Sightseeing

Skye looked at the clock through hazy eyes. Four-thirty, time to get up. She didn't feel like getting up, but she could not ignore her routine. She dragged herself from her bed and opened her closet. She took out her practice tights and leotard and put them on, along with a basic skirt and her toe shoes. She slipped her legwarmers on and frowned. She felt like that chick from Flashdance, not a good comparison. She hoped she wouldn't disturb Legolas, but she had to practice. Auditions were a coming up and she wanted to be at her best. She silently went down the stairs and pulled the curtains closed between the living room and the dance floor. She turned on only one light and then started to stretch out on the bar. After a few warm ups, she dropped into a side split and stretched a little more. Finally she stood and glanced at the stereo. No music today, oh, well. She pulled her hair back into a ponytail and started her practice routine. She hopped up on her toes, tiptoeing gracefully across the floor. Yes, that's right; it has to look like it's easy. Now, leap into a split and then… pirouette. She lost herself in the dance, forgetting everything but her concentration on grace and balance. She wanted to be the one out in the center of the stage, the prima ballerina. Yes, god yes, throw flowers! This audition she would make it.

Legolas heard the sound of wood tapping on wood and sat up. A curtain was drawn and he saw a light behind it. There was movement… a silhouette of someone spinning, and that odd tapping sound. He got up, stretching the kinks out of his back and grabbed his shirt off the end of the couch. He was overcome by curiosity and silently went to the end of the curtain to peek. He could not believe what he saw, and he dropped his shirt and stared.

Skye was standing on the very tip of her toe, spinning around gracefully. She moved elegantly, like she was floating, and there was no sound save the tapping of her toes on the floor. He had never seen dancing like this before, and he was completely charmed by it. She didn't seem to notice him, and he could hear a very soft hint of her voice humming some song to herself. Her eyelids were lowered to barely open and her lips were drawn into a serene smile. She leapt, and seemed to hang in the air like a bird before landing perfectly and then popping back up on her toes. She hugged herself, stepping backwards with tiny steps on her toes and then danced in a circle, her long lithe arms waving elegantly.

Legolas was entranced and watched in wonder. She danced closer, and he smiled, but she came face to face with him, gasped, and halted. The blush that crept up her cheeks was very dark, and it made her look even more beautiful.

"This is the dance you practice?" Legolas asked.

Skye dropped from her toes to stand flat and looked up at him shyly. "It is ballet," she said. "I am practicing for an audition for a lead."

"It was beautiful," Legolas said seriously as he gazed into her bright blue eyes. "Do not stop because of me."

"I… uh, was almost finished anyway. I'm not used to practicing with an audience, or without music."

"Then have your music," Legolas said. "You already have an audience."

Skye turned away from him, but he could see her expression in the mirror. She was still embarrassed. He walked over to stand behind her but refrained from touching her.

"Please, show me this dance," he said softly.

Skye bit her lip nervously and then popped up onto her toes. "Fine," she finally said and scooted across the floor on her tiptoes so fast, Legolas thought she really was floating. She touched some black box, and music began to play. It was a soothing pleasant sort of music, and Legolas backed away to give her room.

Skye's dance was nothing short of magnificent. She didn't just move with the music, she became one with it. If Legolas didn't know she was human he'd swear she was one of Miranda's fairies. When the music concluded, Skye made a graceful curtsey and Legolas stared at her in amazement.

"Thank you for showing me," Legolas said with a bright smile. "Now do your blushes seem foolish to me, you are a fine dancer."

"I am an average dancer," she said. "The fine ones dance for the San Francisco Ballet."

"And this is your wish?" Legolas asked.

Skye walked past him, grabbing her towel off the railing to wipe the sweat from her face, "Someday maybe. I just wanted to get in with one of the small companies."

Legolas sighed, "If you were in my world, you would dance for Kings. No other lady can move so gracefully, or walk on her toes like that."

Skye sat down and took off her toe shoes and rubbed her feet. She was still a bit embarrassed, but Legolas was making her feel more comfortable with all his compliments. She could tell he was being sincere.

"I need to wash up after that workout, and then you can shower," she said as she ran up the stairs. She returned with an armful of clothes and disappeared into the bathroom.

