Professional Menace

"I was referring to the tattoos but, I don't mind knowing about your siblings as well." She chuckled, realizing how vague her question must have been. It was rare for Minry to become interested in such a mundane topic as family when going on date (if you could call that moment a date at all). And yet there she was listening to the other attentively. Alexander's playfulness as he spoke was refreshing to witness, the man seemed to have a natural way to be charming and entertaining without having to try hard. "That doesn't truly answer my question you know?" She poked his cheek, groaning in a very light-hearted manner. "But now I am curious. Exactly, how many siblings do you have? Because the way you were talking, it feels the number is higher than what's common out there."

The revelation about one of his brothers also being a demigod caught Minry by surprise. More questions would promptly arise in her mind and she had no issue voicing them out. "Full brother? As in, you both share the same god and human parent? That's rare on the island I think… And if the godly heritage is different, please enlight me about both yours and his. The existence of us, demigods is still quite baffling to me." Alexander was free to reject her questions but in the hopes to make him more comfortable to drag the topic, she threw a bone. "I have one sister, well, half-sister that I'm close with. She lived here briefly, and we grew up together. Our fathers were best friends."

The suggestion regarding tattooing herself did not pass by unnoticed, but considering the shenanigan that occurred with the staff, Minry had brushed it aside for now.

"Well, we did say it was a night to try new things… It's a lovely drink, trust me." Feeling his digit stroke her skin brought light shivers all over her, which was surprising considering it was such a small gesture. The two were still under the watch of the maid's gaze and all of it just flared Minry to continue being enticing. His request came unexpected but Minry would bring a brief pause to it, by boldly pampering his jaw with light pecks, occasionally glancing at the maid that quickly stepped away with such a scenario. The pecks wouldn't stop and Minry's eyes were now on Alexander's. "That can be a dangerous question, Alexander." She teased.

Minry shifted her body, only to cause some spark along the fact she was sitting on his lap. The movement was masked as her trying to get comfortable, then straightening her back so she could be facing him instead of leaning on his torso. Alexander's question brought a sour feeling inside her mind. Untrustworthy. Rotten. Poisonous... many different words came up, considering the reality of her upbringing. "I always get what I want, when I want it. And I am very unapologetic about it." Minry bites her bottom lip, before bringing a smile to her lips.

Although a big family wasn’t too peculiar within his region—religion playing a big role in those constellations—Alexander was curious if family trees of a similar size existed on the island. “The one that’s on the island with me is Maxim. He’s kind of a loner, though, so I don’t know if you’ve personally met him.” His smile faltered slightly, only to give way to an expression of contemplation when he tried to remember the name of his brother’s godly parent. 

“Max is the son of…uhm…” It was only then that Alexander realized how little he knew about his brother’s true heritage. Despite spending a considerable part of their days or weeks together and sharing a camaraderie and comfort that only brothers could have, their parents—godly or adopted—weren’t often their choice of topic. “…Morphe–” the word sounded tentative even while he considered saying it and, as if he could reel his previous guess back if he only spoke up quick enough, he corrected himself. “Phobetor! He’s the son of Phobetor. I’m the son of Hundun. None of us are actually related by blood, but they’re still my siblings” For a moment, his aura veiled itself with pride; strong and infallible. His family was a topic he would never mind discussing. 

Considering Alexander only came to the island somewhat recently himself, he assumed he wouldn’t know her half-sister, even if he’d find out her name. Nevertheless, watching her talk about her family made him tilt his head to the side ever so slightly. His gaze softened and with all his attention directed towards her, he felt himself get caught into a trance. Although he wanted to find out more about Minry, her backstory and her family, the demigod was too distracted to think of a question to ask.

It would only occur to him much later that he never answered her question regarding his tattoos. Then again, he wasn’t sure he even could give her a proper estimate of how many artworks lived under his skin. Who knew? Depending on how their night was going to end, she might get to count every last one of them. 

The maid’s gaze didn’t go unnoticed and although curiosity almost had him look up at her to see if she was waiting for something in particular, Minry effortlessly lured his attention back to their conversation when she spoke. His mouth opened to speak, but no sound followed. Her lips on his skin set off a completely different kind of adrenaline rush within him. Pecks that felt like tiny fires, leaving the memory of sweet burns along his jaw that would further spread the warmth in his body. Alexander wouldn’t even notice how his lips curved into a smirk and his head tilted to allow her more space. Gods, how he wished for the maid to be shameless enough to just stand there while Minry proved her point. 

