It's Still A Date [Ann]

[Alexander McKenzie]

As nervous was Alex was, he was honestly trying to keep his feelings from getting too out of control. He’d known empaths before Ann, and he knew how sensitive they were. It was difficult, however, when this was his first date in forever, and Ann was... well... Ann. Pretty, sweet, and wow, he really needed to stop it. He didn’t want to overload her, and he was sure that wasn’t helping.

At least the walk to the lake was calming. The weather wasn’t too cold, and with the warm mugs to hold on to, even with the gloves Alex found himself warming up. It really wasn’t far to the lake from the apartment building. Less than ten minutes. It wasn’t long before it came into view, completely frozen over. It looked fairly abandoned, which was nice. Lexy smiled. “This is one of my favourite places to come.” During the summer, he’d find himself a good spot and draw, or even do his homework. Or, on occasion, practice his force fields. But the lake had to be fairly abandoned before he’d do that.

Of course, now he was actually at the lake, he didn’t know what to do. Ann didn’t seem like much of a talker, and it would just be weird to sit in silence. He toyed with the little bag of sandwiches and cast a shy glance Ann’s way. “So... um...” Come on Lexy, you can do it. “... This was kind of a lame idea, wasn’t it?” He could have suggested a movie, an arcade, something. Out here there was nothing but the frozen lake, and the two of them. “If you want to do something else, you can tell me. It’s okay. I’m... really not as good at this as I’d like.”

Ooc: Continued from It’s A Date

[Ann Hudgins]

Since the date had officially 'begun' on their walk from his apartment to the lake, her nervousness had sorta subsided, for now. They were just making light conversation and walking, Ann did that during her walks from class to class--if someone spoke to her during her walks--it was because she did that all the time, she could take her mind off of this actually being a date. That was, of course, until they rounded a corner and came face to face (as much as one could with a lake) with their destination and Ann let out a tiny, hopefully inaudible, squeak. It was very pretty, and she didn't immediately spot anyone walking around.

Usually, being alone with someone else was something she invited, but now it just made her nervous again. What if she said something completely stupid. However, once she realized there wasn't a layer of snow on the lake, but it was actually frozen, a stupid and completely risky idea formed in her mind. She used to roller skate in her neighborhood, but she never had a chance to try it on the ice. She opened her mouth to start to suggest they experiment with how thick the ice was (why she was so bold right now, she'd never know) but seeing his sudden drop in spirit (which she more sensed than saw) she started to shake her head.

"No, no! I like the idea!" She said, unconsciously tugging at the sleeve of his elbow, "Let's go down to the water to see if its frozen." She said with an enthusiastic nod and encouraging smile. She then took off at a trot towards the water (she would run but she didn't want to drop her hot chocolate). She waited at the water's edge for Alex, whom she turned around and beckoned him forward. That might not be proper date etiquette but if you won't tell, neither will I.

[Alexander McKenzie]

It was easy to forget that this was a date when all they were doing was innocently walking from one place to another. Conversation was quiet, but interesting, and Alex was finding himself relaxing as well. This was like any other day. It could be anyone he was walking with, anywhere. ... Only it wasn’t. It was Ann. And they were on a date. He was right back to square one, much as he was trying not to show it. Wasn’t he supposed to be the calm one? It wasn’t working. And as soon as they were at the lake, he was really beginning to realize it.

Alex didn’t mind being in the company of just one other person. He did it plenty of times, usually hanging around with Connie. And the few times he’d been on a date before. But Ann made him nervous. She struck him as the flighty type. If he said something wrong, moved too fast, she’d be off like a scared rabbit. And he didn’t want that to happen. He liked her. So, while he tried to fumble with his words, he stared out at the lake and pretended that he wasn’t a complete dork for suggesting this.

He did look up at Ann’s protests, however. What surprised him more than that was her tugging of his sleeve. Ann did not touch people. He knew that. Cocking his head, he studied her a moment. “Um... okay?” He followed her down. He wasn’t a huge risk taker, and playing on ice of an unknown thickness didn’t sound particularly safe. Yet he still found himself following her. What the hell? It was worth taking a chance on. The lake was shallow for at least a few feet in. He came to stand beside Ann, offering his gloved hand more for stability than anything else. “Don’t fall.”

