Seahorse steps: Wednesday Late Afternoon (after workshops)

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack was stretched out on the grass near the steps, basking in the afternoon heat -- shirtless, of course - he was back in Seawhorse, after all.

Oddly enough, he was also reading a book he'd handwavily picked up after his workshop. It wasn't as battered as Sam's copy, but the cover was the same.

There was a box of J,Gob's savoury muffins near his elbow, which he'd happily share, and a bottle of sunscreen, which he'd more than happily rub on share with anyone who wanted to join him in shirtlessness.

[As open as a thing that it is bounded neither by time nor space!]

Comments

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

After she closed the library, Rory wandered over to Seahorse to see if Jaye was around.

Okay, fine, she was going to ogle shirtless boys, but since Jaye had invited her, ostensibly that's who she was coming to see.

"Hi Jack!" she greeted, waving. She peered at the cover of his book, and exclaimed, "Ooh, Le Petit Prince! Or, well, in English, anyway."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Hey, Rory." He shaded his eyes as he grinned up at her. "Let me guess, you read it in the original French?"

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"Oui, c'est un livre très mignon," Rory answered smoothly, flopping down onto the ground. "I have a thing for languages. But it's a great book, even if it seems like it's written for children."

[bruiser-in-pink.livejournal.com]

Molly was on her way back to her cabin to change in hopes of catching at least a bit of cheer practice when she saw Jack. She walked over and stood, hands on hips, blocking his sunlight until he looked up at her.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack may have flinched slightly when he saw who was blocking his sun, but he folded the corner of his page, and sat up. "Hey, Molly. What's up?"

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack closed his eyes and shivered in pleasure. "I have no idea what you just said, but please, speak french to me some more." He winked at her. "The book's kind of sad, I think. But I'm enjoying it."

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

Rory blushed. "Français est une belle langue, n'est-ce pas? I said it's a very cute book. And it is sad, but it's also really, really deep and metaphorical, if you choose to look at it that way."

[bruiser-in-pink.livejournal.com]

"What exactly did you say to Cam in class on Monday?"

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"You sound like honey and velvet. No wonder they call it the language of lovers." He glanced at the book. "I think I'm going to have to read it a couple of times, I feel like there's a lot more going on under the surface that I'm not quite getting."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Exactly? I'm not sure I can remember exactly." Jack tried out an innocent smile. "What did he say I said?"

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"It's a bit of a social commentary," Rory explained. "My favorite character is the fox - have you gotten as far as him yet?"

[bruiser-in-pink.livejournal.com]

"He asked me when I'd gotten so close to you," Molly said. "Which, seeing as how we've had one real conversation, I found kind of confusing."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"There's a fox?" Jack grinned. "Perfect. And no, I haven't gotten to him yet. Is he dashing and handsome?"

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Ahh." Jack looked slightly guilty. "That may be my fault. I never said we were close, though."

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

Rory smiled. "Yes, he's terribly dashing and handsome and very smart. Very much like someone who I know who was once a fox, actually."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

He laughed, pleased by the compliment. "Why thank you, Rory. Have a muffin." He nudged the box with his elbow. "How have you been?"

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

Rory helped herself to a muffin and considered the question. "I've been pretty good. My mother had her baby, and I spent last weekend in New York, so those are both good things. What's new with you? Did your trip go okay?"

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Congratulations on the - brother? sister? - and you seem happier, which is good." Jack sat up, and squeezed her shoulder. "Tell me you didn't go to New York by yourself? Because I would have gone with you, if I hadn't been in Mexico, drinking tequila and meeting the locals."

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"Brother," Rory answered, grinning. "And no, I went to New York with, um, a very good friend who hadn't seen the city before."

There, that seemed safe enough. "What part of Mexico did you visit? Tell me you weren't in TJ."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"A very good friend, huh?" Jack raised an eyebrow, but didn't say anything else. "TJ? I'm guessing...Tijuana? No, we passed through there, but we hit a bunch of places - mostly small towns. Great markets, great parties. I wouldn't mind going back sometime."

[bruiser-in-pink.livejournal.com]

"You implied it on purpose?"

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"No!" Jack ran a hand through his hair, then sighed. "Maybe. That wasn't my intention, though. Look, will you sit down for a minute? I'll try and explain."

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"I've heard Tijuana's kind of tacky," Rory said, wrinkling her nose. "I'm glad to hear you made it to actual Mexico. Who were you traveling with? A very good friend of your own?"

[bruiser-in-pink.livejournal.com]

Molly dropped her hands to her sides with a sigh and sat down. "Okay, explain please," she said.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"It looked kind of tacky - like it had been invaded by drunken tourists." Jack's smile got a bit tight. "No, not so much. I was travelling with CJ."