Carriage Ride, M'Lady?

[Drakon Katsaros]

After so long of accidental meetings somehow and some letters exchanged, Drakon Katsaros actually managed to get Athena Zhefarovich, of all people, to come along on a date. Well, he considered it a date. She might not, so that was a whole other story. Drakon was just shocked that Athena actually has her own place. Then again, it might be because she was getting older, or getting tired of living with her overprotective father. He knew just how it felt to have overbearing parents. Well, parents that were actually his adopted parents. Drakon had to put this thing together perfectly, and what better way than to have a small carriage ride around the block a couple of times, while talking to get to know each other, with some wine? Or hot chocolate. Whatever she preferred. Drakon was currently riding along, with thestrals pulling the carriage. There was a reason why he could see them, and that was because he saw his family killed by the hands of his crazy sister. He continued to run from her, even if she was not really pursuing them. He thought that he and what was left of his siblings were safe now. Hermes, Evangelina, and him.

Evangelina was happy with three kids. Hermes was still like, a hermit. Fitting of his name for sure. Drakon, on the other hand, partied and was just now really thinking of pursuing his first female since he was out of school. Athena was interesting. She was highly intriguing and not like the other females. He stopped the two thestrals at the driveway of her home, before strolling up to the door. He paused before knocking. He needed to look really presentable. He patted his legs of his dress robes, and fixed the tie. He hated ties, which was why he fixed it so that it hung loose at his neck. Drakon figured that he looked good, since he always did, right? Drakon let out a sigh and he knocked on the front door. She was expecting him, and figured that she would look dashing. She better not come out with a bathrobe and that green stuff on their face. Sometimes, he saw Evangelina with that stuff on. He would never understand females. 'Please, don't screw this up, Drakon.'​

 

[Athena Zhefarovich]

Athena hadn’t spent hours and hours getting ready, so by the time the knock came at her door, she only had to grab her bag and put it over her head. Glancing in the mirror, Athena determined that she was ready. She’d dressed casually, not exactly certain how to dress for a carriage ride. She hoped that the dark pants, high heeled boots, and emerald green blouse were good choices. Otherwise, this would be an uncomfortable ride. The blonde paused for just a moment at her door, hand on the knob. It’s not a date , she reminded herself as she flung the door open to see Drakon standing there. In dress robes. Athena stood staring at him for a moment, very pleased with what she saw, before she spoke. “Hi” she greeted him, a shy smile on her face. Over his shoulder, she could see the carriage waiting. It appeared like it had nothing leading it, but Athena knew better. Thestrals could only be seen by people who had witnessed a death, and Athena never had before. She had a rough idea of what the animals looked like though. She’d once asked her father to describe them to her, but that had been ages ago, and her memory was foggy. The woman wondered if Drakon could see them, but she wouldn’t ask something like that. It was too personal.

Stepping forward, Athena debated giving Drakon a quick hug, but then she decided against it. Even though they’d had numerous encounters by now and had exchanged letters with each other, something that Athena had found odd at first, she still felt a little awkward around Drakon. Through letters, they had begun to reveal so much about each other. Drakon had shown himself to be quite different than Athena had thought. Athena’s replies had even grown longer in return. But, actually being in front of him was a different story. Being in front of him meant she’d actually see his response to things she said rather than imagine what he’d do or say or how his face would look when he read what she’d written. So, she just shut her door, quickly putting the security spells that her father had taught her onto the door. Turning back to him, Athena smiled again. “I’m ready” she stated. “I didn’t think you owned dress robes” she added with a smirk.

 

[Drakon Katsaros]

As soon as the door opened. Drakon was a little surprised by her appearance. He was expecting a dress or something like that, but instead, he received pants, boots and a blouse. Either way, Drakon's eyes did not reveal disappointment. Instead, he was rather impressed. Honestly, perhaps a dress was not the best thing for a carriage ride. Pants seemed to work just fine. And she looked good with those on. Then again, how could she never look good was a bigger mystery. Maybe that was when she woke up in the morning. He had yet to see that. However, she seemed to be pleased with what she saw too. That made him feel less nervous and more like his cocky self. "Hey there, Athena." Drakon did not let his nervousness show through his voice. He trained his voice to not betray him, but he could feel the back of his neck sweat slightly. She seemed to look at the carriage, and his brain forgot that not all could see those ugly creatures. He was not the brightest in the bunch, but he did reveal something that he meant to keep a secret until the day he died. After all, it plagued him all the time, and it was not something that he ever wanted to bring up. He remembered in that mansion, and all the memories were still fresh in his mind.

