Description: It was a long time coming, but at long last Mister Jones made good on the prize he earned on his fabled SNF match against the Killer Bee. He is all ready to have a great time after he invites Elena to a ritzy Hollywood restaurant, thinking that this time they can enjoy themselves without getting jumped by gangster school girls. As it turns out though, Jonesy discovers that Elena is not as naive as he thought her to be, she is perfectly aware of his intentions with her and what's more, it looks like she didn't appreciate getting pressured into a date! Can Johnny salvage this romantic evening or is this just going to end with him getting his funk slapped!?
Welcome to Hollywood, baby!!
It's been a long time coming, but Mister Jones is finally gonna make good on the prize he won after his fight with Leona and Cammy. There was no doubt on his mind that he was going to win that match to be honest, not of course because he doubted Cammy's fighting skill, but because he was a man inspired. When he heard that the winner would win two tickets to dine for free at the most expensive restaurant in all Hollywood, Johnny zeroed in on his target like a Funky Hawk. The second that the prize had been announced, Johnny had already made his decision to who to bring. No need for anyone to hold their breath on this one (or panic, as it's certain Cammy and Leona did if they thought Jones might try asking them out). Jones was quick to grin to the camera after winning and let the whole world hear who he wanted to wine and dine in a ritzy Hollywood set up.
Now, if Elena was embarrassed by Jones asking her out in front of millions is another thing all together.
Or maybe she wasn't even watching the match! That'd be Jones' luck.
One way or another, Jonesy ensures that Elena gets her ticket and her invitation, flying back home first to his old stomping grounds to make a proper reception for the girl. Going to Hollywood for the first time can be a doozy as Jones remembers when he first started his acting career and he is going to try and shield the admittedly naive Kenyan princess as much as possible while still enjoying themselves. It helps that Jones has been here before, quite possibly having dined in the very same restaurant many times while he was still rich and famous. He makes sure to pull as many strings as he's able so that everything goes /just/ perfect.
He'll like to see some uppity Japanese delinquent girl ruin his date this time!
I'm talking to you Kurumi!
"Everything ready then?" Jones adjusts his bow tie a little being dressed in a full tuxedo even if he's still wearing his shades. He stands next to the Maitre D' who nods politely to the ex-Movie Star.
"Everything is set and prepared Mister Damon, we've set up an open air table as you instructed for your lady friend, we are only waiting for her limo to arrive from the airport."
Jones smirks and slips the Maitre D' a twenty for doing such a good job with the arrangements. "Thanks thanks, she's the outdoorsy type so I reckon she'd want something like that."
Nose and hands all but pressed up against the glass interior of the limousine windows Elena and the driver have developed quite the rapport as she points out the sights for her during the drive. The Gigantic size of the African princess had taken him aback clearly with her first impression when they met at the airport but her was having quite the fun time with someone he could play the role of tour guide to and who hung on his every word.
Going the extra mile he opens the door for her and she emerges in a pretty cream coloured sweater and loose fitting capris. The driver bustles around and fishes out a large dark bag from the boot of the stately vehicle and carefully hands the draping and zippered shut case to her by the wire hanger.
Walking in via the front door of the restaurant she subject to note by the staff who try to cover up their disappointment in her choice of dress while remaining tactful and eyeing the carried bag.
"Hello there, is there somewhere I can get changed?"
A cherubic and disarming smile that sets off a small whirlwind of activity as a one of the female staffers puts gently guides her over to a doorway and offers to wait outside while she changes.
The woman who emerges afterwards is much the same person but nobody would mistake an impression of one with the other. Slender spaghetti straps hold up the alluring v-neck bodice. The, silky, silver material is shirred along the bodice which ends in an upside down v-shape over her hips. The gown is perhaps even a little bit showy amongst the crowd, a dress that shines bright and attracts attention even in a formal setting. The female staffer is stunned for a brief moment but quickly and professionally composed she sets to checking and adjusting the dress. Fixing the fit and how Elena was wearing the dress in a motherly fashion but with a careful eye for detail. By the time she actually makes it to the table she has been bustled right through the resteraunt and somehow back outside again. Confusion plays across her face as everyone withdraws and only departs as she turns back to study her surroundings.
