[ 61st consult | voice ]

[dr_conscience]

I have to admit, the timing on this type of day coming around almost makes too much sense for the City. It's even almost comforting, given how regularly these occur... though, it might be too much to hope for that this beginning of a return to... well, I'll never be able to call it normalcy, but perhaps... more routine impossibilities?

Oh-- if you've just arrived, try not to take it personally if some of the populace is a bit... well, short with you. You could say it's been a long week.


[ooc: He's s3, but has some vague and ominous knowledge of his future. He can forget anything he needs to. <3 No duplicates plz! k ilu]

Comments

[dr_conscience]

No matter how often you show up, I doubt that's a word that would ever suit you.

[hallucinamber.livejournal.com]

Impossible is far more apt. You outran the dinosaurs this time, that's good.

[dr_conscience]

Sometimes, I'm grateful for the City's penchant for the impossible.

As far as the dinosaurs go, I had a tactical strategy this time. It was an extremely intricate operation, but the basic overview is that I didn't go anywhere near them.

[hallucinamber.livejournal.com]

Which would seem like the obvious thing to do, and yet...

[dr_conscience]

Well, there's not much I can do about it if they decide to break in.

[hallucinamber.livejournal.com]

You could always decide to be roommates and hope that your influence will somehow discourage their carnivorous instinct. why wouldn't that work?

[dr_conscience]

Why do I get the impression we're not talking about dinosaurs anymore?

[hallucinamber.livejournal.com]

That lightning reaction time is one of the reasons I'm attracted to you.

[dr_conscience]

Well... that was on the more obvious side, but I'm not going to argue with a statement like that.

We could get dinner, if you like? I'll leave the Limposaurus home.

[hallucinamber.livejournal.com]

He's not all I mean, James. You never have been good at spotting who wants to bleed you dry.

Not Italian, I don't want to come out feeling like I've swallowed a lead weight.

[dr_conscience]

I don't think most people actually want to bleed me dry, and... if I can help someone, I can't not do it. I just can't go into everything with a guard up. I do remember what you said, though, when you were first here. I have been trying to look out for myself, you know.

We can get whatever you like.

[hallucinamber.livejournal.com]

The problem here is you still think that was a metaphor. I'm not trying to be that subtle.

Is there somewhere you have to reserve ahead?

[dr_conscience]

So, actual bleeding? I hardly even go out alone these days.

I could think of a couple... probably all booked already.

[hallucinamber.livejournal.com]

Look out for who invites you to their parlour. I know, I don't like this cryptic bullshit either. I feel like a pretentious crossword puzzle, but there are rules.

Perfect. We'll do whichever of those isn't Italian.

[dr_conscience]

... all right. Well, I'll be careful. I promise.

Fully booked is perfect? [Oh, the many, many things he just doesn't know yet.] In that case, how does Asian fusion with reservations and a line out the door strike you?

[hallucinamber.livejournal.com]

Unless you want 3000 cards this time next year, careful in all senses of the word.

[So many things. Don't worry, it's still endearing.]

It sounds like exactly our sort of place. I could eat- [She stops, and momentarily the confidence of her expression slips through something first surprised, then soft.] I could eat. That makes a change.

[dr_conscience]

[... what. Nevermind. That information is getting filed and marked with bright red alert stickers. Besides, he can't help but smile sadly at that shift in the tone of her voice. He'd rather pursue that topic.]

That sounds like a change we should take advantage of. [Of course, there is the crowd...] I take it getting in is part of the fun?

[hallucinamber.livejournal.com]

[Ceiling!Amber is watching your casual involvement with spider women. She can't say anything about that, though. Rules. There are some even she can't find a solid way around.

Very few, though. He'll see.]

Getting in is one of the reasons you're attracted to me. [She offers a hand, self assurance settling back into her smile.] I think it's time you found that out.

[dr_conscience]

[Somehow, he had a feeling it might be about that.

He smiles at her verbal response, though, taking the offered hand.] That does sounds like something I'd like to find out.

[hallucinamber.livejournal.com]

[It's also probably going to mean he finds out why everyone else is terrified of her. Her grip is surprisingly firm, holding rather than being held, and she makes a stop with him at the coat stand by the door.]

You should wear the grey jacket. It's a no reservations needed jacket.

[dr_conscience]

[That's not likely to bother him, given his penchant for liking people nobody else seems to.]

I see, there's an entire strategy to this. [He smirks with dramatically enhanced mischief, slipping his hand out of her grasp to shrug the coat on, smooth it out, brush any lint off of it, adjust the sleeves - which is all accomplished in a few moments of borderline flailing movements. He then pulls open the door before offering - or perhaps surrendering would be more apt? - his hand back to her.]

[hallucinamber.livejournal.com]

Of course.

[It should go without saying that she'd get them in in sweatpants and wifebeaters if she had to, but that's really not her style.]

That, and I've always thought you looked handsome in dark grey.

[Smug, she lays claim on his hand, escorting him into the light evening.]

[dr_conscience]

[He smiles softly, glancing at her as she talks with a familiarity he can't replicate. He tries not to think too hard about all the implications that come with her presence; that she's someone he'll have and lose, which is more foreknowledge than anyone should ever have. It makes him cautious in conversation, not wanting to ask the wrong thing and learn something he'll wish he hadn't.]

Well, I'll just have to keep that in mind for the next time this comes around.

[hallucinamber.livejournal.com]

[He's always cautious, to a degree, there's that way about him of always wanting to say the right thing, to please her. If anything, cautiousness on his own behalf should be applauded.]

It's all right, you know. I'm not going to let you break anything on accident, just don't be afraid to talk to me. I spend so long watching, and this is all the time I get to participate. I don't want to be reticent about it.

[dr_conscience]

[It's an impressive defense that's started developing, as each improbability-to-impossibility has weighed on him. The standard caution is there, too, of course; that constant drive to adjust his responses, demeanor and behavior to suit different situations and people.]

It's just... [He pauses to think through his words, expelling a huff of breath into the air.] It's difficult to reconcile everything. Being here at all, everything that's happened here, and then you.

[He shakes his head slightly, lowering his head with the motion as he puts his free hand into a jacket pocket.]

I'm not even supposed to know you yet, and somehow I've already lost you.