|
Post by Carlin Drave on Jul 13, 2012 21:18:12 GMT -5
[atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=border,0,true] | [atrb=style,padding:0; margin: 0; background-image:url(http://i48.tinypic.com/28sn5mf.jpg); background-repeat:no-repeat; width: 500px; height:524px;]
"Dialogue." Thoughts.
At first Carlin thought he was just being exceptionally funny today, but it turned out that this girl never stops grinning. Ever. Even when she talked about things that would make most people sad -- like how she didn't have anyone to talk to, or how she annoyed most of her friends away -- still that smile was ever-present. The wide grin suited her; her smile lit up her whole face, and the world wouldn't be right if Mary was frowning.
He couldn't help but smile, too. He didn't really know how to respond to the clothing comment; he knew there were places sectioned off where people didn't wear clothes, but it seemed too serious of a comment to make with Mary. Spending time with her made him feel like he had to accompany her childish behavior -- not that that was difficult for him. "If they know I'm mad, they'll take me away!" That comment made him a bit nervous; the thought had crossed his mind a few times throughout their conversation. What if Mary was some mental hospital escaped patient? She couldn't remember her friend's names -- what if she had forgotten she was supposed to be locked up in the white room? Then again, she held a job, and got into college; she couldn't be that crazy. She wasn't crazy ... completely. Just ... imaginative, and happy.
She started to laugh, which escalated quickly into a giggle fit. She tried to cover her mouth; it was cute. Like watching his six-year-old cousin. She wasn't his baby cousin, though, so he began to worry a bit. What if she was laughing at him? Sure, a lot of people thought his collection was odd, but he didn't expect Mary to laugh at him about it. But maybe she wasn't laughing at the bow-tie collection; Was there something in his teeth? Was his hair especially curly today? Did he smell? Did he have ice cream on his face? But she quickly explained herself, and he wanted to laugh. Her childish wit had begun to grow on him; he had to match it.
He feigned surprise. "Blast it, Mary, how did you figure out my cover so quickly?" He pulled his phone out and said harshly to the home screen: "Abort mission! Abort mission! Cover is blown!" He laughed. Him, a spy? Never. He was no where near tough enough, let alone even know how to obtain that kind of profession. No -- he was going to stick to risk-free careers. "You're quite right. My dinner date with a friend isn't actually a dinner date at all -- I'm actually off to stop some terrorists. Got to look good for the show, yes?" He stuck his phone back in his back pocket and grinned at the silliness of this conversation. "Those action movies are just meant to throw people off; the real spy agencies look for blokes as short and skinny as me. And even spies have polite talks with their mums once in awhile." He laughed. They had reached the store now, and (after saying hello to Rachel, the older woman who ran the store), he headed straight to the back of the store where they kept their bow-ties. There were hundreds of them on display, all sorts of patterns and prints available. "Bright colors are good. I actually do have bright orange. And yellow. No rainbow, though..." He picked up one with rainbow stripes.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mary Aoife Stuart on Jul 14, 2012 0:42:50 GMT -5
[atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=border,0,true] | [atrb=style,padding:0; margin: 0; background-image:url(http://i45.tinypic.com/ebexie.jpg);background-repeat:no-repeat;width: 600px;height:523px;]
"Dialogue." Thoughts.
He wasn't running.
She'd just pretty much admitted she was as nutty as a cuckoo-clock and there'd really been no reaction. Not one that she'd noticed, but she'd been told she wasn't exactly the most observant of people. She believed the term used to describe her was blissfully oblivious. Which was almost cruel, but pleasantly true. Besides, being blissfully ignorant had its perks. It meant she could be as blunt as she wanted, use whatever unique words she wanted, and have way more to be curious about. People who knew too much were always thinking 'What if this contradicts that and how does this all fit together?' Mary didn't have to deal with any of that. It was one of the reasons she'd been considered "smart" - because, despite all her quirks, oddities, and total lack of conversational skills, she'd always been able to find a balance between contradictory information. Her whole life was full of contradictions and things that didn't quite fit together. She loved how overcomplicated it was.
But that wasn't exactly important. The important thing was that even when Mary acted her maddest (and this, unfortunately was barely in the Top Ten of mad situations), Carlin hadn't run away. He'd had some sort of reaction that she couldn't exactly gauge, but he hadn't been like 'You need help' and ditched her at some psychiatric ward like she'd once been threatened to have done to her. That'd been a very amusing day. The guy who suggested it was actually the one that ended up getting stuck there and she'd gotten to drive his car. A nice, fancy silver Audi. It'd been the guy's parents' and she'd returned it after driving around quite a bit in it and narrowly avoiding getting a speeding ticket.
