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Post by ĸara вelova★ on Jul 22, 2010 15:00:14 GMT -5
Kara was sitting at one of the main tables in the library listening to her cheap mp3 player, a newspaper spread out on the table top in front of her. She was chewing on the end of a highlighter, staring at several tiny articles. A few sections were marked with the yellow ink already, and it looked as though she was methodically going through the columns from left to right, judging by the pattern of yellow on the pages.
She was listening to an inspiring instrumental mash-up, and she let herself become immersed in her own little world. The library had its usual suspects; overzealous students getting a head-start on their homework, teachers researching new information for their upcoming classes... she ignored the variety of rather mundane emotions surrounding her, blocking them out so she could give the task at hand her full concentration.
She looked a lot better than she had in November. The girl was making a marvelous recovery from her near-death experience. Her skin, though still pale, held a much healthier glow, and her dark hair was no longer stringy and tangled; it had a pretty shine and hinted at more bounce and liveliness than one would ever expect from the girl. Her clothes still weren't anywhere near designer labels, but they weren't the torn rags she'd once been caught wearing. Her denim shorts revealed her long, thin legs. Her feet were bare, the flip-flops she wore into the library were carelessly discarded beneath her chair. Her tank top was a light blue, and a faux leather jacket was draped inside-out on the chair back. She hadn't changed so much that her lips were glossy or her eyes were dark, but Kara had never desired make-up.
She hummed along quietly to her music, and removed the highlighter from her lips so she could tap it on the table to the beat. The girl was completely oblivious to who she might be sharing the library with now; she'd turned her empathetic reception right off, so she could have some peace and not be interrupted by teenage angst. So normally she would have recognized the familiar emotional palette when he entered the library, but today Leo would find her entirely unawares.
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Post by Leogare Lasteulf on Jul 22, 2010 19:22:02 GMT -5
And why would Leo, of all people, go to the library? Some people were surprised he even knew how to read, so they would not expect him to do anything of the like in his off time. It would be a great surprise to them all, that even Leo could enjoy reading a bit. It was a relaxing thing to do, and you couldn't always be going full throttle, there was always a need to just take a break and relax. And then, almost by accident, he spotted a somewhat familiar figure in the library. If people had been surprised by Kara's change, none as much as Leo himself was. She dressed lively, she acted with more emotion, and he had reason to believe she actually talked to people.
Leo was so sure Kara knew he was coming, the girl could smell him coming a mile away. But when he drew near and she gave no response, he thought he might finally have an opportunity to surprise her. Creeping up behind her, he got a devious idea. This would probably be a flash back for the girl, and if it was a good or bad flashback...well they'd soon find out.
His hands raised deftly, Leo plucked a single earpiece out from it's home. As he did so he leaned down and spoke to her.
"Hey there, looking good." He said, his voice not totally innocent. "Is this seat taken?"
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Post by ĸara вelova★ on Jul 22, 2010 20:28:11 GMT -5
"...!!!"
When the ear bud was removed, she deftly moved to return it to its place - cheap headphones kept falling out all day anyway. But then the low voice tickling her ear startled her. Now, Kara had never been one to vocally express shock, but she definitely jumped and spun around in the chair to find Leo. After her initial surprise, she raised an eyebrow, but the corner of her lips lifted ever so slightly.
"This one is," She replied, "But that one is open," The girl nodded to the one close by. It wasn't exactly across the table, and it would be easy enough to pull close. It was her attempt at a joke, because clearly Leo didn't mean the chair she was already occupying. She retrieved the highlighter she dropped on the floor, and set aside the newspaper to watch Leo as he settled in.
"Back for more romance novels then?" Though she didn't exactly smile, it was easy to tell she was in a good mood. Kara plucked the other speaker from her ear and placed the mp3 player atop the paper. The brunette studied the boy, taking in his outfit. Her face revealed nothing of her opinion, but it would be impossible for anyone to say they didn't like what they saw. Leo was gorgeous, as always, but it was refreshing that she didn't feel as inferior to him as she once did.
She brought her knees up to her chest, heels digging into the chair seat to support the pressure, and she rested her chin on her knees. She contemplated the boy from this new position while her thumb ran absently up and down the side of her shin. There was a light in her eye that betrayed how alive she felt, even just sitting here in a boring old research hall. She didn't need to project her emotions for Leo to understand that she was very different from the girl he'd sheltered one night in his room. In fact, her thumb may have left a mark on her skin at one point, but as it slid over the smooth, taught skin of her leg today, she no longer worried about bruising her body. Of course her body wasn't flawless; she was still very thin and had bumps and scrapes everywhere from her poor balance and frequent accidents, but she was no longer a gaunt skeleton that might crumble at the faintest touch. And she loved it.
