Welcome Home... (NC-17) (Christopher)

Violet waited in the lobby of the building where her penthouse was located, enjoying a cup of coffee next to the gently crackling fire. She had been surprised to find Chris in the bar, well, more seeing him, not the fact that he was in the bar itself... She had given him her address then since he only had her number before. He should be arriving any time, and that excited her. The place was all set and ready for his arrival. Violet sipped her drink and closed her eyes, taking a moment to just enjoy the whispers she heard around her.

Opening them again, she let her gaze fall on the flames dancing in the fireplace. Violet hoped that Chris would enjoy staying with her and that he would get a hold of his power with her help. Smiling, she let her mind wander as she waited for him to arrive.

After coming across Violet while in the bar, Chris figured it best to take down her address and go about getting settled in soon as he finished up his drinks which had, thanks to Sophia, been free. Upon leaving the bar, the young man made his way to his truck where he made certain his things were where they'd been left then got inside and cranked the engine. He hadn't had too much that he couldn't drive given his tolerance was so high he could drink almost anyone under the table and still be standing to laugh about it. He pulled out onto the street and followed the directions to the very large building that Violet called home. In fact, the sight of it alone made his eyes widen while stepping out of the truck and grabbing his bags.

He looked upward toward the penthouse then took a deep breath and started inside the lobby, looking around with an obviously confused and lost expression to his face. After narrowing his eyes, he scanned the room closer finally spotting Violet by the fireplace nearby. Chris closed the distance between the two of them and offered up a soft smile, "It's a lot bigger than I thought it'd be. I'm used to living in smaller places, after all." He'd actually been used to sleeping in his truck, but didn't feel that was a good topic to get started on before he'd even seen the inside of the elevator, let alone his room.

It's a lot bigger than I thought it'd be... Violet looked up at hearing Chris' voice and, standing, smiled seeing he was smiling. A small flush colored her cheeks when she realized how she may have told him about her living in a penthouse, but maybe not the size of the building her place was in. "I hope big isn't a bad thing," she said timidly. New York was big, almost everything in the city was, but when one isn't used to being someplace big, it could be intimidating. But, Chris didn't seem like the type to be easily intimidated. "Glad you found the place. Would you like to sit for a spell or head right up to get settled?" Violet offered him the option.

Last edited by Violet Divine on Sat Jan 25, 2014 10:14 pm; edited 1 time in total

Oh God, she's beautiful was all Chris could think of upon seeing her turn to him. He laughed at her words and shook his head with a small wave of his hand, "No, of course not. I like it, it's amazing and I'm sure it's got one hell of a view?" The scope of being in New York was still new to him and he wasn't used to being in what had to be one of the biggest cities in the entire world. He'd seen many of the landmarks during his first day there, but never went into the tall buildings and only looked at them from afar. He suspected he could have known that a penthouse in New York would be on the top of a massive building rather than the ten stories he had been expecting.

Chris made his way a bit close to where Violet was standing, letting the warmth from the fire gently grace his exposed skin that had been chilled from the cold outside. "Me too. I was afraid I might get lost, but you gave great directions so it wasn't so bad. My worry of getting lost than the reality of it all." He looked over at the chairs nearby and shrugged, figuring that his arms could use the rest from the weight of his bags for a little bit. "Sure, why not? We can sit for a bit and give my arms a rest."

Violet's face lit up when she heard him say that the view must be amazing and that he liked the 'big-ness' of things. "You have no idea..." she mused gesturing to the sofa she had been sitting on before and took her previous seat. "It's a habit, to give precise instructions or directions. Comes with doing what I do," she said. Being a financial adviser, giving thorough instructions were something she found made things so much easier for her clients and others she worked with. Less room for error or misinterpretation by others.

"What all have you seen on your adventures here so far?" Violet asked, making small talk while she glanced at him. He hadn't changed in the few days since she last saw him, but, he was still very handsome. Leaning forward, she poured a cup of coffee and handed it to him. The temperature outside was getting cold, and, even if he wasn't cold, something hot to drink often hit the spot. "Here. Don't worry, coffee is complimentary," she said with a small laugh and a wink.

Chris walked over to the sofa indicated and had a seat, letting his arms relax at his sides as the heavy bags he'd been holding rested at his feet. He looked over at Violet with curiosity as she spoke, then nodded in understanding of her job making her a thorough person. He could see where dealing with someone's money would make her meticulous down to the most inconceivable detail. When she'd first mentioned her job, it was a no brainer that she did something so prestigious and important just by how she carried herself in appearance in contrast to the three-day beard, unkempt hair and worn coat Chris wore around that smelt of alcohol even on a good day. "Well, I'm glad you're so detailed, otherwise I could have ended up at the Canadian Border or something. Believe me, it could happen. Even in the military, my Drill Instructor was on my back daily about directions. I got the hang of it, but it's just never been my thing."