She bit her cheek, her eyes watering from the laughter she was forcing to stay inside her. They were already getting a few exasperated looks - nothing new to Mary. It could get a lot worse because she was extremely close to simply collapsing against a wall and letting all the laughter escape. She had one hand clamping her mouth shut and the other squeezing her stomach. She forced herself to breathe, and good golly, she was practically tearing up from happiness. She quickly wiped her eyes before Carlin noticed (hopefully) and grinned at her friend. They were officially friends now, weren't they? "I'm so sure. I promise I won't report you to the US gov. Just don't kill me," |
[/font] she replied, widening her eyes and putting her hands in the air. When she noticed one of the mall cops was staring, she flashed a quick grin and waved. The man didn't exactly twitch, but he seemed to be content with the situation and rolled away on one of those segways they rode around on. Quite honestly, Mary had always wanted to ride one. She'd just never thought it was worth robbing a mall cop for or buying an expensive tour for. Besides, with her track record, she'd end up falling on her face. She wasn't sure who that would disappoint, but it probably would disappoint someone. She flashed another grin at Carlin as he continued the act. Her ears pricked up at the mention of the dinner a second time. "What's your friend like? The one you're eating with and is possibly helping you beat up terrorists? Is it a girl? Do you like her? Like, as in like-like. Not the friend 'like.'"[/font] She glanced up hopefully at Carlin. She probably would only remember half of it, but it was still something to talk about. "And the twiggy spies are always the best ones. No one thinks they are spies. You should always be suspicious of people that are over six feet tall, wearing black, and shades. And ladies wearing tight, short dresses that can punch you hard enough to knock you out. But you probably know that, already. That's like typical spy knowledge."[/font] Mary's eyes danced in amusement as they entered the bow-tie place. That meant she'd actually have to lower her voice. She glanced at the greeter person and flashed a hopeful smile at the lady Carlin had greeted. She really didn't get much of a noticeable response from the lady, so the blonde waved her fingers absently before following Carlin. Where they went, there were a lot more bow-ties than she'd ever seen before. She couldn't keep herself from grabbing the fist one she saw - a bright blue one with black undersides. It was actually quite nice - but she'd never wear it. She glanced at Carlin as he looked at one of the bow-ties. This one had rainbow pinstripes - which was actually pretty cool. "You said that the bow-tie was for tonight? Then you should wear a bright color that brings out your ideas. Wait, are they brown? Because dark green goes well with that. I think..."[/font] Mary frowned and tilted her head somewhat. "Though, I wouldn't trust me with organizing clothing. I'm as good at it as a turtle. Or maybe a turtle's better [/font] than I am. Maybe I'll ask for a turte when I get more time. [/div][/td][/tr][/table][/center]
|
|
|
Post by Carlin Drave on Jul 15, 2012 14:08:38 GMT -5
[atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=border,0,true] | [atrb=style,padding:0; margin: 0; background-image:url(http://i48.tinypic.com/28sn5mf.jpg); background-repeat:no-repeat; width: 500px; height:524px;]
Oh, no. This was exactly the conversation he didn't want to have with Mary. "What's your friend like? Do you like her?" So far, his conversation with Mary had been care-free, talking about silly things like soccer and spies. He hadn't talked much about the main part of his life, with Rebecca and Lucas. It was almost like he wanted to keep them separate, Rebecca and Lucas, and Mary. But Mary loved to talk, and she said she didn't remember much; maybe she would be the kind of person he could confide in. She didn't seem like the kind of person who could keep secrets, but...if she told anyone anything, with her reputation, they probably wouldn't believe her.
He cleared his throat. "Um, well, yes, the friend I'm meeting is a girl. Not a spy, though -- at least not that I'm aware of." He chuckled a bit. "She's my best friend, we've known each other since the beginning of high school. Do I like her? I...I don't know. I love her, she's my best friend. And she's gorgeous, of course. But...I mean, we've just known each other for so long. I don't think she would feel the same way." He hadn't said these thoughts out loud since...ever, and it was making him a bit uncomfortable. He scratched the back of his head. Though, it felt good to say it out loud; even to someone who probably wouldn't remember. Which was a good thing -- Mary and Rebecca attended the same school, and he didn't want his darkest secret to be revealed to Rebecca through a mental-hospital-escapee.
"Actually, I was considering using this dinner to...to tell her. When I get there, I'll probably chicken out. I'm a coward when it comes to these kinds of things." Not to mention the fact that Rebecca always had this way of screwing everything up. Really, she was just the kind of person that he normally would hate.
