If body language could be expressed verbally Ren's flinching as Hangetsu embraced her felt like a four hour seminar on keeping his distance. Then her body said something else entirely to which the officer could not even react to at first, much less respond with something as physically elegant.

Hangetsu couldn't help but wonder if Ren knew that her lips could bend time. He remembered seeing Lin Beifong for the first time, the first time he asked a woman out and his first kiss. Upon examination that first kiss was only a inebriated young cadet at the police academy and he felt it more because it was traditional to kiss someone on New Year's Eve.
This was his first kiss, as far as he was concerned and it was pretty damn great. Worth the twenty year wait and every awkward second between puberty and that moment.

It appeared that Ren would literally explode from blushing. He hated to think what he himself looked like. He felt like his blood would physically leave his body by shooting out like a geyser.
Yet, despite the threat of a blood tsunami all Hangestu wanted was another kiss.
Boldness toward women was not Hangetsu's typical modus operandi, but then neither was being kissed by beautiful women. He slid next to Ren with a speed that spoke his fear that another man would take the empty spot between them.
Every man in Republic City became a rival for Ren's affections at that moment in Hangetsu's love-fevered imagination.

More than anything he wanted to tell her not to aplogize for something that spectacular but he could not speak. He was too afraid that he'd either start squealing like a maniac of laughing like one. Either way some sort of verbal mania would be involved.
He slid in front of Ren and took her hand in his. He liked the idea of it being larger than his own. The more area to discover the better and despite some...comparable formations it was something he felt eager to explore.

Gently, he reached to Ren's face and beneath her glasses to wipe the tear from her cheek.
He thought it a good sign that she had run but not far. His other hand went to her other cheek and he remembered earlier in the evening when he described the feeling of by covering her cheeks with his warm hands.
Hangetsu wished to be that source of feeling for Ren.

Slowly and deliberately the shaking policeman leaned in to taste Ren's lips once more to see if they were still available, if the long-ago action of moments ago had been lost to time.
Almost resting his chin on Ren's shoulder, Hangetsu put his mouth to Ren's ear, as he was afraid he could not speak above a whisper.
"Time and place. That's all you need to say to summon me."

While kneeling in front of Ren Hangetsu wrote his address along with directions on the back of a business card for Lemurland. It was the first time ever that he wished he owned a telephone.
He paused and wrote town the phone number of the detective he worked for. Tae-yeon would most likely be annoyed but that was a small price to pay to set up a second date...should the Gods be so kind.

"Would you like me to walk you home, Ren?" He gently pulled at her hand and stood with more than a little discomfort. Hangetsu wasted not time in taking back his black overcoat to cover up the source that particular discomfort.

With his coat back on and the blood in his body starting to even out it's distribution Hangetsu pushed up his fedora and held out his arm for his date to take hold of and hopefully never let go.
"Shall we?"

Far from being offended, Hangetsu pursued her. Ren could only gasp in surprise as he leaned in for another kiss. For a moment, she forgot to breathe, lost in the sensation of something so intimate. She could vaguely taste the drink he'd had, and the sweetness of that egg custard. He smelled vaguely metallic, and she presumed it was due to his profession; it wasn't unpleasant by any means. When he finally pulled away, he whispered in her ear that all she had to do was contact him and he would be there. Feeling like a fool — in a good way — Ren smiled, not bothering to cover her mouth. Despite it's size, she doubted her hand would be big enough to cover it.

Hangetsu handed her a business card for that jazz club he had spoken of, Lemurland. She turned it over, and on the back was an address and a telephone number. If possible, her smile grew even wider as she tucked it into her robes, thinking that it might be her most prized possession. Her date stood and put his coat back on; Ren was too busy gathering her things and making sure her pen was still tucked behind her ear to notice anything else. Finally, she stood, brushed off her robes, and took his proffered arm with a gentle and pleased smile. Emotion-struck, Ren didn't notice any one trying hard not to look at the obvious height difference."

"I'm not sure if you'd be allowed to go all the way to the Island," she murmured, "but you can at least walk me to the docks." Placing her other hand on Hangetsu's arm too, she started forward and they began their journey through the City. "Maybe..." the woman stammered shyly. "Maybe we don't have to walk so fast." She hoped he'd agree, looking up at the metal cables overhead. "I'd never have noticed these if you hadn't pointed them out," she said contentedly. "I normally walk looking at the ground. It's easier not to ... er.. trip, that way." Or be tripped, she added silently.

