Under the greenwood tree

[Anonymous]

Way to ruin the very sweet moment, Gemini.

He smirked a little at that, shaking his head. "Sorry doll, I'm not well versed on how to be sweet," he joked, but in a way, it was true. He could be a charmer, a gentleman ripped out of the pages of a fairy tale, but he did not know what 'sweet' was, or how to be it. She was sweet, he knew that— innocent to her core, eager to express herself no matter who she was around, and determined. It was a rare mix of traits, and Gemini was certain that he hadn't ever trained someone like her before.

It was mindboggling, even— like how she could tell him that he gave nice hugs, eyes laughing, as if he was just your average guy that she was talking to. "Do I?" he asked, and was prepared to give a witty retort, but for once, Gemini Stone didn't know how to be witty about such a thing. Nice hugs— him, really? He couldn't peg her for a liar, but it was a supposed truth that he'd never heard before in his life. "Ah... thank you," was his final answer, his incredibly lame and dumbstruck final answer.

The heir was not really used to anyone being so casual with him— he was an elite, used to playing mind games and responding to people with carefully constructed criticisms —but her? How was she able to be so natural? It was a bizarre phenomenon that he could not deconstruct.

She also liked his rings, which was not a surprise, to him. They had taken ages to make, considering he was not a blacksmith of any sort. You are truly talented, Gemini, she completed, and Gemini looked at her again, trying to study where such sincerity was coming from. He was used to being complemented, but not with the sincerity that rang in her tone. Finally, he smiled, shaking his head. "You flatter me, doll, truly," was his response, not knowing how to say 'thank you' again. What was with her uncanny ability to catch him off guard?

As she stood up to try the technique again, he watched the water raise about a foot, only to fall again. As to be expected— it was not really an easy trick. He stood next to her, placing one hand on his hip, holding one over the water, and his mana ring began to glow again.

"Remember, the water moves in one fluid motion. Don't force the extraction— work with the water of the pond's flow." A stream of water began to flow upwards as he talked, his own miniature waterfall. "It might take some time, but be patient with the water. Work with it, not against it."

[Anonymous]

Evelyn looked at Gemini, watching the expressions on his face change. Does he not get hugs all the time, she thought.  Hm, she tapped her cheek staring at him.  What a strange man. He's nothing like what she ever thought he would be.  The heir to House Stone was truly a unique man.  

Finally, he smiled, shaking his head. "You flatter me, doll, truly." She frowned up at him, noticing him studying her, "You know Gemini, my compliments were sincere. No need to question that." She sighed, "I don't like people who fake sincerity. So, don't ever expect anything like that from me."  Evelyn winked, laughing in her mind. What a strange man indeed.

She watched him place his hand on his hip, his mana ring starting to glow again. "Remember, the water moves in one fluid motion. Don't force the extraction— work with the water of the pond's flow." Her mouth dropped as she watched a small waterfall form while he was talking.  How does he do it so easily, she groaned.  Why was this so hard for her, tears starting forming in her eyes.  She quickly wiped them away, and focused on the water again.  She couldn't let this get to her.

Evelyn hovered her hand over the pond once again, concentrating.  She could do this, come on, she knew she could.  She pictured herself as water again, but this time she pictured herself and the water as one instead of two separate entities.  She watched, shocked, as the water rose up a whole  5 feet. Her own minute waterfall. A huge grin appeared on her face as she started jumping up and down.  "I did it, I did it," she shouted, "Yahoo!"

[OOC: claps for page two xD]

[Anonymous]

[ Whoo! –tosses confetti– ]

"I don't like people who fake sincerity. So, don't ever expect anything like that from me."

Curiouser and curiouser— she was breaking all of the rules, and she didn't seem to care. It was as if no one had ever taught her how to play the game of the elites, but then again, maybe no one had. His whole repertoire of acquaintances were insincere relationships— they had been bought, or maintained out of some begrudged respect, or because they wanted something from the heir of House Stone. That was just how it was, and he played the game well. But this one didn't seem to know how to play that game— it was refreshing, to say the least.

"I'll be sure to keep that in mind," was his thoughtful response— and he meant it.

As she worked over the pond, concentrating, Gemini was genuinely surprised to see her waterfall spout to a height of five feet. His crimson eyes widened a little as he stared at the waterfall, impressed at how quickly she had managed to conquer the waterfall technique. He smiled, charmed by her excitement.

