The Kitchen: Step Four {Morgan}

[Ҩ Jonathan Empris]

Jon had been gathering ingredients all morning, and was at last putting them all together. From the oven, the smell of cooking vegetables and melting cheese and rising dough hung over the entire kitchen. He was making a pizza for the girlfriend he'd neglected for too long. He'd gone to extremes. Jon had laid out a (what he hoped to be) creative scavenger hunt laden with clues for Morgan to follow. The kitchen counter had been cleared off and an elaborate table cloth normally reserved for when political figures visited the Academy spread over top.

Fine china and expensive silverware were all part of the grand plan to suck-up. He'd been a bad boyfriend, and Kenneth had been warning him that Morgan was going to go off and find herself another guy if he didn't step up and do something. Normally Jon would ignore any advice given by Kenneth, but the sympathetic looks Kennedy Cavan kept giving him was making him listen to his best friend a little more. So Jon, desperate for some help, managed to get Kenneth to relent one of his favourite apology schemes he'd been saving for if he ever screwed things up with Kellan.

Jon was forced to swear he'd tell Kellan that the scavenger hunt was all Ken's idea if the time ever came, but he was allowed to pretend it was his own in front of Morgan. And (unlikely, but Kenneth is thorough) should the two girls be together at the same time he was to be confronted about it, he must admit that Ken was the genius.

Anyway, back to the kitchen. The lights were dimmed, a bunch of blue candles with blue flames were lit, and the table was set for two. Jon was wearing just a pair of casual jeans, which he was cursing now because he'd wanted to go and change into something dressier. But things became too hectic in the kitchens; someone hadn't cleaned the oven in forever and the pizza smelled more like salmon than pizza, so he'd had to start over, which he feared would ruin his schedule and Morgan would walk in while Jon was holding oven cleaner in his hands. But thankfully Morgan didn't show up then, but it still meant Jon didn't have enough time to change. So here he was, stuck in jeans and whatever shirt he'd thrown on that morning.

[morg]

Morgan had been searching through the Academy for quite a while now. Fortunately she'd had help in the form of nearly every teenage girl that found out about the note. This had at least pointed her in the right direction, most of the time, but also meant that several people were now fully aware of just was going on.

Her latest clue had actually left her completely at a loss, and she'd just outright guessed as to the destination, based solely on what she suspected was going on. So she wandered into the antechamber, not expecting to find anyone. Of course, she wouldn't, because Jon was in the kitchens. However, the smell of cooking pizza and some noises from the kitchen gave Morgan the heads up. Smiling, she headed that way.

Dimmed lights, candles, and the smell of pizza. The whole affair reeked of a date, and here Morgan was: in a ragged boy jeans a size too big for her and a bedraggled t-shirt. Her hair had been yanked back into a crude ponytail, and she looked more ready for a workout than a date.

"Jon?" she called, hesitantly. It was a sign of just how bad the Cavans luck was that they instantly suspected vampires, dragons, or some other trap whenever something like this occurred. With mind washing and assaults, you really couldn't blame them.

Eventually Morgan saw her boyfriend, and beamed. Just seeing this reminded her of exactly why she'd finally agreed to be his girlfriend, and it also made her feel quite guilty for what she'd been thinking lately. Still, Jon had a lot of kissing up to do, literal as well as figurative.

"This is... awesome."

[Ҩ Jonathan Empris]

He turned when his name was called, and he quickly yanked off the embarrassing apron, tossing it under the table.

"Heyy," He greeted, his lips curling up at one corner.

This is... It was honestly with bated breath Jon waited for the rest of her sentence... awesome.

The goofiest grin lit up his face and he flushed with pleasure.

"You figured it all out?" Obviously she had, she was standing right in front of him. He was hoping that he got creative points for this. And he hoped he hadn't made it too hard for her. He was fairly certain they'd be easy. He'd been tempted to leave a French-English dictionary for the last clue, but he didn't want to insult her intelligence.

Jon walked around the table he'd set up for them.

"I thought the candles might be a bit much," he admitted, rubbing the back of his head. He stepped forward and gave Morgan a quick hug and a peck on the cheek.