[Ann Hudgins]

The realization she had just tugged on his sleeve was slow like tree sap, but when she realized it, a hand of surprise went to her mouth, her eyes widened. She really couldn't believe she'd just done that so casually. It made no sense to her--sure they were both wrapped up like Eskimos but still. The fact that she'd willingly (and without hesitation) reached out to touch something that was attached to skin was so far out, she just couldn't fathom it. She dropped her hand, a little dazed now, and looked about.

He agreed to go down to the water, so she relaxed at that and looked down at the frozen layer to calm herself. She knew you weren't supposed to just run out on the ice, especially over any body of water, it needed to be tested first. She didn't see any rocks that had any volume to them, or any sticks to give the ice a good whacking, so she decided to do the foot test. She pressed her foot down on the ice a few inches away from the shore line. She didn't hear any cracking or anything, so she put more weight on it. She repeated the slow but sure process until she was a few feet away without it cracking. She smiled as Alex offered out his hand in case she fell, but didn't take it, as Ann was actually pretty sure on her feet at the moment. The boots were brand new and offered a great amount of tread. She wasn't disillusioned to believe that she couldn't fall because of the new shoes--she'd definitely fall if she lost her balance. She hoped she didn't do that in front of Alex, however, because it'd be embarrassing.

"I think it's good to out there," she said with a gesture to a few feet away, the ice was a bit brighter of a color, if that was possible, to where she gestured and she took that to mean there was unfrozen water beneath it. She slid a few feet to the side with a smile on her face before she turned back to Alex, that happy smile still there. "It's so pretty out here," she said, for the sake of conversation and also because it was extremely pretty. She took a short moment to look around, and with a small and embarrassing smile turned to look at Alex. "Thanks for bringing me out here."

[Alexander McKenzie]

It was a good thing Alex understood Ann’s aversion to touching. He’d learned a lot about her as they’d procrastinated on and off during their physics project. He understood that strong feelings would overload her, which was why he was trying to keep his nerves under control. The last thing they needed was to both fall apart due to feeding off of each others’ nervousness.

He’d been to the lake a lot in the winter time. He knew that it would be frozen to a point, but he still didn’t really want to test it. Granted, he would be okay for a little while, if the worst happened and he fell into the icy water. He could shield himself against it. Ann, on the other hand... great, he was worrying again. He needed to stop it. So he just followed Ann down, amused by her antics. He couldn’t say he wasn’t anxious, watching her test the ice like this, but he also couldn’t bring himself to stop her. Instead, he set the bag down with their food in it on the ground and stepped out as well. They were both dressed for the cold, so he didn’t see a downside to playing on the ice. If anyone was going to fall, it was probably going to be him, because fate was awesome like that. His boots were grippy, but had already seen a few winters, and could probably stand to be replaced sooner rather than later.

“That’s good.” He gave the ice a wary look, more content to stay nearer to the shore. He could imagine playing with the Manne brought out here, Jean taking running slides alone the ice, RC being... RC, nervous and full of warnings for Jean. But that was different. They were all guys, and they were all usually up for roughhousing. Now wasn’t the time for that. Alex just stared out, across the lake, smiling a little. “I thought you might like it. It’s usually pretty quiet this time of year. It gets busier in the summer, but it’s better than the pool at Hammel.” He took a cautious slide to the right, testing the ice that way. It still seemed solid. “If you get cold, let me know. We can find somewhere to warm up.”

[Ann Hudgins]

Ann couldn't put into words how much she appreciated the fact that Alex knew and respected her touching aversion and boundaries. Every other boy she'd met in the past two months had tried to push that boundary, which had Ann really concerned about going on this date to begin with--but during their project he hadn't once tried to get too close, or to touch her or anything. He was super nice, and really...cool. He wasn't one of those types that tried to dominate the conversation, and Ann really liked that part.

Ann hadn't been to the lake, she'd never really been around town either, she wasn't a hugely curious person and she hadn't yet had a reason to try to go to the lake before, but she was glad she went now. Even if it was extremely cold, it was such a beautiful sight. Yeah, it would really really suck if she fell into the ice, because it would be SO cold, but she wasn't as concerned about falling in as she probably should be. The urge to ice skate (or slide around on the ice) outweighed any sense. She took a few steps to the side and slid several more feet before she came to a stop with a spin. Her arms pinwheeled around her so she stayed on her feet, she turned to Alex with an expression that said 'ta da~.'

