You Strum Me Like A Guitar (closed)

[Mason McQueen]

Mason isn’t really the type to go all fancy schmancy on a date. The man says that it’s just not him – he’s a kid through and through, preferring to be ‘wild and free’ over being ‘snottily proper’ any day. Which explains why most, if not all, of the dates he’s asked Janice out on has been more on playful and active than the whole romantic and candlelit side of things. (First date was at a laser tag arena, a few dates after that came paintball with their brothers). Sure he’s asked Janice out on more ‘normal’ dates, like the time he saw War Horse with her, but the ‘fanciest’ he’s gone out with her would probably be the dinner that came after going through the amusement park just out of town.

The man found nothing wrong about what he’s been doing, and if it wasn’t for his brother bugging him about taking Janice out ‘on a proper date’, he wouldn’t have realized how ‘age inappropriate’ he’s been. (Quoted from Paul, because heaven knows Mason wouldn’t admit he’s being childish at times). And what better way to turn over a new leaf than on Valentine’s Day.

“Hey Janice! Hope I wasn’t too early,” said Mason as the door opened, nervously shifting his tie. As much as he likes looking good (he believes everyone looks awesome in suits), he hates how stuffy suits can get. It also doesn’t help that he has an incredibly ticklish neck, and closing the button way up makes the shirt cling/rub on it too much. “And before you ask, yes, Paul helped me pick what to wear tonight. I totally don’t have an eye for these types of things.”

[Janice Adams]

Janice hadn’t been on a “for real” date in longer than she cared to admit. So, when Mason asked her on such a “real” date, she accepted, then proceeded to attack Kateri on not only the proper attire for such things, but the proper etiquette. Surely there were rules that she wasn’t aware of, and while Janice wasn’t all too worried about offending Mason, she did want to have a nice time. As far as Kateri was able to tell her, though, it just entailed things like “be yourself” and “just have fun”. Which was what she intended to do anyways, but she just wanted to make sure things went well.

Once Valentine’s Day rolled around, Janice did something with her hair, put on a nice dress (of which she had several; she liked dresses) and was ready by the time Mason knocked on her door, looking adorable and a little hilarious in his suit and tie.

“Hey!” She smiled brightly at him, “Nah, you’re good.” His comment about his clothes made her laugh, “Well, props to your brother for dressing you right. He did a good job.” She opened the door wider, “You wanna come in, or are we setting off right now?”

[Mason McQueen]

Mason stood still for a good three or so seconds, mouth slightly agape, when Janice came out and motioned for him to come in. “You look amazing,” he said after getting out of his brief trance, smiling brightly as he walked in, “Is this is a subtle hint for me to start asking you out on dates like this, because I am totally not complaining.” The slight itchiness of his suit is nothing compared to the mixture of awe and glee he’s feeling right now. “Oh, and before I forget,” smiled Mason as he handed the bouquet he had behind him. (Something he bought last minute; he couldn’t believe he forgot really. Thank goodness Mama’s was still open at that time).

“As long as Kat’s not around, we can stay for a bit,” chuckled Mason as he sat on the couch. Not that he doesn’t like Kat, but she just comes off a little too strong for him at times. And now that he’s dating her roommate, well, let’s just say the Irish woman never lets a moment pass without rubbing that crucial tidbit in his face when they’re at work. (All in a friendly context, of course). “And we’ve got forty-five minutes before our reservation anyway, so we’re good.”

After sending a quick ‘Thanks Bro!’ text to Paul, Mason turned back to Janice and asked, “So, how’s work lately? Vincent still giving you headaches? I know he does in my classes.”

[Janice Adams]

Janice looked down at her purple dress before turning her eyes back to Mason with a grin, “Hey thanks. I have matching shoes and everything.” She popped up her foot behind her to show that she did, indeed, have matching purple pumps (that she borrowed from Kat, but shut up). “Well, I mean,” She grinned, “I can’t really kick your butt at paintball in high heels. I may be cool, but I am not that cool.” Not yet—now Janice really wanted to see if someone could indeed rock paintball in high heels. The idea was some strange brand of stupid that turned somehow into awesome.

“Oh, thanks!” She laughed loudly, “Oh man, the last time I got flowers was…oh my god did I tell you about that? I don’t think I did. The last time I got flowers was from that dude who’s dating my brother. He wanted to apologize for making me mad or something. I have to say,” Janice sighed dramatically, “I hate to admit it, but I was wrong about that guy. He’s actually a disgusting little sweetheart. He and my brother are revoltingly cute together. But thank you. These are much nicer because they’re not apology flowers.”

Janice laughed again, “Rest easy, valiant heart. She’s out of the house for a while.” She sat on the couch next to him and kissed him on the cheek, “Don’t worry, I’ll protect you from scary roommates.”

