Normally he didn’t think things through. Like asking out a Princess. He knew things couldn’t work between them but he was stubborn. You tell Carrick he can’t do something and his first thought is him doing it. She told him they couldn’t be seen in public and now that was the first thing the shifter wanted now. To be in public with the princess… on a date.

Should he have called Pippa at S.U.P.E.R. first? Yes. However Carrick lost his phone during the escapades with Zek at the circus and hasn’t bothered trying to check in sense. He still had his ankle tether on so he wouldn’t get yelled at for losing it again however when he planned his date with the princess he didn’t bother to think about what would happen if he left the grounds. At least this time the tether was leaving with him.

The Princess wanted an interesting date. He didn’t really plan anything interesting other than going to the park at night. There was supposed to be some concerts in the park. To Carrick this was interesting. The princess never said who it should be interesting for. Just in case though his backpack was packed to the brim with a blanket two thermoses of Hot Cocoa. One spiked the other not. Along with a handful of other things he’d possibly find useful on a date.

Date. The shifter chuckled nervously to himself as he knocked on her window. He was supposed to give her a heads up when it was. He thought the spotenaty of it all would make it more interesting at least he hoped. She was when he thought about it way more experienced in the ways of the opposite sex.

Carrick having no experience was in his head about this so, to make sure it was a successful date tonight he thought it be best to play the part of someone more Sauvé than himself. He decided to play the part of “On stage Carrick” who he knew could charm almost anyone. Unfortantly for Carrick he had to keep reminding himself. The princess well… suddenly became more intimidating.

His wings flapped as the wind ruffled his hair. His normal wardrobe was replaced with something he had tailored recently so he could fit in an old suit. His wings stretched the fabric of his suit jacket. His pants tighter in some places since his growth spurt. It had been a few years since he dressed up. At least what he could remember. Another knock, on the window.

Carrick stared at her curtain willing it to open before he played into his fowl side and took off. ”I’ll start singing if ya don’t answer.” he called holding some flowers in his hand. He didn’t know what she liked so he asked one of the students to pick up a random arrangement. The card read get well soon. It was the reason it was in his pocket.

”Yer, Carrick O’Conner. Ya got this…” he said trying to force a smile.

There was a knock at the window.

It would have been surprising, given that Amethyst's room was on the second floor of the building, but since she was expecting someone who had wings, it only took her a moment to realize what was happening. Regardless, she calmly finished putting on her jewelry, and looked at herself in the mirror before she paid any attention. She was wearing a lavender-colored off-shoulder dress, with deep purple amethyst jewelry. And a small silver tiara. Because. Carrick promised this date would be entertaining, and she expected him to deliver.

Another knock.

>>”I’ll start singing if ya don’t answer.”

Amethyst pulled her curtains apart, giving Carrick a look.

"What's wrong with the door?"

His stomach dropped for a second when she opened the door and his wings stopped keeping him aloft instead he dropped down craning his neck to make sure he didn’t break his gaze as his wings caught back up. He was no forcing a smile. Now it was just an awkward smile.

Exuding his false confidence and getting back to eyelevel with her he laughed, ”Thought ya couldn’t be seen with me? Bringing flowers and dressing like this? Pretty sure people would start asking questions. Not known for wearing a suit.” he raised the flowers up a bit having no clue if she’d like them. He shrugged his shoulders his suit jacket raising with the movement. He was suddenly reminded why he hated wearing it.

”’nd how could I deliver on the promise of entertainment by going about things the normal way?” he laughed, ”I’m an entertainer love. Let me entertain.” he paused and then offered a mock bow mid-flight, ”Ya look lovely. Set to go then?” he asked wondering if she was ready. Lot of jewelry for a night in the park hopefully it wouldn’t’ draw too much attention. He was used to being the center of attention.

She could see the look in Carrick's eyes as she appeared in the window. It was a satisfying look, especially since he almost dropped out of sight in surprise. The princess was used to people reacting to her like that, but it really never got any less amusing.

>>”Thought ya couldn’t be seen with me? Bringing flowers and dressing like this? Pretty sure people would start asking questions. Not known for wearing a suit.”

"You cleaned up well" she noted, reaching out for the flowers. Flowers were awkward, there was nowhere to put them. She would take one and put it in her hair behind her ear. Hopefully one that did not clash with her jewelry.

>>”’nd how could I deliver on the promise of entertainment by going about things the normal way? I’m an entertainer love. Let me entertain. Ya look lovely. Set to go then?”

"Ready to be entertained." she nodded with a smile "But I'm not leaving through the window."

>>>"You cleaned up well"

”Ya sound surprised?” he grinned as she accepted the flowers and put one in her hair. He was staring but didn’t avert his mismatched colored eyes he just started to chuckle awkwardly to himself for a moment as he moved closer to the window.

>>>"Ready to be entertained." "But I'm not leaving through the window."

”Right so the less entertaining way then.” he grabbed onto the ledge of her window and then perched himself on all fours on the sill while his wings followed suit and folded up behind him. Hopping into her room he stood up and brushed his knees. ”Already limiting my abilities. Let’s see… I’ll try to make this as entertaining as possible then.”

