Let us just forget for tonight

[Theo Chulainn]

Psstt

Gulping down the liquid energy, Acra's tired blue eyes flicked to his desk. All paper work was completed. Half of it wasn't even his. He had even done most of Shula's. Then again a week of all nighters, the last two nights spent in the office. Growing bored of watching repeats of his favourite tv shows.

But he couldn't sleep. Even closing his eyes for a second the horrid nightmare of Resembool would return to him. Leaving him in cold sweat and scratching. His skin was decorated in angry red lines. The horrid feeling of his skin and flesh being eaten and crawling under it continued day and night. He could feel the burn from where he had scrubbed with a brillo pad that scrapped the skin away like a cheese grater to cheese. Now it was infected, but he wouldn't go to Alaric about it. He had cleaned it and wrapped it and now he was ignoring it. Thanking the uniform designers for there choice of long sleeves.

Placing the empty relentless can down he sighed. He didn't want to go home. He didn't want to sit up all night on the sofa alone any more. He missed Shula. She had been as busy as he had recently. And just as distracted. He had despertly wanted to turn to her and tell her of the horrible stench of death that permanently stained his nostril and filled his taste buds. What continuously haunted him too. Reaching for his phone he typed out the message re-reading it several times before sending.

Dress up warm. I'm taking you out for a date. No refusal! <3

If he wasn't running on zero's hours sleep he would of just driven Shula there on his bike but....no he would risk himself driving in this state but Shula no. Sending a message to Wallace that he required his service as a driver tonight he made his way home.

The short drive never took long. He lived relatively close to the HQ like he did before. Entering the pad that felt to open and lonely for just one person. He slowly removed his clothing as he entered the bathroom. His fingers unravelled the bandages from his forearm, He had to to dash to the sink. As he wretched up that energy drink, a feeble lunch and most likely twenty or so cups of coffee as the smell hit him. Hacking and spiting the last of his stomach contense out he quickly stepped under the scolding water ignoring the sting of water and soap.

Soon out and drying his now lengthy hair with the blow dryer he had re wrapped the wound hoping Shula would not smell the septic wound. Dear god if she taught it was him. prodding at the bags under his eyes he frowned. He hated having to put some cover up make up on his face just to hide the signs of lack of sleep. If anyone found out he was using make up he would never live it down.

Soon dressed in tight jeans, a dark grey turtle neck to hide the scratches on his neck covered with a black jacket and a charcoal scarf for warmth he headed to the waiting car that would collect Shula and take him to the Ice rink. He had promised to show Shula how to skate after all. And he had missed the feeling close to flying. Maybe a bit of his nostalgic fun would let him forget the horrid feeling his skin made him feel.

[Shula Brighton]

Unclean.

That word she'd heard so often and regarding so manmy things throughout her life now held whole new meaning anytime she looked at herself. The things that plagued Shula's sleep were starting to mute themselves for her own sanity, but when she was awake she couldn't sem to stop thinking about them. The word would drift from nowhere like a snowflake from hell that landned on her soul to freeze her heart. Shula was unclean. Someone else's lungs gave her breath. And now someone else's blood pumped through her veins and had been altered to match her own in order to replace what she'd lost. Todtnauberg was gone, ow only a memory and a deserted area far off in the mountains; with no explanation or reason, all the residents had completely vanished, leaving nothing but empty homes and abandoned things they couldn't take to the afterlife. To the hell that awaited them at Raistlin's hands.

Shula had been sent back without a scratch on her, no external hint at all, no even a tiny bruise. Nothing to suggest in the slightest she'd ever been captured and tortured and was slated to die. Those people were all dead now. Everyone in town was, and not even the innocent had survived. Unclean. It didn't sit well with Shula in the slightest. How could it? It preyed upon her sleep and robbed her of her dreams, and not even the safety and warmth she knew was there to protect her could save her from it, not fully. As a result, Shula had been becoming so very distracted at home and at work, much of her own paperwork being taken on by other people in order to keep it from avalanching onto her. She didn't know what was worse now as things seemed to matter less. She would still faithfully serve Raistlin and provide him with information and research, but what did it really matter if she regained her freedom or not if she became a monster in the process?

Unclean.

