[Chuck Carmichael] "You take a knee," Chuck says casually as he dumps the bag from his sandwich in the garbage and pulls out an apple, "and chug. If you're a bro."
These things are important, of course! It's entering a sacred fellowship, really - there are those who are bros, and those who are not. There's no doubting who Chuck prefers, and given the camaraderie between them? There's no doubt which Riley is. He looks at Nathan and doesn't particularly judge (okay, he does a bit), but still an eyebrow is raised. He shrugs, and his attention turns back to Alex and that smile, wide, friendly and genuine, spills across his face again.
"'s strawberry kiwi. Apparently, good ol' Smirnoff's branching out."
That's before he laughs, amused - it doesn't get much girlier than an extra fruity wine cooler. There's a shrug, and he shrugs. "It's all in good fun. But it's kinda warm now and not getting any colder, so I suggest if you're gonna do it, you do so now. We'll," he lifts a chin Riley-wards, "explain later."
[Nico Brady] FRODO LIVES
[Alexander Turnquist] He stands up from the bench and steps a foot away from them all before turning to face them. The bottle in his hand he casually lets the bag slip to the ground before following it into a kneel. Both hands come together as the cap of the bottle is twisted and then flicked at Riley.
strawberry kiwi... what on earth... was that even a fruit?
At least the bottle had been sealed properly so unless they had gone to extreme lengths, the contents was going to be whatever it had said on the label. With that in mind he raised the bottle to them and winked at Riley. "Cheers."
Then it was on, the bottle tipped back with a similar movement of his head. His lips barely sealing around the bottle as he chugged the liquid back. It was kind of like drinking a beer. Except it was disgustingly sweet with hints of ass. Definitely not his choice of drink. Finally, when it was all gone he gasped for air placing the bottle upon the concrete infront of him and stood up, grabbing the paper back with him. A gasp of air was undertaken.
"It is complete! I am a bro! Or something!"
[Riley Poole] Nathan passes the bottle on, and Riley has half a mind to taunt him, tell him he's a lesser man for ignoring protocol. At the very least, he's not a bro. But, if he doesn't drink, he doesn't drink, and she can respect that.
Her own lunch finished, she tosses her trash inside her lunch box and lets that drop to the ground, resting it just beneath the bench. Then she sits back to watch, crossing her right ankle to her left knee (it's okay, she's wearing those shorts, see), as Alex accepts the bottle, and the explanation. He rises, steps away, and he takes his knee like a man. Riley quirks a brow, and her mouth twists into a crooked smile, clearly impressed.
When he finishes, she applauds. "Woo! Man, you are totally a bro! Welcome to the fold." And she lifts her hand for a high five.
[Declan] Declan watched this display with an odd expression, canting his head to one side like a curious animal. Whatever this ritual was, he'd missed the boat. Not surprising, since he'd been essentially living apart from regular society for the past three years. Riley's enthusiastic response to Alex's chugging made him laugh, and he reached over to tap her shoulder gently to get her attention.
"So... what exactly is all this?"
[Nathan Spriggs] Deciding not to risk more alcohol, even for socializing, Nathan decided to retreat for today. A good bye here, and another there, contact information in case of emergency for Alex (who's name he still didn't know). And then he was off.
[Chuck Carmichael] "You, sir, are a gentleman and a scholar," Chuck tells Alex after nodding a goodbye to Nathan. "And a total bro. Welcome." And there are high fives from him as well - pleased to have gotten two good Ice-ings in one lunch hour. "For future reference, the only way to avoid being Iced is to have an Ice-block - an Ice of your own on your person, which the person who Iced you must then chug."
All given in overblown serious tones and language - Chuck the Class Clown at his best. It's what he does, really - pull shenanigans, and lean on the geek squad desk waiting for calls. Or getting calls to his 'berry, complete with laughable ringtones.
"So what brings you to our humble Best Buy? Are you in need of tech support, or just of the lovely Riley?"
This question is directed to Declan and Alex both - Chuck's a curious sort of guy, and an observant one. He hasn't missed the looks flying around like crazy, even if Riley has; they amuse him [he of the Permanent Friend Zone tattoo on his forehead] to no end.
[Alexander Turnquist] He coughed slightly but then smiled and lifted his hand accepting the high five. This felt strange. He was one of the bro's now? Well its not like he had any choice, like he was going to reject a drink in front of Riley. It's not like he had the excuse of 'I dont drink' to fall back on. She definitely knew better. He turned his attention to chuck thinking that maybe he wanted to share in on the high fiveing. And there it is, his hand claps loudly with chucks and he grins at the man as he calls him a scholar.
"I'll have to stock up on some blocks then, I have a feeling Riley is going to be surprising me all over the show now that she knows I'm in on it." He opens his mouth slightly as chuck directs the question seemingly at both himself and declan.
"I uh.. Well. I havn't had any major technical malfunctions lately... but if perhaps I did in the future.. would the lovely miss riley have a number I could acquire?" The last part directed at her. "For purely business related matters, of course." She had failed to give him her number the last time they had met. He had failed to ask.
[Riley Poole] "It's a drinking game," she says when she feels that tap on her shoulder. Leaning back, it's easy to turn her head to look at Declan, her attention sliding easily away from Alex and Chuck while the taller gives the rundown of what just happened. "The goal is to get guys to drink shitty alcohol, because yeah. Ice? Totally gross. You're supposed to surprise it on people. You guys missed my awesome block earlier." She grins at Chuck. "I have learned to be prepared," she says, pressing her right hand to her chest, prim and proper miss in her skirt and shorts with her legs crossed like a man.
"Oh, I will. I've had a lot of practice." Grinning, Riley imagines herself in the friend zone a lot more than she's actually there. It's not that she thinks she's unattractive, because she knows she's not. And it's not because she's unsure of herself, or has low self-esteem. She's just used to being everybody's big sister, the overprotective shadow and strong shoulder to lean on. Only the jerks and losers are into her because they're the only ones who've ever made a strong enough impression, who have really made her realize they were interested.
"Uh, yeah. D'you have a pen?" She misses any hidden meaning in him asking for her number, because of course it would be for business purposes only. Or to hang out like bros.
