Spending & Smiling [Cadan]

[Cadan Ashdown]

He smiled at her reply of course she knew it was him but he was just so excited. He felt he looked so different he had never been anywhere near as dressed up. Then she kissed him on the cheek again. For once something made Cadan blush just a little himself. This night would prove to be another perfect one. "Change me mind not even for the bloomin stars" He retorted, no he wouldn't miss this night even if the Duke himself told him to.

"Why thank ya love." He replied to her complement. Cadan had never been in the front of the theater when it was open it was quite amazing. The lights the colors the whole display of it all. The amazment could easily be seen on Cadans face. At least he wasn't along though it seemed Layla was excited too. He felt her squeeze his arm as they walked in deeper in to the place. ONe of the staff walked up to escort them in to the theater.

"Sir, Ma'am, right this way please."[/color] The man said. Cadan gave him a nod of his head and followed them down the grand hallway to doors of the theater. He handed the man the ticket stubs so he would know where their seats were. "feel loike royalty yet? If not it seems I will need ter work a bit 'arder." Cadan said with a chuckle. This was long nothing he had experianced before that was for sure.

He though about the plans for the night, hopefully the show would impress her but if not the shrine afterward most definatly would. Though nothnig to the caliber of the places she was used to on Sihnon. There was a psrt of him that wanted to ask about her brother that she had mentioned but he wasn't sure how or when to do so. For now he would let it go and maybe ask later. "So ya ain't ever been ter a sha before Layla?" He asked her, she seemed classy enough unlike himself to have had the chance before.

[Layla Disanto]

The excitement that was still building in Layla was covering up her nerves, which was a good thing. She was glad Cadan seemed excited as well about the evening. As a man escorted them to their seats she felt suddenly very out of place, looking around to all the other fancy dressed folks, her unease probably showed. Feel like royalty? No of course not, she was far from royal. Cadan did make her feel important though, special, like she mattered. Layla simply smiled that sweet smile at him in reply and continued to follow the escort.

Once they had their seats and got comfortable she leaned closer to Cadan to answer his inquiry, "Nope not ever, I'm very anxious. I might have to make it a regular thing, maybe find a place I don't have to dress so fancy for though." She wondered if they had this kind of thing on Bernadette, hopefully so. If not maybe she could convince her brother to let her live somewhere else, she knew Sihnon and Hera were out of the question. Any Alliance controlled planets probably weren't the best idea either, just because it was the Alliance.

The pair didn't speak much during the show, it was magical to say the least. Layla was obviously enjoying 'Romeo and Juliet' very much. Half-way through she did get his attention though, taking hold of his hand. When he looked her way she'd be smiling and mouth the words 'thank you' before turning attention back to the stage. The tragedy of the star crossed lovers hit a chord in Layla, their sad ending hit her. Her eyes teared up and a few drops fell down her cheeks as the show came to it's final end.

When they made it back outside to the fresh cool air, it was lovely. Layla's eyes were done with the water-works, despite the tears she had smiled the entire time it felt like. As they moved into a small open area away from the crowd she twirled around in a circle a few times, "That was so wonderful! Absolutely amazing!" No one could wipe the smile from her lips, not tonight.

[Cadan Ashdown]

After they took their seats and the show began Cadan found himself almost unable to focus on the show. Though he tried his best not to spend the whole play looking at Layla. That would seem awkward for sure. It was a hard task but he managed to pull it off.

He did notice her silent 'thank you' and he smiled and gave her a nod. He squeezed her hand a little, nothing to tight but just enough so she would notice that. He was excited and all and just wanted to show it. It was like being a kid all over again. He noticed the tears on her check as the final part of the show approched. It seemed she was enjoying it.

After the show he walked with her back outside under the night sky. "That was only the beginin' Layla, I 'ave anovver surprise for ya. shall we go fer a quick walk." He said as she danced around. He gave out a small chuckle as she spun around enjoying the night and remanicing on the show.

As soon as she was ready they began to walk down the street light by the moon. "I am bettin ya 're missin' home and everythin' there so I figured I would brin' sum of it ter ya." He said as they turned the corner toward the Shrine. It was all lit up at the end of the street. "It's open for only ya tonight." He said as he pointed toward it. He grabbed her hand and began to walk faster but not to fast as to make sure she didn't have trobule walking in her outfit. He hoped she would love it as much as the show.

