Just Dance {gage}

[Anna Demidov]

The teen had taken the bus to Ashporte, although she had gone down a little bit earlier than most of the students. Anna didn't want to be crammed with the rest of her peers on a stuffy bus, although she probably would have appreciated the body heat on any other day. The sacrifice was surprised to find it sunny out today. The warm looking town contrasted with the cool autumn breeze that touched the back of her neck, even through her hair, and sent shivers down her spine. It was nearing time for winter, and although Anna didn't mind the seasons themselves, she hated the transition period between them. Her hoodie did enough to keep her warm, and the jeans were well worn it for a day out on the weekend. Her sneakers slapped along the wooden walkway of the so-called boardwalk, though it lacked attractions. Well, Ashporte was a town, after all, not a bustling summer vacation place. Pennsylvania, of all places to build a school for Fighters and Sacrifices.

Her eyes scanned the few people who walked by - no, not one of them were the guy she was looking for. Anna had a date - well, no, it wasn't a date - an arranged time and place to just spend time with a friend. Yes, that was it. A rendez-vous. She smiled, the bangs catching just at the very tops of her eyes, though they were accosted by the wind as well. Anna turned to look out at the water, her eyes scanning that as well for any sign of movement. Out of the corner of her eye she saw the tell-tale sign of Gage, his bright red hair. It was literally bright red, and Anna could imagine just badly tousled her hair was by the noontime sea breeze. "Hey, about time you showed up," she teased him lightly as a greeting. He was definitely attractive, but Anna had not quite ventured into the crush zone with him. Gage was homosexual, and although she didn't really care for a friend's sexual preference, she could imagine all the girls' hearts that had broken when they found out which way Gage preferred to swing. The easy smile on her face let him know that she was only teasing, good-natured and easy going.

[Gage Reinhart]

Another trip to Ashporte for Gage. Ever since he found his Sacrifice, he seemed to be going to this place more than he ever thought he would. It was nice there though, so he could imagine why the school would use it as a reward for behaving in school. In any case, having woken up this morning feeling tired as hell, he didn't give his appearance much thought. He walked off towards the parking lot from his dorm room, wearing a loose-fitting black hoodie and a pair of his regular, not-skinny jeans. His hair was a wild mess that was only made worse once he got outside -- the wind, man. It did terrible things to your appearance.

As he approached the bus, he noticed how many students had already gotten on and gave up his hope of getting his own seat. Taking his place next to some other kid, he rode in almost-silence to Ashporte. After what seemed like forever, the shuttle finally screeched to a stop, and all the other students stood up. Gage followed suit and made his way off the bus. It was weird coming here without Astrid -- somehow it felt a little wrong, since the other time he'd come here had been with her. He had to admit that the absence of his Sacrifice made him feel strangely alone. The man stuffed his hands into his hoodie pocket as he made his way towards where him and his friend were supposed to meet.

After he spotted her, his stoic expression turned into a big grin. "You can bite me," he said, his tone just as teasing as Anna's had been. "Besides, it's not my damn fault my bus driver was slow as fuck." The red-head rolled his eyes and glanced around. "So where are we going today?"

[Anna Demidov]

She laughed at his comment, baring her teeth at him playfully, as though she really would bit Gage. Hah. His sacrifice would probably tear her to pieces. It was rumored that the woman was vicious. Anna grinned, the smile that was turned oh so cheeky by his cussing. "Oh, you watch it. You can be such a brat," Anna teased him back again. Her eyes scanned his hair. Well, he hadn't put too much of an effort into his appearance, apparently. Lazy. Well, her town hair was just as funky looking at the moment, but she at least fixed hers this morning. Anna had a sneaking suspicion that Gage had not even attempted that much. Her grin reappeared at his comment about the speed of the bus driver. The guy was old, how else in the world did anybody expect to get here fast? Sighing with exasperation, Anna gave him a small nudge with her shoulder, the ever so friendly body contact.

