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 Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2017 10:48 pm
"Pink seems to be a popular color."
Tristan had to actively work not to flinch that the two people that came to mind right after. Wondering how they were doing wouldn't do him any good. Seeking them out would only make things worse. The man they missed so desperately was back and he didn't know what that meant for things now.
He shook his head, desperate to think of anything else.
Talk, he told himself, because talking was distracting and he needed to be distracted. "What's your most successful way of guessing?" The plastic of the bag was digging into his wrist but the annoying irritation helped him focus on the moment and not the what if.
Green eyes blinked and Tris' head tilted curiously at the statement. Danny wanted to...impress him? But why?
"I - " He shook his head a little, blinking several times again. "You want to impress me?" It was unfathomable. "I'm nothing special Danny, don't waste your talent on me."
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Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2017 2:10 am
"I can see that ego isn't an issue for you, at least." He seemed amused, but slightly caught off guard at being called out on his comment. One hand rose and rubbed the back of his blonde hair as he laughed. "First impressions are always telling ones, aren't they? So why wouldn't I want to impress someone who clearly put others before their own comfort?" He wouldn't bring up the panicked look on the other man's face, but, well....it had been more than telling that Tristan had been anxious ever since he stepped foot into The Sugar Cube. As he watched the man linger, an idea popped into his mind and he silently debated with himself. Should he?"Would you...care for some tea? If you've got somewhere else to be or would rather not, I understand. I just figured with how dead it is around here," one hand gestured out towards the emptiness of the cafe, "It could be nice, having someone to chat with. Plus, ample opportunity for me to work on my talents if you cared to indulge me." Glancing back towards the unused machinery, his lips pursed themselves together as he mused aloud, "On the house, of course. I was thinking of making myself a cup for when I headed on break, but I'd love the company." Turning back around, the smile he offered was almost sheepish. "Guess you can call it a perk for being the boss."
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Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2017 7:49 am
When it came to confidence, Tris had always been a quiet, to himself, sort of guy.
He knew he was good at photography and he was proud of the talents that he worked to keep improving as he went about his days. Some part of him remembered how to longboard and that was an accomplishment. He was bi-lingual, working on learning new languages, and that was something worth being confident about and yet - he was often hesitant about it.
But that was neither here nor there. Dwelling on his follies would do him no good and was, frankly, rude to do in present company.
Tristan was at a loss for words when Danny effectively complimented him and he dropped his gaze to his converse, trying not to flush. How did he become so easily embarrassed, he wondered. He looked up when the tea was offered and confusion rippled across his features before he swallowed, head bobbing with a tiny nod.
Fiona was working and had evening plans with her boyfriend. He didn't know what Charlie was up to and he could text her but...
"Yeah, okay." He was agreeing before he had even made the decision in his head. "But I can pay, really." Already, he was fishing for his wallet.
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Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2017 9:46 am
As the head slowly bobbed its way up and down in response, Danny felt a swell of pride for throwing himself out there and taking a chance. He was going to hang out with someone else for a change! He might actually make a friend! He didn't even have to convince a coworker this time, to receive some company for lunch! When Tristan began digging into his pocket, however, Daniel's expression was nothing short of crestfallen. He managed to bounce back only moments later - one couldn't waste their time feeling gloomy, after all - but not before letting the frown linger for a moment or two. People weren't supposed to feel obligated to pay when they were spending time making friends, right? This wasn't right - no - it wasn't going to do. "Please don't." Shaking his head, his eyebrows furrowed, though his smile clung on for dear life across his face. "All I want is some friendly company in exchange for some sweet treats. Tell me your favorite flavor and pick a booth? I'll handle the tea part, you can start working on the next conversation topic, okay?"
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Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2017 11:46 am
His wallet was halfway out of his back pocket when he saw Danny's face fall and he froze immediately, unsure of what exactly he'd done wrong. Dark brows knitted together and his eyes narrowed, perplexed, the softness of the blonde's voice sending a shiver down his spine.
Please don't.
Tristan thought he heard a sliver of sadness in the simple request. "Ah - " he pushed the item back into his pocket and pursed his lips together. "Sorry," his ears were scarlet when he looked away, rubbing the back of his neck as he tried to think in coherent thoughts. "I didn't mean to offend, I didn't want to take away from your livelihood when you've already been so generous."
With the friendliness, the company, the help, and the treats Danny had snuck into his bag.
"Alright," he said. A hesitant nod followed as he glanced around the cafe and back to his companion. "Citrus is usually a good place to start, but I'm not too picky." He paused, nose wrinkling. "I don't think anyway." He was still re-discovering everything he liked. With a hesitant smile, Tristan found himself a booth and waited for Danny to come back and join him.
