[b][h1]Oberon Price and Ashlyn Blackwood[/h1][/b]


Ash was so surprised that the man was still there, and not having run a mile at her odd behaviour, that she just stood there staring. After a moment of awkward silence she realised he was waiting on her answer. 

The redness in her cheeks grew and she cursed her long, very long, time since she'd last dated. She felt like a teenager again and it was not a pleasant feeling. Mentally pulling herself together, she smiled and nodded. 

"I warn you that I'm out of practise." She said dryly. "But if you're willing to risk the safety of your feet then who am I to argue? Lead on." 

Oberon smiled and gave a light hearted chuckle. "You might not be the only one out of practice here." As he said it he recalled the last time he had been to one of these things. Six years ago when everyone disappeared. He had just met Wilson Fisk, the supposed KingPin of crime, and then danced with a woman who had a very...energetic personality. Turns out he had danced with Electro, having taken her down the following week for trying to take over where Fisk left off. 

Lost in a thought he shook himself out of it as Ashlyn came up and he took her hand leading them to the dance floor. Being a gentleman he bowed before her then took her hand extending it with his outward. He then placed his other hand on her waist instead of mid back so they could have space to talk then led them in just a simple back and forth slow dance. "So I have to admit that I know almost everyone else here except you. Blackwood? Is that English?" Oberon asked as he looked around slightly keeping his head of security on eye. 

Relieved he had taken the lead and set an easy pace for her to follow, Ash allowed herself to relax a little. She'd never liked events like these and the many functions she'd been forced to attend in her youth had only reinforced that. Add to that the fact that she had to be constantly in control of her animal nature meant she rarely relaxed. 

But although she could not let her guard down completely she felt strangely comfortable around this man. She didn't understand why but right then she didn't care. She wanted to enjoy it, she knew it wouldn't last, and wanted to make the most of it. Her expressive grey eyes had darkened during her thoughts but they brightened again when her smile returned. 

"Yes. My family is the esteemed noble Blackwood House, friend of the British monarchy for centuries." Her tone was very obviously sarcastic. "They're filthy rich so you don't need to worry that I'm after your money." Her eyes automatically scanned the room regularly while she talked. 

"I actually work for a living as well. Makes me the black sheep of the family. Especially since I chose a career that isn't appropriate for the daughter of an Earl." She rolled her eyes and chuckled. "What about you? A man known for his technological prowess. What brings you to an animal conservation fundraiser?"

His face had taken on a puzzled when she had mentioned his money and not worrying about it till he realized she was being sarcastic. "Oh umm no if anything that father of yours should worry about what I would want with his rich daughter who also happens to be stunning." It spilled out of his mouth before he thought about what he said. But he cleared his throat and continued without too much of a pause. 

"Hoesntly I'm here because there are laws taking care of the people who have been displaced but not the animals. People can bounce back but whole ecosystems were thrown off thanks to Thanos. People can rebuild and that's why I'm here to help rebuild. Though I admit I don't know hardly anything of how to fix any of this, I hope my money can go into the hands of someone who can." He smiled genuinely and looked into her eyes.

"You work too? So do I, I'm not comfortable sitting around collecting money. Personally I like to keep my hands and mind busy. What is it you do anyway?" The song continued as he slowly spun them around the room amongst the other party goers all the while slightly moving closer to her.

Ash felt herself redden again. This was ridiculous! She'd been complimented before and it hadn't phased her. But he said it with such genuine honesty that it meant more than the casual compliments she usually received. 

"If you keep charming me I might have to stake my claim on you." She said only half joking. "But seriously, I'm a Clinical Animal Behaviourist. Basically a psychologist for animals. I currently work in welfare and conservation at the Bronx Zoo. I admire what you're doing, not many have thought past the human tragedy caused by Thanos." 

"You're a developer of technology aren't you? I've been impressed by some of the technology that's been used to help the environment in recent years." Without being aware of it Ash responded to his body language moving closer to him. 

"You smell amazing." She said and then laughed self consciously. "I said that out loud didn't I?" 

Normally he never felt flushed at all with his cool skin but this time he felt heat. "I think you did." He managed to get out before he miss stepped a little, almost falling forward but played it off as a dip just as the song was coming to a close. Taking a deep breath through his nose he took in her scent as he brought her back up and close to him. "Don't worry though. You do too." Suddenly there was clapping and he realized that they were the only two left on the dancefloor. Moving so that he could see her face, "Looks like we are the center of attention. How about we go take a seat and finish talking there?" Still keeping her hand in his he led them off the dancefloor and away from the spotlight to the table where he offered her the seat she had sat in before.

Ash glanced around and grinned when she saw he was right. She allowed him to guide her back to the table. When they were both seated she met his gaze, her grey eyes direct. "I'm sorry I hope I haven't made you uncomfortable. My brother often reminds me that I can be somewhat...odd." It was just then that she caught the thoughts of geese flying nearby.

[i][b]A Geese lowers its head in greeting,a young bird struggling to fly, the sun rising and setting incredibly fast, a cold,cold wind[/b][/i] 

Ash's mind automatically translated the images into words she understood.

[i][b]We greet you, Chosen of the Mother. We are late in our journey to the warm lands as our young were born late and took time to strengthen. The journey is long and cold. We ask that you give us your blessing.[/b][/i]

For a moment the party faded away and Ash frowned. She did not like it when the animals treated her as some kind of deity but she would not refuse if it gave them the strength to finish their migration.

She sent back images of the sun warming their wings, of the air lightening their bodies. She heard their thanks and then they were gone, flying to warmer climes. She came back to her surroundings and smiled ruefully. "As I said. I can be odd." She found herself holding her breath hoping that this wouldn't drive him away. 

He gazed back at her and smiled. “Honestly no you aren’t odd. If I may be so bold it is refreshing to have someone be so direct and informal. I deal with uptight business people all day and usually the only person to be straight with me is my head of security but even then he has to watch all my comings and goings so even that is filtered through a formal manner.” Though then he thought of James who had grown to be a good friend, still a person he worked with though and carried his own set of issues that Oberon had to be careful with. For a second it had seemed that they were both lost in thought and then she mentioned being odd again. “Trust me you really aren’t.” He said as he took her hand again.

“Oh you asked what I do. Well the term is biotech and chemical chemical engineer. I have a degree in both actually. I kinda like Stark used to be, rest his soul, in the way he would create and innovate within his own company. Though that is about all I shared with the man.” As he stopped he caught her eyes again hoping he wouldn’t see her inner self groaning as he talked about himself yet again.

Ash noted his body language, she could read even the minute signals people gave off all the time without realising it, she suddenly realised that in his own way he was lonely. Like her he seemed not to have anyone he could truly be himself with. Almost without thought she reached out and squeezed his hand.   

She held it for a moment and then sat back and listened in fascination as he began to explain more about what he did. She was not creative or innovative with engineering or chemistry and knew little about them but she was interested nonetheless. 

"I didn't know Stark personally, I met him once briefly at a gala similar to this, but we exchanged nothing more than pleasantries. But his company did a lot of good and I'm glad you're continuing on his legacy." She hesitated then said. "Perhaps you could show me some of your work sometime? Unless it's classified." She smiled.

His face lit up as she asked to see his work sometime. It had been a very long time since anyone had shown interest. Ever since his mom… “I’d be delighted to do so. It’s my work that I can show you so that wont be a problem for me. I have several projects underway actually. Even one that is going to be announced soon.” He beamed as he sat back then checked his watch. Looking around he said “It should almost be time for dinner then the show after. If you'd rather skip the show, we could go back to my place. The lab is there and I could give you a…”