Seconds [SVR]

[Storyteller]

Valdimar
If this whole evening's intent was to hook Valdimar up, he wasn't sure it was working. However, what the evening's intent was and what his own equated to were completely different things. He was here to make some acquaintances, to get to know people. So when his phone buzzed again, telling him that he had a new match, he paid it due attention. His thumb swiped across the screen and tapped, opening up the inbuilt messenger. "Hello. Shall we meet at the bar or have you somewhere else in mind?"

Amalea
The red-head still wasn't sure what had possessed her to sign-up for this event. She didn't drink that much so drunkenly signing up was out of the question. Honestly, she suspected Every had had something to do with it, but nevertheless, she was here and second round matches were about to be released. The buzz of her phone sent her thumb swiping around the screen in search of the new match. The ding of the app's messenger was unexpectedly quick. Tapping it, she scanned the message before hitting reply "Hi! The bar would be a splendid meeting place."

Valdimar
Valdimar had suggested the bar on a whim, out of habit. It was a drinking hole, a place where all social animals eventually gravitated toward. Given he could no longer consume alcohol, and how concerned he'd been by the last match and the fact he'd been nursing a mug of blood -- why would he put himself through that again? Too late now. He swiped back to Amalea's profile and eyed the picture that was provided, so that he might be able to find her. Inwardly, he had to laugh -- did this program think he had something for redheads? He wasn't going to complain. Sauntering back over to the bar from the skating rink, he slowly meandered its length looking for his 'match'.

Amalea
She meandered towards the bar as she reviewed her match's profile. He wasn't bad looking and a male would be a nice shake up from her last match. He also seemed a bit more serious than the last one as well. It would be interesting, she had no doubt. The bar was easy enough to find since one just needed to look for the mass hoards. Her match was a bit harder to find. Thinking she had spotted him, she gave a small wave.

Valdimar
Pictures were only ever a small slice of a person; a moment in time, where smiles are often forced. Even candids often didn't do the actual person justice and, trying to find someone bases on their picture wasn't always easy. Valdimar thought that he had caught the eye of his match; the small wave she lifted in his direction was all the confirmation he needed. His meander turned purposeful as he approached, the smile easy on his lips. "Amalea?" he inquired, though he already knew his answer. The dress she wore was modest, which in turn told him a lot about the woman. "Do you want to sit at the bar or...somewhere else?" he asked, the words accented. Lady's choice.

Amalea
A smile tugged at her lips as the man made his way towards her indicating she had been correct in her observation. "Guilty," she laughed softly as she noted his accent. He was dressed impeccably, which was unusual for most in the city these days. She eyed the bar quickly, "Somewhere else would be preferable."

Valdimar
"Okay," he said, gaze turning to the surrounding areas. He'd already been ice-skating, and though there were plenty of benches set up for people to sit and eat, he could not eat. Blue eyes swept further out, before settling on and rising up to meet the peak of the ferris wheel. He grinned. "Cliche, maybe, but how do you feel about heights?" he asked, gesturing to the wheel. It would be somewhere to sit, and though they'd be trapped together and forced to converse for the duration of the ride, wasn't that the whole point?

Amalea
As long as they were away from the crowd, Amalea really didn't have a preference as to where they headed. Normally she didn't mind them, but as of late she had begun to become uneasy when surrounded. She had given up trying to figure out if it was tied to her adventure earlier in the month or her own sanity. Or even perhaps something different completely. His question about heights had her eyes following his movements. She smiled as she laughed, "I have no issues with heights and there's guaranteed to be no mass hoards, so it's perfect."

Valdimar
Curious, Valdimar thought. Why would she be here if she didn't like crowds? That was a question that could be reserved for later, as they were supposed to get to know each other. His hand hovered near the small of her back as they made their way away from the bar; they had to navigate through said hoards to get to their destination, and once reached Valdimar did not hesitate to pay for the tickets required to ride the wheel. There was a small line, but nothing too major; they were third in line when they finally stopped. "How's your night been?" he asked. Perhaps something had happened which had caused her to be uneasy with the crowd, rather than her having come here regardless of how she knew it would make her feel.

