A touch of red [Amber]

[Amber Ignis]

For a moment, Amber forgot where she was. Suddenly, this encounter felt like one that should be held in private away from strangers’ eyes and ears. But they were still sitting up against the wall of the pet store in the bustling mall in the middle of Vermont. She wanted more than she felt like she could get sitting on the floor here. Not more like they’d been joking about, but more. More of his mind, his thoughts, his fears. She felt this connection. Amber did not know how to just be someone acquaintance or distant friend. When a person peaked her interest, she wanted to know everything. Lucas had successfully shown her that was worth getting to know. But she had to urge herself not to push too hard. That is how her heart always gets broken. She always expects more than people are willing to give. Most other people need some time to build trust, but Amber is willing to give it right away. In this moment, she trusted Lucas wholeheartedly.

“I guess every ability comes with the good and the bad. Sometimes I wonder if it’s worth it, yah know?” She tried to imagine how Lucas must feel. He had the power to learn anything he wanted, but he also couldn’t forget the stuff that haunted him. She was already haunted by her past, but she imagined with time it would fade. He didn’t have a choice but to remember.

The way he grabbed his neck, she could tell her was just as lost as she was. She remembered how she felt this conversation was getting too deep for the middle of the mall. She decided to take his cue on changing the subject from their awkward innuendos and she changed the subject away from abilities. “So Lucas, what brought you to the mall today? I know it couldn’t have been to sit on the floor talking to strangers, right?”

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to hear more. Actually, she was dying to learn more about him, but she couldn’t forget the fact that they were in public and people could overhear them. She didn’t feel safe here. She’d already made the decision that she planned to see Lucas again. She didn’t know when or where, but she’d find a way to get inside the head of this special, and very handsome, new friend.

[Lucas Blacke]

It was a good question, one he had been asking himself from the moment he got there and still had no answer for, he knew it wasn't to talk to strangers and certainly not on the floor despite Amber making it quite worth it to sit on the floor of a mall. ''Not exactly sure..'' He replied with a slight pull of his shoulders, though he was glad to have her change the subject in the way that she did. Further talk on that previous subject was possible but he preferred if that wasn't out in the open, maybe in the confines of his own house. But to just invite a girl into his house was a bit iffy after just one date. Not date.

''Totally not how I expected this date ta go.'' Wait, did he just speak his mind? He was used to doing that but at this point of their conversation and the word he used it was a bit of a dick move from him. ''..or 'tever ya wanna call this outin'.'' He saved, hoping she wouldn't look too much into the word he used without thinking.

..why was he in a heavy bass mood all of a sudden? His music thoughts went from guitars and pianos to wanting to pump that bass. ''Ever get random thoughts pop inta yer brain at th' weirdest moments?'' He asked Amber, his head turning to the said as he looked at her. ''Fer some weird reason I just feel like pumpin' th' Amber now.'' Instantly he turned his face away from her and coughed. ''Bass. Pumpin' th' bass!'' The things they had been joking about didn't really help his mind.

''So, do ya.. maybe know why I keep fuckin' up?'' He asked, and again instantly shook his head. ''Lucas needs ta shut up now.'' She likely wasn't interested in giving an answer anyway, and he didn't blame her one bit. Mainly because she asked a question first, which he wasn't really done answering.

''I 'ave all this cash.'' He pulled out a wad of his spending money that currently only comprised of about two thousand dollars. Where some people might find him stupid for taking that kind of cash with him, he failed to care. ''An' dunno what ta spend it on.''

''Got anythin' ya want? I seriously felt like spendin', just had no idea on what.''

[Amber Ignis]

The more awkward Lucas was, the more comfortable Amber felt. Being around totally suave people just made Amber feel even more like a giant dope. She did not know how to talk to cute guys, but it didn’t seem like Lucas knew how to talk to cute girls either. Not that Amber would be cocky enough to say she was cute, be he just kept saying it. As he rambled a little bit, she continued laughing. Talk of dates and ‘pumpin’ th’ Amber,’ he was all over the place, and it was adorable. His embarrassment was obvious, but she tried to make it clear she was laughing with him and not at him. “Oh hush, you’re adorable.”

