Rifts - DMH - Black Hat vs White Hat - Dane
Re: Rifts - DMH - Black Hat vs White Hat - Dane
"Thanks, Mr. Coulee. Always the best root beer floats in town."
Focusing back on the table, Dane raises an eyebrow and starts to ask, "Less than an hour? You got someplace you gotta be?" But before Kendal can answer, his brain does an abrupt about-face. "Wait, back the truck up. What do you mean, 'Especially if they allow you'? Who's 'they,' and why would they care?"
Focusing back on the table, Dane raises an eyebrow and starts to ask, "Less than an hour? You got someplace you gotta be?" But before Kendal can answer, his brain does an abrupt about-face. "Wait, back the truck up. What do you mean, 'Especially if they allow you'? Who's 'they,' and why would they care?"
Re: Rifts - DMH - Black Hat vs White Hat - Dane
"Thanks, Mr. Coulee. Always the best root beer floats in town." Felix proudly smiles as Angie fondly watches the group, likely missing her own son.
Focusing back on the table, Dane raises an eyebrow and starts to ask, "Less than an hour? You got someplace you gotta be?" But before Kendal can answer, his brain does an abrupt about-face. "Wait, back the truck up. What do you mean, 'Especially if they allow you'? Who's 'they,' and why would they care?"
"Oh! My publicist. I have to be careful who I'm seen around and stay away from trouble." Kendal sighs, "I could be a big star and I don't want to ruin my career. So I have to keep my reputation. And..." she laughs, "Not date for at least a few movies. It's a public image thing..." She looks up at Dane, something in her eyes screams regret, "You know how it is, right?"
Focusing back on the table, Dane raises an eyebrow and starts to ask, "Less than an hour? You got someplace you gotta be?" But before Kendal can answer, his brain does an abrupt about-face. "Wait, back the truck up. What do you mean, 'Especially if they allow you'? Who's 'they,' and why would they care?"
"Oh! My publicist. I have to be careful who I'm seen around and stay away from trouble." Kendal sighs, "I could be a big star and I don't want to ruin my career. So I have to keep my reputation. And..." she laughs, "Not date for at least a few movies. It's a public image thing..." She looks up at Dane, something in her eyes screams regret, "You know how it is, right?"
"I plan to live forever. Or die trying..." Vila - Blakes 7
Re: Rifts - DMH - Black Hat vs White Hat - Dane
"Not really, I guess," he responds. His voice loses some of the enthusiasm he was feigning earlier. For a brief moment, he wonders how different his life might have been if he'd stayed with Kendal that fateful day instead of meeting up with Meg. There are no regrets, because he's wildly in love with Meg, but his mind can't quite disconnect from the speculation. "Well, hopefully the time goes quickly and you become famous." His tone lightens again. "Just don't forget about us little people when you do." He smiles.
Re: Rifts - DMH - Black Hat vs White Hat - Dane
"Not really, I guess," he responds. His voice loses some of the enthusiasm he was feigning earlier. For a brief moment, he wonders how different his life might have been if he'd stayed with Kendal that fateful day instead of meeting up with Meg. There are no regrets, because he's wildly in love with Meg, but his mind can't quite disconnect from the speculation. "Well, hopefully the time goes quickly and you become famous." His tone lightens again. "Just don't forget about us little people when you do." He smiles.
“I could never forget you guys. Especially you, Dane.” There’s a flicker in her eyes like a truth she’ll never willingly speak aloud. Then she snaps on a grin so wide it’s practically painful. “And I will be famous!” The smile is all teeth and terrible acting, a performance meant for someone who isn’t in the room. “You’ll see. My next two projects should do it.” Then the forced brightness drains from her face, replaced by a smaller, honest, humble smile... almost shy. She turns to Meg. “Miss Hoffman… I wish we could’ve hung out more. With Teddy and all, it was just awkward. Maybe in the future we will. Once I’m a star, I’ll send for you both.”
Meg snorts softly. “If they ever set up a line between Fort Hammer and Smith Falls, we could just talk on the phone networks.” She lifts a brow. “But until then, can’t your publicist take messages for you?”
