Apr 10 22:30 106 PA

From Chronicles

Sun Apr 10 22:30 106 PA

Kingsdale - Plaza Park

The Sunday evening is crisp and clear. Late, just after eleven at night, most normal people have gone already to their warm homes for meals, bed or other evening delights. Zach is out, walking slowly though the park without a goal set before him but the steady forward movement that carries him along one of the paths. Bundled in his jacket, he lets his eyes roam slowly and his thoughts roll languidly. Half distracted, not really taking in every little detail around him.

At least it is not raining or sleeting. That might be the brightest point of the evening, as one bench is occupied by a figure as somber as his clothing. Leonard is quiet and perhaps no more aware of his surroundings than Zachary, hooded face pointed in the direction of the water-filled crater without even the benefit of waterfowl as distraction.

Rythmic foot falls follow Amber as she jogs through the park in her gym clothes, her short hair pulled back and held with a wide cloth headband. She has earphones in her ears, and appears to be pushing herself hard. She slows, finally stopping near the side of the path, and hunches over, her hands resting on her knees as she tries to catch her breath, and more than a few drops of sweat roll down her nose. She lifts her head, still breathing heavily and takes a look around, and is surprised to not only see people this late, but people she recognizes. She takes a towel from over her shoulder and wipes her face before standing up straight once more, and continues down the path at a walk.

Zachary comes to notice Leonard as Amber is coming along nearby, the tall elf vaguely recognizing his manner of dress. He considers the man quietly for a moment even as Amber is pausing and walks over towards him when she looks up to spy nearby familiar folks. As he nears, he pauses, there a moment of hesitation before he asks, "Is something the matter?" His voice kept light. Careful.

Leonard is not so deeply involved in his thoughts to miss the light query, and his head turns to the source. "No more than should be expected, I suppose. Evening... or morning, as it may be." He straightens in his seat. "What brings you to such a lively place at this hour?"

Amber's approach slows as she watches the two men begin a conversation, and her hands come up to pluck the ear-buds out of her ears and let them fall around her neck. Her head tilts a bit, as she watches and offers a wave in their direction, letting them know her intention. She seems content to allow the two men to char a moment before she joins them. She takes a moment to stretch her legs as she continues her cool off, her face and chest still flush from her previous exertion.

Zachary glances about as Leo notes the lively place. Thus his response is delayed a moment as he spies Amber. An easy smile comes to him and he lifts a hand towards her in turn, though he remembers Leo. Looking back towards him. "Evening.. it isn't that late yet," he offers, uncertain. "I'm just out for a walk before I retire. The weather isn't so cold as it has been before. And you?"

"Ah. I attempted a walk, but it didn't fare so well... so now I'm sitting." Leonard offers answer to Zachary as he looks to the slowed jogger. A slim smile forms, containing more courtesy than substance. "Evening, Amber. Out to clear your head?"

Amber smiles, her eyes on Leo, and then linger on Zach a minute, "Just trying to tire myself out before bed, I guess, makes it easier to just pass right out." she takes her towel and dabs at her face and neck before slinging it over her shoulder. She looks up at the sky for a moment, taking a deep breath as she puts her hands on her hips, "So what brings you two out here tonight? Causing trouble, no doubt?"

Zachary looks to Amber with a hint of concern, but it's light for the moment. Not hard to lose in the gloom. "A walk and little more," he answers her. "I hope that the tea.. the music has helped you some in the long term.. has it?" He then looks to Leo, the concern lingering. "How did your walk.. not go so well?" Faintly bemused at that concept.

Leonard lifts his hands to doff his hood, a bit more sincerity backfilling his smile. "There are better methods than running, I think, although I may not be in the best state to offer you much instruction this evening. Causing trouble is rather tiring." His eyes linger on Amber's momentary pose before they return to Zachary. "Tripped, fell, and slid across the pavement face-first." A metaphorical statement, most likely, since his face, while weary, lacks any road rash.

Amber nods her answer to Zach, and seems almost content to leave it at that, but adds, "It certainly helps, much more than a soda before bed." she smiles playfully, "I guess its too early to tell, changes in routine can take a bit to really become effective." she turns to stick her tongue out a bit at Leo, "But a tired body seems to be the most helpful for the short term." she cocks her head to the side a bit, regarding the two mens last exchange, "Did I miss something? You don't look hurt" the last words addressed to Leo.

