Log:Tennis Anyone?

Tennis Anyone?
Participants Bronwyn, Olivia, Velvet	27 May, 2018 Bronwyn learns not introduce Velvet to new sports.
Location Riverside Park
It's rare to see Velvet outside of heels, but it looks like this is one of those times, because she is mostly certainly in a pair of sneakers at the moment. This, of course, betrays her normal five foot two-ish height that she normally supplements with those heels. She's also not in her typical silk and high fashion clothing, either. Traded in for a pair of yoga pants and a tank top. That long white-blonde hair is pulled back into a high ponytail that bobs as she runs. She's fast, remarkably so, jetting along the rim of the park without so much as breaking a sweat. Olivia has, for at least the next few days, been forbidden from smoking. Which makes for a somewhat grumpy Liv. The redhead is out and about, presently perched on a bench, absently twirling an unlit cigarette in her fingers, a vaguely annoyed look on her face. It takes her a few moments to recognize Velvet in her current clothing, and she lifts her free hand to wave to the other woman briefly. Bronwyn has also gone for the athletic look today. It's a holiday! Which means no reading books and no wearing glasses. Instead, the blonde is wearing sneakers, white shorts, a white t-shirt, her hair back in a ponytail and a sports bag over one shoulder. Jutting out of it are the handles of tennis racquets. She spots the blur speeding along the path towards her. It takes a moment to recognise Velvet before she too is offering a wave...and stopping her own progress so she doesn't get run down crossing the path. Waving! There's so much of it. Velvet slows to a halt as she catches sight of Olivia and then Bronwyn. Her hand raises in greeting to them both before she starts angling towards the bench where Liv is seated, gesturing for Bron to join her. "Evening, ladies." she calls, casually reaching up to the unlit cigarette in Liv's hand and slapping it away. "HEY." Olivia's hand snaps back as the cigarette is slapped out of her hand, a scowl given to Velvet in response. "What the hell? I can't smoke a cigarette that hasn't been LIT." She huffs indignantly, giving a brief cough along with it; still recovering, it would seem. A sideways look is cast in Bronwyn's direction, a nod of greeting given to the other woman. "Hey." Bronwyn makes her way over with a smile on her face and a bounce in her step. "Hey, Velvet. You're looking...different. Still great though." Her attention turns to the slapped woman and she offers her hand - in a non-slapping motion. "Hello, I'm Doctor Bronwyn Gallagher, but please call me Bron. Nice to meet you. Smoking is a dirty habit." A pause. "Well...smoking nicotine anyway. I'm sure you've been nagged about it but nicotine /is/ a poison. People have been using it to murder since Columbo." "I'm just removing the temptation from your eyesight. Since you're just torturing yourself with it," Velvet offers with a smirk. "Your lungs are struggling enough right now without risking it." Is that a hint of concern in those blue eyes? Maybe. But then, Olivia has seen how protective Vee can get. "There's tons of dirty habits out there, Bron. They tend to be the ones that are the most fun." "My lungs are fine," she grumbles to Velvet, though the slightly hoarse undertones are still there. They're better, certainly, but smoke is a bitch. Olivia reaches over to take the offered hand and just stares at Bronwyn for a few moments, eyebrows rising, expression somewhere between amused and annoyed. "Olivia Utridge. Cigarettes are, by far, the most harmless one of my vices, I assure you." Bronwyn nods to Violet. "Some would say a habit isn't even fun unless it's filthy" she smiles. "It's really only nicotine slash tobacco that bothers me. Weed...different kettle of fish. Though I wouldn't recommend using a kettle of fish as part of the process." She shakes Olivia's hand before pulling it away to pat her bag. "Tennis anyone?" A beat. "You know how long I've waited to say that to someone? Oh...another Utridge?" "Your lungs are healing. If they were fine, you wouldn't have been told to avoid smoking until they were better," Velvet points out with a huff. "If I catch you with one, I will douse you in water. Throw you over my shoulder and dunk you in the river kind of douse," she assures. Her eyes dance towards Bronwyn and the racket, chuckling. "I'm very competitive. I'm not sure that's such a great idea. But I'd be happy to watch you play." Olivia gives a sideways look towards Velvet briefly before returning her gaze to Bronwyn. "Yes. Another Utridge," she replies a bit blandly. Velvet's water threat earns her another scowl from Olivia. "Weaver told me not to, not a