#fenixtj

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Jessica patrols the streets of her fief, taking a short break from the near-constant observation of migrants. Oh, there's always -someone- trusted in the area, looking for Kith, Kin, and Dreamers... but today it doesn't have to be her.

She has something else to do.

She shifts the backpack on her shoulder and steps into the tattoo parlor, setting off the little bell above the door.

"Hey, Duff?"

He turns, no one there in the chair today. It's a feast or famine business despite his skill. Sometimes she wonders where he gets money from on top of that, but perhaps best not to ask "Well, hello. Buenos Dias"

Just a hint of hesitation and she crosses to him, putting a hand on his arm and stretching slightly for a kiss. "I know how it looks but....busy?"

"no" He bends down, and completes the connection she started. The kiss is an even better greeting than good morning

This is a nice, slow one; she's not in a rush.

It would seem they agree.

"You want to get out of here for a while?" When they come up for air. "Take a walk, maybe find something to do?" No sense of innuendo about her; it's a genuine question.

"I'd like that" He say "Give me a moment to flip the sign, make a call, lock the place up?"

She nods, and waits patiently.

((Pause))

It takes him little time to lock the register, make a quick call, and flip the sign before they leave, "So...where is your fancy leading you to go?"

She shrugs. "I thought I'd ask you. The beach, or the cultural center, or bowling? There's that trampoline place, or the big arcade?"

A grin at her, "Well, I like the beach, but ah, we have been. Do you like bowling, or trampolines?"

"I'm worried we'd poke holes in the ceiling with our horns at the trampoline place." She confesses.

"Bowling might be less dangerous?"

A deep chuckle in his chest, "I'm sure they're insured, but if it will preserve trollish dignity, we'll wear the funny shoes."

"Heck of a chouce, huh?"

"Now, Jessica. Be it jumping up and down with a woman and risking getting holes poked, or showing how heavy one of my balls can be in public- either is fine as long as I have the right company" straight faced as only a troll can.

She.... giggles, then tries to swallow it.

A smile escapes him at the giggle, "Careful, you'll make yourself sick if you swallow it"

Annnnd... she purples lightly.

"I am a cad I know, but I do love making you blush, not because it embarrasses you, but because its the closest a man is often allowed to causing a woman's body to betray herself anywhere... a blush on a woman is like a mist caused by sunlit rain on tree leaves. It shows the life beneath it even more radiantly." He gestures to the place they're approaching "Let's bowl"

In they go. Jessica offers to get a pitcher of beer to split (it being afternoon) and they are soon wearing clown shoes and picking out balls.

(There is no good way to say that.))

(No there is not, we soldier on)

Jessica might have the edge on Duff here. Oh he's good, but hasn't bowled in years, nor is it something ever did with regularity. Where as , well, it depends on her own experience.

(pause)

Frank bowled, when work allowed and he wasn't busy with other things but much like Duff, only casually. Gina and Richard didn't bowl; too blue-collar. Jessica's bowling experience is therefore limited, which might beg the question of why she'd suggest it. Still, it becomes.... fun.

She has the instinct to help guide the ball by leaning in the desired direction after it's left her hand.

"A split again" he says, having fun despite that frustration of not quite getting the strikes he hopes for in a lower mutter "I suppose you'd consider cantrips cheating?"

"Yep. Here, at least." She takes a sip of beer and nibbles on a limp French fry, which are a universal food.

He takes his own drink, then grins "Ok."

"What?" At the grin.

"Well, not like they'd notice anything but a freak lucky break" A gesture to the mortals, then back to her "so I'm a bit amused at the idea of protocols and proper respect for bowling alley etiquette." An addition "Glad you are having fun also"

A small grin. "Hey, there -are- protocols and respect. See how people take turns on the approach?" Sure enough, two people standing in lanes next to each other NEVER make an approach together; they take turns.

"Hah. I hadn't noticed before you pointed it out" Amused

"Color me shocked." She sasses.

"you know, now that you do point it out?" He says contemplative expression on his face, "now that you do.." mishief "I really want to break that rule and see what they're going to do about it"

"Glare at you and mutter in Spanish?" She touches his arm. "I know it's ... -you-... but let's not make this a hassle?"

"Okay" He kisses her lightly "Besides, I can think of more pleasant ways to hassle you"

"Maybe we'll do that later." A bit shyly.

"Maybe" a nod and smile "Your turn" Gesturing to the pins

She nods, hefts the balll and toes the line.... then makes her approach and lets go.... lean.... lean.... lean on one foot.... scooting gestures with her hands......... takes out three pins on the edge.

She frowns. "I suck."

"Oh the jokes I could make, but I think I'll pass on that and instead" he pokes her in the side, "You do not. You have good throws, you have bad ones..that was a bad one. And I'm not exactly winning a trophy here myself. " He gives his own turn a chance, not doing much better "See? One more pin. Give me a medal? I think not. Are you having fun?"

She blushes again a little. "Yes."

"Then isn't that the mission right now? Having fun? The rest is gravy?" He runs finger along her cheek "I'm having fun. You're having fun. And all while wearing ridiculous shoes. Aren't surprises nice?"

The little grin again. "Yes." She kisses him, a little one, sweet.

It it is returned in kind, and has a fry after while it is her turn again

They bowl a few frames in companionable chat. Jessica watches better bowlers around them for tips.

Her game improves thereby.

She also notices some are watching a telenovela on a TV set in the corner

Jessica's picked up conversational Spanish by now, albeit with an accent. There's no TV in her apartment, though, and telenovelas haven't caught her yet..... although the boggans do love to chatter about them.

(Translated into the ENglish for typing purposes) A handsome man gasps on the hospital bed from his many wounds (or at least a lot of bandages), a nurse gasps (From surprise!) and she says "Mi amour? It cannot be! You.. you died.. .on the pier...the explosion! I... how?"/He responds... "No, my love! I live, at least..for tonight. Now that I have seen.. you. It is I, Marco Antonio LaCorzon!"/The nurse burries him in kisses and then says "But.. why did you not come to me? "