Funny he should mention the pool at Hammel. Her recent discovery of such a facility had led her to find out she could swim in water with other people without her powers getting in the way. However, her encounter with a certain male student there had her blushing at the idea of going back. No, being here with Alex was so much better. "It's brilliant." She loved everything about it--minus the cold. She liked the idea of warming up, but she wasn't quite ready to leave yet, so she nodded with a smile. "Alright."

Then it was back to sliding here and there with a flailing of arms to keep balance.

[Alexander McKenzie]

Everyone had hang ups like that. Naturally, some more serious than others, but still. Everyone had things that needed to be respected. Though it wasn’t touching (really, Alex liked touching, as long as it was nice touching), he had his own things he’d rather others either respected, or left alone altogether. Of course, he was still struggling with that, when it came to Ann. He knew his mother would want him to come clean to her. He wasn’t so sure he wanted to do that. Hell, he wasn’t sure of anything when it came to Ann, but the last thing he wanted to do was scare her away. Funny, how one little blip in his past had that power.

Even during his days within Hammel’s dorms, Alex had explored around the town during the weekends. Especially when Conrad had moved on to college, when he’d had little to do. Now he lived within Pilot Ridge, he knew the sleepy town like the back of his hand. Though they had the mall, and places to go for entertainment, he still liked places like the lake the best. Away from the idiots at school, away from... pretty much everyone, right now. Except the one person he wanted to be with. Her enthusiasm was infectious, and he had to grin and attempt the sliding right behind her. Her little flail made him want to reach out to steady her, but he knew how that would go. Instead he paused, waiting to see if she needed a hand. Obviously not, if her expression had anything to do with it. He clapped, despite the sound being muffled by his gloves.

“It is, isn’t it? I love it here. You should come back when it’s spring. The flowers are out, and it’s a lot warmer.” It was nice to be able to come out with just a hoodie, or a light jacket and just sit in the grass. Miles better than the pond on Hammel’s grounds. He smiled and took a running start, sliding the opposite direction. This was actually fun.

[Ann Hudgins]

Ann was pretty weird when it came to other people. She didn't like pushing subjects, or confronting anything that could lead to a negative conversation or even mixed emotions. Ann didn't like to cause ripples, even in conversations. BUT, whenever she came across someone struggling, or having a breakdown, she couldn't ignore it and would try to help them, either with her power, her advice, or her weird self as a distraction. She wasn't exactly sure of her success rate in doing more good than nothing, but she'd liked to think she'd helped people with their problems. Should something like that occur between her and Alex, well she didn't know what she'd do. Did people who go on dates do that sort of thing with each other, or was that reserved for long-term friends? Ann couldn't be sure and she certainly wasn't secure enough to ask, because that would mean admitting the train of thought she was having.

Now that her powers weren't shackles so much as a nuisance, Ann had been getting out a bit more, like her trips to the pool or student lounge, and she was enjoying herself on those trips as well by making friends and just being something close to normal. For once. In the next few weeks, the weather would be getting better and Ann might find herself outside more, as well. Since the bulk of winter had hit, Ann had taken her morning runs inside the gymnasium (on most days, depending on how many people inside the gym). She'd definitely head to the lake, once it warmed up quite a bit, maybe--hopefully--with Alex as well. He was fun to hang around and she was definitely enjoying herself on their date, she hoped he was too.

She giggled as she took a few steps and slid again, only this time, she rotated her feet just at the end of her slide which made her turn in a sharp circle. She beamed over at him and nodded her head in agreement when he said she should come back in spring. She certainly would, with a good book, or some homework she needed to finish. That would be nice. Or to hang out with Alex, or any of her growing list of friends. Or maybe all of them. That would be interesting! (Ann, that is a horrible idea.) "Sounds good!" It did, especially come summer, she could try swimming.

Time seemed to pass by in an instant, yet she'd knew they'd been on the ice for a while because of how much she could not feel her nose, and how her breathing was becoming a bit labored from the workout of sliding on the ice without falling down and laughing in the process. After she took a moment with her hands on her knees to get her breathing back in shape she looked at Alex then towards the bank, “Think it's time for some food, now?” Ann asked as she took a few sliding steps towards the water's edge.

