The rattling of the cups on the tray, betray my stoic expression as I take the hot tea up to enjoy with Bav. I had tried to use the time making tea to calm myself down and collect my emotions. Although I looked calm in the mirror, the tinkling of my porcelain said otherwise as I grew closer to my apartment. I take a steady breath and scold myself mentally.

'What in the unknown elements is wrong with you, Rakara? He is just another male, doesn't matter that he's not from this planet. Men will say anything to trap a woman. Mrs. Vathy was not uttering falsehoods about how the right man can make a woman's heart flutter and her mind muddled. If she could see and talk to me now.... I would be receiving an ear full from her.'

My damp, loose curls, smack the sides of my face as I shake my head in hopes of clearing it. My heart begins to aches at the thought that Bavarthos Fairchild, could end up being just as ugly to me as my father was to mamma. Those thoughts alone steel my nerves.

Pushing the door open with my foot, I glide into my apartment and find Bav, sitting at my small, splintered kitchen table with it's two wobbly, broken and repaired chair and stool, inspecting them. It was the very same ones that me and mamma used to use for supper.

"What are you doing sitting there?" I ask, setting the tea tray down.

"I thought you would appreciate some privacy while you bathed. Is there a reason for keeping this dining arrangement? I'm sure you have repaired these enough times that a new set should be in order." He carefully sets the cups down and pours the tea as I chew on my inner cheek, thinking of my response.

"It belonged to my mother and me when I was still a very young girl. It's where we had our last meal together before she passed." I say lacking any readable emotion on my features as I sit and take a sip of the 'Lemsil Ginger' tea.

"Ah... I see. Do you remember much of your mother?" He inquires, genuine curiosity in his eyes.

"A bit, sometimes a scent or a phrase will bring back a memory with her. The one thing I wish I could remember about her though, I can't." My gaze drops as I try to recall her face. Ever since I have grown older, I've been told how I resemble her. Now, I can't remember what made her face different than mine. It's my own face that fills the memories, even though I know hers was different.

"I'm sorry to hear that." His sincere tone has me raise my eyes to his again, giving a soft sad smile in return.

"May I ask, which tea is this? I have never had this flavor before."

I take the change of topic, gratefully, explaining, "Lemsil Ginger. It's lemon peel, a pinch of basil and pickled ginger root, it's good for the blood, digestion, and sinuses. I thought after being in the water, it wouldn't hurt to have something beneficial." I finish my tea quickly and excuse myself to bathe.

I've never bathed so quickly in all my life, even in the undercarriage during winter. I am slowly becoming mortified at being naked so near a man and considering how intimate we have been this evening, when he just officially began to court me....

'My elements! I've become like a lady of the night, so easily. I can not believe I actually asked him to stay here with me. What if the girls come early?! What if someone sees him leaving?!'

I slip into my long nightgown that has a high neck and long sleeves, with my prettiest dressing gown that hooks and buttons close the garment across my chest. Tying the sash at the waist, I give myself a good look in the mirror before turning to open the door to my room. Glancing at the clock, it's midnight, but it feels like it should be two or three in the morning.

"Bav?" I call his name, not seeing him at the table.

"Right here, Rakara."

I turn to my kitchenette and see him boiling more water for the kettle.

"I thought you'd appreciate your tea to be served hot." He's facing the stove, but I can hear the smile in his voice.

"Thank you Bav. I still need to brush my hair, but I wanted to let you know I was decent."

The kettle's shrill whistle starts to whine out and Bav is quick to take it off the heat. Turning to me, he freezes. His are wide as his chest rapidly begins to rise and fall quicker. His face reddens, as he tries to collect himself, fidgeting and stumbling around his words.

"I.... will... co..co.. come to you... pour bags in cups.... I mean put bags in the cups and pour the water in the pot. I will be right there." His nervous laugh and awkward smile has me off guard.

"Al...right." I give him a raised brow before going to sit at my vanity and begin the lengthy process to moisturize and then carefully comb my thick, easily tangled curls. Taking and sectioning my hair in it's natural parted sections, I mist my hair oils from the root to the ends. The crisp lime and Ylang Ylang scents that wash over me has me closing my eyes and taking a slow deep breath. Looking at the dark side of my eyelids, with the comb in my hand, I begin combing, starting at the ends.

I had just finished the first section when Bav came in with the tea. He set a cup that rattled as he sniffed the air.

"Thank you, Bav. Is everything alright?" I've never seen him look so flustered, he's always been so much calmer in front of me.

Clearing his throat, he seemed to gather himself quickly. "Yes, your presence intimidates me at times. Would you like me to help?" He picks up the other comb, looking for my approval by my reflection in the mirror.

A bright smile crosses my face and I chuckle at his answer. "Yes, you may help. How do I intimidate you, please explain?"

'He's jests surely?!'

"You have a regal air of confidence, one that I perceive that you have naturally gained subconsciously. It intimidates me for one reason... It has me asking myself, 'Am I and WILL I be worthy enough of you?' You are a strong, independent young woman. You do not need any man, nor have you cared for any of the ones who've attempted to pursue you. Yet... you agreed to allow me to court you, officially."

Even in the mirror, I see a flicker of doubt in his all black eyes. "Now, I guess it's my turn. What propelled you to accept?"

We switch to the other side of my head and begin combing as I chew on my thoughts.

