<span style="color: #FF0000">Time went by and Colt simmered off to the side like a wounded animal to lick his wounds. More than just his pride was injured in the whole exchange, as he often had no issue when it came to women. No, more often then not, he swooned them and had them before many knew what happened. The low whispered words, a light growl against an ear and they were his. Despite how much he gave off the appearance of being better than Athanase when it came to women, the truth was that they were exactly the same. <br/><br/>He was a predator and he enjoyed the hunt, the stalking and the eventual capture of his prey, which just happened to be women. A true joy was to take them away from their current mates, prove that he was the better and claim them for his own. It never went beyond the one night stand, but he was more than sure that they enjoyed themselves in the process. <br/><br/>Now....Athanase and he were together again. He would never admit to Athanase, but he did stalk him to some degree. Colt was a wolf without a pack and the closest thing they had to an actual friend was a vampire whom he could not stand. Now, he followed the other man, forced himself into his life and formed some kind of a weird bond with him. Somehow in his mind, Athan was a member of his pack and that made the male seek him out. <br/><br/>It was a twisted cycle that might have met its end now that Tempest had entered the picture. She was different and had already changed Athanase in a way that Colt was not sure about. The cold killer was now....not so cold.....how this would play out he was not sure, but he planned to stick around to find out. <br/><br/>The dance went off without a hitch, Athanase, once again, the talk of the town. Tempest a fresh young face that had people clamoring for more from her. As of yet, Colt had not been able to get back into her good graces, but now he had some information that might fix that, or at least be the start to repairing it. <br/><br/>“Hey guys,” he said as he walked onto stage while they were warming up. The sight of Athanase stretching her leg on his shoulder, made his eyebrow twitched slightly though the smile never faltered. “Um, think the two of you would be free tomorrow night for dinner?”</span><br/><br/>Her life had become…chaotic since that performance, everything becoming a bit more of a blur. A good blur, but a blur.<br/><br/>Everything had gone smoothly, perfectly, happening as it was choreographed with no surprises marring the performance. Athanase had managed to find the motivation, appropriate it, and had completely surprised her with how much he’d managed to feel. From where they’d started to when they’d finally managed it…it was like a whole new person had become her partner, in the best possible way. When she committed, she felt it returned tenfold.<br/><br/>And he kept his word; He didn’t drop her.<br/><br/>Not once.<br/><br/>Following the performance, she and he had bonded, at least on a professional level. She trusted him, was willing to continue working with him, allow him to help her with what needed help: her technique. Even if it weren’t a dance in official capacity, there’d been talk of more from her, so his help could only benefit her and the company.<br/><br/>As he was helping her, her leg resting on his shoulder as she pulled herself into him to make sure all the muscles in question were limber…another voice interrupted and she had to keep from rolling her eyes. Since the night he’d rebuffed her simple question about constructive feedback for Athanase, Tempest had been of a mind to tune him out. Why give a bitter asshole more material to work with?<br/><br/>But, like a bad penny, he kept showing up.<br/><br/>Barely glancing in his direction, she continued to stretch out, switching legs and easily lifting her other onto Athan’s shoulder. “And the purpose of this dinner?” Temp asked casually, more focused on Athan and stretching than the douchbag in her general vicinity.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">Athanase merely smiled and pulled Tempest a little closer to him to help her stretch more, “Your form is really improving....” The words were said in a private whisper to her, but he knew that Colt could also hear. <br/><br/>“Um, well,” the words lost to him for a second. “I just wanted to have a dinner with you guys to you know get to know each other better on a professional level,” he explained with a smile.</span><br/><br/>She met Athan’s eyes then, a hint of a grin on her lips though nothing was said in response. Instead, she held the pose and looked over at Colt with a perked brow, head tilting just a touch. “On a professional level…” Temp repeated, the dark hues remaining on his smile, gauging it. “Athanase has more than aptly hit the mark we needed for that dance…What’s keeping you in town?”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">Athanase snickered but did not say anything, instead he merely looked to Colt with a grin. <br/><br/>“Well,” again the whole buddy buddy attitude that Tempest and Athan shared off put him for some reason. “That is part of the reason for the dinner. I promise to be on my best behavior, I am just looking to make amends for what happened before,” his voice apologetic and sincere.</span><br/><br/>The thought of spending time with him left much to be desired, but she couldn’t really think of a reason not to go. And, where she’d given Athan the benefit of the doubt (even if she’d been proven right initially), she couldn’t justify not giving him another chance. Her eyes softened as she nodded. “Where did you have in mind?”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> “There is a restaurant that I know, has really good food and is kind of fancy,”he said. “So, we would have to dress up and such, but it will be my treat,” he smiled and looked between the pair. <br/><br/>Athanase let out a soft sigh, “I would not be opposed to a dinner. What time would we meet?”</span><br/><br/>Fancy meant dressing up. Dressing up meant having to find something appropriate, something that looked expensive so as not to look like the prostitute being dragged to a well to-do establishment in her Wal*Mart-bought cotton dress. The only saving grace was that he’d be paying; What money she’d made thus far was being put toward getting a better place, in a better neighborhood.<br/><br/>“Where is it?” she asked again, this time wanting to know where to meet him at, as Athan had asked him the when.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> “If we met here, we could ride over together. Make it easier that way and well nicer,” he smiled. <br/><br/>There was something about how Colt carried himself and the general feel that he got from him. The man was up to something, but just what, Athan was not sure. “Plan on driving us all over there? Did not realized you had gotten yourself a car and such?” He eased Tempest's leg down from his shoulder, his arm about her waist in a casual manner, while they continued to talk to him. <br/><br/>“Actually, no, but I have arranged transportation. So, if the two of you can be here at 9? Then we could just head over and enjoy our evening,” yet another smile as he waited for the two of them to answer. <br/><br/>“Alright. I will be here at 9,” Athan replied simply.</span><br/><br/>As her leg was lowered, she shifted accordingly, registering the arm about her waist but thinking nothing of it; After being so intimate on stage for their performance and every rehearsal leading up toward it, an arm on her waist was nothing.<br/><br/>And, a ride meant that, if things turned south like they had with Athanase, she’d have to walk home. Again. The idea didn’t appeal to her, but she’d humor him for the time being. “I’ll be here at nine, then,” Tempest echoed with a light nod. “I have to ask, as some places have…a dress code of sorts: Anything in particular that I should wear? Or, just a dress will do?”