"Johnny!"The smile on her face is wide enough to burst with the impression of the man in the Tuxedo right in front of her, it's a rather charming image of Mr Johnny Jones.
Sitting at the back of the restaurant where a spectacularly elegant table has been set up outside, Mister Johnny Jones sits there and does what he does best when waiting for a date.
Sweat bullets.
The Maitre D' and other staff members regard him curiously as this is not the Jones that they remember. The last time he was there living the fast paced life of Hollywood he was the usual high rolling arrogant movie star with a huge sense of entitlement, ordering the most expensive stuff with a cool air about him that just dripped of pride. Now though he actually looks...nervous? Fidgeting like a teenager on his prom night even, this is not the Funky Jones, Action Hero that the staff were told about, has he really changed that much after his Hollywood career ended?
Or maybe it is the fact that this girl he's waiting for just has a way of piercing through his veil of confidence.
"Ah, there she is." Fortunately for Jones, the Maitre D' happens to be on the ball and spots a girl that matches Elena's description wandering about the restaurant looking lost. He is quick to wave her in towards the large open area that has been reserved just for her and Jones, making sure to move as quickly as possible since he notices that Elena is making more than a few heads turn when she passes, worst thing that could possibly happen is someone else trying to snag Elena to their table. "Right this way madam, Mister Damon is waiting."
Opening the door for Elena, the Maitre D' moves out to herald the coming of the charming Kenyan princess just as she smiles and waves to the Tuxedo wearing Johnny Jones. "Miss Elena has arrived, sir."
Jones perks up to see and...well...he doesn't so much as 'see' Elena, but more like goes blind by her devastating beauty.
"I..I...I..." Like a broken record, Johnny just sits there staring up at the figure of Elena dressed in the elegant outfit that accentuates her figure ten fold and stammers, utterly and completely stunned, unable to do anything other than look and speak out gibberish. It is a moment that the Maitre D' uses to welcome Elena to their fine establishment and hope that she has a good time and also to let her know that the music band had been hand picked by Mister Jones himself to play a bit of traditional Kenyan music for their enjoyment.
Unfortunately, the Maitre D' notices that all through his explanation, Jones was *still* stammering like a total idiot and quickly goes to snap his fingers a couple of times in front of his face. "Mister Damon..I believe you should greet the lovely dame.."
"What!? Oh! Gah!" Comes Jones eloquent response as he stands up. "Elena! I'm so glad that you made it babe, it's good to see ya and...uh..y-you look..absolutely stunning." Johnny takes a few steps towards the Capoerista girl and grasps her hand, managing to regain his senses just long enough to bring Elena's hand up to kiss her knuckles in a gentlemanly fashioned.
He must have been rehearsing that for weeks to be able to pull it off.
"Come on, take a seat, babe. Is it your first time in Hollywood? How do ya like the city so far?"
Enthused greeting and 'Hello there' in response to the stammered welcome trails off she Jones takes her hand, Startled by the sudden taking of her hand and the kiss planted gently on her fingers they fidget a little in his hand. She's not sure of what to make of it and she averts her gaze a little nervously with a hint rosy red rising in her cheeks. "Mhnn! I've never been to Hollywood before.."
That bright and cheery voice is a little cowed and quiet coming at the moment, the atmosphere here was very intimate and romantic, the decorated table wasn't that large in order for the diners could be within closer contact with each other but the gardens and the view form out here was amazing. Everything that was not a building was greenery and an explosion of colourful flowers growing right here. Skipping forward to take it all in Jones almost loses her for a moment in her exploration of the surroundings, it takes secods before her head even cocks to listen to the music being piped into the quiet and now almost secluded dining setting. The diners inside seem quite far away out here, and.. aside from the formal dress it almost feels like a picnic.
This collection of flowers would never bloom together in the wild, flowers of different counties and climates carefully tended and nurtured. This place had a good feeling ot it, people enjoying to eat.. it was hard to feel bad, sad or upset when you wer e eating a fine meal.
