A Soft Void

The young man Persephone has insisted she meets is dressed all in black, just like her. Kara holds her left arm in her right hand, nervous. She's never been on a date before, serving Hel as her soon-to-be high priestess had always kept her busy and now with her new responsibilities as one of the knights of twelve and an emissary for King Drake as they traveled from Belten to Athela, it did seem she would be kept busy and not have time for such things as dating. Apperantly, though, while Hel was more hands off and seemed willing to wait for her to meet someone on her own, while she was in Persephone's care, she no longer was to be left alone.   He looks at her, dark green eyes piercing, though his black hair does fall over his left one. He shuffles his feet a moment then lightly holds out a hand, offering it to her. She places her right hand in his, feeling his fingers lightly grip hers.   "Pleasure to meet you. I am Tom Argyris." He gently and awkwardly kisses the back of her hand. She blushes slightly.   "Kara Epalass." She replies. Tom carefully shifts her hand to his arm.   "Might I lead the way? I have been recommended a place by a... friend." Kara nods her head. The two walk silently down the road for a time, the day lovely and streets lively with people. Kara, finally overcome with curiousity, lightly reaches out with her magic towards Tom, curious about him.   Nothing, he comes back blank, empty. He's like a void, an otherworldly feeling. Yet, it doesn't frighten her. It's, oddly comforting, a feeling that reminds her of the darkness of her room just as sleep is about to take her for the night. He glances over at her, his dark green eye just catching hers though his hair. He gives a tense, nervous smile. She smiles back at him, going to move a strand of hair from her face.   He leads her to a small cafe and pulls out her seat, allowing her to get comfortable before taking his own seat. A young waitress comes by and greets them, happily telling them of the offers of the place. Each quietly give their order and she leaves. Tom looks down at his hands then slightly up at Kara who's eyes wander a bit, her eyes just catching his slightly. They both smile nervously, and Tom hesitantly holds his hand out to her across the table. She places her left hand in his right, allowing him to hold it gently.   "I apologize for my silence... I am often busy and don't get out much." Tom says softly. Kara laughs lightly.   "I have much the same issue. Most my life has be decidated to my goddess or my people. It is only very recently I have had time to myself. Ended up learning much about myself in the process."   "Might I ask what you have learned?"   "That I am capible person in many regards, though strong, strubborn personalities can test my abilities." Tom makes a face, moving to rub at his wrists where I notice small scars encircling both.   "Yes, strubbon personalities can make doing ones job difficult. I have dealt with many in the course my duties." The waitress returns with two small pastries and their drinks. Kara happily takes a drink of her warm tea, smiling. The conversation starts to come easily, though Kara cannot fully shake how odd it is that he gives off such emptyness.   They depart the cafe after a while and simply walk about the city for hours. It is near night before they stop to rest on a bench in a park. Kara's gaze is drawn to the night sky, an open, dark void filled with specks of light.   "I tried to get a feeling of you, what power, when we first started walking." Kara tells Tom. "It's something I've started doing with everyone I meet. It is a precausion, despite this being something that Lady Persephone arranged, for feeling another's presence and power with one's own power, you can learn much. I got nothing, an void as empty as the blackest night, an otherworldly feeling. Yet, it was not unpleasent nor frightening to me. It reminded me of the night and it's embrace just before sleep takes me for the night."   Tom lets out a small laugh and lightly takes her hand. "I was aware of your attempt. Your presence is also a gentle one, like walking through a forest after a snowfall. Healing in a way."   He smiles at her and she smiles back. "We should do this again Tom. It was fun."   "Yes, we should. Come, it's getting late. Let me get you back to where you are staying."   Tom and Kara return to where Kara is staying for her time in Athela. She bades him a goodnight and him to her as well, planning to meet again in five days time, when they both will be free from their duties. A small hug is exchanged and he leaves once she has enter and locked the door tight. As Kara makes her way to her room to wash her face and go to sleep, she feels a small void left behind in her heart at his absence. Five days could not pass swiftly enough.