Evening Stroll

Participants:

nicolas_icon.gif isis2_icon.gif

Scene Title Midnight Stroll
Synopsis During their second date, Nicolas and Isis stroll through Central Park.
Date September 25, 2009

Central Park

Central Park has been, and remains, a key attraction in New York City, both for tourists and local residents. Though slightly smaller, approximately 100 acres at its southern end scarred by and still recovering from the explosion, the vast northern regions of the park remain intact.

An array of paths and tracks wind their way through stands of trees and swathes of grass, frequented by joggers, bikers, dog-walkers, and horsemen alike. Flowerbeds, tended gardens, and sheltered conservatories provide a wide array of colorful plants; the sheer size of the park, along with a designated wildlife sanctuary add a wide variety of fauna to the park's visitor list. Several ponds and lakes, as well as the massive Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, break up the expanses of green and growing things. There are roads, for those who prefer to drive through; numerous playgrounds for children dot the landscape.

Many are the people who come to the Park - painters, birdwatchers, musicians, and rock climbers. Others come for the shows; the New York Shakespeare Festival at the Delacorte Theater, the annual outdoor concert of the New York Philharmonic on the Great Lawn, the summer performances of the Metropolitan Opera, and many other smaller performing groups besides. They come to ice-skate on the rink, to ride on the Central Park Carousel, to view the many, many statues scattered about the park.

Some of the southern end of the park remains buried beneath rubble. Some of it still looks worn and torn, struggling to come back from the edge of destruction despite everything the crews of landscapers can do. The Wollman Rink has not been rebuilt; the Central Park Wildlife Center remains very much a work in progress, but is not wholly a loss. Someday, this portion of Central Park just might be restored fully to its prior state.


Central Park after dark.
Beautiful. Quiet. Dangerous.

Isis knew it's danger first hand, in truth, and still she'd suggested a walk. Perhaps it was just such a thrill that gave the grounds their appeal at such an hour. Whatever the case, the slender redhead walks beside Nicolas, quiet in thought for a moment - a thought that makes her nose twitch for only a moment before she makes an effort to halt the awkward, little habit.

"What's your worst memory?" No one ever said she wasn't social, but it's obvious her idea of interesting conversation is different from the norm. Hazel eyes, a luminous emerald at the moment, find an angle beneath ebon-lined lashes, peeking up to the side from behind stray locks of garnet in order to take in her companion's features. She's still dressed for work, and considering her career choice the attire is a flattering and perfect fit for a date - a flirty, low cut green tank complemented by a short black vest, and black slacks that kiss the toes of her heeled, leather boots.

Nicolas smiles warmly to himself as he strolls along side the woman on his arm, enjoying her company. He scans the area of Central Park, not having really taken the time to enjoy the location that has been a cornerstone of the city for so long. He seems to be in quiet content in being where he is and with who he is with.

As she speaks, he blinks for a moment as if breaking away from his thoughts and turns to look at her. "Huh? Oh." He says with a soft chuckle. "That's an easy one. My entire childhood." He states simply before he elaborates. "My father was a drunk and liked to beat on me when I was growing up, so it's a whole childhood of bad memories."

That delicate chin inclines a bit more, the subtlest hint of surprise tickling across pale, angled features. "No hesitance," she comments, voicing the thought aloud. "Most people pause at that question."

She lowers her face again, though, looking to the line of trees bordering the edge at this particular section of path. "I didn't mean to stir up back thoughts," she offers by way of a half-apology. "I can understand some of where you're coming from, though. My childhood wasn't sparkles and rainbows." By any stretch. But, she doesn't elaborate without probing. "Did you still talk with your dad?" Too curious for her own good. Always.

Nicolas shrugs his shoulders slightly at her comment. "I've come to terms with it, so it doesn't bother me much. Plus I don't think anything could be as bad." He says to her. "I think a lot of people had fucked up childhoods growing up. It's just part of life now-a-days." He offers a slight smile before he looks back ahead of him before he shakes his head. "Naw. I don't talk to my folks anymore. Nothing there that I need to look back to or keep in touch. I drove by the house when I went back, but didn't stop."

Isis frowns, but offers an easy, understanding nod.

Silence reigns for another moment, allowing time for the heavy topic to dissipated.

