The Path of Least Resistence (Closed for Peppergal and Tirithire)

[Peppergal]

It had been a long night at work. What had supposed to have been a short shift, had turned into a double, when the afternoon girl called in sick. And though she was supposed to have been off work at 3, Izzie had never been good at saying 'No'.

So now.. instead of going to the beach with the girls, having the evening to laugh and gossip, Izzie was walking tiredly home, thinking more about her warm soft bed, than catching rays, and latenight bonfires.

It was a nice night at least. Warm, and breezy. The path though the park, lit up, in the promise of getting her home quickly. Walking along in the dark, the summer breeze picked up her hair, brushing it off her face. Rippling her rumpled white blouse and waking her the slightest bit.

Greeneyes danced through the shadows, taking in the darkened areas between the trees. She'd walked this way a hundred times. Never once considering it to be risky. Tonight, seemed different.

Turning to footsteps behind her. Izzie recognised the customer she'd turned away just before closing. He hadn't been happy at her then.. and he didn't look that much more pleased now. She tensed at his approach.

"Hey there Princess.. ready to turn me away now?"

Izzy swallowed. "We were closing. I.. " Fear stopped her speech as he reached out to grab her arm. "Maybe you can make up for ruining my evening."

"Let go of me.." Izzie stated sternly. Her voice giving away the fear creeping up. "We were closing.. Ive got nothing to make up for.. " When his grip tightened, Izzie looked around. Her voice coming out louder. "Let GO of me. Im not making up for.."

 

[TirithIre]

John looked around when he heard a voice calling out about letting her go. He knew the sound of a female's voice when he heard it... and walking down the path a bit more he approached a couple, a man holding a woman's arm. Looking to the both of them he sighed a bit, it obvious he thinking they just a pair of lovers arguing, until he heard the comment about making it up to the man, that just didn't sit right with him!

" Sir, release the woman and speak to her in a respectful manner."

She'd see a dark haired man standing there... he didn't actually look all that intimidating, yet a calm presence surrounded him as he looked to the pair. His voice crisp and clear, his eyes looked to her as if asking if she was all right, though then he did look to her arm, waiting for the man to let her go... he taking a few steps, he'd intervene in the situation if needed!

He had actually just come from his weekly martial arts class, he usually went, trained a bit... she could see he had a shoulder bag, he obviously lived close... and the slight sheen of sweat to his skin only made him look all the more handsome, her savior of circumstance... though he was focused on the man right then, more worried if he was going to cause trouble or not.

The night was beautiful, clear skies, stars glittering not unlike diamonds upon the blackest of night skies. The moon a beacon of light against the darkness, not to mention the park lights that alit the path every night, the warm breeze skittled past, as John assessed the situation.

" Ma'am, are you all right?"

He trying to figure out if he SHOULD get involved, after all, sometimes it wqas simply a lovers quarrel!

 

[Peppergal]

The rough grip her arm was held in, scared her. The look in the mans eyes scared her more. Izzie tugged at her arm, feeling his grip tighten as a light smirk crossed his features.

"I like when they fight.. it makes it more-"

The voice that came out behind her, caused both to turn, Izzie taking the distraction as a chance to rip her arm free of the man's grasp. Rubbing her forearm, she stepped quickly back. Eyes wild in the night.

For a long moment, she watched, unsure of what was going to happen. This stranger out of no where, standing assuredly behind her. The creep in front of her, sizing him up. Making a decision, he started to dissolve back into the shadows from where he came. Heading where she hoped was home. To sober up, and not be a bother to anyone else.

Izzie took a breath, blinking over to the stranger. "He.. " She looked back at the path, realising the man had gone. Probably discouraged from anything further with the added company. The breeze whipped up, catching a few leaves and sending them down the path. The light noise causing her already tense nerves to make her jump.

Looking back to the stranger, Izzie swallowed. "Thankyou. I'm sorry. I.." Finding her words she turned to the man now beside her, looking at her with concern. "Im fine. Thankyou so much."

 

[TirithIre]

John was mostly glad that the man had gone, instead of thinking to try and pick a fight... that just wouldn't have gone well for either man. After all, no matter how well he defended himself, he would still have needed to explain himself to the police afterwards... and truly, he didn't want that. He had noticed the man sizing him up and had almsot laughed in his face. Standing a good six feet tall and bult like a rock, He wasn't the type of man to mess with.

A few years of bouncing had given him that build, after all you had to be able to get the drunks out of the way without much trouble. Luckilly though he had simply dissapeared, and no trouble had been really caused.

" Are you sure ma'am? my name is John, John Smitt. Did the man hurt you at all?"

He seemed the sincere type, she could probably play the helpless victim and get some sympathy from him, it wouldn't be hard, yet he was a good guy, just looking out for people, which sadly, had been lacking in the city these days. He smiled though as he looked to her, she was nice, or so he thought, and John himself was clean, crisp, seeming to be a 'good man'.

