Room 322, Wednesday Afternoon

[not_every_mage]

This was something new for Anders.

This very clean side of the room (not that he had much to be messy with, truth be told), this fussed-over hair and carefully selected shirt -- he'd never had to do any of it in the Circle. In the Circle things like this went faster, and much more direct. Move too slow, and Templars were more likely to notice and intervene.

All this fussing was silly, he realized. He wasn't even completely certain this was about more than friendship. But that didn't stop him from letting down his ponytail, tying it back up,and then changing his mind and brushing it over his neck again as he waited for Kathy to arrive and put into motion their movie plans.

[OOC: For one, please!]

Comments

[not_every_mage]

"I'm a gifted man," Anders said, a bit of a shaky laugh in his voice as he leaned back and rearranged his clothes. "Why go for fireworks when explosions are an option?"

He added, more certainly (now that everything had stopped spinning) "And you don't need to apologize. That was nice."

[spin_kick_snap]

"I think we might have missed some stuff with the movie," Kathy said, ducking her head and playing with her hair a little. She felt nervous again, embarrassment creeping back up. "That was nice," she agreed. "Really nice. Is that another magic power? Good kisser?"

[not_every_mage]

"I have no idea who Ferrite Guy is fighting now," Anders admitted. "And -- let's go with that explanation. I put enchanted lip balm on before you came over so you wouldn't be disappointed."

The mundane but honest explanation struck him as, well, mundane. And somehow he didn't think Kathy was asking for a literal explanation.

[spin_kick_snap]

"He's being attacked and getting kidnapped by terrorists," Kathy said, glancing up at the screen. "And if you really had enchanted lip balm, you could probably sell it at the store and make a million." She peeked up at him from under her lashes. "Sorry I didn't have any to wear for you today..."

[not_every_mage]

Anders rolled his eyes. "I wouldn't have kept kissing you if I hadn't enjoyed it. I think you're just fine without magical help."

[spin_kick_snap]

"Hey," Kathy said, nudging him with her shoulder. "I've never really done that before. I'm allowed to be self-conscious."

According to someone...somewhere. Surely.

[not_every_mage]

"Is that in the rules?" Anders wondered, before his tone went a touch more serious. "Of course you're allowed. But I hope it doesn't offend you that I think it's a little -- well, cute."

[spin_kick_snap]

"I'd rather you think it's cute than annoying," Kathy admitted. "I'm not--or, rather, I'm trying not to be one of those hopelessly self-conscious girls that ends up being obnoxious because she needs reassurance all the time."

Not hopelessly self-conscious. Just a little bit self-conscious.

"I hope it doesn't offend you if I think you're cute?" She was trying to flirt now.

...Was it working?

[not_every_mage]

"I was trying to make you think I'm cute," Anders said shamelessly. "So it would be strange if it offended me now. And obnoxious is the last word I'd use to describe you."

[spin_kick_snap]

"I pretty much thought you were cute from the first time I saw you," Kathy confessed, ducking her head and trying not to smile. "But now I think you're sweet and fun and smart, too. Which is a lot more important, at least to me."

[not_every_mage]

Anders was genuinely touched and fumbled a bit for words. "And I think you're smart and compassionate and a good friend and patient -- and yes, I thought you were cute from the start."

[spin_kick_snap]

"And, you get bonus points for not using 'exotic'," she teased, leaning up to--greatly daring!--give him another kiss, this one on the cheek. She wasn't that daring, okay?

"Even if you are apparently terrible to watch movies with."

They'd seen how much of Ferrite Guy?

[not_every_mage]

"We could try again sometime," Anders offered after a flustered grin at the 'exotic' comment. "I'm usually not this bad, I promise. I was just distracted tonight for some reason."

[spin_kick_snap]

"I'd like that," Kathy said, trying not to beam like an idiot and being instantly given away by her dimples. "Do you think you have whatever was distracting you out of your system yet?"

[not_every_mage]

"Not entirely, but I think it's tamped down enough that I'll be able to let it go for now," Anders sighed. "What about you? Are you focused?"

[spin_kick_snap]

"I think I need one more kiss," she decided, instantly turning red but not backing down. "And then I'll be fine."

[not_every_mage]

Anders laughed and leaned over, eyes closed. "I think I could manage just one more."