Re: Rifts Dead Man's Hand - Festival Day - Dane
Re: Re: Rifts Dead Man's Hand - Festival Day - Dane
Dane seems stiff with all of this becoming too sudden and too public. He doesn’t pull away, but his posture turns taut, the muscles in his jaw working as the crowd noise presses in. He tries not to look too shocked at Kendal’s, “I don’t know! We’ll see how today goes,” comment. His steel-gray eyes cut toward her in a quizzical look before he addresses Lord Stein with a clipped nod. “Don’t worry. Just looking to have some fun today. Maybe win a few credits.”
"That's the spirit, ma boy!" he bellows, almost drowning the noise of the crowd. He pumps his fist in the air and begins waving to other passersbys.
Dane and Kendal continue on. He leans slightly closer, voice kept low for her ears alone. “What was that about? You’re not interested in being my girlfriend.”
She squeezes on his arm with hers, "Oh don't read too much into it!" She slides her arm out from his, turning to face him, "Why are you so worried about it?" His gaze lingers on her a moment before drifting away, thoughtful. Meg’s kindness from yesterday still sits fresh in his mind, and with it, the faint hope that maybe he could kindle something real there.
"Listen," she says, "You be you! I like different and you are defini..." at that moment, the crowd surges the opposite direction and bumps Kendal into his arms. If awkward had a picture to describe it, this would be it. Dane's arms open, trying not to inappropriately touch her, especially when he can see flashes of her breasts if she moves the right way. Her face is a literal inch from his, and when either tries to flinch backwards, the crowd makes it impossible. So Kendal does the unexpected. She touches the tip of her nose to Dane's, wiggles it and blows a kiss before sliding her arm into his to continue walking side by side with him... like a couple... which they aren't... or are they?
"That's the spirit, ma boy!" he bellows, almost drowning the noise of the crowd. He pumps his fist in the air and begins waving to other passersbys.
Dane and Kendal continue on. He leans slightly closer, voice kept low for her ears alone. “What was that about? You’re not interested in being my girlfriend.”
She squeezes on his arm with hers, "Oh don't read too much into it!" She slides her arm out from his, turning to face him, "Why are you so worried about it?" His gaze lingers on her a moment before drifting away, thoughtful. Meg’s kindness from yesterday still sits fresh in his mind, and with it, the faint hope that maybe he could kindle something real there.
"Listen," she says, "You be you! I like different and you are defini..." at that moment, the crowd surges the opposite direction and bumps Kendal into his arms. If awkward had a picture to describe it, this would be it. Dane's arms open, trying not to inappropriately touch her, especially when he can see flashes of her breasts if she moves the right way. Her face is a literal inch from his, and when either tries to flinch backwards, the crowd makes it impossible. So Kendal does the unexpected. She touches the tip of her nose to Dane's, wiggles it and blows a kiss before sliding her arm into his to continue walking side by side with him... like a couple... which they aren't... or are they?
"I plan to live forever. Or die trying..." Vila - Blakes 7
Re: Re: Rifts Dead Man's Hand - Festival Day - Dane
Dane chuckles nervously, managing a half-stammered “Sorry,” as the crowd crushes them together. When the pressure eases and they separate, he just shakes his head in bewilderment, deciding it’s easier to let Kendal’s antics roll off than try to make sense of them.
For a moment, the imagined image of Teddy’s fist at his nose gives way to the memory of Kendal’s hot breath inches from his face. His heart kicks up, and when his mind tries to linger on the shape of her against him—soft, distracting—he clamps down hard.
.oO Crap. Don’t go down that road. No. No. …Maybe just a little. No. Stop it. Oo.
Grateful for an escape route, he shifts the topic back to safer ground. “So—I definitely want to enter the Texas Hold’em tournament. Meg asked about the three-legged race, maybe the obstacle course. I’ll catch some of the fights and the horse races too. Maybe the chess tournament, see how I hold up there. What about you? What’s your plan for today?”
For a moment, the imagined image of Teddy’s fist at his nose gives way to the memory of Kendal’s hot breath inches from his face. His heart kicks up, and when his mind tries to linger on the shape of her against him—soft, distracting—he clamps down hard.
.oO Crap. Don’t go down that road. No. No. …Maybe just a little. No. Stop it. Oo.
Grateful for an escape route, he shifts the topic back to safer ground. “So—I definitely want to enter the Texas Hold’em tournament. Meg asked about the three-legged race, maybe the obstacle course. I’ll catch some of the fights and the horse races too. Maybe the chess tournament, see how I hold up there. What about you? What’s your plan for today?”
