Sticks and Stones [OPEN]

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Tessa caught the lunch tray that was thrown at her, the food on it went flying around, and on her. “WORTHLESS FUCKING MEDIC” said a young woman, the very one that had thrown the tray. Another sit crouched on the ground, attempting to regains their breath after coughing so much. With tear stained eyes the one on the ground glared at Tessa, and she did not falter but simply put the tray down, smiled at the two of them and walked away. They called her over for someone choking wanting Tessa to do the Heimlich maneuver or something. They did not realize, or pay attention to Tessa's explanation. They were coughing still, meaning the air way was only partially obstructed, telling the person to keep coughing was the correct thing to do. It's exactly as it said in the medical books.

The foot step and more angry words alerted Tessa to the fact she was not being allowed to leave so easily, after apparently leaving someone to die. She felt the hand coming to her shoulder, more than saw it. The sixth sense that fighting often instilled in a legionair, that for some reason never worked on that strange Shadow Man. It was easy to keep out of reach of the girl, she was mostly a brute force fighter. Tessa of course was very dexterous, and several times she could have easily turned the girls own power against her but she preferred to not fight if possible. She was called many names again, and people began to come from the mess hall to watch. Tessa for sure did not like an audience, but she also did not enjoy running from a fight. Perhaps this girls friends would realize she was not going to win with strength alone? No instead they were cheering her on. How annoying. Tessa tumbled away and began running the moment her feet touched the ground again. She did not like running, and even more so with a crowd, but she was not about to embarrass the poor girl in front of everyone. She should have ended the fight while no one was around, if that was even possible since a few people immediately followed her out of the mess hall.

Tessa stopped running, a quite bit winded since she had taken off at full tilt. Leaning against a tree she sank slowly to the ground and stretched out her legs. The cool down also made her look at the food still clinging to her clothes. Had she actually gotten to eat lunch? No, she had not. She instead opted to watch over the situation in case the air way had been completely obstructed. She'd just have to get something from the infirmary food station later. She should probably change her clothes, maybe wash some of the potatoes from her hair. Such a great lunch break, taking more time from her training. With a sigh she stood up not caring to dust herself off and started to the barracks to get her shower supplies.

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Jason had just finished his lunch break in New Rome. Sure, he could have gone to the mess hall but that was too noisy. He wanted a time where he can just be himself, plus he rarely ever left the infirmary for a nice lunch break in New Rome. Plus he had a few spare denarii to toss around, why not spend it wisely. He figured Clare would be happy about him actually peeking out of the infirmary and getting a decent meal. Now, he wasn't a medic hermit, he did leave and train the second cohort or go to the baths or barracks. Speaking of barracks, that was exactly where he was heading. He figured he had a few extra minutes that maybe he could take a nap on his bunk. That was when he saw his mute niece and assistant heading towards the female barracks.

Jason picked up his speed to a light jog and arrived at Tessas side. "Hey Tessa, how was your lunch break?" He asked as she examined her. It was just something he did, he always wanted to make sure she didn't have any cuts or bruises, not since the time she walked in with bloody paper and neck from this supposed shadow man. He was worried about her. Who would want to hurt such an innocent silent person? As he examined her that was when he noticed the potatoes sticking to her hair and the other food scattered on her. Had she gotten into a food fight? No, weren't those restricted in the legion? It had been awhile since he was in the mess hall to remember the eating rules that were there.

He reached out to stop her by lightly grabbing her arm. "Tessa, what happened? You're covered in food. Did you get into a food fight? Was it that shadow creep again? I swear if you are hurt I will do something aggressive which is very uncharacteristic of me. Usually I heal people, not hurt, but for you I would make an exception. You're my family." Jason stated seriously. The three people Jason would gladly fend bullies off of were Clare, Tessa, and Ethan. Everyone else just had to deal on their own, find their own family. Those three were Jasons family and he was determined to be there for them, no matter what. Even if it was to help pick out potatoes from hair.

words: 436
notes: yeah muse ran a bit dry in the end...sorry

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Movement drew Tessa's attention as Jason arrived at her side, it was nice to see him out of the infirmary for a little while. She smiled at him in greeting, but then came a question about her lunch break. She wasn't sure how to say it, though it was painfully obvious something happened by the state of her and her clothes. Most of the time she just waved things off as, nothing or nothing important, but it didn't seem to work very much with Jason. It was only a moment before he started making wild theories, and of course voicing them. First the food fight, which considering how she was covered in food was a rather good conclusion, though the shadow creep came out of no where. She supposed he did often bother her, and it was quite possible for him to scare her while holding a tray, but that had not happened. She was rather adamant about not putting blame on people where they were blameless. It was nice that he was worried about her, that he paid attention to her, even if he did seem a little over protective at times. 'Just a small altercation in the mess hall, they were upset I told a girl to keep coughing when her air way was partially obstructed.'

