In The Harpy's Talons

[Existentially Odd]

When Lisa-Joe stood, so did Kerr. Her words sounded facetious, causing him to frown but he held his comments in. He needed time to process his feelings on Jake's feelings but he didn't see any way they wouldn't be interacting again eventually. She'd taken his agreement a step too far, anticipating the separation would go on indefinitely. She'd told him he didn't have to stay away permanently, he just had to moderate his interactions with Jake; they weren't the same thing.

"Maybe," he conceded, automatically taking her hand and bending forward to brush his lips against the back of it. She didn't react to his tone or lack of conviction but offered herself up for discussion. He let go of her hand and tilted his head as he regarded her. He was tempted to ask her why she'd been such a bitch to Ben, treating him like a criminal when he'd been a victim, but the thought was fleeting as she headed off his potential questions brusquely. She was as good a politician as Jake was, with her slick talking.

Her little dig at the end was catty and unnecessary, rousing Kerr's ire after all. "Tell Jake I'll see him in a few weeks. I'll wish him good luck myself, then," he smiled brittly. While he was relieved to be told to let Jake go and hadn't fought her on it earlier, he felt the response was warranted now. She'd said he could give Jake time, so Kerr would... but now she knew he wasn't going to cut himself out of Jake's life completely.

He was currently laid low but he'd be back. And Jake would know about it when he was. Now, so did she.

[Black Philip]

Kerr's back peddle was confusing. It was that, or Lisa-Joe had misunderstood his initial agreement. Either way, it soured her even more. What game was Kerr playing? Why agree to stay away only to suggest he'd be back in a few weeks? Even Jake couldn't fall in love in a few weeks. Still, perhaps he was only being petty, and had no interest in ever seeing Jake again. She could hope.

"Just make sure you keep appropriate boundaries in order," she instructed, like a disappointed teacher. "You won't want to have another chat with me about this."

It was the sweetest threat possible, but Kerr would know good and well she meant it. "Evening," she said, placing the glasses back on her nose, and moved towards the exit to Kerr's office. She'd wait for any parting blows, but then headed back downstairs and out into the night.

[Existentially Odd]

Kerr quirked an eyebrow at her warning that he 'wouldn't want another chat with her'. When she came at him, she came hard, even in his own home. He'd give her that. But he refused to be intimidated. He'd seen her mind and knew she had weaknesses. She was bold but shortsighted.

He smirked, feeling a little more himself as he looked her over pointedly. "Maybe I do," he challenged, "you're good to look at."

His face settled into something pompous and flirty even as he inclined his head, watching her replace the glasses on her nose. "Evening," he echoed as if he'd heard a joke that only he was privy to. He hoped she wondered what his next move would be all the way home.