She leaned back against the door and fanned herself with her hand. God, he was gorgeous standing there in nothing but his pants. He'd looked at her with those intense grey eyes and it took all her concentration to maintain her composure. What was she doing? She brought a man into her house, one she hardly knew, and he was looking at her like that. She didn't know if she should throw him out or ask him if he wanted to share the shower. Skye sighed and chuckled to herself. Where had that thought come from? Of course she wouldn't throw him out, and of course she wasn't going to throw herself at him either. She was not that kind of girl. If she had been that kind of girl, she'd already be dancing the lead by now. She simply refused to sleep with the director. That limits your options greatly.

Well, no use crying over what might have been. She respected herself too much to lower herself to that level. Dancing was important, but not that important. She peeled her sweaty leotard off and got into the shower. She needed to think of a place to take an Elf from another world in San Francisco. She wanted him to have a good time and see what it was like here without seeing what it could be like here. She wanted to send him home with a good impression, not a bad one. Maybe she'd just give him the standard tour of the waterfront and Chinatown, and maybe a museum.


Legolas listened to the sound of water for a while as he cleaned up the living room and selected his clothes for the day. There was a blue shirt made of a soft material. It had no buttons at all, but stretched a little. There was also a pair of breeches with an odd fastener in place of the usual ties. He found a pair of shoes, and slipped a foot inside one to check the fit. He smiled when it turned out to be just the right size.

Skye emerged from her bath dressed in blue breeches that fit rather snugly and a shirt similar to the one he'd chosen, only pink. She smelled fresh, like roses, and her damp hair was pulled back into a long braid.

Legolas gave her a smile and went to wash and dress as well. After a few minutes of playing with the water controls, Legolas figured it out. The hot water was refreshing. After his shower he dressed in the strange clothes, and fumbled with the fastener on his pants, what a strange device. Finally dressed, he emerged from the washroom nervously. He wasn't entirely sure his outfit was acceptable. The shirt seemed odd, and the shoes were only ankle high. He found Skye sitting at the bar and she turned and smiled at him.

"Is this correct?" he asked Skye.

Skye looked at him, and he looked good. The jeans were a good fit, snug in all the right places. His blue t-shirt also fit snugly, and it hugged his muscular build appealingly. His hair was still wet and straight. He looked more like a rock star than an elf except for the ears. Skye thought he was the hottest guy she'd ever seen, and he was in her apartment. She cleared her throat nervously but gave him a friendly reassuring smile.

"You look great, very modern" she said. "Oh, and I like your hair down."

"It is unacceptable this way, I still must braid it," Legolas said.

"But it will help cover the ears," Skye said. "Wait here." She ran up to her room and dug through her closet for a hat. She tossed several ball caps aside and found a more classic style grey cap. It looked like it belonged on the golf course, but the style was coming back. She returned to the kitchen and held it up. "Here," she said.

Legolas took the hat and looked at it skeptically.

"Oh, here," she said as she took it. She ran her fingers through his hair to fluff it up a little and Legolas closed his eyes. He opened them again quickly however when he felt her place the hat on his head. Her fingers gently slipped it over his ears, and she looked him over with scrutiny. Wearing it backwards was the style, and it covered better that way anyway.

Legolas turned to look at her and her face was but a breath away. If he leaned ever so slightly, their lips would meet, and he wanted desperately to kiss her, but he refrained. "Will it suffice?" he asked softly.

Skye stepped back nervously, uncomfortable with his closeness and the intensity of his gaze. "No one will be able to tell."

"Where will you take me today?" Legolas asked.

"First I have to stop off at work, and then I'll show you all the tourist sights," Skye said. "We can get breakfast on the run, so grab a coat and let's go."

Legolas glanced at his weapons on the table and Skye just shook her head at him.

"You won't need those," she said firmly.

"I am unaccustomed to traveling without them," Legolas said.

"Only criminals carry weapons," Skye said. "Come on, I'm hungry."

Legolas sighed and took the jacket that she offered him. He followed her out the door, and his eyes ventured from her head all the way down to her feet and back again. Her form seemed slight, for she was rather short and petit. Her waist was narrow and her hips were pleasantly rounded into firm looking buttocks. She was pleasing to look at, but still a bit of a mystery. When they were seated in her car again and on their way, he looked at her with interest, noting the delicate curve of her breasts. He managed to keep from staring at them as he asked a question.

