As the first rays of morning sunlight perked through the blinds that shaded the windows, a bedraggled, bleary-eyed, bed-headed Aela shuffled into her kitchen, switching on the coffee machine as she passed it. The Roman-numeral clock on the wall read six thirty seven, and Aela had to be at work in about forty minutes.
A short while later, she emerged from the bathroom, hair pulled up into a tight bun and wearing her camouflage US Army uniform. Boots in hand, Aela strode into the living room and sat down on the couch. Leaning down, she laced up her combat boots quickly, then stood and made her way to the coffee machine. The mug placed in it was filled nearly to the brim, and Aela grabbed it by the looped handle.
But before she could lift it to her lips, the "Star Wars" theme song started playing from Aela's bedroom. Setting the mug down, she made a beeline into her room, crossing immediately to the nightstand. Picking up her phone, she read the screen; John Carpowitz. Tapping the green pickup icon, she pressed the phone to her ear.
"Peters. Glad you picked up." John's voice was formal, as always, but not tense or uptight.
"Is anything wrong, Corporal?" She asked, walking back out into the living room.
"Nothing at all. In fact, I called to inform you that you get the day off."
"May I ask why, sir?"
"Just a few more officers than expected came in today, so we've given a select few the day off. Is there a problem, Peters?"
"Not at all. Thanks for the call."
"Anytime."
Setting her phone down, Aela looked around her apartment. What would she do on a day off? She never really got one. Then again, wasn't that all the more reason to just kick back and relax?
Hands on her hips, Aela pondered the possibilities. She could stay home and sleep, take a walk, maybe go get some breakfast.
Breakfast. She hadn't had breakfast yet.
A few minutes later, Aela was striding out into the sidewalk, still wearing her uniform. She figured it wasn't worth it to change. Up the street a few blocks was a Starbucks, and that's exactly where she was headed.
Last Edit: Oct 16, 2015 12:29:41 GMT -5 by Aela Ward
Post by Nyghtingale on Oct 16, 2015 13:36:46 GMT -5
Morgan was walking down the street slowly, her black boots clicking softly upon the pavement. She was not sure what to do while she was here, or even where she was going. After all, she was completely new to this country much less this city. She was contemplating where to go or what to do when she noticed a sign that look all to familiar. A Starbucks coffee shop! Her mouth instantly began to salivate, but she was unfortunately still very broke and had no way to purchase anything from the cafe.
Pouting, she stuffed her hands in her pockets and continued to walk along the road, glaring at the ground angrily. She huffed loudly, stomping her feet angrily when suddenly something green fluttered past her shoe. She blinked, hesitating in her angry state for a moment then ran after the object. Stomping a foot upon it, she picked it up and grinned. There in both upper corners was a number "20". A twenty dollar bill, oh what good fortune! Gripping it tightly, she turned and ran back towards the Starbucks coffee shop and slipped through the front doors. Her mouth was full of saliva and she looked up at the sign, trying to decide what to buy with her precious find gripped vice like between both of her fists.
Knowing your own darkness is the best method of dealing with the darkness of other people. -Carl Jung
As the door to the coffee shop latched shut behind her, Aela stepped into the short line of people that waited to place their order. Fridays usually weren't busy in the morning, and she was grateful for that, especially now. As she did a once over of the menu hanging above the counter, she couldn't help but notice the girl standing just in front of her in line; she held what looked to be a twenty dollar bill in her hands, which she clutched like it was a lifeline. Maybe she hadn't had her Starbucks frappe in a while. Shrugging, Aela turned her attention back to the menu. It wasn't her business whether or not this person was rich or poor, and it wasn't her position to judge them on it.
As the line advanced, Aela decided on what she wanted, and brought her wallet out in order to be ready to pay. The girl in front of her had reached the counter, and looked as if she was still deciding on what to order. She leaned forward a bit and, in a cheery tone, Aela said, "Try the Caramel Mocha. It's my personal favorite."
Post by Nyghtingale on Oct 16, 2015 14:25:27 GMT -5
Morgan almost jumped out of her skin when somebody leaned close to herself and whispered in her ear.
"Try the Caramel Mocha. It's my personal favorite."
She looked around startled and noticed the female behind her speaking. A weak smile graced her lips, and she nodded and quickly turned back towards the cashier who was waiting impatiently for her.
"Ummm...the Caramel Mocha please."
She looked at the cashier, who looked at her like she was clearly some sort of idiot before the guy snapped at her.
"What size, girl?!"
Morgan blinked, taken aback at his rudeness. Her lips turned down and she pouted.
"Hey, look I am sorry alright. How about..." She glanced over at the size list and frowned. They where all so expensive, so she simply went with the cheapest and smallest. "...the eight once please."
