Give Me a Reason to Believe (Callie)

[Lucah Ivaskov]

It had taken far too long for Lucah to actually ask Callie out on the second date that he had promised her. With both of them working diligently at the House and him actually thinking of what he was going to do with her, time had passed by quickly. But finally he had gained enough courage, put together (what he hoped) was a somewhat fun date and asked her. Thankfully she had said yes because otherwise the whole thing would have just been a whole bag of awkward.

After picking her up from her dorm, Lucah had refused to talk about what they would be doing on the date. All he had told her was that she needed to dress warm. He really was just hoping she liked being outside and spending time in the snow. He came prepared though for if she got cold. A blanket, some hot beverages and a package of hand-warmers. Being a cryokinetic, the cold didn't bother him and so he didn't feel the need to dress as warm as he'd told her. All he was wearing was a pair of swishy, athletic pants and a black long-sleeved shirt. In the back of his car hung his leather coat in case she needed an extra layer, but he doubted it would be used.

Luc pulled into the parking lot out by the lake and turned off the car, "Okay so we're here. Nothing fancy I guess, but I promise it'll be fun." He was nervous, extremely so because for some reason he felt this strong desire to show her the side of him that others never really saw. He wanted to be fun and out going, but not his usual smooth-talking self. Luc wanted to be real with her. He was just so tired of trying to impress girls with his words. This time was going to be different. "You ready?"

[Calliope Gallo]

Callie had tried her very best to get the date plan out of him. She asked a lot, and tried her best not to make it obvious. But he was refusing to talk. It didn't annoy her per se, she was just painfully curious and it was obvious after the fifth or sixth ask that she wasn't going to get anywhere. So Callie sat back and enjoyed the fact that she was going to be surprised.

"I don't need anything fancy." Callie pointed out. He probably knew that about her already, but she liked to point it out. She looked over at him and smiled, tugging at either side of her coat and ensuring it was buttoned up. "Ready."

[Lucah Ivaskov]

Lucah knew that Callie wasn't a high maintenance girl and that was one thing he loved about her. The snobby types weren't really for him, after all there was only room for one diva in the relationship and he was plenty snobby as it was. So her words had come to no surprise to him, but it was still nice to hear, it was reassuring.

When she said she was ready, Luc smiled and slid out of the car walking over to get her door for her. Once they were both out, he grabbed the bag of beverages and snacks from the trunk and began walking out towards the lake. The bag wasn't full of just food though, it had a few things that would have given away the surprise had she seen him take them out, so it was like a bag full of mysteries. The idea made him smirk and he reached for her hand with his free one while they walked.

Upon arriving to the spot Lucah liked the most, he set down his bag next to the shoreline and turned his full attention to her. Now to figure out just what she wanted to do first. "So, I know it's just the lake and we can go here whenever, but I figured today it could be our winter escape. Originally I thought about taking you to Romania where we have a cabin surrounded by hills for snowboarding her skiing, but that involved talking to my father and it wouldn't have ended well. And the other option to take you to a fancy ski lodge just didn't really sound like something fun. So I hope this is okay." Luc was full aware of how much he was talking and he had to stop himself by taking a breath.

"Our options are ice-skating, making a snow man, snowball fight, anything you can think of. I packed a warmth kit in case you get cold, too." Yes, he'd thought of absolute everything.

[Calliope Gallo]

Callie nodded in Lucah's direction thoughtfully as he opened the door for her. It was nice to have him acting like that for her, to say the least. She followed along beside him towards the lake, her gloved hands clasping together behind her back. She looked over and smiled, reaching over and curling her hand around his willingly when he had offered his out to her.

The thought of a winter escape brought an amused expression to her face. Some people might have found it strange that she was already so invested in the idea, but that was just how she was. She shook her head slightly, "Oh, you don't have to go to lengths like that. Really." Though, Callie did appreciate the thought of whisking her away to Romania. Still, she took the time to listen to the options given to her and after a while she nodded, looking out to the lake.

"Promise to catch me if I fall, right?" She asked. She simply couldn't turn down the fun of ice-skating.

[Lucah Ivaskov]

Lucah was trying to get over the nerves. He'd never really felt so nervous around a girl before and he wasn't really sure why it started now. Maybe it was due to the fact that he was trying so hard to be different with her. To be different in general. He was hoping desperately that this would work in his favor and that she would eventually want to be his girlfriend. That was a long way away though. For now, he just had to play it cool (no pun intended).

"It'll happen sooner or later, I need to put our cabin to good use," He said with a smile. Whether they go in a group as friends or alone on a romantic getaway, he was going to get her there. Callie was one of those girls who could appreciate natural beauty and he knew she'd like it. There was a hot tub that rarely got used, a great view and a lot of privacy. It would be the best romantic getaway ever if he ever had the chance to bring someone there.