Only when Minry spoke up did he notice that the maid was long gone. His eyes met hers, offering her a challenging look. A dangerous question? The statement alone only intrigued him more about her answer. In a spellbound and almost automatic motion, he glanced at her lips, blind to any giveaways of her next move. 

If the shift of her position was a swift endeavor, Alexander would be oblivious to it. To him, it felt like a sweet eternity where one of his arms wrapped around her waist to support her and keep her steady, while the grip on her thigh tightened ever so slightly to hold her close. Mischief glinted in his eyes when he looked up at her. Surely, she had to know what she was doing. And he had to admit, he respected her for it. Even though it made it only that much harder for him to keep his thoughts pure and his gaze respectful. 

Self-assured. Sweet. Intoxicating. The words came to mind while she described herself. All of which were attributes that were painfully attractive to him. “As you should be.” Something in his voice hinted at mutual understanding. There was no need for her to be apologetic about getting what she wanted—he was very similar in that regard. “And is there something you want right now?” he raised an eyebrow to emphasize his question while his fingertips played along the skin of her thigh. It was everything he could do to distract himself from their positions enough so that he could focus on their conversation. 

A futile pursuit, he figured, when she took off her jacket and revealed the bralette that—while it hugged her body beautifully—did nothing to help him keep focused. And again, she knew. He was sure she did. She had to know what she was doing, right?

“Something about me, huh?” Alexander’s voice was low and calm while he thought of a fact that might interest her before he leaned in closer as if to tell her a secret. ”I’m not as nice or as oblivious as I seem.” His neck strained up just the slightest bit, his lips brushing against her neck when he spoke. 

“People just seem to trust me more when they think I’m harmless.” Trust he would easily break for the dopamine hit of a confrontation. Regardless whether he was part of the conflict or just a cheering bystander. 

As if to return the favor, Alexander ran a line of soft kisses along her neck, smiling softly when he caught a glimpse of the maid heading towards them to bring their drinks. He stopped only when he was fully sure she saw them while their drinks were placed onto the table. A gentleman at heart, he offered a quick nod in gratitude for her service. 

“Could we also get two shots of tequila?” His question was directed to the worker, his tone kind and patient, with an air of an apology lingering in his voice. Too lost in whatever game he and Minry were playing, he’d almost forgotten to order the shots they were talking about earlier. In any other circumstance, he might’ve felt bad for wasting their server’s time by ordering twice. But Alexander was too preoccupied with trying to keep his cool.

It was thrilling to see the other's enthusiasm regarding having the night linger. It was evident both Minry and Alexander had no intention to part ways for a while and it made Minry feel at ease. The social scene nowadays is quite hectic, people would often be disappointing to meet, either due to their looks, personality or the feeling was just not there. Alexander on the contrary, excelled on all those aspects so far. "Really? Well, I would ask what exactly brought you here but considering we're in Mount Phoenix, I can assume part of the reason…" Minry smiled sheepishly, before taking her eyes to admire the other's lips for just a second. It would happen often, the more they spent time together, an inevitable small glance here and there. "I was born in Seoul. My father was Japanese, but I lived in South Korea for the majority of my life." The mention of her father does not sting. It was a wound that had been closed and buried a long time ago.

Soon they'd be engulfed by the influence of alcohol, leading their minds to cast away any stress or unpleasant thoughts. However Minry had to confess he already that effect on her. "Tequila shot it is then, but first, let's warm up with something more tame."

Delicately, she brushed her fingers on his skin, following the lines drawn on it. Minry kept silent while observing the art closely as tattoos and the skill behind it had been something that fascinated her over the years. "Your brother?" The revelation brought some surprise to her features. After all, Minry did not know the other that well so being informed of these little pieces of information felt refreshing. "How many do you have? Let me guess… so many you have lost count?" She joked, raising a brow as she brought her eyes to match his again. "Is your brother on the island as well?" The question was solely out of curiosity, with no intention to prolong the topic on his sibling if Alexander did not wish to. Family can be complicated after all.

"I surely hope I get to see them. Wherever they may be." She winked, bringing another suggestive yet playful exchange of words to the table. "I do not actually. Although the idea intrigues me." At that point, her eyes wandered around his torso. The prospect of finding more about his tattoo and everything along with it was rather thrilling. Such a state of captivation was halted by the staff's presence. Minry had heard the maid pop the classic question and yet, that young woman in front of them did not spew it for the two of them.