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Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2017 8:05 pm
As the other man returned his wallet, Danny's stance physically relaxed, tension visibly leaving his body. He knew he probably looked ridiculous - he could already hear Prissy in the back of his mind, teasing him for failing at even the most basic of communication skills. Danny made for a decent manager, but he clearly had a ways to go when it came to interacting with people outside of work. "If a couple of pastries constitutes generosity, then I'll happily accept the compliment." The blonde barista was quick to turn around, using his new task as an excuse to hide his own sudden discomfort at his verbal fumbling. Things were so much more relaxed and easy when it was just dealing with a customer...why was trying to get to know someone beyond their surface level proving to be so tough? Making tea was calming. It was the perfect busywork to keep his mind occupied. Orange was the tea of choice, Danny picking up several of his own ingredient picks to add to the mix, creating a blend he'd perfected for his own taste, long, long ago. All in all, it only took a few minutes to get the cups ready, sliding the cardboard sleeves on snugly before making his way over to the designated booth. "Another perk of being the boss - ordering off the menu." He grinned as he slid the cup in front of his new companion, Daniel himself sliding into the opposite seat as both hands moved to cradle his cup. "You'll have to tell me what you think of it; I'm not sure I've ever had anyone else but myself drink this one." Did that sound too eager? Shoot.
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Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2017 9:33 pm
While he waited, it took more effort than he wanted to admit to keep from fidgeting with the bag while he waited. Moments like this made him wish for his camera because at least then he could fiddle with the settings or go over some of the last photos he'd taken if he had his digital camera instead of the film one.
It felt strange, waiting for someone to join him when he had his things ready to take and go but that the same time...Tristan liked the prospect of not returning to an empty house. If Fiona was with her boyfriend, then she likely wouldn't be back until late if she even came back. Now that Arin had moved out, the house had been lonelier than usual and the man was having a difficult time assessing if it was because of it's size and lack of people or if it was more about him.
Connecting with people had been so much easier before SPACE, whatever that series of memories meant to him. They were lost to the void, remembered only because of his few attempts to talk about his troubles. His then-girlfriend-and-now-permanent-ex had been dismissive, wanted him to ignore what troubled him and get lost in the moment.
Grateful when Danny appeared and distracted him from his thoughts, again, he offered a smile when he accepted the paper cup and wrapped both hands around it. Drawing it towards his face, he inhaled the orangey smell wafting from the spout. "It smells wonderful." He couldn't tell what the other scents were without tasting it but he was eager to try it.
"Don't I feel lucky," he admitted, lifting the cup to take a small sip and allowed the flavors to sit on his tongue. "Thank you, Danny." The liquid burned, a little too hot to drink properly without waiting but from the small taste it was wonderful.
"What'd you add to it?"
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Posted: Sat Jun 10, 2017 1:20 am
"A little bit of sugar, little bit of spice, little bit of..." He leaned forward, his voice lowering as he paused before finishing with, ".... secret." Falling back onto his booth, eyebrows waggled playfully as he grinned, bringing his cup back up to his lips for a second taste. Sure, he wasn't very clever with his quips and comebacks but as long as he found humor in his responses, it was okay...right? "I like to play around with recipes," he confessed, explaining the origin of the drink they were both holding, "Just a fun little hobby, mostly when I'm in a creative mood." Fingers drifted to idly stroke the sleeve of the cup, the pad of one gently trailing along the shop's logo. "Most of the time they end up being flubs, but every so often I find something worth hanging on to." Green eyes kept their gaze on Tristan as he readjusted himself in his seat. "But enough about my silly hobby - we've got some research to do on you, remember? Tell me more about yourself, Tristan. Likes, dislikes, important tidbits?"
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Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2017 8:03 am
Whatever answer Tristan had been expecting from his companion it hadn't been secret. Surprised he laughed, shaking his head at the man and his general jolliness. It wasn't the most creative of comebacks, but pleasant none-the-less and the brunette found himself enjoying the effort expended.
Green eyes glanced around the cafe and lingered on the menu board for a moment before flicking back over to match eyes almost the same shade as his own. "I'm sure it's like playing with exposure on film. Different results until you find something you enjoy."
It seemed as simple as that at least.
"If you enjoy it and it works out sometimes, then it's a success." He thought about his poor attempts at knitting because while he was terrible at it, it was now something he could work at and share with Charlie. That made it fun, because he got to spend time with arguably his favorite person.