"What is this work you must go to?" Legolas asked.

"It's a nursery and landscaping company," Skye said. "I handle a lot of the indoor plants and specialize in Bonsai trees and that whole Zen garden thing."

Legolas didn't understand any of that explanation, but wouldn't embarrass himself by pressing her further. He would simply wait until they arrived and see for himself. She halted only a few minutes later in front of a building with a large yard beside it filled with plants. There were all sorts of saplings in pots and rows upon rows of flowers. He liked seeing all the plants here in a place that was not at all natural looking.

"This is it, Drake's Nursery," she said. "Come on in and look around. I'm going to just check on a few things and then we'll go eat breakfast at the café."

Legolas nodded and got out of the car. Skye disappeared inside, but he lingered a moment to examine the flowers. There were some he recognized and many that he didn't. The street was still rather quiet, but a few people stood on the corner. Legolas observed the various styles of dress and mannerisms. Their speech was very strange, and they called each other by the same name…niga or niko or something like that. Perhaps it was some sort of greeting. They exchanged gifts, green paper and small packages. What a strange custom. He sighed and looked over the shrubs, but looked up when he heard someone speak to him.

"Hey there, Blondie," a tall dark skinned man said. "I noticed you checking out my goods, you wanna buy?"

Legolas was confused by his question and didn't know how to answer. "No, thank you, I am not shopping; I am waiting for my friend."

"Aw, so you were just doggin me then," the man said angrily. "Watch your step or I'll have my posse…" His voice trailed off and he looked past Legolas with an angry expression.

"Get off my block, Chaz and peddle your poison elsewhere or I'll call the police," Skye said as she stood in the doorway with a large club. "Stop harassing my customers."

"It's not like that," Chaz said innocently, "I was just looking at your… whatever the hell these purple flowers are."

"Get off my block," Skye said again, a little more firmly.

Legolas watched the man carefully and noted the change in his demeanor from lying to fury. His hands moved to his pockets and Legolas stood ready to defend Skye from the coming attack. He decided to offer a warning out of courtesy.

"Leave while you can," Legolas said quietly. "I will not speak again."

Chaz looked from the scrawny blonde man to the angry redhead with the baseball bat and decided to back down for the moment. He could return with a few friends later. No one was going to keep him from his best corner, no one. He took a few steps back and then walked away calmly.

Legolas waited until he was completely out of sight before he turned back to Skye, who suddenly looked absolutely terrified. Her knuckles were white as she clutched the club tightly and she was shaking. He gently took the weapon from her and wrapped her in his arms.

"He is gone," Legolas said calmly.

"He'll be back," Skye said bitterly. "His kind always comes back."

"What is this poison you spoke of?" Legolas asked.

"He's a pusher, he sells drugs," she said. "It makes you feel good for a little while but it destroys your body. He sells the stuff to children."

Legolas was confused by this. "Do they not know it is harmful?"

"They know, but they don't care," she said. "I just need to get out of here. There's enough help today."

Legolas nodded and handed the club to a young woman who stood behind Skye. She took it and looked at him in confusion.

"Hey, Blaze, who's the babe?" she asked.

Skye stepped away from him and he reluctantly released her. "Oh, sorry Mary, this is Legolas, a friend from out of town. I'm going to give him the standard San Francisco tour. Keep an eye out for Chaz. He's getting bolder."

Mary nodded, "The guys will be here in an hour, so we'll be fine," and with that, she returned to her work.

"Everyone else calls you Blaze," Legolas observed.

"They like that name, but I like Skye better," she said. "Blaze sounds like a cheap transvestite or a two dollar hooker or something."

"A what?" Legolas asked with raised eyebrows.

"Never mind," Skye said with a chuckle. "Come on."


Breakfast was quiet, and Skye seemed lost in thought. They ate sweet breads and drank a hot black liquid she called coughy, but it didn't make him cough. It was bitter, but she put sugar and cream in it and it tasted better after that. After breakfast they drove to the waterfront and walked along streets she called Fisherman's Warf. The smells of the fresh fish and foods were pleasant, and the people were all friendly. He saw all sorts of amazing things, bright colors people singing on the street corners for money, and people flying kites.