"I was thinking window shopping, lunch, and creeping by the river.. Maybe if we pretended to fall in.." Anna walked, her pace slow and easy, although there was enough energy in her right now to run a marathon. Unlike Gage, the sacrifice didn't mind being without her fighter. Though, if she had to choose, Anna would definitely pick Eventide. It was odd, a little bit, but something that Anna could learn to deal with. It wasn't like she was OCD or a possessive sacrifice. "Unless you had other plans, it's going to be a slow day for us." She always through that out there, there was always suggestions that could be made. Though, Anna couldn't imagine Gage out in the forest, just hiking.. In fact. the thought nearly made her laugh. His read hair would be a huge target for anything out there. Window shopping would be fun, simply because Anna preferred to pick out the fugliest outfits and the like. It was a tradition she had brought from home. But, she had been looking at a new iPod, maybe she could find one here. Who else better to bring alone than Gage? Anna enjoyed the sarcastic comments.

[Gage Reinhart]

"Hey now," he laughed, holding his hands up in a playful defense when Anna snapped her teeth at him. It was funny, how the man seemed to get along with every girl he met. However, when Anna called him a brat, he almost snorted. "Tch. Please, Im no brat!" he said, giving a semi-gay impression. She gave him a light nudge, so he nudged her right back with the same friendly gesture. She was really easy to be around, Anna was, and Gage was enjoying her company. He gave a smile when she listed the options they had once they arrived at their destination.

"Right, right. And what exactly does creeping entail?" he asked, rolling his eyes playfully at the suggestion. He knew what she was talking about, but he figured he'd call her out on it anyway. Absentmindedly, he ran his hand through his hair as he thought about their plans. "Sounds good to me, but I do have one condition if you're gonna drag me along on your window shopping-spree. Wanna hear it?"

With this, he gave a huge grin as if he had something dastardly in mind for the girl. Anyone who the red-head knew this was the look he gave when he was plotting a way to poke fun at someone. It wasn't exactly a secret, but he knew what would make the day that much more exciting.

[Anna Demidov]

There was a small bout of laughter from the junior as he joked with her, following the little bit of playful snaps that Anna had sent at Gage a few moments earlier. He was adorable, really. There was something that seemed to pull women toward him. Although she hated to be superficial, she knew that his looks - his very good looks - had something to do with it. Gage just had that type of magnetic personality that made it hard to stay away from. Like moths to a flame, girls just loved being with him, Anna included. The smile was back, even as he joked about being a brat. "Uh huh," she rolled her eyes, making a small noise as she was pushed off balance by Gage. It was one of amusement and friendliness. She was more than comfortable with him, happy to just be with someone and having fun. He was a sweet guy, although she was still a bit wary of his sacrifice. Bah. Evee would claw her face off if she was restrictive.

"Creeping.. means that we get to watch everyone that walks by and talk about them. Especially guys and the weird people." There were always weird people, in every single town. No doubt about it, every town in the world had a few locals weirdos that just didn't get the hint. There was a small pout on her face, and Anna decided against blowing a raspberry at him. She liked her saliva in her mouth and not on his face. She had the very distinct urge to fix his hair, but at the same time it looked good unorganized. Why could Gage pull that look off when she couldn't? Her ears flicked in slight annoyance at the thought. "Sure, I bet you just love to make me miserable," Anna said, wondering if it was just the blushes that his actions summoned that Gage loved so much. "You're an evil mastermind, but no one believes me, they can't get past your good looks."

[Gage Reinhart]

Gage cracked up at the simple 'uh-huh' she produced in response to what he said. He shook his head with a grin on his face that suggested he knew that she had called him out on his bullshit. He supposed to other people he came off as a brat, but he didn't really care. Besides, he was the only one who mattered when it came to opinions, so he couldn't give two shits about what other people might say about his personality. Now Anna, he knew, was joking. But what he was referring to were the people who insulted him for his homosexuality or his outgoing behavior. Those were the people he didn't care about -- the ones who judged the book by its cover.

