Chapter 30: Dance

Chapter 30: Dance

So, what do you think? Lucinda is looking at me with a wide smile on her face. Shes clearly extremely satisfied by the outcome of her negotiation.

Im really impressed, I laugh, what else can I say? I didnt expect you to be so merciless.

Shes almost jumping up and down while we go toward a restaurant.

I bet you liked it, she wiggles her eyebrows at me.

Wow.

Is she flirting?

Or is she only on a power-high?

Whatever, Ill take whatever bone she throws.

Oh yeah, you bet, I answer with my signature wink without missing a beat. You are killing it. I bet you will take the magic world by storm if you are even half this good with that.

She smiles so wide she looks like a mix between the Cheshire Cat and Julia Roberts.

Lucinda winks at me and keeps her stride.

My heart flutters because Im sure this is a little step forward in our relationship.

You are incredibly flattering, you know, Joey? she laughs.

You make it easy, I nod, since you are so incredible.

Now, she blushes a bit and avoids my gaze. Compliments are usually not this direct in the world, I bet. It doesnt matter whether its Earth or whatever this planet is called, people are not used to others being nice.

And to be honest, I mean it.

I do think this woman is incredible.

Its not just from what I observed which I recognize is little its from how she carries herself. She gives off the distinct aura of a person who

You do give me the vibe of someone whos going to do important stuff, you know?

I also hope shes going to do me, but thats another topic altogether.

Have me swear it on truth-stone, if you dont believe me, I wink again.

She looks at me from head to toe, evaluating something.

Damn, this is the test.

Oh boy, here we go.

I exhale.

I wasnt sure that multi-casting [Lights] was indeed something so difficult for [Mages].

Not to be crass, but I can guarantee you that the real deal is nothing like that, I nod toward the little spectacle of [Light].

Lucinda looks back and forth from my face to the hand.

Did you just multi-cast [Light], and in different shapes too?

Now, poof. I dispel the magic and go forward as if nothing happened.

I still remember my high school times. You know, I already told you how terrible I am at approaching people. This meant that I can look a bit aloof even if Im your neighborly loud Italian American.

Anyway, what happened in high school was that I got some terrifically beautiful girls because they thought I was mysterious.

How would they even think that I was mysterious?

Its beyond me.

I always thought of myself as someone who would speak of anything in front of anyone. Go on, ask me my deepest and darkest secret and Ill tell you. I dont even need a drink or the cover of the night. I have no shame, what can I do about it?

But this dark and mysterious thing was something that worked wonders for my dating life. And when they discovered my passion for baking? I dont know what they thought exactly, but it looked as if Bruce Wayne had just showed them his sweet house-husbandly side.

Beats me if Ill ever understand why it works, but it works.

So, I now shroud myself in this halo of mystery.

Im honestly still quite surprised that this stupid trick worked.

You know how unlucky I am.

I could have expected a meteoriteno wait, a [Meteorite] hitting me on the head or something while trying this. Or maybe discovering that multi-casting, simul-casting or whatever you call it, is more common than I knew.

But no, this thing worked.

Look at her, shes groveling, isnt she?

Joey, where did you learn that? she grabs my arm.

Now, I am the one smiling like a Cheshire cat.

Lady, I cant divulge secrets like that. Youll have to get it out of me somehow, my signature wink hits her like Cupids arrow. I mean, thats how I think it hits her.

Theres an understanding in her eyes.

Her interest is piqued.

But now, we gotta dance the dance.