03-31-2026, 03:14 AM
When Alex finally broke the kiss, he lingered for a moment longer. Their lips were still barely touching, their breathing barely under control and able to feel each other's pulse in their complicated embrace. His hand was still high on her thigh, holding her in position, his other arm easily holding her steady, as if she weighed nothing at all. He slowly stood back up, bringing her with him, letting his hand linger as long as he dared at her thigh, but gently allowing her to regain her feet as he did so. Only once he was certain she was solidly standing did he step a little to the side, but his eyes were locked on hers until the last minute, at which point they booth took a small bow for the crowd as they applauded. Alex gestured to Beno, in a way that directed the credit to her and he bowed to her as well before stepping closer again and whispering, "For a first date, you sure do set the bar high."
Alex then walked her back to the side. They both needed to catch their breath and get a drink. This time, as they walked, it was slower, as if reluctant to leave the dance floor. His hand was holding hers and even letting her use him to steady herself, but instead of leading her, he was deliberately walking beside her and by the end, allowing her to lead the way by about a half step. Alex had a hard time taking his eyes off of her as he helped her find her seat.
Cindy greeted them both, holding out their drinks, knowing they were both thirsty after that. With raised eyebrows, she said, "That was quite a dance! The entire place was glued to your performance." Her grin became a bit more playful as she added, "That kiss at the end...I don't recall that part from your dance lessons."
Alex smiled at Cindy as he took his drink, "Well, no. However, to be fair, it was my sister who was teaching me at the time and as much as I loved her, that is not the way I would have kissed my twin sister. You should perhaps classify it as artistic improvisation in the heat of the moment."
Cindy's smile widened and she looked at Beno as if to ask if she was buying what he was saying, "Well there was certainly a heat of the moment, I give you that. You didn't have to be an empath to pick up on what you two were laying down out there. I'm not even an organic and it got my pulse going."
Cindy handed Beno her drink, continued to smile and added a small wink, "Way to own the room. I have to say, I love your style." She then took a step back and closed with, "Let me know if you two need anything."
As Cindy went to step away, there was another glance between Cindy and Alex where Cindy gave just a hint of a nod, which Alex returned in an equally almost imperceptible manner. Beno had seen such glances before, but Cindy had not typically been around as much since the end of the mission. Since she had not been forced out of physical form, she had been seen more often. It was hard to remember that even when you didn't see her, Cindy was operating in the background in some context that Alex tended to not elaborate on. With her in physical form, there was more of a reminder that she was almost a constant presence in some way. When Alex looked back to Beno, his eyes changed. He was more business when looking at Cindy, but now, when he looked at Beno, his look softened. Just like on the dance floor, she could actually feel the shift in him, as if it were happening to her as well, yet different. She didn't know how she knew it, but it was a real thing.
Alex took a small drink to try and hide the fact that he was blushing a little. He figured most people would think it was from the exertion of the dance, but it wasn't...and he was fine with that.
== Tag to all ==
Alex then walked her back to the side. They both needed to catch their breath and get a drink. This time, as they walked, it was slower, as if reluctant to leave the dance floor. His hand was holding hers and even letting her use him to steady herself, but instead of leading her, he was deliberately walking beside her and by the end, allowing her to lead the way by about a half step. Alex had a hard time taking his eyes off of her as he helped her find her seat.
Cindy greeted them both, holding out their drinks, knowing they were both thirsty after that. With raised eyebrows, she said, "That was quite a dance! The entire place was glued to your performance." Her grin became a bit more playful as she added, "That kiss at the end...I don't recall that part from your dance lessons."
Alex smiled at Cindy as he took his drink, "Well, no. However, to be fair, it was my sister who was teaching me at the time and as much as I loved her, that is not the way I would have kissed my twin sister. You should perhaps classify it as artistic improvisation in the heat of the moment."
Cindy's smile widened and she looked at Beno as if to ask if she was buying what he was saying, "Well there was certainly a heat of the moment, I give you that. You didn't have to be an empath to pick up on what you two were laying down out there. I'm not even an organic and it got my pulse going."
Cindy handed Beno her drink, continued to smile and added a small wink, "Way to own the room. I have to say, I love your style." She then took a step back and closed with, "Let me know if you two need anything."
As Cindy went to step away, there was another glance between Cindy and Alex where Cindy gave just a hint of a nod, which Alex returned in an equally almost imperceptible manner. Beno had seen such glances before, but Cindy had not typically been around as much since the end of the mission. Since she had not been forced out of physical form, she had been seen more often. It was hard to remember that even when you didn't see her, Cindy was operating in the background in some context that Alex tended to not elaborate on. With her in physical form, there was more of a reminder that she was almost a constant presence in some way. When Alex looked back to Beno, his eyes changed. He was more business when looking at Cindy, but now, when he looked at Beno, his look softened. Just like on the dance floor, she could actually feel the shift in him, as if it were happening to her as well, yet different. She didn't know how she knew it, but it was a real thing.
Alex took a small drink to try and hide the fact that he was blushing a little. He figured most people would think it was from the exertion of the dance, but it wasn't...and he was fine with that.
== Tag to all ==