How To Meet a P.I., and other advice

[Kage R. Jakes] The nods were returned. Both of them. And then there was a time before Kage came outside; she waited for her tea. It was cold outside. The world was beginning to think about winter, after all; the air was getting sharp, and only steam, only smoke, could properly combat it. She carried her tea carefully, and the waitress brought her soup soon after -- a scent so savory, so delectable that it flung itself down the sidewalk like newminted coins for joy. She would enjoy eating it, that was for sure. It was the table next to Enid's and Corran's that made her park; nobody's taken it yet, so that's the table the redhead sits at. "Could I get some silverware?" she says, half-turning in her seat as the waitress is already going going alllllmost gone damnable customers wanting service and there's so much to do -- the waitress nods, and Kage turns her knees (demure, somehow; this gesture) back under the table. She is facing the pair, glimpses of profiles; somebody is more visible then somebody else. What she can see of Enid re-awakens the mulling of thoughts -- pensive lady, Kage. As she sits there, her muscles relax -- a surge of what is not adrenaline. Healthsome, the air outside this crappy generic diner. Kage doesn't have any paraphenelia to set up, she's just a woman having a small dinner because the traffic is too shitty for her to get to the place she wanted to go eat. [Enid Geraint] "She's in South Africa or something right now," Enid says with a dismissive wave. "I love my mom, don't get me wrong? She's kind of a super hero. And my dad loves her too - they're good friends, they're just not . . . husband and wife material, you know? But she's not good for him right now. She doesn't want anything to do with what's going on." How hurtful that has to be for her, she doesn't say - it's quite likely on purpose, and she does her best not to think about it. But it bothers her for her dad's sake, that's for sure. "To be honest, I wouldn't either. It's bad for Dad's career. It's terrible for hers. Scandal . . . well. You know." And that? Well, it's quite the interesting line of conversation to find oneself close enough to catch the gist of that bit, even if not all. Enid is speaking quietly, after all. [Corran] *Corran winced and touched her hand* Still. You're her daughter. I"m sure you'd rather she be here to support you. South Africa? What does she do? *Corran glances over to the other red head and offered a smile. Looking at what she was consuming, and then looking back to Enid* Is there anything I can do to help? [Kage R. Jakes] Kage smiles back. The smile fills her gaze like smoke; even glints. A subtle thing. Amused, and wry; then Kage turns her spoon to the soup and takes her first bite. A breeze lifts a strand of her hair, sends it back behind her ear with as much care as a cat for its kitten. And then she has it. Enid's familiarty. Didn't she die? Wasn't she some dead girl in the paper? [Enid Geraint] "She's the head of foreign affairs for an international research corporation," she says, and could be reading a resume; she knows what the words mean both together and separately, but it's clear that other than that description, she has no idea what her mother does, other than travel and, "She speaks something like eighteen languages fluently and can get by in a handful of others. And if she wants someone to do something, they're going to do it." The last is with a smirk, amused. "She's . . . special. Intimidating as anything, but amazing. The guys in the home office, at least, are half afraid of her." The last question. though, brings her up short. "I . . . don't know what you could. Unless you can make it all go away." But she's not sure she thinks it should - now that she's starting to accept ('starting' being the key word) that she may have done it, she tends to think maybe she deserves this. Maybe she should go to jail. "You know anyone in the city or county prosecutor's office?" [Corran] *He smiled and shook his head* No but if any of them end up in my bird I'll let ya know. Maybe I'll fly slow if they don't leave you alone or something. *When the new drinks arrive he sipps his and tilts his head* Do you think it's possible your mother may..... be like you? *He glanced to the red head at the othertable and then back too Enid* [Kage R. Jakes] The soup is good. Kage enjoys it. Scraps and rags from the couple's conversation touches her. Enid has turned into a mental exercise for Kage R. Jakes. She couldn't be dead because there she is, clearly alive and not in hiding -- the article was in Chicago, wasn't it? Looks young. When Corran glances at her, again, Kage clears her throat and leans forward, wrapping her knuckles (delicate, delicate) against the table. "Excuse me." [Corran] *Corran looked back over to Kage, his senses pretty sharp. A black brow over bright blue eye is raised* Yes Ms? How can I help ya? [Enid Geraint] "I . . . don't know? Maybe. I never really thought about it and haven't seen her since . . . you know." And that's about when Kage pipes in, and Enid looks over; it's a caught look, a trapped look, and already her hands are twitching towards her hood, the better to hide her face in shadows. She does that a lot, these days - in a bit less than two weeks, it's become almost second nature. And as Corran speaks, Enid's doing the same. "Yeah?" [Kage R. Jakes] "I'm sorry to interrupt. But -- am I bothering you?" A pause; another smile. It's still smoke-subtle, though; still just a glimpse of fire in the eyes, like. Corran she's pegging as the sort've guy who dances naked at midnight -- witching hour, paints his nails black; maybe worships the Mother and flies on a broomstick and likes Harry Potter. Enid she's trying not to peg in a dead girl's place, she's aware she's got the wrong role for the right face, but what's the story? "If you're having a conversation you don't want to have overheard, I can move the table a little. Although -- did I hear you mention the county prosecutor's office?" [Enid Geraint] There's a glance shot Corran's way; Enid's a young girl, a good girl. Enid does what she's told, for the most part - she hasn't quite gotten big enough to spread her wings and fly, as it were. So, when she's uncertain, she looks to the nearest someone-older-and-more-responsible with whom she has at least casual acquaintance, hoping for advice, or better yet, a 'do this'. She's learning, now that she keeps running into strange, new people, that she's going to get this less and less. It's a good thing, that learning - maybe she'll make it out of the nest without breaking her neck yet. "I. Um. Yeah, I did. There's a . . . thing," she says with a shrug, and it seems she thinks that's enough for now. [Corran] *Corran looked over and shook his head* You're not bothering me. I just rather enjoy the presence of red headed beautiful women. I try and enjoy their presnece as much as possible when allowed. *Glancing to Enid as she explains, then looking back to Kage, he half stood and offered the lady his hand* Corran. Nice to meet you Ms. [Kage R. Jakes] Point to Corran. For a second, Kage is -- well; quieted for a moment. Both of her eyebrows rise. The left one quirks a little higher, and after a second, she shakes her head: silver screen composure. "That's nice of you to say. Jakes," she finishes, for him. "Kage Jakes." It's not easy, to shake his hand -- he's leaning closer to her table, and she's leaning over hers to take his. Her grip is firm: it knows its business. "And -- well." No fluster. But she is conscious that she really is intruding -- entering into a conversation that she wasn't part of. "I actually do know someone who works at the D. A.'s office. What did you need to know?" [Corran] Nice to meet you Ms Jakes. ANd please. *Nodding to her to continue as she might be of assistance to Enid* [Enid Geraint] Enid hasn't given her name yet - Corran has it, but as far as this woman is concerned, Enid's name is still her own. Again, there's that questioning, almost permission-seeking look shot his way; this is far beyond her purview. Honestly, she's not used to this many adults who aren't her dad's students or her mom's colleagues or her own teachers taking anywhere near as much interest in her as has been taken in the past couple weeks, and more so over the past couple days. But! Little girls whose daddies are at home (she's gone out and left him all alone) end up looking back at people asking them questions - at least this one does. "I think I know more than I wanted to, at least until I was done with law school and working my way towards a job," she says frankly. "There's a case. Or rather there isn't a case, but no one's dropping it yet. And I wish they would, is all." [Corran] Perhaps if we spoke about it in hypotheticals? Leaving out names? *Nodding he motioned to Enid* Athena. *then to Kage* Ms Jakes.... Ms Jakes, Athena *Nodding to Enid* Might make it a little easier to converse.8 [Kage R. Jakes] "Or more difficult." Kage smiles at Corran. There are lines around her mouth and around her eyes when she does it this time; she has a comfortable smile, a good one -- inwardly luminous. It'll include Enid, once she's talking to her again. Here: "I don't need a name." Polite: "But I do recommend the soup." Then: "Well. Wish you all appropriate luck. It's no fun being ensnared in the world-as-law." [Enid Geraint] "Not from the wrong end, anyway," is Enid's somewhat emphatic