"Ok, in truth, it's not so much time as it is that my sister, or any number of... um... 'people' in my house might eat it."
Leaning over the cat, she touched his arm and sighed softly.
"It's nice to hang out with someone quote-unquote normal once in a while. I hope you don't take that offensively. It's not meant that way at all."

Tal was taken aback, he'd rarely been called normal, but it felt sort of nice to hear he was from Kenly. "Hey, as long as you don't hold any bad vampire jokes against me I can live with normal." His eye caught the clock hanging out on the side table and he inwardly groaned. He was going to have to call it a night...well...morning at this point. As it was he would miss his morning classes since they would be starting in less than an hour, but he considered them well missed after tonight.

She could feel his attention slip from her and the cat for a moment and she followed his gaze.
"I should probably go, huh? You're going to end up sleeping all day."
Moving, she slid to the side of the bed and stood, ready to allow him and Biscuit to get the sleep they needed.

Standing as well Tal felt a bit like a heel, but he couldn't say he wasn't running out of steam. Taking her hand he slowly walked her back around towards the front door. "So, I could make a really bad bat joke, but I'll resist and just ask for your phone number. I really would like to get to know you better and see you again."

Turning to look at him, she leaned against him, breathing him in.
"If you'll trust me, I can do you one better."
Running her hand up along his arm, she blinked at him, waiting for his response.

Pausing, she was super close, and with what little brain power he had left he got out, "I've trusted you thus far, why would I stop now?" Part of his brain was clamoring for something a bit more smooth, the other part of his brain was still doing wolf whistles and calling him a pansy.

Leaning up on her toes, she pressed her lips against his, using the close intimate contact to help her stroke his mind with her own will. He would feel the sensation of calm and complete connectedness with her, as if she were his one and only soulmate.
As she pulled away, the connection would still be there. Fluttering her dark lashes at him, she spoke to him but without using her voice.
"Just think about me, and you can contact me."
Using her mouth, she added, "And don't worry. I'm non-invasive. I won't probe your mind or put naughty pictures in there at inappropriate times."
Smiling wide, she ran a finger down his chest and continued to look up at him.

For a moment he felt...Tal didn't know what he felt. He was her and him and them all at once. As she pulled back and he heard her inside himself he lifted a hand to cover her hand on his chest. "Ma'am, right now it's only my incredible sense of balance keeping me from fainting due to the lack of blood to my...head. But...does this work both ways? Am I going to get in trouble if I let my mind wander and think...special thoughts?"

Laughing and leaning against him again, capturing their hands between them, she shook her head lightly.
"You can't really 'accidentally' project. This kind of connection is entirely a conscious decision. If you want me out, you just shut me out. Like tuning out bad music. I'm very receptive, though. Trust me, you won't be in trouble."

"Ah, well, I'll do my best to not mediate on your...attributes, I tend to let my mind wander when working out in the mornings." He winked and lifted their hands to his lips and kissed her knuckles. "But feel free to send me some 'interesting' thoughts if you have them, I'll be one of the few guys that can say I know what a woman's thinking."

Smiling widely, she nodded.
"Indeed. Also, I should warn you, since I'm up when you're typically sleeping, I can influence your dreams to a point. Just a head's up."
Winking back, she hoped he caught her meaning.

Tal held his breath for a moment, "Oh boy, so...I guess I can expect to enjoy some pleasant dreams then." Biscuit, offended he'd been left alone wound around their feet and sank his claws into Tal's foot. Wincing he kissed Kenly's fingers one last time. "But pleasant dreams or no I do need to get some sleep...I'll think of you tomorrow."

Giggling at the cat, she nodded.
"I understand. Maybe next time it can be at my place that we hang out. Well, one of my places, anyway. I can't exactly take you home home. You might get, oh, I don't know, accosted or eaten, or... any number of things."
Moving to turn away toward the door, she sighed softly.
"So, this is goodnight then, my new darling. I wish you most pleasant dreams. And be nice to my new kitty boy."

Seeing her out the door Tal picked up the cat, whom he wasn't sure wouldn't follow her home. "I'd hate to be a snack...at least of the permanent variety. Be safe going home, even if you are a super powered person."

{we can skip to the next day unless you want a walk-home post or two?}

[who said she's going home? XD we can skip to next day without a problem, yeah.]

{LOL silly assumptions}

Tal was dragging. He'd skipped his morning classes and done a lighter workout in his gym, but he couldn't skip rehearsal. Even if his understudy would jump for joy(literally) if he called in. For the millionth time he forced himself not to think actively about Kenly...he wasn't sure how much he trusted the new mental pathway. Once practice was over he'd try and see how well it worked. For now, he had a 'date' with a tiny, angry dancer.