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Post by Leogare Lasteulf on Jul 23, 2010 0:35:21 GMT -5
Leo looked back to Kara with a smile. She was different, she was more human now. She smiled, she joked, she even made pleasant conversation. Leo held up a finger, snagged the chair up and placed it down next to Kara. "There, much better." He said as he sat down. "The view was terrible from way over there, this is much better." Cracking a smile he half looked at the newspaper she set aside, was she looking for jobs? Well now, that seemed odd, but Kara always did have a way of surprising him.
"Romance novels? Me? What kind of love sick teenager do you take me for?" He said with an expression of mock offense. "Please, such things are beneath my refined tastes." He added, gesturing to his attire. A simple pair of jeans that looked as if he'd owned them for years (He probably had), with a sleeveless T-shirt with at least one small hole in it.
No real conversation had been started so Leo decided to make one, after an acute observation of course.
"You look good, so what ya reading?"
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Post by ĸara вelova★ on Jul 23, 2010 16:45:26 GMT -5
Kara just rolled her eyes at Leo's flattery, unable to take him seriously while he was grinning like that. As he defended his manliness and made fun of his sense of style, the combination actually did cause her to smile. Though she hid it behind her knees, Leo would be able to tell it was there.
Then he complimented her again, and Kara half-wondered if he really meant it. His question, tagged so closely to the comment, distracted her from thinking too deeply about it, and she shrugged, pushing the paper to him.
"The funnies," She replied, "I just love Garfield." The pages she'd been highlighting were exactly what Leo suspected; job listings. The kinds of jobs she was interested in were behind-the-scenes type careers, a pattern Leo might recognize when he read the job titles or descriptions.
Stock Receiver - American Eagle
Library Assistant - New York Public Library
Spanish-English Translator - SpanishDict.Com
Maintenance Staff - Gagosian Gallery
Maintenance Staff - New York Marriot Downtown
"Do you know anyone who's hiring?" She vaguely wondered if that little hole-in-the-wall restaurant Leo took her to might need a hostess. She had a feeling she'd be able to bring a book to each shift there and be finished reading it when the time came to go home. But of course it was so small they could probably manage it on their own. Still, Kara waited for a reply; maybe he'd surprise her and conjure up the perfect job. Not that she was expecting this, but it would be a pleasant change.
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Post by Leogare Lasteulf on Jul 23, 2010 21:46:17 GMT -5
Leo looked over Kara's shoulder at the paper. Of course he could have pulled it to the side to look at it, but this was more fun. Plus he wanted to see if he could coax that smile a little further out. He leaned down so his chin was practically resting on her shoulder. "So, let's see here....hmmm" He read over the list quickly.
"A lot of quiet and secluded jobs here? Not much for dealing with idiots, eh? Can't really blame ya." When she asked if he knew anybody he stopped for a moment.
"Hmmm, not sure. I mean, some of the family might know something, I'll poke around and see what I can dig up. I know you don't want my job, so I won't even suggest that. I doubt you want to be covered in grease and oil at the end of a day." Leo said, with his token grin.
"So what's with the sudden desire to find a job? Something come up?"
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Post by ĸara вelova★ on Jul 24, 2010 15:20:27 GMT -5
Kara suppressed a shiver when he drew near. He was testing her for a reaction, but she wouldn't satisfy him with an obvious show of emotion. Still, his breath tickling her neck when he spoke made it very difficult not to react. What was he saying? Something about not putting up with idiots?
"Mm," She agreed, turning her head slightly to look at him. She didn't meet his eyes, which was typical of her, but she did find herself staring at his lips while he talked. Her memories got the best of her, and she remembered the way he kissed her. Kara tried to ignore the way her lips tingled at the thought and instead focused on what the boy was actually saying. Grease and oil... Leo was a mechanic, right? Or something like that. It fit. His question was met with an evasive shrug.
"Everyone needs money." She hadn't changed so much that she would spill her deepest, darkest secrets at the slightest probing. The girl kicked her feet out, deciding to sit up, but unfortunately smacked one of her knees against the table at the same time. Kara cringed, but didn't make any noise to indicate she felt the pain. However, she decided to use it as a distraction to keep Leo from prying any further into her desire for a paycheck.
"Ow," She eventually offered, with a hint of a laugh behind the singular word. Kara leaned back in her seat and gave the boy a sideways glance. He was still so close, and it had her body responding in unfamiliar ways. The brunette let out a silent sigh, and her lips decided on a neutral expression.
"So..." Kara's eyes met his for a flicker of a second before darting to the bookshelf over his shoulder, "what are you doing in the library?"
