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 Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2016 7:44 am
The elevator's electricity had gone out.
Fritz wasn't exactly afraid of it happening - heights had never bothered him, and neither had enclosed spaces, really - but there was something unsettling about it being an elevator to be stuck in, maybe because it was such a smaller place than being stuck in, say, a room or a hallway.
At least it wasn't a tiny elevator, and it wasn't cramped. There was only one person in it with him, a woman about his own age, and Fritz shifted the many bags on his arms as glanced apologetically over to her. He'd gone to the mall to do a bit of holiday shopping, intent on getting things done, not get stuck in an elevator somewhere between the second and third floor of the mall.
It was a glass walled elevator too; Fritz could see the darkened walkways, shadowy forms of people as they milled around, trying to figure out what to do next. The mall had skylights, which meant that there were still shafts of brightness splitting through the grays, but they were narrow and outside it was blindingly white, enough that Fritz couldn't even see the flurries, just white.
He let the bags fall from his hands with a little thumping sound, not wanting to really carry them anymore, Fritz peering through one of the elevator side walls.
"So," he said conversationally to the woman. "We're stuck in a bloody mess now, aren't we?"
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Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2016 10:20 am
It had been shaping up to be such a nice day, Jada thought with a happy sigh as she waited for the elevator. Her arms were loaded with bags of loot and gifts, she had seen several old friends, she hadn't been robbed, the twins had been with Santa all day so she hadn't had the stress of wondering about them... They were going to go home, have some disgustingly sugary dinner that wasn't real food at all, watch a movie, and maybe slip and slide across the floors, and when they passed out, she would wrap more gifts. It was a plan. Or so she thought. Unfortunately, mother nature was not in the same page. She and one other person made it into the elevator. The doors closed, they started to move- and the power went out. Her sigh was disappointed, more than aggravated, and she and the man dropped their bags almost in tandem. At least they weren't trapped in an elevator with more people. That would have been uncomfortably cramped. Looking up, Jada gauged the pure white over the ceiling with a critical eye. It had come in quite quickly. This year was having some interesting weather patterns.... Why was it she always came home when weird s**t was happening? Or did the weird s**t never stop, and she just forgot about it? "Hopefully not a bloody mess," she mused to her elevator partner, "this is one of my favorite sweaters." Jada knew that that might not be what he meant by bloody, but one had to crack a joke where they could in situations like this one. "Hope you aren't in a rush."
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Posted: Mon Dec 26, 2016 11:09 pm
Fritz's thick, rolling English accent was evidence enough of his reason to use the word bloody as a descriptor - but there was something charming about it being taken literally, his lips tugging back into a wide smile as the woman glanced down at her sweater, Fritz letting out a small laugh.
"It is a very nice sweater," he said agreeably. "It would be quite a shame to have it come to a mess, hopefully it won't get to that."
He peered around at the darkened mall, watching the passersby milling about, all of them trying to figure out whether they would be continuing to shop or whether they would try and wait for the power to come back on. Fritz saw a teenage boy flop hopelessly onto a bench while his mother? aunt? relative? stood over him, lecturing soundlessly from the distance they were at.
He turned back to his elevator companion.
"No rush at all," said Fritz mildly. "I was just trying to get in a bit of last minute shopping. You weren't in a rush either, I hope?"
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Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2016 11:40 am
Her crap-shoot at a joke had won her a smile (a most excellent prize, always) and Jada's own lips curved with the small victory. The laugh on top of it was an even better prize. There was, perhaps, a chance that being trapped in a tiny space with a stranger wouldn't be absolutely awful, if he could at least pretend to appreciate her humor. And he could pretend to appreciate her sweater. Bless this man, and whatever (or whoever) had taught him to roll with the bad jokes. "I'll apologize in advance," she told him dryly, "If it does come to that, it's probably going to be my fault." It had been one hell of a year, and she hadn't been the luckiest of late. She was putting her chances of being attacked by a youma while snowed in a glass elevator at the mall at 7/10. Because what better time than when there really wasn't any escape? She tugged on the cashmere sleeves, pulling them over her hands, glancing out over the mall. It really was a good thing she wasn't afraid of heights, she mused, purple eyes scanning out through the glass for something of interest. Below, people were continuing around, seemingly unconcerned or ignorant to the people hovering in the air above them. "No," she responded to her companion, "My plans for later consisted of cake, jammies, wrapping presents, and sliding around the foyer in my socks like I did when I was 5. I'm sure they can give me a little leeway." she huffed out a laugh, pushing a stray curl off of one cheek so she could better see the person keeping her company. "Jada Chamberlyn." she held out her hand to him. "Terrible comedienne, hopefully a better elevator partner."
