For a moment all I could think about was whether something was showing that shouldn't be showing. Was that why he thought I was lost? I had pulled down my mini skirt down way too far and my halter too far up all I could think about was how to move so that nothing would drop off my hips or slip up too far. I barely have hips at all, once my skirt goes too far down it would just fall to the floor unless I did a squat or spread my legs. Neither of which was on my list of lady like things to do right now. Lamenting I wished for the impossible. My thighs just weren't thick enough to provide much support.
When I didn't answer right away he looked around to see if there was someone behind him. Since I was doing a death stare right through him he obviously thought I was ignoring him. This was the last thing that I wanted him to think, but I just couldn't save myself.
However, I wasn't a noob at this, and when his eyes left my face I forcibly moved my arms to do a quick once over. I pulled up my skirt by half an inch and ran my hands along the bottom edge of my halter top just to make sure everything was covered.
Thank goodness I wasn't was showing too much. With this boy I didn't want to look like a slut, but I could feel some primal part of me wanted to wrap my legs around him and never let go.
Looking back at me he gave me a quizzical look.
"No, no, I am just looking for my friends."
I said reassuring him. I was regaining my composure fast.
This was a standard communication requirement. He needed to know I had friends here. This was the same as always using protection and having a person a call away if anyone wanted to get a little too weird.
"Oh, is this some kind of dance?"
He asked stating the obvious, trying to elicit a response from me.
Taking a deep breath I responded as easily as I could.
"This is just a mixer. The Society for Freedom and Well Being puts these dances on every week. You know support the cause and help people meet each other."
I put my hand on his arm and again that little thrill of electricity shot through my body for the third time. This time the feeling didn't last as long, but I still became a little weak in the knees. There was definitely a physical connection.
Seeing me stumble clumsily he caught me behind my back.
"You are so beautiful."
He mumbled. It was like he couldn't help himself from speaking.
"What?"
I asked turning, moving into his embrace, looking up into his eyes. Against all my better judgement I wondered if he was feeling the same thrilling connection that I was feeling. I had felt a certain type of way with many men before, but this was a little different. It was as if there was no one else in the whole world let alone this dance. And even though he was practically whispering I could hear every word he said.
"I said you look stunning. Absolutely beautiful. Would you like to dance?"
This guy was way to much of a gentleman. He doubled down on his compliment! Which guy does that? Of course a sleaze bag would, but this guy was out to get a one night stand. Any normal guy would have already been trying to get me into one of the side rooms or out the door to his car by now.
I swear this was way to much. I was falling for this guy. Completely ridiculous. I was not the type of person that fell in love at first sight!
Just as he was about to take me closer into the center where all the dancing was happening, I was so willing to be taken too, Mei showed up at my elbow.
"Are you okay?"
She asked, concerned. Mei could probably see that I wasn't my normal self.
"Yes, yes, I am okay. No, problem."
I was trying to give her a signal. Right this moment all I wanted to do was dance with the man. I didn't even know his name! At least let me find out his name before you butt in! But Mei refused to look me in the eyes. Instead she cut in and left me standing there while she dragged him away for a dance.
He looked back at me once, confusion on his face, but when he was about to say something Jessica showed up at my side and caught me. Ever trusty Jessica, she supported me in a side hug that turned into a full hug as I buried my head in her shoulder for a moment.
"Are okay, Tessa?"
This time Jessica asked me the same question Mei had, but in a much more insistent and demanding way.
"I am fine, I promise. Jessica, ... , I think he could be the one."
I said regaining my equilibrium to a certain extent after admitting what was causing me to become all heated up.
"Are you sure? Tessa you usually aren't the one to fall for a guy, Priya usually does!"
Jessica said sternly.
"I heard that! What happened?"
Priya came up from behind and I started to realized how I must look right this moment. Taking a deep breath I put my hands on my hips trying to take charge.
"Nothing happened. I just found a candidate."
I explained. And that was exactly what this guy was. I couldn't let my feelings get in the way. Now that he was not holding me I was regaining my normal reasoning.
"That's right, a candidate, nothing more. Right Tessa? Let's wait for Mei to come back. If she gives us the signal we drop him."
