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[flippin_peachy]

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[pagekaren]

The particulars of Karen's career tend to (correctly) alarm people when she gets into it. She's glad when he doesn't ask more, and instead returns the squeeze as he takes her hand. There's a slight smile at the corner of her mouth.

"I think you can be allowed a full sip for that. You shouldn't be penalized for lack of access."

[flippin_peachy]

He returns the little side smile and dutifully takes a sip from his glass, trying to think of another round that might make her laugh.

"Never have I ever done the splits."

[pagekaren]

His offering of a round does prompt a laugh, mostly at the turn of phrase. "I don't think I've ever heard someone refer to it as 'the splits.'" Nevertheless, she picks up her glass to take another sip of her drink. "I think I'd pull something if I tried to do it now though. That's the real way you know I'm 35."

It's an obviously joking reference, and she keeps her glass in hand, looking thoughtful. "Never have I ever gotten a tattoo."

[flippin_peachy]

"I bet I'd still be impressed even if you got half way." He says, "I've never been that flexible. Not even when I was young and made of rubber."

Her next round makes him chuckle and he picks up his glass, taking two sips.

"I've got one on my shoulder and one on my back."

[pagekaren]

Karen's not sure that half way would be that impressive, but she still looks amused. Largely by the mental image of herself trying to do a split at Josie's. Not that she'd voluntarily touch the floor in there.

Even so, she's visibly surprised when he says that he has not one, but two tattoos. "I wouldn't have pegged you as a tattoo guy," she admits, smiling. There's a momentary pause, and she lets out a laugh, her face turning pink. "I almost asked 'can I see them?' instead of 'what are they of?'" She's not even feeling tipsy yet - just apparently quite comfortable in his company.

[flippin_peachy]

The look of that blush sweeping across her cheeks is very charming and beautiful and he tips her a wink, "I'd show you but I don't want to get Josie overly excited. Unless you think that would help us get another round of beer..."

And speaking of beer he takes another sip of his, motioning at his left bicep. "The one here is of a jungle rat, something I got with two other lads in my unit."

"The one on my back is my family crest, I got it after my father passed away."

[pagekaren]

She wrinkles her nose at him when he winks at her, albeit in a playful way. And then she lets her eyes drift over to the bartender, who appears to be making a drink with a pickled egg in it despite the fact that she's never seen pickled eggs in the bar. "Honestly, could go either way with her."

While he explains his tattoos, she listens, taking a sip of her own drink. "I have to guess the jungle rat was either an in joke or a nickname in your unit." That often seems to be the way with the people she knows that have served. The mention of his family crest gets an understanding look, and her hand finds its way back to give his a squeeze again. "I don't think you mentioned that he passed when we briefly talked about family before. I'm sorry. It never gets easier, does it?" There's only a moment of hesitation before she continues, "my mother passed when I was 16." There's - so much more to it than that, but that's exactly when her life starts to get messy. It's not a stone she's eager to flip over.

[flippin_peachy]

Much like her there's more to the story of his father's passing than he's willing to divulge at the moment but her kindness means a lot and he laces his fingers through hers.

"It doesn't." He says, his eyes growing sad. "I didn't always have a great relationship with him but I'm grateful we somewhat put things to rest before he passed a few years ago."

Clearing his throat he circles back to something slightly less upsetting, his army tattoo.

"The tattoo is a bit of an in-joke, we were stationed in the jungle and were always mucking about in the dirty parts. Thus the rats."

[pagekaren]

"I'm glad you were able to have some resolution with him," Karen answers, sincerely. Part of her suspects that they should actually talk about their families one day. The circumstances are different, but there's absolutely an understanding there. Not just with the loss of her mother, but her and her father will never have a relationship more than 'distant' and 'barely cordial' again.

She leaves her hand entwined with his as he goes back to the topic of his service tattoo, smiling a little. "Sounds like you were deployed with a good unit. It's always seemed to me like that kind of camaraderie and trust is really important."

[flippin_peachy]

Thankfully Alfred still has a good relationship with his Mum, if he didn't he would probably be getting into even more trouble than he already does but the fact that he can call and talk to her helps a lot. No one loves him like his Mum does.

"Important and necessary, they're literally the people you depend on to keep you alive. My unit had a lot of good lads, not all of them made it, but thankfully my two best mates did. Bazza and Daveboy."