"I see.." Zach's response to Leo's words, his eyes indeed moving to study the other man's face for a moment. Thoughtful on the matter before Amber's words draw his attention again. His brow furrowing slightly as she speaks of soda before bed. "As long as your sleep improves, I will be content," he says to her. Then, with her words to Leo, he looks to the man again and wonders, "Is there.. anything you might want to speak of?" Again, his tone careful with those vague words.

Leonard's burgeoning smile curls to a smirk whose only mirth is self-deprecating. "The first word that comes to mind is idiocy, but I may finally be able to prove her wrong." His hand gestures to Amber before his gaze follows. "I think that you would be safe in docking me several points in your scorekeeping. You missed quite the display of how not to endear one's self to others."

Amber looks at Leo, an odd look on her face as she descides on her next words, "Oh, i'm not sure I'm going to be content with that as an answer, give me the gossip!" she grins, though a bit of reservation in her eyes can be seen, as if she's not sure the request was appropriate. She looks over a Zach, and her grey eyes search his face a moment, darting away to avoid eye contact, but her smile widens.

Zachary glances towards Amber for a moment, though not too long, so she gets to be discreet for the moment. The talk of scorekeeping and the like obviously doesn't make much of a connection to his understanding. "Prove what wrong? I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean," he states. He shakes his head slightly and says, "I will admit I am curious.. but if it is too personal, I would not wish to pry.. I know how such things can be."

Leonard looks between the two of them, considering his own thoughts as well as the looks between them. He then rises from his seat to stand, loooking first to Amber. "It would be quite dull as gossip goes, I think, although it might bore you to sleep..." His lips switch once more, back to a small smile, and then his head swivels to the elf. "Amber is of the opinion that I am some sort of social magnate, especially with women. I countered that she has the advantage in her own arena. Thus, she started to track our respective interactions, to prove one side or the other. I don't suppose you'd care to join my camp and tout her virtues?" He also turns to note, for Amber's benefit, "You know, he might be able to offer you suitable lessons in meditation, as well. With your common aptitudes, it would likely be much easier for you to learn. You are co-workers, afterall."

Amber smirks at Leo, then looks to Zach as she explains, "Its purely for the sake of science, I think our experiment is sufficent to prove my point." she grins a bit wider, then tilts her head Leo's way, "I think I've asked enough of our poor friend Zachary, here, and I don't think i'd feel right asking for even more help." she wrinkles her nose a bit, "You wouldn't be trying to skip out on your bill, would you, sir?" mock accusation in her voice is combined with a stern peering Leo's way. A smile breaks forth quick after that, her eyes moving Zachs, way, as she winks.

Zachary looks between the two as the topic is spoken off, a soft bemusement lingering through Leo's response. His hands sink into the pockets of his jacket and he takes a moment to respond, choosing first to nod and look towards Amber. "She is quite talented and driven," he says, with no lack of certainty. "Though.. I have not known science to be a good parallel with relating to people." "Nor do I know much of.. meditation." Glancing towards Leo on that before Amber gets a questioning look that only lingers as she winks at him, along with that soft bemusement.

"She is." Leonard nods with Zachary's assessment. His other personal observations seem proven to be erred, however. Hardly a surprise to him this evening. "I suppose not, but I've little talent with the technical sciences. Thus my debt owed to the talented Amber." Smile shifts to her as he shakes his head. "Not at all. In fact, to prove my word, we could begin tonight, if you've any energy remaining."

Amber checks her music player for the time, and appears to do some quick calculations n her head, "Well, I'm n desperate need of a shower, so what did you have in mind exactly? Any paticular Venue?" She smiles over at Zach as she tries to get a read on him, and her weight has started to shift from left to right as she stands there.

Zachary still seems a touch confused.. uncertain, but the talk of debts and doing things this evening has caught his attention. His eyes shift to Amber and he smiles despite himself in response to her own. "If you both need.. privacy, I can continue my walk." Not that he shows a great deal of enthusiasm for it. He does look towards Amber again, however, though he seems not too sure himself of just what has prompted the shift in focus.

Leonard rolls his shoulders beneath his cloak. "That would be your choice. Anywhere quiet and comfortable, where you would feel at ease. It could be at another time, if you'd prefer. I don't wish to be overly imposing." Zach's comment draws a somehwat apologetic reply. "Privacy would be best, but, as I said, it could be done at a more convenient time."

