A/N: I friggin' love this chapter. That's basically all I have to say. Italics = Maka texting bold italics is soul, italics in quotation marks is singing
Links to songs:
Sway - watch?v=zmYMkl1Grzc
Unforgettable - watch?v=zFhl2ddckKc
Dinner was eaten in relative silence, largely because it was just too hard and frustrating to eat and stop to text each other to hold up a discussion. Soul commented that he was surprised Maka had ordered herself a steak and Maka had been pleased to have surprised him for a change. She commented on the fact that he had ordered a martini but drank none of it. She did not press when he simply said that his father had liked them.
When dinner had concluded Soul slipped out of the booth and offered his hand once again. Maka reached for her coat, but Soul shook his head and tugged her gently. She had learned that it was easier to just follow him when he tugged at her, and did as he requested. He pulled out a seat for her at one of the tables near the speakers and, to her surprise, followed up his chivalry by offering her ear plugs.
Her nose crinkled and she looked up at him. "What are these for?"
Soul gestured to several mics over the stage and in front of the chairs where the musicians sat. When it was clear Maka did not understand his explanation, he texted her quickly.
I may be deaf, but you aren't. If you'd like to keep it that way, I'd suggest you put in the ear plugs :p
"What?" that was of no help to her at all.
The Black Room is meant as a music hangout for the deaf. Everything is…louder.
At this, Maka nodded and took the ear plugs from him, daintily inserting them into her small ears. She picked the perfect moment to don her protective gear as musicians filed onto the stage. When they were settled, a tall, lithe woman with dark hair joined them to proudly stand in front of the center stage microphone. She wore a long red dress that glittered, hands adorned in elbow length black silk gloves. Long wavy hair fell over one of her eyes, coyly hiding half her face. Her lips were stained an enticing deep red and Maka could not help but stare. She was breathtaking, like a starlet from the 1940s.
There was a slight hiss offstage before Oni's voice wafted eerily over the sound waves. "Good evening ladies and gentleman, and welcome to The Black Room. Please enjoy the entertainment as Ms. Jacqueline O'Lantern Dupre lights up your night."
Maka watched as a long arm slowly rose in the air and with a soft snap of the soloist's fingers a spotlight was on her and the blaring of brass cut through the silence. She managed not to jump, but Maka's eyes widened in surprise as the bright horns cut through the protection of her ear plugs and she felt the vibrations run through her body due to the nearness of the speakers. Soul only grinned.
The woman on stage moved her hips sensually as she began to sing, as animated as the music that backed her.
"When marimba rhythms start to play, dance with me, make me sway. Like a lazy ocean hugs the shore,
hold me close, sway me more."
Dark eyes roamed the room before falling on Maka. Jacqueline grabbed the mic from the stand before nimbly hopping off the stage, gliding over to the couple's table. She was not particularly subtle when she approached Maka, gloved hand sliding across the back of her neck.
"Like a flower bending in the breeze, bend with me, sway with ease. When we dance you have a way with me, stay with me, sway with me."
When the singer slipped around the other side of the table to sensually draw her fingers along Soul's jawline, grinning at him seductively, Maka felt her temper flare. She felt disgust in the pit of her stomach followed by…what was that? Was she jealous? That was absurd! She knew it wasn't what she should feel, but that's what it was, and she couldn't hold back her glare. Soul didn't notice, but Hot Lips McSkankface did, and she looked moderately apologetic as she moved away from them.
Maka nudged Soul's ankle with her foot, nodding at his phone.
You really like this stuff?
What's not to like?
True. It can't be all that bad having women hanging on you.
Soul didn't rise to the bait, replying casually with a shrug of his shoulders.
Part of the act, nothing more. I'm here with you.
Maka tried not to doubt his sincerity, but her father's unfaithfulness kept kicking at the back of her mind. She did her best to shove away her misgivings. After all, she was having a pretty great time, even if she didn't really "get" music. Her remembrance of that fact prompted her next question.
Why do you like music so much?
He blinked at her, pondering her question before answering succinctly.
Because it's part of who I am, even if I can't hear it anymore. I can hear it in my head, I can hear it in my heart.
She blushed brightly at his confession. The honesty of it was refreshing, but the poetry of his words, well, that was sexy. Especially if he hadn't meant to be.
I wish I could understand that.
Who says you can't? What's something you really enjoy doing?
It was Maka's turn to ponder. Her answer came to her quickly, a smile lighting up her face.
Reading! I love to read!
Soul chuckled, though it went unheard, covered by the melodies of the band.
I guess I shouldn't be surprised you're a bookworm.
Maka's brow creased, unsure whether or not she should be offended.
What's that supposed to mean?
Nothing. You just seem like the type. But the way you smiled when you mentioned reading is how I feel about music.
Suddenly, she understood. She didn't get music, but perhaps she could. Perhaps she could get him if she could fully grasp what music meant. Her smile could not be contained as she beamed at him, attention returning to the stage.
A slow ballad had begun and Jacqueline's eyes had closed, revealing shimmering gold eye shadow. She swayed lightly in front of the mic before her smooth, airy alto filled the small space.
"Unforgettable, that's what you are. Unforgettable though near or far. Like a song of love that clings to me, how the thought of you does things to me. Never before has someone been more…"
Maka looked away from the stage only to catch Soul staring at her. He was slightly flushed, his ear tips tinged red, but he didn't look away from her. A shy smile was offered followed by his open palm. There was a slight hesitation on her part before her fingers tentatively inched forward and slid into his hand.
"Unforgettable in every way. And forever more, that's how you'll stay. That's why, darling, it's incredible that someone so unforgettable, thinks that I am unforgettable too."
They found themselves at Maka's apartment door at one o'clock in the morning. It was far later than Maka had originally intended to stay out, particularly on a work night. She really couldn't find it in herself to care.
Soul had insisted on walking her to her door, once again displaying the chivalry she had by now deemed characteristic of him. She shocked herself by asking him if he wanted to come inside. It was only their second date! Was that slutty? Maybe? Yes...definitely yes.
He blushed, hair spilling over his eyes when he ducked his head. It was possible to shake that confident visage of his. He stepped closer to her and brushed a strand of hair out of her face. Long fingers traveled along her jaw and under her chin to tip her head up. He was so close. Maka just had to raise up on her toes to kiss him, but she stood bolted to the floor, breath shaky, eyes half lidded. He leaned in, closer and closer, and at the last second he gently tipped her head slightly to place a soft kiss on her cheek. Maka barely had time to register the sensation before he was gone, heading down the stairs to catch his cab and leaving her dumbfounded and wanting.
Slipping into her apartment, she sighed as she leaned against the closed door. She was ashamed of her behavior, thinking she must have made a mistake by being so brash. And then the text came.
Always leave them wanting more.
And she most certainly wanted more.