Re: Re: Rifts Dead Man's Hand - Festival Day - Dane
Her face is a literal inch from his, and when either tries to flinch backwards, the crowd makes it impossible. Dane chuckles nervously, managing a half-stammered, “Sorry,” as the crowd crushes them together. So Kendal does the unexpected. She touches the tip of her nose to Dane's, wiggles it and blows a kiss before sliding her arm into his to continue walking side by side with him... like a couple... which they aren't... or are they?
Dane just shakes his head in bewilderment, deciding it’s easier to let Kendal’s antics roll off than try to make sense of them. For a moment, the imagined image of Teddy’s fist at his nose gives way to the memory of Kendal’s hot breath inches from his face. His heart kicks up, and when his mind tries to linger on the shape of her against him; soft, distracting; he clamps down hard. oO(Crap. Don’t go down that road. No. No... Maybe just a little. No. Stop it!)Oo
Grateful for an escape route, he shifts the topic back to safer ground. “So, I definitely want to enter the Texas Hold’em tournament. Meg asked about the three-legged race, maybe the obstacle course. I’ll catch some of the fights and the horse races too. Maybe the chess tournament, see how I hold up there. What about you? What’s your plan for today?”
"Well, I'm definitely NOT doing the chess tournament." She shouts above the crowd, "But the rest sound fun. Of course, I'll play the Hold'em game." She smiles, "I wanna try the obstacle course! It's a credit for two tries, right?" She nods to herself, smiling, "And Dane? Why don't you go with me on the three-legged race?"
The crowd is so thick that the two are forced closer together with short, choppy steps. Eventually, they end up outside of the 'Stampede,' the local restaurant and bakery. Kendal pulls Dane inside. "Hey, should we get some coffee? and what do you think about the three-legged race with me?"
Dane just shakes his head in bewilderment, deciding it’s easier to let Kendal’s antics roll off than try to make sense of them. For a moment, the imagined image of Teddy’s fist at his nose gives way to the memory of Kendal’s hot breath inches from his face. His heart kicks up, and when his mind tries to linger on the shape of her against him; soft, distracting; he clamps down hard. oO(Crap. Don’t go down that road. No. No... Maybe just a little. No. Stop it!)Oo
Grateful for an escape route, he shifts the topic back to safer ground. “So, I definitely want to enter the Texas Hold’em tournament. Meg asked about the three-legged race, maybe the obstacle course. I’ll catch some of the fights and the horse races too. Maybe the chess tournament, see how I hold up there. What about you? What’s your plan for today?”
"Well, I'm definitely NOT doing the chess tournament." She shouts above the crowd, "But the rest sound fun. Of course, I'll play the Hold'em game." She smiles, "I wanna try the obstacle course! It's a credit for two tries, right?" She nods to herself, smiling, "And Dane? Why don't you go with me on the three-legged race?"
The crowd is so thick that the two are forced closer together with short, choppy steps. Eventually, they end up outside of the 'Stampede,' the local restaurant and bakery. Kendal pulls Dane inside. "Hey, should we get some coffee? and what do you think about the three-legged race with me?"
"I plan to live forever. Or die trying..." Vila - Blakes 7
Re: Re: Rifts Dead Man's Hand - Festival Day - Dane
Dane follows her inside, grateful for the breather away from the crowd. He lingers by the menu, eyes scanning the coffee list but not really reading it.
“Coffee sounds good,” he says quickly. Then, after a pause, he leans a little closer, voice low. “About the three-legged race… Meg kinda asked me first. It’d feel wrong not to give her the shot, you know?” His jaw works as though he’s debating whether to leave it there. “Not that I wouldn’t do it with you. I just… don’t want to step on toes. You wanna try the obstacle course, instead?”
.oOWhat if this isn’t about me at all? Maybe I’m just the rope they’re tugging back and forth to rile somebody else. Teddy? Someone else? Oo.
He clears his throat, forcing a lighter tone. “So, uh… you want something sweet with that coffee? Pastries here are supposed to be decent.”
OOC: Taking some liberties with the setting for the sake of the story. Modify it back to reality as needed.
“Coffee sounds good,” he says quickly. Then, after a pause, he leans a little closer, voice low. “About the three-legged race… Meg kinda asked me first. It’d feel wrong not to give her the shot, you know?” His jaw works as though he’s debating whether to leave it there. “Not that I wouldn’t do it with you. I just… don’t want to step on toes. You wanna try the obstacle course, instead?”
.oOWhat if this isn’t about me at all? Maybe I’m just the rope they’re tugging back and forth to rile somebody else. Teddy? Someone else? Oo.