The maid's eyes were quite obviously locked on Alexander, never parting from him. Minry was evidently glancing at the maid, scanning if they'd pay any attention away from the man but to no avail. When Alexander revealed the name of the drink, Minry looked back at him with a smirk. "I have tried it before but it's been a minute. I would love to have it again, I trust your taste." Even if the two of them were talking, the maid was still too interested in Alexander, which struck a nerve. So in a possessive and petty manner, Minry shifted her legs, to now have them rest over his thigh and Minry was nearly sitting on his lap once she stopped. But Minry did not look at Alexander, her eyes solely on the maid. "Hi dear. So as you heard, we're having one Espresso Martini."

The feeling of being caught in an oxymoron; Alexander felt anxious to say or do something that could bring an early end to their night, while feeling more comfortable than he’d ever remembered feeling around someone he knew so little about. 

With an amused smile and a shrug that implied understanding, he nodded at her assumption. Even if it might not be everybody’s main focus, every demigod and demigoddess had a common reason on why they chose to come to the island. Their powers—no matter how different—qualified them to pass the threshold of the bridge and seek a comfortable life around their kind. Minry was correct to assume that it was part of the reason he would travel outside his hometown in the first place. Maybe some day he’d also let her in on more of the story. 

For now, his smile simply turned tender when she talked about her history, not yet aware of the glance she spared to his lips. It would only occur to him after the moment for questioning was over, how she used a past tense to describe her father’s life. Though, Alexander wasn’t sure he would’ve asked for confirmation either way. 

He did, however, notice that he really liked listening to her. It might’ve been something about her voice or her intonation, or maybe it was just because the words were lucky enough to touch her lips on their way to be spoken. Simple sounds that danced along the air to be heard by him and only him. A blessing in his book. 

Despite being oblivious to her action earlier, the demigod unknowingly copied it by daring a brief glance towards her lips. A truly regrettable action considering the image and a simmering desire would occupy his mind at random points in the night. 

Within the blink of an eye, he brought his gaze back up to look at her eyes, which momentarily banished the image but did nothing to calm his thoughts. 

Nowhere near the realm of a tranquil or quiet soul, Alexander only realized that he’d been silent when he felt her soft fingertips brush against his skin. The action, while calming and endearing, drew his focus towards his own hand. Unable to explain the ‘why’ behind it with simply ‘it feels right’, his own fingers intertwined with hers. And for a moment, everything fell silent.

Only when she spoke up again, did he notice the broad grin on his face, but he felt no need to tone it down. “When you ask how many I have, do you mean brothers or tattoos?” There was a teasing touch hidden in his playful voice, emphasized by the raised eyebrow he offered. “Because I have more tattoos than brothers.” Truth be told, he stopped counting after the twenty-second image being immortalized on his skin and never bothered to check again. “When it comes to sisters, though…” he made a clicking sound and his voice carried feigned concern, as if he had to strongly consider the statistics. “…still more tattoos… I think”. His tone gave away the wild and obvious exaggeration, considering that the amount of sisters wouldn’t ever come close to the art pieces on his skin. Eternally loyal to his family, Alexander loved talking about them. Although he had little part in turning them into the people they are, he was incredibly proud of each and every one of the nine. 

“But yeah, one of my brothers is on the island. He’s actually one of the local tattoo artists here, so if you ever want a tattoo…” his voice trailed off and his shrug accompanied the expression of ‘I’m just saying’ on his face. “… I might be able to put in a good word for you.”

Distant images flashed across his mind, too fast to take a closer look at any of them. Yet, her words called for glimpses of fingertips brushing along the inked chaos that dominates his chest, lining the piece that decorated his shoulder, or running along the not yet completely finished project on his back. And although he lost focus for only a brief moment, he caught himself looking at her lips again. With another blink, he looked away and up to the worker, somewhat surprised by her presence. 

A natural charmer at heart, Alexander didn’t even notice that the maid’s gaze lingered on him. His own focus has long shifted back to Minry to continue their conversation. “Well then, I hope I’m worthy of your trust.” The words trailed off, and the last part took him a considerable amount of willpower to voice when her leg shifted to rest over his thigh, concentration and composure nearly broken. He had yet to notice the maid still standing at their table, or the way she had been shooting glances at him earlier. 