The man gave a nod when she explained what creeping meant to her, and had to chuckle when he realized he had been right. "Sure, so basically it's people watching," he stated, giving an expression that meant something along the lines of 'lets do it'. He flicked his ears a couple of times as he laughed, and noticed that Anna had been eying his hair. He smirked. "What, you don't like the style today?" he joked, lightly punching her shoulder.

Laughing to himself, he tilted his head. "Oh come on, you know I don't want to make you miserable. Just a little...embarrassed," he corrected, nodding. "And damn straight they can't see past my looks. Im pretty hard to get over, I guess," he said, but he rolled his eyes playfully after saying so. "And my condition is this -- if Im getting dragged along window shopping, then at some point during the course of the day, I get to drag you into any store I want, dress you up in the most hideous outfit I can find, and you have to take a picture in it." At this point, he couldn't contain his little dark chuckles. "That way, we can remember the day forever." Of course at this point, he wasn't expecting anything of a comeback or a condition to match his condition.

[Anna Demidov]

Of course she was joking when it came to calling him a brat. In all honesty, he was, but that was before someone really dug deep to know him. At least, that was how Anna felt about Gage. She knew how he felt about other people - she couldn't stand people who just judged instantly. They were usually the ones who were so cut off from the world that they didn't matter anyway. Their reality was where they were at the center of the universe. "People watching, creeping, close enough.. yours sounds more socially acceptable," Anna said, brushing the bangs from her eyes, even though they fell right back in that spot anyway.

It was a slow amble, a brisk day with enough to do in the little town. She couldn't help but wonder how the people here thought about the kids from her school. Sure, they were business, but at the same time they probably got annoying. "It's a total mess! Actually, I'm upset that you can get away with stuff like that and still look good," she said, letting out a loud and sarcastic sigh. "But you really don't need me stoking your ego, you have enough of that already." She grinned even as his fist lightly connected with her shoulder, her hands finding purchase on him and giving him a light nudge. God, they really were such kids. "Embarrassed, right, like that's any better!" Anna rolled her eyes, listening to him while keeping her eyes ahead, purposefully, so that Gage wouldn't see her reaction.

Outfits. One super humiliating one. Well, it would either be very sexy, very silly, or very ridiculous. Neither of those choices were what she had been looking for. Looking to Gage, the young woman bit her bottom lip, even as she smirked. "Hm..." she deliberated for a few moments, deciding just how much it would be worth it to see Gage happy at her red cheeks later in a dressing room. "Fine, Gage, fine! I'll remember this next time, I can promise you that." Indeed, there was a dark promise in her voice. Anna wouldn't let him get off that hook so easily.

[Gage Reinhart]

"I suppose you're right," he agreed, shrugging his shoulders and nodding at the same time. He figured it was the same thing anyway -- but he wanted to ask, just in case. People watching seemed really amusing to him right now for some reason. Maybe it's because people seemed to do that all the time to him -- staring, whispering things to each other as they passed by him -- that made him want to get revenge on other innocent people. A wicked grin spread across his features as he thought about it, giving a barely audible chuckle that he wondered if Anna would hear.

When Anna nudged him after telling him he didn't need any more of an ego boost, he laughed pretty hard. "Oh, Im always willing to get some of that. You know me." He shook his head playfully as he looked down at her. "And my hair just sort of does it's own thing. Not my fault it makes me look good." With that, he shrugged again, as if what he said was just no big deal.

"Being embarrassed is better," he nodded in a matter-of-fact way, as if just by saying that made the statement right. "At least that way, you aren't depressed and boring." He gave a wink. "And I still get my humor," he explained, holding his finger up as if to explain the point. He watched as she stared ahead, and rose his eyebrows in amusement. However, surprisingly, he didn't say anything about it.

"Yeah, yeah, sure you do," he said, humor in his voice telling her that he didn't believe a word she was saying to him. The red-head merely smirked right back at her, though, as if accepting her challenge. "So.. Where to first?"