doctor. But he knows where I sleep, and he's a fucker who WILL likely be checking on me, so I'm not smoking right now. And if you douse me in water, I will think of something equally miserable to do to you. I'll totally escalate. You know I will." She pokes her tongue out a bit petulantly before, considering tennis. Eventually, she just shakes her head a bit. "Nah. I'm not really dressed for it, and I'm not sure how well exercise will go right now." "Exercise is always a good idea" Bronwyn assures Olivia. "Good for the lungs too" she adds since that seems to be an important topic at the moment. A curious look towards Velvet. "It's only a game of tennis between friends. You can be as competitive as you need to be. I'll just be thankful to hit the ball." She glances around the park and in the direction of the courts. "Unless one of you says 'yes', then there won't be a match to watch, Velvet. But I don't want to get in the way of your 'caring via drowning'. Even for no reason other than not wanting to be doused myself" she smiles. "Have you tried patches, Olivia?" "I'll douse you both. Just try me!" Velvet chuckles at that before narrowing her eyes on Olivia when that tongue gets stuck out. "That's a war that you will not win," she assures, her tone sounding absolute. The fact that she can keep Weaver in check may just go to show that she's right. "She actually is only recently out of the hospital for smoke inhalation, so exercise is probably a really bad idea. Do you have a second racket? I don't know how to play, but you can show me?" "Ooookay, I do not know you well enough to want that lecture," Olivia tells Bronwyn, unfolding her legs from the bench and dropping them down over the edge so she can lean back a bit. "Patches, pills, inhalers, therapy, blah blah blah BLAH... I know about it. But thanks anyway." Her hands rise, folding behind her head as she squints one eye in Velvet's direction. "I think you just started something, Velvet. Oh this should be fun." Mischief! Mayhem! Shenanigans! There is a nod given at the mention of her hospital discharge. "Wildfires. Not cigarettes. Saving people. And apparently forgetting about the smoke part." One hand rises, shooing Velvet over towards the tennis course. "You play. I'll learn by watching. Can't keep score though. I don't know the rules. Though I could just make some up in my head." "I'll try not to lecture then. Sorry about that" Bronwyn apologises to Olivia. "Yeah, the greatest killer in fires is...umm...I'm gonna stop before it sounds like a lecture. But well done on going out there to do what you could. I was camping when it started. Got back to the cabin I'm renting and tried my best. And, Velvet, I put the locks in you recommended. Hopefully no psychopathic visitors anymore." She opens the bag a little more to show the two racquets. "As you can see, I was expecting to have to drag someone into this" she grins. "As far as I know the rule is to hit the ball over the net before it bounces...or something. I've played some odd varieties in my time. The one with the shrunken heads...not a lot of fun. Let's go see what trouble we can get into then." With that she starts heading for the courts. "I would be one thousand times more interested in playing this game if there were shrunken heads involved." That statement comes from Velvet with a completely serious expression on her face. She clearly means it. "You stay here and watch," she tells Liv with a nod before she gestures for Bronwyn to lead the way. "I'm glad you got the locks in. I'm going to come over and try to break in. If I can't, you're good. Otherwise, there's more work to be done." "It would be pretty easy to break in" Bronwyn replies with that curious expression that seems reserved for Velvet - not helped by her love for shrunken heads. "All you have to do is break a window and climb in. Or come in through the roof. If people want to get in, then they can get in. Unfortunately, it's about making it less work for them to break in somewhere else. Umm...you /will/ tell me when you're going to do this, right? I don't want to call the police if I hear you prowling around outside." They find a court and head out onto it, Bronwyn handing over a racquet. "So, we serve first and then have to hit the ball back before it bounces. And there's something about the serve having to land in that small box. Umm...I think that's pretty much it." "Oh honey." Velvet stops for a moment, her head turning to focus a very serious look on Bronwyn. "You won't hear me." She seems very sure of that. "But yes, I'll let you know in advance, just in case I slip up. I won't, but just in case." She starts moving again, taking the racket as she listens to the rules. "That seems easy enough," she murmurs