agreement; she notes, of course, that the other woman is interested. She also notes that the other woman feels no need to pry - perhaps it's the combination of the two that has her saying, "I'm Enid Geraint. And thank you. Things are just . . . kind of a mess. I'm not supposed to talk about it much because of lawyers." That's wryly amused; the tinge of bitterness is just enough to make her more interesting, and not strong enough to give any indication of it staying long. Depending on how things go, of course. "I'm supposed to be the one telling clients to keep their mouths shut. You know, after lots of school. Didn't think people'd be telling me." [Corran] *Corran looked between them and shrugged gently when the name was passed over. Picking up his drink and letting Enid do as she wished. If she wished to be that open it was totally her call. Not his. So he hushed up a bit and waited to see what would become of it.* [Kage R. Jakes] "And you want to be a lawyer some day?" Kage, on a whim, twists her soup toward Corran and Enid, silently offering it -- the waitress brought her another spoon, after all. She picks up her tea, blows on it and takes a sip. Then: "See, the only question I really want to ask is one that you should definitely not answer. Corran, are you named for a place in Scotland? With a castle?" [Enid Geraint] There are a lot of cases - they've been over this. Kage has a friend who works in the prosecutor's office but doesn't herself and regardless of all that, there are confidentiality issues and hoops to jump through to get the files unless you're one of the people directly connected to the case. She's not saying what kind of case, though it's common sense to know that if it's at county, it's reasonably big. Corran gets a look, a shrug; being fairly open the past couple of days hasn't done her any harm. If anything, other than the urge to hide, it's relaxed her a little. "Yeah, have wanted to for ages. I have a plan. Or had. It's in the process of being altered," is her answer for Kage and, impulsively, she accepts the soup. Athlete + teenager = constant appetite and thankfully high metabolism. She takes a bite, two, and then pushes it over to Corran, with a raised eyebrow. "That's . . . really good. And you want to ask some variation of what everyone asks, I bet." [Corran] *Corran shook his head gently at the soup* I had that sandwich a bit ago. I'm good. But thank you. *He grinned a bit to Kage* Ahh on the bonnie shores of Loch Linnhe, in the magnificent highlands? *He waited a beat* I've been there. Went on walkabout after graduation with my sister. We went there for giggles before visiting StoneHenge in the south. *Then he took a sip of his Mr Pibb and listened to the ladies* [Jonathan Kincade] The tall handsome man in his mid-30s took his first steps onto the patio of the cafe. Dressed in relaxed fit semi-formal clothes he had just finished his classes a few hours earlier. Now he was famished and preferred buying something out rather than waiting till he got home. As he was looking around the tables, looking for a spare one. He noticed the young dark haired paramedic that he had briefly met nearly a week before. He still hadn't heard from the man's sister about classes though. He offered the young man a wave and a nod of recognition, something again stirring inside him that something was just not quite right about this man. [Kage R. Jakes] "There is a group of people who believe that there is only one question in the universe. And that all of reality is defined by how that one question is asked -- the wording, you understand." Kage says this with a shrug, sliding the soup back across the table so that it is hers. He got a faint incline of her head, when he explained his sandwich -- and he does have that plate. "And everyone asks it, but the people who ask it well, they're the shamans of this people. They can suck poison out of wounds -- and out of minds, too. But they're scary folks. Which is to say, yeah: probably the question I have is probably pretty similar. If everything goes your way, do you still want to pursue a life in law?" [Corran] *Corran was dressed tonight in lace up black boots, and the dark medical blue flight suit. His flight gear still strapped to his chest but loosely and at what might be constrewed, a rakish angle. He seemed comfortable in the gear and reclining in the chair at the table with the pretty, and partially hidden Enid. Across from the equally eye catching and pretty kage. When Jonathan came out, Corran looked over and raised his brows. Clearly playing 'place the face' on Jonathan. Then remembering the park. The guy with the card. Ahh yes. He'd passed it to his sister, but the woman had just found the spot for the Dojo/Studio, it wasn't quite open yet. Hinse, no call. Once he figured out who Jonathan was, he raised a hand and waved.