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Post by Rudeth Volkova on Aug 25, 2010 19:22:32 GMT -5
Six months. Rudeth had been counting down the days since spring break.
It wasn't very hard to manage preparations, not really. With Bianca tied up with prom dresses and bridesmaids dresses and especially Diana's bridal gown, she had hardly noticed him missing for a while over the past week. And when she did, he told her he was rehearsing for the wedding.
It had been remarkably simple to get permission from Smoke to use the auditorium -- though he likely could have used it without asking, if he wanted. But Rudeth had big plans, and he wanted to be absolutely sure.
He'd left a note on Bianca's door -- or rather, asked Hitomi to leave a note on her door, since he didn't want to ruin the surprise by getting caught in the middle of it. The note was a simple request to meet him in the auditorium at seven o'clock in the evening, signed in his scratchy, nearly-illegible handwriting, with several little hearts scattered around the note.
At the moment, Rudeth waited in the back of the theater, high in the sound booth. The spot was perfect; he would be able to see Bianca the moment she entered.
In the pitch black of the auditorium, Rudeth couldn't see anything but the dim lights flickering on the buttons of the light switchboard.
He could feel his pulse pounding in clear into his ears. He swallowed.
Six months. Rudeth had been counting down the days.
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Post by Aritha Bianca Kairavi on Aug 25, 2010 20:20:08 GMT -5
Aritha walked in slowly, holding the note in one hand. She'd needed to step away from the dresses before she went cross-eyed, and this certainly had her curiosity piqued. For once, she was in pants, tight fitting denim that flared at her ankles; Sandals, the least in shoes she could get away with, and a halter that was just within the rules of what she could wear in a delicate warm cream. The pants had embroidered butterflies up one leg (It had taken forever even with one of those sewing machines that worked patterns) that matched the purple earrings she wore, the ones Rudeth had given her.
The auditorium was dark, so dark even she had a bit of trouble seeing what was around her. She nearly hit a chair as she looked around, trying to find Rudeth. "...I'm here?" she tried softly.
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Post by Rudeth Volkova on Aug 25, 2010 20:47:33 GMT -5
Right on cue. Rudeth beamed and slid one of the switches on the light board ever so slightly.
The soft blue lights rose slowly on the stage, illuminating the scene with a soft, hazy glow. At the center of the stage set a small round table over which was draped a shimmering white tablecloth, and two chairs. A single covered dish was in front of each chair, and between the two, a vase with a pair of roses, white and red.
Behind the table, Rudeth had placed the set from last year's production of Cinderella, an elaborately painted backdrop of a castle. At the center, there was a staircase, leading to a door with an entrance backstage.
Rudeth pressed a button on the soundboard, and soft, instrumental music began to play from the audio system.
A trail of flower petals led down the aisles to the stage, stopping just short of the table; a spotlight shone on the table from above.
In retrospect, Rudeth thought, the spotlight might have been a little too much.
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Post by Aritha Bianca Kairavi on Aug 25, 2010 20:52:22 GMT -5
Aritha gasped slightly, one hand rising to touch her lips. She giggled slightly. "If I'd known you were making a production, I'd have dressed the part," she said, looking around. Her eyes finally found the sound booth, where he had to be hiding.
"But there's something missing here," she added, her smile growing into a grin.
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Post by Rudeth Volkova on Aug 25, 2010 21:23:07 GMT -5
Rudeth grinned. Of course, he hadn't even made his dramatic entrance yet -- that wouldn't do at all.
Luckily for him, Smoke had anticipated needing quick, dramatic entrances during shows, and had made arrangements to do just so. Rudeth leaned back slightly against the wall, and the world shimmered briefly out of focus. Just as the music reached its crescendo, Rudeth appeared at the top of the stairs.
He wasn't dressed quite so elaborately as he would for other special occasions, though mostly because he didn't want to make Bianca feel out of place, but instead chose simply to wear a plain black pair of slacks and a silk button-up shirt the same striking shade of violet as his eyes.
The next song, a soft waltz, began to play almost immediately as Rudeth reached the bottom of the stairs. He smiled and took Bianca's hand, bowing to press a soft kiss to the back of it.
"May I have this dance?" he asked, his voice soft and warm. He extended his other arm to her.
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Post by Aritha Bianca Kairavi on Aug 25, 2010 21:29:38 GMT -5
Aritha smiled, "Ah, there we go. Now the picture is complete." She mimed a curtsey, as she for once lacked a skirt, and nodded.
