The Arrival of First Impressions(open)

[Abe Sapien]

Nuala’s breathy laugh made a heat rise in his cheeks though he wasn’t sure if he would call it an actual physical blushing. At least, he was sure he didn’t blush. He ducked his head nonetheless and momentarily concentrated on the folds of the gown along the Princesses shoulder. He was utterly nervous around the fair elven maiden, even more so after a drunken singing tirade with brother Red and his blunt way of pointing out the obvious. It was preposterous, a silly childish thought that refused to go away, he enjoyed the Princesses company and nothing more.

"I would love to have dinner with you, Abraham,"

The thin webbing that stretched along his slender neck, earning him the not so nice nick of lettuce neck, moved in theatric discord much like a happy puppy would wag it’s tail. He drew his head upward and his mouth closed tightly, swallowing slightly as she closed the slight gap bringing them even more closer. Abraham was close enough to reach out for the delicate white hand and though his fingers twitched to do so, they remained at waist level, unconsciously moving to some unheard force. The air around them was charged with the psychic energy of emotions of all those that had crowded into the expansive library and they were slowly edging into his focus, clouding the edges of his vision. When Nuala spoke again, the vapor like mist dispelled the clarity of her voice.

“Oh no, your highness. There’s no need…” He stilled after waving a hand slowly, palm towards the female elf. “I, understand.” Abe filled the fleeting silence between them with a subtle gesture of his fingers, crossing his index and middle finger ever so slightly with his other hand. The moment they shared in the map storehouse in the Troll market had given him only the tiniest of glimpses and it hadn’t even been a month’s time since the Golden Army incident.

"I suppose dinner tonight might make up for lost time?"

“Great!” Abe winced at the loudness of his voice and continued on in a softer tone. “Um, that is to say it would my honor.” He bowed his head before cocking it. “We don’t have much of the fanciful kind, but I hear boardroom twelve is built like a banquet hall. It’s large but I think a table for two would be more suitable. It’s also quiet, hardly used unless we decide the whole Bureau needs to be jammed in there for a secret surprise birthday party.” He paused, knowing his attempt at humor would fall flat. He was never quite good at it and took that awkward moment to watch Kasim’s departure.

[nuala]

[/b] She started once more, giving his hand a small squeeze, "And, thank you for asking me... I have been wanting to spend more time with you." She hoped that wasn't too forward or anything. No matter. "What time shall I meet you, then?" [/size][/ul][/color]

[Abe Sapien]

A heartbeat before the Princess touched him, he felt it. The pulse of a psychic wave jumping from one fingertip to the other he could feel the actual pressure they created in the small gap of their hands. That, and he saw her out of the corner of his eye. Abraham’s shoulders hitched ever so slightly at the contact and bent his head with a slight curl to settling his gaze on the slender fingers that carefully intertwined with his with regard to the gossamer webbing that stretched between each digit. He stared dumbly, a feat he didn’t know he could muster at the brilliant colors of their skin against one another. A darker shade of his skin matched part of the long blue sleeve and he slowly curled his fingers inward, cautiously of the large almost talon like nails he had, to complete the hold.

It was so much different then the first time, he had been wearing a glove and had to push the psychic barrier past clothing and yet, it was so familiar, so easy. She’s like me, Red. It was curiosity that drove him and respect that held him back and it was the same here, it was that little touch of wonder, a desire to know so much more about the elven princess. He was indubitably happy nonetheless and he made no qualms in hiding it, letting the delight seep past his own mental barrier and though he couldn’t twist his small mouth into a smile, he was definitely doing so on the inside.

"That sounds lovely, Abraham,"… "What time shall I meet you, then?"

At her squeeze he looked up to meet her hauntingly beautiful gaze. It was a terribleness that her brother shared the same hues of color and strength but while his twisted in anger, Nuala’s softened in kindness. He returned the squeeze and brazenly raised his other hand to rest it ever so lightly atop of hers to form a soft cocoon. Perhaps her boldness inspired him and he kept a steady hold, though inside he felt like quivering. “Really?” Well of course, you’re the one with the most time on his hands to show her around. He deflated a little but that little nudge kept him talking. “As have I, your highness.”

“And, oh.” What time would work, he drew his head away momentarily to think, quickly going over what needed to be done. Food was readily available within the Bureau but maybe he could have something specially made, the ladies of the kitchen could be stubborn at times. He would also need proper silverware and dishes, a tablecloth, maybe candles, they seemed to fit the… He drew back to the princess, shaking himself from his mental list. “Seven?” That was a time he could work with, give or take to suit the princesses needs.