[morg]

"Aww, the apron was kinda cute," teased Morgan . She grinned at her boyfriend, her eyes flicking to the apron. Yes, that certainly wasn't the only thing in the room that was kind of cute. Morgan reached up, tucking a stray curl behind her ear.

"I figured most of it out," she offered, strolling over to the table. "You left most of the notes out in the open. I think half of Wingrose knows you have some special date planned, and a few Almasies are in on it too. Oh, and that last clue," Morgan smiled ruefully, "I have no idea what that was. It looked like four for four or something. I just figured it had something to do with the kitchens, what with the other hints."

She dug in the pockets of her jeans, coming up with a candle and a fork. She just managed to set both on the table in time to hug Jon back. She let him kiss her on the cheek, but then reciprocate by giving him a quick peck on the lips, grinning.

"The candles are fine, definitely getting some bonus points there."

And honestly, Jon needed them. But Morgan wasn't about to admit that now. Jon was simply too cute at the moment.

[Ҩ Jonathan Empris]

Jon blushed a bit at her compliment of his apron. At least it hadn't said something embarrassing like 'Kiss the Cook'. As she moved on to talk about the clues, he grinned.

"The last one was the hardest. I didn't know if you spoke French... les fours means 'the ovens'. I'm glad you figured it out though," he admitted. And he was. He wasn't too disappointed that the clue was pointless. If she hadn't put everything together, she wouldn't be standing in front of him. And Jon was grateful that she was. Because it earned him a quick kiss on the lips.

"I'm glad you don't think the candles are too much," He said, grinning back at her. He pulled her chair out for her, gesturing to the seat as though he were a waiter at a fine restaurant.

"Are you ready for some fine Italian cuisine?"

[morg]

"Jon, I'm smart, but I don't know French. C'mon, you know your girlfriend's a jock, cut me some slack," she chided. Still, it was said through a smile, and accompanied by a wink. She also sat down on the proffered chair, eying Jon with a satisfied smirk.

"Candles are alright for a romantic dinner, and it's not like you put them in a golden candlestick or something," she glanced over his clothes, and was satisfied that he didn't look any more prepared for this than she. still, it sucked going on a date without makeout or decent clothes. Even Morgan cared a bit about that.

"Fine Italian cuisine? Man, here I thought we were going to be eating pizza," Morgan continued. She leaned forward in her chair, looking around the room. Yes, there was the oven, from which the delicious smell was coming. Definitely pizza, and certainly not "Fine Italian cuisine." "It's definitely a good thing that one of us can cook though. About the only thing I can do is mimic the actions."

She rolled her eyes and started playing with her fork, expertly twirling it.

[Ҩ Jonathan Empris]

Jon shrugged, still grinning, "I don't like stereotyping. Who says jocks can't speak French? I'm sure French jocks would be very offended," his jokes were lame, but hey, he was Jon. Already loaded with the bad dad jokes.

As she questioned how 'fine' his pizza was, Jon wrinkled his nose at her.

"Clearly you've never had gourmet pizza. This isn't your typical 667 variety. The tomato sauce is freshly made, everything is fresh-cut, and there are at four different cheeses on this," he insisted while he returned to les fours and retrieved the pizza from the heated depths. The teenager deposited the round treat onto a cutting tray on the counter and rolled the pizza cutter over it expertly, not needed to double-cut anywhere. This was the kind of pizza you ate with a fork and knife at a fancy restaurant.

Taking two slices and placing them decadently on two plates, he brought them forth to the table, serving Morgan before he sat down himself. Always the gentleman, little Jon Empris.

"Take a bite of this, and tell me it isn't fine Italian cuisine!"

[morg]

"French jocks? Isn't that an oxymoron?" joked Morgan. She watched as Jon bustled about preparing food and gabbering. For a bit she wondered if he talked like that when he got nervous. Why he would possibly be nervous with his messy girlfriend was beyond her. Still, it reminded her of how Kennedy acted whenever something got him edgy.

"Wow, you're really talking up this pizza," she said. She eyed the slice on her plate, trying to figure out if it was too uncouth to eat it with her hands. Well, Jon had thoughtfully provided a fork, and Morgan had been carrying the utensil around all day. Might as well put it to good use.

