rp post

[excontractu]

for offscreen interaction 

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[selfdissecting]

[ oh my god maeve he doesn't even have free time ]

—No! I mean—yes. Yes, coffee is good. I am so busy, too, with all of the Fixer work that keeps piling up, and, you know, the other... things... Maybe we can just talk when we are both... here...

[ trails off stupidly ]

[inhumanresources]

Do you have a moment to try a new coffee place nearby? I saw an advertisement for this vanilla drink they serve.

[selfdissecting]

[ stupidly, ] The... seasonal special?

[ almost could smack themselves. they check their watch instead ]

Y. Yes. I think I would like that.

[inhumanresources]

Okay. Then . . .

[let's go]

[selfdissecting]

[ nervous nervous nervous, and yet—so blissfully excited, because this time, intentions are clear, there's no "what if", they signed forms ]

Yes!

[ GRABS THEIR COAT ]

[inhumanresources]

[it's like a five-minute walk. the coffee place is cozy and bright]

It's unclear what this drink is. Steamed milk? Some sort of latte? All I know is it's very sweet.

[selfdissecting]

[ blinking in the brightness, ah, wow... ]

You liked sweet, right?

[inhumanresources]

It's a weakness of mine.

[selfdissecting]

[ murmurs ] Strong flavours...

[ well. they slip uneasily into a seat and fold their coat over the back and cross their legs daintily at the ankles and fold two hands in their lap and try to look like they aren't sweating through their antiperspirant ]

So two of those?

[inhumanresources]

Does it sound good to you too?

[selfdissecting]

[ it takes them a second to realize why he might ask— ]

Oh! Um. I usually have hot chocolate. I always have hot chocolate. I thought I could try trying something new?

[inhumanresources]

Okay. Well, get what you want. Trying new things is nice sometimes.

[selfdissecting]

[ "I'd like to try your new things"

sputters and covers their mouth for a second, faking looking at the menu so they can avoid his gaze aaaaa ]

Oh, they have a salted caramel mocha.

[ that's KIND OF like a hot chocolate ]

[inhumanresources]

Can I admit something? I never got salted caramel. It's salt, but also caramel at the same time? Why would you do that? I think I just don't have a very sophisticated palate when it comes to different flavor profiles at the same time. I've always admired people who can enjoy that . . .

[selfdissecting]

Um. The salt is supposed to make the caramel taste sweeter...?

[inhumanresources]

[nods thoughtfully] I guess I get the concept. It just doesn't work for me.

[selfdissecting]

Hah. Just sweet for you.

[ they point at him weakly, trying and failing for the exact tone of levity they wanted. and when it's time to order, they do ask for the salted caramel mocha. ]

[inhumanresources]

[:> he smiles nevertheless

when the drinks are in hand, gonna pick a little table]

So.

[selfdissecting]

[ one perfectly innocent smile and one innocent word and their mind is racing, and the stuttering begins ]

S, So.

[inhumanresources]

Anything specific you want to talk about?

[selfdissecting]

Oh, I am not good at t-talking, not unless I already know what I am supposed to say, otherwise I just open my mouth, and I say whatever is in my head, which is always quite a lot, and end up saying somethng stupid, and then it usually gets awkward.

[ all in one breath ]

[inhumanresources]

Okay. Well, you don't have to be good at it. But does that mean I should choose the topic?

[selfdissecting]

[ blurts ] What brought you to Venus?

[inhumanresources]

[he taps two more full sugar packets into the vanilla thing and stirs for a bit]

I wanted to work somewhere where I wouldn't have to answer to the Host at all.

[selfdissecting]

[ jesus christ ceciliano ]

I suppose that has been a little harder, lately. With everything.