cantblameagirl | Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ 06

[Neal exited his room a few minutes to seven, doing a light spin to compliment his mood. He was decked out in a full Burberry suit, black and white, with a thin tie. He had opted to leave the hat in his room since it didn't fit the FBI cover as well as it fit the ensemble overall. With a wide smile and all the confidence in the world, he lifted a hand to knock a couple times at Vala's door.]

[She didn't quite dress to match - it wasn't like she had many occasions to get fancy at home - but she did have that outfit she'd bought with Sam, and since it turned heads well enough then, Vala figured a repeat performance would work. Tying the scarf around her neck when he knocked, she paused to check a mirror and push a hair into place, then paused that because she really had no idea what he looked like. He could be worse than Erik. ...She didn't really believe that at all, though. Shrugging to herself, she opened the door, and he was definitely not worse than Erik.]

Nick Halden, maybe-former-FBI man?

I'm hurt. I thought you promised me a hall wave. I've been lost for hours. [He offered with a momentary feigned look of confusion and weariness. Then the expression devolved into a charming grin. Despite never taking his eyes off of her face, Neal still had plenty of chance to look her over and he was pleased with what he saw. Though he would never give any indication of it, like any man, he would always prefer attractive women to the unattractive.]

Oh, I knew I was forgetting something, [She teased, trying to hide her smile. It didn't work too well. She stepped toward him, lifting her chin a little.] But since you persevered and found your way here, I do believe you promised me dinner.

[Neal offered her an arm, the old-fashioned way. It was how the elite lived and he would never stop being elite so long as he could manage it. He could already tell that she was confident and aggressive while remaining feminine; it offered good potential for them to get along.]

I did. Are you ready to go?

[Oh, she liked him already. Sliding her arm through his, Vala offered a wide smile, tossing some hair over her shoulder.]

Absolutely. Lead the way, Nick.

(((Pretend this is her hypnotizing icon. LJ needs to let icons be bigger. :c)))

[Neal was perfectly comfortable this way, walking with her but always a partial step ahead to subtly confirm his position as the man in this particular situation. Whether women wanted to admit it or not, most liked just a hint of masculinity in the men they wished to date.]

Tell me about yourself.

[Vala pursed her lips to consider a story. She wondered if he'd seen Giligan's Island.]

I come from a lovely little planet with all sorts of people and trade. My family had their fingers in everything, very wide spread. Wonderful way to grow up; I knew everyone, and they knew me. Oh, I'm getting nostalgic. [Not even a little bit true.]

[He might have believed her up until the feigned nostalgia. Without his smile faltering, he replied in kind.]

And here I thought I was special growing up as a Von Trapp. [He glanced sideways to check for recognition of the reference.] You don't have to tell me, but lying's not much fun if that's all we're going to say. If you want to lie, how about a game to make in interesting?

[Zero recognition.] Von Trapp?

[She smiled, though, even managed to make it just a little sheepish.] I love games. What sort of game?

Oh, come on. You can't tell me you haven't seen "The Sound of Music". [He feigned disappointment. Clearly, everyone should have seen that film.]

[Neal got the feeling that Vala wasn't the sort of woman to feel sheepish at all, just like he himself wouldn't.. but maybe he was just paranoid.] Two lies and one truth. No admittance as to which is which.

I haven't. Oh! But I think it's on my list at home.

[A grin started to spread, not in the least sheepish.] That sounds like a fantastic game. You go first.

[He grinned, knowing the way she spoke was much the same as his own manner.] We'll have to see what we can do about fixing that.

[At the encouragement to go first, he considered for a moment.] I'm the best FBI agent of my time, I'm allergic to mushrooms, and I'm great in bed. [Neal flashed her a grin.]

[She smirked, and patted his arm, hoping that was the truth.] I can drink anyone under the table, I hate steak, and I grew up camping every weekend.

You strike me as the kind of woman who can handle her liquor.