And then he whipped out that massive wad of cash. Amber nervously looked around to see if anyone noticed. It didn’t seem like they were currently on anyone’s radar. But holy shit that was a load of cash. Normally if a guy pulled a move like that, Amber would think he was trying to show off his money, but Lucas appeared to be pretty genuine about just wanting to spend cash. New money, it seemed.

Amber did not grow up wishing for more than she had, but she was certainly never in a position where she could blow thousands of dollars on one date…outing…whatever this was. Not that she was assuming Lucas meant to spend that on her. She could never ask someone to spend money on her.

“Okay, sugar daddy! Wow! Did you rob a bank or something?” When the nervousness of someone potentially robbing Lucas subsided, Amber laughed again. “Well I came here to buy some swag for my brand new big girl apartment. But I got distracted by the puppies!” She suddenly had an idea she thought he would like.

“But okay, you’re a music guy? Even listened to anything on vinyl? I’ve been dying for a record player!” She did not come to the mall often, but she knew there was a music store that sold record players and vinyl records from The Beatles all the way up to today’s music. Though it wasn’t her cup of tea, she wondered what Kanye West would sound like on vinyl.

With this new destination in her head, Amber stood up and offered Lucas her hand to help him up.

[Lucas Blacke]

''Sugar daddy.'' He repeated. He didn't exactly know what that term meant, but hadn't it got to do something with old men with cash buying love and sex? So, basically men chasing prostitutes? While Amber did look snazzy she didn't strike Lucas as a girl who would go at it for the money, and if she looked hot, which she did, it was because of her pyrokinetic ability. Lucas knew what she meant with the sugar daddy comment though, but did it mean she was expecting him to blow all that money on her? Despite asking her what she wanted he didn't really intended to spend it on anyone else but himself. He was just asking for ideas, though if she played her cards right he could be persuaded, and with Luke the art of persuasion was really just the art of staying near him.

He looked at her with a single brow raised in confusion, but a small smile on his face. ''Depends on yer next move, missy.'' Luke joked as he took her hand that she stuck out after getting up. As another joke he put a bit too much strength in the pull and made her bump into him as he got to his feet. ''My money, not yours!'' He shook off as he put a hand on her shoulder and tried keeping her steady as he had a hard time containing a smile.

Putting the wad of money back in the pocket where it came out of he looked around to see if he saw any stores of worth, though what she mentioned was of interest to the guy who claimed he loved music. ''A record player..?'' He knew what it was and didn't really see a need for one, he had a stereo set in his house and the instruments needed to play almost everything, though it did have a small bit of appeal as a conversation starter or decoration for in his house. Maybe she helped him find something to buy.. who knew?

''Might wanna check one out. Know of a store?'' He asked the girl who he hoped wasn't too confused by what he did and said. ''Might even buy ya one too. If ya play nice, that is.'' He shot her a wink.

[Amber Ignis]

Though she didn’t really expect Lucas to buy her anything, she did wonder why he showed her that he had so much cash. She didn’t think it was to show off, but it seemed like an odd gesture. Maybe he did rob someone. Or maybe it was an inheritance? Either way Amber sensed he was uneasy about it and she decided not to push the issue.

“Don’t worry, I’ve been saving up for some stuff so I can buy things on my own, thank you very much,” she joked and shot him a wink back. She wasn’t totally sure he was sold on the record player, but she had just decided to buy one. She knew if they got over there, she could convince him to buy one as well. Besides, someone with that much cash lying around is probably easily persuaded into new purchases. She bet she could have convinced him to buy that puppy.

“I know record players seem so inconvenient since technology is so advanced now, but trust me…there is something nostalgic about the sound and feel of a vinyl. You’ll love it.” She began walking towards the music store, which was on the other side of the big mall. The store mostly sold instruments and equipment, but she knew they had an entire section for vinyl.