"Impressive work. Are you certain you really needed a tutor?" he asked, joking.

The heir cast a glance out toward the horizon— the sun was setting, painting the sky with blues, indigos, and royal purples. "It's getting late, so we can call it a day," he noted, placing a hand on his hip. He studied her again, and without hesitation, he asked, "Shall I escort you home, doll?"

He'd need to know where she lived anyway— while he could just ask the Dean, it would be easier if he could learn where she lived by himself. While some students lived on campus, he knew that many also chose to live in town on their own, some even still with their parents. It would be curious, to see what kind of place she lived in.

[Anonymous]

"Impressive work. Are you certain you really needed a tutor?" he asked, joking. Evelyn playfully glared at Gemini, "of course I need a tutor. You haven't seen my control over fire yet." She winked at him. Dang fire, it just had too much of a mind of its own to control.  It also didn't help much that she was scared to use it.  She shrugged, oh well. No need to fret over something that isn't even occurring yet.

She looked up at the sky, watching the sun set.  It was a truly beautiful sunset today.  Sighing, this must be a good sign, she thought.   He studied her again, and without hesitation, he asked, "Shall I escort you home, doll?" An immediate look of worry passed over her face.  So much for the sunset being a good sign, she thought.

"Um," she hesitated, "sure sure." She bit her lip, I just hope my parents aren't home.  Oh, they would definitely have a hay day over seeing the heir to House Stone escort her home.  They would probably think he was her boyfriend.  She looked up at him, and then looked down at herself.  Never mind, she shook her head, there is no way they would think that.  He's too handsome for someone as plain looking as she was. 

She walked back to her house, while Gemini quietly walked by her side.  She rounded the corner to her house, and immediately panicked.  Her parents were home and they were heading straight towards them.  Oh, this is going to be bad.  Kitharon, please help me, she silently pleaded.  She looked up at Gemini, panic evident on her face, "Please, I beg of you.  Do not tell them you are my tutor. I don't care what you tell them, just don't say you are my tutor. Please."

[Anonymous]

As they walked home, Gemini took note of his surroundings, making a mental map in his head, to make sure he could get here himself if needed. She didn't live too far away from the university it seemed, and the walk was extremely quick. She seemed distraught though, something he could not understand— until finally, as they neared her house, and their parents were walking in their direction, she looked up at him, worry written all over her face.

"I don't care what you tell them, just don't say you are my tutor. Please."

He looked at her, a slender eyebrow raised, taken aback by this development, and the look of panic etched onto her features. "What's wrong? Are you ashamed of me, doll?" he asked, teasing— but was genuinely curious as to why him being her tutor was a big deal. Or was the fact that she needed a tutor at all a potential embarrassment? It would've been an amusing thing to think about if it wasn't for the fact that he needed to lie to her parents for some reason, because she didn't want them to know that he was tutoring her, for whatever reason.

Petronel above, it was a good thing that he was a fantastic liar.

"Don't fret— I won't tell them, as much as it breaks my heart to lie," he promised, placing a hand over his heart, as if he'd already been wounded by the travesty she wanted him to commit. "I should probably at least meet them, no? They might think me less than a gentleman, if I don't introduce myself properly." Oh, like Gemini Stone really cared about what other people thought of him.

He would've left, because it seemed as if she'd rather him not meet them, but he was curious now, honestly...

[Anonymous]

"What's wrong? Are you ashamed of me, doll?" he asked, teasing her.  She looked up at him shocked,"of course not! Why would I be ashamed of someone as good looking as you?" Evelyn blushed profusely, "Wait, that came out wrong. Sorry! That was inapporpiate." She bit her lip, looking down. Stupid, stupid.  Why did that thought have to pop out of her mouth? Of course she thought he was good looking, but she didn't want him to know that.

She had her head in her hands when he spoke again. "Don't fret— I won't tell them, as much as it breaks my heart to lie," he promised, placing a hand over his heart.  Great, she looked up at him with a huge smile on her face.  At least he was on board now.  He wouldn't tell them she needed a tutor.  Oh dear Kia, she did not want her parents to find out she needed a tutor.  They didn't even know she couldn't control her magic. She sighed, they would definitely be ashamed of her when they found out the truth about her powers.

