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Post by Riley Neves on Jan 31, 2009 5:11:25 GMT -5
Riley spent a little extra time cleaning her apartment, making sure everything was neat and orderly. She lined up her remotes and even did her laundry so that the basket was empty. It wasn't her, all these little things kept nice. It was the little, inconsequencial things where she allowed herself to be imperfect, and if she didn't spend so much time working, the apartment would be a complete disaster. So maybe she was putting up a front, but he wouldn't have to know.
She decided that their ups and downs were too exhausting, and too hard to keep up with. So she was surreandering.
At around 7 in the evening, she stepped out her door and just a bit down the hall. She stared at his door for a minute, then took a deep breath and knocked.
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Jan 31, 2009 12:15:02 GMT -5
Roland was currently sitting on his couch, looking over his impressive array of takeout menus. As embarrassing as it was to admit, this was what he did most nights... he would straighten up the apartment (which was usually clean to begin with), then he'd order takeout and eat it while reading. Most nights he would fall asleep on the couch.
Although he'd never admit it, there were times when he actually felt a little lonely. He'd grown up in a large, close-knit family and was used to having lots of people around. He'd always been kind of a loner in the family, and would sort of withdraw from the rest to take a break from it all... but now, with nothing to take a break from, all the solitary time had started to lose its appeal.
So when he heard the knock on the door, he was unreasonably excited. He rather hoped that it might be a family member, stopping by for a visit. He set the menus down on the coffee table, then walked over to the door. He looked out the peephole to see who it was and was surprised to see Riley standing there.
Frowning, he opened the door. "Riley?" he said. "What have I done this time?"
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Post by Riley Neves on Jan 31, 2009 12:38:10 GMT -5
Riley returned his frown, but just for a moment. She tried to ignore that he thought immidiately that she was here to argue or berate him, and she replaced the frown with a light smile.
"I made dinner," she said. "And I would like it if you came over. Just for a little bit." Maybe if they weren't working, they wouldn't argue so much, and come to some kind of understanding for when they were working. It was worth a shot, right?
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Jan 31, 2009 12:56:18 GMT -5
He blinked at her, almost not even sure he'd heard her right. "You're... inviting me over for dinner?" he repeated, confused. He almost wondered if his mother had somehow put him up to it, because he couldn't imagine that Riley would decide to do such a thing on her own.
Still, he was a single guy who didn't know how to cook. He never turned down a free meal.
"I'll come over."
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Post by Riley Neves on Jan 31, 2009 13:12:20 GMT -5
She gave him an unamused look. If he was going to crack a joke or hassel her about this, she would turn right around and forget the whole thing. He needed to stop punishing her for trying to be nice.
He didn't, though, and she was honestly a bit surprised, but she nodded. "Okay. Good. Whenever you're... ready."
This was far more awkward than it should be, and she didn't know if she should turn and go back, or stand and wait for him.
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Jan 31, 2009 13:31:42 GMT -5
He looked at her a moment longer, a realization slowly occurring to him. She was trying to make peace with him. After all the times he'd had to apologize to her, it sort of felt nice to see her making an effort. He resolved to take the gesture as it was intended and be on his best behavior. He only hoped the resolve would last.
"I guess I'm ready now," he said. "That is, assuming I'm dressed OK." He was still dressed in the same clothes he'd worn to work that day.
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Post by Riley Neves on Jan 31, 2009 13:45:34 GMT -5
"It's just my apartment," Riley said, implying that it didn't matter how he was dressed. She was surprised he hadn't changed into something more casual yet, but then, she hadn't either. She felt uncomfortable actually, because casual to her was muggle attire, and she wasn't quite ready for him to see that side of her yet.
"But if you want to change, it's fine." Merlin, she didn't like doing this. She finally got her head on straight. "Just come knock, all right?"
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Jan 31, 2009 14:05:01 GMT -5
Merlin, this was awkward. And he thought he was bad at making nice. She was even worse. She looked like she would really be anywhere else in the world than standing in front of him, inviting him for dinner. Was he really that bad?
"Do you need a few minutes? I really wasn't planning to change, but if you need a minute, I'll change."
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Post by Riley Neves on Jan 31, 2009 14:05:44 GMT -5
Riley shook her head. "No... I'm ready for you," She said, wanting to laugh at this point. It was dinner, it couldn't be all bad. And it was her invitation, which meant he had to be nice or she could kick him out easily. It was her own home court advantage. Everything would be fine.
She took a step back so that he could leave his apartment, and gave him a soft smile.
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Jan 31, 2009 14:12:39 GMT -5
He thought about giving her an out. She seemed so uncomfortable, and he tried to imagine how he would feel in her position. Of course, he wouldn't have anything to offer her except takeout food, but still. If he were in her position, he'd feel awkward as hell.
But then she smiled. Something about that smile got to him. The corner of his lip quirked up on one side. "OK," he said. He stepped out of his apartment, closing the door behind him. "You should smile more often," he said. "It looks good on you."
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Post by Riley Neves on Jan 31, 2009 14:21:53 GMT -5
Riley looked at him, the compliment catching her off guard. She wasn't sure how to handle it from him, and she was usually much better about taking compliments. She and Roland had truly gotten off on the wrong foot, and just kept walking off beat for too long. She wanted that to change.
"Thank you," she said, opening her door and walking in first, waiting for him to come in behind her. The kitchen light was on as well as two lamps in the living room, so the reds and dark oranges that she accented the apartment with weren't as vibrant as they were in daylight, but it was still a little wild. Where she was used to apartments and homes feeling welcoming and safe, hers almost invited adventure.
Closing the door, she glanced at him, looking for any kind of reaction. She was inviting him into her home, and wondered desperately hat he was thinking.
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Jan 31, 2009 14:39:36 GMT -5
Her apartment was not at all what he had expected. He'd expected the decor to be tasteful, probably something in a soft pastel. Not red and orange. The layout was similar to his, but in reverse. And the color scheme was just a bolder version of his own, which, in comparison, seemed almost muted and dull. It seemed... not at all like her. She confused and mystified him. He raised his eyebrows, and he quirked his lips up in a half-smile.
"Nice apartment," he said, locking eyes with her. "So... what's for dinner?"
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Post by Riley Neves on Jan 31, 2009 14:45:44 GMT -5
"Thank you," she said again, not sure what he really thought of her apartment at all, and tried not to convince herself that he was judging her.
She had a glass dining table that she considered leading him to, and the decided to try for something more relaxed. It was a nice dinner, for the couch, she decided at length.
"I made Gnocchi," she said. "Please, have a seat." She disappeared into the kitchen for a moment and returned with two glasses of red wine, setting hers on the coffee table and holding his out to him.
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Jan 31, 2009 14:56:38 GMT -5
What she would have to learn about him was that he never gave a compliment that he didn't mean. And if he thought something was crap, he wouldn't hesitate to say so. But he was not aware that she had any doubts about his opinion, so he didn't say anything.
He was, however, trying to analyze her based on her apartment. The conclusion he had reached was that there really was more to her than he had previously assumed. And this idea intrigued him.
"Sounds good," he said, almost shyly. He moved over and sat down on the sofa, waiting for her to come back.
When she handed him his wine, he raised an eyebrow at her. "Should I be worried? You haven't poisoned it, have you?" he said teasingly.
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Post by Riley Neves on Jan 31, 2009 16:15:11 GMT -5
"Just drink it," Riley said, rolling her eyes, though there was still a hint of a smile on her lips. Even if they did make peace, she realized, there would always be banter between them. She just hoped it would stay friendly like this.
She retreated into the kitchen again, this time for a few minutes longer, until she returned with two plates and two napkins. She handed him one of each.
"The wine's not poisoned, but I can't make any promises about the food."
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Jan 31, 2009 16:41:50 GMT -5
He had to chuckle when she rolled her eyes at him. It felt more natural than the polite, awkward attempts at conversation they'd had thus far. There was a hint of laughter in his eyes as he raised his glass to her and took a slow, deliberate sip of the wine. It was a good wine, full-bodied and rich. She had good taste.
When she returned with their plates, he set down his wine and took the plate from her. "I'll keep that in mind," he replied. "But at any rate, I'm sure it couldn't possibly worse than my cooking."
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Post by Riley Neves on Jan 31, 2009 17:05:18 GMT -5
Riley's eyebrows went up as she sat on the sofa at the opposite end, folding her legs up under her.
"Does that mean you don't cook?" She gave him an odd little look, then announced rather honestly, "That surprises me."
She finally took a sip of her own wine, liking the taste it left on her tongue. This was already easier than she thought it would be, and for now, she left the apology unsaid. She hoped making him dinner as a peace offering was enough.
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Jan 31, 2009 17:24:49 GMT -5
For some reason, her surprise at his lack of cooking ability was not something he had expected. Just like he had been surprised by the bright colors of her apartment. They were clearly going on some very big misconceptions of each other.
He shook his head. "No... no, I don't cook. To say that my first few attempts were a disaster would be an understatement. I usually get takeout, or I end up eating cereal. When I remember to eat at all." He took a bite of the gnocchi. "It's very good. Why are you surprised that I can't cook?"
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Post by Riley Neves on Jan 31, 2009 17:45:23 GMT -5
"It just doesn't seem like you," Riley said, shrugging a little. "Big, bad Roland and all... you put out a very strong, independent front, and it just seems like cooking would be... second nature to you." She was surprised at how honest she was being with him. She didn't bother telling him how unhealthy his eating habits were... it would just get them started again, and she was trying to avoid that.
"I'm also a little surprised your mum didn't make you learn."
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Jan 31, 2009 17:58:54 GMT -5
Roland smiled. "That was almost a compliment," he said. "Are you sure you're feeling all right?"
He simply couldn't resist teasing her. It was so much nicer than the tension that was so much more typical between them. "I've actually never really been a big eater. It drove my mother crazy, because she's a really good cook... I just didn't really eat a lot. I still don't. I have a lot of bad habits, actually... it's something I need to work on. But, yeah... she used to try and teach me, just little things here and there... It just didn't take."
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