Amalea
She could sense the hand hovering near her back rather than on it. A gentleman, those were even rarer than an impeccably dressed man. It was nice to have an escort through the crowds giving how suffocating they were currently. The line for the wheel wasn't long thankfully. "It hasn't been too bad. I still haven't decided fully what I think of my last match." She glanced at the wheel, "She was lovely, but there wasn't enough time. How has yours gone?"

Valdimar
Valdimar shrugged. He was taller than most and so, as he stood there leaning against the railing, he peered over the heads of those gathered as if he might find his former match, somewhere in the crowd. But there truly were too many people for the search to be viable. "It's been enlightening. But, yes. I do think there was not enough time. It's still good to form those acquaintances, however slight they might be," he said as he turned his smile back to Amalea. "I am curious, though -- if you are not fond of crowds, then why did you come?"

Amalea
"Indeed, it has been good fun. It's always nice to meet new people. I used to enjoy working at the Necropolis way back." She smiled at him as she recalled those times. She missed it, but everything had had to move on. The question about the crowds was unusual, though she supposed not unexpected given her earlier declaration. "Typically, I do not mind the crowds. Tonight, for some reason I have been able to pinpoint, it seems to be bothersome."

Valdimar
The Necropolis. Valdimar filed the name away to look up later; it wasn't a place that he knew. "I am new to the city. I have only been here a couple of weeks. I'm not sure what is around. If the Necropolis is a good place to go, I will have to look it up," he said. The line moved. They were now at the front of it, waiting for the next available carriage. "Are you ah... I suppose the term is 'introvert'? I have known some people who have nothing against crowds but too much of a good thing, and they need to leave. For no reason but to recharge..."

Amalea
"It's a club, essentially. It was a wonderful place to work and the owner is a lovely woman. I just had things of my own I wanted to do. I own several businesses now." So he was new, that was an interesting tidbit she'd have to ask about later. "Not exactly an introvert, no. Not usually. Lately though, it seems as though that was the case. It could be the day... I'm not overly fond of the holiday, to be honest."

Valdimar
Valdimar laughed. The conversation was an intriguing one, and he was quite happy to keep the topic from himself. "Ah, business, yes. That's something I can sympathise with. But again I am curious," he said, interrupted by the gate opening, the usher leading them through to their wheel carriage. It was open to the air. The woman beside him was... well, not wearing a jacket, and though they hadn't got too close he could still tell she was human. Would she be cold, up there in the air? "You don't like the holiday but you have come to a Valentine's party..." he arched a brow. He was curious.

Amalea
Amalea let herself be ushered into the carriage. She slid gracefully into the offered seat happy that they weren't doing something typical like drinks. Then again, given she knew many in attendance weren't able to eat or drink, it was also nice to have something both species could enjoy without much hassle. She blushed lightly at the question, though it was a fair one, given it made no sense. "You're observant," she commented lightly. "Many wouldn't have made the connection so quickly. I've been in this city nearly seven years, yet, I can count the number of dates I've been on on a single hand. The event was a chance to at least attempt to change that or, failing that, at least meet someone new."

Valdimar
"So... is this event.. you would say that you've been on two dates in one night and you can tell yourself that you've tried? Or do you plan on setting up more dates with the people you've met?" he asked. She'd mentioned that her previous match was a woman. Given that she was now sitting there with him, Valdimar had to assume she wasn't exclusively for the female sex, though he did wonder if he preferred one more over the other. Perhaps not a question to ask yet, given they were still basically complete strangers.

