Apr 29 08:34:50 105 PA

From Chronicles

The current game time is: Wed Apr 29 08:34:50 105 PA.

The evening time, the apartments are generally humming with the chatter of people relaxing after work. Tonight is no exception. From outside the door, music can be heard, a jazzy beat and a low throaty female voice, just recognisable as Aimee's. The door is on the latch, and the scent of cooking is carried from within. The main part of the room is lit only by the scented candles that have been dotted around the room, but the kitchen's light is on, illuminating the woman there. She has her hair loose, brushing against her bare shoulders, the rich dark red dress one that rests lightly on her upper arms, hugs her as a bodice and flares at her hips, just brushing her knees.

Desmond comes up to the door a bit early. Feeling eager to see Aimee at this appointed time. To speak with her. Perhaps to share another film. Yet, as he nears, there are things different. He smells the food.. hears the music and her singing acutely as he comes to be just outside the door. This stays him and he glances down at himself. In his denim, sans anything to offer her. Not nearly enough time to go change.. an idea sparks.. something he saw not too far down the street. Quietly he eases back, leaves the building and jogs back down the street. Perhaps five.. seven minutes for him to go and buy it before he is back again, none too worse for the wear after the light exercise. He will knock then and wait. Still in his denim, though he will not be empty handed. A small, cheap glass vase will be in hand. Frosted white glass with a bunch of fabric orchids of good quality poking out from the top. Not so expensive, but something.

Aimee comes to the door, a cloth in her hands, opening it slowly before resting her hip against it. "Des honey, mon chat." She tilts her head back for a kiss, smiling warmly. "So, how is your day?" She reaches out, touching the orchids' petals lightly with her fingertip, her face softening. "They are tres bon, very good, Des..." If he steps into the room, she will close the door behind him, leaning her back against it as she flicks the lock. "So, Kesslan and I, we talked." That said, she walks into the kitchen, returning to checking the food.

Desmond's eyes widen slightly at the picture that is presented to him. "Aimee," he greets her, his deep voice already carrying a soft husk to it. "It was not unlike most. Not without ups and downs." He steps in, of course. And will turn to keep her in view as she closes the door up. As she moves back into the room, so shall he. Considering where he might place the vase, though he holds on to it for now. Her sudden mention of Kesslan, however, is enough to disrupt his approving lingering of eyes upon her. He follows her to the fringes of the kitchen, hanging back just a bit to keep from underfoot. "That is good," he replies. "I have wanted Kesslan to know you better. For you to know him better." His gaze now curious, though he doesn't actively pry into what might have been said.

Aimee reaches out for the vase, lifting her eyebrows slightly. "Well, Kess seems to want to get to know you better, mon chat..." She turns, putting the vase on the small table, beside the candles, on a cream table cloth. It is set with the mismatch of crockery she owns, and two glasses, unmatching. "Cheese souffle, new potatos... some veg." She informs him, crouching to peer in through the glass door of the oven. "Thank you for my flowers..." She looks up, tilting her head back to see her.

Desmond gives up the vase w hen Aimee takes it, the words she speaks not surprising him. Well, the food is something entirely new to him and when she returns to peer into the oven, he steps closer to it and considers the smells that fill the air. "You are welcome, Aimee." There a sense of pleasure in her approval. "The food smells favorable," he adds. All of this a bit of delay before shifting towards the first tidbit of information. "Yes, Kesslan has developed feelings for me," he confirms needlessly. "I feel strongly towards him as well, though not in the same way as to you. Though we two are different and I have yet to know all of him, I could see him as a trusted brother. Someone I would entrust my life to.. more so, yours which is most precious to me." He pauses a moment, then asks, "What think you of his feelings?"

"Well, I told him I didn't mind sharing you. Also told him that perhaps if he and I get close..." She shrugs lightly, her eyes on the food. "I think perhaps this is ready. Would you pour the wine, Des?" A bottle of white sits on the table, opened. She opens the oven, pulling out dishes and putting them on the table, on to the protective mats. The souffle is a fluffy cream colour, steam rising from it. The new potatoes are herbed, their scent filling the air, and the vegetables are lightly steamed. "There."

