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Rabbit already had a job.

Fresh-faced college kids made him nervous for reasons he couldn't identify.

But over the course of his three and a half years as an Ashdown resident, he had learned that you didn't miss a weirdo party. And, okay, he'd missed the last one, that Fashion Week thing, but he'd kind of been... indisposed. Recovering from finding his eggs and all that. Now he was itching to see all the weirdo stuff he had missed, though this time he also had a mission.

It was Liv's birthday in less than a week, and he needed a cake.

He made a beeline for the first desserty-looking booth he saw, for no other reason than the woman behind it looked friendly. Rabbit himself looked a little manic, but that was only because he usually did.

"Hey!" His attention shifted from the woman herself to her wilting banner. "I can tape that, if you want?"

Thorne grinned at the sweet shop boy and traded over money for chocolate and pretzels and cookies (but no ******** raisins).

"Here," he added, amused, "Tip." And pressed another ten into Dawson's hand. "If we don't die today eating this much chocolate, we might be back, yeah?" He tilted his head up at Autumn when she shuddered and argued back at him that he made up at least 50% of the stupidity in their unlikely duo.

"I would argue that I make up the smarter half," he mused, "But I'm the one that just sentenced both of us to some sort of chocolate-strewn grave, so I really can't be honest about that at all." He laughed, the sound wicked, and stepped back, handing all of the food to the girl on his shoulders before waving at Dawson and turning to follow Autumn's direction to where Zac was.

Because obviously, obviously Thorne was just as obsessed with food as Autumn was. And it made both of them terrible decision makers in a pinch.

Appearing in front of Zac, Thorne wondered immediately whether or not there was some sort of apology he should give for - well, the last time they'd met.

But then all he could think of to say was, "What's cookin', good lookin'? Ready to watch something that will either make you sick or make your world so much better?"

He sent a toothy grin upwards to Autumn.

"Hey, I saw chocolate cake at that booth over there by the way. Go big or go home?"

His eyes roved back down and caught a familiar face in the crowd. Thorne's entire body caved immediately to the bear-like urge to collect all of his idiot delinquents into his arms and he uttered something like a, "Hold on!" to Autumn before sidestepping so magnificently that honestly, it should have been on camera.

With ease, he slid one hand around Shiloh's shoulders from behind, laying his chin on top of the others head with a rumble that sounded almost like a purr.

"Hey, kid."

His eyes lifted to Chris as well - who was this guy? Oh well.

"What's up? Long time, no see."

A voice behind her made Rosie pause and turn around. The man was taller than her and had a bit of an... Aggressive (?) aura. Something about him made her weary, but Rosie quickly chalked that up to, er... What was it called? Resting b***h face? Besides, judging a book by its cover was the worst thing you could do. While she hated (despised actually) asking for help, the baker was fairly certain that no wouldn't be taken for an answer. And... She really did need help.

"Ah, if.. If it's not too much trouble?" Jumping so much had left her winded. Smiling as best she could, she offered the limp half of the banner she was holding to Rabbit. "Thanks. I'm Rosie."

In the span of about two minutes so much was going on. Chris took a step back from Shiloh, hands raised to give him space and peace. It probably wasn't the best idea to startle him but he had realized it a second too late and was willing to let him calm down.

His attention before he could reply though was captured by a guy coming up with Autumn in tow and Chris' eyebrow raised far up into his hair. He'd deal with Autumn first, he supposed.

"Hey Autumn!" He called back up, giving her an amused grin. "As much as that would be payback considering what you've given me in the past, I think I'll pass. I was talking to Alg and probably Jer beforehand and I'm kind of volunteering here!"

He couldn't help but laugh at her own giggle. It was sweet. "Send me pictures though!"

He glanced back down at Shiloh though, who was now introducing him to Thorne, apparently. "Oh, pleasure to meet you Thorne," He said, absentmindedly giving his hand out to shake. "It's fine Shiloh, not like we're in class and you're graduating soon. Call me Chris all you want out of class." He smiled again, glad that Shiloh seemed to be way less panicked.

elkbones

melancholies

moonstone dazzle

Not only was this man being completely condescending, he had the nerve to be waving at his friends during a business discussion. Rude, rude, rude. Clearly this establishment was run by snobs and morons. It seemed she was mistaken.

"You seem to be implying that I am the one who made a mistake." She gave a the man a stern scowl. "It seems I cannot speak sense to you after all. I am ever so disappointed."

She lifted her head and spoke with a haughty arrogance, "No water. Not from you. Why, the silly comic book shop has more grace and curtesy than this shop could ever hope to achieve. You ought to learn a thing or two from the regal Prince who works it. There is a man who knows how to treat a paying guest."

Snap. Chel was caught mid-fake reading. What a nerd.

The jargon was somewhat hard to follow, but Jack was a biochemistry major; he was used to it, to a degree. The explanation was more than enough for him, and he gave the man a satisfied nod once it seemed as though he was finished.

"Do you often get clients with stranger requests?" he asked. Before elaborating, something caught his eye, and he motioned at the booth manager to give him a moment as he stepped away, steadied, and captured the moment: a man helping another woman set up a banner.

"Like squirrels in clothes," Jack then continued. He'd probably seen it in a movie or something.

Temperance sniffed delicately, the scent tickling her nose, but she said nothing of it. This was a college, after all. "Er, um I didn't mean to hit you, sorry! Are you sure you're alright?" She beat down and picked up the stress ball before offering it to Wil. "Well, I think it wants to come home with you, since it hit you. If you'll have it." Temperance squished it at Wil. He seemed to be unhurt, which was quite honestly a huge relief. She was a ******** nurse, for ******** sake! Not meant to be running about hurting people.

"I'm Temperance. Yes, I think we have a class together, Nasir.. had. Or, um, maybe at the diner? D-darlene's? I've been by recently - saw your pretty waitress."

Algie glanced at his texts, frowning deeply at the idea of Chris just not sleeping. Jeremiah was spared a glance and he drifted back to the other man's side just as Preacher seemed to be excusing herself. He looked around for Chris's hair above the crowd.

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Wil smiled appreciatively, "Cool. Free stuff." Tonight's backpack was Badtz Maru's head and the blonde stashed his new swag.

He smirked at both Nasir and Temperance, "Don't let the other waitresses hear that..." Though he didn't know which one she meant in particular anyway.