Johnny leaned against the wall outside a quaint little bar. Dudley’s was the name. It was still pretty early out--only about 11:50 in the PM--but it had been dark outside for quite some time, giving him the perfect excuse to hold a burning candle in his left hand. He needed to be near a flame at all times and while cigarettes provided excellent vehicles for his fiery friends, nothing quite compared to the feeling of an open flame. It served other reasons too, like providing a small source of light in the darkness. Of course, there were tons of street lamps and buildings everywhere, but it was the thought that counted. The tall glass cylinder around it would protect it from being extinguished.

In Johnny’s right hand was a cell phone. He needed to be near a cell phone at all times just because he liked the ease and functionality of the thing. How else was he going to be able to play all those senseless little mind-wasting games? And how else would he be able to scroll down his contacts list until he came to the name “Charlotte <3 <3 <3”? And how else would he be able to call her and press the phone up to his ear and say:

“Hey, we've met only once before, and this is crazy, but you gave me your phone number so I’m calling you, ma cherie.”

As introductions went, he was pretty proud of that one. He hadn’t even bothered to listen if the phone on the other end of the line had even been picked up, had been on, or switched to voice-mail. He didn’t care. He kept talking.

“This is Johnny, Johnny Oblivion. We met just the other day during a gentleman's bet, if you might remember,” Johnny drawled, his clearly-Southern accent sweetening and softening every word in what he was certain was a perfectly charming fashion. “Ah was the guy who had to convince New York about the alien invasion, not the skeleton. Nevehmind, course you remember.” Johnny was very confident in his ability to leave an impression.

“Anyways, Ah was just wondering if you’d like to go on a date with me tonight. Right now. Ah was thinking maybe we could have dinner, for startuhs. Maybe catch a movie after, or something. When would you like me to meet you?” he said, not even considering the possibility of being turned down.

Charlotte had just finished cleaning the bar, and was rewarding herself with a cigarette. The night had been hectic: there had been a major fight which resulted in one of the TVs being smashed, a drink being spilled on her, and an unexpected appearance from the cops. Needless to say, she was exhausted. And smelled lightly of booze. She puffed on the cigarette as she placed the last glass below the bar, using her hip to nudge the cabinet shut. A faint ringing filled the room, the sound emanating from her back pocket. She retrieved her phone and held it up to her ear as she made her way to the other side of the bar. 

"Hello?" she answered. People didn't usually call her. In fact, she wasn't sure many people had her number. But the Southern drawl on the other end reminded her that she had in fact given her number out. Her lips formed a smile, and she shook her head. "I'm sorry, but I think you have the wrong number." she teased, locating her purse and slinging it over her arm. She listened to his proposal, and did her best to to hide her squeal of excitement. She had to play it cool. "A date? I dunno... It is kinda late." she pondered, her eyes wondering over to the clock on the wall. It was late, but she wasn't completely opposed to the idea. Heck, if she had gotten his number, she'd be calling him for a date.

"I suppose I could squeeze you in." she finally decided. "I'm about to leave work. Where did you want to eat? I could meet you there." She looked herself over in the mirror before she opened the front door. She didn't look that bad. She'd have to touch up her makeup when they got to dinner, but it was dark outside and it was highly unlikely he could see that well. She ran a hand through her hair, fluffing it a bit until the blonde strands looked somewhat tame. She dug for her keys as she flipped the light switch and bumped the door open with her elbow.

Charlotte closed the door behind her and turned to find a shadowy figure standing nearby. She saw the small flame glowing and let out a sigh. He sure was full of himself. She hit the 'end call' button on her phone and approached Johnny, flicking her cigarette butt into the street. "If I didn't know any better, I'd think you were stalking me." she quipped, leaning forward to peck his cheek. She couldn't see it, but she knew there was the faint outline of her kiss in red lipstick on his skin. 

Johnny had been about to tell Charlotte to step outside when lo and behold, that’s what happened. Lordy, she was punctual. Even to stuff he hadn’t said yet. It was enough to earn her another “<3” in his contact list. Even if she did just carelessly throw her cigarette to the ground and just leave it there, without even a proper burial. He was getting ready to speak to the flame when Charlotte spoke.

And then kissed him on the cheek.