"Really, Danny, there's not much to learn about me." He would rather listen than talk.
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Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2017 9:10 am
Daniel wasn't deterred, taking his time to nurse the drink as the brunette once again attempted to backpedal out of being the focal point of the conversation. Sure, not everyone liked to talk about themselves, but surely there had to be some things to talk about, right? "If there's not much to learn, then it won't take long - will it?" He found he thoroughly enjoyed the way that Tristan laughed. It was both comforting and relaxing, to see the anxious man smile and allow himself to enjoy a horrible sense of humor (namely, his own). His own grin mirrored the taller man's. "So we know you have good taste in women, you're nice enough to laugh at terrible jokes and..." Pausing, his grin grew wider as he realized his companion had slipped a tidbit - intentional or not, he wasn't sure. "Film? As in photographs?" Snagging the sliver of information that had been pried free, the cup returned to the table to be toyed with, between long fingers. "I've never been able to take a good picture to save my life - or pose, even. A couple of the girls who work here take selfies for days but I feel so weird standing there, making faces at my phone." One hand dropped to rest on the table, fingertips gently brushing against the smooth surface. "But exposing film, wow. Does that mean you do it on a professional level? I'd love to see some of your stuff." He offered his own factoid, in exchange for pulling information out from the other man. "I'm more into reading, myself. My mother couldn't afford to take us very many places when I was small, but I quickly discovered I didn't need to leave my room to travel to different worlds." Laughing at himself, his cheeks tinged themselves pink as he realized how utterly cheesy that sounded. "Probably have more books than friends, honestly. But what else goes better with tea than a story, right?"
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Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2017 10:50 am
There was a weak, almost sheepish smile offered, then quickly hidden behind the lip of a cup as Tristan bought himself some time by drinking the tea that had been provided. While it was no longer scaldingly hot, it stayed nice and warm as it slid down his throat with a pleasant burn that warmed his whole body. "I'm afraid I'll bore you with trivial details," he offered, still trying to deflect the inquiries about himself.
It wasn't that he didn't enjoy Danny and his company, he was merely a man who wasn't quite comfortable sharing too much of himself with new people. Charlie had been the exception, but she had also turned out to be Connie and that made a world of difference, in the end.
The comment about good taste in women left him looking perplexed, mouth half opened with a retort on his tongue when he found himself flustered all over again. "I like to think I have good taste in friends," he corrected, sheepish while he thought, this go around, at least. He didn't regret the girls from his other life, but he could have done things differently, at least.
Hindsight was always 20/20, it seemed.
"I dabble in photography. Mostly a hobby, but for profit when the jobs come my way. Fiona's been wonderful with her assistance. It helps, as I figure out how to be a proper adult with a proper job." He didn't know how long he could stretch his photography gigs as a 'career' anyway. It was almost embarrassing, the fact that he was twenty-eight years old and he didn't have a real job. Granted there were many factors surrounding the circumstance, but he still thought he ought to not be mooching off the kindness of a woman who, six months ago, had only been a stranger when she took him in.
"Books are a good way to discover things." Tristan wasn't looking at Danny now, instead he was looking at the plastic cup lid as he toyed with it's rim. "What's your favorite?"
Books were easy, something in him told him that they were his favorite thing once.
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Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2017 1:37 pm
Danny couldn't help but feel slightly bad for pushing an apparent button, watching the man across from him amend his statement. Shoot, had he put his foot in his mouth, already? His hand rose, elbow propping itself up on the table as his palm found its way under his chin. His other continued to idly fidget with his cup, but his attention was now entirely on listening to Tristan go into detail about his photography. "Proper adulting, huh? I think all of that is relative, personally." He couldn't help but interject, feeling already that his customer-slash-potential-hopeful-friend was being hard on himself. Having a career was great and all, but life was more than just scraping to make ends meet from paycheck to paycheck. Sure, you had to have some dough to survive but if that's all your focus was on... well, then you weren't really living, now were you? "Yeah, jobs are important, but if you're not doing something you enjoy, then you're wasting precious time. We only live once, y'know." Choosing to transition into a safer topic, he entertained the question tossed in his direction. "Picking a favorite is like trying to choose a favorite cookie for me," Danny admitted. It was his turn to look sheepish, although the hesitance was quickly morphing into excitement as he furthered the conversation, "I'll have a favorite for a while, especially if I go back to read a classic, but as soon as I pick up another one I love, it'll change?" The hand on the cup released itself, waving around in exasperation as he tried to convey the meaning behind his words. "Anything that deals with space is a huge plus, but I love the weird and mysterious too? Serious or silly - Hitchiker's Guide is a classic, but I also love anything by Gaiman or Koontz - Neverwhere, American Gods, Odd Thomas..." His grin grew wider the more he spoke, the blonde clearly having a moment of nostalgic reminiscing as he brainstormed his answer. "I mean, I'm open to pretty much anything? Mom couldn't take me to the library nearly enough; I think I devoured books more often than meals, haha." Pausing to take a sip of his tea, he realized he'd been prattling and the blush darkened. Clearing his throat, he chuckled and glanced towards the display case. "Okay, your turn to ask a question - but be prepared, it'll be turned back around on you after I answer."