His eyes shifted from her thigh up to her face and the way she was solely looking at the worker. Only then did he finally understand what was going on. Following Minry’s gaze, Alexander briefly looked over to the maid before he bit the inside of his lip as hard as he could to keep the grin off his face. Somehow, knowing the reason behind his date’s actions only made the adrenaline rush that much more intense.

And within a second of his discovery, he was fighting to keep his expression neutral. A task he was failing miserably with the appearance of the upside down smile he was struggling to hide.

Letting go of her hand, he laid one of his hands atop her thigh and rested his free arm on the backrest behind her. That way, their actions were clearly visible to anyone. By the time he briefly glanced at the waitress, Alex had already lost the battle against his own smile, and the corners of his lips shamelessly tugged upwards when he directed his full attention back to Minry. With chaotic DNA streaming through his blood by birth, Alexander had no inhibitions to play along. Especially when it came to her. 

Though, when she fixed a strand of his hair and his eyes glanced down towards her lips, he wasn’t so sure anymore how much of it was playing along and how much was him wishing they weren't playing. 

“A Fall Spice Cordial, huh?” his voice sounded unbothered, as if they'd never been interrupted in the first place. “I don’t think I’ve ever tried it…” Gently and almost unconsciously, his thumb brushed along her thigh, unsure whether they were still being watched. Just in case that they were, they had to be convincing, right? “…but I trust your taste, too.”

This time he caught the moment when Minry’s gaze shifted and the smile turned into an amused smirk. His own eyes were fixed on her, momentarily forgetting about everything and everyone around them. “I want to know more about you.” The statement sounded abrupt but assured. It was the truth, and although he would’ve preferred to ease into the topic of their personal lives instead of bulldozing right in, he wasn’t about to back down either. His eyes were fixed on her, warm and gentle, silently inviting her to tell him just as much as she’d want to.

Closed starter for another lover of chaotic fun @mpxalexander

So far--minor emotional crisis aside--the year of the dragon had been a good one! And on this day, Felix was just having a great time, really. Just a typical day at Galaxy Games, nothing out of the ordinary; kids and adults both having fun which was really all he could ask for. One could easily mistake him for just another patron with how he was dressed, a classic red 'eat. sleep. game.' hoodie with blue jeans and red Chuck Taylor hightops--but what stood out the most was the light-up headband he wore of multiple alien eyes. It made him difficult to miss!

Little did he realize his day was going to get even better as he wrapped up providing a kid with a prize--hard earned, too, after raking up all those tickets from absolutely DESTROYING at Skee-ball (his personal favorite), so he had no reservations about handing the girl her "IT'S SO FLUFFY! I'M GONNA DIE!" plush unicorn (as well as bonus candy necklace for funsies). And as she went bounding off to her guardian with her treasure, he was approached by a new fellow who just had a great vibe, ya know? He'd seen this guy around a few times, enjoying himself with the games, and now...he...

Wait--was this guy asking to WORK at Galaxy Games?

The music playing through the speakers; heavily overshadowed by laughter and shouts of glee, the blinking lights that pulled him into a completely different world, the various games and activities which seemed like they could endlessly command his attention.  In his thirty-three years of age, he had never been to such a place. A subtle type of chaos blanketed over the halls and made him feel at peace; pulling him in like a moth to a streetlamp.

It was the perfect place to wind down and forget about anything that might’ve been weighing on his mind. If he could, he would spend eternity in a place such as this. And although that was a little unrealistic, he had already closely considered an alternative. 

While he enjoyed his work at Jinxxed, Alex has always been drawn to the prospect of a new adventure every day. So when he entered the building for the third (or maybe fourth?) time that week, he had already made up his mind. Alexander was going to ask the first worker he’d spot for a job. 

Little did he know that that specific worker was just a tad bit unhinged—his favorite type of character for a person to have. By the time, he took a preemptive step back to grant the other some more space to jump over the counter, the grin was permanently plastered on Alex’s face. “Right now?” Adrenaline was rushing through his veins and making him forget how awfully unprepared he was to be interviewed. Never shying away from a challenge, he made sure to keep pace with who he assumed would be his future favorite co-worker. Or would he be his boss? 

“…Bowling…?” his voice—kept low and only to himself to begin with—trailed off when he tried to recollect, whether he’d ever played that particular game. He truly didn’t think he ever did, but he watched people play it once and was able to piece together at least some rules. But seeing as how it was a sport oftentimes played in company, he was out of luck. That was, until that day. 

