Secret Lives ~ 1x1 with Cloudsong and M.F.L

[Cloudsong]

As soon as his father had disappeared behind a wagon on his way back to his room, Evan turned to Sauda again. Upon seeing the look on her face, he frowned. How had her bright smile turned to a scowl, and narrowed eyes? He bit his lip, seeming a bit uncertain. "What?" he asked quietly, almost nervous about what she might say. Had he done something? Silently he recounted everything that had happened. We came back, and then my father came... What had happened during that time period that had offended her? All he had done was suggest to his father that he go back to his room.

Evan was not conscious that he had the power to control others' emotions, and much less that he could make someone go with his suggestions without question. Sure, he had always known that he was the only one that could keep his father's temper at bay, but never would he have guessed that that was why.

[My Fair Lady]

"What did you do? That was an rather quick turnaround." Sauda studied Evan. She knew of other kinds of powers, she had never met another gifted besides herself. She figured by Evan's expression that even if he was a gifted, he didn't know. Sauda was unsure how this situation would play out and it made her more uncomfortable than she already was. Sauda bit her lip, realizing that Evan found her reaction strange.

She really wished she could shift into a fox and run away so she could avoid his gaze, but that was something that was impossible.

(Sorry it's so short, puppy on my lap.)

[Cloudsong]

"I didn't do anything," Evan said slowly, enunciating each word as he tried to consider what she was implying. What exactly was she going on about? He had just saved her by telling his father to leave. Shouldn't she be a little grateful, rather than suspicious? He didn't mention this, however, and just crossed his arms, silent once again. "I guess I just know how to calm him down? Years of experience being around someone like that helps." His tone was slightly sour as he grew annoyed. Why was she doubting him so much? All he had done in the last hour of them being together was try to be nice, and now she became suspicious over the silliest little thing.

(It's fine!)

[My Fair Lady]

Sauda nodded. "Alright." If he doesn't know, then maybe he doesn't have any powers. My intuition must be wrong. She lowered her head as his tone got sour, clearly he was getting annoyed. Her tone was equally sour, though with a tinge of regret and sarcasm. "Sorry. I don't trust people I just got to know. Rough life, rough kid." With that, Sauda turned away from him, not before he would have caught a glimpse of her face. A face that was confused, conflicted, and a bit regretful. She hurried away, hoping that he wouldn't follow her.

[Cloudsong]

As she turned away and swiftly walked off, Evan's face softened, and he hesitated, obviously very conflicted. "Hey - wait, Sauda.." He had caught the look of regret that was clear on her face; it was not anger, or annoyance. What had he said now? Quickly he raced after her, catching up easily. He reached over and gently held her back with a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Sauda..." he murmured, obviously trying to decide what to say. "What did you expect me to have said? Okay, I didn't tell the truth. Honestly, I've been able to alter peoples' emotions and influence what they think. Mostly I do it to keep the peoples' jobs here when my father gets drunk." He released her shoulder, and put a hand on the back of his neck, not meeting her gaze.

[My Fair Lady]

Sauda tried to ignore his words and just keep on walking, but he gently took her shoulder. At the touch, she winced and her head ducked down, as if afraid of being hit. It was an unconscious reaction that had been hardwired into her because of the years of beatings. His words made the slight smile ease its way back onto her lips. This was new thing for her, someone coming after her. "You're the first one." She murmured, her eyes to the ground, her back to him. No one, expect Gypsy, had ever followed after her when she left, with good intentions in mind.

[Cloudsong]

Evan noticed every motion she made. When she ducked her head as if she were afraid of being hit, he hesitated. Had anyone beat Sauda in her life? The thought brought a surge of anger, and he wished that he had known. If it was someone from here... His thoughts trailed off, and he blinked, unsure of what he would do to them. He was against violence in general, but the idea of someone hitting Sauda was - he felt - a new low.

Her words took him by surprise, and he tipped his head to one side, trying to make sense of them. "The first one to what?" he said quietly, not trying to turn her around so that he could see her face. What would she look like? Would she have a smile on her face, or anger - or sorrow? He bit his lip, waiting for her to reply.

[My Fair Lady]

Sauda turned around to look at Evan. "You're the first one to come after me with good intentions, besides Gypsy." Her smile was very slight, barely noticeable, but it was there. There was something about Evan that she found annoying and yet, intriguing. She wondered what this feeling would become, dislike or the opposite. Evan made her question things, even herself. He was different than the other guys, Sauda could already tell that.

[Cloudsong]

Evan opened his mouth to ask if anyone had ever come after her with bad intentions, then closed it again before the words could escape his mouth. That smile she was offering him made him want to be extra careful about what he said; offending her seemed almost sinful, and he would hate to have her angry with him. Silently he inhaled, trying to think of what he could say.

"Well that's surprising," he said finally, his grin returning to him as mischief twinkled in his eyes. Obviously she didn't see where he was going with this. "You're nice, and pretty enough that any guy would want to come after you." He was only teasing, but there was some truth in his words. The fact that he was the first one to ever come after her with no bad intentions in mind was quite mind-blowing. Anyone would be crazy not to want to be nice to her.

[My Fair Lady]

Sauda felt her cheeks grow warm again, her head lowering in embarrassment. Pretty, me? She shifted her weight from foot to foot. "If you say so." She muttered. Sauda didn't know what Evan meant, she was a plain, rude girl who everyone hated. He was probably just trying to make her smile or blush, the thought making her a little confused.

Why would he care about her and think she was pretty and nice? It didn't make any sense to her. Evan confused her more than anyone ever had. He made her curious, it was almost a good feeling, but it was strange and new so it unnerved Sauda a little.