"Well," he began as he thought to himself, "the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Carnegie Hall, Chrysler Building, Ellis Island, Central Park, Rockefeller Plaza... I went to Macy's. I didn't go to buy anything, really, just say I went there." He followed up with a chuckle and continued, "I also went to Trump Tower, the Broadway Theater, and the 9/11 Memorial... that one was... it was personal." He owed it to his friend Dan and all of the other fallen brothers in arms to visit the spot that started the conflict.

At the offer of coffee, he lit up from his somber look and smiled, "Thanks." The young man reached down and picked up the warm cup, taking a refreshing sip. It sat with him better than the liquor from before and it reminded him. "Listen, Violet - about the bar, I'm really sorry for that tension back there, it was just... I don't know what it was, but I want to pay you back for what you spent. I wasn't going to say anything there because I didn't want her getting angrier than she was."

Violet laughed when she heard about his directionally challenged self. "Well, trick for you. If you can count, you can find your way. The city is just a big grid. Once you break the code for that, you are golden," she said, hoping it would set his mind at ease about getting around the city whether he had directions or not.

Sipping her coffee, she listened and smiled softly as he told her all about the different places he'd been to in the day or two since he arrived. "You saw lots in the short while you have been here. Carnegie Hall is one of my favorites. You must go to a concert sometime. It's simply amazing," Violet said, gracefully crossing her legs and looking towards the fire. She had opted for dark-wash jeans, black ballet flats, and a pink shirt. Unlike the previous night, her brown hair was in a single braid down her back. Her face saddened slightly when she heard about his visiting the 9/11 Memorial. "It was good of you to go and honor your fellows," Violet said quietly, turning her hazel eyes to him. "If you like, the next time you go, I'd be happy to accompany you," she offered. Violet had visited the memorial many times, but is was more of a 'thank you for all you do' for all those serving. She had never really had a more personal reason to go. Chris brought that...

Sipping her coffee and hearing his apology for the bar scene, Violet raised her free hand and waved it away. "Don't worry about it. It wasn't your fault. I know what it was, and it wasn't your fault by any means. No need to pay me back. And, from where I'm standing, you made a good call by not saying anything," she said with a wink. "And, don't beat yourself up about breaking the glass. It happens..." Violet said softly, leaning forward and put a reassuring hand on his leg. "We will fix it...." she added in a whisper before sitting back and putting both hands on her cup of coffee, resting them in her lap. Violet figured he was doing just that, and didn't want him to feel bad. Things like that happen to all of them, sometimes even when they have control...

Chris' brows raised at her secret of how to navigate New York City and it dawned on him that he was thinking too much on the size rather than it as any other city laid out on a grid for zoning purposes. He nodded at her advice, "Just a big grid, huh? So if I break out some high school math with grid paper, a ruler and elaborate formulas, I can find my way anywhere?" The young man smirked over at her then took a sip of coffee becoming serious once more, "I'll get the hang of it with time, I'd say."

"Yeah, well, it wasn't an intense sightseeing experience. I just got in a cab and went the places, took a quick look around then got back in the cab to the next place. Thank God for credit cards - it's the only cash I have on me, but the cabbie was more than happy to drive me around. He probably made a week's fare on me alone." Chris chuckled at his own foolishness for spending so much on a cab especially considering he'd discovered walking and the subway system to be more efficient ways of hoping around the important areas of the city. The only place he took his time in was the memorial. When she mentioned him going again, he shook his head, his eyes moving to the floor for a second, "No. I won't be going back. It's just a one-time thing. Like a funeral service when you go pay your respects, then it's done." He glanced back up at her, "but if I do decide to go back, I'll let you know. I could use the company."

Listening to Violet's reassurance made Chris feel better about what had happened; things had gotten out of control quickly once Sophia got drunk and he became the quiet member of their uneasy trio at that bar. Despite the shock, Sophia's kiss had tasted good and he found himself wondering what Violet's was like. In fact, his eyes fell from her own and to her lips just thinking on it. Realizing what he was doing, he blinked and quickly regained eye contact in time for her to wink at him only making him blush. Still, he had to voice his concerns, "No, the glass isn't bothering me. It's Sophia - she was... very forward and if I hadn't been a mutant, she'd have had me like a puppet on a string just like the bartender and the other sex-starved guys at that place." He paused and then his eyes widened as he added, "Not that I'm saying I'm sex starved, I just... ah, nevermind, just digging a hole now." He laughed nervously and took another sip of his coffee which, for complimentary, was rather good and reflected the taste of the building itself and likely its tenants.

Violet nodded when Chris seemed to have a renewed confidence in being able to find his way now that he knew the city was just a bunch of boxes and numbers. "To tell you the truth, I got lost and turned around a lot when I first moved here. It took a little while to get used to how things were laid out, but, once I got the hang of it, it was like second nature," she said, looking into her cup.

She chuckled when he mentioned using his credit card to pay for all his running around. "More than a week, I'd wager," Violet said, her English accent seeking into her words for a moment. Her bright eyes raised to him when Chris said he wasn't planning to go back. That this was just a one-time-thing, but if he ever went again, he'd let her know. A small smile brushed her lips before she spoke in a tender voice, "My company is yours whenever you want it." After she said it, her eyes widened slightly, causing her to look away. That statement alone could have so many meanings other than just for going with him to the memorial. But, as was her way, she quickly regained her composure and looked back to him.

