melichrous

[melichrous]

Judging by this man’s response, he’s either overconfident or willfully ignorant and Jackie’s not too sure if she cares if he’s either or. “Easy for you to say. You don’t work out in the wilderness, do you?” Jackie unfortunately doesn’t have the same luxury, though ironically she wouldn’t really have it any other way. Guard work within the city is pretty damn boring in comparison. “Guess so? Materials don’t come easy though.”

it's just a bike, he types out, not too bothered by the idea. we can always bang out a few more. sure, there's effort involved... and if too many people play hero out in the wastes, that does put a damper on things... but soren himself rarely worries about what's out there. only once in a blue moon. better than being swallowed yourself, i think. can even be a good decoy, if you make enough noise.

[melichrous]

“…Are you being for real right now?” She could only chuckle in disbelief, and once he was in fact, being for real, so she could only cross her arms at him in return. “Haven’t talked to a woman in a while, Ed?—Actually no, don’t answer that.” She waved a hand dismissively. Just from those two sentences alone made it clear. “Don’t go out much, do you?”

"my name's not romeo," he says, clearly confused. is it any surprise he's never held a conversation like this before? everything about flirting, sarcastic or otherwise, goes right over his head. "it's ed. and why would i have to buy you a drink?"

[melichrous]

Jackie all but rolls her eyes at the noises, letting out an exasperated sigh when the latter decides to make small talk for the time being. “It isn’t usually… whatever this is.” She gestures vaguely, making a mental note not to accept jobs from Mr. Kimball in the near future. “I’m usually out there in the field, protecting the softer-bodied fellas.” She nods her head out the window, “Really flexible, this line of work. Figured I’d take a breather from the wastes to do more boring work but that kinda bit me in the ass.”

"Great. I'll just wait here, then." It's clear Sable feels awkward about this; but then again, so does Jackie. Later, when she can actually meet with Professor Kimball, she'll take great pleasure in making him feel as awkward and ashamed as she can. But for now, it's not this poor girl's fault that her employer is an inconsiderate ass. Sable clears her throat over a particularly hard to ignore moan, searching for something to say -- anything! "This doesn't seem like the most exciting work! You must get bored standing around outside office doors."

[melichrous]

Isn’t so scary and getting to them before they’re swallowed doesn’t connect. How is it not scary when there’s a danger of being swallowed? Jackie frowned, hands on her hips in disbelief. “Swallowed? I’d say that’s pretty fuckin’ worrying at least! Don’t think there’s any coming back from that.” There isn’t really a lot of creatures willing to take her on in her larger, almost insectoid form but there’s a good thirty minutes-ish gap before the likelihood of being devoured is lessened. That's too many minutes to risk, as far as she's concerned.

it could be anything. most of it isn't so scary. easy for soren to say, large and powerful as he is. there are few things in the world that can manage to topple over something of his size. he may be on the smaller side for a dragon, but that doesn't mean much when compared to everything else. to a human, whatever form soren is in seems to be larger than average. just destructive. the problem is getting to them before they're swallowed.

[melichrous]

“Yeah?” Jackie says rather mockingly, taking it as a challenge. Now that he’s pretty much presented himself as a threat, she—legally—has a reason to stalk him as well. “What now, Romeo?” She raises a brow, “Usually you buy a lady a drink first.” Jackie usually isn’t so brazen but being stalked isn’t something to take so lightly!

ed snorts. "you wouldn't be able to. nobody can track me." erm... as long as nobody doesn't include the people in charge of managing him. there's a chip in his collar that is monitored strictly—that's how he knows he won't be able to get away with attacking her.

[melichrous]

Admittedly, she knew absolutely nothing about bikes but you didn’t have to be an expert to know what happened with this one in particular. It’s worrying to hear about just how much he’s had to do in the first place. “Scary as hell. Somethin’ out there’s bike-hungry. I’m hopin’ they’re paying you good for all that.” It’s something to look into – and she makes sure to make a mental note to stay on her toes even more now. Jackie raises both arms defensively before typing out again. “I believe you. Unless you have some kind of silencer for your welder hidden in the back, but that’s none of my business.”

yeah, something like that. you wouldn't believe how many bikes i've had come in. it's partly his fault—maybe even mostly his fault—but the work load has been real. it's nice not to be underestimated, anymore. but he doesn't want to make that anyone's problem. he has to get used to the idea that there's more around him than ever before. out in the east, nobody would care if he stayed up late making noise. city life has been a culture shock. but don't worry, i'm stopping. he even throws a sheet over the metal wreck, just to prove it.

[melichrous]

How the hell does she respond to that? Who even says that?! Yeah, I was following you? Her displeasure is clear on her face as she crosses her arms in response. “Having fun?” She frowned, her own sense of pride as a security escort now wounded. Maybe he was bluffing about following her for ages – she barely even noticed! “Ages and ages, huh? Is it my turn to stalk you now?”

starter for @melichrous !!

"yea, i was following you." he says it with an air of pride, even if he has been figured out by now. "you didn't know for ages and ages. i was camouflaged.

[melichrous]

Jackie couldn't help but laugh at his reaction - was it rude? Who knew. Fucking funny, though. Before he could even finish typing, she could only guess what he was about to say. She read it aloud, mostly to herself, before shaking her head at him and typing again. "No worries. Ironically, I did overtime by accident because I lost track of time too. I get it. Guess our other neighbors are finally about to get some sleep too, huh?"

comically, soren slaps a hand right over his forehead. when is he going to learn to check the time? he's never used the flashing sensors that sol city technology has set up for him... and maybe this is about the tenth sign that he should. he has it for his apartment, but not for things like, say... a timer. i'm so sorry. i completely lost track of the time. i'll be careful not to stay up so late next time, i swear, he types into his communicator, holding it up when he's finished.

[melichrous]

"Amen to that. Just gotta roll with it." She nodded understandingly, waving a dismissive hand as she took another long sip of her coffee. "Nah, practicing." Jackie states simply. "Two o'clock, works at a bank. Married, probably has a newborn or a fussy toddler." The aforementioned stranger stood in front of the cashier, dark circles underneath her eyes and a defeated look on her face.

Odette looked towards her tea in surprise, as if she hadn't realized it was there. She grabbed it, taking a tentative sip of it and then hummed her amusement. "They do but...can't help when things occur to me." Odette raised a brow, noticing the way she scanned the room. "Looking for someone?"

[melichrous]

She cracked a smile but doesn’t comment on the way he methodically laid himself down like any of his fussing about his clothes mattered. At least she wasn’t completely alone with her thoughts now that she had someone to talk to, if he didn’t mind her talking his ear off. If this was any other person she wouldn’t have answered – again, much too risky to be giving out information willy nilly but she had worked with all sorts of people for long enough. “What are you, a cop?” As much as she had joked, he wasn’t all to suspicious. Even if he was, there was no question she could take him in a fight. “Security escort,” and she leaves it at that. “And what are you doing, Mr. Suspicious? Besides approaching young women by their lonesome in the dark.” Jackie flashed a triumphant smile. That was a good one.

“ Maybe I will, maybe I do, ” Sebni narrowed his eyes at the woman as he continued staring at her for a few more seconds before he decide to occupy the space next to her. Calmly, slowly, carefully, he made sure his clothes were neat and clean...before plopping himself down, back on the ground, thereby rendering his clothes not neat and clean. With hands behind his head, he stared at the sky, feeling a bit relieved at the sight of the stars, as if their vastness made his insignificance felt alright. Why would he worry about anything else? Why would he listen to his fears and insecurities? When he was but a cog in the machine, a tiny human staring out into an ocean of stars? “ Client? You're on the clock? As what? You're just lying here, resting. Now that sounds more suspicious. ”

[melichrous]

Well, this answers a lot of questions! To say she was dumbstruck was an understatement. She squinted at the communicator, frowned before she took out her own communicator to start typing. “Sorry for scaring ya but it’s two in the morning, Tony Stark. Unless this is a bike-shaped permanent cure for the mutation, then it can wait until the sun’s out.” Truthfully she had felt a little bad now knowing that he can’t actually hear, but surely someone had already told him that welding, of all things, made a lot of noise? Certainly not their other neighbors, that’s for sure.

soren jumps up the moment something collides with the bike, snapping to attention...and realizing for the first time, that there's someone there. they must have been calling for him, but of course he hadn't realized it. for once, he even offers a sign, fist rubbing in the center of his chest. it's as much an apology as it is to soothe his own shock. he's very susceptible to jump scares. presuming that she won't know it either way, he pulls out his communicator to better get the message across. sorry. i can't hear. is there something i can do for you?

[melichrous]

Jackie had been apprehensive the moment she witnessed him fishing for his wallet. With both hands up, she shook her head insistently. “No, no. I don’t need all that. I do this for the people.” She stated firmly. It was the truth, after all. Her job paid more than enough and it had been very fulfilling cooking for such a large amount of people at a time. It made her feel appreciated – needed. That alone was above any amount of money she could possibly have. “That’s high praise. I appreciate that.” She cracked a smile, “I’m not after their spot. Everyone needs a break sometimes. Lotta work goes into cooking for so many people. I’m just glad I can be that for someone.”

