Pictures in the Dark

[formidable]

General PSL/FUNBOX post for aurajen and formidable. Lots of OC shenanigans. ➢ Cool Mood Music No. 1 ➤ Cool Mood Music No. 2

Comments

[dilatory]

[Ah, she's making him flustered again, and he can't hide it as well when he's this close to her. He makes an attempt at a joke to try to hide it.]

Just remember not to be too rough on the newbie.

[infusion]

Ah, I'll try to remember, but I make no promises.

[iona what does that mean!?]

[dilatory]

[What does that mean, indeed?! He doesn't know how to approach that, and his lips quirk into a grin.]

That's not very reassuring. Should I be scared?

[infusion]

We'll see! I'll start off easy with you though. This?

[She pats his arm around her.]

This is easy.

[dilatory]

Hey, and I'm acing it.

[A beat.] What's considered difficult, then? [That's not a legitimate question. He's not being naive; he's been flirty, in his own little way.]

[infusion]

[Iona's quiet for a few seconds before she turns around to face Michael, and she puts her arms around his neck to caress his shoulders.]

I think this could be! Depending on how you feel of course?

[She says this oh so sweetly.]

[dilatory]

[O-oh, he wasn't expecting that. She's really close now, facing him, and he once again finds himself in a position he's never had to deal with before. Her scent alone is enough to make his heart beat faster in his chest, as much as he tells it to calm down.

Not that he dislikes this at all. Quite the opposite. Her sweet tone is complimented to his, which is low and a little flustered.]

I like this. [His other free arm moves to embrace her fully, without him really commanding it to.] I think I can handle it, maybe more.

[infusion]

Feeling your cold go away yet?

[She's joking, but isn't breaking her gaze away from him. This is sweet, he's sweet, and his shoulders are just a little broader than hers. They feel supportive like he is and that's what Iona is treasuring at this very moment.]

[dilatory]

Cold? What cold?

[He laughs lightly, but not pulling his gaze away from hers, either.] I'm actually feeling a little warm, now. Wonder why? [It's definitely not because he's sick.]

[infusion]

[She can keep flirting and prolonging this (and why not?) or she could... Ah, what the heck. Might as well take advantage of this position and it's been a long time in the works.

Iona has her lips meet his, warm and soft. It's just a surface level kiss, but it blooms on its own like that, replacing what words can't possibly replicate.]

[dilatory]

[Her lips are warm and soft, and Michael isn't one to stop her from kissing him. He might not have been the first one to engage it, but he certainly doesn't pull away, despite his faint surprise.

He leans into it, arms drawing her close -- his kiss is soft and a little timid at first, but it doesn't take long for it to mirror hers in terms of quiet eagerness.

This is a moment in time he would gladly keep frozen if given the choice.]

[infusion]

[She doesn't press any more than she needs to although she does hug him a little closer. And when she pulls back, she's actually blushing somewhat and she uses one hand to brush back some of her hair.]

Ah... Feel better?

[Okay, so she could have said something a bit more romantic, but, she works with what she's got.]

[oren]

Not quite.

[Monts isn't acquainted with Michael yet and the way Oren sees it, it's not really a team. Maybe Iona could be called a leader considering how much she accepts people so easily and they tend to follow her whims.]

People working on different days. Don't always meet.

[dilatory]

[Michael notes her blush when she pulls back, but it's not like his cheeks aren't red, either. He's giving her a slightly dazed (from happiness) smile.

And hey, she did make him momentarily forget that he was even sick, so there's some romanticism to be had in that.]

Feeling pretty good, all things considered. How was it, for a first-timer? [The kiss, he means.]

[lyrelyre]

That's too bad. [She actually sounds a little deflated at that. The idea of a group of employees at a nexus-like cafe, dealing with their own problems and dramas and the weird customers that come in here...

It'd make a good indie comic, she thinks. Lyra, your mind jumps to weird stuff sometimes.] You've dashed my imaginative hopes, Oren.

[infusion]

Can't go anywhere, but up from that, Michael. [And she gives him a kiss on the cheek.]

Alright, I better let you finish up some of the tea and food now. I can't take away all of your attention now, can I?

[oren]

Been told I do that.

[Oren is such a downer!]

A lot.

[dilatory]

I don't mind you taking my attention away from anything. [But of course, he'd barely get anything done if indulged in that way, so he adds:]

But you're right. I should eat for now. After I'm done, you need any help with anything? Cleaning up, or...?

[He's not exactly sure what went on while he was asleep, but he's glad to help in any way he can.]

[lyrelyre]

You're pretty direct and to the point. But I like people like that.

[Which is ironic, considering she's terribly good at putting on an act, herself. It's all a part of her repertoire, and perhaps her familiarity with it is what makes it... tiring, in a way.]

...Though I guess it wouldn't hurt to smile more.

[infusion]

No, you rest off that cold. And like I said, Oren's already cleaned up your place!

[She stands up so she can take out the chair.]

If you want me to hang around to kiss you more, I'd be happy to, but I'd be happier if your cold went away so you felt better.

[dilatory]

[The way she talks, it's almost as if she's implying that Oren cleaned up everything -- which would be crazy, but he'll have to check it out whenever he's feeling at 100 percent.]

All right. That's motivation enough for me to get some rest. [the kissing can resume later. He settles back into his bed, offering a, "Thanks, Iona", before she can leave.]

Ryan @ the Grind; making certain discoveries

[stripedsoul]

[It's been awhile since Ryan's initial visit to the Grind, in which he had a brief yet not-so-happy reunion with one Michael Camden. Since then, he's been going through a bit of an internal struggle; does he want to try to get Michael to talk to him? Does he want to pretend the guy doesn't exist? Does he still want to visit the Midnight Grind even he decides on the latter, tiptoeing around the weekends when he knows the guy works? His pride would hardly stand for it.

He hasn't made his decision yet, and he tells himself that because he hasn't decided, his pride hasn't yet been hurt, and he can totally visit during a weekday. Maybe doing so will give him a better idea of whether or not he wants to make that confrontation a reality.

Besides, other than Michael, the rest of the staff had been nothing but friendly faces so far. Even Oren, as drywall as he tended to be, gave the impression of being a relatively nice guy. (And he made a mean coffee.)

So it's Tuesday afternoon when the door to the Grind opens yet again, and in steps Ryan, dressed appropriately for the summer heat. (A loose short sleeve tee and khaki shorts; the summer vibe is accented with sporty sunglasses that get their fair share of use.) He closes the door behind him, and looks around to see who's working, but he can't help but announce his presence in general.]

Man, just being here makes me hungry. [Naturally, it's food related.]

[oren]

.... Welcome back.

[Sup Ryan, Old Man Oren here.

Just him this afternoon. It seems some customers are off having summer fun elsewhere instead of being at the Grind, although there's some who take refuge from the heat in the cafe.

Oren just nods in acknowledgement of Ryan.]

Decided to come back.

[stripedsoul]

Hey, it's everyone's favorite golem. [-he says, grinning when he sees Oren. He makes his way to the counter, only glancing around briefly to see if anyone else is working.

Ryan slips his shades off of his head and hooks them in his shirt pocket.] You the only one working right now? Doesn't look all that busy today.

[oren]

Weekdays least busy. Depends.

[Sometimes when Iona didn't have any classes or social outings to attend to, she would happily take a whole workday at the Grind herself and with Monts sometimes. It just hasn't been one of those days though.]

Here to rest?