Who: Eli and Brother Athelstan What: Dinner date When: 4/8, evening Where: Restaurant and out around Orange County Rating: All Ages Status: Complete
He’d managed to find the scrap of paper with Miss Eli’s phone number on it. Athelstan wasn’t entirely sure about calling, but as he figured eventually, the worst that might happen would be that she hung up. He’d faced worse trials before.
So, he took out his phone and dialed, hoping he would at least be able to leave a message without making a fool of himself.
It was dusk, so Eli was just starting to wake when her phone rang. She smiled to herself, yawning contentedly and picking up the phone. “Hello?”
She sounded tired. “Oh! Erm. Hello. I hope I didn’t wake you, Miss Eli.” Had she been napping? “This is, erm. Athelstan. From the other day.”
At the sound of his voice, she blinked. “Oh! Oh!” Sitting up, she couldn’t help a nervous giggle. “You ... you didn’t wake me. I’ve had to adjust my schedule is all. The sunlight. How are you? I’m glad you called.” Was she babbling? It felt like she was babbling.
“Oh. Oh, good.” Athelstan was blushing and he wasn’t even in her presence. “I’m ... well enough. I just ... I thought of you and was thinking I might telephone. I thought perhaps you might like to go for a walk. If you are able.” Surely she had a mother who would have an opinion.
“It’s dark out, I’d like that very much. Maybe you could join me for dinner somewhere?” She bit her lower lip lightly, for fear of her fangs, crossing her fingers.
“I have no plans.” That was better than he’d hoped. He liked talking to her. Athelstan was fairly beaming. “Where would you like me to meet you? I’ve found a rather nice American spot, or I know of an Italian restaurant if you prefer.” He’d gone exploring enough to have marked some restaurants.
“You pick. I can meet you anywhere, I just need a bit of time to get dressed.” She was still in her sleeping clothes, panties and a long t-shirt.
He preferred American - it had turned into a bit of a guilty pleasure. He gave her the address to the restaurant. “Take your time, please, Miss Eli; I’m in no hurry.” It wouldn’t do to rush her at all.
“I will be there in thirty minutes,” Eli grinned. “Thank you.” She was already hurrying to figure out what she was going to wear.
“All right. Until then.” Athelstan hung up the phone, smiling to himself. He was already dressed, and he waited a bit before setting out. He was glad he had caught her; Eli’s company was refreshing.
Eli slipped into a pale blue sundress with tan flats. She actually did her hair and put on a little bit of makeup. When she arrived outside the restaurant, she saw Athelstan and lit up. Her cheeks went pink and her smile was broad.
Athelstan was wearing jeans and a sweater, and when he saw Eli he blushed deep and dark. “Hello, Miss Eli. You look lovely, if I might say so.” She really did, fresh and charming.
That made her blush in turn, and she reached up to fix her hair. “Thank you so much. You look very handsome.”
He smiled, coughing a little, looking down. “I’m pleased to see you. Have things been going well?” He held the door open for her as he asked, figuring they should get inside.
“They have been all right.” Her light sensitivity had gotten worse, but Eli wasn’t too upset about it.
“Just all right? How are things going with your work on the motorcycles?” He’d remembered her enthusiasm for that, and he’d liked her explanation - puzzles.
“That is wonderful, yes.” Eli smiled, pleased that he remembered. “I am starting to be allowed to do more work on them, it is nice.”
“That’s very good.” Athelstan couldn’t help but chuckle. “Your employer did seem the careful sort.” Perhaps diplomatically said; Logan Howlett seemed growly and protective. He’d worry about that when he had to, though.
“Papa thinks you’re harboring ill intentions toward me,” Eli giggled. “I told him you don’t have ill intentions.” Logan was an odd sort.
Athelstan’s eyes went wide. “I - oh.” Did he? He didn’t think so. “I just enjoy your company. Though you are lovely.” This way lay madness, though, so he plunged ahead, changing the subject. “Has there been any progress on your school things? Are you able to skip ahead?” He sat down in the booth they were directed to, looking over at her across the way.