as she moves to the opposite side of the area. "You serve first?" "I admire your confidence" Bronwyn smiles warmly to Velvet. "Though you do frighten me sometimes" she adds with a laugh. "Okay, I'll serve. Is Olivia your prospective sister-in-law? Or a bit more distant to Weaver than that. And, yes, I know they're not the same color. Doesn't mean anything." A deep breath. "Ready? Oh...before we begin. If by some fluke I manage to win, are you going to throw me in a river?" "You should be frightened of me. Look at me, I'm terrifying!" Velvet smirks a little, moving into position. "She's my soon-to-be cousin-in-law. Though the way she and Weaver grew up together, they're more like brother and sister. I haven't had a chance to actually meet his sister yet." She pauses, considering. "I'll be honest, there's a chance you're getting tossed in either way." Bronwyn laughs at the information she is being dunked regardless. "Fair enough" she grins before a more playfully curious look to the other woman. "Soon to be? So...you and Weaver are getting married? Already? Congratulations. I guess my invite is lost in the mail." That last comment is only a tease, she doesn't expect to be invited. "Eyes on the ball...as the bishop said to the actress." The tennis ball is tossed upwards and then she hits it towards Velvet. "He asked, I said yes. But we're not planning anything for a long while. When the time comes, I imagine it will be just as spontaneous. I'm not one for having all eyes on me, or walking down aisles in a white gown. I'm pretty sure he feels the same way. Though I'm sure he's look stunning in a white gown," she laughs." The ball moves towards her, Velvet's racket hitting it and sending it right back effortlessly. Bronwyn is unable to reach the returned ball, mainly because she is laughing too hard. "Hey! No fair! You can't distract me with images of Weaver in a dress. I have a very good imagination. Though if you ever get photos... That's love fifteen. And wouldn't we all love fifteen. Still my serve. Whatever you decide to do, I hope it brings you both happiness." The ball is hit. Velvet laughs at Bronwyn's reaction. "Oh, I bet I can get you photos. I'll just have to bribe him somehow. Maybe with something shiny. He's pretty easily distracted by shiny things," she assures. "It's the ADD." It's the dragon in him, but she can't exactly say that, now can she? "If it doesn't make me happy, or if it doesn't serve a purpose, I don't bother." She returns the ball, having to scramble a little to hit it. Bronwyn manages to reach the ball as well, much to her surprise, hitting it back over the night while the two manage to hold a conversation. "You don't seem very shiny to me" she teases about the distraction method. "Are you sure that's what he's looking at when he looks at you? I hope the marriage is for the happy part rather than the serving a purpose." Managing to hit the ball back over, Velvet bounces a couple of steps back, looking like she might actually be enjoying herself. "Between my hair and my eyes, what doesn't shine?" Velvet points out with a little hair flip of her ponytail, smirking. "But yes, there are very few things in live that actually do make me happy. He's on the top of that list." It was the hair flip that did it this time. Bronwyn is beaten once more, unable to reach the ball and then having to go and pick it up to serve again. "I haven't stared into your eyes as much as Weaver, so I'll take it on faith there is shining" she smiles. "Okay, love thirty. Which could be fun but tiring. This point I will win. Maybe." The ball is struck. "You should, they're quite stunning," Velvet offers with a little flutter of dark lashes. She laughs again, shifting a few steps to the side in order to whack the ball. Maybe it's just beginners luck, but she seems to be doing alright. But then, she seems like a natural athlete, so it's probably not surprising either. "I don't know what this love stuff is you're talking about. Is that the scoring system? "Yeah...the scoring system" Bronwyn nods as she is beaten once more, having to pause to catch her breath. "Or some fantasies of mine. One or the other. So that's love forty. Which is a bit beyond my limit. And no telling me to stare into your eyes. That is quite unfair after saying you're getting married." A wink over the net before the ball follows. Velvet hasn't broken a sweat, dancing gracefully to the ball and then pummeling it over the net and straight into the ground at Bron's feet. "Isn't that what vampires do? They get you to stare into their eyes and then they can make you do whatever they want? That's the lore, right?" Or so she's heard. "Maybe I'm just trying to work on my hypnosis. Can't blame a girl for trying! Unfortunately, at