Falling as the world spins around you.

[Krystin Ryne]

Krystin sighed as she, once again, ‘snuck’ out of her house. Her blonde hair hung down her back in waves, with slight curls at the end while some of it was pinned back and out of her face. Her skirt of her light blue dress, with the off the shoulder sleeves, was held up slightly by her bare hands as she ran softly over the ground. She was finally fed up with her house… for the time being it was. She hated how her brother, Jeremy, always found it within himself to try and hold her under lock and key inside that forsaken house.

First, he had tried to get her to act like a proper lady, which happened just about never. Then, he thought he could tell her who to marry… That within itself was what had set her off, starting their argument. She didn’t want to marry anyone but someone who she truly loved. In her point of viewing, what was the point of marrying someone you didn’t love? Especially if it condemned you to a life time of unhappiness or even worse, abuse.

Lost in her own thoughts, Krystin didn’t notice that she had gotten all the way Downtown as she started to walk. Everything was seemingly annoying her at the moment. From the way her hair was falling over her shoulders, the corset that was tied so tightly around her midsection, and the slight heaviness of the dress that she wore. One that seemed to bring out the soft blue that was her eyes…

[Lucas Livingston]

Lucas had gone out with a few of his buddies for a few drinks when his dad began harassing him about taking over the family business. He didn't lie completely, but having money was something he enjoyed, however he did not like to advertise it much. It was starting to get late, and Lucas had had his fun, some flirty and several drinks later. He paid his billed, said good bye to his friends, and walked out of the tavern. He stood on the front step, letting the slight chill in the air freshen his warm cheeks. He heard his buddies laugh at something inside and turned to see through the window what had happened, one of them had fallen and spilled his ail. Lucas smiled to himself and went to take a step out into the street to head home.

BAM.

He slammed right into someone walking at a good pace down the street. He stumbled out of the way, cursing slightly under his breath, before looking up and realizing he had bumped into a young girl. A nice looking one at that. He studied her for a moment before speaking. Her long wavy blond hair hung free around her shoulders, her ice blue eyes were dashing in the moonlight. And her bodice. Well, lets just say the tight dress pushed everything up nicely and he liked what he saw.

"I'm very sorry Miss. I didn't see you there. Are you alright?" He asked her, he reached his hand towards her, asking if she was alright with his body and not just his hands. His green eyes looked right into her, for Luke was never one to fear away from eye contact. His tall muscular body seemed overly large standing next to the slim woman. Luke flashed one of his dazzling smiles, he calls them his 'lady catcher'. He looked at her again. She was young, and to be out this late at night? "Where you heading at this hour? It's not safe for a woman alone. Perhaps I could walk with you?" Always the gentlemen, always the flirt. What a combo.

[Krystin Ryne]

Out of what seemed like no-where, Krystin felt someone bump into her. Stumbling back slightly, Krystin felt herself lose balance and land on her rear. A blush crept up to her face as she felt embarrassed by this. Then again, she never had been on to really care what was considered lady-like, so it was odd that she even worried about this now. Seeing his hand reached out towards her as he asked if she was alright, Krystin took his hand before nodding.

“I am fine, sir. Thank you. It’s quite alright though; I was not paying attention to where I was going. ‘Tis not your fault.”

As she got back to her feet she noticed that the male in front of her was actually good looking. His green eyes were simply lovely and she found she couldn’t exactly look away from them, and standing next to him… well, she looked quite small. It took her a moment to notice that he had spoken to her once more, asking about why she was out here this late at night. She softly bit the inside of her lip as she glanced away, not really sure she wanted to bring up the fact that her and her brother had had a fight. Glancing back at him she shook her head slightly.

“There is nowhere that I’m heading in particular, but I was simply feeling cramped inside of my house and needed to get out for a bit. That would be lovely though, that is… if you wish to walk with me.”

Krystin barely noticed that as she spoke, a bit of her Spanish accent slipped through, probably making her sound like someone who had Hispanic blood in them, even though there wasn’t a speck of it in her, only the remains of where she had grown up.

[Olivia Ward]

Luke wrapped his fingers around hers as she helped herself to her feet. He smiled at her in a very apologetic way, and he felt he had to make up for it. So a little company was the best he could do at the moment.
"I'm Lucas. Lucas Livingston. And you would be..?" He looked over at her, eyes slightly wide, waiting, and hoping for her answer.

He looked at her again, eyes slipping over her soft skin, to her piercing blue eyes, and the luxurious hair that he just wanted to run his fingers through. But there was something more to her than her superb looks. Something, more subtle.