After leaving Tal's house, she had found a 'meal'. She didn't want to feed all her appetites. She wanted to be able to give Tal a great taste of what she had to offer when they finally decided to be closer. She wasn't going to push. She enjoyed being around him and was happy that he seemed to enjoy her company as well.
She had been good after she left and hadn't given him any incentives in his dreams. She didn't want to scare him off, after all. She had been toying with the idea of tossing him a thought or two while he was at his recital, but at the same time she didn't want to get him into any trouble.
She usually wasn't so quick to give someone a link, but he had said he'd like to see her during the day. This was her idea to allow them to talk even when she couldn't.

Tal felt like a walking corpse. They'd been run ragged, but the choreographer had finally declared himself satisfied and they'd all been released with orders to not overdo it until AFTER the opening performance the night following. After drinking enough coffee to float a sloop Tal finally set his mind to, well, setting his mind. He probably should have felt silly, but what the heck. His eyes settled on a nearby boutique and he consciously thought, Kenly? Hope I'm not waking your or interrupting....

"I'm here. You're not interrupting, don't worry."
She had been sitting in a small area in the park, well shaded as direct sunlight could still hurt her with over exposure. Her little 'day bag' was sitting on the bench next to her. Inside was her sunglasses case, as the actual glasses her on her face, the book she was currently reading, sunscreen, and a small Tupperware container with two sandwiches. She was hoping she'd be sharing them soon.

I'm glad, he paused and took a deep breath. Since I'm not interrupting I was hoping I could see you, a passing girl stared at him oddly and he realized he was mouthing the words as he thought them. Embarrassed he slid a hand over his face and consciously focused on just thinking.

She could feel his discomfort and giggled in her mind as well as out loud.
"This connection can be disconcerting at first. You'll get used to it. Promise. As for seeing me, of course. I made you some lunch, if you're interested. Do you know where South Field Park is? I'm in the western corner, under the big old willow near the stream."

He felt her amusement, Sure, I can be there in a couple, if you made lunch already can I bring anything along? Besides the cat, he's grounded after our last excursion to the zoo. Standing he oriented himself and started heading the five blocks to the park.

"You could grab us something to drink. I didn't cover that. And don't worry, the sandwiches are healthy. Promise!"
Watching the wood ducks slowly paddling around on the stream, she was happy he was coming to have lunch with her. She knew he had probably been working really hard and was probably tired as could be, but the fact that he was coming just made her practically giddy.

Can do, and one thing you'd like me to get? Otherwise I'll try to surprise you. He had a pretty good idea for something, but he'd get anything she asked for as well. He paused at a crosswalk then jogged across the street to a tiny storefront, his energy suddenly ten fold to what it had been prior to their conversation.

Smiling, she thought back to him, "Surprise me, darling."
Pulling out her sunscreen, she added a new layer to what she already had. She couldn't be too careful, after all.

I'll do my best he smiled as he opened the door to the Gellato Connection and slipped into the cool interior. He rarely stopped here, but when he did he had the urge to act like a five year old. Not only did they hand make their own gellato they used it as the base for some of the best milk shakes, smoothies and blended drinks he'd ever had. Just with a million calories and flavours.

"What can I get you son?" the old man behind the counter asked as Tal stared into the chilled case.

"I'll take one Chocolate Dreams shake, one Pistachio Raspberry smootie and two bottles of water." He waited as the counter assistant assembled and blended and garnished the drinks. Paying for them all he pocketed the two waters and carefully carted out the two large drinks and continued on to the park. Luckily he was approaching the park from the west side so he didn't have far to go to find the stream. Kenly was easy to spot under the willow and Tal sauntered up.

"Hey pretty lady, mind if I join you?"

Smiling up at him, she pulled her shades down her nose to look at him without the darkened effect of the glasses. Nodding, she moved her bag so he could sit with her on the bench. He looked just as yummy as last night, as far as she was concerned.
Her eyes dropped to the drinks and she smiled wider. He had kept his promise about surprising her. Reaching into her bag, she pulled out the plastic container holding their lunch and offered it to him for inspection once he sat down. She hoped she had made something he'd eat.

Sitting down on the bench he carefully tucked hid drink beside his hip and offered her drink as he looked in at lunch. "They look great, I hadn't stopped for food yet so you're my hero." Giving her a soulful look he teased, "Be careful though, I'm like my cat, you feed me once and you'll ever find me underfoot."

Making a mock pouty face, she reached for her drink, smiling at the taste as she sipped it.
"A girl can try."

Taking a drink from his smoothie Tal relaxed back on the bench. It was a gorgeous day and he had a beautiful woman to share it with. True he was physically exhausted, but that was a small price. As a small breeze kicked through the park he watched it catch his companions hair. "So, what've you been upto today? Besides making lunch and admiring the view?"

Tearing a small bit off her sandwich to nibble on it as she looked at the birds, the wind blowing her hair across her profile for a moment, she sighed softly.
"I didn't really do much. Saw my daughter to school, made lunch for us, walked around a little, poked around your brain a little to find out when rehearsal was over..."
Giving him a quick sideways look with her eyes, she grinned.
"I didn't really poke around."

