Lil and JP: Post-Sushi

[x-diamondlil.livejournal.com]

After the sushi with the New Mutants (and Cammie), Lil and Jean-Paul discuss dinner and Valentine's Day plans.


"For a pack of runts, they aren't that bad," Lil mused out loud as she watched the teens scatter, heading back to video games and homework. The night was a success, complete with food fights, war stories and plenty of laughter. Partially due to her antics as well as those of the man standing next to her. "I can't believe you made me eat that."

Jean-Paul snorted quietly, hands in the pockets of his jacket.

"At the risk of sounding somewhat less than my true age, you started it."

The tall woman rolled her eyes at her countryman before sticking her tongue out at him. "Only because I didn't think you'd actually swallow an octopus, sake or not."

"I've eaten worse than octopus and in more desperate circumstances. It was a new experience." He smirked over at Lil, his expression impish. "And it was worth it to see the look on your face."

"Yeah well, after that you knew I couldn't let you out do me." Still, having the frog look back at her as she ate the sashimi bordered on 'extremely creepy.' "We sure as hell impressed the kids though. Gave them a night they won't forget."

"I'll settle for it being a distraction." Jean-Paul sobered a bit. "I was hoping more of them would turn up, but forced socialization only does so much good."

Lil gave a little shrug. "They're kids. They live together, take classes together; don't blame them if they're sick of seeing each other's faces really." Tossing her ponytail, she tilted her head towards the door. "You wanna head down to Harry's for another round? I owe you a drink or two."

"Merci, but I shall have to collect later. I'm at my limit for the night without getting buzzed." Or maybe just a little over to make that confession. Oh well. "You have company waiting?"

"Lightweight," she teased then shook her head. "Nah, no company tonight. Going to the reopening of Silver tomorrow night, though. Then who knows what for Valentine's day..." Lil frowned softly. "Mind if I pick your brain? I need ideas for a gift and the last guy I asked wasn't a lotta help."

"I will probably stop by myself. I've heard a lot about the place." Jean-Paul considered the request. "This would be a gift for the magnificent monsieur Bishop, I assume?"

"Mais oui" the Amazon said, grinning brightly. "Unless there's rumors flying around about me and someone else that I don't know about."

"Sweet Lillian, do I look like a rumor-monger?" The Quebecois was all innocence. "Well, knowing as little about the man as I do, I would suggest making the gift simple, almost a keepsake, and making the night itself memorable. Excellent dinner, excellent drink, perhaps dancing, and being joyfully amiable to whichever positions he likes best afterward."

Her jaw dropped slightly at Jean-Paul's last suggestion. "Back up. We're not sleeping together," Lil clarified, waving both hands to show him just how wrong he was. "Also, I can't cook or dance with leaves me with just my original idea in getting him a bottle of whatever it is he likes to drink." She had Manuel's email somewhere containing that information, along with their little spat afterward. "And you are most definitely a rumor-monger."

"This is going to be a night in, then?" Jean-Paul considered. "Liquor is not a bad idea on that front. I'd say getting him something to remember you by is still not out of the question, but I do not think you plan to go anywhere."

Lil frowned. "I don't know what plans are - if we even have any. I'm just working on the present part right now. It's... been awhile since I had to deal with all this... stuff." Gifts for Madison had never been a problem but with knowing Bishop for less than three months, the blonde was at a loss. "And what do you mean you don't think I'm planning on going anywhere?"

"Small gifts are for remembering events or remembering people who are not present," he clarified. "Since you don't know your plans yet and aren't planning to leave soon, there's no need for one. There's always clothing, of course. That can be a treat for both."

Her mouth opened then snapped shut when she rethought trying to explain that she wasn't allowed to dress herself. "I already told you, I'm not sleeping with Bishop. Clothes, at least the kind I'm assuming you mean, are kinda pointless then, yeah?"

"I heard you the first time," was the calm reply. "I am not talking about bedroom frippery, simply clothes. Things he will look good in and that you will enjoy looking at him in. Perhaps even something matching if you feel like being playful about it."

"Oh. I though you meant, nevermind." Lil shook her head and tried to dismiss the topic all together, not wanting the conversation to go the way it had with Manuel. "Thank you, for the suggestions. I've been told I don't know how to dress myself though," she said, looking down at the pair of jeans, green halter and leather jacket, "so I dunno if I wanna start getting in trouble for adding to his wardrobe, too." Her lips twitched into a half smile.

"It's hard to go wrong with a decent piece of leather," Jean-Paul said, motioning to her jacket. "But I will take your word for it. Still on booze, then. No luck with books or movies?"

"Kinda partial to it, being it's one of the few textures I can feel," the blonde explained, catching the sleeves of her jacket and fingering the cuffs lovingly. "I... uh... am not a big reader and while I'm pretty sure I can think of one movie genre he'd like, it'd give the same impression as the sexy clothes. I do know he likes jazz," Lil told him, a hint of triumph in her hazel eyes.

"Concert tickets, then?" They'd finally made their way to the porch, and Jean-Paul made himself comfortable against the railing. "Or, at least, an iTunes card if you you don't know which artists he'd like."

Tucking her hands into her pocket, the giantess gave a little shrug and tried to fight the urge to take out a cigarette. "I don't know. Seems kinda impersonal. He took me to this jazz house for our New Years date; I was thinking about stealing Logan's bike and heading over there to see if they had gift certificates or anything." Lil didn't want to make the night too formal a celebration after their discussion and decision to take it slow on the relationship front.

"It sounds as if you have a strong lead. My congratulations." Jean-Paul chuckled. "I've had no such dilemma this year. Shiro and I are planning to take refuge from the holiday sentiment."

Lil's nose wrinkled and she couldn't help but stick her tongue out at him once more. "I have some ideas slopping around in my brain. Head's not just for slamming into things. Speaking of slamming, you and Shiro taking refuge together?"

"Are you sure you're not in one of my classes?" He considered the railing a moment, then hopped up and began using it as a balance beam. "I believe the term is 'misery loves company'. So far as I know, he's still pining for Clarice."

"The little purple one who declared she was going lesbian in the journals? Huh." Jennie needed to come up soon because apparently there was a load of history she needed to catch up on. Leaning back against the mansion's wall, she watched Jean-Paul with a little smirk on her face. "I dunno if I should be awarding you points or slipping singles into your belt."

"Your filthy lucre is no good until after midnight, remember?" Jean-Paul certainly didn't seem bothered by the admiration. "And then I suppose you will be sneaking into my room as well, but why should you be made to feel left out?"

The blonde woman stared at him blankly, a confused frown spreading slowly over her face. "Not very good at sneaking. And if you've got that many bedmates, I'm pretty sure I ain't gonna fit on the mattress. Plus, Bishop might get lonely unless you're inviting him along, too."

Jean-Paul grinned and dismounted. "Strong arms you may have, but I'm afraid the curves would ruin the mood. But speaking of my room and my bed, I think I will head that way. Thank you again for a memorable evening. And for looking out for Callie."

"No problem. She's a good kid. They all are, I guess. Kinda growing on me like a fungus or something but without the itching," Lil said with a smile and another one-shouldered shrug. "I've gotta head up to find Amara again anyway. See if I can corrupt her enough to convince her to wear a dress cut above the knee to Silver tomorrow. Thank you for dinner, Monsieur."