6731/Dessert before Dinner

Dessert before Dinner
Date of Scene:	02 March 2019
Location:	Baskin Robbins - Salem
Synopsis:	Ice cream and social talk between Jason and Kitty
Cast of Characters:	Shadowcat, Red Hood

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Shadowcat has posed:
Kitty Pryde walks in to the ice cream shop with Jason, debating about the movie they just saw. "Oh no way. Star Wars 11: The Return of the Empire was sooo much better," she is telling him with a laugh. Kitty pauses as they enter the ice creamery, turning to rest a hand on Jason's chest to stop him.

"Ok, so I figured it is time for you to meet someone truly special in my life," she tells Jason. "If, you think our relationship has reached that point?" Kitty doesn't give him time to decide, taking his hand and pulling him over towards the counter. "Everyone needs 'a guy'. A dealer. That special person who has what you need most. Well, Jason Todd, I want you to meet, Ernesto," she says, motioning towards the mid-forties, plump Latino behind the counter.

"Kitty! You came to see me again! You having your special? And who's the fella?" Ernesto asks. Kitty grins to Jason and says, "This is Jason Todd, my boyfriend."

Red Hood has posed:
"Not enough explosions." comes the dry remark from Jason, though he seems to be clearly teasing. That's when she stops him at the door and starts the dramatics. "A dealer, huh." he asks, with a lift of a brow.

"And that's when she's leading him inside, and as he meets Ernesto, he gives a polite inclination of his head. "Hey." he says, before turning his attention to Kitty. "Oh. The ball next week. Do you have a dress? If you want, I could see about fronting you for it?"

Shadowcat has posed:
Kitty Pryde slips her hand over into Jason's again, lacing fingers with his. "I... think I can come up with something. Though... let's see this is going to be like fully on fancy evening wear, right?" Kitty asks, pausing a moment in thought.

Surely Rogue would have something sexy. Though, no wait, she'd probably just have jump suits. Jean! Oh, hell, no way she could fill out one of Jean's dresses. Andrea, pop star has -got- to have something that would work, and she's the same size roughly.

"I think I can probably come up with something suitable, yes," Kitty says with more assurance in her voice. "Ernesto, yes, the usual for me, my wonderful ice cream dealer," she tells him, getting a big smile from the man. Kitty turns to Jason and says, "For me that's a double scoop of mint chocolate chip, in a waffle bowl dipped in chocolate... with some hot fudge added for good measure. So... now this is important stuff Jason. What do you want?" she asks motioning to the array of flavors and toppings.

Red Hood has posed:
"Yeah. Masquerade Ball. So masks and all of that as well." Jason says as he considers Kitty for a moment. "And probably the only time in my life outside the coffin you'll catch me in a tux."

Ha! I made that death tux look good though.

As she places the order for her special, he grins at her. "Someone plans on burning off a lot of energy this weekend." he points out as his hand finds hers and they join back together so easily. "I'll have a..." he looks over the menu thoughtfully for several moments.

"A scoop of vanilla in a plain cone."

That's it. Really.

Shadowcat has posed:
Kitty Pryde and Ernesto exchange meaningful glances. Kitty swallows and says, "I'll work on him Ernesto, I promise." Ernesto nods his head, walking away and shaking his head as he says, with a joking tone, "And he seemed like such a nice boy too."

Kitty turns back to Jason and smiles to him. "Scoop of vanilla? Really?" she teases. Kitty moves to press lightly against Jason in a hug, her cheek to his chest. "Ok, you can be a vanilla kind of guy when it comes to that." Her eyes peek up at him twinkling as if with a thought that she leaves unsaid. "Ah, a mask. Where can we get those?" she asks him.

Red Hood has posed:
The press of Kitty to his chest brings Jason's arms around her in an affectionate embrace. "Sometimes, I prefer to enjoy the simple things." he says with a shrug of his shoulders. "I mean, things get complicated enough, why should my ice cream be?"

He smiles down at her, brushing a hand through brunette locks.

"And you know, my Kitty," he says, as she makes her tease known as he chuckles. "I'm already complicated enough."

Shadowcat has posed:
Kitty Pryde smiles up to Jason, her eyelids going half-closed as she leans into the touch to her hair. "So I keep hearing," she tells him. She rubs her hand gently against his chest, smiling in a way to show the words are teasing, not negative. "But still... chocolate," she whispers to him.