"I'm sorry I couldn't get anything prettier to look at, like unicorns. But apparently it is inhumane to have those or something," Drakon rolled his eyes while looking at the thestrals. They were so hideous. But he thought that her and his looks would counter that. Perhaps that would. He led her toward the carriage, even offering his hand to help her up if she needed it. He brought blankets in case it got too cold outside. It definitely was not for anything else. Drakon made sure that the blankets had a warming spell placed on them, just in case. "I had to get them out of the closet, like in the back. I must prefer my leather jacket, but figured what the hell. Might as well look good." Drakon shrugged his shoulders, as he stepped into the carriage himself and grabbed the reigns. With a light tug, the carriage started to move. It would just be going around in a circle, but it would give them time to talk.​

 

[Athena Zhefarovich]

Athena rolled her eyes as Drakon spoke of unicorns. "I don't think I'm the unicorn type anyway" she stated and without a glance back, she climbed up into the carriage. She ignored his outstretched hand, perfectly capable of getting herself into the contraption. She was certainly tall enough to not the help. It was only after she'd settled herself down that she wondered if she should have allowed Drakon to help her. Athena knew her tendency to come off strong and independent both helped and hurt her. The blonde smiled at her date. "It's a nice change" she replied quietly. Athena was far from a traditionalist, but she was happy to see that should the occasion call for it, Drakon wasn't so against wearing traditional robes. When he settled in beside her, Athena moved over just enough to give him room but not so much that their legs weren't touching. They were, and Athena was surprised to find that she rather liked it. She knew it wouldn't be long before she was reaching for a blanket, but for now she was fine. "You're a man of many talents" Athena stated after they'd been riding around for a few moments. He was proving to be every bit as good with the carriage as he was with a broom. Athena was enjoying this a lot more though. She hated brooms.

Athena glanced around her neighborhood as they rode. She'd been living here for a while already, yet she still hadn't explored much. Her father had chosen a good area for her. "I've been asking around about you" Athena said into the dark after they'd ridden for a few moments in relative silence. "No one that I asked seemed to know much about you other than that you like to party and are from a European pureblood family." Athena still wasn't sure if she should be concerned about it all. She no longer doubted that he was a pureblood. They'd once hung out at a pureblood party that would have been difficult to crash. It was just that Athena's family was notorious, and she wanted to be sure that he was someone who would fit in with that. Athena had experiences dating people whose families turned out to hate her own and judged her. The woman was proud of her family's accomplishments even if she wasn't fully aware of all the unsavory parts. Mostly, she was just curious. Who was this guy that was slowly but surely capturing more and more of her attention? It wasn't an easy thing for Athena to admit, but it was happening. Reaching back, Athena grabbed one of the blankets and brought it forward. The warmth of it was amazing and she quickly placed it across her legs, holding up the end nearest to Drakon to see if he'd want to share. It had been awfully thoughtful of him. "Come on. I won't bite" she stated with a smirk, the implication that she did sometimes bite very obvious in her words.

 

[Drakon Katsaros]

After a little while of talking, things fell into an awkward silence for the pair. Drakon knew that the two circled the block a few times already. The thestrals really freaked him out, and was thankful that Athena did not bring up how he could see them. He didn't like talking about his past, and probably annoyed her because he seemed like such a mystery. He didn't seem to get along with parents. He never mentioned his siblings. They were always so much older than he was, and living happily with children and spouses. He could not become someone like that. He needed to become someone better. Someone that could lead the new family of Katsaros'. But there were so few of them, and his older siblings would never take him seriously. Drakon bowed his head, and he smirked, "You know, I've not really talked to anyone this long before. Either you are one of a billion, or something about you Zhefarovich women that just make men come to you like rabid dogs." Drakon heard some tales about how seductive those women could be, but he felt no such thing when it came down to Athena. She seemed really hard to get actually.