OOC: Sorry for length, didn't want to godmod Hangetsu's actions too much.

It wasn't quite the situation Hangetsu had in mind when he imagined walking down the street with a beauty on his arm, but it was still better than he had hoped. The men in the Tsukishima family, his father and grandfather, both told him of the joy of walking down the street with a lovely woman at their sides. It wasn't until that moment Hangetsu saw the appeal.

Hangetsu also had misgivings about visiting Air Temple Island, not for breaking any rules but that the thoughts rushing through his mind might somehow contaminate their collective spiritual unconsciousness. They were decidedly unspritual.
When Ren stammered about not walking so fast Hangetsu almost felt like stopping entirely. For once he was glad of his short legs and the small strides he took in walking. He would have been content to sit in the middle of the street and have traffic directed around him if the pretty Air Acolyte were by his side.

Ren's revelation coupled with her demeanor and knowing people Hangetsu assumed that she'd seen more than her share of cruelty. He wondered if they had met earlier in their lives if the same feelings would develope. Would the persecuted, feminine boy have an interest in the shy boy being dragged through crime scenes by his grandmother?
He remembered being picked on on as a boy and he was only shy and obsessed with police work. A person like Ren...Hangetsu didn't want to think about it, but couldn't help imagining how cruel people could be.
He pulled Ren closer to him.
"Maybe one day I can bend you around..."
He blushed and grimaced. "I mean use earthbending to move you around like skating. I used to do it for my sister as kids." Hangetsu neglected to mention he knocked out one of Izumi's teeth doing so, but his bending had improved since then.

"Or maybe a tour. I'm sure there's something you have wanted to do since you came but couldn't. Name it and I'll make it happen."
It took only a second to regret saying that. He wasn't by any means rich or well-connected enough for a dream date. No airship rides or dining at Kuang's Cuisine. Instant ramen and listening to the sound of jazz that lifted up from his floor was about it. He knew he'd enjoy it but didn't know about Ren.
Hangetsu felt that the second date would be where he was truly tested. It had to be something special. Squealing, deep sighs, awwws, shy giggles, Hangetsu wanted all of the stereotypical swooning woman responses from Ren on his second date.

"I think I forgot to mention something. I had a wonderful time with you, Ren."
He hadn't anything against the docks before but now that they were in sight at the edge of his vision he suddenly hated them. Hangetsu sighed and recalled Ren's suggestion that they not walk so fast. Damn she was cute.

The way Ren grabbed his arm when he mentioned bend skating made a small, embarrassing squeak emerge. It didn't slip Hangetsu's notice how much they both had relaxed and opened up after kissing. It made him wonder why people waited until so late in the date to kiss when it seemed to be such a great ice breaker.

Ren's excitement at bend skating was infectious. For once Hangetsu was confident in his ability to earthbend and knew that he could show his date a good time with little or no injuries suffered.
When the Air Acolyte pointed out her differently colored eyes Hangetsu took the opportunity to gaze into them even though he was already acquainted with the color.
"My heritage never meant much to me, either. I'm a quarter Water Tribe but my grandfather never passed on any traditions or anything. Neither of my grandparents cared much for culture or tradition so I don't think about heritage much."
Mentioning his grand-parents caused a momentary lapse into sad nostalgia.
That didn't lost long due to Ren's squealing and sudden hugging when he mentioned that he would take her anywhere she wanted.

"Really? You mean it?"
Hangetsu couldn't help but grin at Ren's enthusiasm even if he had to groan a little at Ren's hug, as she was stronger than she looked. He didn't know he could do that to a woman.
It was a bit of a surprise to hear her request going to a pro bending match. A crowded and loud place didn't seem like it would be the first choice of someone who soft-spoken and demure. Her enthusiasm made Hangetsu wish that his bending was consistent so he could show off...then again his few bending feats that night came with no trouble. Bending came to him when he felt adamant and no conflicted and there were no conflicts when impressing Ren was concerned.
"I mean it. We'll take in a bending match whenever you want."

