Stranger things [imo & sandra]

[imo]

She should have known. She should have known!
Anxo had agreed to accompany Caret on a shopping trip into the district. She had been under the impression that the girl needed some things for a party later that evening. Caret’s mother was busy and her father would not permit her going into the district unattended, not Caret’s father, but Anxo’s.
When it came to his showroom girls, Solo Han demanded purity. He wanted every one of his girls to be accounted for at all times. There were no married women in the front showroom and many of the girls, like Anxo, were not even of marrying age yet.
She didn’t know what any of that had to do with servicing her father’s customers but she did know it was a by all end all kind of rule in the showroom. If a girl’s purity was called into question, she was fired immediately, but if a girl managed to gain favor with her father’s clients, Anxo’s father would personally take them up to the capitol to work in a showroom there.
She was sure that was the plan her father had for her, but An wasn’t sure that was what she wanted.
Either way, that was all in jeopardy at the moment because Caret had lied. The girl had no intention of actually shopping or going to some party. Instead, she had used Anxo to get out of her house and to down town district to meet a boy! A Boy!
And they didn’t even have the decency to stick around. As soon as Caret and her District boy met, they ditched her. Caret left her at the café with the promise to be back later and the instruction to ‘live a little’.
What a pretentious little…ugh!
Anxo had waited an hour and still, Caret had not returned. She had taken a turn around the shopping square and returned to the café only to be told that her ‘friend’ had still not shown up. But the sun was going down and the shops were closing. She was soon to be without a place to stay and the day was becoming night. Walking home alone was not something she wanted to do but it was all the option she had left.
Anxo left the café and started home, trying to use what daylight she had left. She knew she wouldn’t make it back before night fall; in fact, the sky had already taken on a tint of purple when she set out, but she figured she would rather be moving toward home than waiting around, alone, in a deserted square.
Unfortunately, the sun seemed to disappear a lot quicker than normal, or maybe it was just her imagination but the shadows were growing, the sky was darkening and soon enough Anxo was alone, in the dark, on a street too narrow and unfamiliar for her liking.
It had been so eerily silent, only her soft footsteps making any sound, that she was almost relieved to hear voices ahead, but as she neared, the voices became more harsh, less comforting.
As she got closer to the group of chuckling men, she smelled alcohol and smokes wafting in the air. These were not a group of friendly men, willing to assist a girl in need.
She tried not to look or seem rattled by them as she passed, hoping that she could go unnoticed, a hope dashed as their conversation died down only to pick up in notice of her. Anxo smiled politely and ducked her head as she tried to go passed. It did nothing to discourage them though, if anything it encouraged them. Just before she was clear of them, one reached out and grabbed her arm.
“What’s a pretty thing like you doing out all alone?” he mocked, his foul breath making her want to wretch.
“Excuse me, sir!” She scolded, trying to pull her arm out of his grasp, but he only tightened it, laughing and mocking her.
Anxo was afraid, truly, but by gods she wouldn’t show it.

[Sandra]

No natural light shined through the windows when Spinner finished cleaning up Mister Cattermole’s shop. He was exhausted, having done more work today than he ever had since the beginning of his apprenticeship. Not only did he drive around District 1 for his boss’ orders but he came back, was taught to sculpt, fixed a few things here and there around the shop but he had to stay hours after Mister Cattermole left in order to clean his tools, his working area and make sure everything was in its place.
By the time he was done, all he wanted to do was head home. Spin head out the shop, locking the doors and windows behind him. The fresh air blew against his warm skin, the dark sky relaxing him after such a long day at work. He began walking down the narrow street, looking down at his watch. Jade would be off to bed and although that upset him, not being able to spend some quality time with his niece, it gave him the opportunity to take his time and decompress.
His truck was further down the street, in the nearest parking lot and so he had to walk a few minutes before getting to it. It did not bother him, not at all. Spinel glanced around the streets, hands in his pockets. He casually walked in a calm manner until he heard a familiar voice, a woman’s and other men. It wasn’t something very unusual but out of curiosity, he listened to their conversation and was alarmed. It didn’t matter who this woman was, he rushed in the voices’ direction.
It was Anxo. A rush of disgust, of anger boiled up quickly in him. “Alone?” He spat in a hateful voice. His shoulders tensed. Men like this had no right to live, they were low lives. They deserved to die, they repulsed him. Spinner knew he could not fight these men, they were too many and he was not cocky enough to believe he could win. “She isn’t alone.” But there was no way he would let Anxo alone when she clearly demanded he let go of her.
He made his way to her and yanked his hand off her arm, trying to not hurt her as much as possible but the man had a hard grip on her. Once he did, Spinel secured his arm around her shoulders and pulled her to him. He knew that she did not like people touching her, that she would not even shake his hand but this was no ordinary situation. He made it clear that Anxo was not for them to touch and was his. Of course, she wasn’t but it was only to get her out of his place and far from these men.
Without another word, he walked them down the street, looking back to make sure they did not follow. He didn’t let go of Miss Han, not until they were far enough and out of sight. He could have punched that asshole, beat him up for even thinking of touching Anxo but he couldn’t. It took everything in him not to try and kill him but he would have been beat up by the others. They may have been drunk but they had more man power than he had alone. And if he was hurt, he would have been helpless and unable to help her.
He let go of her when they reached his truck and took a few breaths he seemed to have been holding. “Miss Han-” He frowned, visibly worried and at safe distance from her. He was certain he had overstep his boundaries but she had to know why. “Are you alright?” He asked, concerned.

