Who: Dirk Sutherland, Tony Sparado, Richard Stroud When: 5/29-5/30 Where: The mall, Espresso Yourself What: Catching up with each other, drinking coffee, doing things. Yep.
[Life's been pretty busy, that's no surprise. Even without the whole aliens and whatever else business that's been happening, Dirk's time has been squandered between school and work. Gotta save up to move out, and boy does he ever want to. So, on his days off from work, he's decided to make some time for his favorite people. With Tony being free too, they decided to meet at the mall and play catch up.]
[So here they are, walking down the way, glancing at stores and what not as they talk. Dirk offering Tony a very slight smile before:]
Now I don't mean to get all sentimental on you, but I think I'd end up going crazy if I didn't find some time to spend hangin' with you again. Just feels weird not having you around all the time.
[Man has it ever been. Between Dirk's busy schedule and Tony's remarkable ability for getting himself in over his head, they've not had much time to talk at all. It's about time they caught up, though, as he has quite a bit of news to share and he's sure Dirk does as well.]
[He saw that look, Dirk, but he won't make a fuss over it. Honestly he's been chipper and beaming since they met up. What can he say he's missed hanging out with his best friend.]
It's about time, I was starting to feel neglected. [He puts on his best pout just for you.] But no, I get it. It's been too long, though. How's everything been, anyway?
[He shakes his head at his pout, oh Tony. You never change.]
S'fine.
[He says it all too quickly, and he knows he's lying. To some extent, anyway.]
I mean--the old woman has laid off a bit since you haven't been around, but I think that's more so because she thinks we're not friends anymore.
[He sounds a bit sore saying that, but it's pretty obvious what she thinks, and god does it bother Dirk.]
Anyway, beyond that I've been busy with school and work, school's letting out soon, at least. That'll lighten up my load a little, and make everything else that's going on a little more bearable.
[Tony grumbles tiredly. He tries very hard not to be resentful of it, but he really can't help being irritated that he's hated by someone he's barely even spoken to. It bothers them both, can't really help it honestly.]
Oh yeah, it's that time again isn't it? Well that's good, I'll get to see more of you then maybe?
[Grumble mutter grumble. It's not like it's hurting her any and it's not like he likes it. It's stupid, he's never done anything to any of them and doesn't intend to.]
Well if you need somewhere quiet I don't think your uncle would mind...
[Study party? Tony pauses as well, glancing at it with disinterest. Not like he's got the money to do anything anyway.]
Yeah? I've been thinking I might take that job at the coffee shop... what do you think?
[He's been saving what little he's made, but it isn't much. Having some income might help them along...]
[He just has to snicker. It's really kind of sweet, it's just too bad he doesn't get along as well with his parents as he does his uncle. Tony's reminiscing about that very thing when Dirk makes the strangest comment and he just has to pause and raise an eyebrow at him.]
[And after his little playdate with Tony (entirely platonic, thank you very much), he's set up to get some coffee with his favorite relative and to catch up as well. Life's been crazy, that's for sure. In his eagerness to spend some time with his uncle, he even showed up to the place early, grabbed a table, and is waiting. When Richard shows up, Dirk's probably messing around on his phone, not even paying attention to who might be walking through the door. Hopefully Richard won't catch him off guard and make him jump or something, being spooked is totally not cool.]
[He's only a little surprised to find that Dirk made it early.
A faint grin flickers over his face as he moves across the room to his nephew, gently tapping the back of his head with two fingertips when he passes him to get to his own seat.]
[There's certainly a slight jolt when he feels the tap, but he's good at restraining the surprise enough that most people probably wouldn't notice it. He glances to Richard as he moves to take his seat, a slight quirk to the corner of his mouth.]
Not a whole hell of a lot.
[He pauses.]
So, I heard Tony's stumbled across a key.
[He knows about you and Tony man, he knows you've taken him under your wing, and he is so appreciative.]
[Dirk can't help the helpless tone that seems to penetrate the one-word response, but really, he agrees entirely, and he's definitely glad that his uncle was finally able to step in and do something about it. However, he just wishes he could have done something himself, and far sooner.]
Tony doesn't deserve the shit's he's dealt with. I owe you. Big time.
[His tone softens slightly as he rests his elbows against the table, leaning forwards. There's a firmness in it, without being dismissive of his nephew's gratitude.]
I'm not looking for payback on this one. He's a good kid.
[Dirk's lived the past several years feeling solely responsible for Tony, even when he didn't have to be, or shouldn't have been. So he can't help but feel the need to cover what he can, even with family. He relaxes a bit in his seat, eying Richard across the table.]
So, what's been new with you? Besides the whole Tony moving in bit.
Heh, don't tell him he's moved in, I don't think he's figured that part out yet.
[Richard settles back, pushing one hand through his hair. It's getting long, even for the permanently bedruffled look it naturally arranges itself into but he's hardly had the time, recently, to worry about something like having his hair cut.]
But hey, you know, workin' my way through this whole 'Numbered' clusterfuck. Met a couple of good people. 'S not been so bad.
I don't think he'll need my help there, he's pretty quick.
[Dirk watches his uncle, and finds himself relaxing his seat. It's weird, in a way, how they're here having this casual conversation when the world is as crazy as it has been.]
It's not terrible. There's some good people wrapped up in this mess. People who don't deserve to deal with something so dangerous and hectic.
[Like the little girl who invited him to her birthday party. It's kinda sad, really. People are trying to live their lives while dealing with alien invasions, and monsters, and all the other shit that comes with being a numbered person.]
