#fenixtj

(Whoops, wayback)

Jessica stares at the scene below her...

And Duff is there, a wall she can lean againt.

the hike took a bit but... the results..

"Happy Valentine's Day" He says

"This is a beautiful spot. Thank you."

"You're welcome, it's been a long time since I hiked this part of mexico"

"I'm glad you remembered it."

"It's a bit new agey in parts" He says

In fact, in parts it has some skilled kithain healers ..and they seemed to have heard of Fenix, positively so

((Nunehi?))

"I actually thought of taking you to a five star hotel, plying you with a body massage and wine"

(Sadly, not so much, on this side of Mexico, the 'war' is on)

((Fair, just asking for clarity))

"I like this." with a light blush.

"I'm glad." he admits "I like the way you light up when you discover a new view of green trees and streaming water"

"I like... nature."

"A lot to like about it" He says sitting on the sunwarmed stone big enough for even two trolls "Hungry yet? Might be a good place to open the picnic basket?"

"Sure, sounds good." She will help unpack things.

that's when they find out, in addition to the food from Rosa and Maria ... Ellie, Salma, and Ariel have put in Valentine gifts too!

"I dropped my guard for only a moment" the man says

"What did they send?" Jess looks.

Handmade cards, decorated with hearts and rainbows and glitter!

Pretty pencils in pink and red!

Little boxes of candy hearts with pithy sayings on them - "You're sweet" and "be mine"

A chocolate goat. Do they make chocolate goats?

Baggies of red hot hearts - cinnamon, of course.

Some of Rosa & Maria's pig cookies, with pink icing.

"Pigs?" murmured.

"Don't look at me, I ordered the bread cheese and wine" But he doesn't seem upset. "Damn it. I think I like these kids" He pulls out Holger's a gift. A whistle in case they need to call for help!

She chuckles.

A note requesting any skulls they MIGHT stumble onto.. from Apuch

"Mmm."

"I wonder if an animal skull would do?" He pulls out the bread cheese and wine glasses

"Probably. He did say -any-."

"Yes, he did, didn't he? " A chuckle "Well, adorable as that is, I hope it didn't kill the romance? Pig cookie and skull requests"

"Oh, no. No. You've gone to a lot of trouble, Duff. You didn't have to."

"Enlightened self interest... I rather like being romantic with you, Ocean eyes" He looks down at the view of the green with waters amidst them

She sets up the meal. "How are things at the shop?"

Yellow construction paper flowers from Salma- its not a picnic without flowers it seems. And churros, though an odd number.

"Slow" he says honestly "Fewer customers of late... " He eyes the flowers, then smirks at the nnumber of churros "I suspect she took the last one first"

"I agree." bemused. "Maybe we can just split it in half.

"An excellent idea"

"Here you go....." she hands him a plate of food.

"Gracias" He kisses her and takes the food

And they munch for a while in companionable quiet.

Amid a great deal of natural beauty

(End Scene ❤️)