18704/Mini-Golf Can be Romantic

Mini-Golf Can be Romantic
Date of Scene:	29 July 2024
Location:	Mini-Golf Play Place
Synopsis:	Joshua and Aria go play putt-putt and play more with their feelings than with the putts.
Cast of Characters:	Joshua Foley, Aria Seraphine

---

Joshua Foley has posed:
Joshua texted Aria with a playful challenge:

>> With me, you can explore the world in just 18 simple holes. You might aim for par, but if you swing too fiercely, your score could go awry. What am I?

As he eagerly awaits her response, Joshua dresses for their outing. He dons a pair of well-fitted blue jeans that highlight his casual yet stylish look, a black polo shirt that accentuates his toned physique, and a pair of sleek running shoes perfect for a fun and active evening. Once Aria cracks the riddle, he'll send her the address of the mini-golf course, where he'll be waiting just outside, ready for a memorable game.

Aria Seraphine has posed:
Wanna know how to drive an angel insane? Give her a riddle out of the blue with no context. She's texting back without even taking a breath between the messages.

>> A... golf club?
>> A golf course?
>> ...Explore the world? What do you mean?
>> This doesn't make any sense!
>> Isn't the point to hit the ball as hard as you can?
>> What do I win if I figure it out?
>> Am I allowed to Google it?
>> PUTT-PUTT!

By the time she's figured it out, it's obvious that Aria's already been on a bit of an adventure -- even if an emotional one.

And with their next date picked by Josh, this this, she puts on a denim skirt, a pair of Reebok tennis shoes, and a white sleeves top. She even puts her hair up into a ponytail to complete the sporty look, tucking her phone into the tiny purse on a long cross-body strap for the cab ride to the address she was given.

She's beaming when she spots him, thanking the cabbie before closing the door and then jogging over to stretch happily up through her toes. Her arms slip around his shoulders as she pulls herself up to claim his lips, entirely unconcerned with whatever attention the two of them might be getting in the process.

Joshua Foley has posed:
>> You win my location. And me. But mainly the location.
>> Good job!

When Aria arrives at the mini-golf course, Joshua lights up with warmth. "Sera!" he calls out to to her, but takes her in... wow, she looks amazing. So caught off is he that she is able to get the advantage to crawly up him and kiss him. And his arms ensnare her, settling on he lower back to return the kiss, eyes closing as he luxuriates in the warmth of her mouth on his.

"Hi..." he manages when the kiss breaks and he rubs his nose against hers. "You smell amazing." he murmurs, "I already bought our tickets, we just need to get our golf ball and putter and head out!" he explains. Moving from her embrace, not that he wants to, his hand finds her side to hold onto while they get the equipment and head to the first hole.

This first hole is named 'Galactic Obyssey'! It's a par 3 that is out-of-this-world hole invites you to navigate a mini-golf course inspired by the mysteries of space. Your adventure begins on a starry backdrop, with a path that winds around vibrant, neon-colored asteroids and miniature planetary models. As you tee off, you'll encounter a series of ramps and cosmic tunnels that simulate the twists and turns of a space voyage.

The hole's centerpiece is a spinning, multi-colored "black hole" that acts as both a challenge and a reward. A perfectly aimed putt can guide your ball through this celestial vortex and directly into the star-shaped hole, ensuring a stellar score. For added excitement, watch out for intermittent "meteor showers" - these moving obstacles can alter your ball's path and add an element of unpredictability.

With a blend of cosmic fun and precise aiming, this hole promises an exhilarating journey through the galaxy, ending with a satisfying, out-of-this-world hole-in-one.

Aria Seraphine has posed:
Whatever hesitation or uncertainty there had once been in Aria's demeanor, it's long gone. From the moment she laid eyes on him, she knew what she was going to do, and moreover, she knew he wanted it, too -- a kiss, a hug, a intimate and unashamed connection of arms and bodies and lips.

She missed him. There's no doubting that. It hadn't even been that long, but she still greeted him like it had been weeks or months. Smitten is... probably not a strong enough word, at this point.

