stuff us in boxes that's where you want us

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

Predictably unpredictable was the retort the shaggy blond warlock offered in swift response to describing the raven-haired woman. It was impossible to keep those lips from twitching. "In that case, I can't say I mind it." There was a kittenish quality to her words, something that did not linger long. It would seem that she wished to do exactly what he claimed her to be. Harley smoothly dipped down to retrieve the neon golf balls, only she did not return his. There was a last-minute decision to keep them hostage, or leverage she couldn't decide. A way to playfully prompt that information he had willingly put on the line with both balls situated behind her back as she stood on the raised curb, lending the petite woman additional height.

Harley found herself truly listening to what he chose to share, expanding on the show Mihai and he put on by the docks. It was somehow fitting of him, she decided. It was no wonder why he knew so much about those mythical creatures he mentioned before. It went beyond just an interest, it also served a purpose for his act. Harley said so much out loud and for some reason, it seemed to surprise the blond. Mihai seemed to peer between them both as if excited for the potential of playing with yet another ball if the furious wagging of his tail was anything to go by.

Sly responded to the raven-haired woman's other question. Claiming that he chose creatures based on a relatable culture and playing upon nostalgia to appeal to a gathered crowd. "That is half the battle isn't it? To know appeal to your audience? That's a smart move." She bobbed her head in response.

What she did not expect, was for the warlock to reveal that his performance, while it was a hit with the passersby who were lucky to catch that show, it also brought its fair share of trouble. But not the typical kind of trouble anyone could find within the chaos of that concrete jungle but from his own kind no less. A frown settled upon her feminine features at the revelation. Of course, there would be someone to rain on his parade. There was always some bully that looked to pull their weight around just because they could... and absolutely no one liked a bully.

Especially when they had no problem selling their own magic at a sickening profit. She shook her head that sent several soft strands to slip over her shoulder as she got a good dose of second-hand irritation for the guy. A scoff left her lips. "I guess there are assholes in every crowd." She concluded sarcastically and yet it hardly made her statement any less truthful. "You aren't bound to those killjoys or anything right? They don't have any actual sway over what you do?" Harley quizzical expression flashed across her face before she realized she had asked probably too much, but the words were already out and there was little she could do.

However, after that, Sly, it would seem, had enough of speaking about himself as he swiftly and successfully turned those tables onto her. He placed a challenge in order to earn himself information on her that wasn't generic like a star sign. But he had to make the hole in four shots or less, without the assistance of his little golf helper. All before he jokingly revealed that he was a Leo. Harley never put much stock in that sort of thing and yet it hardly stopped her from sharing her own. But it didn't mean she didn't know at least a few of those supposed traits from people who loved astrology. Of course, when they did, they loved trying to read everyone they ever came into contact with. How she adored the look on their faces when she didn't quite match up and they still were determined to argue it was because she was heavily influenced by some other rising sign or some planet being in retrograde. Just how many signs did she have? Just how many things were supposed to influence who she was?

But the one thing that seemed to stand out was her... stubbornness. Please. It was the sound of Sly's smooth chuckle that drew her gaze to him as he claimed that another trait of a Taurus was denial. The look she shot him a look that said 'come on'. "Pssh. That doesn't sound like me at all." She purposely slanted her chin upward in mock defiant denial. At least she hardly took any offence by the so-called nature of her sign... but at least she agreed to those terms he had set. "Deal. Although, I have to admit that I like that you aren't afraid to work to get to know me." She then flashed a cheeky smirk before she finally offered the warlock his hostage golf ball back.

The petite woman playfully bumped into him as she brushed by, lowering her voice to utter those all too teasing words that lingered in her wake. How she almost expected the typical man reaction to utterly reject the offer flat out. To claim he didn't need it. He did boast how he was a pro at this after all. There was a slight pause, one that caused the raven-haired spitfire to turn just to snag a glimpse of something unreadable but unmistakably tangible. She barely caught it and then it was gone just as quickly as he agreed to her terms and took the extra chance. What?

Their proximity lingered for a moment before he rose a hand to playfully shoved her lightly. Hey! It wasn't hard by any means and even she couldn't help that sound of amusement that left her lips as he moved by her to set himself up for his first swing. Not giving her a moment before he simply teased her. Just who was riling who? "I'm already seeing the error of my ways. I didn't think you would actually take it." Yet how unbothered he remained, just as he hit his golf ball sending it bouncing off a variety of bizarre plastic animals that sought to sabotage their progress. Although, the alarmed chicken he hit was probably her favourite of all the plastic animals that littered their playing field.