He was pretty sure he was going to say something in response to the stalking charges. If he was, he couldn’t think of it anymore. Instead his eyes widened and his mouth opened. A small firework launched itself from his candle and exploded a foot above his head. In his head he could see little phoenix’s perching on every available surface in sight, crooning lovely melodies and singing sappy songs.

Mental note: give her two more <3’s, not just one.

The firebirds vanished from his imagination as reality began to reassert itself.

“If Ah admit that Ah was stalkin’ you, could you do that again?” he asked Charlotte. Oh yes, this girl was a keeper.

“But, uh, Ah had in mind a lovely little diner not too far from here. Delicious home cooking and open all night long,” he said in a much more suave tone. “They make just about anything you desire, but Ah especially recommend the country cooking. They make a mean batch of cornbread and pinto beans.” As he talked, he slipped his phone inside his pocket, switched the hand that was holding the candle, and then proceeded to slide his arm around Charlotte’s shoulders. He was confident she wouldn’t complain.

“What say we head out? Ma’s Kitchen is only a block or so in that direction,” he said, indicating with the candle.

Charlotte chuckled as she watched him react to the kiss. If she could take a picture and frame the face he made, she would. It hadn't even crossed her mind how he found her job. Had she told him? Or was he really stalking her? Her brow furrowed as she retraced the conversation they had, searching for any evidence that she had mentioned Dudley's. She shrugged off the worry, and turned her attention back to him. 

"I mean, I guess I couuuuuld give you another one." she smirked, leaning forward and pecking his other cheek. She decided, however, that this time she would let her lips rest on his cheek longer than the first kiss. She smirked and pulled back, quickly switching topics. "I love cornbread." she stated, giving him a quick wink. 

She turned to begin walking, but realized she had no idea where this restaurant was. She pursed her lips in confusion, and raised an eyebrow as his arm found its way around her shoulders. Not that she minded, but boy was he forward. Or just being nice. He was Southern after all. She scooted closer to him as they began walking, wrapping one of her arms around his waist. 

"What's the candle for? Scared of the dark?" she teased, poking his side with one of her fingers. 

Stay strong. You can do this. Pretend this happens every time you spontaneously go out with a girl. Casual. Sometimes Johnny gave himself good advice. Sometimes he didn’t. He didn’t know which one of those times it was going to be, but he had an even chance of getting lucky. So when Charlotte kissed him again, he managed to keep everything but a grin off his face. Even the candle behaved better, although it did quiver and briefly shoot up to three inches in length.

And she liked cornbread. She had it all. Beauty, a lovely physique, style, flirtatiousness, interesting curves, and a stomach after his own heart. If that kind of thing was possible. He was pretty sure she was from Tennessee. Because, well, everyone knows how that one goes.

As they walked she moved in closer. Johnny showed his approval of this by a light squeeze on her shoulder. Then she poked him. It was all he could do to not jump away through ticklishness. “Please,” he said snootily, “the darkness ought to be scared of me!” He smiled down at Charlotte as he focused on the fire in his grasp. A small spark extracted itself from the flame and flew upwards, swiftly growing into a miniature demon, nearly identical in appearance to a Shimmy-Mama-Cool-Bank. It roared in his mind for just a moment before he banished it to oblivion.

“It’s also for my sanity. And it smells like apple pie,” he informed his date in a slightly more serious tone of voice. He held the candle closer to her, enticing her to sniff it. It was only one of the hundred or so he had lying around his apartment, most of them having distinct and separate smells. This one was from the Baked Goods section he generally kept in his kitchenette area. If she liked this candle, maybe he’d invite her to see the others....

He decided to tease her in return. “Now what about you? Are you scared of the dark?” he said in the same tone she’d used on him. They were just passing between the pools of light of two different lamps. Maybe if he teased her just right he could elicit another kiss from her. She didn’t seem to mind giving them out and he’d hate to see any go to waste.

Charlotte watched as he reenacted the fiery demon from his spiel the other day on top of the taxi. She let out a laugh and nudged him with her shoulder. "That's cute. And I have to admit, you're a pretty good actor. You almost had me convinced." she praised, giving him a half smile. Had she not known about the bet, she would have hightailed it out of there quicker than the other audience members. 

