15370/Long necks and rednecks

Long necks and rednecks
Date of Scene:	13 July 2023
Location:	Hole in the wall place
Synopsis:	Jacen and Inez random meet up in a dive bar. There was some fireworks.
Cast of Characters:	Jacen Knight, Inez Temple

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Jacen Knight has posed:
Sometimes, there is nothing better than a night at a bar. Sure it is easier to deal with things at home, but sometimes it is better to have a night out. Jacen is sitting with his back to the bar, resting against it.

Budweiser is the magic potion and he has one dangling loosely from his right hand. His right forearm rests on his thigh and he just enjoys a little more chaos than normal, but without the constant question of who is getting shot.

Most people are looking for a hook up or the like, but tonight he is just looking to unwind. Despite the casual clothes, a badge is clipped to his belt: Jacen Master Paramedic.

Inez Temple has posed:
Rarely is there anything better than a night at the bar. While it isn't bad to drink at home, Inez has found that it is a /lot/ cheaper to drink out because somehow, she always seems to find someone willing to buy some of her drinks. It /might/ be because she is wearing a tight fitting deerhide vest open in the front where it is laced up and pulled in, with a pair of short cut denim shorts that one might expect from Hazzard County. Or it might be that she knows how to smile at just the right mark, erm, fellow patron, to encourage generosity.

Either way, Inez has had three and paid for none, and has found her way over to the jukebox, fingers casually strolling through the list of songs available. One arm leans casually against the frame, bent at the elbow, but not crowding the Stetson she's got atop her head, her long blonde locks flowing out the back. She is tapping her foot in time to the current song, but seems to be having trouble finding an upcoming selection that passes her muster.

Jacen Knight has posed:
He's not staring at the blonde at the jukebox. Nope. That would be creepy. Mindful of her presence, that's it. He does shake his head now and then when his eyes find their way to that buckskin get up. Finally he manages to not stare, blinking hard and turning to order a new brew.

He pushes his hat back a little and gets up from the barstool, taking the fresh in hand with the one he is nursing. Predictably, cowboy not always wired to follow the brain. He approaches her becase, let's face it, she reminds him of home in her way,"Ready for the next?" he asks handing the fresh bottle towards her.

Inez Temple has posed:
There might be a bit of an intentional waggle as Inez pores over the songs in search of something danceable. Or maybe it's just the natural following of the beat.

As she is approached, she straightens a bit, turning quickly enough to regard Jacen to demonstrate some sort of reflexes. Or perhaps just a girl with some bar survival skills. Her gaze flickers over the man, but lingers on his hat, perhaps predictably. "Always," she says, taking the offered bottle while flashing a brilliant smile, and wasting no time taking down a sip.

"Do they have /any/ good songs that aren't full of synth or samples at this joint?" she asks, studying Jacen for a moment.

Jacen Knight has posed:
Intentional or not, Jacen ejoys that waggle. He looks back towards her when she turns and takes the beer. After her drink he clinks his bottle to hers and looks at the juke box,"A few. Jus' enough rednecks hit through here ta keep a few f'r us." he replies and cycles through to a few country songs and a hand full of southern rock staples.

He stage whispers,"There's a coupla people I like ta play th's for justa annoy them." he winks and hands her a few bills to play whatever she likes,"Why I like th's place, c'n still buy music with money'n not a credit card."

Inez Temple has posed:
A brief grin as the glass clinks, and Inez nods in appreciation. "Well, all we need is a few, and if we keep pumpin' 'em all night, that'll get the folks all riled up that much faster." She turns her attention back to the jukebox, spinning along until she finds the small section Jacen had referenced. "Ah, here we go."

She takes the offered bills and slides them into the machine, queuing up several songs worth of credits. She picks the same three songs, each three times in sequence, and then the first one one last time, as if to throw a wrench into things. Once done, she turns around and leans back against the machine, ass to the song list, half-sitting, as she takes another few swallows of the beer. There is still a good two minutes of the current song left, and it's not exactly a great dance track either.

"So, what else is appealing about this place?"

Jacen Knight has posed:
He takes another drink and watches her go to work on the jukebox. He snorts softly as he starts to see the pattern to what she is doing,"I've come to one decision, pretty sure I like you." he admits.