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Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2017 8:56 pm
Even with his muted sense of self these days, it was nice to see that he had made someone else smile. It had been a long time since Fritz had felt like his former self; and he still didn't, not really. But small moments like these, regardless of how simple they were, felt like a step towards that, or forwards, or at least something, anyway.
He didn't know if it was silly or not to think that, Cordelia would have told him otherwise, so he preferred to keep thinking it.
"Now now, let's not be so quick to blame," said Fritz with a gracious incline of his head towards the young woman, then indicated himself. "I'm quite sure I'm the type to accidentally do something ridiculous, so I will apologize in advance for anything that might happen."
Down below, there were people sitting down in the middle of the mall, little groups starting to form while they tried to figure out what to do without power. Fritz's gaze flickered to a lolling group of teenagers, then went back to the woman in the elevator with him.
"An excellent use of time, I do say," he said, and extended his own hand, grasping her fingers. "Fritz St. James. A pleasure, Jada, though I do wish it was under better circumstances. I'm sure you're a delightful elevator partner, however, even if we're stuck here."
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Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2017 3:36 am
"If you want to share the blame," she said graciously, "I suppose I'll consider it. I'm normally quite selfish." Jada waggled one manicured finger playfully. "Consider my generosity in sharing just a little bit of Holiday Spirit." Her companion likely couldn't see the sparkle of laughter in her eyes, but her laughter was hard to mistake. If she was going to be stuck in here for an unknown length of time, she was going to make the best of it. What better way to do that then practice her terrible sense of humor? Worst case scenario, Fritz St. James would create them a hole in the elevator to escape. Her slim fingers curled around his lightly, and the tiny woman beamed. "I thought it sounded fairly enjoyable myself, if a bit lacking in the maturity my old age should bring." Old age- hah! Her 24th birthday was not long past, and she was feeling fine, most days. "As for the circumstances, at least we'll have a potentially interesting story to entertain someone with later." Tilting her head, Jada considered Fritz with open curiosity. "So, having never been stuck in an elevator before, I'm not sure of the procedures. I would assume we can just wing it on the entertainment? Leaving us trivia, twenty questions, or a nap, because my cell reception probably won't work in the snow."
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Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2017 7:45 pm
"It's much more productive to share," said Fritz, smiling. "That way, if something happens, the load is easier. Or perhaps it's just a matter of making sure the balance stays correct, I wouldn't want to heap any of my impositions on you, after all. However, I am grateful for your holiday spirit," he added, with a somber nod belied by the slight twitch of his lips that indicated amusement.
She had given him a strong, assured handshake. Fritz raised a brow, head tilted to the side a little.
"Oh, come now, your age can't be much more than mine, if that," he sad with a laugh. "As for a potentially interesting story - well, if we play twenty questions, I'm sure we'll have ourselves a grand time until we're rescued. Napping seems counterproductive, and I'm not sure I could sleep, alas. Trivia would be fun, but it's more interesting to learn about my current companion."
He shifted, then slid down the wall of the elevator to sit, Fritz pulling his knees up to his chest and gesturing to Jada.
"So there, twenty questions. If you wanted to start, I wouldn't object."
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Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2017 9:22 am
"Very valid point. If I was taking all the blame for the bloody ridiculous mess, I'd be having to do all the heavy load-lifting by myself." her laugh softened to a wry chuckle. "No thanks. I'll definitely share." Jada pressed her hands together, feeling the muscle stretch and the muscle relax, upon release. Her neck was next, and she breathed out through her mouth, staring out the window. The twins were probably unworried, right? "As for my age-" Jada's head tilted towards the man, her black curls spilling over the shimmery cashmere of her bloodless sweater, "I do like people playing guessing games with my age. Feel free to play. There is usually a prize if you are right, and yours can be..." she dug in her purse, pulling out two peppermints and a straw. "Any of these great things here." Laughing, she added, "I never said the prizes were good." Settling down on the floor with her companion, she considered. "Napping may sound counterproductive to you, but I have two little siblings and a cat at home." and the occasional seal went unmentioned. "A nap would be partly godsend and partly physical necessity. But you are right- twenty questions it is." Leaning back, she observed him, categorizing a few details and considering. "I think I have an item in mind," she said, "unless they play 20 questions differently in... You sound English?" Jada had spent a lot of time in Europe, but she had never played their version of 20 questions. Some people considered it guessing about an object, others tossing out questions about their conversation partner.
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Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2017 11:02 am
" 'Sharing is caring,' " Fritz quipped, flashing a smile over at Jada. "Well, sometimes. Sometimes sharing can be a bit too much, but I suppose in this case, we can both carry the load of any bloody mess that might come to pass while we spend the next few moments of our lives trapped in a glass elevator."
He made himself comfortable on the floor, gathering his bags towards him just so he had something to do with his hands, and relaxed, Fritz easing against the side of the elevator. Another laugh escaped, a strand of vibrantly red hair falling against a freckled cheek.