Today had been a day off, thankfully, Shula spending much of it in her house with her many locks and soaking in her very big bath. She needed to try and put herself back together or she'd never get anyhtin done. The nightmares needed to go away. Her smile needed to come back. She'd never been good at lying, and trying to pretend she was fine when she wasn't was tearing her apart. She promised she was fine and that she'd be okay. She promised it would go away soon, even if she refused to talk about it. For hers and everyone else's safety, she couldn't. But she needed a distraction right now, soemthing to take her mind off thi-

Dress up warm. I'm taking you out for a date. No refusal! <3

A text from Acra. Shula sat up in her bed, smiling very faintly. He'd been just as quiet and distracted lately as she had, and jumpy, too. Her derpy puppy's smile was different now, and seemed to have lost some of its radient Prince Charming warmth that brightened her days so often. So now she was being kidnapped by him against her will to some unknown destination. Well, at least this time she was being kidnapped by someone she knew wouldn't hurt her. A warm sweater over her lighter shirt hung down to her thighs over tight jeans and was covered up entirely by her red coat that her father had made her. A small note was scribbled on a yellow sticky note and stickied to the TV before she headed out of her small loft and locked up, trotting down the stairs.

Acra's car was down there, and she could see Wallace in the driver's seat. She gave a warm wave and put up a bright smile as she turned, straddled the banister and slid down with a bright squeak. Halting to a stop, Shula dismounted and hopped off the last step gracefully, trotting to the car. "Hey Acra!" Shula slid into the car next to her friend, her arms reaching up to hug him warmly. She'd missed him. She'd missed having the free time she used to have to hang out with him and do fun stuff, so this was a nice treat. She hugged him again, just for good measure, just to make up for the hug she wouldn't have been able to give him if Frederich had killed her. "Mm, missed you..." The words came out as a faint murmur, her voice sharing what was running through her head on its own.

[Theo Chulainn]

He had be chugging down a new energy drink as she entered the car. After all he had thrown up to the coffee and energy drinks that was powering him. His tired eyes turned to her and he returned her hug. Flinching as the pressure on his right forearm throbbed pain fully.

"Mm, missed you..."

He smiled softly and kissed her forehead. "I missed you too...." He whispered softly brushing her hair back and resting his forehead against hers. His eyes drifted close for a second and the horrible flashes attacked him causing him to jump upwards and sit straight. Luckily the car had lurched forward and with a nervous chuckle he could play it off as the sudden movement startling him.

He smiled to her. "Well seeing I'm all healed and all our work is caught up on I taught we could go test the new ice rink." He grinned at her. He had promised to take her when it was open but then she had been called away for work and he well....yeah dead bodies and stuff got in the way. But now he despurtly needed to do something and really needed to be with her to distract him.

leaning back on the plush seats he scratched his neck as he spoke. "Sorry if I tore you away from anything important...." He murmured as he dug his nails into the skin of his throat. Leaving red lines as he tried to shake the horrible crawling feeling. He coughed lightly and fidgeted on the seat. Why did he suddenly feel so naked? Maybe he had made a mistake doing this...after all....He shook his head his uncut blonde hair falling in his eyes. "Sorry ignore that, I'm just a little tired...." Try exhausted beyond all belief.

[Shula Brighton]

There's a certain sickly-sweet smell that comes with all canned energy drinks that was inescapable. Incredibly artificial and sweet with a vague hint of the drink wishing it were slightly fruity, each can pumped with caffiene, taurine, ginsing and a dozen other chemicals that only a biochem major or alchemist could understand. And for some strange reaon, people actually drank the awful brew, on purpose. For the last several days that Shula had noticed, Acra had been drinking them like he'd just invested stock in the Relentless company; every time she caught a glimpse of her Second, he had one in his hand, was opening one, or tossing an empty one.

Hugging against him felt nice, though, and was sorely missed; Shu couldn't help but smile as she felt his lips press against her forehead. Maybe for a little while, things could be like they used to be back in Central, when they could just go out and have fun and not have to worry about much of anything. Shula shuffled back into her own seat and clicked her seat belt on. Acra nearly jumped and climbed the interior fabric when the car started, causing her to give him a funny look. "No more energy drinks for you," she teased, taking the can away from him.