The same woman who blushed when he pressed his palm against hers earlier that night hooked her arm into Hangetsu's seemingly without hesitation. The way she talked about bending did something that Hangetsu thought impossible. It made Ren even more beautiful. She could be morose but the tall acolyte had an endearing enthusiasm. Then she blushed again and made Hangetsu give up on putting Ren's beauty on any sort of scale since she broke them with such ease.
I...I guess this is my stop."

As much of a punch to the soul it was see the dock Ren's last kiss made it worth it. For a moment Hangetsu was worried his card was lost but Ren patted it like it meant something to her. When she thanked him he smiled.
"You're welcome. We shall meet again, beautiful woman."

It was probably the least cool thing he could do but Hangetsu climbed the nearest pole to see Ren for another few seconds.
Normally, Hangetsu was wary of riding the wires because of his bending deficiency but that night he felt like he could do anything.
More than a few people looked up to see the blur across the wires laughing like a madman.

OOC: Godmode-y bits for Tae-yeon done with Zombi's permission, and she'll be NPCing her half of the convo whenever it's appropriate during your RP at her office. :3 Ohohoho~ Also, it's a bit long soooo. :X

Ren felt like she was floating on air. Maybe she was an airbender afterall! Laughing to herself, she headed for the ship back to Air Temple Island, waving at Hangetsu once she was boarded. It wasn't long before they pulled away from the harbour, and Ren waved and waved and waved until she couldn't see him on the shoreline anymore. Even then, she didn't turn away, staring at the coastline with an absent, happy smile on her lips. The other acolytes smiled indulgently and let her be.

It was a fifteen or twenty minute boat ride back to the Island, depending on weather; the time flew by unnoticed by Ren. It wasn't until another acolyte tapped her on the shoulder that she realised (with a start) that they had arrived home. Blushing, she murmured her thanks and made her way through the archway and up the stairs, her mind reeling with the night's events. She felt breathless, and it had nothing to do with the incline. Hangetsu was so wonderful, so dizzyingly wonderful. She all but danced her way to her room in the 'family' quarters, oblivious to the sounds of the other acolytes coming back from dinner.

Shutting her door tightly, Ren twirled around in her room before flopping down on her bed, laughing softly. What a night! She took Hangetsu's card out of her pocket; pressing it against her lips briefly, she set it up against the lamp on her nightstand with the 'Lemurland' logo facing away from her.

Then she had a thought. When should she call him?! Instantly, the warm, fuzzy feelings were replaced by stomach-wrenching anxiety. Now was too soon, surely — there was no way to tell if he was even home! If she called tomorrow, would it be too soon? Would it make her seem too desperate, too eager? Or —- she gasped. What if he gave her a fake number? Her eyes widened, and she stared at the business card, sitting innocently in the lamplight.

He didn't! Of course he didn't! ... Right? Her vision blurred, and she wiped the tears away. No. She'd believe in Hangetsu. She had to. Otherwise... Ren shook her head. No, there was no otherwise. She would never be at peace with herself if she constantly distrusted everyone. Feeling slightly calmer, she changed into her sleeping clothes, brushed her teeth, and combed out her long hair. Crawling into bed, the woman nestled snugly into her covers and switched off the light. Taking off her glasses, she stared at the blurred outline of the business card until her eyes succumbed to sleep.



—————-



And didn't wake up until well after sunrise. With a start, she leapt out of bed, jammed her glasses on her face, hastily slipped into her robes, tucked Hangetsu's card into her sleeve, and braided her long hair even more messily than usual. She shamefacedly arrived at the library, ignoring the giggles of the other Acolytes. She felt her face burn as she sat down to work, transcribing her notes from lessons into a large, paper volume. Soon, she was engrossed in her work, only looking up when someone tapped her on the shoulder for lunch. Ren nodded, but excused herself to go to the main... "office", so to speak, of the temple.

Stammering, she asked the clerk if she could use the phone — privately. He grinned at her (it was the same person who had welcomed her to the Island on her first day) and left the room, closing the door behind him. Taking a deep breath, she fished Hangetsu's number out from her robes. She dialled the operator and asked to be connected.

It was the longest moment of her life. The phone rang once. Twice. Three times. On the fourth ring, a voice crackled to life.

