[[scene]] Stickler and Alita's limo ride
Stickler *in the back of the limo, Stickler is running a comb through his hair again and again. He's having trouble keeping his hands still, they are shaking uncontrollably, actually.*
Limo Driver You okay, son, you look a little nervous?
Stickler Oh no yeah I'm fine please just uh, let's get there quick okay?
Limo Driver Sure, all right.
Stickler *the limo pulls up outside Alita's place smoothly, and Stickler stumbles out of the car and up to the door. He's wearing a tuxedo that, surprisingly, almost looks good on him, though the shoulders of the jacket are a little too big and the pant legs are just a bit too short. He's not wearing his hat, and his hands look a little empty without the book he's always got... but he holds a box in...
Stickler ...his off hand as he lifts his right and knocks on her door.*
Alita's Mom Alita! Your date's here!
Alita *Up in her room, Alita is making a final examination of her appearance in the mirror. She's dressed in a strapless, pale yellow dress that poofs out into a bell shaped skirt, long, white gloves, and a strappy pair of heels. She's just putting in a pair of dangling earrings when she hears her mom call out. She groans.* Oh, God, Mom, please don't answer the door... *She snatches up her hand bag, pushes her door open, and hurries down the steps. Her mom is making a beeline for the door, but Alita reaches it before she does. She gives her mother a significant look.* Remember, no pictures. You promised. *Before her mother can protest, Alita turns to face the door, puts on a tiny smile and twists the handle to open it.*
Stickler *as the door opens, his mouth drops open* U-uhh h-h-hi, Alita. *he starts to sweat*
Alita *After opening the door the whole way, she takes a step outside.* Good evening, Wesley. *Her eyes flit over him.* Your tux looks... nice.
Stickler *a completely deer-in-the-headlights stare. He's silent for a few moments.* ...Huh... oh.. yeah? Oh, yeah, thanks...! You're, uh... you look.... *flushes, and offers the box, which holds a corsage*
Alita *She accepts the box, and opens it.* Oh, a corsage! Thank you... you really shouldn't have... *She carefully puts it on, and then looks back up at him.*
Stickler *He seems to be rooted to the spot*
AlitaUm... should we be going now?
Stickler What-!? Oh, yeah here, uh, the limo is out here. *gestures vaguely out to the limo parked at the curb*
Alita *Her eyes light up in genuine excitement.* Oh... the limo! You did mention that... *She turns back to her mother and gives her quick peck on the cheek.* Night, Mom. *Then she steps outside completely and shuts the door behind her, her eyes centered on the limo.*
Stickler Um, cool all right let's go. *turns and walks back towards the limo with an awkward, stumbling sort of gait, a focused nervous speed.*
Alita *Alita follows him, holding up the edges of her skirt so it won't drag on the ground. When she reaches the limo, she stops to examine it, delicately running a single finger along the roof .* Wow... I can't believe you actually got a limo. It must have cost a lot, didn't it?
Stickler My mom paid, she said that no expense could be spared. *He speaks mechanically, without pause or inflection, staring stiffly forward at the limo. He stays still for a second, then reaches forward and opens the door for her.*
Alita Well, that was nice of her. *She gets one last look at the limo before climbing in, and seating herself.* Thanks.
Stickler *gets in behind her, sitting with his knees pressed together. His eyes stray toward her.* You... look really nice.
Alita *She folds her hands on her lap, and looks at him out of the corner of her eye.* Why... thank you, Wesley.
Stickler Y-you're welcome. *stares down onto the floor of the limo* So uh do you have anything you want to do especially?
Alita *She seems to seriously consider the question.* Well... I'm not sure, actually. Is there anything, um, that you'd like to do?
Stickler *blinks* Oh, no like um, well I brought this notebook *pats his breast pocket* and I was like gonna take notes on the social actions of people so I was mostly thinking of sitting by the sidelines or whatever but uh...
Stickler ...do you want to dance?
Alita *Dancing. That would mean he'd actually have to touch her. She quickly looks at her lap to hide a disgusted expression.* Hmmm... perhaps...
Stickler I… studied! I read a lot of books about dancing, it'll be great I promise. I mean that's what you do at these things, right? Is dance? *he has a bit of a desperate expression on his face*
Alita *Her expression is pleasant again when she looks up at him, and she giggles a little.* Well, of course... I don't think there's much else to do...
Stickler Haha... well.. uh... no I guess not. *his face reddens and he looks down*
Alita ...Yeah. *Alita glances into the black glass window, examining her face and hair with a critical eye before tucking a stray lock behind her ear.* Still though, I'm excited... I wasn't expecting to get invited this year.
Stickler *awkwardly* Psh, well it's a good thing I came along then right? Haha.
Alita Tee hee. Well, yes, that's true.
Stickler *he relaxes a bit* So uh are you going to an after party?
Alita *Looks a little surprised.* Oh, no... I didn't even think about that.
Stickler *breathes a sigh of relief* Oh good because my mom wants me home before ten, so I couldn't take you to one.
Alita Well, I guess that's lucky, isn't it?
Stickler Yeah! Pretty lucky I guess! Lots of luck happening with this thing or whatever you say, but then again luck doesn't exist, it's all random chance.
Alita Oh, really?
Stickler Well, chaos theory states that there's no intent in the world, which sort of puts a damper on the idea of 'luck,' it's really just people attempting to assign meaning to a world that doesn't have the kind of meaning they want it to. *crosses his arms and looks a bit snooty*
Alita *Rolling her eyes in the direction of the window, she can't help but let a little bit of sarcasm seep into her response.* Well, that's simply... fascinating.
Stickler *He doesn't catch on* You... you think so? I mean, no one usually says that about this kind of stuff. *his eyes sparkle a little*
Alita Well, of course. *Her eyes crinkle up at the corners as she smiles at him.* I'd never lie to you, Wesley.
Stickler *scoots a little closer to her* You're great, I'm so glad I decided to ask you.
Alita *Alita leans back ever so slightly, managing to keep her smile in place.* Well, thank you... I'm glad you decided to ask me too, I guess.
Stickler *scoots a bit closer* You're so great. We'll have a great time, I promise.
Alita *The corner of her mouth twitches.* Um, yes... I'm sure we'll have a wonderful time...
Stickler *leeaaaans in* Thanks for coming with me.
Alita *This time she really pulls back, so that her back is pressed up against the car door.* Erm, yes. No problem.
Stickler *He's looking intently at her and there's something in his manner that indicates he's probably about to do something ill-advised, but then the limo comes to a stop and the limo driver turns back to the two of them.*
Limo Driver We're here, kids!
Stickler *He flinches back and looks at the driver.* A-all right, thanks.
Alita *Under her breath.* Oh, thank God. *She quickly reaches for the car door handle.* Let's go, then.
Stickler Sure, yeah... *runs his fingers through his hair and follows her*
Alita *After stepping out into the night, she consciously brushes off her dress and gloves... in case he got spit on her or something. When she's done with that, she looks up at the school, seeing the gymnasium lights shining brightly through the windows, and starts toward it.*
Stickler *almost trips on his way out of the limo, but runs to catch up with her, reaching out for her shoulder but then flinching back as if he's decided not to take his chances.*
Alita *If she noticed his hand near her shoulder, she gives no indication, keeping her pace quick and even until they've reached the area just outside the gym entrance. She looks at him out of the corner of her eye.* Well... here we are.
Stickler Yup here we are so let's go in, right? *his voice is high pitched and nervous and he offers her his arm*
Alita *She takes his arm, but in a very rigid manner, so that even though their arms are locked, there is still distance between the two of them.* Yes... here we go.