"Well seeing I'm all healed and all our work is caught up on I taught we could go test the new ice rink." Ah, there was that grin she was used to seeing and had been missing. She hadn't been quite herself lately and hiding it as best she could, but sometimes old comforts did wonders for the soul. Shula nearly squeaked. She'd forgotten entirely that Acra had said he'd teach her, or even that the rink had opened. She couldn't help but let out a faint, teasing laugh. "Sorry if I tore you away from anything important.... Sorry ignore that, I'm just a little tired...."

Shula gave him a quizzical look. Acra seemed a bit aloof and fidgety, and she'd wondered just how many of those drinks he'd had today in order to finish the files she'd left on her desk to finish tomorrow. "And me without a pillow to tie to my ass..." She giggled lightly as Acra scratced at his neck under the turtleneck. Itchy sweaters were a pain. "Sounds awesome, Acra. And how about we grab something to eat, my treat. I know a place that makes some mean steak kebabs you might like."

[Theo Chulainn]

The can had been taken away from him. Much to his sadness but he didn't put up a fight. He was to tired and Shula was stubborn....they just end up going in circles and he really didn't have the energy. Instead he let his head fall on her shoulder as he nuzzled close.

He listened to her heart beat as she laughed softly. "And me without a pillow to tie to my ass..." he chuckled wrapping his arm's round her waist trying to ignore the burn in his forearm. "Well lucky for you...your with a figure skater who has a wide collection of trophies and medals, many of them top three placings." Fingers drew soft patterns on her side over the material as he sucked in a breath. "I won't let you fall. You are welcome to cling to me all you like and we will take it slow."

"Sounds awesome, Acra. And how about we grab something to eat, my treat. I know a place that makes some mean steak kebabs you might like." Okay normally he would stop her and offer to pay. This was his date with her after all. But instead he just nodded letting her scent wash over him almost lulling him to sleep. But the horrible crawling feeling kept him from drifting off. "I should really refuse and buy you dinner....this is a date after all....but...I will allow it...if you let me buy you dessert after we finish skating..." He gave her a charming smile lifting her hand to his lips to kiss her knuckles. "Deal?"

[Shula Brighton]

WOW he must be wiped.... Shula was rather surprised when she'd taken away his precious source of caffiene; Acra had always been a caffiene freak the same way Spade had been a chain smoker before he quit. But usually if she'd played with trying to take Acra's coffee away from him in the office he'd chase her around until she gave it back (even if by then she'd usually finished his cup and only surrendered the empty mug to him). Instead, as she put the can in the back seat's cup holder, Acra simply sat close to her and laid his head on her shoulder, relaxing there. Shula couldn't help but smile softly, reaching her hand up around behind him to scritch his hair lightly. It was kinda pretty now that it was all long. She's always loved the colour anyway; it was the natural Amestrian golden blonde she'd tried to keep on her for years thanks for a bottle. But it just looked nicer on someone who was meant to be blonde.

"Well lucky for you...your with a figure skater who has a wide collection of trophies and medals, many of them top three placings. I won't let you fall. You are welcome to cling to me all you like and we will take it slow." She smiled, giving him a gentle squeeze from the odd angle. It was kind of funny to know she would get skating lessons from a champion skater, even if the idea of Acra being dressed in tights with sequins and glitter was beyond hilarious. She giggled slightly at the thought. [i]I'll cling to you... the walls... the ice... I'm gonna go home bruised as hell. aren't I?

It would be worth it, though. She'd always wanted to try skating; it looked like the skaters could fly, and more than anything she'd always wanted wings. "Kay. And if I do fall, at least there's plenty of ice." Something seemed stranged, though. It wasn't that this was the first time they'd gone out and done something fun just together in a small eternity (even though it was), but something about him just seemed... off. He did say he was tired... But he just seemed to have lost some of his sparkle that used to hold her captive. He's really been pushing it at work lately, though. It's not like I'm gonna fire him for having to catch up. Just really tired, Puppy? Acra snuggled against her, somewhere between asleep and not as she squeezed him again lightly.