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> “A dress will be fine. Besides, I trust your taste,” he said this and the last word had an extra tone attached to it that one could assume was playful or teasing. Then his gaze shifted to Athanase and he smirked, “I take it you will be wearing one of your many suits?” <br/><br/>The smirk was returned, “You know me so well, Colt. Though I figure that is appropriate because of the upscale nature that you described.” <br/><br/>“True,” Colt simply said and then turned to leave. “See you both at 9,” he stated and exited. <br/><br/>With him gone Athan suggested the pick up where they left off with the training dances they had done yesterday. Fun stuff that was there to just show her some techniques and get him to loosen up a bit.</span><br/><br/>The rest of the rehearsal had been fine, working on keeping her lines long, elegant, but still holding the flow they’d possessed prior. After that, it was a matter of going home and starting the long process of finding something to wear.<br/><br/>Most of what she owned wasn’t up to par for a fancy restaurant. It wasn’t as though she went out often enough to warrant it. There was the occasional trip out with her family, yearly, if that. Then, there was the once-in-a-blue-moon dates where they’d try to impress her with some “fancy” restaurant; More often than not that restaurant turned out to be Applebee’s or some cheaper Olive Garden wannabe. Nothing that warranted going out and buying a dress that would look appropriate among blue bloods and the rich and famous.<br/><br/>And, where she’d already gone to a well to-do establishment with Athanase, she couldn’t very well wear the same dress over again…so this meant she had to run to the store and find something else.<br/><br/>It’d taken a while, mostly because she wasn’t sure if Colt would pull what Athan did and make her dance despite it being a “professional dinner” outing. So, to be on the safe side, she ended up choosing a black dress, form fitting with an asymmetrical hemline and a slight slit to afford her more movement. Makeup was done similarly to how she had the night she went out with Athanase, a shadow about her eyes and a nude lip, she worked at taming her hair. Loose curls ended up being what she went with, not liking how it looked up, and she called it good, starting the walk over shortly before nine so as to arrive on time.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">Colt was optimistic and hopeful that this would be the evening where he would regain what small bit of report that he and Tempest once had. Showered, shaved and dressed the got into the limo and headed off to pick up Athanase and Tempest. <br/><br/>Tonight was a night of possibilities.  <br/><br/>Skepticism and doubt ran rampant in Athanase's mind, though he was not sure if Colt was on the complete up and up with them. There was just something about him that had Athan tense and untrusting. However, Tempest would be there and Athan was more focus on her and maintain their current relationship with one another. Even if at times he was frustrated about her lack of training, there was a natural skill that she possessed and she had improved the more he worked with her. Honestly, he felt himself more interested in dance again. If to only see how much she improved and how well they danced together. <br/><br/>It was this and other thoughts that he tried to focus on instead as he showered and dressed for the night. On time he arrived, a cab dropped him off a bit early so he was there when Tempest walked up, “You look lovely....” he replied honestly.</span><br/><br/>Her steps were slow, leisurely, as she’d given herself plenty of time to get there. Heels clicking on the sidewalk and heart unable to decide whether it wanted to speed up with her slight nerves…or whether it wanted to stay normal with the part that wasn’t nervous at all, she thought over how the night could turn out. Every possible outcome.<br/><br/>There was a part of her that wondered if Athan and Colt could get along, if it’d be just an argument waiting to happen, until it exploded all over the poor unsuspecting establishment, with her melting into the background and out the door. If it’d be some weird, parallel universe in which they’d somehow put aside differences and petty rivalries and get along.<br/><br/>Then came the other outcome she thought would be mildly amusing until it got out of hand: the pissing contest. That one she wanted to see, to some degree, if only to get some “dirt” to get Athan to focus later should their friendship, their bond, start to grow lax in the wake of him slipping back into his old complacency.<br/><br/>Movement caught her eye, and had her glancing up to see Athanase already there and giving her a chance to…assess.<br/><br/>Despite their constant close proximity, she’d not really looked at him for a while. Perhaps due to their lackluster first meeting, followed by the second, she’d pushed his physical appearance out of mind for the most part, thinking of him more as just a partner. But, in the moon’s light and the way it caught his eyes, she felt her heart trip a single time. The blue depths were startling, lighter but deeper at the same time, the grey of his suit and the way the light hit them making them far more intense than they’d looked before. And the way the suit held his frame, the muscles she often overlooked while focusing on moves were still plainly visible, obviously due to impeccable tailoring.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Not bad…</span>came an unbidden thought. Careful to keep her face the same, save for a smile gracing her lips as she walked up, her head declined in a nod of greeting, cheeks flushing a hair more at the genuine compliment. “You’re not so bad yourself, Athan…” Temp replied before finally breaking eye contact and glancing down the street. “So…any idea where he’s taking us to?”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">The elevated heartrate and the light flush in her cheeks was not lost on him, though he played it smart and did not comment on it. Instead he just kept the smile, “Perhaps, though I am having a hard time thinking of a place that is both fancy but suits his general needs for a certain kind of atmosphere.” At that a light chuckle he gave and just focused back on her. <br/><br/>“So, have you given some thought to another dance with me? I have some ideas, if you are interested?”</span><br/><br/>The idea had crossed her mind now that the performance was over with. Why she’d continued to go back to the studio when their one off was done, she wasn’t really sure. Maybe it was in the hopes of having another opportunity? She’d gotten a taste of what Athan had been living with and didn’t want to lose it, but didn’t want to force her way into something, either.<br/><br/>Yet…with him thinking about it, she couldn’t deny the idea had appeal. They’d built a bond she could trust in, and were mutually beneficial to the other in terms of learning and growing within their art. What wasn’t to be interested in? “I’ve considered it, but hadn’t given too much thought to it,” she answered. “I thought that, with your career no longer in jeopardy, that you’d move on to bigger and better things.” And it was the truth. He’d been so angry with the notion initially, she didn’t think he’d consider doing another partnered dance unless he had to, so it was nice that he’d approached her with it of his own volition.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> “True,” he started but shrugged with a smirk. “But, what can I say? I kind of enjoy your company,” he said with a genuine smile. “There is a connection and I have to admit that it is more fun to dance with someone than it is to dance alone,” another shrug was given, though before more could be said a limo pulled up and Colt got out. <br/><br/>“Right on time,” he said as he buttoned up his jacket. “You look amazing,” he said to Tempest as he took her hand to kiss the back of it. <br/><br/>“Athan, you look put together as always,” Colt said when he focused on him.<br/><br/>“Thank you for noticing,” is all Athan said before he nodded at the limo. “Going all out for us, huh?”<br/><br/>“Well, I figured that my two friends deserved the very best,” he smiled and offered Tempest his arm, while he nodded to the limo. <br/><br/>Athanase sighed but approached the limo, he thought to wait for Tempest to enter first, but it was obvious that Colt wanted to assist her into the limo. That being the case he slipped into the vehicle and waited for the others. <br/><br/>“After you?” Colt said with a smile and a slight bow to Tempest.