A fencing tournament in style...

[mallory_grace]

Mallory enjoyed not having to worry about expenses as she planned the accommodations for herself and Ryu for the day before the fencing tournament, and for the remainder of the week. It was expensive, but she felt it was worth it when they arrived and were shown to their corner suite in their hotel, and had a gorgeous view of central park

Comments

[falconryu]

Ryu approves of the hotel... when vacationing with Mallory, he likes the comfort and luxury. "Amazing is a very good word." He smiles, stepping behind her to hold his girlfriend while they gaze out at the Central Park. "I was reading about it... to think the park was all built up, not a bit of natural woodland."

[mallory_grace]

She rests back against him, feeling content and very happy. She's never stayed in such a nice hotel, and intends to enjoy it.

"It's where we had our first kiss."

[falconryu]

"I will never forget that." He smiles and nods, nuzzling her cheek. "Where I told you I was a shinobi too."

[mallory_grace]

"True. I don't think I'd ever seen you even remotely nervous before or since."

She turns her head to nip at his jaw lightly.

"One of my favorite memories."

[mallory_grace]

The morning of the tournament, Mallory was up early, indulging in some relaxing yoga and meditation while waiting for room service to bring up breakfast.

She feels well-loved after last night and excited at the idea of competing again today; she may not be aware of the smile on her face as she goes through her stances.

[falconryu]

Ryu is seated in a lotus position, relaxing before the window; but his senses keep drifting back to Mallory, since who can meditate while his love is so close?

[mallory_grace]

Well, she does achieve some interesting positions, so at least it's entertaining.

When room service arrives, she straightens and grabs her water bottle for a long drink.

"Breakfast!"

She opens the door for the waiter and stands aside and winks at Ryu while they set the table.

[falconryu]

Oh, very entertaining. Ryu moves to stand beside Mallory, arm around her... kisses her shoulder... her neck...

Just a bit of teasing. The Waiter is tipped when he is done.

[falconryu]

The restaurant is a small fifty-seat Tuscan place, nestled in between two older buildings at South Broadway. A long rectangle, two floors, the walls are painted off-white and the high ceilings are terracotta red; impressionistic Italian landscapes decorate the walls and large wooden ceiling fans gently stir the air overhead. Votive candles flickering on the center of the linen-covered tables provide a warm counterpoint to the subdued lighting, allowing shifting patterns of light and shadow to play against the walls and the polished hardwood floors.

Ryu gives the name on the reservation and the couple is guided to a romantic second-floor window table.

[mallory_grace]

She's surprised, impressed and charmed beyond words as they're shown to their table, taking in the ambiance with a pleased smile.

"How did you find this place? It's amazing!"

She knows he had to have paid a hefty sum to get a table at such an exclusive place on such short notice.

[falconryu]

"I have my ways..." He winks to Mallory, pulling a chair for her, letting the waiter pull his own chair for him. "And my secrets."

The waiter greets them formally, asking if they would like something from the bar.

[mallory_grace]

"You have to keep up an air of mystery, don't you?"

Mallory is still under age, so she orders only mineral water, then raises an eyebrow at Ryu. He is plenty old enough to drink if he wants to, and she doesn't object at all, since neither of them is driving.

[mallory_grace]

The next morning while Ryu is shaving, Mallory can be found laying on the rumpled bed on her stomach, watching television while she waits for breakfast to arrive. She is giggling at a show she found at random while flipping through the channels.

"Ryu! There's ninjas on T.V.!"

[falconryu]

Well, he will have to come investigate.

And smile.

And chuckle. "Hm... a boat, that gives me even more ideas."

[mallory_grace]

"I don't think I've ever really been on a boat, unless you count the Staten Island ferry."

She sits up and switches the television off.

"Did you ever have a cute little ninja girl chasing you around, trying to kiss you when you were...I assume those were kids..."

[falconryu]

Ryu shakes head. "Hmm, no, never. The first girl I dated was Irene." Oh yes, the 'secret agent' who dumped him for her career.

Silly woman. "You think we could rent a boat here?" He moves back into the bathroom to finish shaving,

[mallory_grace]

She listens, wholeheartedly agreeing with the idea of Children's Day.

"It looks like our shopping trip will be timely, then. Some of the toys can be used for that."

It's easy to nearly drown out the tour guide's voice as she focuses on listening to Ryu.

[falconryu]

"And near the end of the year, we should be at the village for our Labor Thanksgiving Day... November 23rd. It is an old holiday, marking the end of the harvest season."

[mallory_grace]

"I should see about the feasibility of bringing a sapling from home to the village for Nature Day, and maybe some different seeds. I don't want to unbalance the ecosystem or anything, though. The climates don't seem to be all that different."

[falconryu]

"We can probably visit a gardening store and ask about it." Shocking, a man who does not mind shopping with his woman...