Tessa patted Jason on his hand, which he had reached out to stop her, and smiled up at him. 'Thank you for worrying about me' it was certainly different from the way she had been treated by her mother and father. They hardly ever saw her, and certainly didn't talk to her or want her to talk. She could remember feeling like a doll to them when she was little. She tried to remember their faces, their hugs, anything from them but it seems seven years had taken quite a toll on her memory. She remembered little things, but not much. Most of it not very good memories either, and more often she remembered the emotions and not the sight or the sound.

'Don't do anything aggressive, it doesn't fit you. I'm not hurt, just a bit of food spilled is all.' She opted to not tell him about the fight the girl had tried to start, though without a doubt it was going to get back to him later. She was fairly well recognized as the mute girl too, so it really might be best to tell him now before it escalated. Tessa wasn't sure where you went with a story when someone runs away from a fight, but surely the gossips would think of something. The last bit of his statement made her incredibly happy. She certainly thought of him as family, perhaps as the uncle he was or a big brother she wasn't sure about the exact details but she did think of him as family. She smiled and nodded, holding his hand slightly hoping he'd know just how happy it made her to really have family. 'I'm fine, I really am Uncle.'

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"A small altercation?" Jason said with a shake of his head. A small altercation should not lead his favorite neice covered in lunch. Speaking of her being covered in lunch could it by chance be Tessas lunch? Had she not yet eaten today? "You were telling the right thing to do. Sometimes I am amazed at how stupid some people can be. Perhaps we should offer a basic medical skills class." Jason grumbled. Despite how Tessa was making it come off as no big deal Jason couldn't help bu still be annoyed. He would have to find out whoever put lunch on Tessa. It was rude and all called for. Small altercation, psh, try a big deal to Jason.

Jason gave her a soft smile. Of course he would worry about her. She was more than a simple legionnaire in his cohort or a medic in the infirmary. LIke he had said before, she was family. "I'll always worry about you Tessa. That' my job." So, it wasn't really his job but sure he could add it onto his list of centurion, medic, and then worrier of Tessa Yates. That seemed to fit in quite nicely. Though, as he looked at what she wrote next he nodded slightly. True, aggresive didn't suit him. He was a healer, and if he ever did fight it was with archery. He wasn't one for hand to hand combat, he couldn't stand it. The one time he had actually choose to be aggresive was when he and Ethan had to run from Jason manager, that was when Jason decided to kill their adoptive father. He never regretted that action.

As he felt his hand being held by Tessa he looked at her and gave her a slight smile. Okay, he would let it drop for now, besides, he would prefer getting Tessa cleaned up and then making sure she got a proper lunch, one that didn't end up on her. "If you say you are fine then I must believe you. Besides, you better get cleaned up. Mashed potatoes do not compliment you." Jason said with a slight tease. "And then if you want we can get you some food that won't have any minor altercations to disturb it." Jason said with a smile.

words: 428
notes: sorry for any spelling errors. I wrote this on the schools oldest computer >.< Enjoy!

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It was true, she had given the correct medical advice, but it made her feel a lot better to hear it from Jason. She had been feeling uneasy, and though she had read the medical texts a million times she was still unsure of her own deductions. Jason was the head medic at the camp infirmary, and at only seventeen he probably had more experience than anyone she mad met in the real world. She did not often go to doctors when she was young, just the normal check ups and perhaps after an accident on set. She was hardly allowed to do anything else, or had time to do anything that could have caused her to need medical attention. Here in the legion though, she had needed it quite often. Cuts and scrapes were easy enough to take care of, but they used real bladed weapons in their fights. Tessa had only been working two years in the infirmary, but she had a good amount of experience under her belt. Unlike Jason, she had come in after the battle of Mount Othrys. She was an archer in the battle, injuring opponents instead of healing allies. She had taken a few lessons in first aid, and had bandaged herself, at least until she passed out. She was fairly careful of her own injuries, and some of the other legionairs liked to pick fun at her for it. Tessa liked to keep her limbs intact, instead of all the complications that could happen from ignoring an injury.