The ice cream is served up, and Kitty pays for it since Jason got the movie. "Thank you Ernesto. As always you are a talent to your craft," she tells him. Kitty makes a fist and presses it to her hand, and bows to him, Ernesto returning the gesture in kind. She's giggling as she turns back to Jason, moving to take a seat while they eat. "Used to come in here to study sometimes for tests. If I came back the next day with an A I'd get free chocolate sprinkles added," she tells Jason. "So, anyone going to be at this ball in particular? Family? Old girlfriends who will stare daggers at me?" she asks.

Red Hood has posed:
"I wouldn't be surprised if Bruce makes an appearance. It's also for charity, so I'm sure you may see other members of my family. Probably not any exes. Told you I have a pretty terrible dating record." Jason responds as he accepts his cone, watching the pair of them in amusement as he turns to take his girlfriend's hand so they can stroll and eat at the same time.

Until he realizes she can't hold his hand and eat that monster at the same time. While he has a free hand. See what you denied yourself, Kitty? "I'm sure some other socialities will be there."

As will a good bit of Gotham's criminal element. But this is not an evening for that. Or is it?

"You already told me about all your ex-boyfriends. I think?" he asks curiously, a glance towards her.

Shadowcat has posed:
"Singular, really," Kitty says. She gets a scoop of mint chocolate chip. With hot fudge just dripping from it and spoons it into her mouth. Oh. Oh so good. Good good good. Jason's hand will be there later still. But time, tide and ice cream wait on no girl before they melt.

Or something like that.

"Speaking of, so he... Piotr that is, returned very recently. He was in France as it turns out," Kitty tells Jason. "And we talked the other day. Both agreed we were over and moving on. I mentioned I was seeing someone and it was going very well. He wished us luck," Kitty says. She leans her head against Jason's shoulder.

Red Hood has posed:
When she leans her head on his shoulder, Jason's free arm slips around Kitty, settling on her side as the two walk close together. The news of Pitor's return draws a thoughtful noise from the young man before he gives a nod. "I'm not willing to give you up, Kitty." he finally says quietly.

"You said it's over, and I trust you on that. And that the two of you will need to work together. If you ever need to talk or anything, I'll be near." he promises her as he reaches up to take another bite out of his ice cream.

Shadowcat has posed:
Kitty Pryde smiles up to Jason. "I'd be upset if you were willing to," she tells him, giving Jason a little thump in the shoulder with her head. She smiles and walks along with him. Salem Center is a nice little town, a good place to have a school near as part of it has an almost college feel.

"I have a friend I want you to meet too, but that can wait for another trip when the timing is better," she tells him. One small step at a time, Kitty. There's so much Jason has to learn about her still. And certain revelations will lead to bigger ones. Kitty swallows in way that has nothing to do with her ice cream as she thinks about one in particular. "So, your father mentioned martial arts lessons. That he'd feel better about my safety in Gotham. I do know a bit already, but I'd be good on taking him up on them, if you think it's a good idea?" she asks.

Red Hood has posed:
Bruce brought up teaching her? Jason's brows rise at that little tidbit of information. "Did you tell him you already had some training?" comes the response, as he grins at the thump to his shoulder. "I know you had mentioned to me, but I didn't know if you wanted me to be one of those knuckleheads that's all 'show me what you got'. I figured you'd suggest it when you're ready."

There's a nebulous shrug of his shoulders offered to as he gives it more thought. "Bruce knows some of the best trainers in the world. If you want to take him up on it, I'm all for it." he casts her a smile. "Or you know, you can try to put my ass on the mat sometime." he winks.

Shadowcat has posed:
Kitty flashes a grin over to Jason at all of that. "Well, I mentioned I'd learned a little bit, when I visited Japan," Kitty says. "I didn't really imagine it was a good time to get into details," the brunette says as she walks along with Jason. For that matter, he's got no details from her on either, just that she knows a little bit. For that matter, he knows she's a mutant, but there's been no mention of her leading anything but a normal life. Yet.

