<span style="font-style: italic">This is just going to be a casual thing…nothing more,</span>Tempest told herself as she stared at her reflection, wearing yet another outfit with several thrown out behind her on the bed in a heap of chaos. Everything she’d tried on had felt wrong, either too casual or too dressy. Why was she even considering dressy? Because Athan’s casual was never really casual. When they’d last seen each other at that restaurant, he’d stuck out like a sore thumb, and now he was the one choosing a location.<br/><br/>Men didn’t just change their style in the blink of an eye, no matter the reason behind it.<br/><br/>He was putting forth the effort for her so she was putting forth effort for him and trying to strike a balance between casual for her and casual for him. …It just felt like it was a complicated dance on the edge of a blade as, no matter what she did, it could be seen poorly from either Athan’s perspective or Colt’s and she was trying to avoid as much awkward tension as possible.<br/><br/>Her makeup was kept simple, though her hair had more time spent on it than the outfit and makeup put together. Down. Up. Down. Up. Back and forth, she kept going between multiple styles and trying to figure out what looked the most natural and effortless. In the end, though, wearing it down seemed to look the most right and appropriate. But, she still lingered in front of that mirror as though she wanted to change it all again, not sure if it was actually appropriate or if she was severely under-dressing or over-dressing given her company for the night.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Just relax. He’ll like you no matter what you wear, right? You’re fine,</span>her thoughts reminded her as she let out a breath and nodded to herself, giving<a class="postlink" href="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.mydaily.co.uk/media/2011/06/cheryl-cole-350-big.jpg">herself</a>one final look as she left the room. A small clutch was taken with some essentials, a leather coat was thrown on top to make sure it looked as casual as it was supposed to be, and she was descending to the ground level… only to slow down. As it took them a moment to be aware of her arrival, she caught the end of what appeared to be a stare down. A quiet “shit” slipped out beneath her breath as she walked up, smile on her lips as she greeted them both, the sight of them relaxing easing some of her own tension.<br/><br/>And, while she thanked them both, the offered arm was taken before she could really give the moment time to get awkward, a final look thrown Colt’s way before giving her attention entirely over to Athan. Another “thank you” given to his compliment as she slid into the car, she contented herself with their small talk, happy that whatever issues there’d been prior to her breaking them up were put on back burner in lieu of their time together. Athan was, as he always was, nothing but courteous, gentlemanly, and his taste was still impeccable as she took in the restaurant he’d chosen.<br/><br/>“It’s a wonderful change of pace,” Tempest agreed, stepping into the restaurant and following their host to their grill, settling into her seat with a smile up at Athan. “I think it’s great,” she replied, tone light with excitement. “Can’t say I’ve ever been to a place where they cook in front of ya like this, let alone a Japanese restaurant.” Her eyes scanned the grill in front of her as well as the other occupants in their vicinity before settling back on him. “Where it’s different than you usually enjoy, do you have any recommendations or are we completely wingin’ it?”<br/><br/>Despite herself, her accent was out to a degree. Not completely as lord knew if other people heard the thick cockney, they’d never stop being stared at for all the wrong reasons. But, it was there, some words dropping a few sounds here or there, the speech far less formal since this was, after all, casual. And she was comfortable with it. Since she’d told him, there was no reason to work harder to keep it completely at bay, was there? He didn’t seem too bothered by it and, if this was about spending time together, then they may as well spend time together properly, no façade necessary.<br/><br/>“So, I have to ask…what’s the most casual thing you own that’s not practice clothes?” Her eyes were filled with a sort of humor, their depths sparking with a light gleam. “Was almost worried I’d be overdressed, but I’m glad to know I knew you well enough to account for a button up and slacks.”