Description: The irrepressible dance-fighter, actor and celebrity tackles one of his most intimidating challenges yet. Elena finds herself caught between the practicalities of her life and the force of Mr. Jones personality.
There comes a point where a man can't wait any longer. Mister Johnny Jones is not by any means a patient man, he tends to live the fast life and goes where the wind takes him, but he knows that waiting is a virtue and is also very disciplined thanks to his background as a martial artist which thankfully balance all his anxiety.
And so Jones waited, trying to keep his mind occupied with other things. There were plenty of tournaments to take care of like the NDP which he clearly planned to win again, and there's always the SNFs to keep his attention. Lots of things to do really, Jeet Kune Do isn't going to master itself after all!
As time passed and Jones continued fighting it was clear that the call he awaited wasn't coming and every day became more and more torturous. When at last his fights started to be mentally dedicated to her, Jones decided that he could not afford to be patient any longer, sometimes a man had to take the initiative even if it meant that he was forsaking his cool. He could not stop thinking about her, no matter how many times he fought or how much he trained he could not get her off his mind! Once you start to loudly proclaim to your opponents that you fight for love, there's kind of no going back. He was going to do it, he was going to call her.
He was going to call Elena.
*Ring Ring* "Uh..hello? HI! I mean *ahem* hey there, this is Johnny Jones, is this Elena? .... You know Johnny.. from the club? ...The guy with afro? Yeah! Me! What's up!? Oh you know just chillin' did ya see any of my fights at the NDP? ...No? Well that's cool no probs, say, I kinda got some free time on my schedule and thought you'd wanna hang out, what'cha doing Friday night? ..... Okay Saturday? ...Sunday? ...Monday? Tuesday! Sure! You know what the say about the lucky Tuesdays right? No? Well, never mind, it ain't important. How about that South Town village near the Kyokugen Dojo, there's like restaurants and stuff. Yeah sure.. eh..no I don't think Duck King wants to come. Maybe next time, sure....Okay...Okay sounds great! See ya around six? Awesome! I'll be there!"
Hanging up the phone, Jones brings a hand to his forehead to wipe out all the sweat before burying his face on his palms.
"I'm so freaking dead."
The telephone call on that day had been a surprise, there was a little guilt worming its way through her because of it as well. Keeping in touch with friends was very important, those important letters from her family and friends in other countries and taking the time to reply to keep in touch, friends were very important to her. The voice on the other end of the phone seemed a little flustered and was answering his own questions which made her laughs gently.
"Tuesday, In South Town village."
Elena still smiling closes her phone after the disconnect turning to Narumi who is trying to hide her curiosity over the phone call. Elena herself doesn't much use the cellphone. There is a series of shrill attack screams and overly loud impact noises as the hero leaps about on screen, the movie resumed. Something seems to be niggling in the back of her mind but she can't place it and settles in to enjoy the film and her friends company.
"Naru-chan ...are Tuesdays Lucky?"
It's Tuesday and she's early.
Elena fumbles in a shoulder bag and comes up with her cellphone, She had arrived a little early and rather than walk around she decides to wait, dressed for the weather in a white t-shirt and ankle length skirt there is still an ample amount of her brow skin and the colourful bangles on display. While the ensemble is just a tiny bit uncomfortable it was adequately conservative for the area and seemed to cause less of a spectacle. A a foreigner Elena enjoys the novelty of more closely fitting in and exploring as much of the culture here as she can. It's fun!
Okay Jones, you can do this, just let the funk guide you as it always does and you shall emerge from this victorious!
Even if Mista' Johnny Beat Jones is a man designed to impress he still seems to have problems finding the confidence to meet with Elena. Something about the girl really messes with his groove, it rattles him in ways that ferocious fighters couldn't, and it intrigues him! Scared as he might be of how this may turn out, he's putting on a brave face and see it through.
Cars are not exactly a novelty around this parts, but the American built old Mustang does stand out like a sore thumb in the oceans of small compact Japanese cars. Not to mention the 'La Cucharacha' theme of it's horn as it approaches a certain African capoerista.