The smell of the ocean was crisp and clean, and she showed him a place where harbor seals gathered. The gulls flew overhead and he saw a funny bird that Skye called a pelican. Legolas loved all of it. After a few hours of walking, they stopped and ate fresh shrimp right on the street. Legolas had never tasted anything like it. The afternoon brought a ride on a cable car, and another few hours of walking in Chinatown.

Legolas was enjoying himself more than he had in years. He liked walking with Skye and he asked all sorts of questions about everything. She answered every one without making him feel like an ignorant foreigner. He appreciated her patience, and he felt even more drawn to her. He longed to hold her hand, but such overtures of affection were inappropriate for acquaintances. Perhaps when he got to know her a little better it would be permissible.

After a late lunch they went to a place called Golden Gate Park. She took him to an art museum, and he found it interesting. The paintings were very good, though some looked strange. He blushed at all the nudity, but Skye told him that it was not unusual in art. Legolas made no comment when he realized she was blushing too. As the sun started to set, they returned to her little blue car and went home. The streets were almost magical at night with all the lights. When they had finally arrived at her home, she heaved a sigh and gave him a tired smile.

"Now you've seen all the cool stuff," she said.

"It is an amazing city," Legolas admitted as he took off his hat and ran his fingers back through his loose hair. It felt strange not having his traditional braid.

"Well, I'm all done in," Skye said. "I just want to veg out in front of the TV for a while."

Legolas cocked a brow at her and she just laughed at him.

"Come on, I'll show you," she said. She picked up a small black box that was decorated with little colorful shapes. She pressed one, and a big black box lit up and he saw pictures… moving pictures. He heard talking as well and his eyes doubled in size.

"It is magic," he whispered.

"No, it's technology," Skye said. "It shows pictures form far away, some real and some made up. See, this is the news, and this is real. And this…" she changed channels, "Is a movie and is made up stories you can watch for entertainment."

Legolas watched in fascination, but was quickly bored by it. He preferred to see things in person. When Skye noticed his attention wandering, she sighed and turned it off.

"I'm sorry, this is your wish, so tell me what you want to do?" she asked.

Legolas looked at her and was once again struck by her beauty. He was suddenly curious about her and all the questions he'd refrained from asking flooded his thoughts.

"How old are you?" he asked bluntly.

"Nineteen. How old are you?" she shot back without missing a beat.

Legolas paused, not wanting to be too specific, "Much older than that."

Skye nodded with a knowing look on her face, "Oh, an old guy, huh? You don't look a day over twenty-five."

Legolas laughed and so did she. When he finally reined in his mirth he looked at her seriously, "What did you mean when you told that man you were not that kind of girl?"

"It just means that…" she paused, trying to think of a delicate way to say it. "I don't bring men home, well, not usually. Okay… this will explain it; I'm not a girl who entertains men in my bedroom."

Legolas furrowed his brow, "No woman does that unless she is a…" he didn't say it. He looked very concerned by the statement and he just asked, "It is not common for women to do that here, is it?"

"They can do whatever they like," she said.

"Unmarried and yet…" Legolas was shocked. The entire world here was completely devoid of honor or values. "But you do not…"

"Oh, no," she said. "My mother raised me right."

"And yet you brought a stranger into your house," Legolas said suspiciously.

"You are different," she said. "You needed help. And I trust you."

Legolas smiled, "I am pleased with that."

"Well, any more questions for me?" she asked him brightly.

"So, what are the courting customs here?" Legolas asked lightly as he glanced away trying to look like it was just a passing question.

"Dating, and then a proposal and a wedding," she said. "Just like anywhere else."

"Dating?" he asked.

"Yeah, a guy and a girl going out together… sorta like today but not as just friends like today was, more like they are interested in each other," Skye explained. She realized what she'd just said and turned away before he could see her blush.

"That is interesting," Legolas said lightly. "What will we do tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow I have an audition for the ballet," she said. "You can hang out here until I'm done, then we can do something fun like visit another museum or something."

"This audition, can I come with you?" Legolas asked.

"No, they're closed auditions," Skye said, already starting to feel nervous about it. "I hope I make it this time."

"You have danced before?" Legolas asked.