"There's no way it smells like apple pie." she scoffed, giving a quick shake of her head. Before she knew it, the candle was flickering right before her face; she could feel the flame warming the tip of her nose. Her nose wrinkled and she gave two quick sniffs, her jaw dropping after she did. "It smells so good!" she exclaimed. She felt like she was in her mom's kitchen. The cinnamon-y goodness wasn't overwhelming, and mixed perfectly with the slight smokey smell of the flame. Her mom tended to burn pies, so it was all the more realistic. 

As they passed the lamp, she lightly dug her fingers into Johnny's side. "I'm so scared. Don't let me go." she whined, pushing out her bottom lip for added effect. She wasn't actually afraid, but she didn't want him to let her go. He was so warm, and she liked being in such close proximity to him. 

She stopped outside of a small building and used her free hand to point at the sign. "I'm guessing this is it?" she queried, glancing up at her date. From where she was standing, the inside seemed very homey. Very Southern. She could see why he picked this place. She detached herself from his waist and slipped from under his arm, approaching the door and pulling it open.

"Apres-vous," she purred, motioning with her free hand for him to enter. She could be just as charming as he was. 

So far Johnny couldn’t find any faults with Charlotte. Not that he really ever looked for any, but by Jove she was a catch. She was awed by his actions and wooed by his words. She also seemed to take every chance she could to move closer to him and make tactile contact. Johnny wasn’t about to complain. “Ah’ll protect you,” he swore to her, playfully glaring at a nearby shadow. Shadow flames snarled at it.

But then they were ever so quickly arriving at the diner. Charlotte also proved that if she were to ever quit her job at Dudley’s, she could have an impressive career as a doorperson. “Mmm, merci mon petit trésor,” Johnny responded with nary an accent. He waltzed into the building like he owned the place, allowing Charlotte enough time to catch up to him before he found a nice booth to settle down in.

Once all parties were seated and such, a waitress appeared. The Ma’s Kitchen logo emblazoned on her apron was the same bright red of her hair. She wore just enough makeup to catch and draw the eye, but not enough to really stand out. Her black shorts worked quite well with her white t-shirt, which also had the logo on it. (Johnny noticed these things very quickly and with no small amount of appreciation.)

The waitress struck a pose. ‘Hey there, Johnny!” the ginger said with a smile. “Haven’t seen you around here lately. Workin’ hard?”

“As much as Ah ever do, Carla,”he laughed. He turned pale blue eyes to Charlotte for a moment as he set his candle on the table between them. “This is my friend Charlotte. Charlotte, this is Carla.”

“Nice to meet you, dear,” Carla said warmly. She whipped out two menus and expertly placed them before the two customers. “What would ya like me to getcha to drink? Dave just made a new batch of home brewed sweet tea.”

“Sounds good to me!” said Johnny with a smile.

Once all the other little things of that nature were sorted out, Carla left to give them time to read the menus and come up with something to order. It also gave them a chance to talk. “See anything ya like so far?” he asked Charlotte. He already knew what he was getting: cornbread and beans, just like he’d said before.

Charlotte followed closely behind Johnny, allowing the door to swing shut behind her. Her head shook as she watched him waltz in. He really was full of himself. But it was cute, in a cocky sort of way. She slid into the booth opposite the firemancer. As she listened to the conversation between him and the waitress, she couldn't help but guess that he brought most of his dates here. Suddenly, she didn't feel so special.

"Thank you." She nodded to the waitress and opened the menu, watching as the redhead walked away. "So," she began, shifting her blue eyes to meet his own. "I take it you always bring a girl here if you want to woo her? I'm sure they all just swoon over it." Of course, she was sort of swooning too. But she wouldn't let him know that. That would ruin all the fun. 

Her eyes drifted down to the menu, perusing the main courses. Everything sounded delectable, extremely Southern, and probably very fattening. She was trying to watch her figure, but she decided she could splurge tonight. The blonde glanced up at him, cocking her head slightly. 

"I see some things I like, but what I really want isn't exactly on the menu." she remarked, stretching her leg out under the table so that it rubbed against his. She gave a smirk and closed her menu. "The fried chicken sounds good. And the cornbread, of course." 

