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Post by Dorian Humbert on Dec 21, 2016 23:03:00 GMT -5
Dorian watched her, in awe of her poise on the ice, when he realized that they were moving much too quickly toward the wall of the rink. He pulled Maxine toward him and attempted to change positions with her so that at least he would be the one bashed into the wall. But he was not quick enough or skilled enough on the ice to accomplish such a task. The best he could do was hold her against him with one hand and extend the opposite hand as a barrier as their bodies were pushed into the ledge.
"Are you alright?" he asked gently. Maxine was sandwiched between the wall and Dorian, their bodies flush against each other.
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Post by Maxine "Max" Deveraux on Dec 21, 2016 23:09:05 GMT -5
Her legs had even become tangled with him, and his worry was seemingly misplaced as gentle peels of laughter fell from her lips.
She held onto his arms to steady herself and regain her balance. Arms that were clearly hidden beneath a suit and long sleeve shirt. The man had hidden assets, probably to save women from fawning over themselves.
She sobered as she realized just how close they were and that she could feel the entire length of him pressed almost intimately against her, it wasn't a terrible feeling by any stretch of the imagination.
Still she found herself keenly aware of what kind of embarrassment he might have felt at the close proximity and chose to laugh rather than make a move. He was probably the most decent guy she had ever had the pleasure to meet, despite what worries Alek had.
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Post by Dorian Humbert on Dec 21, 2016 23:25:20 GMT -5
He was glad that her response was to laugh as it lightened his mood further still. He was having a terribly fun time despite being outside of his comfort zone. He held his position as she used his body to steady herself and when she seemed to be fine he suddenly became aware of how close they were.
"My apolog-" Dorian had meant to step back to give Maxine space, but he had momentarily forgotten that he was on ice and the blade of his shoe slid forward while the other slid sideways and Dorian soon found himself sitting painfully on the floor in front of her.
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Post by Maxine "Max" Deveraux on Dec 21, 2016 23:52:06 GMT -5
Her expression changed swiftly to one of concern as she knelt beside him, "Are you alright?" she asked her hands hovering over his frame.
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Post by Dorian Humbert on Dec 22, 2016 14:45:44 GMT -5
He wasn't sure what had come over him, whether it was their close proximity or the way she'd managed to turn his entire week around after only one meeting. Perhaps it was that he was exploring things with her that he'd forgotten he once had an interest in.
No matter the reason, as she hovered over him Dorian pulled her to him and kissed her. It lasted only a moment and when he pulled back he realized how forward he had been. "Maxine, I apologize-"
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Post by Maxine "Max" Deveraux on Dec 22, 2016 15:49:56 GMT -5
She cut him off swiftly with another kiss, having wanted to kiss him since she accidentally ran into him a the burger joint.
There was a sadness in his control, a loneliness in his strict adherence to what was right and noble, Maxine wanted nothing more than to turn his world upside down and make him smile.
She kissed him fully then pulled back, "No apology required."
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Post by Dorian Humbert on Dec 22, 2016 15:58:57 GMT -5
Despite her approval, Dorian felt the all too common twinge of guilt at his inappropriate actions. He smiled kindly at her before trying his best to return to his feet without taking another spill. He managed and extended his hand to Maxine to help her up as well.
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Post by Maxine "Max" Deveraux on Dec 22, 2016 16:13:58 GMT -5
She stood easily and smiled at him, "Come on." she said breaking the mood he had created for himself of doubt and guilt. She took his hand again and led him to the wall to lean against.
"There's a charm to keep you from falling." she told him, though she couldn't think of it at the moment.
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Post by Dorian Humbert on Dec 22, 2016 16:27:52 GMT -5
He gave a short laugh. "That would have been helpful to know earlier." Dorian looked at her expectantly.
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Post by Maxine "Max" Deveraux on Dec 22, 2016 16:34:27 GMT -5
She wrinkled her nose, "I forgot it..." she said apologetically.
"Well, just wait a minute I think...I think I remember." she said looking upward as she tried to recall the incantation. She had never had to use it before.