[Declan] [Per+Awareness (or alertness, whatever, same dots) - Do I detect competition?]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 1, 3, 4, 6, 6 (Success x 1 at target 6)
[Declan] He vaguely remembered things like this. Not this, specifically, but these kinds of games. For a moment there, it brought a sensation of nostalgia. Glancing between Chuck and Riley, he nodded, piecing things together in his head. For a moment, Riley leaned back a little to talk to him over her shoulder, and the smell of her hair filled his senses. That was... slightly distracting, in an entirely welcome way, but Declan being Declan, he didn't actually do anything about it. Maybe he didn't realize there was anything he could do about it.
Then Alex was asking for Riley's number, and Declan glanced at him for a long moment. He wasn't always the most aware creature. Some days, he was pretty lost in his own head. Neither was he particularly experienced in the subtle arts of flirtation, either on the giving or receiving end, so it wasn't always easy for him to see it when it happened. Still, there was some inkling.
To Chuck, then, he said... "I'll have to remember that."
[Emily Littleton] ((Am I aware of things today?))
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 1, 1, 1, 7, 9 (Failure at target 6)
[Emily Littleton] ((Oh... it's one of those days, is it Kahseeno? *gets to typing*))
[Emily Littleton] Occasionally, but only occasionally, Emily's schedule conforms to something resembling a standard work day. It's rare, and it's nothing to count on, but she's technically on her lunch break, running errands for the lab. The lab, of which she is now a full-fledged member (thanks to a little bit of paperwork completed just last week). After yet another unsuccessful round of what do you mean you don't have this esoteric connector? at the local cables & more shop, she's arriving at Best Buy to see if her favorite Geeks might be able to hook her up.
Or at least commiserate.
She doesn't notice the pull surrounding the knot of her Awakened fellows, not today. The Orphan is busy explaining something in patient tones to a person on the other end of her phone. It sounds like tech support (it's how to network the effing printer); it sounds a lot like someone in Admin can't tell a USB hub from a Parallel port. She all but passes the by before the lanky geeks (their both so tall) and their cadre of friends catch her eye.
Emily waves, adjusts her course, and wanders nearer. "Hi, Chuck. Hey, Riley," she says, as she slips her phone back into one of the multivarious pockets. "Oh, hey, Declan. It's good to see you," she adds. By now her smile has slipped toward something warm (enough). The tension riding at the corners of it can be expected, forgiven, given everything going on in the city at large. Alexander is new; he gets a pleasant enough smile, and a sharper looking-over. She's waiting, apparently, for an introduction.
[Chuck Carmichael] "Not just shitty alcohol, but shitty girly alcohol. You know the kind of girls - the plastic ones with fake nails with the white stuff at the top, overly coiffed hair and plastic . . . um . . . well, you know, anyway. The same girls who get orange spray tans." He shrugs, amused. "And to get pictures of people being Iced in the most compromising way possible."
Oh, yes, Chuck will always be a Toys R Us kid.
"If you take your Ice-ing, you're a bro. If you block, you're a bro. If not . . . well. Not a bro."
And then there's that 1.21 gigawat grin - oh, yes, friendly, amiable, affable. Except, of course, when he's not . . . but today is not one of those days. Work's been alright, if somewhat irritating on the blue front (slow days are like that), hanging out with Riley is always win, and now? Two good icings. (Even if pomegranate Ice is seriously one of the worst tasting things on the planet.)
Then there's Em, and she walks up on the tail end of that - grin and all. It's infectious, really, and when it's turned on her? Well. It's hard not to feel secure, as if steps are being taken, when Chuck is around, even if one isn't sensing things more esoteric.
"Hey, Em. That's Alex. Alex, this is Emily."
[Alexander Turnquist] He reached for the leather jacket now sitting on the bench that he had vacated to drink the ice. Digging around in one of the pockets until a blue bic pen came out, he handed it to Riley and offered the back of his hand for her to write on. It wasn't until chuck spoke that he even lifted his gaze.
"Hmm? Oh.." His gaze followed chucks and he turned his head slightly to look at the newcomer. Immediately he was struck by a sudden realisation. She was pretty. Beautiful in fact. She was staring at him, seemingly waiting for him to do something. He offered a smile to her and waved his free hand. "Hey Emily, Nice to meet you.
Then he was looking back at Riley. "So, what sort of stuff can you fix Riley? Like you know.. if something breaks or whatever..."
He didn't mean to seem rude to Emily, if thats what he came across as. Its just that his mind was on other things right now. He couldn't multi-task. He didn't have a vagina.
[Emily Littleton] Chuck was grinning, ear-to-ear, face splitting: ebullient. Emily narrowed her eyes, slightly, and let her gaze skim over the gathering quickly to ascertain the source of that sparklingly effervescent happiness. The day star was out, he was in a Geek Squad uniform and ... and...
Oh. Booze. On a lunch break. Good times.
"Hi, Alex," she says, it's polite and somewhat clipped. Her accent is muddled, predominantly British but riddled through with places not here and not now. He can tell, from the handful of syllables he's heard so far and it will only become more apparent the more she speaks that Emily is not from around here, she's not from around anywhere, and she's a little more Other than most of them.
"What are you up to, lovely?" she asks Chuck, and the endearment comes easily. It's a friendly thing, seekingly lilted, as if she expects some great machination from her cabalmates to explain the Ice-at-Work phenomenon.
[Declan] Emily's face was a welcome one, and Declan smiled warmly when he saw her. "Hey Emily."
The last time the two of them had run into each other, he'd been something of a mess. He'd almost, somewhat out of the blue, started talking about God and Angels. Today, though, he seemed more like himself. If, indeed, there was any definable self that could be applied to the odd Drifter. He at least seemed happy. And he was clean, well groomed, and wearing clothes that fit him. The orphan was sitting next to Riley on the bench, and looked rather content with that proximity. There was also bouquet of snapdragons sitting in Riley's lap.
