A Midafternoon Stroll

[Taye Keats]

Taye's smile softened. "Is that so? See, now you're making me feel like my wish was just silly. Flying broomsticks can't really compete with something like love." He paused for a moment, feeling that there was something in her meaning that he was missing. "I guess there's no magic that can control love, huh?"

[Claire Heart]

"No. Nothing can control love." Her eyes dropped to the ground. "at least your wish is tangible. Mine's really the silly one." She tried to brush is off like a joke, guard her heart, like she always did.

[Taye Keats]

Taye blinked, surprised. Something about her statement irked him. "Why do you say that? You're plenty loveable. You're fun to be around, you're beautiful, and even though you try to hide it you're smart." He smiled. "You're charismatic, funny, clever, not to mention a wiz at sorcery..." He gently tilted her chin upward so that he was looking her straight in the eyes. He had never noticed before how much they shone. "Don't ever think that you won't get love, because it isn't true. You're an absolutely amazing woman."

[Claire Heart]

Her heart was racing in her ears, pulsing loudly at a hundred miles a minute. Did he just say all that? Did he mean all that he had said? She felt dizzy like the might faint, but instead she did something she wasn't really expecting. She sort of launched forward without thought and pressed her lips to his.

[Taye Keats]

Taye was a bit surprised at first; he honestly hadn't been thinking of kissing Claire at that moment. He liked Ellie, didn't he? But all of those things he had said to Claire were the truth... he knew Claire just as well as Ellie, if not better at this point. Why not Claire? As he had thought to himself before, they were cut from the same cloth... and he did care about her. But he cared about Ellie too, and she...

Oh, this was ridiculous. Let Ellie have her Munchkin. Right here, right now, there was an extraordinary girl who wanted Taye, no questioning or indecision attached. And in spite of all of the mayhem going on in Oz... all Taye wanted right now was to be with the girl before him.

Taye drew back for a brief moment, studying Claire's eyes, her face, every bit of her expression... then leaned forward again, pressing his lips to hers, returning the kiss. Claire could be that girl.

[Claire Heart]

Oh my gosh he was kissing her back! Claire was absolutely beside herself. No, the kiss hadn't been planned, but who cares! He was kissing her back!

When he pulled away she wondered if he regreted kissing her back, but that look in his eyes. He felt something too. There was a spark, an attraction, a something! And that look in his eyes as he looked into hers proved it.

When he returned the kiss, she lifted her hands, gently placing her fingertips on his cheeks, delving into the kiss. She'd never felt this way before. Was this love? lust? some unknown desire she'd had pinned up inside? She wasn't sure, but whatever it was, she sure liked it!

His kiss was unlike any other she had experienced...not that she had ever had that many kisses. Claire was a lot more sheltered than she had ever let on. She flirted a lot and had very little in return other than casual flirting from the opposite sex. His kiss was warm, soft, and tender. It filled her with a warmpth over her whole body and made the edges of her lips curl upward in enjoyment.

[Claire Heart]

Claire pulled back. A little excited, a little embarressed that she herself had made the first move. It wasn't very ladylike, but it didn't wipe the smile from her face. "That...that was lovely." She said with a blush. Her eyes locked on his, trying to read if he had enjoyed it just as much as she had...and if it meant anything. Was it just a kiss?

[Taye Keats]

Taye smiled, a little color coming into his cheeks as well. Why was that? He never got nervous around people he liked, girls or guys... why did this feel different? He gave a small, embarassed laugh.

"Yeah, that was... that was nice. Unexpected, but... nice. I liked it." He smiled at Claire; a warm, genuine smile. He lifted his hand, brushing it lightly against her cheek. Her skin was so soft, so warm... she wasn't considered one of the most beautiful girls at Shiz for nothing, that was for sure. "Were... were you okay with that?"

[Claire Heart]

"I was more than ok with it." Her blush deepened at his touch, and her head tilted ever so slightly into his hand. "I hope you know I don't just...do that," she added, her smile a little unsure. She could count on one hand the boys she'd kissed, and he was the only one that she had ever kissed first. It made her a feel a little uneasy, but a little empowered at the same time.

[Mombi]

Mombie poked around the side of a tree, angled behind Taye, close enough to barely make out what they were saying, but enough to comprehend it. 'Young love... I'm about to throw up in my own mouth.' she said with a look of disgust on her face. But, she couldn't help but have a small expression of envy.. I was never able to have the one I loved.. she said to herself.

She quickly slapped herself in the face.. Knock out of it! Focus.

She was easily distracted, even more easily set back on track. This new found love.. this could definitely be used against them. Taye, the gallant, the guy everyone wanted, the bold man.. Now that I know for a fact that Claire means.. something... to him.. she continued to chant to herself. Taking Claire, could put Taye in a spot.. a spot where if I need him, I could use him to my advantage. Something good to know... She thought.

I think its time I go report all of this to Nome. He may have something to say.

[Claire Heart]

"You're the first boy that I've ever kissed. I've had...a few...boys kiss me. I'mvery traditional, very old fashioned. I was taught the girl should never, never make the first move. Though I do admit it was a little thrillifying..." She giggled lightly, biting at her lip.

[Taye Keats]

Taye chuckled quietly. "Well, I'm not sure if I can say the same thing. I do just do that, or at least I did... not that it never meant anything..." He tilted his head thoughtfully. "It's strange though... this time felt different. You're different, I guess. It was a bit thrillifying for me, too."

He straightened up slightly. "Did you hear something?"

[Claire Heart]

Claire was so caught up in everything she hadn't noticed anything around them, but it sounded like rustling branches. Not the normal kind that the wind caused, but the kind caused by someone...or something. "I do..." her eyes narrowed. "It's coming from behind you." She sprung up out of the sweet flowers. "We should go." She offered him a hand.

[Mombi]

Mombie was caught between two branches that crossed each other like a suit of plaqued swords. "Stupid cloak!" she mumbled under her breath.

"Oh Ozness! I ruined it! They're leaving." she said to herself. I guess I'll head back to the office sooner than I thought.

Mombie fixed up her cloak and headed back toward her office, recapping all the information she had gathered in the last 24 hours. It was so much, that it was practically overwhelming. Too bad Kay had not been there to take notes for Mombie.

[Taye Keats]

Taye nodded, taking her hand and getting out of the flowerbed as well. He looked behind him at the tree; whoever had been there was gone now. He exchanged nervous glances with Claire.

"Who do you think it was? A gardener or someone, or... maybe someone like Polly?" They had to remember to be careful... they were in the middle of something big in Oz.