Her question made him smile and Lucah nodded, "Always." As long as she was with him, he wouldn't let her fall. It was a good thing she'd picked to ice-skate though because Lucah was secretly great at it. Thanks in large part to his mother and his nanny. "Hope I got the right size for you, I was just guessing," He said as he opened the bag of goodies and pulled out two pairs of skates, one that was more for hockey players and the other pair a little more feminine.

[Calliope Gallo]

"Well, of all the places I've been... Romania isn't one of them." Callie replied with a smile. She had always wanted to go there, but the option had never come up for her. Still, it sounded beautiful. And to think that it was where Lucah was from was even better. Maybe one weekend, or something of that capacity.

Callie peered over to try and sneak a peak at what was in the bag. But all she saw were the ice-skates, and she withdrew when she realised she wouldn't see anything beyond that. She took the ones he offered her and unlaced her shoes, moving to put the skates on one at a time. "Looks like it fits perfectly to me." She pointed out, moving to the second foot. When she was ready she offered her hands out to him. "Help me up?"

[Lucah Ivaskov]

Lucah smiled faintly at the thought of his home. He may have been living in the US for quite some time, but Romania would always be his home. It was where he'd spent his childhood and had memories of his mother. And it was where his sister was now. "You'd like it I'm sure. It's beautiful especially up near the mountains. I really would like to take you there some time," He smiled wider.

He caught her peeking into the bag and it caused him to chuckle. He'd strategically placed everything so that no matter what she would see what was in there when he was ready to show her. When she took the skates he began putting his on as well. Luc was glad that they fit her because otherwise that would have screwed up some of his plans. Callie reached for him, and he took her hands, pulling her into his arms and placing a kiss on her cheek before setting her back down.

"I wanna show you something because it's sort of necessary before we can do this," He said with a short laugh. Luc took her towards the lake and he could see the thinner spots of ice. "Just so we don't have any accidents, my power comes in handy for this sort of thing. Watch." He stepped out onto the ice and began sliding around with ease, his fingers dragging along the ice causing it to freeze into a more solid sheet of ice. He skated back to her and stopped, "Now that it's safer, come on."

[Calliope Gallo]

Callie took hold of his hands, being drawn onto her feet and straight into his arms. Her hands settled on his shoulders and she smiled when he kissed her cheek. But after a moment or so he let her go again, and she stood and kept hold of his hand as he walked her down towards the lake. Accidents on the ice? She wouldn't have thought of anything like that. So she was glad that she had.

"Talk about useful powers." She said with a smile. It made her a little jealous of what her own abilities were. It was times like these when she felt a little useless, but she could deal with that pretty easily. After a moment or two of contemplation, she moved towards the edge of the ice and gradually brought herself onto it. "Y'know, I have done this before." She pointed out lightly. But she extended her hand out towards him and laughed, "Now watch me totally contradict myself and end up falling over anyway."

[Lucah Ivaskov]

When he came back to her, he let out a laugh, "Useful? Hardly. The only time it's useful is when I take a pretty girl ice-skating which is pretty rare." Honestly the only other pretty girl he'd taken ice-skating was his little sister. He didn't think that really counted though because Nausicca had been with them at the time and it was pretty much just sibling bonding. Not that he didn't have fun, but he hoped this time would have a slightly different outcome.

"Sorry, sorry," He said with a laugh lowering his arms to go to a more casual stance. Luc wouldn't let her fall, even if he wasn't ready and waiting. He had decent reflexes. Callie offered him her hand and he took it, lacing their fingers together hesitantly. He was being careful of how far he was pushing it. After what happened on their last date, he was scared of making any wrong moves and driving her away.

Staying at her pace, rather than racing around the ice, he kept close to her and smirked, "You won't fall, I'm right here." Lucah looked out across the lake and rubbed the back of his neck with his free hand. "When was the last time you ice-skated? It's been a couple years for me."

[Calliope Gallo]

Callie entwined her fingers with his with ease, looking over at him and smiling again. Then she instinctively looked down at her feet, feeling the fact that he was gliding along beside her at her pace. Cold weather and ice; oh how she wished it was her thing. Or that it had been before she met him. Then maybe she'd have a little more experience with things like this.

"I'm trusting you." She replied. A small laugh escaped her as she realised she was scared of falling over in general. It sounded a little silly in her head. "Well, I mean ever since I got my powers the cold weather has always been a little sore on my joints. When I told my dad he started to get really weird about where we went when we traveled overseas." She looked over at him suddenly, worry etching her features slightly. "It's not that bad, really! So don't you start worrying about it too, okay?" That was the last thing she needed.

"Anyway. I guess it has been a while since I've been ice-skating in a... Peaceful way? I'm used to being forced to defend myself against my brothers. They like to pick me up and carry me around to freak me out." Niko in particular. "They don't discriminate when it comes to that. Doing that on ice is just a challenge for him. So I like the change of pace with you. I don't have to worry about anything." She laughed nervously. There was still the falling to fret over.

