The rest of the morning's activities passed by in an embarrassment-fueled haze for Jake. Every time he came into contact with Roxy she bombarded him with sly glances and "wonks." Even worse, every time his team encountered Dirk he froze up like a deer in headlights. What was a cool and collected hunter an hour ago was now a blushing and bumbling mess.

"English what the actual fuck get your head in this damn game." Karkat slapped him hard on the arm with a surprising amount of force for a smaller guy. "I don't know what the hell got into you but get it the fuck out."

"Right. Sorry, mate." Jake attempted to collect himself unsuccessfully. A million thoughts were running through his head rapid-fire, making his usual level of focus frustratingly out of reach. Fleeting images of Dirk's arm wrapped around his waist, his face close enough to feel his breath, his eyes burning with some heat Jake couldn't recognize.

Jake had to restrain the urge to hit his head against a tree. What on Earth had gotten into him? Proper gentlemen do not challenge the object of their fancy to a wrestling match and then kiss them. Well, he guessed no book had ever explicitly spoken against it but it was certainly wrong. Not that Dirk seemed to mind… "GAH!" Jake actually hit his head against a tree, winning an exasperated look from Karkat.

His own actions aside, what about Dirk's reaction? Jake's face flushed red and his glasses fogged up just thinking about it. Had Dirk asked him out on a date? Jake stopped walking to rub his forehead before meeting Karkat's focused glare.

"Oh don't mind me I'm just trying to figure out if you are actually mentally incompetent."

Jake winced, giving him an apologetic look. "Sorry."

"Ugh don't flash those fucking puppy dog eyes at me. Harley does it too and it doesn't change anything." Karkat huffed grumpily but when he looked back to the path ahead his expression had softened.

They played 3 more matches before everyone was too exhausted and covered in paint to continue. Meenah had proven herself to be an efficient if slightly unorthodox leader, shuffling her team in different attack patterns and combinations to mess with Dirk's head. The final game was the tiebreaker of the morning with the Blue Team taking the victory.

"You don't mess with the Scourge Sisters, bitchessssssss." Vriska flipped her hair haughtily before shooting Roxy a smirk and high-fiving Terezi.

"Psh you fight dirty, Serket. I'll getcha back next time." Roxy crossed her arms, smiling at the challenge. "In the meeeantime, everybody spiff the fuck up and meet at the club later tonight!" She turned with a flourish and was met with a series of cheers. The group finished up their final high-fives and friendly banter before dispersing and heading home. Jake followed Jade back to the Jeep, head still reeling.

"So whatcha think? Fun, right?" Jade turned to him, smiling cheerfully.

"Uh, yes quite!" Jake replied shakily.

Jade looked at him suspiciously out of the corner of her eye but chose to let his odd actions slide. As they drove home and talked about the game Jake seemed to relax.

"Yeah I thought for sure we would win that last one but Vriska came out of nowhere! It was a great play." Jade gripped the wheel, reliving the excitement again. "Speaking of great plays," she glanced over at Jake, "how did you manage to stop Dirk that time during the second game? Nobody saw that coming!"

Jake had been reclining comfortably but shot straight up at her comment. "Uhh yes wow yup I have no idea," he laughed nervously, "beginners luck I would surmise." He continued to force out panicked chuckles and cleaned his glasses with the hem of his shirt. "I just, uh, bested him in a old fashioned round of fisticuffs. Gave 'im the ol' one two ha ha. And um, nothing else." Jake fidgeted as Jade shot him an odd look.

"Oookay." Jade focused back on the road, eyebrows raised.

"HA HA YES IT WAS LOTS OF FUN THANKYOUJADE." Jake jumped out of the car before Jade could even shift to park and ran inside.

Jade looked after him, eyes wide. "What the heck was that." After she parked and walked inside she looked around for Jake but he had run into his room.

She quickly cleaned her equipment and stored it neatly in the closet before collapsing onto the couch. She pondered for a moment before grinning and pulling out her phone.

gardenGnostic [GG] started pesteringtentacleTherapist [TT]

GG: hi rose!

TT: Hello Jade.

GG: how are you?

TT: Quite well, thank you for asking. And you?

GG: i'm great! are you coming dancing tonight?!

TT: Yes, Kanaya and I will be in attendance.

TT: As much disapproval as I have for my sister's tendency to "rage" with reckless abandon, I must admit it is the foundation for an entertaining evening.

GG: hehe you talk as if you don't get super drunk sometimes too :p

TT: It is an unfortunate familial trait.

TT: That we do not speak of.

GG: lol

GG: i actually have a favor to ask, speaking of your sister

TT: Hmm yes I had a premonition this was not simply an amicable afternoon chat.

GG: you know i'm always down for an amicable afternoon chat with you!

GG: but in this case yes i need you to ask her about some stuff :B

TT: My ability to communicate with her is completely at your service.

GG: yayy thanks!

GG: okay you remember my cousin jake, right?

TT: Of course.

TT: I have never had the pleasure of making his acquaintance but I recall the numerous times you have talked about him.

GG: well we just got back from paintball and he's acting veeeery suspicious

GG: and i bet roxy knows why!

TT: Why would my sister be in possession of this sensitive information?

GG: because she knows everything gossipy duhh

TT: If you observe and dictate his symptoms I'm sure I can deduce what is transpiring.

TT: My studies in the field of body language are quite advanced.

GG: hmm maybe ask roxy first and then if she doesn't know we'll do that!

TT: As you wish.

TT: Give me a moment she just walked in the door.

TT: …

TT: Okay that conversation certainly did not have to take place at that volume.

TT: Was she consuming alcoholic beverages this morning?

GG: err yeah

TT: *deep sigh*

GG: also what is going on with her and john?!

TT: let's tackle one problem at a time.

TT: to preserve my mental health.

GG: hehehe

TT: Alright she is under the impression that Jake is embarrassed due to the fact that he and the elder Strider are "totes gonna bone."

TT: And were "mackin' on eachother" this morning.

TT: Also something about Miss Crocker owing her money.

TT: That may or may not be related to the above incident.

GG: O.O

GG: wow okay

GG: wow

GG: uhh tell her thank you!

TT: I would but she has unfortunately fallen into a drunken stupor on the floor.

TT: If you would excuse me I should probably drag her somewhere more comfortable.

GG: aww you're such a good sister!

TT: I try.

GG: hehe okay i'll let you go then

GG: thank you too rose!

TT: No problem.

TT: If I could offer a piece of departing advice, perhaps you should speak to Strider the Younger about this particular situation.

GG: ooh good idea!

TT: Now I bid you adieu.

GG: bye rose!

tentacleTherapist [TT] ceased pestering gardenGnostic [GG]

gardenGnostic [GG] started pesteringturntechGodhead [TG]

GG: dave!

GG: daveee

GG: hey look at me i'm a coolkid 8)

GG: oh wait no im not my glasses are stupid

GG: i like ironic things

GG: … nic cage is totally the best

GG: huh you're really not there

GG: boooo

GG: answer me later!

gardenGnostic [GG] ceased pesteringturntechGodhead [TG]

Jade put her phone away and went to go take a shower and wash off all the paint. She didn't even know what to think about this new information. She knocked on Jake's door on the way to the bathroom but he didn't answer.

She called inside, "Hey Jake I'm going to take a shower, I'll let you know when the bathroom is open!"

She heard a muffled noise that may or may not have been a response and shrugged before continuing on her way.

Tonight was certainly going to be interesting.

I love pesterlogs. I also love Rose. Best of both worlds. Thanks for reading!