[Declan] [Er....almost=also. Hello typos]
[Chuck Carmichael] "Oh, you know. I found out that Matt has whiskey in his big gulp more than half the time. And I had Ice. I blame Nico," he says and puts an arm around her shoulders fondly [friendly-connected] to draw her more fully into the circle and place a kiss on top of her head; she and Riley both get this on a regular basis, as much as they'll allow. Chuck is a firm believer in the restorative power of human contact (unless he's busy with some program, or building a computer, or . . .); everyone needs a hug, sometimes. As soon as the arm slipped around Em it's gone, and he's leaning back against the car, the tallest of the gathered by several inches, and still standing. Riley is sandwiched by Alex and Declan - this is what Jacques-Marcel will see when he looks their direction.
A merry little crew, two of whom are in the uniforms of people who work at this establishment, and the rest of whom are gathered around them (mostly around Riley. She's adorable, after all).
"Everything alright, you? You're almost never out on lunch. Or . . . oh. What cord or connector do you need?"
[Riley Poole] Riley accepts the pen and is just about to ask him to give her his hand when he automatically presents it to her. No offer or suggestion of paper to write on, just the back of his hand. Grinning up at him for a moment, she takes his hand in hers and draws him a little closer. Her own are olive-toned and soft, the fingers long and fine-boned (not so good for dice!). There are cuts and scrapes and scars, signs that she works with her hands a lot, sometimes carelessly. If Alex, or anyone really, looks closely, they can almost see more scars leading up her right arm, incredibly old and incredibly faded with time.
She writes her number onto Alex's hand, carefully but firmly, making sure that it's going to stay on there through at least one washing. "There, consider yourself branded, my friend." She caps the pen if it had one and pats Alex's hand, grinning up at him before scooting back on the bench. She moves carefully, shifting her weight so as not to disturb the bouquet resting atop her work skirt. "At least for an hour or two." Obviously, she's teasing. Any hints of flirtation on her part are purely coincidental. She doesn't fancy herself as being very good at it, so she doesn't try. The Virtual Adept is just naturally charming that way.
"Hey, Emily," she says cheerfully. "And I can fix most technology. Phones, cameras, PCs, macs, you name it. If electricity makes it go, I can fix it when it's broke." This to Alex. "What do you do, anyway?"
[Jacques-Marcel] The blue Z4 Roadster makes a park somewhere near the front of the store, the engine shutting down before Jacques gets out. He closes the door behind him and sets the cars alarm as he walks away from it, stowing the keys into the hip pocket of his slacks. The white shirt he wears is pressed with the long sleeves unbuttoned and rolled up his tanned forearms. His tie is loose, like the collar he's unbuttoned. As expected, the shoes are simple leather loafers.
He tugs the tie open a little more as he walks for the stores entrance, hanging to have a cigarette but trying to hold off. The people gathered out the front get a glance over as he approaches, as group gatherings tend to get. If he recognizes any of them there's no indication, but Chuck, Emily and Alex get a slightly appraising look as he passes.
[Emily Littleton] "Oh, you know, another dead-end errand for the lab," Emily says to Chuck, shrugging a bit as they continue their aside. Riley's chatting with the Alex; she's got a cluster of flowers in her lap. All in all, it looks like a good day for the Geek Squad diva. Emily smiles a bit more genuinely, and hangs out near Chuck. She's pulled into that one-armed embrace and for a moment, fleetingly, some of the tension leeches from the corners of her smile and her eyes. "I wish we could just upgrade everything already."
Woe. Academic funding never stretches quite far enough.
When Chuck's arm slips away, Emily's hands find purchase on the strap of her messenger bag. Jacques-Marcel passes, and Emily tosses him a casual look. There is no recognition to it, and no outright concern. It's just that he comes near enough to their cluster to be noticed, and is gentle enough on the eyes to let that notice be something more than just flick-there and flick-away.
[Alexander Turnquist] His hand was branded. The firmness of the writing was a slight surprise but it was welcome. His own hand was slightly pale, rough and calloused around the pads of his palm. The signs of someone who has held a gun in his hand one too many times, however it is warm. He listens intently as riley explains about all the things she can fix, to be honest he had almost none of the things she had mentioned except a phone. He briefly thought about purchasing a PC and shooting it just to have an excuse to call her. That would be pretty expensive though and she would probably get angry at him for wasting the tech or something!
"Thanks Riley." He scanned the number briefly before looking up. It was then that he spotted Jacques hopping out of the z4. He was rather enjoying the closeness to Riley but he stepped away from her to call out to the man.
"Hey Jacques! Jacques you little stud, nice ride!" He beckoned the man over, whispering something in his ear when he reached him.
"Hey lets not mention how you met me the other night aye?... his head inclining towards Riley.
[Jacques-Marcel] Before he can get too far Alexander had beckoned him over. Raising a brow he complied, changing his immediate direction to walk towards the other man, while sliding a hand into his hip pocket. With only an inch or two over Alex in height he tilted his head just slightly, blue-grays on Riley as he listened to what Alex had to murmur. Vaguely bemused he had nodded slightly and stepped back enough to reclaim his personal space.
"Who's your friend?" he asks of Alex.
[Alexander Turnquist] He looked slightly worried for a moment before he apparently got over it and grinned at the group gathered around the geek squad car. "Everyone this this is Jacques." He left it to them all to introduce their own names - or not if they didn't wish. He wouldn't force social interactions upon other people, specially people like him.
[Chuck Carmichael] [Per + Alert, I HEAR J00]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 1, 2, 4, 4, 6 (Failure at target 6)
[Declan] There was a lot of talk of technology, most of which passed somewhat over Declan's head. Then a BMW drove by, and he glanced at it as another face he didn't recognize wandered over to join their group with Alex's enthusiastic invitation. When the Euthanatos introduced the stranger, Declan smiled affably and nodded. "Declan. Hey." Essentially a repeat of the greeting he'd given Alex earlier.
This group kept getting bigger, and with each new addition, it became more difficult for the quiet drifter to keep up. As such, he was mostly keeping to himself, content to watch and listen while the others chatted away.
[Alexander Turnquist] [NO YOU DONT !!!]
[Emily Littleton] ((For serious? What's going on here?))
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 1, 2, 2, 4, 6 (Failure at target 6)
[Alexander Turnquist] [I AM FAR TOO SILENT~]
[Riley Poole] [i heer j00!: percept + alert]
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9 (Success x 3 at target 6)
[Jacques-Marcel] [busted.]
