Ozob

Johnny nodded, his smile still in place, "Lucy, if you just woke up disoriented to find the world has shifted from under you... yeah I totally understand. Look, I just met you and I can see how special you are, so I would have found it hard to believe that someone from before hadn't done the same. I mean that has to be pretty much like yesterday, so I totally understand your feelings. He has to be still very much on your mind." "Now don't get me wrong," he continued, "I won't even try to pretend that I'm not disappointed, I mean it's not often that you find someone who seems to light up a room." He reached over and took a hand again, "But, I do understand, and if you're looking for a friend, I'm happy to try and fill that spot. I'm new here, and it's been nice to have an awesome night with a beautiful woman. No complaints from me. I am also pretty sure that the dance school has another seven weeks for this course, if you're still teaching. I mean, if I'm going to learn, I might as well get it from an authentic subject matter expert." Letting go of her hand with a gentle squeeze he sat back in his chair thinking, "So this gentleman... maybe he's become like you? Did you ever check in to see? Stranger things have happened."

He nodded, "well you've done a pretty good job. I had no real idea other than perhaps you were a bit of a history buff. Frankly, I was more worried that you might be sick and that your time here was going to be far too short. That would have really bummed me out." Shaking his head he continued on, "But this... I thought I had an interesting life. Yours makes it look very mundane." He paused then laughed pleasantly, "you know, when I was trying to find you. I kept thinking to myself, 'self, you know she's older than you.' To which I would reply, 'yes, but she's also seriously cool and totally interesting.' I was guessing a five year age gap. Guess I was off by a little more than that. However, for the record, you don't look a day over 25, and I can say that with a straight face." "Oh, and I'm not kidding on the plane thing either. If you want, I could get us tickets to Paris or London and be there whenever you want. If you've never flown before, it's a pretty neat experience."

Right, Johnny thought to himself as he landed in a crouch after flipping and tumbling out of the way of hell's own inferno. Last time, he hadn't been ready and nearly was roasted by a dragon. This time it was different. Casting his senses out, he found the water mains running through the floor and ceiling. He'd need every drop that they had... and more if this thing lasted any amount of time. Clenching his fists he pulled at the water, which was happily running it's course through the copper and PVC pipes above and below him. There was a groan as he yanked hard, willing the water out of it's confined space. Ceiling tiles and wooden floor planks exploded outwards as the pipes burst. For but a moment, the water sprayed outward like some kind of deranged sprinkler system. Yet before a drop hit the floor, it coalesced, writhing like a serpent before streaking at Hecate who seemed more intent on blasting away at some robot or cyborg. The water raged and seethed around her, twisting and tying itself into an impenetrable knot of force. Johnny only smiled as the cocoon of water left her trapped and hopefully helpless. It was only then that he noticed the ruined dance floor and shattered ceiling tiles. "That's so going to cost me..." he muttered with just a trace of dejection.

Right. Free Action: Switch Water Array, Create Water Standard Action: Create Water, cageish around Hecate Move Action: Get water cage between himself and the rest of the goons I don't believe that I need any rolls for that...

He considered living for that long and knowing that everyone you knew was likely gone to the grave, or so old as to be unrecognizable. It was a very sobering thought and he again was reminded of her incredible cheer and personality to not constantly be dwelling on what was lost. "...and you've only been awake again for a few months?" he mussed. He tried to think of what changes had occurred between the 20's and now which made his head spin. Everything. Lucy was in a completely new world which might be as strange as if she had woken on Mars. "Well then," he said with a brilliant smile, "I'll just have to help you adjust to this millennium. I'll admit that there are likely people versed better in history and all, but I think I can show you a decent time and get you caught up on the last 80 years or so. I can't even think where to begin... plane trip coast to coast? Video games? Surfing the internet? Movie theaters? The list goes on and on." As the words tumbled out of his mouth, he realized that he might be getting a little a head of himself. Asking for permission was far better than assuming it. "Sorry, getting a little carried away. What I meant to ask you is that, if you would have me, I'd be grateful to show you some of the better things the future has to offer."