He looked down at her. "I should probably at least meet them, no? They might think me less than a gentleman, if I don't introduce myself properly." Evelyn looked up at him, disbelief on her face,"Really Gemini, like you care what people think of you." She smirked,"At least I'm guessing that's the case from all of the rumors out about you; you really don't seem like a womanizer, though. Was that rumor a fake?" She winked at him, laughing. Ah, she sure loved teasing her tutor.  Of course, just cause she teased him didn't mean she didn't respect him.  She respected him immensely. 

The smile on her face quickly disappeared when she saw her parents make their way towards them, though. Might as well get this over with now, she thought.  Evelyn sighed, "Mom, dad, I want you two to meet someone."

[Anonymous]

Ah, she had let it slip! She thought he was good looking, but that wasn't much of a surprise to him. He shook his head, laughing a little. "Don't worry, doll— sometimes I can be a bit too much to handle," he reassured, his arrogance showing once again.

"You really don't seem like a womanizer, though. Was that rumor a fake?"

He chuckled, laughing low. "Oh, gods no— it's quite real, doll. I'm bad news, as you'll learn in a moment." It was true, and here was the perfect chance to demonstrate. Really, she shouldn't have told him that he could tell them 'anything,' because he was going to milk this opportunity to the extreme.

As Evelyn told her parents that he wanted to meet them, Gemini smirked a tad. "Mr. Rider, and Mrs. Rider, I presume? It's a pleasure to meet you." He took her father's hand and shaking it firmly— in proper gentleman's fashion— and took her mother's hand in his, kissing the top of her hand. For the heir of House Stone, this was not being overbearing— his studies in knighthood and chivalry had instilled such behaviors in him, despite everything.

"I thought it would be proper for me to introduce myself to you both. I am Gemini Stone—" Sostrata alumni, adept mage, knight of Fallial, heir of House Stone, yadda yadda yadda— he didn't bother saying all these things because his long list of accomplishments should already come to mind by just hearing his name.

After saying his name, he placed a hand around Evelyn's waist, bringing her closer to him, an unexpected gesture. Well, she said he could tell them anything, didn't she? "—Your daughter's boyfriend," he finished, smiling innocently, pausing a bit, to drink in their reactions.

There— that's what happened when you asked Gemini Stone to lie.

[Anonymous]

He chuckled, laughing low. "Oh, gods no— it's quite real, doll. I'm bad news, as you'll learn in a moment." She quietly scoffed.  Yeah right, she thought.  If he was bad news then she was Kia.  She silently laughed, watching him as he introduced himself to her parents.  Oh yeah, he sure looked like bad news.  He was even doing exactly what she told him to do, that was bad news all right.  All of a sudden he placed a hand on her waist and brought her closer to him. Her brows furrowed at this unexpected gesture.  Well, okay, she could go with this.  Yeah, no problem, she thought.  It was his next words that made her freeze, though.

"—Your daughter's boyfriend."  She suddenly turned to look at him.  He did not just say what she thought he said.  That was impossible.  She looked up at Gemini and noticed he had an absolute 100% innocent expression on his face.  That stupid heir, she grumbled, what is he thinking?  While she was silently glaring at him, she hadn't noticed her parents looking at her expectantly.  She coughed, embarrassed,"yes, um, he's my boyfriend.  I was late coming home today because we had a date after school. Sorry about that." 

She blushed, wrapping her arms around Gemini.  "He just had to meet you two, though.  He was so excited about meeting you two that he insisted he stay for dinner.  Right, sweetie?" Evelyn stood on her tiptoes, and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.  Two people can play at this game, Gemini.  She smirked.  "Oh, but then he'll have to stay over night," her mother said,"it will be too late for him to head home after dinner." Evelyn immediately started coughing.  Wait, what, she blanched, recovering from her coughing fit.  That was not what she wanted.  "But mom," she started, panicked,"I'm sure he doesn't want to stay overnight. Right, Gemini, right?" She looked up at him, smirking.  He wouldn't stay over night, surely he wouldn't.  Would he? Oh dear Kia, she groaned, how did she get herself into these messes.