</span><br/><br/>His smile, warm and genuine, was met with one of her own, growing broader, even if a bit shyer. Her lips had parted to reply, to say she enjoyed dancing with him, the connection and how he made her want to be a better dancer, but another sound cut her off, her attention diverting to the limo that pulled up.<br/><br/>Eyes widening a touch at the display, the limo and then Colt himself dressing much like Athan had, in a three-piece suit that lent itself to display the muscles the fabrics covered. Without meaning to, she gave him the once over, heart tripping as it had moments before, her gaze following his movements has he took her hand, his lips burning into the back of it. Even after the kiss had ended and the talk had started back up, her hand continued to burn like he was still there, her gaze finally making its way back to his green eyes, the light making them, too, more intense than she’d noticed prior, though in a different way than Athanase’s.<br/><br/>Then, her hand was in his arm and he led her to the limo, Athan having disappeared inside before she could scoot in. Lowering as dantily as she could to keep anything from being exposed like so many unfortunate girls who lacked the ability to keep their legs closed, she slid into the limo, taking up the seat beside Athan. A glance over at him with a smile was given before her hands clasped lightly in her lap, ankles crossed, the nerves starting to pick up as her mind decided then to play all the scenarios that could happen getting<span style="font-style: italic">out</span>of the limo…including one where she ate shit.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">The drive to the restaurant was a silent one, at least to start, it was Colt who broke it first when he brought up again how happy he was that the two of them agreed to this. For some reason that only unnerved Athan even more. This felt like a set up but he was not sure even how, all he knew was that he would maintain his composure until the end. Colt might be an annoying bastard, but Athan would prove to be the better man. <br/><br/>When they arrived, the drive opened the door for Colt, who was quick to offer his hand in to Tempest so that he could assist her out. Athan was left to his own devices and so exited on his side of the limo. A slight jab to his pride, but Athan just squared his shoulder and joined the pair. Much to his pleasure, Tempest had not yet taken Colt's offered arm, which allowed Athan to offer his own as well.</span><br/><br/>Tempest was grateful for the silent ride, while simultaneously cursing it. It was too quiet and left her to imagine everything she could fuck up with this evening, while also giving her time to think of what she could gain from this dinner: a friend, a colleague. She smiled and nodded at Colt’s words, though she didn’t vocally add anything to it, working on getting her bearings more than anything else.<br/><br/>When they arrived, her heart had worked its way to a faster beat from the nerves, though she remained outwardly cool. And, to her relief, she didn’t trip or reveal anything when exiting the limo. Instead…she was met with a choice, one she hadn’t anticipated. Two arms were offered her, the deep brown hues bouncing back and forth between them as she tried to figure out who’s to take…resolving it by taking both and choosing to walk in the middle of the pair.<br/><br/>Seemed easiest at the time.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">Both men had to admit that Tempest played the game well, when it came to the two of them. Arm in arm, they walked together into the restaurant and it was not hard to see the heads turned when they entered either.  The host was quick to attend to them, all smiles and friendly gestures as he hoped to make a good impression on them. <br/><br/>“Good evening,” his attention directed to Tempest who seemed to be the one in charge for the evening. “I hope the madam had a pleasant trip to our establishment?” question sincere and friendly, while he gathered their menus. “Does your party have a reservation?” <br/><br/>Athanase and Colt, shared a look with one another, but neither was quick to say anything about the arrangement. Interested to see how Tempest handled the situation. As it was, they did not mind being her arm candy.</span><br/><br/>Heads turned, some mouths left hanging open at the display. A smaller woman in the middle of two admittedly good-looking men? If she weren’t the mistress, she was the funding for the trip out. That earned some surprised looks, some knowing looks, and a few angry looks from the women who saw them…and then the looks on their company’s faces.<br/><br/>Unable to dwell on it, she felt her attention pulled to the host, a smile gracing her features as her head declined in a nod of greeting. “The trip was pleasant, indeed,” Tempest replied, tone low, gracious with a touch of the jovial. And, if he thought her in charge…who was she to correct him? “We’re supposed to have a reservation, yes, though I left it to this one over here…” Her eyes trailed over to Colt with a perked brow. “I'm hoping he got it right…Otherwise, we’ve come here for nothing…” This time her head turned to Athan, a playful gleam there for a second before vanishing. “And we wouldn’t want that…Wasting precious time and all.”<br/><br/>With a gesture toward the host, her eyes then found Colt again. “If you please…?”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">Colt gave a slight bow of his head to Tempest, “The reservation should be under Pierce...” <br/><br/>The host checked the logs, Athan returned the playful look to Tempest before he leaned down and whispered into her ear. “This is a good look on you,” then leaned back and winked. <br/><br/>Colt rolled his eyes, though he was careful to make sure that Tempest did not see, which did not matter the Host found their reservation and nodded for them to follow. “Of course, Pierce party of three. Right this way, please,” he lead them over to a semi secluded table that gave them an overlook of the whole restaurant. He was quick to pull out her chair, but Athan waved him off and did it himself. Once everyone was seated he handed out the menus.<br/><br/>“Can I start you off with a bottle of wine, or champagne?” he asked.<br/><br/>Colt and Athan both looked to Tempest, a slight smirk on their lips while they waited for her to make the choice for the evening.</span><br/><br/>Tempest felt…oddly empowered, watching Colt obey as she’d asked , watching the host fairly trip over himself to make sure she was taken care of.<span style="font-style: italic">So this must be what the rich and famous feel like when they go out…</span>she idly mused, her head turning in a touch more toward the whisper at her ear, having to work hard to keep her cheeks from flushing. Instead, she merely returned the wink and then glanced back at Colt to gauge his reaction to it all, before following the host to their table.<br/><br/>An inward smile was spared as Athan pulled out her chair and got her sorted at the table, though she remained outwardly the same: calm, cool and collected, like this was the norm. “How about your finest champagne?” she asked cordially, glancing between the pair. “That’s alright with you both, right?” Of course, the question wasn’t really a question…more of a statement with a slight upturned tone.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">Neither Athan or Colt objected to her decision and the host was quick to disappear. Once he was gone, Athan and Colt broke out into a soft chuckle, “You really do know how to order people around, huh?” Colt said as he looked at her. <br/><br/>Athan smiled, “I think she wears the hat of authority very well, don't you?” <br/><br/>“Yes she does indeed,” Colt grinned. “This evening is far more entertaining than I thought that it would be.” <br/><br/>Their drink was brought by their waiter along with the complimentary bread, “Would you like to hear the specials?” <br/><br/>“I know what I will probably get,” Colt said with a wave of his hand and the waiter looked to the other two for their answers. <br/><br/>“I am good as well, though madam may wish to hear the specials,” Athan answered as he indicated Tempest. <br/><br/>“Madam, would you like to hear the specials?”