[Scene] Klavier and Ema in "I'm Going to Dinner with You Because Lana Lied About the Snackoos!"
Klavier: *It was probably unfair of him, but it wouldn't have been nearly so fun if there wasn't a surprise or two involved. And if Ema had forgotten over the last few months that he only owned one vehicle and that said vehicle was a shiny red Harley, well, that was really her fault, right? Klavier pulls up to her place right on time, a helmet dangling from the handlebars and a bright smile already on his face. He revs the engine a few times, just to see if Ema will come out on her own or make him walk all the way to the door.*
Ema: *from her room, Ema jumps at the sound of the engine outside and peeks out the window, grumbling under her breath* He brought his-- Oh, I should have expected that from him. She grabs her lab coat and heads out the door. Thankfully, Lana's not home, which does save her from a bit of embarrassment. As she approaches, it's clear she is not pleased. She stops short a foot or so away and eyes the bike unhappily* You still don't own a car?
Klavier: *Klavier's grin is steadfast.* With the weather out here? I even have a helmet for you if you doubt my safe driving. *He offers the helmet up, watching her expectantly.*
Ema: *takes the helmet, frowning* I do, unless you've mellowed considerably since the last time. Though, I doubt that. *she still doesn't mount*
Klavier: I will keep to the speed limit and all other rules of the road, *Klavier assures, though his smile twists to a smirk when she remains standing on the curb. He sighs, twisting around to open one of the small compartments on the back of the bike, revealing the promised Snackoos.* Does this assure you better?
Ema: *her eyes automatically flit to the Snackoos, she lets out a sound that's something between a sigh and a grumble and dons the helmet. She mounts, carefully keeping a respectable amount of distance between the two of him. She looks for something to hold onto, but it appears that there are no passenger handles. She glares at the back of his head*
Klavier: *Klavier chuckles.* You'll have to at least hold on when we start moving, Fraulein. I would hate to have to answer to your sister if you were to fall off. *He gives the engine another rev, putting it in gear to move forward a few inches--motivation and all that.*
Ema: *the motion startles her, and, despite herself, she let's out a slight gasp and grabs him around the waist to keep from losing her balance. She quickly repositions her hands, so that they are clinging to his jacket rather than him and let's out a huff* You did that on purpose!
Klavier: My apologies! *he calls back, though there is laughter in his voice. This, after all, is one of the reasons he keeps his bike and doesn't get a car. He keeps his promise not to go too fast or take too many hard turns, humming to himself so she wouldn't feel she had to pain herself by speaking to him when they stopped at lights.*
Ema: *Ema quietly stews behind him, refusing to relax, keeping her body tense as she tries to hold onto as little of his as possible, which proves difficult, despite his much improved driving*
Klavier: *They arrive at the chosen place, a casual restaurant with American food--certainly not a romantic place by any means. Klavier parks and holds still to allow Ema to dismount first.* I hope this is all right. I was thinking of coming here all week, and this proved to be a good opportunity.
Ema: *Ema shakily gets off - it's been quite awhile since she's ridden a motorbike. She takes off the helmet and hands it to him, then adjusts her glasses, which are slightly askew* Ugh, I forgot how much it takes to get used to riding that thing.
Klavier: *Klavier chuckles, removing his own helmet and standing as well.* Should you ever wish to practice and get used to it again, you need only to call. *He turns towards the door, waiting for Ema so he can be sure to open the door for her.* You're not too shaken, are you?
Ema: *stands up a little straighter and flips a piece of her hair over her shoulder in what she hopes is a nonchalant manner* Of course not. I'm fine. Let's go. *briskly heads toward the door*
Klavier: *Acting the part of the perfect gentleman, Klavier holds the doors and speaks with the greeter, and soon he is following Ema to a small, relatively private table. He tucks the helmets beneath his seat and drops down gladly.* I hope you're hungry. Order whatever you'd like.
Ema: *gives him a look* Hey, hold on a sec. I've got money so I can pay for my half, you for yours. Otherwise it's too... weird.
Klavier: *Klavier shrugs.* If you like, but I had planned to make this a sort of 'welcome home' gift for you. *He smiles hopefully, resting his chin casually on his knuckles.* I have no other ulterior motives.
Ema: *crosses her arms and leans back against her seat* I'd rather pay for mine. *she raises an eyebrow at him* Hmph. I have a hard time believing that.
Klavier: *He shrugs, maintaining his easy smile.* I've been told that a lot lately. I guess my reputation is too deeply formed. By all means, then, pay for your meal. But you won't get away with trying to pay me back for the Snackoos.
Ema: *this thought was clearly on her mind, but she tries not to let it show* ...Fine. *she picks up the menu and starts flipping through*
Klavier: *Klavier does the same, though he doesn't really need to see it--he already knows what he wants. Perhaps a bit of indulgence? The waitress arrives, and he turns up his smile.* I'll have a lemonade, and an appetizer sampler.
Ema: Ummm... I'll have a Caesar salad, please, with ranch on the side and a Coke. *the waitress takes their menus and goes away, leaving an empty silence hovering above the table. Ema looks off to the side, her lips twisted in a pout*
Klavier: So tell me about your trip, *Klavier requests, not missing a beat.* I hope you didn't spend the whole of it working, though with you I wouldn't be surprised if you had.
Ema: *furrows her brow* I didn't spend all of it working, but I certainly didn't spend my time engaging in frivolous activities, if that's what you mean.
Klavier: Not at all, *he quickly assures.* I think I know you better than that, at least. No time spent idly. *Their drinks arrive, and he stirs his a moment with the long straw.* I meant, I hoped you were able to get out of the lab once in a while.