[imo]

When she heard the other man’s voice, Anxo felt a momentary jolt of alarm. There was another man. There were already too many men for her oneself to fend off. And she would defend herself. Walker had taught her a few moves and though she had never put them into practice, she had it in her mind to try.
Anxo hadn’t registered the drunken men’s reaction to the new comer but when he stepped into the light of the street lamp, it was then that she realized the other men had fallen silent, a few backing away slightly. Even the man’s grip loosened a little, just not enough.
“Mister Cove!” She said with unmistakable recognition and relief. Thank God! She would not be left to the whims of these abhorrent individuals.
Though she was grateful for his timely arrival, Anxo couldn’t help but wonder what he was doing there. Work hours had ended a while back, about an hour or so before the shops closed in the square. What was he still doing in that part of town?
Upon her recognition, the awful man tightened his grip once again, making it that more painful when Mister Cove pulled her away.
The man looked as though he was going to fight Mister Cove but then seemed to think the better of it. When Mister Cove set his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close, Anxo was thankful for the show. She even leaned into him more as they walked away.
Mister Cove smelled of work and dust and another more pleasant scent she couldn’t quite place.
It was only when they were safely away and he had removed his arm that An comprehended the position they had previously been; he had been holding her close to him, strongly suggesting to the other men that she was with him, that they were more than what they should have been. Anxo felt her cheeks burn, hot against the cool night, and was thankful for the darkness.
“Yes. I’m alright, Mister Cove. Thank you.” She replied. “Are you?”
He looked worried and a bit tense, which were not unreasonable reactions to such an awful situation, but she was still felt the need to. He had risked a lot to stand up for her, to protect her from those gross men.

[Sandra]

Spinner waved off her question, of course he was fine. That didn't matter to him right now, the only thing that mattered was that she was safe. He looked up to the dark sky, the few stars lighting it up. He had to look, had to escape this mood he was in. Nothing had happened, they hadn't hurt Anxo but thoughts of his sister, his niece surfaced his mind. If could have been them! He wasn't saying he was glad it was Anxo in their place, not at all. No woman should ever be harassed in that way, God knows what some men thought in their sick heads.
"I have no right to lecture you but damn it, Anxo." He couldn't even bring himself to remember to call her Miss Han, not at this very moment. He took a step closer, not too close but closer. "What were you thinking? Walking alone down these streets and especially at this time!" He motioned around to the darkness, only lit up because of a few lap posts, moon and stars. Apart from that, it was dark and colder.
Spinel shook his head, realizing what he had said and done. "Excuse me, Miss Han." He caught himself, he had called her by her first name. Never had either of them been so casual. Plus, he had shouted at her his worry like she was a dear friend he was completely worried about. "That was out of line." He was very, truthfully sorry but that didn't change the fact that he actually meant what he had said. He had been worried for her, very worried. He carefully, stepped away.

[imo]

Anxo gave a start as he cursed her, just a little afraid of him and yet, comforted by his anger. It was the first time he’d let slip formality and called her by her given name. That he remembered it at all surprised her. It wasn’t that she thought herself unmemorable but that Mister Cove seemed too practical to think of her in any other way than ‘Miss Han’, the daughter of Mister Solo Han, a rich, entitled, self absorbed, cruel man. Her father was the one to remember, to mind, not her.
And yet, here he was, Mister Cove, angry that she had been so stupid as to put herself in danger, minding no propriety as he shouted and raised his voice. He was concerned for her safety, not as a stranger or a mere acquaintance but as if she were someone to him; a dear friend. Even among her own class, such displays of attachment were not considered prudent or mannerly and yet, she found herself thrilled by his small token of affection.
“I’m sorry.” She said softly, feeling guilt for having worried him so.
His closeness made her heart’s pace noticeable. Though he gestured to the night, making her flinch slightly, as she was used to being ‘handled’ by her father, Anxo’s eyes never left his face. It was inappropriate but it was difficult for her to care. That is, until he reverted to their previous formality. Her eyes fluttered, like a visual of stuttering, as she lowered her gaze and blushed. “No, please…” She said, regaining her composure to look at him once again. “You are right. I should not have been walking this late.” She told him. “But I needed to get home and I had though there was enough daylight left.” Mister Cove did not need to know about Caret or any of that business. It would only serve to bring him trouble.
“I apologize for having troubled you,”Spinel “Mister Cove.” Her voice softened as she added “Thank you, for protecting me.”