"Yo!" Jones brings his car about as he spots the tall figure of Elena, parking it somewhere close before he exits with a leap not even bothering to open his door. Hitting the secure alarm behind him, Johnny Jones approaches the girl, himself dressed rather casually with a buttoned up white t-shirt and some jeans. At least he didn't wear the yellow jump suit, so that's a bit of a relief.
Being two foreigners themselves in a foreign nation, Jones and Elena do tend to draw a lot of attention from curious onlookers, something that the ex-Movie Star was trying to avoid, hence the out of the way spot he picked. "Hey babe! Glad you could make it!" Jones himself looks all giddy and excited as he approaches her, though once he's within distance of the girl he does try to maintain his composure as he searches for something on his beast pocket.
"Hmm..I brought ya this. Thought you might like it." The action hero procures a tiny purple tulip, though it's center is on a zig zag pattern as they commonly grow in South Africa. Where on earth did Jones managed to find an African flower in Japan seems to be the 10k dollar question for the day. But, Jonesy has contacts, it shouldn't be all that surprising.
"Man, you look great! Uh..." Tentatively he reaches for Elena's head to apparently try and set the flower on her hair to complete the combo, but he seems hesitant, fearing that Elena might try to draw away.
An enthusiastic wave greets Jones as he pulls into a park. Her head had turned curiously at the 'weird' noise of that horn, that cheery energetic smile blossoms across her as the afro is instantly recognisable even at a distance. As Jones leaps nimbly out of his mustang Elena adjusts the shoulder strap of her bag and bounds over towards him, He's dressed differently since last they met and theres a different feel to the encounter but her enthusiasm shines through even in her greeting.
"Jambo!"
The greetings exchanged Elena doesn't much mind being called babe, it seems to fit Jones image and it's more the feeling behind the word than the word itself. Overall she is a little curious about this outing, when last they had met there had been the suggestion they should dance again sometime but it had not been an invitation back to The Duck Pond where they had all met. She does lament the fact the proprietor Duck had been unable to join them on this outing since both men had been very fun and friendly company.
"You brought me something?"
Hmm, and she hadn't gotten him anything. She clasps her hands together with delighted appreciation of the flower. A flower from her home, it's a very special gift indeed. Very thoughtful.
"Uaaaaaaah! I haven't seen a flower from home in a long time."
She looks confused for a moment as he reaches up to place the flower in her hair, her own hair rises to steady it, touching his. The flower settles in though she does worry it might fall and that would be a pity all she can offer in return is her very best smile and thanks.
"Thank you, it reminds me how beautiful Africa is. It is a precious gift."
She turns her head, careful with the balance of the flower and looks towards the shopping area.
"Should we go?"
She wasn't sure why she suddenly felt so restless but there was a small homesickness in her heart as well as the overwhelming gratitude and friendship.
Mister Jones grins broadly when Elena allows him to set the flower on her hair. The failed movie star looks back to appreciate the girl before him, as if he were staring into a beautiful work of art and he truly might be considering how pretty Elena looks. For a moment the man is utterly stunned, his gaze completely lost in the azure oceans that are Elena's eyes, the only thing making his spacing out not obvious being his shades.
He suddenly realizes that he's staring and snaps out of it, a cheeky grin curling on his lips when Elena seems overjoyed at his gift. Shelling out almost all his winnings of the NDP league where well worth it if they mean he could bring a smile to the girl. "I'm glad ya like it! I saw it and immediately thought of ya!" Sure he did, spending the better part of the week frantically searching the net for a place in Japan where he could get African flowers usually means he's thinking very hard about someone. He'll have to thank Duck later, it was his idea after all and he might not have been able to ask Elena out if he hadn't been for his encouraging.
"It looks good on ya. You're very welcome."
Johnny smiles again, still unable to get his eyes off Elena.