While they were looking through the bow ties -- Mary went on about turtles, though Carlin was getting use to picking out her actual conversation and her ramblings -- he thought of a question. "Say, Mary, you're a girl. Would you ever date a mate who you've had for a long time?" Mary and Rebecca weren't similar in personality, but they were both girls; and girls seemed to have this secret code, a way of doing things that almost never made sense to him. So maybe she could give him insight on the type of reaction Rebecca would have if he ever told her.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mary Aoife Stuart on Jul 17, 2012 23:08:23 GMT -5
[atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=border,0,true] | [atrb=style,padding:0; margin: 0; background-image:url(http://i45.tinypic.com/ebexie.jpg);background-repeat:no-repeat;width: 600px;height:523px;]
Mary glanced at Carlin uneasily. Was she being too nosy? She really couldn't read people, but there was a certain tension in the air whenever she asked those sort of questions. And that loud rustle. At least, that's how it always was in a movie. There'd be a brooding silence and then a loud crackle - usually a newspaper or some sort of clothing. And they were in a clothing store. Or whatever Carlin had called it. Vintage shop? She had no clue. Something about unique items and how they sold colorful bowties. But that was beside the point. The blonde almost subconsciously started glancing around - listening for that cliched sound. There wasn't really one. Did that mean that this was a perfectly normal situation or that cliches didn't always work out? Because she wished she could bet on the first one. She'd always liked the idea of cliches becoming true, if only because in them, there was a comfort that that cheesy cliched thing could happen to you.
She jumped slightly as Carlin cleared his throat, stepping back a step and straightening. Her blue eyes widened before they refocused on Carlin. She smiled and quickly returned to her position at the man's elbow, leaning in to look at all the curious bow-ties. She hoped he didn't mind. She didn't obviously but Mary had never really been good at noting personal boundaries. Her mind - random and brilliant and totally out of control - didn't seem to factor in the comfort of others as much as it should as far as space went. The blonde nodded and blinked as Carlin went on.
He sure sounded like one of those sweet people from all the romantic movies her mother had made her watch. Not that they were bad, persay, but they were a constant reminder that everyone got lucky sometimes. Except, it seemed, her. She shifted and tilted her head curiously. Carlin was really being quite the hopeless, unrequited lover. In the movies, he always got the girl. However, the movies weren't exactly playing out right because they hadn't even down the crackling noise for tension. Nor was she in any way, shape, or form an idiot. But she was blonde. She shifted awkwardly and lightly patted Carlin on the back.
"I'm glad she's not a spy," she replied lightly, her eyes crinkling as she flashed Carlin a quick smile. "But I bet she'll like you back. Who wouldn't like hanging out with you, and if she's been your friend for awhile, then I guess you should take a shot, right? And if you think she's gorgeous, then you should definitely take a chance." Mary shrugged and scratched the back of her head ruefully. "Though, I suppose I'm the last one to give advice. I don't think I've been around enough people to have a crush. And probably sat through too many romantic movies." She rolled her eyes at the last part and give Carlin a quick hug before stepping back to glance at the ties.
She mused over the man's question as she let her eyes stray over the various assortment of ties. There was a cherry one and it was absolutely hideous. A lovely red, yes, but marred by the cherries that marked it. If she ever had to wear something cherry-themed (though what for, she had no clue), she would say that they were wild holly berries. Even that thought made the bow-tie look better. Unless it was a botany event. Then she was screwed. She blinked and returned her gaze to Carlin. "But yeah. I think I would. No one would know my quirks like my best friend, and I don't think I'd want someone who only liked me as a guy likes a girl. I think friendship is just as important as happiness. I never understood why it never happened like that in the movies." She frowned at the thought for a moment before shrugging.
"But I don't live in the movies. As much as I want to. I love movie popcorn," she remarked. She was slightly pleased with that change. It was smoother than most of her changes. Which had to say something about her conversations. The blonde pointed at a tie with bright orange and yellow pinstripes on a black background. "That looks like a nice one."
|
|
|
|
Post by Carlin Drave on Jul 18, 2012 19:11:38 GMT -5
[atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=border,0,true] | [atrb=style,padding:0; margin: 0; background-image:url(http://i48.tinypic.com/28sn5mf.jpg); background-repeat:no-repeat; width: 500px; height:524px;]
She said her peace and gave him a quick, slightly awkward, hug, and he smiled at her. She was right; Rebecca hadn't had many other boyfriends, it wasn't like she was in love with someone else. Might as well take a shot, right? He respected Rebecca and he knew everything there was to know about her...he had done everything he could do to make her happy, how could she ever deny him? I'm the perfect package: nice, funny, romantic, British. What every American girl dreams for. He tried to tell himself. Mary had said it himself: Who wouldn't like hanging out with you?
