[Open] Plain talking takes us so far. Plain talking served us so well.

[dominateartimus]

Who: Xander Jarle & you?
Where: A grocery store, for the most part.
When: November 8th, evening.
What: Xander is finishing up work for the day and encountering other members of the network.


It wasn't unusual for Xander to slip between the cart barricade that blocked the entry way to the ovens. Once again, he needed to pick up a few things before he left the store, but was promptly halted by another customer who was inquiring about some baked goods. With a smile (despite the buzzing in his head making it difficult to focus), he did his best to reassure the person that they were closed for the evening and would be restocked first thing in the morning. After bidding them farewell, he shifts his bag on his shoulder and starts to move out of the bakery section towards another aisle.

Comments

[glorifiedtrash]

Zelos did have a busy schedule, but he always had been an overachiever whenever he wanted something. Some network scouring, google maps and good old fashioned footwork and flirting with one of Xander's co-workers until they were conveniently near the week's schedule was all it'd taken! ...Which was honestly far too much for this and slightly disturbing, but it had been a challenge. And it was fun. Who needed an excuse!

So waiting outside the store he leans against a parking meter. When he catches sight of Xander finally he'll wave. "Yoooo!" ...He's not even trying to be subtle.

[dominateartimus]

Xander was in the middle of putting away a bag of non-perishable groceries in to his other bag before he heard a 'yooo', which causes him to lift his head and spots Zelos. He blinks a few times, wondering why the other man bothered to try and figure out where he worked. Then came the thought that Zelos might have tracked down where he lived too. He tries not to jump to that conclusion right away.

"So you found me." He starts as he zips up his bag with a chuckle and carefully slides it back on to his shoulder. "Or am I to assume that I'm not the one you're looking for?"

A part of him did hope that it was the latter choice as he made sure to stay out of the way of any coming or going customers of the store. He wasn't moving any closer to the red headed stage performer either.

[glorifiedtrash]

"Now, now! Don't be like that!" Zelos waits for a few people to pass out of the way before strolling right up. "A challenge is a challenge is a challenge! I did pretty good, hmmm? I didn't even hire a PI!"

Is he being too loud about this? His voice does carry. Of course it's on purpose, but if anyone were to look at him he just seems really enthused to see Xander. ...Doesn't stop the other customers from whispering. Isn't that Zelos Wilder-

[dominateartimus]

So much for hoping.

"...You did and I'm glad you didn't send a private investigator after me." He comments, keeping his voice to a normal level unlike the man he's presently talking to. "Congratulations."

He didn't appreciate that Zelos was causing a scene. Sure, this one wasn't involving a special ability being used in public nor was a cop like Nick, but he still felt uncomfortable for having several eyes on him. Even if their attention was mainly on Zelos and muttering gossip among themselves.

Not wanting to stick around, he starts to walk away. Zelos would need to try a lot harder to keep him from leaving.

[glorifiedtrash]

"Woah! Wait up!" Perfect. He doesn't really want to stand around in public; he doesn't mind the gossip, but it's hard to...talk about some things in the open like this, hmmm?. Quickening his step he falls into stride next to Xander. "Let's go somewhere! I won, so I get to pick, hm? What do you say."

[dominateartimus]

Xander doesn't respond to Zelos' protest for him to wait and continues to keep moving. But, when the other man catches up and states about going somewhere, he looks over his shoulder to the red-haired man with a flat expression.

"You don't take other people's thoughts in to consideration do you?"

He has a feeling that he couldn't get out of this situation without causing a scene and that was one of the last things he wants to do right now. So, he pulls out a cigarette and a cheap replacement lighter to light up. He needed a stress reliever right now.

[glorifiedtrash]

"Does it seem like that? I really am thinking about you. About all of you!" He says this much more quietly and far more seriously; this is only for Xander to hear. He is definitely thinking about everyone from their private little psychic network. "I wouldn't have come all this way if it was just to embarrass you. I can promise you that."

Truths, half-truths, he has so many reasons for coming it's insane. But this whole situation is insane so it fits right in. Rather than expound further he offers a grin. "So how about it! It can't hurt you to have a little fun with me, hmmm?"

[dominateartimus]

"Yes, even though I told you not to bother." He states after blowing out some smoke away from Zelos. "...But clearly that wasn't enough to dissuade you from meeting me."

Then again, he might be talking circles now. He was tired from work and the loud buzzing in his head, even though he was getting enough sleep each night thanks to his sleeping medication.

"I take it we're not walking there, are we?"

[glorifiedtrash]

"Nope! I just wanted to make sure you weren't going to make a run for it first." Looking around he hails a cab and turns to Xander when it pulls up. "Do you think you're up to this?"

A definite challenge. If Xander can offer them surely he can take them, right?

[synonymouswithdookie]

Ray hated shopping. Ray haaaaaaaaaaaaaaated shopping, but he had a kitty to feed and y'know probably also needed to eat in order to do that whole surviving thing, so here he was. At the grocery store. Doing what he hated like a responsible adult.

In all honesty, he was far more responsible when it came to his cat's food than his own. He was busy comparing labels on a couple different containers of cat food when he just happened to glance up and see Xander coming down the aisle.

"Oh, hey."

Not the most enthusiastic greeting ever, but hey. It's how Ray rolls.

[dominateartimus]

"Hi." He returns the greeting as he moves to stop near by.

Just like Ray, he needed to pick up some additional cat food for Connor and Hugh. Although, he didn't take forever to decide on what brand he needed.

"How's your hand?"

[synonymouswithdookie]

Only the best for Cookie Monster, keep that gluten shit OUT of his cat food. Ray finally decided on a brand and started tossing cans into his basket.