Once she turns around and settles against the machine he pushes his hat up a little with the beer bottle,"Let me see..." he teases lightly,"...I mean the dishes are clean...ish." he teases lightly.

The worst thing that can happen is she turns and leaves him standing there so he winks,"I gotta say th' lady monopolizin' th' jukebox like a lady music terrorist right appealin' in her own right." Not the smoothest on the planet, but he never claimed to be. He used to like half a ton of animal try to throw him around for a living. You can't expect Shakespere.

Inez Temple has posed:
"That's what they all say," Inez says, with a crooked grin as she looks back up at him. "They ain't ever lyin', though." She takes another long sip of her beer.

As Jacen extols the virtues of the dive, she just sort of nods along "I mean, that sounds like something. A good spit polish is always a good sign of a healthy dish."

She watches him for a moment, perhaps just to let him twist in the air after he issues his line. Blue eyes blinking up at his. And then the first notes of her initial selection roar out, evoking a few groans from the crowd. "Sounds like we better get to it before they go and unplug the machine."

Jacen Knight has posed:
He laughs softly and shakes his head. One last pull drains the bottle and he sets it on the table,"I like a woman's humble'n still straight up honest." he admits.

"Yeah. I mean what's a dive bar if ya cain' even get a social disease off you glass?" he comments with a snort.

Shoots the shot, sees what he got. It's not over confident so much as he's accepted he might get a dance, he might not. When the song starts he laughs softly and leads her to the dancefloor area,"Keep'n eye on'm. We c'n cut'm off if they make a move for it."

Inez Temple has posed:
"I'm honest to a fault, anyone'll tell ya that," replies Inez, flashing another grin. "One of the reasons they call me crazy."

She takes another swig from her beer and pushes off the jukebox with her ass, giving the machine a bit of a wobble from the force as she takes Jacen's hand with her free one and follows him out. "As long as I've got a bottle in my hand, they ain't got a prayer." She narrows her eye as if lining up a shot off into the distance.

Jacen Knight has posed:
"Note ta self, don' anger th' lady when she's got a bottle'n her hand." he muses just loud enough for her to hear,"Gonna warn ya, my dancin's pertty baseline. Two steppin's prolly as advanced as I get. Never really learned anything else."

He turns around and slips on hand around her waist as the other still holds her free hand,"Things go sideways I'll spin ya'n you c'n make it look like a total accident."

Inez Temple has posed:
Laughing at that, Inez shakes her head. "Don't anger the layd when she's got anythin' in her hand." She takes another long swig. "Or nothin' in her hand." She allows him to take her by the waist and lead, following along to the rhythm of the music. "Really, just don't make me angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry."

She flashes that grin again as she dives into the dance, moving to the music and seeming content to keep to a lively step. "Oh, I'm pretty good at makin' things like an accident on m'own."

Jacen Knight has posed:
"Reckon I'll do m' best ta keep that'n mind." he admits as they dance along,"I swear though'f turn inta some green rage monster I dunno'f that'd be scary'r friggin' amazing." He can tease with the best of them.

One dance spin just because and reels her back to him, bumping together this time,"So I know th's person, real pain'n th' ass." he teases,"If I kill'm nobody's gonna believe it's an accident."

Inez Temple has posed:
Dropping her head back, but not enough to cause the Stetson to even slightly falter from atop her head, Inez laughs heartily at that. "I can tell ya, from being up close and personal, first hand, that it's both scary AND friggin' amazing."

Inez thumps back into Jacen as he spins her, and she looks up at him. "Is that a challenge?"

Jacen Knight has posed:
"Ya done met one'n survived?" he asks, face clearly impressed,"I've been 'lonf f'r th' clean up'n what th' Hulk does's impressive'n ways mos' folks don' see. I ain' been on a scene yet where he's killed anyone. One'r two might've wished he had, but he didn'."

"I mean it could be, but I ain' seen'r since I retired'n I'm less interestin' now that I gotta normal job. I jus' make sure nobody tells'r 'bout m' ranch. I mean if ya wanna..." he tease. NOt a lot of hate, but clear she's a pain in the tail.