[Lucah Ivaskov]

When she accepted their entwining fingers, he relaxed slightly and his smile came easier. It seemed like if he took his time with things and didn't instantly rush into things head on, they played out better. He just had to keep it in mind. And the cold didn't have to be her thing just because she was with him or because of him, in fact he was used to people being a bit uncomfortable with him because of his cold exterior. It seemed like most people preferred warmth to the cold.

Luc squeezed her fingers and smiled, "I can see how that would make sense. It's why people usually stretch before working out, so that their joints can warm up. With that sort of power, I guess it would be sort of sucky being in the cold." He could only imagine it though because the cold had always been comfortable to him. "I'm pretty good at giving massages though so maybe after this I could work my magic on you," He shot her a wink and smiled shyly as a way of toning it down a bit. He wasn't trying to be creepy, it was merely a joke, with a hint of truth because he really was good at giving massages. When she looked at him after explaining how her father was always worrying about it. "Alright, alright. If you say I shouldn't worry I won't. But if it gets bad, tell me and we can warm up a bit."

"Oh wow," He laughed when she spoke of how her brothers were with her. Lucah couldn't even imagine being that way with Jezebel, but she was a little princess that didn't do rough-housing. She was far too delicate for that. "Well I'm glad it's a good change of pace. I'm not a rough-housing type usually. My sister is a very fragile girl and she doesn't have the strength to really hold her own. She's treated like a princess," He said with a fond smile gracing his lips.

[Calliope Gallo]

Callie shrugged her shoulders, nodding once. "But snow is so fun. I can't help myself." Besides, everyone else just dealt with their little side effects. Why couldn't she? She shook her head when he said that he shouldn't worry. Because in truth he didn't have to. If it had bothered her, he would have known by now. It wasn't like he could help how much cooler he was naturally. "I can take a little cold. You're definitely worth it." She replied with a smile.

"I think that's what happens when there's two boys, and their both older. Majority rules and all that." Callie explained. She had put a lot of thought into why they were the way they were. "And girls are lighter and easier to throw around. Like, I've lost count of how many times they're thrown me off piers and into the water. Especially during the summers in Greece. Yia Yia said it was something I had to get used to, but my mom still yells at them when they do."

Callie threw her head back slightly to laugh at the thought of her mother trying to catch a teleporter and a phaser. The action caused her foot to slip out of balance and with that she threatened to fall to the ice. Instinctively, a small squeal of surprise left her mouth too.

[Lucah Ivaskov]

Smiling at her comment, he nodded in agreement, "It is pretty awesome. Especially up in the mountains, snow-covered trees, slippery slopes, he loved it all. As long as she could handle the cold, he would gladly handle any amount of heat she pushed on him. If that meant spending days in the summer, he'd do it without complaint because she was doing this with him. And she was more than worth it. His face brightened at her words, "I'm glad. But I did pack extra warmth if it's needed so, you won't have to suffer too much."

"It makes sense, I'm sure it'd be different if I had a brother instead of a baby sister," But if that was the case, who would his father favor then? He didn't want a brother, he loved his little girl far too much to trade her in. Besides, he didn't get along with very many guys, mostly because he was a jerk to all of the ones he'd met. He just had no luck finding a good best friend that happened to be a guy. It was weird, all of his best friends were his ex's. "My father would throw a fit if I ever did anything like that to my sister, even though she'd probably love it," He laughed.

When she started laughing a little harder, he watched her, smiling because he simply loved her laugh. But then he saw her lose her footing and before she could get too close to the ice, he scooped her up and pulled her into his chest. "Careful," Lucah said softly in her ear, looking down at her with a smile. "Told you I'd catch you."

[Calliope Gallo]

"Dad seemed to understand it. Mom wasn't though. Only girl of the family and all that." Callie replied. But she was also glad for the family she had. She liked being looked after in the way that she was; Callie doubted that would happen if she had another sister. Though at the same time, there would be someone she could easily bond with.

Falling was never a good feeling. Especially because she knew it was happening before it even started. Just when she was sure that all was lost and she was completely going to hit the ice, his arms circled around her and pulled her up. Callie scrambled slightly to get back onto her feet and stood again, looking up at him. Her hands pressed against his shoulders for stability. "Thanks," She breathed, suddenly feeling strangely nervous, "I... Told you I'd trust you."

[Lucah Ivaskov]

Lucah nodded at her statements. He understood, even if their family dynamics were completely opposite. She had a loving family, filled with warmth and happiness just like her. His family was sorely lacking in the warmth and happiness departments. Ever since his mother died, he hadn't felt truly happy, especially since he couldn't even be around his little sister. His only way of seeing her was through a webcam which was incredibly different.

When she was back on her own feet, he loosened his grip to keep from being over zealous with his actions. Luc would have liked to keep her close all the time, but he didn't want to overstep the boundaries he set for himself. Things would be different if he wasn't trying so hard to be different and to keep a distance so that he didn't freak her out or push her away. He smiled when she pointed out that she had in fact trusted him. "I'm glad you did, other people would probably have expected to fall or better yet, not even trusted me to get out on the ice," He said with a short laugh.

That's what happened when you pushed people to the point of distrust.