Tessa smiled and wanted to laugh, it certainly was not Jason's job to worry about her. Though sometimes it seemed like he made it so. Even though he had plenty on his plate already. She shook her head at him 'You don't need to worry about me, at least not as much as you do.' She was still smiling, she really liked it that someone worried about her. Perhaps not just anyone worrying about her, but Jason worrying made her very happy. She supposed she was glad when Edmund worried about her, at least she thought he worried about her. He never said so, but he did help her out every time she hurt herself. It was probably just her imagination. Edmund probably did the same for anyone and everyone, but Jason called her family. That was special. Though she liked him being worried about her, and glad she was thought of as family, but she didn't want him worrying too much.

Pulling on her hair she looked at it, yep definitely potatoes in it and probably gravy. Yeah, it might not be the best look for her. She smiled and gave a quick nod. Food was not only on her head, it was on her mind. It might not have been her own food she was wearing, but she'd like to be able to eat in peace. The shower was of course where she was going anyway. She nodded at Jason. 'That sounds like the perfect plan. Even more if I get to spend lunch with my favorite uncle.' She smiled at him holding her notebook in both hands before heading to the barracks to grab her shower kit. Jason was free to follow and talk with her, she only needed a few minutes to shower after all.

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Jason couldn't help but smile. He might care too much about Tessa but that lead to the question, how much is too much? He didn't want to end up caring too little about Tessa so he just decided to worry and care about her in the amount that he deemed suitable. Which might seem to much to some people, but if Tessa thought she had it bad she was lucky she wasn't Clare. Jason worried about Clare a good amount of the day. That was what a boyfriend was suppose to do right? Well it was what Jason Kyoto did.

He watched Tessa pull some potato out of her hair and he frowned slightly. It was still bugging about who did that. He would personally teach that person basic first aid and he wouldn't be a friendly teacher. No, he would be cruel and mean, all in a desperate attempt to petrify the person. Jason would just have to make sure to do that whenever Tessa was busy. She probably wouldn't approve of Jasons teaching methods. Heck, she didn't approve of the way he treats some of his patients, Ed, but oh well. Perks of being the apparent head of the infirmary.

He grinned as Tessa ran into the female barracks to grab her stuff. He would walk with her to the baths, in case this person wanted to have another run-in with Tessa. Actually Jason might enjoy that too much. It would probably be better if neither of them ran into that individual. Once Tessa returned out of the barracks he nodded in the direction of the baths. "I'll walk you to the baths. Plus that gives us time to decide what to eat." Jason stated.

What did Tessa like to eat? Was she one of those girls who ate only salads to keep thin? Jason hoped not, if that was the case he would have to have a proper dietary talk with Tessa. Meat was a good thing. Unless she was a vegetarian. Was she a vegetarian, or a vegan? How did people eat like that all the time? Especially in the legion where the first step into New Rome you are hit with the aroma of delicious meats being roasted. Jasons stomach growled slightly at the thought of the smell. "So what do you like to eat?"

words: 415
notes:

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It didn't take long at all for Tessa to open up her locker and pull out her shower bag, she always put it in the exact same place after all. She grabbed a towel, and of course a set of new clothes, including an undershirt. She had plenty of tank tops, and in general sleeveless shirts, that she wore partially for the sake of wearing a camp shirt multiple times, but mostly because the loose shirt bothered her. She did not want to have clothes that showed off her figure, but she also did not like the loose fitting clothing she decided to wear. Seven years in the legion and she still managed to keep herself away from looking like a Venus legacy, or relative in general. Pretty much everything she did was to avoid drawing attention to herself from superficial reasons. In her time she had a friend in Jason, but she had not much else. People did not seem to like her not talking, the real life subtitles were too much. It might have also been she did not leave much time for socializing between sword, bows, sewing, nursing, and whatever else she did. It was probably odd, she wanted friends but was not ready to interact with people because she was too busy trying to make herself likable for people. No sense has been made, and she knew it.

