i'll be with you still

you are the angel that I couldn't kill

Audi's blonde locks shifted around her as she giggled, his dark shadowy purple brush across her features as she spoke in response to his question. Which only made it entirely clear he had listened far too well the night they met. He nodded in response, focused before he complimented her dancing. After all, she had been deserving of it. He could notice and appreciate one who honed their craft. The time, effort and dedication that it took to get the timing and action just right. How he took the same care in making sure he remained the best weapon he could be. His muscular body attested to that, so did his diet, exercise regime all dedicated to giving himself an edge against those monsters that plagued Sacrosanct. Alistar would one day learn what it took to remain alive. He hated to admit to him that life as he had known it would never be the same again, he felt wrong... for giving him a hope that he could have a normal life. One could not be a dark hunter and ignore their duty was like a fish attempting to live outside the water. Yet his mind was far from his own worries, at least for now.

Audi spoke of the beauty of ballet, and he had never noticed it before until now. There was a gracefulness to it, even he could see it. One that could be used in fighting. A refined beauty, where movement was synonymous with the subconscious. At least that's how it was designed to look. Natural and fluid. Nothing about the way she moved seemed forced. He caught that knowing gleam in her eye, most concealed as the hunter escorted the fae through the familiar streets of Sacrosanct. "As I've come to learn." He said with a faint but real smile that lingered on his lips.

It did not take long before they made it to that hidden gem of a restaurant. The young woman seemed to all but light up (not in the literal sense) but in the wonder that glee she got from that effervescent atmosphere. He had suspected she would like it. She exclaimed happily, he could easily hear her over the crowd simply because he was all too aware of her. Even though part of him was ever aware of his surroundings. He at the very least had learned to be far better at hiding it over time. After all, he hardly wanted to come across as aloof. He tilted his head slightly to better view her in that side long glance. "Just wait until you taste it." He said with an easy assurance. Who didn't want to experience flavour? Did the french not appreciate it the same he wondered? Did Fae even appreciate food? Did they eat at all? Who didn't want to explore the lively spices and the way they interacted with one another. Vampires. They couldn't.

If only he could bring to life those flavours within his own cooking! He seemed to like that Spanish, Mediterranean fusion, there was life within that cosy space and that food. Would hopefully speak for itself. It was one of his most favoured restaurants which probably said much of what he thought of the fae.

The waitress took them to their table. Adrien shrugged off his jacket, choosing the seat that better offered a view of that restaurant. He knew no harm would come to them here and yet he could never be too sure. He only vaguely listened to the waitresses explanation of that restaurant he knew all too well. He was quite certain she recognized him. Not that it mattered. Audette seemed to eat it up all the same. It was her expression he watched as she soaked in this new experience as though it seemed to dazzle her. How he enjoyed that joyous look upon her features. How easy it was to forget his worries, to be swept up in the mesmerizing woman before him. She was beautiful.

The waitress left to give them time to peruse those menus. It admittedly hardly took long for his shoulders to soften and that tease to leave him. He noticed the way she flushed! A beautiful rosy pink kissed her cheeks. She exclaimed easily, not missing a single beat of a moment. The pair seemed to lean in as they spoke like they possessed some kind of private barrier from the world. He could hardly help that quirk of his own lips, as subtle as it was. What he didn't expect was for him to choose all the dishes for the table. Yet... he hardly baulked at the challenge. It felt like a test of sorts. Little did she know how easy a request that was!

"Challenge accepted, Ballerina. Although brave...for a first date." Yet he certainly felt the pressure, at least a little, as he peered at that menu he has seen a million times before, he had hardly noticed he used the word date so casually. After all, he had called it that in his mind. It slipped from him so freely. He would choose safer options like the paella, croquettes, jerk chicken satays and the Patatas Alioli, seeking not to spice the young woman out on the first date. And a few of those more risky choices like the cuttle fish, and the calamares. Along with an appetizer. It was admittedly a lot of food... But there had to be something she liked. Unless she was vegan... then he would be royally... screwed. It was a gamble and yet... one he was willing to take. He knew how vegans loved to speak of what they were.

In a moment he flagged down the waitress ordering the food who memorized the order and took the menus. "You will need to tell me how I did." He almost seemed perhaps eager for her to try it.

"They come as smaller portions so you can order more to try." The waitress took their drink order and spun on her heel with a surefooted bounce to her step. It was then a furrow of his brow indicated a thought that returned to his mind. How easy it was to forget she wasn't fae.

"Audi?" He paused awkwardly. "You eat food right? I don't know much about faes... at all. Your species are rare... You are.. Just unlike the.. others. Can you help me understand?" He leaned back, unsure and yet curious as to how she would respond. He clasped his hands together, resting them before him on the smooth wooden table.

Adrien Westward