He noticed how she looked around, like she was nervous of something. He felt like she was hiding something, but that was quite alright, he felt she might tell him with time. "I would very much like to walk with you miss." He turned in the direction she had be heading, and started a comfortable, relaxing walk pace. His long legs swinging back and forth, his arms crossed lazily behind his back. "Do you want to talk about it? I find sometimes talking to someone who is not involved lets you vent about it. Get out all your frustrations." He said in a melodic voice, hoping its tone would persuade her to open up a bit

[Krystin Ryne]

Krystin’s icy colored eyes glanced up towards him, the moon catching them a bit, almost seeming to make them shine along with her soft golden hair. Hearing him introduce himself, she ‘curtsied’ slightly before standing back up to catch his gaze once more.

“I’m Krystin… Krystin Ryne. It’s nice to meet you Mr. Livingston.”

As he turned to continue heading that way she had been, Krys’ legs began to walk… attempting to keep in stride with him as best she could. Her eyes were now slightly downcast as she seemed to watch where she was walking, hearing him as her a question about if she wanted to talk about whatever seemed to be bothering her.

It took her a few minutes to think on whether or not she should talk to a complete stranger about the issues that seemed to arise in her home... Glancing back up at him for a split moment before her eyes went back to watching the ground as her hands were folded lightly in front of her, Krys sighed softly.

“I am not sure whether it would be the kind of thing you would want to hear about Mr. Livingston… It is not the best of stories truthfully.”

In truth that had not been a lie, simply because not many people would want to hear or know about what sounded like family abuse on at least a weekly basis… In fact it may not have been considered family abuse since her and her brother never hit each other, only argued immensely whenever Jeremy found it upon himself to try and marry her off to those that she did not love.

[Olivia Ward]

Lucas noticed that Krystin seemed to be rushing to keep up with him. He sometimes forgot how large his strides were due to his height. He slowed the tempo down a bit, hoping to meet her pace. "It's nice to meet you Miss Ryne. Truly, what a pleasure." He added the last part with a deeper, huskier, flirtatious tone of voice. He really did have a voice of angels. One so sexy, hearing it could make you melt. One reason why he has been labeled a ladies man.

They walked next to each other for a few minutes in silence. Luke liking the relaxing environment, and her company, which seemed to calm and sooth him. He raised his hand and ran it through his hair, listening to her say that he may not want to hear about her problems.

"Well, if they are too personal i can understand that. God knows I have my own demons. But I have been told before that I am very good at comforting, and I give excellent hugs." He added with a flirty sideways grin. He gave her a small nudge with his shoulder, knocking her half a step off balance to try and loosen her up.

[Krystin Ryne]

Krystin found it easier to keep stride with the handsome male next to her now that he had slowed the tempo of his walk a bit. Hearing his words, Krystin couldn’t quite help the blush that snuck up onto her face, resting on her cheeks as she kept her gaze down. For once she was slightly shocked that someone believed it a true pleasure to meet her. Then again there always was the chance that this male, Lucas Livingston was a flirtatious man.. But it was oh so hard to not feel like this around him… especially not with his looks or the sound of his voice.

Hearing him speak once more after those few minutes of silence almost shocked Krystin at the fact that there had even been a silence between them; though she could not deny the fact that walking with him at this moment was quite nice and relieving. When he spoke of how he understood if it was too personal, she nodded slightly, more of her golden hair falling over her shoulders as she continued to listen to him speak of how he had his own demons, before slyly adding in that he had been told he was very good at comforting along with giving excellent hugs. A warm, exquisite smile graced her lips as she glanced up at him with her icy orbs shining softly in the pale moonlight.

“If you truly wish to know Mr. Livingston...”

Her entire body language seemed to fall as her smile from earlier dropping as her expression almost seemed to sadden… When she spoke... her voice seemed just as sweet and soft sounding as it always had... except this time there seemed to be the sounds of heartbreak and sadness hidden within..

“The truth is… my brother Jeremy and I had an argument earlier about my future… I do not wish to be married off like some piece of property… My mother had had her choice… but since Jeremy became the head of the family… well… he seems to want to put me especially under a lock and chain…"

She said nothing for a few moments as her walking seemed to slow down a bit more, her gaze sad as she kept it down at the ground. If Luke did something without walking towards her… well she wouldn’t be able to see him exactly…

[Lucas Livingston]

Luke walked next to her as she spoke, listening intently. He noticed her demeanor changed, and she seemed even more down than before. "I'd like to help, if I could." He said to her when she seemed concerned about telling him. But he of course would not push her into talking about anything that she didn't want to talk about. He slowed his walk more to match hers, letting him drift a little closer to her so that his shoulder was almost touching hers.

