[center] It was within this new, lighter banter between them that the itch became ever so present -- as if both of them had taken part in a similar conversation so long ago. There was something about his demeanor that, despite her usual reservations, Clara had found herself absorbed. It was a dangerous sort of thing, and she understood that full well, but the closer she could get, she felt that she could get that much closer to her own answer no matter how impossible that may be. And despite her usual exterior - the need to drive everyone away without a single thought as to who they were, there was something about Max that drew her in far beyond that curiosity and familiarity. There was the ghost of a connection that perhaps she once knew; an instinct now that she could not fully explain t keep the distance limited between them; to hang on his words. That was the part that had her most intrigued and most frustrated that she could not remember him or at least a moment in time that he could have taken part of. For him to be able to catch her attention now, after training herself to be so terribly guarded, he must have had some sort of impact on her life prior to this, 

The way he had chuckled at her words had amused her and perhaps the small smile had lingered a bit longer on her lips. If Christian even had the opportunity to take a look at her now, he would have had to have thought Hell had frozen over. Not only was she smiling, but she was giving someone the time of day all in the same. Those two things rarely occurred together -- unless she had a motive and clearly she had. Clara was determined to leave this evening with answers, no matter what the cost. At least for now, his curiosity was piqued just as much as hers and perhaps they were getting closer to the truths that lie veiled between them. He was growing more comfortable with her, clear by the way he now held her so very close against him, as was she in her own way. She could not allow him inside her world entirely, but to let him have a taste if only to secure an answer would be a risk that she was willing to take. 

Clara had nearly convinced herself to give in until he had mentioned the stone that hung from her neck. She had stiffened in the slightest, knowing it must have been a coincidence and simply that. The stone was peculiar to begin with, uncut and just large enough, she knew that it had evoked the curiosity of quite a few, at least wanting to know where she had gotten it. The easy way out of those conversations involved the explanation that it was a gift from someone from long ago -- and that was all she would ever reveal. But Max had not asked about its origin, rather, had explained that it was because of that stone that his curiosity had built over her, and the thought unsettled her. 

Yet, even as she expected more of an explanation, something had danced across his features a seven his steps had faltered. Clara studied him carefully, her brow furrowing as she almost tried to grasp where he could have drifted off to, and how it had suddenly caused him to pull away from her. His apology had not entirely fallen on her ears as Clara watched him dart off from her with out so much as a glance her way and she frowned as he collected his things and practically made a beeline towards the door. 

Even in the short time that she knew him, Clara could sense the unusualness of his departure, which had only intrigued her further. Something had connected for him, whether it was two pieces of quite a few of them, he had remembered at least something that immediately made him want to remove himself from her presence. No one so deeply emerged in a game like that simply forfeits... And she most certainly wasn't one to allow that to happen either. He had started this, and she intended on finishing it. She wanted to know what he knew... 

Her steps were quick after his own, far enough away that he wouldn't notice her and yet close enough that she wouldn't lose him as she found herself roaming the long halls until the chill of the fresh air had grazed her skin and she had heard the crash of glass scattered upon the patio. Something told her she should cut her losses and leave; that there was probably a damn good reason she couldn't remember him... But she found herself outside anyway, lingering close to the doorway before she boldly took a few steps towards him. 

"Well, wasn't that quite... Abrupt of you?" Clara asked as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Attempt to pry the truth from a girl and then quickly leave before the opporunity presents itself..." She added, a couple steps more in his direction. "You remembered something, didn't you? You remembered something that you didn't want to face and yet... That isn't entirely fair now, is it?" She tapped her bottom lip with her pointer finger, almost in thought as her hazel eyes scanned him carefully. "I must admit-- I'm still not quite sure [i]who[/i] you might be, but quite frankly, I would like you to indulge me so at least I can leave this place without that incessant feeling that you might be more than you seem..."[/center]