"But of course, my lord," she smiled. "I would be honored."
Somehow, this all felt almost familiar. She leaned over and whispered in his ear. "Should have mentioned that I needed a skirt."
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Post by Rudeth Volkova on Aug 27, 2010 21:45:34 GMT -5
Rudeth gave her a half grin. "You look fine," he promised. He lifted her and whirled her around in time with the music, then set her softly back on her feet.
Rudeth might not have been the most graceful dancer, but if there was one thing he could do, it was waltz. He'd sure as hell done it on stage enough times.
After a few minutes, the music wound to an end. Rudeth wrapped his arms around Bianca and smiled down at her. "It's really hard to believe it's been half a year, isn't it?" he asked quietly.
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Post by Aritha Bianca Kairavi on Aug 27, 2010 21:52:24 GMT -5
Aritha blinked and thought for a moment. "You know, I hadn't really thought about it. It really has been that long, hasn't it? I've been so busy recently I barely noticed the days passing."
She wrapped her arms around his neck thoughtfully. "It's been rather nice, too. No evil teachers... well, not overtly evil, at least. The only evil thing I can think of is the essays in History. And he even manages to make most of them sound fun until you're in the library wondering why you thought this might be an interesting topic."
She grinned slightly, then put her head on his shoulder. "Time slips by so fast..." she murmurred.
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Post by Rudeth Volkova on Aug 27, 2010 23:26:45 GMT -5
"It does," he agreed quietly, combing his fingers lightly through her long, silky hair. He always did love her hair. He placed a soft kiss along her temple.
"Oh -- I brought dinner!" Rudeth announced, leading her toward the table. Rudeth lifted the lid from the dish, and the sweet scent of tomato sauce and garlic wafted up from the plate. He gave her a lopsided grin. "Don't worry, I didn't cook it. I bribed Hitoshi." Well, bribed, harassed... It was all the same, really.
Rudeth pulled out Bianca's chair for her and gestured for her to take a seat.
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Post by Aritha Bianca Kairavi on Aug 29, 2010 0:49:20 GMT -5
Aritha giggled at the scent of garlic, then managed a mock pout. "But I thought you loved me! Or is it Hitoshi trying to drive me away?" she teased, kissing him as she took her seat. "Luckily for me, I've always loved garlic."
Flicking her hair out of her way as she sat, Aritha watched him over her shoulder and smiled. "You simply must tell me what really prompted this. Is a six-month long relationship so odd?"
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Post by Rudeth Volkova on Aug 30, 2010 21:29:43 GMT -5
Rudeth laughed lightly, threading his fingers through hers and kneeling next to her on the ground. "It's not that, exactly," he said softly. He gave her a fond smile. "Just... I don't think I've ever liked anyone quite as much as you. You're beautiful, smart, talented -- you're amazing, and I'm really happy to be with you. It's not really so much about how long we've been together. It's more...." Rudeth thought for a moment. "It's more that I want to celebrate that I found you."
Rudeth gently pulled her hand to his mouth and placed a warm kiss at the center of her palm. He gazed up at her for a long moment as though he wanted to say something but couldn't quite find the words, then finally gave up and lifted his mouth back to hers for a soft kiss.
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Post by Aritha Bianca Kairavi on Aug 31, 2010 1:37:55 GMT -5
Aritha twitched slightly when he kissed her palm. It tickled, but she just smiled at him. She looked down at him with that same soft smile, then leaned into his kiss. She pulled away somewhat reluctantly, then grinned at him.
"I think that was sufficient answer," she purred softly. "But if you don't get up, you'll stretch the knees of those slacks out, and this heavenly food will get cold. I'd hate to see it go to waste."
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Post by Rudeth Volkova on Sept 5, 2010 20:52:27 GMT -5
"But of course, my lady," he replied gallantly, squeezing her hand. "But before I do, if I may ask you one more thing?"
Rudeth squeezed her hand and gave her a broad grin. "Would you do me the honor of allowing me to escort you to prom?"
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Post by Aritha Bianca Kairavi on Sept 5, 2010 22:00:51 GMT -5
Aritha grinned at him, squeezing his hand back and leaning over to kiss him. "Of course. I'm wearing red, if that affects your designs at all."
She pulled on his hand gently to get him on his feet, then ruffled his hair with her other hand. "Like I'd go with anyone else. "
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