Their waitress- Carla, was it? Charlotte hadn't been paying much attention- brought them a pitcher of sweet tea and poured each of them a glass. She picked up her straw, peeled off the white paper, and took a sip of her beverage. She shuddered and made a face. It was like drinking liquid sugar. 

"So, where do you work?" she asked, taking another small sip of her tea. It wasn't that bad. If you took small sips and swished them around in your mouth. 

It seemed that Johnny had stepped on a live coal and hadn’t known it. (But that wasn’t new.) For once, Johnny looked before he spoke. He looked at Charlotte’s face. “Actually, Ah only brings guys Ah wanna woo here. Ah take the girls to a lovely Italian place a few blocks from here. But Ah decided to mix things up tonight,” he said completely casually. Then he dropped his gaze down to his pointlessly opened menu, permitting her to, if she so desired, bask in all the possibilities of his comment.

He only pretended to read the lines he’d practically memorized long ago, giving no hint about anything. Only Charlotte’s answer to his question made him look up. Then her leg made his eyebrow go up. “I agree, the fried chicken is quite delicious,” he said. He carefully adjusted his tie and straightened his jacket. “I’m particularly fond of the legs.” He trapped her leg in between his own.

When the tea arrived, Johnny began following a similar routine as Charlotte. However, his diverged when she peeled the paper totally off the straw. He left ninety percent his on. Quick as a wink he had it up to his lips and blew hard on the exposed end, propelling the paper tube off the straw like a bullet, aimed in Charlotte’s general direction.

It was hard to resist, with such tempting faces that she was making.

“What’s the mattah?” he asked playfully. “Too sweet for ya? And here Ah was thinking girls were made of this stuff. Ya know, sugah and spice and things like that.” He made a light tsk sound a few times as he shook his head. The flame on the table mirrored his movements.

But now back to him. How should he answer Charlotte’s question? Which job was she more likely to like him better as? Firefighter? The valiant hero of a hundred burning buildings, strong as an ox and savior of dozens? Or nightclub performer? The musical maestro and master of the dance, occasional magician and acrobatics extraordinaire? Eenie meenie miney mo...

Wait, this was the girl who said she loved his performance as an alien abductee. “Ah work at The Majestic, a nightclub just north of here. Ah’m a performer,” said Johnny with a wink. “Howevuh, Ah used to be in a circus. Ah was the main attraction and on flyers and posters all ‘cross the country.” Had he been in a circus? Truth. Everything else? Wishful thinking. What she didn’t know would only make him look better.

“Now what about you?” he said, turning the conversation Charlotte’s way. “Have you been workin’ at Dudley’s for very long?”

"Is that so?" Charlotte spared an eyebrow to raise. She couldn't tell if Johnny was joking or not, but somehow the thought of him on a date with another man was enticing. She shifted in her seat and took another sip of the tea. Had the temperature risen or was it just her? 

She wasn't expecting him to trap her leg, so a small yelp escaped her mouth when he did. She lifted her free leg and trapped one of his own, giving a light squeeze. She resumed rubbing her leg against his, every now and then letting her leg travel further up his. "I'm sure the legs are fond of you, too." she mused, using her straw to push around a few ice-cubes. She knew that he could control fire, but he didn't know about her abilities. Maybe she should tell him? 

"You know," she began, but was immediately cut-off by a flying piece of hitting the tip of her nose, which scrunched up automatically. Did he really just blow his straw paper at her? Were they five? "You're lucky you're cute." she stated, pulling out her straw and pointing it at him. She flicked it, and watched as some of the tea in the straw flew towards him. 

A performer? She could have guessed that from his act the other day in the city. She did not, however, have any clue as to what club he was talking about. She blinked a few times and shook her head. "Never heard of it." Her eyes lit up when he mentioned the circus, and she leaned forward, propping her chin up in her palm. "A circus, really? You're so lucky. I would have loved to see you perform." When she was a child, she wanted to be one of those people that rode the elephants. Charlotte also wanted to be a dinosaur, but the former seemed like a more reasonable goal.

She pursed her lips and counted back how many years she had been at Dudley's. "About two and a half years." she surmised. "But before that, I did some modeling for Victoria's Secret. My parents just about killed me when they found out." Of course she had never modeled, but she knew her date would enjoy whatever mental image he created after he heard that.