[Anna Demidov]

The young woman couldn't help but laugh as he laughed harder than her about his slightly inflated ego. "If ego boosts were drugs, you would be a sad little red headed addict," Anna cooed at him, teasing the fighter just enough to provoke a little reaction. Anna always enjoyed watching people. She was a good observer, better at noting things that involved human interaction than others, for the most part. Her ears turned in his direction, catching something that she couldn't quite figure out. oh well, he had made a noise but it was now over.

She looked to him, facial expression mocking as Gage told her so that it was far better to be embarrassed than humiliated. Well, they were close enough, although Anna had no preference. "Really now?" she said to him, her voice a slow sarcastic drawl, her tail curling up behind her. Anna held the face for a few moments before it was followed by a smile and an almost eye-roll. "Depressed and boring?! Alright, you're definitely in for it today,' Anna play growled out, though it was all in good humor. Very rarely was she so angsty or aggressive. She was a well balanced person, which only added injury to insult when it came to that comment. "Well now, as long as you get your humor, then everything is well and fine with the world." She blew her hair out of her eyes, going cross-eyed for a few moments as she watched the hair settle right back where she didn't want it.

Now it was her turn to chuckle at his little comment. Gage was seriously underestimating the female sacrifice - big mistake. She would be sure to get him back, and at the moment she was thinking of how to sabotage his dorm. Although she wasn't allowed there due to her ovaries and lack of testes, Anna was sure that no one would have a problem with letting her fool around with Gage's stuff. If he found all of the biblical plagues acted out on his bed, he wouldn't be too happy, one for everyday of the week. In fact, he might get even more frustrated if it happened and he couldn't stop it. Well, Anna would plot with her dearest Evee when she talked to her next. "Can't I just get you a pretzel or something and call it even for dragging you around?" Anna suggested, trying to buy him out of the dress up game.

[Gage Reinhart]

(sorry i didnt reply sooner, i was halfway through posting when my internet died and i lost the whole thing xD i was pissed so i logged off for the day xD)

Gage cracked up, his voice mirroring the tone Anna had used when she said the same thing only moments ago. "Really now?" His eyes held a wicked humor that the girl would get to know really well soon enough. The more they hung out, the more she'd get to know the real him. Gage knew that the people who could tolerate the most of him were the people he could trust to really be his friends. So if Anna stayed around, he'd know she was a keeper.

After listening to her almost threat, he chuckled darkly. "Oh, Im so scared," he responded, ears twitching in amusement as they stood there talking. The day was starting out pretty well, even if the two were still just standing here in the same spot they'd met up in. "And yes, my humor is everything. Without it, the world would surely end." He gave a light shrug of the shoulders, wondering how she'd react to that one. She seemed to have something to say to anything Gage spat out, which only made their conversations that much more interesting to listen to.

"A pretzel?" he asked, laughing once more. "How about you buy me a pretzel and let me dress you up? That seems so much more amusing, and I'd get to eat while picking out the outfit. Yes, I think that'll do, thanks." He nodded to her, his feline ears twitching happily in tow with his expression. The red-head seemed rather pleased at this new turn of events. "So where to first?"

[Anna Demidov]

(no worries, i understand, it happened to me a few times and i basically frothed at the mouth XD)

There was no mistaking the humor in his eyes, the way Gage's glinted almost evilly in the sunlight. Oh, yes, there was a devil in him, Anna knew it. He was devious and at the same time a pleasure to have around. Perhaps it was because the fighter tended to be more of an opposite to her than anything else. Drawn to him by his looks and personality, Anna enjoyed her time with Gage. He was rewarded with a small eye roll as he mimicked her sarcasm only moments before. "Brat," the young woman insisted. She threw her hands in the air in exasperation, turning from him to walk away. Oh, he so tempted her to just do something wholly evil that he would never doubt her again.

