stuff us in boxes that's where you want us

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

The weather outside of her apartment was almost too nice for her jacket. It had been a while since they had a night quite like this. She supposed she could take it off at any time if she got to be too warm. But for now, the night was inviting, like a playground open to all kinds of mischief. There was something about the pull of the night for her that had nothing to do with her inner animal, she had always been like this. It was vampires that seemed determined to ruin it or everything she enjoyed. The fucking killjoys. Tonight, was certainly not one of those things, she refused.

The pair walked side by side, Mihai easily stole the lead and lit up their way, that flickering light competing with the city lights. Harley seemed oblivious to those glances cast their way as she soaked it all in. How the vivacious woman seemed more than content to simply just be alive and Sly was good company to share that night with. She had to admit she was glad to see a glimpse of the man outside his typical repairman mode. How, she wanted to investigate it and all its facets and yet for now... she simply relished in the moment.

However, it was a question that fell from her companion's lips that ensnared her. Wow, not many had the balls for such an upfront and bold question. He didn't even squirm after he said it too. He was bolder than most, playful too. Sly had an easy, natural sort of confidence about him. He didn't need to try too hard. She found attractive in a man, she realized, in a world that was full of try-hard people. They were everywhere... in droves.

It was for that reason she decided to give the man something. Something that brought a smile to his lips and witty reply. Although, she was almost certain he was fishing for some kind of compliment. At least until he gave himself one, mentioning 'all' those girls he drove wild with his accent and good looks. She couldn't help her eyes roll slightly. Was that so? She was quite certain he had no problem roping in women on that and his charm alone.

"Lethal combination. How, do those girls stand a chance?" That iconic sarcasm danced within her words, content to tease the warlock. "Probably a good thing I am a woman. Just to withstand the urge to swoon with every word you took. That would get old real quick." She huffed out a laugh like she was ever the kind of person to swoon. Yet before he got too 'charmed' she was sure... she threw that ball right back into his court. Harley was more than willing to play ball.

Besides, it was only fair to say she was curious. Sly hardly skipped a beat as he offered that easy-going shrug, his words just as easily spoken as that question was. Huh, interesting. The raven-haired woman certainly was not one to gather worth from her looks and yet... hearing that the warlock thought she was hot certainly didn't hurt the ego one bit, especially coming from him. Mutual attraction was interesting that way. Things that were usually a no-fly zone... suddenly became welcomed. She kind of disliked how she wasn't immune to it. All it ever brought was trouble. Sly also said it was her ability to laugh in Syn. Now that was far more unusual of an answer, most guys didn't notice that kind of stuff. Although, she supposed laughter was hard to miss in a place of doom and dread. "Here I thought you were going to compliment me on my big...brain. Although, can't say I mind being undeniably sexy right now." She laughed at herself.

The pair easily made another turn at the fork in the road that led them to their actual destination. Oh, she was more than curious to see what awaited them. Mihai already seemed to know exactly where they were going. For all that talking up about how deadly this place they were going was, she hardly anticipated mini-golf. The warlock easily uttered those statistics at just how extreme this particular sport truly was. Harley was unable to keep that amused sound from falling from her lips. Alright, that was pushing it, well a lot. But part of her was almost glad it was something laid back. When was the last time she just... had some fun like this? Simple, uncomplicated fun. She teased him, something she seemed to enjoy doing, and that carefree grin that was upon his features fell. Well, that was short-lived. Did she take it too far? Was he really butt-hurt about being called out about being hit with a pillow? That scowl was all too clear. She wondered if she pissed him off, with her, it was an absolute possibility. How many people could avoid things being thrown by ghosts? He questioned her, he had a pretty good point there.

"Hey now! I don't know, I don't know the actual percentages, pretty sure you can google it. But I am confident they are probably similar to death by mini-golf. I will try not to hold it against you.... For too long. Although my memory for these kinds of things makes it so very hard." Well, that was... inconceivably true. She kept up with Sly as he led the way toward the golf balls and golf putters, Harley accepting the procured ball and club Sly had chosen. The raven-haired woman examined it like a true connoisseur like they all weren't almost all exactly the same, maybe with a slight deviation in sizes for all those heights. They sauntered up toward the first hole. That course was decorated to the nines with animals likely made from resin, blocking the way with their numerous limbs acting like obstacles standing in the way of that hole that was barely visible from where the course started.

Sly's gaze shifted toward her once more as he spoke. The guy getting more than a little cocky with his mad skills with mini-golf. The blond mentioned that he sought to impress her with his skills. She rose a brow, something akin to amusement flashed behind her violet eyes. "Alright, Mr. Daring and dangerous... make your move. You are already living up to your word about the danger aspect. Pretty sure big animal attacks are on the rise in the city." As dangerous as being made of resin could be of course.