She then quickly handed over her American money she had found, biting her lip and hoping he gave her back the right amount of change. If he did not, would she even be able to know? Probably not because she was not entirely sure about how the money system worked here in America instead of France. However she took the change he handed her, gripping it tightly and stepping out of the way so the kind female who had helped her decide what to get could order next while her own drink was made.
Knowing your own darkness is the best method of dealing with the darkness of other people. -Carl Jung
Aela frowned when the cashier snapped at the girl. That wasn't any way to treat a customer, especially if she had been unsure as she was. As she stepped to the counter, the shot a withering glare at the cashier. "One Caramel Mocha. Extra cream. 16 ounce. And two chocolate chip muffins." She said, not using the nicest of tones. The cashier cast one look at her uniform and nodded shortly, clearly not wanting to mess with her. She handed him her debit card, which he scanned.
When he handed her card and the items she ordered to her, he timidly added, "Have a nice day, ma'am." This was just about the last straw for Aela.
"Just because she wasn't in uniform doesn't mean you can't treat her with respect." She growled, leaning in closer. "Might wanna clean up your attitude before I do it for you." With that, she turned on her heel and strode away from the counter. Scanning the room, she pinpointed the table that the girl had sat down at, and walked over to meet her, sliding into the seat across from her. "Some people have no respect these days, huh?" She asked casually, setting one of her muffins down in front of the girl with a smile.
Post by Nyghtingale on Oct 16, 2015 14:58:19 GMT -5
Morgan blinked as the nice lady came towards her and spoke yet again, setting a muffin down in front of her. Her eyes stretched wide, becoming the size of quarters as she looked up from the muffin towards the female. Her mouth opened, and she licked lips and had to take a moment to find her voice.
"I...it was alright. I should have waited to get in line until I knew what I wanted. Is this for me, Mademoiselle?"
She asked the female, pointing at the muffin in front of herself. Her mouth was already watering from the smells all around her. It was almost like being back home, only with out French courtesy that was usually found. Here people always seemed to be in such a rush, bustling around as if nobody but themselves existed in their own little world. Totally focused upon what they where doing, rare was it to find somebody who stopped to see how somebody else was doing or if they needed the help. She decided to let the uniformed female know she appreciated it.
"Thank you very much. For being nice and helping me out, Mademoiselle. I appreciate you being so kind and caring."
Knowing your own darkness is the best method of dealing with the darkness of other people. -Carl Jung
"Oh, you don't need to call me that." Aela chuckled, taking a sip of her mocha. It was absolutely perfect. Turning her attention back to the girl, she smiled warmly. "You can just call me Aela. And really, it isn't that much of an effort to just be nice. There's no need to thank me."
Glancing around the coffee shop, Aela scanned for anything out of place. It was just out of habit, of course. On base, she had to be alert at all times, and being caught off guard was never an option. There was about twenty people seated here and there at booths and tables, some sitting alone, some with a group of people. There wasn't anyone she knew around, but then gain, everyone she did know was either at work on base or still sleeping in.
Turning back to the girl, she asked, "What's your name" She wasn't trying to be creepy or anything, just wanted to have a name for the face of the person she just met.
Jack is an average, unassuming guy. He stands bashfully, avoiding eye contact as he looks around at everything except the person he's speaking with. A closer look. however, will reveal more.
Beneath this carefully neutral appearance, Jack's body is lean and efficient. He's slow to anger and behind his bashful demeanor is an assertive individual observing his environment with an almost predatory nature.
Post by Jacksoπ Flεtchεr on Oct 16, 2015 17:50:08 GMT -5
After dragging himself out of the filthy motel bed and over to the sink, Jack couldn't help but stare at his haggard reflection and wonder what the hell he was going to do. All the young man presently wanted to do was crawl back onto those blood soaked sheets and sleep for the next several days. The room was a grisly seen but he imagined the pillow still carried the poor woman's scent, isolated from all the apparent trauma.
"No," Jack sighed and looked away from his reflection, ashamed that he'd even considered abandoning his obligation for even a moment. "I made her a promise. She's... gone, but I still have to deliver." What the young man spoke to himself of was the promise he'd made shortly after meeting a young eastern european prostitute by the name of Svetlana. The details of that promise and it's reason for being made in the first place were irrelevant. Jack had power and he'd promised to use some it for her. It was totally on his to do list. But first, Starbucks.
The young man had been craving a pumpkin spice latte. In fact, that's what he'd planned to go do with her before... Well, before. Jack showered, scrubbing at himself in the scalding water until he felt clean enough to bear living in his own skin. A quick teleport home got him some fresh clothes. Clean jeans and a tshirt with his typical casual shoes, a light jacket thrown on to combat any potential chill autumn winds. Dressed, he teleported into the alley near his favorite spot. Luckily, it didn't look too busy today but Jack could probably still expect fairly decent wait.
