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+---- Thread: deep blue, but you painted me golden (/showthread.php?tid=12653)
deep blue, but you painted me golden - Sohalia - 03-22-2026
The weather was dreary, as it had been all season long. Despite Soh’s fervent prayers for sunshine, the shortening days were marked by endless shrieks and moans, courtesy of the scream rain that seemed to be here to stay. Tonight, she’d tried her best to dress in a way that defied the misery of the weather - and, as an added bonus, in a way that she hoped would impress her date. Her long-sleeved, flowing blouse was a pretty midnight blue that brought out the silver in her eyes, and paired with jeans, was neither too dressy nor too casual. Her hair had been styled in pretty waves and left loose to fall over her shoulders; simple silver jewelry accented her neck, ears, and one finger on her right hand. The overall effect was pretty and feminine, and certainly date-worthy, if she did say so herself.
Despite the fact that this was not her first date with Zavien, Soh was rather nervous. She hadn’t seen him since their picnic date, and the visit with Flora that had followed had made her inexplicably uneasy. Not only had her own feelings been called into question, but so had Zavien’s motives - and without clear answers, Soh was no longer sure exactly where they stood. What had seemed so simple in daylight was now shrouded in shadow - and, one way or another, Soh knew she needed answers. The outcome, she knew, would determine the course of their relationship - if there even was one after tonight.
There will be, she told herself for the hundredth time as she stood just inside the restaurant, fiddling with the silver necklace around her throat. She trusted Zavien, Flora’s reservations be damned. She trusted him and she wanted him and everything was going to be fine.
That’s what she kept telling herself, anyway.
Anani curled idly around Soh’s shoulders, and chose this particular moment to chime soothingly to her bonded. The young woman took a deep breath. She was fine. This was fine. Everything was fine. Unconvinced, Anani trilled softly. Soh lifted a hand to scratch the cloud wyrm under the chin. It was just a date. She was probably overthinking things, overcomplicating something that felt so good and so right that she felt she was going mad for questioning anything at all.
The door opened, and Soh glanced up over, the hand at her throat stilling where it played with her necklace - but it was just some young couple, ducking in out of the rain. Zavien would be here soon, she was sure, and then… then they’d have a lovely time. She was sure of it.
RE: deep blue, but you painted me golden - Zavien - 03-22-2026
The mist was a perpetual companion the last few days. It was a constant conflict with his mood. He tried to be light and optimistic, to lean into the fluttering hope in his chest, to pray that everything was going to work out despite how uncertain it all felt, but the dreary hang of moisture and grayness in the air seemed to encourage negativity. Shadows would move in the darkness, whispers of doubt following close behind.
Excitement and nervousness coiled in his chest, wondering if Soh would have changed her mind since her letter. Maybe she'd realized this wasn't worth the effort or that she deserved better than a man still struggling over his dead girlfriend. Zavien wouldn't blame her. He wouldn't even be surprised. But he also couldn't deny how disappointed he would be, not with the way his heart fluttered. How could he describe how he still recalled the weight of her in his arms or the smell of flowers on her skin? Or the easy way she eased his worries or gave him space to feel? Or how every moment with her was easier than all the time he'd spent without her?
He sounded like a crazy person. He knew that, but he couldn't seem to push the thoughts away.
Running a hand through his damp hair, Zavien stepped into the restaurant. His other hand held the door, careful not to crush the small bouquet of flowers as he let Sol trot in behind him. He was barely on time, his dark blue rain jacket slightly askew over the white button-down shirt and jeans he wore. The usual scruff of his face was more tamed, the efforts of a razor exposing the sharper line of his jaw, making it obvious when he swallowed before scanning the space.
It wasn't hard to spot her. Gods, who wouldn't notice her looking like that? She looked effortless and timeless, a casual flaunt of her eyes, which shone brighter than any piece of jewelry she wore. The blue was like a midnight sky, drawing his gaze up to the soft, golden frame of her wavy curls. She didn't demand or take attention but gently suggested it with the twist of her fidgeting hands or the flicker of her eyelashes. It was the kind of beauty that people could miss if they were too stupid not to look.
Zavien wasn't one of them, and he paused at the doorway to take her in like a warm breath of dry air. He blinked to clear any gaping expressions he might be wearing, offering a smile as he stepped forward to greet his date. [say]"Soh, you look - "[/say] Unable to hide the glint in his eyes, he settled on the first word that had come to mind, no matter how simple it may sound, [say]"beautiful."[/say] It was half breath when it came out, something soft and intimate without needing contact, rich with affection and sincerity.