“So Lucas…” she started talking as they walked. She tried to keep the pace slow. She was in no rush to get anywhere. “You never did tell me if you were still at Hammel or not. I’m just surprised I’ve never seen you before.” She thought this could open the door to planning a day to see each other again. If they were in school together it would be easy to do so. She wasn’t sure if she should invite him over to her apartment. That seems like a recipe for disaster. But if she did buy a ton of stuff to bring back home…she would need some help. She was pretty sure she’d be able to control herself alone in a room with him.

[Lucas Blacke]

Despite being relieved to hear she had saved up for stuff instead of begging sugar daddies to buy stuff for her, he felt a twang of disappointment at her basically declining his money. He never actually offered, but still. This also made her seem like a self sustaining woman, one who didn't rely on family to give her stuff, and though he didn't know the situation with her family he was drawing invisible lines to other people he knew, like himself.

''More money fer me.'' Lucas supposed with a shrug, though now he did have an idea on what to buy. In any case he figured they'd go to a music store so if he wasn't going to end up buying a record player he could at least browse some music, and maybe even some cool instruments. Lord knew he needed more than one guitar. Maybe he'd get a warlock, or a flying V, although a bich looked fun to play as well.

''Well, even if it sounds inconvenient I'm happy ta know what ta do with me time here.'' He replied when she mentioned the technology being outdated and all. Lucas knew the things were making a comeback though, and as he had figured before, even if he didn't buy one for the purpose of playing music it'd still look nice just standing there.

But mainly what would take him there was Amber mentioning it, obviously despite not wanting to be that kind of guy anymore he still found it difficult to say no to a cute girl, and for some reason he found himself not minding at that precise moment. He knew the feeling of guilt, as minor as it ended up being, would find its way over to him later and haunt him, remind him of what she would think of it if she found out. But honestly, wasn't it time to let that go?

He snapped back to reality as her question hit him, if he was at Hammel or not. Or rather if he was still at Hammel or not. ''Left that dump behind me a while ago.'' His response was. ''Though I hate that there're all these cute girls poppin' up at Hammel just when I leave. Bet ya could've made me stayin' there a bit more fun, aye?'' He bumped into her shoulder as a joke and laughed. ''I'm in college now, graduated last year. Feels odd not havin' ta look out fer th' people there.. Gods, some of them were so goddamn annoyin'.''

''Hey Amber.'' He then said with his hand cutting through subjects, it seemed. ''Somethin' else. Do ya know someone that ya like that much ya feel ya should let 'em go, but ain't able ta? An' most everythin' ya do just fucks ya up even more?''

[Amber Ignis]

Amber was glad that Lucas did not deny her idea to go to the music store. She felt like it might be easier for them to get to know each other if they are actually doing something, as well as exploring a hobby they both enjoyed. Amber started to think about the strangeness of the situation she was in. She was now hanging out and shopping with, basically, a total stranger. Weren’t there classes in elementary school to warn kids about stuff like this? Stranger Danger, or whatever? But something about this was exciting! She couldn’t remember the last time she broke the rules a little bit. At Hammel it’s just been work, and structure, and studying. She didn’t allow herself time to be reckless, because she was afraid of where it would lead.

Amber wasn’t crazy about the idea of Lucas calling Hammel a dump. Though it has never felt like home to her, it had helped her get her life back on track. But then she remembered how he described his power. She bet Hammel must hold some painful memories that he is unable to forget and unable to stop reliving.

His final comment solidified what Amber thought. He must be talking about a girl. It was the only way a comment like that would make sense. Something bad must have happened in a relationship and he spent a ton of time dodging her while they walked through the same halls. But damn, this guy seemed to have baggage. That would make a normal girl run away, but not Amber. Now that she sensed he was a little broken, it made her so much more interested. She wanted to fix him.