* [Corran] *Corran glanced to Kage as she spoke and his brows went up a bit. That was incredibly deep for a woman having soup at the cafe. A smile crossed his lips as he listened to the pair of them* [Corran] (( Deeeep thoughts)) to†Kage R. Jakes [Kage R. Jakes] (( LOL. I am studying for my anthropology: magic, witchcraft and religion class as we speak. I CAN'T HELP IT. )) to†Corran [Enid Geraint] It's deep for a seventeen year old girl, really, but this seventeen year old girl has spent much of her life with people who ask deep (to some definition or another) questions, and thrive on their debate. She listens closely, she listens well, and when Kage gets to her question, Enid is thoughtful before answering. "Yeah, I think I do. But . . . from a different angle, maybe." Then, there's a true (rare, as far as anyone here knows, but for the way her face takes to it naturally) grin; it's delightfully and endearingly crooked, that grin, perfect in its imperfection. Her brown eyes shine with it. "Or just from a different kind of office. I don't want to have to keep badgering because the county needs someone put away, you know? They've got no case. I want to be able to put it away, if that happens to me, and let the people live their lives." [Corran] *Nodding he smiled easily and freely. Seemed to be Corrans default state. Reaching over he patted her on the shoulder.* [Jonathan Kincade] He proceeded across to the table, even though he only recognised one of the faces there. Compared to his old chiseled face that had began to show it's age, the red-headed school-girl?? looked positively young and innocent besides looking flushed for some reason. His eyes eventually moved to the other red-head , who looked closer to his age. He gave them a smile "Evening ladies, I'm Jonathan" his voice deep, extending a hand to both of them "Evening Corran, just finish work youself ?" gesturing to the male's outfit. "Mind if I join you, I just finished work myself and I'm starving." [Kage R. Jakes] "Friend of yours?" That's what Kage had said when Corran waved to Jonathan. There is definitely a seat for him to steal; Kage is only occupying one of the two chairs at her table and that the one furthest from Corran and Enid. Kage begins to ask Enid another question. "If the county 'needs' to put somebody away, doesn't -- " Then Jonathan. He doesn't mean to interrupt, just like Kage didn't when she first sat down; when they first glanced her way enough times that she decided to put her foot into it. Dip her oar in. Honeysuckle, moonflower: redred wine. And it's not up to her, but she leans back, so that the other chair is claimable, and finishes off her tea. It's cool, and when the wind kicks up, she shivers, adjusting her collar accordingly. "Hello," is what Jonathan gets. "Kage," and also a firm grip in return. [Corran] Um... *he sort of shrugged to Kage* Not really? *Looking up when Jon came over. A bbit of a nod* Yeah Had the 12 to 12 shift, Came here for a late lunch and have been conversing. *Motioning to Enid* It's her table. I'm just a stray that seems to pop up when ever she dines. You'd have to ask her. [Enid Geraint] "Um." It's amazing, really, how quickly she can go back to complete and utter uncertainty - Alice through the rabbit hole, Dorothy in Oz, Lucy in color. One of these things is not like the other, or so she feels, one of these things does not belong. It's equally amazing how quickly she closes her mouth on whatever they'd been discussing - Kage doesn't finish her question, and there's something grateful in the younger redhead's eyes when they lock with the other woman's, so briefly. "I . . . guess? Whatever. There's room and stuff." It's cool, and Enid is not dressed warmly - knee socks and running shorts do not make for comfortable legs when temperatures drop with the sun, and before her hands find their way to her pockets, she pulls up that hood, though it's not pulled tight enough to cast dark shadows. Yet. "So what do you do, Miss Jakes? Or . . . should I call you Kage? My dad says call grown-ups by the names they use to introduce themselves, but you used both," she says, reduced to awkward fumbling. [Jonathan Kincade] "Pleased to meet you Kage" responding to the greeting and repeating her name as if to memorise it. Upon hearing the question posed to Corran about their relationship "No not friends, just acquainted from a previous meeting and a shared interest I came to find I had with his sister." He takes a seat at the table Kage is currently occupying but doesn't sit too close as to encroach on her personal space. He watches the young girl converse, but doesn't pass