[Anonymous]

He had a problem, truly— something inside of him just loved causing mischief, and it wasn't his fault, honest! It was just how he was programmed. Honestly, if anything, it was her fault for telling him to lie. It was the perfectly constructed opportunity to get her flustered, and goddamnit, he wasn't one who would pass such an opportunity up! Now she was giving him this silent, smoldering glare, and he loved it, lived for it— gods, so help him, he was a sinner, someone who could not go two seconds without making problems for others...

She was quick to roll with the punches, though. A regular improv actress, she tossed her arms around him and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek— the coquette! — and was insisting that he insisted that he should stay for dinner. She was quick to play his game, but he didn't mind staying for dinner, honestly.

The heir was a little surprised that she would throw that loop in the story, to be frank— but if she wanted him to stay, he would. Besides, it was always interesting, to get a feel for how other people lived in Fallial, outside of House Stone. The rumors would claim otherwise, but if he was going to be High Lord someday, it would be nice to see what a noble's house— besides his own— looked like for himself.

But then, her mother was insisting that he stay overnight, and Evelyn instantly blanched at the idea. He laughed a little at her panicked expression, placing a hand atop her head, shaking his own. "Why, of course I'd love to stay the night. As a gentleman, there's no way I could possibly turn such an offer down."  He smiled down at Evelyn; his face— the picture of innocence. "It's a great idea, isn't it doll?"

He could hear the Dean yelling at him now: Gemini Stone, how many times have I told you to stop toying with the poor innocent girls you teach? What will everyone think of Sostrata if they knew their tutors fraternize with their students like this? Why, I should revoke your access to the restricted tomes...!

Granted, he had a lot to do back home— he was planning a big schedule for the both of them tomorrow, for her training, but he couldn't pass up an opportunity like this, could he? Of course not! "What's for dinner, Mrs. Rider?" he asked, keeping up that innocent appeal. He was a noble, born to put on airs— you could not beat Gemini Stone at his own game.

[Anonymous]

 He smiled down at Evelyn; his face— the picture of innocence. "It's a great idea, isn't it doll?" A great idea, she looked up at him, shocked.  In what world was this ever a great idea? She silently screamed.  This insufferable heir.  What did he think he was doing?  She glanced at her parents out of the corner of her eye.  They seemed absolutely thrilled that their daughter was dating the heir of House Stone.  Of course they were thrilled, she thought, he was Gemini Stone. Evelyn sighed, tuning back into the conversation at hand.

"What's for dinner, Mrs. Rider?" he asked, keeping up that innocent appeal. She quietly scoffed at his innocent expression.  Innocent, him, yeah right.  "Oh, I'm not quite sure now," her mom said, "I'm still trying to figure out what to make for dinner.  I promise you it will be something good, though." She started walking towards the house, gesturing for them to follow her.  Evelyn grudgingly followed after them.  This is not going to turn out well, she groaned.

Her mom was starting to walk towards the kitchen, when she turned around and looked at her. "Sweetie, why don't you show Gemini the guest room?" she paused and winked at her, "Don't be gone too long though alright?" Evelyn stared after her mom, her mouth agape. Did her mom just wink at her?  What was that about?  She looked over at Gemini, a scowl automatically appearing on her face, and quickly grabbed his hand.  "Come on, Gemini," she said, dragging him upstairs, "I'll show you to your room."

The minute she got to the guest room, she pushed him in and gave him her best glare.  "You insufferable man," she said, poking him repeatedly in the chest," what were you thinking?" She started angrily pacing up and down the room, all the while staring Gemini down. "How are they going to believe we're boyfriend and girlfriend? We don't even act like a couple.  They are totally going to see through this charade and then find out I have a tutor," she flopped down on the bed, worn out from her rant.  She was laying there, quietly fuming when she remembered her mom's wink.  "Oh my gosh," she quickly sat up, "she thinks we are going to be making out up here or worse." She blanched, this was exactly why she didn't want her parents to be home.  

[Anonymous]

As the heir was pushed into the guest room, almost immediately was he given a proper poking by Evelyn. Ah—crap, he really hadn't seen that coming. He laughed, clutching his 'wounds' as usual, acting hurt. That glare of hers, he loved it— it killed him! The heir had never known a noble girl to have such a temper— most of the girls he had taught at least tried to fit society's definition of the word 'ladylike' but Evelyn was an entirely different story. While any other noble might've found this side untraditional, to the heir, her anger was intriguing.