"I should really refuse and buy you dinner....this is a date after all....but...I will allow it...if you let me buy you dessert after we finish skating..." Shu blinked. Okay, something was up. This man was a Pod Person! First Acra didn't try to rescue his precious energy drink, and now he was letting her pay for dinner when going out was his plan? She was all for taking turns and that had always been her policy, but still... Usually he put up more of a fight than this! Who are you and what have you done with Acra?! She was about to tease him about his lack of fighting her on the issue when her hand was raised, Acra's smile returning to a nostalgic shade of charming as he kissed her knuckles the way he used to. Aaaaaaand urge to pick on him: gone.

A warm smile played at her lips. "You're improving! I'm impressed~" Her hand turned slightly to lace her fingers between his and brushed the skin of his hand with her thumb. "Deal.And your accent's gotten better... You'll have to demonstrate for me sometime and I can help you with conversational Ishvallan." An absurd thought crossed her mind, making her laugh. "If they play any Ishvallan music I'll start trying to dance to it the way I know... Just think, temple dancing on ice!"

[Theo Chulainn]

He smiled softly. "If they play any Ishvallan music I'll start trying to dance to it the way I know... Just think, temple dancing on ice!" Chuckling softly he squeezed her hand softly. "Maybe when your more confident on the ice." He sat up and kissed her nose before sitting back as the car rolled to a stop.

Looking up he blinked. "There already?" He opened the door quickly made his way round. Opening Shula's door her bowed offering his hand. "May I escort you my lady?"

He made sure she was on his left arm as they walked through the car park. Luckily most things in the south were a stones throw away. "So my love...where is this kebab joint you want to take me too?" He smiled to her briefly waving to some of the militants near by the area that he knew.

Following her directions it soon wasn't long before he didn't even need them. Following his nose he soon found the source of the rich meaty aroma. His stomach growled loudly remembering it wasn't to long ago it lost all it's contense. And the juicy smell of meats, spices and herbs blending together to make a wondrous flavour beckoned him. He browsed over the menu remembering Shula had cooked things for him like this. But he bet Shula's was hundreds of times better then this. After all you couldn't beat a meal cooked by a beautiful girl with all her love added to it.

[Shula Brighton]

The car moved through thea area easily, Wallace obviously more familiar in South now than Acra was yet. South had ben building up steadily and was in great shape and seemed to be constantly increasing around the massive lake. It was wonderful. But the downtown area that held all the shops and eateries was still Shula's favourite by far. "There already?" It wasn't long until they'd come to a public parking area, Acra popping out of his door to zip around to hers and open it for her, holding his hand out to assist her. "May I escort you my lady?"

Shula smiled lightly, taking the offered hand and sliding out of the car to take Acra's arm. She inhaled deeply, enjoying the scent carried on the early evening wind. It was a shame it got so dark so early in winter and threw off how late the day actually felt in comparison to the real time; in warmer months it would have been nice to go for a walk about now. "So my love...where is this kebab joint you want to take me too?" Her face didn't betray it at all, but her stomach knotted just slightly before she pushed the feeling aside quickly. Not now, she told herself. Just for tonight, things can be close to the way they were.

"It's not far from here," she replied, guiding Acra through the area until he no longer needed her help to find the little eatery, the thick smell of juicy roasting meats and Ishvallan spices permeating the air. She came here for lunch when she could, and loved it; it reminded her of her mother's cooking, and they gave a lot of food for the menu price. Shu beamed. "And here we are!" As they walked through the little door, the smell of Ishvallan herbs and spices came at them like a wall, the sounds of meat sizzling overpowering the peppy saz music popping through the speakers.

As they slid into a booth, Shula breathed in the warm smell as a basket of frehs pita were placed on the table with their menus. The menu cards were simple, just one-sided and laminated, and had anything you could think of being skewered and roasted on the list. She looked up at Acra. "So how hungry are you? Just want a littel something, several somethings, or the one of each and split it? Pick whatever you want."

[Theo Chulainn]

He sniffed the air more trying not to drool. Hmm it all smelt so good. Looking the menu up and down he debated his choice. Would he have a skewer or something in pita maybe? After much internal debate he looked to Shula. "How about.... You order for me?" He gave a coy smile. "Surprise me."

The waiter. A half ishvallen shuffled over and bowed. "Welcome guests. May I take your drink orders or are you ready to order your meal now?" Acra smiled. "Coffee for me and a strawberry mango smoothie for the lady." He smiled and as the waiter left he grinned. "What...I just ordered for you I knew what you wanted to drink as soon as I saw it on the menu."

