fiddlestick | Class VII Text Group @ recolle

[Listen, Elliot, he's sorry, but this is the first cat that's ever been so willing to love him. Let him have this moment. Think of this as just a small step toward the inevitability of them spending more and more time together.]

I'll—

[He was going to take up the offer of free beer, but then Elliot is responsible and points out that he's underage, which means Rean had better behave, too. Sigh!]

...have a water, too, if you don't mind? Kind of a long walk.

Aww, I would've let you guys, for the record.

[He smiles, reaching to get his pitcher of water out of the fridge. It doesn't really surprise him that Elliot would turn it down, but...well, Rean probably did it out of politeness.

Pachinko, on the other hand, has now taken to laying across Rean's lap, obviously making himself more than comfortable with this new human. He loved Crow, he wouldn't have kept singling him out at the cafe if he didn't, but

This human.

He liked this human.]

[Oh he catches that look of disappointment from Rean, laughing a little]

You can have some if you want, Rean. I just don't drink.

[And boy, that cat is really making himself at home at Rean]

Haha, think you made a new friend.

[No, no. He's already made his decision to be responsible today. He holds his hand up to dismiss the thought.]

Nah, I wouldn't want you to be the odd one out. I can always just stop by on my own time, if Crow will keep that offer open. [And to Crow, with a joking smile:] Count it against your debt?

[As for making a new friend... no kidding. He looks back down at Pachinko fondly, running his hand over the cat's soft fur.]

Haha... don't know if I've made a friend or if he's decided I'm his new bed now. Guess I can't complain either way.

Really? How about that sparkling stuff? [Because if they're gonna have get togethers, he might as well get something all three of them can have.]

[At Rean's little tease, Crow's brows raise, although the smile on his face is quick to show it's a good type of surprise.]

Who'd have thought the best way to pay off my debt was supplying beer to a youngin'. Alright, I'll let you take a raincheck on that one. Looks like Patch is getting attached to you anyway, so you'll have to stop by again sooner or later.

[He moves back into the living room, handing Elliot a glass and putting another on the coaster for Rean.]

You fuzzball, playing it up to get on Rean's good side and make me look bad?

[He reaches over to scritch at those ears, only for Pachinko to lean into the touch. Yes...he is being spoiled by TWO humans now!]

Sparkling cider? Oh, I do like that stuff! [Juice is good stuff man.

Though man Rean already making plans to stop here on his own to spend time with the cat and Crow? Call this plan a huge success. He'll just smile, very glad that it is going to plan...even if Rean is way more focused on the cat than expected.

He takes the glass, thanking Crow for it as he takes a sip]

Hehe, he might be hedging his bets by making you both endeared to him. He looks so happy though...

Tch... I'm only off by a couple of months, Crow. Don't act like it's that scandalous.

[He, too, thanks Crow for the water, though. Snarky or not, he is a Good Boy™.]

Ahaha... I don't think he had to try too hard with me. He was basically on my good side already by virtue of being a cat. [Pachinko sure as hell is being spoiled by two humans! Rean can do this all day.] But I think Elliot's right. I think he just wants all of the attention, ever.

[FINE BY HIM]

[His voice fakes a teary-eyed tone:]

They grow up right before my eyes...before you know it they'll be in college and telling me what's best for me!

[Pachinko's tail's swishing back and forth contently, letting Rean continue to pet him as those eyes start to droop. Just leave him here, he won't be going anywhere for awhile.]

So I got him one of those toys that makes you work for your treats, so that should definitely keep him busy when I'm at school, along with some other things. Guess I'll have to hold off on the lottery and horse races til further notice...

[See: probably ever. Pachinko takes priority over dollar lotto tickets.]

You do realize I'm already in college, right...

[Yep, Crow is getting a healthy dose of the patented Dead-Eyed Rean Stare™. He deserves this. But he lets up after a second of that with a sigh.

...heh. Guess so. Worth it, though, isn't it? Listen to how loudly he purrs.

[He's back to smiling. It doesn't take much.]

Maybe I'm biased, but I think this is a little better than a horse race.

[These two already bicker like an old married couple jeez...]

Yeah, I can hear him from over here. [Sure he has pretty good hearing, but still]

I'm with Rean, though sometime we'll still go to the casino, okay?

Oh no. He's growing so fast I can't keep up...

[Although Crow is hiding that smile as best he can. It's clear he's just messing with him. Pachinko leans into his hand as he scritches that ear, his smile all but warm as he watches this cat snuggle further and further into Rean's lap.

Finally, a cat that won't scratch him.]

That siren song...you know I can't resist~ You're coming too, Rean. You look like the type of guy who's never set foot in one.

