spirituals | the fell asleep on meme!

[She straightens herself up, but not before one final pat to Karen's head, and follows after Jim. And maybe she lets her arm slip around his again.

She's in a wonderful mood, and it's a distraction from the thought that she's ripped away from Sora and Riku. Don't judge.]

What do they serve here?

[Jim curls his arm around her, laughing as they reach the door before untangling himself and holding it open for Kairi and Karen.]

Stuff like burgers, fries, sandwiches, soups. Simple comfort food.

[Then he looks around, frowning slightly at the lack of customers, and meets eyes with a waitress.] Hey, Veronica. Can you let Karen in the back again? I don't want anyone trying to hit her with menus again. [Jim sits in a booth, arm tossed over the seat, and he watches as Karen trots to the back, Veronica ushering her back with a laugh as the cook's shout echoes throughout the diner.]

[She gives a polite bow of her head before slipping inside, and as Jim takes care of things with Karen, she looks around. She waits until they're both sitting (she had slipped into the seat across from him) before speaking.]

I'm guessing it's just a slow night, huh. That's good, though. Less work for them, right?

[He gives her a little half-shrug with a warm smile as he watches her settle in the seat.] Yeah, it's good. Although they're usually really busy, but I think that new bar opened up a few blocks down. Everyone's probably there checking it out.

[He scans over the menu as Veronica records their drinks and goes off to retrieve them.]

I've been in the city for a week and a half. I was planning on leaving today, but I guess fate had me stay for a reason.

[Then Veronica is back, smiling a little flirty smile as she hands them their drinks, asking them what they'd like.]

Just a bacon cheeseburger and fries, sheila. Easy on the bacon, though, please. [He glances at Kairi.] What do you want? And don't worry about the price.

[Kairi is totally undeterred by whatever sort of feminine wiles this woman is up to, because contrary to popular belief of horrible fanfiction writers, she isn't the jealous type.]

I'll just have a ham and cheese sandwich.

[She might regret not eating more later, but right now, she's just not that into eating. There's still that lingering feeling of 'what am I going to do?' that's making her stomach do flip-flops, but her overlaying excitement is having its way with her appetite, too.]

I'm glad you stayed, then. Who knows what kind of person could have found me? I'm glad it was you, Jim.

[And she flashes him a bright smile, completely genuine despite her worries.]

[Snerk. And don't worry, Kairi - Jim's not the jealous type, also contrary to some beliefs.]

You're welcome. [It's all he feels like he has to say - he can read the gratitude on her face - so he sends her a smile. Rolling up the paper from the straw, he flicks it in the air, making a low whistling sound as it falls. Entertainment can be found anywhere, did you know?]

[She giggles at that and follows suit, finding it a bit of a relief to be able to be a little playful. She's usually got a bit of responsibility on her shoulders... mostly looking out for her boys to make sure they don't do anything too dangerous.]

So. Tell me about this world. [Her voice is quiet, seeing as it's not really something she's supposed to be talking about, but seeing as he reacted fairly calmly about it earlier, she's guessing he's at least okay with the idea.] Just how big is it? Are there monsters that you have to fi-- [Oh. Right. Something just occurred to her that's... easily much more important than anything else.]

Um. Have there been any Heartless around? They're shadowy creatures that go around and steal peoples' hearts.

[Her curiosity makes him smile. He digs into his bag, yanking out an poorly folded map and a marker, splaying the map out on the table and marking a destination before turning the map right up in Kairi's direction.

Pointing to the marked area, he smiles.]

We're currently in a place called Virginia. It's a state in the U.S.A. [He gestures towards the continent with a finger twirl.] The U.S. has 50 states that makes it up - we're in one. Kinda like districts of a town. The rest of the world is made up of different continents.

[Then he points to Australia and smiles.] That is where I'm from.

[Kairi's next words puzzle him, but he shakes his head.] No, most people don't really have to fight against monsters. Although we have Duel Monsters, but that's a card game. [He grins.]

Heartless? Never heard of them, but they don't sound good. Stealing people's hearts, huh? But no, we don't have Heartless around here that I've noticed.

[She seems relieved that there aren't any Heartless, to the point that she breathes a heavy sigh as she leans back against the seat of the booth. Oh thank goodness. But then... why is she in this world? Huh.