[Layla Disanto]

[[I'm just going to assume he'll come in with her, but I'll leave it up to you as to what he does during the visit -- if I need to go changing anything let me know~]]
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Layla looked at Cadan with curious but bright eyes when he mentioned a surprise for her. She happily took his arm and they began to walk, her home? Bernadette wasn't home. Not really. Truth was she didn't have a home, not in that sense. She smiled at him anyway though. When they turned the corner he pointed out a temple to her, a Buddhist shrine. Sure not huge like the typical ones on Sihnon but all temples were built with great care and always beautiful. This was no exception, it was probably only the size of a common four bedroom home, which meant there were probably only a couple monks that lived here.

"How ever did you manage this one Cadan? It's beautiful!" They continued to get closer to the building, she was happy, he was doing things just for her. It made her day, really and truly. When they reached the steps Layla let go of his hand so she could dig into her purse, pulling out a brown scarf that matched her outfit, she wrapped it around her shoulders. The two ends of it tied and she turned that bit to her back so that she was covered appropriately for the temple. It may look a little silly but it was respectful to the monks, the temple and to Buddha. Suddenly thankful for the longer dress she had opted for, it was past her knees. Next for the shoes, she slipped them off quickly and held onto their straps. There wasn't really room in her small purse for them and you shouldn't just leave them outside. Carrying them would just have to do.

As they entered the temple door she made sure to step in with her left foot first. Another way things were done when you entered a temple. Layla knew all the proper ways to act inside the walls of Buddha, it was one of the first things you learn. At least she had been there long enough to learn something. She walked slowly around the inside of the temple with Cadan, when she spoke it was a whisper. When she pointed something out she used her right hand with her palm facing upwards. After awhile when it was time to go Layla took one last look around, standing before the statue of Buddha for a short second before backing away from it a few steps then turning and heading to the exit. Making sure to exit with her right foot first. She hadn't talked much inside as she was a little worried about disturbing anyone. Though she did make sure to leave a small donation in a simple small metal box that sat near the doors. She had indeed enjoyed her visit and would probably come back during the normal hours for the temple. Sunrise was her favorite time to be there. Once they reached the foot of the stairs she put her shoes back on and returned the scarf to her purse. She just smiled at Cadan as they began to walk some more, letting him lead since she didn't know the area. Layla just knew she didn't want the night to end just yet.

"My home isn't really Bernadette you know, it's just sort of temporary. I don't have a home in that sense, haven't for a long while." Some insight she felt like sharing, she enjoyed talking to him and learning about him as he might feel the same way about her. There were some things he wouldn't ever know though, not if she had any say in the matter. "Thank you for that though even-so. I'm glad there's a temple near-by where I'm staying." Her words were sincere, every last syllable.

[Cadan Ashdown]

Cadan was glad she seemed to be enjoying the night he didn't want it to end either. "I pulled a few strings notung ter impressive really." He told her as he was all smiles. As they approched the building he followed her step in how to propery act at the place taking his shoes off as well. He even followed her foot steps in how to enter. He didn't know much about buddism but he had done a bit of research before setting it all up.

He wouldn't remember it all but if he paid close attention to her he might be able to keep himself from making to much of a fool of himself. He had never been in a temple before, infact he hadn't set foot in to any real holy site before. Not for lack of belief but for fear of judgement. He felt he had alot to be judged on. He did enough of that himself, he didn't need others to assist. The irony of it all was that he had used his criminal connections to get a place of warship opened up for someone else. He new that this would cause him to owe a favor to the Duke something that he new was a thing he should avoid at all costs.

Cadan had only done work for the Duke because his whole family was part of his business on Persephone. The Duke dealt in business that came from the core mainly but Persephone was the exception and Cadan was drawn in by way of protecting his family. It had become a lifestyle for him. He wanted to tell Layla about it but he couldn't, not yet at least. For now he would do what he had to and get out from under it.

Cadan was careful walking through the place walking beside Layla making sure he didn't do anything she didn't. He didn't want to offend. When she walked up to statue of budda silently, he stood back and watched when she was done he followed suit and contemplate for a moment. 'I'm not sure how this works but i could use your help Budda, I need guidance, I need help finding a way out of, well, my current career if you know what I mean.' He tought to himself. He had never taken to much stock in prayer, nor was he sure exactly how it worked in buddism but it was worth a try. He stepped back just the same as she had before him and made a donation as well on the way out the door.