Realizing that if he didn't speak, he might start staring, Zavien cleared his throat, presenting her with the paper wrapped bundle of flowers. [say]"I hope you weren't waiting too long. It took a while to find the right flowers."[/say] At least he hoped they were right. Some lady at a flower stand had said they would be perfect, but beyond the lavender, he couldn't recall any of their names or purposed. Sol had approved, so he figured that was probably good enough, and they looked pretty enough to him with pops of purple and white and the palest blue.
RE: deep blue, but you painted me golden - Sohalia - 03-22-2026
The door opened again, and this time, Zavien appeared, running a hand through damp hair and holding the door open so that Sol could trot through. Soh’s heart flip-flopped in her chest; butterflies exploded in her stomach. Despite all of her fears, a smile leapt immediately to her lips, lighting her face in a way that was only for Zavien.
Her hand dropped from her necklace. Anani crooned a soft greeting as Zavien and Sol approached, but before Soh could decide on an appropriate greeting, her date was calling her beautiful in a way that had her melting, the word a soft breath that was somehow just as intimate as anything they’d shared thus far. Blushing, Soh glanced down, as though to reassure herself that she was as put together as she felt like she was. [say]”Thank you,”[/say] she said simply, grey eyes jumping to Zavien’s green. [say]”You look very handsome, yourself.”[/say]
Her attention shifted to the flowers. If she hadn’t already been smitten, that gesture alone might have done it. [say]”Oh, Zavien, they’re beautiful!”[/say] she exclaimed, touched. Reaching out, she took the bouquet. The scent of the lavender was easily recognizable, but she wasn’t completely sure about the other flowers, aside from the fact that they were beautiful and smelled nice. [say]”Thank you. These are really sweet of you.”[/say]
Shifting the flowers to cradle them in one arm, Soh stepped forward. Wrapping her free arm around Zavien’s neck, she placed a chaste kiss on his cheek, hoping that she wasn’t overstepping. It was silly, after all they’d already shared, to wonder if a kiss on the cheek was going to be too much, but all of her doubts and fears were very much present tonight. It was a confusing bunch of emotions, that was for sure: she liked Zavien, she knew she liked Zavien, but Flora’s words about whether or not it was him or just being wanted continued to ring in her head.
Releasing him, she reached to twine her fingers with his. [say]”Hi, Sol,”[/say] she was sure to add to the dragon. But her eyes were only for her date as she said, [say]”I’ve really been looking forward to tonight.”[/say]
RE: deep blue, but you painted me golden - Zavien - 03-22-2026
Zavien wasn't sure he'd stopped smiling yet. He was supposed to be nervous, supposed to feel all the doubts and questions that had been simmering in his mind all day. And yet, he couldn't care less as she flowed easily into a happy rhythm that tugged him along. His head dipped at her appreciation, somewhat to hide the bashful tint of pink on his face, hoping she didn't notice how sore his mouth felt already. [say]"I figured if this was going to be a date, I better - "[/say]
The words were cut short when her hand fell around his neck, pulling him down just enough for her to place a sweet kiss against his cheek, the warmth flaring down to his toes like fire caught on a trail of oil. It was stronger after the seeping cold outside - stronger after the time apart. He wondered if she could hear the way his heart skipped, could see how she cleared every thought from his brain with such a simple act. It was terrifying how fast he was falling when he let himself.
Straightening when she released him, Zavien cleared his throat again, blinking as he looked to the side of Soh's face, where the cloud wyrm nestled into her hair. A crooked smile played across his lips as he indicated with his eyes to the ground between them. [say]"Don't worry, Anani, we didn't forget about you."[/say] Sol angled his head up, presenting the small white flower he'd proudly carried through the door. Even when Zavien crouched to take it from his mouth, the dragon sat with his chest puffed, waiting for Anani's praise, his tail twitching happily behind him as he gave a rolling trill.