Opening her door into the hallway he cleared his throat, ”Hard to imagine me, Carrick O’Conner going on a date with you, Princess Iris Beryl Amethyst! Even harder to believe you got me to wear a suit for the occasion! I'm sure I'll never hear the end of it!” he grinned and raised an eyebrow. ”I’m sure that will bring ya some entertainment!” his tail flicked at her while he held her door open for her.

There was no way the princess was going to go flying in the arms of the griffin boy. It was very unnerving to be carried by someone way, way above solid ground, and she was not about to risk losing her poise and getting her dress and hair all ruffled. He knew that, but he tried anyway.

>>”Right so the less entertaining way then. Already limiting my abilities. Let’s see… I’ll try to make this as entertaining as possible then.”

He climbed in through the window, folding his wings. She thought he'd seen reason, but that illusion only lasted for a moment, before he opened the door of her room and raised his voice.

>>”Hard to imagine me, Carrick O’Conner going on a date with you, Princess Iris Beryl Amethyst! Even harder to believe you got me to wear a suit for the occasion! I'm sure I'll never hear the end of it!”

The princess rolled her eyes. A few of the students popped out of their rooms to see what all the fuss was all about. Someone whistled. Sure, okay, so dating a gorgon was not as big a deal as it would have been in Atlantis, but it was also no one's damn business.

>>”I’m sure that will bring ya some entertainment!”

Amethyst shot Carrick a withering glare as she walked past him and out the door.

"Just for the sake of curiosity, what was the outcome you were expecting from this date again?"

Because he was fast loosing brownie points, that's why.

The sound of doors opening told him all he needed to know as he locked into the woman’s glare with a chaotic grin. ”Too much?” he asked as he shut the door behind them and caught up to the princess. The whistle got a tail flick in response.

>>>"Just for the sake of curiosity, what was the outcome you were expecting from this date again?"

”Curiosity killed the cat.” he said quipping back trying not to be thrown off by the question. They were friends and while he enjoyed spending time with her as a friend he was starting to wonder about other aspects of those feelings, mainly the romantic ones. ”So I’m told at least.” he offered up an arm to her when they got to the stairs.

”Mainly to explore the possibility of mutual attraction fer one another?” Carrick asked wondering what else a ‘date’ would be for. Then again he knew he was attracted to her. ”Spend some time with ya?” he scratched his head trying not to show he was getting flustered. ”Do I need to have an outcome in mind? Sure, maybe a peck on the cheek? Maybe a fun night out with someone that doesn't end up with me getting me face kicked in? What’s the outcome you were expecting?”

His tail flicked behind him.

There was nothing left to do but walk out of the building with her head held high and Carrick in tow, people's opinions be damned. She had no illusions about how the students saw her anyway, and whatever she did, it was none of their damn business.

>>”Curiosity killed the cat. So I’m told at least.”

Amethyst gave a side glance at Carrick, and lifted the hem of her dress to walk down the stairs on her own. Her question seemed to throw him a bit off, at least.

>>”Mainly to explore the possibility of mutual attraction fer one another?... Spend some time with ya? Do I need to have an outcome in mind? Sure, maybe a peck on the cheek? Maybe a fun night out with someone that doesn't end up with me getting me face kicked in? What’s the outcome you were expecting?”

"Oh, I was merely trying to see how high your expectations are, in relation to how you're behaving" she said lightly, with a small smile in the corner of her lips. If he kept being a jerk, his chances were not great for the rest of the evening. He better know that. "I mean, feel free to make jokes like that again. I'm sure you're fine entertaining yourself for the rest of the night if it comes to that."

>>>>"Oh, I was merely trying to see how high your expectations are, in relation to how you're behaving" "I mean, feel free to make jokes like that again. I'm sure you're fine entertaining yourself for the rest of the night if it comes to that."

Scratching the back of his head and giving a sheepish grin when she spoke Carrick was only a few steps behind her. She knew he was just trying to do what she asked right? He didn’t bother pointing it out yet, rather he saved that comment away for later. In case he did something again to get a similar reaction.

”Typically I try to keep the expectations low. Easier, never disappointed in anything.” he took a quick step so he was in front of the princess. ”I mean, thinking I’m doing pretty good on behavior so far.” he put his hands behind his head and started to walk backwards. ”I’m also used to… oh… heh.” his face got red when he got the joke and he turned on heel and slowed his pace.

”Hear I thought the jokes is what got me the date.” the front door to the mansion approached before them and Carrick knowing his mom would have yelled at him opened the door giving a slight bow, ”Best behavior.” he nodded again with a chuckle.

There was a cab in front of the mansion no one else was around and he didn’t see any bags. Did the princess call the cab? The Irishman was planning on flying, which was what didn’t happen right away because she wanted to not leave through the window for some reason. Pedestrians. Carrick rolled his eyes.

The princess walked on, with Carrick talking and walking every which was. She could tell he would have preferred to fly, honestly, but she didn't care much.