“Seven and a half.” The confidence that carried his words made it seem as if that question was already part of the interview. A type of assurance that faltered slightly when he realized the potential for confusion. “My size, I mean….it’s seven and a half." Leaning against the counter, Alexander watched the stranger behind it with awe. His easy-going aura intrigued him. 

“The name’s Sanya. What’s yours?” Excited fingers tapped on the surface of the counter, waiting for his future co-worker to hand him his equipment. He spared a quick glance over to the lanes, briefly watching other patrons pick up the bowling balls and let them glide across the polished wood. Despite getting the gist of the game, Alex wanted to make sure he’d pick up as much of the information about all the rules as possible. 

"Drinks and shots? Aren't you a courageous one." Minry chuckled lightly, raising a brow at his suggestion and wondering how much could Alexander take when it came to alcohol. A question that soon was answered with him revealing a piece of information regarding his origins and possible upbringing. "You're from Russia? How interesting, were you born there or moved while very young?" It was slightly comedic Alexander confirmed the usual stereotype towards Russian culture: their passion for vodka. A fact that made now Minry believe she would be nowhere capable of keeping up with his drinking resilience, but she also had faith in her own sturdiness. "I hope you enjoy tequila. Those are my favorite shots." She hope he understood the reference, considering tequila shots could be very entertaining by choosing how or where to take them.

With the seconds passing by, Minry grew more intrigued about Alexander in general. Enthusiasm was clear in her demeanor but she chose to portray it elegantly to make sure the night would go along smoothly. And yet, the feeling of this thumb stroking the back of her hand caused shivers, a reaction Minry didn't expect. With him voicing out his thoughts, Minry smiled but more into a smirk than anything else. "Sanya is cute but I prefer Alexander if I'm honest, and-" leaned her chin on his shoulder, bringing some proximity between their faces, eyes always on his. "If cards are played well, you may hear me say more times tonight." Minry winked, leaning away so they could keep walking toward the desired table.

"Care to share the name of the dr-" As Alexander described the drink in a seemingly suggestive manner, Minry's curiosity sparked, wondering if he was going along using the topic for other purposes. Either way, the demigoddess liked the sound of his choice. Her cheeks flushed every so slightly with the thoughts crossing her mind and as the other gestured, it was when Minry noticed the tattoos in his free hand. "Oh, may I?" She asked while sitting on the couch and raising her hands to ask for his. Minry had just tangled her fingers with his but it was always nice to ask for permission for a more extended touch. Minry had no tattoos, so the art and the story behind it easily fascinated her.

“I was born there.” Alexander’s voice sounded sweet when he confirmed his birthplace with a nod, despite the myriad of bad memories coined with his birth and upbringing. “I actually just moved here pretty recently. What about you? Were you born here?” His head leaned to the side to emphasize his question, secretly determined to find out more about his date. As of that moment, he didn't know much other than her name. A true shame considering she seemed to be one of the more interesting people he's met lately. 

His eyes lit up with something reminiscent of excitement, while his heart struggled to find a calmer pace at the sound of the drink choice. The three-step process of that certain poison left so much room for imagination. She had to know what kind of effect her words had on him, right?  “I think tonight would be the perfect occasion for some tequila shots, then.” 

By the time the words left his mouth, Alexander had already forgotten about the week he's had. Which was, after all, the main reason why they ended up at Sakura in the first place. The stress-inducing tightrope act of balancing his move, his job, his family, and the small but nagging pit of doubt in his chest. All those factors left him struggling to find some time to rest. Another reason why he appreciated her company so much. Not once ever since they've met up did he spare any thoughts towards the days prior.

In fact, when Minry leaned in to let him know her preference about his name and the statement that sounded to him like a mixture of a challenge and a promise, he was lucky he still remembered how to breathe. “Oh?” When the sound passed his lips and sounded more like a challenge than the noise of surprise it was meant to be, he knew luck was on his side tonight. 