"Insufferable, me?" Gemini asked, tilting his head to the side. "And yet, you had your arms around me not too long ago," the heir reminded, the hint of a smirk playing on his lips. She was quite angry though, but that was to be expected.

"All I've done is what you told me. You asked me to lie— and I obliged." He smirked. "After all, you said I could tell them anything." Now she would learn— if you gave Gemini Stone an inch, he would take a mile.

"Oh my gosh, she thinks we are going to be making out up here or worse."

Gemini chuckled, stepping closer to her bed. He placed a finger under her chin, tilting her head up slightly, towards him. "Oh, doll," he muttered, his voice low. "You make it sound like that'd be such a bad thing." He was close, heart-stoppingly close, before he remembered himself. Ah— he had to be careful, had to reign himself back in.

The heir pulled away suddenly, laughing a little, as if he'd never been close . "You worry too much, honestly," Gemini assured, shaking his head. "Just follow my lead, and you'll be fine, hm? If there's anything I'm good at, it's maintaining a charade." He placed a hand on his lip, grinning. "Just think of me as an old boyfriend of yours, if it helps." He tilted his head slightly to the side. "Surely you've had a string of boyfriends that you can imagine me as, no?"

[Anonymous]

"Insufferable, me?" Gemini asked, tilting his head to the side. "And yet, you had your arms around me not too long ago," the heir reminded, the hint of a smirk playing on his lips. Evelyn blushed dark red. Darn, she had forgotten about that.  She shook her head, throwing the thought out of her mind.  That stupid heir knew just how to push her buttons. Lovely, she groaned, just what she needed. "You can expect that next time I tell you to do something," she openly glared at him, "I'll be more specific." She just had to say he could do anything, didn't she?  She should have known nothing good would come out of that statement. Nothing good at all.

Gemini chuckled, stepping closer to her bed. He placed a finger under her chin, tilting her head up slightly, towards him. "Oh, doll," he muttered, his voice low. "You make it sound like that'd be such a bad thing." Evelyn bit her lip, blushing profusely.  She hadn't seen this sudden advance coming at all.  It's nice, though.  No! She mentally reprimanded herself. She would not think such thoughts about this insufferable man.  Insufferable, the perfect word to describe Gemini in every way.  Just when she thought he was going to kiss her, he stepped back. She tweaked her nose.  She couldn't tell if she was relieved or disappointed.

Her eyes suddenly lit up, an idea forming.  Hm, she looked up at him, smirking.  Time to have a little fun. "Oh, but Gemini," she stood up, looking him up and down,"I do think it would be a bad thing." She started slowly circling him, the smirk still intact on her face. "What I think is you made up those rumors about you being a womanizer so you could get more ladies. When in reality, you probably can't even kiss that well, huh, Gemini?" she stopped in front of him, absolutely pleased with herself.  Two can play this game, buddy.

What he said next took a little joy out of her revenge, though.   "Just think of me as an old boyfriend of yours, if it helps." He tilted his head slightly to the side. "Surely you've had a string of boyfriends that you can imagine me as, no?" Evelyn looked down, biting her lip.  "Not exactly," she said, looking away, "I've never actually had a boyfriend.  Men just don't express that much interest in me." Well, this was just plain embarrassing.  A nineteen year old girl who had never dated anyone. She mentally cringed, chalking this conversation up on her most embarrassing moments board.

[Anonymous]

I do think it would be a bad thing.

What. He hadn't expected that. He raised an eyebrow at her accusation, finding himself nearly floored by her comeback. Made up the rumors? Hah, if only! The elite of Fallial had a field day with scrutinizing his every move, they had done a fine job of constructing his prodigal image. But— to suggest that he had made them up— that Gemini Stone was bad at...

It would've seemed like an impossible feat, but Evelyn had done it, she had managed to wipe that amused little grin off Gemini's face. Finally, after teasing and toying with her to the death, she had chalked up a point for her side.

In reality, you probably can't even kiss that well, huh, Gemini?

 It took a moment for him to compose himself again. She had definitely caught him off guard with that quip, and if it were anyone else, he would've rectified that false statement immediately. But for some reason, Gemini did not make his move, and slowly regained that cocky grin of his.

"I could demonstrate for you, if you'd like to test that theory out for yourself," he began with a smirk. "But, it would be most inappropriate conduct for your tutor— would it not?"