He clears his throat, forcing a lighter tone. “So, uh… you want something sweet with that coffee? Pastries here are supposed to be decent.”
OOC: Taking some liberties with the setting for the sake of the story. Modify it back to reality as needed.
Re: Re: Rifts Dead Man's Hand - Festival Day - Dane
Dane follows her inside, grateful for the breather away from the crowd. He lingers by the menu, eyes scanning the coffee list but not really reading it.
“Coffee sounds good,” he says quickly. Then, after a pause, he leans a little closer, voice low. “About the three-legged race… Meg kinda asked me first. It’d feel wrong not to give her the shot, you know?” His jaw works as though he’s debating whether to leave it there. “Not that I wouldn’t do it with you. I just… don’t want to step on toes. You wanna try the obstacle course, instead?”
oO(What if this isn’t about me at all? Maybe I’m just the rope they’re tugging back and forth to rile somebody else. Teddy? Someone else?)Oo He clears his throat, forcing a lighter tone. “So, uh… you want something sweet with that coffee? Pastries here are supposed to be decent.”
Dane notices that they have two kinds of coffee; regular and decaf. The pastry list, on the other hand, is vast.
"I'll take coffee and a coffee cake with extra streusel." Kendal announces her order. Mrs. Tokahashi shifts her focus to Dane, waiting for his order. Yet, Kendal continues, "That's fine about the race. That means you have a good sense of manners. I like that," she smiles, once again standing a bit too close for Dane's comfort, "After we eat, let's try the obstacle course. Last year, that poor old guy almost died on it, but it looks so fun! No one's ever beat it. Some girl, from Smith Falls, almost won last year. She almost made it to the third checkpoint on her first try, but then she was too tired on her second try."
Mrs. Tokahashi audibly clears her throat, trying to get Kendal to stop talking enough for Dane to order. He notices the line getting longer behind him.
OOC: If you can think of the pastry, they probably have it, unless it's something near impossible to get the ingredients for. Like papaya rice donuts or sharkfin pie.
“Coffee sounds good,” he says quickly. Then, after a pause, he leans a little closer, voice low. “About the three-legged race… Meg kinda asked me first. It’d feel wrong not to give her the shot, you know?” His jaw works as though he’s debating whether to leave it there. “Not that I wouldn’t do it with you. I just… don’t want to step on toes. You wanna try the obstacle course, instead?”
oO(What if this isn’t about me at all? Maybe I’m just the rope they’re tugging back and forth to rile somebody else. Teddy? Someone else?)Oo He clears his throat, forcing a lighter tone. “So, uh… you want something sweet with that coffee? Pastries here are supposed to be decent.”
Dane notices that they have two kinds of coffee; regular and decaf. The pastry list, on the other hand, is vast.
"I'll take coffee and a coffee cake with extra streusel." Kendal announces her order. Mrs. Tokahashi shifts her focus to Dane, waiting for his order. Yet, Kendal continues, "That's fine about the race. That means you have a good sense of manners. I like that," she smiles, once again standing a bit too close for Dane's comfort, "After we eat, let's try the obstacle course. Last year, that poor old guy almost died on it, but it looks so fun! No one's ever beat it. Some girl, from Smith Falls, almost won last year. She almost made it to the third checkpoint on her first try, but then she was too tired on her second try."
Mrs. Tokahashi audibly clears her throat, trying to get Kendal to stop talking enough for Dane to order. He notices the line getting longer behind him.
OOC: If you can think of the pastry, they probably have it, unless it's something near impossible to get the ingredients for. Like papaya rice donuts or sharkfin pie.
"I plan to live forever. Or die trying..." Vila - Blakes 7
Re: Re: Rifts Dead Man's Hand - Festival Day - Dane
Dane, finally managing to squeeze an order in between Kendal’s monologue, says, “I guess I’ll have the same.” .oO Lame. Should’ve ordered something cool. Oo. “Actually, how about a Danish with berry filling instead of the streusel. Thanks, Mrs. Tokahashi.” .oO There, that’s more cool. Oo. Dane thinks sarcastically, giving himself an internal eye roll.
Turning to Kendal as they wait, he offers to pay for their coffee and treats, trying to be a gentleman like his dad taught him. “Probably gonna have to drink our coffee here if we don’t want to be wearing it,” he jokes. “Crowd’s about as crazy as a rodeo in a phone booth out there.”