Her appreciation of the scenery gives way to a curious eye on the menu as she finally is guided close enough to a chair that she takes a seat. The menu beckons to her and she can't help but pick it up to look at what kind of dishes are served here.. but instead she studies the rest of the table and waits for Johnny to be seated.
"It is good to see you."
It doesn't even matter how long that flight had been now, this was an irreplaceable experience and she can feel herself relaxing enough to enjoy it.
It's not difficult to see the similarities between Elena and Johnny, they both seem to get lost easily when looking at beautiful things. While Elena enjoys the beauty that is the gardens of the expensive restaurant, Jones looks content to just stare at Elena's slightly flushed face when she coyly shied away from the kiss to her hand. Honestly, Jones could just sit there and stare at Elena for hours upon hours without a care in the world and it does seem that while Elena is fixed on looking at her surroundings, Jones' lost gaze is fixed on the Kenyan capoerista sitting right across of him, the two staring out for a long time.
And neither of them is ordering anything.
One of the waiters clear his throat letting Jones know that he's drifting off to space again while staring at Elena and he wiggles his eyebrows when he realizes this. "Eh? Gimme a minute, I'm still thinking."
"As you wish, sir." The waiter politely backs off though he does ask if he can bring them anything to drink. Jones glances at the menu and grimaces at the exorbitant prices. If he hadn't won that SNF match there was no way in hell he could afford /any/ of the dishes here. Not unless he wanted to obliterate all his earnings of the NDP league.
"Sheesh..uhm..how about some tea?" For some reason, Jones feels as though he needs to keep the food non-alcoholic for now, although he can't rightly say why.
While he's busy fidgeting over the food, he notices that Elena seems entranced with the garden. It's true, this particular restaurant went to great lengths to make it as beautiful as possible while at the same time disregarding if the flora made any sort of sense. Each and every patch of ground needed to be tended a different way as you had winter flowers blooming right along summer ones, north and south meeting caring not about the natural climate just as long as they were tended well. It was indeed a lovely work of art.
But nowhere near as lovely as the work of art Jones is seeing right now.
"It's good to see ya too, babe."
Slowly, Jones starts to get his confidence back as the sense of ease he gets when being around Elena settles on his chest. He grins broadly now and acts casually, much as he did when they went out to the inner Sunshine City.
"Didja see that match I had against Cammy? It was a rough one and I thought I was gonna lose for sure, but I pulled through and won it. Because I had you in my mind, babe."
He lowers his shade to give a cheeky wink. Now that's more like the Jones every one remembers, one smooth cool cat with no shame about speaking his mind. "Feel free to order anything ya want!" Johnny says while leaning back on his seat, snapping both hands as he does so. "It's all yours babe, got it all juuust for you."
He's not even attempting to hide the fact that he's flirting this time around. Although he thinks they've gotten past that point after he invited her to such an expensive establishment.
Folding her hands in her lap Elena grins while producing an enthusiastic nod at the prospect of tea. Her interest in the menu is hard to deny but as interesting as it would be to peruse the menu she was fine drinking in the atmosphere.
A finger curled to her jaw as she thinks deeply on how best to answer his question about her witnessing the televised fight. "In truth I had no idea you were fighting. But-'Elena come see, you have to watch this. See, see! Isn't that the guy who asked you out?' It was in fact Johnny on the screen fighting. Taking a seat carefully with her knees tucked under by her chin and arms hugging her knees both girls watched from the comfort of the small Japanese style living room. Applauding the victory they almost missed the follow-up.
"Ayyo!" Johnny Jones flashes a grin to the cameras, pointing. "Elena! Get ready to get a taste of Hollywood baby!"
Narumi squeal and throws her arms around Elena "Elena-nii that's so great he asked you out-Elena?" Still a little distant and unresponsive Elena was slow to turn her eyes to Narumi curious as to the concern in the girls voice despite being rather shell shocked, nerves or fright? 'Elena... you aren't smiling?'
-I did catch the ending of the fight."
The butterflies from back then have resurfaced and the she has to make an extra big effort to continue smiling despite the flirtations directed her way. She could not in good conscience string anyone along nor have them doing for her or devoting anything for her when it would be nearly impossible for them to even know her.
