#churpybird

Zacharie perked up, suddenly understanding. "Ooh? Could this particular mademoiselle have an interest in you?" Lemmy ignored him, continuing on with whatever he was doing. Zacharie knew fully well that those particular cases happened often. "Or? Could it possibly be, that you've been ensnared....oui?"

The white haired young man nearly dropped the plate he was washing. He didn't dare turn around, because his flushed face told more than enough details. Zacharie beamed, he didn't even need Lemmy to turn around to see his ears slowly reddening.

"Aha! I've uncovered you like buried treasure! And the spoils are all for the taking!"

He talked strangely...that was certain. But he was indeed caught.

"But you act like you've been caught taking cookies...and I know you absolutely hate them, Lemon cake." he leaned on the wall closest to Lemmy. "But you certainly look troubled."

"You're not mistaken, Zacharie." Lemmy calmed down and tilted his head to face the other. "But nothing you must riddle yourself with."

He could feel Zacharie's eyes bore into the back of his head as he was placing the washed dishes back into the correct cupboard.

"Lemmy...you're asking someone to prom. Not committing a murder." Zacharie went over to help put away the baking trays they used earlier. "Are you feeling uneasy because of...?" the lack of reply was answer enough. "Look, as much as I would feel guilty, are you going to be all gushy at prom? Are you going to make it painstakingly obvious of how in love you two are? From what I am aware of, you aren't betrothed."

Lemmy snapped back and shook his head almost viciously. They weren't close enough for THAT kind of relationship. He personally...wasn't ready to devote his heart to someone...not after last time…

"Exactly, besides..." he picked up a particular registration form on the table, whilest his voice softened. "There is a person listed here on the date line, so I wouldn't worry. Just because you're a host doesn't mean you have to be organizing and running around everywhere all the time. You're making it seem like this is the point of no return. When was the last time a date turned into an engagement? How many weddings have you gone to? Were any of them from date-turned engagements?"

Lemmy thought about it slowly and tilted his head. "We are not in such an archaic society that date-turned-engagements are necessary. I've only been to one wedding and..." he stopped. Milreaf wasn't there at the wedding, and he was rather thankful for that. Her heart would've shattered in more pieces than it already had been. She had locked herself away for weeks, and by the time that he tried getting back to her, she disappeared. But at the same time he could…

Zacharie felt the uneasy tension. "It's a prom proposal. If it gets to be serious, so be it. Are you going to back out of a prom proposal now? It's still sunny and you know I heard there was a forecast for dark thunder storms...and it would be a shame if she got wet in the rain and..."

He didn't need to finish to see Lemmy pick up the rest of his items and hurry off to Emain Macha square. Zacharie leaned back against the wall, watching Lemmy run hurriedly. Lemmy would've done a prom proposal in the rain, he'd be soaked to the core, but when he had clear intentions...he intended to make them very clear. As he got out of view, he opened the door and followed him.

"He won't notice me if I take another route!" he said happily and took the other street to follow suit.

----

By the time Lemmy had gotten to the square, it was turning into dusk.

"Oh...she isn't here yet." he sadly thought. Nele and the young twins were talking, avoiding his gaze. As he looked up he saw the small lights being strewn from banners being lit up. It almost looked like festival lights.

"Don't be nervous Lemmy! Zacharie would make fun of you...! Let's play some music, she is just a little late...!" he turned to the three others and inquired if they would mind his playing.

With a small shake of the head he reached into his bag and lifted out his violin case.

The trio had stared at the white haired young man as he began to pluck and tune his violin. They had heard him play many times, it was a past time on Sunday afternoons. The young man would have the most free time and played in time with nature. The fact that he wasn't at work indicated something special. He had to take off days of work to allow that to happen….certainly extremely special indeed!

With a deep breath, taking care not to bump into anyone, he began sliding the bow across the string. With a very gentle vibration he eased himself into a steady rhythm of back and forth.

Yes... Just like this...he thought. With another deep breath, he began to play out. This particular area required dedication and practice, but a favorite of his. The multitude of eight notes all lined up side by side as it became a melody had won many people’s hearts over.

As his song finished he heard a very faint clap behind him.

He turned around and saw her. Churpy. He was getting nervous already. He tried stumbling out a good evening but it came out poorly.

"G-G...good ever...ner...mrh..." he stopped. He was never this nervous. Even to new people. He always retained an air of sophistication. Just try again! He thought.

"Ah Churpy...Thank you for coming, I thought you wouldn't come for a bit..." he said almost shyly. Why was he getting so nervous?! He felt himself lift his feet on top of the fountain. He almost slipped, he might fall into the fountain without her pushing him in. That was almost worse than being rejected itself.

He felt being watched and let himself go. The piercing eyes from the others made him self conscious of the time.

"Do you remember when we first met?"

Seeing a very slight shake of the head, he felt himself burning up. This made him require saying his entire feelings. Well enough without it turning into an awkward love confession.

"Well...do you remember...? The song I played right then, it was the same one where I saw you here for the first time." so far so good he thought "You were also the only person to really stay and listen for my entire performance. Everyone else left... But you stayed... For two and a half hours. Through every song."

He thought back, he didn't get tired because he was playing, but to an audience it would've been tiring. He always wondered why she never left and continually watched him play several violin concertos the entire time.

"Ever since that day, you came every Sunday to hear me play. Even if it so happened to be the same repertoire. I still don't exactly know why."

Then he stepped forward, outstretched his arm to offer his hand. Once accepted he pulled her right on the fountain as well. When he felt her nearly slip, he guided a hand to her back avoiding her wings to steady her and guide her to another spot.

He felt a little more confident, although still nervous from the bystanders now crowding around.

"Here...do you remember this spot...?" he gave a small smile when he saw a small nod. "This was were we spent Valentine's day together." he felt his fingers slowly getting slippery.

Really now... The worst that could happen was them slipping together. He had to try to hope she didn't feel his palms getting sweaty. Really...why was he getting so worked up?

"You...you gave me lemon juice and called it...Lemmy juice, remember?" another nod. "You gave me a chocolate chip cookie because you didn't know where to buy macarons..."

He cringed on the inside, he hated sweets. He was surprised to see that it was store bought, but he guessed her attempt would even prove fatal. He would still eat it anyway. Getting sick over something someone made for him wasn't as painful...or lethal. In comparison to a lot of other ways to die, that is.

"And you remember that I gave you a cake. Poorly made, but nicely decorated...and a kiss on the lips. I mean, the drink." he started to feel his face turn red. He was fine saying the pun at work, when he felt as though as he was in disguise. But out where he was practically bare...it was a different matter.

When he saw a small giggle, he knew he was going in the right direction. In both the proposal and walking, he was walking backwards to keep a steady gaze after all.

“I...I feel as though ever since that day since you first came here to watch me play...I-I have been feeling more differently about people.” This was turning out to be more of a love confession than he originally thought. “I was planning to go to my own event by myself...I planned this long before. Back when Milreaf decided to host Ewecinox. But she grew ill and she asked me to take over for her.”

He looked around and saw the look of anticipation from the onlookers.

“E-ever since I met you...my thoughts about these things have been changing. I almost feel not ready for this. I...I haven’t been close to someone in years...because I was always afraid of hurting someone I cared about. But life is about risks, don’t you think? People can change too, don’t you think?”

He didn't bother waiting for an answer this time. He slid slightly because of the wet marble and caused Churpy to slide closer to him at chest-distance. Almost breathing each other’s air. Keeping a firm, still sweaty grip on her hands. He realized how soft they were, and started to burn up again.