She noticed a small flush color his cheeks at her wink, which made her heart skip a beat. It had been a long time since she had this kind of effect on a man, well, a man she found equally good looking and interesting. Violet knew her looks had always had an effect on men, getting her into trouble from time to time. The memory of the last 'trouble' she got into flashed across her eyes for a moment before she focused on what he was saying. Tilting her head slightly, she fought a smile that toyed with the corner of her mouth. ...nevermind, just digging a hole now... That did it.... The small grin broke through her defenses. Biting her bottom lip lightly she thought about what she wanted to say for a few moments. Looking down, Violet said, "I should apologize, too. I let my....feelings....get in the way." Raising her eyes, almost looking at him from under her dark lashes, she wanted to ask if it had been a while for him, but the lady in her made her think of something else. It wasn't proper to ask about a man's affairs in bed... At least not with this being the third meeting, anyways.

Her eyes drifted from his eyes to his lips as she had the fleeting wonder of what it would be like to kiss him. It had been a long time for her since she was not one to trust lightly. Quickly, though, she snapped out of her thought and returned her eyes to her cup, hoping he didn't notice. Finishing off her drink, she set the cup on the coffee table and asked, "So, would you like to see your new place?" Violet put on a happy smile that was only a glimmer of just how happy she was that he was here.

Chris chuckled lightly as he brought his cup toward his lips at the reality of how much he'd paid the cabbie. An agreeing nod showed his acceptance of her insight, "Oh yeah, but a week sounds better for my wallet than six months." The young man took a sip of his coffee, letting his eyes close for a moment to avoid the steam coming upward then looked at Violet, hearing her words. Chris' eyes widened a bit and his ears went a bit red with him knowing this due to the heat coming off of them. Does that mean if I wanted you right now, beautiful, I could have you was what he wanted to ask her when she said that, but instead he only nodded and noted her reaction. Still, he didn't plan on saying anything to call her out or embarrass her. Violet, as he'd learned already, was a proper lady and he couldn't be just throwing out sleazy remarks at her as if she were some run of the mill woman on the street. "Glad to hear it. Maybe we can catch a show on Broadway. I've never been one for plays, but it's Broadway and why not?"

His eyes focused on her, he picked up on her reaction to his words concerning sex starvation and realized he had, in fact, dug a hole. But her feelings? This made Chris question what she meant by that and if those feelings were simply anger at Sophia making a fool of herself and using Chris as a guinea pig, or if she was speaking of romantic feelings and was trying to make it clear to the young man that she had them. It was a gamble either way and was too risky for him to just come out and ask, he thought, so he nodded in acceptance of the apology just happy that nothing worse had come from the display of everyone's powers. On top of that, he was glad her brother hadn't shown up just to pound his face in and was after Sophia instead. "It was just a bad situation, I'm glad we can put it behind us. That and your brother not being there to attack me - that all makes it a good end, right?" He chuckled, but couldn't help dwelling on the feelings thing again and what she'd meant by that. It would probably keep him awake that night wondering if she felt something for him or just didn't like Sophia.

Chris' face lit up and a bright smile came to his features with a nod, "I'd love to, lead the way." He sat his cup down and stood to his feet, picking up his bags once more and feeling the tug of the weight on his arm, but it had felt good to sit for a moment and just talk. He liked talking to Violet ever since he met her and though this was only their third time speaking to one another, his decision to stay and learn from her just felt like the right decision to make.

"A show sounds great. There are lots to pick from, and really, as you said, a play goer or not, it's Broadway! You need to see at least one show," Violet said with a smile, seeing what looked like redness fading from his ears. Had he caught on to her multiple-meaning comment after all? If she was honest with herself, she did mean it in multiple ways. Not simply to go to the memorial... But, she had been too forward already.... Best to save that for a later conversation, or at least when they were away from ears that could overhear them in the lobby.

It was just a bad situation... Violet dropped her eyes as she listened to Chris talk about the mess they had been in at the bar. It certainly was, she would have to agree there. When he mentioned Legion not beating the shit out of him as a bonus and bringing things to a somewhat happy ending, she couldn't help but laugh. "Legion is just protective, is all. They all are...." Violet said, the last comment being much softer than the first. Always watching over her... Looking back at Chris, she shrugged, "I'm just glad that he stated his peace and then that was it..." There was something in Chris' eyes that showed he might be dwelling over something. Something said or an action... Something... Perhaps she would ask him later, but for now, she needed to show him to where he would be staying.

Standing, Violet motioned for him to follow her, as she took one of his smaller bags to help him carry his things. Walking by the front desk, the man behind the desk handed out a key to her as she walked by, which she took and tipped her head in thanks. The man simply smiled and watched her go by. "There are two elevators. One goes to floors 1-15 and the other from 16-28. We are on the 22nd floor, so, unless you want to hike up the last 8 flights of stairs, this is the one you want," Violet told his as she pushed the button making it light up. A bell chimed as the doors opened. Violet stepped in and held the doors for Chris to enter. "Hope you liked roller coasters when you were younger. Kind of how it feels for the first little while until you get used to it..." she offered with a wink and a happy smile.