Amber hmms softly, "What is your day looking like tomorrow, actually? Earlier perhaps? I don't have to be at work, and that way I wouldn't be interrupting your night, and you wouldn't have to wait on me to get myself in order," she picks at her sweat pants, and her shit is still noticeably damp, "Besides, looks you two were having a nice chat, so don't stop on my account." She looks uncertain of what to do, and although she smiles and is attentive, she seems just a tad fidgety.

"Oh, no.. I was merely asking after his mood," Zachary says. Perhaps a touch too quick. "I.." he pauses, his attention flicking towards Leonard. "Well, he has answered as he likes.." A light question to Leo in that before he looks back to Amber. "I was wondering, however.. well, if I could ask you something later. It is no great priority, but when there is time to talk." He smiles lightly, his hands shifting subtly in his jacket pockets.

Leonard nods to Amber. "Early tomorrow would be fine. Where would you care to meet? You are welcome to join me at my apartment, if that is not too... uncomfortable. Please..." He turns to look and gesture between them both. "don't let me preclude your conversation. If I'm to be up early, I should head home soon. I can hardly help you clear your thoughts if mine aren't in order."

Amber looks over to Zach and nods at him, "I sorta figured," and then over at Leo, "Yeah, that works fine, except i don't know where you live," she looks over at Zach briefly, "And I think it would porbably be better if I did have a few more things figured out." She slides her hands into her pant pockets and looks the ground as she rocks forward and back, "Should I just come over and knock? What time works best?"

For his part, Zachary falls silent now. His attention drifting between the two. His brow furrowed subtly as they talk. The furrow deepens just slightly when the location is discussed, but his lips remain sealed. HIs attention drifts towards Amber as she looks at him, but again, he elects to remain quiet for the moment. "I'm at the Golden Carafe, #3. I should be there most of the day," Leonard notes, "so you're welcome to knock whenever you're awake and able. I do hope you will manage some sleep, at least." That done, he turns to Zachary, offering a small grin. "I'll leave her in your capable hands, then, to help her in the interim."

"You're almost free of me Leo, I'll see you tomorrow and let you off the hook at last." she offers him a wave and a smile, "And I hope you're able to enjoy the rest of your night." she seems unsure as to her send off, as if she thought she should say more, but instead she plays with something in her pocket as she stands their.

Zachary nods his head once to Leo as he speaks, seeming to relax somewhat. "Have a good evening," he offers, tone honest enough. Though that leaves him looking to Amber afterward. And left in charge of seeing to her well-being. And for the moment he remains uncertain and quiet to match her own. Though after that moment he says softly. "The tea.. you enjoy the flavor, yes? I have other sorts.. if there is one that you might like the taste of more."

Leonard returns both smile and wave, although neither is quite as energetic as hers. "I'll try, and I hardly seek to be rid of you, Amber. It would make my argument hypocritical, wouldn't it? Good night, to you both." Zachary receives a nod before he turns to step from the park towards the plaza and beyond.

"Mind if we walk we talk? I don't want to cramp up." she motions down the path, and takes a step in that direction as she waits for you to join her, "Yeah, I'm still getting used to tea, I think. Its not as strongly flavoured as I'm used too, I guess, and putting sugar in it sort of defeats the purpose, but I find it pretty soothing, and the preparation I like." she looks over at you curiously, "I'm been thinking of ways I can make it without the stove, maybe make a little tea-station near my coffee table.." she chuckles softly, "But i don't think you're really that curious about the tea." she smiles to herself.

Zachary nods his head when she indicates walking while talking, quick to move to her side and match her pace. "There are stronger teas.. some are not so soothing, however. A little sugar is alright, but yes.. too much will not help you sleep," he confirms. His voice quieting then, thoughtful for a few moments. "I am curious about the tea.. but that is just one thing," he admits softly. "I am curious about you." he keeps his eyes forward focused as they walk, dipped subtly as he speaks. For now sparing her his gaze. "How you sleep.. how well you eat.." A bit more of a pause than the others before he adds, "About.. past things."

Amber slips her hands into her pockets again, and a soft clicking of her nails can be heard, "Well I'll be happy to talk to you about anything you want, " she says avoiding any specific topic, "I'm making a lot of changes recently, i guess, and its only natural i think that it puts a bit of a strain on me, but I like the direction i seem to be going, and i'm definitely eating better than I used too." she smiles softly to herself, her eyes mostly forward, but darting Zach's way occasionally, and she seems to be purposely evasive.