"I really like this shirt against the gold," she murmurs back after his 'Hi' and the comment on her scent that brings a faint pink glow to her cheeks. She's playing with his collar for a moment, in no particular hurry to let go of him or to be let go of.

Of course, they _are_ here for a purpose that isn't just hanging on each other, so she reluctantly loosens her grip on his shoulders and settles back down again, happily nuzzling in against his side as she's guided to the equipment.

"Okay, so.. here's the thing. I understand the concept, but I have _never_ held a golf club before, so I'm going to need some patience. Aaaand maybe some lessons."

She chews on her lip, smiling so much it seems like her cheeks must hurt.

She picks a putter that seems okay for her height. It's not the kid's size, but it's only the next one up. And she picks the light blue ball.. because of course she does. Then it's off to the first hole, which she looks over with wide-eyed fascination once she's dropped her ball in the tee-box.

"This is the _first_ hole?! How are you supposed to do this?!" she laughs, proceeding to square up to the ball and prove that she has no idea how to hold a golf club.

Joshua Foley has posed:
He missed her. His thoughts were of her until he was asleep and then back on her when he woke up. The kiss was eagery accepted, ending the drought of affection the two were suffering toether as she nuzzles in and the pair of them make their way to the first hole. And he quietly whispers to her.

"Your butt looks amazing in that skirt." he confesses with a blush.

And he lets her go. At least for a moment. Until she mention she's never. "Well, let me help!" he says. stepping up behind Aria to wrap his arms around her and take her hands and the club in his. They move together, a small press of their bodies together that could be considered slightly lewd as he helps her through a few practice swings.

Once that's done, he lets her go to allow her to take the shot. "Try to go with the swirl!" he encourages. And it only takes two shots for her to score. "Great job!" Yes, it was beginners luck and she shot the ball as hard as possible both times, but she still got it in the hole!

He chose a taller putter and a yellow ball... and it takes four strokes... including one alien abduction of his ball for him to finally mercifully sink the ball in the hole. "You won that one, Sera." he says with more than a little chuckle, as someone behind them heckles. "You're just trying to let her win!"

Aria Seraphine has posed:
Josh's comment about her butt has a laugh bubbling up from Aria's lips, warm and surprised. Heat touches her cheeks, and with him still close to her ear, she turns just enough to brush her nose against his jaw for a quick nuzzle of appreciation.

It's his help with her putting, though, that really has her heart thumping. She's trying and failing to get a decent grip on the club, but when Josh comes up behind her and slips his arms around her, her whole body seems to press ever-so-slightly back against him -- even her cheek finds his as she settles perfectly into the bow of his body, drawing in a deep inhale of his scent and then letting it out slowly, shakily.

She was definitely supposed to be concentrating on what he was showing her, but with his hands on hers and her body tucked in against him, she seemed more interested in dragging out the lesson than she was picking it up very quickly.

Begrudgingly, she does seem to listen, though, putting her hands where he shows her, moving her arms like he shows her. It's the power she seems to struggle with. His swing had been slow and fluid, but hers comes out more like a heavy sword swing, chopping at the ball and sending it flying. It bounces off of one of the faux asteroids, hits the railing, bounces back, and rolls towards the 'black hole.' His encouragement, by the end, has her clapping with excitement. It's _pure_ beginner's luck that she got it in two, because other than what Josh showed her, she didn't seem to have any natural talent for this game.

She was _definitely_ having fun, though. And in a game like mini-golf, that was so much more important than skill, anyway, right?

Once Josh has finished, she hugs him again in excitement (careful not to clobber him with the club in the process), and then glances over at the heckler.

"Or we're just having fun," she calls back brightly. "You should try it! I promise, it's _way_ better than having a bug up your butt." It's so... cheery! Then she's grabbing Josh's hand and practically dragging him to the next hole.

From putting into a black hole to to an Amazonian Rainforest, this hole is a maze of plastic trees and a slick, downward patch of blue that's obviously supposed to be water with rapids with faux rocks that drops off of a 'waterfall' to the mouth of an anaconda that's the hole.

