#fenixtj

She pauses, seated, to look out at the ocean.

it swells and plays. Siv would love it. Then again, Siv can go pretty much where she wants and ship around. Siv is free.

She shoves the thought away and climbs out.

"Beautiful as always" Duff says laying out the towels and blankets

She says nothing, but does join him in setting up.

And they sit down together, food is brought out. He's quiet, more or less

She eats.

The food is NOt what is often served at the hold. Not a churro in sight. Rather, some delicious cheese burgers , not too greasy...

After a few bites, it seems to register with Jessica; it also meets with approval.

"I found a cheese burger food truck, if you can believe it" He says "guy was talking aobut the taste of El Norte'."

"Guy was right." She observes around a mouthful, and then swallows. A few fries to chase it....

"Yeah" He takes "Say what you want, EL Norte has the best burgers"

"Mmm." She nods. "I loved In and Out. When I lived there."

"Yeah?" between chews "I had a What A Burger in El Paso once... pretty damn good"

"Yeah? I don't think I've had that."

"I'll have to take you to one sometime. Or maybe we'll check out an In and Out"

"In and Out is better." Confidently.

A bite "This sounds like a challenge" but his eyes sparkle with amusement "Which means we have to try both"

"I thought you didn't go to El Norte."

"Not often, but for what's important?" He looks her over "Absolutely"

"Like burgers?"

"Burgers for and with the right person? Yeah" A smile "Besides, I like the idea of challenging this claim to supremacy you give In and Out. It'll be like playful wrestling ..only with our taste buds"

She gives him a dry but amused look.

A smirk back and he wipes a bit of mustard from his lips

Jess has her cheeseburger straight with catsup only.

"You realize, with access to the ocean, if you wanted it, you could commision a ship"

"Um, no."

"you're not thinking of the big advantage..." he says "Drive your sister nuts and tell her no she can't touch. Watch the melt down, and sip your coffee"

Jess shakes her head. "That sounds like the -worst- kind of time. No thanks."

"You're a good hearted woman.. must be just me that's mean" a nod "So, how was your day to day? Better, worse?" He looks down at his fries counting them.

"Pretty... well, you were there for part of it. Thanks for going along, by the way. I know the call must have come out of nowhere."

"I admit, I still have the urge to shake a certain noble and see if pesos come out"

"But I won't, and you're welcome" He nods

She nods. Swallows her bite. "I thought I was going to have to remove him."

"And you didn't, clearly. That would have been interesting to see" Surprised "Do you have that authority? "

"I mean, doesn't he have to rebel?" Curious

"I might have to explain to the Duke, true."

"Mmm 'dear Duke, on the sole of my dainty... by troll standards' boot you'll find a Varich Baron.. .feel free to scrape him off if YOU want him'"

miming his voice at a slightly higher pitch

An eyebrow.

"Does that brow mean I should keep my day job and give up on my dreams as a voice actor and miimic?"

"Yes."

"I think I would take the view that if the Baron was responsible for targeting my heir, that -is- rebellion."

"Yes."

"There we go." She finishes her burger and the last few of her fries.

BUt did she steal HIS fries?

"honestly, I think if anything would have you freed from that promise would be hurting Ellie. I don't like kids, but if I did, I would like her "

This from the man who did the face painting

(She did not!)

He munches his.