by Claire Ihi » Thu Aug 17, 2017 8:26 am
Claire frowned momentarily. How the hell did they manage to get talking about the nature of love on a first date? It seemed strange, but, at the same time, not uncomfortable, even though Adam was so much younger than she was. Anyway, it was an odd thing to say. "Oh, I don't know," she said, her voice thoughtful. "I think it can be graceful. At least, the falling in love part. It's what happens once you realise you've fall than is invariably messy, and painful, but still we do it." And Claire would do it again, if the man she felt something for was worth it. In that respect, she wondered whether or not she had actually ever really been in love. She smiled, slightly sadly, as Adam explained he wasn't the kind to wait for love, and she wondered if that was him perhaps warning her off. However, the smile turned into a quiet laugh as he turned the conversation to more ridiculous things. "Who's Rupert, if you don't mind me asking?"
She wasn't surprised that he appeared to have witnessed a kapa haka performance, though. It was something that most visitors to En Zed decided to take in on their travels. "It's actually based on traditional ceremonies," she explained, although she would be surprised if he didn't know that already. "Each element has a meaning, either welcoming, or warning, or 'fuck off or we'll kill you and eat you', depending on the reason." Claire wore a teasing grin, before chuckling at Adam's question about the painted moko. "Actually, I have," she replied. "I'm an active member of my whānau's marae, and perform with the kapa haka group when my schedule allows." She cast her eyes downwards for a moment, before almost shyly meeting his gaze again. "I actually have a real ta moko on my arm, though."
The sparkle danced through Claire's eyes as their conversation descended into all out flirting again, and she realised she didn't want to fight the attraction that she was feeling. The only thing now was to determine whether Adam was feeling it as well, and, if his comments were anything to go on, he most certainly was. "I think asking a few pointed questions might be the way to go," she replied, arching an eyebrow upwards. "Bribery's not an option, I'm sure I'll hear your life lessons in time, and..." A beat of silence. "Well, it's a little early for seduction, don't you think?"
Clearly, Adam didn't agree, as he shot her a look that was almost indecent, with a deceptively innocent comment. If she'd had a drink, Claire would have choked on it. She wondered whether Adam was seeing the same kind of look in her eyes. "That's a pretty broad set of possibilities, you know. We could always start with the latest developments in paediatric emergency surgery..." Her grin had turned lopsided, and her voice was husky, low and ultimately teasing.