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+---- Thread: twice is a decision (/showthread.php?tid=11010)
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RE: twice is a decision - Ace - 04-10-2025
He could feel her getting bolder with each passing second, encouraging him to press a little farther, just a hint of suggestion coiling through the bond, a dimpled grin on his lips. [say]Maybe I'll tell you later if you ask nicely.[/say] And he might do more than just tell her if things went as he planned. If her playful demeanor was any indication, he was heading in the right direction.
As she spun back into his arms, Ace felt the brush of her against his chest, soft and seductive. She was playing a dangerous game of temptation now, one that had his thumb circling against her waist, just enough for her to feel the motion through the fabric of her dress. His deep, rumbling chuckle was more of a feeling than a sound, his voice dark and warm as he said her name. [say]Sohalia.... If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were trying to make everyone jealous.[/say] Of her or him was up for debate.
RE: twice is a decision - Sohalia - 04-11-2025
The truly unfortunate thing for poor Ace was that Sohalia had no intentions of giving in to his advances, even if he was handsome and good in bed. Of course, the good news was that there was probably someone around who could take her place - there was a certain redhead by the door who had been eyeing the dancing pair enviously all night - but that might not be a very enticing consolation prize for the drug runner.
At the implication in his words through the Attuned bond, Soh's cheeks reddened, but she didn't yet pull away - nor did she allow herself to become overly flustered and break Ace's gaze. Instead, she grinned in response. [say]If they're going to stare, might as well give them something to look at,[/say] she said in a tone that was much more confident than she felt. She still hadn't forgotten how Ace had managed to strip her bare in the middle of the Rainbow Road, where anyone could have walked by and seen them, and she wasn't about to make the same mistake twice.
But this was dancing, not sex, and Soh had the situation well in hand (did she?).
RE: twice is a decision - Ace - 04-14-2025
Ace didn't care about any of the other women watching. He might later, if things didn't go the way he hoped, but that was something to consider if he somehow struck out with Soh. After all, her 'good girl' persona had already slipped once, so he knew it was more than possible, even if some of her body language suggested otherwise.
She might not feel confident, but her teasing tone was enough to encourage his advances just a little. A dimpled grin split across his face, his voice playful. [say]Well, in that case, why stop there?[/say] He suddenly pulled her closer, bracing her body against his with his hands splayed across her upper and lower back. As the music built around them, he easily lifted her to spin in a circle, her dress fluttering through the air for a moment before he guided her gently back to the floor. He loosened his hold to give her a little space, rocking their figures as the music slowed and he looked back down at her, blue eyes sparkling with undisguised humor. [say]What do you think? Are they enjoying the show?[/say]
RE: twice is a decision - Sohalia - 04-14-2025
A dimpled grin split across Ace's face, and then Soh was suddenly pressed against his chest. Before she could push away or protest, he was spinning her, lifting her from the ground and twirling. When he set her down again, she was laughing. She reached up to push an errant lock of hair from her eyes as they rocked back and forth to music that had slowed. [say]I'd say so,[/say] she responded, eyes twinkling with amusement. It was perhaps the first moment that, for Soh at least, hadn't been loaded with all the things that had been and all that had yet to be. For a moment, the world slowed along with the music; for just a second, she was just a girl, laughing with someone whose company she enjoyed, dancing in a bar with no expectations.
This, it might seem, would be the perfect time for Soh to suggest that they slip away, go somewhere quieter. But even though she had no reason not to, she couldn't quite bring herself to make the suggestion. Instead, she cleared her throat, glancing towards the bar. [say]"Do you want a drink?"[/say] she asked, suddenly feeling flustered, slipping from the Attuned bond as though trying to distance herself from the man who held her closer than before. [say]"I'm parched."[/say]
RE: twice is a decision - Ace - 04-14-2025
The way Soh laughed and stayed comfortably in his arms let Ace know he was still on the right track, slowly fueling the fire. He wasn't a patient man, but he found the game thrilling, the push and pull of gentle seduction, toeing the line of propriety and safety. It was better than any foreplay, better than any drug, something that set his heart thrumming.
Despite her earlier efforts to pin the hair back, it had fallen down into her face again and Ace reached out a tender finger to tuck it behind her ear, letting his touch linger. The scrape of his unused voice was deep and husky as he looked down into her eyes. [say]"I could use a drink."[/say] He would let her make a little distance, even if he wouldn't be so easily discouraged, taking her hand gently in his to guide her through the crowd and towards the bar. Plus, alcohol could be a great way to help her loosen up, maybe help her see the exciting ways she could spend her night - with him.