>>”Typically I try to keep the expectations low. Easier, never disappointed in anything. I mean, thinking I’m doing pretty good on behavior so far. I’m also used to… oh… heh.”

She smirked as they got through the door. It seemed like being on good behavior itself was a joke to Carrick.

>>”Hear I thought the jokes is what got me the date. Best behavior.”

"Sure." the princess walked past him and straight to the cab. She assumed it was there for her. Who else? She got into tbe back seat, waiting for Carrick to join her. At least they were actually going out on a date, and not to the Mansion grounds somewhere. Now she was intrigued. "Are you even allowed to leave?"

She called a cab. The ways she was walking to it meant it was for her. The shifter shrugged and followed. He could just follow the cab or race them there. He’d win for sure. Carrick didn’t have traffic.

When he got to the cab and she left the door open he realized what she was expecting. The distraction with the question helped him not get in. ”I mean I already left once and didn’t get in trouble right?” Carrick shrugged and eyed his bracelet for a second. ”Yer worth it?” he asked with a chuckle almost tempted to give her the thumbs up instead he smirked. ”Worried bout me? Touched.”

His wings shifted uncomfortably on his back staring at the seat next to the princess. It felt like forever but the sound of the honk from the cab driver snapped him back. ”Kid hurry up. Meters running. ”God I love this city.” he quipped as he got in and closed the car door. The cab started moving and as they exited the view of the mansion another couple ran out of the mansion wondering where their cab was going.

”Cen-Central park p-please.” his voice cracked. He wasn’t nervous about the date now. It seemed like the cab walls were closing in on him. Closing his eyes he clenched his fists and imagined being outside walking or flying somewhere. Somewhere open, free. ”Should have flown.” he said fidgeting.

Was Carrick even allowed to leave the building now? He'd gone on a two day binge without the tracker, and then he came back, which either meant that the tracker was crap, or that whoever was on the other end of the leash simply did not care that much.

>>”I mean I already left once and didn’t get in trouble right? Yer worth it?... Worried bout me? Touched.”

He could have arranged for the date within the Mansion grounds. But he didn't. And he'd called a cab. Amethyst decided to stop worrying, and leave it up to him. If he got picked up by the police, it was what it was.

>>”Cen-Central park p-please. Should have flown.”

The princess turned, surprised by Carrick's behavior. He had his eyes squeezed shut, and his hands in fists. He did not look comfortable in the cab at all. Sure, he had to manage his wings, but it did not look that painful... What was wrong? She would have probably felt worse if she had to fly.

"Are you alright?"

Carrick’s tail wrapped around his leg while he spoke, ”Are any of us alright?” he forced an awkward smile then abandoned it right away when the car hit a pothole. ”Probably should have mentioned this before, don’t do well in small places.” he said trying to keep his voice calm.

Reluctantly he opened his eyes and stared at the plastic divider between them and the driver. The shifter tried looking trough the thing but only managed to focus on all the imperfections on it. Snapping his head quickly to the side to the window next to him. Things were moving too fast for him to focus on anything but the window. ”Easier when I was a kid. I was smaller. A lot.”

Turning his attention to the princess he focused on her, ”Should have seen me in the cell when I first woke up, ooooh boy I was loud.” he said lifting his tethered foot but only managed to lift it to the underside of the seat in front of him. ”Howareyou?” he asked now pulling his tail from his leg.

>>”Are any of us alright?”

"Not you, apparently" Amethyst pointed out needlessly, as Carrick shifted around in the back seat, looking like he was about to throw up.

>>”Probably should have mentioned this before, don’t do well in small places.”

The princess blinked. It... did make sense, for a winged creature like him, not to enjoy being locked into a small space, but it was still surprising to see him that blatantly uncomfortable. He tried to joke about it, but it was obvious that he was not feeling well in the back seat of the cab. Fortunately, they did not have far to go.

>>”Easier when I was a kid. I was smaller. A lot. Should have seen me in the cell when I first woke up, ooooh boy I was loud. Howareyou?”

"Why on earth didn't you say this before you ordered a cab?" she asked, putting a hand on his wing. She was not sure what to do with a griffin who got nervous in small spaces. Hopefully, he would not start roaring at the driver. That would have been bad.

Carrick laughed uncomfortably when she asked about him entering the cab he ordered. The hand on his wing was a welcome distraction. He even started to purr. Instinctively Carrick moved closer to her while he held his tail.

”Got wings love. I was gonna fly ya there. Assumed that was the most entertaining way to get there.” she didn’t like flying and he didn’t like riding in the back of a small, small car.

His tail tried to wrestle free from his hands”I don’t like talk about the only fault I have.” he said trying make another joke. ””Same reason ya don’t tell me ya hate heights?” he turned and started to fumble with the window hoping it would help. Other than letting the smell of the city enter the cab and a little breeze it didn’t do much.

”Only got in because it looked like ya were expecting me to get in.” he said looking back to her staring at her. ”I don’t know why I got in either!” he shrugged. He knew why he got in, just didn’t want to admit it.