Then Soh was reaching for his hand, and Zavien laced his fingers into hers, the motion familiar and more natural than being apart, like the nerves along his palms had awakened just to settle comfortably into the sensation. He smiled down at her, all traces of playful wooing falling under the weight of his sincerity. [say]"Me too."[/say]
There was a beat of silence, an appreciation for this moment before the complexities of everything else threatened to ruin it. He could have stayed here all night, just staring. Maybe he'd suggest they walk, trapsing through the rain under the stars. They could talk or stroll in silence. They could live in the world or forget it exists for a while. Zavien wouldn't care as long as it still felt like this, like he was floating through a warm breeze, weightless and supported at the same time.
The attendant standing close by seemed to be trying desperately not to stare, but the quiet shift of their distracted movements drew Zavien back. He smiled, squeezing Soh's hand gently as he said, [say]"Come on, let's find our table."[/say] Looking to the host, he gave his name for the reservation and let them lead the way to the table. He released her hand only so it could hover carefully against her lower back, guiding her subconsciously between the tables as she walked in front of him. Meanwhile, his eyes scanned the room to spot the empty place that awaited them, wordlessly indicating for her to stop so he could pull out her chair, offering a polite and endearing smile.
RE: deep blue, but you painted me golden - Sohalia - 03-22-2026
Anani accepted the offered flower with a pleased chime, clamping her little jaw gently around the stem. Soh's smile grew wider, more affectionate - of course Zavien had thought of her companion, because that was the kind of man he was. Thoughtful, kind, generous: all things that were so abundantly clear to Soh, things that had her heart racing headlong for a cliff over which she'd willingly leap. Soh didn't bother to hide the affectionate look she gave Zavien, opting for optimism, for the moment, over all of the lingering fears that had been threatening to overtake her until her date arrived.
There was a moment of silence, where everything was simple and right, and Soh leaned into it, more than willing to let this chase away all the things she knew they still needed to talk about. Right now, with her hand in Zavien's, gazing up into his eyes - it all felt so easy to overcome. Who cared about Koa, or about Flora, or about any number of things that might threaten to tear apart something so fragile and new? When he was looking at her like that, when she felt such warmth and appreciation for the man in front of her... it all felt worth it.
The restaurant attendant was what drew them back into reality. [say]"Of course,"[/say] Soh said, following the host. She was keenly aware of Zavien's hand ghosting across her lower back; would it always be like this, she wondered, or would the simplest touch eventually cease to bring a faint flush of pink to her cheeks and a soft smile to her face?
They stopped at their table, and Zavien pulled out her chair for her, the polite motion endearing. Everything he did, every move he made - it had yet to fail to make her feel cherished, cared for. That scared her as much as it excited her now, nervous as she was that she was falling for him for the wrong reasons. But just now, she pushed those nerves aside as she sat. [say]"Thank you,"[/say] she said softly, feeling silly for having repeated the words several times now - but wanting to make sure he knew that she appreciated him.
RE: deep blue, but you painted me golden - Zavien - 03-22-2026
As she took her place in the chair, Zavien slid it in behind her, tucking her gently into the table with a quiet, [say]"My pleasure."[/say] He didn't care how many times she said thank you, caring only that she was comfortable and at ease.
The restaurant was up-scale for a small town like New Haven, but it still had the cozy feel of someplace for locals rather than tourists. The lights were dimmed, warm conversations drifting like music through the space. Postures were relaxed and the decorations were faded beiges instead of stark whites, light golds and rich browns giving it an elegantly homey feel as Zavien sat across from Soh.
He was just noticing how the light softened her features when the server arrived to set the menus on their table. She clasped her hands delicately in front of her, the soft cadence of her voice reaching them through the quiet hum of conversation. [say]"Would you like some wine while you look over the menu?"[/say]
Although his awareness had never left Soh, his attentive eyes were already on her again, leaving the choice in her hands as he quietly asked, [say]"Is that alright with you?"[/say]
RE: deep blue, but you painted me golden - Sohalia - 03-22-2026
While Soh had noted the comfortable atmosphere of the restaurant from the front, she took a moment as Zavien took his seat to look more closely at the interior. It was cozy, but elegant, decorated with warm neutral tones that made Soh feel immediately at home. She noted that other diners seemed relaxed, and the flow of conversation around them was such that their table felt almost private, even though it was surrounded by others. She liked it - it was upscale without being snobbish, and she could easily see them becoming regulars.
