#fenixtj

Dinner was, wonderful.Duff did something he doesn't do with just anyone...

he talked.

About clients, about changing styles in tatooing and what is trending as the art workwork goes.

Jessica listens. She knows more about tattoos than she did, but that still ain't much.

He also tells stories of those who come looking for tattoos, and why

Of the man who lost his daughter to cancer and wanted her favorite bird over his heart, always, to the woman who wanted a set of broken chains to celebrate a divorce

Men who are as brothers declaring with quiet affection with matching tattoos, and youth rebelling, and even one old lady who got one at the age of 60 because she never had the nerve when she was younger

Jessica finds herself truly interested.

"I had to be very careful with her, but she was pleased with the result. You wonder why I don't need the balefire more, well, sometimes the stories these people bring, it lends itself to musing"

She nods. "I can see that." Agreeing.

"I don't normally talk about work so much," the food here is excellent, "But I thought you might like the human element"

"I do. And, I'm glad you have a way to Muse."

"I'm glad I'm not boring you. Because those were the good stories. The pop culture ones? Oh those backfire. Someone wants Kahleesi on her back in fine script, then season 8, and it's 'can I get a refund'?"

She looks puzzled. "Game of Thrones, right?"

"Yeah, you ever read or watch any of it?"

She shakes her head, finishing her meal.

"Maybe sometime we should bingewatch a few... it's well written, and interesting characters, but I would not call it happy"

Jessica considers it. "If you want to."

"I'd like to try and see what you think, I wont' subject you to it if you don't like it"

She nods. "Ok."

She wipes her mouth and offers him a small, trollish smile. "Um. This was nice. I enjoyed it."

"I'm glad," He says, "Mind you, sometimes my idea of a date is a bit more adventerous, but sometimes it's nice just to unwind.. I enjoyed it too."

She sips from her drink. "Maybe we could do a picnick on the cliffs sometimes soon."

"I'll make time" He promises, "Will you wear those jeans I like so much?"

She drops her eyes. "Um. Sure."

"I think they compliment your form," He says honestly, "So thank you"

"You're welcome." Just a faint promise of purple in her cheeks. "So, um, more adventureous? What would you like to do?"

"How would you like to go mountain climbing of sky diving sometime?" He asks.

Good lord, he's serious

She blinks. "Do what now?"

"Mountain Climbing, it's like hiking.. but more vertical"

"Sky diving is like mountain climbing, even more vertical, but much much faster and only one way"

"Well.... mountain climbing... I mean, I've thought about it."

"I know you're not stranger to heights, you lived in rafters for a time"

A dry eyebrow. "And grew up in So Cal."

"Oh, so mountain climbing is big in So Cal? I thought it was surfing"

"On the beachside, sure. Inland, there's the mountains."

"Well, I look forward to you showing me what you know sometime," a hint of a challenge in that, but also pleasure

"I only every thought about it." A shrug, she picks up her drink.

"Well, then we'll make the thought reallity"

She thinks about it..... "I think I'd like that."

He raises his own drink, makes a toasting motion, and they let the date unwind most pleasantly

She echoes his movements and intent.

(End scene)