He smiled— there was some sadness behind the gesture. "You'll just have to believe me when I tell you I'm bad news."

It was natural for him to use people— he went through girls like addicts with through cigarettes— for the heir, they were a dime a dozen, and it was easy to find anyone who was interested in him. But this one— she was like slow fire overtaking a hilltop— smoldering, untamable, and yet, wholly innocent. He could've easily proven her statement wrong— but the truth of it was, he did not want to hurt her.

He was a heartbreaker. Sin stained his hands.

The heir was genuinely surprised, however, to hear that she had never had a boyfriend. "Never? Truly? I can't see why," he related honestly, setting his sarcasm to the side, for once. "Well, don't worry— you'll find it's quite easy to pretend, if you follow my lead." He placed a hand on his hip again. "Dinner should go by quickly, then I'll retire to my room— which is quite charming, by the way— and our little charade will be over. It'll be simple."

There weren't many things that weren't simple to Gemini Stone.

[Anonymous]

She watched as that amused little grin was wiped off Gemini's face.  Aha, she did it.  She had managed to pull one over on the almighty Gemini. One point for Evelyn, she smirked.  "I could demonstrate for you, if you'd like to test that theory out for yourself," he began with a smirk. "But, it would be most inappropriate conduct for your tutor— would it not?" Evelyn blanched at his suggestion, her earlier smirk being wiped clear off her face.  She would be lying if she said that she didn't want to kiss him.  It was tempting, she shook her head, alas, she must not think such thoughts.  Quickly recovering, she smirked at him again, "Gemini, you wouldn't demonstrate that for me even if I asked you too." She arched am eyebrow at him.  Ah, this was nice.  Her just being herself, quips and all.  It was a lovely change from her having to pretend to act like someone else all the time.  

He smiled at her, but she could tell their was sadness behind that smile. She immediately hugged him.  She didn't know why, but it broke her heart to see him sad.  She looked up at him,"you aren't a bad person Gemini, regardless of what you think, so don't be so hard on yourself." This man, as insufferable as he was, broke her heart sometimes.  The sadness in his eyes was evident and she hated that.  She leaned up and kissed him on the cheek again, blushing at her boldness.  Quite bold today huh, Evelyn? She silently laughed, quite bold today indeed.

Bold and completely embarrassed that she had told him she hadn't ever dated anyone.  She still couldn't believe she had told him that.  No one knew that except her parents.  What was she thinking, she thought.  "Well, don't worry— you'll find it's quite easy to pretend, if you follow my lead." He placed a hand on his hip again. "Dinner should go by quickly, then I'll retire to my room— which is quite charming, by the way— and our little charade will be over. It'll be simple." Evelyn looked up at Gemini, skeptically.  "Gemini," she sighed, "nothing is ever that easy." Especially when her parents were involved, she added in her mind.  They would definitely make this difficult.  She suddenly jumped when she heard a knock on her door.  "Sweetie, dinner's ready!" she heard her mom say on the other side of the door.  She looked at the door, worry evident on her face.  Well, she thought, it's now or never.

[Anonymous]

You aren't a bad person Gemini, regardless of what you think, so don't be so hard on yourself.

She accompanied her statement with a quick kiss on the cheek. She had done it before, sure, in front of her parents, but there was something different about this gesture. He placed a hand over where she had kissed, as if such a gesture could retain the warmth of her touch, but it was a futile attempt, he knew. She was too much for him— smoldering, sweet, and strangely sincere. Nice girls like her were rare in his sphere of influence— and it was because of that, because she was so sincere, that he could not get close to her. A guy like him, all he'd do is break her heart. It was all he was programmed to do.

"Doll," he began, a small smile painted on his features. "Sometimes you're just too much for me to handle."

Evelyn seemed convinced that it wouldn't be so easy to convince her parents that they were dating, but Gemini could not see how it would be hard at all. "Relax," he urged. "Everything will go smoothly, I assure you." As her mother called her down to dinner, Gemini took hold of Evelyn's hand, lacing his fingers between her own. "Shall we?" he asked, grinning, making his way down to her dining room.