Just a feeling I get.

That's what happens when you get old, I guess...

[Rean rolls his eyes, but he's just barely biting back a smile, too. Yeah, they absolutely are bickering like an old married couple, and Rean loves it.

Rean also loves that he is no longer Rean, but a Pachinko bed. This is the best day of his life.]

Huh? Why? I'm not really into...

I mean, I haven't ever gone, but I'm not really interested, either. Gambling's not really my thing.

[Well, Rean's (lack of) enthusiasm sure says it all. His face falters for a moment, much like a person who'd been so used to things as a group that he assumed a little too much.

Can't blame the guy for not wanting to go when it's not his thing, at least...

That smile's quick to band-aid it, though, turning to Elliot and tilting his head.]

Rean's out--guess it's just you and me then!

[Elliot himself had been wondering if bringing Rean to a casino was such a good idea. Rean didn't seem like the gambling type, and with how much he pokes Crow about the owed money- would he really enjoy a place where the entire point was to burn money?]

Haha, yeah, that's fine. You could cat-sit Pachinko!

Though if you change your mind, you're welcome to join us.

[That faltering isn't lost on Rean, and with Elliot offering again...]

Ah... maybe I can come along once. I probably won't bring too much with me, but it's a new experience, right...?

[#peerpressure

#ohnocrowdon'tmakethatfaceithurtshim]

[Rean's cautious change of tone isn't lost on Crow, either. True, maybe he had wanted Rean to come along initially if only to show him his interests, but if you didn't like to gamble, you didn't like to gamble. There's no shame in wanting to opt out of that.]

You're more than welcome to be our third, but you don't have to do this on our account. [He tries to sound as gentle about it as possible, reaching out to ruffle Rean's hair.]

Even I can admit gambling's pretty boring when it's not somethin' you like doing.

[Oh no Rean has that sad puppy look again.]

Yeah, it's not like we have to do everything together. If you're not interested, our feelings won't be hurt.

I mean, I'm definitely not interested in going along on any trips to the gym if you guys do that.

[Maybe if he was single he'd go for the eye candy, but...nah. Nah]

I mean... I've also never tried it, so who knows? I could be biased.

I'll try it this once, then I'll know for sure one way or the other.

[He sounds more certain of himself now, at least, even if he is bowing his head a little in response to being headpatted. This isn't supposed to happen to him? He's supposed to do this to other people?

...Not that he's shoving Crow away, though. Why would he do that?]

...And, yeah, Elliot, I can't see that working out for you. ...I wouldn't be opposed, though.

[Gotta get that training in!!]

[Well, if Rean's certain, Crow's gonna light up like a Christmas Tree. Seriously, he's blossoming.]

We'll make sure we do more than just slots, don't worry. They've got billiards where we can just bet against each other.

Who knows? Maybe I'll pay off my debt!

[He's joking, he knows his debt's probably astronomical by now.]

Heh, 'working out'. Nice one.

I wouldn't mind hittin' up the gym with you--with my ex-roomie gone it's been kinda quiet.

Slots are pretty boring anyway since there's no skill. I like billiards though! I like to think I can hold my own in it.

[In other words, he's good]

Hehe, yeah good one. [But yes good you two, make a gym date]

Oh! [Rean actually perks up at the mention of billiards.] I'm not the greatest at it or anything, but I do actually know how to play. That'd be fun.

[And to being called out for his pun, he grins.]

Heh. I was hoping you'd catch that. [♪] —Ah? "Gone?"

No skill, unless you charm Lady Luck to be on your side~

[But billiards was more fun if they were going as a group, and he brightens up even more when Rean agrees.]

Then that's the plan! Even Elliot seems pretty confident, but I'm no slouch either.

[He pauses, though, when Rean asks.]

Ah...we were originally supposed to room together in that apartment, but her old man wouldn't have it. She still pays for the rent though, as long as she can visit it since she's back in Georgia.

...If I didn't know better, I'd say that sounds like cheating. [He's not saying Crow does cheat just you know, the only way he can see that working is rigging the slot machine] But that's a good plan.

[He'll be quiet as Crow explains that story, since Crow already told him about that situation]

Mm... cheating or just hoping for the best and being disappointed when it doesn't work out.

[So what he's saying is that he has no faith in your "Lady Luck," Crow.]

Oh, I see... [Man, that's a good friend to pay for an apartment that far away she's not even living in.] Does she visit often?

It's talk like that that makes her stay away, you know.

[Assholes.]

Not really. It's pretty far from here for one thing, and she's...probably got obligations.

Dates. Finding her own this time instead of taking mine.

Class VII Text Group @ recolle

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject