"Not even close," she laughed again. The world was so vast and her time so minimal. Plus, there was the added strain of wanting to immerse herself in the land she was visiting. It would be impossible to see everything in this life, despite her deep desire to experience it all.

His response was oddly...reassuring. Jo had never taken the time to get to know a man as she had with Zach, and knowing his parents might one day be accepting of their relationship (was this even a relationship?) put a deeply held doubt at ease. "That's fair," she acknowledged. "Smart too. They'd likely be more willing to compromise if you respected their limitations." Unlike her and her parents, but alas. Jo was undeniably herself.

The small sip of wine she'd taken nearly came out through her nose as his response. Merlin! Jo had no idea how to answer the question without further making her whorish status obvious, and his answer was so perfectly innocent she could cry. Taking a big gulp of her wine, Jo eyed him as if to say stick around and find out.

Two cards left, though only one was able to be played. "What's the meanest thing you've ever done?" She faltered at this, guilt gnawing at her stomach. "Leaving Mars for Egypt. She wasn't doing well when I left."

  

Zach noticed how Jo nearly choked on her wine, but he wasn't about to acknowledge such a thing. He was sure she had her reasons, and the look she shot him further solidified that fact. It took everything he had not to blush, something stirring inside him, aching to find out exactly what it was he was supposed to find out.

But should he?

Thankfully, the game continued, and he needn't dwell on that question. Though, it would return to his thoughts once he was tucked up in his own bed.

"You have a great deal of family who still lives back home. I'm sure she'll be well taken care of," Zachariah commented, trying to sound reassuring. While he wasn't sure he could do the same thing to his own sister, he knew that Jo was her own person, and it wasn't exactly her job to take care of her siblings.

His own response took a while to summon up. He truly didn't possess a mean bone in his body. "I suppose mine is similar. Leaving my sister-in-law to deal with my brother on her own." Though, his mother was meant to aid her, so it wasn't as if she were truly alone.

His next card was played, and her thanked his stars that it wasn't the most embarrassing option in his hand. "Have you ever been caught doing something you shouldn't have?" The question drew a laugh, and he got a faraway look as if remembering something. "Yes, I was caught out of bed at Hogwarts a few times."

  

---

Pretties thanks to Olive! <3

"I hope so." Jo bore a tremendous amount of guilt in leaving Mars behind. Only, remaining long term in England would've meant sacrificing everything she held dear. Her livelihood, her freedom, all of it, washed away in the responsibility of caring for Mars. It was a selfish choice — a horrific choice — but one she'd make again and again if needed.

Thankful for the levity of his card and answer, Jo chuckled. "You and I were both explorers then, only I was never caught." There were a few close calls, but Jo could be as silent as a preying cat when needed. It worked in her favor more than once. "I attempted to shoplift a candy from honeydukes while in school," she then admitted, albeit a tad sheepishly. "My eyes were bigger than my wallet. Mr. Honeyduke caught me, obviously, and I was so intimidated by the encounter I never stole again."

She eyed the single remaining card in her hand. Unless he miraculously won first (a slim to nothing chance given the heavy hand he still had) she would have to play this card sooner than later. With her wine glass poised and at the ready, Jo dropped the card onto the pile and took a hearty sip of her wine. It read: 'what would you like to do to the player sitting across from you?'

  

Zach laughed at Jo's comment about not getting caught. He could certainly believe it that she could be stealthy. The way she had hopped the barrier at the Parthenon had seemed rather well practiced. He, on the other hand, was about as subtle as a foghorn. He possessed the guiltiest of consciences. Then again, perhaps he was somewhat sneaky since he had embarked on this adventure without any indication.

"I do hope you weren't banned from the establishment. Their sweet treats are much too delicious to miss!" He teased. Zach was certain Honeydukes probably had many children with sticky fingers who tried to pocket some of its delectables. Quincey Honeyduke didn't seem the sort to hold it over a child's head into adulthood. He could be wrong, though.

The last card was tossed onto the pile without a word. Before he could even read what was written, he notice Jo already sipping her wine. Merlin, that was worrisome. Leaning forward, he peered at the words written under the colored shape, and his cheeks started to burn a subtle crimson. Zachariah fumbled for his own glass and down the rest of its contents.

He was not going to answer that question, even if he had a few ideas floating about in his head.

After a few moments of silence while he pretended to be savoring his wine, he cleared his throat. "It...it appears you have won. Congratulations."

  

---

Pretties thanks to Olive! <3

"Not banned," she confirmed with a giggle. Mr. Honeyduke was a kind man, and Jo had never taken advantage of that again. "I do miss their peppermint toads when I'm away, they were always such a treat.

The giggles ceased as the tension between them grew. Zach hadn't answered the question, either, but why? Did he even know what she hoped for? Were men more educated than women in school? Men were the ones responsible for guiding women through the wedding night. Was it something they just inherently knew?

Placing first hers than his wine glasses to the side, Jo lent forward and kissed him gently. They wouldn't explore the answer to that question tonight, but soon, she hoped. Before the trip was done Jo would educate him if he wasn't already.