As he approached the dining room, he stopped in the doorway, kissing the top of Evelyn's hand lightly— the mark of a gentleman. It was also his way of encouraging her, as if to reassure his pupil that he could pull this off properly. He cast his crimson eyes around the room, taking in the scent of food. "Mrs. Rider— whatever you've cooked up smells absolutely divine," he complemented aloud, because it was true, really. It had been forever since he had sat down and actually ate dinner— most of the time he avoided eating with his family whenever it was possible. It would be the first time in a long time that he had sat at a table and had a proper supper. Fancy that.

[Anonymous]

Relax," he urged. "Everything will go smoothly, I assure you."

Evelyn stared up at him, disbelief written all over her face.  In what world would everything go smoothly?  Not this one, that's for sure, she thought.  Evelyn was suddenly caught off guard and immediately thrust from her rant when Gemini laced their fingers together. "Shall we?" he asked, grinning, making his way down to her dining room.  

She slowly started following him downstairs, blushing the whole way.  What an absolute charmer, she thought, glancing over at him.  Evelyn sighed, she was still worried about that sad look in his eyes.  She would make him see that he wasn't a bad person regardless of what he thought, she promised herself.  She was not going to watch him as he tore himself up over such small matters.  She would help him see the good in himself.

As they approached the doorway, Gemini leaned down and kissed the top of her head.  She bit her lip, blushing.  He really was a nice man, insufferable, but nice.  She silently laughed.  She gulped when she finally walked into the dining room, though.  Evelyn glanced at the table in front of her filled with food, mouth agape.  Where did her mother get all this stuff, she wondered.  She hadn't seen food like this on their tables in ages.  One thing was for sure, her mom was definitely trying to impress Gemini.

"Mom," she looked up at her mother, shocked, "I didn't know you could make half of this food." She laughed, oh her family was definitely putting on airs for Gemini.  Her mother quickly shot her a stern look, that told her to be quiet.  She quickly glanced back down and sat down in the nearest chair, embarrassed. 

She glanced over at Gemini out of the corner of her eye.  He sure seems to be doing well.  Not a surprise at all to her, though.  She knew if anyone could pull this off it would be him.  She started munching on her food when a sharp clap of thunder rang through the house.  Evelyn jumped sky high, quietly whimpering.  No, dear Kia, please no.  Don't make it storm tonight, I beg of you.  She glanced out the window, fear evident on her face.  Not many things scared her, but one thing especially did and that was thunderstorms. 

[Anonymous]

If her mother was trying to impress him, then she had done an excellent job of it. The spread looked absolutely scrumptious; he almost felt bad for having them work so hard to create such a meal. "You've really outdone yourself, Mrs. Rider," he complemented— because while could be 'insufferable' he wouldn't forget his manners in a setting like this. Even Evelyn seemed surprised by the feast, which only cemented Gemini's suspicions that the family had gone out of their way to prepare all of this. It was flattering, really.

He took a seat next to Evelyn, not necessarily hungry, but grateful for the food nonetheless. He was the epitome of manners at the dinner table— if the knights had taught him anything, it was how to properly conduct one's self in another person's home. He had expected a barrage of questions from her parents— the usual, such as: who are you, where did you meet our daughter, so is it true what all the rumors say? — but no such questions were asked. Granted, he had a repertoire of answers for them if they bothered to inquire, prepared as he was.

Suddenly, a clap of thunder seemed to ring through the house. Gemini would've thought nothing of it, except for Evelyn's strong reaction. She nearly jumped out of her seat and whimpered at the noise, clearly distraught. "Are you alright, doll?" he asked, tilting his head. Ah, she must be afraid of the storm— he couldn't blame her, really. He moved his chair a little closer to hers so that he could wrap a hand around her waist.

"Don't worry, love — it's merely a storm. I'm right here if you need me."

He realized he was supposed to be putting a show for her parents, but there wasn't anything fake in his gesture. I'm right here if you need me. Despite all the things he wanted to be, but knew he couldn't, at the very least, he could be there for her.

[Anonymous]

Gemini moved his chair a little closer to hers, wrapping a hand around her waist.  "Don't worry, love — it's merely a storm. I'm right here if you need me." Evelyn looked up at Gemini, clearly terrified.  She leaned forward and clutched his arm tightly, burying her face in his arm. "I'm scared, Gemini," she whispered to him, practically shaking from fear.