Jack entered the Starbucks and stood in line. Far ahead of him were the two women, Nyght and Aela, though he didn't know them yet. They weren't even brought to his attention until he noticed the 'confrontation' between them and the man manning the counter. The young man chuckled to himself. He knew the employee as Craig and while they weren't exactly friends, Jack still did him the occasional favor in exchange for information and preferential treatment when the manager wasn't looking.
Knowing him to be a pretty abrasive guy, the young man wasn't at all surprised by Craig's poor manners but he noticed they seemed to bother the two women somewhat. That was unfortunate. Jack made it to the counter and once he'd made the grump smile from a few silly jokes, he placed his order, paying in cash like he always did.
Though he didn't usually mean to be a creep, Jack liked to use places such as this to meet new people. They all had such interesting stories to tell, even Craig, once he'd managed to wear them down with a bit of the ole charm. He made his way over to where the two women from earlier had taken a seat. They were quite the odd pair. One dressed as a soldier and the other seemed a bit down on her luck. It piqued his interest more than any other group of odd ducks in the place.
"Would you mind if I sat with you?" Jack asked the two politely, a friendly if somewhat chagrined smile on his face, as if to apologize for interrupting two strangers with a request to share their table. "I don't mean to be much of a bother, but everywhere else appears to be occupied."
To be polite, the young man had waited to approach until neither seemed to be speaking. This was, naturally, after names had been exchanged between the two women. Jack had made sure not to overhear. Eavesdropping was rude after all, so he would have to ask for their names once he'd introduced himself.
Post by Nyghtingale on Oct 17, 2015 0:04:02 GMT -5
Morgan smiled as the female looked around, then turned back to her and asked for her name. She picked a chocolate chip off the top of the muffin, popping it between her lips and savoring the sweet exotic taste. It had been some time since she had had chocolate last and this was truly a treat for her. It was putting her in to the best mood she had been in in some time, and she was pretty certain it might be showing upon her face and in her body language now.
"Mmmm...this is really good. My first name is Morgan, but I like to go by Nyghtingale...the English version of my middle name. Everybody tends to call me Nyght for short, though." She said, smiling and nodding pointedly as if that settled that matter. She then picked up her muffin and took a large bite out of it, chew upon it contendedly with a clear air of bliss upon her face as she chewed upon the chocolate chip, spongy joy in her mouth. She giggled around the mouthful, then watched with interested as a strange male came over.
She blinked in surprised as he asked if he could sit down and Morgan looked at Aela quickly. She did not have a problem with him sitting with them, she supposed. Though a quick glance around showed many more tables he could have sat out, proving his point a farce which meant....what? He wanted to sit with them for some reason? She did not see why, but she suppose it was alright. "I do not mind, if Aela does not." She stated simply, gesturing at an empty seat.
Knowing your own darkness is the best method of dealing with the darkness of other people. -Carl Jung
Looking the new arrival up and down, Aela slid over to the next seat, making room for him. She did this silently and reluctantly, for she could sense something about him... Something just below the surface. Something dark and unnatural.
In a way, it reminded Aela of herself. What she was. But she would rather not think about that.
"So, why is it you chose to sit with us?" She asked curtly, cutting directly to the chase. "I saw you talking to the cashier. Did he send you over to tell me off about what I said to him?" She wasn't being very discreet, but then again she wasn't trying to be. Her hands were clasped tightly together on the table in front of her, her knuckles noticeably white. "Or is it, perhaps, something else?"
She could tell that she'd surprised both Nyght and the newcomer with her rudeness, because she even surprised herself. But certain measures had to be made, even if they weren't the safest.
Jack is an average, unassuming guy. He stands bashfully, avoiding eye contact as he looks around at everything except the person he's speaking with. A closer look. however, will reveal more.
Beneath this carefully neutral appearance, Jack's body is lean and efficient. He's slow to anger and behind his bashful demeanor is an assertive individual observing his environment with an almost predatory nature.
Post by Jacksoπ Flεtchεr on Oct 17, 2015 1:01:45 GMT -5
"Thanks!" Jack's face flushed with gratitude as he took the seat Aela had kindly vacated for him. He hadn't meant for her to move and it made the young man feel more than a little embarrassed that she'd done so but he was very grateful that they hadn't decided to send him packing. The young man would've sulked for weeks and Drew never would've heard the end of it!
He nearly stammered out an apology but managed to stop himself. It would've been unnecessary and weird, considering he'd asked politely and she'd given him the seat of her own free will.