[Alexander Turnquist] [sadface]
[Chuck Carmichael] Chuck, curious, tries to catch what Alex says to Jacques, but doesn't try overly hard - it's none of his business, and if it's interesting he'll find out eventually anyway. So, his attention goes back to those still gathered momentarily, until Jacques joins them properly - at which point he says, "Hi, I'm Chuck. Thanks for asking."
There's that grin - frankly, Chuck is as adorable as Riley in his own way. As is Em. [Cabal 3 is a damn fine lookin' cabal, I'll have you know.] - extended to include the newcomer. As has been established with even the people who've only known him for the past . . . well, little while ago, he's amiable and affable, friend to all. And with Jacques' arrival, he no longer towers over everyone by several inches.
(Only by a couple.)
"Hey. Nice to meet you, Jacques. Welcome to Best Buy, how may we service you?" Oh, that look. That teasing. "I've gotta find something that's been obsolete for five years for Emily, anyway. So if you need a hand, may as well speak up now instead of being mauled by blues once you step inside."
[Emily Littleton] Alex waves another new person over, whispers into his ear, introduces him. Chuck takes pont on being social, so the young woman beside him doesn't have to. Emily disengages one hand from her messenger bag's strap, waves, smiles politely enough, and offers up her own name: "Emily."
Well, part of her own name. She's not making formal introductions, here, so it likely doesn't matter what her last name is, or what family she's from, or what group she calls Home these days. The Orphan (for now) has eclipsed her random-new-people tolerance. Like Declan, she falls quieter, and more observant now.
This Alex fellow bears most of the brunt of her scrutiny, albeit it distracted and unfocused today. She literally has bigger worries on her mind, and unless he was a minion of a Fallen Angel, or a direct employee of the Devil, he'd have to wait. Or, you know, if he hurt Riley's feelings. Emily hadn't told anyone off in forever. The guy was borderline flirtatious, then all about the model who just walked up. Emily ran her fingertips through her hair and exhaled a small sigh.
"More like ten," she told Chuck, with a wry cant to her smile. "It's from when computers were still [i]beige[/]."
[Declan] Just because he seemed a bit clueless, didn't mean he was entirely innocent. At some point, Chuck said: how may we service you?, and the blond orphan suddenly put a fist to his mouth and covered a half-laugh, half-cough.
[Jacques-Marcel] He is introduced to everyone and not visa versa and that works too. He nods with a general eye sweep over the others, and for all his handsome, rich looks he's standing quietly beside the much louder and vibrant Alexander. Declan gets a glance when he offers his name and a small, fleeting smile.
Jacques is still hanging for a cigarette and he fiddles with the lighter in his pocket as the gathered give varied introductions. It's not polite to run off just yet, even though he could think of plenty of other places he'd rather be and be doing. But they did seem like an interesting, diverse little bunch.
Chuck asks how he can service him, and he manages to keep his look neutral and on business. "Do you sell camera equipment?" There is, however, a glint in his eye, and when Emily introduces herself he glances towards her with a small nod, "Miss."
Declan's cough gets a quick glance, accompanied by a fleeting smirk.
[Riley Poole] There's no way to hide that she overheard the whispered comment. It's evident in the way Riley tilts her head, back and slightly up toward the young men. It's there in the crease of her brow, and the query is right there in her dark eyes. Though it's obvious she heard, it's equally obvious that she intends to at least refrain from drawing attention to it. At least not here, not now.
"Riley," she says, lifting her hand in a wave. She's alone on the bench now with Declan, and her flowers, her lunch box beneath her. She's in her uniform, but it's sloppily put together for now. Her tie is loose, her shirt untucked with the top few buttons undone to reveal a plain white camisole beneath. There are shorts beneath her short black skirt, which make it less embarrassing for her to sit more comfortably. Right now she's slouched back on the bench with her knees slightly apart, which is certainly not how a lady in a dress should be seated. But Riley would be the first to tell anyone she's no lady, that she's more one of the guys than one of the gals. Alex and Chuck and even Emily have seen first hand that she doesn't drink the girly drinks, that she wears very little make and she doesn't get her nails done.
Chuck asks about servicing, and Declan laughs. Riley smiles, watching the Orphan from the corner of her eye. Good ol' Chuck.
"Though we're actually on our lunch break," she says to Jacques, though her eyes are on Chuck. Riley is a hard worker, when she needs to be. She's not about to cut her lunch short for some guy who just strolled up, no matter how handsome he is or how wealthy he must be.
[Jacques-Marcel] "A pleasure Riley," he tells her. Then glances across them all briefly before focusing on Chuck, "But I'll let you get on with your lunch break." He nods to them, sliding his hand from his pocket and taking a step back, intending on heading inside the store.
Then he remembers something else, pauses as he looks to Alex. "Did you have any luck with the social network?" Computers he means, but he's leaving it deliberately vague.
[Alexander Turnquist] He was tense, almost jumping out of his skin as Riley introduced herself, and then it turned to casual talk and the threat was over. Alex let out an audible sigh of relief and relax some what, trying to shift closer to Riley. It was like he was checking that Yes it was all clear! the missiles were disarmed! they could go back to 5 minutes ago.
His ears perked up when Jacques questioned him and he muttered a quick response. "No not yet, (this was true) I'm hoping Nico can help me somehow still..(this was also true.)". Once again he dodged a bullet by speaking the truth. To be fair the question was very well placed, and to be doubly fair, jacques didn't exactly know himself what the social network was for, or at least thats what Alex believed.
"How long you got left on your lunch break Riles?" He gulped, did he just called her Riles?
[Chuck Carmichael] During the course of the conversation, Chuck's gotten more and more undone - now, his tie is untied and his shirt completely unbuttoned to reveal a black t-shirt with the Star Trek logo on it. (Oh, yeah. Geek squad totally has more than one meaning where he's concerned.) His hair, long enough to be a bit shaggy (and definitely on its way to white boy 'fro-dom) is mussed from being pushed back from his eyes - no model here, but certainly not hard on the eyes.
