Unmasked ( demy x Staine )

[demy]

It was a proper restaurant.

The candlelight cast deep shadows between the silk covered tables, classical music drifting softly between the pristine serving staff. Emery felt misplaced. The girls fidgeting hands picking at everything within reach, it was a blessing the table was without sugar packets. She found ripping those apart particularly satisfying-

The reservation had been made by her friend.

Harper had a policy. Sex could solve any problem. Seeing her friend slowly breaking down from the lives demands the cheeky blonde had started playing matchmaker. Emery had had found herself somehow hustled into a blind date.

Well, she knew two things. He was somewhat older, but not old and was a friend of a friend or something like that. Harper had insisted she would like him or very least find him acceptable enough to fuck. Emery had lapsed into embarrassed silence at that point in the conversation. It was odd two girls so different were such fast friends.

Emery did not want something like that. She wanted a connection but seemed unable to find one. It was the only reason she had accepted the blind date and even her friends fashion advice. They had settled on a white dress, something the Harper insisted did wonders for friends contrasting eyes, one brown while the other hazel. The young woman had thought it a little fancy but looking around realized that might have even been a bit lacking. Giving a small sigh she reached up pick at dusty strands, discreetly checking to make sure the short pixie cut hadn’t resorted back its normal fluff.

"Excuse me." Emery jerked her gaze up, expression stark, at the smiling server. "Is there anything I can get you while you wait?"

"I'm fine, thanks!" Was her quick reply. The server left. Emery watching her go with pink cheeks. She hastily checked her phone; it was still a little early. The young woman tried to ignore the creeping feeling of her impending embarrassment. What if he stood her up?

 

[Staine]

Why was it always so difficult to find something to wear to a date?

Ludwig frowned as he pulled out the deep blue dress shirt and laid it out on his bed. Black pants and a black dinner jacket were soon laid out to match, along with the silver cufflinks and his well polished black shoes. A tall man, average build in most other ways though rather toned from some of his more athletic endeavours he gave the air of somebody who would usually be so well dressed, though in reality he found himself far too busy to think of such mundane things, yet he had to admit there was a certain nervousness that came with this blind date. Ludwig didn't do much socialising, he did speak to a few friends who had known his sister before the accident and it seemed they had decided he needed to get out more. Arguments, friendly in nature but still arguments, had ensued and in the end he'd found himself promising to give it a shot. It had been years since he had been on an actual date...so he had done what any reasonably wealthy, socially inept man would do.

He chose one of the fanciest restaurants in town, asking his friend to make sure it was set up. He didn't know who had gotten the reservation, but they'd managed at least and that was good enough for him, he'd been wanting to try their food.

Finally dressed he rushed to his car to drive down to the place, and was only five minutes late when he walked in the door. At the very least he would have a good meal and some awkward conversation and politely part ways, then he could tell his friends that he had tried. It wasn't like he wanted to be rude, but he did have work to do. Important work. Pointed towards his table, he saw there was a woman already sitting there waiting and as he approached he was already stammering. "H...hi, so sorry I'm late, I didn't mean to stand you up." He smiled, or at least tried to as he sat down, the expression not one he often used and coming across more than awkward. "I mean I didn't. Stand you up I mean, I...well I was late. Sorry..." He laughed nervously and reached for the menu, trying to calm his nerves. The girl really was pretty, not what he expected from a blind date, and he definitely felt he was punching above his weight, always having an inferiority complex when it came to social situations.

"Umm...do you know what you'd like to order? I've heard the steak here is amazing, and I can order us some champagne." He looked back down at the menu, trying to avoid eye contact. "Well maybe wine is more appropriate, I don't know, it's been a while since I've been on a date. Oh, damn, sorry." He looked back up at her and suddenly reached his hand across the table, holding it out to her. "Where are my manners? My name is Ludwig, you must be Emery, yes?"

 

[demy]

Emery was certain she had been stood up. A upsetting notion. It had just turned five minutes past the hour when finally her date arrived, leaving the girl to take a nervous breathe. He was good-looking, well-dressed. He was not the only one who felt they were batting out of league from first impressions.

"It's okay!" She chirped quickly, swallowing. Emery had perked up in her seat with an awkward little smile of her own. "You weren't really that late."

His question had her picking up one the menus. Emery had not looked, wanting to wait for her date before starting the dining experience. It seemed polite and also avoided the serving staff coming to check on her. She had been too early really-

"Champagne sounds nice." The girl was quick to offer.

She reached forward, flushing as the warmth of the mans palm cupped her cold hands. They were always like that. Emery in general tended to run a little cold.

"Yeah," She affirmed, glancing away. "How do you know Harper?" Her friend had neglected to mention wanting to keep Ludwig a mystery.

 

[Staine]

Ludwig smiled politely as his date assured him that he wasn't too late. "Thank you, it's polite of you to say but...well, I was still late, I hope you haven't been here too long." Looking through the menu he'd already decided on the steak for himself, and as she confirmed that champagne he went about trying to select one, deciding on an option that wasn't too expensive but wasn't too cheap either. It had been too long since he'd done this, he didn't know what one was mean to do...would getting the most expensive put her under pressure? He didn't want that even if he could afford it.

Taking her hand, he chuckled, smiling as she turned away. "Cold hands, feels kind of nice." The comment slipped out before he could stop himself. "Err, I just meant I like cold things. I'm not a fan of the heat." Trying not to make a fool of himself anymore he latched onto her question as he waived for a waiter. "Harper? Honestly, I don't know her that well. We met a couple of times, a friend of my sisters..." He trailed off; he didn't want to drag his sister into the conversation. "She's a nice person, a little pushy but in a good way, I think." Laughing softly he leaned forward, like he was about to whisper a secret. "Between you and me, I don't think she'd have let me say no to this date even if I'd wanted to, and my sister has been trying to set me up with somebody forever. How do you know her? Did you get pressured into this too?" He offered a smile as he sat back in his seat. "Have to admit it's nice to be out though, so let's make the most of it. Shall we order?"

