Operation Impressing Stella: Attempt 1

[raydensharpola]

Rayden stood outside Stella's dorm room at five in the evening, clad from top to toe in a formal suit and tie, complete with shiny dress shoes. His hands slightly wavered when he placed it on the ringer. He didn't know if this was too much of a surprise, or if she even had the free time to go. He hadn't informed her at all as he didn't want to spoil the surprise.

He straightened his colour, slicked any loose strands of hair back, and pressed the ringer.

"Stella, Princess, it's me. Open up." He spoke into the telecom, hoping that she was in.

[Stella]

Stella was all sprawled out on her bed all ready in her pajamas for the evening. She didn't have any plans so why not? Music was coming from the radio on the shelf near by and she was singing along softly. Spread out in front of her was her sketch book and her art pencils. She cradled one in her hands almost lovingly as she moved it over the page in front of her.

The buzzer rang interrupting her musings and she stood up punching the button on the radio to stop the music.

"Stella, Princess, it's me. Open up." his voice filled her room bringing an instant grin to her face. She skipped over to the door and paused her hand on the handle. Pajamas... well he'd seen in her in a bikini.. the soft blue pants and strappy tank top she was wearing wasn't anymore revealing then that.

Pushing the door open she leaned on the door jam giving him a long look up and down. Her mouth went instantly dry at the sight of him. The suit hung off him nicely accenting his broad shoulders and strong arms.

"There's not another ball or something going on I don't know about is there?" she asked almost a little worried her breath a little short at the sight of him looking so very hot.

[raydensharpola]

"Nope, don't worry your pretty little head about that." He smirked. She looked nice in her little tanktop and pants. "Remember that date I promised you? Well I'm taking you somewhere now. You don't have anything planned do you?" He asked, knowing that she probably didn't but asking anyway.

[Stella]

"No nothing planned at all, just let me change" she said with a grin stepping away from the door and letting him into her dorm room. It was was nice and clean since she had spent some time tidying it today.

"A date then..." she looked him up and down again as she headed over to her wardrobe. Opening it she peered inside biting her bottom lip softly. At that moment she hated almost every article of clothing she owned.

"Um... what should I wear?" she asked looking over her shoulder at him. He was really dressed up and none of her clothes would do him justice except maybe the dress she had worn to the ball.

[raydensharpola]

He looked around her room. It was nice and cosy and had her smell lingering in it. For some reason he wanted to jump into her bed and snuggle. He brushed the thought away turning to her when she looked worried about clothes.

"Oh don't worry about the dress...I've got it covered." He smiled mysteriously. "Just wear anything that you'd feel comfortable on the streets."

[Stella]

Got it covered?...

She raised an eyebrow turning around to look at him as she put her hands on her hips. Stella was all prepared to argue but then saw that look in his eyes that showed her he would be having none of that. She sighed and grabbed a pair of jeans and a sexy top out of her drawer.

Sticking her tongue out at him she flounced into the bathroom and closed and locked the door behind her. It only took her a few moments to change and throw some make up on. When she emerged he was sitting on her couch waiting for her.

"Okay boyfriend" she said with a smirk, "let's go"

[raydensharpola]

"Yes, Girlfriend." He hooked her hand through his arm with a slight glee, thinking of the myriad of surprises he'd planned ahead and anticipating the surprise on her face.

A few minutes later, they emerged still attached to each other outside the gates of Balamb Garden. A tiny airship limo was parked in front of the gates. Rayden quickly lead Stella towards the airship, helping her into the seat before sitting down beside her.

The airship limo landed outside the Deling City gates after a leisurely cruise through the orangey skies, romantic tinkly music softly emitting from the speakers situated within the small interior space. Rayden was thorougly satisfied with the effects, peering at Stella's face as she looked out at the scenery. He left a huge tip for the pilot, helped Stella off the airship and ushered her into one of the expensive-looking designer boutiques.

"Take your pick." He said, nodding towards the beautiful gowns and dresses. "And don't worry about the price tag." He said with a wink. "I said I'd pamper you, and I'm keeping my word."

[Stella]

When she saw the size of the air ship she was slightly worried. Last thing she needed was to have a claustrophobia attack while in the air. But Rayden say her down next to a window and she sighed a little in relief. It was much larger on the inside then it looked. The romantic ride was over too soon and he was ushering her into one of those expensive boutiques in Deling.

"Rayden you can't be serious" she said looking at the rows and rows of fine dresses laid out in front of her. Never in her life had she owned anything like this.

"I can't let you spend this kind of money on me" Stella whispered running her hand down one of the silky garments. They were all so gorgeous.

[raydensharpola]

"Yes you can." Rayden said softly, eyes following her fingers running through the dresses. "What good is money if it can't be splurged? And I can think of no other better way than to spend it on making you happy. And I owe you a first date present, so I'm letting you pick a dress to make up for it."