Ren's hard sank to her toes. It was a woman's voice! Had she been wrong about Hangetsu after all? Summoning every ounce of courage she could, the grey-haired woman squeaked out her name and a request for Hangetsu, wrapping the phone cord around her index finger over and over again.

There was a pause, and Ren bit her lip. Had she gambled and lost? She heard the woman mumble something like she had covered the mouth piece with her hand, then her voice came back clearly. She was laughing. Bewildered, Ren stammered out a shy 'hello' in response to the other woman's "Hello there, ma'am!" What was going on? Was this his sister? No, it was that detective he had spoken briefly of at the restaurant; apparently, her name was Tae-yeon, and she asked what she could do for Ren.

It took her a moment to answer. "Ah... I was just hoping that Hangetsu was there..." Ren fiddled with the phone cord some more. "But, since he's not, could you please tell him that I had a lovely time last night, and to let me know whenever he has the tickets? I'm not sure what the telephone number is here, but I figure it is in the 'phone book —- Air Temple Island," she added, likely unnecessarily. Tae-yeon laughed again, and said she'd tell him. "Oh, thank you!" Ren breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh!" she said again as an afterthought. "Could you tell him I'd like to see him again — before the next probending match? Maybe next weekend?"

The woman detective agreed again, and once more the Acolyte thanked her. Then, Tae-yeon asked something Ren didn't expect.

So, listen. What are you intentions with my pitiable police pal?

"I-- What?" Ren stammered, confused. Tae-yeon clarified, saying that Hangetsu was a relatively decent guy, and she didn't want him being 'played'. It took a few seconds to understand what the other woman meant.

Her free hand flew up to her mouth, scandalised. "OH! Oh, oh, no, nothing of the kind! H-he was very nice and sweet, and he has lovely eyes and he kisses really nicely and I just wanted to see him again-——!" Ren trailed off, her hand clutching the receiver so hard her knuckles turned a sickly white.

Oh, so it's just typical puppy love stuff? Carry on, then. By the way, there's this book you should read....

And she rattled off the name of a book and author. "I love books!" Ren exclaimed excitedly, unable to help herself. She tried to find a piece of paper to write on, but found none. She hoped she'd remember. Thanking Tae-yeon profusely, Ren hung up and all but skipped to the dining hall.



———-



The next weekend, Ren arrived on the docks at about half past four in the afternoon. She had left a message with Tae-yeon again, and hoped that Hangetsu had received it. She stood around, uncertainly, scanning the busy dock for Hangetsu's familiar face.

They had a distinctive smell, Omashu Blacks. Hangetsu knew only one person who smoked that brand and it was the last person he wanted to see then.
There she was smoking her black cigarette looking like she just woke up which was likely. Izumi Tsukishima kept odd hours. She ran her fingers through her disheveled bob haircut and yawned before tossing a roll of pink bills her little brother's way.
She pushed up her black, rectangular glasses with a devilish grin. "You're going to need that if you hope to make the beast with two backs, invade her south pole, dig some tunnels with your pink badger mole and otherwise fleshbend."

A combination of rage and embarrassment caused Hangetsu to turn a darker shade of red than usual. Hangetsu stopped in his tracks and grabbed his big sister by the shoulders to illustrate how serious he was.
"Izumi...please. I'm nervous enough without worrying about you putting this in one of your pulp novels. I really like her and I don't want this messed up."
Izumi flicked her little brother's forehead and smiled. "Of course."

Hangetsu checked his lucky white suit for stains and straightened his lucky green tie that matched his eyes as he saw Ren at the dock. He gave his sister one final look to convey that something horrible and metal bending related would happen if she were to humiliate him in any way.

Just in case the family resemblance wasn't enough Hangetsu made sure to point out that Izumi was not his girlfriend who came as part of a cruel practical joke.
"My sister Izumi." He shot a glare at his sister. "She doesn't talk much."
Hangetsu felt a punch in his right shoulder and hung his head in shame.
"Little brother, you hound! She's such a tomato." She took Ren's hand and shook it. "Be good to my little brother now." She bent over to whisper into Ren's ear. "He's not that little."

