Two Hearts In Harmony (Home of Evea and Golden)

[witch]

~* Two Hearts In Harmony *~

Golden Hunt

Golden had found himself unable to respond to what Evea had said, instead focusing on packing up their picnic in preparation for their visit to the apartment he had told her about. Still affected by unwelcome thoughts of their vulnerability, he admitted to himself that he felt relieved as he escorted Evea to where he could hail a cab. It crossed his mind that he should look into renting a car though a motorcycle had been more his dream till now, even one of those little Vespas seen in so many movies. He could picture a girl perched on the back, her arms about his waist, the two of them speeding along the Parisian streets or exploring the countryside. However, he doubted that she would be wearing one of those shirtwaist dresses with loads of cancans that seemed to be the usual apparel in the films he favored. Maybe capris instead...

During the ride, he had avoided any serious talk, wondering if that was disappointing or even distressing the woman at his side. During the relatively brief trip, the questions he held within seemed to multiply all the while. It had become like a game of... What was that called? Jenga? It was the one where they removed wooden pieces till the structure collapsed. That's what this was beginning to feel like. He was building a tower of withheld questions and remarks. Each one removed risk toppling everything, destroying anything between them.

Perhaps he had been a fool drowning for wont of conversation to have mentioned the apartment, but his friends had praised it to the proverbial heavens: close to the Eiffel Tower, as well as cafes, grocers and stores; familiar faces to call in favors from or to do favors for, plus the plus of having partygoers he truly knew, not freeloaders or anyone destructive; and, best of all, extremely reasonable rent, with permission for a roommate of his choice though they very likely would not have expected him to consider a female unless she was of the buddy kind. Since they knew that he had grown up with so many sisters, he doubted they would have been surprised if he did end up with a roommate of the opposite gender. He liked the idea of getting out of the OH dormitory though he had been thankful for the convenience. Having a Paris apartment... That he truly had not imagined mainly because he had never intended to be here for such a long time. Too, he had never considered the possibility of becoming involved with anyone, instead thinking that there might be a series of flirtations and lightly romantic encounters. Well, he had had some of those~before and after meeting Evea. How they felt about each other still seemed uncertain because of the continued secrecy. Was what was happening now portentous?

His friends were still awake, so he didn't have to feel guilty about awakening anyone. With ease, he made quick introductions (Yves and Llys Avignon, meet Evea. Evea~Yves and Llys.) then requested the key, trying to ignore the "knowing" looks he saw exchanged between husband and wife, certain that Llys was mentally designing wedding invitations because she was like that: madly determined for the world to be filled with happily married couples. With picnic basket on one arm and Evea on the other, he tracked down 116, fitted the key in the lock then, taking a deep breath, opened the door, reaching for the light switch. Now, he had heard praises from his friends about the apartment building they had been hired to tend to but had supposed that was because they felt a certain obligation. He realized that they were not exaggerating as his widening eyes were met with a room that seemed so welcoming, so homey, a place where he could be comfortable. He could not help but grin practically from ear to ear as he guided Evea in then shut the door behind them.

"Wow," he said softly then stronger, "Wow! This is beautiful!" While he might not have considered reds as a main color for design, there was not a false note in the room, which even had a fireplace, a particularly positive selling point to him as he envisioned evenings of popping corn and toasting marshmallows. A bit of looking around and they found the kitchen, where he set the basket on the table. "Want to explore?" he invited, stretching out his hand to her, anxious to see what the rest of the place was like.

[witch]

Evea Perry

Even though the start of the picnic had been wonderful Evea couldn't help but think it had gone somewhat down hill at the last moment her secret still looming over them though she had opened up at lest somewhat. She was still surprised that Golden hadn't put two and two together as the saying went but maybe it was better for him to think she truly was talking about a friend and not herself.

These very thoughts ran though her head along with the last sentence she had spoken before they had packed up and gotten into a cab 'what would we be?' It was a question she longed to answer but one she also knew never would.

For a long time they sat in stilled silence only speaking on topic's that felt safe yet all the while she couldn't help but shake the feeling that Golden was holding back wishing that he'd let the flood gates spill open, for anything would have been better then the game of chicken.

Letting these thoughts slid she tried to pry information out of him about where they where headed, what was known about the apartment along with who owned it, friends where always good to have around and an escape route was even better. She had never thought about getting a set place for herself knowing that at any second she might have to pack up and leave but it was nice to dream, would be nice to come home to someone stead of a lone room.

Finally they pulled up and Golden once again offered his arm which she took before hello's where made and a key passed hands. She made sure to know the layout of the place that already seemed so open and inviting and they hadn't even reached the apartment yet.