"Johnny, this is the prize that you won and I am honoured you invited me to celebrate with you."
How would it reflect on him if she had declined in the manner of so public an invitation? How would it even make him feel if she had? This was a celebration of sorts but if the truth were to come out then how many people seated at this table really wanted to be here?
Elena retains her composure and the front, but the smile is dulled by her efforts.
His movie talents extend past the big screen, Jones' shades flicker slightly, reflecting the light of the placid coastal sun as he stares at Elena's lost, pensive gaze. That is the look a person gets when they are going into a flashback sequence! A look he recognizes!
Leaning back on his chair, Jones lets Elena gather her thoughts as she recalls the events that lead her to watch his match against the dreaded Cammy. It was quite the show that one, he had everything planned out with Elena in mind too, how he'd beat Cammy and let the suspense hang in the air right before he turned to the camera to pop the question. Kang would be proud of his publicity stunt! And he was certain Elena would love it too!
But why...why does she look so serious then?
Johnny's eyebrows furrow when rather than return his advances with the jubilant joy that she's so known for, instead Elena responds in a very formal matter as if she was in a business meeting...that was not the response that Jones was fishing for! The ex-movie star and action hero sits up straight with wide shade covered eyes. Could it be that....no.
Could it be that Elena felt forced to be here??
It is then that it hits him like a ton of bricks, his funky heart shrinking at the horrible realization. Jones had, without realizing it, shoe horned Elena into accepting a date by asking her out in public, and of course, out of the kindness of her heart Elena had no other option but to accept.
This a shocking, and depressing, turn of events for Super Star Johnny Jones. He thought that Elena would love the gesture, but it seems that he had neglected to take into account the girl's feelings when he went for it.
"M-My prize? I...you think you are my prize?" He stutters, his funky powers proving once again that they are no match for Elena. Without the Groovy Soul guiding his actions, Jones reverts to what he truly is deep down between those flamboyant layers of eccentricity.
A simple person.
"I'm sorry." He says, setting his elbows on the table looking pensive, Elena would be able to tell he has his eyes closed behind those shades. "I suppose...I am coming on too strongly, and you did tell me your family wasn't okay on you dating. I knew of your wishes and I went against them Elena and...I apologize."
So..is that it? Is he simply going to give up? All his hopes dashed away because the unfamiliarity between him and Elena's culture?
"It's just that.." Jones looks to the side, out into the beautiful gardens as he gathers his thoughts. "This is probably going to sound silly but do you....do you.."
"Do you believe in Love at first sight, Elena?"
The question hangs in the air for a moment before he glances to the side to the waiter who's making signals at him. "What? Heck yeah I still want the sheep couscous. Make it a double too." Maybe this is going to end up being a train wreck, but he's still got the munchies dang it!
"Johnny.."
The word hold a great deal of affection and those large doe eyes blink as while making sense of the sudden changing of the situation. So he saw right through her, that was a surprise in of itself.
"Thank you, I thought you had forgotten."
The bright and genuine smile fits naturally back on her face as if it were her cheek or nose. The fretting and butterflies eases tremendously alongside the release in pressure. Johnny had not ever intended to pressure her into coming had he? If anything she feels a little silly in thinking it might have been his intention when his apology clearly said it had not.
"It does not sound in the least bit silly. Do I believe in love at first sight? Yes"
Like any girl the prospect of such love is always a romanticized ideal but the world was such a unknowably huge and varied place it most certainly existed. Not only did love at first sight exist but there were certainly enough examples of it in both humans and animals, it had to be there. Was that what he was getting at? Her cheeks colour and she looks down bashfully as the thought sidles into head and wreaks havoc.
"But I don't know how anyone could tell the difference between attraction and love at first sight without knowing the other person. For me; Love is related to the bonds that I share with people and -- also not people. A deep personal bond or great affection to some person or something outside myself."
She struggles for more words but in the end just closes her mouth and smiles with a merest hint of a shrug as she raises her hands to her heart.
"Does that make sense?"
