{CO} Re-Introduction

[Elsa Bellefonte]

Elsa Bellefonte, dressed beyond the nines, strolled toward the young man with an almost predatory smile on her hips. She most certainly was not wearing a burlesque costume this time, instead opting for slimming, dark, designer jeans and an expensive blouse. Her makeup did not favor low lighting: instead looking professionally done. Her hair had been curled and twisted into an intricate style, pulled off her shoulders instead of falling almost untamed. Everything about her screamed immanent professional, ready to take on the world, to kick butts and take no names.

And she strolled up to Richard Buckles as if he were an old friend. "Told you you'd run into me again," she said. She walked up next to him, looking him over. "Would you recommend the burgers, the dogs, or perhaps something a bit classier? I'm a fan of the skewers myself," if nothing else, he would most definitely recognize the smile she pointed up at him: she'd worn a very similar, and almost predatory, the last time they'd spoken.

Her mind extended out now, far too curious to know his actual reaction not to peruse his private thoughts and make them very much her business.

[Richard Buckles]

Richard had heard there would be a barbeque which was all he needed to hear to want to make an appearance out doors. He was wearing his casual formal attire, so dark blue jeans that had obviously not been used much with a collared shirt that was a solid burgundy. He had the shirt tucked in and buttoned all the way up shy by one. He wasn't expecting anyone to dress up to nicely for such a casual occasion so he did not wear a tie. He was standing by a tree when he spotted the grill and made a move over towards it.

He was intercepted on his way over though by pretty woman who was dressed in a similar fashion by coincidence. He stopped now and looked over her direction and saw the sensual saunter of her hips as she made her way to him. He was wondering why she seemed to b-line towards him when she spoke up. He was looking at Elsa he figured out, though while she looked different not enough that he wouldn't recognize her as she had left a strong impression during there last encounter.

"Well hello Miss Elsa, I suppose you did." he said as turned himself towards the grill on her lead. He looked over the options he had before him "Hmmmm." he thought it over looking at her. He was already decided he was just taking the time to soak in her visage. She was, as in their last encounter, a ravishing beauty that drew his thoughts and eyes. He usually did have a problem with his eyes and mind being drawn to the prettiest girl in a room that made him obvious he felt.

[Elsa Bellefonte]

Prettiest girl in the room, rather cliche if said aloud, but a good deal more flattering if thought in supposed private. Or was that the situation for Richard? Had he put everything together and figured out who she was and what she could do? Elsa couldn't help but wonder that, even if she was a good deal more accepting of the "pretty" part than she would've been a year or so ago. She'd come to terms with the fact that she actually looked good and stated weaponizing it by now, something Richard knew first hand.

"Hello Mr. Richard," Elsa practically purred back. She watched him look over the grilled options, seeming to debate. "You know, generally people can just state their preferences outright. It's not exactly that complicated, now is it?" She stepped a little closer, coming just within arm's reach of him and looking things over. "So tell me, Mr. Richard," she couldn't help but enjoy using the mister a little too much, "what is your preference?"

[Richard Buckles]

Richard couldn't help but ignore her ability. Not because he had no knowledge but because he didn't want to know. This school was no different than any other seeming like people are to interested in other for superficial reasons. He did not blame anyone for asking 'what can you do' but he felt no such curiosity towards knowing their abilities in return. Though as much as he did feel that way something rubbed the back of his mind about Elsa when she was near. He didn't understand it.

She called him Mr. Richard which he found kind of flattering yet cute though a bit sensual the way she purred his direction. He knew what he wanted already from the grill. He would snag a burger but he couldn't help wanting a skewer for if nothing else because she seemed to recommend it. He was a bit nervous having her up so close but he could smell her and she smelled wonderful. When she questioned what he preferred by calling him Mr. Richard again have him a small shiver. Something his mind switched from food as he was thinking about what he wanted. Only thing on his mind was the thought of her.

He knew he didn't have a shot with her as she seemed a bit sophisticated. Probably to good for this small town hick but that is again why he was glad none of this was said out loud. He was quite content to just spend what time he had with her as she was like a brisk splash of water that woke him up.

[Elsa Bellefonte]

"Have I actually rendered you completely speechless?" Elsa asked, unable to hide her surprise. She hadn't done that for some time. Usually everyone had something to say when she approached them. Again, her name generally got some reactions and forced people to start thinking or talking or something along those lines. "And still no recommendation. Really, here I thought you small town military types were filled with chivalry."

Elsa let out a sigh and scanned the table, eventually reaching over for one of the skewers. She knew that at least one volunteer wasn't exactly thrilled at her including them on the menu, but they needed a few options that didn't scream low-budget function. They also needed something vegan just in case, and she could see that grill from there. No, she'd definitely opt for this, and be quite thankful that she didn't have a parasite in her stomach any longer.

Elsa plucked the top piece from the skewer, a bit of pineapple, and pushed it into her mouth, chewing and swallowing, all while looking over at Richard. "So, are you enjoying everything?" Elsa asked, gesturing to indicate the gathered people and food around them.