Joshua Foley has posed:
When they press together... when Aria presses herself further against him, Josh's heart races and she can feel the little trembling breath on her her as his hands grip hers, showing her the grips as their hips press for a moment as Joshua has to struggle a little, her nuzzle helping little. His cheeks are hot, his break unsure as he finishes showing her the way and she manages to conquer the hole far better than he did.

After she takes the hole, and he's heckled, Joshua grins. "No need to be curlish, I realize she's beautiful, after all. And she's mine." he adds, squeezing her hand as he moves him along to the next hole. The faux rocks and water and. "Is that a snake for a hole?" he asks incrediously, his attention turned to Aria. "You got this one, or you want help again?" he asks, almost hopefully this time.

After all the people that are playing behind them are still on the black hole par 3, they may be a bit before catching them, and ahead is what appears to be a windmill up ahead that will present it's own challenge.

And when Aria hugs him? He ends up picking her up into a fuller hug, holding her tightly to him before he manages to remember to set her down. "I guess I'm shooting first on this hole."

Aria Seraphine has posed:
'And she's mine.'

It warms her from the inside out. She's still reeling from it, even when he picks her up and lifts her off of the ground, still smiling and looking at him like his metallic gold skin had suddenly started glowing or something.

And when he sets her down again?

Well, she reaches up and pulls him down, stretching up to meet him for another kiss, long and deep and... not nearly as chaste as the first. Her lips part without hesitation, tongue lashing out at his as her fingers curl around the back of her neck and the soft curves of her front press closer in against him.

It lasts... more than a few seconds. An eternity, it feels like, but she takes her time, completely ignoring the other golfers until she's satisfied she's 'made her point'... and then she finally releases his lips and settles back down, her blue eyes shining.

"That's for calling me yours," she whispers, still smiling up at him. "And I'll _definitely_ need help again. But you go. I like watching you.."

She bites her lip and takes a step back from him, rocking excitedly back and forth up onto her toes as she waits.

Joshua Foley has posed:
Pulled into the renewed kiss, Joshua dances with her, enjoying her taste as they spar each other, and as she squeezes closer, his hands drop down, finding the plush curve of her rear and he gets a pair of full hands of her as he lifts her further into the kiss, pressing closer to her, before they finally part. His cheeks are dark, his eyes sparkling bright. "Man, wonder what happened if I told you how I really felt." he admits to her quietly.

Now that they are seperate again, one of the golfers chides them. "You two should get a room." says the girl with a small smirk.

"That's because you are mine." he says to hers, a squeeze of her hand, before he steps up to take his first turn at the hole.

In his first stroke, he taps the ball and it rolls and bounces, and then splashes into the waterfall. "A little too strong." he admits, before he taps a new ball and it bounces about and falls just short the hole, making it a short tap it. "That's a 3. Your turn, babe!" he comments as he comes back to the hole to again 'assist her' and not at all grind back against her bottom this time when she presses it suggestively against him.

Aria Seraphine has posed:
Aria presses back into his wandering hands without a hint of hesitation, and when the kiss is over, she lets out a soft little laugh as she lingers close to him. She's still looking up at him with her lips _so_ close, her blue eyes twinkling.

"That's not how you really feel?" she all but whispers, lips tugged into a cute, lopsided grin that _clearly_ acknowledges she knows he's joking.

It's the call of 'get a room' that brings her gaze back over her shoulder, her eyes taking on a wicked glint as something about her... shifts. Just for a few seconds, still held in Josh's arms, she seems to subtly change to something darker and more menacing. Even the sky becomes darker.

"Maybe we will," she seethes, her voice more threatening than was called for, that smile of hers suddenly almost... predatory.

But then Josh speaks again. _That's because you are mine._ And it's like a sudden breeze blows the dark clouds away, Aria's whole demeanor shifting back to that serene glow all at once as she turns back to face him as innocently as if it had never happened.

"Yes, I am. And you're mine," she breathes, returning that squeeze of his hand before she finally lets him go so he can take his turn.

There's a little gasp at that first hit, her hand even coming up to cover her mouth, but she claps for him when he finishes and waits for him to come back and 'help' her. And it is a help! Just because she _really_ enjoys the way he's helping her doesn't mean it's not a help!