"I'm glad." Simple and sincere, Zach's head turning slightly, his own look towards her lingering and without guile. "I.. well.. from what you said before.. about your situation before.. I'm glad that you're moving past it.. in some ways, at least." Be pauses, his lips pursed slightly for a moment before he adds, "I know those things are.. painful, I'm sure. But I would like to know. To understand. You say you're a bad person, but I don't see it. I don't mean I wish to find out if you are, but.. to understand why you think you are."

Amber misses a step, her body lurching ever so slightly as she recovers well, her expression of surprise easy to read. She looks over at you, and tilts her head a bit before looking forward, her smile vanished, replaced by the stoic mask she tends to retreat too, "Thats a bit of a change from when last we spoke." she says meekly, her voice soft, "What prompted this new found curiosity?" she continues to walk slowly, and her brow is slightly furrowed, she seems almost nervous, and one can't help but notice she answered a question with one of her own.

Zachary shakes his head slightly, a concern now dipped over his expression at her reaction to his own words. "it isn't so new. I just didn't speak of it before. It didn't seem.. proper." He keeps pace with her, after a slight hesitation due to her nearly missed step. "I understand if you don't wish to speak of it.. but I thought it proper to express my own curiosity. To be truthful with you." He breathes out lowly and lets his eyes move forward. "Part of me does not wish to know, I will admit. But that is the smaller, cautious part."

Amber removes her hands from her pockets, and she crosses her arms before her, her hands rubbing her biceps before latching on, "I owe you all the answers you are curious about, I think." she takes a deep breath, letting it out slowly through her nose, "Someone told me that I shouldn't care so much what other thinks, or how they react, but I do, and so this is sorta hard for me." she looks over at Zach, "There obviously a lot to my story that this, but I've spent the last 12 years pretty much held against my will, forced to help people I knew were bad, and I did it because it was the path of least resistance. Not too long before i got here, I killed one of my..." she shudders a bit, and her voice catches and trembles a bit, "Captors, I guess. I was pretty sure I had outlived my usefulness at that point, when a completely ridiculous sequence of events left the mercs holding me dead, and me free. And I spent alot of time trying to put that behind me, but recently I just can't stop thinking about it. Awake, when I dream, it doesn't seem to matter." She speaks quickly, rushed, and with minimal punctuation, he voice is occasionally broken up by that same tremble. She avoids eye contact, and her pace has slowed.

Zachary reacts to her mention of owing with a slight shake of his head, but she continues to talk and his own voice remains unused on that. He listens and the crease in his brow grows deeper as she goes. A low breath taken in at the mention of killing someone, but the shock in his expression is merely that. A soft shock without negative lean. "I'm sorry." The first words he says after her voice quiets again. " He steps a little closer to her and pauses, his hand extended outward slightly to stay her, without a physical touch. A pause hinted at as he turns to face her. "I don't know.. why do you think you're a bad person for being held against your will? I don't understand this.."

Amber stops and her eyes travel up your outstretched arm to your face, "Not that so much, I mean, I could have done something, I could have done more, sabotage something? But I didn't, I looked out for myself and lots of people probably died because of things I thought up or put together." she lets out a deep breath, "More than that, though, i physically killed someone." her eyes narrow, and she seems almost angry, but mostly uncomfortable, "And then, when I was ready for everything to end, the impossible happens? Why? What made me deserve to survive? I just keep running this improbable scenario in my head, and all I can think is how I don't really deserve any of this." her hand flickers, motioning to everything around her. "Yet here I am, pretending to be a good girl, and just looking out for myself, trying to act like none of it happened."

It's obvious that a quick, easy answer doesn't come to Zach at first. The young elf starting at her for several long moments before he speaks finally. "That you feel like you do.. that enough convinces me that you are not a bad person." His hand lowers as he continues. "Had you acted, you may have died.. I cannot say that in such a situation that I would pick the better path.. and I have been told that in life there is always a chance for redemption.. to make better on past mistakes.. failures. For everyone."

"Thats what people keep telling me, and I've rationalized it to myself a million times, and I understand it all logically." she sighs, a hand coming up to her eye to rub at it as she seems to wince, "But it doesn't help me seeing their faces while I sleep, and the more tired I get, the worse off I seem to be..." she shrugs, "I don't even know anymore, really, I just want to move on with my life."

