He was surprised to find that after he made his presence known, she fell immediately into an easy, endless chatter. He could see by her demeanor and behavior that she was confused, and slightly uneasy around him, but this did not cause her to treat him with anything less than polite respect.<br/><br/>Taking the pack from her, he showed no more strain than if it had been an empty plastic bag from the grocery store. He slung the pack over his shoulder, frequently glancing over at her to watch her in the moonlight. Freed of her burden, he could see her shoulders lift, her posture ease. It had been a strain on her, and he found himself glad to have relieved her. This thought surprised him, as he hardly knew this girl. Why was it he felt so devoted to her already?<br/><br/>Something itched at the back of his mind, a long neglected memory. He pondered the memory, trying to revive it enough to recall it clearly as he continued to listen to her words closely. She was beginning to relax, he could see. He wanted this, as it would be useful to him. He would need eye contact for his thoughts to directly filter into hers, but he could nudge her emotions in the right direction if he put just a bit of effort into it-- which he did. He focused on a sensation of relaxation, then added to it a bit of loneliness and a desire to confide. He wanted her to feel a friendship toward him. He wanted her to trust him and like him. When she began talking again, he suspected his efforts had worked.<br/><br/><blockquote class="uncited"><div>"You were the first person to talk to me since I moved her. Minus that guy on the reservation. He doesn't go to the school right now though. He is homeschooled." She bit her lip. "Making friends in a new place is hard. Especially when everyone is already clicked off with the people they are friends with." She shrugged a bit. "I'll be okay though I do like that you talk to me. Its nice to be noticed for once."</div></blockquote><br/><br/>It seemed she needed little from him to keep talking, but he wanted her to feel as though he'd heard her, and understood. In order to do this, he would have to respond as though he felt the same. It occurred to him that, though the two of them were very different, he did actually share some of the same feelings to which she'd just confessed.<br/><br/>"It is strange that a person who is so completely surrounded by people each and every day could feel so utterly alone, but I admit I feel the same. Its like I live each day unseen and unheard. I am glad that I could offer a bit of friendship, when you seem to need it. This town is small, but not uncomfortably so. You will find friends when they get used to you. They wont all be as strange as I am."<br/><br/>He smiled over at her, hoping she would look over long enough to see it and allow him to catch her eyes, but she didn't. Just then, she turned the corner and led the way down the street to her house. He remained quiet until they arrived, and she pointed out her father's house.<br/><br/><blockquote class="uncited"><div>"He lives a bit away from everyone else. He isn't home right now. Probably won't be home until much later." She looked at him. "You never told me your name." She said. "Can I have your name? As I already said mines Aria." She walked up to the front yard. Walking up to the front steps and turned to look at him again. "Thank you for walking me home."</div></blockquote><br/><br/>Finally, she looked at him. She was home alone, as she'd said. He was ready for it when she turned around to look at him, and gazed up at her with a smoldering look. Slowly and deliberately, he stepped forward until he stood before her. He was taller than she, so standing a step below her placed them eye to eye. He spoke in a low, soothing voice, fixing his gaze on hers.<br/><br/>"Don't thank me.." he purred, "The pleasure was mine. After all, you are kind and honest and radiant. What more could a lowly punk like myself dream of? You know... I've always felt that names were a true telling into a person's soul. Aria is a graceful, powerful name. It serves you well, and shines with true grace through your eyes and posture. You are quite the entrancing woman, you know that? As to my name, it is not nearly as remarkable as yours. My name, whether I want it or not, is Will."<br/><br/>He focused as much as he dared on a feeling of attraction, attempting to channel that feeling directly into her. His aim was to make her feel drawn to him, without pushing hard enough to over-ride her higher reasoning. He wanted her able to act on her own, and yet strongly motivated to be close to him.