It's Not My Day

[Deon]

"I don't mind at all. Besides, I was the one who offered, wasn't I? My driver gets tired of just listening to me ramble on anyways. Let's go ahead on to the parking lot." He paused for a moment to send out a ripple of waves, however they did not reveal to him the double-doors beneath one of the huge department store signs that he remembered.

"Would you mind pointing me in the right direction? I'm a bit turned around. I should have been paying more attention. The car's outside the exit through the Sears. I'm assuming that large diamond shape jutting out in the middle of the walkway is a map. Would you read it for me, please?" he asked, switching his bag of shoes from one hand to the other.

[•Mouse•]

Beatrix looked to the boy. " You can't see?" She asked softly, before closing her mouth hurriedly and walking to the map. She read it and spun, walking hastily back to Ellis. Slowly, she placed a gentle hand on his arm and turned him to face the Sears exit. " It's...Uh...This way." She said softly before releasing his arm and taking hold of her own bags once more looked over her shoulder at him.

" I'm sorry to be so rude but, Are you blind?" She asked softly, a somewhat nervous smile playing at her lips. That calm smile from before had faultered and broke into a very faint crooked one that seemed so confused. Sorry to sound rude?! Of course you sound rude, idiot.[/i] Screamed her mind as she awaited a reply from Ellis.

[Deon]

Ellis could feel the Beatrix's tug on his arm to send him in the right direction and started following her, briefly taking a "picture" of the scene with his radar capabilities to make sure he was headed where he should be. Yes, he could "see" Beatrix's rough outline right in front of him, reflecting the microwaves he sent around himself back at him. Plus, he could recognize the vibrations of her feet and hear her voice. He wasn't about to get lost.

"It's not being rude to inquire as to someone's state of being," Ellis told her plainly, spreading his hands in a gesture of openness. "Yes, I'm blind as a bat. Physically, at least." He winked at her and smiled. "Of course, there's ways to get around it." He couldn't see her smile, but could feel the awkwardness that it didn't hide. He hoped to get past that. "I wasn't always. That's what makes it kind of hard sometimes. "A disease made my eyesight degenerate until it reached to..." He tapped the side of his head. "...this. But I don't let it hold me back, if that's what you mean. And losing my sight has sharpened my other senses. Do you know how good you smell?" he asked with a small laugh.

[•Mouse•]

" I'm...Sorry about...well..your eyes." Laughed the girl softly, falling instep only inches before him. As he talked about his illness which had taken his sight, Beatrix felt a little more bad about having asked. But, he had said it was nothing rude to ask and when he winked she doubted he was mad at all. Smiling once more, She laughed softly when he spoke of how good she supposedly smelled.

" Me? Smell good? Hmm, probably something woodsy or grass-like." Laughed Beatrix as she imagained herself as a blade of grass. That would have been a sight to see. They grew nearer the doors and she felt a bit of relief as the number of people around them lessened. This meant she wouldn't have to worry about Ellis bumping into someone.

" We're almost to the door." Advised the girl softly.

[Deon]

Ellis shook his head, dismissing her apology. "There's no reason to be sorry for me. None at all. Really. There is more than just one way to see. You just have to find it," he told her, following the sound of her footsteps.

"Yes, you smell good. You know the smell of old, dry, fallen leaves in autumn on a crisp, clear day? They have a wonderful spicy scent, like cinnamon. That's what you smell like." Ellis sniffed exaggeratedly and put a pleased smile on his face. He veered to the left to avoid running into someone who was approaching quite quickly, judging by the sound of his footsteps.

"Thanks for the head's up. Doors are kind of hard to see, unless they're moving or have a real indentation." He could hear the swish of the automatic doors opening as she approached, sending in a blast of cold air. He reached into his pocket, his hands fumbling around for his cell phone, opened it up, and pressed the first button to page his driver.

"I just called John, and he should be here in thirty seconds. The guy's a maniac," he told her good-naturedly. Suddenly a thought struck him that he toyed with for a moment before he gave it voice.

"Hey, are you hungry? There's this restaurant that I really like--occasionally I put shifts in because I know the staff, but don't let me go off on a tangent--and would you like to accompany me? I haven't eaten since early this morning. It's very... unique."

[•Mouse•]

" A maniac? I feel so safe now getting in a care wwith him..." The kind-hearted Beatrix laughed off her little comment and walked through the door into the sun light. The warmth of the rays hit her skin and she smiled a bit and looked about. " So where is this restaurant?" She asked casually walked to his side and looking up at him smiled. The idea of getting food seemed logical, and the fact her stomach was begining to ache backed the agreement up full force.

" I'm hungry as well, so." She shrugged before speaking again, having no reason to decline the generous offer. " Why not." Her voice was cheery as she said it and she looked left and right for the car that was supposed to be coming to get them. Cinnamon, eh? Well, it's better then him saying I smell like a pile of dog shit.[/i] laughed the girls mentality as she ran a hand through her hair to get it out of the way of her sight.