Zachary nods his head once to that. "I guess it is easier spoken of than made real.. I can't imagine," he replies, his voice soft. He inches a bit closer and offers, "If it is any aid, I don't see you as a bad person, Ambrielle. Not in the least." His hand lifts slightly again, though there is a hesitance that stills it before it's purpose can become clear. "I only wish I could figure out a way to sooth you." The hand moves again, lifting towards her, though only half way, fingers relaxed. "To let you find your redemption without fetters."

Amber looks down at your hand and she holds her gaze there, not speaking. She reaches out after a time and takes it in hers, her own hand a bit cold, and a touch clammy, conercn etched in her face. "I know you're a good person, and I think i really believe you." she smiles half heartedly, "I don't want you to take this the wrong way, but can we move," she pauses again, "Slowly i guess? I know i'm not quite in the best state of mind, and I don't want my situation to ever be the reason I..." she shakes her head, stopping mid-sentence as she looks at the park around her, "I just want to take my time with you, and make sure we both know what we maybe are getting ourselves into."

Feeling how cool Amber's hand is, his other hand lifts, seeming without thought to join his other in clasping it, as if to warm it between them. The realization of that seems to get a bit tangled in the processing of her words. "What we're.." He pauses, the path that way seeming to give him pause. Path of least resistance indeed. "It's chill out.. perhaps we should not linger out here.. you might get sick," he notes. Distraction it might be, but he delivers it with a simple sincerity. "That would give aid to no one."

Amber nods, "Yeah, its getting late, I think too, and i'm a bit damp, and its cooling off quickly." she hmms softly, giving your hand a tug as she spins the two of you around to head back towards the park entrance. She walks for a time with a smile on her face before she looks over at you, "What are your intentions with me, Zachary?" she says, her forwardness a chapter from someone else's book.

Zachary nods his head and, when the turn is prompted, the second hand falls away, in favor of the more comfortable to keep one. It seems content where it is and, during those quiet moments, he too seems content with the quiet walk back towards the entrance. Then she has to go and drop a question like that. He starts softly at the question, looking to Amber with a furrowed brow. "Intentions? I'm.. not sure what you mean, Ambrielle." His voice betrays his uncertainty and bemusement.. though honest.. ploy? Which could it be?

"I think you know what I mean, Zachary," she says, her confidence seeming to return, and amusement finding its way to her grey eyes as she lifts your joined hands and shakes them between the two of you, "What is this, exactly?" No hint of embarassment as she speaks, and she does her best to keep her eyes on yours, and her smile pleasant.

"I'm.. providing comfort," he responds, his brow furrowed slightly as his eyes lift back towards her own. He shakes his head slightly and adds, "It is intimate, I know, but I have no wish to impose upon you.. anything improper. If it makes you uncomfortable.." He lets the words taper off towards the obvious offer.

Ambers expresses mock anger, but her voice is playful, "Look who's dodging questions now, hmm?" she grins, her eyes forward as she walks in silence a few steps, "So its all for my benifit, then? Just you being nice and empathetic?" she Hmms loudly, nodding her head, "I see."

"I'm not.." Zach's response, the tall elf a touch perturbed.. true or bluster? Before he might mount some further defense, her question comes at him. His lips purse slightly then and he allows, "If I were to deny that.. it is pleasant for me as well, I would be lying.. nor is it unpleasant to be near to you." His eyes returning to her as he says as much.

Amber smiles to herself, her head shaking, "Uh uh," she chuckles politely, "I don't know, I'm not real good at picking up on things, and I really don't want to put myself in a situation thats going to upset people." she looks sideways at the elf, smirking, "And you're the first elf i've ever really met, so I'm having an even harder time trying to figure you out."

Now this does confuse Zach a good deal. "I don't see what would.. upset people," he replies with an honest lack of understanding. "And.. if there is something you wish to know of me, you need only ask. I could hardly ask after your own past and leave mine closed to you." He nods his head once. " Not that mine has had any such troubles as your own." There is a pause before he's quick to add, "Not that I would speak down about your own past.. nor flaunt my own. Simply an honest expression of what has been."

Amber attempts to change the subject slightly, taking an offered tangent, as they near the gates to the park, "Well, " she says looking over at Zach questioningly, "Whats your full name? I don't even think I know you last name," she hrms, "Do elves even have multiple names?"

"My parents named me Zachary Amel'nya," said elf replies. He pronounces the last name carefully, so as to make it simpler for her to grasp the odd lilt to the words. "I have a more.. complex first name, but I don't tend to use it because others respond better to the simpler one.. and over the years I have grown used to it. We have names just as you do.. but most of us choose a simplified name.. my father has said it was to ease integration with other societies."