Amalea
She considered the question for a moment, "Perhaps I should have said I can count the number of people I've dated." She laughed gently, "I'm hoping that if a match goes well that perhaps something more comes of it, but I'm also not one to force things if there doesn't seem to be something there." In addition she wasn't entirely sure the event was long enough to be considered a solid date versus a meet and greet. "How about you? Do you plan on more date?"

Valdimar
There were other questions Valdimar could ask. For example, could she count the amount of dates she'd had in seven years because she hadn't been interested, or because she'd been in numerous long-term relationships? He had to assume the former, given the context of the conversation. The wheel had started to move and they were slowly being lifted into the sky. Although Valdimar spared a glance for the view, his attention remained mostly upon his 'date'. "I am the same. If it happens, it happens. If it doesn't, then it's not a loss," he said. They were seated on opposite sides of the carriage, though given his height their needs were bound to brush. He nodded to Amalea's bare arms and reached for the lapels of his jacket. "Are you cold?"

Amalea
The wheel beginning to make its rounds barely registered in the red-head's mind. Perhaps it was because there wasn't much of a view down here anyway. She nodded at his comment, "There's no point in trying to force anything the way I see it. If you have to do that, then it's not worth it in the end. I rather a friend than unhappy significant other, honestly." It was an interesting seating arrangement as she was sure she'd brush up against him if she shifted in her seat. "I'm alright at the moment as crazy as it sounds. I think I've gotten too used to the weather here."

Valdimar
Valdimar let his hands drop, nodding. "I am from Iceland. The weather is similar, I suppose," he said. But the honest truth was that he could kick around shirtless and he wasn't sure it would bother him anymore. Part and parcel of being well... basically dead. Recalling his current state was strange; the interaction with Amalea had been so normal. Maybe nothing had really changed? "You're right, of course. Though with dating apps I find there comes an expectation," he said. There were girls he'd met who'd wanted more than just a quick fling. But then, his Tinder profile had always been honest, and they knew what they were getting before ever they met him. "Honesty is key, I think."

Amalea
"Iceland to Harper Rock is quite the jump. What brought you here?" He had given her the perfect opening to ask about being new in the city so, of course, she was going to take it. This was nice. It seemed almost normal. Though perhaps ferris wheels in February was normal around here now; many strange things were. She was also fairly sure that her current date was a vampire, but it wasn't like it mattered to her. "Unfortunately so, which is why I tend to avoid them. I had a fear that this event would be more of a hook-up type event; it's nice that it hasn't been that way. "It is. If you can't be honest with someone, especially someone you're interested in, then there's no basis for a long-term relationship, even if it's just friendship."

Valdimar
The question was to be expected; it was one he had answered on his previous 'date', too. But there was no reason why he couldn't answer it. "I came for a conference. I also dabble in historical artifacts and was meeting someone to discuss," he said. It didn't answer why he was still here, and why he was now staying. But that wasn't the question. Valdimar's head cocked to the side, considering the red-head across from him. She was not the type for 'hooking up', then. "You don't think that hook ups are perhaps a good way to let off steam?" he asked. Everyone had needs, and satisfying oneself wasn't always good enough.

Amalea
His answer was interesting as is only a partial answer of what she was curious about; though it was her own fault for not asking a question that covered the full scope. The night was young though. "Liked it so much you decided to stay?" It was half question and half tease. She was curious how he would take it. Her lips twitched as his head canted to look at her. She wasn't a typical woman; she knew that. It was just amusing when others realized it. "They likely are a good way to do so. It's just not something I've considered much."

Valdimar
"I wouldn't say that. I'd say I'm a victim of circumstance, though I suppose there are good reasons to stay," he said. The more he got to know his own sire, for example, the more he realised he'd be missing out had everything gone to plan and he'd gone back to Iceland. "If you don't mind me asking, then -- what do you like to do to let off steam?"




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This thread was submitted via a live roleplay chat in the Abandoned Dock area. Participants and rewards were: Valdimar earned 2208 RPP. Amalea earned 1760 RPP.