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Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2017 3:00 pm
Dark brows lifted in surprised, green eyes blinking to keep his expression otherwise impassive, when Jada informed the girl behind the counter that it was all to go. She complied easily enough, busing herself with boxing up a slice of the cheesecake Jada had been eyeing while her companion, who appeared from the back store room, started assembling his tea and hot chocolate.
"I tend to prefer the savory." He answered tactfully, choosing to look away from his companion to let his gaze sweep across the few that populated the coffee shop. "Sweets have always been a favorite of my sister's, just...I don't know." He sighed, reaching up to push his hands through his hair. "S'not my thing." He had no idea how else to explain it or himself and he waved his hand in the air helplessly.
"Sorry. I-- " He shook his head, inhaled deeply and tried to just focus on his companion. "I don't go out of my way for them I guess."
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Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2017 8:28 pm
"Savory isn't bad," Jada said after a moment, reaching out to accept the cheesecake that was handed her and pass over her black credit card. "I'm quite fond of some savory foods as well. Actually," she mused, red lips pursing, "I think I just like food." Loved food. Adored food. Had a relationship with food that border-lined on obscene, even if nothing ever came of it except early morning jogs and whining as she got on the treadmill. Worth it."Sugar's not for everyone. If you don't like it, clearly your body is decided to save more delicious cheesecake for the mes of the world, which is quite considerate, all things taken into account." her eyes crinkled lightly. "By the way-" Jada slipped out of his coat while she was thinking about it, passing it back to him. They wouldn't be outside for much longer- from the door to the car, and the car to her front door. Jada would be quite able to manage those brief bits of cold. "I appreciate the loan, Mini."
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Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2017 11:10 pm
By the time Jada's card had been swiped and the credit card slip to be slid across the counter with a black pen for her to sign and denote a tip, if she felt inclined, both drinks were present and ready for the taking beside it. The chick behind the counter was smiling strainedly, like she couldn't wait for the pair to move away and let her get back to whatever it was that she was doing and the one who'd finished their drinks had disappeared back into the store room.
Aluminite was unaware of most of this, because he had been staring out the window, watching the few straggling people pass by on their way to their cars or one of the bars that wasn't too far away from the shop. It was easier, to look anywhere but at Jada, because every time he looked her way, he questioned something about himself.
Like; how did he end up here, with this kind woman who seemed to see through him and his inner turmoil?
"There's nothing wrong with liking food," he replied, looking at the dark haired woman only then, a tired smile on his mouth. "Sweet - sweets suit you better than me, Jada."
There she was offering him back his coat and he frowned at her, refusing to reach for it. "No, you can return it later. It's frigid outside and I'm fine, really. Please don't fight me over this."
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Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2017 9:09 pm
Jada was holding up her aching ankle as she waited to sign, tapping french-tipped fingernails against the counter in thoughtless rhythm until she was able to sign for the purchase. She tipped a quick thank you, gave the girl a smile, and accepted the drinks, scooting closer to Aluminite. "It's a good thing there's no problem with it," she said with a grin, "I don't plan to stop. If I ever say I'm not hungry, or don't want a snack, something has gone terribly wrong. Or I just ate." Aluminite's smile was tense, and Jada could only respond the way she knew best. A cheerful sense of humor, and ahope of being a pleasant diversion. Perhaps with a healthy dose of self-deprecation, though she liked to think it wasn't her usual style. (She was deluding herself, though.) Her hands and arms were full of coat and drink, and her face turned to a small scowl, and Jada pushed the drinks and cheesecake at Aluminite. "Then hold these for me while I put it back on. No sense in both of us freezing." Stubborn man was loudly thought, and clearly written in furrowed brows. He said please don't fight him, and as he was rescuer, that would grant him a certain bit of leniency. "Next time, though..." Next time. As if there was going to be one. Jada shrugged into his too-large cloak, feeling it drape down her curves, too long in almost every way for her height and length. She tied it carefully, and then tilted her chin. " Home, James, and don't spare the horses," she chirped. "Ugh, did I just strangely date myself on that one? Maybe?" her hobble towards the door was appropriately careful. Nuxaz that's an actual phrase and I typed it and then I laughed
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Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2017 2:19 pm
He tried to match her grin but his smile didn't quite meet his eyes. "I would never expect you to, Jada." He saw no harm in enjoying food as long as it wasn't a health risk and, from looking at her, he couldn't see it being one for the woman. "I'll keep that in mind, for next time." It slipped from his mouth without thought, the smile vanishing as his expression was overtaken by surprise.