After she came back out from the barracks she saw Jason still standing there, waiting for her. She smiled widely, as she walked quickly up to Jason. It was obvious where they would be going next, at least that had already been part of her plan which just so happened to include Jason now. A very good change in her eyes, she would get to have company for lunch. It didn't happen often, she normally ate as fast as possible and went to study something. Today she guessed she'd have to stop a little and eat more slowly. She wasn't entirely sure about what to say. He'd walk with her and they'd pick somewhere to eat? She mostly ate the free meals from the legion mess hall, sometimes the free meals from the infirmary when she was busy there. 'I'll eat anything. I'm not picky as long as I get the right nutrients.'

She supposed it was a bit weird to not know what you liked to eat, but in her years of service she never cared enough to taste the food. Perhaps a little, enough to know what things she did not like very much. Then she'd just slightly avoid them, and if that wasn't possible she'd just eat them faster. 'I suppose I do like fresh vegetables to cooked ones, and baked food otherwise.' It had taken a good bit of thinking, and she still wasn't sure if she had any particular food she liked.

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Even though she said she wasn't picky Jason wanted to make sure she got a nice meal, something that she would like. The costs wasn't a problem for him and to be honest he had tried to food in the mess hall and it never settled well in his stomach. From what he was told growing up the legion food must be the equivalent of a school lunch. He was told that those were horrible and that was what the mess hall foor was, at least in his opinion. Then again, he could have always opted to eat the meals provided in the infirmary, they were a tad better and occassionally he did eat them, or he would end up not eating because he lost track of time. Though, Clare had mentioned something about it the last time so he tried hard not to do that anymore, so far he has been doing a good job.

"Hmm, well since that leaves a very wide gap of food choices we will just have to walk around until you find something you like. My treat." Jason said with a smile. As they approached the baths Jason leaned against the wall outside of it. He had no reason to go inside there at the moment so he would just enjoy the sunshine while Tessa cleaned up. "I'll wait here. Take your time, make sure you get all the food off of you." Jason said in his authoritive voice, but still with an edge of caring. He just wanted her to get clean, no big deal.

As he waited he wondered about the places in New Rome to eat. Then he wondered about what they would talk about. It seemed that they always talked about the infirmar or the pathetic forge monkey. Since Simons had finally been discharged Jason hoped Tessa would find another subject to talk about. Though, Jason still has heard reports of her sneaking out again, something he very much dissapproved of. What else could they talk about though. Maybe Jason could ask Tessa on some relationship advice, she was still a legacy of Venus also. That was one aspect Jason seemed to keep forgetting about Tessa. Probably because she seemed to always home in on her Apollo side. That would give them something to talk about. Jason just didn't hope that Tessa would find it wierd.

words: 427
notes: why do I keep doing short replies >.< I'm sorry!!!

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They arrived at the showers with no trouble, and no delay. Just a normal pleasant walk with her favorite uncle. She supposed she was not making this conversation about where to eat very easy, but she never quite figured out what she liked. It held true for food, and pretty much everything else. Except perhaps people, she was rather good at figuring out the people she disliked and the people she liked came slow. So it was about the same with her food again. Similar to how she knew she was not fond of sword fighting, but wasn't quite sure if she liked archery or medical work, or perhaps something else field related. It disturbed her a little, but often she just ignored that fact about herself, until someone asked. People liked to ask that question, what do you like to do? It was a terrible question, and put people on the spot.

Tessa nodded leaving Jason alone outside of the baths, wondering if a male waiting outside the baths was just a little creepy. Though he actually waited outside the building, instead of outside the female baths door. Tessa took a good fifteen minutes making sure to get everything out of her hair and off her skin. She hadn't realized how crushed fruit can leave a sticky residue on your skin once it dries. She felt bad about leaving him alone outside, but this was probably better than sitting at a desk of files and paperwork. Being the head of an infirmary of any kind must have been hard enough, but throw in a bunch of super powered teenagers learning how to fight? Not the prettiest picture. They loved making up new ways to hurt each other and themselves, at least that's how it seemed at times.