her feet means that Bronwyn has no chance of hitting it back. She stands there for a moment, pouting a little, before going to get the ball. "Vampires aren't real" she calls back, checking the ball to make sure it doesn't have a remote control in it. "And despite what your fiance says, neither are dragons. Oh...where's the ring? Aren't you supposed to show it off?" She bounces the ball. "Okay, this time you won't even see it, it will be so fast. Match point." "I don't know about that. What's the world without believing in a little bit of magic as long as that belief doesn't hurt anyone, right?" That next ball goes sailing, and maybe it's the talk of dragons, or the mention of the ring, but Velvet doesn't get to it in time this go around. "Good one," she calls, moving to grab the ball. "No ring so far. It was a spontaneous question, like I said. Nothing really planned. Feel free to berate him for it," she teases. Bronwyn is astounded that she actually won a point. Her brow furrows as if she is thinking about whether reality just went crazy. A shake of her head to get herself back in the game. "I'm an anthropologist, Velvet. I'm all about beliefs. It's the 'don't hurt anyone' that's the problem. Many people use it as a perfect reason to hurt others. I think that's fifteen forty? Still match point. And I will berate Weaver. Though, honestly, I'd be more impressed if he found something than a symbol of bondage." The ball is struck. "I fail to see how a kid believing in Vampires or misguided belief that dragons once roamed the earth could hurt anyone. Now, if they made it a cult or a religion, then I could see how the problems could start, to be fair. Religion is a nightmare." The ball is struck again, pounded towards the ground again. She's either getting frustrated, which can't really be seen on her face, or she's getting the hang of this. "We haven't really discussed rings. Or any kind of symbol. But I'm not opposed to a little bondage." She laughs. "Damn, Velvet, I knew I should have asked you out that night we met" Bronwyn laughs. "Okay, you can hit the ball back anytime." It moved so fast she didn't even see it. Turning to look behind her, there is a frown as she realises (again) that she is way outclassed. "Oh...it's already over here. Wonder how that happened. You won the match, now you serve." She tosses the ball over. "I guess we all need some fantasy, but there's a lot of magic in the world already. It would be nice if people could appreciate that before having to make their own." A pause. "God I sound boring." Velvet laughs a little more heartily at that. "To be fair, you were pretty drunk that first night," she reminds. She accepts the ball and serves again, once more spiking it so fast that it's hard to follow, much less hit back. But there's always a chance! "That's the thing about magic, I guess. Some people have to be able to feel it to see it. And if it doesn't come from them, they just won't ever be able to open their eyes that much. Human nature. That serve was definitely fast. So fast that Bronwyn is still standing there waiting to receive it. "If I was drunk, that usually encourages me to ask. This may surprise you, but not everyone woman in the world wants to be asked out by another woman. So I tend to be very careful...unless drunk. Damn...missed opportunities. You can serve anytime." Realising there is no ball in Velvet's hand, she looks behind her to see it. "Oh...hmm...that was quite a serve. Did we bet money on this match? I'm just wondering because I seem to have met a tennis shark." A smile as she tosses the ball back over. "I believe it. The thing about women. I probably would have gone on a date with you. I like women too, but I like men more. The scale is like seventy to thirty." Velvet weighs her hands in demonstration. Which reveals that the ball is not there. "Nope, no money. This is actually my first time playing." She accepts the ball and hits again, another violent, spiking hit. "I pick up athletic things pretty quickly," she explains. "Yeah...you do" Bronwyn gasps after a desperate rush to get to the ball ends up in her watching it sail past once more. "This really isn't my day. Not only are you thumping me in you FIRST game of tennis, but now you're saying we could have gone on a date if I'd asked?" She looks up at the heavens. "Oh why do you mock me in such a way. Even though you don't exist. That's thirty love...love. I guess with you getting married, that's the end of the thirty percent chance." "Don't worry, I have a tenancy to trump people at sports, even on the first time out. One of our first times hanging out Weaver took me to this obstacle course. He even cheated and he still couldn't win. It's just how I'm built. I grew