“Yeah, I think I know what you mean.” Amber thought of her own personal experiences. She had a relationship that she would give anything to forget. “I had a relationship that to someone else would have been this huge, defining moment in their life. But to me, it just a mistake that haunts me. The more I think about, the more I hate that person that I was back then.” Amber tried to be slightly vague. She did not want to tell Lucas the relationship was with another girl, because Amber wasn’t gay. She had nothing against it, but it just wasn’t her. When she met Jamie, she was drinking every night and doing drugs. She was completely out of control and doing anything to hurt her family. Jamie was just another part of her destructive behavior that she didn’t think should define her.

[Lucas Blacke]

''The more I think about it, the more I hate the person I was back then.'' Her words kept echoing through his mind, the realization had set in. Paired with her comment about a mistake that kept haunting her.. while she was talking about a relationship and what Luke had never got as far as a relationship, he couldn't help but think back at those moments and try to compare them to what was going on right now. With.. Jen, her name was? It was basically this situation, just in a different jacket. And it caused Lucas to pause his walk a moment and widen his eyes briefly. ''I 'aven't changed..'' He said as he looked at his own hands as if he had a gaping wound.

Shaking his head he put his hands back down and continued moving, admittedly a bit more silent. This moment, what he was doing.. it wasn't right. It was not even a year ago that he had called to say it was a mistake, and it haunted him still. It was just that he was the college student this time, and she was the Hammel student. But it was both outside of Hammel, really the only difference was that Luke was trying to take it slow, or at least trying his hardest to take it slow. But when he wanted something, he almost always ended up achieving the opposite.

Looking at Amber out of the corner of his eye he was almost certain that whatever she was thinking was just about the same as he was thinking, or he assumed as much anyway. It helped to think he wasn't the only one thinking the thoughts he did.

But the thing about a defining moment in a persons life got to him the most though, because one of the mistakes he had made would be one of those defining moments otherwise. ''S'pose we 'ave more than our fair share o' wrong in common.'' He said, genuinely feeling closer to her now with her saying something about a mistake than before, since she kind of confirmed he wasn't in perfect company. That helped.

''Didya love th' person?'' He didn't yet know what way she swung just yet, and just saying 'him' at that moment seemed a bit out of place. Maybe it was a mistake in the sense of trying out a new gender or something and finding out you missed something that only the other gender could provide. ''An' if it counts, I think yer awesome. Still 'round me an' stuff.''

He had a feeling that when this day was over they'd still be seeing each other. She was interesting and funny and seemed genuinely interested in what Luke had to say. Plus he also noticed her checking him out a bit, though he failed to mention that just then. But hey, eye candy didn't hurt, right?

[Amber Ignis]

When Lucas stopped walking for a moment, Amber felt like she saw into his soul. She saw the realization that he was having, that he hadn't changed. And she wanted to help him. "Well, I don't think we necessarily change, we just learn more about ourselves and grow into the people we're meant to be. Everything we do will always be a part of us, good or bad." Amber did not think that Jamie was bad for her, just not a time in her life that she wanted to advertise. But, she thinks her rebellious stage really helped to shape her and it's a point in her life she'll never be able to forget.

She agreed with his comment about them having a lot wrong in common, but it scared her. Lucas wasn't just some boring, run of the mill, boy next door that would lose her interest. He was the type of dangerous personality that might make her fall really hard and really fast. No matter how much her mind was saying no, no, no, she wanted more than anything to say yes.

At this point their slow walking had continued and they were almost at the music store, but at this point she'd completely lost interest in shopping. She was much more enthralled in this new connection she'd made. She could almost feel a spark forming between them. And not a spark like she could make, but a spark that was the start of something epic.

"Maybe I did love them...maybe not. I don't know, I don't really have anything to compare it to." Amber was pretty certain she had never been in love, but she did have a tendency to care so much for people that'd she'd drop anything for them. "And thanks...I think you're great, too." Then she decided to take a leap even though her head was warning her against it. "I'd really like to see you again soon..despite living here so long I don't know many people, and you're, like, the coolest person I've met." She refrained from mentioning anything about 'friends' because she didn't want Lucas to think that is what they'd be limited to being, because at this point she was dying for more.