He followed he down the steps and put his shoes back on as well. "Just driftin' from place ter place? 'ell why daan't ya just stay 'ere on persephone. I can keep showin' ya 'round, lettin' ya fall in love loike I 'ave wif the place. He said with a smile. He would be more then happy to do so, plus then he wouldn't feel so alone on such a vast planet. Sure there was family but that has never done him much good really. "Its a perfect home, been 'ere aw me life really." Other then flying a ship here and there it was really true.

[Layla Disanto]

Layla blushed when Cadan mentioned that she might should stay on Persephone. This did seem like a nice place, at least so far. She'd only been here three days now. It felt a little odd, his suggestion..idea..offer? Whatever it was. Really she wasn't sure, Layla smiled but took a few moments to respond. Sort of an awkward silence.

It would be nice to actually know someone, she didn't know anyone on Bernadette yet. First his question though, the answer would have to be a lie. She hated having to lie, but it was that or a worse explanation. Between the two choices, the lie was the better choice in her opinion. "You could say that." Layla fidgeted a little, unsure what to say to the rest. "Well about staying here, I'm not too sure on..I mean I'd have to ask my brother really. He kinda set me up over on Bernadette...Not that I'm not enjoying the few days I've been here so far of course. Definitely not saying that."

Layla's words were a little mumbled, unusual for her thus far. She was in unfamiliar territory here, in a few ways and she didn't know how quite to proceed. She wasn't the best at reading folks. "You've been here all your life? Visited other places at all, like Sihnon or anything?" She was trying to pretend she was still fine, but things were tugging at her and she couldn't explain it. Layla continued to smile at Cadan though, despite it all.

[Cadan Ashdown]

Her brother huh? well at least she wasn't opposed to the idea of being on Persephone, all they had to do was convince him that Persephone was a good place to be. It just depended on how much her brother really know about the place. it was a good place and all but it had it's darker sides as well. "We'll just 'ave ter convince 'im then, won't we." He told her cheerfully.

He kept them walking down the street the night wasn't over yet there was always something going on in Persephone City. The night life was just as lively as things in the day if not even more. The markets roared at night. As they walked down the road a little further the dull drum of the market began to pick up, along with the wofting smells of the street venders food. Yes the night could go on forever if she would allow it.

"Oh yeah I 'ave been aw over, I do get sum work as a pilot every so often. I've been ter Sihnon and the rest of the core. Never much outside that though." He explained to her. He wished he could take her up in to the night sky and show her how amazing it is from the cockpit. Most never got to see it like that, vast, dar, wide open.

They walked on and turned the corner and just a few blocks down the street was still a sea of people like it was when they first met. "Is it is only wahn bovver or is there more ter the family? Me myself I 'ave ffree but I daan't see them ter much."

He stopped himself at that point before he went on about his family. It was a bad subject really. Sure three older brothers, one in jail along with his father. Not easy to explain how that happens. Not to mention not a one of them worked on the up and up, again hard to explain and calling his personal character in to question. Most of his activities thmeself weren't illegal, maybe a free item here and there but the Duke didn't have him do anything that was to illegal, but he sure knew that illegal activity was involved.

[Layla Disanto]

Layla grinned at Cadan when he said that they'd have to convince her brother about her moving to Persephone. Wasn't going to be as easy as it sounded she was sure, but it was sweet of him to want to. She was glad that the evening wasn't seeming to come to it's end yet, really it was one of the most memorable. As they walked and talked she found herself admiring..well everything. Including Cadan. If he caught her staring at him she'd grin and blush; pretty much fail at playing it off.

She nodded as he explained about his travels, Layla hadn't been on very many ships in her time. Not completely sure if she enjoyed it or not, she did enjoy looking at the stars from the ground though. The view must be much better being up there amongst them. Soon there was a ton of people not far from them, while he inquired about her family she squeezed his hand. She tried to veer off of the path before them, wanting to avoid the crowd, hopefully he understood what she meant. "My family is actually rather large, but I'm the youngest. James, my brother is older than me by about eighteen years. He's the one I'm closest to, captain's his own ship too, called the Trinity."