Tal was glad he'd not taken another moutful when Kenly said 'daughter' his whole body sort of stuttered and stopped. While he had nothing against 'moms' he'd never dated one, mostly due to some bad times he'd had as a foster kid. He didn't even register the 'poking around in your brain' bit until she made the second comment.

"Oh, you could've probably driven a mental semi through my brain today, it was operating purely on autopilot. My boss was probably ready to skin me when he let us out since I was doing everything by route." Taking up the sandwich she'd made him he took a bite, chewed and swallowed, before he asked, "So, how old's your daughter?"

Giving him another side-ways glance, she mulled over how to answer the question, picking up her drink to sip it.
"That's hard to answer, in truth. Chronologically, she's about four. Physically, however, she's closer to seven. And we won't even get into mentally. She's a very special child. And I don't mean handicapped, either. I think she'd like you. And, truthfully, I think you'd like her. Her name is Tiri."
Turning to actually look at him, she waited for his response. She hadn't thought it odd to tell him about her daughter as the girl was such an integral part of her life, and everyone she knew knew the child. So, it only made sense that Tal did too. Especially if they were going to become any kind of acquaintances beyond what they were at this very moment in time.

He probably should be more confused, or concerned, over the whole mental/physical/chronological variances, but heck, he didn't know vampires(existed) could have kids. "So, correct me here, I thought vampires aged slower, or not at all. So shouldn't she look younger, be older; that sort of thing?"

Turning in her seat toward him, she blinked.
"Let me show you something."
Raising her hand, she concentrated on it and let her hand slowly shift into a draconian claw, complete with iridescent mottled scales.
"I wasn't human when I was turned. I've never been human. I'm one of what is left of an ancient line. We're called Draconis. It's the only thing I can think to explain Tiri and Lukas. By all rights, no, vampires cannot have, or sire, children without some kind of interference."
Allowing her hand to shift back, she used it to reach for her drink, sipping it again before finishing her sandwich and tossing the crust toward the stream for the ducks.
"Are you thoroughly terrified yet?"

The cup was partially to Tal's mouth, and he was pretty sure his jaw was somewhere in the vicinity of his lap. Okay, yeah, he was a bit freaked, and he didn't even have the words to tell her that. A hot vampire? Sure, why not, mass media made it seem pretty logical. But hot vampire, dragon, witch? Closing his mouth, setting down his food and drink, Tal sat forward, his elbows on his knees, his hands sliding into his hair.

"Terrified? No, if you'd planned to eat me I'd probably never have made it out of that shop last night. A bit, okay, a LOT freaked out? Yeah, yeah I am." Standing he paced a bit, his hands still in his hair. "I...I am just a guy, pretty average on the scale of life. A bit skinnier, a bit talented, but just a guy." Stopping and crouching down in front of her he looked up into her eyes. "I'm glad you trusted me enough to tell me all this...but I don't know Kenly. You're so much...well...MORE than just a pretty woman that agreed to have a drink with me. I feel like, well, I don't know how to put it."

He sighed and rested his arms on his knees, "I like you, I really like you, but I just don't know if it's okay for me to be in your life. I'm not egotistical, but I just don't know if I measure up to everything you already have there."

Reaching out to take his hands, she smiled softly at him.
"Tal... How do I put this..."
She couldn't think of the words to explain to him how she felt about having a 'normal' person in her life so she just pushed feelings onto him, let him feel how he made her feel. She wanted to be able to feel like everyone else and being with him, doing normal things with him, even though it'd only been less than a whole day, was perfect.
"I hope you understand. If you still don't want to be around me, I'll understand and I'll remove the connection."

He could feel her...contentment was the best thing he could think of, and he felt like a bit of a heel. Puffing out his cheeks he squeezed her fingers lightly and gave a shaky laugh. "Okay, I guess I can understand...sorta like Superman enjoy's doing Clark's taxes sort of thing...." Keeping his eyes on her's, "And for the record I never said I didn't want to be around you, I just wasn't sure if I should be...big difference there."

Keeping one of her hands he stood and sat back down next to her, "You'll just have to give me time to process it all. And probably deal with some stupid, stress-covering jokes over it all. Though...talk about one hell of a masquerade costumes for Halloween ever year, bet you always win the cu-pie doll."

Offering him a silent laugh, she covered her mouth with her free hand.
"Cheaper this way, really. And I never have to worry about the costume being too small. Unless I want it to be, of course."
She was relieved to know he wasn't going to go away. She had plenty more to show and tell him, but thought maybe she should take it a little slower from now on.

Finishing off his sandwich Tal spent a few moments just enjoying where he was, and whom he was with. Squeezing her fingers again he twisted a bit to angle himself towards her. "So, our show opens in thirty-six hours, no pressure, but if you and your daughter want to come I can leave you tickets at the box office. It's a rendition of Coppélia, so your daughter may like it, she may not." He didn't mention his role, it would be interesting to see if she could find him or if she'd cheat and use the play bill."