She stops suddenly, bracing the crook of her arm with every intention of not only stopping her companion, but coaxing him to turn and face her. She cants her head to the side like a curious feline - the comparison is rather uncanny, giving her green gaze, almond shaped eyes, and personality. "Tell me a secret," she demands with an almost childlike ease coaxing her airy tones into a playful nature.

Nicolas looks down for a moment before he is suddenly pulled to a stop. He turns to look at her before she speaks. He raises an eyebrow for a moment and his slight frown turns into a smirk. "A secret? Hrm…" He thinks for a moment before he looks at her in the eyes. "I'm working for one of the most dangerous criminals in the country as their freelance computer hacker." He says, smiling though the tone of his voice suggests that what he said may not be true.

Blink blink.

Dio? Why would he need a hacker. Well, he's not a 'career criminal'…

Adam? Psh. What are the chances?

Her mind wanders down a few other's on her list. Until, finally…

"Well, if you aren't going to take this seriously," she comments, giving a wiggle that aims to slip her thin arm out from under Nicolas's own. "All you had to say was no. But, I have one rule, Mister." She lifts a hand, her index finger pointing at the chest before turning up to the sky in reference to her one, unbreakable rule. "No lying." Her peachy lips purse ever so slightly, paired with a slightly lofted brow - her slightly angry face, an expression that is only humorous is one is stupid enough to laugh at the spitfire, Irish girl.

Her hand droops slowly, falling awkwardly back to her side. Wasn't she lying? Joanne King? No, no. It was on her license. Her fake license. Ah, but, the truth is just fickle.

Nicolas raises an eyebrow as he nods and smiles at her. "Alright. No lying. I'll tell you a secret that not many know." He pauses and licks his lips before he takes a deep breath and exhales. He looks her in the eyes and pauses for a moment before he speaks. "I'm an Evolved." He finally says, almost forcing it out.

Isis's expression is carefully stoic, a mask of unreadable indifference as she debates the best way to respond.

"You're not registered," she states plainly, biting her tongue quickly afterward. That is not the polite response. With a sigh she lifts a hand, hoping to still any rising nerves before she can correct her social mistake. "I didn't mean anything by that - just seems the most likely reason you wouldn't tell anyone."

Her gaze suddenly drops to the gravel beneath her feet. "Listen - you can't tell anyone. Not even the people I work with at the bar…" If anyone heard her ability, it would be a dead give away. "But, I'm Evolved too. And," she chuckles, looking up to meet her date's probing gaze. "I'm not registered," she comments with a playfully devious grin.

Nicolas chuckles softly and shakes his head. "No. I am not registered and I'd die before I ever do register." He says as he looks at her. As she looks down, he raises an eyebrow and tilts his head. His eyes widen slightly as she tells him that she's Evolved too. "You don't have to worry. I'm not going to tell anyone." He places a finger under her chin and raises her head to look at him if she allows him to. "Your secret is safe with me. I swear."

The gentle touch to her skin inspires the same experience as did their first handshake. Something she'd aimed to avoid up until now. The quivering sensation passes along both parties. This time, however, it is less likely to be attributed to 'butterflies in the stomach' and more likely to the Evolved ability she's yet to explain.

All the same, she follows the beckon of the touch, keeping much of her focus in staying within her own body, as she meets Nicolas's gaze. "Deal," she offers quietly, lifting a hand to loop her fingers around the man's wrist. "So, tell me, Mr. Evo-Mysterious. What can you do?"

Nicolas smiles as he looks at her, smiling more as she takes his wrist and starts to look around the area. "Let me show you." He says, spotting an electronic billboard in the distance and points to it. "See the sign for Pepsi over there? Watch that." He starts to concentrate on the sign and soon the image goes black and the screen changes to display a pair of electronic figures walking hand-in-hand. A message appears over it: Joanne & Nicolas.

The redhead cringes when her date first insists on 'showing' off his power. Her past experience with abilities? Not always pleasant. She eases, though, as she turns to look at the mentioned billboard. Half-expecting it to explode, she is all the more surprised by the change that overcomes the enormous sign. "I-… wow." Her voice is a whisper, as if worried to break the moment that inspired such a thoughtful display. The sign captures her attention only a moment longer, before the source of its change proves to be the focus of her hazel eyes - green with flecks of gold.