"I'm twenty-five, twenty-six this year," he said. "So you must be..." He eyed her carefully. "I would surmise somewhere between twenty-three and twenty-five, perhaps? I'm not entirely good at this game, I apologize."
Fritz's coat was a dark gray trenchcoat, fitted perfectly, for which he was currently grateful, because without heat, the mall was bound to be cold. He tugged it a little more securely around himself and raised his brows. "That does sound as though it could be exhausting," he said agreeably. "I have a cat at home myself. No siblings living with me, but my brother and his fiance come over enough to drive me to naps."
To say the least. Rhys and Hitch were simultaneously endlessly annoying and wonderful all at the same time.
"No, that is how I play as well," said Fritz. "Either about an item or about the person in question. And yes, I am English," he added, grinning. "What gave it away? Must be my charming personality. I grew up in Leavesden and moved here a few years ago with my brother."
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Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2017 9:39 pm
Sharing is caring, he said, and her snort was loud and mildly unladylike. " 'It can be fun,'" she quipped back, rolling her eyes in humor as she referenced the ancient JuicyFruit commercial. Grinning, she rested her elbow on one leg, and her chin on her propped fist, tilting her head to peer at him. "It could be worse, though," Jada said after a moment, "It could be a box elevator without a view. At least this way we'll be able to see trouble coming and brace for impact." She wrinkled her nose at him, grinning as he eyed her, and did a playful frame with her hands, batting her lashes. "Twenty-six, that's pretty old." There was no straight-facing it for Jada, and she chortled, hiding her face. "I'm sorry. You are in the right ballpark on my age though. I'm somewhere in there, even if I don't always act it." Fritz pulled his jacket tighter, and she let herself settle from mirth into a more adult conversation. "It can be, but it's rewarding at times. Except for the cat. He's king of the castle, and doesn't like competition. It will be fun when we finally manage to get a dog." Castor wasn't going to like it at all, and she could already predict his hiding spots. Come over enough to drive me to naps. Her eyes crinkled, and this time her chortle was less loud. "At least they care enough to keep you well-rested." Leaning back, her hand dropped to her lap. "I think it was the bloody," she said cheerily, picking something other than his accept to work with. "Though I'll give you points on the charming- this is the most fun I've ever had trapped in an elevator." considering him, she clucked her tongue and leaned back against the glass wall. "I didn't have you pegged for London-area, but that's dangerously close. I did some work over in England a couple years ago. Lovely place." She gestured to him. "My first question was your accent. It's your turn, now."
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Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2017 10:41 pm
He appreciated anyone who went along with his sometimes peculiar humor, which was maybe a bit on the morbid side sometimes and also sometimes resulted in people like Hitch and Rhys throwing things at him. But since that was a daily occurrence nowadays, it hardly counted.
"That is entirely true," said Fritz, with a nod. "I think I'd be rather a lot less composed if this were not such an open view of things. As it stands, I'm feeling rather well, all things considered. It could have been much worse, but it seems we have been spared at least in some regards."
Her comment about old made him sputter a little. "I beg to differ, my dear lady, I'm quite certain twenty-six is the prime of life," said Fritz, but he was grinning, his eyes a little light behind his golden-rimmed glasses. "But I'm glad to hear that my guess was not entirely off or insulting in its basis."
He rolled his eyes. "Well-rested is an exaggeration of terms," said Fritz, a touch of dryness in his tone as he stretched out his legs, crossing one ankle over the other and folded his hands together in his lap. "They're damned nuisances is what they are."
But it was said with affection nonetheless. Fritz gave another laugh, resting his head back against the glass and flicking his gaze over to Jada.
"It is indeed a lovely place, or it would be lovelier, without all the rain." He grimaced. "I'm not a huge fan of rain as it is. As for a question for you..."
Fritz considered for a moment, then said, "What were you in here shopping for today?"
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Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2017 5:46 pm
He was feeling composed, and Jada was generally glad she wasn't stuck in a pitch dark box with someone potentially having a panic attack. Not something on her to do list for- ever. yep. Never was just about the perfect time for her to have that happen. "If your composure changes, give me a heads up. I'm sure there is something distracting in one of our bags, if the conversation isn't enough." As Fritz spluttered, Jada burst into renewed gales of laughter. "Prime," she agreed easily, gasping a moment for breath and settling herself. "No, your guess wasn't insulting at all. Older, and I would be flattered to look so young. Younger, and I would be wondering if I could fool a bartender." Violet eyes danced with mirth, and she shook her head. "Go ahead and pick a prize. You're close enough, and the prizes are pretty terrible." the straw and mints were displayed and passed over to him. Still amused, the very English dryness to his voice brought about some nostalgia for times gone by. But she shoved it off fiercely, her smile never fading. "Sounds like typical siblings to me. And trust me, I have lots of experience with siblings. Especially younger ones. And I am fairly certain no matter how old they get, they'll stay damned nuisances." Tilting her head, she pursed her lips. "The rain is one of my favorite things," she confessed wistfully. "It always feels cleansing. Washing away the weight and the poison and the smog, purifying what was left behind to give it a new start. I mean, it was also cold as balls." Still, sacrifices must be made. "And very inconvenient if you're not wearing the right shoes." Jada waggled her feet at him, her heeled ankle boots saying hello. His question was easy, and she dragged over one of her bags. "Toys, gifts. Clothes." she peered through it. "A few scarves, a gift card to some store called the Winey Wench- you can go in and paint while you try out wines." A few personal things, a battery for her phone... "Basic Christmas." tilting her chin, she asked, "And what about you?"