Leaning an arm against the busy bar, he summoned the bartender with a casual finger. [say]"One beer, and whatever the lady's having."[/say] If Soh wanted to orbit in his space, he'd keep a gentle hand on her shoulders, light but present as they waited for their drinks. However, if she wanted to make some more space, Ace would prop his hands on the counter, watching her with a playful smile.
RE: twice is a decision - Sohalia - 04-18-2025
Ace reached out to tuck her hair behind her ear, and Sohalia's breath caught at the perceived tenderness of the motion. This wasn't how her evening was supposed to be going, but a small part of her had to admit that she was enjoying herself - perhaps even a little too much. Despite her best intentions, it was fun to be wanted, to be desired, to play this little game of flirtation that she was so very inexperienced in.
Maybe that was why she clung to Ace's hand as he led her to the bar, or why she tucked herself against his side once they made it to order their drinks. Maybe that was why, instead of ordering something non-alcoholic and therefore unlikely to cloud her mind, she asked the bartender for a tequila sunrise. And maybe - just maybe - that was why she returned Ace's smile with a coy one of her own. [say]"So,"[/say] she said as they waited for drinks. [say]"Flora told me some interesting things about you the other day."[/say] She raised her brows, her eyes dancing with mischief. [say]What kind of drugs are popular in the Greatwood, I wonder?[/say]
RE: twice is a decision - Ace - 04-18-2025
As the bartender scurried off to get their drinks, Ace kept his arm gently but firmly against her shoulder, pleased to have her tucked in so close. And that smile? Yeah. Ace thought he was doing okay.
Then she had to go and ruin it.
The statement had his eyebrows raising, a curious gleam to his blue eyes. [say]"Oh did she?"[/say] But before he could ask what kind of juicy gossip they'd been sharing, Soh's voice was floating along the Attuned bond. It shouldn't surprise him that Flora had told her. After all, they looked as close as sister's when he'd seen them before, and girls liked to chat - specifically about guys. If anything, he supposed he should be flattered that the Queen knew about him at all. It spoke volumes of his reputation, the one he'd spent years cultivating and proving. However, it didn't come without the occasional downside, and Soh seemed like the kind of person who would balk at the profession.
Regardless, she'd proven him wrong before, and Ace gave her a charming grin as he leaned against the counter to face her better. [say]Why? Were you looking to buy?[/say] Not an admission, but certainly not a denial of her subtle accusation.
RE: twice is a decision - Sohalia - 04-19-2025
If Soh had been looking for a relationship, then she might have balked at Ace's profession. But this - whatever this was - was not a serious thing. They'd hooked up one time, and since Soh had no desire to take it any further... well, who was she to judge what Ace did for a living? But his question brought a laugh bubbling to her lips. [say]Is that a serious question?[/say] she asked with a playful grin. In other words, did she really seem like the type to dabble in drugs?
The bartender brought their drinks, and Soh accepted hers with a word of thanks. She took a sip, savoring the tart flavor. [say]No, I think I'll stick to alcohol,[/say] she added silently. Not that she drank often, either, and when she did, she stuck to fruitier cocktails where she couldn't really taste the alcohol. Still, it seemed like a safer bet than whatever Ace happened to be peddling.
But now that they had their drinks and were no longer dancing, Soh found that she wasn't quite sure what to do with herself next. She had effectively (she thought) shut down whatever chemistry had been bubbling to the surface on the dance floor, and with little to no common ground with the man next to her, she was grasping at straws for what to say. Instead of talking, then, she took another sip of her drink, gazing sidelong at Ace and wondering if he'd be able to fill the silence, or if this was where their evening would inevitably end.
RE: twice is a decision - Ace - 04-20-2025
[say]Only if you want it to be.[/say] His returning grin was just as playful as he took a sip of his beer. No, she didn't seem like the type to dabble in drugs, but she also didn't seem the type to have sex in the middle of the Rainbow Road, so...
As Soh lapsed into silence, Ace had no problem filling it (or other things). He let his hand lower a little to the middle of her back, rubbing gently as if to remind her how close they were, although he didn't go any farther, letting a teasing dimple rise on his cheek as he asked, [say]Do you ever let your guard down and have a little fun?[/say] Knowing that she would probably cite dancing, he stipulated, [say]Other than your time with me?[/say] His grin turned more charmingly confident than cocky, even as he knew how much she'd enjoyed their first meeting.