Now this was the right moment to say something dashing and charming. Something that would really wow her, the one stoppers that Red seemed decent at doing. “I have a book.” That wasn’t quite what he was going for. “That I’d like to show you. It was written by Henry David Thoreau, a true transcendentalist of his time in the early nineteenth century.” Abe paused to decipher her reaction.

[nuala]

[/b] She responded with a light nod, even though human times really didn't mean anything to her just yet - Abraham had been teaching her to tell human time, but it was a complicated thing if you did not have a digital clock that showed you the time without you having to figure out the hands and such. Nuala was sure she'd be able to ask someone for the time though, so she did not worry.

Even if bringing up a book didn't seem like the most impressive thing to say to Abraham, it most certainly was impressive to Nuala. She loved books, another thing that she and the brilliant fish had in common. She mostly preferred poetry, but lately, Abraham had been offering books that delved into human culture, and she was most eager to learn about such things.

"You always bring me the most interesting books, Abraham," She began, letting out the slightest of chuckles, "I look forward to reading it." And with that, she fell silent once more, casting a small side glance to one of the clocks in the room - to attempt to get somewhat of an idea of how much time she had until their dinner was to began. It took a bit of concentrating, but from what she could understand, it was somewhere around 5 o'clock, which gave her quite a bit of time to prepare herself, and the likewise for Abraham. She began to feel her excitement rising, and so, she turned her flavascent gaze back to Abraham, she smile never leaving her face. "I suppose I shall see you at seven, then."

Slipping her hand gently out of his, she walked around him with ever so much grace, just barely brushing past him so that the fabric of her dress ran against his skin, and the end of her hair barely hit him. She was off to her room, to change and prepare herself for this lovely dinner with the man (well, fish) of her affections, Abraham. Her heartbeat began to quicken at her eagerness and excitement as she exited the library. [/size][/ul][/color]

[Abe Sapien]

Taking a step back, Abraham reluctantly lifted one of his hands from Nuala’s to point towards the desk, which he had built a mini fort of books atop it. He couldn’t help himself, though he didn’t want to overwhelm the princess there was so many things, so many book he wanted to read with her. “But if you’re not interested, there is a fascinating article on –“ Her reply sent his words dying on his thin lips and he lifted his head and squeezed the princesses’ hand in his lightly, not quite ready to let go. She said yes. Her laugh was beautiful to his ears, even if he didn’t really have them, and he realized he would have done anything to hear it again.

When she slipped into silence, Abe remained in his with a slight curl of his head content to study the crown of her head and the translucent hair. She said yes. He lost track of the time in his musing, encouraged by the tendrils of excitement that skipped between their hands. It was a wonderful feeling that could be described if he had a thousand years and never slept nor took a breath and still, it would fall short.

"I suppose I shall see you at seven, then."

Abe snapped from his wandering thoughts. “Oh, um yes.” He cleared his throat lightly. “Yes, that would… be. Okay.” As her hand left his, he stretched his arm out following the path of her body as she curled around him, the connection didn’t quite break but faded peacefully. He hitched a shoulder slowly as the tickling sensation of her hair and absently folded his hands to watch her walk away. Abe bowed deeply and the moment she vanished beyond the doors he spun on his heels, twisting into a circle and flew down the library steps with three quick even steps partially after Nuala and waved. “Goodbye, your highness.”

Abe closed the door slightly and leaned against, nearly collapsing as he rolled his eyes at his self and rested a hand across his face. “Okay?” He seemed surprised at the utter lack of communication skills he normally had. Well at least he hadn’t called her ma’am again. Pushing from the door, the fish man strolled into the now empty library and slowly glanced around at the safety of his books and tanks. She said, yes. His gaze settled on the clock and he checked his skin. A quick jump in the tank to hydrate and then he’d head down to the cafeteria in hopes the kitchen staff would aid him. Climbing the stairs to his tank entrance he looked across the shimmering surface. Abraham ran the palm of his hand down his chest and paused before looking at his swimming trunks. He couldn’t possibly wear this to dinner, it didn’t seem appropriate but what would? The warmth of his water breaking against his form was a welcoming relief and as he slid beneath the blue, his voice echoed within the water.

“She said, yes!”