[Deon]

"Great! It's really not far away at--" Ellis' words were cut off by three quick raps and one long blare of a horn as a car rushed to meet them, sending a blast of air that ruffled Ellis' hair. He rolled his eyes with a smile.

"I always tell John he doesn't have to do that. But I guess he kind of likes having a little code so that I can recognize him, so I don't bother with it too much. Sometimes it's embarrassing, though, like the year my mother made me carry a cane around the entire time. It was just so obvious to everyone that I didn't see the way they did, and I was treated differently. I don't know if you know the feeling. Anyways, tangents again.

"Oh, and don't worry about John. He's a really gentle giant. Apparently he looks kind of foreboding, but I wouldn't know, since I haven't exactly felt his face and my radar doesn't reveal to me detailed pictures unless I exert a huge amount of energy to make thousands of tiny waves for a single picture of the world." He grinned with another shake of his head. "It seems that you and I both have trouble staying on topic. But it's hard when there's so much to say."

Ellis could feel the vibrations as John stepped out of the car and walked around it to greet the two. The engine was still going, idling in the street, like a buzzing bug in Ellis' ears. He greeted Ellis with a slap on the back--Ellis nearly buckled over from the pressure, laughing hysterically.

"Don't try to scare me like that!" he chided him, unable to keep the laughter out of his voice.

His driver John was a good-natured man in his upper thirties, employed by his father so that Ellis could get around the city. He worked part-time sitting in a cubicle as a mortgage consultant. But what was extraordinary about him was his height. He was a little over two and a third meters tall. Ellis had once asked him if he'd ever considered playing basketball, which sent him on a laughing spree. He said he had horrible hand-eye coordination, and was entirely unable to dribble a ball. Too bad. He would have been a real coach's prize otherwise.

"So, are you escorting this pretty young lady somewhere?" he asked, his voice giving the sound of a raised eyebrow without the action. He learned to put all his emotion in his voice, so Ellis could better understand him. At the same time, his face started to drain of expressions when he was around his client, giving him the image of a mindless zombie with a happy voice. The way he spoke was deep and rumbling, perfect for his height and stature. He would have been foreboding if it weren't for his boyish face and the demeanor of a puppy-dog. He didn't even look like he had to shave.

"Yes, John, I am taking the lovely Beatrix out to eat at Noir. Would you mind swinging us by there?"

"Noir, really? Ah, I love that place. You mind if I join you guys? I haven't seen Rhonda in ages!"

Ellis couldn't help but chuckle. "John, you've never seen Rhonda. But even so, you're welcome to accompany us."

John laughed along with him, as if sharing a private joke. "I guess you're right, when you put it that way. Anyways, I'll be glad to take you guys. Hop on into the car. I'll stick your bags in the trunk, Miss Beatrix," he told her, reaching out to take the load. Ellis fumbled for the door handle, unable to make it out in the brief image that showed him where the car lay. He felt the passenger's seat window, then the handle to the same door, and, realizing the texture was wrong, moved to the backseat handle and opened it up.

"After you.:

[•Mouse•]

Beatrix looked utterly shocked at the whole thing. She had gotten no words in edge wise and was already being ushered into the car. Laughing Beatrix shook her head and handed the bags to the big man. For some reason, she had the urge to hug him. It was like the giant man before her was more of a teddy bear and couldn't harm a fly. She thanked him softly and turned to see Ellis holding the door. Shaking her head at him she walked with great care over and placed a hand on his. " Thank you." Came her kind thanks as she slipped into the car.
Sliding into a seat, she got comfortable and pulled a seatbelt about her and clicked it in position. " Alright, Ellis. Come in...and please....mind you head. I'm worried you're going to rap it off the top of the door jam or something." Laughed the girl nrevously as she leaned out and looked up at him. She pulled herself back and relaxed a bit now that she sat comfortably.

[Deon]

John nodded with a smile and took Beatrix's bags, easily carrying the weight on his strong arms. He carefully placed them in the trunk and swung it shut a little harder than was necessary. A large bang resounded through the parking deck, and caused Ellis to cringe.

Ellis removed his hand after Beatrix had touched it and carefully seated himself in the car, taking care to overly bend his head in accordance with her wishes. He fumbled with the seat belt until he was able to find it and click it in correctly, then listened for the sound of John getting into the car. When he did, he could feel the entire car drop a few centimeters with his added weight.

"Everybody ready?" his booming voice asked as he readied himself at the wheel, putting on a pair of driving gloves for a dramatic touch.

Ellis rolled his eyes with a chuckle and nodded. "To Noir it is."

As John started the car, Ellis began speaking to Beatrix. It was almost as if he was talking to himself, because he didn't turn to look at her. It was easy to forget to do so.

"I think you'll really like Noir. It's an... interesting dining experience, to say the least," he told her, but before she had the time to answer, he exclaimed. "But not what you're thinking! The food's great, and not anything weird like bat head soup or something. Unless you... like bat head soup, of course."