“I’ve dropped out, mother is taking me to take the test for my GED soon. And I know you don’t.” She reached out to take his hand, squeezing it lightly.
He was fairly resigned to the fact that he’d spend all his time with Eli blushing furiously. But he smiled and managed not to jerk his hand away. “I’m glad for that. I’m sure you’ll find more challenges at a higher level of schooling.”
“I think so as well. But I am thinking of going to a trade school at night.” Eli smiled to herself. “I am young, I have time to figure out what I wish to do.”
“Really, a trade school?” Athelstan was curious. “In Britain they are almost exclusively populated by men. I hope that isn’t the case here, if only because you deserve better than dealing with the unenlightened.” A touch of snobbery, maybe, but still.
“That is something I am used to,” Eli chuckled.” She leaned back, smoothing out her dress. “People like to think they know things about me constantly. It is not anything different.”
“How rude.” Athelstan shook his head. “I wouldn’t assume anything about someone I didn’t know. Well.” He amended. “I might assume things which seem obvious, like that you appear to be female. But nothing more.” Awkward much?
Eli nodded. “I appreciate that. I am sure others do as well.” Leaning back, she looked at him. “How have you been? How are things with you? I worry.”
“Oh, things are ... they’re well enough.” Athelstan smiled, looking away shyly. “My mother’s letter has led me to a bit of soul-searching, but I have money, food, and a roof over my head, so I can’t really complain.”
“Of course you can complain. It is the human condition to complain.” Leaning forward, Eli smiled. “It is my sincere wish that you and your family come to the same conclusion, the one that you learned as well.”
“Thank you.” Athelstan said warmly. It actually did mean a lot that she hadn’t turned up her nose at his family’s intolerance. “I love my parents; they have been very good to me, obviously, but things change so much.”
“You can love someone and dislike their actions at the same time.” Eli smiled curling her legs under herself. “My parents’ divorce, for example.”
“That’s so, of course.” Athelstan broke off as the waitress came around. He gave his order, waiting for Eli to do the same. He would get the bill, but ordering for her would just be rude. “My sister is a breath of fresh air in my life, though, so I think I expect perhaps a trifle too much from them at this point in their lives.”
Eli ordered the largest burger they had, cooked rare, and she had every intention of paying for it. Once the waitress left, she sipped her water, smiling. “Your sister is more of your mindset then, yes?” “She is. Lynne has always been the rebel.” Athelstan’s love for his sister was very real. “I find it very ironic that she decided to become a Sister. She’s called Sister Mary Christian now, and yet she’s of my opinion, that love is always godly.”
That made Eli smile. “She sounds like a great person to know.” She wondered how his sister would feel knowing that a younger girl fancied her brother.
“She’s always been my best friend.” Athelstan took a breath, deciding to be totally honest with Eli. “When I figured out that I’d fallen in love with Aidan - the boy at school - I wrote a letter to her asking her to pray for my soul. She wrote back saying she would pray for me, but as a man in love, rather than a sinner.” He still had that letter. He’d keep it til his dying day.
That made Eli smile. “What happened with you and him? Should I pray he returns to you?” Eli wasn’t teasing; she truly would if he wanted him.
“Oh, no.” Athelstan blushed again. “No, we simply went our separate ways. Amicably, I might add. We were luckily both mature enough to see that things weren’t working out. But I will forever be grateful to him.”
Eli blushed herself. “I am glad that you parted on good terms.” And Eli was glad that her crush wouldn’t come with unexpected guilt.
“I am, too. For both of our sake.” Athelstan smiled. “And my sister, when it ended, was the first to tell me that it had not been a mistake, for I had discovered who I was.” He missed Lynne sometimes. Even though she was always looking after him.
Eli took his hand again. “She sounds wise. You should listen to her.” Eli wished she had someone like that in her life. Logan, for all that she had let him know that he was her papa now in spirit, well, he took more looking after than she did.