“I don’t know. Maybe?” Her gaze flicks toward the bodyguard. His glower snaps away the instant her eyes land on him, like he’s been caught staring.
Meg leans in, voice low. “He’s a bit creepy, isn’t he?”
“He’s always like that,” she murmurs. “Watching me when I’m not looking. But he’s the best there is around here.”
Meg recoils. “Nope. Couldn’t do it.”
Kendal and Meg both take massive bites of their burgers, then chase them with the float. Bliss washes over their faces in pure, unfiltered euphoria, like the world has briefly stopped spinning just to let them enjoy this moment.
“I could never forget you guys. Especially you, Dane.” There’s a flicker in her eyes like a truth she’ll never willingly speak aloud. Then she snaps on a grin so wide it’s practically painful. “And I will be famous!” The smile is all teeth and terrible acting, a performance meant for someone who isn’t in the room. “You’ll see. My next two projects should do it.” Then the forced brightness drains from her face, replaced by a smaller, honest, humble smile... almost shy. She turns to Meg. “Miss Hoffman… I wish we could’ve hung out more. With Teddy and all, it was just awkward. Maybe in the future we will. Once I’m a star, I’ll send for you both.”
Meg snorts softly. “If they ever set up a line between Fort Hammer and Smith Falls, we could just talk on the phone networks.” She lifts a brow. “But until then, can’t your publicist take messages for you?”
“I don’t know. Maybe?” Her gaze flicks toward the bodyguard. His glower snaps away the instant her eyes land on him, like he’s been caught staring.
Meg leans in, voice low. “He’s a bit creepy, isn’t he?”
“He’s always like that,” she murmurs. “Watching me when I’m not looking. But he’s the best there is around here.”
Meg recoils. “Nope. Couldn’t do it.”
Kendal and Meg both take massive bites of their burgers, then chase them with the float. Bliss washes over their faces in pure, unfiltered euphoria, like the world has briefly stopped spinning just to let them enjoy this moment.
"I plan to live forever. Or die trying..." Vila - Blakes 7
Re: Rifts - DMH - Black Hat vs White Hat - Dane
Dane settles into a happier place and just enjoys the good food and good company. He occasionally looks between the two of beautiful women and wonders how someone like him ended up with such loyal friends, and how either of them could want to be with him as more than just a friend. Holding that thought, he takes another sip from his float straight from the glass. He feels the ice-cream mustache and awkwardly wipes it off with a napkin, hoping they didn’t notice.
Re: Rifts - DMH - Black Hat vs White Hat - Dane
Dane settles into a happier place and just enjoys the good food and good company. He occasionally looks between the two of beautiful women and wonders how someone like him ended up with such loyal friends, and how either of them could want to be with him as more than just a friend. Holding that thought, he takes another sip from his float straight from the glass. He feels the ice-cream mustache and awkwardly wipes it off with a napkin, hoping they didn’t notice.
At that moment, the bodyguard touches his ear, as though listening to something. Finally, he nods to no one present, then says, "Roger that, ten minutes," he looks at everyone at the table, "Sorry to interrupt. Ma'am, we move out in ten minutes."
"But I just got here," Kendal whines, like a kid who was forgotten on ice cream day.
"Sorry, Boss' orders."
Meg frowns, "Yeah, that was quick. We haven't seen her in months," she protests.
"Sorry, ma'am. I have my orders."
"At least let her finish the food," Felix adds.
"You have to-go boxes?" the bodyguard asks. Felix sighs, moving behind the bar to retrieve a cardboard to-go container. Dane notices Felix toss in a few extra snacks. Yet, the bodyguard frowns, noticing greasy snacks as he says, "Listen, she can't eat those."
"They're just fries and trout bites..." Angie sounds indignant.
"Sorry, she's on a strict diet."
Kendal sighs, pinching her arm, as though testing her BMI. She glances up at Dane with almost pleading look. "I can't gain weight unless it's muscle mass. Have to avoid too many unhealthy foods."
