undergrounds | [OPEN] October Post

Redbright Institute
Open to Redbright affiliates.

[Oliver is getting settled into his new role now. He can often be seen out and about, fixing computers, phones, or whatever else might need doing. It's often basic stuff. Not too different from his last job in the end besides the kinds of people he's working around. Turns out the supernatural are just as prone to not realizing their printer isn't plugged in as anyone else.

He tries to make small talk with other staff members where he can, but he's a little awkward about it. Definitely still an outsider, and not just because he's a standard human. Much of the time he's not working on projects he's in his office, typing at his computer but more than available if anyone should come knocking.]

Some Bar Somewhere
OTA, Friday evenings.

[After a week of work it's nice kick back and relax with a beer or two. He stands at the bar, tending to keep to himself at first, though he's responsive to small talk.

It's later on when he's a little more tipsy he's less capable of that. A little more likely to bump into someone followed by a stuttered apology. He can be found outside too, attempting to clear his head, but maybe wincing a little at the smoke of cigarettes inevitably lit near the door.]

Coffee Shop
OTA, whenever.

[Sometimes a guy's got to have coffee. He's more than capable of making his own, but he appreciates the fancy kind beyond his skill that no good barista would consider coffee anymore. Especially when there are seasonal varieties for him to enjoy.

Maybe his pumpkin spice latte is a little eye roll worthy, but hey, it tastes really good.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Annie, too, had ordered herself a pumpkin spice latte. It was one of her weaknesses around this time, enjoying the spices, the way it filled her nose and just made her think of autumn.

But that's the thing. She's been waiting for a while for hers, and this other guy has just reached up to take the coffee that she's quite sure should have been hers.

Usually, she'd let it go. But she was working on her ability to talk to people, and, well. This was going to be an experiment.] Uhm, excuse me. Sorry, hi- I think- I think that's my coffee...?

[He'd been impressed at how fast it had been made, but he hadn't thought much of it beyond that. He looks confused for a moment at the interruption, but his eyes widen as he sees her. She's definitely been waiting longer than he has. If they made the same order... this is definitely hers. Especially if the awkward look the poor barista he'd just taken it off is anything to go by.]

Right. Sorry. I didn't know anyone else was waiting for the same thing.

[He holds the drink out to her, waiting for her to take it.]

[Annie shakes her head.] No, no, it's okay. You can, ah, you can have this one. You got to it first. I don't mind.

[she gives him a soft smile.] I don't really want to inconvenience you.

[That hadn't been the reaction he expected, and it takes him a moment to realize she isn't taking it.

It just makes him hold the drink out even more insistently. How can he take it from her when he knows if the situation were reversed he'd probably have let himself miss out on his own drink too?]

It's not mine. It's not like I'm going to have to wait any longer than I would have if I hadn't taken yours instead.

[She shakes her head, holding her hand up to stop him from pushing the coffee on to her.]

No- no, I insist. You already thought it was yours, I should have let it go.

[Now she was having an awkward conversation and she didn't even want the psl anymore.]

[He looks back at the baristas. Both the people working the counter seem unimpressed with the disagreement, but at least it's something they can ignore.]

Why? It's yours. What if someone had done that on purpose?

But- they didn't...?

[If someone had, she would have let it go, probably, in the same way she was doing now.] Take the latte. Please?

[He opens his mouth to argue further, but luckily for both of them that's when one of the baristas calls out yet another pumpkin spice latte.]

Well... I guess it's better you take mine now?

[It takes her by surprise, and Annie drops her head, giggling just a little. She reaches for the latte.] I mean, if you do want it....

[He holds his free hand out in a shrug, able to laugh genuinely now that the mishap isn't going to cause either one of them more problems.]

Take whichever one you like. I really don't mind.

Okay.

[Annie reaches for her original latte, taking it from Oliver. After that, she hands him the new one.]

There. Sorry. I shouldn't have said anything.

Thanks.

[He takes the new one, taking a sip now that that's sorted.]

But I am still glad you said something. It was your drink. Maybe I'll pay better attention to the queue order next time.

[Annie lights up a little.] Oh- really? Ah, thanks.

I'm- I'm Annie.

You don't have to thank me for stealing your coffee.

I'm Oliver.

No, no. I mean- thank you. For saying that it was good I spoke up. I don't- really talk that much? To strangers.

Sit with me, Oliver? [Maybe they could be friends.] Least I can do.

Neither do I. But when someone's walking off with your stuff they're either oblivious or an asshole. Either way you should probably say something.

[He motions to the nearest table.]

Is here okay?

I hope you're just oblivious.

[She smiles, and nods.] Sure.

[She takes a seat, and smiles across the table at her new friend.] You're American. [Stating the obvious.]

I hope so too.

[He grins, sitting down and relaxing into the seat opposite her. Maybe she's stating the obvious, but on the plus side at least she's not guessing Canadian.]

I am. I've lived in London for a few years though.

Me, too. [She pauses, and blinks.] I mean- that I've lived in London for a few years. I'm Irish.

[She doesn't know how great Oliver is at picking up the different accents of the United Kingdom.]

[Not great, as it happens. He's got better at it over the years, and he'd been pretty sure, but the confirmation is nice.]

Which part of Ireland are you from? I've never been there.

One of the Iran islands. You've, ah, probably never heard of it before. [Annie cracks a smile at her own joke.] Southern Ireland.

[He laughs as well, though he is shaking his head.]

No, I haven't. I'm sorry. I'm the clueless kind of American.

[she laughs again]

It's okay- I couldn't tell you where most of your states are.

[OPEN] October Post

coffee!

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject