exsiliumlogs | OPEN: get in the car we're going shopping

OPEN: get in the car we're going shopping

Date & Time: 8/21-8/23 daytime
Location: Outside a civilian residential apt building
Characters: BIG SPENDERS or anyone really just tag your butts in and go to town
Summary: Yard saaaale. In the street. Because what is a yard in the future.
Warnings: Blood spilled over ShamWow??

What had begun as the idea of two became the realization of at least seven — all landlord approved and with nods of approval from neighboring apartment buildings. It didn't even take up a full block, but it was full enough to attract attention of passers-by on the morning hustle to work, saddling them up with something worth spreading to others along the grapevine throughout the day.

Mostly clothes and household items easily given up, but here and there a few gems. A would-be Initiative member had no need for old board games or a guitar or two, and there would be no time to take care of a pet, even one so curious and darling as Blinky. Now and then, its soon-to-be-ex-owner cast a sorrowful glance its way, only to get a slow, out-of-synch blink in response.

Oh, Blinky.

Parting woes aside, business wasn't bad! With the shabby state of affairs in Exsilium, the chance for something new, even a hand-me-down, always sparked interest. And with so many strange, new recruits, there was bound to be someone curious enough to drop down the cash for the most absorbent fabric ever made (those Germans made good stuff)...

And so, after the work buses left the area, the tables went up and the wares were put out until the workday would come to a close and force the tables out of the street. Someone was bound to score something worthwhile in that time over those three days...!

REFERENCE: Stuff for sale

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[One thing he'll spy is her roommate. Yard sales are the refuge of the temporarily destitute, and as a new Transport he automatically qualified as that. After a few moments idle poking and some to-do involving the e-readers, he finds himself poking through the clothes and sights Chloe sitting off to the side through the rack of old dusty suits.]

You know, I never thought of this kind of thing as a spectator sport.

Gordon, I can make anything a spectator sport.

Question is, what am I currently watching? [She motions towards the suits that all look like they've seen better days.] That won't win you any points in any woman's book.

Oh we're back to that, huh? [He grunts, then eyes the suits sidelong] What's the matter with them? Sure, they're a little dusty, but I don't know, I'm going to have to get some new clothes eventually--

[Dude. One of them is TWEED. He needs help.]

When I said I'd help, I meant it.

My god, do you even know where that's been? Look at it. Seriously, look. The last time I saw fabric like that, it was being used to carry potatoes in Columbia.

[Sidelong glance.] Granted it's not my first choice, but we're not exactly on Fifth Avenue here.

[And on a certain level really isn't his first choice. But he'd gotten so used to blending in with the scientists and other scholars that he can't help but gravitate towards a mess like that.]

Why, you have a better idea Miss Fashionista?

Settling isn't good enough for you, and it's certainly not good enough for her, if you catch my meaning.

Doesn't matter if you're in a crumbling city or the middle of the desert, there's always treasure to be found somewhere. [She puts her hands against his shoulder blades, pushing him away from the hideous pile of clothes and down along the row.]

--well, I wouldn't call any of this 'treasure', but there's decent clothing to be found, at least.

Wh--settling?

[That gives him pause enough that he doesn't protest as he's bodily herded away from the suits. He eyes the bins splattered with myriad colored fabric now, a growing sense of apprehension in him.]

I don't know what in hell you mean by "treasure." I'm just used to using whatever I can find!

Relax, man. Give me a little credit here. I know what style is, and I promise you won't come out of this looking any worse than normal.

[She rummages through a nearby set of boxes, discarding most of their contents before tugging out an athletic t-shirt with a slightly classy looking, geometric patterning on one side. Chloe holds it up over his chest, nodding in approval.] Have you ever thought of contacts?

Huh, thanks.

[It looks a hell of a lot better than that mis-sized button-down shirt he's wearing. Even he regards it with a silent "ooh" expression before she turns around again.]

[The last question makes him fidget defensively with his glasses. He likes his BC specs, okay.] Uhh... contacts? Nnnno, hadn't crossed my mind. I can't wear them in a lab that has chemicals or laser emitters anyway. Why? There's nothing wrong with having glasses!

I'm not talking about a lab, I'm talking about a date. You know, free time. Taking recreational breaks. Dressing for the occasion.

[She watches his hand slide up to protectively fuss with his glasses, and she follows suit, trying to grasp the other side and lift them off his face.] Let's just take a look at you without them for a moment. Two seconds tops.

I still don't really think I GAH, don't--!

[He pulls back out of instinct, and bumps against a dishware-covered table with a clatter. The protective grip on his glasses is lost in catching himself as he's leaned back and glaring at her.]

Dammit Chloe...