Apartment 116, what lay behind that door? It would be more then just a place but maybe a promise as well, a new life and a home she could call her own. As Golden opened the door she held her breath, closed her eyes waiting...

"Wow," Came the voice beside her making her open one eye slightly. "Wow! This is beautiful!"

All around then was a place of red and white seeming so loving and inviting it already made Evea fill at home. She could just see the fire place burning with a warm fire, smell the food cooking in the kitchen the mail piling up on the small table just in front of the sofa. She remembered the last time she had been in a place like this, the last place she had called home and that hadn't ended well.

"Want to explore?"

Blinking a few times Evea turned to face Golden, he who was nothing like Damon, Golden being sweet, kind, gentle and true... and yet so had Damon been at the start. Saying nothing she nodded simply letting her hand be taken by his as she fell into steep beside him.

So, the first door had been open but what lay behind the rest, what was the bed room like, where there two? It was a question that only now crossed her mind. He had said they would have to find out where they stood with one another but... was this meant to be a hint?

Holding her breath she opened the door to the next room turning the nob to reveal indeed a bedroom. Again everything within was red and white, a large double four post bed with a fly net all around as if waiting for royalty.

"It's breath taking" She spoke in a whisper of shocked surprise. "It's almost like a doll house, everything's just so perfect."

Walking away from Golden for a moment she made her way to the center of the room slowly turning in a full circle.

"I could just imagine seeing myself writing up my articles here or you watching one of those many movies you speak of. I do wonder however what the rest of the place is like." and if there's another bedroom. "Of course if we do decided to rent the place...buy the place we'll have to remember that there seems to be a colour scheme. Red, nothing but red and white. The queen of hearts would be happy."

[witch]

Golden would admit that he was a bit shaken when, upon opening the door, they found themselves looking into a bedroom~an amazing-looking one, true, but still a bit embarrassing for a couple still getting acquainted. He hoped that Evea did not think he had this planned. In the olden days, such a guy might be called a cad, tricking some girl into his lair. Well, he hadn't ever been less than a gentleman, so he supposed that he could rest on his laurels, so to speak.

"It's breath taking," she softly exclaimed, as if to speak more loudly would destroy the atmosphere. "It's almost like a doll house, everything's just so perfect."

"Agreed," Golden assured her. "I never imagined when they told me about it that it was be so~so homey. Fireplace, great kitchen, really, really pretty~if that doesn't sound too goofy," he rushed to add, thinking that such words from an all-American youth might sound a bit odd. He watched as she entered the room, turning to take it all in, and he knew that this place should belong to one or the other of them~or both, as Evea had suggested. Had he made the initial suggestion? Generally, he had a remarkable memory for conversations, so he knew that this evening had been somehow different in that he had become so rattled and uncertain.

"I could just imagine seeing myself writing up my articles here or you watching one of those many movies you speak of," Evea said, and he realized that perhaps she truly was seeing the two of them together in this place. "I do wonder however what the rest of the place is like." He voiced his agreement about that, too, thinking that there might be even more wonders in this cozy nest of a place. "Of course if we do decide to rent the place...buy the place we'll have to remember that there seems to be a colour scheme. Red, nothing but red and white. The queen of hearts would be happy."

"Well, let's explore some more," he prompted, taking her hand in his before heading for the second door, discovering a~not surprisingly~beautiful bathroom, if one could call such a place beautiful. The tub looked as if his tall frame might fit, but there was a setup for a shower, too, one of those stand-in-tub things that he had become accustomed to when traveling. "Bathroom," he announced chirpily, "aka lavatory when in ultra-polite company. Red-and-white: I'm sensing a monochromatic theme here." Glancing sideways at her, he arched a brow and noted, "I'll bet you never expected a word like that from moi, did you, Mademoiselle?" He chuckled at his less-than-smooth uses of not one but two words in a foreign language, especially since he had admitted his lack of aptitude with such a thing. Upon continuing on, they discovered the second bedroom, different from the other but nice in its own way. If he had to think of such a situation, he supposed that the first room might have been meant for Evea due to her response to it, while the second might be suitable for him. Sharing the bathroom shouldn't be a problem after his lifetime of experience with so many sisters, as well as situations he had encountered during their travels.

Then it struck him: Why was he thinking in these terms? Was he really contemplating sharing an apartment with Evea Perry, and was she envisioning the same thing? He felt rather out of his depth then settled himself by deciding to view this as merely a roommate situation. After all, there were two bedrooms, and this was a sizable apartment that would not lead to too much intimacy~unless both of them were in agreement.