“Ahaha yeah,” Janice shook her head, her dangling earrings tapping her jaw, “He’s ridiculous. I mean, okay, my coworker Josh is pretty awesome, but he is also kind of ridiculous. The whole firm is just the most ludicrous place.” She laughed slightly, “But I really like it still. How’s work going for you?”

[Mason McQueen]

“Oh is that so? Maybe I should just call now and cancel our reservation so I can take you to the paintball arena again,” Mason teased, taking out his phone from his pocket, “Maybe I can finally win the match this time right?” Because heaven knows Janice creamed him when they went to play paintball. And laser tag. And in some of the carnival booths they went into. He wouldn’t really admit it out loud, but heaven knows his win in the ring toss was just a lucky shot.

Oh how Sam dissed him so hard. Apparently the whole ‘I’m just being a gentleman by letting her win’ excuse doesn’t really work anymore.

The man couldn’t help but chuckle at the mention of Danny (was it?). Oh how he owes that man a lot. If he didn’t do what he did with Janice’s coworker and then was seen with her brother during the dance, well, Mason believes getting Janice to go out with him would’ve been much much harder. “That is just too sweet,” he said with a grin, “And I’m glad you two patched things up. Maybe we can ask them to go with a double date with us next time?” Mason didn’t know what came over him to suggest such a thought, but hey, it seemed like a good idea right? “Who knows, maybe we asks for tips so we can be sickeningly sweet to so that Kat wouldn’t bug me in Hammel as much. And I need help in my garden too. I seem to be able to kill every plant I touch.” Green thumb, this man has the opposite as it seems.

Mason’s smile only widened when Janice kissed him, making an note to find a decent excuse to return the favour later. “I think Vincent redefines ridiculous. In so many levels.” The boy’s just so enthusiastic about all the wrong things, it drives him crazy. But at the same time, he can’t find fault him on it entirely though, since he’s one of the most active kids in his classes. “Work’s good. Midterms are coming so it’s a bit stressful.” With all the children panicking to get things done, he’s been staying in school later than ever. “Can’t wait for the spring break. Made any plans for it yet?”

ooc:
Late. Late. Very late. Sorreh.
- Jam

[Janice Adams]

“What? No! That’s not even fair!” Janice laughed, batting at the hand holding his phone, “It’s not my fault you’re a terrible shot.” And that she had taken it upon herself to learn how to be awesome at paintball when she was about sixteen. Poor Riley had had to be a target more than once in her quest to be “badass”, as she put it.

Janice made a look of over-exaggerated horror. “Nooo. No, we should never, ever, ever go on a double date with my brother and his dorky-ass boyfriend ever. Ugh! That’s an awful idea what are you even thinking bluh.” She waved a hand in his general direction and cringed dramatically. Because seriously that would be the worst idea ever.

“But,” she got ahold of herself enough to add, “if it’s plants you want advice on, Riles can go for days about plans.”

“God, it’s true,” Janice shook her head at the thought of Vincent, “the kid is pretty absurd. Also, ew. Midterms.” She made a face, “poor kids.”

“Ah, no, I don’t think I have any plans, since my law firm doesn’t have spring break,” Janice replied, grinning, “so not everyone gets to lounge about.”

[Mason McQueen]

“What? Not fair? What’s not fair is you being able to defeat a grown man three times in a row in a game of paintball. You know how crushed my ego was after those three games?” Mason gave Janice a look of mock (and extremely exaggerated) hurt, closing his fist and pulling it close to his chest as he looked away in sorrow, “Despite what Kat might tell you, I’m not all estrogen-filled you know.” Sure he’s more cautious than most men and he does have a tendency to be a bit too sensitive, but he does insist that he still has enough testosterone to be considered a man. He did get someone pregnant after all. Something he should really have the balls to tell Janice sooner or later. Or at least that’s what Paul’s always telling him. (He couldn’t ask Sam for advice on the matter, given that it’s his sister and all that).

In any case, he was rather glad that Janice was actually ok with the idea of them having some sort of a double date with her brother. (Because that was sarcasm, wasn’t it?). “It’s settled then. Two weeks from now a good time for you?” he asked with a wink, taking his phone out to check his calendar. “I’d invite Paul over, but since he doesn’t have a main squeeze yet, he might feel left out.”

“Hey, how about me? Making exam questions is hard work. Especially when you cram them the night before.” How he wishes Mrs. Barnes was still around to help him come up with decent questions. Or at least double check the ones he made so he won’t get any complaints in class after about a particular topic not being covered in class. “I’d rather be taking them instead of making them. And it’s not just because I know all the answers already.”

“Aww. Can’t you ask Mr. Bernstein if you can get at least two or three days off? Paul got me a special deal on a resort down south he covered in the newspaper a few months ago. White sand beach, warm weather and an all-you-can-eat buffet.” Just thinking about it is enough to make the man’s mouth water. “Speaking of buffets, you good to go? I just remembered that parking might be a little tricky this time of the month.”