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Post by Dorian Humbert on Dec 22, 2016 16:46:12 GMT -5
Dorian nodded and gave an understanding smile. "I don't suppose you have much need for it. You're surely not dragged down by such buffoonery on a regular basis." He smiled to show that his statement was a joke and not to be taken seriously.
"Though, if you have one for back pain, I might find that more useful at the moment."
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Post by Maxine "Max" Deveraux on Dec 22, 2016 17:00:02 GMT -5
She rolled her eyes at his joke. Most physical things did come easily to Max, she was a physical creature of natural grace, but her magic wasn't as promising with exception to certain areas such as combat or luckily for Dorian, healing spells.
"Actually..." she grinned, "Do you trust me?"
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Post by Dorian Humbert on Dec 22, 2016 17:25:58 GMT -5
It was probably foolish trusting her. He didn't know her and in one day she'd managed to run in to him twice and play the damsel in distress when she was clearly a strong woman who could seemingly look after herself. But Dorian was obviously growing fond of Maxine and was even considering proposing a date more his own speed.
He smiled. "I would suspect so after I let you talk me into riding on your motorcycle."
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Post by Maxine "Max" Deveraux on Dec 22, 2016 17:33:33 GMT -5
She smiled and bit her lip, "Here it's probably best if we're not on the ice." she said guiding him to the exit and further to the bench that was there.
"Just sit down, at first it might feel strange, but I promise it will help."
She ran her hand down his back along his spine. Her touch was gentle, lover-like almost, until a deft movement with her hand locked his spine in place.
While she had him like this she could have paralyzed him, but that obviously was not her goal. She made a few more movements with her hand that he wouldn't be able to feel and then released the lock she had placed on his body. She had activated his body's natural defenses against pain and also fixed the years of poor posture allowing the muscles in the lower back to not feel so strained.
"How's that?"
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Post by Dorian Humbert on Dec 22, 2016 18:34:08 GMT -5
Dorian followed her to the bench. He found the rubber flooring much easier to move on than the ice, though Maxine's support played a part as well. He sat down and looked ahead as she moved behind him but when he felt the sudden pressure of her hand on his spine he grew concerned. Luckily it didn't last long and when she released him he truly felt much better. Though he would continue to adhere to the belief that he had always had perfect posture.
"Brilliant," he said honestly as he looked over his shoulder at her. "Where did you learn that?"
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Post by Maxine "Max" Deveraux on Dec 22, 2016 18:41:18 GMT -5
"I saved a monk's life." she said with a surprisingly straight face, "He taught me pressure points in return, you have remarkable posture by the way. Not that I'm surprised."
Everyone put some strain on their lower back when they sat down, and it was hard to maintain proper posture for long periods of time. Considering Dorian's profession Max was more than impressed that his body wasn't in worse shape.
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Post by Dorian Humbert on Dec 22, 2016 18:46:10 GMT -5
His eyebrows raised with interest and he slid over on the bench to make room for her. "Saved a monk's life? Surely there's a story to go with that statement."
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Post by Maxine "Max" Deveraux on Dec 22, 2016 19:52:23 GMT -5
"There is, and if you manage to stick around, you might hear it." she teased him.
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Post by Dorian Humbert on Dec 23, 2016 1:53:03 GMT -5
"Well now I'm at odds. I was thinking of asking you out again, but if I do so now you may think I'm only doing so to hear this intriguing story you've teased me with." Maxine's personality was as far from Dorian's as it seemed possible to be, but in the very short time that they had known each other Dorian felt lighter than he had in ages.
Even with as blissfully happy as he had been with Christine, he didn't feel whatever this was now. Of course the situations were so completely different that Dorian wasn't even sure what a real date with Christine might have been like. Since they became reacquainted they had been holed up in the hotel and on guard for the murderous M. Dorian did not know if Christine could have brought him out of his comfort zone as Maxine did, and it was sadly too late to find out.
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Post by Maxine "Max" Deveraux on Dec 23, 2016 2:01:42 GMT -5
"Really?" she asked, the first sign of insecurity or doubt she had showed. Max knew she was attractive, she also knew that saying she was attractive was an understatement, but she had never met anyone like Dorian, and truth be told she was a bit smitten herself.
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