Mihai then began to bark near incessantly like he had all kinds of things to say to his companion that she could not comprehend. Was it encouragement or maybe he was even trying to coach the man? Sly then shot the flaming dog a scowling look, claiming he would upset the crowd with that incessant barking. Harley made a point to look around to where he gestured, a vacant area where no crowd existed, a soft laugh shook her body as she watched on in fascination. This time, the warlock was ready to make his next move, he tapped the ball so softly like was afraid to hurt it. What a difference from the first one he had taken. Mihai started to bark again, clearly not understanding the term quiet.

Instead of taking his third attempt, the man paused and promptly turned to her, that cockiness in his ton that she should watch his fantastic display. "So now I am supposed to be arm candy too? Seems to me, Sly, that your just all talk." Oh how she teased him relentlessly and shamelessly. But best of all, he seemed to be able to handle it.

It was then that she heard the contact of steel and that hard ball as poor Mihai looked on like he wanted so badly to participate even though he followed the rules. That shot Sly took should have been impossible to achieve! Especially when the ball hit the moving blade that was designed to knock the ball away. Not hit it in the right direction. Which, incidentally, was exactly what it did! It was sucked up into a pit of darkness and spat out moments after out the other side. Harley leaned to the side to get a better look. Worse still, that ball didn't stop even though it began to slow. No, he couldn't possibly make it in three shots after all that bravado.

But that's exactly what he did. "No freaking way. You actually did it.." Lifting his putter to rest it on his shoulder he was practically gloating at his victory. He didn't even bother hiding it as she claimed how lucky she was to be here with a pro, earning him the soft rolling of her eyes and sarcasm to her lips. "How will I ever keep my hands off you? Although, you might want to save some of that cockiness for later, big guy. We are still only on hole two."

But it hardly stopped him as he sidled up next to her, claiming she owed him that information. Harley unceremoniously dropped her ball onto the green before facing him, having to tip her head for her violet eyes to meet his expectant eyes. He felt much taller at that moment than he had before. Hm, alright. "You did earn it fair and square... You remember that old muscle car you saw?" She started, determining how much she actually wanted to share. " It's more than just a car, it used to belong to my dad. We were supposed to work on it together but he died before we made too much progress on it. So I took it on myself to do it with some help. To keep something that ancient alive needs a lot of freaking TLC. I named her Omen." Yes, she named that old Shelby and had no shame about it. "Kind of self-explanatory why that is amusing." She added, willing to admit she didn't bother to conceal the fact that she was proud of that old muscle car even though it was basically a relic. A prized relic that was actually worth a pretty penny, not that she would accept any impressive sum that came her way.

Harley paused before she took a step away to take her first hit. Might as well. She actually preferred the act of doing something while she spoke. She didn't take long to set up and didn't have a plan. She just kind of hit it and hoped for the best. It bounced.... Like it was its job. The sound of it banging into all kinds of objects was kind of satisfying like that was her goal all along.

"I guess I am kind of sentimental. I still have my first guitar ever. It's so beaten up but it still works ish." She lifted her free hand to offer that so-so gesture as she spoke. That wasn't the only thing she kept. The woman chose to keep small things that reminded her of the people that had touched her in some way.

When she finally looked to find where her ball ended up... she only had to look down, the ball somehow managed to practically roll right back to the start. "Well at least it moved a few feet..." She said with a frown, part of her wanting to know if Mihai could be convinced to switch sides.

Harley closed the space between her and that ball, only this time, when she took her swing, she possessed at least a little more care than she had before. It took three tries including that first abysmal attempt but the golf ball was eventually coerced into the void beneath the windmill and spat out the other side. Only she was hardly so lucky as Sly. Not that she needed to be.

She meandered her way toward the second section, that ball rolling those last few feet and into the hole on the fourth attempt. She would take that. "Well... " She said straightening her spine, rolling her shoulders before she turned to face Sly with a grin. . "I didn't think the horrified chicken could look any more horrified than he does now. But technically, I still made it in four. Not bad for arm candy."

Harley Westward