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[ She laughs again, nodding, shrugging her shoulders, ]

When you sing out in public like this, you leave yourself open to it.

[ But she gestures to the guitar. ]

Why not give me a demonstration of your playing to prove me wrong?

And me without my over-turned hat.

[For tips. Or approval. He licks his lips and picks up his guitar in a playable position.]

Any requests there?

[Otherwise he's gonna play whatever his heart desires. And right now it's Pretty Woman.]

[ She shakes her head, ]

Whatever you want.

[ Her expression was now something along the lines of "impress me". ]

[Okay then. He's gonna go for something a little more challenging than Pretty Woman. Well then, hows about some Lindsey Buckingham. Perfect? No. But fluid and obviously practiced. His fingernail picking method is better when he has more of fingernails.

He can't help himself because the music itself begs for some space to be filled. Looking out for love, big, big love. Comes out.]

[ She grins at the playing and the small bit of sing that slips out, trying to ignore the warmth rising in her cheeks. But it's damn good, his playing. She gives a genuine applause at the end of it. It's far better than anything she could've managed. ]

You're right. You do play better.

[Really is best to play the whole way through, though because he knows it well enough he can spare a look to his one and only audience member. Though he is getting a few other heads turning. Not that Frank pays them any mind. Her applause is just what he was shooting for.]

At least practice can ensure success there. How about you? You play?

[ She shakes her head, able to ignore everyone else around them, including her friends who were most likely back over on the other side of the grounds, clucking like hens at each other. ]

No. Well, not music. Just basketball.

[Karen speaking her mind to the menfolk is not anything new. Though usually she stomps off by now. This one has to be special. Frank still has his eyes on her.]

Basketball. Huh. You're a competitive type.

[ She nods, reaching up to tuck some hair behind her ear, ]

You could say that, yeah.

[ She's also pretty 'ride or die'. ]

[Pretty, mouthy. Be still his beating heart. Frank sets his guitar against the tree and comes to stand. He's a good head or so above her.]

Frank Castle.

[Complete with offering his hand for a polite greeting.]

[ She decides then and there he has a cute smile. ]

Karen Page.

[ She takes the offered hand and shakes it. ]

Basketball, music critic... anything else worth noting, Karen?

[Solid handshake to go with that smile and what do you know they're also holding hands. See? It's a ploy.]

Favorite food?

[ She gives another laugh at that, ]

I like a good lasagna.

[Oooh he hit the jackpot here.]

That so? I think I know a place or three that have some delicious lasagna that's not home cooking. When are you free, Karen?

[ Her brows go up at that, ]

You're serious about the date?

[Brown eyes bat at her, undaunted at all.]

Yes. After all, you asked what it would take. I kept up my end of the bargain.

[He's waiting, Karen with baited breath.]

[ This guy...

But he's not wrong. She turns it over in her mind for a moment, looking back over at her friends (ignoring them waving at her) before she looks back to Frank and nods, ]

Alright. Tomorrow night. Seven-ish? I'll meet you back here.

[Hey lady, you picked him. Little do you know you picked a son of a gun that's not gonna let this off easy. He looks beyond at her friends and gives them a little wave even though Karen won't. Never hurts to be nice to a girl's friends.]

Tomorrow at seven it is. Bring your appetite. I'll leave the guitar.

[ She has no idea what she's gotten herself into. That's a sentiment that stays with her even as she lets go of his hand and walks back over to her friends, tossing over her shoulder, ]

Try not mangle any more songs, Mr. Castle.

[It's a date. Just a date. First one he's made this week that doesn't involve drills of any kind. That's why he's smiling so wide.]

At least not within earshot.

[For now at least. Frank lets her on her way. That's how it's done before phones were all the rage. And he doesn't linger all that long. Don't want to be a creep or something. He's got a class to get to and books to hit. And a mile or two to run, all minimizing the hours leading up until their date.]

[ Just a date. Something she's been on several times with all kinds of guys. Though few had a smile as cute as Frank's. She keeps thinking about it as she heads to her next set of classes, back to the apartment she's sharing with two other people.

She tries to focus on her work but, every once in a while, her mind drifts back to him and how he looked under that tree. The feel of his callused hand around hers.

She ends up heading back to the same tree nearly a half hour earlier, bringing a book with her. She doesn't want to seem too eager. But she also would rather be early than late. ]

[A good night's sleep and a shave in the morning. The day starts fresh, new and Frank is ready for it. Just a good day. Maybe there'll be a date. He has a feeling that if Karen Page is ballsy enough to go right up to him and tell him shut up she'll at least show. The thought makes his thoughts glaze over as his teacher goes on about Socrates.

Goddamn she's got some baby blue eyes. Six o'clock rolls around and he bides his time. There's a flower filled planter that catches his eye. Frank finds the biggest daisy he can. If you start out with a full bouquet there's no where else to go. Sweet, small little gesture.

Taking the long way back to the grove of trees, he's still got his time. And he spends it strolling and whistling. And wouldn't you know under the same tree, there she is. Frank doesn't want to disturb her. Though they're both early, it's a nice touch.]

Something for class?

[ She nearly jumps at his voice, having been engrossed in what she was reading. She laughs and shakes her head, marking her place and shoving the book into her purse. She'll get back to you later, Mr. Wilde. ]

Not really. Just reading a bit extra because I liked what we covered in class.

Hey... Just me.

[Already gave her a start though. Frank keeps his distance until she settles a little before leaning on the tree, offering her a hand.]

Sure got your attention.

[ She smiles at the offered hand before taking it and getting up to her feet. He's a lot more polite than most guys she's met here. ]

Yeah, well. He's got a way with words. Which I think he knew and used it to his full advantage.

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