stuff us in boxes that's where you want us

cardboard is boring, we brought our matches - look how it burns

Okay, Harley could not deny that the prospect of plants to ward off the undead seemed... like an interesting possibility she had yet to consider. Why didn't she look into some witchy remedies for this before? Maybe because all else had failed. Yet the promise to check into the matter was met with a flash of a smile... what was far surpassed was that other little tidbit. Oh, she did not miss that. He had a routine. What did that even mean? Obviously, the vivacious woman perked up, like a cat who caught the mouse as she eyed him with open curiosity. "Hell yes, thanks Sly. But what is this you say about a routine?" She cocked her head. There was no way she could let that one go. Although, usually when a man tries to show you his routine, it didn't mean he was going to break out into somersaults and spirit hands.

Sly's bright blue eyes found her own before the woman's attention landed upon the bag of fresh magical herbs that were supposed to be some kind of ghost deterrent. Of course, a woman like Harley would wonder what it smelled like. Yes, she even brought it to her nose, Who looked before they leapt anyways? Sly's warnings occurred much too late. It was only natural for her to want to smell it. Of course, she would. There was no hope in stopping that sneeze, fortunately managing to keep it contained as she did in the crook of her elbow that shot up at the last minute. Woah. That was some extra strong shit... Sly's laughter soon filled the room, the amusement lingered upon his features. Yeah yeah, laugh it up. It would at least be an easy enough task to hang it up somewhere.

Sly then mentioned that he wanted to fix that shower after the date which caused the woman a simple nod of agreement. Damn, she hoped this didn't go sideways or else there would be no shower to fix. How did that even work? She wondered. Was there some official word that officially ended a date that magically transformed him into that professional warlock handyman once more? Not one to stress on the details, her mind was far more focused on filling their stomachs. That pizza smelled divine and how badly she wanted to try it before they went anywhere. Sly was eager to help as he tasked himself to acquire plates. However, he was taken by surprise as that particular wobbly cabinetry, shifted on unsteady hinges despite her best warnings. A laugh escaped her at his exclamation and teasing words, asking if she enjoyed lopsided cabinetry. Yet of all the things that need fixing... this seemed to fall under the column of least concern. "It gives it some personality, wouldn't you agree? I did warn you about that. It came that way and it hasn't given up yet. You have to admit its perseverance is impressive. But you know if you keep offering to fix stuff, you might never leave." She teased even with the notion of how those small things added personality to the place rather than things that needed fixing. At least that was what she told herself.

However, all of that slipped from her mind when they had their plates and food ready to be devoured which caused her mouth to water. As she plopped herself into the chair, entirely pleased to dig into that warm cheesy meal Sly brought up the strange man he had met just outside. She froze midbite for a moment, although, that hardly seemed to concern her, the west was full of strange people. She saw them every day that it was near commonplace. Why would her home be any different? Yet... with those pieces settling together, it didn't take much to figure out just who had been causing the ruckus outside her door unknowingly. What the hell was Matteo up to this time? Surely he wasn't just rummaging through just anyone's rando apartment without reason? Or maybe he was. What was far more worrisome was her lack of concern. Weirder things had happened she had assured herself and assured Sly that he was harmless... How convenient it was to forget those many near misses she had with the impish fae and yet he hadn't led her too astray. So the term harmless was... subjective she supposed. Considering he did agree to save Sly that night... Sly was not likely going to cause mass genocide any time soon. Which was a relief for her.

The warlock, despite everything, tried to work out in his mind that ridiculous notion that a man would break into another person's apartment just to tell him that he was friends with Harley and that he was going to Spain. Okay, when he put it like that, maybe she should have feigned surprise or worry or something more. "....Yes. That sounds about right. " She nodded with assurance. Had her life truly become so unusual that this seemed hardly seemed.... That strange to her? Judging by the look on Sly's face.. She had her answer. Ah, the poor guy had no idea the world he stepped into. She sank her teeth into another slice of uncomplicated pizza, appreciating the little things in life.

It was then that the question of if her lock was working caused her to laugh after she swallowed the bite she had thoroughly chewed. "It works.... At least it functions as a lock should. Not that it stops anyone." She shrugged lightly, again her tone entirely unconcerned and maybe slightly disgruntled. It really wasn't that hard to knock, was it? Sly did it. Regardless of the blond's opinion, he recovered, shifting into an impishness that Harley wanted to explore. Would she believe that he had made that pizza? Her response earned her a chuckle and little more.

Sly didn't linger on the subject as he posed a curious question. What were her thoughts on extreme sports? Uh... what? Her life was an extreme sport. That mention of that bar returned again. Fuck Syn. Seriously fuck it right into oblivion and as far away from her life as possible.

Those thoughts she hardly wanted to think on now even as she dipped her head in a brief nod. "Ugh, don't remind me." The woman groaned, tossing the begging Ace a torn-off part of her crust that he caught midair with zeal. No, not even Syn could ruin pizza for her or that night. She refused. But to say she wasn't dying to know what he had planned would have been stretching the truth. How she prodded for a little bit more of a hint. Sly had set the bait and she had clearly bitten. Those bright violet eyes shifted to him as if she was trying to work out that very problem as the blond leaned back into the chair crossing his defined arms across his chest that exuded that he was an impervious wall. But the mention of projectiles and weaponry. Oh my. Now that made the woman perk up with clear interest. What could she say? She might have had a weakness. " Weaponry and pizza though, pretty sure you are speaking my language." She uttered playfully, willing to step up to that challenge unknown. Just please just don't let that be vampires. That mention that they should probably get going was like music to her ears. After that hefty teaser, he had just revealed, she was more than ready.