The young man couldn't help but be taken somewhat aback by Aela's questioning but he didn't mind. It was easy enough to explain. In an effort to relieve any possible tension, Jack gave a small laugh. He truly did find the thought of him being Craig's lackey to be a bit funny.
"No, no," He started, smiling. "That's not it at all! Craig's an ass; I'm sure whatever you chewed him out over was totally justified."
Jack shrugged, still smiling. "Isn't it enough for a guy to want to enjoy a pumpkin spice latte in good company?" He held his hands up as if to say Yup, that's me. Just an average joe come to enjoy a cup o joe.
Post by Nyghtingale on Oct 17, 2015 1:56:36 GMT -5
Morgan watched the two, tilting her head with a slightly confused look written upon her face. She looked between Aela and the male who had just showed up. She was confused as to why Aela was being so rude all the sudden to this new person. Was there something about him, something he had said that was triggering one of those magical 'sixth senses' she had heard about in books and movies? She tried to feel inside of herself, but she did not feel anything from this albeit strange individual.
She turned her head towards the male, looking him up and down very slowly. Trying to see anything out of the ordinary about him, but she was not really noticing anything. There where some small things, but nothing really extravagant that screamed 'murderer' or 'rapist'. He smelled slightly of soap or shampoo, and his hair was slightly damp and his skin was really kinda...clean looking. She simply sighed, tearing off a piece of a muffin and chewing on it absentmindedly watching the sudden conflict arising between the two before herself.
Knowing your own darkness is the best method of dealing with the darkness of other people. -Carl Jung
"Good company." Aela echoed, leaning back in her chair. She definitely suspected something of this guy, but she didn't know what. "And what exactly would you call good company, if you don't mind me asking?" Because, she thought to herself, I wouldn't classify a shapeshifter as good company.
"Actually, forget I asked that." She dismissed the question with a wave of her hand, taking a swig from her mocha. "What I really want to know is your name, so I don't have to just call you 'guy' or 'him', you know?" She met Nyght's glance from across the table, and offered a somewhat reassuring smile. At least, the best one she could muster. She didn't want to give away her worries more than she already had, and pursuing information would definitely draw some attention from the two.
Jack is an average, unassuming guy. He stands bashfully, avoiding eye contact as he looks around at everything except the person he's speaking with. A closer look. however, will reveal more.
Beneath this carefully neutral appearance, Jack's body is lean and efficient. He's slow to anger and behind his bashful demeanor is an assertive individual observing his environment with an almost predatory nature.
Post by Jacksoπ Flεtchεr on Oct 17, 2015 2:31:11 GMT -5
Noticing Nyght looking him up and down, Jack winked when he caught her eyes, still smiling. It seemed the only appropriate thing to do under such blatant scrutiny. These two were certainly odd ducks but at least no one had thrown a hot cup of coffee in his face yet. The young of the two, Nyght the not soldier, at least seemed more interested in her muffin than interrogating Jack about his apparent questionable... Questionableness.
The young man started to give his answer for what he considered good company, but the woman quickly said dismissed her question before he could do much more than open his mouth and sit there looking silly.
Aela asked Jack for his name and his smile widened slightly. He'd been feeling fairly off guard, not entirely expecting the suspicion he was apparently subject to, and this, the first normal question since he'd arrived, made him feel somewhat at ease, as if the situation was beginning to take on some semblance of normalcy.
"My names Jack," The young man said happily, sipping his drink. "What names do you two go by?" He looked from Nyght to Aela.
The slight rumbling of Jack's stomach reminded him that he hadn't eaten for quite some time. "Mm. I'm starting to want a muffin of my own. Always did have a weakness for fresh blueberry. 'specially on an empty stomach."
Post by Nyghtingale on Oct 17, 2015 3:26:52 GMT -5
Morgan watching the male as he sat there for a moment with his mouth open unable to answer the question quick enough before Aela dismissed the question verbally and with a wave of her hand. She tried to hide the large smile and building giggle attack, covering her mouth with one hand and reaching out for another bite of her muffin. Her next comment made her cough and choke slightly on her bite of muffin.
Waving her hands around, trying to catch her breath she struggled to swallow and get her food down her stomach. When she finally swallowed, following her choking/coughing fit with a small sip of her mocha. She blinked, looking down at the drink and took another slightly larger sip. She then looked up at Aela and grinned. Setting her cup back down she sighed and leaned back.
"Mmmm, that was really good. Thank you for suggesting I get that drink, it was a great choice. As to my name, sir, you can simply call me Nyght." She reached her hand across the table, offering to shake his hand if he wanted to do such.
Knowing your own darkness is the best method of dealing with the darkness of other people. -Carl Jung