[He's still got one foot stuck in the realm of 'this isn't actually happening to me'. That'll probably change soon. Right now, though, it's easier to act like everything's normal even when they both have a bullseye painted on their backs.]
Yeah, no kidding. Lots of kids, seems like. A lot of 'em younger than you.
[Richard frowns.]
'S fucked up, Dirk. Real fucked up. Why pull children into this mess, huh?
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5/29 Dirk and Tony
[So here they are, walking down the way, glancing at stores and what not as they talk. Dirk offering Tony a very slight smile before:]
Now I don't mean to get all sentimental on you, but I think I'd end up going crazy if I didn't find some time to spend hangin' with you again. Just feels weird not having you around all the time.
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[He saw that look, Dirk, but he won't make a fuss over it. Honestly he's been chipper and beaming since they met up. What can he say he's missed hanging out with his best friend.]
It's about time, I was starting to feel neglected. [He puts on his best pout just for you.] But no, I get it. It's been too long, though. How's everything been, anyway?
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S'fine.
[He says it all too quickly, and he knows he's lying. To some extent, anyway.]
I mean--the old woman has laid off a bit since you haven't been around, but I think that's more so because she thinks we're not friends anymore.
[He sounds a bit sore saying that, but it's pretty obvious what she thinks, and god does it bother Dirk.]
Anyway, beyond that I've been busy with school and work, school's letting out soon, at least. That'll lighten up my load a little, and make everything else that's going on a little more bearable.
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What'd I ever do to her, anyway?
[Tony grumbles tiredly. He tries very hard not to be resentful of it, but he really can't help being irritated that he's hated by someone he's barely even spoken to. It bothers them both, can't really help it honestly.]
Oh yeah, it's that time again isn't it? Well that's good, I'll get to see more of you then maybe?
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[Dirk responds with a bit of a dryness to it that speaks wonders of his resentment towards the whole thing. It's ridiculous, always has been.]
Yeah, it is. I have finals to study for, [Not that Dirk really needs to study] and then I'm out. So, I should have plenty of time after that.
[A pause as he looks over at a random store.]
Been saving up.
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[Grumble mutter grumble. It's not like it's hurting her any and it's not like he likes it. It's stupid, he's never done anything to any of them and doesn't intend to.]
Well if you need somewhere quiet I don't think your uncle would mind...
[Study party? Tony pauses as well, glancing at it with disinterest. Not like he's got the money to do anything anyway.]
Yeah? I've been thinking I might take that job at the coffee shop... what do you think?
[He's been saving what little he's made, but it isn't much. Having some income might help them along...]
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[And in turn, Dirk adores him. It's the kind of relationship Dirk wishes he could have with his parents, one of understanding and respect. And yet.]
I think you should. If we're both saving up--
[Oh wait he hasn't told Tony his idea, whoops. He pauses, glances at him, then back to some store like he's interested in what they have. He's not.]
--We'd have some financial cushion. You know, just in case.
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[He just has to snicker. It's really kind of sweet, it's just too bad he doesn't get along as well with his parents as he does his uncle. Tony's reminiscing about that very thing when Dirk makes the strangest comment and he just has to pause and raise an eyebrow at him.]
Just in case of what?
[Suspicious.]
Dirk, you're acting funny.
5/30 Dirk and Richard
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A faint grin flickers over his face as he moves across the room to his nephew, gently tapping the back of his head with two fingertips when he passes him to get to his own seat.]
Hey, kid. What's new?
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Not a whole hell of a lot.
[He pauses.]
So, I heard Tony's stumbled across a key.
[He knows about you and Tony man, he knows you've taken him under your wing, and he is so appreciative.]
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It's only partially effective. There's a certain pride in knowing he's helping the kid out.]
Yeah. Hell of a thing, but I figured I'd let him keep it. Ain't right, a kid that age being out on the streets.
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[Dirk can't help the helpless tone that seems to penetrate the one-word response, but really, he agrees entirely, and he's definitely glad that his uncle was finally able to step in and do something about it. However, he just wishes he could have done something himself, and far sooner.]
Tony doesn't deserve the shit's he's dealt with. I owe you. Big time.
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[His tone softens slightly as he rests his elbows against the table, leaning forwards. There's a firmness in it, without being dismissive of his nephew's gratitude.]
I'm not looking for payback on this one. He's a good kid.
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[Dirk's lived the past several years feeling solely responsible for Tony, even when he didn't have to be, or shouldn't have been. So he can't help but feel the need to cover what he can, even with family. He relaxes a bit in his seat, eying Richard across the table.]
So, what's been new with you? Besides the whole Tony moving in bit.
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[Richard settles back, pushing one hand through his hair. It's getting long, even for the permanently bedruffled look it naturally arranges itself into but he's hardly had the time, recently, to worry about something like having his hair cut.]
But hey, you know, workin' my way through this whole 'Numbered' clusterfuck. Met a couple of good people. 'S not been so bad.
no subject
[Dirk watches his uncle, and finds himself relaxing his seat. It's weird, in a way, how they're here having this casual conversation when the world is as crazy as it has been.]
It's not terrible. There's some good people wrapped up in this mess. People who don't deserve to deal with something so dangerous and hectic.
[Like the little girl who invited him to her birthday party. It's kinda sad, really. People are trying to live their lives while dealing with alien invasions, and monsters, and all the other shit that comes with being a numbered person.]
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Yeah, no kidding. Lots of kids, seems like. A lot of 'em younger than you.
[Richard frowns.]
'S fucked up, Dirk. Real fucked up. Why pull children into this mess, huh?