[Alexander McKenzie]

Considering Ann’s approach to other people, Alex couldn’t think of a better person to be with. She was pretty, and she wouldn’t press him for information. He’d had a few friends, and people, that seemed to think he was an endless source of secrets, and wanted to get the bottom of it. He knew he should be forthcoming with Ann. He carried a bit of baggage, yes. But overall, that didn’t change who he was. He realized that he was stressing about it, and hanging around an empath, well, she’d be able to tell. He sighed and mentally calmed himself. There was no need to get worked up about it. Not right now.

He was definitely enjoying himself. It had been a while since he’d last had the courage to ask out a girl, and after hanging around with his surrogate brothers so much, it was nice to be with a girl. While it was not exactly a conventional date (he’d really wanted to keep within Ann’s limits), it seemed to be working. Ann looked like she was having a good time, and sliding around was, admittedly, fun. Something he hadn’t done since he was a kid, hanging out with his cousins, away from his parents’ watchful gazes.

Alex didn’t trust himself not to make a fool of himself, and end up on his ass, so he didn’t try anything particularly fancy. Sliding around was good enough for him. But good things don’t last forever, and he was slowly becoming aware of how cold it really was. Being on the frozen water didn’t help matters, and he shivered just a little. Maybe it really was time to find somewhere warm.

It sounded like Ann had the same thought. He turned to face her and smiled. “That sounds like a good plan.” He headed to the bank, and once he was off the ice, he offered his hand to Ann as well, before stooping to pick up the back of food, and the two travel mugs nestled in the snow. He passed Ann hers, then thought about where they could go to warm up. “... We could go back to my place, if you wanted. It’s warm. Or... we could hit the public library?” Okay, they might get yelled at for having food there. “Or, we could go to where I work? I don’t think my boss would mind if we slipped in for a bit.” He shrugged, subtly checking his pocket to ensure he still had the envelope for Ann. Yep. “Where would you like to go?”

[Ann Hudgins]

She was actually quite warm, after that workout of sliding and staying on her feet. However, she knew as soon as she slowed down or sat to eat her sandwich, she'd be freezing again. Going somewhere to eat their food was a good idea, though she was sad to turn away from the pretty lake so soon--it was a fleeting feeling. She stretched her hands over her head, and held back one of those deep yawns, but only barely. She turned and looked back at Alex when he suggested they go back to his apartment--though before she could have sworn he couldn't wait to get her out of there--or the library, or to that cafe where he worked. She liked the idea of the library, she was comfortable there, but she knew food wasn't allowed.

And she had been wanting to go to the cafe, as well, because had simply wanted to. This seemed like the perfect opportunity to do it, so she gestured vaguely sideways, "the cafe sounds good." It was probably also the closest of the three places, though that hadn't influenced her decision. "If you have nothing against that."

[Alexander McKenzie]

Alex would make all the promises in the world that they could come back to the lake. Especially in the spring, when it wasn’t as cold. He was there often enough, so it wasn’t a stretch to invite her too. By then they might actually be... an item. Boyfriend and girlfriend. However they ended up putting it. The thought made him smile, but only briefly. With having a girlfriend, he’d end up telling her about it and then she might do what others before her had done. Run away. At least Ann seemed more mature than many of them put together.

The cafe? Well, that was easy. “Sure,” he said with a little smile as they headed that way. It wasn’t until he was halfway there that he realized Kali would be there. And Kali. Would. Tease. Him. He knew her. He knew what she was like. But there was no turning back now. “No, Kali should be pretty cool with us having food in there. And if you’d like, we could get some more hot chocolate. On me.” It was only polite to offer, seeing as he’d been the one to drag her out here in the first place.

It didn’t take long to get the cafe. Alex pushed the door open, holding it for Ann before going inside. He carefully chose a booth as far away from the counter as possible, giving the tiniest possibly nod to Kali to acknowledge her before sliding across from Ann. “It’s warm in here, at least. And... uh... if Kali says anything to you, it’s probably going to be a lie. Ignore her.” He loved his boss, he really did. But when he was with a girl, he didn’t trust her.