106.

[hexuality]

[ video | OPEN ACTION ]

[As always, the video begins with a jolt a the device clatters to the ground, giving a very good shot from below as Ginny and a perfect stranger exchange a kiss. One hand is holding her peppermint hot chocolate and the other is resting against his chest as if to say, Don't get any ideas, mate, but it doesn't look like she's holding back, either.

When they break apart, she doesn't look scandalised, just kind of exasperated and amused. But the guy?]

Hey, if that's the thanks I get for ramming into you, maybe we should—

No, that's the thanks you get for not spilling my drink. [But—] Hurry along now.

[And Miss Weasley scoops up her device, shoves it into her pocket, and carries on with her day.]



[ooc; COME AT HER, EVERYONE. she'll be walking around the city doing some christmas shopping, maybe even delivering a few gifts. in the morning, she'll be at the joke shop and then it's off with errands. :D]

Comments

[fingersnapping]

[ Today is wicked funny, it's no wonder he's out enjoying the fresh air (or is for the time being, at least). For every person who seems to be taking the kisses with an exasperated air of patience, there are others falling into things, some who come out of their kisses and start up a projectile battle using whatever was nearby, and still others who keep on going even when the mistletoe is long gone. It's a study on human nature, and Q wouldn't miss it for the world, which is why he sits quietly nearby, one knee pulled up to his chest. ]

Shouldn't you have at least taken his number and never called? I hear that's the traditional way of handling these affairs.

[hexuality]

[Ginny stops short when she hears him, turning and raising an eyebrow at the sight of him. She keeps her distance and her hand on her wand, ready to incinerate any wayward mistletoe she might see.]

And lead him on for no reason? Maybe if I was fourteen and back at school.

[intheblanks]

[Shopping on a day like this is a fool's mission, and Chase has been in the city too long to even think about it. He's getting a coffee, but it's a quick one, and he's forgoing his usual shop in favour of a truck outside the hospital. You can't accidentally kiss someone when they're inside a truck.]

[hexuality]

[No, but you can accidentally kiss someone when they march right up to you. Not just yet, though, no mistletoe in sight because Ginny has checked (though, really, these things are so inevitable now even if he doesn't remember past Decembers). She's out of hot chocolate, she's stopping by for new one.

And then: ]

Oh. Hi.

[fingersnapping]

If he's stupid enough to wait in earnest by the telephone, then he deserves whatever disappointment he might get.

[ He tilts his head slightly. ]

Is that a stick?

[hexuality]

Meaning I'm not worth the wait?

[Sassy witch is sassy. Her hand tightens on her wand and then she slides it into her sleeve, though it's ready to drop into her palm at a moment's notice as always.]

Sure. To beat off potential suitors.

[fingersnapping]

Meaning you're never going to call. Any fool could see that.

[ Her reaction to his query was interesting. Now then, how had he earned that? What was it about that stick, he wondered. He waved his hand idly, but his eyes never left her sleeve. ]

You're a little too young for me, dear.

[hexuality]

[She smirks,]

So what does that make you?

[Keep looking, sir, but unless she's given a reason to draw it, it's staying up that sleeve. Ginny scans the area again out of habit on days like this because wayward mistletoe is a Thing.]

And if what you said before is true, then maybe everyone's too young for you.

[fingersnapping]

My former wife would agree with you. I, on the other hand, prefer to measure age by wisdom.

[ He can't help himself. They're mere barbs really, rather than insults, almost completely offhanded. If he wanted to insult her, it wouldn't be by accident. ]

[hexuality]

[She rolls her eyes, takes a sip of her hot chocolate.]

And so have you learned anything since being here?

[fingersnapping]

I've discovered that Kirk dislikes people showing up in his shower uninvited, and Starfleet Ensigns don't know how to play water balloon polo.

[ Another couple fall into each other's arms nearby. As they break apart, one throws a teeth-shattering punch, and Q winces. ]

Ouch. And that people take this kissing thing way too seriously.

[hexuality]

Jim isn't the only one who doesn't like that. [WTF, MAN.] I'd hex someone for crawling into my shower without my say so.