Desmond nods his head once to her response, then again to her request with the wine. Musing her words quietly as he turns and goes to the table. On the way he shoulders off his jacket, tossing it to the couch before dealing with the wine. Not truly acquainted with the proper ways of things such as this, indeed used to seeing more crude drinks being poured and served, he pours for each glass two thirds full, thinking that would be proper. He will look up then as she brings out the dishes, considering the food with more interest now that he can see it as well as smell it. "This will be intriguing," he rumbles as he lifts his eyes to her. Waiting for her to sit before he does.

Aimee sits, her hands smoothing her skirt, her stocking-clad feet moving silently on the sanded boards. "Cheers..." She murmurs, her fingers on the glass, lifting it in a toast. "So, a little of it all?" She questions, moving to serve the food, placing a little on his plate carefully. She does the same with hers, before resting an elbow on the table and resting her chin in her palm. "So, Kess..." She comments, watching him.

Desmond settles himself carefully into the chair. Ever mindful of his substantial weight. The rising of the glass gets a moment of bemusement from the big male before something he'd seen before clicks into place and he picks up his own to extend it, lightly touching with hers. His ears tilt forward slightly at the sound of glass on glass. "Yes, I would try everything," he confirms, perhaps with more eagerness than one might expect. Of course, this is quite new for him. He considers the glass in hand and lifts it while she's serving. Tasting the wine lightly. Perhaps a bit unsure of the flavor that it leaves on his tongue. He reserves judgement, setting it aside for now. Though when she mentions Kesslan again, it stays him from starting on the samples she's offered. He considers a moment before he rumbles, "I would like to be closer to Kesslan. THough my feelings for him are not the same as his, he is.. very alone here, even with so many around him. He and I, despite our differences, run a close path. However, I wish to do nothing that would damage what we have. I know how something like this has effected you before.. with Katsumi. And I know he does not wish to cause trouble between us. I have wanted to know your feelings on this. Your true thoughts."

Aimee hesitates, before eating slowly, listening to him as he talks. Her face is thoughtful, and she pauses with the fork moving food slowly around her plate as he asks for her thoughts. "Katsumi is different. Kess never made me feel like a whore." That is soft, her eyes lowered to her plate as she shifts the food around. "He is lonely but he won't do anything with you if it hurts us... I think Kat would do it even if it hurt all the people around." She shrugs lightly, taking another small bite of her food. "I think the choice is yours, Des. I made you share me, with Kelley... I can hardly play dog in the manger with you."

Desmond frowns slightly as he gets a feel for Aimee's true feelings towards Katsumi. Leaving this for later, he glances down and considers the fork on his side of the table. Picking it up and using it is a bit awkward, given his size, but he manages well enough, separating a bit of the souffle to try. Considering a response to her words as he samples it. Strange.. but good. A nod and upward glance communicating this to Aimee. Though his words speak on other things. "We spoke briefly after you left. He did not even wish to speak of it with me. That there is naught to speak of. He was more open to you on this? Or will be still think there is nothing to speak of?"

Aimee uses her fork to move the food around, considering her response carefully. She takes a small bite of her souffle, before returning to prodding the food. "He wanted to be sure I didn't think he was stealing you, I think. Wanted to be clear that he would only sleep with you if it was the right thing to do. Not for him but for us." That is spoken quietly, her eyes on her food, moving it around her plate before she takes another bite, lifting eyes to him. "I told him it had to be up to you guys."

"I disagree," Desmond responds softly, for the moment ignoring his food as he gazes at her across the table. "Just as he is, I am concerned for your feelings. Above all else, your happiness matters to me. And Kesslan understands this. Accepts this, which only raises him in my eyes. Makes clear how closely we two think." He pauses and sets his fork down, leaning slightly forward. "I understand that you wish to be fair to me. I accept that and it only warms me more. But I wish your truth, Aimee. I want to know if this will bother you. Not what you wish to tell me to be fair. What you feel inside when you think that he and I might share time."