"At what price, Kendal?" Meg asks.
"I'm lucky. Thousands would love to be in my shoes. Just like Dane has an insane talent with robots and computers, this is mine. I'm lucky to have gotten noticed."
"Slave labor if you ask me," Felix tosses out.
Kendal's eyes flash anger, "Well, I didn't ask..." then cuts herself off, calming herself down. "I'm sorry! I should go," she begins gathering her things, her eyes welling up with tears.
At that moment, the bodyguard touches his ear, as though listening to something. Finally, he nods to no one present, then says, "Roger that, ten minutes," he looks at everyone at the table, "Sorry to interrupt. Ma'am, we move out in ten minutes."
"But I just got here," Kendal whines, like a kid who was forgotten on ice cream day.
"Sorry, Boss' orders."
Meg frowns, "Yeah, that was quick. We haven't seen her in months," she protests.
"Sorry, ma'am. I have my orders."
"At least let her finish the food," Felix adds.
"You have to-go boxes?" the bodyguard asks. Felix sighs, moving behind the bar to retrieve a cardboard to-go container. Dane notices Felix toss in a few extra snacks. Yet, the bodyguard frowns, noticing greasy snacks as he says, "Listen, she can't eat those."
"They're just fries and trout bites..." Angie sounds indignant.
"Sorry, she's on a strict diet."
Kendal sighs, pinching her arm, as though testing her BMI. She glances up at Dane with almost pleading look. "I can't gain weight unless it's muscle mass. Have to avoid too many unhealthy foods."
"At what price, Kendal?" Meg asks.
"I'm lucky. Thousands would love to be in my shoes. Just like Dane has an insane talent with robots and computers, this is mine. I'm lucky to have gotten noticed."
"Slave labor if you ask me," Felix tosses out.
Kendal's eyes flash anger, "Well, I didn't ask..." then cuts herself off, calming herself down. "I'm sorry! I should go," she begins gathering her things, her eyes welling up with tears.
"I plan to live forever. Or die trying..." Vila - Blakes 7
Re: Rifts - DMH - Black Hat vs White Hat - Dane
Dane pushes his chair back and says, with as much feigned enthusiasm as he can muster, "Hugs first!"
When Kendal is ready, he steps in and wraps her in a warm hug. With his head near her shoulder, he whispers, "Call us on the walkie when you're alone, if you're still in range."
He releases her and steps back to give Meg space. "It was great seeing you. It's been too long."
When Kendal is ready, he steps in and wraps her in a warm hug. With his head near her shoulder, he whispers, "Call us on the walkie when you're alone, if you're still in range."
He releases her and steps back to give Meg space. "It was great seeing you. It's been too long."
Re: Rifts - DMH - Black Hat vs White Hat - Dane
Dane pushes his chair back and says, with as much feigned enthusiasm as he can muster, "Hugs first!" The bodyguard almost lurches forward to stop him, but then nods in respect, realizing that he's not another crazy fan.
When she's is ready, he steps in and wraps her in a warm hug. With his head near her shoulder, he whispers, "Call us on the walkie when you're alone, if you're still in range."
He releases her, but she holds on... tight while whispering back, "I... miss you." then lets go.
Dane steps back steps back to give Meg space. "It was great seeing you. It's been too long."
Kendal wipes her eyes, nodding as she hugs Meg. Dane swears she hears Kendal whisper, "You're so lucky."
Felix walks over, handing her the to-go bag, making sure her bodyguard looks inside first. After nodding, Kendal waves to everyone and exits the Bottoms Up.
Felix slaps down his bar towel, "Of all the things... I don't like that guy! She deserves to be treated better!"
"Oh calm down. When Frank gets back, maybe he could take on a personal chef job with her. He's one of the best in the area now." Angie argues.
"Don't tell me to calm down!" Felix begins wiping the already clean bar, "If it was Frank, I'd be pulling him out of there. I didn't raise him to be some... slave!"
"For one, she's not a slave. Second! Kendal isn't Frank..." Angie continues.
"She's like a daughter..."
