Re: Rifts Dead Man's Hand - Festival Day - Dane
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.
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
"No, it isn't that." She sighs, "I wanted to help you with Meg, but I got to know you better. Now I really like spending time with you. You're not all macho, like the others. You're awkward, I find that cute. You're really smart. I was going to use you to try and win Teddy, but I just realized that you're probably the best friend I've ever had. No one's ever taken interest in what I actually think and no one, my age, has ever paid for food for me." She takes his hand and moves in closer, "If you don't like me like that, then, I'd like to at least be friends. I'm interested in why you like that library computer so much."
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.
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
"No, it isn't that." She sighs, "I wanted to help you with Meg, but I got to know you better. Now I really like spending time with you. You're not all macho, like the others. You're awkward, I find that cute. You're really smart. I was going to use you to try and win Teddy, but I just realized that you're probably the best friend I've ever had. No one's ever taken interest in what I actually think and no one, my age, has ever paid for food for me." She takes his hand and moves in closer, "If you don't like me like that, then, I'd like to at least be friends. I'm interested in why you like that library computer so much."
"I plan to live forever. Or die trying..." Vila - Blakes 7
Re: Re: Rifts Dead Man's Hand - Festival Day - Dane
Dane’s brain stalls out. ‘Wow… didn’t see that coming.’ He just stands there, mouth slightly ajar, eyes locked on Kendal’s...ike one of those broken androids he’s seen in old news articles at the library—frozen mid-thought, processing error. Another too-long pause. oO Gotta stop doing that. Oo He blinks twice, shuts his mouth before he looks like he’s about to drool, but his body still refuses to cooperate.
Her nearness sets his pulse hammering. Some part of him wants to reach out, pull her close, promise that everything will be okay. But the louder voice in his head reminds him she’s way out of his league. oO Ugly computer geek meets homecoming queen—they live happily ever after. Sure. Only in those ancient flicks that take hours to load on the library terminal. Oo
“Wow,” he finally echoes aloud. His voice comes out quieter than he expected. “That’s… that’s probably the nicest thing anyone besides my parents has ever said to me.” Heat creeps up his neck, flushing his already blotchy skin.
He takes a breath, trying to line up words into something coherent. “I like you too, Kendal. I do. But my feelings are… scrambled. Half the time I don’t even know how to process them. Probably ‘cause I spend more time in front of a computer screen than talking to actual people.” A nervous half-smile flickers. “Like, the other night I found this old article on cybernetics. Did you know they can replace almost every part of the human body with machinery? Wild stuff.”
He cuts himself off before he drifts too far into tech trivia. “Anyway. What I do know is—I’d love to be your friend. I don’t have many. Most of the time at Bottoms Up I just sit alone. Comfortably distant, yeah, but not exactly a recipe for making friends.” He meets her gaze, steadier this time. “So… let’s start there. Friends. And maybe… let’s go find Meg...Hoffman, that is, and hook up with her, then hit the three-legged race. After that—just see where the day takes us.”
His mind flickers back to Meg, trying to decode yesterday—her hand in his one moment, saying she’s too old for him the next. oO Girls are so confusing. Oo The thought loops in his head while his heart and logic wrestle for control.
Her nearness sets his pulse hammering. Some part of him wants to reach out, pull her close, promise that everything will be okay. But the louder voice in his head reminds him she’s way out of his league. oO Ugly computer geek meets homecoming queen—they live happily ever after. Sure. Only in those ancient flicks that take hours to load on the library terminal. Oo
“Wow,” he finally echoes aloud. His voice comes out quieter than he expected. “That’s… that’s probably the nicest thing anyone besides my parents has ever said to me.” Heat creeps up his neck, flushing his already blotchy skin.
He takes a breath, trying to line up words into something coherent. “I like you too, Kendal. I do. But my feelings are… scrambled. Half the time I don’t even know how to process them. Probably ‘cause I spend more time in front of a computer screen than talking to actual people.” A nervous half-smile flickers. “Like, the other night I found this old article on cybernetics. Did you know they can replace almost every part of the human body with machinery? Wild stuff.”
He cuts himself off before he drifts too far into tech trivia. “Anyway. What I do know is—I’d love to be your friend. I don’t have many. Most of the time at Bottoms Up I just sit alone. Comfortably distant, yeah, but not exactly a recipe for making friends.” He meets her gaze, steadier this time. “So… let’s start there. Friends. And maybe… let’s go find Meg...Hoffman, that is, and hook up with her, then hit the three-legged race. After that—just see where the day takes us.”
