Melaised Meetings

Nightstripe

Nightstripe

A Tiny Lonely
Jun 23, 2015
1,115
Posting Status
Irregularly
Jess folded her arms over her chest, still scanning the area, if a bit more idly now. "I mean... Things are allowed to get to you... Just makes you human, right? I was being an ass." She spun her cigarette around with her lips like a sparkler, trying to find some remedy for how awkward things just got.

She turned her head away again when he gave her a reasonable explanation for not being asleep right now. She moved a little too quickly, the motion eliciting another groan.

"I'm called Jess. At least by anyone not trying to hit on me at a club." She scratched at her hair, trying to get the tangled mess back into place. She assumed it was out of place. "Look... I guess I probably ruined your morning, so I can, I don't know buy you a burger if you want. Normally I'd offer a drink, but..."
 
SirCatfish

SirCatfish

Chaotic Tired
Inactive
Jun 13, 2017
380
Hong Kong, which is not the UK or Canada.
Gender
Male
Pronouns
He/Him
Posting Status
Irregularly
"Don't worry about it. Plenty of people are asses. At least you said sorry," Bastian offered, giving a smile that he hoped was reassuring. He was used to hostility, anyhow, having spent nearly 2 years in various training camps and more than twice that time with Rangers and Marines whose normal conversation included tossing insults at each other.

Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a coin, passing it between his knuckles. Keeping his hands occupied so he wouldn't itch for a smoke again.

"No worries. I can walk you to the burger joint, if you want. Get yourself something to eat, yeah?" He said, gesturing at the direction he pointed at previously. "It's just over there, if you want."
 
Nightstripe

Nightstripe

A Tiny Lonely
Jun 23, 2015
1,115
Posting Status
Irregularly
Jess returned the smile, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. the wheels in her head were rapidly turning, preventing her from letting it go so easily. "No, I should make up for it. I should be more aware of these things, even if I've been drinking." She was pretty well sober now, the short burst of adrenaline countering what alcohol was left in her system.

She opened her mouth to make joke, but failed to find the words. She scoffed at herself, shaking her head a bit while smiling just a bit more sincerely. "Well... Let's go I guess."

She started off in the direction Bastian had indicated, letting her eyes fall to the ground. Her mind still wouldn't settle down. It was stupid, both of them had apologized like a dozen times already but she couldn't manage to push the thought away.

Her gaze was eventually drawn to the coin in Bastian's hand. The tumbling distracted her. "Neat trick. Where'd you learn to do that? Just that good with your hands?"
 
SirCatfish

SirCatfish

Chaotic Tired
Inactive
Jun 13, 2017
380
Hong Kong, which is not the UK or Canada.
Gender
Male
Pronouns
He/Him
Posting Status
Irregularly
"Drinking does inhibit some of your senses," Bastian answered, a little more seriously than what was perhaps expected from him. Intoxication was something that was taken pretty seriously back with the Rangers, and any misconduct on his part would probably earn him quite a chew out with his superiors.

He was out of the military now for almost two years, but old habits died hard.

Bastian followed a little ways behind Jess, ready to correct her if she made a wrong turn or not. At this time in the morning the streets were essentially devoid of people, but he knew that the burger joint was open 24/7, perhaps to cater to early risers like him but more likely for the hungover crowd after a night of partying.

"Learned it when I was a kid. I just like to keep my hands occupied, I guess. I could teach you, if you want," Bastian offered, easily.
 
Nightstripe

Nightstripe

A Tiny Lonely
Jun 23, 2015
1,115
Posting Status
Irregularly
Jess shook her head a little. "Nah, I think I'm good right now. Never had much use for little tricks, it's the big ones you want in your pocket."

She fell silent for the rest of the walk, scanning the street and the tops of buildings idly. She had one or two more episodes where she pressed her hand to her temple to try and sooth the dragon gnawing it's way out of her skull.

The cigarette in her mouth had also burned away by the time they got there. Jess pressed it into a trashcan ashtray near the door and simply forgot about it after that.

Stepping through the door, she glanced at Bastian. She wasn't sure what was supposed to happen now. Was she going to pay for him, or was he not eating, or... She didn't want to just leave things the way they were, but he seemed like the type to stubbornly try to be the gentleman.

After standing in front of the register for an awkward few seconds, Jess just decided to order her food first. "I'll get two cheeseburgers with everything, some fries and a water. Uh, and..." Her eyes darted to Bastian again.
 
SirCatfish

SirCatfish

Chaotic Tired
Inactive
Jun 13, 2017
380
Hong Kong, which is not the UK or Canada.
Gender
Male
Pronouns
He/Him
Posting Status
Irregularly
Bastian continued with the walk without speaking much, looking over a little in concern when Jess had to stop once or twice, but otherwise making no response. He was used enough to dealing with various hungover people, and though it was a little more concerning considering their circumstances, he didn't want to come off as fussing over her. That would be impolite.

The burger joint was the only place open at the time, and Bastian was about to point it out to Jess before she turned to enter. He tucked the coin back into his pocket.

Initially, he had not planned to get anything, his course of action being to walk her there then make his way back to his flat. But he was put on the spot, and it would be impolite to refuse. Plus, he had a lot of time before his shift. "Uh, a burger, please. No tomato. Chips. And can I have a diet coke, please?"

He removed his wallet from his pocket and footed the bill before Jess had a chance. It was only polite. "Don't worry about it."
 
Nightstripe

Nightstripe

A Tiny Lonely
Jun 23, 2015
1,115
Posting Status
Irregularly
Jess pulled out her card and went to use it only to get interrupted by Bastion sliding his into the reader. She turned to face him and opened her mouth to say something, but then closed it again.

She was worrying about it. Bastian probably didn't have any idea how much she was worrying about it. She held her arms to her sides, trying to maintain a neutral body language while they waited for their food. When it did arrive, she picked up the tray and walked it to a open table.

Jess gently sipped at her water, her eyes darting around again, checking the doors and tables. She was convinced something was going on now. No one was this nice, right? There were no nice guys left in this world.

She was sure to get a couple bites of a burger before giving voice to her thoughts. "What... What's your game? Do you want something from me?" She tried to bring out her strong voice, but there was a slight waver to it. "I can't get a handle on you. How long have you been scheming this?"
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Forgot your password?