That Summer [Branthea]

He watched as her face and ears turned red, and shifted a little uncomfortably. Breaking what meager eye contact they had had, he looked down. It was then that he noticed she had no shoes, or even socks, on. Now his mouth tightened slightly as he wondered whether he should just walk away so they could both go back to whatever they were on their way to do. He had shifted his weight off of his right leg as he prepared to take a step back, but he never did. Her voice made him stop as she said, "Well, Brant, would you like to come inside for a cup of tea?"

The offer started him some, but it was enough to make him raise his gaze to her face again. As he looked up, he saw her gesture with one outstretched arm toward the house directly behind her. It was the largest house on the block, but compared to the glimpses of the Capitol on the television it was nothing. However, compared to his little house that he shared with his parents, it was huge. To think that he had been offered entrance into some place such as that, it was incredible. Incredible and completely unexpected.

The Mayor's wife had already made her way up the steps to reach the front door, not waiting for him to follow as she had made the ascent. He hurried to catch up, taking the stone steps two at a time. When he reached the front door to stand beside Mrs. Perch, he started to wonder whether he should tell her that he didn't drink tea, or whether he should just drink it anyway. It wasn't as though he hated tea, he just preferred juice or just plain water. Not to mention, he also wasn't used to drinking tea, as the leaves or bags were more money per cup than his parents liked.

So he just stood there silently, his green eyes on the woman before him as he waited for her to open the door. It felt weird, to be about to enter the Mayor's residence especially with the Mayor's wife. He wondered if any other members of the Perch family were home. Probably not, the Mayor would surely be busy and any kids they had, he suspected there were at least two, would probably be training or at school. A flicker of uncertainty went through him, making him ask himself if he should turn down the offer. But then a little voice in the back of his head, oh ripred was he going mad said, who cares if that's what she wants. You're no child anymore.

He decided to stay, decided to enter the house despite the thought of what it might actually be that she wants. Not letting himself be nervous, he smiled at the woman beside him, and walked into the house. After taking off his shoes, he spent a moment just listening. He couldn't hear anyone else, but that didn't mean they were alone. Surely, she wouldn't take offense if he asked. "So, Mrs Perch. Is there anyone else here?"