Chuckling softly though pausing to scratch at his arm and neck he let out a breath. What to talk about....? Giving a nervous grin he coughed. "So...I hear that Sampson from accounting's wife is pregnant...." Smooth prince not so charming...office gossip. “I hear he's hoping for a son....nice for him right?”

[Shula Brighton]

One of the nice things about coming to a place so often was that you hardly needed to look at the menu to know what they had or what you wanted; the nice thing about coming with people who knew you so well was that they knew what you'd want too, even if they'd never been there before. Sometimes she forgot Acra worked forensics and good at taking in many small details very quickly, though it wa sa funny use of skills to scan the menu that fast and know she'd want the strawberry mango smoothie. She stuck out her tongue playfully, the both of them knowing she'd live on those things if left to her own devices.

A delicate white eyebrow raised, Shula's smile quirking. [color=green]"Order your dinner for you? Brave man, trusting me to not order you something weird.{/color] Then again, Acra had survived her cooking many times; weird was customary, and there were very few days she brought food to work or made dinner for for a dinner party where the name of the dish could easily be pronounced by everyone eating. "I think I know something new you'll like. If not, you can have mine."

Acra moved, scratching his arm and neck again, shifting almost uncomfortably. She knew he was tired, so maybe that's why he was fidgety. Still, he'd ordered a cup of coffee when he'd already had most of one of those nasty energy drinks. At this rate he'd skate through the ice.... "So...I hear that Sampson from accounting's wife is pregnant...." Out on a night with with one of the people who knew her better than almost anyone, whom died and then left her holding her breath for almost half a year, who was now working and functioning again but had been just as distant as she had.... Were they really down to office gossip that the secretaries keeping tabs on everyone brought to her desk? “I hear he's hoping for a son....nice for him right?”

Shula nodded, sipping at her water as she waited on the smoothie. "Yeah, I heard."Shu fidgeted. Awkward... Dear, sweet Ishvalla, how did people stand this? Was this what she'd have to just get used to to keep everyone at a safe distance? She let out a silent sigh of relief as the waiter came back with Acra's coffee and her smoothie, Shula catching his attention. "We're ready. He'll have the Tikka Masala skewers, and I'll have the cashew coconut chicken" A small basket of pita was put on the table, Shula immediately tearing one open to dip in the garlic yogurt sauce as the waiter trotted off. She smiled to Acra lightly, holding out the dipped flatbread covered in creamy goop. "Try this.. I think you'll like it." This distance made her uneasy, and she was determined not to lose him from her life entirely. But surely they could tink of something better than office gossip.. next they'd be going over reports. GAG. Then a thought came. "So did you start skating a kid? What was it like when you started competing?"

[Theo Chulainn]

He blinked looking at the bread as he sipped his coffee. swallowing the hot beverage and placing the cup down he lent forward. reaching up and gently taking the non gloopy side into his hand and proceeded to eat it. Chewing thoughtfully he let it run over his taste buds with a hum. after much sampling he swallowed and smiled. "Your right."

"So did you start skating a kid? What was it like when you started competing?" He stopped and for a few second his mind lulled back. He wondered how Marian was doing. He last email had been shortly after his wake up. With an invite to her wedding. He had politely refused with an excuse of work. After all it would feel wrong to be there.

Coughing slightly he smiled to Shu taking her hand into his lightly stroking. "Yeah...I wanted to play Hockey but mother refused the idea...I don't blame her. But I loved the feeling of flying so I just went skating often and then I met Marian..." He chuckled. "She had ditched her last skating partner for dropping her so often and saw me...demanded I do lessons with her to see if we match. We use to argue all the time."

[Shula Brighton]

As Acra surrendered to the goodness of the warm pita and its delicious garlicky goo, Shula started tearing one up for herself, dunking it happily into the sauce. She knew how to make this stuff herself, but sometimes it was nice to have it made by someone else and not have to worry about the dishes. Besides, going out for the evening meant she didn't want to spend hours in the kitchen prepping and cooking when she could be out having fun.