“I do my best!” Athelstan smiled across at her. He didn’t meet her eyes for long, and she hoped that she didn’t think him uninterested. Just ... shy.
Her own blue eyes lowered again, and she blushed more. “I wish I hadn’t been an only child. Moving would have been easier that way, I think.”
“It might have been. I wouldn’t know, unfortunately; I’ve never moved except to school, and that was just me.” He couldn’t help but be fascinated by her cheekbones and the pretty blush. Stop it, you. “I’ve just lived in the one town in England. Well. Until here, I mean.”
“What brought you here, specifically?” Eli looked up at him, biting her lip and immediately cursing in German. Her fangs apparently came out when she was aroused. Good to know, bad for a date.
Athelstan raised an eyebrow, but went on. “I wanted to go somewhere far away for university. And there are many schools in this area with religious studies majors aimed at all religions. I wanted to get outside the bubble a bit.” He wanted to work in religion, though not necessarily to be a priest.
“Do you know what you wish to do in regard to religion? You’d make a wonderful counselor for those who are religious.” She liked the idea of him as a confessor. Her lip had started to bleed, and she dabbed at it with a napkin.
“I had intended once to be a priest, but decided against it, if only because I have more love to give.” Athelstan realized belatedly how that would sound and went flame red. “That is, I mean. I don’t.” He thought a fervent blasphemy.
Eli looked up at him, smiling. “I would kiss you if I didn’t think you would faint.”
“Thank you for knowing that. Good lord in heaven.” Athelstan debated laying his head on the table. “I’m ... sorry, I’m still figuring things out.” She was lovely. But he was awkward. And confused.
That made Eli laugh brightly, shaking her head. “I am too young for you, anyway.” He was what, twenty-five? He’d think she was a child.
“How old are you, if I may ask? I’m twenty.” Mother of Mary, was she under the age of consent? He didn’t want that Logan to try to bring a charge!
“I am sixteen. I think that we are allowed to be out in public together.” She smiled and shrugged. “Mother knows I’m here. You are only twenty? I had thought you were far older.”
Sixteen was all right. If he recalled. Athelstan could breathe again. “Only twenty. You finish school in England at a different age than here. And then you do your A-levels.”
“I always went to local schools. I probably should just take my exams so I can start university, because I just read textbooks at my own pace in the back of whatever school I ended up attending.” She smiled at him, amused at how he was breathing more slowly.
“That might be a very good idea. I have to speak kindly of UCLA, obviously.” Athelstan smiled a little bit more easily now. “I think if you can do it, you should do what challenges you.”
“As long as I can go at night.” Eli sighed. “I do not like this part where I must stay indoors during the day. The sun, it’s ... hurting more.”
“It is?” Athelstan frowned. “What happens? That is, what manner of pain is it?” He’d heard of things like allergies to sun, but they were very unusual. He felt for her.
“It used to be simply a sunburn. But now, it is like I am being held to a flame. I can watch the skin blister and smoke.” Which was uncomfortable for everyone involved. “It is just like my dreams.”
She didn’t want to go into her fangs. Her slow progression into a vampire alarmed her, but she knew it would terrify him.
“How horrible.” Athelstan looked crestfallen. “I hope it hasn’t been a terrible problem for your daily life.” She always seemed to be on the move. To restrict her in any way would be disheartening in the extreme, no doubt.
“I stopped attending classes at school. Now I’m simply waiting to take the test that will let me go to university. And Logan is letting me tend the shop later at night.” Eli smiled fondly, thinking of her might-as-well-be father.
“That’s rather good of him. And I’m sure it frees his evenings, in case he has a lady friend or something.” Athelstan was joking a little, hoping she would keep smiling. “You’re so smart, I can’t imagine he’d have a problem leaving you to your own devices, Miss Eli.”
“He likes to watch me sometimes, if only because he still has much to teach me. I admit, I love knowing so little, having so much to learn.” But her brain ferreted out the solutions to puzzles quickly. She’d always had a knack for them, especially ones that allowed her to manipulate pieces.
