A Slice of Life (Jersey)

The cab journey had been a welcomed chance for Jersey to try and familiarise herself with the Downtown area, as she had carefully watched the twists and turns, signage, and even the stop lights as they passed. When they pulled up outside of the pizzeria, she unclipped her belt and watched curiously as Hope chivalrously moved around the car and opened the door for her. Part of her was flattered to be treated so softly, although she was distinctly out of touch of any meek, mild, and grateful side of her. As a result, she didn't express any gratitude besides a small smirk and roll of her eyes.

Stepping out into the brisk air, she stuffed her hands into the pockets of her hoodie, within which her knuckle dusters sat, carried almost permanently on her person as a means of protection. As she inspected the pizza shop up and down, she familiarised herself with the surroundings - an understated diner, windows and surfaces impeccably clean but clearly worn, it bore all the signs of a diamond in the dirt. "If you say so," she chuckled, moving past the open door and inside, immediately hit by a wall of scents that sang praises for the food inside. Warm, home-cooked, and lovingly made, it was all betrayed by the homely smells of pizza ingredients.

Picking her way past the booths, she pivotted on her feet and took a questioning glance at Hope. "So, where's the VIP table you recommend? And what's the best pizza to have? I hope you say New Yorker, because that chase for the pizza better have been worth it."

Jersey, amused by the playful banter between the two, merely offered 'Sal' a nod in his direction as greeting, her lips creased into an unusual, entertained smile. As Hope led her to their seat, she slid into the booth, listening in over the order. As she settles down, she folds one leg over the other and leans over the table, chin once again slightly upturned as Hope settles into the booth in turn. She too had a mischevious tone as she spoke, even though the words were nothing of the sort - it was an indicator of her mood and nature, and clearly of the somewhat teasing, sly manner in which she drove the conversation. She wasn't 'toying' with him, so to speak - the interest was genuine, even though she had originally been driven for her own interest. Nonetheless, her personality drove her to play with him, much alike a cat with prey, and she could only hope that he was as receptive to such an interaction as he had been thusfar. She was not going to let on too much emotionally beyond continually intense sexual flirtation. So it was that she shed her jacket, exposing her flattering but barely-there, midriff-cut vest; it could be noted, however, that she very intentionally tucked her jacket slightly underneath her rear, securing it and keeping it close for the safety of her weaponry, although Hope would likely not know this.

Propping her chin up with her hands whilst her elbows rest on the table, she cracked her knuckles and met his gaze for a few moments before she cast her gaze about the room without moving her head. She was already familiar with the surroundings, but such body language ensured she appeared genuinely interested in the conversation. "It's a pizzeria - the best ones always look underwhelming. Clean as anything, though." She set her sights onto him again, the keen smirk still spread upon her face. "So, were you following me around that whole time at the market or something?"

The attention afforded to her both by Hope and Sal spawned yet another devillish smirk on her face, at this point seemingly a staple that refused to leave. Sal's innocent whistle and 'caught-red-handed' look surprisingly made her feel comfortable, at one and at home with the play and atmosphere that made the constricted little diner feel homely. As she turned her attention back to Hope, she listened in to his explanation, brows quirked, tongue protruding subtly from her mouth whilst her front teeth bit down.

"Oh, uhuh, of course," she purred yet again, shaking her head slightly in mocking disapproval, "You voyeur, you - given how brazenly you've stolen looks so far, I'd dare say you probably took some liberties with that power of yours around the market." Her tone is quite obviously teasing, but she almost meant what she said - tackling his daring liberties of looking at her head on, she continued to play, certainly not scolding him. In fact, her mischevious tone would likely seem almost approving to him as she arched her hands beneath her chin, interlocking her fingers so that her knuckles balanced her head.

Taking the can as it was extended to her, she cracked open the top and took a sip, savouring the comparative sweetness to the bitter coffee she had finished before. His increasing confidence both amused and intrigued her, experiencing far more of a challenge from his cockiness than she had ever had with anyone before. Almost like resistance, it spurned her to push his limits - perhaps to shock him - and she wasn't one to back down on this front. It was a game she was more than willing to play, and one that this time, she wasn't going to lose.

"Now, now," she chirped, shuffling slightly in the booth so as to project herself, and therefore her impressive cleavage, into further visibility, "Don't get too cocky with me. After all, I guarantee that using that power of yours isn't the most efficient way of snatching a the best few glances." She was unsure if it would please or panic Hope as she spoke in a fairly loud tone, her somewhat low-pitched voice likely audible to anyone in the diner should they be listening in. The lack of privacy was part of her pushing boundaries, interested to test his personality, to play with him, and potentially to break the resistance he offered. Not only had he become interesting and alluring, he had become immediately quite fun.

Jersey leaned back into the head of the booth as he responded, arms folding beneath her breast in with an amused and somewhat impressed look. For someone three years her junior, he certainly had the quick wit and confidence of her own age. Despite seeming momentarily bested, the smirk on her face only grew, showing that it was far from over. The Southern drawl which infected his tone gave the conversation an unusual feel - almost intoxicated, but not quite. The nature of the conversation could certainly have led those around them to believe that was the case. "At three years your senior, there's a lot I could teach you," she clicked her tongue, her expression already betraying the undertones and innuendo of her words, "But I'd prefer to see you work for it - teaching by me, now that's not a lesson, that's a reward."

Resting her hands in the front pockets of her shorts, instead of meeting the knock of his knees, she dominantly and surprisingly raised her feet and rest them on his lap. Pristine combat boots, shined and cleaned, nestle themselves up around his thigh in a gesture that defied all social convention.

Carefully analysing his face as he reacted subtly in shock at her placement of her feet, her brow quirked and her lips twitched. She clearly appeared pleased with herself for the gesture. As she was about to respond to his brave, bold claim, Sal's portly figure made its way over and placed down between them two freshly cooked pizzas. For the sake of convenience, she withdraws her shoes from Hope's lap, straightening herself up and slightly spinning the plate to get a good look at the food offered to her. "He certainly does," Jersey jabbed the comment both in the direction of Sal and Hope, clearly playfully insulting the male.

She took a moment to inspect the pizza, eyeing up which slice was best to begin with - first slice couldn't be too overloaded, she had to get a good taste of the crust to judge whether or not Hope could be trusted in terms of cuisine. Selecting one, Jersey tore it from the rest of the pizza and raised it to her mouth, taking an impressively large bite from the centre point. She seemed engrossed for a moment, rolling the flavours over her tongue and clearly making a judgement on the quality. "Hmm," the noise mumbled through closed lips and a full mouth before she swallowed, clearing her throat, "You've earned my trust in picking good food, Sal makes a damn good pizza."

Chewing through the slice of pizza, Jersey's attention divided between the food and Hope. While Sal merrily accepted her praise, she didn't do much to respond besides a smile, rather than a smirk, in his direction, instead concentrating on the white-haired male who also enjoyed his own meal. An unusual choice of conversation for such a homely and childish meal, but one she was clearly enjoying the chase of. With her brown eyes locked on his, narrowed somewhat in an alluring, yet sharp expression, she continued. "Impress me," she purred, still feasting on the pizza, "Or something of the like. The chase is half the fun, especially when the chase is half the fun, and the prey likes to fight back." It would not be clear who the 'predator' and who the 'prey' was in the unusual dynamic, however her keen, piercing eyes and somehow hungry look suggested that she had a good idea.