</span><br/><br/>“I’ve had practice keeping some egos in check…” Temp replied to their comments with an innocent sort of look, the look melting away back to her previous demeanor when the host returned. She’d not once looked at the menu, nor paid attention to anything, menu-wise since entering the establishment. And, where they already knew what they were having, she felt a little behind.<br/><br/>“If the specials correlate with your recommendations, then I’d love to hear them,” she answered, eyes leaving the boys to make the appropriate eye contact. “If not…I’m far more interest to hear what you all would suggest I get.” Her eyes then glanced about the table before going back to the host. “Where it’s my first time, I’d like to try the best you have to offer.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> “We have a marinated chicken and risotto,” the waiter began. “Then we have a rosemary roasted Cornish hen, with roasted vegetables. A smoked salmon herb rice and a beef wellington with mashed potatoes,” he went to get the champagne bottle and Colt beat him to it. <br/><br/>“I am getting the Cornish Hen,” Athan volunteered to Tempest. <br/><br/>“While, I am getting the beef wellington,” Colt replied while he worked on the foil and wire. <br/><br/>“What would you like Madam?” the waiter asked.</span><br/><br/>Her eyes dropped to Colt and his movements, not understanding what he was up to until she caught sight of the bottle. Though her attention remained on it, on his hands working to open it, she didn’t forget she had yet another decision to make. “I’ll have the salmon,” she finally chose. “Besides, if I feel adventurous, you boys wouldn’t mind me stealing a taste, right?”<br/><br/>Handing back her menu and watching the waiter walk away, she inclined her head toward Colt, brow lifting in curiosity. “Why didn’t you let him handle that?”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> “Would the madam have preferred that?” he asked with a grin, then popped the cork, which Athanase caught with a slight shaking of his head. Colt just continued to smile while he poured each of them a glass. <br/><br/>“I have to say,” Athan began while he exchanged the cork in his hand for the glass instead. “Tonight is fun,” he said and held his glass for a toast. “How about a toast? To Tempest, our Mistress for the night and the person who knocked us from our high horses!” <br/><br/>“To Tempest!” Colt chimed in.</span><br/><br/>“She may have…” she said with a laugh, only to fall silent as Athan caught the cork. Temp had almost missed it, eyes widening at the reflexes he apparently possessed, blinking in shock, staring at his hand for a moment longer until the toast started.<br/><br/>A slight blush pulled at her cheeks, raising her own glass, though she just rolled her eyes and laughed at their words, sipping off of it to afford herself more time to think. “So, you’ve got us here, currently being wined, the ‘dining’ portion coming shortly…what should we do in the interim?” Her tone was playful, coy, eyes filled with a curious mirth as she regarded the two over the top of her glass.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">Athan arched a brow but said nothing as he sipped his glass. Colt nodded and ran his finger along the rim of his glass for a moment before he commented. <br/><br/>“How about we play a game?” he proposed. “20 questions, each between the three of us that we get the ask. The idea being to get to know one another better,” he stated simply. <br/><br/>“Come on now, Colt. I am sure that you know everything there is to know about me,” Athanase stated with a slight shrug. “Though, I suppose this could be fun and be a good chance for all of us to get to know one another, right?” he looked to Tempest at that point. “I'm game if you are?” words spoken with a slightly challenging tone.</span><br/><br/>The silence was nearly deafening, the pause after she’d asked the question, watching his finger rim the glass before he finally broke through the white noise clinking of silverware to glass. “20 Questions” was generally a fun game, though she felt at a disadvantage. They knew each other fairly well from what she’d gathered, so they’d likely not want to answer questions over and over again that they both knew about the other. Then again…this could be the easy way to figure out how they both ticked, inner motivations and all.<br/><br/>“Of course I’m game,” she replied back confidently, never backing down from a challenge. “I’m surprised you are, with that ‘mysterious’ thing you’ve got going.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> “Me? Mysterious?” Athanase gave an over exaggerated gasp. “I have no idea what you mean,” then took a sip of his drink with a wink at Colt. <br/><br/>“Alright,” Colt said as he sat up and looked to Tempest. “As you are the one here, who will likely ask all of the good questions,” another shared look with Athanase before he looked back to her. “You can go first, so which one of us do you want to ask first?” <br/><br/>Both men had a lot to hide from Tempest. Their true natures and what they were, things of which could get them both killed. If it was just some other woman that they picked up from the streets, some common slut, they could dazzle and wow with nothing but a look. Tempest, on the other hand was intelligent and inquisitive in a way that could get the both of them in a lot of trouble. <br/><br/>There was no sense in playing it all safe though, right?</span><br/><br/>“Question number one…”<br/><br/>Tempest thought long and hard about what she wanted to ask, and of whom she wanted to ask it, eyes flitting between the two while her mind continued to think it over. On the one hand, there was a lot she wanted to know about Athan, given she’d hardly known anything about him and had known him for long enough to justify knowing more than a name and dance style. But then Colt…she knew nothing about.<br/><br/>“…For Colt…”<br/><br/>Her eyes looked at him, their dark depths alight with the burning need to know. “Why are you really taking us out?” she asked, head tilting to the side a bit more. “You don’t strike me as the sort to do things just to do them, no offense intended. And you seem to like having control, but have relinquished it for the most part…Suppose I’m curious as to your ulterior reasons.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">Colt smirked and set the glass that he had just brought to his lips down, “That is something I am saving for after dessert, so you can have another question if you would like to me?”</span><br/><br/>She rolled her eyes, but conceded that for now. Taking another sip off of her drink, she looked between the two. “Rephrasing…for the both of you.” Another pause as she mulled over the wording. “What really happened between you two that caused the riff?”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">The question made both men look at one another for a moment, as if to see just who would answer it first. Finally, it was Athanase who spoke up. <br/><br/>“What usually causes men to fight?” he said with a slight smile and a shrug. “Egos and pride....”<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic"> The smoke was heavy in the air and he was out on his own for the first time in ages. His sire, the bitch was so controlling that he often wondered if he were nothing but a plaything to her. How she dressed him and fawned over him....how she “taught” him. Athanase was more than pleased to be on his own finally, as she had been called away to some business that she wished to not share with him. Which was fine, as that meant he had time to himself and he intended to use it to the fullest. <br/><br/>Perhaps, this is why he found himself across the seas and in the “New World” and in a war that gave him the chance to use his new gifts to the fullest.<br/><br/>“Captain Durant, why do we always attack at night?” one of the men asked nervously. <br/><br/>“Because, it is more fun this way,” he laughed and ordered the charge. Chaos ensued and Athanase waded into the battle. Men were snatched from their horses as their bullets did little but annoy him than anything else. It looked like they would have an easy victory once again, when a piercing howl cut through the cries of battle. <br/><br/>“What was that?” one of his men thought to ask him, as the fight started up again. <br/><br/>“I do not know, but be careful. Understood?”