"I'd like to hear it," she says smiling, "I know i probably can't ever use it, but I'd still like to hear you say it, I think." Her step becomes a bit irregular, and she seems to steer herself a little bit to the left, and then right, her hand still in yours, "I'm sorry if I sound ignorant, or ask weird questions, you'll let me know if I'm making an ass out myself, yeah?" she grins at you, her expression almost cocky in its smile and knowing eyes, as if she knows you'll probably not call her out on things.

"Ze'yer'aya," Zach says to Amber, the flowing, almost musical pronunciation of the collection of sounds natural for him. He then shakes his head slightly. "It isn't an ignorant question.. not many know our ways. Even I am not familiar with them all. My parents were never very traditional and I am their son.. such things have never concerned me greatly." He looks ahead and adds, "My father often said that the only foolish question is the one that goes unasked."

Amber's eyes close as you speak your name, and her smile widens, "Thats beautiful," she says at last, looking over at you, "I wouldn't even attempt it myself, for fear of what I might I do to it, but I like the sound of it." she holds her gaze, "Does it mean anything?" she navigates herself through the park gates an onto the near deserted streets, most people having gone inside for the evening. She seems oblivious to the fact that she's dressed in her gym clothes, and seems to be enjoying the calm night.

With his focus on the talk more than the environment, Zach responds and continues to walk with her wherever their path might lead. "I never asked.. and they never told. Most names have some meaning.. even those of your people, I am told. It does make me wonder what your name might mean.. it is lovely as well," he tells her with that simple sort of sincerity. His eyes linger on her, a tick passing before he adds, "Perhaps one day we will find out their meanings.. but for now I am content to be ignorant."

Amber stops, her hand holding tight as she pulls you a bit to spin you around to face her, "Lets make a deal," she says, a child-like smile on her face, a look you've not seen so far, "Every day, we'll each learn something new about the other person, doesn't matter if its simple like "I don't like peanuts", but we'll make an effort to tell each other one thing about ourselves that the other doesn't know?" She looks at you expectantly.

Zachary pauses and turns as pulled, blinking twice at Amber as she starts her proposal. Nodding once to the offer of a deal. The deal itself gets a moment of thought before he nods again, a slow smile coming to him as he murmurs, "Yes.. I like that." His eyes flick downward slightly, towards where their hands link before they rise again towards her. "I suppose we have already shared much for today.. perhaps much for a week of days."

"Maybe we have, I know I sure have." her smile fades just a bit as she turns and continues her walk, "Its a deal then, starting Tomorrow," she glances down at her music player, its tiny display lighting up a pale green as she checks the time, "Well tomorrow morning, i guess, as it's technically tomorrow, today." she bites her lower lip and chuckles, "You know what I mean." her mood is still light as she continues her walk home, and she content to have moments of silence hang between them as they walk.

Zachary nods his head once as they continue to walk. The shift of her expression prompting, just a few moments after, for him to try a soft squeeze of her hand. "More than I gave.. I will not forget that," he murmurs, glancing towards her. "Do you mind that I call you Ambrielle? Cali.. she did not seem to prefer her full name, so I obliged her. You have not said anything yet, but.. I wish to be sure you don 't mind that I do that."

"To be honest, you're the only one who calls me that, and I don't mind it, it reminds me of a better time and place, and I like that," she almost skips a step as she turns to face you, still walking sideways to match your stride, "Not that times are good now, I just meant better than recent times." she turns to walk forward again, shaking her head, "No, I like it, I'm not sure i'd like it from just anyone, but it seems fitting with you, I think."

Zachary responds to her words and the seeming mood shift with an easy, warm smile. "Then I will continue to call you Ambrielle," he murmurs. He looks up a bit, then seems to finally take stock of where they're going. His expression remains largely relaxed, though there's a subtle crease in his brow. "I suppose now I should consider what things I would like to know about you.. I suspect that we will run low on simple facts in time." He looks back towards her.

Amber pouts playfully as she turns to glance once more at you, "I'd like to think i have enough mystery left to keep you occupied for at least a week or two more." she takes a breath, and a soft breezes wraps around her, causing her arms to get goosebumps. She shivers exaggeratedly, "Looks like we left in the nick of time," she says, her pace quickening. She looks around, and seems to notice where she is and stops again, "You don't have to walk me all the way home, I know it's sort of out of your way," she looks behind her, "I think we passed your street already." she tilts her head, and looks at your questioningly, "I'm sure you're eager to get put some distance between you and this smell." she stretches out the collar of her shirt a bit as she inhales, her nose wrinkling, ad hear ears redden just a tad, "I definetly need a shower."

