Re: Rifts Dead Man's Hand - Festival Day - Dane

[Chaser1]

Dane fights his way back through the throngs and looks for Kendal. Hopefully she did as he asked and stayed where he can find her. She's right where he left her, both hands over her mouth, showing obvious signs of worry.

"It's alright, Vi just sprained her ankle. Pretty bad it looks like. Now let's go find that guy that was yelling about someone dying so you can give him a piece of your mind." His attempt to be lighthearted; trying to ease the tension. Maybe make her laugh. An unbidden thought comes into his head. oO(I bet she's even more beautiful when she laughs)Oo

"Vi's hurt?" She asks, "She's supposed to fight Teddy tonight!" At that moment, Dane notices that Frank, Johnny and Meganna are all in line for the obstacle course. Although, it looks as though Johnny is about to step out of the line, trying to get a view over the crowd.

[jawildey]

"Yeah, probly not happening. Looks like it's sprained pretty bad." He tells Kendal. "There's Frank, Johnny and Meganna over in line for the course. I bet they had a better view." Dane doesn't initiate taking her hand this time. Feeling self conscious now that they're in front of other kids their age. Bad enough that half the town will be gossiping about him and Kendal or him and Meg or whatever thing comes out the back end of the gossip circuit.

[Chaser1]

"Yeah, probably not happening. Looks like it's sprained pretty bad," he says. "There's Frank, Johnny and Meganna over in line for the course. I bet they had a better view." Dane doesn't initiate taking her hand this time. Feeling self conscious now that they're in front of other kids their age. Bad enough that half the town will be gossiping about him and Kendal or him and Meg or whatever thing comes out the back end of the gossip circuit.

"We could go wait at the clinic," she states, "She could probably use Brad's help. He's good at patching up injuries." She turns to face Dane. "Let's just go sign up for the three-legged race. They'll take a while to help her." She doesn't even ask, she just grabs his hand and pulls him back the way they came, towards where the sign-up sheet is for the races.

[jawildey]

Dane gently resists her pull. "Wait, Kendal. I promised Meg I'd do the three-legged race with her and she's probably waiting for me." Trying to lean into his meager persuasive skills he continues. "She's my friend, too. I don't want to hurt that friendship, either. I hope you understand." He had hoped that he could leave Kendal with the other guys while he went to find Meg, but she really doesn't seem to want to let him go

[Chaser1]

Dane gently resists her pull. "Wait, Kendal. I promised Meg I'd do the three-legged race with her and she's probably waiting for me." Trying to lean into his meager persuasive skills he continues. "She's my friend, too. I don't want to hurt that friendship, either. I hope you understand." He had hoped that he could leave Kendal with the other guys while he went to find Meg, but she really doesn't seem to want to let him go.

She stops and sighs, "Okay." She lets go of his hand and begins to walk back. "I'll be with Megana and her new guy." She walks away without looking back.

[jawildey]

Dane almost says something to her retreating back, but decides that would probably just make things worse. Turning away, he starts methodically heading toward the library. His feet move on auto-pilot—he’s been here so many times—while his mind runs through various analytical routines, trying to figure out how a couple of girls just turned his life upside down.

[Chaser1]

Dane almost says something to her retreating back, but decides that would probably just make things worse. Turning away, he starts methodically heading toward the library. His feet move on auto-pilot—he’s been here so many times—while his mind runs through various analytical routines, trying to figure out how a couple of girls just turned his life upside down.

With everyone spectating the excitement around Vi, the walk to the library is rather easy. Within a few minutes, he sees Miss Hoffman, with a line of books, sitting at a fold out table, selling spare books that've been either copied, extras or reprinted. He makes his way up the steps and walks up to her table, awkwardly standing there silent.

She jumps, being startled at first noticing him, "Woah, sorry. I was in my own little world!" She stands up, steps around the table and gives him a tight, longer than usual hug. "Did you just get into town? I heard that there was a bad accident over at the obstacle course."

[jawildey]

“Hi Meg,” Dane returns her hug awkwardly. “I’ve been here for a bit, just took me a while to make my way over here.” He hesitates, not sure the safest way to bring up Kendal. He finally settles on something he hopes is neutral. “Kendal wanted to walk and talk for a bit this morning. We were just grabbing a quick coffee and pastry before I headed over here when we heard the commotion. Looks like Vi sprained her ankle pretty bad on the obstacle course. Hopefully it’s not broken and nothing’s torn.”

He hesitates again, then adds, a little cautiously, “So… are we still doing the three-legged race? I mean, I don’t want to mess up your plans if things have changed.”

[Chaser1]

“Hi Meg,” Dane returns her hug awkwardly. “I’ve been here for a bit, just took me a while to make my way over here.” He hesitates, not sure the safest way to bring up Kendal. He finally settles on something he hopes is neutral. “Kendal wanted to walk and talk for a bit this morning. We were just grabbing a quick coffee and pastry before I headed over here when we heard the commotion. Looks like Vi sprained her ankle pretty bad on the obstacle course. Hopefully it’s not broken and nothing’s torn.”

"Oh no!" She thinks for a second, "That must be what the commotion was about." She thinks again, "Kendal? Really?"

He hesitates again, then adds, a little cautiously, “So… are we still doing the three-legged race? I mean, I don’t want to mess up your plans if things have changed.”

"Yes, I have a helper coming to take over the booth," she replies as an older man walks up and takes over the booth. She puts her arm through Dane's, as usual. She thoughtfully looks at Dane as they walk, "So, does Kendal exclusively hang out often?"

[jawildey]

Dane runs the math in his head, weighing complete honesty against playing it down. What Kendal confided to him feels like it should stay between them—for now. He shakes his head slightly. “Nah, you know me. Most of the time I’m buried in a computer screen at the library.” His feet scuff against the ground as he debates saying more. After a moment, he looks back up at her. “She mostly wanted to talk about… well, you and me. Said we looked like a cute couple and wanted to give me some advice. Not that we ever really got to the advice part. But I think maybe we’re on the way to being better friends.”

He leaves it there, keeping Kendal’s shift toward something more personal locked away. Some variables are better left untested—at least for now.