Acra's hands moved around one of her own, pulling it closer and strokiung the top of it gently. Those hands were alwys so warm, slightly rough from physical work and scar tissue. Her grandfather had told ehr as a child that you could tell a lot about a person by their hands, what kind of life they led. Acra was born into more money than he'd ever know what to do with, and yet, his hands were not as silky smooth and perfect as one who never did anything that might mar their perfection. Sure he kept his nails nice, but the burns and callouses told a story of a man who was willing to be more than what his family and their money would dictate. It was a story that always made her smile.

"Yeah...I wanted to play Hockey but mother refused the idea...I don't blame her. But I loved the feeling of flying so I just went skating often and then I met Marian... She had ditched her last skating partner for dropping her so often and saw me...demanded I do lessons with her to see if we match. We use to argue all the time." Sounded kind of like in proper dance classes where there was a quiet, unwritten code and language regarding partners. Where you put your towel on the barre and how you wiped your own face where a potential partner could see were all quiet cues of asking if you'd like to be partners or not. Shula had never been allowed to be part of the large classes since she practiced at home with a private teacher, but she loved it and its subtle nuances. Skating she'd never been able to try, but she loved watching it on TV.

"I've always wanted to fly..." She giggled slightly. The girl had demanded he cooperate and argued a lot with him. The term 'princess' came to mind, but Shula kept that comment to herself since she didn't know the girl enough to judge. "Grace, flying, good looks, tights and a heat blaster. All you need is a cape and I'd say we have a hit superhero comic. I can't wait, Acra. I really wanna see you do jumpy spinny things." Way to show how much you know, Bright Eyes. Great use of technical terms. She was about to ask him to tell her more about competitions when the waiter came back with steaming plates and set them down. The marinated chicken skewered on Acra's plate was a deep brown, the sauce it had been soaking in rising up in the steam. Shula beamed, looking down at her own food. "Let me know what you think... I said, if you don't like it, we can swap."

[Theo Chulainn]

"Grace, flying, good looks, tights and a heat blaster. All you need is a cape and I'd say we have a hit superhero comic. I can't wait, Acra. I really wanna see you do jumpy spinny things." He blushed and stuck his tongue out at her. "Only if your my Louis lane." He joked with her sipping more of his coffee. Before he smiled. "If I still can't...I haven’t Skated for a while. The more advance stuff may be off the menu tonight."

The plates set down in front of them and Acra gave a curious sniff over his food. It smelt good and he was partly glad the waiter had set down a pitcher of water and two glasses. Letting go of her hand so they can eat her poured them both some water. "Let me know what you think... I said, if you don't like it, we can swap." He nodded. "I'll keep that in mind." Taking the clean end of the skewer he lifted the chicken up watching it with curious eyes before biting into the end taking a chuck of the chicken off and chewing it. Letting the flavours play his tongue in its sweet yet tingling sensation. Spiced but not so much it burnt the mouth and let you taste nothing else.

[Shula Brighton]

There was no real waiting before diving into the steaming plate of meat and vegetables. Thankfully there wasn't a lot of food there, so they wouldn't be long to eat it, and they wouldn't be too full to run around. Skating... Shula was beyond thrilled, if not a bit nervous. As far as her world went, ice went in drinks, and that was about it; after Drachma Shula wasn't sure she really wanted to go play in the snow anymore, and ice was just as bad. But still... It was with Acra, and here in South, and those were safe things, right?

Shu smirked around her chicken as Acra teased that she'd be Lois. As if. Lois Lane was useless in the comics and just gave Superman something to rescue or kill repeatedly... If anyone, she'd rather be Lana, but she rather doubted Acra would want to debate comic characters and their usefulness. She'd just keep how amusing him i tights was on her mind and try to talk him into showing her pictures someitme. If I still can't...I haven’t Skated for a while. The more advance stuff may be off the menu tonight."

