crowds of party-goers. "You don't see enough of those in the middle of summer, especially in the city."

[Cyroa]

Derrick was a little relieved that her full bodywiggle stopped. Well, sort of.

Anyway, he was just as happy to havetheir dancec continue, sliding across the floor towards the large windows. "It is indeed. A truly lovely night." He wasn't exactly talk about the stars even if she was. He did return his attention to the window though after a moment. "I suppose I'm spoiled. Seeing them from space is so much clearer than from down here." He paused. "Of course, there is a distinct lack of people having fun and enjoying themselves in space." He looked down and out the window, smiling at the crowds below, happily living their lives and enjoying the nice evening.

[Electra]

"I hear it's a little empty up there," she agreed, looking out over all the people. "Quiet, I suppose, if you don't mind the cold. I don't think I could go for more than a visit, though. I'd miss the sun and all the people here." His hand was warm on hers as they turned and swayed to the music, not the skin of someone she'd expect to be flying through the depths of space. But he was an entirely different creature up there, she supposed. "What do you do to pass the time out there, while you're flying?"

[Cyroa]

He smiled. "Cold? I suppose if you go unprepared. It is rather empty in most places and for great distances. But in it's own way, that is quiet pleasant. Peaceful and relaxing as you say. I suppose you could equate it to sitting in the middle of a large quiet forest. Though will much of it is empty, there is also a multitude of life in varied forms." He smiled, enjoying the evening, holding her as they slowly danced to the music.

"What do I do? Oh, I think and ponder about places I've been or things I've done. Beings I've met. And of course, always wondering what I will see next. Honestly, it doesn't take me long to fly anywhere. I flew straight across the galaxy one time, just to see if how long it'd take. Almost two weeks in a straight shot. Now, since I've been practicing, I can simply make a wormhole to cross the galaxy." He shrugged. "I don't spend that much time flying through space I suppose is my point. It is fun to do though. I don't do a lot of simple and random exploration much anymore. Always something to do or people to visit."

[Electra]

Stesha chuckled. "Well, if I go, I'll be sure to bring a jacket along," she told him. "I guess you could beat the Space Shuttle pretty handily in a footrace, as fast as you must fly. My mind is a little boggled at the idea of actually flying across the galaxy. Your address book must look really funny." It was certainly easier to think of the humorous aspect rather than the actual mind-boggling part. What sort of entity did one have to be to travel faster than light through space and not even feel cold? She decided not to think about that part too hard. "I think they've set another course down at our table, she told him, peeking around his shoulder. "Might be dessert. Want to investigate?"

[Cyroa]

Derrick couldn't help but laugh. "You get used to it. If you'd like to visit somewhere out there, I'll take you. No coat required. As for addresses, don't get me started! It's ridiculous trying to keep track of a place based on six separate points. Especially when each of those points is a celestial phenomena that's only relevant to it," he finished with a grin.

He followed her gaze and stopped dancing. Keeping his hand lightly on her back, he released her hand. Gesturing, he let her take the lead. "Absolutely. Lead on, I'll be right behind you."

[Electra]

They wove their way back to the table, through the dancing couples and the white-coated waiters. Stesha decided she rather liked the way he kept his hand on her back, a warmth she could feel through the fabric of her dress. Dessert this evening was wedges of cheesecake with fresh raspberries, paired with a sweet wine. Stesha laughed as she sat down. "Moira definitely picked this out," she explained. "Usually when I go to her with problems, she feeds me cheesecake to make it better. And really, is there anything that cheesecake doesn't make a little bit better?" There was a discreet little leather book on the table, but it merely contained a note saying that their bill was settled in advance.

[Cyroa]

He helped her into her chain before taking his own. He chuckled softly. "She certainly does seem to have planned this evening rather well." He took a small bite and was unsurprised at how good it was. "That's excellent. I haven't had a good cheesecake in a very long time." He looked at the note and frowned a little. It didn't seem right to have Moira going to such expense for them. It was his responsibility to pay for the meal wasn't it? "She definitely likes to meddle. Quite successfully though. I'll have to get her something in return for all of this. Any ideas?"

[Electra]

Stesha rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "Are you kidding? I think she's getting even more of a kick out of it than we are. She really got into all this planning and maneuvering stuff. I don't know if you've seen much musical theatre, but I think she enjoys the Hello Dolly style matchmaking role. Not that there's anything wrong with that, I guess, as long as you're good at it." She chuckled, tasting her own cheesecake, and forbore to mention the little bit of guilt that might have gone into Moira's efforts. "Mmmm, this is perfect. Maybe if you really want to, you could get her candy or a nice card or something like that. I'd say flowers, but that's more my department," she teased. "I half-expected her to show up at some point during the evening, to keep an eye on things."