"If we meet again, that is," he amended quickly, a barely noticeable flush on his cheeks. The thing was, he wouldn't have minded seeing Jada again if their paths crossed, but he knew what so many people thought of the negaverse, or the white moon, because the media was vicious and ugly.
Grateful for the distraction, he accepted the cups, balancing them carefully in one hand and grasping the togo container in the other, so that she could put his coat back on. Once again, the sight of it drowning her, because she was nearly an entire foot shorter than him at least, was amusing. "Next time you won't be underdressed and injured in the middle of a cold winter night I hope."
There was a warmer, more genuine smile.
Home James.
Wait - what?! Had he given her his name before and not realized it. Oh no.
He couldn't even process anything else she was saying and instead stared at her blankly, a bit like a deer in headlights. "Sorry...what?"
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Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2017 8:49 pm
Next time, Aluminite said, and the smile froze faintly on Jada's face. Next time she might be preparing to power up, or powering down, or there might be an ally around who didn't take kindly to a Negaverse agent and his kindly meant next time. Next time was a phrase wrought with dangers, regardless of Mini's personal kindness. She had said it first, as unthinking as he seemed to be as he added 'if we need again.' "If we meet again," she agreed, and pressed the cups into his hands with the hint of a warm smile twisting the corners of her mouth. As he drowned in his coat again, she forgot herself, sticking out her tongue playfully. "I certainly hope I'm well-dressed and toasty-warm. Cold, underdressed, alone, and injured at this time of night isn't my idea of a good time." His own smile in answer was warm, and genuine, and Jada's shoulders visibly relaxed another inch, some small weight being lifted. There it was- Briefly. His own face shifted to consternation, and she blinked at him. "I did age myself," she said with a laugh. " Home James, it's a phrase from like... the mid 19th century sometime? And a song, actually, about a really bad date night. I think... written sometime about 1934? 1935?" her eyes crinkled, and she tilted her head back to look up and up at his face. "Not that this is a date night," she said dryly, "but it has definitely been a thrilling adventure so far." She hobbled closer, settling her hand on his arm. "I'm going to need a little bit of help getting back into the car. Not a carry, just don't lose your balance and sacrifice the cocoa if you must, to save me a sprained wrist when I inevitably fail to catch myself."
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Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2017 9:36 pm
She was trying to make things lighter and Aluminite knew it, but it didn't stop the way guilt and worry wound itself into a tight coil in his stomach. "That doesn't sound like much of a good time." He agreed, weakly. "You should avoid injuring yourself late at night like that..."
Because who knows who would find you...
A spike of fear for the dark haired woman who'd been undeniably kind to him left tremors down his spine. He wanted to say stay safe, please but feared that his voice would choke and he'd frighten her.
Now was not the time. Jada was smart and kind, she'd be fine. He had to believe that.
"No it's just - " Aluminite laughed nervously, uncertain of how to tell her that he knew the reference, especially now that she clarified, but that he'd been worried that he had slipped up some how. "I haven't heard that in a while, is all." Liar.
"Well if it were, and it's not, it would not have been something to write in a diary about." Okay, that was a little more light hearted and as she invaded his space, he tried to accommodate her as best he could. "Of course. I don't want you exasperating your injury."