Either way, she sits up and takes a look at the map, taking in his words. Though, when she sees the distance between where they are and where he's from, she looks thoroughly surprised for a moment before realizing, it's no different than her being as far from her home as she most likely is right now. So she nods as she listens.]

So like how Traverse Town is, but much bigger. [She murmurs that, mostly to herself to help her understand it better. But then...] Duel Monsters?

[Jim didn't catch what Kairi mumbled, but he seemed pleased as she looked over the map with a sharp, interested gaze.

But then he just full-out grins when she speaks again.] It's a game in my world, here. People are called Duelists who play, and they all have card decks with monsters, spells, traps, you name it, and they all battle each other. Most of the times it's just plain fun.

[But then there are times when the world is at stake, lives are at stake, and he can't hide the frown on his face as he absently wonders how Judai is doing.]

Also... [Then he's smiling again and he unclasps his deck from his belt and places it on the table, allowing her to pick it up if she wants.] There are schools dedicated to Dueling. Places were the game it taught. Back home... [He motions to the map.] I was the champion at my school.

[His tone is the voice of a man who isn't bragging, merely stating a fact.] Many of my friends are great duelists.

[Completely interested, she reaches out to pick up his deck - though she pauses and makes eye contact with him, asking that silent permission once more, just in case - then begins to look through the cards. She takes the time to read everything on them, making a list of questions to ask at a better time.]

So a lot of people in this world play this game? [She smiles a little and looks up at him.] Maybe you could teach me how to play. If you're the best from your school, then I can't think of a better person to learn from.

[He nods accommodatingly - he wouldn't have offered if he didn't mean it. And he can't help but chuckle, leaning his cheek in his palm as he observed her studious gaze.] Yep, the most popular game ever. And sure, I wouldn't mind. I'm not that great of a teacher, though.

[Then he scrambles, hands flying out to push the map out of the way as Veronica arrives, placing down the food and updating Jim on Karen's situation. He nods once, tips his hat, and thanks her.]

Looks good. [And he proceeds to eat, humming happily at the salty meat and warm bread.]

[She waits a bit before she starts eating, because clearly, children's card games are much more important. Don't mind her, she's just really curious and trying to figure out a few of the things on her own.

Like, the attack and defense point thing is obvious, but it takes a bit of real looking to understand that the stars are the monster levels. And then the monster effects, oh boy. That's a whole new level of self-teaching, so she sets aside the deck and, just before she takes a bite of her sandwich;]

I'm a quick learner, so I think you'll do fine.

[Nom.]

[He swallows another bite down, chuckling.]

Good to know. It can be a bit confusing, but I'm sure you'll do well too, little sheila.

[And he noms as well.]

[She looks curious about the 'sheila' bit, but she just brushes it off.]

If it's confusing for other people too, then I guess you have to be really good to be one of the best.

[She's not stroking his ego or anything, nope. Though she is used to teasing Riku and Sora about things like this. Riku, especially.]

[Jim almost chokes, swallowing then coughing a bit before laughing.]

Oh, stop, you'll make me blush. [Then he laughs, chuckling.] Although while I'm at the top of one of the world-wide schools, it's a whole different world from the Pro Leagues. That's where the best of the best show up. Some of my friends are in it, actually. Me, I just prefer traveling around, digging up fossils and dueling to have fun. [Then he chomps down on his burger, humming again.]

So...What is your world like, Kairi?

[She laughs with him, but when he asks about her own world, she calms down.]

Well, I can definitely say it isn't nearly as big as this one. Most of the worlds that I've been to are actually just... single towns or cities, and I think there are a few others that are a little more... expansive is the word, I think? But mine is just a small chain of tropical islands. It's real small, but I love it there.

[Jim listens calmly, interested, closing his eye to picture what it looks like as the words spill from Kairi's lips. The picture in his mind flickers dimly to piece together with her words, and based on her use of the term 'worlds', she's been to more than one.]

That's really interesting. I've never heard of a...type of universe like that. [He offers her an amused and intrigued smile.] Your islands sound like a pleasant place, as well. I haven't been to many islands, but I enjoy the weather they usually have.

the fell asleep on meme!

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