Hangetsu didn't want to think about what his sister might have whispered to his date then gave her a look that if she didn't leave she would be bended away.
"Sorry about Izumi. She's...well, I can't think of a word for her."
He reached out for Ren's hand and smiled before his mind blanked.
"Uh, you look pretty. So...what would you like to do?"

"She seems lovely,"
"It's okay...a lot of people make that mistake."

When Ren dismissed his compliment Hangetsu felt compelled to defend her honor, even from herself.
"No, you've definitely grown more beautiful since last time."

The shy way Ren thanked him for meeting her made Hangetsu's heart pound which in turn caused him to pull her closer to him. It didn't escape his notice how much of his timidity he had lost since she had kissed him when last they met.
"Of course I came to meet you. I can't risk some slick pretty boy seeing you alone." As much humor as he injected into his voice there was a kernel of truth in his joke. With Ren coming out of her shell Hangetsu was keenly aware at her multitude of options. Taller, better looking options with something interesting to say.

"To Lemurland we go!"
It felt a little too forward but Ren's height made putting his arm over her shoulder awkward so that only left her waist. As good as it felt for Hangetsu he thought that maybe it was too lascivious for the air acolyte...still, he had no intention of letting go that didn't involve actual prying.

"Are you allowed a phonograph? I know it's supposed to be, uh, what's the word, um...an ascetic life but are phonographs okay? Or would one be too much a distraction?"
He wished he'd done some research on Air Acolytes in between dates. Hangetsu didn't like the idea of spiritually corrupting Ren...but physically corruption on the other hand...
"So, um, I think you'll like live jazz. It's much different from radio jazz. Lots more improvisation so the same song can be totally different."
Music was a subject the bespectacled officer was fond of, making him smile wider than usual. Being around Ren did nothing to douse that expression of joy.

Part of Hangetsu was glad that the date was starting near his apartment rather than ending there. The temptation to invite Ren up would be too great to deny. Not every part of his body agreed but Hangetsu's heart wanted things sweetly chaste for the time being.

Ren's attitude regarding he skewered meat made Hangetsu smile momentarily.
"I'm not going to get a midnight visit from an angry airbender about corrupting his acolytes, am I?" Many of Hangestu's jokes had a bit of truth of them. He had spent some time wondering if he perhaps wasn't the best influence on someone so spiritual. The guilt was held in check by his desire to corrupt the pretty air acolyte even further.

Hangetsu ordered two grilled eel skewers for himself along with Ren's order and paid the stand owner with his sister's money.
"It's a good idea you had. Street food vendors are a good way to get to know the city. You get variety from the stands near the station and less meat in the ones in Dragon Flats. "

As they walked Hangetsu pointed out areas that were of interest to him. He stopped at a dark alley tagged with the names of different gangs. As dangerous as it looked the place always made Hangetsu smile.
"I'll never forget this place. Han, my grandmother, took me here after I told her I wanted to be a cop. She could tell a lot about a person by their writing. It was like magic. I could tell you some things about the people who wrote these," He pointed to several of the tags and commented about who made them. "Left-handed. Missing a pinky." He chuckled at one painted series of badly spelled swear words. "Obviously didn't get very far in school."

The part-time detective beamed with pride while speaking of his grandmother.
"Han could tell you all sort of things. She opened up this whole new world for me. A place where all the answers were there if you knew how to see them. She was blunt and hard to deal with and quick to criticize and slow to compliment..." He paused before he went through the entire list of his grandmother's faults. "But she helped make me the person I am today."

It wasn't until further down the street that something occurred to Hangetsu.
"I'm terrible. Sorry. I shouldn't go on about my family when yours seemed..." he tried to search for a kind way to say terrible and had to leave his sentence dangling. What other way was there to describe a family that would drive their daughter (or was Ren their son at the time?) away to Republic City.
He ate his eel slowly as his mouth was already busy with his foot.

After Ren's story of her family Hangetsu wore the same expression he supposed a dog would have after a long, philosophical lecture on the existentialist undertones of pulp novels.
His family had been such an unyielding means of support that being without them was alien, and that wasn't the most confusing part.
"I can't understand how being without you helps anyone. People are strange."