"Heh." Johnny gives a chuckle and leans back on his chair when Elena visibly relaxes. "I wouldn't forget something like that, I totally remembered....and chose to ignore it." Wow, now he truly feels awful about what he did, he really let himself get carried away in the moment as he always does. But this time it's different, he managed to hurt someone in the process, an action that is most decidedly most unFunk like.
At the very least, he managed to get Elena to smile again, that within itself is already a HUGE victory. He is surprised how much seeing Elena sad affects him, but there are very little things that Elena has made that /do not/ affect him. Every subtle gesture, every whimsical look carelessly sent his way sends his mind and heart reeling. Everything she does is magic.
It is why he was so confident of what he felt. Elena might be doubting the absurdity of the situation. Surely, a meeting such as this only happens in fairy tales doesn't it? Even if she is so certain that Love at First Sight exists, there is that deep hidden doubt within her that makes her not take that first step.
Johnny has made a lot of mistakes before, he understands. Mistakes that have costed him his reputation, his fortune, his fame, his friends... but here, he takes that step willingly.
He had never been so certain of anything in his life before.
"Of course that makes sense." Says the Groove Master calmly removing his shades to put them on his breast pocket, there are no masks between them here, Elena can see clearly to his unwavering eyes now to maybe see the sincerity within them. "You don't know me very well, frankly we've hanged out like..three times before? I ain't a childhood friend, I ain't a close acquaintance, heck I don't think you've even heard about me 'till I mentioned that I did movies."
Jones moves up again, struggling for words, being too forward with Elena might make her flee like a shy doe, but being too passive might show defeat. He has to tread very delicately here, find just the right balance where Elena feels comfortable.
"But..you can't get to know me if you don't give me the chance babe. How.." He shakes his head. "What can I do for you to give me an opportunity to prove myself?"
"You can ask me anything you want, I ain't even kidding here. Ask me anything ya want and I'll do it." Jones lowers his hand behind the table so that Elena won't see him doing a double crossed finger sign of supplication, silently wishing for Elena to simply say 'Just back off'.
That would be the cheap shot he deserves he admits. But it would still suck.
With her hands held over her heart she would have felt if it had skipped a beat though for a moment she would have sworn it just might have. She clears her throat, a light cough into one of her gently closed fists before dwelling on the nature of what Jones was asking for.
"Very well. There are two things to consider. I cannot make the decision to formally date someone without my father or grandfather's permission so while we could spend time together I could not call it a date. These are both closely tied together as I am upholding a promise I made to my grandfather and my father who wished bid me enjoy my travels and study."
Promises she intends to uphold for their sake as well as her own. To be in a relationship would tie her down, take her focus from her studies and her goals as well as the dangers of being used by foreigners or the differing values and worth placed upon such things as love or even that of the value of a girl.
"But .. if I must make a request of you.. then I would like to know more about you, and you to know me. Before you asked for permission to date I would like to think that we were close enough that I would also wish that."
It was not impossible that suitors might be chosen whom she had never met. But such a thing was a little less likely as her family was very modern thinking and progressive, at least her parents were. Her family was protective and loving but there was tradition and more than a few protocols to follow, especially in regards to her grandfather. She had enver even considered the prospect of a suitor but beneath it all there is a small niggling that it was just a short lived infatuation and that few men would suffer the slings and arrows necessary just to date a Kenyan Princess. But. she hadn't even told him that part..
But she had put him through more than enough and she wasn't sure she had enough time for a boyfriend with travelling and approaching midterms, but the future would not always be so hectic and so closed.
Alright, time to meet the demands of the Princess. Jones knew it would eventually lead to this, but he wasn't kidding when he told Elena that he would do anything, there is no price he would not pay, no sacrifice he would not do, if it meant that he got to spend more time with Elena.
He's just a real go getter like that.
"I'm listening." Jones crosses his arms and tilts his head to the side as Elena provides the hurdles and obstacles that he must overcome in order to win her heart. Surely this is where he gets to wrestler lions in the savanna to prove his worth to Elena's tribe, this is why such a devastatingly beautiful girl is still single, because no would be suitor has enough FUNK to endure the challenges that come when courting a girl of Elena's caliber. And what's this? Elena reveals to Jones that her main concern with dating is that her family doesn't allow it?? Jones doesn't understand tribal rites and traditions of such nature, he's an American, baby! As far as he is concerned, all those rules and regulations are cramping Elena's style! Never mind that he still doesn't know at this point that she is bonna fide Kenyan royalty.