He softly tugged on the bottom hem of his shirt before he sat down next to her, close enough for their legs to be touching just barely. A small detail he had yet to take note of while his eyes wandered around to take in the intricate details of the lounge's interior before his gaze fell back on her. Only then did he notice that something specific seemed to have caught her attention. It took him a fraction of a second longer than he wished to, but when she spoke up again, he finally understood what piqued her interest. Without hesitation, Alexander placed his tattooed hand on hers, not yet interlacing it in order to give her some time to look at it. Two expertly drawn birds adorned the back of his hand, decorated by delicate lines that completed the design. One of many artworks that were immortalized on his skin. Her fascination, as well as the ever-growing seed of pride over his siblings, tugged at the corners of his lips to offer a wide smile. “My brother did this. He actually did all of my tattoos.”  Oftentimes in their childhood, Alexander would let his younger brother tattoo him for practice in exchange for gifts of favors. A win-win situation, if he'd ever seen one. “Maybe I can show you more of them later.” To anyone else, his words might've sounded almost too forward or suggestive if it weren't for his genuine tone. But the truth was, that even just taking off his jacket would reveal the tattoo-littered skin of his arms. “Do you have any?”

(  various  dialogue  prompts  to  send  to  your  worst  enemy  (affectionate).  feel  free  to  change  how  you  seem  fit.  )

❛ oh great, it's you again. ❜

❛ you? kill me? that's funny. ❜

❛ for being someone you hate, i'm sure on your mind a lot. ❜

❛ you're the last person i wanted to see, actually. ❜

❛ do us both a favor. stay away from me. ❜

❛ you really are an asshole, you know that? ❜

❛ i'm the asshole? what does that make you then? ❜

❛ sometimes i think you must hate me. ❜

❛ i thought you said you never wanted to see me again. ❜

❛ if you want me to go, then you have to tell me to leave. ❜

❛ well, someone's cranky today. ❜

❛ well, someone needs to shut the fuck up. ❜

❛ just stay out of my way. ❜

❛ of all the idiots in the world, i'm stuck with you. ❜

❛ what is it you want this time? ❜

❛ sometimes i wonder if you're in love with me. ❜

❛ do you honestly think this is easy for me? ❜

❛ why would i ever want to be friends with you? ❜

❛ can we please just talk? ❜

❛ there is nothing for us to talk about. ❜

❛ you can yell at me later. just let me help you. ❜

❛ touch me, and you're dead. ❜

❛ oh, so now you care? ❜

❛ there is something deeply wrong with you. ❜

❛ i know i'm the last person you probably want to see, but... ❜

❛ you don't think we could be friends, do you? ❜

❛ i'm tired of fighting against you. ❜

❛ don't pretend you give a shit about me. ❜

❛ you're an idiot, but... i trust you. ❜

❛ oh, don't be cute. ❜

❛ wait, did you just say that i'm cute? ❜

❛ we're not good for each other. ❜

❛ if i say yes, will you shut up? ❜

❛ don't you have to be stupid somewhere else? ❜

❛ maybe we should kiss just to break the tension. ❜

❛ i'm sorry i can't turn off my feelings as easily as you. ❜

❛ maybe there's a universe out there where we're friends. ❜

❛ how can you be so smart yet so dumb at the same time? ❜

❛ don't think this changes anything between us. ❜

❛ you look ridiculous in that outfit, by the way. ❜

❛ if you die, i'll kill you. ❜

❛ is that a challenge? ❜

❛ ah, so you're not heartless after all. ❜

❛ i don't think i've ever seen you smile. ❜

❛ you never cared about me, so why now? ❜

❛ why didn't you kill me when you had the chance? ❜

❛ i don't even remember why we started fighting. ❜

❛ i don't have time for distractions right now. ❜

❛ you're not as bad as everyone says you are. ❜

Their exchange had been quite lovely so far, even if only a couple minutes passed since they greeted each other. Alexander's reactions were cute, showing a side of him that could be perceived as shy but at the time when given the chance, he would bounce back with the same energy Minry gave him. A delight so far and Minry was very curious to see what the rest of their evening would bring. "Ah let me guess. Whisky? Or perhaps go as classic as a traditional beer?" Seeing him offer his arm, Minry took no minute to accept and held it lightly, with her palm stroking his bicep's area. With Alexander agreeing with her little innuendo, it puzzled Minry if the other actually followed her train of thought and knew what she meant by 'something new'. Time would tell, for now, she'd take it easy and get to know him better.

Alexander's daring suggestion piqued her interest and Minry matched his expression, following with a bit of her lip. A habit she had whenever something intrigued her mind and her gaze never left his. "That sounds interesting. But let me tell you, I'm a heavier weight than I look, so make sure to choose something that won't bore me." Her tone is playful, still playing the cutesy side of her for a second. "Hum, I wonder what I'll have you try though…" She pondered for a second, but his next words snatched her attention back.

