9270/Fair Play

Fair Play
Date of Scene:	21 September 2019
Location:	Riverdale Fair
Synopsis:	Kimberly and Tommy go to the fair and discuss the extraordinary life.
Cast of Characters:	Pink Ranger, Green Ranger

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Pink Ranger has posed:
Kimberly went home after school, instead of making her usual jaunt to the youth center, in the interest of actually preparing for tonight's date. A real date, and not just something they're doing together without quite giving it a name. It's an exciting prospect. She let her mother know she's be out, then promptly disappeared into her room.

Said room now looks like it's been the victim of a giant monster attack, of course. She's tried on just about everything in her closet only to discard it on the bed because it's not right.

"At this rate, you might as well just morph," she muttered to herself, finally settling on a strappy little flannel dress in a black and pink plaid that falls a few inches above her knees, paired with black combat boots since they're going to be walking around. At the last minute, she decided to pass on a jacket. It was going to be warm, right? And, of course, the necklace from Tommy.

She met him out at the car, a tiny bag with just her phone, ID, and some cash slung across her body, and then it was off to the fair.

Green Ranger has posed:
He was just as nervous as her, honestly. He'd been considering asking her out for a long time, and he had almost asked her to the fair a dozen times before the words finally came tumbling out. He'd tried on a few outfits in his room as well, though he owned far less clothing then Kim. He finally settled on a pair of dark, tight jeans and skater shoes, along with a sleeveless green shirt. It was a simple outfit, but most of his style was similar...and it always seemed to work for him.

His nervousness fades a bit when he actually lays eyes on her, and he steps away from his car to face her. "Wow, you look great," he says, honestly. He opens her door to the old bug and then moves around to climb into his side. With that he begins to drive towards the carnival, which is a bit of a distance.

"So, uh...how was school?," he asks, his heart thundering.

Pink Ranger has posed:
"Hey," Kimberly greets him, a smile curving unbidden. There's always something about him that just warms her heart. Maybe it's the way he can't quite hide the sweet vulnerability beneath the surface. She slides into the car, buckling up and rolling the window down before they start moving.

At his question, she laughs, pushing a hand into her hair and keeping it there to keep the wind from tangling it. "You know, school. I got a B on that history test, so that was pretty good." She turns enough to look over at him, smile crooked. "How about you?"

Green Ranger has posed:
"A B? Wow, congrats. I always struggle to stay away during Mr. Samwell's classes. The history doesn't bore me, but man...that guy drones." Tommy flashes her a lopsided grin as they leave Angel Grove behind. The carnival is in between Starling, Riverdale, Angel Grove and Greendale. It's drawing couples, families and youths from all of them, making a fun and interesting little mix.

Pink Ranger has posed:
"Oh my god, right?" Kim rolls her eyes, laughing. "I took a //lot// of notes. Mostly from studying from the book. And I did a few study sessions with Billy. I think the study sessions did more than anything else, because I spent half the time picking up new vocabulary." She waggles her brows, then lets her head fall back against the headrest, eyes half-closed as she takes in the wind.

"Hey, did you decide if you were going to go out for any teams this year?" she asks, eyes still closed. "I've honestly kind of been debating the cheerleading thing. It's fun and all, but gymnastics is a bigger deal and going to get me further, and with the whole team thing, time's kind of at a premium, you know?"

Green Ranger has posed:
"I suck at notes. Never really got that down. I can do a spin kick like nobodies business, but I never got shorthand down." He winks at her and turns his attention to the road.

"Teams? I don't...know, really. Maybe hockey? Been considering it and I would have done it last year but I was...you know..." Evil. He glances over at her and grins a bit wider then he intends. "Cheerleading, huh?"

Pink Ranger has posed:
"I'll have you know I'm a veritable cheerleading legend," Kimberly replies in an arch tone, peeling one eye open to smirk over at him. "What, I don't strike you as the cheerleading type? Because I can break out a cheer right now. You will be //so pumped// to be driving this car, you'll think you're in a zord."

Green Ranger has posed:
He laughs at that and glances over at her before returning his attention to the road. Angel Grove is soon left behind, and the open road is ahead. "No, I can definatly see it. I have to admit I was never into the Cheerleading thing until..." Tommy grins a bit. "...Well, I bet you look amazing in that uniform, right?"

Pink Ranger has posed:
"Damn straight I do," Kim grins without hesitation, laughing and turning her face back toward the wind and the road. "It takes a lot of time though. And it's kind of hard to explain to the squad that you ran out on practice because there was a giant monster attacking the city and you, like, //had// to be there."