Which got him to thinking...wondering how Mary thought about him. From what she said, she didn't hang out with many other guys; he wondered if she even had any other male friends. I'll bet she'll like you back. That could be a problem -- what if Mary developed feelings for him? Now don't get cocky, He tried to throw the idea away. She had just met him, after all; he wasn't that charming, certainly not that good-looking. His nose was too big, and his hair was just weird. If Mary liked him, it was probably because he was one of the only people that was kind to her. Mary seemed to be that kind of person that was above having crushes. She was too...too innocent, too much like a child to feel that way about another person.
If Mary did have a crush on him, it would be flattering; if she didn't, it was just as well, because his feelings were only for Rebecca. He had dated a few girls in high school -- mostly to get Rebecca to ignore his crush on her, and to assure the rest of the guys in school that he wasn't gay -- and while they were nice, they always broke up with him because he was too nice and they wanted a bad boy. He certainly wasn't that, but...hopefully Rebecca would see that his feelings were genuine, and that would be enough. He had to tell her.
But, back to the bow-ties. "That one is nice," He agreed with her, picking up the orange one she was pointing at. He held it up to his chest, underneath his neck where -- if he picked it out -- he would be wearing it later tonight. "What do you think? Imagine me in a suit." He laughed. As he waited for her to respond, he glanced up at the clock on the wall across from them -- crap.
"Oh, no. If I don't hurry, I won't be early. You have to be early to insure they don't give your table away." He explained, now feeling a bit of worry. He needed to hurry up and pick one, and then get out of there and back to his dorm. He didn't want to blow Mary off -- he was really having a great time with her -- but...this was dinner with Rebecca. And besides, they had their soccer game after work on Monday.
Between Mary and Rebecca, well...there really wasn't much of a choice.
"Dialogue." Thoughts.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mary Aoife Stuart on Jul 22, 2012 22:47:11 GMT -5
[atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=border,0,true] | [atrb=style,padding:0; margin: 0; background-image:url(http://i45.tinypic.com/ebexie.jpg);background-repeat:no-repeat;width: 600px;height:523px;]
"Dialogue." Thoughts.
Mary tilted her head thoughtfully at Carlin's command. Him in a suit? The blonde's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. She fidgeted slightly for a moment before nodding speculatively. She supposed he looked good for normal people standards. She had no concept on what was "hot" and what was not, but Carlin was cute enough that he probably didn't have to get passed off as "hot" in order to get girls. She really wasn't sure... This was probably one of the reasons she had a bad grade in her psychology class. It interested her, but she really had no grasp on it whatsoever. Focus! |
[/font] Carlin in a suit was probably not much different then the current Carlin. Would his hair be neater? Probably not. And he'd be wearing the bowtie. She hummed the tune to 'Build Me Up Buttercup' as she looked over him cheerily. She shrugged absently and grinned sheepishly. "I guess so. I have no sense of fashion, though. None. Nada. Zilch. And all those other words I can't remember that mean 'no.' Nor do I have any idea what you'd look like dressed up. But by simply cutting and pasting your head into a suit with that bowtie, I think you look fine." The blonde ended her words and glanced at her hands - which had been gesturing excitedly. She really needed to practice talking with them tied to her sides. The more excited and delighted she got, the more frantic and melodramatic her hand-motions came. Sometimes they were simply fluttering up and down. Not to mention that she realized she was standing at the tips of her toes. She tended to bounce, too. Taking a deep breath, she nodded. "But yeah, fine."She shifted awkwardly, her face flushing from a mixture of excitement and embarrassment. The blonde absently gestured a somewhat apologetic gesture as she fixated her gaze on the bowties. She just as absently poked at one. She'd known a guy who wore bowties. Well, no. She'd pretended she'd known one by dressing up her brother in a bowtie and waking him up with the flash of her camera. That'd been an awkward one to explain to her parents. Her poor parents. Blue eyes twinkled slightly at the thought as she did her best not to let her smile fade a little. She kind of missed being home. "Well!" She straightened up and did her best to meet Carlin's gaze. His words were enough to get her out of the little display of emotion she was getting. She was doing fine, her parents were, too, and she'd call them some time. "You definitely need to go. Go get that bowtie. See you at work. Bring soccer stuff for Monday - or whenever we see each other again. If you beat me, I'll give you my number so you can help me with homework. Bye!" She grinned and lightly pushed Carlin out of the way and in the direction of the cash registers before giving him a light hug, a poke, and began to leave. [/div][/td][/tr][/table][/center]
|
|