The lack of timidity she displayed only intrigued him more. 

While Alex was long past the point where he could claim to be inexperienced around first dates or flirtatious encounters, it wasn’t often that he’d meet someone as refreshingly bold as her. More often than not, he found himself driving conversations with people who tended to be shy or quiet. And although he didn’t mind doing so, it was a nice change of pace to encounter someone he could bounce off of. Someone who put in just as much effort in their interactions as he did. 

This, combined with her devilishly good looks and great sense of humor, only made her that much more charming to him. 

“Is that so?” his eyebrow raised, and he tilted his head to the side in a playful challenge to her statement. “Damn, we might need to do some shots after drinks then, huh?” Alex’s tone matched her playful vibe, the suggestion a simple means to gauge whether he had any chance to prolong their date as much as possible.

“Well, if it helps, I grew up in Russia, so Vodka was always on the table.” It was clear from the way his smile hugged every word that he was joking. At least to an extent.

Was alcohol—more specifically vodka—always readily available in their household?

Yes.

But he knew well enough that that wasn’t the case for every family in the country. This was a trait reserved for people like his parents, who barely functioned without it.

“So I hope you choose wisely as well.”

He wasn’t sure if it was the way she said his name or the fact that he was not used to it being said in full, or even how her grip on his arm tightened ever so slightly. But something about her next to him forced him to silently exhale to calm himself and prevent the heat within him to travel and settle on his face in a red hue.

“I like the way you say my name.” The words were spoken before he even registered the movement of his mouth—a habit he tried and failed to shake multiple times. “You can call me Sanya too, if it’s more comfortable.”

Only after traveling outside his country did he realize how strange it must seem that most of his nicknames showed no semblance to his full name, despite being connected to it in his native language. “Or Alex.” Shurik and Sasha were the two names he saw no relevance in revealing just yet. Frankly, he didn’t have much of a preference between the names he offered, but he knew that either of them leaving her lips at the right—or wrong—time, might mark the doom of his composure.

His gaze shot up briefly to take in the facade of the lounge, the tasteful decorations catching his eyes while he absentmindedly lowered and closed the umbrella in his hand. Just in time before Minry spoke up again and grabbed his hand. Fingers gently curled around her hand and although Alexander didn’t notice, his thumb briefly ran along her skin in a tender gesture. 

There was no hesitation in his step when he let her lead him in, only a brief pause that allowed him to place his umbrella into the stand near the entrance. The small gap it created between them, though, was quickly eliminated again when he stepped closer to her. “Sweet but spicy, huh?”

Her words pulled him back into reality, the dim lights, the music, the romantic nature of the lounge briefly forgotten when he looked over to Minry. It was then when he was able to properly see her without the sporadic aid of the streetlamps or the dim gleam of the moon. Damn, she looked good.

The fact that it was near impossible for her to not be aware of that, interested and intrigued him even more. For a moment, he wondered if she chose a drink that matched the description of herself.

“My favorite combination.” he flashed her another smile and briefly scanned the room for an empty spot before he led her towards it. “I think I know exactly what I’m going to order for you, too. And I really hope you’ve got nowhere else to be because the one I chose for you is strong and might keep you up all night.” 

A starter based on the SNS post ‘Stranger Friends’ with @mpxalexander

//

   This is foolishness.

     Dakota knows it as he toes at the cold snow covered ground with the end of his work shoes and places a cigarette in his mouth. He knows it is just like he knows he should really stop smoking- it does nothing for his health issues but neither does fretting over an inevitable fate that is still far off. He lights up his death stick and waits for meeting with Alexander as he said he would via the SNS post.

    When he was younger it was easy to find Dakota out in the chill of winter without a coat, his arms covered in goosebumps as he wasted his own short lunch breaks merrily skipping around the same place he is now. Now that he’s a little older and more aware of his body’s needs, he’s dressed in a warm sweater and a black scarf to keep a bit more of the chill away from him. He’s adapted with his own body’s ability to stay warm no matter the season in mind. 

    Never one to really like waiting, he hunches down to write his name in the snow in English, his finger moving carefully and slowly. His other hand keeps the cigarette up as he works, the thing temporarily forgotten in favor of his task. He hardly notices when Alexander approaches him a short bit later.

