I Never Knew Anyone Could Be So Sweet

"Here you go~"

That soft, quiet, yet cheerful voice rang in his ears in a surprisingly pleasant way as yellow eyes glanced down to gaze into the deep green orbs that his company held. Those eyes... so green, like an endless forest. Only recently had he found himself able to get lost in them. Lost in a sea of varying shades of the color as time slowed to a stop.

He wasn't sure when he started in this anomaly but he did notice that he had been finding himself doing it more often than not when within the company of Miss Grey.

But one thing was for certain: He hated it. He hated how he could find such pleasure in staring into her eyes.

And he hated how he was doing it right now.

Prying his gaze from her, he'd just nod before taking the Styrofoam cup from her hand. With a nonchalant "thanks", he was quick to pull a folder from his suit, soon placing it upon the table that they sat at in hopes of diverting her attention from his previous actions. They had a case to crack and information to retrieve.

Her eyes flickered from her company and immediately went to the file, and soon Akbar just slid the folder her way, much to the man's relief. "That's our man... ever seen him before?"

The woman frowned at the folder, opening it idly before her attention landed on the picture. She shook her head shortly after. "No, I don't believe I have."

A soft hum escaped his lips and soon he just took a sip of his coffee before poking the folder.

"All his information's in that. I'd divulge but - well, you know how it goes." Marigold eyes flickered about their surroundings. The small, outdoor bistro was a quaint little spot within this great big city, but there were people everywhere. It didn't help that they were close to Wiggins Park. The sounds of children playing and people laughing could be heard from here.

"I know." She mused in response, her own gaze flickering from her drink to the trees in the distance, then the tall buildings that loomed in the distance. She appeared distracted, but he couldn't blame her. While Whitley was a decently sized continent with large cities, nothing compared to the streets of Endura. It had taken him some time before he got used to the city as well, but he had been here for quite a while. She had gotten here only last month.

A small smirk appeared on his face then. "Still taking it in, huh?"

The softest tint of pink dusted her cheeks at that as embarrassment overtook her. She folded her hands at her lap as she cast a sheepish glance toward the man before nodding.

"It's just... So big. So much bigger than even Monstad in Whitley. I've never seen so many skyscrapers in one place before." The awe mingled with the soft traces of her accent were more than apparent, if the small smile didn't give it away just a little. The man chuckled before taking another sip of his coffee.

"I've looked around and did a bit of a walkabout on my own. It feels like the streets never end. But," she looked to the treeline, where the city met the park, "in ways it's also a bit unsettling with such a lack of nature. The parks are okay... but nothing can compete against the countryside in Whitley. The openness of the sky and the stars you can see at night. I've noticed you can't see them well here, at night - the stars." Her gaze looked back to his own as that frown remained on her face. "What do you think about the city?"

The question was unexpected at best as a frown mirrored her own. Setting his cup down, he breathed out a sigh as he looked to the sky. Partly to think, and partly to keep himself from staring again. "I've never really thought about it before." He replied idly. "In fact, I don't think I've ever really noticed. I suppose city life was what caught my attention more than nature and stars... When I first came, I was focused on making a name for myself. So I suppose my surroundings were the least of my problems."

"Oh." Her response was short and abrupt, in a way... which had Akbar feeling a bit uncertain.

"Yeah... But I guess now that I'm better off than I was, maybe I'll take another look at the night sky once in a while."

He heard that soft, amused huff escape her from where he sat, and he could feel her playful look directed at him without even looking at her. "You can't really appreciate it here, Mister Vartolga. Even in the dead of night one can hardly see the stars. The sky almost looks no different at night from the day, either."

"Oh." It was his turn for a short answer, but he didn't keep it very short. "Hmm... Then maybe you and I will have to go visit the country sometime. I know Agent Vasques owes me a favor and he likes to brag about this really nice cabin he's got on a lake in the middle of nowhere."

"You'd really be willing to go and do that? That seems rather... out of your way." What she really wanted to say was that that sounded suspiciously like a date but she wasn't about to say anything like that aloud. "You'd have to take time off and everything... And why would I have to go?"

"I'd be willing if you would. A trip to the country sounds kinda nice, now that you've mentioned something." His gaze flickered back to her then, and a small smirk graced his lips once more. "I'd need you along with me. After all, I know nothing about constellations and the stars and you seem to let on that you know more in that field than I do. I'd need someone like you to educate me." He paused. "That and you can't tell me that you'd miss an opportunity like this, would you?"

Both their eyes narrowed at each other in a more playful manner, Akbar smirking while Calpurnia just pouted her lips a little.

Only after a moment or two did Calpurnia respond. "You are something, you know that? I never knew anyone could be so sassy."

A laugh came from the man. "And I never knew anyone could be so sweet."

And that was when he realized what his mouth had just blurted out. Immediately his smirk disappeared and he turned to look to the park, away from Calpurnia and her bewildered expression. He could feel his ears burning, like hot coals had touched them for far longer than necessary, and he was sure he could feel a warmth on his cheeks as well. Embarrassment washed over him like he was standing in the pouring rain as his heart pounded in his ears. Why did he say that? Why? He hadn't even thought of it and it just... it just came out!

The silence that enveloped them was borderline unbearable but he knew better than to speak again. Great. First it was the staring, now he'd have to watch what he said around her, too?! What was this!? Augh! He hated everything about this. Part of him was about ready to just get up and leave.

The idea was beginning to feel more and more like a good idea before he caught the sound of her voice.

"I'll go."

"What?"

"I'll go with you to the cabin... but you'll have to let me know in a month in advance. My, uh... my supervisors don't particularly like me taking off abruptly." Not that she really did but she wanted to play it safe. "That and I'd like to be home before midnight."

He could still hear the embarrassment in her own voice, with a hint of... was that bashfulness? She almost sounded shy. Nevertheless, he cleared his throat. "Oh, uh, yeah. Sure. Midnight." He replied. "I'll let you know." They had each other's numbers. They were needed for their work.

"Um, yeah..." Calpurnia ultimately rose to her feet and brushed off the cute little spring dress she wore, before taking the file off of the table. "I... Suppose I should be going. My break is almost over."

"Oh, yes," He replied, quickly rising to his feet and picking up his coffee. It was almost gone now. "I'll see you at the office later, then?"

"Yes." She gave, flashing him a weak smile before waving to him. "See you later, Mister Vartolga."

"Akbar."

"What?"

"Akbar. Please, my name is Akbar."

The woman paused.

"Then my name is Calpurnia."

"Okay... See you later, Calpurnia."

"See you later, Akbar."

And soon she wandered off, and he couldn't help but watch her as she returned to the streets of Endura, falling into the constant crowd to wander back to wherever she was going.

And Akbar couldn't help the sigh of relief that escaped him, only to run his fingers through his hair with a groan.

"Me and my stupid mouth."