She takes a deep breath, a small smile curving as she just enjoys the moment. "This is really nice. The fair was a good idea, Tommy."

Green Ranger has posed:
He nods to that. "Oh, definatly. It kind of rains on a lot of things. But it's...also really exciting, you know? I love being out there being a Ranger. There's really nothing like it." Tommy takes a turn, and in the distance the lights of the large fair can be seen.

He looks over to her and grins. "I'm glad. I was worried you'd think it was lame or something."

Pink Ranger has posed:
"No way, it's classic," Kim grins, looking over at him. "I like it. It's a great night, there's always fun stuff to do. Gets us out to a place we don't always go. And there's always amazing things to eat at the fair, so there's that too."

She pauses for a moment, then reaches a hand over to his forearm. "Plus, you know. You asked. So there's you."

Green Ranger has posed:
He swallows when her hand finds his forearm, and he grins. "Alright, cool..." He pulls up to the parking lot, pausing to fish some cash from his wallet to pay for parking. "We need a ride on the ferris wheel, right?," he asks, making sure.

Tommy spends a few moments finding parking, and then does so. He climbs from the car and locks it once they are both our. "So...what first?" He lets her lead the way!

Pink Ranger has posed:
"Definitely." Once they're inside the fair, Kim reaches over to take his hand, ostensibly to keep from getting separated in the crowd. "Let's take a lap," she suggests. "See what's here, get an idea of what we really want to do. We can close it all out with the ferris wheel at the end."

Green Ranger has posed:
He curls his fingers into hers, and glances over at her with a smile. "Smart." Tommy begins to wander the fair with her. It's a nice sized fair, all in all. There are rides, and shouting carnies trying to draw people into various games of 'skill'. There are a few different shows as well, apparently. The smell of different delicious fairfoods flood their senses.

Pink Ranger has posed:
"I love the fair," Kim says as they walk around, taking in a deep breath when they move past the booths full of fried foods. "It always feels like...like home and new beginnings all at the same time. Fall, and people coming home, and people starting new school years. All the excitement of not knowing what's coming next with all the comfort of knowing what it usually is. People are happy at the fair."

Green Ranger has posed:
Tommy smiles and nods as he listens, walking alongside her. He steals glances of her here and there as they go. He pauses at a sign for a corn maze, and he grins a bit. "Should we start with the corn maze?," he asks, arching his eyebrow.

Pink Ranger has posed:
Kim looks to the maze then to him, quirking a brow. "Looking to get lost?" she teases, only to reach behind him and give him a little shove forward before he can take the words the wrong way, laughing. "Sure, let's do it." Though as they approach the entrance she pauses, squinting. "Is this one of the ones where they jump out and scare you?"

Green Ranger has posed:
He grins and shakes his head. "Nah, this isn't a scare event. But I think they're going to have a scary Carnival mid-October. But I think we might instinctually beat up the poor actors..." Tommy grins and then reaches out, slipping an arm around her slender waist as they walk along. Tommy doesn't realise what he's doing until they have moved a bit into the maze, and he slows, hesitating a bit. "Uh, sorry."

Pink Ranger has posed:
"Yeah, that was kind of my concern," Kim laughs, falling into step with him when he puts his arm around her waist. It takes some work, given the difference in their heights, but she's almost got it when he hesitates.

"Oh no you don't," she chides, fingers tangling in the material of his shirt at his waist as she bumps a hip against his. "We're on a date, remember? This is normal date stuff. Nothing to apologize for."

Green Ranger has posed:
"Oh, right. Sorry. Never really done this before," he admits. Wait, did Tommy just say he's never really gone on a date before? It honestly kind of makes senses. Sure, he's attractive and friendly, but his family was constantly moving around, and he has always been a little too focused on his training until recently.

He keeps his hand on her side as they walk along, wandering the corn maze without a real goal of escaping in mind.

Pink Ranger has posed:
"That's crazy to me." Kim shakes her head, lengthening her stride to the extent that she can to keep up with him. She's a little tense, but it seems to be mostly a function of trying not to let him see her trying so that //he// doesn't get any more nervous. "I mean, I get it, I guess. I just feel like you're...too //you// not to have every girl in school chasing you down, I guess."

She looks up, smile quirking. "Then again, you're you, so maybe you never quite picked up on it."

