Writing Prompt Response
Person A: “You’re.... quite different from what I expected.”
Person B: “Oh? And what were you expecting?”
Person A: “Certainly not the horns, that’s for sure.”
Luci kept up the chatter, as she pushed me into a tavern. She had convinced me to go on a ‘blind date’ with another friend of hers, and kept telling me how much I would like him. I internally sighed- wondering what type of person this would be. We reached a booth in the back, and pushing me down into a seat she waved bye, exiting the tavern with a guy I never met.
I turned to him, and tried to hide my surprise, evidently I failed though. “You’re. . . quite different from what I expected.” I had expected someone more. . . outlandish if i’m honest. Luci had the tendency to get into- or instigate- quite crazy things.
“Oh? And what were you expecting?” Not you. Normally, I would be scared of a tiefling, but if Luci was friends with him he must be a somewhat decent person- at least able to handle her crazy on the daily.
“Certainly not the horns, that’s for sure.” It was only after i said it i realized it was quite rude to say that, but luckily he took it in with good grace, letting a smile slip. “So what are you doing in this town?” I led away from the awkward start, and he brightened up a bit.
“I live here actually! What about you?”
“I’m just passing through, but the town is gorgeous! By the way, my name is Adrie!”
“Nice to see I'm not the only one Luci didn’t give names to, I'm Kairon.”
“So Kairon, since you live here, mind giving me a tour?” With a grin, showing quite sharp teeth, he stood up and held a hand to me, which I took, carefully avoiding the claws.
“Best guide you could look for.”
He seemed very proud of his town, gleefully showing me the park where a goose chased him up a tree. I was dying laughing at him before it’s attention turned on me, then it was my turn to flee. Walking through the streets the local’s often waved hello, and passing by the tavern the owner called out
“Hey Kairon! Are you playing tonight?”
“Plan on it Bavern! Be ready to get your socks knocked off!”
“Glad to hear it! Always look forward to your shows, even if I constantly have to put on new socks!”
With a laugh he passed by, and it was then I realized that this was a person I wouldn't mind spending more time with, or going on more dates with. He brought joy to every person around him, and unlike the typical stereo-types he wasn’t scary at all. He was quite charming, and the sharp fangs were only a point of intrigue. Getting shook out of those thought’s by a laugh- he ran ahead to a flier.
“I forgot this was going on today! You wanna go?”
It was a flier showing a baking class at Eve’s Bakery, a event that happened every week. It was a free join, just come in, that started in. . . 10 minutes!
“Let’s hurry!”
Setting off we ran through the throngs of people, the colorful buildings passing in a flash. We eventually arrived- huffing and puffing- in front of a neat storefront with a sign bearing “Eve’s Bakery” In curled letters. Opening the door with a flourish- and the sound of a tinkling bell- Kairon winked, saying “Ladies first”. While normally it would annoy me- all it did was prompt a laugh. Walking in, the store was still neat; a few of the tables had people, with the sound of talking coming from the back.
“A bit late, but we haven't started yet! Chop Chop!” A lady, perhaps in her 30’s? Came from a backroom. Her name tag read Eve. Rubbing his neck sheepishly, eyes closed, “Sorry, but I came from near Baverns place, it’s a surprise we weren’t later!” While he explained I couldn't help but focus on the way he gently smiled, and how his hands were carefully tilted away so he wouldn’t scratch himself with his claws.
“Who’s this now? A new friend of yours?”
“Yeah, Luci introduced her to me earlier and I've been showing her around.”
“I’ve told you before lad- but be careful with that girl. One day she’s going to get you into some trouble you can’t get out of.”
Turning to me she said “And don’t just let him drag you around- he would prattle on about this town the whole day if you would let him.”
“I enjoy his ‘prattling’ “ I replied with what I hoped was only a faint blush. She gave me a searching gaze, before turning around to the door she came from waving us over.
The baking class was super fun- we made chocolate chip cookies. During it though he wiped dough on my nose- so in retaliation, I wiped some on his cheek. It escalated from there and Eve broke us up- and pointing with a wooden spoon- said that no tomfoolery would be allowed in her kitchen. Kairon got in a last blow though, and I internally swore my revenge. Which I got later, wiping warm cookie chocolate on his arm. With no hesitation, he licked it off.
Trying out one of our cookies- they were surprisingly good! Given that we were messing around half the time and we got some measurement's wrong. We helped her clean up, wiping down the stove-tops and cleaning the dishes.
By the time we exited the sun was getting low- so we went back to the park and talked for a bit, telling each other about the craziest stunts Luci had pulled us into.
“Nah- my tale is way crazier. She had me try to charm a dragon!”
“It worked didn’t it? She got us banned from all the places in town!”
“She set a bar on fire- with me still in it! She almost made me roasted tiefling!”
“Better she set you on fire than a dragon?”
“At least being cooked by a dragon is cool!”
Watching the sunset together was nice- and seeing the bright colors of the town alite with the stars already showing, I realized it was the most fun I've had in a while.
“I got to show you one more thing before you go back to your inn!”
Like at the start of the date, he offered his hand- and like the first time, and hopefully more times in the future- i took it. He led us back to the tavern, and sitting me at a table, went and talked to the bartender. Taking a lute from a case, he climbed on a table and started playing, singing a merry song. It captivated me- and often he would look back and wink at me, looking away before he could see me blush. A few hours later, he came back to me breathless with his face flushed.
“Have a good time?”
“Had a great time. In fact- i wouldn’t mind re-creating it. Next time with me being the tour guide.”
With a happy face- and a toothy grin- he leaned down and kissed my cheek.
“Until the next time we meet then.”
Walking out the tavern, with lanterns guiding my path, I walked back to the inn. The date (and day) was different from what I expected- but in the best way. I would have to thank Luci for introducing us, sure owe her one. Actually- thinking about what she would do with that favor- I'm not going to mention that to her.