Cold Flames

Chapter 1 : Dinner

"So, uh... what's your favorite color?" he said nervously. I snapped back into focus, training my eye onto this greasy human of a man, a bit on the heavy side. Not that I personally had anything against a few extra pounds, but by the amount of junk food wrappers he had in his car, I'd figure he planned to keep it that way.

"Orange, yellow, red, and blue." I said in one breath as my eyes wandered off, looking at the rest of this fancy restaurant. I had to admit, the restaurant was pretty nice. Upscale, pristine... I wouldn't be surprised if you had to reserve a table two months ahead just to get a spot in this type of place. My hand started tapping the butter knife on the table anxiously, with my opposite knee following the motion. Where was that waiter? I ordered a cocktail over twenty minutes ago!

Not moments later, as though I summoned him through my thoughts, the waiter deposited the icy drink in front of me gently. "Have you both decided what you'll like to eat tonight?" He asked patiently. I looked over across from me, noticing the man hiding behind his menu he hadn't peeked at since we sat down. We both stared at the hiding individual, who seemed to be no where near a decision. "Could we have a few more moments? Maybe another round of wine for the both of us." He suggested, looking at me questioningly. Nodding in agreement, the waiter went off to replace our empty wine glasses.

"You seem rather distracted..." he concluded, his eyes switching between the menu and me. Instead of responding to his statement, I countered with a question. "Why is it we've been here for half and hour, and the most you've done is talk about your need of a housewife, conveniently avoiding the waiters question of our order?" I asked directly. His body tensed under my scrutinizing stare, before turning his attention back to the menu. Why isn't he ordering? Is he waiting for me to order?

"Perhaps I should make haste with my decision. Wouldn't want MY date waiting on me much longer..." he rambled quickly with a strange emphasis on me being his particular date. Wouldn't you believe it... I think I'm just here to make him look good! His hand trembled before, resting the menu down again. "Um..." his voice came out much quieter than it has been all night. "Would you terribly mind... I just remembered I left my wallet at home. Do you think... maybe you could... I don't know..." he frantically stumbled over his words as he tried to formulate the sentence I know he wasn't about to ask me. "Just cover tonight's bill? I'll foot the cost next time of course." He assured with aplomb.

I couldn't resist the dramatic eye roll my face showed no indignation of hiding. He's a fool to think we're getting anything past these glasses of wine. The pudgy fool was probably waiting for me to order first so it would seem I was self assured in my ability to pay for my selection. Pretty clever if you think about it, considering more often than not, if one is trying to stay on a budget, they probably wouldn't go out of their pay ability as far as ordering goes. Even so, the audacity was enough to turn my appetite for the rest of the night.

Patiently waiting for the waiter to return so I... *sigh*... could ask for the check, my eyes continued their tiresome wander. That's when I noticed someone with white almost silver hair, with matching eyebrows and eyelashes. As if it was a natural color on him. I knew the features well... how could I not? When his very existence was a immediate threat to my kind. My polar opposite in every which way.

Ice Man

His icy blue eyes caught mine, obviously equally as bored with his date as I was with mine. As I inhaled a deep breath in my nose, his intense stare only intensified with curiosity. He leaned to the side of the table trying to get a closer look. Firen look away from obtrusive creature. You know better than to find an ice man interesting. You know it. Look away... look away.... but my eyes wouldn't adhere to my command however. How could they when they were trapped in his gaze. If I were to look away, wouldn't that submit dominance? Or am I just making excuse to this unusual happening?