The violet-eyed woman placed that golf club resting against her shoulder, treating it like the weapon he called it. Although she was watching everything, clearly ready to silently take some notes from the self-declared pro as she stood to the side, letting the guy take his clear shot. Even Mihai seemed invested in this! The Were-woman gave Sly the stage as she eyed him with piqued interest, his button-up shirt looked good on him, his jeans clean not filled with holes or stained with blood, not that she judged the guy on what he wore. But it made it all too easy to notice the fit. Okay, she was only studying his good golf form... really good form. She didn't actually know of anyone to be good at mini-putt before so this was for research. How did someone even become good at something like this?

The blond then set up what was likely supposed to be the perfect shot. She tilted her head as Sly hit the ball with force, the ball bouncing off several of those obstacles that her eyes followed the movement, it certainly wasn't hard to follow the bright flash of red zipping to and fro. It went and went, right into the gutter with confident gusto where it came to a complete stop in the pit of sandy doom. She eyed Sly then suspiciously... the man appeared neutral as he admitted he thought the shot was excellent. " Aren't we supposed to get it in the hole?" He stepped aside with ease to allow her to take her shot. Well then, that was one way to do it. If he was going to play like that, there was a very good chance she could beat the warlock at his own game. So, all she needed to do was the opposite of whatever that was. She dropped the club from her shoulder, letting it swing loosely between her fingers.

Before she could do much of anything else, that was when Mihai decided to steal the show. She had determined the pair of them were quite... the show-offs. The playful fox then quickly shifted into a fiery cocker spaniel. The fiery canine leapt forward in obvious delight, a flash of bright flame darting onto the green of that course which caught her eye as he bounded toward the ball into the sandy pits. It was the moment just before he scooped up that ball into his mouth that she knew just what he was doing. Hey, that little.... cheater.

A wry expression drew on her lips as she watched as that flaming dog retrieved that ball only to trot over and drop it into the hole before racing to Sly with sheer glee that he did the thing. Barking in celebration in the wake of their cheeky little victory. It was hard not to laugh at the comical sight. Sly, reached down to rub the dog's ear affectionately at a job well done after he returned to his master before claiming that he clearly excelled at this game. Her eyes narrowed only slightly. "That's one way to make your own luck. I am pretty sure I am supposed to feel cheated." She looked at the happy-looking flaming canine. "I thought we were friends.." She offered in mock disappointment.

He looked all too confident standing there leaning against his golf stick with his familiar at his side, watching for the woman to take her shot. So, to say she didn't put on a bit of that bravado would have been a lie. Two could play that game, and the woman was more than willing to adapt her strategy. After all, she was damn near an expert at making up shit on the fly.

He looked her way, those blue eyes upon her as he issued a challenge. One that she could not deny was interesting to her.

"In less than three? You are so on.." She stated easily. If only that ball was made of metal. She had been practising that control of metal for long enough that she could move the golf club... maybe. She hoped. Hmmm, but first, she had to take shot number one. She just needed it on the other side of those obstacles and far enough away from that sand trap to avoid the same fate as her date's ball.

A look of clear concentration formed upon her face as she tapped the ball with a little less force and aimed another way. A strong tap that did not send the ball bouncing off every surface in its path... even though it hit some. The lime green ball moved strategically through the giraffe's legs with ease but still bounced off a Zebra hoof. A visible cringe flashed across her features as it also bounced off the back far wall, rolling forward and nearly joining where Sly's ball had gone originally. It stopped just short of the sandy pit of doom. Ha! She had this in the bag. It wasn't a hole-in-one, but it would do. "One." She stated, smugly, as she flashed Sly another look over her shoulder before she strut forward.

She had one more shot.

Oh yeah, she had this and insurance too. Especially with the last shot that needed to count.

Getting into position to line up and take her next shot. She eyed her lime green ball with the utmost precision like she intended to do this by skill alone. Part of her so desperately wanted to. But sometimes, a girl had to make her own luck and... she just so happened to be equipped for that. She refused to leave this one to chance not when he raised the stakes.

His prior cheating certainly made the rules clear. There didn't seem to be any rules at all, which was just her kind of game. This truly was a game of extreme mini-golf. That ball was not metal but that putter surely was. With a final swing, that was just for show, she summoned her powers to seize control of that putter. It moved as if possessed, dragging the ball with it the moment it left her hand.

Harley focused before coaxing it into the hole with a final, tapping push that had her holding her breath. The satisfying sound of it dropping to join Sly's ball was loud enough to ring victoriously in her ears before turning to give Sly a look of her own. "Hell yeah! Child's play. Shot number two was flawless" She stated before she strode forward to pluck both balls from the hole. Willing to hold them both hostage until he made good on his promise to share. She stepped up onto the curb toward the second hole before pivoting on the balls of her boot-clad feet to face him playfully with a look to match, enjoying the added few inches while it lasted. It helped her look him right in those pretty blues of his, giving the warlock her undivided attention. "So.... Sly." She looked as though she was going to offer him his ball, only to slip that hand behind her back.

"Spill annd spare no details of your routine, I want to know it all. What is it you do exactly?" She questioned, tipping her head slightly, curious what the warlock might reveal.

Harley Westward