For the weeks that the Birdies, as they had deemed themselves, were out, helpers like Jackie were always more than welcome. Nothing had held a candle to the lovely cooking of the old women, using recipes that had been passed down since before even Abel's conception in the cast iron skillets that had never seen a wash, but these casseroles and pies came close. After all, he was far too busy to cook, and the rest of the congregation didn't really know how -- they would try to cook meals to contribute to holiday feasts, but that was about where it ended... which, tragically, was probably for the best! "Thank you, Jackie." Abel opened his wallet and pulled out A$160.89, certainly more than the food was worth (and certainly an odd number to offer, but his mind still worked in USD conversions), but it was giving season! "I don't think you'll have to worry about the congregation not being part of the clean plates club." With a chuckle, he added, "I sometimes worry that they like these more than the Birdies' home cooking." And, unfortunately, he worried for good reason...

[melichrous]

"Oh, you don't need to tidy up for little ole' me. Just here to get some joe and get in the zone." She muttered brightly, scanning at the expanse of paperwork in front of them out of sheer curiosity. Mostly computer stuff from what she could tell but she's not entirely familiar. It's not her area of expertise but she's had similar clients before. Academic types are usually very unpredictable. Jackie took a long sip of her coffee then scans the room once before turning her attention back to the latter. "You working off the clock for free? Tea's getting cold, hun. I hope they're payin' you good for all that."

odie looks up at the question, then with a start realizes the stranger has sat already and her gaze follows. she looks around to see if all the tables are taken up and finds that there are a few other options as far as unclaimed table and when she once again turns to look at the newcomer, her head cocks in curiosity. before the cybernetics specialist on the table is a steaming, untouched mug of tea and a little bit of work she's taken from the office to complete in her own down time. "no, seats free." she says ultimately deciding that company would not be amiss. she shuffles her papers together so they're not all over the surface and her new tablemate has somewhere to put their coffee.

[melichrous]

"For the time being, yes. He's... in a meeting at the moment." Jackie forces a smile, though she appreciates the fact that she at least has someone to share this agony with. She likes to believe she's rather good at her job, good at keeping secrets and whatnot but it's technically not her job to cover up for her clients. "No clue." She continued, "They just started but I'm hoping for everybody involved that they wrap it up quickly."

"Ah. Professor Kimball is... unavailable, I'm guessing." The judgement in Sable's tone is clear. Which is maybe hypocritical of her; she'd be lying if she said she'd never had sex in her office. But damn, she saved it for after hours at least. She certainly made sure she didn't have any upcoming meetings, like the one she's supposed to be having with Professor Kimball. "Any idea when he might be, ahem... finished?"

[melichrous]

She huffs, looking around momentarily before deciding slowly make her way forward - oh and also to do something stupid. Jackie retrieves one sizeable branch off the ground and sends it flying, aiming right for the very bike he was working on. "Who the fuck--" She bends over, picks up another one and launches it again, "WELDS at two in the morning?!" If her words can't seem to reach him, she might as well resort to more creative ways to get his attention.

naturally, soren is oblivious to her complaint and continues to work, welding away at the mess of metal in question. it's a wonder that there's anything left of the thing at all, but that's just how test rides out in the wastes happen to go. this one, at least, he knows hasn't been stolen. just... it seems to be... swallowed? either way, he's almost got the toothmarks out of the rear...

[melichrous]

She kept her gaze steady as he stared down at her, seemingly unfocused. Was he seriously checking her out right now? Right as she's having an existential crisis? Either way, it doesn’t go unnoticed. “Cool. Stare all you want then.” She waves her hand in the air dismissively. “What, you have the occupy all the space mutation? Plenty of ground left to lie on.” Jackie frowns, though his presence isn’t entirely unwelcome. The stargazing was a bust and she hates being lonely. Even the presence of a stranger is good company - to her at least.

"Well, if you must know... This is, in my professional opinion, the best possible spot to make sure I can keep my client safe." She admits, without having to disclose where her current client is exactly. No need for a breach in security - she's close enough to get to them in a pinch if need be. "Besides, I'm incognito and you're being rather suspicious, I might say."

“ Fortunately for you, I don't snitch, ” Sebni heaved a sigh as he stood over her, his attention on her body. At least that's what it looked like, and the professor did not have the instinct to make it look something else. Truth was, he was having a sort of talk with the grass beneath and around the woman, making sure they were alright and that she was not someone he should fear (at least at the moment). “ Unfortunately for you, you're in my spot. ”

Something she said piqued his interest, though. What business would there be, taking his favorite spot where he pondered his existence, thinking over the many things he did wrong or should have done right, especially with the people he loved? “ But what business, pray tell, would require someone to lay here all alone? Officially speaking, of course. ”

[melichrous]

↪ Noisy neighbors ; @buriedwithit for soren

Normally, she would've been rushing to get into her pajamas and get in bed by now but here she was, stomping around in the dark moving towards the source of the offending noise. Jackie had only been home for approximately five seconds when all that racket started up. Morals be damned, she was still technically in her work clothes anyways. With relative ease, she hauled herself over the fence and zeroed in on some guy hunched over a motorcycle. Really? At this hour? "Hey, Tony Stark. It's two in the morning."