Regardless, Riley is right - they're on lunch. And there goes Jacques, though with a pause to ask about social . . . "Ugh, not facecrack or something, I hope. Poorly designed crap, and they totally sell any personal information you give them to the highest bidder. Total invasion of privacy, and seriously, I could write better code blindfolded and with one hand behind my back."
There's a pause, and a shrug. "Just sayin'."
[Riley Poole] [SHORT FUSE, BEEYOTCH]
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 2, 4, 4, 6, 9, 10 (Success x 3 at target 6)
[Emily Littleton] He calls her Miss, and Emily's posture shifts just a bit. It's a reflexive thing, as if he'd caught her slacking off on something. To be fair, her carriage didn't need quite that much shifting to bring it back into square.
Her attention is pulled toward the duo discussing Social Networking, even as Chuck goes off on Facebook. Emily's mouth pursed a little, thoughtfully, and the weight of those dark blue eyes was fully trained on Jacques and Alex, as if she were trying to piece them into some greater puzzle just now. There's a slow, quiet Mmmm sound that builds at the back of her throat. It's a nothing sound, a casually unvoiced comment left to faulter and fade.
She is curious, and attentive. If they'd hoped to speak privately, they had not strayed far enough just yet. Adding Nico's name to the pool of clues just seemed to pique her interest further.
[Jacques-Marcel] "Well, Alex, it sounds like Chuck here is your man." This was after the little tid bit about Facebook, or facecrack as the man so eloquently put it. Apparently he was the one to go to if Alex was having some issues looking for someone online, much more qualified then Jacques. Either way it wasn't really his business anymore, so he took another step back and lifted a hand.
"It was nice to meet you all." It's the polite thing to say. He didn't know them and the chances are he wasn't going to get to know them well enough in the next five minutes to be able to back up that statement. Still, he's unfailing in being polite, even if he's capable of much worse. With another small nod and pleasant, small smile he was turning to head towards the stores entrance to go and hunt down that equipment he had asked about that had its response lost in the flow of conversation.
[Declan] "Hey um, I think I'm gonna take off. Thanks for the sandwich, Riley. It was nice seeing you. All of you." He included Emily into that sentiment easily, offering both women a warm smile as he stood up. The rest of the group were afforded a more muted expression, but it was no less friendly. Only lacking in familiarity.
"I'll see you around." This directed at Riley in particular, as he took a step back and shoved one of his hands into a back-pocket on his jeans, while the other gave a cute little wave. His look lingered, then he turned and walked off down the sidewalk.
[Riley Poole] Riley's attention perks. Nico? Her Nico? Well, not her Nico of course, but still hers the way Chuck is hers, and Emily, and Declan. He's within the circle of trust, which has a fiercely protective Riley guarding it at all times. Or at least as much as she's allowed.
She almost asks about it, to see if this Nico that Alex knows is the same Nico that lives up above her, that same jerk that introduced Icing into her home. But then Alex calls her Riles.
Riley recoils as if some annoying insect just flew too close to her eyes. "It's. Riley," she says, eyes narrowed. In one easy motion she places her hand over the flowers in her lap, holding them in place so she can sit up straighter, shoulders squared. The first signs of danger which should be even more obvious to her cabalmates, especially Chuck.
"Later," she says absently to Jacques. Then, more alert, "Oh, yeah, definitely. Thanks again for the flowers." The corners of her mouth threaten to lift again, the pleasure of receiving them doing its damnedest to override the sudden surge of temper.
[Riley Poole] [that last part was for Declan, obviously, i just fail at descriptors today]
[Alexander Turnquist] [percep+Aware]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 1, 5, 8, 9, 9 (Success x 2 at target 6)
[Emily Littleton] ((Per + Aware: My spidey sense says you're a mage... or have the most ironic group of friends for a mortal, ever.))
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 1, 1, 1, 6, 10 (Failure at target 6)
[Emily Littleton] ((Or, you're totally normal... and I can't perceive my own face today))
[wind] [*tries Awareness hypothetically for em, doesn't count!*]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 1, 2, 5, 5, 10 (Failure at target 7)
[wind] [really? (doesn't cooount maaaann)]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 2, 2, 4, 5, 8 (Success x 1 at target 8)
[Riley Poole] [Kahseeno, it's me. Show some love for my girl, okay?: percept + aware for Em]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 1, 1, 2, 3, 7 (Failure at target 6)
[Alexander Turnquist] He blinked slightly at the response from Riley. "Riley yeah thats what I ment.." He gulped again. Of course it was Riley. Alex was just an idiot, who quite often had no trouble proving it. His watched her body movements and he could tell she was not very comfortable at ALL right now. Hopefully she would forgive him for his mishap.
His head raised as he decided to leave her alone for the moment, his gaze falling on Emily who was looking very intently back at him. The look in her eyes was far too calculating for Alex's taste. They reminded him of his own. Of course he was rather clumsy socially some times (most times) and had trouble saying what he really wanted to say, but the intent was there. To stay a few steps ahead, to figure it out before it happened. It was the only way he could stop himself from coming across as an utter fool 100% of the time instead of the 50% of the time he managed currently.
He kept his eyes on her as he spoke. "I dont think chuck has time to be helping me out with my silly troubles Jacques." And then Jacques was walking away. "Catch you later man, you too declan." It was only with this last statement that he dropped his gaze from Em and went back to sulking over the sudden change in Rileys mood.
[Emily Littleton] Despite her careful attention, Emily remains utterly and completely unaware that Alex is a mage. Regardless of who rolls the dice. Because? Some days are made of fail.
[Chuck Carmichael] As Jacques is wandering away, it occurs to him that he'd been asked a question and not answered - he speaks up just enough to be heard over whatever distance the smoking man's gained. "Yeah, there's camera stuff inside. At the desk, ask for Lucy - she knows the most about that stuff - more than I do, frantically."
Sure, he knows the programing end for the digital stuff, and technically knows the science behind lenses and things, but that's about it - pixels of the camera variety aren't his thing. Ask about games, though, or the latest version of any number of computer languages, and you've got a conversation partner for ages.
"Hope you find what you need!"