"Not that I am a rabid dog. It isn't like I am trying to get into your pants or anything," Drakon suddenly said, tying his thoughts into his statement before. A red tint brushed against his cheeks as he realized what he said. He sighed and wondered how he could be so prideful and full of confidence, that even now he could get embarrassed or say the wrong thing. He bent down and reached into a bucket under the seat and threw a piece of raw meat toward the thestrals, who gobbled it up without wasting a second. "So, would your father kill me if I asked you out on an official date? I mean, you are on your own now, so I don't have to be afraid for my life, right?" Drakon was admitting fear about her old man. He was large, and definitely not afraid to crack his skull open.​

 

[Athena Zhefarovich]

Athena wasn't quite sure how long they'd been outside, but she was certain that it was enough time for them to nearly run out of things to say. As silence reigned for a few moments, Athena found herself shifting in her seat, trying to get her hands under the warm blanket. Her silver eyes looked at the man beside her as he broke the silence, a smirk crossing her face. Before she could respond, Drakon was continuing, almost in a rush to explain himself as if he expected that he might have offended her. "Oh." Athena glanced away, so she missed him blushing at how he'd finished. She was too busy blushing herself. Athena had never met anyone quite like Drakon before.

Turning back to him, Athena reached for his hand. Grasping it, Athena looked deep into his eyes. "Drakon, you should always be afraid of my father...and my brother too while you're at it. I'm the youngest female pureblood child he has. At least for now" she replied honestly. Her father and brother were always going to be the way that they were now. She could only hope that the birth of his new baby would keep her father out of her hair for a while. A smirk crossed Athena's face before she continued. "But that doesn't mean that you shouldn't ask me out." Athena raised both of her eyebrows and then sat back in her seat, keeping hold of his hand. She rather liked the feel of their hands together, and his hands were warm. "Well? I'm waiting" she added after another moment. Athena didn't want Drakon to feel like he had this in the bag. If he wanted her, he was going to have to continue working for it.

 

[Drakon Katsaros]

Drakon could not believe he managed to make a fool of himself in front of a hot girl, a Zhefarovich no less. He was too busy looking out the window, trying to fight his blush, that he did not notice Athena blushing too. He wanted to be able to ask her out and stuff, but he was, to be honest, petrified of her dad. Axel was terrifying. Drakon thought that he was about to kill him. But maybe being a killer would up his chances of surviving. He felt Athena grab his hand, so he looked back at the blonde before her words cut through him like a dagger. He should always be afraid of Axel. And her brother. His face visibly paled. Oh Merlin, what was he getting into? He stared at her in silence for a moment, trying to find his courage to speak. She was the youngest pureblood daughter, for now. The new one on the way might be helpful to get Axel off his back, but not the brother. "Can I just drop off the face of the Earth with you, or something? I really value my life."

She continued to hold his hand, almost like she was wanting him to take her. Not in that way, though. Drakon thought, 'She's a Zhefarovich. One wrong move and I'm dead. Is it worth it? Oh what the hell, she better be.' He came close to dying once in that haunted house. Surely, Axel and her brother, or more, would be a piece of cake. Entwining their fingers together, Drakon smirked, "Why ask you when I can just tell you. Go out with my next Friday. I can show you a better time than this, for certain." A smirk played on his lips, showing that he meant no harm by it. After all, it was her choice anyway. And Athena was fun. He didn't want to a chance with her because he was a coward.​

 

[Athena Zhefarovich]

Athena could see her home in the distance, the thestrals were moving them closer and closer with each step. It was perfect timing really. The woman’s silver eyes took in the boy, happy that he didn’t look as confident as he usually did. It was smart. She was a Zhefarovich, from a strong family, and if he wasn’t a little afraid, it would mean that he was a lot stupid. And, she didn’t think she’d be able to handle that for too long. Certainly, he wouldn’t be able to handle her or her family. Smiling brightly as the thestrals began to slow down near the walkway leading up to her home, Athena spoke. “Thank you for the carriage ride. I’ll hold you to that then, Drakon.” The blonde looked to make sure that she had all of her belongings before she untangled their hands and stood up on the stopped carriage. “I’ll be ready by eight. Don’t be late” she warned as she took the few steps down towards her house. The woman tossed her blonde hair over her shoulders and began to walk to her house, not bothering to look back at all. She walked into her home even further intrigued by the man. Face-to-face conversation had proven to be every bit as fun as talking to him through letters had been. With a smile on her face, Athena went about getting ready for bed, already looking forward to when she would see Drakon next.

-End-