up in the foster system, bobbing from one place to the next, so I had to learn to be fast and think on my feet. It translates well into sports, I guess." She hits the ball again, hard. Bronwyn almost has it. Flinging herself through the air, she misses the ball by inches and ends up hitting the dirt ground with a thud. "And I thought I was fit" she sighs, face down in the dirt before rolling onto her back. "Maybe it was good we didn't date? I doubt I'd be able to keep up with you in bed. Maybe I should get Weaver an ice pack as a wedding present?" She pushes herself to her feet before grabbing their one ball to toss back. "If you win this game, I think we'll call it done. I can't believe that running away from lions is easier than playing tennis with you." Velvet winces when she sees Bronwyn thud into the ground. "You good? Not bleeding or anything are you?" The other woman gets a quick once over to make sure she's okay. "Really? When I'm compared to an animal, it's usually a fox. Though I do have a certain feline quality about me as well," she chuckles. "Lions watch out." She winks. "Weaver is pretty lazy in a lot of ways, but that's one area where he shines. His stamina is -almost- on par with mine." "I've suffered worse in playing tennis" Bronwyn assures the other woman about her fall. "Remember the shrunken heads? If you lose that game then...well...you could end up being then next 'ball' if you know what I'm saying. Not many people want to play it strangely enough." And then the ball is flying past and Bronwyn doesn't get close. "Okay, that's it. You win. And your prize is buying me a coffee." She thinks for a moment and then shakes her head. "No, it's too early for coffee. A scotch will do. I hope Olivia was watching and you put her off trying to drown you." Velvet laughs at her prize. "You've got yourself a deal," she says, inclining her head. "That was pretty fun. I'll have to play again some time." She walks around the net to offer Bronwyn back her racket. "Thanks for teaching me. I still don't get the scoring system." Her eyes move over towards where Olivia was, realizing she took off at some point. "Looks like she got bored and wandered off. "I'm not sure that girl has that little voice in your head that tells you when to stop." "You were supposed to leap over the net" Bronwyn points out with a smirk before taking the racquet back and tucking it away with hers. Unlike her opponent, the Doctor is glowing with perspiration and red cheeks. "I think you were the one who taught me. Taught me never to trust a beautiful white-haired girl." She pouts for a moment. "What are you like at chess? Checkers? Old Maid?" Bronwyn nods about Olivia. "Redheads. What can you do? I got the impression she didn't like me much but that was probably my big mouth. Again. She probably snuck off for a cigarette." "You're right, you're right." Velvet moves back around the net and then does an acrobatic little flip right over it, landing in a superhero pose. Obviously for dramatic flair. She hops back up to her feet with a smirk. "Is that better?" she wonders, laughing. "You shouldn't ever trust anyone, really. But it tends to get lonely when you think like that." Says the voice of experience. "I have never played any of those games, so I have no idea." There's no hint of joking, she really never has. Eyes drift back towards where liv was. "Little troublemaker. She doesn't like being lectured, or told things are bad for her. Don't take it personally. "Seriously? You're even doing flips over the net?" Bronwyn throws up her hands, playfully. "You kill me, Velvet. You've never played those games?" The blonde sighs. "Which means you'd whip my ass on your first time. Heck, you'd probably win chess in a record number of moves. We should get Guiness out to witness it. But, seriously, try trusting first. You can be wary but, as you say, why do you want to be lonely as well? If you never trust, no one ever trusts you either? They think that you have all the negative properties of what you're expecting from others. And there's me going off again thinking I know all the answers. Lecturing /you/ now." She nods towards the street. "Let's go get that drink so I shut up." "Never. But isn't chess a game of the mind? That's completely different from athletics. Though I do have eidetic memory, so after a few games and knowing the rules, I would start becoming a beast to play against. All I know is that the queen can move anywhere she wants." Velvet brushes a hand through her hair, head tilting a little. "You trusted me pretty quickly," she points out. "Most people do in fact. It all depends on how you present yourself to the world. I can not trust, but still be personable." "Eidetic memory. Of course you