[au style] 'cause we find ourselves in the same old mess singing drunken lullabies;

[cendrawasih]

[Journalism hadn't been Ava's first career choice, not really. If she had any say in it, she would have become a professional musician and stayed that way. But somehow, probably in a fit of teenage rebellion, she'd decided to stop playing professionally and go to Brown for journalism.

Nobody understood it. Not even her. But something about it felt right.

She was still relatively new on the reporting scene, but had landed a decent job for Vanity Fair following Edward Stark's campaign trail. She had a feeling it was more because of her name than her ability, but it was something or than cheap advice columns, so she was more than happy to take it.

Campaign trails sucked, though. They definitely weren't all they were cracked up to be, and a small part of her was regretting it. Lots of cheap hotel rooms, cheap food, no sleep, and she still hadn't really gotten to talk to Edward at all.]

Comments

[particularly]

You think so? He's done a much better thing than I'll ever do.

[On second thought, he takes the drink he handed her, and hands over his own instead. His is fresh!]

I'm surprised you came.

[cendrawasih]

I don't know about that.

[Wow that is a really lame pickup line and she laughs but jfkda;j what why is she still blushing.]

I am, too.

[Wait, no. That wasn't what she meant to say.]

My roommate talked me into it.

[She nods toward the brunette over there in that tight silver dress and the slutty shoes.]

[particularly]

[He smiles.]

The one in the ugly shoes and the trashy dress?

[cendrawasih]

You could say that about a lot of the girls here. But yeah, that's her. She's nice, though.

[particularly]

Not my type of person, I don't think. She's trying too hard. I have to say, socially? I'm a moderate.

jfldksaj;fsa I thought I answered this :|

[cendrawasih]

She'll be disappointed. She was trying extra hard to get your attention tonight.

[particularly]

She's out of luck. I already cast my vote.

[He knows he's being cheesy; his smile says that easily enough.]

Why don't we go take a little walk once you finish your drink?

[cendrawasih]

Wait, really?

[Really, really? COMPLETELY UNEXPECTED.]

...sure.

[particularly]

Yeah?

[He actually seems a little surprised.]

Looking for an exclusive?

[cendrawasih]

We can talk business, if you want to talk business. But you're the one who asked me.

[particularly]

I like to talk business.

[He's going to lean in a little, lowering his voice.]

I like your dress, too. Really complements your eyes.

[cendrawasih]

[jfdlakfjs;ajsd Mr. Stark, you're going to experience Ava doing a little bit of flailing.]

Um...thank you.

[particularly]

[Actual physical flail?]

[cendrawasih]

[ONLY A LITTLE BIT. Not enough to be too embarrassing.]

[particularly]

[Well, he'll just put a calming hand on her flailing arm, there.]

You're welcome.

[cendrawasih]

[Oh god now he's touching her.]

I think I'm finished with my drink.

[particularly]

Already?

[Gorgeous, it's still full.]

[cendrawasih]

[She looks down at it, and then back up at him.

Shut up, Edward. She's freaking out here.]

I'm not really all that thirsty.

[particularly]

[He'll just pluck it from her hand and hand it back to someone else with a smile.]

Let's take a walk.

[As he downs his drink, then offers her his arm.]

[cendrawasih]

[She hesitates before she takes it. Edward, you're handling this really well. She's surprised she hasn't scared you off yet.]

What kind of business did you want to talk about? Or did you just want to try to talk me into writing a fluff piece about you?

[particularly]

What kind of business do you want to hear about? I could talk about education reform, for starters. Or maybe equality in the workplace?

[He's obviously kidding.]

I'd rather you write the truth about me, though.

[cendrawasih]

That's all I've been doing so far. It'd be unfair of me to do anything else.

[particularly]

Some of it's pretty bad. I have to admit, I'm watching you very closely. With both eyes. Above the neck.

[cendrawasih]

[.......

jflairuewaojvklha;krwifj.]

I haven't been that bad. Mostly.

[particularly]

Mostly.

[He leans in to whisper in her ear.]

I hear you're never bad. Good for you.