As she stares, hand still looped around the base of Nicolas's own, her wandering thoughts leave her ability to waver - instilling a sense of fluttering, suspended consciousness before she forces her concentration back to her control. "You're just a sweetheart under all that smarts and good looks, huh?"

Nicolas looks back to the woman next to him and the screen returns to normal. He smiles as he looks at her. "That's what I do." He says with a smile at her comment. "Well, I'm just a hopeless romantic really." He says with a smile. "What about you? What can you do?" He asks her as he brushes a strand of hair from her face if she allows.

She allows. There is no one here to see her weakness, after all - to see her allowing the slight affections. For tonight she enjoys them, closing her eyes for a brief moment. "Well, I'm afraid a demonstration on my part would be… rude." That's putting it lightly." She chuckles to herself as she opens her eyes. "I swap bodies," she finally offers a bit sheepishly. It was dangerous to share, and a strange ability (from what she's heard) even among the Evolved.

Nicolas blinks and raises his eyebrows as she explains what she can do. "Wow. You can swap bodies?" He asks after a moment before he looks her over for a moment. "So this isn't your regular body?" He finally asks, his voice lowered a moment. "Or do you go back to your body afterward?"

A direct question about her body. She hisses slightly, relaying her moment's hesitation to respond. "This body is mine…" she begins awkwardly. "But, not exactly what I was born with." She taps her fingers on the back of Nico's wrist before allowing them to spider absently up his forearm. "I go back to my own body. I don't much like the idea of strangers running around in it doing unspeakable, God-knows-what-sort-of, things."

Nicolas smiles and nods as he looks at her. "Well, you made a good choice." He says as he looks at her. "But fortunately, it's not the body that I'm attracted to. It's the mind." He says and looks at her. "So, if it's the body you were born with or not, as long as your personality and all is yours, the body doesn't matter."

"Nerd." The teasing comment is obvious for what it is, a half-hearted effort to break the seriousness of the moment, a shield against the affection she knows nothing of handling. The effort is for not, though, her gaze still reading plainly of her adoration for the simply sweet moment as she looks up to meet Nicolas's gaze. She drops her hand, allowing her strained concentration a moment of ease, before stepping in to put herself closer. "So, does that mean you were serious about the hacking?" she inquires with a little nudge of her head back towards the sign, an act that leaves her chin inclined to look up at her taller companion.

Nicolas chuckles and nods. "Yeah. I didn't lie to you about that. I got hired on by a guy who needed someone of my talents. Brought me into your work after hours too to set up the deal." He says as he looks at her, not minding her jokes. Just happy to be here and to have someone that he can finally share everything with.

Isis chuckles. "Good to know," she comments easily. "Can't say I mind - not all my business is on the up and up," she adds with a deviously sweet grin, bobbing up playfully to her tiptoes.

There is a short, awkward moment of silence. "So, are you going to kiss me or what? I've got to head home here shortly." She lifts a hand and pinches at a tuft of the man's darker hair, letting it run back through her fingers before her vibrant gaze sets back to his countenance.

Nicolas smiles and nods. "Well, at least you won't have a problem with my dealings." He says before she asks her question. He smiles brightly and nods. "Well, I was planning on waiting, but if you insist." He says before he slowly leans in and kisses her softly on the lips, placing a hand on her cheek as his eyes closes.

"Ever the gentleman," she gets in quietly as the man bends down to meet her. She closes her eyes, as much for setting the mood as for keeping her concentration on anchoring into her own body when his lips press to her own. The connection is brief, muddled, or perhaps excited, by the disjointed experience of her unwavering ability, before she steals a step back to break all forms of contact.

"Thanks," she offers smoothly, tapping her own lips with her index and middle fingers as she begins to step backward. "Call me, yeah? You pick the spot next time." With a little hop in her step, she offers a quick wink before swiveling around and making down the path. Walking her home was not an option, Nico already knows her roommate likes to keep there house little known to anyone.

Nicolas smiles and nods. "Of course. Have a good night." He says as he waves back to her in return, watching her go. His face is one of bliss and seems to be on cloud nine at the moment. "Have a good night." He calls to her.


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