"How long have you been doing that?" asked the blonde, nodding her head towards the candle. She watched it flicker, and fought the urge to put it out. Johnny without fire was probably as bad as she was without any water around. 

Her legs had trapped his, just as his had trapped hers. He saw no reason to disengage. In fact, he had a feeling (all up and along his leg) that it would be best for all parties involved to just remain in leglock. It had its merits. Apparently so did he. “Cute, eh?” he said with a smirk. Drops of tea promptly dabbed him on the chin, neck, and tie. His smirk broadened into a open-lipped smile. “Is that all Ah am? Well, Ah guess Ah’ll just have to show you more later on,” he informed her, vague undertones dancing in his diction.

Johnny shook his head slightly as Charlotte revealed her lack of knowledge about The Majestic. “You really ought to come one night. Classy Tuesdays are the best. Maybe you can hear me sing,” he said jovially. The pyromancer took a drink of his tea, allowing the liquid to roll around in his mouth, savoring the flavor. Nobody made tea like Ma. It was just like his grandma’s.

“But yeah, the circus. Ah did a lot of things. Mostly Ah was a fire dancer, but Ah did sword-swallowing and such as well,” said Johnny as if everyone did that kind of thing. His smug expression destroyed the illusion of humility. “Maybe I can show you some of that stuff later on,” he said, once again alluding to shadows and uncertain ideas.There was another little trick he’d perfected at the circus, but he’d save that for later as the coup-d'etat. His dates normally enjoyed that rather twisty bit of information.

Actually, he’d probably need to say it soon. Charlotte’s own past seemed just as interesting as his own. “Really? A Victoria’s Secret model?” he asked, a delighted smile on his face. He looked her over once again, a bit more critically (if possible) this time. She might’ve been able to do it. Unless other things came up, he promised himself to do some research into this when he got home. Strictly to understand her better. Much better. And hopefully he had enough printer paper and ink. “So what was it like to be a model?” he asked very intently. Might as well do some research now!

When Charlotte looked at the candle and asked how long he’d been “doing that,” the firefighter looked at her in temporary confusion. “Doing what?” he said, cocking his head a smidgen. The candle flame stilled but adopted a similar position, moving diagonally. It seemed to stare at Charlotte. “I’m not doing anything,” he said with a bit of a hesitant laugh. He spread his hands a small, symbolic distance to show her his lack of doing.

Then Carla returned, asking for their orders. Johnny ordered exactly what he’d planned on ordering: cornbread and pinto beans, asking for onions on it as well.

Charlotte sighed and flashed a smile. "I mean, you're kinda cute. But I've seen cuter." she teased, taking a sip of her drink. She returned to her position of holding her chin in the palm of her hand. "Oh, so you sing, too? Is there anything you don't do?" Johnny really was a character. He sang, he was a performer, and he could control fire. It seemed she had hit the talent jackpot. 

When he said he could show her some of his tricks, her interest was piqued. "You couldn't show me anything now?" she pleaded, sticking out her bottom lip for added effect. "I'll give you a kiss." She added the last bit with a wink, considering how he reacted to her kisses earlier and all. Maybe she could convince him with a few more on the cheek, or even a peck on the lips. She was sure he would enjoy that, very much actually.

"Being a model was.." she paused, sipping her tea, allowing her to create some fictitious story in her mind. "It was definitely not what I expected. It's actually how I started smoking." She was lying. Her first boyfriend has gotten her hooked, but he didn't need to know that tidbit. "It was the only way I could think to stay fit, because they didn't really like when we gained weight. The runways were a pain, although I did get some nice lingerie out of it, so.." she broke her sentence off, a devious grin pulling at her lips. The blonde was sure her date would enjoy that tidbit. And she had actually purchased some lingerie from Victoria's Secret, so it wasn't a total lie. Just a little fib.

Before she could respond to him playing coy, their waitress returned. She ordered the fried chicken and a side of cornbread, since Johnny had sung such high praises of it. She waited for Carla to leave and shifted her gaze back to him.