He was about to say that she shouldn't let an argument with her brother get her down. But when she began to talk about being married off against her will, well, he could relate to that. His parents often tried to push him into taking over the family business. It has gotten to the point where he has almost given up. I guess it wouldn't be too bad being a lawyer, he had already been educated in the ways of the law. Even though he still rebels against his parents, they have broken him down into thinking about giving it. He couldn't lie that it would always make sure he and his future family to always be provided for.

"No one should be pushed into doing something they don't want to do. Trust me, I know what that feels like. Parents have been pushing me my entire life to be a lawyer like my father. I've just about giving up on fighting them." He gave a soft chuckle, to try to keep things light and not too serious. "I hope those chains don't get too heavy for you miss." He wished he could have helped her more than that.

He looked over at her again, and noticed she had dropped her eyes to the ground. He hoped she wouldn't cry, for he found it hard to handle when women cried. But if she had to, he would understand. Feeling like you were trapped and locked up is hard to take, and live with. Luke stopped walking for a second, thinking on how to help. And then an urge came over him, an urge to comfort her. He took two large steps towards her, putting one arm around, and pulled her into him, wrapping his other arm tightly around her. "If you ever need to get out again, I could come get you. I don't like thinking that you might be out here on your own." He spoke softly into her ear, her head resting against his chest. He planted a soft innocent kiss on the top of her head. "And if you ever get too annoyed with your brother, I could always have a word with him, however forceful, to get him to back off." He gave a small squeeze, hugging her closer to him. He couldn't help but like it.

[Krystin Ryne]

Krystin nodded as she listened to Lucas’ angelic as he spoke and told her of how he would like to help if he could. Truthfully she would not mind his help at all. Which for her, was off seeing as she was not exactly one to accept someone’s help very often, and especially not someone who she had just met…

“I do not mind if you help at all, Mr. Livingston.”

Glancing back up at him with her eyes, she could tell he wasn’t lying to her when he spoke of how he was in a similar situation with his parents wanting him to become a lawyer even though it seemed as if he really did not want to become one. Krystin was suddenly aware of the fact that his shoulder was almost touching hers. The strangest thought ran across her brain as she felt herself actually wanting his shoulder to be touching her shoulder. Glancing back up at him, Krystin spoke; her voice was soft and not as ‘upbeat’ as it seemed to have been earlier.

“What do you have in mind of what you want to study for? What interest you…?”

Krystin stayed quiet as she listened to him, though hearing him hope that the chains didn’t get too heavy for her, she thought about how heavy they were already… Not noticing he had stopped, Krystin continued, thinking he had simply just slowed his walk. Just as she was about to turn to see what he was doing… she felt a strong arm wrap around her, pulling her towards him before he hugged her to him. At first, Krystin tensed up due to being caught by surprise. She soon relaxed though, oddly enough feeling herself being comforted by his hold, her head even resting against his shoulder. After a few moments her hands even rested against his back as she found herself relaxing.

“I would enjoy that… If I ever have to get out, I think that would be very kind of you Mr. Livingston. However, how am I to reach you if something like this occurs again? And, if things get too tense between me and my brother… I might just rather have a walk with you at night than get you involved… He can be, quite difficult to deal with at times. I have the feeling that whenever something concerns me though, he is even more determined to stick to what he has in mind….”

She glanced away for a moment, but when Lucas gave a small squeeze and hugged her closer to him, she couldn’t help but relax a bit again, allowing him to comfort her as they stood there, with the moonbeams shining down on them… making him look even more handsome than before…

[Lucas Livingston]

Luke smiled when she yet again called him Mr. Livingston. "Please, call me Lucas. Or Luke if you prefer." He was still holding her. He had noticed she had tense when he pulled her close to him. He wondered if he had crossed the line and moved to fast. After all they had only meet that night. He almost apologized for it, but decided he would take the consequences if she didn't like it. He released her when she asked about what he would like to study. He thought about it for a moment, and realized he never really gave it any thought.

"I'm not sure actually. I really haven't thought about it. Probably because I have had it drilled in me so long to become a lawyer. So I'll get back to you on that one." He smiled at her again, happy to see that she seemed a little more relaxed and at ease with him. A strand of her blond hair had fallen into her eyes, and with one finger he reached forward and tucked it behind her ear, softly grazing her cheek as he did so. He wanted to kiss her, but he knew she was not like other girls, she was honest and true. So he would try to go about this in a more appropriate manner.