Wellspring: The Charlston 24 Pass the Plate 7 Freedom City Renaissance Fair 1 Total: 32

It was one thing to realize that the girl he had taken on a date was technically dead. It was another thing to realize that she was also older than his great grandmother. Although that was a technicality as well. He could understand why she claimed to 30 if she had just woken up a few months ago. "Wow..." was all that he managed as he mulled over the implications of it. "okay, I've had people tell me they were Vegan on a date, or that they liked cheese, but that has to top pretty much everything." He looked back into her eyes, which were jet black; they were very captivating none the less. He realized that he could likely get lost staring there as he blinked taking in all of her again. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to be flippant. So do you know anyone from when you were alive? Or anything? I mean... what's it like?"

"Fair enough," he said. "Just Lucy is fine with me. Besides, Emily always was telling me that I should be open to everything." He moved his thumb across the back of her hand, feeling the soft unblemished skin. He found that when he held her hand, her skin warmed a little from his own body heat. However, otherwise, she seemed for all intents and purposes to be 'room temperature'. He wondered if she enjoyed warmth, or was it something she just didn't notice. Whether she did or not, she certainly seemed to not dwell on anything negative, which given what she had just revealed was a good thing. He knew more than a few people who could use her optimism and cheerful disposition. They made it to door of the restaurant and found that while their reservation had passed, so had much of the dinner rush. The owner, a stout man with a gregarious face and a thin mustache greeted them. "Buona sera! Welcome to Bella Corta," he said in a rich deep voice. "Good evening to you," Johnny replied. "We had a reservation for earlier in evening, and kind of missed it. You wouldn't have a table available for two?" "What could be so important that you miss your dinner? I'm a thinking that both of you could use a little more pasta," the owner replied with a jovial smile making his red cheeks puff out with his exuberance. "We were dancing and time kind of drifted away," Johnny replied giving Lucy's hand a little squeeze. "Oh! Meraviglioso! The dancing and the love. It's being very grand. Of course we have a table available. Juan will show you to your seat." Johnny couldn't help but smile as they were led back through the brick lined restaurant. It was warm inside, a sharp contrast from the cool autumn evening outside. The intimacy of the space seemed to add to that cozy and snug impression that it gave off. Tables were artfully placed in a chaotic order, and the red and white checkered table cloths were visible in the flickering light of the candles that sat center of each table. If there was a whiff of garlic outside, the rich smell of tomato sauces, garlic, and bread floated through the air. Their table was in a corner, close to the kitchen, but out of the way of foot traffic. It offered them a small bit of privacy that might not otherwise be open in the crowded space. "Signore, signora, please have a seat," Juan said pulling out the chair for Lucy. "I'll be back with water, some bread and menu's." After waiting for Lucy to sit, Johnny sat down and looked around. After a satisfied glance he turned back to look at Lucy, "Well I think it's going to live up to what it was billed as."

Johnny blinked several times, looking at her for a long moment. Dead? State of mind? Really? It was kind of a mind boggling thing. Certainly, he had read horror novels and watched movies with zombies, vampires, and all sorts of other creatures. Thinking back he couldn't place one where the so called undead abomination had ever danced the Charleston. Nor could he think of Lucy as an abomination at all. She was fun and... alive? The moment passed and he chuckled, "walk away? Not a chance. Besides, if I had to guess, I'd be walking away from an amazing story. You don't seem to do things in half measures do you?" Keeping her hand, as long as she let him, he turned back down the street and started walking. The restaurant was no more than a block away and he could already smell the pungent odor of garlic and tomatoes; two pillars of Italian cooking. Hopefully garlic wasn't going to be an issue, or sunlight. No, sunlight was fine, she was walking around the park in broad daylight. So scratch that myth. "So you don't need to eat either? Do you want too? I mean we can find a park bench... or the atmosphere is pretty nice there so I've been told. I can live without eating for a few hours if need be or we can go in and talk over candle light. Won't bother me either way. Besides, all said and done, still the best date I've had."

No, it's not for some reason, it's more likely because I messed it up I'll get that in on this months edits.

Raveled there's an error on my sheet. I have uncanny dodge, so Wellspring's defense should remain +15 even flat footed, thus needing a 25 to hit. Let me know if that's still a hit and I'll do toughness.

Apparently, Johnny is on. Must figure that the girl is going to throw wine on him or something... 1d20+5 = 25!