"Really? You aren't doing anything? Nothing at all?" she echoed, her hand reaching down into her purse. She searched for her water bottle and fumbled to unscrew the cap as stealthily as she could. Once the plastic was off, she placed the bottle between her legs, making sure to keep it out of view from her date. She had a trick or two up her own sleeve. She could feel a small portion of the water trickle out, wrapping itself around her fingers. With a flick of her wrist, the stream moved to his side of the table, creating a small spinning loop around the candle. She raised an eyebrow at Johnny. Two could play at that game. 

She’d seen cuter? Total lie. Such things were not possible. But Johnny would allow the lady to have her fantasy--the game wasn’t as fun when both parties were outright and honest with each other. The game of intricate romantic social interaction relied on such lies to always keep the other party guessing, luring them in until you had them where you wanted them.

“Why, madame Charlotte,” he drawled, purposefully intensifying his accent, “If you must know, then Ah’ll confess.” Johnny leaned in closer, insinuating a secret that none should ever overhear. “Ah find myself incapable of not thinkin’ about you.” Humor glinted in his eyes as he winked at his date before withdrawing back to his side of the table. Flattery tended to get you places pretty easily, no matter what the person said.

He’d interested her with his talk off tricks. It was fairly obvious to tell. “Settle down, Sugar,” he smirked, “This is neither the time nor place for such things.” Indeed. Contorting was not something one did in a restaurant they frequented. Perhaps in a restaurant one did not frequent, but that was not Ma’s Kitchen. “And save that kiss for later, at least until after dessert.” Another wink, this time to show that her feminine charms could not sway his manly mind into things he wasn’t wanting to do. Right then and there, anyways. He’d be more than happen to exhibit his flexibility to her later.

Johnny imbibed more tea as he listened with interest to Charlotte’s history of modeling. For his eyes only, phantom flames twisted and twirled around over her head. He could see a burning Charlotte swaying tastefully from side to side as she traversed the runway. The way her hair--represented by paler, whiter flames--looked as she flipped it around in a full arc. The crimson dress evaporating in order to reveal flaming lingerie in dark blue hues. The sparkle in her eyes and the way her lips curved in a stunning smile as she looked over her shoulder to stare into his own eyes....

He blinked and the mind fires were gone. His look of engrossed rapture faded as well, metamorphosing into an innocent country boy’s smile.“Oh really?” he said nonchalantly. “Which ones?” he asked. He wanted to build a better picture in the flames. Maybe he hadn’t quite gotten the right color or type of lace for the lingerie he’d imagined. The devil was always in the details.

“No, Ah’m not,” he repeated, a quirked eyebrow and all. What was she talking about? Candle flames always did that kind of thing. They danced, they moved, they tilted, they grew, etc. Where had she been for the last several centuries or so? While he was puzzling that out, it seemed that the candle had sprung a leak. Strange, because that candle didn’t have any water in it. Which left only one other conclusion.

Wonderful surprise lit up his face and the candle burned brighter. “Why, Mizz Charlotte! You just seem full of surprises tonight! You control water? Well what do ya know! Opposites really do attract!” He laughed at the thought. Putting a little effort into the flame, he extracted a brilliant goldfish from the flames and sent it lightly looped around the candle, its light flickering through and off the water, casting faint shadows across that part of the table.

“How long have you known you were a mutant?” he said, excitement evident in his voice. He hadn’t been to church in a long time, but he was still pretty sure this was God’s way of saying he’d met the One. Beautiful, witty, and a mutant? Destiny, that’s what that was. “And why on Earth didn’t you tell me before?”

Of course she hadn't seen cuter. At least, not that she could recall. She was sure she hadn't. Johnny was charming, attractive, talented, and most of all, he was Southern. It's like the universe put him on this earth for Charlotte to find and swoon over. She tried her hardest not to blush, but she felt the heat rise to her place. She knew he was teasing her, but damn him. Why did he have to be so good at it?

"But...what if I wanted to give you a kiss now?" she wondered, dismay finding it's what into her voice. "Are you really going to deny me that?" Of course, she could hold off with the kisses. She probably should. It would make them that much more enjoyable. Especially for him. Although self-restraint was probably for the best. She wanted to be able to show her face at the restaurant again, and she was sure Ma wouldn't appreciate an overload of PDA from the two.