 

[Peppergal]

Izzie looked over at the Stranger. "John" She repeated, nodding with a smile.

"Thats a good name." She said with a smile. "Honest sounding. Thankyou John. Im fine. I might start taking the LONG way home now.. but.. Im fine, thanks to you. He was a drunk. Who was mad I didn't let him come in the shop at close."

She frowned, looking back into the shadows, shaking her head. "Usually Im smarter than this. But I was tired, and just wanted to get home. I think you really stopped something bad from happening there. And I thankyou."

Turning back to John, Izzie gave a sheepish shrug. "Think I can trouble you for one more favour John?" She looked down the path towards the gates of the park. "Id appreciate the company to walk with out of here. If you wouldn't mind. And then Ill let you get back to your evening. But not without thanks, I assure you."

 

[TirithIre]

He couldn't help but smile at her as she said those things... smiling. " I've always been honest ma'am, it's how I was brought up." He replied though smiled easily, he was definatly handsome, the park lights seeming to make him glow... and from his workout he smelt a little bit, though his cologne mixed and made the smell rather intoxicating.

" I will escort you of course ma'am, but only if you tell me the name of such a lovely young lady... I expect no payment, no one helps out anyone else these days." His voice deep yet soft, very manly indeed he smiled as he looked to her and simply held out his hand, offering it to her to hold onto as he smirked to her, he wasn't presumptuous, he was simply forewards and confident... that confidence giving her a feeling of safety.

 

[Peppergal]

Izzie shook her head, smiling at John's words.

"I work in a coffee shop. I offer a free drink.. in gratitude of your kindness." She assured him. "Not payment so much. Just.. a thankyou."

Shrugging, Izzie took the man's hand, tucking her hand into his elbow. Smiling into the breezy evening as they walked. In any other situation, this would have been a nice night. John certainly was handsome. He smelled good too.

Chuckling she shook her head at her thoughts. What was wrong with her? She'd just narrowly escaped certain disaster, and she was twittering over this handsome 'rescuer' at her side.

"Izzie" she said, more to distract her thoughts, than to really spark any type of conversation. "My names Izzie. I don't live far. You don't need to 'escort' me all the way home. I just.. well, it was stupid of me to cut through the park. I know better, I was just.."

He was handsome. She couldn't help but notice. As they walked along the lit path.

"Its a nice night.." she offered, trying to come up with something to say. Prolonging their time together that little bit. Just so she could hear him speak again. She knew she was being ridiculous. But, where was the harm in it? Perfect stranger.. and with Jeff deciding he was better off with Cindy..

Izzie tilted her head. "What are you doing out so late tonight?"

 

[TirithIre]

He couldn't help but chuckle at her question... to him, this wasn't late, it was what, eleven o'clock? that wasn't late to him, though he smiled and looked to her, dark blue eyes seeming to dance as he took in her sight.

" Lizzie... that's a pretty name." He remarked, his voice soft, even as he chuckled. " Well I was heading home from karate actually, tonight's my late night of classes, hence why i'm sure i'm a bit sweaty." He smiling to her, even as he looked to her... she was pretty, he did admit that easily to himself! Though he smiled, he smiled alot, especially when he was with a pretty girl.

" Not very far? well then i'll walk you home, this time of nights no time for a lady such'as yourself to be walking about alone, it's just not safe." He replied easily, though nodded to her comment about the night. " Y'want to see somethin' really nice?"

She hadn't noticed it before, but he had a slight drawl to his voice, not quite an accent, but she could tell he wasn't nativly from around here! He looking to her, it was up to her, go with him, and possibly have a good time, or go home... it should suppose whether she had work the next day or not.

 

[Peppergal]

"Its Izzy" She chuckled, shaking her head. "Short for Isobel. Don't worry, people make that mistake all the time."

As they walked, Izzy looked around. The night, so frightening not that long ago, now seemed... promising.

"See something nice?" Izzie chuckled. "In this city? Nice is pretty hard to come by. What did you have in mind?"

 

[TirithIre]

She could see even in the dim lighting that he had just blushed, as he looked to her apologetically, she could tell he hadn't meant to do that, honestly usually he was better with names! Though he smirked slightly to her comment and nodded.

" Yes, something nice, I found it a few years ago while passin' through the park and have always come here to think since."

He smiling though added curiously.

" So are you interested?"

He hoping she was, the night was definatly looking alot more promising now, and something told him she didn't want the night to end either.

 

[Peppergal]

Izzie smiled, tilting her head towards him.

"Nearby then?" She thought for a moment, chewing her lip. It wasn't the smartest thing to just go off with this Stranger, just to see 'something nice'. But he had come to her aid. The likelyhood of him wanting to bring her harm seemed a little .. well.. unlikely.

All the same.