An ex-figure skater who was out of practice and a total noob. Well, this should be really entertaining for whoever watches the rink's security cameras. Shula couldn't help but snicker a little. "Well, then we'll just both have bruises on our butts. At least I know I bounce well... Years of dancing give you lots of practice at falling." Thin fingers pulled off a bit of her chicken and held it up for Acra to taste, the sweet smell of coconut rising from the meat. Coconut-cashew was sweet and just a little nutty, and really good for you; when she had time it was one of her favourite things to add to rice. She took another bite as she gave the offered sample to Acra. [color=green]"You'll like this, this is sweet. Mm, so tell me more about when you used to compete, that sounds exciting." She smiled, happily munching and finally relaxing all the way and letting things slip back into that comfortable zone she was used to and had missed. "Did you just do it locally, or did you go all over Amestris and Creta and stuff?"

[Theo Chulainn]

"Well, then we'll just both have bruises on our butts. At least I know I bounce well... Years of dancing give you lots of practice at falling." He chuckled softly. Oh he knew the pain of falling and unlike Shula he never bounced. Just fall like a clump in an ungraceful manor.

"You'll like this, this is sweet." The sweet aroma wafted to his nose. he quickly drank some water to clear his tongue and leaned forward gently taking the sample. His lips brushing over her thumb and finger as his teeth gently pulled the meat from her grasp. He sat back chewing the sweeten chicken savouring it's nutty flavour. "Hmm it is good." He smiled to her as his tongue swiped out to clear any flavouring on his lips.

"So tell me more about when you used to compete, that sounds exciting. Did you just do it locally, or did you go all over Amestris and Creta and stuff?" He nodded as he finished the last of his food. Shula had been right it was good and not to heavy to unsettle his stomach to much in it's weaker moments. "Mainly around Amestris...we did one in Creta a few times and qualified for the big one in drachma once...I messed that one up though...." He trailed off...seemed to be a pattern to mess up in that country.

[Shula Brighton]

Few things in life could compare to comfort food that was like what you grew up with, and that was plain to see as Shula's little skewers were quickly cleaned away, the girl munching happily as she watched Acra, still trying to picture in her head a younger derpy puppy, clad in tights and gliding on ice. Handsome princes were supposed to be shiny, but she never imagined it would have been because of sequins and rhinestones. Glitter Man, awaaaaaaaay~!

"Mainly around Amestris...we did one in Creta a few times and qualified for the big one in drachma once...I messed that one up though...." She'd watched a few ice skating shows on TV growing up. She'd seen some of the Drachman skaters. They were all so pretty and generally good looking (though they all seemed to be rather nasally gifted, leaving her to often wonder how many quarters they could hide in them), but the competitions always seemed so hard. All the skaters that came from abroad seemed to have to do twice as much to get good scores. Shula's plate emptied, the last of her frozen fruity nearly giving her brainfreeze. There was something funny about drinking frozen smoothies in the middle of winter that seemed beyond silly and just oh-so excellent.

As she stood up Shula took Acra's hand to head out, her own small hand warm within his own. "I'm sure you did really well, though. I can't wait to see you skate tonight... Thank you, Acra." Out of the restaurant and back into the evening air, fresh on their faces as Shula walked with her darling derp to the newly-built rink. Looking up to the building with a little apprehension, Shula hesitated before walking in with Acra. "It's big.." Inside, it kind of reminded her of going to a gym. There were locker rooms on either side, and benches in the middle for putting on skates, one large booth for sharpening your skates and renting them, and another for treats and hot drinks. And connected to it all was the rink and a small opening to step through. The ice looked so smooth and pretty, and Shula could see all the cuts made in it from the skates. Something between nervousness and excitement caught in her throat, Shula looking around like a child in wonder. She let out a small laugh, looking up at Acra. "Sooo.... Ready to fall on our asses?"

[Theo Chulainn]

Entering the soft chill that softly caressed his cheek's whispered soft lulls to the ice like a siren's call. He smiled softly squeezing her hand. "Yeah..." He chuckled and lead her to the rental stand ordering two skates. Handing her a pair of white skates her perfect size all from memory. He was glad his fuzzy memory problem had fixed itself after time but sometimes he wished it hadn't after all that felling still...NO, he was on a date with Shula time to ignore those horrid memories. Time to show Shula how much he needed her by his side as support even if she didn't know why. Time to make her smile.

Tying the last note in the lace he stood and offered his hand to Shula. Guiding her to the ice in careful teetering baby step's much like a baby foal's first wobbly step guided by it's mother. He stopped at the step before the ice releasing her hands to step back first. Carefully gliding back to check his own balance hadn't waned in time and sleep.