[Especially since she lives alone and the whole flat's warded to hell and back. Anyone who gets in without her knowing it? Gets the business end of her wand. She turns to look at the commotion, brows raising because that was impressive.]

It's, er, less the kissing and more that we haven't got a choice to do that, maybe. I'm not too bothered only because I know it's no one's fault.

[intheblanks]

[Why miss Weasley, what a loaded hi that was. Chase looks at her sidelong, narrowing his eyes, then takes a slight step back to wait for his drink.]

Hi. Decided to risk it, then.

[hexuality]

Like I'd avoid my first ever curse.

[She's not going to let a little mistletoe stop her. She rises up on tiptoe to place her order—peppermint, of course—then digs a few coins out of her pocket to pay.]

It's tradition at this point, isn't it? As well as a beautiful day.

[intheblanks]

And I thought you'd developed strong feelings about leaping on people.

[He catches the barrista's eye and shakes his head when Ginny tries to pay.]

Put it on my bill.

[hexuality]

[She bites her lip around a smile at that, elbowing him gently in the side.]

Shut it. [But it's light, easy. Maybe she's just expecting to run into him today. Nothing like a curse to break the ice? Something like that. Then she makes an indignant sound when he stops her, turning to face him.] What're you— [She laughs, holding the coins out to him instead.] No, you can't. Here.

[intheblanks]

You're not really going to fight me over a couple of coins. [Really Weasley. He brushes some imaginary specks off his jacket, then looks up with a grin.]

Are you? Because if I get to choose the method I'm going jello wrestling.

[hexuality]

Out of all the different ways I know how to fight, jello wrestling is none of them.

[She holds the coins out for a few more seconds but when he doesn't take him, she yields, putting them back in her pocket and taking both drinks when they're ready. She holds his out to him, inclining her head.]

You rushing off, or can you spare a minute and sit with me?

[intheblanks]

Exactly why choosing it's the smart bet.

[So he pays, and tips, before taking his cup back from her.]

I've got time. They don't like me bringing hot beverages in mid open-heart surgery.

[hexuality]

Like you could wrestle in jello.

[Look, she'll even be a lady and use her wand to clear the dusting of snow on a step and warm the stone so it's not like they're sitting on anything frigid. Plus, white coat. She's going to keep that thing pristine, it was a Christmas gift from Ron five years ago.]

I'm sure they don't like kissing in the middle of all of it, too. D'you have someone assigned to keep an eye out for mistletoe in those things?

[fingersnapping]

Hex? Ah yes, because of the magic. Well, if anything it's but another demonstration of the difference wisdom makes. Kathy hardly minded my interruption of her rubber ducky time.

[ He rubs his jaw self consciously, still watching. ]

You're exceptionally cavalier about it. In my experience, most humans respond to their own impotence with futile outrage. Thus the [ Gestures an uppercut. ]

[intheblanks]

Never heard of jello wrestling? It's an olympic sport, back home.

[He settles next to her, huddled on the step.]

We don't actually operate on days like this. Not unless it's unavoidable. And I try not to pause major surgery for coffee. [He grins, and hasn't even noticed how he's leaning in to her.] I mean, most of the-

[Until it's too late.]

[hexuality]

You keep talking about us like we're all the same.

[She studies him, brows knit.]

[hexuality]

[Maybe because she was starting to lean in too, almost imperceptible until the distance between them is gone. She at least has the presence of mind to set her cup down before she spills it on them and this is familiar by now, kissing him on curses, whether it's with the snow outside or in the middle of a shop.

Ginny doesn't even bother to fight it or try and draw away because, despite everything, this—Chase—is a constant and she knows how this goes, eyes fluttering closed, a hand resting on his knee as she scoots closer on the step, lips parting to his.]

[intheblanks]

[He still has his cup in his hands, so his fingertips are warm as he lifts one to curl against the back of her neck, keeping her close perhaps a few moments more than the curse really insists on. It's not going to sweep her off her feet - this time - but there's something more to it, something old and fond.]