"A nice dark corner in the park? Im not just getting myself into more trouble here am I?" She held up her hands, half teasing the handsome stranger at her side.

"I think Ive had enough trouble for one night."

 

[TirithIre]

He looked to her and chuckled though shook his head easily. " No no, no dark corner, just a beautiful lake, but all right, i'll still insist on escorting you home Izzy."

He wasn't trying to hurt her, only seeing if she was as interested in him as he was of her, and though they didn't know one another, it was still a case of hero worship.

 

[Peppergal]

Izzie knew the lake, and smiled at the thought of it. It had to be beautiful at this time of night. And it wasn't that secluded.

Smiling, she looked over at John. "You know, a walk by the lake sounds nice. You could still escort me home.. we could just... take the long way." Nodding she smiled over at him. Pushing the few strands of hair that blew in the breeze, off of her features.

"It is a lovely night for a walk."

 

[TirithIre]

He smiled at that though nodded.

" I see you know the place, it's beautiful at night, and so quiet." He gently remarks though looks to her. " Where abouts do you live Izzy?" He asked, even as he turned them, he let his hand slide around her waiste, pulling her to him as he walked with her, he looked and smelt good, she had nothing to lose by going with him did she?

 

[Peppergal]

"Ive never seen it at night" Izzie remarked, walking along next to him. As his hand came around her waist, she took a moment to look over at him. Handsome, and quite sure of himself wasn't he? Normally she'd back away. Make an excuse, end things before they began.

But tonight, the friendly embrace was welcome. Between the long day it had been, the encounter he'd just interrupted, and the inviting night air, Izzy found herself sliding her arm around him. Walking towards the lake, on a quiet evening.

 

[TirithIre]

" No? I like'ta try'an' see it at least once in a while, the moon like it is tonight, it'll be really pretty, though not near as pretty as you." He replied as he smiled, feeling her hand going around his waiste, he simply held her and headed down the side path, taking her to the lake, it shimmering rather beautifully... he walking lazilly around it with her.

" So what're your plans tommorow hmm?" he asking her, even as he walked with her, the night so pretty, he was leading her towards a nice outlook!

 

[Peppergal]

Izzie walked quietly, enjoying the breeze and the moonlight. Enjoying the easy company at her side. It had been too long since she'd had a nice night. Seemed these days, it was 'all work and no play'.

"Izzie's a very dull girl" She chuckled, as they walked along. "I work.. thats.. what I do." She nodded, looking over at him. I work tomorrow.. like I do every day. But it pays the bills." She smirked. "Thats important I suppose."

He smelled good.. and his embrace was strong. Izzie smiled to herself as they walked. A dull girl indeed.. that this seemed like some sort of adventure.

 

[TirithIre]

He chuckled easily at that, smirking as he looked to her. " Ain't it go All work no play make Izzy a dull girl? if that's the case, then yer not havin' fun?" He looking to her curious, even as he turned to her right at the lookout and she felt his other hand trailing over her face, clearing out the hair from her face easily!

He liked her alot already, and even as he smirked, he added. " Well if dull Izzy's not busy tommorow night i'd invite'ya out fer a movie." He looking to her curiously, even as he smiled... rather charmingly!

 

[Peppergal]

The look out was a beautiful spot. Izzy smiled at the reflection of the moon dancing on the water. Chuckling to John's comment.

"Yes.. thats EXACTLY it.. but no.. "

She looked up as she felt his hand pass across her face. Smiling into his deep blue eyes. "Izzie's not dull at the moment. Sure.. a movie sounds fine."

She stepped in closer, as the light breeze rippled the water.

"I am having fun." She reassured him. "This is.. unexpected. And.. nice"

 

[TirithIre]

He smirked, gently looking to her, his hands rubbing over her... she feeling his hand around her waiste tightening on her, before he simply replied.

" Good, cause otherwise i'd be upset." He remarked though simply nodded and sighing to himself, gently rubbing her, before she felt his lips boldly kissing her!

 

[Peppergal]

His arm tightened around her waist, pulling her too him tightly. Izzie looked up, taking a breath as she felt his hands wander over her.

"No need to be upset.. I mean it.. I-"

She blinked as he closed in for the kiss. Tensing for a moment, she let out a sigh, smiling to herself.

Oh what the hell..

Returning the kiss, Izzie felt a slight course of exhileration.. a near stranger, coming to her rescue.. now holding her tightly in the moonlight.

Running her hands over his shoulders, Izzie deepened the kiss. Craving the contact, more than she'd realized.

 

[TirithIre]

He knew she'd be going to the movie with him tommorow... he also knew he'd be taking her out to dinner beforehand as well! This night had definatly just got even better for him at least! She felt his other hand close around her waiste as well.

He was definatly having a good night! His lips pressing to hers, he gently held her to him, her body pressed into his, as he tasted her deeply... every moment, the kiss didn't break, the pleasure of it only got better!