[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

[cendrawasih]

It wasn't that great of a party, anyway.

[particularly]

Hey. That was my party.

[cendrawasih]

That doesn't mean it was a good one.

[particularly]

You're right, it sucked. But it got you there.

[cendrawasih]

That was my roommate, not the party.

[particularly]

And your roommate got you there, right?

[cendrawasih]

Barely.

[particularly]

Barely counts.

[Back to the hotel they go!]

[cendrawasih]

Against my will.

[Lead on, Edward.]

[particularly]

[Practically skipping, this guy.]

I'm glad you showed up.

[cendrawasih]

Why didn't you just ask me?

[particularly]

Because that's too direct.

[cendrawasih]

What's wrong with being direct?

[particularly]

Thought it would scare you off. What's a good girl like you going to think if a sleazy politician wants to get her alone?

[cendrawasih]

Even though that's exactly what you just did?

[particularly]

...Well.

[cendrawasih]

Well?

[particularly]

Well... yeah. Yes. Okay.

[cendrawasih]

It wasn't so bad.

[particularly]

No? I mean... It worked out okay.

[cendrawasih]

...yeah, it did.

[particularly]

[He reaches for her hand... Yep. Hand holding.]

[cendrawasih]

[...wow, okay. Edward Stark is holding her hand.

This is getting weird. And she likes it.]

[particularly]

[They're almost to the hotel, so when they hit the door he lets go of her hand.]

Top floor. Hope you don't mind the long elevator trip.

[cendrawasih]

[She smiles a little. And relaxes. A little.]

It's fine.