[Sandra]

"Troubled me?" He shook his head, "Don't apologize for anything." Spin was very serious about that, he didn't want her to apologize, no such thing was necessary; none whatsoever."Just promise me you won't do it again and that you'll be careful." That was all that he wanted, it wouldn't happen each time she walked alone in the darkness but you never knew what and who could be waiting for you. "I realize we have only met once but I can't help but be an overprotective person." He chuckled. He was like that with the people he cared about and it so seemed that this beautiful girl oddly fit the list. Why? Maybe it was just the look in her eyes, the way she carefully moved, how she spoke like she was watching each word she said.
He nodded with a smile when she thanked him, there was no way he wouldn't have protected her. He wouldn't have ignored what was happening, ever. "You know, you can call me Spinner. Or Spinel, if you'd rather keep a sort of formality." He told her, honestly. "You say Mr. Cove and I feel like you're talking to my father." He chuckled, reaching for his keys in his pants' pocket.
"May I drive you home? Make sure you're safely arrived?" He asked.

[imo]

“I…” Anxo didn’t know what to say. Honestly she hadn’t expected such true concern from Mister Cove. It was not that she thought him insincere or that, if he were to see such actions taking place that he would not act. It was that she could see how deeply concerned he was for her.
Who was she that he would be so concerned?
An blushed, embarrassed to have made him so worried.
“I- would really appreciate that, Mister… Spinner.”
Her heart thudded against her chest, suddenly excited, acutely nervous. She felt awkward and flushed, not even the night’s cool air did anything to cool her down.
Mister Spinner was going to drive her. Again she would be in his truck, with him, alone, and for longer than before. Anxo was so terribly unsure of herself around him. And in the current situation she was more than just out of place.
Back at the store, that was her place, where she belonged. She knew how to be there, but in the ghetto, in the night, alone with him, An didn’t have the first clue.

[Sandra]

Spinel laughed when she called him Mister Spinner, that was just too funny. "I suppose you can call me that too." He said teasingly, he didn't mind but it did sound weird. He'd rather her just call him Spinel but hey, it was her choice. He wasn't to force her to call him anything she didn't feel comfortable with. She was raised to be very polite, raised in a higher class and very formal.
He nodded and began walking to the passenger side of the truck, opening the door for her. "Good, thank you." He was really relieved and grateful she said yes, he didn't want her to walk alone. And if she were to call for someone to pick her up, Spin would have stayed until he knew she was perfectly safe. These dark streets were not safe, not after what had happened.
"I know it's not my business but...what were you doing out here so late?" That was one thing he was wondering. Why would she have still been in town but most of all, why was she alone? That seemed rather odd. With the way people at her father's company acted around her, he was certain that this was not a very common thing to do.

[imo]

Her already blushed cheeks reddened in the night. She knew it was probably silly to him, a resident from the lower parts of the district to take her manners very seriously. He had no idea the effect or meaning of his name, to her.
Anxo could not say that she thought of him often. In fact, there wasn’t a conscious moment, since the first time they had met, and before this night, that she had thought meaningfully of Mister Cove. But there were moments, just between sleep and dreams that he came to her mind. Not all the time was it all of him. Sometimes it was just his smile or the crinkles at the corners of his eyes. Sometimes it was his voice, something he said, something comforting. Other times it was nothing but a presence, a warmth, a feeling An got in the brief moment of their meeting.
But they were all silly things for a girl like her to have pass thru her mind at all and yet there was nothing she could do. Saying his name, she just couldn’t without some formality. The propriety, it was her shield, her security from the feelings, from the fear she felt because of these inappropriate feelings.
Anxo was a silly girl. That was all she would tell herself. just silly.
“uh-um. You are welcome.” She replied awkwardly, climbing gracefully into the cabin of the truck. He was thanking her for accepting his offer?
Anxo was inconveniencing him. Making him go out of his way, far out of his way, to bring her home and yet he was thanking her? Mister Cove was a strange person to her. She had never known anyone to be so kind and valiant. She was no one to him. They had only met once prior to this. She was of a different class. But he treated her as if none of that mattered, as if their differences didn’t so much as exist. The way he laughed, the way he looked at her, were how she would imagine he looked at someone of meaning.
She did not understand him.
Though she was seated, Anxo still had a leg outside of the door when he asked her what she had been doing there. She felt so foolish to admit it but she did. “I... was here with another girl.” she said. “But we were… separated and it was getting late.” The rest she told him already.