That she will keep Zach interested doesn't get argued with, a slight smile lingering. It remains when she speaks of their path. "Oh, it's no trouble, really." His hand squeezing ever so slightly when she shivers. "I'm.. comfortable where I am," he adds. And indeed he continues to walk with her without a hitch in his step. "So be honest I think I have been too distracted to notice.. and it is not as if I have not been in such a state before, on my usual trips to the gym. It isn't so unpleasant."

"You should be fine as long as we keep walking, and don't linger too long in once place." she says as she resumes walking home, "Believe me, if their is one thing I don't want is for you to have to get used to this." she says, picking at her shirt with a smirk, "Well I appreciate the company, at any rate, and its a nice night for a walk." she walks, her steps weaving a snake-like path, her hand pulls at yours at one point, and she attempts to bump your shoulder with hers, "You work tomorrow?"

Zachary starts to pay a bit more attention to her in particular at the odd walk.. and he is bumpable, not having the intent to shift away, though her actions bring him another soft haze of confusion. "I work every weekday," he confirms, for the next day is Monday. "Why do you ask? You'll have your.. meditation to do, yes?"

"Thats the hope at least, to find my center and be able to push all the nonsense to the side, clear my mind, I guess." She shrugs, "Perhaps I'll stop in later in the day, check up on you." she teases, "I'm sure there is something I can find for myself to do to keep mostly out of your hair," she looks up and notices how close she is to home, "We'll have to meet up at some point, at least, as we have a deal." Her apartment building apporaches quickly.

"Yes, we do at that," Zach agrees, his mood lifting slightly. For his part, he's again let his immediate surroundings slip below notice. Instead, he wonders, "Why do you walk like that? Unsteady.. and bumping me?" He adds after a moment, "Not that it upsets me.. I just don't understand it. And I would like to."

Amber can't hide her ammusement as she stops at the steps to her building, and turns to face you, shaking her head, "I don't know, I was just being silly I guess? I'm a good mood and " her eyes meet yours, "Sometimes things don't have a reason, and sometimes I do things without thinking them through, I just do what I want." She grins wickedly, checking her watch, "And since you walked me home, I won't count that towards our one new thing a day."

The confusion smoothes over at the response she gives. Zach thetn looks up slightly, noting that they've arrived at her place. There is a flicker of disappointment that comes, but it passes as his eyes return to her. "I'm glad that you're in a good mood, Ambrielle. I.. I hope that you often feel like this. Whether or not you believe so, I know you deserve it." His smile simple and warm to go along with that sentiment.

Another smile on Amber's lips appears, and she lingers outside her building a moment, "Thanks for everything, and not freaking out. You know just how to make a girl feel ok." she smirks, letting a moment pass before she darts in to give you the tiniest peck on the cheek, "See you tomorrow, Zachary, thanks for walking me home." she turns and heads up her stairs, her hand in yours until the last possible second, her fingertips breaking contact with yours as she waves. She reaches into her pocket and removes her keys, and she looks behind herself at you before attempting the lock.

Zach's warm smile is replaced with one of soft shock when the peck is planted on his cheek. His free hand lifting to touch the spot lightly with his fingertips after. "I.. you're welcome, Ambrielle. May your sleep be deep and restful." His hand lingering with hers, only slowly relaxing as the distance forces them to part. And he will linger there, watching her go into the place with an ambiguous, but pleasure laced expression and a subtle pink hue to his cheeks.

Another wave as she gets the door open and steps inside and begins to close the door, she turns and regaurds you from her doorway a minute, half concealed by the closing door, "Good night Zackary," she says again, smiling as she watches him on the well lit street. She waves a final time as she closes the door, and disappears into the Apartments.

Zachary lifts his now freed hand to wave, the other lingering. The soft blush might be lost to the dimness, but its obvious that he's not unaffected by her on some level. And when she disappears he lingers for a few moments before he turns. HIs hand lowers from his cheek and he starts to walk slowly. It'll be a few steps before the soft pink starts to fade, but his relaxed, contented expression won't. At least, not for a good while.

Tags: Ambrielle, Zachary, Leonard