She takes another small mouthful of the food, taking her time before replying. She takes a sip of the wine, her forehead creasing. "Des..." She keeps her eyes on the tablecloth. "Probably the same as you'll feel when I'm with Kelley. A bit jealous but happy you are happy... and I guess, Kess and I might get close. Maybe we all can hang out or something." She pops the mouthful of food into her mouth, her other hand fiddling with the glass. "Fair is important, Des."

Desmond starts to eat again as she takes time. Not wanting to stare at her or make it any more difficult. Sampling all that he has been given. Finding approval with each item, though they aren't things he would normally eat when by himself. When she speaks, his head lifts and he muses her words. "Fair is part. But true feelings are as well. To be honest, I would not at all feel upset were you and Kesslan to know each other physically. Or to spend time. I trust him utterly with you. I cannot say the same for Kelley.. which is why I feel as I do about he and you together. But more than that I trust you. That alone allows me to yield in this as I do."

"What do you think Kelley would do to me that might hurt me, Des?" She takes a sip of her wine, watching him thoughtfully over the rim. "I think Kess is more cautious than me, honey. It isn't like I'm some nervous virgin or something, or like I'm not open to the idea. I think he worries it might hurt one of us, or break us up." She cuts the souffle with the side of her fork, taking another bite.

Desmond considers what he thinks of Kelley. No, not hurt. "It shames me to say this, for I feel it is my fault.. for not trusting you as I should. But.." He pauses only briefly before he is honest with her again. "..I fear he might draw you from me again. It feels a betrayal of your love to think so, but.. I will not lie to you.. will not hide my faults. I wish your total trust. It nags at me silently. This fear." Indeed, he looks down, moving his eyes away from her in this moment of personal shame. Occupying himself with the food, for it does help to ease him. A pleasant gift to him from Aimee.

Green eyes regard him through her lashes, the woman's face thoughtful. "I don't think he drew me from you the first time. It was you and Katsumi that made me walk off. I don't think it is likely to happen again, not really, do you?" She leans her elbow on the table, twirling a curl absently around her finger. "I don't know, Des. This is your choice, mon chat."

Desmond shakes his head slightly. "My mind tells me that you will not go from me. My heart feels your love. Warming.. my flame." His eyes lift then, his expression softened. "But there is another part of me.. a darker one. The pull of instinct." A pause before he mentions, "The voice that roared for me to break your door.. to punish the man who would dare harm you. That urges me to regard Kelley as a rival." He frowns slightly. "I am one close to my instinct.. it serves me well at times.. and works against what is best at others, yet I could no more turn from it than you could turn from your charm, your beauty. It is part of me.. to be controlled.. guided to the honorable path." He extends his hand along the table toward her, palm up, laid against the surface. "I trust you, Aimee. I love you deeply. I will speak with Kesslan.. we will work this out together. And what we decide, I shall reveal to you. There will be no secrets to you, this I promise."

She studies his face, narrowing her eyes slightly before she nods slowly. She turns her attention to the meal, taking the last bite from her plate. "Do you want more?" She asks softly, her eyes hidden, lashes lowered. "There is a little more, souffle, it doesn't keep so well." She sips her wine, sitting back in her chair after putting down her fork.

Desmond seem unsatisfied with her response to him, sensing something.. not right. "Yes, please," he replies to her words. "The food is very good.. unusual to me, but like all else you have shown me it is favorable." These words ever honest. "I am not sure of the wine.. but I will sample more before I decide on that." HIs hand draws back slowly and he retrieves his fork. "What are your thoughts on my words, Aimee? I do not wish you to be silent if your thoughts are uncertain.. are troubled. I do not wish you to feel uncertain towards me."