His mind flickers back to Meg, trying to decode yesterday—her hand in his one moment, saying she’s too old for him the next. oO Girls are so confusing. Oo The thought loops in his head while his heart and logic wrestle for control.
Re: Re: Rifts Dead Man's Hand - Festival Day - Dane
Dane’s brain stalls out. oO(Wow… didn’t see that coming)Oo He just stands there, mouth slightly ajar, eyes locked on Kendal’s, like one of those broken androids he’s seen in old news articles at the library; frozen mid-thought, processing error. Another too-long pause. oO(Gotta stop doing that)Oo He blinks twice and shuts his mouth before he looks like he’s about to drool, but his body still refuses to cooperate.
Her nearness sets his pulse hammering. Some part of him wants to reach out, pull her close, promise that everything will be okay. But the louder voice in his head reminds him she’s way out of his league. oO(Ugly computer geek meets homecoming queen; they live happily ever after. Sure. Only in those ancient flicks that take hours to load on the library terminal)Oo
"Dane?" Kendal starts to exhibit concern.
“Wow,” he finally echoes aloud. His voice comes out quieter than he expected. “That’s… that’s probably the nicest thing anyone besides my parents has ever said to me.” Heat creeps up his neck, flushing his already blotchy skin.
He takes a breath, trying to line up words into something coherent. “I like you too, Kendal. I do. But my feelings are… scrambled. Half the time I don’t even know how to process them. Probably ‘cause I spend more time in front of a computer screen than talking to actual people.” A nervous half-smile flickers. “Like, the other night I found this old article on cybernetics. Did you know they can replace almost every part of the human body with machinery? Wild stuff.”
Kendal's eyebrow raises slightly as a smirk forms on one side of her mouth.
He cuts himself off before he drifts too far into tech trivia. “Anyway. What I do know is... I’d love to be your friend. I don’t have many. Most of the time at Bottoms Up I just sit alone. Comfortably distant, yeah, but not exactly a recipe for making friends.” He meets her gaze, steadier this time. “So… let’s start there. Friends. And maybe… let’s go find Meg...Hoffman, that is, and hook up with her, then hit the three-legged race. After that... just see where the day takes us.”
His mind flickers back to Meg, trying to decode yesterday—her hand in his one moment, saying she’s too old for him the next. oO(Girls are so confusing)Oo The thought loops in his head while his heart and logic wrestle for control.
Lord Stein's muffled, yet booming voice can be heard, over the roar of the crowd, on a loudspeaker outside, "Egg toss challenge and the three-legged race after are coming up! If you haven't signed up yet, then it would be best to do so now!" There is a slight pause, "After that, signups for the tug-o-war tournament will commence!"
"I guess if you need to go," Kendal side eyes the door then back to looking into Dane's eyes, "Will you find me later?"
OOC: Very well written! I could actually sense the awkwardness of the situation for Dane.
Her nearness sets his pulse hammering. Some part of him wants to reach out, pull her close, promise that everything will be okay. But the louder voice in his head reminds him she’s way out of his league. oO(Ugly computer geek meets homecoming queen; they live happily ever after. Sure. Only in those ancient flicks that take hours to load on the library terminal)Oo
"Dane?" Kendal starts to exhibit concern.
“Wow,” he finally echoes aloud. His voice comes out quieter than he expected. “That’s… that’s probably the nicest thing anyone besides my parents has ever said to me.” Heat creeps up his neck, flushing his already blotchy skin.
He takes a breath, trying to line up words into something coherent. “I like you too, Kendal. I do. But my feelings are… scrambled. Half the time I don’t even know how to process them. Probably ‘cause I spend more time in front of a computer screen than talking to actual people.” A nervous half-smile flickers. “Like, the other night I found this old article on cybernetics. Did you know they can replace almost every part of the human body with machinery? Wild stuff.”
Kendal's eyebrow raises slightly as a smirk forms on one side of her mouth.
He cuts himself off before he drifts too far into tech trivia. “Anyway. What I do know is... I’d love to be your friend. I don’t have many. Most of the time at Bottoms Up I just sit alone. Comfortably distant, yeah, but not exactly a recipe for making friends.” He meets her gaze, steadier this time. “So… let’s start there. Friends. And maybe… let’s go find Meg...Hoffman, that is, and hook up with her, then hit the three-legged race. After that... just see where the day takes us.”
His mind flickers back to Meg, trying to decode yesterday—her hand in his one moment, saying she’s too old for him the next. oO(Girls are so confusing)Oo The thought loops in his head while his heart and logic wrestle for control.
Lord Stein's muffled, yet booming voice can be heard, over the roar of the crowd, on a loudspeaker outside, "Egg toss challenge and the three-legged race after are coming up! If you haven't signed up yet, then it would be best to do so now!" There is a slight pause, "After that, signups for the tug-o-war tournament will commence!"