He wouldn't let her kiss him, but he had the audacity to ask her what kind of lingerie she had? The nerve! Should she tell him, or should she let him sweat a little? "Maybe if you play your cards right, you'll get to see it all in person later." she reasoned. She pursed her lips and glanced down at her chest. "Am I wearing some right now?" she thought out loud, pulling the fabric of her shirt slightly so only she could see. "Nope. Oh well." she gave a smirk, and turned her attention back to the water ring, which now had a little fish friend.

"You never gave me the chance!" she exclaimed. She was going to earlier, but his little straw paper trick distracted her. She drummed her fingers on the table, forcing the loop of water to form into a goldfish, which mirrored the fiery creation he controlled. It swam playfully around his as she let out a little laugh. "And you should see some of my other surprises." She was going to leave it at that. Some of her surprises weren't exactly suitable for dinner conversation. 

"I've known for a few years. That's kind of what I came here. Some stuff happened in Connecticut and I couldn't stay." she mumbled, glancing down at her drink. She would need to refill it soon, but she didn't feel like consuming anymore of the saccharine liquid. "What about you, Johnny-cakes?" she asked, throwing in the nickname to be childish. That's what people did when they flirted, right? 

Johnny smiled gamely at Charlotte. My, my, she was practically throwing herself at him. Maybe later he’d take advantage of her obvious attraction to him, but right then he’d prefer to eat. He visited Ma’s way too frequently to wish to be kicked out over a single extra-affectionate date. Charlotte was not worth missing out on such excellent cooking, no matter the....merits, she possessed.

He nodded; yes, he was going to deny her a kiss. If anything, it would just make the next one sweeter. Mischief was written all over his face and the goldfish shed playful sparks.

Suddenly Johnny’s icy blue eyes had something else to focus on. “Is that so?” he asked distractedly. “Fortunately for me, Ah’m a champ at cards,” he said, neglecting to make eye contact with her as his attention was otherwise....occupied. His claim was somewhat true. He just didn’t tell her what games he wasn’t a champ at. And worst comes to worst, he could always rig this deck. Because he was rather interested in the stakes of this game. Before he’d called Charlotte, Johnny had had an entire night open. Now it was quickly filling up. Poor guy, so many things to do and so little time to do them in.

Unless she wanted to make another day out of it, which was completely fine by him.

“What do you mean, I never gave you the chance? There were plenty of chances!” he protested. That was a pretty interesting piece of information, right up there with one’s last name. Oh wait, he didn’t know her last name. Whoops. “Er, in hindsight, I believe you may have a point there,” he conceded to the gal with a gracious ducking of his head. Girls tended to appreciate gallan displays such as that. And then maybe he’d get to see what those other “surprises” were.

He smiled at that part. “So Ah assume Ah’m going to have to find out about these surprises later on then? We might as well skip dessert then, ‘cause Ah have the feeling we both have got a lot to find out about each other.” He was joking. But only about the skipping dessert part.

Without needing to look, he directed the firefish to circle in tighter with the water one, creating a taijitu. It served no purpose other than to potentially give Charlotte to smile about. Her past seemed to sadden her some; he could relate. That was the whole reason he was in New York as well. Now he was going to do with her exactly what he did to his own past: utterly avoid it.

He barely waited a moment after her question before launching into an epic. “Well, Chartreuse,” he began, countering her silly name for him with one of his own, “Ah’ve known about my powers since the ninth grade. Ah found them the way Ah’m sure everyone did, valiantly defending a friend from a much bigger guy. Ah still don’t know why Billy Neighbors started wailing on Joel, but when he pulled out the lighter, Ah heard it’s voice.” Johnny paused, giving the news time to sink in and build dramatic effect.

“Next thing Ah knew, I was standing there holding a six-foot bullwhip made of pure fire and well, let’s just say Billy was lucky to only have a scorched shirt,” he concluded. The whole thing was a pure fabrication. The only real thing in it was the year he’d discovered his powers, but nothing so fancy happened. But what sounded better, finding out about your power from a dancing bunsen burner, or being the hero of the school with a radical display? Totally the latter.

He glanced at her with a proud smile. “An’ after high school, Ah joined up with the circus. But that’s a story for another time. Unless of course, you wanna hear it now?” he drawled. An eyebrow slowly arched as a half-smile put a dimple in his cheek. Perhaps it would suitably distract her--he didn’t want anything getting in the way of this night.