Just as he is getting the idea of traveling to Elena's village and showing everyone that the one and only way to go about things is the American way, Elena asks him not to save her from her father, or to defeat a fearsome tiger with his fists, or heck, even beat the strongest man in his village.
No, Elena's demands are as honest and pure as herself
"Tell you about myself?" Jones blinks in surprise, talking about himself has never been a problem for him. It's actually kind of his job considering he is a movie star. It has always been about the Jones. But when he is with Elena...he doesn't want it to be about the Jones. He wants it to be about Elena.
However, if the princess so requests it...
"Well...sure, of course babe, but...waddaya want to know exactly? I mean, you already know I'm a movie star and a professional fighter. What else is there to know?"
While they talked, Jones took the liberty of ordering for both of them and the waiter soon arrives with three plates. One for Elena, one for Jones and one main one where the mutton couscous is laid out on top of flat bread. Johnny prods a bit at it looking curious and frowns. "Yo mang, where's the fork for this? Am I supposed to eat this with my hands?"
Apparently, this is the first time Jones is eating Kenyan food and he doesn't know he's supposed to use the bread to scoop it.
"The Johnny I know is a dancer and a fighter, finding out about the movie star side to him is something recent."
Elena picks up the empty plate initiating a quick tutorial and transferring a small serving from the main dish to her own using the bread as a somewhat well formed scoop, she pops a little into her mouth. Tutorial complete! and she chews with relish. It was rather good and the quality might not have surprised her had she been able to see the usual cost paid for such a meal.
Paused yet contemplation Elenas' thoughts circle back on themselves and carefully picks topics where her interest is keenest. Now that they actually have started the dinner she toys with some thought for just how and what questions are actually 'politie enough for dinner conversation' rather than her frank was of speaking direct and candidly.
"I have seen your dance and your rhythm is strong and catchy. I am curious as to why you choose to call yourself a Fighter and a Movie Star?"
Were they important goals he had set out to achieve, yardsticks by which he could measure his success? The person across the table is as a closed yet still compelling book, she had yet to understand any of it but keen to listen and inquisitive on a scale beyond measure.
The immense pressure of those bright blue eyes as she sits there just devouring absolutely every word Jones could say while only lightly partaking of the meal, Elena was saving room for the next course. She had no intent of leaving here without having tried a few different dishes and gotten a doggy bag for sure!
Jones thought that his plan was flawless, he had done the research of Elena's food, picked a spot in the open doors that she might enjoy and complemented it all with some traditional Kenyan music. What could possibly go wrong right? Perhaps the fact that he hadn't taken into consideration that Kenyan food is eaten in a certain way, you'd think for a man that travels so much and currently lives in Japan he'd be prepared to deal with strange eating utensils. Johnny Jones is no a very far sighted individual, he prefers to keep his outlook in not the future, heck, not even the present, but the past, as it can be told by his life style of preference. So, perhaps he missed a few details.
That's no problem though, thankfully he is a quick learner and adapts to the situation quite easily. Though he stubbornly refuses to conform to the way around and he mostly acts as if he was trying to change the world back to the 80's through sheer force of will, he always makes an exception whenever Elena is concerned. The Movie Star casts a curious glance at how Elena elegantly pries a piece of bread from underneath the food and scoops in the food. Huh, that's pretty ingenious! Don't have to worry about washing spoons or anything. Heck, Jones might try to do that at home from now, living as a bachelor kind of demands he keeps a healthy stock of dirty dishes piled up on his sink.
Waiting patiently for Elena's interrogation, Jones entertains himself by munching on the tasty food while admiring the beautiful sight that is Elena's pondering face. As far as he is concerned he could spend the whole day in that position, merely resting his hand on his chin whilst staring at the Kenyan princess. When she speaks, his expressive eyebrows furrow just a tad to pay as much attention to her words as his ever groovy mind can possibly manage.