"I guess if you need to go," Kendal side eyes the door then back to looking into Dane's eyes, "Will you find me later?"
OOC: Very well written! I could actually sense the awkwardness of the situation for Dane.
"I plan to live forever. Or die trying..." Vila - Blakes 7
Re: Re: Rifts Dead Man's Hand - Festival Day - Dane
“Hey, I said you should come too.” Dane’s brows knit, his tone carrying a touch of confusion—maybe even hurt. “We can all hang out. The three of us. As friends.” He hesitates, running the math of it in his head before adding more carefully, “Unless that’d just be… weird. I don’t know. I’m still figuring this whole friends thing out.” He tries to shape it into a smile, but it lands more tentative than confident.
Re: Re: Rifts Dead Man's Hand - Festival Day - Dane
“Hey, I said you should come too.” Dane’s brows knit, his tone carrying a touch of confusion, maybe even hurt. “We can all hang out. The three of us. As friends.” He hesitates, running the math of it in his head before adding more carefully, “Unless that’d just be… weird. I don’t know. I’m still figuring this whole friends thing out.” He tries to shape it into a smile, but it lands more tentative than confident.
Kendal laughs, "Umm, yeah I think it would be weird. What would she think if she saw us together? Girls think different than guys about that stuff, I think..." She seems in thought.
Mrs. Tokahashi finishes with another customer when she shouts out, "If there isn't trust, then it's not a relationship. Remember that, you two."
At that moment, someone comes through the doors and shouts, "Holy shit! Someone died on the obstacle course! I'm gonna go look!" Then runs back out.
Kendal's worried face turns pale as she glances at the door. "Teddy was going to try it today!"
Kendal laughs, "Umm, yeah I think it would be weird. What would she think if she saw us together? Girls think different than guys about that stuff, I think..." She seems in thought.
Mrs. Tokahashi finishes with another customer when she shouts out, "If there isn't trust, then it's not a relationship. Remember that, you two."
At that moment, someone comes through the doors and shouts, "Holy shit! Someone died on the obstacle course! I'm gonna go look!" Then runs back out.
Kendal's worried face turns pale as she glances at the door. "Teddy was going to try it today!"
"I plan to live forever. Or die trying..." Vila - Blakes 7
Re: Re: Rifts Dead Man's Hand - Festival Day - Dane
oO So much for being in a quiet corner of the room minding our business . Oo Dane irritably thinks to himself as Mrs. Tokahashi butts in.
At that moment, someone comes through the doors and shouts, "Holy shit! Someone died on the obstacle course! I'm gonna go look!" Then runs back out.
Dane turns his head towards the door, momentarily startled by the intrusion, if not necessarily by the proclamation.
Kendal's worried face turns pale as she glances at the door. "Teddy was going to try it today!"
Dane refocuses on Kendal and, seeing her upset, quickly tries to reassure her; his brain already running numbers. "I'm sure it's not Teddy, there've got to be hundreds of people running the obstacle course today, and the odds of it being Teddy, or even one of our friends, is super small." His brain rapidly realizes that he didn't say "one of our other friends", but hopes Kendal didn't notice the omission. "In any case, let's hurry and head over there and find out what's going on." He sets his half-drank coffee down and awkwardly takes Kendal by the hand, giving it a little squeeze that's supposed to convey reassurance and empathy and leads her towards the door. OOC: There, that otta complicate things with Kendal some more.
At that moment, someone comes through the doors and shouts, "Holy shit! Someone died on the obstacle course! I'm gonna go look!" Then runs back out.
Dane turns his head towards the door, momentarily startled by the intrusion, if not necessarily by the proclamation.
Kendal's worried face turns pale as she glances at the door. "Teddy was going to try it today!"
Dane refocuses on Kendal and, seeing her upset, quickly tries to reassure her; his brain already running numbers. "I'm sure it's not Teddy, there've got to be hundreds of people running the obstacle course today, and the odds of it being Teddy, or even one of our friends, is super small." His brain rapidly realizes that he didn't say "one of our other friends", but hopes Kendal didn't notice the omission. "In any case, let's hurry and head over there and find out what's going on." He sets his half-drank coffee down and awkwardly takes Kendal by the hand, giving it a little squeeze that's supposed to convey reassurance and empathy and leads her towards the door. OOC: There, that otta complicate things with Kendal some more.
Re: Re: Rifts Dead Man's Hand - Festival Day - Dane
oO(So much for being in a quiet corner of the room, minding our business)Oo Dane irritably thinks to himself as Mrs. Tokahashi butts in.