Green Ranger has posed:
He blinks at that and furrows his brow. He laughs, then, and shakes his head. "I mean, maybe I didn't notice? I guess girls could have been flirting with me and it totally went over my head." Tommy grins down at her, and his hand rubs a bit at her side as they walk along.

"But, I that kinda worked out for you? Or maybe it didn't work out for you, since I have -no- idea what I'm doing.."

Pink Ranger has posed:
Kimberly leans into him, staying close. Maybe forgoing the jacket wasn't her best choice. "I think you've got pretty good instincts," she chuckles. "I'd say just go with those. And if you cross a line, then I'll just punch your tooth out," she shrugs, as if it's a perfectly natural response.

Green Ranger has posed:
"Well, if you knock me out, I had it coming," he says with a grin. He walks along with her, taking turns here or there. There are some laughs and some idle chatter, and they stumble upon one or two young couples using the isolation (Or mistaken isolation) to make out. This brings a blush and awkward conversation from Tommy.

Finally they breach the exit!

Pink Ranger has posed:
As they come across the other couples, Kim looks over to Tommy with an arch of her brow, but she doesn't press him. If anything, she seems amused. In the field, he's brave and bold, the first to rush into danger. But in this...In this, it seems like he's an entirely different person. But it's endearing, and it's too special to risk upsetting.

"Hey, did I ever tell you," Kimberly says as they exit the maze, looking for a change of subject to distract him, "About the first time I punched someone?"

Green Ranger has posed:
"You never have!," he says, smiling widely now. He begins to lead her towards the carnival games as they continue their trek. "That is a story I definatly need to hear." Tommy is all ears, as always. His hand did squeeze a bit more on her hip when they passed the kissing couples, as if he was considering kissing her, but he never made the move. He never second guesses himself when Morphed. But here?

Pink Ranger has posed:
"I think I was...eight?" Kimberly follows along with him, grinning. "It was recess, because it always happens at recess, of course. And there was a group of boys playing...honestly, I don't even remember what they were playing. I remember that //I// wanted to play, but they said I couldn't because it was only for boys. Well, you can imagine I didn't take that well. So I tried to join in anyway, because they weren't the boss of me, right?"

She squeezes a little closer to him as someone moves by, making room. "Anyhow, one of them pushed me off the edge of the playhouse, and I landed fine, but I got up //mad//. And that was the first time I punched someone."

Green Ranger has posed:
His hand tightens a bit on her side when she presses in close...subconciously keeping her there. Tommy laughs and nods as he listens to the story. "Oh, wow. Okay. That is awesome. You knocked him on his ass, right? Please tell me you knocked him on his ass."

He glances over at some of the games as carnies call out to them. "...I threw my first punch a bit later then I should have, honestly. I got picked on a lot when I was a kid. I...got good so I could stop it from happening."

Pink Ranger has posed:
"Knocked his tooth out. I mean, it was a baby tooth and it was already loose, but it doesn't sound nearly as badass like that," Kimberly grins. She looks up at him, shaking her head. "Somehow that doesn't surprise me, Tommy. You not throwing a punch, that is. Getting picked on kind of surprises me. I'm going to need to see some photographic proof of little nerd Tommy before I buy into that."

Green Ranger has posed:
He grins softly and shakes his head. "It's true. I was really into theater and reading and...I was living in an area where the other boys didn't really like that. I got the crap kicked out of me a lot. Seriously it was..." Tommy sobers a bit. "...It was bad. But! Not something I have to worry about much these days." Tommy glances over at her and flashes a grin.

Pink Ranger has posed:
"Yeah, not so much these days," Kimberly agrees, tilting her head back to look him over pointedly. "You wear it well, Tommy. Probably //because// you know the other side of it." The thought gives her a moment of pause, sobering a bit. "Honestly, I was kind of the opposite. Before this all happened, I was definitely going a little bit mean girls there."

Green Ranger has posed:
"Well, I'm glad you didn't. Because I wouldn't want to kiss one of the mean girls, but I definatly want to kiss you," Tommy finally says, as he pulls them to a stop in front of a funnel cake stand. Super romantic. He turns to face her, leaning down a bit.

"I think we've both come pretty far...with a lot farther to go."

Pink Ranger has posed:
"Yeah, well. Changing what I do now doesn't change what I did then. But I appreciate the sentiment." Kim leans in when he pulls her closer, pushing up onto her toes. "There's definitely other things I appreciate, too." The implication is clear. The invitation is there. But the truth of the matter is that she's legitimately too much shorter than he is to close the deal without actually //pulling// him down. Or hopping onto him. Both would be awkward.