As she asks if they should get a move on it, Jonesy staggers and checks his watch. "Sure babe, I got it all planned out!" Jones is about the only man in the planet that can get away with calling women 'babes' without it sounding insulting, somehow the way he says it sounds almost a respectful compliment. Jonesy makes it work where other less funky men would get slapped right in the mouth.
"We can hang out at the clearing out to the west, or check the sights and look at that snazzy shrine that's around here. I had an awesome Saturday Night Fight there once. Then we can visit a restaurant, my treat of course." The man chuckles "There's also the Kyokugen Dojo but that ain't really place where'd I take a girl out on a date."
Just then, Jones' entire world implodes as he freezes.
"Shoot."
He totally just blew it didn't he?
"I said date out loud didn't I?"
It's a little unsettling to be stared at so but Elena figures he is checking out the flower tucked into her air, she herself wonders how it might look. Does it look weird or out of place? Hehe, it probably is out of place because it's on someone's head rather than growing naturally or in a vase.
Her interest is piqued as mention that this was all planned out, maybe they could see some of the tourist sights or were going somewhere fun. It would be nice to go and visit somewhere historic around here seeing the sights. But one of those choices strikes a chord in her. Another side to japan she really hasn't explored much yet.
"Aaa-HA! I haven't been to see a Dojo before. We could get something to eat then, being a little hungry makes the food taste better!""
The girlish squeal of delight as she near bound and raises a hand to her hair to make sure the flower hadn't fallen in her exuberance. She can almost feel the sudden surge of energy at the prospect of visiting a place of training. She hadn't met many fighters in Japan just yet, there was sure to be interesting things there.
Her head tilts to the side as she hears the curious phrase; 'date' was that what this is?
'Elena, you're too naïve!'
Narumi had been giggling as she said that which was infectious enough to make Elena laugh as well. The Kenyan woman leans in closer to Jones, close enough to catch the scent of the flower worn in her hair and asks openly.
"Is this a Date?"
The whole scene could turn very awkward, she is rather confused at the prospect and wonders why Mr Jones would even ask her out for a Date, had they not just met a little while ago. It feels like longer, in fact it feels like she saw him just recently.. the situational diffuses when she smiles and leans away.
"I have never been on a Date before."
Shes not too sure of the rules of dating, and finds the whole scenario rather strange but there is little to be done but have a fun outing and enjoy her first 'date.' This must have been what Narumi had meant, and it -was- funny.
Actually Elena's overjoyed reaction at the prospect of visiting a Dojo surprises Jones. But it's a good surprise! There ain't a whole lot of girls out there that appreciate a good dance fight, really, Jones find himself in a rare form in the presence of Elena, she's a precious find she is. Jones had met a lot of women fighters, sure, but they're either emotionally barren, ice queens, burly masculine bruisers or just plain psychos, Elena is about the only 'sane' girl fighter that he has encountered, which draws him even more towards her. Hitting the Dojo doesn't sound like such a bad idea now, but perhaps not in the first date.
Because this is in fact a date.
"Ah..well.." It's not often one sees Mister Jones backing down, yet he feels compelled to do so when Elena leaaaans her face towards him curiously, their noses almost touching apparently if he's able to catch the scent of the flower he just gave her. The man's cheeks are set ablaze, the crimson color seen visibly despite his dark skin. "If you want it to be."
Jones was about to ask if it was a problem because she had a boyfriend already. A pretty girl like Elena ought to have someone in her life already. However when Elena openly states she had never been in a date before that dispels Jonesy's fear.
And raises a new one.
"Seriously?" Johnny straightens up as he is stared down by Elena, getting over his embarrassment of her leaning too close for comfort. "That just ain't right, girl! Someone as beautiful as you deserves to get taken out on dates." He adjusts the collar of his shirt "Guess it's up to me."
"If uh..you do wanna go on a date."
Twitch.
"With me.."
Man, when did Jones lose his funk??
Elenas smile turns a little awkward whilst she scratches the back of her head. There's probably a lot of things going on in her life but she supposes there are reasons for never having dated before.. for someone who never spends a great amount of time in one place. The shaking of her head indicates she doesn't mind this at all, though she does feel a little guilty.
