004: AUDIO/ACTION

[intheblanks]

[This is casual, matter-of-fact conversation, directed into Chase's network device as he heads into the city. Some background noise from the square can be heard.]I realise it's a fallacy based on population densities, but the violent crime rate, here, on non curse days, is incredibly low

Comments

[byweavinglives]

[She's gone out to buy herself another coat, and spots Chase there.]

Are you looking or buying?

[intheblanks]

[He glances up from something long, black and cashmere-it's probably noticeable that his colour palette has taken a turn for the muted since coming back-and smiles.]

First one, then the other.

[byweavinglives]

[The coat she's holding is red and fashionable, and she's smiling a little at Chase]

Would you like some help? Advice?

[intheblanks]

[Very festive. He glances at it, although really, fashion still isn't his forte.]

Style advice, too? You've got a very wide bushel.

[Uh.]

That wasn't a euphemism.

[byweavinglives]

I like clothes.

[Her eyes flicker towards him for a moment and she almost laughs]

No, I didn't think it was. You wouldn't know, anyway.

[She sets her coat down and moves a touch closer to take his in her hands, measuring it]

Very subdued, Robert.

[intheblanks]

Do you like it?

[It's a heavy winter coat. Set on his younger shoulders it would have looked like a kid wearing his father's clothes. It still might, but only a little.]

Subdued, is that in? Is it now?

[Teasing. It's just pleasant, when she smiles.]

[byweavinglives]

[She looks it over and reaches for something else - equally heavy but slightly trimmer, in a dove grey.]

I think this suits much better.

[When she slips it on him, the mistletoe takes it's insidious chance and grows above them. Her hands slip around his waist and she kisses him, casually. They look, for all the world, like a perfectly ordinary couple]

[intheblanks]

[Grey does suit him, catching at the match in his eyes. And, it goes with the blue dress shirt.

There isn't much chance to appreciate that, of course. He catches gently at her collar and kisses her lightly. Which isn't the reaction he'd have expected of himself.]

I... think that might be too much better.

[byweavinglives]

[Her eyes move up the line of his face and above them. She sees it, there, high above them, tiny.]

Aha.

[She pulls them a step back]

It's very charming.

[intheblanks]

Hey, it's okay, it's just-

[His hand still resting on her shoulder, he looks up, following her gaze.]

mistletoe?

[byweavinglives]

It's a curse.

[intheblanks]

[Oh.

Ohhh.]

I see.

[Looking up at that little shoot again.]

[byweavinglives]

Are you disappointed?

[intheblanks]

I'm

[Well.]

Married.

[Technically, sort of. Look she hasn't filed papers yet okay. His facebook status is 'it's complicated']

[byweavinglives]

[Saya's face tips a little and she looks at him]

I don't see how that's relevant to if you're disappointed or not.

[intheblanks]

Am I disappointed to have kissed you under the mistletoe.

[Yes, it's a deliberate mistake, but far less complicated to think about.]

You're too self confident to think you're that bad.