Drying her hair with a small drier and brush Tessa was finally done and changed. Though just about the only difference from Tessa before and Tessa after was the complete lack of food on her. Yep the same oddball purple shirt and cargo pants for her notebooks, while she rolled her messy clothes up and tossed them in a small bag she brought for them. She didn't want the food from them to wipe off on her nice clean clothes. Stepping back out into the sun light Tessa saw Jason still there waiting for her. She still felt bad about it, but was too happy about spending lunch with him to let it get her down. Walking up beside him she smiled and ran her fingers through her hair. 'All gone?'

Staying at his side Tessa would follow him to New Rome, already having dropped a dagger off in the barracks when she last went there. She had started carrying it with her everywhere in camp, because of that weird Shadow Man that kept popping up everywhere. Though she saw little she could do against a person suddenly behind her with a dagger across her throat. He was a strange one, never quite killing her but obviously contemplating it. Some how even on the few times she had seen him not scaring her, he looked like he was contemplating how to kill whomever he was looking at. Which, of course, scared her more.

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Once Tessa reappeared Jason smiled down at his niece. To her question Jason decide to examine her. He raised an eyebrow. "Maybe the potatoes did make you look better." Jason teased followed by a light laugh. "It look fine. Now, to lunch!" Jason stated excitedly as he began the trek to New Rome. As they approached one of the many entrances into New Rome Terminus appeared. Jason smiled at the statue with no arms.

As Terminus bugged them about weapons Jason was finally able to shut him up once Jason moved a rock over a centimeter to the left. That stupid statue was so OCD that it annoyed Jason every time. Each time before entering New Rome that border god always made Jason move something or take a leaf off a tree. Stupid OCD stuff. He understood someone trying to make everything perfect but there was times when it became just too much.

Finally Jason was able to pass into New Rome. He took a deep inhale. The aromas of the shops still cooking fresh food wafted into his nostrils. All the smells made his stomach growl with hunger. He could smell the meats and the sweets all combining into a lovely perfection of a smell that drifted down the streets. It was enough to make his mouth water. He hadn't realized just how hungry he was, he had a small something before, but a nice size meal was sounding really appealing to this teenage boy demigod. A smile widened on his face as he glanced down at his mute niece. "So whatever makes you mouth water and stomach growl more than the other places we will go there." Jason said.

He lead Tessa towards where most of the cafes were at. The citizens of New Rome were littering the streets heading to lunch. Parents with their toddlers could be seen eating inside some of the cafes. Or, for the ones who have just finished eating, the parents were relaxing while the children ran about using all their extra energy. Some campers had also decided to head to New Rome for a lunch, treating themselves. At the call of his name Jason waved to a few people he had helped out before in the infirmary. Then he went back to examining all the different cafes and people about. It must have been nice to grow up in New Rome. Everything so Roman and carefree. Perhaps Jason should just study in the Academia here and continue to help out in the infirmary. That didn't sound like too bad of an idea. Then he can also keep Clare safe, away from monsters. He shook his head slightly to not concentrate on the current train of thought. He had plenty of time before he needed to think about stuff like that. Three years remained of his time at the legion. Plus, you never know what tomorrow may bring.

words: 507
notes:

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Recently Tessa had started carrying a dagger on her at all times, that shadow man had scared her enough to start. Though she had to admit that was near nothing she could do about a person coming up behind her her own shadow and slitting her throat. If he had wanted to do that he had plenty of chances, and instead he only scared her. She could not be sure was was going on in his head though, he said some very creepy things to people. The inside out thing seemed to be his favorite though, and he had actually drawn her blood before. Dripping it on necessary paper work. That had annoyed her greatly, since it was the infirmary and she had managed to not get blood on paperwork in many other situations. His blade had simply been too sharp, and you don't really notice the cut from a sharp blade. Though she supposed she should be thankful for sharp blades, again they had a tendency to not hurt.

Even before they got to Terminus, Tessa double checked to make sure she put her dagger down in the cohort building. It was strange, she had not realized phantom limb syndrome could apply to weapons as well. Though she supposed it was like when she would do archery for long periods of time, until her arm couldn't move, and it continued to feel like her quiver was over her shoulder and bow in hand for hours afterward. Terminus was being obsessive again, over the placement of even the tiniest rock. Though it was probably for the best of New Rome to have him as a guard he could get a little annoying at times. Tessa had little trouble following behind Jason, since he had moved that rock less than half an inch to the left. Tessa was pretty good with measurements, metric and whatever oddball measurement system the U.S went by. It was the same when eying the targets after you put an arrow in them. A centimeter in any direction was not welcome by her in those cases.