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Post by Leogare Lasteulf on Aug 2, 2010 21:43:57 GMT -5
Leo was used to Kara's lack of conversation, it kind of became one sided in a way, but he didn't mind so much. "Need money, eh? Wonder how you made it this far without a job." He said with a bit of a grin. But he decided to let it go, leaning over when she smacked her knee on the table.
"Heh, you better watch yourself, fair skin bruises easily you know." He leaned in a bit closer so he could look at her knee without putting his head under the table. "Sounds like it hurt, you want me to kiss it and make it better?" He offered with a small chuckle. "Or should that wait until later?" He was using his own brand of humor and distraction to keep her from wondering on why he hadn't answered her question. Truth was he was looking for her, but he wasn't going to tell her that.
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Post by ĸara вelova★ on Aug 5, 2010 23:05:38 GMT -5
She flashed him a look that wasn't as sharp as her usual glares. In fact, she looked almost... amused? at his subtly accusation. She figured he would know her former method of survival. Though not the most noble profession, Kara was very good at deceit and thievery. She had always been able to rationalize her kleptomania, convincing herself and others it was necessary. But now it would appear she embraced a new set of morals which deviated from the original path of dishonesty.
"No, you better watch yourself. Keep talking like that and there won't be a later," She adopted the superior tone of an elder scolding a child for their misbehaviour. But despite the words, that playful glint in her eye would reveal that Kara was flirting. It wasn't a pastime she was overly practiced in, but she hoped that maybe if she practiced it enough she might be relatively good at it. She'd never be one of those girls that could get a man to do anything with the bat of her eyelashes, but it would be an interesting experiment to see where she could take Leo if she tried. But of course, Kara hadn't changed so much that she didn't fear disappointment or rejection, so she held her tongue for now, and would let him interpret her words however he pleased.
She looked back down at the paper as though she hadn't just suggested he find her 'later'. The recovering teenager bit the side of her lip as she pretended to concentrate on one of the ads, but really she was monitoring Leo's reactions; physical and emotional. She wasn't confident enough to go blind. If Leo didn't feel like reciprocating, she'd know to cut and run. But so far, he seemed ready to humour her. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but something about the way Leo felt around her shifted. Kara wasn't blind; she'd see Leo chatting up other girls, flirting like only Leo could, but he never treated them the same way he treated her... he never felt the same with them as he did when he hung around her. Even here in this dusty old library, she felt that small difference that meant a world of significance to her, and she tried to ignore it. It would only get her hopes up and hurt her in the end, so she bit her lip and put on a brave face, bracing for and already hoping against a possible rejection. She knew it was a silly thing to expect from Leo, the boy who was so sweet and patient with her, who strived to understand her, but then again, she hadn't seen Eiji's revulsion with her coming either. One day she might have Leo flirting with her in the study hall, the next he could disappear after some blonde just like the last one. Though she hated thinking about it, and hated considering it might happen, she also knew it was possible, and the idea scared her. That someone out there might have that power, and the faceless suitor that competed for the boy's affection, whether she existed now or never, terrified her.
Relax, Her brain told herself, and she found it intriguing that the voice sounded like Leo's, you're over-analyzing everything. The less you think about it, the less it'll hurt if things don't work out.
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Post by Leogare Lasteulf on Aug 5, 2010 23:25:28 GMT -5
When she made her 'threat' Leo arched an eyebrow silently. "Hmmm, that's a deal then." He responded with a smile. "Your place or mine?" He said, with a sideways teasing grin. He didn't need to say anything more, he'd just let it simmer.
And then she seemed to phase out, lost in thought on something. Her face showed a stone demeanor that Leo was used to seeing, she was thinking about something sobering. He waited a moment, but when she showed no indication of coming out of it he got a fun idea.
Leaning in Leo softly whispered into her ear. "Earth to Kara...Anyone in there?" When she jumped slightly, Leo chuckled.
"I was asking you if you had any plan beyond putting in the application and praying. You don't seem like you'd be strong in an interview." He leaned back. "If you'd like, I could teach you some confidence....or you could just steal it from me if that's easier for you. I could just tag along and feed you my natural earth shattering self confidence." He said in a half joking tone, flipping his bangs up in an exaggerated manner.
"You gotta admit, I know how to talk to people." He said, making his case further.
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Post by ĸara вelova★ on Aug 6, 2010 11:56:28 GMT -5
Kara indeed jumped when he snapped her out of her reverie. His suggestion, though intriguing, made her raise an eyebrow in condescension. "Thank you for the offer, but I'll be fine on my own. Clearly you've never seen me in a situation outside of yourself." She was a little bit insulted that he had zero confidence in her own self-confidence. A lot had changed, but something that stayed with her now was her ability to act. She could tell a lie without blinking or looking away, she could insert powerful emotions into her words to stir amiable feelings from those she talked to. Really, it was only Leo she liked to terrify on a daily basis. The hard-headed boy sometimes needed a healthy dose of fear.