Her gaze was drawn back to Zavien as he sat, appreciating the way the low light caught on his jawline and made his eyes gleam. She could look at him all day, she thought, and never tire of the experience. Not for the first time, she marveled at her luck. How had she ended up here, with Zavien as her date? She didn’t care what Flora had said, didn’t care that there were so many questions about why he’d kissed her. He’d shown her nothing but affection in their short time together, and surely his invitation, the flowers, treating her like something special - surely that was enough to override any fears she might have had about his intentions.
The waitress appeared to ask them about wine. [say]”Oh, sure,”[/say] she said as Zavien turned the question to her. [say]”Is a Merlot okay?”[/say] Truth be told, she usually preferred a white to a red, but steak paired well with the smoothness of a Merlot.
RE: deep blue, but you painted me golden - Zavien - 03-22-2026
Sol coiled around his feet, tucking in to prepare for the long meal ahead. Other than the occasional prospect of food, he'd be content to nap after their long day of work while Zavien navigated through this date. It felt like things were already off to a good start, but he had to keep himself from bracing for the shift, knowing they'd have to broach the hard topics at some point.
For now, he tilted his head as Soh spoke, immediately agreeing to the suggestion with a low hum. [say]"Mhm."[/say] He looked up to the waitress, smiling politely as he said, [say]"Two glasses of merlot, please."[/say] She was gone like a slip of silk into the crowd of tables, silent as the dip of her head.
Zavien turned to his lovely date, propping his elbows on the table as he leaned closer, feeling the room fade away as he looked into her eyes. There was no awkwardness beyond his own struggle, wondering when the right moment was. He almost hoped they could go the whole date without acknowledging the elephant at their table, the weight sitting against their chests. He knew he'd have to bring up Koa at some point, to break the spell so he could share the news. As much as he didn't want to, Zavien knew everything would be easier once they talked about it, once they freed themselves of that concern.
Still, he didn't jump into the topic, savoring these seconds for as long as he could drag them out. The brightness of his enthusiasm darkened to something deeper, meaning thick in every word as he smiled. [say]"I'm glad we're doing this."[/say]
RE: deep blue, but you painted me golden - Sohalia - 03-22-2026
Nerves beginning to settle, Soh smiled politely at their waitress as she went off to fetch their wine, but her attention quickly returned to her date. Her bouquet of flowers was set gently to the side, where it would be safe for the duration of the evening; when Zavien propped his elbows on the table and leaned forward, Soh found herself subconsciously mirroring the motion. One hand fell forward onto the table, reaching idly across the distance between them, as though she couldn’t stand to be separated even by so little space as a table. If Zavien took her hand, she’d smile shyly; if not, she’d hope that the motion looked casual.
When Zavien spoke, Soh’s expression softened. She wasn’t sure if he meant the date, or the relationship, or both, but either way, she agreed wholeheartedly. [say]”So am I,”[/say] she replied. I missed you, she nearly said, but held her tongue, afraid to be too much too soon, afraid of falling too hard too fast. Anani made a soft noise somewhere between a purr and a trill, meant just for Soh, who heard the reproach in it. What was she doing if she couldn’t be herself?
So she gathered her courage. [say]”Is it silly to say that I missed you?”[/say] she asked, something vulnerable in her eyes. Satisfied, her cloud wyrm surreptitiously slithered down from her shoulder to her lap, where she curled up to purr quietly. If cloud wyrms were capable of winking, Anani might have offered the expression to Sol beneath the table; as it were, she flicked her tail idly instead.
RE: deep blue, but you painted me golden - Zavien - 03-22-2026
As it happened, Zavien's hand drifted forward just far enough that when Soh reached out, their fingers brushed. He didn't immediately take her hand, not wanting to rush or claim the moment too soon; but his fingers searched for hers, running leisurely along knuckles and the back of her hand as she spoke, seemingly in no hurry.
By the time she voiced her question, he'd finally slipped his hand into hers, reassuring as he shook his head, a light smile dancing across his lips. [say]"No."[/say] It wasn't silly. Not when most of his thoughts had been consumed by her in the last few days. Although he still found it hard to believe she felt even remotely similar when he'd sprung all this on her so recently, he'd be crazy not to say he hadn't missed her.
Tilting his head, he raised a curious brow as he ran his thumb over their joined hands. [say]"Is it silly to say this doesn't feel like a first date?"[/say]
RE: deep blue, but you painted me golden - Sohalia - 03-22-2026
B Zavien’s fingers brushed her knuckles, and Soh thought she might die from how positively smitten she felt with just that simple touch. It was funny, really; after sleeping with him, she might have expected that she wouldn’t be quite so easily flustered, and yet… here she was, a shy smile playing upon her lips, unable or unwilling to contain the affection that crinkled the corners of her eyes.
