Chz looked at the table, and then moved accordingly. She carefully hit the cue ball, and it rolled and hit the number 1 ball. The number one ball rolled barely an inch. She straightened herself and raised an eyebrow. "<span style='color:purple'>Well, at least it didn't go flying at someones head...</span>"
<span style='font-size:8pt;line-height:100%'>The little arden nodded sagely, remembering the mishaps of the last time they'd tried to play pool. <span style='color:#EE4422'>"You can hit it a little harder, though. Like this,"</span> he said, demonstrating by leaning over the table and hitting the cue ball with a resounding crack - the ball went straight into a pocket, without colliding with any others. <span style='color:#EE4422'>"That, by the way, is called a scratch,"</span> he told Chz as he reached into the pocket to retrieve the cue ball. He offered it to her. <span style='color:#EE4422'>"Now you can put the ball anywhere on this imaginary line,"</span> he said as he drew with his forefinger a line across the table at the spot where, originally, all of the balls had been racked up.</span>
Chz listened for a moment and then nodded. She carefully placed the cue ball on the table. She then aimed carefully, and hit it harder this time. She watched as the cue ball missed the number 3 and land the number 8 directly into the pocket. She turned and looked at Nene. "<span style='color:purple'>Well, I got one in the hole but, I wasn't supposed to hit that one yet was I?</span>"
<span style='font-size:8pt;line-height:100%'>Nene stared incredulously at the pocket into which the eight ball had disappeared, then looked up at Chz, a frown on his face. <span style='color:#EE4422'>"Um, no, you weren't supposed to hit that one."</span> He shrugged, as if these things couldn't be helped. <span style='color:#EE4422'>"It was a nice shot, but unfortunately, it loses you the entire game..."</span></span>
Chz looked over at Nene and started to laugh. "<span style='color:purple'>I thought you were going to say that. At least it has been more fun than last time we tried this.</span>"
<span style='font-size:8pt;line-height:100%'>Nene laughed in agreement, nodding so emphatically that his curly crimson hair jumped and rearranged its locks around his face. <span style='color:#EE4422'>"And not to mention, no one's been hurt,"</span> he added, then laughed and remembered, <span style='color:#EE4422'>"well, except for that guy you jabbed in the ribs."</span> He shrugged it off, then reached into a pocket and retrieved the eight ball. <span style='color:#EE4422'>"We can just keep playing, if you want,"</span> he suggested to the thill.</span>
Chz looked at Nene and smiled. She walked over to him, and ran a hand through his hair. She then turned back to the table. "<span style='color:purple'>Sure, that sounds good.</span>"
<span style='font-size:8pt;line-height:100%'>Nene almost took a step back in surprise as Chz approached him, but managed to contain himself. As the thill's fingers passed through his hair he gave a light shiver - it was more intimate a touch than he was normally comfortable with. The sensation caused him to blush profusely, so that the pink tint was visible even through his dark gray fur. He put the eight ball back on the table in the same spot it had left moments before, then coughed nervously. <span style='color:#EE4422'>"Um, why don't you try again, then?"</span></span>
Chz smiled as she looked at the table. She bent down and hit the cue ball. This time, it smacked the number 3 ball and hit the number 2 ball into the pocket. She stood up and laughed. <span style='color:purple'>I think I picked the wrong one.</span>
<span style='font-size:8pt;line-height:100%'>Nene clapped his hands ecstatically, inadvertently waving his cue stick in the air. <span style='color:#EE4422'>"No no no, that was a great shot!"</span> he said happily to dismiss Chz's misgivings about hitting the wrong ball. <span style='color:#EE4422'>"You're welcome to take another, now,"</span> he told her, sweeping his hand towards the table.</span>
Chz laughed. She looked at the table again. This time she aimed for the number 9. She hit the cue ball and laughed as the number 9 landed in the pocket along with the cue ball. <span style='color:purple'>Well, at least I can keep the balls on the table this time. Did you want something to drink?</span> She walked over to their table grabbed her coffee and brought it back over to the pool table, and sat down at a nearby table. She quickly finished off her coffee, and waited for his answer.