Aimee leans forward, serving him some more, a little of all. She pours him more wine before she adds to her glass, putting the nearly emptied bottle down as she leans back in her chair. "I'm glad you like it, it seemed like I should show you some of the stuff I can do..." She lifts one shoulder, wrinkling her nose. "Des, mon chat, you and Kelley, you are the first relationships I have had. The only ones that mattered to me. It works how it works,..."

"And you are my second.. though in truth being with you is very different than from being with Mala," Desmond muses. "THings like this.. and the films.. it is different enough that I feel as if it is all new to me again." He considers her quietly and states, "I will try to soften towards him, Aimee. In a way, we have somewhat.. he and I spoke before, as I hinted. He told me to see that you are happy. And.. I did tell him to s peak to you.. to find his place in your life as I did before. I suppose I expected.. less. But I will overcome my fault. For you. For us." He picks up the wine again and considers it. Carefully lifting it to take a more substantial sip to taste.

Aimee holds her glass between fingertips, watching him talk and eat, her eyes regarding him over the rim. "I don't know, Des, you and Kess, you talk as if I should know how I feel clearly, neatly, and I never feel like that." She shrugs lightly, glancing at his plate questioningly. "I don't know, Des, I just don't want either of you to be unhappy." She shrugs lightly.

Desmond nods his head once. "I forget that you are not as we are," he replies lowly. "He and I.. in ways we are very structured. Very focused. You.. you are like.. like fire. I know I say such things often, but every time I think of you, it comes to mind. Unpredictable.. even dangerous in a way. But warm. Rewarding.. vital." Indeed, a calmness comes over him as he muses her likeness to the flame. "Just tell me if you feel poorly at this.. do not fear to be honest with me, even if the honesty stings. I don't doubt you will be.. you were so very honest with me before, even when it did sting. I don't want you to hold back. Ever. Through openness, we will meet any challenge together." Yes, eating between words, whilst she speaks. He enjoys the food, even as he discusses such things with her.

Aimee reaches over, taking a forkful of his food, popping it into her mouth. "I guess we are different. My family are like that, structured, tidy, behaving the way people say they should." She wrinkles her nose, before she shakes her head. "Kinda why I don't live with them anymore." She sips the wine again, regarding him over the edge of the glass. "If it was someone else, Des, I might feel differently but...Kess."

"Kesslan is safe," Desmond agrees. Feeling sated of his hunger for the most part, he sets his fork down, with a bit left untouched. He considers her, then stands smoothly, rounding the table to come to her side. He will reach out to take her empty hand, should she allow it, enfolding it between both of his as he gazes down at her. "Structured in some ways I am, but when touched by your warmth, I burn as you do.. hot and bright." He dips to a knee beside her, to bring himself closer to her level, his lips touching the back of her hand when one of his own shifts away to allow it. "My flame.. my blood has simmered for you since when you first opened the door." His eyes dip to consider her red veiled form. "This dress suits you well." His eyes lift to fix on hers. "Though I would not wish to damage it." Meaning in his tone, in his warmed eyes as he gazes at her.

Aimee puts her glass down, turning in her chair to face him. His words bring both a smile and a brush of blush to her cheeks. "I guess I should take it off then... it would be sad if it was hurt." She leans forward, pressing a kiss lightly against his lips before she rises, pulling her hand away from him. She glances over her shoulder as she walks away from the table, towards her bed. She turns then, walking backwards as she unbuttons the dress and lets it slide from her shoulders. "Better?" She asks as she steps out of it.

Desmond feels a soft rush within when so easily she bends towards his desires. Her hand released, he rising when she does. A shift to the side allowing her to move past him. "I would feel horrid," he replies to her first, though his concern for the dress might seem.. less than true. Indeed, he starts to follow after her, but a few steps behind when she turns to unbutton it. The fall of the fabric only briefly tracked before his eyes snap upward again to fill with the vision of her. "Much." His deep voice thickened with a low husk, pulse rising. Though such formal beating about the bush falls to the side after that. Instead, she will find herself with one very large, very amorous male, quick to draw her into his arms and, not too much later, quick to take her to the new bed. Tags:aimee, desmond