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"Hmm." Sherry's face showed her contemplation at his question. Why was she so interested? She knew. But finding the proper words was a bit difficult. Especially because this was Jake she was talking to. He wasn't going to like her answer, not unless his whole attitude toward life had changed in the past few days.



No. To Jake, she only gave an expectant look. One that said she'd answer his question after he answered hers.

Which it appeared he might do. Until that tower crumbled and Jake was out like a light, again. Seriously. Sherry was almost certain he was doing it on purpose- like it would help him avoid the questions or something.

Sighing, she stood to rebuild the tower. She was getting pretty good at it, and in no time it was set up again. Which left her staring at a sleeping grump.

Her fingers drummed on the table for a moment while she contemplated her options. She knew he didn't like her writing on him. He'd made that very clear. She thought about, though. Very, very hard. In the end, she decided to sit there and poke him. After drawing a small star on the back of his hand.

"Jake. Wake up. You're not going to sleep tonight if you keep this up." Besides, she still had to answer his question.

"Been having a rough time with them, then?" If any of the other training courses he'd done went like this one was going...then yeah. She could see why he'd be grumpy. "I don't think they are meant to be easy, if that's any comfort."

"Like, this is the Life course, and generally us Lifers have a bit of an easier time with it, since this is what we train for. It's not perfect, but," she pulled out a piece out of the tower, "I don't know. You'll find something that doesn't kick your butt or put you sleep constantly, I'm sure." She set the newly liberated piece on the table in front of her.

The fact that he wasn't really enjoying this made her feel a little guilty for inviting him to play. He was having a miserable time, and she'd drawn all over him. She clearly was a terrible person.



Sherry gave a small roll of her eyes and added another mark to her tally. Setting the marker aside, she picked up the Jenga block again. "Now. In response to your earlier question. I'm interested in you because, like it or not, I do count you as a friend. Until you give me ample reason to not do so, such counting will continue."

She placed the piece on the tower, and looked Jake in the eye. "And believe me, I can be quite stubborn. Now, give it another go," she said, meaning the Jenga and not the pushing her away.

<100? Is that a promise? We have to keep this one.> The delight the weapon felt was not only evident i her voice, but the feeling of it was quite palpable to Sherry, too.

"Hahaha!" The life trainee laughed. "Armagnac wants to know if that's a promise. She doesn't think I fight enough," Sherry added, as though it were some kind of clarification. "But alright. Anytime you wanna spar, just let me know." She nodded at Jake, a smile on her face. Then she turned her attention to the tower.

"Sparring or training, or any missions for that matter, just send me a--" Her piece caught on another. The tower barely even wobbled before falling, and there was nothing Sherry could do to stop it.

The dart hit her neck, and her head hit the table.

For the first moment after beginning to wake, Sherry almost forgot where she was. Until she realized the cold, stone table was under her cheek, as opposed to her usual, warm pillow. Right. Jenga. With Jake.

Armagnac chided. She didn't sound too upset, though.

Sherry was thankful for that small favor as she pushed herself off the table. "Well, see," she started, "even lifer's aren't perfect." She lifted her gaze to look at Jake, and it seemed to her that he looked to be a little happier than she last remembered. And the marker was not where she had left it. Crap. Her eyes immediately went to her hands, but no, nothing there. Her hand slipped back inside her coat, and she pulled out her mirror.

She looked at Jake. "What did you do?" She didn't really wait for answer before she flipped her mirror open to assess the damage.

"LOSER"

Sherry laughed. It was one of those 'I don't know if I want to laugh or cry' types of laughs. "That is...that is...." the laughter died for a moment as on figure rubbed her forehead, "never coming off is it?" She shook her head and closed the mirror, setting it on the table. "I...I can't even be mad," she laughed again. "But I think I hate you a little."

"Oh, geez," she rubbed her forehead again. It was terrible and amazing at the same time. Terrible because she had LOSER written on her head in permanent marker, and amazing because it seemed like Jake was actually getting into the game. She focused her gaze on the smiley she'd given him earlier. "Though I totally deserved this. Maybe."

She sighed, still shaking her head. "Well, shall we put the tower back together? Whose turn is it?" She started reaching for blocks, but then stopped suddenly. Then the trainee leaned over and looked Jake in the eye. "By the way, this," she pointed to the beautiful word her hair barely hid, "means war."

She pushed her hair down over her forehead. Yeah. That would help a little.
"Well, thank you for small favors." Then she sighed and ran her fingers through her hair. No need to hide it right now, though. None at all.

She made no apologies for the marker on his face. She had a few marks from before...and now... No more sympathy. She might have some later, when she remembered just how much scrubbing marker off of skin could hurt, but not now. No, now she felt nothing but good-natured competitiveness. She was having fun.

Returning his grin, Sherry moved to assist with the tower building. "Good luck, Mr. I-love-to-knock-down-the-tower. You are so going down."

Oh, Sherry had plans. Now, where did that marker run off to?

"Yes. Yes I was," she nodded at the marker. She was going to be needing that, most assuradly.

"Interesting?" Interesting how? It wasn't like he was going to be sharing any of that personal information she want-- oh. He was was getting fancy and pulling out more than on piece at a time.

And then Jake was out again.

"Good job, kid." She thought for a second, then grabbed the marker and Jake's right arm. On which she drew an adorable little flower bracelet. Daisies and pretty little leaves. He would love it. She was certain of that.

A smirk on her face, she set the marker down and the tower back up. "I bet I can be fancy, too." And since, you know, he wasn't looking, she totally was. Five pieces right out of that tower.

"Yo, Jake!" She poked him in between putting her pieces back on top. "Wake up, sleepy head."

"I did have fun, thanks." She was getting more artistic as the game wore on. That, and less afraid of making him angry. She eyed him, planning her next mark.

"Alright," she nodded. It was her turn. She leaned in, and well, perhaps she was a little too enthusiastic. The first piece she pulled came right out, but the second? Nope. That one brought half the tower with it.

"Crap." Sherry slumped onto the table.