Grabbing a puffy jacket, Alex pats himself down to make sure he’s got everything he’d need for the night. Phone? Check. Wallet? Check. Keys? He briefly looks around before snatching them off the counter and completing his mental list with yet another ‘Check’. 

His steps are hurried but deliberate, a habit he was forced to learn in a country with harsh winters and icy roads. It’s a blessing that he’s now able to find his way to Honeypot blind if he’d have to, because the majority of his walk is spent glancing at the ground every so often. Eyes searching for that one puddle that might be the catalyst to the meeting of his face and the concrete. Alexander only briefly looks up to check his surroundings before he stops. 

Warm breath turns into mist when he exhales and despite his body slowing down, his pulse quickens. Or at least that’s when he notices it being faster than usual. But he simply writes it off as a result of his brisk steps that carried him not far from their meeting point with time to spare. 

A chuckle carries a smile onto his face when he takes just a moment to watch the sight in front of him. Dakota seems cuter when nobody’s looking. With a deep inhale through his nose, he reminds himself to straighten his posture before he buries his hands into his pockets and takes the last few steps towards him. He seems unhurried now, relaxed in his pace as he approaches the man he is set to meet. 

It amuses him that his date doesn’t even seem to notice him approach and before long, Alexander is towering just a few steps behind the hunched figure.  

She nodded upon hearing the 'worst' things that could happen to her in this scenario. She supposed that a face plant into the snow was not so bad. It was certainly favorable compared to face planting a tree! A beginner slope was certainly the way to go! "Much appreciated," she cooed upon his reassurances. She regarded him as he drew closer, still doing slow test sways forward and back as the skis glided against the surface of the snow, holding tight to the ski poles on either side of her and using them to pull her back when she slid forward just a bit too far.

"Every winter?" she asked curiously. "Where are you from? If you don't mind me asking, that is." She was curious to learn where all of the demigods had been raised, how they had lived before, what brought them to the island. But she was pacing herself, did not want to overwhelm these children with a barrage of questions. "I heard that these are a favored form of winter travel in Scandinavia," she said, lifting one foot to indicate the skis she wore.

"Thank you. Your assistance is truly appreciated," she admitted honestly as he tapped her ski pole with his own. All right! Time to learn! "My best friends, you say? Well, then, if we are to be friends they should have names. I will name this one Bob...and this one Toggun," she said, first waving the left pole and then the right to indicate which was which. "And may I have the name of my gracious instructor?" she asked curiously with a smile. She was already mentally considering ways to repay him for his kind offer to teach her.

But despite his ingrained reluctance and their current anonymity, he felt like she was someone he could trust. 

“Russia.” the statement finally hit the air, and it is then when he fully acknowledged the brief pause in his tone. “We lived in a somewhat rural area, so we got a lot of snow in the winters.” 

Alexander only noticed that his smile faltered when his lips curved up again at the reminiscence. The cold months in their village were particularly brutal, and yet the first memories would always be the snowball fights or their journeys to neighboring towns to transport goods for money. Some of which they spent on a hot beverage before making their way back home. 

Her ski pole tapped against his own, and the action pulled him out of his thoughts, a dashing grin back on his lips. Yes, she really did seem like someone he could trust. And why shouldn’t he just listen to his gut? It hasn’t lied to him yet. 

“Bob and Toggun, huh?” A chuckle lit up his expression at the sound of the names before he took a few steps over to snap his boots back into his skis again. 

“My name is Sanya.” It wasn’t intentional, but when he revealed his name, it came out with his native pronunciation; the soft intonation of the ‘n’ that was common in his language. “May I ask for your name in return?” Alexander played the part of the chivalrous gentleman effortlessly, his voice revealing the playfulness behind the act. Whether or not he could trust her might be a question for later, but at the very least, he felt comfortable around her. 

“Yeah, exactly!” With his ski poles in hand, he shuffled over to stand next to her again, hovering his hand over her shoulder. “And lean forward just a bit so that your shoulders are always in front of your hips.” He placed his fingertips on his own shoulders to demonstrate the correct stance before he straightened his posture and diverted his gaze to the gentle slope of the beginner course. “If you feel like you’re going too fast, you can slow down a little,” his feet shifted to make a triangle with his skis, “you can always put your skis together like this. But make sure they never cross over each other; that’s a surefire way to fall.” A chuckle accompanies his demonstration on how not to do it before he relaxes his posture again to look at her.