comment. The girl looks awkward enough with having an older strange man start asking her questions. So he just motions for the waitress, who eventually comes over and he places his order. Returning back to listening the conversation, he turns to Corran "Such a long shift, they really work you guys hard don't they?" [Corran] *Glancing to Jon* Well choppers are matience hounds. For every hour in the air you have an almost manditory hour matiencce and work up. Checking things. Refueling, going over the bird. When you're basicly flying a box under a giant inverted lawn mower... there's lots that can go wrong. All those choppers you hear about crashing in Iraq and such? Those things have like 5 to 15 hours upkeep per hour in the air. That's why they keep falling out of the sky... over worked, under maintained. I personally have no wish to die. Not yet anyway. *He grinned* [Kage R. Jakes] "The short answer is researcher-for-hire," Kage says, when Enid asks her what she does. The fair skinned magi's eyes drift to the street for a moment; she tips her head to the side and brushes her fingers across her chin. Her hair really is almost too red, blood-in-water red. By dint of being near Corran, the shadows around her eyes have retreated somewhat -- rejuvenated. He definitely gives off that full-of-life vitality through the green fuse etc. vibe. "I take on a lot of different projects. You can call me Jakes or Kage; whichever one suits." There: that gleam that isn't amusement, not directed anywhere, but is somethin' easy anyway. "What is it that you do, Corran? I don't recognize the patch." She touches the side of her arm. "And what about you, Jonathan? Something to do with this shared interest of yours?" Kage is -- well, a precisely polite person, and she is paying attention to the three arranged before her again. The tea isn't cold yet, but it's pleasantly warm -- she likes. [Corran] *Corran smiles to Kage* I'm a pilot and Flight Paramedic. I work for the city. Flying around. Picking up critical patients... flying them to the hospitals. I guess you could say I'm a glorified driver. *There was clearly alot more too it. Not just any pilots could fly choppers and to be a full Paramedic on top of it, denotes a goodly many years of dedication* I like to do more flying than working the back, but I'm fully qualified. [Jonathan Kincade] "Currently I'm working for the University of Illinois Chicago, just part-time though. The rest of the time I work as a self-employed contractor. It lets me be selective about the kinds of projects I pick up, rather than being at the beck and call of an employer." Learning back in his chair somewhat as he begins to relax. He turns to Corran with a faint smile on his lips "You like the idea of being as free as a bird ?" his eyes studying the young man. [Enid Geraint] "Sounds interesting," is the answer for Kage, and then Jonathan's professed profession gets a hint of grin - not so wide and shining as before, but there. She's not comfortable, exactly, but she's not closing off completely either - perhaps she can't. She is young, after all. "Huh, first Silas - but at U of C, not UI - now you. Professor, or other?" [Kage R. Jakes] He yawned. He was in the seat behind Kage. Just now: a lean body, and eyes that glinted like moon on silver; all full of shadows. He was all sinew, tonight, all sinew and lean body and musk. And he leaned against the table behind Kage's, his hand dangled off; his eyes were half-hooded. But the intensity of his gaze was not, at this moment, directed at Kage, although ... He reached out at one point and slid his hand in her pocket. Weight which she could feel. Heat through the fabric. "I'll call you Kage." He made it sound like an insinuation. He made it sound like a horrible, frightening and desirable game -- his voice was low as bass, was sex. "Why not her, too? Look at her. Kage." Jonathan came and He stopped toying with Kage's pocket. Instead, he leaned against the window of the cafe; he had no reflection. Later: "We could work them really hard." Murmured: like a love-token. Like a love-lock. to†Enid Geraint [Kage R. Jakes] And Kage, for the moment, preserves silence. Tea, after all. Tea and soup. And she is interested. It isn't a silence that disengages; it's just a silence that is part of the warp and weft of where the conversation is going. [Corran] *Corran sipped his Mr Pibb and looked between them and checked his watch. A soft smile on his face. Then looked to kage* Are you a private investigator? [Enid Geraint] Enid's look is suddenly much sharper, and more reserved - not, of course, that she's a model of openness and free trade of information to begin with. She hasn't yet learned the subtleties she should have, perhaps, but