#fenixtj

Jessica takes a deep breath. "Duff, I -like- that you defend mortals that are sick and need help. It's.... it's healing. And those that are committing these crimes should face justice. Of some sort. If I fall? It's because that's my job. I mean, falling is not my job but being the one to do it is. And if you can wait to put revenge in place until -after- I fall... that's.... that's ok with me. I mean, if you promise not to prepare revenge in advance, like the thing with the explosives, until -after- I'm gone... I can accept that. As for balance in the fief, and in our relationship.... Duff, I don't know. I haven't thought about it."

"Think about it, Jessica, think about it really hard, but for now, I will promise to not prep my vengeance, at least not in action. One can't help but THINK about it, eh?"

"I have no problem with that, I appreciate it. Thank you." Sincerely.

After a pause. "I can say... we've touched on this before. That ... we're imbalanced. That our feelings for each other... differ. There are ... different weights."

He looks at her, "Yes. I would say it's more important to you than me, but I'm not entirely sure. Jessica... are you attracted to any other men? Don't worry, I won't hunt them down, but if... if you're rejecting my proposals and ideas because there's a door you want to keep open with a particular fellow, let me know okay?"

"There is not." With absolute surety.

"Thank you for being honest. I miss you , you know? Not just... having you, smelling your hair, tasting your lips and feeling you enfolded about me- though that is no small part of it. I have missed our walks on the cliffs overlooking the oceans, and our walks through the street markets together. I even miss our dinners. It's just sometimes it feels like there's so much clutter in the way, you know?"

She nods. " I know. And a lot of this is my own nonsense. But some of it.... Enough of it.... Is Renaissance. You asked if there was another fellow. There isn't. But there is Renaissance."

"Oddly, I am a bit jealous of Renaissance. I only hope you can love me as firmly as you do it, one day"

Jessica watches him bleakly.

He notices the bleak look, "Outlook on that happening not so good eh?"

" Duff, I don't feel that way about anyone." She reminds him gently.

His turn to look bleak, "Well, I guess we can't have balance in all things." A look shifts, the bleakness to amusement, "Should we finish dinner? Or should I press you against a wall and show you how much I've missed you right here, as we make the books in the study shake?" Arched brow

"I'm.... I'm not really hungry." Regretfully.

"No appetite for either?" He strokes her hair, making sure he does not misread. What she said could be read as either dismissing JUST the food or.. well, both.

"I.... I don't know if it's a good idea, Duff. It seems like.... with what we talked about... I mean, does it seem right to you?"

"Jessica, if we can't be together at all until we're perfect, we'll never be together. "

"That... is a point." Carefully. "Are -you- hungry?"

"Starving..." He looks her in the eyes

"You should eat." She takes his hand and walks him back to the table.

He chuckles "At least have some of the drink with me while I do? The wine doesn';t seem too potent"

"Ok." See? Compromise!

He smiles, shakes his head, "You do know when I said I was starving" He does take a bit though and looks at her just as hungrily, "I didn't mean for food"

She manages to swallow and not spit the sip of wine she took, and blushes.

"But I can be civilized. Try not to be too seductive, and I'll at least have a few more bites of this before I try again to take a bite of you" His eyes smolder with wicked appreciation for her.

"Um. Ok." She is getting good at this compromise thing!

The next three bites, he really enjoys, savors even, as he dines how ever he eyes her up and down.

That only increases her hue.

Probably his intent. The fiend.

Then after the 'few bites' are savored, he drinks the wine, and raises the glass, "To fine meals and fine company, and seizing the moments of imperfect bliss"

She sighs, almost resigned. "You are not wrong." And she salutes him back, sips.

When the wine is savored, he rises and takes her hand, and whispers, breath tickling her ear, "Would you prefer going to your room and dallying there, or since the study door is locked, should I take you here as we make the shelves shake with our passion?"

"Um.... um.... the, um, bed.. bedroom?"

"Fine..." and he picks her up, gives her a hot kiss, and then carries her towards her room. It is not often a troll woman can feel 'dainty' and yet in his arms... she just might.

"Jeeze, Duff, I can walk.... "

"I know... you can also run, this way I reduce the odds of escape" Wry and unrepetent

"I suppose you have a right to think that."

"Jessica, we both know you can stop me with a word" And as they pass by the balefire, the flames roar a bit as if to tell Jessica You go, girl!

Cheeky hold is feeling its High Summer oats.

"Your input is not necessary!" She calls to the Balefire.

"But appreciated" Duff adds with a grateful nod to the flame when he realizes just who Jessica is talking to.

Jessica can feel the hold's support, whether she asked for it or not, and her awareness rises, even as she is carried into her room, and placed upon her bed in a mix of reverence and passion.

Part of her wants to go check why the Hold is reacting like this....

And then, her focus is destroyed, whether by the hold's nudge on her senses or just the feel of his hands running over her after so long.... yes well, she can blame it on the bosanova or something.

(fade to black)