Arriving For Dinner

After explaining his reasoning to Clara, Joe found himself standing just outside the entrance to the Western gate forty-five minutes early. He understood the importance that Shianne had told him of with punctuality but that was not his reason. 'A man should always arrive before the woman.'

After ten minutes of waiting, Clara's elegant figure emerged from the entrance. Her long, emerald dress compliment the softness of her green eyes while accentuating every one of her slender curves. Her long, silver hair was braided over her left shoulder and nearly reached her waist.

With a loving smile, Joe silently approached the waiting beauty. Seeing as her back was slightly turned towards him as she gazed back into the Academy, it was clear that he and his suit had gone unnoticed. Being ever so careful to not give himself away, Joe positioned his mouth barely an inch from her ear.

"What're you looking at?"

With a lightly shocked face and highly adorable sound, Clara turned to see the man that she was waiting on had been there the entire time. After realizing that fact, a mildly spoiled pout showed itself on her face.

"You could have told me you were already here."

"Where would the fun be in that? It was far more enjoyable to see this cute side of you."

A bright blush covered the innocent girl's face. Feeling slightly embarrassed, Clara turned her face away from the man before her. Seeing this display, Joe couldn't help but to place his hand on her warmed cheek before tilting her head upwards and planting his lips on hers.

After the initial shock had faded, Clara submitted herself to the joy that was flooding every sensor in her mind. She found herself slightly disappointed at how brief this exchange was. As if reading her mind, Joe proceeded to lightly pull her waist closer to him before dragging her into a far deeper exchange. With the posted Academy guard watching, the lovers began a heated battle for dominance.

After five minutes, the two finally separated with Joe being the apparent winner. A disheveled look was present on the face of the usual cold beauty as she attempted to drag as much air as possible into her lungs. The two spent the remaining time waiting to discuss trivial matters with little significance as well as the personality of the High General that Clara was too familiar with. The true purpose of this dinner was never brought up by her and Joe never explained his reason for having her accompany him rather than meeting her there.

----------------------------------------

A rather brief vehicle escort has left the lovers standing before a rather extravagant set of double doors. The entire ride, the two simply enjoyed the quiet together as they had that morning in the courtyard. Now, as the doors opened in unison, the two were greeted by a formal looking butler.

"Greeting young miss. Your parents have already seated themselves in the dining room. If you'll follow me."

"Lead the way, Gregory."

The brief exchange between the daughter of the High General and his head butler left Joe feeling out of place. He and many others grew up fighting simply to survive. For the first time since learning of this dinner, Joe began to feel anxious.

Moving down the opening hallway and through a sliding double door, the young couple was greeted with the sight of a middle-aged man bearing all the scars of battle and a rather elegant woman. At first glance, Joe would have guessed this unknown woman was Clara's older sister but he remembered that she was in fact an only child.

"We weren't expecting the two of you to arrive together."

A teasing smile began to form on the woman's face following her words.

"Mother, what is so wrong of us arriving together?"

This simple question left a shocked look on the seated gentleman's face while Clara's mother was caught off guard by it. After attempting to tease her daughter who had been gone for months, she could not hold back the laughter at this change in her daughter's attitude. The once quiet daughter that would never rebuke her parents has changed since the last time, she was home.

Rather than engaging in the conversation further or even being bothered by the laughter, Joe and Clara moved to the table. Joe silently pulled a chair back to the right of the man he presumed to be the High General as well as Clara's father. Unknown to him, this initially struck a nerve in the man. That was, until Joe motioned for Clara to be seated in that chair.

'Does he think this display between him, and my daughter will please me?'

After Clara was properly seated next to her father, Joe turned towards the man before initiating a slight bow out of respect.

"High General James, it is an honor to meet you. As I am sure you already know, my names if Joseph Merril. If you feel so inclined, Joe will suffice."

Clara found it impossible to hold back her laughter and immediately burst. Holding both her arms across her stomach, she found it difficult to remain upright in her seat.

"What was that? Trying to gain the favor of my father already Joe?"

Without any hesitation and his face showing no emotion whatsoever, Joe answered with a question that left the room in silence.

"Why would I seek his favor when I have already won yours?"