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Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2017 9:42 pm
Fritz inclined his head towards her. "I appreciate your concern for my well-being - and yours, for that matter."
There was a small smile tugging at his lips, even as Jada was laughing at him. He was inwardly pleased that he hadn't insulted her by guessing her age improperly, some of the anxious tension in Fritz's stomach unknotting itself slowly. He reached out a hand to the offered "prizes," and, after considering very seriously - or at least, pretending to - he finally plucked up one of the peppermints.
"Good," he said, "I'm glad I was able to dazzle you with my capabilities. As for the rain - well, wearing glasses and rain doesn't exactly go together nicely, not to mention that it's always raining over in England. London gets the brunt of it, but the rest of us were never excluded. I much prefer the sun."
He unwrapped the peppermint, the wrapper crinkling against his fingers. Fritz popped it into his mouth, rolling it around slowly as he listened to Jada, though his attention caught and snagged Winey Wench.
"You can paint while you drink?" he asked curiously. "I've never heard of such a place. As for me - well..." Fritz gestured to the bags at his feet. "I only have a few people to shop for this year. My brother and his fiance, a few close friends. I wasn't sure what to get any of them, so there are a lot of socks..."
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Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2017 9:04 pm
Jada waggled the straw at Fritz as he pretended to look the prizes over. "Pick me," she crooned teasingly, voice pitched higher. " Pick me." Alas, Fritz picked a peppermint, and Jada wrapped her slender fingers around the remaining two prizes, spiriting them back to her purse. "Poor straw," she sighed dramatically. But that was enough of being ridiculous to amuse herself, for now. "Consider me dazzled," she said with great amusement, shifting back to her original position. "I suppose I can see your point about the rain, though I've never needed to wear glasses myself. I can imagine it gets a little bit frustrating, like driving a car with broken wipers." It was a poor analogy but effective enough, she supposed. "The sun is pleasant enough, and I strongly suggest Jamaica, if you've never been." She watched him pop the peppermint into his face wordlessly, then settled back. " Winey Wench," she confirmed again. "They do classes and sell you wine. I assume it is an interesting experience, and I think it could be a good way to get back into the social swing of Destiny City, or at least entertain myself for a couple hours and paint something embarrassingly bad to go over the fireplace." Only a few people to shop for... and a lot of socks. Jada grinned at Fritz, tilting her head. "I suppose socks are at least a 'grats you tried' award, as far as Christmas goes. There are also the obligatory Christmas boxers, or the embarrassing onesie like I did for my little brother one year." kuropeco Clearly I am going to have to make the winey wench a destiny city staple
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Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2017 4:26 pm
He couldn't help but laugh a little. "I would never dream of imposing myself on such a person," said Fritz lightly, toying with the now empty candy wrapper. "Believe me, there is a little too much baggage that comes along with a man such as myself."
An understatement, but that was beside the point. He wasn't going to get into the specifics of depressing emotional issues with the pleasant young woman he was stuck in an elevator with. Fritz grinned, and said, "That is, in fact, a relatively accurate analogy. Sometimes I wish they invented glasses wipes that did not look stupid. Or that I could simply magic away them with a spell, like in Harry Potter."
Rhys would have rolled his eyes at the reference, which made it all the more inwardly amusing to Fritz. He tried to think if he'd ever heard of a place called the Winey Wench, and determined that he hadn't, a slight frown of thought crossing his face, a finger tapping along his jaw.
"I used to paint," he said, "And I do enjoy wine. I might just have to go and see this Winey Wench you talk of."
Even if he didn't paint anymore, because of his hand, it was still worth taking a look, even if it meant the ache in his chest grew a little deeper every time he smelled the scent of acrylics or ran his fingers over the horsehair bristles of a brush.
He snorted with laughter. "Last year I got my brother's fiance something of the sort. He was, to say the least, not pleased."
Fritz drew one leg up, idly resting an arm across his knee. "How old is your little brother?"
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