October 31st - Tony Stark's Pool(side)

[Juma Ngomo]

With the Halloween party in full swing, it's getting very busy in the mansion. Juma's gotten pretty good with crowds, but he can still get overwhelmed at times. To get a bit more space, he moves out to the poolside area where the crowd is a bit more sparse. A few water nymphs are already in the pool, but Juma avoids them in favour of his own date.

[Mercy Wilkins]

"This is nice." She shakes her head at the paid floozies in the pool. "Though I feel like the models in the pool are a little over the top."

[Juma Ngomo]

He chuckles at that, "If it's not over the top, it's not Stark. I agree, of course, it seems silly with all the beautiful people already in attendance. I wonder if it was even his decision or if he just signed a piece of paper and said 'make it happen'."

[Mercy Wilkins]

"Even if it's the latter, someone put those girls there because they knew he would want them." Mercy shrugs, not overly bothered by it. She snuggles up as close to Juma as she can get, her skimpy outfit a tad unsuited for the cooler outside air.

"Look, there's Orion. My favorite constallation."

[Juma Ngomo]

"The Hunter? I like your taste in stars," he smiles and drapes a warm arm over Mercy's shoulders. "Why is he your favourite?"

[Mercy Wilkins]

"I like the fall and the winter best, and he's sort of the herald of those seasons. He's easy to pick out, too."

[Juma Ngomo]

He nods agreement to the last point, "Even in London, you can see him. Obviously the mythology appeals to me as well, even if it's not my culture. I'm not looking forward to the cold, but the snow is always fun."

[Mercy Wilkins]

"You can always huddle under my wings if you get too cold." Mercy smiles.

[Juma Ngomo]

"Be careful with offers like that. You might find me hiding in your room all winter," he grins. "I suppose you're more used to the chill?"

[Mercy Wilkins]

"I wasn't, growing up in California, but wings are actually really warm. And I can wrap myself in Darkforce if all else fails. I still put a lot of layers on in the winter."

[Juma Ngomo]

"Funny, I would have thought Darkforce is cold. Well, I have learned a few creative ways to deal with the chill myself. I would be happy to demonstrate, to a fellow warm-climate person." His eyes sparkle playfully with the innuendo.

[Mercy Wilkins]

Mercy laughs, giving Juma a hug. "I bet you would. I bet I'd like it."

She kisses him lightly on the jaw. "Darkforce is cold to most people. Just not to me."

[Juma Ngomo]

"I'll add that to the list of unique qualities you possess." He smiles at the kiss and returns on on Mercy's forehead. Moments later he continues guiding her along, this time to the poolside bar. There are heating units set up on poles to radiate over the area near the bar to ward off the autumn chill.

[Mercy Wilkins]

"Oooh, this is lovely." Mercy basks near one of the heaters. "You really should take better care of your concubines."

[Juma Ngomo]

"Clearly I need more practice in this department. Are you volunteering to help me out?" Juma's outfit is certainly warmer than Mercy's, but he's not about to shirk from the heat lamps himself.

[Mercy Wilkins]

"I don't know, I could get myself in trouble with that kind of thing...."

[Juma Ngomo]

"And your actions to date have shown a remarkable aversion to trouble. Didn't you introduce yourself to me by pulling on my tail?" he grins.

[Mercy Wilkins]

"With such a cute back end, how could I resist it?"

[Juma Ngomo]

"Did you even try?" he laughs, "And if you would be so kind, please fetch us another pair of drinks." He adds another imperious wave of his hand, hamming it up a little.

[Mercy Wilkins]

"Yes my lord." She does a semi-curtsey, giving Juma a rare shot of cleavage. Rare in the sense that she usually needs a wonderbra to have any.

She scoots over to the bar and brings back a pair of drinks, handing Juma one, and sipping the other.

[Juma Ngomo]

"Thank you," he replies with a smile, reaching around to gently massage Mercy's neck and shoulders while sipping from the drink. "I'm certainly starting to see the appeal of a harem. Perhaps I should ask Tony for some pointers."

[Mercy Wilkins]

"You might get more information on that subject than you want." Mercy closes her eyes and leans into the massage.

"Thank you for inviting me to this."

[Juma Ngomo]

"Thank you for joining me and picking out the costumes." He toasts Mercy's glass and takes another long sip, "Hmm.. I wonder if there is enough room to dance out here."

[Mercy Wilkins]

"There's always room for dancing, as long as you can move your hips." Mercy puts her drink down.

[Juma Ngomo]

"Words of wisdom." He finishes off his own drink before setting the glass down. The music outside is a recording, unlike the live performance in the ballroom, but it's all the same to Juma. He moves in close to Mercy, brushing a finger lightly along her jawline.

[Mercy Wilkins]

Mercy shivers, then moves to the music. "Mmm, do you think it's strange that we like each other so much?"

[Juma Ngomo]

He tilts his head with a quizzical expression, "I had never really thought about it, to be honest. Why do you ask?"

[Mercy Wilkins]

"It just surprises me sometimes. It would be hard for our childhoods to be more different."

[Juma Ngomo]

He considers that, dancing in close with small movements. "True enough. What is that cliche, opposites attract? There's more to it than that though. I certainly think that the now is more important than history. For one thing, you're in it."

[Mercy Wilkins]

Mercy smiles. "It's not just that. I think we're very similar now, which is why we like each other so much."

She dances with Juma, her movements sensuous and fluid. "But we got here by very different roads."

[Juma Ngomo]

He smiles and tilts his head, trying to remember the stanza that brings to mind.

"I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."

His movements are more tender than sensual while he recites from the poem, but that gradually changes when finished with it. "I am not about to question providence."

[Mercy Wilkins]

"You are just... so well read, such a genteel man." Mercy pulls in close and kisses Juma fiercely on the mouth.

This is the nerdiest thing to be turned on by.

[Juma Ngomo]

Juma is caught off guard by the ferocity of the kiss, but he recovers quickly and pulls Mercy in with a firm grip while it lasts. "Mmm.. nice. I think I am making up for lost time. In more ways than one, apparently."

[Mercy Wilkins]

"I'm not your first girlfriend, am I?" Mercy looks up at Juma, surprised.

[Juma Ngomo]

"Not my first, no, though you are rapidly turning into the most serious. Not that I am flighty or anything, but I have never really met anyone who clicked for the long term. Obviously."

[Mercy Wilkins]

"Ahhh. Well I guess I have to say the same."

[Juma Ngomo]

"Lets hope it lasts." And with that, he falls silent, leaning in close to dance slowly.

[Mercy Wilkins]

"I know I do." Mercy dances closer, laying her head on Juma's chest.

[Juma Ngomo]

As the song transitions to something more energetic, Juma takes a step back, though he keeps his fingers laced into Mercy's. "Hmm.. would you like to explore more of the mansion, stay out here, look for other friends, or.."

[Trinity Cleaver]

Tink fell laughing into a pool chair, her cheeks flushed and her dress a little askew.