[Stella]

His soft sweet voice never failed to make her melt. Your insane Stella... don't argue... just let him romance you... She turned to him and kissed him on the cheek her eyes sparkling.

"You better have a seat then, this could take awhile" she said with a deep breath before turning back to the racks of dresses. There were so many to chose from she could spend hours in here just looking. She smirked over his shoulder at him as she headed to the back of the store.

A little while and a couple dresses later Stella finally found one she was in love with. It was long and white with gold decoration all over it. The garment made her feel extremely elegant.

If he was going to pamper her might as well go for broke. Tucking herself away in a back dressing room she put it on along with a pair of high shoes that would make her almost as tall as him. She had grabbed some sparkly clips from a stand near by and was taking a few moments to put her hair up letting some of it softly fall around her face.

With a grin she left the dressing room and crept up to the front of the store half hidden as she watched him for a few moments. He was staring out at one of the windows looking not at all bored, which was surprising.

"Well you better take a look at your investment" Stella said softly stepping out in front of him her heart beating hard and fast.

---

you can find Stella's dress and hair right here ^_^. It's a pretty massive pic sorry >_>.
img267.imageshack.us/img267/6712/superiorpicskateavialonsq0.jpg

[raydensharpola]

Rayden was looking out of the window at the bustling street along the busy shopping strip. He wondered what kind of dress Stella would pick, but he was knew without a doubt she would look gorgeous.

"Well you better take a look at your investment" Stella said softly. He turned to look at her, his mouth opening wide as he took in her whole figure. She was simply...stunning. He couldn't even speak, his breath had caught in his throat and his heart thumping loudly. He stood up in a trance, still staring at her, taking both her hands in his, his mouth closing, and still no words came to his mouth.

Letting one of his hands drop, he handed his credit card to the shop asisstant without so much as look at her, and signed the bill mutely. Then he started leading Stella out towards the entrance, the only sound he made was the heavy breaths and the sounds of his shoes and her heels on the marble floor.

"Sir, your card!" The shop assistant went towards him the card outstretched in her hand. He didn't seem to hear still walking towards the door.

[Stella]

She hadn't expected silence but from his actions it was definitely a good silence. When he stood up and came towards her she felt her heart beat speeding up. For a moment she almost thought he would kiss her but instead just took her hands and looked at her for a long moment.

She tried to get a glance at the bill while he was signing it but he blocked it with his body. Then he was ushering her along oblivious to the woman calling out behind them. Stella gave his hand a soft tug and pulled him to a stop with a shy smile.

"You better get your card if you plan on spending anymore money tonight" she said looking back at the shop assistant who was still moving towards them.

[raydensharpola]

Rayden stopped, turning around to see the flustered sales assistant waving his card at him.

"Oh." He finally spoke, going back and taking it from her with a muttered thanks. Once again he headed for the door, pushing the door open for Stella.

Once they were outside, he grabbed her hands again, staring into her startling green eyes, which seemed even more sparkly reflecting the bright lights of the street. Her smooth skin was radiant, even more so than the glittery gown she had on.

"You really look like a Princess tonight Stella." He said in a quiet tone, his hands trembling a little. "It makes me glad I decided to insist on splurging." He released one of her hands, leading her with the other towards the Deling Hotel. When they stepped inside, the air-conditioned breeze blew against her hair and she glowed once again in the soft lights.

They entered the elevator, and on the third floor the doors opened to reveal an elegant restaurant which promised gastronimical delights on its menu, an array of awards and ranting food reviews decorating one of the walls at the entrance.

"I have a reservation for two under Sharpola."

"Mr. Sharpola? Right this way please." The headwaiter lead them inside, showing them to a seat by the window and placing the menus before them.

"I hope this pleases you." Rayden grinned at Stella when the waiter left, finding some of his old cheekiness back. "I went through great lengths trying to find something that would impress you."

[Stella]

His touch was so exquisite as they stood on the street and he complimented her. She wanted to say something in return but found herself caught in a shy moment and instead let herself be lead away towards the Deling hotel.

The restaurant was beautiful without a doubt and she felt a little out of place as soon as they walked in. People were looking at her. They were led to a table by the window and she sat down carefully looking around to take the whole place in.

"I was impressed the second you showed up at my door" she said softly unable to stop looking around. Never in her life did she think she would be in this sort of restaurant, in a dress like the one she was wearing, sitting across from a boy like him.

"You really didn't have to go through all this trouble... " she finally let her eyes land on him as she spoke feeling herself almost instantly drawn into his blue eyes.

[raydensharpola]

"It really isn't trouble. Not when I enjoy it so much." He smirked, picking up his menu still staring over the top into her eyes. "And every single woman wants to eat at a posh restaurant once in a lifetime, I want to ensure that you get to do that. So that you'll remember allll the good things about me when you're old and I'm dying."