<br/><br/>“Yes, sir.” <br/><br/>What happened next, even to this day Athan is not sure, but he remembers it was on this day that he and Colt met. Teeth, claws and fur charged him and slammed into him, which carried him from the battle and into the woods. Somehow he managed to get a grip on the beast's fur and tossed him into a tree. Instantly he was on the creature, hand about it's throat as he sought rip out it's throat. </span><br/><br/>“Yes, someone thought himself a God and I had to remind him that he could still be knocked down a peg or two,” Colt chimed in with a knowing smile. <br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic"> Then a claw raked him across the face and another stabbed him in the chest. It was by sheer luck and his reflexes that Athanase pulled away in time. <br/><br/>“What are you?” he snarled at the beast while he held his wounded side. <br/><br/>“I am a werewolf and....” the beast paused and cocked its head to the side, “You are not human....what are you?” <br/><br/>“Never seen a vampire?” the question given as if he were offended to be unknown. <br/><br/>“No. However, I do know that you stink and are making the fight unfair. I don't like that, so I came here to even the odds.”<br/><br/>“You are just a mangy mutt with fleas, I don't think you can stop me from doing anything.” <br/>“The claw marks and gaping hole in your side say otherwise,” he laughed and rushed Athanase again. <br/><br/>On and on it went, with insults and attacks alike being thrown at one another. As it drew to a stand still, Athanase noted the time and ended the fight with a quick knee to the stomach followed by a knee to the face. “Until next time, I plan on using your hide as a rug for my home,” and with that he was gone. <br/><br/>Colt stood along as the run rose, his wounds many and burning, though he had never felt more alive and in tune to what he was before. They clashed again several times after that, neither stronger than the other, each fight ended in a draw, usually by Athanase who had to leave before the sun rose. Soon the fights turned to just social war and conquest, with Colt striving to match Athanase in popularity wherever he went.</span><br/><br/>“I tried to avoid the bastard, believe me I have, but he just always seems to be able to find me,” Athanase said with a shrug and drink from his glass.</span><br/><br/>The answer was…anticlimactic. Egos and pride? She’d seen enough of that as it stood without needing to waste a question on it. Even Colt’s lackluster remark had her fighting an eye roll, as she sipped off of her champagne and tried to think of what she really wanted to know next.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">I’ve reminded him of his own ego and its ability to crumble…as well as yours….</span>she thought at Colt.<span style="font-style: italic">Not sure it’s necessarily something that should have lasted as long as it has unless you’re a glutton for punishment, where Athan’s the known name and you’re the nobody they brought in to help him…</span><br/><br/>“Colt, how long have you been dancing?” she asked next, turning her attention more fully to him. Another time, she’d pick at their fight; This wasn’t the most opportune moment for it.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> “Hmm....I would say, about ten years less than when Athan started to dance,” he said with a thoughtful look. “I should say, ten years after he had started to be famous. Give or take a year or two,” another sip. “So, a very long time,” at that both he and Athan chuckled to some inside joke between them. <br/><br/>“Ok, my turn,” Colt said as he sat up more. “Tempest, where have you always wished to go? Like in the world, with traveling and such?”</span><br/><br/>Her eyes narrowed a touch while looking between the two. There was something they weren’t saying, an inside joke shared between the two that she wanted in on, but thought better of pressing. It wasn’t as though this would be the last chance she’d get to ask questions if things worked out.<br/><br/>When the question turned to her, she had no hesitation in her answer. Part of why she’d accepted the job was to save up money for her traveling, wanting to see the world while she could; Something her parents had never been able to do. “Bali or Bangladesh,” Tempest answered with a light shrug and a smile. “Those two are the top of my list right now, along with Sao Paolo, Brazil and India.<br/><br/>“Now, Athan…” Her smile turned curious once more. “What’s one thing you wish you could go back and do over again?”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">Both men thought about being able to assist her in that endeavor. Then the question was to Athanase and his smile faltered for a moment as he thought back on his life. <br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic"> “Your talent will be wasted and you will never have earned the true praise and acclimation of your peers that you deserve. I can make you better, stronger and everything that you ever dreamed....” her voice soft, her words seductive. <br/><br/>“What do I have to do?” <br/><br/>“All you have to do....is die....” </span><br/><br/>“I would have not lost my soul to a woman with empty dreams and promises, some time ago...” he said with a sad smile that did not quite reach his eyes. “Same question to you, Tempest?” quick to divert the attention away from himself.</span><br/><br/>There it was. When she’d asked him about motivation some time ago, and whether or not he’d been hurt by a woman, or loved one too completely, he’d not answered it, but found something to use regardless. Now that it was out, the sad smile was met with a look of empathy, even if only seen through the eyes, the rest of her face remaining placid until her eyes dropped to focus on the slow-rising bubbles in her glass.<br/><br/>But, the moment was then gone, the question thrown back to her and she was at a loss. It wasn’t as though she’d really lived yet to regret anything, any of her decisions and wish to go back and change them. Her brow furrowed in thought, finger rimming the lip of her flute subconsciously. “I’m not sure…” Temp started to answer, eyes not really focused on anything specific while she mulled it over. “There are little things, of course, like the time I broke the glass table in my family’s old apartment that started an argument between my father and mother; That was something I would go back and avoid if I could…But I’ve not yet lived enough to say that there’s anything I’d really want to change. Each decision got me here, including my decision to leave college and pursue this, much to my father’s initial dismay… Can’t say I really regret anything, though I’m sure if you ask me this question in a few years, I’ll change my tune. Only time will tell.”<br/><br/>Another shrug, and her finger stopped its movement, only to pick up her drink and sip off of it, eyes leaving their unfocused state and looking back at Colt. “Same question.”<br/><br/>“I wish that I had bonded more with my family, before I struck out on my own,” Colt replied easily. “I left when I was rather young and never stayed around long enough to learn anything from them or to really get to know my roots. If I could go back and change that I would, it would have spared me a lot of pain from my own stupidity,” he said with a drink from his glass.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic"> He was cold and hungry. Scared out of his mind and not sure what he was or what to do now, he had run away in the night to get away from them. His family, who had told him to drink, told him it would make him strong and now look at him... With a growl he ducked into a barn, to try and get out of the weather in a vain effort to get warm once again. The animals did not want that though and began to freak out, which called the attention of the farmer and his rifle. Panicking and not sure of what to do he attacked the poor man, who managed to get just one shot off. It hurt, but did not kill him. The only thing that seemed to hurt him was the cross he went to loot from the now dead man. It burned to the touch and nearly left a scar there on his hand.