"Several times," she said. "It is hard to impress the director, they are very picky. If you didn't go to the right school, they hardly look at you."

Legolas nodded, still confused by much of what she said. It was hard to understand the customs here, but it seemed as though this world was much harsher than the one he came from. She still seemed sad and he couldn't put his finger on the cause. She smiled a lot, and she was kind and giving, but her eyes told him another story.

"Why are you so sad, Skye?" Legolas asked.

"I'm not sad, why would you say such a thing?" she asked quickly as she rose from the couch and headed out of the living room.

"You deny the question and yet you run from me," Legolas said as he followed her. "Why did you help me? Why did you bring a perfect stranger into your house?"

Skye halted, but didn't turn around. He was right, she was sad, she'd been sad for a long time. He was standing close; she could feel his presence right behind her. He moved silently but she knew he was there.

"Answer me," Legolas said softly but firmly. "I must know."

"I don't know why I wanted to help you, Legolas. It just seemed like the right thing to do."

"Skye, I would like to be your friend," Legolas said.

"You are," Skye said. "You slept on my couch."

Legolas frowned. She was either very naïve or being purposely dull minded. He had feelings for her, and he knew that feeling was only growing stronger by the minute. He had to travel through magic to find her, but he knew she was the one. He'd sworn to never let another woman who moved his heart slip through his fingers again, but he didn't know how to proceed.

He put his hands on her shoulders, "I have never known a woman like you before, Skye."

"I'm not that kind of girl," she said nervously as she shrugged out of his hands and headed for the stairs.

"I am not that kind of Elf, either," Legolas said firmly. "I am the courting and marrying kind of Elf."

"Well, long distance relationships never work out," she said from the top of the stairs. "Maybe you should go home tomorrow."

Legolas hung his head. This was not the way she was supposed to react to such a confession. He could understand her reluctance; she knew nothing about him or the world he came from. What did he have to do to impress her? He would need to come up with a plan soon. If she asked him to leave, he could not refuse, and he didn't want to leave unless she came with him. He followed her up the stairs and halted on the landing. She was standing in front of her closet and turned and glared at him.

"Have I said or done something that upset you?" Legolas asked in confusion.

Skye looked at him standing there like a tall blonde drink of water. His expression was one of confusion, a look she'd seen a lot today. He looked so lost, and she suddenly felt like a real heel for being so rude to him. He'd done nothing to give her the impression that he could not be trusted, and she practically called him a rapist.

"No," she said. "I'm sorry I was so rude. I have… trust issues. Go ahead and settle in, you can come to my audition if you want to. I'll sneak you in."

Legolas saw pain in her eyes, and wondered what or who had broken her trust. He stepped off the landing and crossed the room to where she stood. She turned to face him and he stood right in front of her, taking in the floral scent of her soap. Her eyes were wide and searching and he knew he could lose himself in their depths if he didn't focus.

"I will never break your trust, Skye," Legolas said. "Do you believe me?"

Skye felt her heart skip with him standing so close. She wondered what kissing him would be like, but quickly shook the fantasy from her thoughts. There was fire in his grey eyes, but she knew he was telling her the truth.

"I-I believe you," she said, trying not to sound breathless as her mouth went dry.

Legolas stepped back and gave her a slight bow. "Then I will bid you goodnight, fairest Blazing Skye. I can never thank you enough for your kindness in taking me in. Your world is a nice place, but it would be desolate to me if I had not found you here."

He stepped back and turned to leave, but she halted him with a question, "What is it like where you live? Is everyone good like you?" she asked.

"Not all," Legolas said. "But my home is peaceful, and I am fortunate to have many friends."

"So why did you leave?" Skye asked.

"I was searching for something," Legolas said vaguely. "I could not find it there. Goodnight, Skye."

"Goodnight, Legolas," she said.

She watched him leave and then sighed. He seemed very sad too, no, not sad, lonely. Well, there was something they had in common. She changed for bed, slipping on a tank top and bugs bunny boxer shorts. Slipping into bed, she stared at the ceiling. She'd made a fool of herself this evening and she felt stupid for it. She'd never question his integrity again. She thought of the look in his eyes as he'd stood in front of her only a few short feet from her bed. She almost wished he were that kind of Elf.