That made him smile. Athelstan sat back, looking over at her. “I do think we share that quality, to be honest. I adore learning - any kind of learning. Expanding one’s mind is so pivotal. And I’m certainly not interested in any of the allegedly mind-altering substances that profess to be shortcuts.”
Eli wrinkled her nose. “My mind is fine the way it is, it does not need altering.” But she liked his smile very much, and it made her blush openly.
“I wouldn’t think so!” Athelstan flushed, relieved when he was saved by the waitress. Their food arrived and he dug in with gusto after murmuring a silent prayer, lest he offend Eli.
Pausing and closing her eyes until Athelstan was done praying, Eli dug in when he was through. She wasn’t particularly religious, but she respected him, which meant she respected his faith.
He noticed, which made him happy. The meal went fast, and when he looked up at her, she seemed pleased. “Good?”
She nodded enthusiastically, having eaten her entire burger. She was small, but her metabolism was strong.
“Good!” Athelstan smiled sweetly. He looked down. Something made him say it. “After I settle the bill, may I. Erm. Could I possibly. Walk you home?”
“I want to pay for my own, I ordered too much food!” Eli giggled, biting her lower lip and nodding. “I’d like it very much if you walked me home.” She wanted to try holding his hand.
“Good. Good, I’m glad.” It was just a walk. Nothing would happen. Right? “But no, please, allow me to get the bill.”
“All right.” Eli smiled to herself. “You’re quite a gentleman. Papa will read you the riot act, I think, but do not listen to him. You’re wonderful.”
“Oh, I don’t - ” He trailed off, blushing. “I just think it’s appropriate to treat a lady well. But only if she wants to be treated that way!”
“I... thank you. I’ve never liked someone before. In a ... I’ve never fancied anyone before.” She wondered if he knew that she did.
He hadn’t, actually, and blushed harder. “I ... oh?” Athelstan looked over at her, and the question just sort of slipped out. “Why me?”
That made her laugh for some reason. It just tickled her. “Because you are funny. You are also smart, and have passion for your convictions. You are a good man, virtuous and strong, but also kind. I can tell these things and we have only known each other a short time. I am sorry, should I not?”
“No, I mean. That is. I would never tell you what to do.” And her laugh was charming beyond belief. “I merely meant I was surprised.” Very surprised.
“I apologize if I have made you feel uncomfortable.” Eli daintily stood, smoothing out her dress and waiting for him to follow suit.
“It’s not you. I mean, I shouldn’t be.” Athelstan laid out enough money to cover the bill - he counted it three times, since American money was all the same color - before turning toward her. “I’m so sorry, Miss Eli. I’m just ... not at all used to speaking to someone like you.” Much less enjoying their favour.
She grinned up at him. “Someone like me? Do you mean female, or something else?”
“Something else.” She was lovely. “I mean. You’re female. Obviously! But I find ... you’re charming.” Athelstan finally managed. “Sweet and charming.”
Her ears went pink, as well as her neck. “Thank you,” she murmured, quiet and obviously pleased. “Shall we?”
“Yes, certainly.” He offered her his arm, heading for the door with her.
The night was fair, as most of them here seemed to be. “I do rather enjoy the darkness, I must admit. It’s peaceful, at least.”
“I would be more upset about my condition if the night were not so beautiful,” she agreed. Eli had taken his arm, and she couldn’t help but be a little giddy.
To have her on his arm was very nice; she was smallish and just seemed to fit. Athelstan wasn’t entirely sure what was going on, but this much of it was delightful. “It saddens me to hear you call it a condition, if only because you’re otherwise so ... ” Vibrant and beautiful.
“What else would I call it? To call it an affliction seems too dramatic.” Eli wasn’t aware of leaning her head against his arm, yet there it was, her dark hair blowing behind them.