And yet, at the same time, Anna didn't want to. He was just a bit too precious, despite the sweet temptation. "Oh yes. It must be in December of 2012 that you finally lose your sense of humor," the sacrifice grinned. That was all a bunch of crap, anyway. A firm skeptic of the whole idea of the world ending, Anna couldn't help but make fun of it. "Nevermind, you should get your own to enjoy." Her eyes slid over him. Well, she had bargained, and lost, but she would treat him to a pretzel, depending on how utterly humiliating her outfit would be. Again, Anna gave him a small disapproving look, before it turned into a smile. That mooch. Ah, but she held affection for Gage, whether or not she liked to admit it. "Okay, okay. So, my iPod first, then more window shopping. Lunch, maybe, if you deserve it, along with people watching, and then humiliation."

So Anna walked, enjoying the river. In fall, it was beginning to slowly but surely go down. The young woman liked being by the water, but at the same time she detested swimming. Anna just hated having her ears wet. She would much rather prefer to lay out on a lounge chair in the sun and tan for a little while, basking in the warmth. "How was your week? Mine was blah." Anna had enjoyed a little bit of it, but for the most part, it was all being introduced to classes, silly things like the course requirements and the like. In a few, though, they had actually begun to work - her sacrifice class had begun on the first day of school.

[Gage Reinhart]

"I already said I ain't a brat," he said, eyes gleaming at her through thick eyelashes. It was funny how he could get to her so easily, and he gave an audible laugh when she threw her arms up in the air. He took it as a defeat on her part. He'd wont he battle, and now all he had to do was continue to win the war for the rest of the day. She was so easy to hang out with, this Anna, and he'd get all he could out of it.

However, he rose an eyebrow when she suggested his humor ending when all the idiots of the world proclaimed it would -- December of 2012. It was such shit that he almost snorted when she made the comment. "Please tell me you don't believe in that shit, or else you've just given me something else to make fun of you for," he pointed out, chuckling darkly. He listened to their plan for the day, and thoughtfully nodded. "You forgot the part where we gaze upon the sunset," he said dramatically, the sarcasm in his voice completely obvious. The red-head had no intention of burning out his retinas today.

Gage followed her to the river, and gazed upon the surface of the water. It was pretty clear, so he could almost see the bottom without any problem -- the only thing hindering his sight was in fact that the water was moving. He was surprised when she suddenly asked about his week. "Uh, it was fine, I guess." Honestly, though, it was an amazing week. He'd met his Sacrifice, Astrid, and got to know all about her, and he'd also met a few people here and there around campus. Anna was one of those people. "Classes are kinda boring, but I guess I'll live."

[Anna Demidov]

She had anticipated that sort of response from the fighter unit. Oh, he was just so literal that she had to laugh at his sarcastic tone. Something told Anna that he would only believe certain things if he saw them with his own eyes. "Really now, I'm not that bad. I don't believe in that load of bull." Anna knew that regardless, he would find something else to pick on her for. That was just in his nature, she supposed. All in all, Anna didn't mind it, seeing as how she could dish it right back to Gage when she wanted to. There was a small smile on her lips as he spoke of the sunset.

In an equally as dramatic voice the young woman replied, "Oh yes, happy days!" It was spoken with a Southern belle sort of accent, the one that was entirely faked. Anna liked her eyes and fully functioning vision, thank you very much. It was interesting to watch the clear water. She had grown up where the Susquehanna River ran, near the city of Wilkes Barre. Despite the season, it had always seemed brown and churning to Anna. This water was so clear.. Well, despite the fact that she hated to swim, she wouldn't mind dipping her feet in it over summer break to ease the heat.

"Fine, you guess?" Anna repeated, giving the young man a small nudge. Oh, the redhead aggravated her. "Nothing exciting happened, nothing at all. Well, in that case, I'll tell you about my week." She turned away from the water, beginning to head down the board walk. About a few blocks down she would be able to turn onto the street where she thought was little shops. "I met Evee, my fighter. She's sweet on the inside, but pretty fierce and cold on the outside. I also moved in, including all my books." She thought for a moment. She had met Alex, who was, in a word, adorable. But.. some part of her didn't want Gage to tease her even more. Deciding to confide in someone, the sacrifice said, "I met this guy, Alex. He's.... nice. Sweet."