"You can always write to me if you need me. I live at 100 Flannery Boulevard." He knew it was the richest street in town, and he hoped that that didn't make her uncomfortable in any way. "Worse comes to worse, you can always visit, just ask for me." He didn't say his parents wouldn't be bothered by this, for from his past relationships, and his flirty persona, this has happened on several occasions and his parents barely even noticed anymore.

Luke looked around and noticed that the street was just empty. He pulled out his gold watch and his eyes opened wide. "You know miss, it is rather late. I fear i must be getting you home. After all, I don't need your family angry at me for keeping you out so late." He held out his arm so she could link hers with his, and was about to turn in the other direction, but then realized that he didn't know where she lived.

"I think I'll need to know where to go from here. If you show me the way to your home, I will accompany you, just so you don't get attacked by monsters or drunken men." He laughed, hoping he didn't make her nervous about being out so late at night. He took her hand and put hers into his, his strong hand gently wrapping around hers. God, how bad he wanted to pull her close and kiss her. Her soft angelic lips pulled at him, urging him to cover them in his own lips. His stomach knotted from the anticipation, but his bit his bottom lip and refrained from doing anything too inappropriate, especially on the first date, if it was even that. He headed in the direction of her home, walking calmly next to her, already planning the next time he could see her.

[Krystin Ryne]

Krystin smiled up at Luke as she nodded, though when he released her from his hold, missing the warmth that had come off of his strong toned body while he had held her close to him. As he replied to her earlier question about what interested him, she listened patiently to the angelic voice that seemed to roll over his lips easily. She found that she wouldn’t really mind if she had to listen to it all day… in fact, it seemed to have a calming effect on her. Such a wonderful change from the rough and sometimes harsh voice of her brother that she heard almost every day.

“I’d be happy to hear about what interest you when you get back to me on that. Mind you now, Luke… I’ll hold you to it.”

A small, warm smile lit across Krystin’s face, she hadn’t even noticed that a piece of her hair had fallen into her face until one of Luke’s fingers brushed it back behind her ear, grazing softly over her cheek, causing a soft blush to blossom over both of her cheeks. She held his gaze as she listened to his angelic voice tell her his address so that she would be able to write to him. With a smile on her face she, the softness of her voice came back as she spoke.

“I’ll be sure to write to you when I can. Though the visiting part might be a bit harder I’m afraid… You see… my brother enrolled me into St. Augustine’s… and he said he was going to send me there by the end of this month at the latest…”

She glanced away and down once more before looking back up at him as he spoke once more, offering his held out arm to her. Which of course, she linked hers with his after not even a moment hesitation. Hearing his voice again, she could help but laugh softly at speaking of how he would walk her home so she wouldn’t get attacked by monsters or drunken men.

“Thank you Luke, that is a sweet thought of you, to walk me home… My house is just near the end of Benedict Lane, at 4293. And Luke… you can call me Krys, or Krystin. Since you are allowing me to call you by your first name, it is only fair that I allow you to call me by mine…”

Another, smaller blush blossomed on her cheeks when she felt Luke’s strong hand wrap gently around hers. Being here with him, for the amount of that they had spent together… All of Krystin’s unhappiness, annoyance and anger had faded… being replaced by her more upbeat, happy self. This was odd… usually for those who she has just met… Krystin would pull her walls up around herself and keep others locked out of her personal business. However, it never felt like that since earlier when hanging with Luke, the handsome man with the angelic voice and apparently the ability to knock out almost all of her feelings that did not wish to have, and replace them with her happier ones…


Words: 523

[Lucas Livingston]

Luke chuckled as they walked, laughing at the thought of her holding him to his words. A light breeze kicked up, sending a chill through the night air. "I'll do my best to keep you updated." He laughed again, deep and soft. As he listened to her tell him that her brother will be sending her to St. Augustines. Luke was a little upset hearing this news, for that school was nothing but a different type of jail for those young women.

"What will you do if he sends you there? Will you go?" He asked, looking over at her. It would be more difficult seeing her if she were to attend. But then again, he has been with several girls who had gone there, and Luke had his ways in and out. So if he had to, he could sneak in to see her.

They were just getting on to her street now and the houses began to change from more city like to urban housing. Being farther away from the towns lights, the street was even darker. They only had the moonlight to light their way. He smiled at the thought of calling her by her first name, at least he had made an impression to deserve that right.

"Alright, Krystin." He said, confirming that he was allowed to call her that. A few of the houses still had a little light in them, but it appeared most had already gone to bed. After all, it was very late. "I hope you don't get into too much trouble for being out this late. Is there a back door or window you can use to sneak back in?" He asked her. He liked the thought that perhaps in the future, she would be sneaking out to see him, instead of running away from her brother.