[Richard Buckles]

He stood there so deep in thought he had not realized his silence as his mind tossed back and forth over what she said. So when she poke up again about being speechless he opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out. He then exhaled hard as she teased him about his lack of manners it made his eyes open wider. He felt slightly ashamed now as he was being rude just standing there slacked jawed.

"I am sorry. I was just struck to silence by your beauty." he said now without really a thought to it as he was reflexively saying the first thing that snapped into his mind. It was certainly true that he was stunned to silence impart of her beauty. He turned a deep pink almost a crimson color after he said that. He began to think why did he have to blurt the first thing that came to mind. He was so horribly embarrassed and was afraid she would think he was some fast talker.

He had to stay cool and caaaalm down this was the things they told him that he let his anxieties get out of control he would never full wield his ability. He moved up with her as he loaded himself up a burger with tomato and pickles with ketchup. He had taken a bite and used the chewing as a stall to think before he spoke next. "Ummm yes very much so enjoying myself at this lovely school function." He reached over and took one of the skewers while he was at it as he did want to give it a try.

[Elsa Bellefonte]

Elsa had to openly smile at his comment. "You sure you want to go with that one?" she had to ask. What was more interesting was that it was literally the first thing that had popped into her mind. That was always the fun little benefit of being a mind-reader: you knew if someone was purposefully saying something or just opening their mouth and responding. Richard was even having the fairly standard reaction to having blurted something he had absolutely no intention of actually saying.

Elsa gave him his little cool down, picking at her skewer as she did. Girl had to eat, especially if she was going to be flitting around and talking to other people, which was very much the point of being here. She watched him load up a burger, not at all surprised to see the military man going for something big and meaty.

"I think that's actually worse," she said as he continued. "It sounds very much like a line. For example," she tilted her head slightly, sliding the smile she used to greet shareholders on . "It's so great to see you here, Mr. Buckles. And so sharply dressed too! Just having someone like you here classes the whole party up." and cue the fake laugh, before Elsa lapsed into raised brows and popping a cherry tomato into her mouth.

[Richard Buckles]

She questioned whether he wanted to go with that or not and he was very wide eyed as he thought that over. What was he thinking just so crassly yelling out something like that. His nervousness was instead of clamming him up was making him blabber on like an idiot now. He would have enjoyed the burger more if he hadn't been a jumble of thoughts all in his head distracting him from really tasting it.

He was glad she let him be while he took that bite as it gave him a much needed reprieve to collect himself. He was better now that his mind wasn't bouncing around like a rabbit on meth. Now he was no master of intuition or intelligence but seeing her actual smile and then this thing she put on her face that was perhaps just to big a smile seemed pretty fake. Then she began to say very complimentary things and he wasn't sure if she was being joking or not. Though her comment about classing the whole affair up was definitely not something he had ever heard about him before.

He wondered how she was so good at faking that though. Without that comparison he had he would have bought what she was selling. Did she have to pretend that often? If that was the case he felt kind of sad for her. He knew he didn't have to be anything but him all the time and couldn't imagine having to hold back. He then took a voice that sounded like a cheesy newscaster deciding to have a little fun "by golly you are right Miss Elsa. How crude of me to blather on such a simple sentence. When you are more than just a pretty face. You are but of course a ravishing rose amongst daisies and don't think those thorns are enough to ever keep me from wanting to pluck you out."

He wasn't entirely sure if that made sense cause he was never good at creatively expressing himself. Though it was true she did stand out from all the other people here even if with jabs directed at him in a teasing fashion were thorns that he gladly endured to spend some more time with her. He was using his fake voice and the idea of it being a joke to sort of cover up his was being honest.

[Elsa Bellefonte]

"Yes, yes I do have to pretend, all the time," Elsa replied, directly addressing the thought for the first time. It was a habit she had that most people around her just had to get used to. She'd slid it in just before he'd launched into his own bit, and of course she could hear the echoes of his thoughts, along with his own knowledge that he was supposed to be putting something on and being creative and so forth.

The problem was that Elsa had always been most insistent on not enjoying compliments about her looks as much as other parts of her being. She shared her looks with someone else: Erika still looked very much like her down to the slightest detail. She'd had to explain that to several people, particularly those that went out of their way to court her. So it was slightly surprising to hear it, especially as she knew he couldn't fake it all that well.

"That was awful," she said, pointing at him. "No one would buy all that, particularly the bit about ravishing roses and so forth. Though I have been called thorny before, so at least you've got my personality down," She plucked another bit off the skewer, tossing it in her mouth with a gesture that fell somewhere between aggression and casual.

[Richard Buckles]

He stopped middle of bringing his burger up for another bite. Wait what? He hadn't said that out loud did he? No, no he was pretty sure he hadn't but then again he has on occasion let things slip out of his mouth he didn't mean to. He couldn't help but wonder about that though quickly has his mind dashed from it as he put the burger back down on the plate he had.

His little pretending of obnoxious over the top stuffiness was a failure. She did not seem to appreciate it any way shape or form. Why did he have to try so hard with her he didn't know. He silently took a bite now from his skewer, maybe he was better off shutting his mouth for a bit. Perhaps an awkward silence once more was needed as a palate cleanser "You do look quite lovely today though." he said as an after thought.