When prodded, Jones normally just lets it all out with his usual hipster, jive talking machine gun speak.
Not so with Elena, he picks his words carefully as if he were preparing to present her with a bouquet of flowers. Only the best for the princess.
"Listen." Or as much as Jones can manage anyway. "I know this might sound anticlimactic but, I ain't really hard to figure out. If you're looking for a dark brooding past you're probably gonna be disappointed, babe."
Snickering softly, Jones grasps the spoon he used to stir his tea and begins to twirl it masterfully on his fingers, making it dance from knuckle to knuckle. "Basically, I watched a lot of cartoons, movies, you know. Growing up in the Metro City ghetto didn't give me a lot of options on how to have fun unless I wanted to hang out with the wrong crowd. But it boils down to...let's just say that, you know how a lot of kids pretend to be their favorite cartoon characters and do some live action roleplaying?" He smirks mischievously "Don't pretend you didn't do it, babe. If you had a favorite cartoon character you've at least thought once of becoming it."
"Let's just say that, I never stopped playing those games. Kids grow up, they move on to other stuff, but me? Heh, I never stopped playing, I realized that living a normal down trodden life was for chumps! I wanted to be Moon Light Crusader and Saint Pegasus." He goes on to list some well known cartoon action heroes. His smirk falters momentarily thinking suddenly that maybe that's what Jezebel was going through pretending she was Lighting Spangles, but she shakes the thought away, all that matters for the moment is, Elena.
He casts those fun loving eyes back up to stare at Elena's mirthful azure gaze, smiling still. "That's me, babe. I wasn't satisfied on just imagining myself being a super hero, I wanted to be one."
And the rest? The whole, learning martial arts from movies, becoming a vigilante and then a movie star? Well..the rest is history.
There is a surprised eye blink and a rather weak smile on Elenas part, possibly of embarrassment but she can't say anything in response to that. A young life in a communal fashion Elena really has no experience at all with being raised on cartoons or even of that culture, she can't follow any of those cartoon hero names as she is more familiar with.
"I was very interested because that was how you described yourself just now. My mother always joked that humility was the art of encouraging people to find out for themselves how wonderful you are."
She pushes her plate away with little to none of the couscous remaining and the piece of bread consumed, making no move for seconds.
"But I can understand the attraction of wanting to save people or be a hero."
Not growing up with cartoon culture she can still appreciate the behaviour or children at play and the value of their pretending and imagination. Plucked from the conversation with more than a little surprise and the gentle Kenyan doesn't let a certain word slide by unnoticed.
"Did you say vigilante?"
There is something she is completely unsure of, there was no real positive spin on that word for which she could assume the very best. Her head is cocked to the side as she wonders if he was secretly either joking with or kidding her.
"Your mom sounds like a smart woman." Says Jones with a grin, unlike Elena he is going for seconds with the couscous, this is really good stuff and he would loath letting it go to waste! "I'd follow on her advice, even if she said it jokingly." In a way, Jones think that Elena already has since she didn't need to boast of her abilities for Jones to become interested in her. She didn't need to, one look at the Capoerista and it told Jones everything he needed to know about her.
"Hmm! Man, I gotta eat this more often!" In typical Johnny fashion, his attention is easily taken away by far more mundane things. One moment he is poetically reflecting on his life whilst in the presence of a beautiful girl and then the next he is stuffing his mouth full of food, savoring the exotic delicacies that he has never tasted before. "I wonder if there's a Kenyan joint in Sunshine, I'd be a regular."
But returning to the girl in question, who is currently wondering about his motives, Mister Jones swallows food loudly when he hears that almost accusing tone to her voice. Cartoon heroes may have no effect in Elena due to the way she was raised, but there is something else that she can relate to.