"It's a date," he said with a smile, then realized what he said furrowing his brows a little. Still, after giving it a bit of thought, he didn't care. It would be a date and he'd love it; the truth of the matter was, they would have fun either way without the shadow of a doubt. Making it sound more like a date than just another outing may also give them the opportunity to talk about what was on their minds he hoped. If anything, Chris was hoping for that kiss at the end of the night - the only difference from it and a usual date being that they'd both be going to the same penthouse ... and that had it's own potential adventures as well.

Chris had an older brother and knew how siblings could be in terms of protection. Ever since being revealed to be a mutant, though, his elder brother had joining his parents in practically cutting him off and pretending he didn't exist in hopes of keeping the unblemished family name long-lasting. There was no way that Chris would hope to speak out against Legion watching over his sister, though he did find it odd he had been on the roof spying on them and it gave him pause at how often he dropped in unannounced as that may end up being a deal breaker later on. "Violet, do you mind if I'm candid with you for a moment?" He looked over at her for a second then took a breath and opted to not ask what he had originally planned and rather changed his mind entirely. It wasn't his place to ask that question and he'd sound like an asshole if he did. "I have a brother who want to pretend I don't exist even though he was always there for me before he found out what I could do. You're lucky to have people watch after you."

Chris followed along with her as she picked up her key from the man at the desk and explained the elevators. Once inside, Chris looked over at her and would have insisted on carrying his bags not feeling that he should push that off on Violet, though he simply didn't have the available room in his hands and so he'd just end up making a fool of himself by dropping everything. "These elevators are better than the one's I've been in other places. It's smoother, warmer and doesn't shake all the way up making you feel you could die at a moment's notice." Standing so close to her, likely the closest he'd been since meeting her and in cramped quarters made it possible for him to get a pleasant smell of her perfume to which he couldn't help grinning while looking at her. It was then, in that moment, that he realized how true Alchemy's words had been in Violet being the best choice for happiness over Sophia - who was only interested in sex. It was just a feeling that the young man got which indicated to him that she was the right choice, and maybe, the last one he'd have to make though he'd have to give that time to sort out.

It's a date... Violet smiled as his comment echoed in her mind. She's like that, date date or not. She was sure that they would have a great time. If Chris meant an actual date.... The butterflies in her tummy fluttered harder at the thought. She liked the idea of that, very much. At his question of her, she looked at him and nodded, "Of course." When he paused, her brow furrowed slightly, but then returned to normal as he spoke about his brother. Dropping her gaze when he spoke about how she was lucky to have people watching out for her, she nodded slightly. "I'm sorry your brother is like that. Does your family feel the same way?" she asked him, bringing her bright eyes up. "My family is full of mutants. While it's nice to have them watching.... Well, sometimes it's not... It's come in handy a time or two" she spoke simply with a small shrug, a touch of something flitting into her words as she remembered just how handy it had been once. Letting her eyes fall again, she swallowed lightly, before sighing, and pushing the memory away and looking back up at him. "I'm sorry for his anger. It's....kind of his way. And, don't worry.... It's not like him, or them, to follow me. I think it was more of a he happened to see me slip into the bar and just wanted to check...." Violet offered trying to ease any concerns he may or may not have thanks to what happened. She thought about adding that she had an understanding with her brothers that they don't just appear in her place either, but she didn't want to insinuate anything, and figured, if it came up later, then she would let him know.

Upon entering the elevator, Violet pushed the button marked 22 and waited as the elevator took off like a shot for the first few floors before slowing to a little faster than the normal speed. His praise of the elevator ride made her giggle and absentmindedly brushed a bit of her loose brown hair out of her face. As silence fell over them during the ride, Violet was taken by how comfortable she felt being this close to him. It was just like in the diner... That same feeling was still here. Taking a quiet, deep breath, she couldn't help but smile brightly for no real reason at all. Her smile returning to normal, Violet looked up at him and her eyes met his as he looked at her. A very tender smile touched her lips before she gently bit her bottom lip for a moment at seeing his smile. His smile....weakened her knees and make her heart sing....

The moment ended when the elevator bell sounded that they were on their floor. "We're on the right," Violet told him, as she lead the way to the door. Taking the key the counterman gave her, she unlocked the door and opened it for him. "Welcome home, Chris..." she said gently to him, allowing him to enter before her....

"Yeah," he answered in regards to her question of his family, "I have no family anymore... not really. I mean, they'll always be my family and I'll always love them... even if they don't feel the same way about me. Just part of it, I guess." Chris could imagine how it could be having a family of mutants watching all the time and how there would be instances when it wasn't welcome. Still, a family that watched out for her only meant they cared about her wellbeing. Despite her being able to control shadows, there were still people in the world that would take advantage of a young woman like her - even some being mutant kind. As he thought on it, he made a mental resolution to never allow anything to happen to Violet so long as he was able. She may have had her family like Legion, but Chris would be close to her and, if necessary, would draw all of the electricity out of Manhattan and send it into a would-be attacker without batting an eye. "Family is a good thing, Violet. I can see where there are times when you'd like to be alone and not watched," he grinned over at her a bit at that, "but still, can't blame them - Drop dead gorgeous young woman smelling like you do -" That did it.