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Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2017 9:39 am
He sounded to strained, and Jada relented before he changed his mind and decided to stop being so darn nice, for a member of a murder organization. It was hard to remember that when he just seemed so honest. And pleasant. "If it makes you feel better," she assured him, "I will remember my coat and wear flats if I have to carry that many boxes around at night." There was a flash of something, silent and deep, and Jada blinked and it was gone. Instead she slid into his personal space, a teeny invasive warmth-parasite. "I told you, I dated myself. Now you know my greatest secret. I am 100 years old and know a phenomenal plastic surgeon." It was extra funny when she considered the fact she had never even been to a plastic surgeon. She beamed up at him, and said, "Honestly, my injury is exasperated enough being close to me for this long. As for the rest... frankly, I have had worse actual dates than tonight has been. So the fact tonight isn't diary worthy actually would have made it a better date." tugging him along with her, she limped her way towards the car.
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Posted: Tue Mar 07, 2017 2:22 pm
"That would, in fact, make me feel better," Aluminite responded, sound absolutely serious about it. "Not everyone is keen on helping someone else." It probably sounded ominous, with the too serious way he was speaking, but he found Jada to be pleasant and he knew the dangers of the city.
Even if the white moon didn't hurt her, it wasn't to say that someone from his own faction wouldn't. There was bad all around, no matter what colors they wore. Something light and even flirty was on the tip of his tongue as he lifted his arm, allowing himself the tiny notion of sliding her arm over her shoulders as she latched onto him to steal his heat.
Immediately he thought of Kat, Tourmaline, who would do something similar whenever he allowed it. Even now, with days - weeks, maybe - since they broke up, he missed her and then, he felt shameful for allowing someone else into his space like this. Still, he didn't push Jada away, but there was something tense about him again even as he sought to hide that.
"Darn, I was hoping you'd run home to blog about me," he tried to tease, but his tone was flatter even as he pulled open the door for them to exit.
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Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2017 12:43 pm
Jada's lips quirked. "I promise, you'll never find me alone, in heels, and completely defenseless at night ever again. I imagine even a taser could cause problems for..." she raised a brow at him, and said, "Someone as tall as you." Yeah... it wasn't happening again. Though the idea of using a taser as Negaverse-repellant was only a little more pleasant than the idea of having to henshin in front of them to defend herself; both options were more pleasant than death. He pulled open the door, and with her freshly wrapped back up a now-warmer coat, they got to the car easily. "I don't keep a blog, but if it will make you feel better, I can put you in my diary." under what, she wasn't exactly sure. Jada leaned her hip against the car while he got it open, then hobbled to get in the seat. Minimal assistance was all it took- her ankle wasn't swelling at a rate that she would have to kick off a heel. Probably. Once seated, she helped get the cups settled into the appropriate places. No knocking about, moving, or spilling on her leather, thanks. When he was in the car, she turned on the heater and leaned her seat back, setting the GPS for him. "Just in case I pass out since I'm leaning back," she said simply. "Or in case my eyes fail me in the dead of night. Both are entirely likely." it had been a long day. "I really do appreciate it, Mini."
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Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2017 5:05 pm
"I'll hold you to that," he replied half-heartedly, fully aware that he wouldn't do anything about it if he did happen to run into her in a very similar situation. Except maybe smile sadly at her, like he was already doing. So, really, nothing different.
"Taser likely would, but I'm not really anything...formidable." The only thing he felt like he had, besides his decent hand to hand combat knowledge, was his height. Otherwise he was mostly a beanpole.
With nice arms, if that was your thing.
Sliding into the car after he had Jada settled was easier than expected and he welcomed the warm blast of the heater. "S'not a problem," he mumbled quietly as she effectively thanked him again.
"If you're weary, you should rest." He wouldn't have minded if she nodded off on him. It would spare him the inevitability of having to talk and perhaps end up in topics that he wasn't ready to discuss. Jada made for a wonderful companion all and all, but, as always, guilt lay heavy on his mind and thoughts.
"Most important thing is you getting home safe."