Green Ranger has posed:
He finally seizes the moment, and he closes the distance between them. His lips meet hers, as his strong arms close around her. This might be one of his first dates, but this is a kiss Tommy has thought about for a long, long time...and he does it well.

Pink Ranger has posed:
It's not Kimberly's first kiss, but it's the first time she's kissed //him//, and he isn't the only one who's been thinking about it. Her lips are soft against his, one hand cupping his cheek, her fingertips curving at the line of his jaw. He can feel the slight hitch of her breath when he finally closes the distance, a pale reflection of the way her stomach flips.

Green Ranger has posed:
The kiss goes for awhile, and when it ends his heart is hammering in his chest. He breaks the kiss and smiles a bit. "Um." Tommy clears his throat and laughs, glancing aside as some passing kids whoop loudly at them. He turns back to her again, grinning and looking into her eyes. "That was, uh..."

Pink Ranger has posed:
Kim laughs at the kids passing by, though her cheeks color as she ducks her chin and turns her face toward his chest. "Yeah," she says, voice cracking. "Yeah, it was." Slowly she takes a half step back, though not before brushing a piece of hair from his brow and behind his ear. "Let's go get that ferris wheel ride, huh?" she suggests, looking back up at him with a crooked smile.

Green Ranger has posed:
He nods to that, his cheeks flushed. "Yeah, that sounds great." Tommy takes her hand again and turns, leading the way from the carny games towards the ferris wheel. "So, last time it was a giant pig monster. What's your bet for next time?," he asks, glancing over at her. "I bet...flamingo. I giant...energy wielding flamingo. Only a matter of time."

Pink Ranger has posed:
"You know, it always seems to be either something of ours, or something designed to screw up something of ours," Kim points out, shaking her head. "So, you know. I guess it depends on when it happens. But if she interrupts our ferris wheel ride with a giant ferris wheel monster, I'm warning you right now that I am //not// holding back."

Green Ranger has posed:
He laughs at that and turns his head to kiss the top of her head. "And I wouldn't blame you. Beat her with her own stupid staff...wand thing?" Tommy leads the way, and soon enough they are climbing onto the ferris wheel itself. The door is closed and they are left beside eachother.

Pink Ranger has posed:
"Make a lump on the top of her head grow," Kimberly mutters, snorting. She climbs up into the bucket when it's their turn, sliding closer to him once the attendant moves away so that their thighs are touching. Despite that, as soon as the wheel is mooving she's looking out over the fair and the surrounding land with a broad, wondering smile. "I love seeing things from up high," she confesses. "The //only// thing I wish I could do with our powers is take the zord flying without being in the middle of combat."

Green Ranger has posed:
He loops an arm around her shoulders and turns to look out over the world as well, smiling. "Always kind of jealous your Zord flies. I mean...the Dragonzord is pretty amazing, but...it can't fly." He grins over at her. At that point his eyes are more on her then the countryside. Instead, he watches the wonder and joy in her face, a soft smile on his.

Pink Ranger has posed:
"Do you ever wonder what makes them what they are?" Kimberly fits neatly into the curve of his shoulder, legs turning toward his. "Like, why is the pink ranger's a pterodactyl? If it wasn't me, would it be something different? Or if I wasn't me, would I be something other than pink? If I change, does it change with me? Or does it make me change?"

Green Ranger has posed:
Tommy blinks at that and considers it. His fingers play lightly against her shoulder as he turns to glance over the evening lights of the fair. "Huh. I never really thought about that, actually. I know the Dragonzord was attached to the stolen energy Rita had, and Zordon reclaimed it and such but...I don't know how it works for everyone else. That's a really interesting question."

Pink Ranger has posed:
"Smarter than I look, huh?" Kimberly teases, wrapping one ankle around his. Curled up against his side as such as she can within the safety constraints she watches the countryside around them. "Well, whatever it all means, I'm really glad you're with us, Tommy. And I'm really glad you're with //me//. Thanks for tonight. It's been pretty perfect."

Green Ranger has posed:
He grins at her and then nods, turning to kiss the top of her head again. "I'm happy I'm with you all, too. ...And with you. I ...think about what it would be like if I was still under Her control. A lot." Tommy swallows, his mouth suddenly dry. He shakes his head, trying to shake it off. "I'm glad things are turning out the way they are."