still - there are some things she keeps to herself. This is not one of them. The wouldn't have thought of PI, and the idea gives her a bit of panic. So much she could have said. Thank goodness she hadn't. [Jonathan Kincade] He gives the young girl a smile "Not a Professor yet... have only just completed my Masters." as he was about to tell them what department he worked for, he is interrupted briefly by the waitress. A glass of ice and a can of coke is placed on the table, followed my a steak sandiwch. "Private Investigator?... sounds exciting." he adds before taking a bit out of his meal. [Kage R. Jakes] Kage: distracted, for a brief moment; her gaze is occluded and she reaches up to rub her temples. Her eyelashes sink, ruddy and dark; they brush her cheeks, stay there, heavy. Then: Jonathan makes his comment and Kage glances up, an eyebrow raised; the rest of the conversation sinks in. "Oh, no. That job isn't remotely interesting to me. Who wants to wait outside motels to see if spouse X is cheating with best friend Y? I'm just a researcher. The 'for hire' part is because I'm not exclusively attached to any institution." [Corran] *Corran blinked as his query was ignored and the reply tossed to Jonathan. He tilted his head and looked to Enid and shrugged a bit. A glance to his watch* I should probably be getting home. Gotta cook for Callie or she gets bitchy. [Enid Geraint] ".............................." And that, something in what Kage said, cues the shrinking, the shutting down, and the pulling of the drawstring of her hood - shadows, hiding eyes and significant portions of her face, thus distorting the expressions that might be found there. Researcher, she'd taken easily - her father, the man she lives with, is a professor and published researcher himself. Researchers abound in her world. But. There's always a but. And so Corran has to get up, to go cook for Callie; despite the visible closing of doors and turning out of lights, she's not in a hurry, tonight, to return to her busy schedule of pajama-clad rerun watching and ice cream eating. "Have a good night. See you later?" She at least half assumes she will - see him, of course. Him, Ashley, or both. [Corran] *Corran smiles to Enid* Did you need a lift anywhere? *he knew she'd been running. She'd seen him drive up. His eyes kinda flick to the other two that he doesn't know as well and back to Enid. As if asking if she wanted to be left here. Nothing bad to Jon or Kage. Just looking out for the gal* [Kage R. Jakes] "It was nice to meet you, Corran." Kage is distracted again; frowning into her tea. The frown lifts just long enough for a smile, faint, but present. The woman means it: somehow, this conversation has refreshed her; she feels as if she actually slept. Now, she rests her chin on her fist -- doesn't try to influence Enid one way or the other. Or Jon, either. Poor Jon: just joined the party, and the party's packing up. [Enid Geraint] She peeks in the window at the clock - she's young, her eyes are good. "I think I'll run home, thanks - wouldn't want to be a bother. But I may abuse the offer some other time? And I think I'm going to have Dad look at Callie's gym. Dojo. Maybe he'll get me a class." [Corran] Sure thing. *Standing he patted down the pockets of the flight suit and found his wallet again. Pulling out a few bills... then frowning and putting them back and pulling out a larger one he placed it on the table and weighted it down with his glass. They'd held the table quite a bit, and Corran was tipping the waitress for their food, her service and the other people that she missed, while Enid and he sat there. Looking to Kage and Jon he nodded* Nice to meet you ms Jakes... and a shame. I'd have loved to meet a P.I. Jonathan. Nice to see you again. [Jonathan Kincade] He sips on his coke "Well that's true... there is a remarkable difference between what a professions are like in the movies and what they actually are in reality." "Night Corran, likewise..... oh by the way I haven't heard from your sister yet. I guess her facility is still in the pipeline?" His eyes turning to Enid "You looking at taking up a martial art ? or study one already ?" [Kage R. Jakes] "Just sleep with a woman who has a jealous husband." No sting. "I've never met a flyer-of-helicopters before, so thank you for the new experience." [Corran] *He laughed a bit.