SystemofEleven

Banding Together in Halloween Town

Agatha smiled and helped herself to another. A gentleman and humble! She was pleased as a cockroach in a compost pile; spending time with him in his natural element, away from the pesky influence of his troublesome siblings, she just kept seeing more and more of his real self.

"Maybe he should learn to cook for himself, so he doesn't have to steal yours," she commented lightly. "Though I suppose he might not want to risk failing to compare to you."

Banding Together in Halloween Town

Agatha shook her head as she swallowed. She blushed, thanking the moon she had fallen for a boy so kind he had let his gentlemanly nature drop to make her feel more comfortable about her own lack of manners. She knew he loved food, but to stuff one into his mouth whole would be a bit much if he hadn't done it on purpose, and thus far he had never failed to treat her with the utmost decency and manners. Well... At least when his siblings weren't tricking him into things.

"No, no!" she said once she was certain her mouth was clear. "The temperature is just fine. The food is absolutely demonic!"

Banding Together in Halloween Town

Agatha's own knowledge of proper table etiquette began and ended at the difference between the glasses for red or white wines and champagne, so she wasn't particularly bothered by his lack of familiarity with the ins and outs of fine dining. So long as he remembered to use silverware, she was content to know he was making his best attempt.

On the other hand, his cooking significantly impressed her. The stuffing perfectly complemented the flavor of the toadstools and the bread was just the right level of fluffy for her tastes. Agatha grinned and started to say as much, then quickly remembered that talking with her mouth open would be very unladylike. She used her hand to hide the little bits of food that had started to make an escape. She prayed he hadn't ntoiced that.

Banding Together in Halloween Town

Agatha gasped quietly when she saw the table set up. She glanced over at Barrel, who avoided her gaze and ambled nervously about the room.She was simultaneously amused and touched at this display of his softer side.

She made a point to smile encouragingly at him when he finally worked up the courage to officially begin the evening by pulling her chair out for her. "Stuffed toadstools? Sounds delicious!"

The young witch took a moment to calculate whether wine would be appropriate. Obviously her aunts wouldn't have a problem with it -- they had taken it upon themselves to ensure she had an appreciation for quality alcohol a long time ago -- but for a first date? Finally she nodded. "Wine would be lovely, thank you."

Banding Together in Halloween Town

Agatha smiled back, thinking to herself that Barrel was even cuter when he blushed. Then he seemed to realize what they were doing. For a moment she was confused why he got a bit flustered as he sat up and helped her into the lair, but then it dawned on her that, as a true gentleman, he would find it inappropriate to be so... intimate before they even began their first proper date. Right, she needed to be more genteel. Fawning over Jack hadn't worked for her aunts, and it likewise wouldn't work here. She needed to do things in a more refined manner.

Agatha straightened her posture, smoothed her dress and hair, and put on a polite smile that reduced the visibility of her level of interest. "Yes, I am. Shall we?"

Banding Together in Halloween Town

Agatha was surprised but elated when Barrel put his thick hands on her waist and pulled her toward him. She nearly swooned in his arms -- but then they were falling. Like the true gentleman he was, the youngest trickster used his body to break her fall. Not that she really needed it, of course (she was a denizen of Halloween Town after all, and that alone brought with it a certain resilience) but still, the gesture was noted and appreciated.

Agatha felt a strong urge to just lie there for a moment and cuddle her date -- squeeeeeee -- and peeked up at his face to see if he was thinking of the same thing.

Banding Together in Halloween Town

Something in Agatha's chest did a cartwheel when her date squeezed her hand and said they'd have the place to themselves. Lock had already said it would just be the two of them, but still, the way Barrel said it... She peeked up at him and batted her eyelashes innocently.

When he reminded her how the access ladders worked, she debated between showing him a bit of acrobatic skill or politely allowing him to help. She decided on the latter; he was trying so hard to impress her, and he could probably use a little pick-me-up after the mistake that led to him being late. She carefully made her way down and leaned forward to delicately touch his shoulder as if to lean on it.

Banding Together in Halloween Town

Agatha nodded. "I've thought about coming over before, but I didn't want to, umm..." She blushed. What were his thoughts on gender roles in relationships? Would he be offended that she thought it wasn't the girl's place to ask first? She coughed and quickly finished, "I didn't want to be rude and... invite myself over."

Banding Together in Halloween Town

Agatha's heart fluttered. Not only was he gentlemanly enough to ignore her utter lack of grace, he was kind enough to pretend as if her speedy descent was on purpose!

'Better'? Wow, he must have something extra special planned!

She couldn't help it; she started giggling quietly as she took his hand.

Banding Together in Halloween Town

Aggie let out a quiet cackle and gave him a nod. "My niece is waiting in her room. Go on outside and wait by the bottom of the stairs; I'll send her down to you."

Once Barrel had stepped back out of the shop, the old witch locked the shop door (not that she suspected anything from him at the moment, but, just in case...) and flew up through the hole to inform Agatha about her date's arrival. She also imparted that "the poor boy" was quite nervous and apologetic about being late, so best not bring that up again and spoil the good moments later. Then she quickly went back and re-opened the shop. It wouldn't do to risk missing out on any customers coming by, of course.

Agatha squealed giddily and rushed for the door leading to the stairs. Upon stepping out and seeing Barrel waiting at the bottom, she held back a shiver of excitement and began to descend, the strategy of her movement running through her mind. Back straight, head high, hand on the railing -- no, the other hand; that side doesn't have a rail -- bend the knee backward, don't lean forward, touch down on the next step with the toes, not the heels...

Her toes came out a little farther than intended. Agatha squawked with surprise as her foot slipped off the edge of the step. She had to jog down the rest of the stairs to prevent the downward momentum from causing her to fall. When she reached the bottom, she quickly straightened her now-lopsided hat and patted down her hair, her cheeks darkening as she tried to regain some level of poise.