The first date seemed to drag by despite it only being a few minutes. Still, Toni wasn’t complaining. She quite enjoyed the banter. There’s doubt the remainder will live up to her expectations.

At least, that’s what she thinks as she places a small smile across her dark red painted lips as she leans forward as well. Toni accepts the hands with the delicate placement of her fingertips against his.

“Pleasure to meet you, Cian,” she purrs, leaning back to run her manicured fingers along the back of the Shinx asleep in her lap, “I’m Antoinette. What brings you . . . here,” she vaguely motions to the room with her free hand.

---

CIAN MAHER
1/4

simple. effective.

even after her hand slips away, he stays leaned forward, not wanting to part from her orbit just yet.

"i'm not usually one to be forward, but..."

his elbows dig into the table.

"you."

Antoinette Spina

☉

A single brow raises in curiosity. Usually not forward? Isn’t that what they all say?

A light chuckle hums behind closed lips. Her dark eyes roll, breaking their contact with his. It’s difficult to determine if she’s annoyed or amused.

“I bet that’s what you say to all your dates,” she flashes a glance towards the timer on the table, already ticking the seconds away, “Are you going to make these few minutes worth my time, or not?”

---

CIAN MAHER
2/4

"i'll try my best."

which, honestly, might not be enough, but cian usually appreciates a challenge.

he leans back and plucks two glasses of champagne off a passing tray. extending one over to her, he smiles.

"to...new relationships? pleasure?"

Antoinette Spina

☉

He’ll try. Not really a promise. And not really intriguing. With a rather disappointed sigh, Toni reaches forward to accept the glance of champagne. She holds it delicately in her fingers before considering his toast.

”To pleasure,” she concludes, lightly tapping the crystal against his and rising it to her lips for a sip of the sharp champagne.

The bubbles sting her lips in a rather pleasant way, making the corner of her lips curve into a subtle smile. Her dark eyes lock with his, challenging him in a way. One more opportunity, “Excite me,” she demands with a rather predatory smile spreading across her dark red lips. If he’s not up to the challenge, so be it. There’s only a minute left on the clock.

---

CIAN MAHER
3/4

with a minute left, what can they do?

after downing the rest of his drink, cian stands, circling around the table before offering his hand to toni.

"come on."

Antoinette Spina

☉

The timer chimes, indicating the end of the date. But it’s also the end of the evening. There’s none left, no more ‘dates’. That’s not something she considered. When CIAN MAHER offers his hand, she glances at it with a rather curious look.

Her free hands reaches towards his, letting her fingertips settle into his smooth palm, “Alright,” she downs her champagne as well, shifting to stand and follow him. The movement stirs the Shinx on her lap. Willow flexes, jumping towards the floor to follow the duo. Instead, she’s consumed by flash of light, disappearing.

She doesn’t need to see this.

---

CIAN MAHER
4/4