“I suppose that’s so. You don’t have the consumption, after all.” Yes, Athelstan was capable of humor.
Eli was too. She put a hand to her forehead and pretended to faint, crumpling to the ground.
She had him for just a moment, but then he laughed. “You’ll get dirty, Miss Eli; allow me.” He extended a hand and helped her back up, trying to brush the dirt off her without doing anything inappropriate.
She feigned a hacking cough, but she was giggling. “I am sorry, I couldn’t resist. I hope you forgive me.”
“It was very dramatic.” Athelstan was smiling, too, shaking his head. “You have histrionic talents!”
“Not on purpose!” Eli playfully feigned punching his arm, pulling the punch at the last moment until it was nothing but a gentle poke.
He laughed more, curling up on himself to ‘defend’. “It was a compliment!” Athelstan laughed. “You could be an actress, perhaps.”
“Oh, no, not me. I don’t have whatever it is that makes people want to stare at another person,” she giggled, liking how he played along with her.
“Yes, you do.” Athelstan blurted. He looked up at her, hoping she’d react well to that, or at least not hit him.
She couldn’t help it. She turned and wrapped her arms around his waist, hugging him tightly.
He hadn’t expected that, and he went red like clockwork, but he also returned her hug. She just seemed like a good person. And he really hadn’t met many of those.
He smelled good. Eli noticed that at first, a distinct tea, book, and pencil shavings scent that made her smile. She also noticed that he had more of a swimmer’s build than he appeared to have under his pullover.
Begrudgingly she let go, taking his hand and walking with him, fingers interlaced.
He was all right with that. Athelstan didn’t say anything, appreciative of the fact that Eli seemed to be the kind of person who was at peace in silence. He was enjoying her company, the feel of her delicate fingers, the sensation of her presence. He didn’t want to reach her house, really.
Eli knew that sometimes the pauses said more than words could. She’d seen that in her parents’ divorce, the way the silence had wounded and cut her mother to the quick. But the quiet times with Athelstan weren’t like that. They were like the stillness she and her father had shared one afternoon when she was ten. It was her only fond memory of him. They’d been in Nice, and he’d wanted to teach her how to swim and she hadn’t the heart to tell him that she’d already learned, that her mother had taught her while he was at work.
When they arrived at her house, Eli tiptoed up to kiss Athelstan’s cheek. “Thank you.”
“Thank you. For the company.” Athelstan blushed, looking down, smiling shyly. “I ... do you ... that is. Do you enjoy the outdoors?”
She nodded. “I used to go skating and camping with my family. Not the sort they do here, though.” In Southern California, camping seemed to refer to going to hotels and getting mani-pedis. “I like to get dirty and go fishing.”
That made him smile even more. “Would you maybe ... I mean, I was planning to go for a hike in the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park in a few days. Would you maybe be interested in joining me? I love being out in nature.”
“I’d have to go when it is dark. Do you mind?” She bit her lower lip, looking almost sad.
“Certainly not. One of the hikes in that park is a beach hike, and it might be lovely to walk along the oceanside at night.” And quite romantic, his traitorous brain murmured. He really had to do something about how often he was prone to blushing.
It was apparently catching, his little blushing problem. Eli’s cheeks had gone scarlet as well. “That would be beautiful. May we do that?” She sounded nearly hopeful, as if somehow he might change his mind despite the fact that he had asked her.
“Yes, I would love that.” Athelstan said warmly, looking up at her. If it’s all right, I’ll telephone you in a few days and we can go that evening?” He did unfortunately have work to do in the meantime.
“I’d like that very much.” She squeezed their still-twined fingers and reluctantly let go. “You have my mobile number.”
“Indeed.” Athelstan nodded, smiling, but it didn’t last. “I’ll telephone, then.” That was a promise. He took her hand and kissed it. It just felt right. “Goodnight, Miss Eli.”
She went beet red, redder than he had. “Goodnight, Sir Athelstan. I look forward to it.” Turning, she couldn’t help but giggle as she walked into her house.