For a moment he wondered if this was some kind of come on as his hand pressed against her chest. He was about to say something as the sensation of her shirt, and the firm but cool body beneath made his pulse skip a beat. Earlier when he had told her how beautiful she was, he wasn't just playing lip service. "Lucy, I..." Even as he was about to say something about moving fast and wrong impressions, he realized what was wrong. While his pulse had skipped a beat, her's had been missing the entire time. He didn't feel her chest moving at all, no breath, no pulse, nothing. "...you're not breathing and you don't have a pulse, how can that be unless you are dead?" Even as he said the words, they rang true. Her cold skin, lack of sleep and the lack of a beating heart. Taken completely aback, he still had the presence of mind to take his hand away from her chest, and instead dropping it to take hold of one of her hands. Dead? "How is this possible Lucy? You are the most vibrant person I've ever met..."

"Well, I'll be honest, I was feeling a little guilty dancing with a such a beautiful woman. There is someone who has been on my mind," he said while twirling with her. Her dancing was making him acutely aware of her body pressing close and he was working hard to force himself not to respond. "However, for tonight, you have my undivided attention." "Forgive me for asking, but I have a hard time imagining that you wouldn't find a place to fit in. Ghosts of the past?" Even if he wasn't really looking for a date, it was certainly nice to have someone to dance with. These functions could be long and having some pleasant company... some who you hadn't insulted, was a real boon.

Ahhh... people aren't allowed to take vacations are they? ;)

"I had mentioned something of the sort a while ago... much to my chagrin. It was not very well received. Appreciate the dance though, you move very well. Johnny Hladd," he finished introducing himself. "Not that I object to the company, they can do a lot of good. It's just that... well I don't think I fit in most of the time. Which is also okay, I'll make my donations and look for an exit to sneak out of later. So Isabella, I don't think I know you. What am I saying, I don't know anyone here and make the crucial mistake of not responding and one."

"Buddhism?" Johnny replied with more than a passing knowledge of the philosophy. "I think that's something that we both can agree on. Earlier, my nanny thought it very important to introduce me to all sorts of different schools of thought. That was just one of them. We'd head into San Diego to some of the parks, and the old men and women would be doing Tai Chi. We'd join in the sessions and then talk with them afterwards. It was very... peaceful." Then looking over too her and catching a glimpse of her eyes, "it makes you who you are, I wouldn't say shallow or deep. I'd say wonderfully unpredictable, spontaneous, and fun. At least that's my take." As he was talking he mulled over what she had said, and what he had seen. She was always cold and never slept. Even to someone as carefree as himself, it didn't wholly add up to a skin condition. It kind of seemed she was dancing around the subject carefully as if it was something that would scare him, or perhaps drive him off. Stopping on the street, next to a small colorful place called the Naf Naf grill, he took her other hand and looked at her while saying, "Lucy... you don't sleep? This is part of your condition, right? I'm not going to pry if you don't want to talk about it. However, I just want you to know that I haven't have a night this good in a long time. I can't imagine anything that you would say that could take that away. Whenever or if ever you want to talk about it, I'm here and I'll be here after whatever you say... that is if you want me to be." He gave her a smile, and there was no hint of reluctance or apprehension on his face. He meant what he said and if she wanted to tell him what was going on, he'd accept it as he'd accepted all of the wonderful quirks that she had shown this evening.

After the disappointment of the last conversation, Johnny was looking to chat with someone more amenable. He had a polite, if mostly formal conversation with Mr. Dorne, the venture capitalist who had just purchased on of the cities papers. He was nice enough, but seemed to be directing some of the press in a very micro managing kind of way. He had excused himself letting the man get on to his work, when he noticed the girl in the purple dress. "Might as well go make a fool of myself again," he said quietly to himself as he wandered over flashing her a smile as he did. Even as he got there, the thought came to him. Why didn't I bring an and one? He was certain that the night would have been more interesting if Lucy had come along. She had a way of making that happen. Even if the evening was a pretty typical high roller affair, the cause was good and he'd stick it out until the end. Besides, he liked to make his donations when he noticed how much whatever charity needed towards the end of the evening. Usually done by giving the check, a cashiers with no name, to a bus boy or waiter. He didn't want the flash and fame, and didn't like throwing money around. "Hello," he said to the woman as he came up to her, "I saw you standing here and I might be mistaken, but you were looking for a dance were you not?"

Where are we at with this thread?

You may Yeah! Not so clueless this time! Notice: 1d20+5 = 20 No gather check since he's not well informed.