[Chuck Carmichael] [KAHSEENO, LISTEN UP. THIS IS HYPOTHETICAL. FOR . . . SOMEONE.]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 6, 8, 9, 10, 10 (Success x 5 at target 6)
[Jacques-Marcel] No smokes. Yet. He's still hanging for one.
"You've got my number if you want to call," he calls back to Alex, since he doesn't seem interested in getting Chuck's help. Jacques didn't mind.
"Lucy." Nodding to Chuck, after a glance his way. "Thanks."
He heads inside the store then, going to hunt for some equipment he needs and browse for things he could use or potentially waste. Jacques isn't in a hurry and would spend some time inside talking with Lucy about a good range of things. He was a nice enough customer.
[Emily Littleton] She's oblivious today, utterly, to the resonance the other Apprentice wears, to the way he's looking at her friend, to how he let Riley write her number on his skin instead of a notecard or slip of paper. They had those, inside, at the Squad desk -- papers. She had some in her bag -- no matter. Emily doesn't really catch on to what's going on.
So she says, in her most helpful tone, with a smile and an implied nudge intertwined with those words. "So... Declan brought you flowers, huh?"
Lofted eyebrow, obvious curiosity. "Were they thank you flowers, or just because you're awesome flowers?" Another nudge. Her gaze flicked between Riley (not. Riles.) and Chuck briefly. They three were buddies, if still on the mend. The closeness showed.
[Kaya Talayesva] Though she's kept it all smiles and cheery around Nathan, she knows the truth. Despite him begging she not use her spirit sight, she did so. And since then, when not around the man she loves, she is a bit irate, and closed off. Thanks to a small bit of rage let off that made her MP3 player explode, she's made her way to Best Buy to buy a new one, and maybe alittle something for her boyfriend as well.
After parking some distance in the lot, she heads towards the store. With the humidity and all, she's dressed to keep cool. A pair of black jeans with a silver sequined dragon down the left thigh, and a loose silver/gray blouse cut low. Another outfit her love bought her. Around her neck, as always, is the small leather pouch, and hanging loose around her hip is another native american pouch.
(feeling for resonance)
(per 4 + awareness 3)
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 3, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 (Success x 4 at target 6) Re-rolls: 1
[Riley Poole] People filter away, and for a moment it's just the Geek Squad duo, their cabalmate, and Alexander. Peaceful, quiet, slightly strained at the edges as the Euthanatos sulks and Riley watches him with a frown.
Kids these days.
She sighs. "What kind of social networking," she says the phrase with much disdain, "issues are having? Maybe I can help." Even if she doesn't understand the why of what brought it on, she doesn't let boys sulk for long.
Before he can answer, Emily is asking after the flowers. Riley's attention is diverted easily, more easily than it might otherwise be. Because these aren't just any kind of flowers. Declan didn't bring her roses, or carnations, or lilies. He brought her snapdragons. In the language of flowers they can mean deception, or graciousness. In the language of Riley, they mean happiness, pure and simple.
"He did aren't they cute?" Good thing he's not around to hear that. "And I don't know, maybe both? He said they were to thank me for everything, but I don't know what everything is." And it's the truth. All the things that Riley has done for Declan, she's done reflexively, without even thinking about it. And surely nothing was out of the ordinary enough to deserve flowers. Still, she's obviously happy to have gotten them.
[Alexander Turnquist] He shook his head at Riley and tried to tell her without speaking Not here, Not now. Hopefully she would pick up on it, she wasn't always the best at picking up on things like that given the fact that she obviously hadn't heard what he whispered to jacques 10 minutes ago. She would have definitely questioned him about that.. Wouldn't she? Maybe she wouldn't...
His worries about the whole situation began to creep up again but he told himself that she would know it all in good time if she wanted to. He would share it with her. He probably shouldn't, she probably didn't deserve that sort of burden but he also felt she deserved to know if she wanted to.
"It's fine riley dont worry about it."
He tried to force a smile into his face when the girls began talking about the flowers Riley had received. He thought about maybe getting her some of those himself but thought better of it. You can't steal gift ideas off another dude...... thats wrong.....she'll know it....
Despite the thought he couldn't help from asking. "What type of flowers are they?" a gulp, it sounded horribly more awkward out loud than it had sounded in his head.
[Chuck Carmichael] Kids these days, indeed. Yes, people slip away and Chuck is . . . Chuck. For someone as securely progressive as he is, he does a good impression of being solid and reliable; he is the same person every time he's met. Sometimes he's very, very focused on what he's doing. Sometimes he's angry. But he's always Chuck, and regardless of what else, there's a smile or a hug if it's necessary.
There's Riley and Emily, chatting about the flowers - which are cute, he'll readily admit, even if he doesn't know the potential meanings behind them. (In fact, he has no clue.) "Make them do that thing again. Like when you were touching them before? That was cool."
All casual, all the time, in his unbuttoned, short sleeved, white button down (with the black Star Trek t-shirt under it), black slacks and black Converse (high tops, yes, the only kind) and untied tie. With his mussed hair that's nearing white boy 'fro status.
"Aren't they a kind of lily or something?"
[Emily Littleton] "You can make their little mouths work," Emily says, and for just a moment she is childish enough to mock the movement with her own mouth. Just once, maybe twice, and then that fades away. She's grinning, now, though, despite the new person in their midst.
"Snapdragons," she answers Alex, likely as Riley is saying the same. Now and again the two women might answer in lock-step. Or might have, when they were closer. Before June came and got in the way of everything.
Casual seems to be the name of the game. Emily's wearing a grey polo, with nothing particular printed on it. A pair of jeans. Flip flops. (Apparently the lab had no dress code). Her hair's loosely gathered at the nape of her neck. She's young, likely the youngest among them.
She bumps Chuck gently with her hip; it's a playful thing, meant to steal his attention for a moment. "We should all try to get together after the weekend," she says, all casually and as if nothing were afoot at all. But plans? They'd give her something to look forward to, to persevere for. "It's been forever and a day since I've gamed with you guys."
Olive branch, extended.
[Kaya Talayesva] She felt them, a small gathering. One felt familiar yet different at the same time. Curiosity set in. So she headed towards the area where she felt the gathering of resonance in the air.