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Posted: Sun Mar 12, 2017 9:33 am
She gave him a brief smile, not quite certain what she had done to make him almost clam up. But she had done something, and until she knew better, she'd keep herself restrained. While she was distinctly less afraid he would choose to murder her, there was still energy draining that was an option. "Well, better to be safe than sorry," she said cheerfully. "You were able to pick me up like I weigh nothing, and I'm at least 100 pounds." Not much more than that, anymore. Her mistakes had hollowed her out. "Don't sell yourself short, mini." she gave him a look, hopeful she might get a laugh. Leaning back in the seat, she shifted her leg to raise her swollen ankle on the dashboard, considering it briefly before undoing the ankle strap on her shoe. Her ankles hadn't been this swollen since she was pregnant, chripes on a cracker. "Can you see the GPS alright?" She didn't want to make herself overly comfortable and have him miss a turn somewhere and have to backtrack miles. "Tell me more about yourself?" she asked, and tucked herself in safely. "You speak French- what kind of books do you read, or music do you listen to? Do you have any hobbies?" her smile was soft, slightly lazy as she lifted her drink and took a sip. "Keep me awake."
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Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2017 11:25 am
Aluminite knew that she was attempting to lighten the mood, but it did little to lift his spirits even though he attempted a smile anyway. "You weigh very little, Jada." It was almost concerning how little she did, but it wasn't his business.
They weren't friends. They were strangers, with maybe the potential of some sort of blossoming relationship but, in the end he was just Captain Aluminite and she was some civilian he had stumbled upon.
The odds of them meeting again were so very, very slim.
"Yeah, I can see it fine," he responded absently, glancing at it briefly before studying Jada's expression between focusing on the road. "I speak French because I am French. Second-generation." Parents straight from the country, moved to D.C. for work and he wondered if they regretted it every day. "Mostly classical literature." Because of school. "And things people might be assigned to analyze in school." As close to admitting that he was a teacher as he would get.
"I take photos, sometimes. When time permits."
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Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2017 9:11 pm
You weigh very little, he said; Jada wished that the people who hired models agreed with his assessment. Some did, but for the most past, she was trapped away from the things she really liked to model. "Well, you have nice big arms," she said instead with a laugh. Ugh- that was so stupid. True, but now she sounded like she was flirting. And maybe she was? Probably not. It had just been a stressful evening, and he had been shockingly kind. She settled back a bit further, checking and making sure the seat warmers were on for both of them, not just the actual heater. Checking that all the little bells and whistles were all set up, and checking the battery on her phone. "My mother lived in France- Paris. My siblings and their nanny speak the language much better than I do." she clucked her tongue. "How classic? Are we talking the Divine Comedy and the Iliad, or- school analysis." she wrinkled her nose, looking disappointed. "Loved the stories, hated writing the essays. Had the biggest crush on my literature tutor growing up, though." Still did. Geoffrey. She hadn't thought about him in some time, but she could still remember how small his funeral had been. How lonely. "Photos?" she tilted her head, beaming at him. "What kind of photos? Not food, right?" Should she mention she was a model? Probably not. Still...
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Posted: Wed Mar 22, 2017 7:30 am
Aluminite glanced at his arms when she commented on them, because they'd come to a stop at a light and he didn't quite believe her. "I suppose," he answered, frowning when the light went from red to green and his attention was back on the road.
He didn't do much in the way of workouts, but Labyrinthite had kept him on a strict training regimen and it was impossible to not fill out a bit. Perhaps he hadn't been quite a beanpole since he returned from the Surrounding.
"France has it's benefits," he replied, trying not to dive too deep into his own personal affairs. Talk like this was dangerous. Car conversations were often a gateway into something deeper, a bond forged in the quietness of the ability to have a formal end with a destination. If she talked about her life, he might grow to care about her and her siblings...more than he already found himself.
This was bad.
Abort. Abort.
"Both. Depends. There's a lot of new ways to analyze The Art of War or The Great Gatsby." But he didn't offer any further insight. "Just...whatever suits my fancy. Mostly people. I like Humans of New York, so I do stuff similar except..." Hints of a smile as he thought about the way the photographer would get stories. "I don't approach the people."
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