"I can't imagine wanting to change much around here," he said. "I even noticed a piano!" They were continuing their tour, and he was curious to see what this place would look like in the daytime then~further~in each season. Season?! Was he considering living in Paris? For how long? Golden was beginning to feel lightheaded from the jumble of thoughts fighting for attention, so much so that he only half-registered their tour, just enough to realize that it would be difficult to think of any way in which this apartment could be anymore perfect. It was begging to be lived in, offering a cozy place to spend time reading, playing or listening to music, painting (having glimpsed the courtyard), and much more. Could he and Evea have a serious relationship? Could they deal with whatever secrets she held? Could the secrets be so dreadful? Perhaps it was her relationship with Evrard, who had referred to others, as had Evea. He had encountered this scenario in movies, from The Apartment to Sweet Charity to Camille in all its incarnations: a man dealing with a woman with "history". This was not a spot he ever figured that he would be in. However, he still did not know exactly what Evea's history entailed and if that might change how he found himself feeling about her.

"Do you think we could share a place?" he wondered when they had seen all there was to view of this indisputably desirable piece of property. "I think I could be good with platonic," he confessed. "We would have time to learn about each other, maybe over Smores," he added, smiling teasingly, "though I'd rather make that toasted marshmallows and spare the chocolate for later." He hesitated then said, "I'll tell them tonight to hang onto this one for two occupants. I can guarantee it will be well in our range. At least, I hope it will be. I'm sure they wouldn't toss us out on the streets~at least not you. Now, why not christen the apartment by finishing our picnic? Hey!" It struck him suddenly. "We have a movable feast in Paris! How literary of us!" His laughter seemed too loud in the quiet of the apartment, and he clamped his hand over his mouth to stifle any further hilarity. "Sorry. You know what a goofball I can be. Are you sure you can put up with me?"

[witch]

The illusion of a home was becoming stronger and with it harder to bear, for as Golden lead her around the apartment of red she fell more and more in love it, the idea of having a real home once again and someone to shear it with.

"Well, let's explore some more,"

They parted from the first bedroom they had found and then walked to find the bathroom which happened to be between the two bedrooms each of them seeming happy about that for neither of them really knew where they stood with each other in terms of a relationship. Evea had tried to push those thoughts from her mind but now they seemed to be stirring again, what if Golden was told her secret, would he still remain by her side, or run?

He had taken her hand in his as they walked about the apartment and so far he hadn't parted with what little she had given him to her past, he'd even be able to finger it out if he had wanted to, for all she knew he had already and was keeping it to himself. So then why did he seem so cheerful, even joking around his words when they had found the bathroom coming to mind.

"Bathroom, aka lavatory when in ultra-polite company. Red-and-white: I'm sensing a monochromatic theme here." he had even raised a brow at her before he had gone on. "I'll bet you never expected a word like that from moi, did you, Mademoiselle?"

She had even joined him in his laughter at his own words, if he had found out the truth surly he wouldn't be laughing and joking around as much as he was.

After they had explored the rest of the place they came once again to be standing in the living room, Evea remaining somewhat silent after she had sheared her views of the place, though now not daring to breath in case she found it to be a dream.

"I can't imagine wanting to change much around here," Golden's voice came making her gaze turn to him with a smile. "I even noticed a piano!"

She couldn't help but laugh again just thinking about going about her day listening to the music that he'd play maybe while she painted and they talked long into the night, curling up by the fire place while watching a movie and getting to know each other better...

Evea came back down to Earth when Golden spoke up again.

"Do you think we could share a place?"

For a moment she remained silent, thinking about it, truly thinking about it. He'd be in danger if she stayed with him, her secret would be a threat but she was thinking about ways around that, to make it a thing of the past, so...

"I think I could be good with platonic,"

"Platonic." Her voice echoed not quite certain if it was a question of a statement.

"We would have time to learn about each other, maybe over Smores,"

Evea couldn't help but shake her head.

"though I'd rather make that toasted marshmallows and spare the chocolate for later."

All of a sudden he seemed to draw back making Evea look at him in question. Was he starting to have second thoughts?

"I'll tell them tonight to hang onto this one for two occupants. I can guarantee it will be well in our range. At least, I hope it will be. I'm sure they wouldn't toss us out on the streets~at least not you. Now, why not christen the apartment by finishing our picnic? Hey!"

A silent shy of relief and a smile before quickly moving to the picnic basket, things seemed to be falling into place as if all they needed to do was say the word.

"We have a movable feast in Paris! How literary of us!"

Unable to help herself she laughed again as his hand shoot over his mouth.

"Sorry. You know what a goofball I can be. Are you sure you can put up with me?"

Turning back towards him she smiled.

"I think I'll live, though if you drive me nuts I'll tell you. It will be nice to actually live with someone again, have someone to talk to and not just by mail." She stopped then a sigh falling from her lips. "So lets get to it, if you agree I think we should at lest start looking into making this place our home and then, like you said, we can see where it takes us."