Her eyes first laid on Emily, and she smiled. Then Riley, Chuck, and the others. Slowly she walked up, her nervous habit of rubbing her pouch about her neck. She still had the tribal tattoo around her right eye. A mix of Aztec and Mayan culture from her trip to the Amazon.
[Chuck Carmichael] [Aware for Em. Maybe real. Maybe hypothetical. Who knows?]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 2, 4, 5, 5, 6 (Success x 1 at target 6)
[Emily Littleton] For the cabalmates!
(Manip + Subter: Kaya, oh man, I am totally not at all worried about the Nephandus hunting her ass down from the Umbra.)
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 (Success x 4 at target 6)
to Chuck Carmichael, Riley Poole
[Riley Poole] "Snapdragon!" Emily and Riley do answer at the same time, though Riley is more enthusiastic. And without much prompting from Chuck needed, she pinches the sides of one of the buds, making it open and close while Emily demonstrates the same. Riley continues a little longer than Emily does, though, with added sound effects and her mouth quirked to the side as she emits small growling sounds. Almost like she can't even help it. "Ar ar ar!" all over again.
The twenty-seven year old, fully grown, full mature woman dissolves into a fit of what can only be called the giggles, her face lighting up all over again.
Emily talks about gaming after the weekend, and Riley looks up at her then. She remembers what's supposed to happen this weekend. Her head tilts to the side, and her dark eyes drop for a moment, then are back on the Orphan's face. She's smiling.
"If you're free tonight you should totally come over! We're going up to Nico's," up, as in literally up, up above the floor that Riley and Chuck live on, "to play some COD. I'm going to make cazilli. And since we're off tomorrow, there will be booze."
Another stranger approaches, but Riley hasn't seen her yet. Her attention is on her friends, and her acquaintance (for now).
[Emily Littleton] It took Emily longer to place Kaya than it took Kaya to place her. Both women wore a talisman of some sort around their neck; Emily's was carried on a thin chain of silver; Emily's sang out (but not just now) its heartbeat of Home, home, home. Kaya smiles; Emily smiles. It is warm enough, polite even. Emily reads a little cold, a little less than friendly, to most new people these days. Being around Riley buoys that back up toward personable.
Ar rawr rawr goes the Riley-faced Snapdragon and Emily can't help but laugh, a little. Her attention is drawn back to the group, to the invitations making their rounds through the small cluster.
"Maybe," she says, but it sounds more likely than not. "I need to make some calls after work, but I'd love to come game." There's a beat here, and her brow furrows. "Nico games?" Really now? "And I'll pass on the drinking," she says, and there's a story there to be sure, but it's not a big enough one to share just now; it's small pittance.
"Do you?" she asks the newcomer, Alex. Game, that is. There's a quirk of her smile, just the edge of competitiveness coming forward. This threesome, they're driven. They're bright. They're tech-savvy. Was he? Did he fit right it? Or was one of these things not like the others?
[Chuck Carmichael] "He will. I invited Riley and me up, and am bringing a couple rigs. Don't know what he's packing, after all. He might have something awful, and I've got extras."
Ever since the water fight, on the odd occasion that they meet, Chuck and Nico have been buddies. They talk (about nothing of consequence). They Ice each other. And now, with the Orphan Upstairs' name tripping of the tongues of so many mages, Chuck suspects he must be to. Iiiiiiinteresting.
"Man. Those are, like, the coolest flowers I've ever seen. More girls should get geeked over that than roses and stuff." He's totally just sayin'.
[Alexander Turnquist] The question which went unanswered by the other two raised him out of his wee slump. The conversation had turned towards much more cheerful things and it was starting to have an effect on Alex. He shrugged a shoulder at emily and grinned at her. "Game? Or drink? I most certainly drink, you missed my display earlier so its understandable you would question my resolve!" He peered down at the empty ice bottle still standing on the concrete, he took a pause before answering the gaming question.
"I havn't really gamed much...... I've hit a few middies in tf2 once or twice.. no big deal..." Truth was he was utterly terrible at games and if he ended up playing games with these guys they would most certainly embarrass him horribly.
He laughed, a thing he hadn't done for a wee while in this little conversation and threw his hands in the air. "Ok you got me, I'm a disaster at games. But I am a willing student." He looks hopeful at the three of them.
[Kaya Talayesva] Quietly Kaya joined the group, each were given a soft polite smile. Her attention went to Chuck for a moment, and she frowned a bit.
[Emily Littleton] Her attention trails downward to the Ice evidence on the floor.
"Oh," she says, with the faintest wrinkle of her nose. "You drink that. Can that really be called drinking, now?" she inquires, in the same tone of voice she uses to make disparaging remarks about hot dogs and particular brands of tea. It's almost endearing, this snobbishness. Almost.
"Though maybe you recycle, and that's your saving grace," she adds, a delicate and not-at-all pointed nod toward Green policy. Here the smile broadens, and Emily cannot yet be aware of the potential pun she's made on his Tradition's purpose.
"I'll try to come by," she says, to the Adepts. "But I'd need a loaner rig. I haven't powered my desktop on since I moved house. I'm worried it's angry with me." There is nothing strange, to Emily, about talking about her PC as if it had a personality and an engrained spirit.
Kaya had insinuated herself into the group. Emily steps back a little to widen the circle and make room for the Disciple. She's wary of Kaya's presence, and her shoulders pull back a little more tightly. "Hello," Emily says, and her voice comes out small and somewhat tightly.
The last concrete memory had of Kaya involved a Nephandus hunting someone down. With Demon Doom Day on the horizon, it was understandable why the Orphan might be nervous. Perhaps. She hid it extremely well, but the Geek Squadders might notice.
[Riley Poole] "Yes!" is the enthusiastic reply to girls who like roses, "yes they really should. I bet these're easier on the wallet, too. Roses are so expensive, which is ridiculous since, y'know, any idiot can grow a rose bush."