[He replied, speculating without actually asking for the answer, as per the rules he had laid down. As they arrived at the dining hall, Neal dropped his arm away from her only to move a half-step forward and press the door open in front of them. His other hand moved softly to the small of her back to guide her in, a natural and flirtatious gesture he often didn't even realize he was doing anymore.]

I have a Master's Degree, I spent four years in prison, and I've never been married.

[She just smiled a little, chin up. They'd agreed not to tell, after all. Vala let him guide her in, walking slowly enough to keep his hand at her back.] I was an indentured servant, I hated my mother, and the consistency of jello disturbs me.

[Neal wasn't certain that he liked this game as much as he had thought he would. Vala was a good liar and now it bothered him not knowing which were which; still, he would consider it a personal loss if he ended the game before she did, and Neal didn't really do losing unless it was necessary and intentional.

As they progressed to the line for their food, the inmate finally let his hand drop away from her back, still remaining beside her. His attention on her never wavered; he was doting, without being creepy.] I've never worked the same job for more than two years, my favorite hair color for women is red, and I really hope you can lie better than that.

[Of course, the last one was a lie, but he said it in that joking tone that suggested he could tell every lie that she'd spoken.]

[Vala pursed her lips as she settled into line ahead of him, leaning against the wall as she looked up at him.] I was going to use that one, but I wouldn't want to look like I'm mimicking you. [A smirk tugged the corner of her mouth.]

I've been to several different planets, I spent some time as a nun, and I don't find you attractive in the slightest.

[He tilted his head and offered her a mischievous grin.] They say mimicking is the sincerest form of flattery.

I traveled a lot myself; it's good to see other cultures. [He stated as absolute truth, because he was determined that she was not a nun and she did find him attractive. After another smile, he leaned in a little bit to grant them an intimacy that was difficult to achieve in public places.] Why don't we up the stakes? Two truths, one lie.

Something tells me you don't need to be flattered. [Vala smirked as he leaned in, making a show of biting the corner of her lower lip at his suggestion.] Oh my, Nick. Getting awfully personal, aren't you?

[She lifted her chin, looking down at him thoughtfully with pursed lips.] All right. You go first.

Everyone needs to be flattered now and then. [He replied honestly, still leaning in toward her. His volume dropped in response to their lessened distance, still perfectly audible to the woman to whom he was speaking.] Are you afraid of getting personal?

[When she consented, another token smile appeared on his lips.] I've kissed a stranger on a street in Italy, I've stolen over a dozen cars in my lifetime, and I think you want to kiss me.

On the contrary, [she said, mouth curving upwards as she leaned in closer.] I love getting personal.

[She pursed her lips, wondering how the FBI agent had stolen cars. Vala wanted that one to be true.] I wouldn't want you comparing me to a stranger in Italy. [But she leaned closer again, before sliding back to move up the line.]

I love science, I think you think you're very suave, and I have very few issues with public displays of affection. [Or lust, really.]

[He was impressed by how smooth she was, but it only made him more worried about the kind of skills in the art of deception that she had. Neal also knew that flirting was one thing, but sleeping together took away all the mystery and he wasn't interested in a girlfriend; he still planned on getting back to Kate. But that was no reason he couldn't have fun and make friends.

In response to her remark about comparisons, he only gave a light shrug. After all, it was part of the game not to reveal the truth from the lies, but Neal suspected Vala would be better than the woman he had kissed in Budapest.]

I prefer my intimacy to remain intimate. [He stated as if it was a response on its own, then continued.] I love Saturday morning cartoons and I once sliced open my thumb carving my name into a tree.

[Vala pursed her lips, reaching for a plate as they got closer.] I adore Saturday morning cartoons, I think baboons are disgusting, and I was married, once.

[The latter she only offered to see if she could say it without wrinkling her nose at the thought. It was a success; she was very proud of herself.]

[Neal picked up his own plate as they continued down the line, giving her a little more space now as he offered the same wide smiles to the inmates serving the food as he had to her upon their meeting at first. That one was a little harder to pick out and he wondered if she really was the type to be married.]

I was a boy scout, I've flown a plane, and I've traveled to over twenty different countries.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ 06

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