As usual, Chris had stuck his foot in his mouth and not only called her beautiful but made it clear he'd been enjoying her pleasant scent. His face reddened a little and he looked away from her to face the doors, yet the elevator doors were polished to a high shine and there was no avoiding eye-contact. Hell, Violet's eyes were like magnets just drawing him in anyway. "S-sorry... that, erm... didn't come out like I wanted it to. I'll just shut up now." He took in a deep breath in an attempt to call himself, especially in the elevator with her so close to him and feeling himself get warmer. For God's sake, why don't you just kiss the girl, Chris? Don't be a wimp. It wasn't so simple. He didn't want Violet to think he was taking advantage nor did he want to risk her brother randomly showing up and giving him the stink eye for it.

Chris followed along with her from the elevator and to the door indicated, allowing her to unlock it before he walked inside, stopping after moving a few feet within and looking around. It was a magnificent place and he'd never had the pleasure of living in such a place during his entire life, though was certain his brother lived in a nice home given his chosen profession. He smiled a bit and walked over to the window, looking outside at the city taking it all in before turning around to face Violet, "It's amazing. I can't even begin to express how grateful I am that you're allowing me to stay here and helping me with my ability. It means a lot to me."

It saddened her to hear that Chris' family was simply a word and the old cliche of 'family is family no matter what your feelings might be for one another'. Where she had so much family, he didn't have any. No one to watch out for him, to be there for him... Well no more. Violet would be there to watch out and be there for him. Care for him... She paused in her thoughts then, as she heard him talk about her family being good even if they sometimes are always around. Glancing at him, she grinned at his comment of that. Drop dead gorgeous young woman smelling like you do - A small look of something between shock and touched washed over her as a bright blush colored her cheeks and she looked away. No one had spoken of her like that before.... Well, no one like him.... He likes your perfume, Vi.... Take a note of that...
 
Hearing his apology, she said softly, "No, no.... It's alright.... Just haven't heard that....much before...." Violet was suddenly shy, something entirely out of character for her. Glancing in the reflection of the doors, she noticed he was having just as much trouble not making eye contact with her as she was with him. The compliment he paid her, it was incredibly sweet and made her very, very happy... She wanted to take his hand and tell him it was alright, but she didn't. No need to make the situation anymore uncomfortable that it already was....
 
As they entered the penthouse, she leaned against the wall, crossing her arms across her chest, and watched as he took everything in. Her thoughts returning to what she had paused on as they came up. Violet wanted to care for him. More than simply help him learn to live as a mutant. She wanted to be there for him as his family wasn't. And she would, she decided. That was where she wanted.....needed.....to be. She could feel it. His words snapped her from her thoughts, as she smiled at him. "It's no trouble. And, I'm just glad that you took me up on the offer. It's not something I do to just anyone..." Violet said crossing to him. "And, don't worry about my brothers and here. We have an agreement that they can't just appear without coming through the door like any normal person," she added with a small chuckle, harkening back to their talk about her brothers watching over her and hinting that she caught his grin at his comment only moments ago. Violet wanted him to feel comfortable here in her home....his home....
 
Taking his hand in hers, she glanced down as she put the key she had used to unlock the door into his palm and closed his fingers around it. Raising her eyes to him, Violet's features softened. Her hazel eyes smiled as she, once again got lost in his eyes, her hands still holding his....

"That's a shame," he replied, "I think women should hear things like that at least once a day." With the shiny doors, he tried to keep his nervousness down to a minimum but couldn't help looking toward her reflection seeing her in the same state as he. Inwardly, it made him feel a bit better about his words that they had both had the same reaction to it. Sometimes he said things that were on his mind and regretted them ever leaving his mouth afterward, but he couldn't say the same for his compliment of Violet; it was true and his thoughts on it wouldn't be changing any time soon, or likely ever.

Chris couldn't help but linger on her words for a moment in that she didn't offer to just anyone. Putting that together with what she'd mentioned earlier about her feelings getting in the way, the young man wasn't sure how to react to that revelation. Then again, he was all too aware that there was a possibility that it wasn't what he suspected and his own feelings were clouding his judgement and perceptions of things. In retrospect, though, he'd never been one to read women accurately anyway. As she came closer, something in him moved it would seem and he felt butterflies. It was one thing to have her so close in the elevator, the bar, or elsewhere, but in her home - their home, it felt different. "Well, that's a relief that they use the door. I don't want to be asleep and wake to Legion looking down at me with a glare. It wouldn't be good for either of us." He offered up a soft chuckle at his words, though they had been true; he'd electrocute anyone if they took him by surprise in such a way.