Inez Temple has posed:
There is a quick shake of her head. "He ain't the monster he's made out to be, I promise ya that." Inez seems very serious all of a sudden, the playful banter set aside for a moment. "He's a decent man, hunted for somethin' that ain't his fault, and when shit happens, I reckon most often it's people keeping him from being let alone that are t'blame."

She considers his words, and laughs for a moment. "Takes a lot to wanna kill someone."

Jacen Knight has posed:
"I'll keep that'n mind. 'Bout th' Hulk that is. Somethin' 'bout never seein' him kill anyone tells me 'lot 'bout 'em. I reckon I c'n understand folks not gettin' ya an' while I cain' say've ever been hunted by someone f'r any reason I would keep th' guy outa sight'f needed. I understand wantin' quiet."

He spins her again, bringing her back to him, face to face,"Eh. I don' know'f a total killin's needed. Solid ass whoopin' might be 'nough ta make'r lose interest. Then again she ain' gotta clue where I am anymore so maybe the pro'lem solves itself."

Inez Temple has posed:
"Yeah, well. The folks that are chasin' him are pretty persistent, I gotta say, and I think the world'd be better off if they just stopped." Inez shrugs a bit, shaking her head sadly.

Following the spin, she looks into Jacen's eyes. "You always spend so much time chattin' up ladies by talking about another lady? Because if so, that might be your first problem."

Jacen Knight has posed:
"Soun's like 'e needs a private island somewhere don' nobody know where he is." Jacen suggests,"Little outa my price range, but no folks 'round means no folks ta annoy'm."

He laughs softly and shakes his head,"Prolly right. Never been much of a ladies man. While th' rest o' th' competition w's goin' out everynight ta get hammered'n laid...I w's usually gettin' ready f'r th' next ride. Not every night, but like I said, not th' talented romance."

"So I've been talkin' 'bout m'slf. Tell me 'bout you? Aside fr'm bein' drop dead gorgeous an' apparently 'bout as stable's me given that redneck nature I sense. Tell me somethin' I've missed."

Inez Temple has posed:
Glancing down at the belt buckle again, Inez laughs. "Looks like you been doin' alright focusing on that kind of ridin'." She whirls away for a moment. "Although some could say that's pretty good practice for the important kind." She spins back in, this time landing a bit more forcefully at Jacen, maybe even enough to knock him slightly off balance.

"Oh, trust me, I been followin' your eyes since we started talkin', I don't think you've missed /anythin'/." She grins, and takes another few swigs, nearing the end of her beer.

Jacen Knight has posed:
"I did ah'ight f'r m'self I reckon." he agrees with a smirk. When she whirls out and then back in, he takes about a half step extra to correct the impact.

"Well ya know what they say. Bull ridin's th' most fun you c'n have with your clothes on. I reckon you're right, 'bout bein' a good practice."

Not shy about having enjoyed taking in her presence, he shrugs,"I mean it's difficult ta not notice ya an' I ain' got th' best manners. Mom'd smack me f'r starin'. Good thing she ain' 'round no more. Grandma prolly lookin' down'n steamin' though."

Inez Temple has posed:
"Nah, I'm not about to smack ya for starin'. T'be honest, if I got upset at anyone starin', I'd first have to question my own choices tonight, y'know?" Inez takes a long swig, finishing off the bottle. She leans over and eyes someone making their way over towards the jukebox and hurls the bottle along a path right in front of them, but just so it lands precisely in a trash can next to the machine. The man moseys away from the jukebox, all the same.

She leans back a bit and looks up at Jacen, arching an eyebrow. "Now then. You gonna show me some of whatever manners you do have?" She fixes him with a grin.

Jacen Knight has posed:
The beer bottle gets a smirk and even a soft laugh. When she is back to the dancing he hmms softly and spins her again. When he reels her back to him he stops the spin half way and pulls her back against his chest. Still dancing in a manner of speaking, but she asked for his manners, so he settles down a little.

"I like a lady ain' 'fraid ta show th' generael riff raff who's in charge." he teases lightly as they dance.

Inez Temple has posed:
That earns a throaty laugh from Inez. "Oh, I'm definitely the one who's always in charge, so that's good to know." She reaches up with her now free hand and plonks the top of Jacen's hat down before she spins out of his grasp, laughing as she slips from the dance floor to head back to the bar. An empty hand /must/ be addressed, and she leans over the counter, raising herself up on her toes to get as much height as possible to try to flag him down from the other end.