New Rome certainly had a more pleasant air about it than the mess hall of Camp Jupiter. That was not only pertaining to the lovely scents that filled the air, but the bustle of people enjoying life as well. Tessa liked that better. People not training to fight, and focused on fighting at all times of day. Granted even she was guilty of spending long evenings in the Fields of Mars fighting against the many training tools that stood in that area. She needed more sword fighting practice, she had been falling behind on that recently. Her archery was still good, perhaps better now that she had been giving her muscles more rest than she had before. A small fact she was not going to tell Jason, since that would involve an 'I was wrong, you were right' type of admission. She did not enjoy being wrong.

It was not very often that food started cravings in the young legacy of Venus, since for her it was more a sustenance thing than the social thing that others normally used it as. 'If there is anywhere you'd like to go I don't have a problem going with you. I don't really give much thought to the food I eat other than nutrition based thoughts.' Feelings of guilt gripped at her heart as they walked around, it was obvious Jason was hungry. He was trying to be the gentleman, which he always was, but she honestly did not care about food. Nothing quite struck her fancy, that was until something sweet and nearly floral came across her path. Not quite what she had expected in the particular area they were in. Sizzling meat, and the smell of coals on grills where what she expected, and had overtaken her sense of smell for quite sometime, but this lovely bouquet fragrance that graced her nostrils was simply divine. Her eyes found the small cafe the pleasant sensation came from, small plants climbed the lattice that sat to either side of the small segment of building. The inside was neat, with short tables and pillows on the floor instead of chairs. The eating area was on a kind of platform and it had an oriental style to it, though Tessa could not be sure.

At the sight of several tea pots Tessa realized she could recognize bits and pieces of the honeyed scent that came from the shop. Various flora, fruits and herbs wafted through the air content with the small space in front of the shop. Everywhere else held the appetizing smell of barbecued meats, the nutty scent of cheese and many other flavors that could beckon the masses. This small shop was what caught Tessa, and wrapped around her brain as she looked at Jason. 'This one please?' she wrote out, slightly embarrassed, in her notebook. She was not a fan of choosing places, or asking people to take her anywhere.

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Jason read the words on Tessas notebook. Well, at least she cared about the nurtitional value of what she ate. That was a good thing. Too much junk food was bad for anyone, no matter who you were. It could cause clots to form in the veins which may lead to a heart attack later in life, or sooner, depending on how much junk food you consumed. It was okay to have some junk food sometimes but not to over indulge. Maybe a small snack or two every now and then. But if you are hungry for something small it was best to grab some fruits or vegetables. Of course, no one was perfect. Even Jason has over indulged in junk food before, but it was all part of being human wasn't it?

Jason looked back down at Tessa as he got her hand moving across her notebook page. He smiled and looked at the place. Wasn't a place he would normally go to. He was more of a meat eater type of guy. However, he did promise Tessa it could be a place or her choice and he was always willing to try something new. Plus, this would help extend his taste buds. It seemed to be a simple and elegant place. Probably attracted a lot of the females, it just had that sort of vibe. He breathed in the air. A flowery fragrance filled his nostrils, granted that could be due to the many plants surrounding the exterior. Or it could be one of those vegan type of places, again, Jason wasn't going to complain. If Tessa wanted to eat there that was totally okay with him.

He nodded at Tessa. "Sure. Though, I must admit, I've never been here before." Jason said as he started walking towards the entrance of the building. The first thing about the interior that caught his eye was that there was no chairs. Granted, the ancient Romans laid out on lounge chairs and ate. It just seemed odd, most of the places in New Rome had tables and chairs. At the sign that said Seat Yourself Jason walked over to a two person table and sat on on of the pillow, awkwardly as he was not use to it. Still, he tried to make himself look as comfortable as possible in order to not make Tessa feel bad. It didn't matter if he wasn't comfortable, as long as Tessa was happy and enjoyed this meal with hopefully no food dumped upon her.

words: 445
notes: sorry for the wait