Instead, Ace took another casual sip of his beer, a doubtful look in the sparkle of his blue eyes. [say]You know it won't kill you, right?[/say] Along with drugs, alcohol, sex, and all the other thrilling activities, fun wasn't usually considered deadly.
RE: twice is a decision - Sohalia - 04-20-2025
As Ace's hand drifted to the middle of her back, Soh downed the remainder of her drink, seemingly as though to give herself something to do that wasn't leaning into his touch or running away. No, she'd fled quickly enough after their first encounter, and she wasn't about to give him the satisfaction of doing so a second time. Unfortunately for Soh, she couldn't hold her liquor, and it took all of three seconds for her to start to feel the effects of finishing off the drink so quickly on an empty stomach.
It took a moment for Ace's question to really reach her, and she frowned up at him, fully intending to argue - but the thing was, he wasn't wrong. For so long, she'd been young and naive; and then she'd been Stormbreak's Heart, and therefore had ReSpOnSiBiLiTiEs; and now... now, she wasn't sure that she hadn't missed the window for having the kind of fun that she guessed Ace was referring to.
The thought made her perhaps a bit morose, and in her pleasantly buzzed mind, that called for another drink, so she signaled the bartender before pursing her lips and looking at Ace sidelong. [say]It might,[/say] she said. Then she sighed. [say]It's just... not that easy for some of us. To just... let go and see what happens.[/say]
RE: twice is a decision - Ace - 04-20-2025
Watching her down her drink, Ace had to hide a smile behind his own glass, certain that she'd be feeling the effects soon enough. For now, her words made him chuckle, low with amusement at her reluctance when it all seemed so simple to him. [say]Sure it is. You just have to give in.[/say]
His hand moved to tuck the same strand of disobedient blonde hair back again, letting his finger trail down the back of her ear as he spoke. [say]It's like fighting the beat of the music. Giving in might make your heart race and your hair fall out of place, but you'd regret missing out on the beautiful laughter and rhythmic sway of your body that would make it worth it.[/say] Ace let his eyes find hers again, reminding her of the fun she'd had before he let his hand fall to her back again, a playful smile on his lips. [say]What's the harm in giving in to the music?[/say]
RE: twice is a decision - Sohalia - 04-21-2025
It was so easy for Ace, and so challenging for Sohalia, and perhaps that difference alone would have spelled destruction for them even if Soh hadn't been fighting so hard to stay in control. She scoffed at his amusement, accepting her second drink from the bartender and shifting to lean her hip against the bar, facing Ace more fully.
He reached up to tuck her hair behind her ear, and the soft whisper of touch along it made her shiver. There was no denying that there was attraction between them, and that was what had gotten her into trouble last time. The more she drank, the fuzzier her mind became, until Ace's words started to make a strange sort of sense. [say]If it's just music, no harm at all,[/say] she replied, raising a brow at him. [say]But I don't think we're talking about dancing, are we?[/say]
The question was: did she care?
RE: twice is a decision - Ace - 04-25-2025
As she turned, his hand shifted to rest against the upper curve of her hip. It was still gentle and light but solid enough not to be forgotten. Ace took a casual sip of his beer while she seemed to get the gist of his meaning. The fact that she didn't immediately back down spelled good things for him, and he gave her a charming grin.
He leaned forward into her space a little, just enough to let her feel the warmth of his breath against her cheek. There was a teasing glint in the blue of his eyes as he let the deep timbre of his voice echo down the bond. [say]I was only talking about music.[/say] Tilting his head with a dimpled smile, he added, [say]I can't help how else you interpret it.[/say] He almost mentioned something about her having a dirty mind, but decided that might be pushing it too far.
RE: twice is a decision - Sohalia - 04-28-2025
With Ace’s hand on the curve of her hip, Soh leaned into the bar and sipped at her drink, her mind somehow both racing and still all at once. The world was growing properly fuzzy around the edges, and though she wasn’t quite near the point of losing all of her sensibility, she knew she was toeing a very dangerous line.
And when the drug runner leaned into her space? Everything reeled, and she knew suddenly that if she stayed a moment longer in his orbit, she’d end up kissing him. Leaving with him. Sleeping with him.
But tonight, she wasn’t willing to do that.
Setting down what little remained of her drink, she cast her gaze towards the door. [say]”I should probably get going,”[/say] she said suddenly, trying very hard to ignore the sensation that she was running away - again. [say]”It was nice seeing you, Ace. Thanks for the dancing.”[/say] And then she walked - purposefully slowly, willing herself not to run and make a fool of herself - away.
fin