A smile that drew her eye tugged across his lips as he gestured toward the door. "I'm down for a little bit of danger.. Come on, lead the way.." Harley urged, eager to get this show on the road. She rose to her feet, stomach more than satisfied from that meal as she grabbed those plates to put into the washer. Then tossing those boxes of leftover pizza into her fridge. At that and with her favourite, trusty leather jacket, slipped on over her bare arms and in its rightful place the pair was ready to go. Of course not without procuring a few simple things from her purse like her wallet, shoving them into her deep jacket pockets that held all kinds of small emergency items. Like Candy. Let's be real, it was mainly candy. When Syn, one could not truly be prepared. If the promise for the extreme was accurate... purses only got in the way. The pair slipped out of that apartment, but not before she offered a temporary goodbye to her faithful dog that followed the pair to the door. It always sucked to leave him behind. "Be back soon." She promised, as always, even though there was a possibility that she might break it. At the very least it was going to be that night. The raven-haired woman did not bother to juggle her house keys but summoned her powers to lock the door behind her.

It was a damn good thing they were on the way because she was ready to uncover just what he had planned that included the likes of projectiles and deadly weapons. A shooting range perhaps? Or was it something else.... Like paintball? Was she even dressed for it? Although, he said nothing about a dress code and his own outfit looked pretty damn clean to be shot at with paint. The blond warlock easily led the way onto the sidewalk of the front of her building. Mihai burst out from what seemed like thin air, a soundless burst of hot flame that took shape into its vulpine form. The heat-radiating fiery fox darted out in eagerness without so much of a hello as if he was pleased to be free. It brought a tiny smile to her lips as he was more than content to lead the charge, lighting up the ominous shadows of night. What a badass nightlight.

It was nice out, she almost didn't even need a jacket. Harley stole a deep breath, as she drew in those familiar scents and took in those equally familiar streets as if making sure that no seedy creatures came into view. She soon focused on the warlock at her side. He was far better to focus on, unaware of the covert glances of her figure. For starters, he was very much alive and so very unlike the monsters that haunted her life. Just before her own lips parted to speak... Sly beat her to it. He had something to ask. Uh oh, that typically never meant anything good. "Sure, go for it." Urging him to continue. Of all the guys that had asked her out before, no one ever asked her why. How easily that sarcasm rose to the surface, that all too snarky response on the tip of her sharpened tongue. But for once, she thought twice. There was no harm in giving him something. How she truly realized how few people even asked the whys. How few people even cared to know her truly. She silently appreciated the boldness and the willingness to take some risk, enough so that she considered honesty.

" I wondered that exact same thing." She offered sincerely. "If I am being honest. I find you... refreshing." Harley cocked her head to the side as if studying him as she said the words as they walked. The blond surely was different from the vast majority she had ever met. "Besides if you can make me forget we were in hell, for even a moment.. pretty sure that makes you someone I want to know." She added simply. Yet while it wasn't the most detailed answer in the world, there was still so much to learn. "Actually, now that you mention it. I think the better question is why did 'you' ask me out?" She frowned as if discovering every reason why he should run the other way. How she seemed barely unable to answer most questions he had asked her. Anything about Syn.. 'the ghost' aka Matteo. Her past. She was a whole mountain of red flags. Hell, he nearly died and she couldn't even come clean about why he didn't, just some vague cheap answer that wouldn't have ever flown with her. He was full of questions she wasn't sure if she could ever answer and even if she did... She was complicated. He should have put her in the past, not bumping arms with her on a casual stroll or stealing glances at that revealing v-neck she wore to attract his gaze. Shit. She was no better! Why did people always do what they shouldn't?

The pair continued to walk down those streets, talking as they did, their gait in perfect perfect sync, which was usually hard to do with short legs. Her boots scuffed against the concrete cheekily on occasion, the sound of footfalls swallowed by the familiar sounds of the city and their voices that overshadowed almost all the noise. Yet still, she couldn't help but wonder where they were going.

Soon enough, she got her answer. There was a building they approached, one Sly seemed to hover closer to. Oh, she did not see that one coming. They were going to play mini-golf? The place was hopping with people, bustling with activity at the seams. Oh god. She almost wondered if she would have done better at skydiving. Sly confirmed their destination and the raven-haired spitfire flashed him a look of dismay. When she said she was down for a little danger, the little daredevil hardly anticipated this. In some regard, she was just plain relieved. Here she was questioning her own outfit. The last she wanted was a wardrobe malfunction. But hey.. He said extreme sport, explicitly.

She shot him a lingering questioning look as she was about to ask that very thing. But Sly was prepared. He had those facts on standby. She rose a slender brow, amused at his clever reveal. "Good thing I am fast on my feet and good at dodging projectiles. Are you Sly? I think I am a little concerned considering last time, you did get hit by a pillow and it wasn't exactly all that fast." A devilish look filled her gaze as she goaded him playfully. All in all, it wasn't a bad idea. It was the perfect hideout, far enough away from Syn and the likes of anyone associated with it would find her. This was definitely different from her usual. When was the last time she did something as simple as mini put? " Should we find our weapons?" Not her usual thing but she was ready to jump in both feet first.

Harley Westward