do. Doesn't it suck to be so perfect?" Bronwyn laughs. "And of course queens have the most power." She can only smile at the way Velvet runs her fingers through her hair at announcing that. "Of course I trust you. I have no reason not to." She tilts her head a little as she looks at the other woman. "Don't you trust me? If not..." A shrug. "So be it but I guess I'd like us to be friends and there should be a little trust with that." "It's just the worst," Velvet agrees. "I'm not terribly strong, if that helps in the whole flaws department. Clever, of course, but never graduated high school." She doesn't say why, but she offers that little flaw freely. "I could probably go back now and do it, but why bother?" Considering Bronwyn for a moment, it's clear that Velvet is weighing her thoughts. "I do trust you. I don't really have friends, never really have. But you, and Olivia, have managed to crack through that outer shell. It's quite rare, honestly." "Then I'm honored to be your friend" Bronwyn replies softly, realising how hard that was for Velvet to admit. She drops her sport bag to then step in and give the other woman a hug. "For someone who isn't strong, you can sure hit a tennis ball" she points out with a smile before stepping back. "Sorry that you didn't finish high school. I guess if you wanted the certificate you could go back. Or want to go to college." A shrug. "Depends what you have planned for your life. I'm not even sure if I've finished my schooling. A lot of my work is done for universities and there's always another degree or doctorate to get." She picks up her bag again. "What is it you do for a job again?" Velvet smiles. Another rare thing. Usually there's a smirk, even her laughter is brief, but this time there's a genuine smile, to the point that it reflects in her eyes, giving them that little sparkle she was talking about before. "I made something with my life without schooling, to be honest. I'm not terribly broken up about it." She waits for the bag lift before leading the way out of the court and off towards the path. "I'm a freelancer. Some private detective work, some protective services, like body guarding." Says the girl who is barely five foot two. "Why do I think that you'd be a perfect bodyguard too?" Bronwyn smirks at the woman half a foot short than her. "Though I have to ask. A little town in Vermont...how many people need bodyguards? Or even private detectives for that matter? Though I guess there are divorce cases even here." She trudges across the park, a lot more tired than her tennis partner. "Sorry if you told me that before. I have this horrible habit of forgetting what people do for a living. Poor AJ must be sick of telling me she's a part time bartender. I'm blaming it on my education. It pushes out the personal stuff. There's only so much space in a brain after all" she teases. "Because you know me well enough to know at least some of my skill set," Velvet offers when she's asked about being the perfect bodyguard. "There are some rich folks around who like escorts into the city. It helps that I don't look like a bodyguard, so I blend in easily. Upscale events here and there. Plus, like you said, all of the 'cheating wife or husband' style work. I'm mostly here because I wanted to get away. I just ended up finding out that I liked it so much that I wanted to stay. Which I wasn't expecting." She gives Bron a side glance. "With all of the smarts you've got in there, I'm surprised you can remember my name." "Of course I remember your name, Alice" Bronwyn deadpans. "I remember the names of beautiful women...just not what they do" she laughs. "I can see the appeal of this place though. I have a feeling that it won't give up its secrets until I've been a local for decades. Shame Eden never got back to me. But, hey, not the first time a woman fobbed me off with promises to call. Besides, now you've met the man of your dreams here. Why leave? Maybe we should just get the coffee and lunch instead of the scotch?" "Smartass," Velvet says as she bumps Bronwyn's hip with her own. "Well, Eden is an idiot in that case. I'm sure there's a hotty out there for you. I happen to know a couple that like chicks. Maybe I'll see about hosting a little get together and just so happen to invite you all." She gestures to a nearby cafe. "I wouldn't mind getting out of the sun since it's really starting to get up there. Why don't we hop over there and grab a bite?" she suggests before leading the way. "Sounds good" Bronwyn nods. "The meal I mean. I'm sort of maybe seeing someone but..." A sad shrug. "Our times together are not often. Everyone has lives, I get it. I can't even swear I'll be here in a few months so why would anyone want to risk it with me? Let's eat."