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Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2017 2:18 pm
Tris didn't even look up when Danny was prattling on about how life was meant to be enjoyed. Instead, he used his thumps to push up on the lip until it split and he hissed, hands dropping back onto the table almost immediately. Gaze flicking up when the popular slang, yolo, came up and he shook his head. "Dunno how true that is."
How many times had he cheated death already? Only once, technically, but leaving Aluminite behind in the past and developing a new identity that no one recognized unless he told them...that counted too.
"Sometimes you get brought back to life even when you're dead." There were some days where he wondered if things wouldn't have been easier if he'd stayed dead.
Maybe Labyrinthite's mother would still be alive, maybe Tourmaline wouldn't be so hurt, maybe Jackie wouldn't be dead...maybe, maybe, maybe.
The list was endless at this point.
Except -
Anything that deals with space is a huge plus. Before he could stop himself he was visibly flinching, making his tall, six feet and four inches shrink into itself. In an attempt to recover, he asked, in a somewhat strangled voice, "So like a less abused Matilda?" Didn't she love books and took home carts full of them?
He couldn't remember, but that wasn't new.
"If you could be any creature, real or mythological, what would it be and why?" He asked quickly, wanting to be distracted.
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Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2017 4:00 pm
The flinch was noticeable and Danny felt his heart fall into his stomach. How could he be mucking things up so quickly? What he talking too much about books? Was it boring - had he said something offensive? Hand leaving his chin, he returned to clutching the cup with all ten fingers, thumbs rubbing up and down the worn out side of the paper. "Y-Yeah, I guess? Although having telekinetic powers would have made life a lot easier..." His words trailed off as he contemplated the question that Tristan had posed towards him. It was cute - he hadn't asked anything invasive, choosing instead to go a more abstract route. Alright - he could keep things less than personal, if that's what he wanted. "Any creature?" He reiterated, mulling over the thought. "Immediate response would be dragon. Aside from mankind, I don't know of a dragon having any other enemy to contend with - plus flying and fire breathing is pretty up there in the magical powers realm of things. Hoarding treasures and pretties? Also a plus." One eye closed as he sat there, dwelling on his answer some more, "Con would have to be the fact that there's not a whole lot of space for a dragon, these days. Too many people in the world, not enough space for a dragon's lair." Grinning, he shrugged his shoulders slightly. "I'm afraid I'm probably a little too cliche with my answers, friend, but we'll stick with dragon until I can think of something better. What about you?"
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Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2017 4:27 pm
Tristan made a little noise at the idea of superpowers, thinking of his own enhanced strength and healing and his other alter-ego. He didn't sound happy but he didn't sound unhappy either. The surge of emotions passing through him was distracting and likely confusing for his companion, because it was certainly confusing for him.
"Depends on the type of telekentic you are. Not all of them possess telepathy," he said quietly. His voice was soft, nearly inaudible as he ran his thumb beneath the broken lip of his cup lid. Green eyes stared at a spot on the table, unfocused, until the question was posed. Eyes flicked up and he drew a hand back to push brown locks out of his eyes. "Any - "
Dragon.
Tristan didn't flinch this time, instead he tensed up, memories assaulting him too quickly from the massive, brutal battle in negaspace. His back ached where scars littered the otherwise smooth, tannish skin. He could recall the roar of the dragon youma as it rose and answered then General-Queen Laurelite's summon. He remembered the heat of it's scales and it's fury as it reigned down upon enemies and allies alike.
That had been when he had first met Tourmaline.
His heart hurt and he looked crestfallen as the weight of his memories settled into the spaces of his spine and held him, locked into place. He wanted to say something, attribute dragons to destruction, but when he looked at Danny, he couldn't see anything of the sort. Softly he said, "I wouldn't peg you for a dragon."
Forcing himself to relax back into the booth he voiced his own, mythical animal choice. "Phoenix, because from the ashes we can rise and start again, better. New."
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