She cut off a piece, then lifted her fork in salute of Jon. The piece then went into her mouth, and she chewed. And smiled. And chewed, finally swallowing.

"It's alright," she teased, working another bite onto her fork, "you know, for freakin' amazing gourmet pizza made from the finest ingredients by a totally awesome guy."

Smile, wink, and another bite taken.

[Ҩ Jonathan Empris]

Jon laughed at her joke.

"Tell that to Draco," he dared her, laughing. When he sat down across from her, he waited as he watched her take the first forkful. At her compliment, he absolutely lit up. He was glowing, that's how much her words meant to him. He dug into his pizza too, and modestly he agreed without words. It was awesome.

As they ate, Jon wondered what to talk about. He thought that maybe he should apologize for not being around that much. So he did.

"Sorry about not being around as much as you'd like me to. There isn't really much of an excuse, but the start of each term is really important to me. That's when I read all the textbooks and get a headstart on all the homework assignments," he knew he sounded like a nerd right there, but Morgan knew what kind of boy he was so he wasn't overly worried. She might tease him, but it wouldn't be an insult.

[morg]

"Pfft," Morgan shook her head, "Draco's no jock. A wannabe, at best. I'll tease him about it next time I see him."

For, in fact, Morgan knew Draco. Probably more than Jon wanted to know. Morgan doubted that her boyfriend wanted to know just which guys his girlfriend had grinded on, or which ones she'd kissed. She did have some tact, believe it or not.

"Jon..." what was she supposed to tell him. The truth? That she'd honestly thought about breaking up with him because he'd vanished? That she'd started flirting with other guys, one in particular? You couldn't tell that to your "boyfriend."

Gah, that shouldn't even be in question marks!

Lie: "Don't worry about it," lie: "I completely understand," lie: "it's cool, really."

Truth: "Besides, that is totally like you."

She took a bite of pizza, desperate to avoid the conversation. Chew, chew, swallow. "I've been focusing more on working out than anything. There's probably going to be a local tournament soon, and I so want to enter one of those. Been too long."

There, safe subject. Off the awkwardness. Steer away from all things awkward.

[Ҩ Jonathan Empris]

Jon breathed a sigh of relief at Morgan's acceptance. She was so understanding. Ken was right when he told him Morgan was too good for him. Pretty, smart, patient. She had everything. He was thrilled she still wanted him.

Since Kenneth had graduated and vacated the school premises, Jon was extremely out of the loop concerning gossip. Not that Morgan's flirting was the highlight of Jessica Rey's day or anything, but it hadn't reached Jon, and in his case ignorance was bliss. He was totally content, chewing and smiling and chatting with his girlfriend.

"I'm pretty ahead of the game," He grinned over his slice, "so if you need any help with your classes, just text me or something." Jabbing a fork into the pizza and lifting a carelessly torn off part to his mouth, Jon blew on it so he wouldn't get burned.

It was too bad getting burned by girls wasn't as easily avoided.

"So, what cool things have you learned lately. I mean, with your gift?" Jon knew how talented Morgan was; she could see anything and be able to emulate it perfectly. He wondered if he would ever catch her trying to do a backflip off the roof or something incredibly dangerous like that; he wouldn't put it past her. He tried to be casual about it, but he always worried about Morgan. The girl had her history of being assaulted and abused. She was a strong girl, there was no doubt there, but she was a girl, and Jon couldn't help but see the vulnerability she so carefully struggled to hide.

He popped the cooled forkful of pizza into his mouth and smiled with his lips. Sometimes he forgot Morgan was a girl; when they were comfortable and just hanging out it felt like chilling with a friend. A friend that wasn't as boisterous as Ken or as judgmental as Dorian. She was one of his best friends, and she was his girlfriend, and for that Jon was grateful.

[morg]

OoC: just in case I forgot why Morgan's dating Jon...

"Pfft," Morgan waved off Jon's offers. "Like I need study help. Haven't you figured out how incredibly intelligent I am by now? People line up to have me tutor them."