All of her worries felt so very far away when he smiled at her, assuaging her fears with one simple word. Relieved to find that he seemed to understand, Soh squeezed his hand lightly, grateful to have made it this far without completely embarrassing herself.
Something about that moment seemed to break the ice for Soh, and when Zavien gave voice to his own question, a soft laugh fell from her lips as she shook her head. [say]”No,”[/say] she said. [say]”Not at all. Although…”[/say] Her eyes danced with mirth. [say]”If we count our picnic, technically this is our second.”[/say] Unless, of course, that hadn’t actually been a date, which would make it… what, exactly? Soh promptly slammed the door on that particular line of thought. She was just beginning to relax; she wasn’t interested in welcoming fear and doubt back quite so soon.
RE: deep blue, but you painted me golden - Zavien - 03-22-2026
Their wine came without Zavien really noticing, and luckily, the waitress had the wherewithal not to ask if they'd had a chance to look at the menu. He hadn't even bothered to glance down at the words, certain they'd get to the food when they felt like it. They weren't in any rush.
He smiled as she agreed, letting out a low hum to consider her counterpoint. [say]"Hmm. That's true, but I didn't get to ask you out or plan anything, and I kind of ruined the mood at one point."[/say] Which he was trying very hard not to do right now by bringing it up. Talking about Koa was one matter, but bringing up the depressing topic of grief wasn't really the way he wanted to start the dinner.
Focusing instead on the laughter and joy on her lips, Zavien leaned into the playful tone and quirked his lips to say, [say]"So if we're counting the picnic, I'd think we could also count ice cream the day before."[/say] What happened after was certainly not something he would have normally done outside of a date - or a relationship in general. Hence: a date.
RE: deep blue, but you painted me golden - Sohalia - 03-22-2026
Wine appeared before them (when did that get there?), but Soh paid it very little attention, instead enjoying the feel of Zavien's hand in hers and the playful turn of the conversation. She might have argued that he had hardly ruined the mood - or if he had, it had only been because she'd done it first - but he seemed quick to gloss over any potential ruining of past dates, and she was all too happy to let it go. [say]"Mm, that sounds fair,"[/say] she said.
But she had to wonder: if ice cream had been a date, then how far back did this go? When had he stopped thinking of her as an ambassador and a friend and seen her as something more? Which, naturally, brought up all of her insecurities all over again - because somehow, up until the moment Zavien had kissed her, she'd completely missed that this was even possible. Was that because she hadn't been looking for a relationship at the time, or was there some other, more sinister reason that she hadn't seen him that way until, all of a sudden, she did?
Suddenly her wine sounded quite appealing, if only to calm her nerves. Picking up her glass with her free hand, she took a small sip. [say]"So, if that makes this date number three,"[/say] she mused, toying with the wine glass, twisting the stem this way and that. [say]"Then I have very high hopes for tonight, since the first two dates went so well."[/say] It was a sincere compliment; in her mind, things had gone rather well, even if they'd gotten a bit messy at the end.
RE: deep blue, but you painted me golden - Zavien - 03-22-2026
Whereas his mind attempted to follow the trail of their previous date into the sore topic of lost girlfriends and lingering guilt, Zavien was unaware of Soh's very different thought process. He briefly noticed how she reached for the glass of wine, assuming it was nothing more than polite acknowledgement of the drinks that had been delivered during their distracted conversation. Mirroring her, he sipped on the wine, doing his best to hide a wince at the dry flavor of it. He hoped it would taste better with the steak.
Content to leave his glass alone, he propped his free hand beneath his chin to support the sheepish smile that appeared. [say]"Those are some pretty high bars. I hope I don't disappoint."[/say] It wasn't hard for his mind to wander towards why the first date might have been so good, or how it implied Soh might expect this date to end, but he very pointedly ignored that fact for now, hoping the light flush of his ears might be applied to his small sip of wine.
Swallowing, he gestured with his head to the menu neither of them had bothered to look at. [say]"Lucky for us, I've heard these chefs are much better than we are."[/say] The smile he threw her was teasing and fun, trying to forge his own direction of thinking for a little longer.