Jacen Knight has posed:
He shakes his head and watches as she heads off the dance floor,"Ain' like I'm much of a dancer." he muses to himself. Like everyone else, he watches her head off the dancefloor. His index finger pushes his hat back up. He looks at another guy and shrugs, then starts to meader his way off the dance floor as well. Might as well see...

Across the bar three big biker looking guys have a pool shark and his arm candy cornered. Jacen frowns and sighs,"Not m' bizness. Not mine." he growls softly, already abandoning the idea of chasing after the pretty lady in the cowboy hat,"I know...if they beat these people down then I gotta treat injuries 'ntil th' on duties get here." He sighs and draws nearer.

He reaches up and touches the bone necklace. Anyone with spirit sight can see the form of a spirit bear rise on its back legs before him, roaring out in silence.

Inez Temple has posed:
Perhaps a bit of a surprise, Inez frowns as her gaze catches sight of the imposing squad of bikers as she is perched at the bar. She makes the same decision, abandoning her search for further refreshment in favor of that "responsible thing" her momma was always telling her she should do.

Her attention is focused on the scene as she slips through the crowd, so fails to notice anything about Jacen. Or even that he is making his way over to see to the disruption slowly.

She is not much for slow and subtle, gliding through the crowd the way only a lady on a mission can.

"Now these sure as heck don't seem like even odds," she announces from behind the bikers.

Jacen Knight has posed:
Noting her approach, Jacen increases his speed, something making it worth his while now,"I dunno darlin'. Lookin' better by th' second." he growls towards the bikers,"You boys really oughta take a walk'r somethin'. I don' wanna hafta fill out paperwork tonight."

Two of the thugs turn towards them and both seem tougher than they are smart. Jacen mutters softly,"If you're gonna be dumb, ya better be tough." He minds her from the corner of his eye.

If he's learned anything since coming to New York, there are mutants and meta humans in about any crowd. He's taking it for granted she is able to at least keep one of them engaged somehow and hoping he isn't wrong.

The two bikers look at each other, the one throwing a kick at Inez. The other winds up a huge haymaker and sends it at Jacen's face. Going to be one of those nights.

Inez Temple has posed:
"F'sure," replies Inez, her gaze remaining on the bikers even as Jacen approaches. But as he mutters at her, she mutters back. "Ya don't gotta prove anything here, hon, I got this." It would definitely not be the first time someone threw their hat into the ring unnecessarily because they thought she needed saving.

She also knows that one of the easiest way to de-escalate a situation with overgrown boys is to throw a girl into the mix. So as the two bikers move towards them, she figures enough of a show will send the third tail tucked tween his legs.

As the kick comes at her she whips her arm down, not trying to block, but her enhanced strength serving to crack a bone in the leg as she redirects it away from her. The haymaker ends about three inches from Jacen's face, the much larger fist losing all momentum as it hits Inez' much smaller hand, fingers closing around it and applying just enough pressure to warn of another set of possible broken bones.

"You boys done here, or what?"

Jacen Knight has posed:
"Not lookin' ta prove nothin'. Rather descalate so I don' hafta ride th' ambulance with these three horses's asses." he replies and sets himself to throw the one coming at him, but looks surprised when she breaks the leg and still has time to stop the punch coming at him.

He smirks and shakes his head as the two bikers settle down and the other one can't decide whether to fight or run. The pool hustler drills him over the back of the head and neck with the thick end of the pool cue.

A soft sigh and Jacen settles down a little. He looks at the bartender and tells him,"Call 9-1-1, police'n paramedic, fire'n rescue unneeded. Report multiple fractures an' one potential concussion."

The three bikers hit the ground and Jacen looks at her,"Well, that w's fun, but I'm gonna get outa here b'fore I spend th' night fillin' out paperwork'n th' hospital on m' night off. Been fun. Wanna roll with me'n avoid dealin' with th' emergency services too?"

Inez Temple has posed:
Glancing over at the bikers, and then up at Jacen, Inez seems to make a decision quickly. "But we still have /nine more songs/ on the jukebox!"

Despite her mock protest, she moves to follow Jacen out, offering a tip of her hat to the pool shark's lady.