She waved a fork away from the diners, as if to indicate the mass of people clamoring for Morgan's attention. Of course, it was all in jest, but Jon should know her well enough to understand that

This felt good. Being with Jon, sitting and eating incredibly good pizza with a fork she'd been carrying around for most of the day. All while realizing just how cute Jon actually looked. Especially in the candle light.

Morgan began absentmindedly twirling a piece of hair, munching on a particularly good piece. "You want the dirty or the clean tricks?" Grin. "I figured out how to pick locks. Watched The Matrix again, and spent the better part of a day trying to run up a wall. Not fun. Now... as for the other stuff."

Morgan grinned as she stabbed the pizza. Her fingers twirled the fork around, spinning the slice a bit. Finally she flicked it up, sticking it in her mouth and grinning at Jon.

"You'd be surprised how many videos there are about kissing on YouTube."

[Ҩ Jonathan Empris]

Jon stuck his tongue out at her, deliberately being childish.

"Alright, well don't be surprised if I'm one of those students begging for your attention. If you're so busy tutoring, it sounds like you'll hardly have any Jon time." Now THAT would be a tragedy! He didn't like thinking about the alone time, the time without Morgan. Of course Jon valued his study periods and reading periods, but he didn't enjoy blank periods where all he did was think about the people he missed. Morgan was on the top of that list too.

When she talked about dirty tricks, he blushed, as expected, but it was a little easier to control. Picking locks sounded like a useful (although potentially hazardous) skill. Running up walls was wicked awesome... "You should look up the guys who do La Parkour. It's street tricking - there're no wires or anything, it's all real. It'll probably make imitating them easier," he suggested, trying to recall what the name of the Toronto team was. But that train of thought crashed and burned, the cargo was reduced to ash in his mind when she talked about kissing.

That was... that was actually a sort of good idea. But if Jon was inexperienced before, how the hell could he compare to her now? Not only was she out of his league, but she was EXTREMELY out of his league! She would want to find a boyfriend who could kiss. Jon was going to be glued to the computer all night.

Swallowing hard, Jon then jammed a huge chunk of pizza down his throat, not bothering to cut the slice as he once had. Chewing that allowed him time to think, and thankfully in that time he figured out something semi-logical to say.

"Maybe you should send those videos to me," Unfortunately, it didn't spare him from feeling any less pathetic.

[morg]

"Jooon," Morgan rolled her eyes, "you don't line up. You're the boyfriend, that's a free pass to skip right up to the front of the line."

Morgan mimicked walking up a line with her fingers, moving two in a kicking motion to hop forward. The end result was a few fingers flicking in Jon's direction.

"La Parkour?" Morgan repeated. Her brow crinkled as she tried to remember if she'd actually seen something like that before. Occasionally people told her what to look up on YouTube, and sometimes she just got flat out bored and started browsing. Still, nothing like that immediately came to mind. Street performers were definitely people that Morgan wanted to look up though. "I'll have to give them a look. Flipping up walls looks way too cool not to try."

She tapped her pizza with a fork, debating whether she really should be eating more right now. Meanwhile she watched Jon's reaction, pretending that watching him squirm wasn't one of the most enjoyable things she'd done in a while.

"Why bother with videos?" Morgan teased, grinning. The fork somehow found its way to her lips, and she tapped it against them. "We could always just practice on our own. People keep telling me I should learn to teach what I know..."

[Ҩ Jonathan Empris]

Jon grinned behind his pizza at being given a 'free pass'. It made him feel special, even if he suspected the long, long line Morgan spoke of was just a myth. Her little finger diagram contributed to his oversized smile.

"The opening scene of Casino Royale has a really awesome Parkour guy. It's wicked fast though - I don't know if you'd be able to catch anything..." Her grin was a little offsetting, and he swallowed nervously. He should have been expecting what came after a smile like that. His cheeks burned.

"So I can uh... I can hop to the front of your kissing line too then?"

It was a terrible joke, but it was the best he could muster when he was trying not to show how absolutely flustered she made him. Jon liked learning, they both knew that, but that was mostly for scholarly things. He didn't see why it couldn't be applied to kissing, but... it was just a little awkward. He knew it shouldn't be but still! It was Morgan, the hottest girl in Jon's life, and he still found it difficult to come up with the right words to say.