Lillicoon and Jay are out on their first date, the gardens are truly beautiful, and cafe' is nice. And, ah, these poor teens, so nervous, at least they're smiling.
From - @internutter/challenge-03221-h312-sunshine-guide-and-guardian -- Anon Guest
A trained killer and a former gene-slave take a walk where there is beauty and butterflies. The conversation is awkward and stilted. Each are terrified but for the same reason. Neither is terrified of the other.
In all other ways, including the chaperones, it is a normal date between juveniles. Though in this case the chaperones are a lot more obvious.
"Do your new hands hurt?" Jay asked.
"They used to. Transplants always hurt no matter how precise the surgery is. I had to re-learn how to do everything. Fibrecrafts have helped."
"Ah. That's... good. Uhm. Is that where the -um- thing..." he gestured at his own head, sketching the rough shape of her ornamental headwear.
"It's called a fascinator," a nervous smile from the girl who was, more or less, a cat. "As you can tell, it's working."
Nervous laughter.
"And yes," she said. "I did make it myself."
"It's very pretty. All the colours. Um. It kind'a looks painted a little bit. And you can let me know if I'm being rude."
"So far, so good." She had fangs that showed when she smiled, but Jay had never flinched from them, so she smiled all the wider for it. "And you're free to let me know when I'm being rude, too."
"I don't think you're rude at all. You're kind and gentle and... You never yell. And sometimes I feel like that's a bad thing for you."
"When I raise my voice, I yowl." One of her pale hands touched at her throat. "My old owner used to punish me for doing it. I've had so many operations, even before..." Before the CRC took her into a better life.
"I will never hurt you if I can help it," Jay vowed instantly. "You can yowl all you want."
"Not on the first date."
More nervous laughter.
The park was beautiful, and on occasion, the teens walking together through it paid some attention to the beauty around them. As opposed to the fascination they had with each other.
The conversation meandered. Jay talked about his work in the vaguest of terms. Sanitised for Miss Lillicoon's protection. Lillicoon talked about her therapy and recovery in softened terms. Sweetened and minimised for Jay's protection.
Their chaperones had very little to concern them.
Which was a very good thing.
[Image (c) Can Stock Photo / Gabriela0168]
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