"To be quite honest, the moment I saw you, well..." I stop as my eyes fluttered shut, remembering how divine he was to look at.

"Well?" He draws my attention back and flusters me with a smirk at my reflection.

Clearing my throat, " I thought you were a handsome gentleman, aloof and very flattering. With your status, I figured you merely enjoyed the tea and pastry, until you asked me to join you. That was when I realized, you were different than the other men."

I break my gaze from our reflections, and quickly finish my hair, placing a night cap on.

"Different how? Are you referring to my status or race?" He  seems genuinely curious.

"Your status? Well, I have to admit it's a perk, BUT, it was not the deciding factor. Also, you forget I only found out your race earlier today. No, it was the way in which you handled Mr. Wheelwright, actually. The first day you invited me to join your tea time."

I pivot in the chair, resting an arm across the back rest to hold my head up and look at him.

"You were so calm, collected, and authoritative without violence or even raising your voice! You exemplified dominance, without challenge or question." I fidget in the seat recalling how attractive it was. I hide my smile behind my arm, even though my eyes make it obvious as I peek at his face through my veiled lashes.  "You stood up for me, even though you did not have to."

"It was the right thing to do, even if you had ended up refusing my advances, I would still defend any woman in that situation." His warm smile envelopes me and I can't help it as my heart flutters about my chest when he offers me his hand.

Taking it, reveals my shy smile to him. 'He does seem to be telling me the truth.' I let the thought cross my mind as I stand, gazing at him.

"Whoa!" Exclaiming as he tugs me closer to him, making me brace my one hand against his shoulder as his other hand circles my waist.

"I am overcome with this feeling, would you still like to dance?" Bav says running his eyes over how our bodies came together.

"There's no music though." I scoff playfully at him.

"Well, true... I would ask you to sing..but then we would be incapable of having a conversation."

I feel his hand at my waist move and music starts to softly play as he returns to holding my waist.

"Is that a music box?" My head sashay's as he starts to lead us slowly around my room.

"It is. Do you like it?" His soft smile is warming me up as I stare into his midnight eyes.

I cock my head and close my eyes, letting him lead us in the steps, as I take in the melody. It's an uplifting melody that seems to transport me to a world of green, with shops and children playing. It resembled how I pictured the Gilded district, originally.

"I do." I finally answer him, opening my eyes again. "Does it have words or is just a melody?"

"It is a melody for a theatrical depiction titled Owl's Mobile castle." He twirls me around and pulls my back close to his chest, resting his head against the crown of mine as we face the same direction.

The music box rests open on my vanity, adorned with little flames carved into the wood sides and a painting of a little boy looking at the fire he is holding in his hands.

"It's a lovely music box, Bav. I have never seen one like it. Is it from your world?"

"It's from a world called Earth." He spins me back out and moves us to face one another again.

"Earth? Why does that sound so familiar?" I keep turning the name in my mind, thoughtfully.

"One of your historical inventors..." Bav hints to me.

"Oh.. The one who disappeared! Tesla! He always claimed to be from a different world! That's so intriguing!" I remember my history lessons from years ago and knew this one since I thought it was intriguing how intelligent he was, but seemed to be mad too.

"Yes. You're correct. You must forgive me, Kara, if I make you uncomfortable in saying this again. You are beautiful."

Giggling at him, "I'm in my night and dressing gown with my hair in a night cap. Now, you are just being silly. How is that beautiful?"

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, my lady."

His warm inviting tone fills my ears as my heart feels like it has stopped. I don't think I am even breathing as our faces are magnetically pulled together slowly.

At the last moment before our lips would touch, I tell him, "I think you're cute and in need of optical glasses, Mr. Fairchild." I smile at him as he cocks an eyebrow.

"Is that so?" His cocky smile has my heart pattering again and as I take a deep breath to retort, he locks his lips on my own giving me a domineering kiss. We're both smiling during this kiss, giggles slip up and out of me, making him pause. A breathy chuckle escapes him and he sighs as we both  giggle softly.

"It's getting late, Kara. You and I do require some rest tonight. Come let me get you to bed."

My heart strings tugged knowing that the night would end. He started to move towards the bed, I tug  his hand in response. Glancing back at me, he sees my head down and my bottom lip set in a pout. It's childish, I know, but I don't want the night to end and him leave.

I pull in my lip and push those childish emotions down. Bav caring gaze seems to read me so well.

He moves toward me, slightly bending, making me ask, "Bav? What are you...!"

Swooping me up in his arms, holding me at the knees and my back like a child.

"If you want to pout like a little girl, I will put you to bed like one too." He chuckles as I cross my arms and huff.

"Will you read me a bedtime story too?" I say rocking my head side to side as I glare at nothing in particular.

"If that is what you desire, yes." He croons into my hair right above my ear, his warm breath sending chills down my spine.

He sets me down on the edge of the bed, pulling the covers over me. "Which book would you like me to read to you?"

My frown cracks and a giggle escapes my mouth. "That one is fine." Pointing to the book already on my nightstand.

He casts an examining glance at the book, "The Elements Forgot. Interesting title." He glances at me as I pat the empty spot in my bed for him to sit at.

Sitting down and getting comfortable, I snuggle up to him with my head on his chest.

Sighing content and amused, he opens the book and begins to read. The steady beat of his heart along with the rhythm of his words started to make my limbs heavy and relax. Soon, my eyelids began to droop and then nothing...