Jessica prompted Tessa.
"Right."
Firmly I agreed with Jessica although my heart was telling me otherwise, I took a deep breath and tried to relax. I couldn't let my sisters down, if I went off the deep end our whole bond would be done. I had to be the example. No matter how good I thought this boy was, if he couldn't cut it, he was out.
Priya just looked at me with disgust. She knew I was smitten. Putting conditions on who I would love and who I wouldn't was just evil in her eyes. Priya was much more passionate about these things. She was one of those people who believe in always being in the moment with your feelings. Which was one of the reasons she was in my little coven. She had made one too many mistakes and we had spent a lot of time and tears getting her back on her feet and functioning again.
Too many men took too much advantage of her. Priya was way to easy, but at the same time she we weren't men so she was trustworthy for us. She might not like being limited in her selection of male company, but she could never deny that she was much better off with us. And because we could keep her contained she had just graduated to becoming a journeyman alchemist. This was a huge gain for all four of us. The best part was that Priya was blossoming because of it too. She was walking with more confidence and might even have lost a few pounds as well.
A few minutes later Mei came back arm in arm with the man.
Jealousy clouded my eyes immediately. I wanted to be the one to hold his hand to be on his arm! My heaven I loved the feeling of jealousy!
But I shook it off. Instead I focused on the good news. Mei holding his hand like that was was a sign we had agreed on previously. She was letting us know a very specific message. Him hold her hand like that was saying that there was potential here. It wasn't the all clear sign go forward full steam ahead, but at least it wasn't the dud sign either.
"Hey, girls, this is Russell. He is a disciple of a hidden master fresh in from the wilderness."
Explained Mei.
Suddenly Jessica and Priya looked at each other with smile. This was more than they could have ever expected.
"Actually, what I said was that I am a programmer. I studied programming in college and have been working as a 996 employee of a marketing company for the last eight years writing apps like a grunt."
Russell said hurrying to correct Mei.
I had no idea was he was saying. It all sounded like Greek. Looking at Mei I frowned wondering what was going on.
But Mei just shrugged with a little twinkle in her eye that Mei had never learned to hide. I could tell that Mei was going into her devil may care persona. What was Mei trying to do? With Pixie blood in her lineage Mei could sometimes be a little mischievous.
"Are you an alchemist?"
I asked, programming was an alchemist word. Only alchemists were programmers. It was the right conclusion to make that he was an alchemist. What was more, only the absolute best alchemists ever even studied programming. This was because only the best alchemists could create new recipes. An application was also an alchemist term for applying a certain schema when testing a new recipe.
"What? An alchemist? Who even does alchemy these days?"
However, Russell looked even more confused then I was.
As an alchemist Priya should have been insulted by this comment, but instead she smiled.
"Are you trying to hide your discipleship?"
Inserted Priya quickly. I looked sharply at Priya only to see that Priya was not meeting my eyes. Definitely, definitely Priya was also ganging up with Mei to promote this guy, Russell. My logical brain told me they were being ridiculous, but I had to admit that I loved the way this conversation was going.
And then Mei doubled down.
"Yes, he is a disciple of a hidden master studying how to create new recipes!"
I wasn't blind, I could tell that Priya was trying to help me land this man. And that Mei was just teasing me. She only played jokes on people that she didn't like and it was clear from my way of thinking that she didn't like Russell. Not one bit.
But this was actually all working in my favor. So I let this continue. I was still mostly rational. I would put this guy through a few hoops see if his credentials all looked good. If he passed, no matter how pathetically, I would set him up as my new boy friend.
"Fine, let's get him tested at an awakening center and then take him back to Priya's lab. If his awakening numbers are good enough and he can concoct an alchemy pill let's go with him. Mei, you know what to do."
I decided and already started moving towards the exit without looking back. As the leader, I made the decisions and I wasn't going to be hesitant right now.
"Hey, wait a minute, I ..."
Started Russell, but in the next moment Mei put a curse on him and he started drooling on the spot.
"Come on lover boy, let's see what you got."
Mei commanded and Russell obediently followed along.