[Lucas Blacke]

''Pff..'' Lucas did his best to sound like a deflating rubber wheel. ''That would mean I'd remain a playboy..'' Maybe she was right though, and he was just suppressing instead of changing, trying to see how long he could go without being himself despite his 'old' self shining through from time to time. And honestly, maybe it wasn't good for him to keep so much inside as all the hiccups in his ability had started ever since he'd been trying to change his ways. Like his body was trying to say something.

The last few times he felt like he did was when he just arrived at Hammel, and a few years after that. Aside from the times his power malfunctioned due to too much use he had never had any problems with it, and even that side effect was pretty much gone. Problems aside, maybe he really needed to go back to himself.. not like his normal self was hardwired to cheat on people. He kind of started blaming that on just having needs. But now that he had showed her his repressed self, would she scurry away if he went back to doing what he normally did?

The few moments he was asking himself that though she practically answered it for him by replying to his previous question; did she love the person? She didn't know, and basically admitted it was, and this would again be a big assumption by the Texan, her only relationship so she couldn't compare it to anything. But what caught him was her saying she thought he was great, and even if just a nice statement in return of what he had told her it felt nice to hear. But that wasn't the total brain-reset that she threw his way.

''But..'' He began with a stutter. She wanted to see him again? Was this day over or something? Did he say something wrong? Did she think she said something wrong? Well, the seeing again comment was pretty bold, but Lucas turned out to be one of the few people who enjoyed such a statement, right now it just felt a bit confusing though. ''We're seeing each other now, ain't we? We still 'ave ta shop 'n stuff. An' I'm sure that even after that we won't be partin'.''

''We're far from done, ye an' I.'' And while he reacted a bit confused, it was just the comment he needed to, like mentioned, reset his brain. ''An' maybe, jus' maybe I want yer cute lil' ass ta be th' first I get ta know, if ya catch me drift.''

[Amber Ignis]

"Well..." She considered his statement. "Maybe you just like to sleep around? Nothing wrong with that...as long as you're honest. Let the girl decide if it's something she's okay with." Amber always believed honesty was the best way to go. If Lucas wanted to be a playboy, she was sure there was some girl out there who would be totally fine with it. That's sort of what Amber had with Jamie. They were each other's number ones, but also knew that if they wanted to they could see people on the side. And somehow it actually worked.

When she said to Lucas that she wanted to see him again, she didn't mean that she meant to leave him now. She just wanted him to know that seeing him again was a priority. "Don't worry, I'm not leaving now! I just wanted you to know I was having fun." She saw him squirming a bit and looking uncomfortable. She thought it was kind of cute how he seemed to overthink everything she said.

At Lucas's last comment, Amber realized neither one of them were pretending this attraction between them didn't exist. Whatever feelings they were fighting from the beginning were starting to appear. "You can get to know whatever part of me that you want, Lucas," she said with a wink. And with that final remark, they found themselves in front of the music store.

[Lucas Blacke]

For some reason hearing that he maybe liked to sleep around was a bit of a jab, but true none the less. It was with some reluctance that he accepted this fact due to knowing he had done just that several times before, though he didn't sleep around with multiple people at once it did play a great part in his life. Hell, one of his relationships was based on sex, and he quite liked that one. But in the end feelings just ruined it for him, for them really. Maybe Amber would be different. Not that he'd sleep around with her anyway, but she didn't seem like the kind of girl who was incapable of love.

Her reassuring of him that she wasn't leaving was what brought him back from the abyss that was his mind, and caused him to smile. ''Good.'' Lucas replied. ''Coz' I'm a funny guy. That an' if ya left now, aside from a fuckin' nice view would devastate me.'' He genuinely thought he had a chance and had done so for a while now, but apart from her name he knew nothing of her, like her age. Girls had this thing where they could be thirteen and look 20 or something, so saying that Amber was legal would be a bit of a stretch. As much as he liked the idea of Amber he wasn't into it enough to risk illegal activity. Not when he had just gotten a new house and such.