 

[demy]

"No not really." Emery replied only to kick herself for starting things off with a little white lie. It was better to honest on dates wasn't it?

Her turned a slight pink.

"We're actually roommates-" Emery informed him quickly tacking on."-and friends. We were friends before we were roommates actually-" The young woman sucked in a slight breathe. "She thought this would be good for me I guess. I don't get out much." College and her other responsibilities had pretty taken up her life. They were both important but it was starting to be a little much-

No wonder most of the magical girls her age were retired. Well, that and the natural decline of powers. Emery had yet to experience anything of that sort.

Emery glanced down at her menu.

She hadn't made a decision but didn't want to keep her date waiting.

"Sure, I think I'll have the Three-Cheese Rigatoni." It was a randomly chosen dish but it didn't look bad once she started reading the ingredients list. A little heavy but that just meant maybe no dessert.

 

[Staine]

"Phew, well that's good at least, would have hated to keep you waiting." Despite it being a little awkward, meeting her like this for the very first time, Ludwig was at least enjoying talking to her. It wasn't the most riveting conversation he'd ever had, they were just finding their footing but she was pretty, polite, she had a smile that made him want to smile in return and he found himself listening intently anyway while she spoke even as he ordered his food. "Oh you too huh? Yeah, I don't get out much myself, if you couldn't tell, this is kind of out of the norm for me." He smiled and nodded, ordering the meal she had asked for and sending away the waiter.

It was honestly only a small lie, he did get out far more than he let on, but it wouldn't do to mention his extra-curricular activities to a blind date. How was she going to react if he told her he was Kraken, the man responsible for a large portion of the more high end crimes in the city? He had his reasons, he did what he had to do in order to fulfil his goals and he didn't consider himself evil...but there was no denying that the things he had done were on the wrong side of the law, including more than one death that had happened because of his actions. No, that part of him was better off hidden, he could date her for a little while if they hit it off but then it had to end, unless he wanted her to get dragged into it.

"Well while we wait, how about you tell me a little about yourself? I don't even know what you do for work, or for fun." He smiled, he was just going to give his usual line which wasn't entirely incorrect. "I work designing technology mostly, new devices, trying to find a breakthrough, boring stuff if you're not in the field."

 

[demy]

"I don't know." Emery said. "That sounds kind of interesting."

She flushed looking down at the table. It was certainly more interesting than what the young woman had going if you didn't count her double life. "I'm still in school, college for um well for business administration so I probably win the boring contest."

It was a safe and secure thing to go to school for. A suggestion from her father who was funding the whole thing. It was normal.

She craved normal.

"The courses are actually kind of challenging, but you know its good to be prepared for when entering the workforce." Emery chewed on her lip trying to come up with something she could add that wasn't too personal. "I've been thinking of take a creative writing class-"

Her therapist had suggested it.

A outlet.

 

[Staine]

Ludwig laughed softly. "It's not as interesting as it sounds, but thank you. A lot of the things I create have very little practical application." Besides helping him commit heists, rob museums and even kill people, he was mostly telling the truth. "Don't have my breakthrough just yet, but one day!"

He smiled while they waited for their food to be delivered. "I don't think that's boring at all, do you enjoy it?" He shrugged slightly. "Not everybody has to be a superstar. Have you seen the magical girls flying around town fighting crime? It's intense, glamourous...but I don't see anything wrong with just going to school and doing something you enjoy, right?"

He grinned, turning as their food arrived and taking his own plate while the waiter delivered Emery's to her. Taking a sip of his drink, he nodded to her. "That sounds interesting, do you plan to write a book? What about? Maybe when I make my breakthrough you can give me some business advice on how to market it, that doesn't sound boring to me."

 

[demy]

"Fingers crossed." Emery chimed in with a smile. The expression faltered a little when the conversation turned back to her own life. Did she enjoy it? Her lips pursed momentarily before the girl gave a little shrug.

The mention of magical girls made those very same shoulders quickly tense.

"A book." The young woman hummed a little, fingers tugging a little at the pristine tablecloth. Happy to have the topic move along so quickly.

Her gaze drifting around the intimate setting. "Probably not." Emery admitted with pink cheeks. "It was just something someone suggested to me." It was probably best not to mention her therapist on a first date. "You now a creative outlet I guess. Everyone needs one right?"

Emery focused on the man sitting across from her.

"What are you looking for?" She suddenly asked. "You know out of tonight?" It was a strange question. A little blunt. Emery could be like that sometimes.

 

[Staine]

He hadn't always been the most observant man in social situations yet Ludwig was still capable of noticing when somebody wasn't enjoying a topic, and he let her change it quickly, moving on as she played with the tablecloth in front of her. "I don't think there is anything wrong with a creative outlet, and writing definitely sounds therapeutic. Wish I had time myself, maybe one day."

He felt he wasn't doing rather well on their date, struggling to break through the shell that was his own social awkwardness, and it didn't help when her question came at him out of nowhere, causing him to stammer in his answer to her. "I...well, I mean...a good time?" He chuckled nervously and shook his head, realising how it sounded. "Not like that, not really, just...I don't know, I wanted to have a little fun. Maybe just conversation, maybe just a walk, maybe more. I'm not very good at the dating thing, it's kind of why I had to be pushed into it...I guess release? Release from my work, something to help me unwind. A distraction" He was definitely tanking this, and he took a sip of his drink.

"And you? Now that I've scared you off for good you can at least tell me what you're looking for, Emery."