-A Vigilante-
Gulp. "Well.." Jones gets an embarrassed sort of smile after eating a mouthful of couscous. "That's...the only way that I could describe it. I know it has negative connotations, but when you're a young impressionable kid with better values than your fellows and..you see a bunch of guys dragging a woman down a dark alley with less than noble intentions in their minds." He cringes, thinking of how to spare Elena's innocent mind from the gory details, or if he should even do so, Elena strikes him as a tough chick but it's not exactly the polite conversation he'd want to have on their date. "When you live in Metro City you got no time to think, before I knew it was busting out these home made nunchuks I've made outta PVC pipe (It was actually pretty cool, I sawed a PVC Pipe in half and attached the pieces with a chain) and totally went Fei Long on 'em." He's quite clearly not hypothetically speaking, saving a woman from getting raped was something that happened. "There was no going back after that, if you get marked by a gang all you can do is run...or in my case, fight back."
In an uncharacteristic move for Jones, he doesn't sound proud about this, in fact, his facial features are grim and pensive. "Yeah, I guess that makes me a vigilante." He admits, looking up at Elena with apologetic eyes, knowing she wouldn't approve of such things. "It doesn't always work, I've botched a few when I bite more than I can chew." Eiserne comes to mind. "B-But I can stop if you want me to. I'm through that phase anyway, I can go legit, just say the word, babe."
The meal had indeed been quite nice but Elena was suppressing her desire to try out American cuisine and fare offered that she had never seen before. The smell and taste of food from home was enough to fill a emptiness inside her, but homesickness and seeking things that reminded of home were not activities Elena invested any time in. if anything , she was grateful to be invited out by Johnny even if she was apprehensive about a few of the aspects surrounding this .. date?
If so awkward a thing (it probably still was) could be considered a date.
The tall Kenyan is introspectively completely lost in thought after Jones answer. Where she would draw the line between protecting someone and the law she could not say for certainty unless presented with the situation. Reaching across the table Elena sets her hand on top of Jones own as it takes a break between mouthfuls and she apologetically bobs her head.
"I'm sorry" Elena had never heard that term used like that. Having heard people call that as acting as a Guardian or Shepard. Laws were imperfect, sometimes one sided unfair or offering no impediment to any but those who lived lawfully. She had no right to judge even if it twisted her heart and stomach into knots. She does recover her exuberance and entusiasm after just a few solemn moments before recovering her incredible levels of cheer and enthusiasm.
"But, Do you think we could maybe get a burger next, and maybe some fries!"
The reassuring hand of Elena touching his own comforts Jones in a way that washes away all his worries. It is true that he said he would change his life style if Elena so much as told him to, but in reality he was hoping Elena would not demand such a thing from him. This was a test of trust for Jones as much as it was for Elena, to present himself before her in a most vulnerable way and see if the Kenyan Princess took the shot or not. It was truly very comforting to see that the girl wouldn't want to change him, even if he would do so unquestioningly. Jones had fallen backwards on purpose and Elena had caught him, he had opened himself and Elena had gently secured him back in his place.
His eyes lift up as soon as he feels that palm touch his knuckles, joy lighting up on his eyes again. "Nah, don't worry. I'm cool with it if you're cool with it."
And just like that, he was back to the old Jones as ever.
Honestly he hadn't meant to get all dramatic and stuff in their so called date, Jones had invited Elena here mostly to have a good time. Sure, one of his less than honest intentions were to goad her into a situation where she'd have to meet him no matter what so he could ask her if she wanted to go steady, buuuut ultimately Jones just prefers to see Elena happy. All this contemplation of navels is really not his cup of tea! As an entertainer, he is failing in a fundamental level if he can't bring a smile to her face.
Therefore, at the request to change locals, Jones flicks his shades off his breast pocket, neatly placing them back on his eyes where they belong and begins to stand up. "Sure thing babe, let's blow this joint!" He snaps his fingers calling the attention of the Maitre D' "Yo! Homes! Can I get this to go?"
The staff is stunned at the gall of Jones dismissing their expensive establishment as if it was naught but a fast food place, but Jones pays them no mind, the only opinion he cares about is Elena's.
Turning his hand around, Jones grasps Elena's hand to lead her out of the restaurant, his other hand carrying the packaged couscous after leaving a handsome tip. "Come on babe, there's a place down the road Kang and I used to visit. Best burgers on this side of L.A., baby!"
Log created on 21:04:52 07/29/2012 by MrJones, and last modified on 20:42:44 09/24/2012.