Meg holds Danes hand through the entire banter, giving it a squeeze as the doors fly open again. In walks Marty, adjusting his trusty cowboy hat. He spots Dane and frowns, "Could you talk to this thing? It won't listen to me and asked for you! Joe is no help!" while pointing towards his dealership.
When she's is ready, he steps in and wraps her in a warm hug. With his head near her shoulder, he whispers, "Call us on the walkie when you're alone, if you're still in range."
He releases her, but she holds on... tight while whispering back, "I... miss you." then lets go.
Dane steps back steps back to give Meg space. "It was great seeing you. It's been too long."
Kendal wipes her eyes, nodding as she hugs Meg. Dane swears she hears Kendal whisper, "You're so lucky."
Felix walks over, handing her the to-go bag, making sure her bodyguard looks inside first. After nodding, Kendal waves to everyone and exits the Bottoms Up.
Felix slaps down his bar towel, "Of all the things... I don't like that guy! She deserves to be treated better!"
"Oh calm down. When Frank gets back, maybe he could take on a personal chef job with her. He's one of the best in the area now." Angie argues.
"Don't tell me to calm down!" Felix begins wiping the already clean bar, "If it was Frank, I'd be pulling him out of there. I didn't raise him to be some... slave!"
"For one, she's not a slave. Second! Kendal isn't Frank..." Angie continues.
"She's like a daughter..."
Meg holds Danes hand through the entire banter, giving it a squeeze as the doors fly open again. In walks Marty, adjusting his trusty cowboy hat. He spots Dane and frowns, "Could you talk to this thing? It won't listen to me and asked for you! Joe is no help!" while pointing towards his dealership.
"I plan to live forever. Or die trying..." Vila - Blakes 7
Re: Rifts - DMH - Black Hat vs White Hat - Dane
Dane jumps a little at the sudden intrusion. For a split second, he thinks the bodyguard came back to threaten him or something. "Yeah, I can try to help. Just let me settle my bill here, and I’ll be right over."
He turns to Felix and Angie to pay for their meals and drinks, and says, "I really wish there was something we could do to help her. She seemed miserable."
After he pays, he turns back to Meg and gently takes her hand. "I’ll walk you back to the library real quick if that's where your headed. I guess it’s back to work for me, but I’ll come see you as soon as I’m done."
He turns to Felix and Angie to pay for their meals and drinks, and says, "I really wish there was something we could do to help her. She seemed miserable."
After he pays, he turns back to Meg and gently takes her hand. "I’ll walk you back to the library real quick if that's where your headed. I guess it’s back to work for me, but I’ll come see you as soon as I’m done."
Re: Rifts - DMH - Black Hat vs White Hat - Dane
Dane jumps a little at the sudden intrusion. For a split second, he thinks the bodyguard came back to threaten him or something. "Yeah, I can try to help. Just let me settle my bill here, and I’ll be right over." He turns to Felix and Angie to pay for their meals and drinks, and says, "I really wish there was something we could do to help her. She seemed miserable."
"Hey Dane," Felix winks, "Don't worry about the bill. Your dad tipped pretty big last week and it seems that you've got a busy day ahead of you. Good luck, kid!"
Dane turns back to Meg and gently takes her hand. "I’ll walk you back to the library real quick if that's where your headed. I guess it’s back to work for me, but I’ll come see you as soon as I’m done."
"Oh hell!" Marty cries impatiently, "Just bring her with! That... contraption thingy is insufferable. And thinks some of my rides are his compadres!"
"Hey Dane," Felix winks, "Don't worry about the bill. Your dad tipped pretty big last week and it seems that you've got a busy day ahead of you. Good luck, kid!"
Dane turns back to Meg and gently takes her hand. "I’ll walk you back to the library real quick if that's where your headed. I guess it’s back to work for me, but I’ll come see you as soon as I’m done."
"Oh hell!" Marty cries impatiently, "Just bring her with! That... contraption thingy is insufferable. And thinks some of my rides are his compadres!"
"I plan to live forever. Or die trying..." Vila - Blakes 7