Trying to avoid the furthering of the family topic she thought of something else to bring up with Cadan, "So if you like flying, why is it you don't have your very own ship to fly on a more permanent basis?" Maybe that would steer the conversation away from the sore subject of relatives. Though if he persisted she'd probably have to lie...again. Really not something she wanted to do. Cadan was a good guy, sweet and handsome.

[Cadan Ashdown]

Cadan litened as she talked about her family, an eighteen year gap, noting like him and his brothers each was about two years apart. At first Cadan didn't even make the connection that her brother captained the Trinity the exact ship he was gathering supplies for. It didn't don on him right away because the job was so simple gather up a few goods to be shipped nothing illegal and nothing of note. Turn it over to the crew and they would be on their way.

Before he hd time to really think about it she was asking him about why he didn't captian a ship. "It would be nice ter 'ave me own ship but as long as I get a chance ter fly na and then I am 'appy." He replied as they walked off avoiding the crowd. Cadan caught on to the fact that the family was a sensitive subjust and she wanted to avoid it.

Thats when it dawned on him, her brother was the very captain of the very ship he was to be setting up with a supply run to New Cannan. "Wait a minute, your brovwer captains the Trinity. I've been gettin' supplies for them ter take ter New Cannan." He said a little surprised. He continued to walk away from the market. What were the odds of them meeting and him supposed to work with his brother. Was it her brother who was hurt or a different memeber of the family. She hadn't said if she had other brothers just a big family. He held his tounge from asking any other questions instead leaving her a chance to talk some more as they walked down the street.

Thay walked around for quite a while more. Talking about anything he could think of that wouldn't be something she didn't want to talk about after that. He woud tell her about himself and things he wanted to do and doing his best to get her to do the same. Eventually the night grew late and he offered to walk her home at least as close to home as she was comfortable letting him walk her to.

[Layla Disanto]

Layla was in a bit of shock when he mentioned that he was preparing a job for the Trinity. "Well that's quite the coincidence isn't it. A nice one at that. Guess it's a good thing he got himself shot..but don't tell him that." She joked about the last bit, but smiled at him, yep nice indeed. As they continued to walk they chatted about various things, asking each other questions and the like. The normal way folks get to know one another.

The time grew later much too quickly, which was to be expected considering how much she didn't want it to. That's usually how things worked, time flies when you're having fun and all.

She was more than happy to let Cadan walk her home, temporary home, but home just the same. It was a small place, just enough for her - she was a simple girl. As they got closer though Layla took smaller steps, trying to bide more time with him. She stood at the top of the steps as they said their good-nights to one another, just as he was about to leave Layla stopped him. When he turned back to face her she kissed him, a soft simple kiss. She didn't say anything, her cheeks turned pink and she smiled at him before going inside quickly.

Layla leaned against the door, her breathing a little rough. She felt like a school-girl right now, smiling like no other. With any luck Cadan would want to see her again because she sure as hell wanted to see him again. Sighing she pulled herself away from the door and began to take all of the clips out of her hair. Getting back to her normal self, out of the fancy get-up.

[Cadan Ashdown]

Cadan just laughed at her comment about it being good that her brother got shot. It was indeed quite a coincidence. Had he not been called back to Persephone by the Duke and her here to check on her bother they would never have met. Yes it was a great thing that events turned out the way they did. "Definatly a good fin' for us." Cadan said with a smile.

Cadan could tell as they went along that Layla was walking slower and slower, but she wasn't the only one. He didn't want to let her go. No, he could have had this night go on forever. Eventually it had to come to an end. They had arrived at her front steps. It was time to say good-bye, for tonight anyway.

Cadan watched as she walked to the top of the steps and said good-bye then turned to walk away. With a tug on his arm he turned back around and she kissed him. Cadan was surprised, forzen in his steps. It was like the fireworks of U-day on Londinium. Sure it was a simple kiss but it had stolen his words and all he could think was he was happy, finally happy, with they way life was going.

His hand grabbed the rail to the steps as she quickly made it back up the stairs and inside the door. A smile bigger then life crossed his face. He took a deep breath as he balanced himself there as the door shut and she had disapered inside. ""See, how she leans her cheek upon her hand! O that I were a glove upon that hand, that I might touch that cheek!" He said to himself quoting the play that had seen not but a few hours earlier, then he began to held home himself thinking of how long my may have to wait to see her again.