"Great, actually. How's your face? I didn't jar anything out of place, did I?"

[dominateartimus]

Ray really shouldn't toss the cans so carelessly in to his basket. What if he dented the can and made it harder on himself to open it? Xander was a bit more careful with placing the cans of food in his basket.

"That's good hear." He replies before pausing and chuckling. "It's been fine. Even if you did, I went and got it taken care of."

He looks down at his basket, trying his best to mentally calculate the amount despite the buzzing in his head. He really hopes Savarna will act on his plan very soon.

[synonymouswithdookie]

Ray has this thing where he doesn't think ahead about anything. Ever.

"Good, I was a little concerned there. My hand was swollen for like a week, I can only imagine how your face turned out. I bet it made for a good story though, right?"

Aw poor Xander, he just needed to work on ignoring everything that annoyed him. Like Ray did. He was actually very good at it.

[dominateartimus]

It might come back to get him at a later date.

"I'm sorry that your hand was like that for a week." He states, rather genuine with his apology before pausing to think about the state of his jaw. "...I kept a lot of ice on it when I wasn't busy. When anyone asked about it, I told them I got hit while playing a contact sport."

Ignoring and keeping silent on something could only go so far before reaching a breaking point. Like constantly lying to your parents and therapist because they wouldn't understand what is going on and think that he lost his mind due to the memories that weren't his but were eerily similar to his life. Yet, here he is, being stubborn and putting on a pleasant smile despite what is happening internally.

[synonymouswithdookie]

Yeah, that's how that kind of thing generally tended to work.

"Baaah." Ray waved the apology off. It had been his brilliant idea to knock him out, after all. "That definitely sounds cooler than 'some little asshole knocked my ass out in a mall bathroom'. Personally, I probably would have made up some elaborate bullshit about getting into a bar fight with like six rugby players."

Hey, nothing wrong with being stubborn. Well, unless it drives you to insanity maybe.

[dominateartimus]

"Well, it's not the first time I've used a contact sport as a cover story." Xander comments with a bit a smirk and chuckle. "I think you'd be able to pull it off successfully."

It's only a matter of time until that happens.

[flamberge]

One of the customers at the store right now had realized at far too late an hour that nothing else at home seemed to be edible and no more cup ramen was available. Thus, one Richard Locke is walking down the very same aisle as Xander and trying to find the cup ramen. It may not be healthy or even good, but it's fast. When you have stacks of homework to grade? Fast is a lifesaver.

Needless to say, Richard isn't paying much attention to anyone else around, especially one his eyes catch sight of the reason behind this late night grocery trip. Hmm several flavors appear in stock. Good, now which one to get?

[dominateartimus]

Xander continues down the aisle, but starts to slow down in his pace since his attention was moving to the shelves. He needed a few cans of soup, but so far, it appeared to be further down, past Richard.

When his gaze crosses the red headed man, he blinks briefly, almost doing a double take. He recognizes this guy from the monster fight, the one with the sword and gun, but they have never spoken on the network. Then again, he could be completely wrong. There was only one way to be sure.

"...Sorry to bother you. Do I know you?"

[flamberge]

Richard is in the midst of deciding between beef and chicken flavor (artificial flavor a and artificial flavor b, rather) when someone behind him speaks up. A glance over in that direction reveals a familiar face, if one only familiar thanks in part to a certain battle a little while back.

"I believe we may have seen each other in passing before." Not saying how directly due to the presence of another person passing them by in the aisle. Best to not risk anyone hearing anything unnecessary, after all. It is clear from his behavior that Richard does remember Xander, though.

[dominateartimus]

"I think so too, but I don't think I got your name." He replies before glancing slightly over his shoulder at the passerby, making sure he wasn't in their way. "...I'm Xander."

He offers a hand to the other man, just to be polite.

[flamberge]

“Proper introductions proved a tad difficult at that time.” Having manners while fighting a monster is kinda hard, just saying.

Thankfully, whatever that person needed didn't seem to be in this aisle so they move on to the next one. The offered hand gets a nice and firm shake in return. “Richard.”

[dominateartimus]

"Yeah. Well, at least we're fortunate to bump in to each other at a later date." Then again, not everyone stuck around to talk after defeating the monster.

He shakes the other man's hand with a gentle touch and a nod. "It's nice to meet you as well, Richard."

Once introductions were made, he pulls back his hand and glances to the shelves of ramen. What he needed wasn't here, but was further down the aisle. He wasn't about to rudely take off on the other man and at the same time, couldn't make any recommendations on what brand to eat. Unable to help himself, he taps the strap of his bag. It was a restless habit when talking to people.

"Anyway, I won't hold you up from your shopping."

[flamberge]

"Lucky, if entirely unexpected." Not to say it's bad; quite the contrary as Richard doesn't mind chatting when he has the time. He had been one of those who hadn't stay to chat. Monster hunting was important, hence why he'd come; chatting around after wasn't.

A comment of it being a pleasure on his end comes from Richard, as well. Xander's comment causes him to briefly glance over the ramen. "Purchasing cup ramen hardly constitutes as shopping." It really doesn't. Shopping means buying actual things; coming to buy ramen because cooking takes too much effort is just laziness (or being far too busy) at its finest.

[dominateartimus]

"True." He replies with a curt nod. To be honest, he didn't hold it against Richard for taking off since he figured the man had a job to return back to.

Richard's response gets a chuckle from him. "...It's still getting something, even if it is instant noodles and flavoring. Too bad there isn't a deal going on right now. I take it you're not a fan of canned soup?"