i'll be with you still

you are the angel that I couldn't kill

The petite fairy replied like a slice of light through the dark they spoke about. Her very theory abruptly halted his own deeper musings, at least for now. There were many things the man considered in the privacy of his own mind, when he trained, when he walked the streets of Sacrosanct like a shadowy knight alone. There was far too much time within his own thoughts, not that he minded it there. It was convenient that the monsters that sought to hide within that darkness was the very place he could control, the very place evil liked to lurk. Although, he hardly knew what that said about himself and yet he waited for them gladly, the beast that gave those monsters something to truly fear. Someone had to. There weren't enough hunters in this cursed city to keep them all at bay. Perhaps, it was all in vain.

A brow rose to study the blonde ballerina's innocent features lined sparked with the mischief that danced within her eyes. "Perhaps." That singular word offered when suddenly he was all too aware of the flowers concealed behind him or the way nerves that prickled within him. He had faced monsters, violent and vicious creatures that sought to bring forth the downfall of humanity itself without so much as batting so much as an eye and yet here, it was a small fae that made him nervous. Like he had never asked out a girl before. What was wrong with him? For a moment, she seemed just as flustered as he was. Yet as those emotions seemed to settle, she at the very least seemed appreciative of it all the same, even if he wondered if he had made a mistake by laying it on too strong. Those thoughts of shadows and light so far from his mind at that moment, all but consumed with nerves so much alike a schoolboy asking a girl to prom! At least with the flowers out of the way, he was able to regain both hands and with it, a regained sense of confidence, sort of.

Adrien asked her of her plans and his response drew the most delightful of laughs from her, a sound almost startling to himself. How rarely that he was the cause of such a laugh. That sound alone seemed to soften those hardened edges. A smile pressed upon his own lips. So his competition was Chardonnay. He seemed unwilling to lose the girl to wine just yet, even despite that eternal debate that continued in the far recesses of his own mind. She seemed to playfully dance away from him with an ease he had seen her move with on that very stage, one that prompted him to follow. She seemed to draw to him and away from him with the flippancy of a hummingbird and yet, never quite out of reach. The hunter's long powerful legs hardly look much to close that distance between them as the pair emerged from the alley leaving that darkness behind.

Adrien seemed to notice that slip within her carefree demeanour from his own tease. It was none too subtle and he would be lying to say he wasn't observant of the petite woman. He seemed curious of the trouble she had found herself. Which could have been just about anything in this cesspool. Sacrosanct was a breeding ground for trouble, one didn't need to look too hard. How easy it would be for those malicious spirits to be drawn to the figurative beacon that she was. After all, she had caught his eye. That topic hardly seemed like one she wished to broach now. One conversation that was best with food in one's stomach, he was sure. "Later though." He promised, he placed that knowledge away, after all, tonight was a happy one. After all, that performance had at least earned her a meal, had it not? The fact that she allowed that usual light-hearted enthusiasm fade within her french infused words said it was surely a doozy of a tale. Yet, whatever it was hadn't truly tarnished her as she spun on her heels to face him as he watched her lithe figure move with a fascination within the shadowy confines of his eyes. She questioned him where he had intended to take her. He knew just the place well. With so many options there was bound to be something to appeal for them both, curious of what the girl might eat to remain so... tiny.

The hunter inquired if she had heard of tapas and that seemed to chase away those demons once more as her spirit seemed to brighten again while he led the way through those familiar well-worn concrete streets. It was far better to walk, in his opinion, even with that chill in the air. A sidelong glance cast her way suddenly. "Audette." He tasted her name upon his tongue. "Did you ever... make it to prima?" He remembered with perfect clarity of her desires. Even if he hardly understood what that term meant.

"I know I don't know much about dancing, but I know you killed it. I have never seen people move like that.. It's... like they defy gravity or something." He contemplated as they walked, his stride matching the pace of his date as his hands nestled deep within the confines of his pockets, an ease washed over him, smoothing out the hard lines that once lingered. The pair chatted as he led them but a few blocks away, that walk felt short, shorter than he anticipated with good company certainly made the time go faster. He guided her within that restaurant, opening the door for her to admit her inside first. It looked like a tiny hole in the wall but it seemed to burst at the seams with life. It was so dull and lifeless just outside those very walls. But it was busy, so busy. It always was... Spirited music met their ears as the waitstaff seemed to move with a pep in their step in tune to the fast-paced song. The pooling scents of a variety of flavourful foods all but collided into them, a perfect blend of culture and atmosphere. God he was so hungry. A loud sound of booming laughter, cut across the whole room that sound alone caused the hunter immediately found its source and determined its threat level. It was all but pummelled into him, an automatic response to ever waging battle of good vs. evil. Fortunately, that was not here tonight.

He leaned into Audi with a grin."It's always busy.. The food is always good.. Although there are a few dishes, I haven't acquired the taste for. But really.. I will eat just about anything." He added with a casually light-hearted shrug of his broad shoulders. They were soon led by a waitress who seemed happy to explain what Tapas was even though he said he was a regular.

Tables were lined with a wide array of dishes which almost looked cluttered and yet when you're stuffing your face, one could hardly mind. After all, that was the beauty of Tapas, you could try it all. The woman lead them towards their red booth, menus tucked within her arm. He found his seat, but not without shrugging off his jacket first, placing it on a hook before settling into the comfortable cushioned booth with ease. Now she... might have explained Tapas.. But Adrien knew the tricks, that only a seasoned regular would know.

His gaze leveled with her own as he leaned in almost conspiratorially. "Now, the best way to do this.. Is for us to order about 3or 4 dishes each and then we share so you get to taste a bit of everything. I do believe.. They have a hell of a drink selection too.. I know it might not be your chardonnay but I'm sure we can find you something... It all depends on one question... how adventurous are you?" He could not help that small smirk that played upon his features, that for a moment looked boyish and carefree before he reached for the menu, his fingers absently toying with the edges and yet he couldn't help but steal a glimpse of the ballerina sitting across from him.

Adrien Westward