What topped it all off was what she said after that though, and it almost succeeded in washing away all doubts and issues that riddled the boy. ''Oh I know I can get ta know whichever part I want. An' maybe I'll even introduce ya ta some part o' me..'' He returned the wink and stood a bit closer to the girl, wrapping his arms around her waist. No matter his struggle, he was back and was now staring in the eyes of a girl still going to the school he had graduated from.

''But not b'fore I ge ta know th' person behind those.. nice features ya got there..''

[Amber Ignis]

There was something nice about Lucas not denying his tendency to be a playboy. Amber did not consider herself to be a typical 'nice girl' and Lucas did not peg her as a typical 'nice boy.' Not to say that they were heartless people, but they fell within the gray area of right and wrong.

Amber felt those butterflies again when Lucas wrapped her up in his arms. At this point she had a very clear idea of what might happen between the two of them, and he seemed to want it just as much as he did. Their sexual innuendos, which were previously awkward, were now accepted with open arms.

She had a desire to return the butterfly feeling that Lucas had given her...and maybe she'd even tease him a bit. Still wrapped in his arms, she took a step in closer so their bodies were touching and her face was close enough to kiss him. "Ask me anything you want," she softly murmured. With that statement she leaned in slightly closer, as if she might kiss him, before spinning out of the embrace with a flirty smile and a wink. She didn't want to give up too much too quickly, but she thought her little tease might be enough to make him want more.

[Lucas Blacke]

Well.. things had certainly taken a turn for the best. Although right now it was pretty much guaranteed that the whole thing that would happen between them would crash and burn. For some reason he had this kind of effect, he was the master at getting women to slap with him (according to himself) but that would guarantee a bad ending for whoever he was with, or even the people around him. Of course there were people who could resist his Texan charms, but so far the only one who had done so was a big pile of oblivious girl. He was sure that if he was to lie on top of Amber right then and there and start kissing her she would get the hint.

''Anythin'?'' He repeated with a wicked smile as she inched her face closer to his, her body pressed against his and making him completely ignore the fact they were in a public place and were probably being oggled by some creepy guy and his castrated bulldog by now. But right then he was pretty much just focusing on keeping certain parts of himself at bay, though that proved to be pretty difficult when he thought about what would happen. Man, he hadn't done this in so freaking long..

When she detached herself from his hold and shot him a wink he licked his lips instantly, knowing that, even though they stood in front of the music store right now there would be no buying of anything musical. He wasn't even sure if the sounds they would produce would count as music. ''Gots me a bunch o' those, milady. Yer goin' ta be answerin' questions 'bout yerself all day.'' He joked. ''An' then we'll prob'bly party all night.''

''So,'' He adjusted himself and coughed, taking a step forward slowly. ''What's yer favorite position?''

[Amber Ignis]

God, he was charming. Even though his question was filthy and totally inappropriate, she knew it was still just a part of this game they were playing. Boys like Lucas were probably total heartbreakers so she had to keep reminding herself not to take him too seriously. This wasn't the kind of boy she'd spend her life with or take home to meet mom and dad, but he'd definitely be fun to keep around for a while.

"That answer in privileged information. I can only show you, not tell you." Damn, that was smooth. She gave herself a mental high-five for being so clever. Her heart was racing a little bit faster at this point as she decided to step closer to Lucas once more. "How old are you?"

Amber has mixed motives in this question. She knew he was at least 18 since he graduated Hammel, but she also wanted to know if he was old enough to buy booze. This was a selfish reason, because if he was over 21, she'd suggest that he buy a bottle and take this 'party' he spoke of elsewhere. But even if he wasn't, maybe he'd be brave enough to try and buy one anyway. They were in Vermont after all. People don't give a shit and rarely check IDs in this desolate hick state.

"I don't really feel like shopping anymore." She used this statement to try and indicate exactly what she was interested in doing.