[pagekaren]

"Bazza and Daveboy?" Karen repeats, a smile slowly returning to her lips at the obvious nicknames. They've effectively pushed away any other thoughts, at least for the time being. "Sounds like they could host a really successful drive time radio show together." Something with a lot of sound effects and punchy outros.

She arches a brow, a hint of mischief in her gaze as she continues, "I have to know what your nickname was if you had one. I'm prepared to bribe you."

[flippin_peachy]

"Oh I doubt that, Bazza isn't exactly the talkative type and Daveboy runs his mouth every chance he gets. So it would only be successful if people enjoyed listening to a drunk Irishman go on and on while his mate sighed all exasperated in the background."

He smiles to himself, clearly warmed by thoughts of his friends.

"No need for bribery, it was Alfie."

[pagekaren]

"Sounds like the makings of a great show to me," Karen answers, smiling a little at the thought. It's obvious that he's fond of his friends. She gets that. Matt and Foggy's friendships mean the world to her.

When he owns up to his nickname, her smile widens. "Alfie, huh? That's cute. It suits you."

[flippin_peachy]

"It's what my Mum's always called me, a couple of the lads saw some letters she sent me and it just kind of stuck."

He smiles and lifts an eyebrow at her, "What about you? You have any nicknames?"

[pagekaren]

"It's sweet that it came from her," Karen reflects with a half smile. Nice to think that there's a through line from his childhood to the person he'd become.

Lifting her free hand, she gives it a little wobble. "Karen's not really a name you can make a lot of nicknames from. I'll get Kare sometimes. My mother used to call me Kare Bear, but I don't really like it when anyone else does." Too many memories.

[flippin_peachy]

"Really? No others? Not even something like 'Blondie'?"

[pagekaren]

Karen makes a face at that, though she can't help but laugh a little. "Pretty sure I've only heard that when I've been catcalled," she admits. A smile curves her lips. "Maybe it depends on the context. Let's hear an example."

[flippin_peachy]

"Wasn't expecting to have to come up with an example." He says and then pauses to think for a moment. "How about...you having a good time so far, Blondie?"

[pagekaren]

"Not bad," Karen admits, as if actually weighing the sound of the nickname. "Kind of charming when you say it, even." After a brief pause, she continues, holding his gaze from across the table as the smile lingers on her lips. "And I am, yeah. I'm glad you asked me out."

ooc: sorry for lack of tags, had a busy bunch of days

[flippin_peachy]

"Must be the accent." Well that and Alfred is just naturally charming.

"And I'm glad you accepted, I'd feel kind of silly sitting here playing this game by myself."

no worries! hope things calm down for you <3

[pagekaren]

"Something like that," Karen agrees. She'd be hard pressed to deny the fact that he's naturally charming.

"You'd be a lot drunker if you were," she points out, amused as she lifts the pitcher so she can top off both of their glasses. "Speaking of which...I lost track of whose turn it was."

[flippin_peachy]

"I have as well so I guess we better just assume it's a tie." He says, giving her a nod of thanks at the top up.

"So how long have you been coming here for? The bar I mean."

[pagekaren]

"I can live with a tie," Karen answers. Honestly, it's best to tap out of playing Never Have I Ever early before things start to get too specific.

His question about Josie's is met with a smile. "Uh, since I started working with Matt and Foggy. It's their favorite bar, and they started bringing me along once I was officially employed with them. All the regulars that come here look out for each other, you know? It's nice. Do you have a favorite local pub you like to go to back home?"

[flippin_peachy]

"Is Foggy his real name or a nickname?" He asks and then looks around the bar at all the other patrons, nodding.

"Course. Local pubs are far more common where I'm from, my local is one that's been in our neighbourhood for many years. The owner, Jon, is a good bloke. He used to let me do a lot of works deals there since it was a safe space."

Well that and it's not like Alfred had a proper office.

[pagekaren]

"Nickname. His real name is Franklin," Karen answers with a smile. "He and Matt were roommates in college. Apparently he snored like a foghorn." It weirdly almost suits him more than Franklin does. She always finds herself taken by surprise when someone uses his given name.

"What was it called? A lot of British pubs seem like they follow the same naming convention. Adjective noun." She always gets a kick out of the names when someone mentions going to a British pub. His comment about doin his work deals there prompts an interested look. "What kinds of deals?"