Edited 2012-08-22 00:18 (UTC)

[She folds the glasses neatly with a winning smile. Mission accomplished.]

Oh, not bad. Not bad at all. [Chloe runs one hand through his hair, smoothing it out just a bit.] Just breathe, all right? I won't hurt you. Honest.

[Oh hey, look. His eyes are green too. He blinks, slightly unfocused, then swallows and lets out a breath at Chloe's reminder--god, he WAS holding his breath, what is wrong with him? He forces himself to relax, sliding away from the table, still quite close to her.]

...You realize I'm going to need those back eventually, right? And I don't see the point in wearing something different on a date anyway--

[He makes an attempt to grab them out of her hand.]

Edited (Because I can't leave well enough alone. XD) 2012-08-22 03:18 (UTC)

Uh-huh. [Chloe keeps them from him when he makes the initial swipe, but a moment later presses them gently into his outstretched hand. This is the most fun she's had all day, and she just wants a second or two to enjoy it.]

You're serious, aren't you? You really plan on treating a date like another day at the lab? Come on, love-- she's special. Treat the occasion like it's special, too.

Common sense, really.

[He regards her with a strange puzzled expression, and... surprisingly doesn't shove the glasses back on yet, tapping the earpiece against his palm thoughtfully.]

I suppose... Hm, I always figured it was less about how you looked, and more about how you treated her... There's a balance dynamic, I noticed. You see a guy who cares too much about appearance? He's usually just an asshole with a good tailor. I don't want to be THAT kind of guy.

[Backlash much?]

But when you put it that way, I don't know, I guess you've got a point. She's worth it.

[The asshole comment wins him a little nod of agreement as she thinks back on someone that fits the bill entirely. Still, Chloe looks content when he acknowledges the fact that Alyx is worth the effort.

And with that lesson learned, she finally backs out of his space.]

You couldn't grow an ego terrible enough to become one of those types if you tried. Don't let that stop you from having a little pride, yeah?

Pride...

[Sure he had pride in himself, but he only showcased what he did and what he's made. He avoided showcasing himSELF like the plague, but now... He quietly smirks then slips on his glasses again.]

Well, don't expect me to wear contacts every day. Or even ever OTHER day. Damn things are tough to put in... So what else can you find for me in this ruined urban marketplace, miss treasure-hunter?

I can find just about anything anywhere. Found a Buddhist relic in the middle of the ocean, on a pirate ship, without a gun to fend off the rest of the pack.

That said, finding you another load of clothes that don't smell like ass might be a more of a challenge.

[Oh lord help them he's poking through the clothes again... Well okay, those jeans don't look too bad... in a grungy, cyberpunk future-fashion, kind of, uh... well okay, they're groady as hell.]

Yup, the Library of Alexandria is probably easier to find.

[He stops browsing enough to consider...]

...Uh, you haven't actually found the Library of Alexandria yet, have you?

[Don't tempt her, Gordon. Don't tempt her.]

Never bothered to look. Now, if I was paid to, that'd be a different story.

[Chloe picks through another batch, her less than pleased expression a sign of just how well this hunt is going.] You so owe me a drink for this.

Depends on what you find. [No it doesn't.] Oh... what the hell. What do you say on the way back we stop off somewhere?

[A hole-riddled pair of slacks, a frayed belt, a t-shirt that says "I'm just here for the party"... Oh hey, look, one of those fuzzy logging hats with the ear-flaps! Hahah. Nope.]

Unless, of course, you've got something more important to do.

Too important to spend a few minutes with you? Can't imagine what would be so pressing.

[She catches a whiff of someone's old, sweat-stained workout shirt and looks about ready to gag.] Ugh. Oh god. I've been near carcasses that smelled better than this.

Can't we just let this one slide and fetch some proper clothes from a store that's not so...disgusting?

What, no peoples to barter with? No place that desperately needs spelunking?

[He talks big, but he's staring intently at potholders to avoid looking directly at her. He only looks up at her reaction to the bear-carcass workout shirt.]

...You know what? You're right. And I'd have to WEAR anything we fish out of here... [Seriously. Ugh.] Let's get out of here, Somewhere where the pickings are better. But first, I think I definitely owe you a drink now.

Sweetheart, if digging through garbage was as entertaining or rewarding as digging through Mayan ruins, my childhood would've been a lot more interesting.

[The bins are pushed away and she wipes the palms of her hands on her pants a few times for good measure.]

Yes. Yes you do.

Well then! After you, madame.

[He waves her ahead.]

And while we're there--if you get bored of making fun of my fashion sense anyway--you can tell me about how you got off that pirate ship.

[The one with the Buddhist relic, remember?]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

OPEN: get in the car we're going shopping

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