</span><br/><br/>“If you could be anyone in the world for a day, who would you be?” he asked Tempest.[/color]<br/><br/>Family was important, and she couldn’t imagine how it’d be to not have that connection, that bond. It was the only thing that got her through most days, or did when they were alive. Now, it was the memories of times past, and the relationship she’d had with them that she clung to on the darker days, the harder days, that reminded her of the reason she did what she did. Though, when the next question was asked, she couldn’t deny she was happy to think about something else.<br/><br/>“Either Sylvie Guillem or Martha Graham,” came yet another answer without hesitation. “Both have contributed to the dance world in mind-blowing ways, and to be in their shoes for even just a few hours would be incredible, let alone an entire day.”<br/><br/>Her glass now empty, she replaced it on the table and regarded the pair over the table, debating her next question. “For the both of you…What would it take to put your egos aside and connect on a level that wasn’t forced or to humor the other? What would it take to end the rivalry?”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">The million dollar question of this evening and several evenings in the past. Another look was shared and again it was Athanase who spoke first, “I have tried to just get away from him. As a means to end it, but he just continues to find me. Honestly, I would not care if it was just to “visit”, but he shows up only to disrupt my life and nothing more.” <br/><br/>Colt laughed, one of those loud and hardy laughs that drew attention from more than one patron. “Seriously? You think yourself that important to accuse me of stalking you?” <br/><br/>“Then why do you always end up where I am?” Athan shot back. <br/><br/>“Why do you think that it is you that I am following?” <br/><br/>“Then who are you following?” <br/><br/>“None of your business.” <br/><br/>At that Colt was silenced and merely went about refilling glasses. “What is your ideal mate, Tempest?” Colt suddenly asked her. <br/><br/>There was enough tension at the table to cut with a knife, so Colt sought to diffuse to some degree and redirect the questions back to Tempest.</span><br/><br/>The minute she asked the question, she regretted it. Neither could seem to put anything aside, be the bigger man, which she thought at least one of them could do if only to show up the other. But no. Instead, it became an argument of why there was an issue at all, why one couldn’t leave the other alone, and why they thought themselves important and worth the stalking.<br/><br/>Nonchalantly (if only for something to do), she took the champagne bottle for herself and poured more into her glass, instantly bringing it to her lips and drinking deeply.<span style="font-style: italic">So much for that,</span>came a wry thought.<br/><br/>…And then it was suddenly turned back on her, the question causing her to choke as her eyes widened in shock. Glass hastily returned to the table, she took a moment to gather herself, only to frown, head tilting a bit. “…Out of all the words you could have used, you chose ‘mate’? Makes it sound like I’m an animal in need of reproducing to keep the species alive,” Tempest replied to that, though she didn’t say anything more than that, eyes looking at him with a sort of confusion.<span style="font-style: italic">Mate…really? What sort of question is that…?</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> “I'm sorry, to me a mate is more along the lines of a soul mate,” Colt explained. “That one person who completes you in every way, a partner that you can rely upon no matter what for everything. A person,” his eyes now on her own, “ that when you hold them close and you feel their heart beating you notice that your own beats at the same speed. In those moments there is no other place you would rather be and you would give anything to keep them and those moments, forever.”</span><br/><br/>Her eyes, once wide and confused, softened while listening to his explanation. It was a romantic notion, the way he spoke of a soulmate, and the moments shared between them. All it managed to do, though, was show her how focused she’d been elsewhere, not having considered what she really looked for.<br/><br/>“Well, I don’t know what my ideal would be, then…” she answered after a pause, a small embarrassed laugh accompanying her words. “I never really thought about it.” There was a shrug, though she kept thinking about it. “I don’t know…someone who can make me laugh? Someone who doesn’t mind my hang ups and quirks? Guess that’s pretty general, but I think I’m more of the impression that, when I meet the ideal, I’ll just…know. It won’t be a forced thing, but organic. It won’t be gravity holding me to the earth anymore, but that person, as corny as that sounds.” Yet another shrug followed by a sip of her drink. “What about you two?”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">This was a question that gave both men pause, eyes left her own to find another item to focus on. For Athan it was his knife, blue eyes intense as they counted the ridges of the blade and his mind thought over her question. <br/><br/>“Laughter,” he finally started. “I do like someone who can make me laugh or smile,” his eyes rose from the knife to find her own. “Someone who does not mind letting me lead, but at the same time can lead if need be. A person who would not try to change me to suit them, but embrace me for who I am and perhaps make me a better...me.” His gaze stayed on her own for the beating of several hearts, before he finally looked away. <br/><br/>Colt's own gaze had been on his glass, forest eyes intent on the counting of the bubbles that floated in his glass. “Same for me, though I also like someone who can knock me down a peg or two when I get a bit too high on my horse,” he chuckled. <br/><br/>“Flowers or candy?” Colt then asked Tempest with a playful smile.</span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">At least I’m not the only one that has a hard time choosing…</span>she thought as silence descended again on their table, her eyes glancing out over the rest of the restaurant.<br/><br/>But when they finally answered…it silenced any smartass remark she’d have made, thinking they’d say something cliché to humor her. Instead…she got deeper answers, Athanase’s eyes boring into hers, hardly able to breathe while he spoke. Colt parroted it, only adding the need to be knocked down, but Athan’s had felt…sincere, more real.<br/><br/>The moment passed, the question back to her, met with a shrug as her eyes dropped to her fork. “Flowers; I’ve always had a soft spot for them.” What did one follow that up with, though? The questions she’d wanted to know had either been dangerous territory, or deeper. Anything she could have asked should have been asked before this side of things had been breached.<br/><br/>“...Boxers or briefs?”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> “Neither,” both men said at the same time and laughed. <br/><br/>“In all seriousness, boxers.” Athan volunteered first. “If I have to wear something I tend to go for those more than anything else.” <br/><br/>“Boxer-briefs myself,” Colt volunteered. “I like to have a bit of support for my....package,” he winked at her. <br/><br/>“Thong or panties?” Athan asked Tempest with a grin.<br/><br/>The dinner had it's up moments and it's down moments, but it was going on better than either of them thought. Both were on their best behavior, because they wanted to impress Tempest, to keep her happy with them. So far, so good. If they could make it through this meal without trying to kill one another they would both be pleasantly surprised.</span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Athan’s a boxer guy…wouldn’t’ve guessed that…</span>came a wry thought, only to focus in on Colt’s reply, suddenly lamenting the table between them; Only so she could have nonchalantly cast a glance to see if he were overcompensating or not. The wink was met with an eye roll, a light laugh beneath her breath as she sipped from her champagne.