He knew maybe he should have left her looks out of it by now but she did look lovely. Though his first sighting of her was when she seemed almost happy to see him now he wasn't so sure if maybe he should just duck and roll and go find a hole somewhere to be buried in. "So I guess it was only a matter of time till I ran into you again."

[Elsa Bellefonte]

The next silence was a bit awkward, which was something of a shame. Elsa vastly preferred Richard when he tried, even if he sometimes ended up falling on his face from his efforts to do so. "Thank you," she offered, nodding, "but as I tell everyone: the looks compliments will only go so far when you're talking to an identical twin."

Which was a bit of a hint toward who she was already. She gave her hair a toss, taking a moment to look around. No one seemed to be on fire, and there wasn't anyone who looked as if they particularly needed her services at the time. She very nearly chuckled at Richard's next mental image, the tucking and rolling just striking her as so very amusing given everything.

"I did tell you that was a possibility," she said, looking back to him. "Like I said: I attend school here. Make it to every function," and planned most of them, and financed a few. Elsa took another bit of the skewer, popping it into her mouth. "The burger good? You seem awfully focused on it for someone who's supposedly talking with a lovely lady."

[Richard Buckles]

Richard found out something about her twin and how she felt about her appearance since she had a look alike. He shook his head "Jusr because someone compares you to a flower doesn't mean they are talking about your appearance." he suggested to her. She had missed the point of his attempt entirely it seemed. He was not much of a poet so he did have fancy words. It was just when he thought of her and who she was a rose came to mind. Soft silly petals like her warm and inviting demeanor and the jagged spikes that were her bad side. Can't want the flower for it bloom alone, had to be prepared to get stuck by the thorns. If the flower was worth it the thorns wouldn't matter.

That was to convoluted of a thought to say directly to her. "Well you did call it for sure. I am surprised you stay up in the dorms though if you are from around here. Must have needed to get out the house and have some space from the parents hmmm?" He was trying to learn more about her of course she did seem to enjoy dodging that particular topic. "Well I will not deny I am a bit more than hungry so I thought it best to eat so I could give you my full attention instead of dividing it between you and a growling stomach."

[Elsa Bellefonte]

OH Elsa, had definitely gotten the rose comparison before. She'd have gotten ti even if she hadn't been reading his mind. Wouldn't be the first time someone used the whole thorn analogy. No, she'd been quite specifically referencing his quite blunt mention of her being lovely. But she wasn't about to start splitting hairs for him: they weren't quite at that point just yet.

Instead she kept smiling, adding a slight shrug. "Who said I lived at the dorm?" she had to ask point blank, smiling slyly. "You are right though: I do appreciate getting away from my parents," Elsa then paused and nodded, "and my sister," and another pause, "and my brother, though he's moving out," Elsa had to smile slightly at that. She'd been helping Abel as best she could, but she hadn't heard from him in quite some time.

Elsa took another bite to eat, the smile not fading in the slightest as Richard continued. "Oh, so you want to give me your full attention then? Should I be flattered?" she arched her brows. "There's probably a line for that somewhere. I don't know quite where it starts though..."

[Richard Buckles]

Richard for once was the one with the arched eye brow looking at her "Well I suppose the fact that I brought you home. So unless you let me drive you here and then turned around to call a cab to take you back home you most assuredly do live on the grounds I would wager." He of course was missing the fact that she said the dorms specifically and that she could live else where on the grounds. Though he wouldn't think that true as she was a student to him nothing more.

"Well I love my older brothers and sure I missed them when they moved away for college but when they were always around I wanted to kill them sometimes." his mind shot back to that fateful day when mom was away and the boys were playing and he was convinced to hide in the suit case. Then was locked in it for hours and hours the panic he felt. He cleared his throat slightly "Distance is a good thing sometimes yes. but I am sure he will keep in contact right?"

"Well if there is one of you and dozens like me then I should count my lucky stars that I have your attention at all then." he said though sort of glossing over the fact that she had a twin. He would take a little bit before his brain really hit that home. It would bite him in the ass in the future he would have supposed if he was thinking straight.

[Elsa Bellefonte]

Elsa had, in fact, had him stop a good deal short of the family home, where she was officially staying. She'd thought about moving back into the dorm, but it just hadn't made sense. Plus, there was some part of her that simply liked that there was at least one of them still living in the mansion. Her siblings moved away to make their claim; she moved in to make hers.

Apparently he had siblings too. Elsa couldn't recall if he'd mentioned them before now, but she definitely logged the information away for future use. You never knew when that would be useful. The thought that followed had her smiling though: she knew sibling antics quite well. Well enough that the smile had a touch of memory. She did nod along with his assessment, before giving him another smile.

"Is there some sort of script you're getting these lines from?" She asked, raising her brows. "Because they do sound almost cliche. Also, I should be pointing out that technically there's two of me, but as I've already pointed out: it's just looks. everything else about me and my twin are drastically different. Which I'm sure you'll find out eventually," Elsa took another bite. "Erika's the popular one after all."