[Cyroa]

He chuckled. "I doubt she's enjoying this evening as much as I am. But I expect you're right. She certainly enjoyed hounding me to do this and planning it."

He actually looked around for a moment. "Really? I suddenly have this feeling of being chaperoned," he said with a smile. "I was thinking something more 'unique' for her. Given her vast numbers of admirers, I think chocolates and cards might get a little lost." He shrugged. "I suppose I could go out there," he waved up a little bit, "for something. There's got to be something up there she'd like and not have or receive regularly." Given how much he was enjoying this evening, he wanted to get her something personal as a 'thank you'.

[Electra]

Stesha considered that. "Yes, I think she would like that. Some kind of souvenir from one of your trips off-planet. Sort of unique and thoughtful. Though I've got to say, I don't think that chocolates ever really go amiss as a gift," she added with a grin. "Especially since I really doubt that she has to worry much about her weight." She thought about suggesting that he give Moira a tour of one of those really exciting places he'd talked about, but decided not to. It wasn't that she didn't believe Moira when she said that the thing with Jack had been a one time aberration, a result of too much liquor... but why take chances?

She took another bite of cheesecake instead. "And you know, a moon rock in thanks for a night at the Starlight Room, I think she'll appreciate the symmetry."

[Cyroa]

He chuckled. "Chocolates? I suppose. Though I like the symmetry idea better." Though he did make a mental note that Stesha apparently liked chocolates. "Hmm...a moonrock. I've got something better in mind. I think a piece of l'yrtis might work better. I'll got pick a piece up tomorrow."

He took another bite of cheese cake, enjoying the flavor. Assuming no emergency happened tomorrow, he'd fly out and pick up a couple things. He filled it in for her. "Oh, a l'yrtis is a clear quartz-like stone. It has a low level vibrational difference though that occurs when in contact with sound waves of a low level, whispers or low conversation are perfect. Also, low level heat sources also work for some reason. The inside of the stone starts to glow with this soft pale light, white usually though I was told there were a couple others. Not enough to read by, but quite pretty. The color deepens or brightens depending on the strength of the sound waves. Too much noise though and it dims and goes out. Think that would work pretty well?"

[Electra]

She listened to the description with interest as she ate, trying to imagine that. "It sounds really neat," she agreed. "It would be a good bedroom nightlight, and a heck of a conversation piece. I think she'd like that a lot. Is it something that occurs in nature, or do they actually make them on a planet you've visited? It sounds like something that would be nice to put in a little kid's room or something like that." Leaning back, she sipped her wine and closed her eyes briefly, enjoying the music and the moment.

[Cyroa]

"I think it's a natural formation actually. Not sure what world though. I'll ask around though." He watched her sitting there and looked around for the clock. He blinked when he realized the time. It hadn't seem like several hours but according to the clock it certainly had been. Given that and her closed eyes, it seemed the evening was drawing to a close.

"Stesha? As much as I do not wish this evening to end, it is rather late, Why don't I call us a cab and I'll take you home?" It would have never occurred to him to not escort her to her door. He was a gentleman after all. There was nothing untoward or an ulterior motive behind it. Well...he admitted to himself that spending more time with her was worth it. If he wanted, he could fly her home in an instant. But that would just end their evening even faster, something he was loathe to do.

[Electra]

Stesha opened her eyes and nodded, a little wistfully. "I suppose you're right," she said with a slightly rueful smile. The shoes were starting to make her feet hurt, and the combo looked like they were about to take a break anyway. Not to mention she didn't know if Derrick needed sleep when he wasn't an energy being. He might be getting tired. She thought about suggesting that she could take them home the way they came, with a surreptitious transit into the little park down the block, but decided not to. She was just traditional enough to want to be dropped off at her door. How a man handled that could tell a woman a lot about him. "It's been a lovely evening, but it's later than I thought."

[Cyroa]

Derrick nodded. "If you will excuse me one moment?" He stood and headed for the front. He found the greeter and paid the man to have a nicer waiting out front for them. He moved back through the room to their table and look down at her while extending his hand to help her to her feet. He offered his arm to her and walked slowly to the door and the waiting vehicle. Like a gentleman, he held the doors for her and once she was in, he slid onto the seat next to her. Not pressed up against her of course, that would be rude and possibly unseemly. But enough contact to enjoy feeling the warmth of her skin through his jacket. It had been a wonderful evening but sadly, it was coming to an end.