<br/><br/>“Thong or panties, hmm?” she repeated. “Depends on the day, really. Thong with dresses. Panties with some pants, depending on cut…and nothing with those little dance shorts I wear while performing…” The last was added casually, as though it were common knowledge, again sipping from her glass and regarding the pair over its lip.<br/><br/>But, she had to admit, despite the one hiccup, the dinner was going well. The questions were affording her a good look at the pair, even if some of the questions were of the shallow variety. All things considered, though, she was pleasantly surprised that it<span style="font-style: italic">was</span>going so well. “When you first meet a woman…what’s the first thing you notice?”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">“Her eyes,”Athan was quick to reply as his own found hers once more. “You can tell so much by someone's eyes,” he smiled and held her gaze. <br/><br/>“Her scent,” Colt replied and then to quickly try and negate how it was possibly creepy sounding. “The slight hint of perfume, the fresh scent of freshly washed skin and every woman has her own unique scent which makes her stand out among all the others.” <br/><br/>Before another question could be asked, the music changed and Athan stood in one fluid motion. “Tempest, would you care to dance?” he asked. His jacket removed and his hand held out for her to take.</span><br/><br/>His eyes were definitely erring on the side of intense tonight, as they reconnected with hers, as he spoke of what could be seen there. It had her wondering what he’d noticed, if he’d noticed, anything in her eyes despite their first meeting.<br/><br/>Colt’s answer was heard, and recognized, knowing how much she appreciated a man smelling good, but her eyes were content where they were at that moment. She wasn’t sure she could have looked away right then even if she’d wanted to. They were just so…blue…so deep… Her gaze remained there, until he moved, snapping momentarily out of it, only to feel his eyes back on her, feel his presence all the closer than it was before.<br/><br/>Did she want to dance? Vaguely the memory of the last time they’d danced out of the studio, he’d dropped her in the middle of the dance floor. But, he hadn't dropped her since...so she couldn’t say no. The idea of dancing with him, outside a setting where they had to…appealed to her a bit more tonight, if only so she could properly gauge him in a way she hadn’t prior. Nodding slowly, her hand slipped into his as she rose out of her chair. One dance couldn’t hurt, and everything had been going so smoothly thus far, it’d be rude not to accept, right?<br/><br/>Or so she told herself to justify leaving Colt there for the moment.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">Athanase smiled and kissed the back of her hand, before he led her onto the dance floor. This was not a place that knew of him or what he could do, which for once did not influence him or his actions. “You know how to Tango, right?” he asked with a grin. At the next beat of the music he pulled her against him and began to lead her in the <a class="postlink" href="https://youtu.be/ic4PQ-tnwJw">dance</a>. <br/><br/>Close and intimate like before, but also....passionate. Eyes on her own, his heart and soul into each movement and action. What was different? It felt different for him, more like his past and how he felt before when he danced. He felt alive and exhilarated, with a sudden rekindled spark for the dance. A deep dip and he ran his hand along her body, lips followed suit in a ghost trail until he stood them both back up and met the emerald stare of Colt. <br/><br/>Yet....it was different....<br/><br/>He did not fight, did not think to cause a scene, instead he spun her to him and allowed him to take up the dance with her instead. <br/><br/>Colt had watched them and knew that his suspicions about Athan had been true. Somehow, his humanity, his soul had returned to him. It had to be Tempest, something about her spoke to him in a way that brought out this different man. Whatever it was, Colt wanted to be closer to it and so he stood, removed his own jacket and joined the pair on the dance floor. <br/><br/>There they were, a trio of dancers lost in the moment of music. As it wound to an end, Athanase ended up with Tempest once again and he dipped her then brought her back up so that their bodies were right against one another, his eyes on her own.</span><br/><br/>Her eyes dropped to his lips on her hand, breath hitching only a fraction as he led to her out to the dance floor. His question took a little longer to register, only because the next beat he’d already pulled her in and they were off.<br/><br/>She was no stranger to the tango; Stranger to the technique, yes, but to the dance itself, no. Admittedly, her technique was getting better…yet, this time when they danced, things felt different. More intense, more intimate, which she didn’t think was possible. The last dance they’d done had been so close, intimate in every sense of the word, expressing that story across the floor. This time, it felt more like he really felt it, the emotions of it all. Her eyes didn’t leave his, completely focused on him and the lead he gave her.<br/><br/>Everything about tonight felt different. She wasn’t sure if it was the champagne and the amount of it she’d drunk, or just the general feel of the two as a whole, but everything felt different. A good different, a different that kept her on her toes and had her heart constantly shifting in pace, but a good different nonetheless.<br/><br/>As he dipped her and his hand ran down her body, a shiver loosed, eyes drifting closed… What she didn’t expect, however, was the lips that she then felt kissing a trail down her neck. Her heart sped up, teeth nibbling into her bottom lip as her breath hitched, completely lost in the embrace and wholly oblivious to the rest of the world. And, had it not been for Athan spinning her out and finding herself in Colt’s arms, she’d have remained as such.<br/><br/>But, he spun her out, his arms encompassed her, and she found herself staring into another set of intense eyes. And so it went, moving from one to the other in a dance that left her breathless. Their leads were similar, though different in how they moved, both just as intense, as intimate as the other. And what made it worse, was she responded to both, her body syncing with them both flawlessly. At one point, she wasn’t sure she’d make it to the end of the song, her head swimming, lightheaded, heart continuously tripping over itself.<br/><br/>By the end, she was fairly breathless, dipped back for the final time and meeting Athan’s eyes with her own, unable to look away and not sure she wanted to. All she could do was breathe, lips parted a touch, eyes nearly half-lidded as they held his gaze and the rest of the world came back into focus. The clinking of forks on plates, glasses as they rejoined the table’s surface, and the polite clap of those closest the dance floor for the impromptu performance by the three of them.<br/><br/>Blinking, her head shaking a bit to force herself back to reality, she gave him a small, shy smile, and pulled away, giving the same smile to Colt before making her way back to the table.<span style="font-style: italic">Keep it professional, Tempest,</span>came her stern inner thoughts.<span style="font-style: italic">It was just a dance, just a conversation. Nothing more. Focus.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">The magic ended and the world around them came back into focus. Both men seemed out of sorts for but a moment, before they flashed their best smiles and gave a slight bow. As they took their seats the food arrived, “Perfect timing,” Colt said while he refilled their glasses once more. “Perhaps, another toast?” he asked while he lifted his glass. “To the magic of dance that brings people together.”<br/><br/>“To dance,” Athan parroted with a look to Tempest, his eyes still held that smoldering intensity that they had held while they danced. That dance was different and he had a taste for Tempest, a taste that he wanted to satiate thoroughly. Another performance was definitely something he wanted to pursue with Tempest. Though he knew it was impossible he would want to start practicing this evening. To feel her body as it moved against his form, feel her heart race against his touch.