"Well, that might be fun in more ways than one," Kitty says with a warm laugh. She finishes her ice cream, tossing away the container into a trash can when they pass one. Her arm slips about Jason's waist. "Now that you're all healed and all," she says, reaching over to pat where the sai wound was. "Yes, if you'd be ok with it, I would like to take him up on it," Kitty agrees. "Would you be taking them with me do you think?"

Red Hood has posed:
"Sure, why not." Jason pops the rest of his cone into his mouth to chew upon. There's a lot that they're hiding from each other.

Like being the heir to the League of Assassins. And the only human member of the All-Caste.

"It's been a while since I've have some good practice." Sure, she had clearly guessed that he was still out there doing his thing, but not acknowledging it is clearly probable denial.

"But you can let Bruce know you're interested, he can probably set you up with something."

Shadowcat has posed:
Kitty's hand rests on Jason's far hip as her arm circles his waist. She gives a little rub up and down along his hip and waist as they walk. "So, I was wondering something," Kitty says. She gives a little side to side bob of her head, like she does when she's thinking or hesitant or sometimes just being goofy.

"Though... if it's something you'd rather not do, I'd understand, just, sort of the opportunity is going to be there. So I thought, if you did want to... I'd kind of like to. But there wouldn't be pressure if you wanted to wait instead," Kitty says. Being so careful to make sure he knows he's under no pressure she's forgotten to tell him just what the heck she's talking about yet.

Red Hood has posed:
"Wondering something?" Jason asks, as Kitty starts to go on about things, and it causes him to try to pick out exactly what it is that Kitty's wondering about. And then she just keeps going - well past whatever it was, and onwards into new territory.

"You know, whatever it is, you can just ask, Kitty. I mean, not like I've ever said no to you." he points out with a playful smirk before pausing her with a little pinch to her side. "Out with it."

Shadowcat has posed:
Kitty Pryde gives a little grin as she realizes she didn't get around to the question. "Right. Sorry," she tells him with a grin. "It's just... I asked my mother if she could come in town later on this month. For something else, a religious thing for a friend. And, so anyway. I thought, since she'd be here, and you're just nearby in Gotham."

Kitty looks up to Jason and says, "Would you be interested in meeting my mom while she's where?" Kitty asks, in a voice that manages to not make it totally obvious how important it is to her. Even if the whole lead up already did that.

Red Hood has posed:
There's a long pause at that. Meet her mother? For not even being Jewish, Jason knows that's a huge step for her. Jewish girls don't bring just any boy home to meet their mother. He decides to wait and gives it several moments of thought.

"Is this something that would make you happy, Kitty?" he asks finally. "I mean. I know you asked. I just want to make sure." His eyes meet hers. "If you're sure, then the answer is yes. I would be honored."

Shadowcat has posed:
Well he isn't going home to meet her. But he's meeting her, just the same. "I think... I mean I've told her a lot about you. And... and she's my family and I'd like for her to get to know you. And for you to get to know her," Kitty says, giving a little nod at this.

She turns her head, the soft, pretty eyes looking up at Jason. She reaches her free hand over, resting it on his arm and squeezing softly. "I'll get her a room in the city probably, though, we're still working it out. Maybe up here. Depends on how long she'll be here. Just coming in for a holiday," Kitty says.

A holiday. And the first step towards saving a soul. Hopefully.

Red Hood has posed:
"Then I'd be happy to meet her. But." Jason can't resist those eyes. That warmth in her smile, that hope that rests within her as she looks up at him. His own soul isn't worth a bucket of spit, in his opinion. But, for that smile?

"I pay for dinner."

Shadowcat has posed:
Kitty Pryde grins up at Jason, and she moves over in front of him to stop him as she goes up on her toes to brush a kiss to his lips. "Deal, you can cover dinner," she agrees. The young woman's face is just glowing at his reaction to all of this. Jason won't need to have Kitty press in against him, hugging him as they start walking again, to know just how happy he's made her.

"So anything that you'd like to do while we're in town? There's a skating rink. Park. The mall. It's your normal sleepy little town," she tells him.

Red Hood has posed:
There's a wide smile, and Jason gives her hip a little bump. "I still want to have a dinner. Because ice cream is not one of the four food groups. After that? We'll see how we're feeling, but I have ideas on how the night should go." There's a wry wink at the woman as he returns her kiss and then starts to walk with her again.