Turning to Kendal as they wait, he offers to pay for their coffee and treats, trying to be a gentleman like his dad taught him. “Probably gonna have to drink our coffee here if we don’t want to be wearing it,” he jokes. “Crowd’s about as crazy as a rodeo in a phone booth out there.”
Re: Re: Rifts Dead Man's Hand - Festival Day - Dane
Dane, finally managing to squeeze an order in between Kendal’s monologue, says, “I guess I’ll have the same.” oO(Lame. Should’ve ordered something cool )Oo “Actually, how about a Danish with berry filling instead of the streusel. Thanks, Mrs. Tokahashi.” oO( There, that’s more cool )Oo Dane thinks sarcastically, giving himself an internal eye roll. He turns to Kendal and offers to pay for their coffee and treats, trying to be a gentleman like his dad taught him. “Probably gonna have to drink our coffee here if we don’t want to be wearing it,” he jokes. “Crowd’s about as crazy as a rodeo in a phone booth out there.”
"You're welcome, Dane. Say hi to your dad for me." Mrs. Tokahashi smiles.
The order costs only two credits. She brings up the pastries and two nice steaming cups of coffee. Being deputy Stryker's son, Dane's had his share of coffee and pastries, yet, he rarely comes here. It's more cost efficient to go to Bottoms Up and get a burger, fries and a soda for the same price. Although, upon biting into the cherry danish, the cherry filling and crispy glaze crumbles and mixes in his mouth, creating a flavor better than candy. Then to wash it down with coffee just adds to it. Kendal winces at her first scalding sip. "Ow!" she squeaks. "It's hot," stating the obvious.
More people enter from the stampede outside as others exit to brave the current of human movement. Eventually, Mrs. Lewis comes in, "Oh my Lord! If there's ever a panic, people are going to get hurt!" she exclaims, taking the scarf off of her hair. She's pretty for a middle aged woman. You'd never guess that she is the town's local glass blower and expert on all things glass. She walks past Dane and Kendal, giving them both a brief, knowing smile. "I need a dozen donuts and a thermos of coffee. I can bring it back after the festival. I need to feed my workers, Heather."
"Coming right up, Ingrid!" Mrs. Tokahashi replies.
Dane notices Mrs. Lewis watching him and Kendal out of the corner of his eye when he realizes that Kendal still hasn't stopped talking, "And I was also thinking about trying my hand in the dart tournament. But..." she reaches over, grabbing Dane's sticky hand, "I'd need a partner!" And continues looking expectantly into his eyes.
"Dane, weren't you with Miss Hoffman, yesterday?" Mrs. Lewis asks with a semi-smug smile.
"You're welcome, Dane. Say hi to your dad for me." Mrs. Tokahashi smiles.
The order costs only two credits. She brings up the pastries and two nice steaming cups of coffee. Being deputy Stryker's son, Dane's had his share of coffee and pastries, yet, he rarely comes here. It's more cost efficient to go to Bottoms Up and get a burger, fries and a soda for the same price. Although, upon biting into the cherry danish, the cherry filling and crispy glaze crumbles and mixes in his mouth, creating a flavor better than candy. Then to wash it down with coffee just adds to it. Kendal winces at her first scalding sip. "Ow!" she squeaks. "It's hot," stating the obvious.
More people enter from the stampede outside as others exit to brave the current of human movement. Eventually, Mrs. Lewis comes in, "Oh my Lord! If there's ever a panic, people are going to get hurt!" she exclaims, taking the scarf off of her hair. She's pretty for a middle aged woman. You'd never guess that she is the town's local glass blower and expert on all things glass. She walks past Dane and Kendal, giving them both a brief, knowing smile. "I need a dozen donuts and a thermos of coffee. I can bring it back after the festival. I need to feed my workers, Heather."
"Coming right up, Ingrid!" Mrs. Tokahashi replies.
Dane notices Mrs. Lewis watching him and Kendal out of the corner of his eye when he realizes that Kendal still hasn't stopped talking, "And I was also thinking about trying my hand in the dart tournament. But..." she reaches over, grabbing Dane's sticky hand, "I'd need a partner!" And continues looking expectantly into his eyes.
"Dane, weren't you with Miss Hoffman, yesterday?" Mrs. Lewis asks with a semi-smug smile.
"I plan to live forever. Or die trying..." Vila - Blakes 7
Re: Re: Rifts Dead Man's Hand - Festival Day - Dane
Dane offers a small, polite smile toward the glassblower. “Hi, Mrs. Lewis. Yeah, we were all at Bottoms Up yesterday—me, Kendal, a few of the others. I was supposed to meet up with Meg again today, actually. I should probably go track her down. Have you seen her around this morning?” He keeps his tone light, though his eyes flick sideways at Kendal, gauging her reaction.
