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[paged]

hit me with your best shot ❢ meme continuations ❢ aus ❢ idek

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[endlesswar]

[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.

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[ 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.

[endlesswar]

[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.]

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[ 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. ]

[endlesswar]

[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?

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[ 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.

[endlesswar]

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.

[paged]

[ 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.

[endlesswar]

[Once she's on her feet Frank doesn't let his touch linger too long though there's a clear fondness he's already got for her.]

Before anything else a person's got their words.

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And the way they hold themselves.

[ Because that's what a lot of people notice first. ]

So, where are you taking me?

[endlesswar]

[Before they go any further, Frank presents her with his choice daisy. It looks better with her than it does with him.]

Ever been to Scardino's? It's a little ways away. We can walk or take the subway.

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[ Well. She wasn't expecting that. It's so... sweet. She actually feels her chest tighten and cheeks get warm. She takes the offered flower with a polite nod. ]

Thank you.

[ She gives it a sniff before shaking her head, ]

Can't say I've heard of it. My friends tend to hit the sushi bar or curry places.

[ And looking up at the sky, she shrugs, ]

The weather is nice enough for us to walk?

[endlesswar]

As a person who likes lasagna you're in for a treat.

[Asian fusion places are the rage right now. Frank puts his hands in his pockets and tilts his head.]

I don't mind. Nice to take a stroll now and again. I'm usually doing laps and don't take much time to smell the flowers.

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Glad to hear it.

[ Because she actually skipped lunch without meaning to today. Looking over at him as they walk, ]

"Laps"?

[endlesswar]

It's a sweet mom and pop place. That's all I'll say. I think you should make your own assessment.

[It is a pretty day. The spring is warming up slowly but surely in the city. And there is a light breeze and sunshine.]

Yeah I'm going to bootcamp in a month and a half. Trying to get used to the physical activity on the daily.

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[ The guy was telling the truth about his playing so she'll believe what he says about this restaurant.

Though the mention of bootcamp shocks her some. ]

Bootcamp? Seriously?

[endlesswar]

[That tone. What. Frank's brow furrows and he laughs a little.]

Yeah. I'm going to be a third generation Marine.

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[ Her brows go even more. Third generation? Shit. ]

I--I had no idea. I thought maybe you were a jock or a music major.

[ She laughs again, realizing how silly her assumptions sound when said out loud. ]

[endlesswar]

[Their steps slow and he isn't sure if this is good shock or bad.]

Can't a guy do em all?

[The question doesn't betray any worming doubt.]

[paged]

[ She turns to him some, ]

Yeah! Of course! I'm just... not used to it.

[ She then faces forward again, continuing to walk in the direction she's assuming they were to continue on to leave the campus, ]

Most guys I know tend to stick to one thing. Until they change their minds.

[endlesswar]

I like to keep busy in my way.

[They are still on the move. A few blocks more to go. Though it seems as if this new detail is indeed a surprise.]

Well, uh I knew since I was a kid I wanted to be a soldier. They're people too. I'm not athletic enough to get a scholarship of any kind in these parts or an academic grant. The GI Bill will help me get by.

[See? Got his future planned out so far.]

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[ A lot more planned out than her own feels like. ]

Yeah but what made you want to? Because other people in your family have?

[endlesswar]

In part yeah. My old man had some stories. My grandfather too. More than that... I feel like all that I have is because of what this country gave my family despite Mussolini. And there are more deserving people that'll come after me who aren't ripe for a fight.

[Putting it to words though. That's never been the easy part.]

Byron went to war. Hemingway too.

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Your family is from Italy?

[ Her family has been here long enough that it's easy to take that for granted. She's also estranged from her parents so any family pride she might have felt once is long gone.

She can't help snorting at that latter half, ]

That they did. But Byron was a selfish douchebag despite his talents and Hemingway was a sexist asshole that thought torturing bulls was fun and cheating his multiple wives was okay.

[endlesswar]

Yeah. There'd be more of us if it weren't for hard times.

[Though that could be said for anyone. He really doesn't want to go over the whole nitty gritty on a first date. Karen's gift of words makes him smile, he shakes his head.]

Service is a gift that doesn't undo all the other unflattering aspects of a person. ...yeah.