[witch]

To his teasing suggestion that he might be too much for her to deal with if in close proximity, she seemed to accept it in the same spirit. "I think I'll live, though if you drive me nuts I'll tell you. It will be nice to actually live with someone again, have someone to talk to and not just by mail." She paused, sighing, and he cocked his head questioningly at the sound, wondering what concern had come to her mind. "So let''s get to it," she stated firmly. "If you agree I think we should at least start looking into making this place our home and then, like you said, we can see where it takes us."

He smiled and nodded his agreement. "Even if it doesn't work, one or the other of us will have a fantastic apartment. But, I think it could work. I've been living in a dorm with a number of females, then there are all of those years with my sisters. This should be a breeze in comparison." He laughed throatily at that, thinking that perhaps it might work. He had yet to decide how he felt about Evea but knew that they were growing closer. "Why not set a date for dinner? How about the Eiffel Tower? I'll make reservations for whenever, we can meet, eat and talk, maybe go for a walk later, maybe stop by here. If we're lucky, we'll have a bit of a chill to the evening so we can light up the fireplace. If not..." He shrugged as if to indicate that there could be no problems. "So, Eiffel Tower sound good or somewhere else? Actually, I was picturing us looking out over Paris the City of Lights as we dine on~well~whatever we are in the mood for."

[witch]

Could she dare to dream of having a place to call a home at last? Should she dare to ask Golden to get the ball rolling? Where was one of those magic eight balls when you needed it?

Though he was teasing about if she could live with him she did question it. She knew all the dangers, all the questions and concerns and these weren’t just the everyday kind of 'can I live with him? Will he drive me nuts? Will we split the bills each time or one of us pay in advance each time?' so on and so forth. Running through all those things the dream was just too big and the want to great until finally she had told Golden that they should at least start the ball rolling down the hill.

Evea watched the smile that grew on his face at this and couldn't help the one that came to hers when she heard the next few sentences falling from his lips.

"Even if it doesn't work, one or the other of us will have a fantastic apartment. But, I think it could work. I've been living in a dorm with a number of females, then there are all of those years with my sisters. This should be a breeze in comparison."

She also joined in with the laugher though a look of question came about her face when he talked about the dorms knowing how they were laid out within the Opera House could it be that he had once had feelings for somewhere there and sheared something with her? But she was snapped from those thoughts.

"Why not set a date for dinner? How about the Eiffel Tower? I'll make reservations for whenever, we can meet, eat and talk, maybe go for a walk later, maybe stop by here. If we're lucky, we'll have a bit of a chill to the evening so we can light up the fireplace. If not..."

Another raised brow wondering how he'd go on only to see him shrug.

"So, Eiffel Tower sound good or somewhere else? Actually, I was picturing us looking out over Paris the City of Lights as we dine on~well~whatever we are in the mood for."

"It's a picture I could see, for the lights of Paris are what is meant to take you in and the tower, the tower is said to be the heart. So our.. 'date' will be at the tower."

A sparkle came to her eyes they had been on many outings together but as of yet none had been called a date, they where merely get togethers of two friends (though some may have thought otherwise.)

"But for now how about we get back to that picnic?"

[witch]

Golden smiled in response to her agreement to the plan and to completing their delayed meal. He had a sudden thought and strode over to a shelf where he had spotted a sound system, wondering about the available music. Soon, the soft strains of orchestral music just one step away from elevator listening were creating a suitable atmosphere for their late-night tete-a-tete.

Once each had a filled glasses in hand, he lifted his to meet hers in a salute to their tentative plans for the future. Deep down, he knew that he must contemplate where this would lead them. Was Evea Perry the one? For some reason, he had expected a Hollywood moment, one of crystal clarity, where bells would ring and heavenly choir sing, signalling that he had found his mate. The least that should have happened was finding a recording of Tchaikovsky's Love Theme from Romeo and Juliet! That would have hit this nail on the head! No. Instead they had something so generic that even Mantovani would not have bothered with it. Oh, it was pleasant enough music, but it was as nebulous as his troubled feelings. Wasn't love supposed to be certain? Or, was he foolishly idealistic? All right... So... That went without saying. He was exactly that. Now, he felt as if he was floundering around, pretending to be an adult about to embark on a relationship.

Shaking off these troubling thoughts, he refocused his attention on the beautiful woman sharing this moment with him, wishing that he knew more about her, feeling as if he was waiting for that second shoe to fall. Maybe that would happen at the Eiffel Tower.

That will be one long drop for a shoe, he mused, then added a Scarlett O'Haraish I'll think about that tomorrow.