Once Mrs. Lewis moves on, he shifts his focus back to Kendal. “Darts, huh? I can hit the board fine, just don’t expect many bullseyes. Probably not the partner you want if you’re aiming to win.” He punctuates it with a half-shrug, lifting his coffee as if to underline the point.
Once Mrs. Lewis moves on, he shifts his focus back to Kendal. “Darts, huh? I can hit the board fine, just don’t expect many bullseyes. Probably not the partner you want if you’re aiming to win.” He punctuates it with a half-shrug, lifting his coffee as if to underline the point.
Re: Re: Rifts Dead Man's Hand - Festival Day - Dane
Dane offers a small, polite smile toward the glassblower. “Hi, Mrs. Lewis. Yeah, we were all at Bottoms Up yesterday; Me, Kendal, a few of the others. I was supposed to meet up with Meg again today, actually. I should probably go track her down. Have you seen her around this morning?” He keeps his tone light, though his eyes flick sideways at Kendal, gauging her reaction.
"She's in front of the library, promoting some new books and probably waiting for you." Mrs. Lewis smirks as she receives her donuts and thermos of coffee, then glances at Kendal, sticks her nose in the air and arrogantly walks back into the chaos.
"No wonder Dr. Lewis divorced her," Kendal jabs and flashes a cold stare at the door.
Dane shifts his focus back to Kendal. “Darts, huh? I can hit the board fine, just don’t expect many bullseyes. Probably not the partner you want if you’re aiming to win.” He punctuates it with a half-shrug, lifting his coffee as if to underline the point.
"Well, it was an idea and who knows? Maybe we will just be good at it." Dane can see that Kendal is struggling to keep hanging out with him. She seems more sad than her usual self.
"She's in front of the library, promoting some new books and probably waiting for you." Mrs. Lewis smirks as she receives her donuts and thermos of coffee, then glances at Kendal, sticks her nose in the air and arrogantly walks back into the chaos.
"No wonder Dr. Lewis divorced her," Kendal jabs and flashes a cold stare at the door.
Dane shifts his focus back to Kendal. “Darts, huh? I can hit the board fine, just don’t expect many bullseyes. Probably not the partner you want if you’re aiming to win.” He punctuates it with a half-shrug, lifting his coffee as if to underline the point.
"Well, it was an idea and who knows? Maybe we will just be good at it." Dane can see that Kendal is struggling to keep hanging out with him. She seems more sad than her usual self.
"I plan to live forever. Or die trying..." Vila - Blakes 7
Re: Re: Rifts Dead Man's Hand - Festival Day - Dane
Dane clocks the shift in Kendal’s attitude and runs through possibilities in his head. Maybe she was trying to make someone else jealous and realized it wasn’t working. Maybe she really was interested in him—though she’s never acted that way before—and now she’s frustrated with how often Meg keeps coming up. Or maybe it’s got nothing to do with him at all. Trouble at home? Something weighing on her? The idea that he might just be a convenient distraction sneaks in too.
His analytical side tells him he should handle this with empathy, but the last two days have been so far outside his experience that he’s treading water. Dad’s advice on romance never went much deeper than “be a gentleman.” Most of the time his Dad's default response is to crack a joke and keep things light. (OOC: Took some liberties here. Reword as you see fit, obviously.)
But this time, the serious side of him wins out. He eases them over toward a quieter corner of the bakery, and faces her. His voice softens. “Are you ready to tell me what this is really about? I’ve really enjoyed hanging out this morning, Kendal, but you’ve never shown much interest in me before. You’re a wonderful, beautiful person and…” He falters, the words catching in his throat. An uninvited thought flashes through his head: oO Maybe I should’ve spent less time with the chess books and more with psychology at the library. Oo
His analytical side tells him he should handle this with empathy, but the last two days have been so far outside his experience that he’s treading water. Dad’s advice on romance never went much deeper than “be a gentleman.” Most of the time his Dad's default response is to crack a joke and keep things light. (OOC: Took some liberties here. Reword as you see fit, obviously.)
But this time, the serious side of him wins out. He eases them over toward a quieter corner of the bakery, and faces her. His voice softens. “Are you ready to tell me what this is really about? I’ve really enjoyed hanging out this morning, Kendal, but you’ve never shown much interest in me before. You’re a wonderful, beautiful person and…” He falters, the words catching in his throat. An uninvited thought flashes through his head: oO Maybe I should’ve spent less time with the chess books and more with psychology at the library. Oo