"I'm kind of embarrassed, and this is fun, my first date! But, I travel a lot while I am studying, and well, to really date someone they would need my fathers permission."
%She had an entire tribe of an extended family which would prove fairly intimidating to outsiders especially from other cultures and countries, perhaps there were even other admirers in her past that had just chosen to remain friends instead. She still isn't sure how she really feels about this tall afro clad man. She takes a deep breath.
"Maybe.. this could be 'A Japanese date' part of my experience of Japan."
It's a hopeful proposition, if it is enough. She doesn't want to disappoint him, and her heart had skipped at the prospect of a date and she has so looked forward to seeing what the outing was about, but in the end Elena is an honest and kind-hearted girl with no wish to hurt anyone, least of all her family or new found friends.
A 'Japanese Date' as Elena calls it kind of implies dating a Japanese guy in Japan, not an African American who's also visiting Japan. But hey, whatever, /details/. Mister Jones is not disheartened by Elena's regretful response, others past admirers may feel satisfied remaining 'just friends' unwilling to do all that extra work that is required to earn the African Princess' affection. But not Jones, oh no baby, Jones is a fighter, if he has to move mountains, or bring the stars from the heaven above, or shave his afro---well maybe not that, but the rest he's very willing to do!
"It's cool." He's not one to pressure though. "That works for me if it works for ya, babe."
The truth is that Johnny is an American. He has never really tried to discover his roots as one could say it. He's a man from the city more at home with fast cars and flashing lights of Hollywood, Elena is a country girl, that frolics with animals and calls plants her friends. It would never work out would it?
Maybe, maybe not, it'd be a challenge and boy does Jones love challenges.
"But hey, if all it takes is to visit your pops, shoo, I'd travel all the savanna on foot, tangle with fiercest beasts and just plain take any test thrown at me to earn their approval." He suddenly thinks of himself deep in the African jungle kung fu fighting a lion and approves. An acceptable effort for what he seeks.
"Heck! It kinna reminds me of this movie I did once. 'A Lovely Dance' I think it was the only chick flick I did, even though it had a lot of fight scenes. It was about this one Prince dude hooking up with a New Orleans chick, dunno if you've ever seen it."
That may or may not be the movie Elena was watching when Jones called him. It would certainly fit in the 'girl's night out' category.
"Anywho! No pressure, let's just enjoy ourselves today shall we? Any time spent with ya, ain't time wasted."
Smiling, Jones reaches for Elena's hand "Come on."
He'll worry about kung fu fighting lions in the jungle to save African Princesses later. For now, he's just quite glad being around Elena.
Her cheeks are heating up, she really doesn't get this man at all. Everything he does just seems to make little sense and confound her even more. Was it really worth travelling halfway across the world to talk to the father of someone he met just a short time ago and only a couple of.. This was only the second time she had seen.. no it wasn't; there was that niggling feeling again.
Was he saying he had been in- So that was it! She had been seeing him, one of the films had been on daytime television and another two on DVD. She does make a show of inspecting Johnny's face thoroughly. There was no mistaking it, the man in the videos has looked a little younger but it was definitely the same one.
"I have seen that film, I didn't realize you were an actor."
A dancer certainly and a fighter, She guesses that makes him a real celebrity. She does recall that film as being one of the three, it had been the worst film of the three with poor production values and a cheesy script, it was memorable yet mediocre film with it's ups and downs. But that is it? He's worked hard to be an actor, she already knows he is a dancer and a fighter with those moves.
As he takes her hand and starts to pull she uncharacteristically hesitates focuses entirely on her hand being held in his. It's much larger and they are harder and there are calluses on his palms. Following at pace she quickly falls in beside him, happy to hold hands but mulling over her thoughts regarding the whole affair and the feelings that it brings up.
"Let's go do something fun then!"
It's amazing how nothing can be different and yet everything can change.
Log created on 19:39:18 04/24/2012 by Elena, and last modified on 00:51:31 04/25/2012.