"That's cool, I'd like that. I used to have a place on the beach in San Diego... it was a small cove that no one really went too because of the tides. I guess it wasn't very smart, but I'd go and sit out there and just listen to the ocean for hours sometimes. Especially when I was going to be sent off here or there. I really miss that place a lot and the beaches here are mostly flat. I mean they're nice, but I don't think I could find somewhere like there unless I was going to move to Maine." It was dark enough now that the streetlights cast small islands of light which shimmered like pools in an oasis. Small crowds moved up and down the street in the busy west end neighborhood. "So what do you like to think about when you are up there?" he said as they began to approach the quaint little restaurant.

"Oh, I think we'll make it there. I'm sure they're open pretty late, and I think I might have mentioned that I don't mind waiting... especially given the company." He took her hand and began to walk back down the street heading towards the restaurant. By now the sun had set and the early October air was crisp and cool. He caught the faint whiff of the ocean mixed with a hint of burning leaves which was now mixed in with the normal smells of the city. The street lights had come on, although in this area of town more than a couple were out. Several of the row houses and apartments even were sporting Halloween lights and decorations which made the narrow street seem almost festive. "I'm hoping that you'll be up for some more lessons," he said while walking. "I think I was even kind of getting it there towards the end." As they paused at a street corner, waiting for the crossing light, he turned and looked at her for a long moment, "you're very beautiful, if I haven't told you already. I know that's kind of cliche, but I think in your case, it's very true." Then shaking his head with a smile, perhaps trying to break the spell of her alluring visage he continued, "sorry, I think I was kind of mesmerized there. Anyway, I was going to ask you about earlier... why the roof? I'm guessing that you are not afraid of heights."

Well that was an unqualified disaster, Johnny thought to himself. You might as well have told her that she was a gold digger and just gotten it over with... or perhaps just throw some wine on her. That would likely have had about as good of an effect. Turning back to the window, he stared back out at the city. The shame of it was, he didn't think less of anyone. He had been given money, so he'd hardly be someone to talk. He just found it amusing when people tried to justify their wealth and... oh just let it go. You were rude, and deserved it. For a moment he glanced over at her, watching her greet another socialite. Shaking his head with regret he turned to head back to the bar. A root beer was the strongest thing he could order, but it would do just fine as he sipped it and slipped back into the crowd. "Pleasure to meet you as well Mr. Dorne... yes, it is a lovely evening..."

"That sounds like a plan I can get behind," Johnny said trying to add a little flair to the basic footwork they had just learned. In the end, they managed more than just one dance. The band did their set, and seeing how much Lucy seemed to be enjoying it, Johnny had kept going. Besides, it wasn't that difficult to remain close to her, which if dancing was the prince to pay, it was a cheap price. That he enjoyed dancing, made it all the better. The names of the songs blurred together after the next four or five; Explosion Swing, Blue Skies, Lindy Hop, Wrapping it up and others. If asked later, he couldn't honestly remember much other than the band was good, the dancing fun, and most important the company was superlative. As the band wound down, their set done and time up, Lydia began to reconfigure the floor for the morning's ballet classes. She made sure to wish the couples well as they slowly filed out. "That was fantastic," Johnny said. "I think we missed our reservation, but I'm in no hurry. If there's a wait, I've heard that it's worth it. Nothing like Italian, checkered table cloths, and candle lit tables in my opinion. It's not too far away, walking distance really."

"I think we can fit another one in," he replied. "If your feet can keep dodging mine." They didn't have far to go to get back into some space. As the band began to swing, he placed a hand around her to the small of her back and offered his other hand to her as well. While he had noticed it before, she was cold all over. Which was the complete opposite of her personality, but he began to worry anew as what kind of skin condition left the entire person feeling like ice. With his thoughts trailing, he stumbled a bit before recovering. Ack! He needed to concentrate if he wanted to dance. Even if he was worried for her. Although, as they danced across the floor, she certainly didn't seem like she was suffering from anything. In fact, it seemed like it was quite the opposite, she appeared for all intents and purposes, to be hale and healthy. "Sorry about that," he said quietly to her as he tried to remember the footwork. "My thoughts got a little sidetracked... Lucy, we can dance as long as you'd like and catch dinner wherever later. You pick it and I'll treat. Believe me when I say that I won't mind at all."