At that moment, someone comes through the doors and shouts, "Holy shit! Someone died on the obstacle course! I'm gonna go look!" Then runs back out. Dane turns his head towards the door, momentarily startled by the intrusion, if not necessarily by the proclamation.
Kendal's worried face turns pale as she glances at the door. "Teddy was going to try it today!"
Dane refocuses on Kendal and, seeing her upset, quickly tries to reassure her; his brain already running numbers. "I'm sure it's not Teddy, there've got to be hundreds of people running the obstacle course today, and the odds of it being Teddy, or even one of our friends, is super small." His brain rapidly realizes that he didn't say "one of our other friends", but hopes Kendal didn't notice the omission. "In any case, let's hurry and head over there and find out what's going on." He sets his half-drank coffee down and awkwardly takes Kendal by the hand, giving it a little squeeze that's supposed to convey reassurance and empathy and leads her towards the door.
Kendal seems uneasy as Dane leads her outside, into the throng of people. There are less people as most are headed to where the 'death' took place. "Dane..." She says barely audibly, "I don't know if I can see this..." she finishes. They make it past the Bottoms up, where the majestic obstacle course was constructed. A massive crowd is surrounding a spot a few feet from the middle of stage one. Kendal gasps. Dane feels like she figured out who it is, but he hasn't the foggiest who it is.
At that moment, someone comes through the doors and shouts, "Holy shit! Someone died on the obstacle course! I'm gonna go look!" Then runs back out. Dane turns his head towards the door, momentarily startled by the intrusion, if not necessarily by the proclamation.
Kendal's worried face turns pale as she glances at the door. "Teddy was going to try it today!"
Dane refocuses on Kendal and, seeing her upset, quickly tries to reassure her; his brain already running numbers. "I'm sure it's not Teddy, there've got to be hundreds of people running the obstacle course today, and the odds of it being Teddy, or even one of our friends, is super small." His brain rapidly realizes that he didn't say "one of our other friends", but hopes Kendal didn't notice the omission. "In any case, let's hurry and head over there and find out what's going on." He sets his half-drank coffee down and awkwardly takes Kendal by the hand, giving it a little squeeze that's supposed to convey reassurance and empathy and leads her towards the door.
Kendal seems uneasy as Dane leads her outside, into the throng of people. There are less people as most are headed to where the 'death' took place. "Dane..." She says barely audibly, "I don't know if I can see this..." she finishes. They make it past the Bottoms up, where the majestic obstacle course was constructed. A massive crowd is surrounding a spot a few feet from the middle of stage one. Kendal gasps. Dane feels like she figured out who it is, but he hasn't the foggiest who it is.
"I plan to live forever. Or die trying..." Vila - Blakes 7
Re: Re: Rifts Dead Man's Hand - Festival Day - Dane
"Stay here, I'll go check it out and come back here." He gives her his best no-argument look. "I'll be right back." He's fighting back the gnawing memory of his mother bleeding in his arms as she died at one of these festival so many years ago.
Re: Re: Rifts Dead Man's Hand - Festival Day - Dane
"Stay here, I'll go check it out and come back here." He gives her his best no-argument look. "I'll be right back." He's fighting back the gnawing memory of his mother bleeding in his arms as she died at one of these festival so many years ago.
He pushes between people, emerging on the far side after passing at least five layers of people. On the ground, lies Vi, she's alive but in considerable pain. Teddy is hovering over her, trying to make sure that she's comfortable. Dane is unsure what happened, but if Teddy is there, with Vi, then he may have had something to do with it. Several festival workers are gathered around her ankle, trying to apply a brace, only causing more pain for her.
He pushes between people, emerging on the far side after passing at least five layers of people. On the ground, lies Vi, she's alive but in considerable pain. Teddy is hovering over her, trying to make sure that she's comfortable. Dane is unsure what happened, but if Teddy is there, with Vi, then he may have had something to do with it. Several festival workers are gathered around her ankle, trying to apply a brace, only causing more pain for her.
"I plan to live forever. Or die trying..." Vila - Blakes 7
Re: Re: Rifts Dead Man's Hand - Festival Day - Dane
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.
OOC: Assuming he finds her...
"It's alright, Vi just sprained her ankle. Pretty bad it looks like. Now lets go find that guy that was yelling about someone dying so you can give him a piece of your mind." His last sentence is an 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.
OOC: Assuming he finds her...
"It's alright, Vi just sprained her ankle. Pretty bad it looks like. Now lets go find that guy that was yelling about someone dying so you can give him a piece of your mind." His last sentence is an 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.