I'm so glad you guys like this story. please keep reviewing it really encourages me to continue.

DISCLAIMER: It's not mine, I am perfectly happy writing fanfic.

Marcia sat across from Milo at a small table set for two. Her hands her in her lap busily fiddling with her napkin.

He had taken her to a very low-key restaurant, and despite how Marcia was certain she was going to make a fool of herself, it had so far been a wonderful evening. Milo had regaled her with several stories of his maritime heroics during great typhoons, and how the captain he served under ,was getting to the age where he couldn't always make the best choices in a tight situation, and counted on Milo to make them instead.

Marcia wasn't sure if she really believed half of what he said, but she could imagine him climbing to the top mast of the ship during a thunder-storm to spot danger. It was exactly the kind of silly, slightly stupid thing that he would do.

"So, Marcia, tell me about your life. I've talked your ear off for the last half hour," Milo interrupted her train of thought.

"Um," Marcia tried to think of something close to interesting going on in her life, "I... what do you want to know? I'm apprenticed to the ExtraOrdinary Wizard, so sitting in a tower all day must seem mind numbing compared to your life of adventuring around the world"

Milo chuckled, " alright if your life of earning ancient secrets that few others know is too much for me to handle, then tell me about the castle. I've only lived here sporadically for about three years. were you born in the castle or the port or what? Is your family big or small? Do you hate animals or have you always wanted a thousand pets? What's your favorite color? What's your favorite season? There are plenty of questions to ask and everyone has plenty to talk about."

Marcia was amazed, Milo actually seemed to care about what she had to say and really wanted to hear her answer, rather than just let him talk about himself all evening. "Well I'm not actually a castle native. I was born in the Eastern Snow Plains and lived there with my family until we moved when I was six. Then we just went where ever until I was about twelve. So i can tell you all stories I've heard , but not a lot has happened here that i have actually seen. The castle is just a really quiet place," Marcia shrugged.

Milo's jaw dropped,"You're from the Eastern Snow Plains and your last name is Overstrand?"

"Yes," Marcia had a bad feeling about what Milo was about to say

"Is your father the Melchior Overstrand who was adviser to the crown princess," the awe in Milo's voice was unmistakable

Marcia's face went blank with only the barest hint of anger. She slid her chair back slightly ready to leave at a moments notice, "what if he is?"

"wow," Milo breathed, "I grew up there too and, wow," Milo laughed slightly, "your family is kind of legend back home. Send the princess off to parts unknown and then take off when you know she's not coming back. Your father is a real trickster."

Marcia looked down into her lap, "He wasn't a trickster. He was an adviser and he gave Princess Tatyana his honest opinion and she ignored it. She went on that hair brained venture and never returned, it wasn't my father's fault," she took a few calming breaths, nothing got to her quite like people talking about her dad, "We left because my parents knew that if she didn't make it back that my father would be blamed. He was a good man, and he only did what he thought was best for hiss family."

Milo was stunned, none of his jokes had ever gotten such a negative reaction, but he decided to risk one more, "So you're a daddies girl."

The corners of Marcia's lips upturned slightly and she scoffed, "He supported me and believed in me when no one, not even my mother, did. I loved him until the day he died. I never saw his ghost."

Milo smiled, "A true family man then, he did good to raise a daughter like you."

Marcia shook her head and giggled, "You're such a flatterer Milo. how many girls have you wooed with that line?"

"Madam you wound me, I assure you everything i say is original, genuine, and heartfelt. I would never share such an evening as this with a woman who did not deserve such attention and compliments," Milo said in the best pampas voice he could muster.

"That's not really helping your case Milo," Marcia placed her napkin on the table, "Well Milo I need to leave. It's late and i have an early morning tomorrow." Marcia stood to leave and Milo jumped to his feet, throwing money onto the table to pay for the meal. Marcia noted, with a fair amount of amusement, how flustered and determined he seemed to save the evening. maybe he wasn't just trying to smooth talk his was into her bed.

Milo was determined to be a gentleman and went to hold the door for Marcia, only to forget the five step the led to the door.

He gracelessly fell onto the street, scaring a stray cat.

Marcia leaned against to door jamb and tried not to laugh at her dazed companion who lay sprawled on the ground. She easily walked down the steps and kneeled beside him, "Maybe you're not as smooth as I thought," Marcia said quietly offering him a hand.

A beet red Milo accepted, "What can I say Marcia you're so wonderfully distracting." He kissed her hand gently

Marcia sighed, definitely not smooth. "Listen Milo the I don't know what's the matter with you but the tacky lines are getting old. It's also incredibly creepy," She yanked her hand from his grasp and started walking away.

Milo couldn't believe it the harder he tried the more he wanted to leave. "Marcia, wait. the thing is with you I really am off-balance. You're so ... odd, I guess you could say, but in a good way. I want to see this soft side of you that I keep seeing glimpses of, instead of just business and protocol. I hope you would like to get to know me too."

That had probably been the sincerest thing that Milo had ever said to her. None of the wild hand gestures, none of the fake excitement in his voice, just Milo being honest for once.

Milo could think of only one thing else to do, "May I walk you home?"

Marcia looked at Milo critically till not sure about him he was strange that was obvious, but he seemed nice enough, "Yes, Milo, you may."

They had almost made it back home when Milo finally worked up the courage to ask Marcia a rather important question, "Marcia I was wondering if you might come with me to the opening night of this play at the little theater? It's supposed to be a classic retold in a modern way."

Marcia paused and stared at him, hand on her door knob, and nodded her head."Yes,Milo, I'd love too." She smiled an walked inside. just as she was about to close the door she said, "Goodnight Milo."

A/N: and thus ends the first date. beware it's may get cutesy the next chapter or possibly two.