Briefly, she lights up at talk of TF2. There's a look passed Chuck's way, fond and nostalgic. The smile doesn't disappear when Alex admits that he can't game to save his life, it just changes. Riley looks at him like she's looking at a little newborn pup just learning to walk. "'s all good, man," she says, wrapping a hand around her bouquet and rising to her feet. She throws a brotherly kind of punch to his shoulder. "We'll totally show you the ropes." There's a little glint of something sinister in her eyes, though. Apparently, he'll be enduring a trial by fire, learning on his feet as it were. That is to say, Riley at least is going to beat the crap out of him if she can.
Competitive, that one. Perhaps a little too much so.
"Oh Emily. Emily Emily Emily," she says, and she moves over to the younger woman's side, so that she and Chuck are flanking her, and she throws her arm around her shoulders. Gives her a squeeze. "Who do you think we are, sweety? I've got some stuff I can throw together for you if Chuck's hands're full with his own machines."
The stranger becomes part of their group then. Riley cants her head. The woman looks familiar, vaguely, but she can't...quite...place it.
"Hey." She smiles, and it's just as pleasant and charming as it always is. Her arm remains looped over Emily's shoulders, holding her comfortably, and protectively.
[Alexander Turnquist] He opens his mouth as Emily begins to say bad things about the ice. He wasn't sure if he should defend it or not. Was there some secret bro code that ment you had to defend the honour of the most wretched lolly water alex had tasted in quite some time? I mean really! Strawberry and kiwi flavour? He wasn't sure if he should defend it at all considering this Emily person seemed to be MUCH better friends with the two geek squadders than Alex was.
"Its horrible, truly horrible. But you do what you gotta do.... Am I right?" the last part was offered to both Riley and Chuck. He was still new to all this.
It was then that Riley mentioned that they would show him the ropes. He blinked at her and saw something utterly disturbing in her eyes. She was going to dominate him at gaming, without a doubt. He was going to get beat so bad... and by a girl. There was nothing he could do about it. "Maybe I should get some lessons from chuck before advancing to you Riley...."
[Kaya Talayesva] She gave a smile to Emily still. "Hello again." Then Riley she gave a "Hey, nice to see you again." But she looked to Chuck, and took a deep breathe. "Chuck, right? I....wanted to say I am sorry about that night in yur apartment."
[Chuck Carmichael] [Hey, cabalmates, you feelin' how irritated Chuck is? Man + Sub]
Dice Rolled:[ 4 d10 ] 4, 6, 6, 6 (Success x 3 at target 6)
to Emily Littleton, Riley Poole
[Emily Littleton] ((Hey cabalmates, my AWARE and EMPATHY can't possibly fail me again tonight...))
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 1, 2, 3, 6, 8 (Success x 1 at target 6)
to Chuck Carmichael, Riley Poole
[Riley Poole] [maybe?: percept + aware, -1 diff 'cause we fweinds!]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 3, 3, 5, 8, 10 (Success x 3 at target 5)
to Chuck Carmichael, Emily Littleton
[Emily Littleton] ((I continue being as perceptive as a rock.))
to Chuck Carmichael, Riley Poole
[Chuck Carmichael] ((Drop your diff by one. Two sux for you!))
to Emily Littleton, Riley Poole
[Chuck Carmichael] The currently present members of Cabal 3 close ranks - not exclusionary, but protective of the member they both know has suddenly gotten more tense, nervous. Riley has an arm around Emily's shoulders and Chuck easily slides one around her waist - still open and accepting, certainly not shutting anyone out, but his primary concern being his cabalmate. "Hey, I know you. Don't remember your name, though."
Totally remembers how they met. Will never (not ever) forget that. And . . . she's apologizing. An eyebrow raises and his smile is a bit slower than usual [a bit more reserved], but it's there.
"Hey, it's cool. Just don't do it again, yeah?"
There's a glance at his watch, on his free arm, then, and a sigh. "We gotta get back in there pretty soon. See how much of a mess Gus and Terry made of the desk."
[Emily Littleton] Emily's friends pull tight around her. It's both comforting and a little unsettling. There's no missing, now, that she's the center of something (A triangle of loving, happy geeks, that's what!), and at the nexus of a solid group of people. For now, the Orphan-in-the-middle wraps her arms around the Adepts.
"I love you guys," she says, and her voice is lighter, lilting. They can almost hear the affectionate dorks appended in her head. "And yes, yes, I'll bring cookies," she says, as a cover for the affection they're showing, and also a promise. Emily can bake many tasty things, cookies among them. Who's to say this show of solidarity isn't a clever bribe for gaming day treats?
[Kaya Talayesva] She smiled as he forgave her, and nodded. "It's Kaya, and I swear, it won't. I was in a dark place then. But now I'm better. If....you ever need any help, let me know. I'm staying at Nathan's place."
[Riley Poole] "Aw, man," she says, smiling, obviously about to start ribbing the young Euthanatos, "don't tell me you're gonna girl out on me. And just so you know, Chuck and I are pretty evenly matched." With gaming, that is. Chuck is a nicer winner, though, by far. "So you're not really saving yourself there."
Chuck looks at his watch, and Riley unwinds her arm from around Emily's shoulders. "Aww," she says, shoulders slumping, spine rounding, and she looks like some younger punk with her tie loose and her shirt unbuttoned. "Already?" But she starts putting her appearance to rights again, buttoning up that shirt, tucking it in. Using some sort of stealth maneuver to unfasten her shorts without having to lift her skirt (really, they were never fastened to begin with). Then she starts gathering up her belongings.
"You should still come," she says to Alex as Kaya apologizes for something. Riley is careful with the bouquet of flowers, tries to be gentle with them, keep them from getting knocked around and losing any of their petals or leaves. "You've got my number if you need anything." And there's hidden meaning to that, no invitation for non-business-related phone calls in the middle of the night.
"Ready, partner?" she asks Chuck. "Em, let's go find your cables, yeah? Later!" she says to the other two, inclining her head politely to Kaya before gathering up her lunch box and heading back to the grindstone.
[Riley Poole] [and Riley and Em are out at least! thanks for the play, everyone!]
[Chuck Carmichael] [yep, Chuck too! Thanks, you guys.]
[Chuck Carmichael] "Alright, thanks," he says for Kaya, but then, yes, it's time to go. Work calls - not for the paycheck, certainly, but for the games before their release dates.
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