Confident in his balance he slide forward and offered his hand like a shining prince. "Well my princess...shall I be your support?" He asked softly kissing her hand.

[Shula Brighton]

Right. Balance your body on a metal blade a quarter of an inch wide that suspends you almost two inches above the ground. The tight skates hugged Shula's tiny feet and ankles, far more snug than the booths she wore with her uniform. Acra had his done and laced and was standing on them in no time, walking around on the mats effortlessly. She looked around to the other people coming and going from the ice to the padded floor. Their steps were a little cloppy, but gave them no trouble. Looking down to her own feet, she smiled. Right. Got this. How hard could balancing on ice skate blades to walk ten feet be?

Taking the offered hand, Shula rose from the bench and stood, ignoring as her knees moved together to try and find some balance on the thin metal. No problem. Heavy, wobbly steps were taken toward the rink, Shula looking at the ice as though she were mathcing up with a dreaded enemy whose ass she were determined to kick into submission, even if these skates were so heavy she ddin't know if she'd be able to kick. Shu watched as Acra stepped onto the ice and took a gliding step to test his own legs, and satisfied, came back to her, once again holding out his hand for her to day. Clutching the wall for dear life as though the ice might eat her, Shula watched Acra's feet and the other people skating by. They only picked their feet up slightly, and it was more of a gliding motion, and all in the hips and butt. No wonder people thought male skaters were gay; skating made them move their hips like a woman walking.

"I got this," Shu replied, more to convince herself than Acra, though she didn't take up the offered hand. Her skates crept to the ice in four inch steps, pausing before putting one skate on the ice. OHGODITSSLICK! The metal of the skate moved back and offered no resistance, immediately making Shu feel like she'd go sailing backward at any moment even though her skate only moved a cew centimeters. The second skate hit the ice, Shula clinging to the wall and moving out of the way of anyone coming in through the little opening. Knuckles white, she held on with a kung-fu grip that G.I. Joe would kill for.

Right. No problem. Stand up straight and let go of the wall. Easy enough, right? Trying to keep her blade out of the tiny groove that separated the ice from the rink's wall, Shula slowly let go to straighten her back. She was a smart woman and had been dancing all her life. She could balance all her body on a one by two inch square and do fouettes without traveling much. She could manage standing up straight. Push away from the wall, stand up more and more and OH GOD FALLING BACKWARDS! FALLINGFALLINGFALLINGFALLING!! Skinny arms shot out, flailing and spinning in circles as Shula struggled to pull her torso forward again, determined not to land on her ass the moment she stepped out. Tiny frustrated grunts and squeaks came from Shu, sounding more like a guinea pig in distress than a General doing arm circles. Finally forward, her arms reversed their gyration to keep her from falling on her face as her knees wobbled, knocking together to try and keep her upright

Finally, after much flailing and swearing, Shula was upright without the aid of the wall. Her toes pointed in at each other, her knees nearly touched with her legs bent in almost a skiing position, and her arms were straight out like a balancing pole tightrope walkers used. She looked at Acra with a nervous grin. "T-Tadaaa~ I have... achieved STANDING! Now... how do I move and not die?" As if her body posture wasn't funny enough, the expression on Shula's face was something between adorable, pathetic, and overall priceless.

[Theo Chulainn]

It was like a bad car crash. You shouldn't watch but you just couldn't take your eye's off it. Watching as Shula flailed and tittered until she came to the position she was now. Looking like she was ready to Ski with a face that made his lips quirk into a smile. "T-Tadaaa~ I have... achieved STANDING! Now... how do I move and not die?"

He slowly glided over to her and took her hands into his lifting her slightly so she was forced to stand straight but the tight grip he had on her silently telling her he won't let her go. "Just like roller blading..." He told her softly. "Push forward and glide." He skated backwards slowly pulling her along with him at a speed matching that of a tortoise. Slow and steady so she could get her bearings.

Looking up to her face he couldn't help but chuckle softly. Dear truth...how could you make something this beautiful and adorable all in one. She truly was the princess that stole his heart. He would face a thousand dragons to make her his and would give anything for her. Skidding to a stop he pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Want to try solo?" he still held her hand not letting go unless she told him too.

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