With his hand in hers, he looked down at them and felt the key in his hand. The small metal item between his fingers wasn't of interest to him once he looked back up and caught her gaze. Chris stood still for a moment, knowing what he wanted to do as it was the same thing he'd been thinking off since being in the lobby. What the hell? I only get to live once he thought as he took the initiative and closed the distance between them, sitting his bags down and using his now free hand to cup over theirs. The young man then slowly moved in for a tender, but meaningful kiss.

Violet chuckled when she heard Chris express his feelings when he heard that her brothers came through the door, like everyone else. "I think even if I woke to see him on the ceiling there would be hell to pay..." she added brightly. Since Legion could control shadows, she felt it important to put that rule in place as a kind of boundary that is needed with family. And, happily, all of her brothers complied, which was nice.

While she stood, his hand in hers, lost in his eyes, Violet thought about what he had said on the elevator, about women hearing things like his compliment at least once each and every day. A smile lit her eyes slightly at the thought that maybe that would be something she would have to get used to with him here, hearing nice things about her perfume or clothes or whatever. That would make a nice change... Living alone, she got compliments like that, but not like that. When he said what he said in the elevator, it meant something more than the what the eyes say as she walks by...

Violet watched as he looked down at their hands for a moment before looking her in the face. When he moved closer to her, setting his bags down, her heart raced and she was sure that Chris must hear it beating so fast. Feeling his hand over theirs, she looked down and smiled. It was a welcome feeling, his warm hand over her cool ones. Looking back up, Violet watched as he drew closer to her and then closed her eyes as his lips met hers. In that moment, the butterflies that had been fluttering like crazy stilled, her heart slowed, and the breath she had been holding without her knowledge released. Returning his tender kiss, Violet's mind raced slightly. What does this mean?

When the kiss ended, Violet's hazel eyes fluttered open and she smiled as she felt a soft flush color her warm cheeks. She was speechless.... Dropping her eyes she looked at their hands. This was unlike anything she had ever felt before, and it solidified that she had made the right choice in asking him to come to New York and offering him a place to stay. It almost felt like he belonged there already and he had hardly crossed the threshold. Taking a moment to collect her thoughts, she glanced up at him and then focused on an unseen spot on his shirt. That same shy feeling in the elevator had taken hold of her once again...

Last edited by Violet Divine on Fri Jan 31, 2014 7:45 pm; edited 1 time in total

In the moment immediately after his lips made contact, he feared she wouldn't return it. While it wasn't a very logical stance to have, Chris felt it normal to have self-doubt in such intimate moments. After Violet reciprocated the gesture, though, the young man felt as if he was on top of the world and no one was going to bring him down. The fact he was at the top floor of a New York skyscraper only added to how true such a feeling was, but it was more of an emotional feeling than a physical presence. He no longer had to question what her kiss might taste like, feel like, or what thoughts he'd have if they ever kissed and a lot of the unknown just fell away like a dark cloud covering the revelation that only the sun could bring.

He could no longer remember the kiss from Sophia in the bar nor did he care about the number which, though had been thrown away, was one of the many things he had to endure given the cursed gift of an excellent memory. Perhaps it wasn't so much he couldn't remember what the kiss from the bar was like because it didn't mean anything to him or maybe he just didn't care - then again, it could just be as simple as a combination of the two. Either way, when the soft kiss ended, his own eyes opened slowly along with hers to beam at her.

A soft smile came to Chris' face while the two of them continued to stand there, hands covering one another's near the window.  The slight flush on her cheeks was adorable to him, but he had his own tiny hint of pink showing through on his own skin. It had been a long time since he'd shared a meaningful moment with anyone but with Violet it felt like it was right. Maybe this is what fate had in store for us all along. If so... I won't shake my fist and go on about how I'm in control of my life - well, just when it comes to Violet, that is. He watched her when she looked from his eyes, finally breaking the pleasant silence.

"Umm," he began not really having words at the time but deciding to manage as best he could, "I know that was sudden, but... well - quite honestly, Violet, I've been wanting to kiss you since we were sitting together at that diner." The young man cleared his throat and lowered his hand, gently moving the one with the key back to him and into his pocket as to not lose it.

Chris' words were gentle to her when he broke the silence following their kiss. Hearing that he had wanted to do that, really, since the first time they were together in the diner in St. Louis made her smile. "I think...." Violet said bringing her eyes up to him, "I might have wanted that....too..." Her eyes were bright as she saw the light pink that colored his cheeks, much like what might be coloring hers, as well. Bringing one of her hands up, she hesitated biting her bottom lip lightly, but, after only a moment or two, her cool fingers brushed across the faint coloring of his cheek before her thumb gently stoked the same area. Letting her hand trail down his jaw to his chest, Violet let it rest over his heart which she felt beating underneath it, her other hand still under his.

So many thoughts ran through her mind just from that first kiss. Fate, you definitely had a play in this one. Thank you for crossing our paths... For once, she was happy that she had dared to follow what her heart was telling her. Had it been any other person, she would have never gone down to check on them, not ever. She knew right from the off that Chris was different, and this just proved it. Violet felt like she was walking on air, a figurative high, if you will. She was pleased that being everything that was so different for her had lead to this very moment...