They soon arrived at her house, and he turned to her at the front gate, taking a hold of her hands in his. He looked into her eyes, and even in the darkness could see how blue they were. "May I see you again? Perhaps take you on an official date." Yes, he was asking her out, and he was hoping she would say yes. "You brother wouldn't object too much at that I hope. I promise to behave myself." He laughed, tilting his head back a little at the thought. From what he can remember, he has never promised a girl that he would try to behave himself, for he was very good at not behaving. He didn't get the nickname of Devils Child for nothing when he was younger.

[Krystin Ryne]

Krystin smiled up at Luke as she continued to walk next to him on the way to her house. Hearing him say he would do his best to keep her updated brought a small smile to her face. She still was a bit curious as to how he had made her feel so comfortable, so easily around him. Shaking it from her mind she ignored it and put her full attention back to Luke, another warm smile gracing her lips as she; however, that smile faded when he asked her what she would do if her brother sent her to St. Augustines.

“Truthfully… if he set’s his mind to it… then I would have no choice but to go.”

Her voice was soft and sad, although after a few more minutes she glanced back up at him. A slight fire burning in her eyes as a small, somewhat playful smirk came upon her face, replacing the small frown that had been there.

“But, I’ll be sure to raise hell for him the whole ride… my brother knows that I am not one to take orders very well… but it does not surprise me that he has resorted to this…”

When Luke called her by her first name, a small, light, hidden blush crept onto her cheeks. It sounded quite nice to her to hear him call her Krystin. When he showed concern, hoping she didn’t get into too much trouble for being out late, Krystin simply responded with a small shrug, her soft voice sounding off between her lips again.

“Oh, no need to worry about that. I do have a way to sneak back in. Besides everyone in the house is asleep… I made sure of that before I left earlier.”

Her smile stayed on her lips as she watched Luke now that they were at her front gates. The black iron wrought gates, thankfully, were kept well oiled… so sneaky past them wouldn’t be an issue… it was sneaking past her brother’s room that would be the slight challenge. Just hearing Luke ask if he could see her again, brought an even brighter smile to her lips.

“You can come see me any time you want Luke. Fifth window on the right side; that is where you’ll find my window. And I would rather enjoy that date with you.”

Her bright smile held on her face still as she watched him with quiet eyes.

[Lucas Livingston]

Luke starred into her eyes as she spoke about her brother, and how she would raise hell for him if he forced her to go to St. Augustines. He was glad of that, although she seemed fairly quite and humble woman, she had a small fire in her. Lucas had always liked the feisty women.

He glanced at her home, seeing it dark for they had gone to bed. At her comment about her way of sneaking it, it sounded like she had done this any times before. He laughed lightly when she felt the need to tell him which window was hers. But all the same he was glad of it, for he knew he would use it at some point. "I;d like to take you to dinner, Krystin. Can you break free from your bonds for tomorrow night? Say 'round 6?"
He looked at her expectantly.

He took his hand and carefully pushed her gate open, making sure he did it as silently as he could, for he did not want someone waking up and coming outside. He stepped aside, making room for her to pass him and walk to her door. But before she passed him, he gently took her hand and slowly brought it to his mouth, laying a soft kiss on the back of her hand. His fingers interlaced with hers, and when he pulled his hand away, let his fingers graze against hers, stroking them sweetly.

"Goodnight, fair lady. May you have the sweetest dreams. I do hope I'm in them."
He had to add that part, he just couldn't help it. He watched her go to her door, and slide in as silent as a cat. When the door shut closed, he lingered for a moment, before turning to head home himself, his thoughts full of her. There was no doubt in his mind that he would dream of her. If he got any sleep, that is, thinking of his date with her tomorrow evening.

[Krystin Ryne]

Krystin smiled warmly at him as he had asked if she could sneak away tomorrow night around six o’clock. With a slightly sly smile, she nodded.

“Yes, I should be able to break free tomorrow night at six.”

A small blush crept to her cheeks as he gently took her hand before slowly taking it to his mouth, where he laid a soft kiss on it while interlacing their fingers. When his hand softly grazed it as he pulled his hand away… Another blush crept unto her cheeks as he wished her a good night and happy dreams, as he told her he hoped that she would be in them. With a bright smile she watched him.

“Goodnight, Luke. I, too, hope you have wonderful dreams tonight. Who knows, maybe I will be in them.”

A few moments later she was at her front door. With a pause she turned to offer one last, warm smile at him before slipping silently into the dark house.