She cursed herself for her own weakness when it came to storms.  They had always terrified her since she was little, and she was left home alone when a major storm hit.  She had been so scared that time that she had hidden under the dining room table, crying.  Ever since then, thunderstorms terrified her.  She wished they didn't, but they did.  Evelyn looked up at her parents for a second, they looked so worried.  They knew she was terrified of thunderstorms.  Her mom shot her a smile of encouragement.  She could just hear her mom saying sweetie it's going to be okay.  Evelyn smiled at her mom, but quickly buried her head back in Gemini's arm when another clap of thunder rang through the house.

Her mother coughed,"So Gemini, how did you two meet?" Evelyn couldn't help but smile a little at that. She knew her mom was asking that question so she could try and take her mind of the thunderstorm.  She loved her mom for that.  Hm, she pondered, I wonder how Gemini is going to answer that question.  He'll probably say something about meeting at school.  Yeah, she nuzzled her head into Gemini's arms, probably something about school.

She sighed, she felt safe when she clutched on to Gemini.  Still scared, but she felt safe.  Evelyn was truly glad Gemini was staying the night tonight.

[Anonymous]

He had thought her aversion to storms was only a small grievance, but on the contrary, she seemed quite terrified. Gemini scooted closer to her, placing a hand reassuringly on her head. If there was anything that pulled at his heartstrings, it was seeing a woman afraid. He could not do much, though, except let her cling to his arm, and assure her that all would be well. "Don't worry, doll, I'm right here," he comforted, for it was all he felt he could do.

So Gemini, how did you two meet?

The heir smiled a little, as if he were recalling a fond memory. "At the university, of course," he answered, without missing a beat. "I've graduated long ago, so I don't return to Sostrata very often, but I've always been fond of their courtyard." He stroked Evelyn's hair as he spoke, his attempt to distract her from the claps of thunder raging on outside. "I saw her standing under the greenwood tree— and the rest, well, is history."

If only he could've done something about that storm. While lightning was one of his attributes, not even he had the power to push the storm elsewhere, or redirect the storm clouds somewhere else. That kind of thing took eons to learn— but it only made him realize that he was not nearly as powerful as he wished to be. No matter how much he trained, it seemed as if he could never be strong enough.

"We haven't been dating long, of course— I'd say it's been only a week or so at most," he added, not wanting to say they'd been dating for a while, that would've looked suspicious. "But I wanted to meet the both of you before things got too serious— it's only the proper thing to do." He smiled a little here, the master of the charade, still keeping Evelyn close. He could keep this going all night if he had to, but since Evelyn seemed so frightened by the storm, well, he hoped he wouldn't have to.

[Anonymous]

He stroked her hair as he told her parents how they met under a greenwood tree.  She sighed content, she had always liked when people stroked her hair.  It felt nice.  She tightened her grip on his arm when another loud clap of thunder was heard.  She wanted to scream at the storm for scaring her.  Stupid storm, stupid, stupid.  Evelyn quietly whimpered.  Please stop storm.  She didn't want to have to sleep by herself during a storm again.  The last time she did that, it didn't exactly go well.  She sighed, it was going to be okay, it was going to be okay.  Her mother looked over at her, worried, "Sweetie, maybe you should eat some more of your food." Evelyn glanced at her out of the corner of her eye, "I'm fine, mom.  Really." She attempted a small smile, trying to be brave.

"Well, alright," her mom said, "We'll leave you two alone to finish eating.  Enjoy your meal you two." Her father looked at her mom in mid-bite, "But I still have some questions to ask the boy." Her mother gave her father an exasperated look,  pulling him out of his chair and dragging him out of the room.  "Your father is being silly," she said, "he doesn't have anymore questions." Just as they were almost out their line of vision, she heard her father whine,"But, I had tons of questions." 

Evelyn finally managed a smile.  She would have to thank her mom for that later.  Her mom knew she was terrified of storm, and because of the storm she wouldn't want to e bombarded by questions.  For just a second, she was glad the storm had come.  The dinner was a lot easier to get through without all the questions.  She silently thanked Kia for that miracle.  If the storm hadn't come, her father would have practically interrogated Gemini.  She quietly laughed.

That laugh was quickly extinguished when a large clap of thunder shook the whole house, though.  Evelyn screamed, jumping into Gemini's lap and hugging him tightly.  I take that gratitude back storm, she thought, shaking.  Stupid stupid storm, leave me the heck alone, she quietly whimpered.