* Yeah we just got the space Jonathan, she's opening in a few days, I gave her your card. She'll be calling soon. *Nodding to Kage* I... I'm a lover, not a fighter, but.... lovinng other men's wives makes one a fighter... so.... I may have to pass on that. [Enid Geraint] "I had a self defense class once," she says with a shrug, "but she was talking about some exercise type classes, too. Cross training is never a bad idea, and it's hard to run outside in Chicago in the winter. Plus, indoor tracks are kind of shitty, even at U of C." And then, for the lover versus fighter bit, there's a raised eyebrow. Even buried in shadows, that look is eloquent; some things are worth fighting for, the look says. Some loves are worth fighting for. But Enid is very young. What does she know? [Jonathan Kincade] "Ahh fair enough... never particularly liked running myself. Guess I prefer something that helps keep the mind active. Sort of why I chose martial arts, doing it more for the mental discipline than anything else." He finishes his meal and the drink, placing the napkin on the plate after wiping his hands. [Enid Geraint] "Clearly, you've never run a marathon, or the long cross country course," she says with a hint of smile. "There's a meditative clarity that comes from pushing that hard - you focus on your breathing, on the burn of your muscles, the pounding of your heart, and you keep going when you think you can't. That's relaxation and letting go." [Corran] *Corran smiled and pitched in* Not to mention the endorphin high that kicks in after about 6 miles... [Jonathan Kincade] He listens thoughtfully "Hmm I guess I never looked at it that way." The waitress comes and clears away the empty plates and glasses. "Though I think I'll disagree with you on the relaxation part" he laughs softly. He looks down at his watch "Well ladies and gents, thankyou for the company. I didn't particularly fancy eating on my own. But for now I think I need to head home, I unfortunately have some work to do." [Kage R. Jakes] To Corran's response, Kage nodded once. Another faint smile. No smoke in this one -- no fire; no hints of amusement. Just a smile. Enid, she watches out of the corner of her eye for a still moment. Then: "What sort of martial art do you practice, Jonathan?" She likes to run, too, but she doesn't weigh in. It's implied, body language says agreement w/ Enid and Corran. Then Jonathan's up, and Kage nods to him -- just as she nodded to Corran, but with different purpose: a hey-stranger-there-you-go, fare-well. [Corran] *he grinned and slipped Kage a wink. Then looked around, found the green Jeep Rescue and headed over to it. Coincidentally parked beside Kage's truck. Hopping in he started the SUV. Checked traffic and backed out. Spinning the wheel he powered off into the night. God if he flew how he drived, it might be good that the end point of his routes is a trauma center hospital. He cuts though traffic with a daring do that might astound, or horrify* [Jonathan Kincade] Standing with his hands resting on the back of the chair "Oh back in Boston I studied Karate.. a style called Goju Ryu. Means Hard Soft Style, it has a lot of foundations in White Crane Kung Fu actually. So while it is a Japanese style it's roots can be traced back to China." [Enid Geraint] Enid does, indeed, do a lot of blinking at his driving. But! She still drives with her hands at ten and two, for the most part, and with her seat properly positioned for her height, and so forth. At seventeen, a license is still a relatively new thing, and Enid has only ever gotten one ticket. For parking. So, yes, wide eyes and then her attention returns to Kage and Jonathan - almost tentative. Almost timid. There's the explanation of fighting styles which meets a wall of incomprehension - sure, she's watched kung fu movies, but . . . "I didn't know that stuff was real. Just Hollywood-Hong Kong wire work type stuff with funny names." [Kage R. Jakes] "Interesting. Most of those names are new to me," is what Kage says. "And here is where I would ask you more questions, but don't want to keep you from ... ?" (( I'm sorry for the sucktastic posts, guys. I'm just totally fading. *grin* )) [Enid Geraint] ((You and me both. Shall we call it with polite natter and heading separate ways?)) [Enid Geraint] ((Actually, yes, we do because I am incapable of coming up with a return post right now. G'night!)) [Jonathan Kincade] He chuckles at Enid's response "Well your not far wrong actually, it is actually very hard to find a real teacher. Especially here in America... martial arts went through a huge boom in the 70s and 80s. So a lot of schools opened in a rush to cash in. Counting on movies to bring the kids in through the doors." "But once in awhile if your lucky you come across a real master.... same goes for most things really...those that have seen and experienced things that have a real truth to them." "That's okay as a teacher I don't mind questions at all... I even insist on them. Perhaps we can cross paths again in the future and continue our discussion. Though I'm not really an expert on this subject matter"