Ema: *takes a sip of her drink. Then, wryly* You can rest assured, I managed to get out a few times.
Klavier: *He rolls his eyes.* Still determined to be difficult, *he emotes, shaking his head sorrowfully.* Well, if you don't want to share your adventures, I suppose that leaves me to talk of mine. Though you never were all that fond of hearing about the music business, so half of my stores are going to fall on deaf ears, I think.
Ema: *obviously uninterested* Oh, yes, how is that band of yours doing? I saw a few posters for it in England when you were on tour... Guess that means it's gotten pretty big, huh?
Klavier: *He isn't fooled, but he answers anyway.* Yes, we're doing quite well. You could even say I'm a certified millionaire now. *He watches her, still smiling, though his expression sobers faintly.* Not that it makes any difference.
Ema: *raises a brow, catching the falter in his expression* Hm? Really? I would have thought you'd be ecstatic to be rolling around in money.
Klavier: Oh, I am, *he assures, smirking faintly.* But having that one dollar more to make it official really doesn't make that big of a difference. I'm still the same. *He chuckles.* I bet you would be very made if I was suddenly sophisticated and charming, ja?
Ema: Pffft. *rolls her eyes* I have a hard time ever imagining that happening.
Klavier: *He shrugs* And so have I. So I won't try to fight destiny and remain myself, for good or ill. *He winks.* Even if it means I'll have to suffer endless torments from your scathing tongue.
Ema: *that wink earns him a glare* Watch yourself, fop.
Klavier: Did I cross a line there? *His tone is innocent.* Or did you just realize you hadn't called me a 'fop' yet today? I know you used to have a quota you kept track of, to make sure you got enough of them in during the day.
Ema: *the glare intensifies* That's not true! I only use that term when it's deserved... you just happened to deserve it quite often, fop.
Klavier: Twice in so many minutes! Is that a record? *Klavier hums thoughtfully.* I think I need to earn a third one, then. What shall I say that would earn me another? Since I don't get to pay for your meal and can't consider this a date, I need something to commemorate this event.
Ema: *taps her finger on her arm in irritation* Excuse me?
Klavier: Do you think a 'welcome home' is enough, then? Perhaps you're right. *He nods, feeling the decision is well made.* Next time, then, we can go for the record. Today, I'll be satisfied with two.
Ema: *let's out a puff of air that blows her bangs upward* Whatever. You may earn it yet. *just then, the food arrives*
Klavier: *Klavier easily spreads his napkin across his lap, straightening and looking over the platter, pleased by the various choices. Though lately he has been better about his diet, now and then he still likes to splurge.* If I do earn anything, it will be by your good graces.
Ema: *does as he does with her napkin, though honestly, she probably wouldn't have if he hadn't first. She dumps the ranch on the salad and mixes it around so it coats everything. Glances at his plate* I thought you said you didn't eat "junk" food.
Klavier: *He chuckles, a bit sheepish, and doesn't admit that he'd thought they would share the appetizers before ordering their actual meals.* If I am going to eat out, I would like to take the chance to splurge now and again. One cannot live on salads alone.
Ema: *takes a bite* That's true. Snackoos are essential to the diet. *she says this pointedly*
Klavier: *And he isn't about to argue with that.* We all have our vices. *He goes for one of the cheese sticks.* If you would like anything from mine, help yourself. I'll even charge you for it, if that would make you feel better about it.
Ema: *rolls her eyes and takes a cheese stick. Just as she's about to bite into it...* H-hey! *she glowers at him* My consumption of Snackoos is not a vice!
Klavier: It's not an insult, you know, *Klavier replies easily, chuckling at her expression.* It's our vices that help to make us individuals. I'm glad for it, myself. I wouldn't have gotten you here without it!
Ema: *smirks* Yeah, you wouldn't have. This is only because Lana couldn't find any Snackoos in the grocery stores around here. Like I said before, it's not because I actually want to waste my time *wrinkles her nose* associating with you.
Klavier: *His smile softens, almost nostalgically.* I'm fairly certain you didn't always think that way, *he points out.* There was a time where you didn't mind being around me at all.
Ema: *she's quite caught off guard, not only by what he says, but by the way his smile softens. She looks down quickly, a blush spreading across her cheeks. Refusing to meet his eyes, she says* W-well, that was then. This is now.
Klavier: *Klavier nods.* It certainly is. A very different now. *He still nibbles at his food, but his eyes stay fixed on her, charmed by her blush.* I think you might have even liked me at one point.
Ema: Pfft.*rolls her eyes* Don't flatter yourself. *however, as she says this she remains intently focus on her salad*
Klavier: *He laughs.* There is no way you would have let me kiss you if you didn't, *he points out, hoping to tease her further.* I refuse to believe that was simply my good luck that day.
Ema: *at this, she looks up quickly, and she's quite red. For a moment, it seems she's at a loss for words* I-I-- Th-that-- *she let's out a huff* St-stop being such a jerk. I don't want to talk about it, okay?
Klavier: *Klavier raises his hands innocently.* If you want. They're just such nice memories, I thought it would be worth it to revisit them. But if it pains you that much to think of how you used to find me charming, then very well. I'll give it up. *For now, of course*
Ema: *she doesn't reply, but instead shoves a large piece of lettuce into her mouth rather venomously*
Klavier:*Klavier smirks and takes the hint, turning his attention back to his own food. He'll give her a chance to lose the blush before finding a way to embarass her further.*