</span><br/><br/>Just as she got comfortable in her seat, the food arrived giving her something reasonable to focus on. A small smile was given to Colt as he refilled her glass though she was careful to keep her focus on the glass rather than him, allowing her mind more time to get back into its usual mindset. Lifting her own glass to the toast, she felt eyes on her, following the pull until she melt Athan’s gaze. It was still intense, leaving her breathless as her heart skipped a beat and her breath grew shallower, just thankful no one else could hear her heart, even if it sounded impossibly loud in her ears.<br/><br/>A sip was drunk, eyes still lingering on Athan’s until she couldn’t anymore, dropping her own to the plate in front of her, suddenly feeling a bit more self-conscious with the prospect of eating. The last thing she needed was to drop something on herself. And with that, she fell into silence, occasionally stealing a glance in Athan’s direction but not saying much, entirely too worried about doing something stupid, which she continued to curse herself for.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">A kick at his shin and Athan's gaze was tore from Tempest to Colt and the look he gave the other male was just as intense. <br/><br/>“This looks really good,” Colt said as he looked down at his own plate. “I skipped lunch today so I know I am going to enjoy this,” his fork and knife in hand. “What about you, Athan? You think you're going to be able to finish that? Or did you have a big lunch?” <br/><br/>The overtones were not missed on Athan, who looked down at his plate. Human food he could eat, but he could not survive off of it. It was merely a means to help him blend in better with his true prey. Perhaps, the gaze he had given Tempest had been a bit too, hungry. The thought was confirmed when he ran this tongue over his teeth and found his fangs had just begun to crest. As he sat there looking at his plate, he tried to think about the last time that he did feed. He remembered he had skipped one, or was it two? <br/><br/>The number was foggy, but he knew the reasoning behind the actions was to improve his dancing. It helped to channel his emotion for the hunt and the feeding if he skipped a meal or two. Care would have to be taken from now on though, if he wanted to do more dancing with Tempest. Especially, if they were to do more dancing like they had tonight. <br/><br/>“This does look good. I have had this at other restaurants, but not here, so it will be a treat to see their take on the meal,” he smiled and set into cutting. “What do you think of your meal, Tempest?”</span><br/><br/>The moment his eyes moved from hers, she felt like she could breathe where she couldn’t before. Something about the look in his eyes made everything feel harder to do, just from the intensity of it. Simple things like blinking, breathing, her heart’s beating…it all felt more difficult. It was like he was seeing directly into her soul with that look.<br/><br/>Not that she minded the look…but it left her feeling self-conscious.<br/><br/>But, it ended, she could breathe, and everything felt a bit easier. What she didn’t understand was Colt’s words and his emphasis on Athan’s eating habits. Felt a bit odd that he’d be so into how Athan was eating and whether or not he could finish what was in front of him. There was no real reason for him to care so much that she could see, eyes on her own plate while she mulled it over.<span style="font-style: italic">Maybe it’s to do with the price of the plate? But, if that were the case, he should have thought of that prior to us coming out at all…Doubt I’ll be able to finish this and would rather it not be a topic of discussion…</span><br/><br/>It was while she was looking intently at her plate, pushing some of the rice around that she heard her name, though in what felt like delayed form. Blinking and putting a smile on her face, she took off another piece of the salmon. “It’s amazing, thank you,” she answered before sliding her gaze in Colt’s direction. “And thank you for taking us out tonight.” Her smile turned more genuine as she focused on that and the meal itself, the evening as a whole. “Still a bit curious about the motivations, but this evening’s been fun thus far. Whatever the reason behind it, I’m certainly not complaining.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> “All in due time,” Colt replied with a smile. <br/><br/>The meal continued, small chit chat, some jokes and fun. When it ended, dessert was ordered and it was at this time that Colt decided to reveal his big “news.” <br/><br/>“Alright,” he began, his spoon laid on the now empty plate. “I think I have tortured the two of you more than enough,” he chuckled. When both of them gave him their full attention he continued, “Now, I now that in the beginning I was an asshat, confident, douche face. That about covers it?” he asked Tempest with a wink before he continued. “But, I have taken my time to be alone and deal with this shame of my behavior and want to once again apologize for how I behaved with you,” this said directly to Tempest. “The both of you,” Athanase then taken into account while Colt went on. “I am deeply sorry and I do hope that the both of you can forgive me?” <br/><br/>Silence settled onto the table then and Athan looked from Colt to Tempest, then back again. “You and I have an old history, so there is no need to apologize to me,” he looked to Tempest then to see what she thought of what appeared to be Colt's heartfelt apology.</span><br/><br/>As the meal continued, she kept wondering what his reasoning for bringing them out was. All the scenarios she’d originally thought of hadn’t yet come to pass, and if they hadn’t yet…they wouldn’t be, which left her hard pressed to come up with something. Her dinner was eaten, though slow as she normally did, unable to finish it as she’d figured she wouldn’t be. But, dessert was ordered, and she picked at it to be polite, even if unable to eat much of it.<br/><br/>And then the reason he brought them out. Or, so she thought.<br/><br/>His perception of himself in the beginning was alright, though she’d have replaced “confident” with “condescending and half-cocked”; She merely nodded to his wink, having to fight the urge to eye roll. Yet, as he continued, the urge subsided, and left her more on the fence with his apology. Athanase was quick to shrug it off, saying it wasn’t needed, and she didn’t feel the apology was really owed toward her, not when his comments were directed at him for the most part.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Except the unwarranted remark to his helpfulness after the request to actually try,</span>she reminded herself, leaning back a bit in her chair, crossing her legs and relaxing into its back. Eyes remaining pensive, her face following suit, Tempest remained silent for a moment longer before nodding. “If I needed an apology after every comment like that, I’d never hear anything else,” came her answer with a light shrug. “No apology is needed. What’s happened, happened, and this more than aptly made up for any lingering…how did you word it…? ‘Asshat, confident, douche face’-ery that I may have possibly dwelt on.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">A deep chuckle came from Colt, “You put it a bit better than myself. But, now that that's out of the way, we can get to the other business at hand.” He smiled and looked at Tempest, “So, I know that I was brought in to merely be his...understudy? But, I spoke with the director and he said if it was alright with you that we could do our own dance...” <br/><br/>There the cat was out of the bag and Colt now just waited for her reaction and possible thoughts on the idea. <br/><br/>Athanase, on the other hand, was not too thrilled at all. This meant he had to share her, had to watch as Colt danced with her. It would cut into their time and their dance....if she even agreed. That was what both men wanted to know, they wanted to know what she would decide.</span>