"Have you been to the park yet?"
He pointed to an oasis of trees and foliage in a desert of traffic and concrete with his the last of his second eel skewer before finishing it off.
After wiping his hands with a handkerchief Hangetsu offered the cloth and then his hand to his date. Crossing the street with Ren was particularly fun for him. Cars had to stop and see the beautiful woman he had the pleasure of escorting.

Upon entering Hangetsu pointed out the stream that ran through the park.
Suigetsu...my grandfather used to take me and Izumi here when it got hot and soaked us with waterbending while Han sat on that bench and read." With an almost manic chuckle Hangetsu ran over to a area of grass that had nothing to distinguish it from any other area of grass.
"This is where I decided I had to become a cop," Hangetsu shouted while he tapped the ground with his right boot.
"The kuai ball pit I made was bended over but I remember looking up at Lin Bei Fong in that uniform and thinking. Cop. I must become a cop. Then I'll have a chance."

Like a child dragging another child, Hangetsu pulled Ren towards to a weeping willow. He looked up and down the tree in wonder, trying to memorize every detail of it.
He tilted his head up at Ren and stuck his left index finger in front of her robe and gently pulled her down and passionately kiss his girlfriend.
"That's why this tree is so important. It's where we first kissed in this particular park."

"Should... should we stay here? Or still go to Lemurland? N-not that I didn't like —- I mean, I really enjoyed-— I... um.... .... ?"
"If you don't mind I'd like to spend a few minutes here. Lemurland doesn't get jumping until later in the evening, anyway. Besides," he said as he pulled out a one yuan coin from the pocket of his white pants with his free hand. "I have a plaque to carve...um, watch out for park security, please. I'm not entirely sure this is allowed."

Hangetsu took a moment to look at how neatly he had used his metal bending to sharpen his coin to a fine edge. He was eager to show it to Ren but he doubted she would get the significance. Instead, he went about carving their names into the tree with only a plus sign between them. He looked at his work and wondered if he should carve a heart around their names. He decided not to. He felt strong in his feelings for Ren but weak in his ability to carve the curves necessary to make a heart.

He bended his sap-laden coin into something resembling it's original shape and handed it to Ren before taking her hand again.
"My bending is at its best when you're around. You make me feel like I'm capable of anything."
A few steps back from the tree Hangetsu looked at his work while tilting his head side to side.
"I don't know art...but I know what I like. I like it. What's your opinion, Ren. Your Renpinion."

The image of himself resting in Ren's lap beneath that very tree battled in Hangetsu's mind with an image of Ren resting in his lap beneath the weeping willow. Unfortunately, the officer with the slowly withering shyness couldn't think of suggesting any combination of head and lap that didn't sound lewd.

Once he sat down beneath the tree Hangetsu wished that his lucky suit had not been white. It hid dirt as well as the person wearing it hid his emotions.
For his clothes sake, he was glad he was an earthbender.

He took Ren's hand after he sat down. While it was bigger than his own it was infinitely more feminine. For a moment he pondered laying his head on her lap but thought better of it. Instead he slid as close as he could and intertwined his arm with hers.
"I didn't know the Councilman had children."

Unconsciously, Hangetsu rested his head on Ren's shoulder. He was reminded of something that made him smile.
"The very first thing I did as a metalbender was help a kid. I had just finished my bending test and got an offer to ride on an airship to check out a crime scene. I never decline an invitation to go on an airship. A warehouse got robbed and I was tasked with walking this girl home. She must have been twelve or thirteen. Because I'm a sucker for a woman she talked me into tracking down the thieves. I took her across the wires." He lifted up his green boots with metal plates on the soles alternating with rubber treads.
"I wore dress shoes and you should have seen my feet afterwards. I had to fight the thieves with no weapons and bloody feet. That's why I don't go anywhere unarmed or unshoed." He grunted and smirked at himself.
"That's why any time someone mentions children I automatically check to see if I have shoes and a weapon."

Looking up at Ren from the vantage point of her shoulder Hangetsu got his closest look at Ren that didn't involve facial contact.
"You know...you have really pretty ears." Suddenly he was glad that his head was on her shoulder and he couldn't see the look he assumed she had on her face. He had no desire to see what a woman's "I can't believe I'm dating this guy" face looked like.
"So, uh, tell me about this air kid. Are they calm and serene? Like a little monk?"