Coming out of the moment, she took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I suppose you'd like a tour of the place..." she said softly with a grin.

Needless to say, hearing Violet mention that she may have wanted to kiss him too made Chris' heart leap for joy. Hell yeah, Chris! Suddenly, the worrying about her returning the kiss and his nervousness felt completely unnecessary, but welcome. He'd found that nothing was more attractive than seeing a woman nervous, shy, or affected by words and actions in some way rather than an emotional brick; he could only assume women felt a similar way. Then again, his gift was controlling one of the elements, not telepathy so he'd most likely never know what women truly wanted though Violet's eyes were all he'd need to know what she desired. "Really? That's... that's wonderful, I wasn't sure if you felt the same way or not... and, well, I just gave in."

As she reached up and touched his cheek, his eyes fluttered to a close for a moment before reopening, feeling her thumb strokes. She was caring which aided him in realizing he had made a good choice in kissing her rather than going along with someone else, like Sophia, that would be more trouble than they were worth. Instinctively, he reached up and rested a hand atop hers now on her chest. Chris knew she would feel his heart pounding away in his chest, more so than usual after what had just happened.

Chris found it hard to pull away any further from her, nor take his eyes off her. It was like an understanding when a guy made the first move in kissing a woman, that he follow-through with something whether it be an invitation to dinner, kissing again, or for the more daring: asking said woman to go home with him for the night. Given that he was already in Violet's home, it wouldn't make sense to even ask the question in such a way, but he didn't want to seem as if he were taking advantage either. Still, she was a very beautiful woman whom he obviously had feelings for and he wouldn't turn down the possibility if she asked. Best keep those thoughts to yourself. You don't want her to find out how sex starved you actually are.

When she spoke, he continued staring at her a moment then cleared his throat with a nervous chuckle at how he'd spaced out gazing upon her. "Sure. A tour would be great."

"You made a good choice..." Violet mused to him as his hand moved to hers. His heart seemed to be racing, beat for beat, with her own. She didn't know what was going to come next. A kiss opened the door to all kinds of different roads, it was just a matter of which one was up next. Glancing at their hands, both over his heart and held between them, she didn't want to let go. His touch was welcome and she didn't want to lose it. Taking a deep breath, Violet raised her eyes to him and smiled softly. He cleared his throat and accepted her offer of a tour. "Follow me..." she said, removing her hand from his chest and moving her other to actually hold his as she took him through the Penthouse.

Violet was happy to show him around. Beginning on the first level was, of course, the living room complete with small fireplace, where they had shared their first kiss, kitchen and dinning area, bathroom, laundry area, and small balcony. Off of the hall that lead to the bathroom was a room that was kind of a mix between an office and a study. Taking him upstairs, Violet showed the second bathroom, the room that worked as a library of sorts, her bedroom, as well as the room that would be his, right across from her own. "You can make this room as you wish, Chris. Whatever you want or need it to be..." she said opening the door.

Looking to him to see what he thought, Violet had a fleeting thought about everything that had passed recently. He had made a comment about sex-starved people before, but she didn't know if that included him or not. She wouldn't consider herself among those numbers....even if it had been a long time... Violet knew that, sometimes, going to bed together followed a kiss. The thought made her smile to herself. If he asked or hinted or anything to show that he might be interested in something like that.... You'd go with him, wouldn't you? To your bed or his, wouldn't you, Vi? Yes.... Yes, I would.... Without a second thought... Snapping out of her thoughts, she asked happily, "What do yo think? A place you can call home?"

Holding her hand gently in his as she set off, Chris picked up his bags with the other and walked with her through the large penthouse. The apartment was amazing and better than any accommodations Chris had ever had himself or seen from others, save for a few of the nicer suites in the hotels deeper into Manhattan though the rooms generally cost an arm and a leg which meant a simpleton like himself wouldn't be permitted in such fancy digs. He took careful note of each room as Violet directed him around toward them, all of them having specific decorations and flowing together in theme nicely with the rest of the penthouse. Still, he couldn't take his thoughts from the living room where he'd first seen the skyline of New York from above, but more importantly and most vividly in his mind was his mustering up the courage to finally kiss Violet. He'd done many things in his life both good and bad, each with their own regrets, happiness and some that he simply desired to forget; kissing Violet was one memory that Chris didn't see himself ever forgetting... ever.

When they finally arrived at his bedroom from across Violet's, he took the opportunity to place his belongings just inside the door on the floor. This was so he wouldn't forget them, misplace anything, nor make her apartment look needlessly cluttered. A soft smile came to his face as he stepped into the room, finding it much more appealing than the many hotels he'd stayed in and even his own home when growing up. Moving over to the bed, he sat on it briefly and found it to be extremely comfortable. It seemed to him that Violet spared no expense. It also dawned on him that he'd have to look into some form of employment to carry his own weight once his ability was under control enough that he could handle work-related stresses. "This place is amazing, Violet. I don't see the need for changing much of anything in here, but I might sit out a picture or two."