<span style='font-size:8pt;line-height:100%'><span style='color:#EE4422'>"Silly thill,"</span> Nene laughed as he watched number nine drop into a pocket, <span style='color:#EE4422'>"that's my ball! But I don't mind, I'll take whatever points you want to give me."</span> He stuck his tongue out playfully at Chz, then retrieved the cue ball and placed it along the imaginary line he'd drawn earlier. However, when he realized the fey was sitting in a nearby chair sipping her raspberry shot choca latte mocha double heliotrope whatever, he stopped planning his next shot and instead turned to give her a quizzical look. <span style='color:#EE4422'>"No, I don't think so,"</span> he said in answer to her question. <span style='color:#EE4422'>"They don't serve alcohol here, regrettably."</span> He grinned devilishly.</span>
Chz looked at Nene, somewhat suprised. She grinned. <span style='color:purple'>You drink? That is somewhat of a surprise to me. Anyhow, tis' your shot. I am waiting to take my next one.</span> She laughed as she said the words.
<span style='font-size:8pt;line-height:100%'>The fey said nothing, only continued smiling as he turned back to the pool table and lined up his shot. <span style='color:#EE4422'>"I'd have to be a genius to make this one, but here goes nothing,"</span> he said quietly, then after a moment of concentration gave the cue ball one sharp jab, sending it spinning off. It grazed the side of the number ten ball, wherupon the latter went whizzing off diagonally, sliding into a corner pocket. <span style='color:#EE4422'>"Lo and behold, I am a genius!"</span> he congratulated himself, straightening his back and turning towards Chz. <span style='color:#EE4422'>"I can make more of those shots after a bottle of beer,"</span> he told her with a small giggle.</span>
Chz watched. <span style='color:purple'>Damn nice shot Nene. I will have to keep that in mind.</span> She continued to watch from her seat.
<span style='font-size:8pt;line-height:100%'>The arden attempted another shot, this time bouncing the 13-ball off the far wall and into a corner pocket, but was unfortunately unsuccessful. <span style='color:#EE4422'>"See?"</span> he asked the thill nearby, <span style='color:#EE4422'>"not drunk enough."</span> He sighed, then laughed, then flopped down into a seat next to Chzyuak's. <span style='color:#EE4422'>"Your turn, if you're up for it,"</span> he offered, but by the way she'd fetched her coffee and a chair, he could tell she was getting tired of the game.</span>
Chz smiled at Nene. <span style='color:purple'>Do you mind if we sit for a few minutes?</span> She looked around the pool room, and watched as fights over bets broke out. She just shook her head. <span style='color:purple'>I am so glad that these fights don't occur on a regular basis.</span> She said in a slightly annoyed voice.
<span style='font-size:8pt;line-height:100%'>Nene passed his eyes over the brawls where Chz was looking, then shrugged. <span style='color:#EE4422'>"I don't mind them, as long as I'm not involved,"</span> he smiled. As far as he was concerned, fighting was something that happened to someone else. Hitting a fey was like hitting a thill - no one would dare assault something so apparently frail and delicate.</span>
Chz smiled. <span style='color:purple'>You do have a point there. So, what have you been doing since I last seen you? I have been so wrapped up in my classes, lately that I haven't had a whole lot of free time. When I have, i've been over at the guild practicing my trades.</span> She watched him as she listened to the music.
<span style='font-size:8pt;line-height:100%'><span style='color:#EE4422'>"What have I been doing? Well, hmm."</span> The fey scratched his head thoughtfully as he considered the question. <span style='color:#EE4422'>"I went to Boreios Sudesha for a few weeks to visit my family, but aside from that, I've just been going to classes and working on my machina. I'm designing a magnetic engine, sort-of,"</span> he smiled and shrugged. <span style='color:#EE4422'>"What 'guild' is this you speak of?"</span> the arden asked curiously.</span>