Somehow, by the time she reaches the door, she does in fact have a fresh beer bottle in her hand...

Jacen Knight has posed:
A snort and he leads her outside,"Ain' like they won' figger out who w's here. Don' see too many folks like us, wearin' hats like us." he admits,"At least they ain' screwing up th' night off."

He hits a remote and a black, 3/4 Ford chirps, disarming the alarm. Another click and the doors unlock, but he opens the driver's door and motions her in as the sound of sirens start their way,"Gotta monster play list on th' stereo that come with th' truck, play anything ya want." he teases lightly.

Inez Temple has posed:
"So, here's the thing," Inez says, with a grin. "Cameras in there are up top, won't catch anything below the brim at the hat. And the witnesses?" She nods back to the bar. "I'll give ya a dollar if there are more guys back there that can tell you my eye color than my cup size."

She hops up into the truck as directed, settling into the driver seat as if expecting Jacen to move around to the passenger seat.

Jacen Knight has posed:
"Yeah. Be better that way." he agrees and shakes his head, giving her a nudge,"If you c'n drive th' five speed'n th's city you'll be th' only person other'n me." he tells her and glances towards the street again,"Course if they see us themselves.." he muses.

Inez Temple has posed:
Nudge accepted. "You didn't think I could catch that punch 'til I did, neither." But she does, nevertheless, slide over to let Jacen up into the driver's seat of his own truck.

Inez settles back against the seat and looks to him. "Do I gotta worry about my seat belt, or can you handle a truck better'n you can handle a dance floor?"

Jacen Knight has posed:
He shakes his head and gets into the truck. A quick kick and the truck starts,"I didn' see you catchin' it b'fore ya did so didn' really have any preparation ta judge."

The truck turns into the street, heading off into the night. The dieself nmotor probably wakes up the neighborhood as they drive,"Well. You wanna go start another fight'r somethin' else more ta y'r likin'?"

He rolls his eyes and adds,"You're a big girl, seat belt'f ya want to. I don' judge." His own little hint of wise guy surfacing.

Inez Temple has posed:
"I s'pose that's true," replies Inez, turning her gaze towards the street as the truck launches into the getaway. She twists a bit in the seat to look back for a moment before settling back down. Sans seat belt, for the moment.

"I dunno, but you keep callin' me 'big' and you sure as shit are gonna find yourself in another fight." But there is a grin following those words.

Jacen Knight has posed:
Once they have some distance on the scene behind them, he throttles back some. Getting it on a steady, legal speed he glances towards her,"Ain' gonna lie. Ya got a pertty good power packed'n there."

Another laugh and he raises one hand in surrender,"Managed ta stay outa th' trenches t'night. Don' wanna go back." Once they are out of the neighborhood he relaxes again,"Ah'ight. We're clear. Ya got some place you'd like ta go? Still gettin' ta know th's area of th' city."

Inez Temple has posed:
"That ain't the half of it," Inez replies with a lopsided grin. "You're just gettin' me started."

She watches as the buildings fade away, and they are certainly well clear of any consequences of the night. She twists a bit to lean against the door, so she can study Jacen a bit more clearly. "Well my hog is back at the bar, so at some point, if you wanna be a sport, you'll have to take me back there. But until then..." She tilts her head, studying him, her eyes twinkling a bit in mischief. "I s'pose I'm at your mercy."

Jacen Knight has posed:
"Reckon I'd be terrible curious ta see what happens after y'r fully warmed up sometime." he teases back.

He drives a ways and admits,"Well, after what little I seen outa ya, reckon I'd better be pertty merciful." He switches the radio on and finds one of the songs she played earlier,"Well. I reckon we c'n slip outa th' city f'r a while. I know a place. If ya wanna come back later t'night we can. Switch rides."

Inez Temple has posed:
At that, Inez just arches her eyebrow for a moment. "Curiosity killed the cat, and I don't want anyone's death on my hands."

As Jacen turns on the music, Inez leans back, pulling her legs up to place her feet on the dashboard (unless he objects). "I don't got anywhere to be. Give me a good enough reason, we can go back to get my hog in the mornin'."

Whatever expression she has on her face, though, after that comment is hidden beneath the brim of her hat....