"So yeah," he began as he took another look around his bedroom then back to Violet while coming to his feet, "it's definitely a homely apartment. I'll..." His eyes locked on hers again and his thoughts trailed back to their kiss, talks of feelings, sex starvation and suddenly control over his ability wasn't the one thing in the front of his mind which hadn't happened in years. Only the drink had caused him to forget, but Violet was better than any drunken feeling or high could be. If anything, she calmed him as any other beautiful woman he had feelings for would cause his powers to go crazy with his emotional strain. "I'll be at home here.... with you." The last bit just came out and he blamed his subconscious. That sounded forward, Chris. You know what? To hell with it. I'm not even sorry. I wouldn't have said it if I didn't feel it, right?

It made Violet happy to see Chris pleased with the apartment and his room. She wanted him to feel comfortable and at home here since it was his home now, too. As he sat on his bed, Violet couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to share a bed with this man. But, she quickly let her mind come back to getting him settled. "I'm glad you like it, Chris. Whatever you want to do to make it more yours is fine, setting out pictures or painting or whatever. You have free reign," she told him with a smile. Getting to his feet and taking one more glance about the room, he began to speak before pausing as he looked at her. Her hazel eyes looked right into his and she felt the butterflies begin to stir up once again. He was already feeling at home....with her....

Home is where the heart is, and, I believe, my heart is with you... Dropping her eyes to his bags, she let out a light laugh at that thought. "I guess, I will let you settle in. Feel free to grab a shower if you wish. Towels and things are in the first cabinet. I'll head down to the kitchen to prepare a meal....for us," she said looking up at him. In that moment, Violet would be more than happy to kiss him again, to see what might come next. But, he only just arrived, and as sexually starved as she might be, and only just starting to feel it, she didn't want to push him into anything that he might not be willing to move into. Turning to go back downstairs, her hand lingered on the door frame as she looked back up at him and offered one more happy smile before she moved to head down the hall. It is certainly more homey with you here.... Easy, Vi....

Knowing that he had some freedom with making the bedroom more his own was pleasing to Chris' ears. Normally, he'd not have been allowed to change anything and would have been stuck with whatever decor the room's owner decided was best. While Violet's decor wasn't in bad taste and had a way of making him comfortable, it would never truly be home without pictures of his brother, mother, father, he and Dan in Basic Training as well as a few other memoirs of what life was like before his mutant abilities kicked in. His new life did have prospects, however, with Violet in his life. Is she really in my life? Maybe I shouldn't get too far ahead of myself. It was a kiss, but it's not like we're sleeping together or in a relationship... right? His thoughts were a mix, having not had a serious relationship since high school and not knowing how to recognize it if he was in one, but he finally shook them off and smiled warmly at Violet, "Thanks. I won't destroy anything - promise."

"Okay, sounds great. I'll unpack and get cleaned up then come down," he replied as he moved over to his bags, picking them up, looking forward to another dinner with Violet and catching her smile. Chris couldn't resist smiling back. Once she moved down the hallway, he sat his bags on the bed and went about unpacking them, putting his folded clothes away in the dresser drawers. It didn't take him too long to unpack his clothes before he went about placing some of his photos on the nightstand, dresser and by the door. With everything put away, he gathered some clean clothes and set off for the shower believing cleaning up in a genuine shower rather than a gas station bathroom like a hooker would be a nice change. A shave on his three-day beard would also make him feel better and his face softer for to kiss Violet with - if she wanted to do so again, which he hoped.

He moved down the hallway and into the bathroom where he proceeded to shower, allowing the warm water to run down his body in relaxation for a moment, just taking it all in and still finding it remarkable how he'd gotten so lucky both with Violet, the penthouse and help with his abilities. Perhaps fate finally smiled down on him as opposed to burning him with a magnifying glass.

Heading down to the kitchen, Violet started to plan out what she could make for them for dinner. She figured something simple would be good, but then she discovered, other than the few things he had mentioned on the menu in St. Lewis, she didn't know what he liked or didn't like. Well, we know chicken is a yes... Violet smiled as she put a meal together in her mind that she was sure he would like. Granted, a home cooked meal would be likely be better than much of what he's had in the past she figured. Smiling to herself, she couldn't believe that she was actually getting ready to cook for someone...a man...a man who was staying with her... What did that make him, or them?

Hearing the shower turn on, Violet was pleased that he was taking her up on the offer of a shower. It would let him feel more at home, she figured. Then she remembered... It was starting to get colder, and she meant to put out a few more blankets in Chris' room before he got there. Putting the meal on hold, she ventured back upstairs and took out a couple blankets from the hall closet. Going into his room, Violet paused as she saw the pictures he had set out. Taking some time to look at them, she all but forgot about the blankets in her arms. A soft smile touched her lips as she studied each one. Reaching the pictures on the nightstand, she took the most time looking at them. Violet got so lost in the pictures, she didn't notice when the shower turned off...