❢ open rp ❢

[paged]

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

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[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.]

[paged]

[ 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.

[paged]

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.

[paged]

[ She sighs to herself, ]

Sorry, I'm--I've been told I'm very opinionated.

It puts people off.

[endlesswar]

Same here.

[Now he's smiling like she had given him the verbal equivalent of a daisy.]

You haven't said anything wrong.

[paged]

You? You seem pretty chill to me.

[endlesswar]

I got my hotblooded moments. Don't you worry.

[He lightly touches her arm because they've come to a corner. Just guiding her to take a left.]

Time and a place. In your company sure don't need to be touchy. You told me like it is. I can do the same.

[paged]

[ She takes the left, laughing, crossing her arms as they continue to walk, ]

I have been told Italians have a temper. Never thought there was much stock in it and was just something the movies made up.

[endlesswar]

Some things have a shred of truth to em. Not in every case. They say blondes are dumb. And you...seem plenty smart to me.

[There's a wink there. Look out Karen. All the charm is out. Like it or not.]

What're you studying, Karen?

[paged]

[ She scoffs at that wink but ends up laughing and grinning anyway. Not bad, Frank, not bad.

She shrugs, ]

I know it's considered a pretty useless degree but I'm going for a BA in English. I know I want to write. Or at least get a job as an editor at a publishing house. I feel like that kind of work matters a lot when you're basically helping to get ideas out there to people.

[endlesswar]

[Their brief acquaintance is established by Karen accepting that Frank has little to no shame. Knowing that she liked the wink anyway is a good sign in his book.]

Editor huh? What about a reporter? That's a sure way to be a voice of the people. You're not afraid to speak up.

[Another light touch on her arm as he guides her to a place with a flying Italian flag and faux columns framing the door.]

[paged]

Now you're just talking about a good way for me to get shot. Write some editorial that pisses someone off and that's all it takes.

[ But hey, at least the restaurant looks nice from the outside. The smells coming from it as they get closer just makes her stomach growl. ]

[endlesswar]

Hey, I will defend your right to say whatever you like and the rights of the dick head who thinks bullets are an extension of his penis.

[Even as he's saying awful words that would make his Mama smack him, he's holding the door open for Karen to let her in.]

We got a table for two for Frank.

[paged]

[ That gets another laugh from him, unable to help it. She gives his other arm a smack as she walks in, ]

I can't believe you just said that out loud.

[ But she waits for him by the door, turning back to him, surprised once again, ]

You made reservations?

[endlesswar]

It's the truth, isn't it?

[He steps in behind her. The establishment is warm, small. The wall is covered in framed photographs of little villas and fountains. At a table in the back is the matriarch in her apron and glasses folding napkins. The host is a thin young man that leads them in. They're in the middle of the dinner crowd and sure enough, there's a table waiting for them.]

You have to in a place like this.

[The host holds her chair out for her. Frank waits until she's seated to sit himself.]

[paged]

[ Instantly, she's charmed by it all. It's cozy and inviting. And everything she sees on the other tables looks amazing. She thanks the host as she sits down and continues to look around the place from her chair, ]

I can't believe I had no idea this was here...

[endlesswar]

There are plenty a places. Just gotta know where to look.

[Seated now they're given two menus by their host. The waitress will be along.]

Don't let the whole list of things deter you from your lasagna.

[paged]

[ She grins as she looks at the menu, shaking her head, ]

But shrimp alfredo... Mmm, tiramisu sounds so good. All of this sounds so good. This was a mistake, coming here. They'll have to roll me out at this rate.

[endlesswar]

It would be my pleasure to roll you back.

[The waitress comes around. She has a brief conversation with Mama at the table. It's her niece. She is attentive and promises to bring them waters. Frank asks for a red wine.]

Are you gonna need some time, Karen?

[Frank already knows what he wants. And he grins at her across the table.]

[paged]

Ha! You say that now.

[ For the waitress, she quickly asks for some white wine. For the rest, her stomach growls angrily at her as she reads over the different items. ]

Hmmm. I think I want to start with a salad...

[endlesswar]

[His head tilts to one side and he squints a bit before nodding.]

Yeah. I think I could take you just fine.

[That's all he'll say on the matter.]

Salad is a decent place to start. Ease on into it. You're not gonna fill up on salad and bread though. That's a rookie move. You're better than that.

[And just as he speaks they get their bread. Fresh and hot.]