She smiles, settling back against him again just like before, like she's wrapping herself up in a Josh-shaped blanket and savoring every second of that connection. "Stay with me this time," she pleads. "Help me with my power..."

That was the biggest problem, last time. She had a hard time knowing how hard to hit it. So she relied on Josh to hit the ball with her each of the three times, squaring up over the ball and waiting for him to come up behind her, to wrap his arms around her, and to take her hands so she could melt back against him and let him guide her.

On the third hit, they've made it over the waterfall and into the snake's mouth, and she turns around to kiss him -- more quickly than the last time.

"I... really like this game," she admits as they're collecting their balls and moving to the next hole. She's clinging to his side, leaning her head on his shoulder as they go. "But it might also have a _lot_ to do with the company."

Joshua Foley has posed:
Her lips are plush and so close and just so kissable. And he steals a kiss while he had ths chance as Joshua considers her question and he leans in, whispering against her ear. "That's because I've fallen in love with you, Sera." he tells her quietly. And with that confession, he straightens up as Aria makes that threat that they may just get a room, and his cheeks darken. "I'd not complain." he mentions to her.

'And you're mine.' She again sets his heart to racing with those words as he feels he feelings swell for the young woman as she claims him in return.

Acceping her request, he wraps around her again, pressed against her soft curves. They meld together perfectly, his hands in hers, the swing of her hips against his. The ball rolls and they chase after it, again combining together as they tap the ball again and his breath husks in her ear. "You're driving me crazy, Sera." he admits to her as they make the finssl shot and she turns into him for another kiss and this time he's the one deepening it, his tongue invading her mouth to tangle with hers as he holds onto her in that gentle taste.

Ahead is the next hole. The hole begins with a short, winding path that leads you to the base of a quaint, fully functional windmill. The windmill's rotating blades create both challenge and charm as they sweep across the putting area.

It leads to a slightly sloped green that mimics the gentle rolling hills of a countryside scene. The final approach is guarded by a series of playful "bunkers" shaped like hay bales. The hole's finishing touch is a classic "cup" set into a small, decorative hill at the center of the green.

Aria Seraphine has posed:
'That's because I've fallen in love with you, Sera.'

It's like a mortar shell going off right beside her. The words make her ears ring as she stares helplessly at Joshua. She doesn't know what to do with them, doesn't know how to respond to them.

The rest of the hole, as he wraps around her and helps guide her shots, those words are still floating in her mind.

Love. _In_ love. Romantic love.

The kind of love she'd told him just a day or two earlier she didn't understand -- a kind of love that was different from what she felt towards mankind, a kind of love that was different even from what she'd once felt for Seraphiel.

Was she in love with him, too? Was _this_ that feeling? All she wanted to do was spend time with him, and she leapt at every single opportunity. If she wasn't performing or practicing or hostessing or tending to Jackie's needs...

...Jackie.

She didn't love Jackie, but she didn't hate him, either. Could she be in love with Joshua if Jackie was still in her life? Was that fair to Joshua? Did it matter if it was fair if it was still true?

Her body belonged to Jackie. He paid for everything, gave her shelter, got her clean, vouched for her so she could have a job singing instead of dancing and turning tricks. She owed him, and without him, she would never have met Joshua. She would have have been clean or sober enough to wander into Josh's shop.

But her heart belonged to Joshua. She was in love with him. Even if that wasn't fair to either one of them or the universe or Heaven or Hell or anything in between.

It's the way that Josh deepens that last kiss that has Aria practically clawing at him. She dropped her club without thinking about it, slipped her hands up his arms and over his shoulders, sliding back down across his chest to tug at his shirt as heat crept up through her.

It's overtly sexual. Overtly needy. And with the strength she uses to curl her fingers into the sides of his shirt, there's doubt about what she's considering doing or where she's considering doing it -- other players in the vicinity be damned.

"Come on..." Another golfer shouts. "Seriously. There are kids."

And _that_ draws Sera up short, making her stop and pull back long enough to take a breath.

"Sorry," she calls weakly over her shoulder before turning to focus her gaze back on Josh.

"Take me home?"