She looked him levelly in the eyes, as if to prove her point. She didn't like making eye-contact... eyes were the windows to the soul, and no matter how good an actress she was, she couldn't completely barricade her true thoughts. Though she was determined, Leo knew her well enough to recognize a flash of uncertainty. Her eternal weakness. Kara often wished she could see the future, so she wouldn't always have to jump into every life experience blind to the outcome. Like Leo, for example... oh no. She stopped herself before she could zone out again.
"You might know how to talk to people, Leo, but I'm not sure how good you are at it," Kara added as an afterthought, deliberately throwing in her own insult by sounding almost bored. But her lips curled just enough to show she didn't mean it, and she had to look away to keep from breaking her mask.
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Post by Leogare Lasteulf on Aug 8, 2010 15:28:12 GMT -5
Leo chuckled lightly. Since when had Kara actually talked about her own abilities? Normally she'd be talking about how bad and worthless she was, but now she had some real confidence in herself.
"Oh, you don't think I'm good at talking to people? I wonder if you really believe that. After all, it worked on you didn't it? Or wait..." He faked a look of shock. "This is all some trick where you've manipulated my emotions to make me wrapped around your finger! Oh you devilish women!"
He spun around to the other side of her, trying to catch her gaze again.
"Ya know Kara...if I didn't know any better I'd say you actually enjoyed my company." He stood up straight and shrugged helplessly. "But of course there isn't a chance of that, after all I am pretty sure you wanted to put something pointy through my chest when you first met me."
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Post by ĸara вelova★ on Aug 8, 2010 20:35:41 GMT -5
Kara knew Leo was only joking, but when he laughingly accused her of relying on her empathy to attract him, it stung a little. But she kept it to herself, and offered a half-smirk to cover up her anxiety.
"Perhaps it's not your company I enjoy," She countered. The girl refused to give him any indication as to the alternative she might be referring to. Instead, she raised an eyebrow and decided against affirming his suspicion of her initial disapproval.
She pushed her hair off her face and stared pointedly at the paper. Then she plucked the highlighter from the table, sat up straight, and highlighted another possibility. 'Busser - Pub Italia'
Kara scanned the paper over one last time, and decided that was all she could milk from this particular issue. She'd best start bullshitting a resume. "Would you like to be a reference for me?" She asked, turning to him and gently placing her chin in her hand while she leaned on the table. Her gaze was imploring, and she might be injecting a small dose of happiness into the boy. Perhaps a small sense of pride... a little bit of patience... She even met his eyes, to make her request that much harder to refuse.
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Post by Leogare Lasteulf on Aug 16, 2010 21:08:57 GMT -5
"Not my company?" Leo asked, thinking for a moment. He got an idea he knew was wrong, but decided to play off of it anyway. "Ah, I understand. After all, you aren't the first girl to be charmed by my incredibly chiseled good looks and natural athleticism. And not to mention my modesty!" He half posed for her, clearly in a joking mood as he gained a few odd looks from people walking through the library.
"A reference? Like, for what?" He asked, slightly confused. "Are you going to go be a cop or something? Who would ask for that?" Of course, Leo was hired by people who'd known him since his 'wheels' were tricycles, so the idea of needing a reference for a common job was foreign to him. But still, he wanted to help her out, so why not?
"Ah well, whatever you need me for I am more then happy to comply. I can talk em up a little bit if they call, and you don't even have to pay me!" He added with a grin.
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Post by ĸara вelova★ on Aug 16, 2010 21:21:12 GMT -5
Leo's small performance should have provoked a raised eyebrow, perhaps a scathing reply, but instead it did something peculiar to the unguarded girl. Because she wasn't controlling her own emotions, a small blush crept to her usually pale cheeks before she knew what was happening. Leo speaking of his beauty and physical prowess was... embarrassing? Obviously not for him, but he might be hitting pretty close to the reasons she enjoyed having him around.
She strategically shielded her burning cheeks from him with her hair and muttered something about finding Leo's name next to 'modesty' in the dictionary. But soon he distracted her with talk about references and work, and she was able to defeat the traitorous blush with some carefully placed calm.
"I just need you to tell anyone that calls about me... that I'm a good worker... a quick learner... et cetera, et cetera." Kara stared down at her highlighter, injecting herself with a much heavier dose of calm and cynicism. "And before you can think of some witty way of rewording it, I'll need your phone number. You have a cell phone, right?" She held the neon pen out for Leo to take.
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