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

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[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?

[stripedsoul]

[He shrugs, helping himself to a seat and leaning forward.]

Kind of. It's as good of a place as any to escape the summer heat.

[Though really, despite appearances, he's still a little uncertain whether or not he should be here due to his last visit.]

I figured I'd drop by and say hello. [On a weekday.]

[oren]

... Avoiding the weekend?

[don't think oren won't call him out on that, he knoooows]

Order anything.

[stripedsoul]

[He frowns. Is he really that transparent?!]

Uh, sure. I'm pretty hungry -- what kind of sandwiches can you throw my way?

Also, I'll have you know, I'm not avoiding the weekend. I just happened to decide to visit today. [What a liar.] I could care less if Michael works here.

[oren]

... How many?

[Oren has a feeling Ryan's going to be like that one psychic whose stomach seems never ending... God.]

You care.

Drink?

[stripedsoul]

Oh, I don't know -- let's start with two? [And yeah, probably...]

And no, I don't care. Do I look like I care? And just some water with lemon, thanks.

[Healthy today!]

[oren]

Yes.

[The best part of Oren's response? It works as an answer all of Ryan's statements. Amazing. He's gonna disappear into the back to get that done, kthx]

[stripedsoul]

[Of course, Ryan only hears it as an answer to his question about caring, and he calls after the golem when he disappears into the back.]

No I don't!

[Whoops, getting a couple of stares his way. He just gives those couple of customers and innocent grin when he notices them, ahahaha.]

[oren]

[Oren's so lucky he's literally stony faced so he doesn't really react to Ryan shouting. He's had his experience with dealing with the up and downs of youths... Wait, that really does make him sound like an old man. Anyways, he goes on as usual, making two sandwiches he thinks will be to his customer's taste.

In several minutes, the golem comes out with a tray; first the glass of iced lemon water is set in front of Ryan first and then two sandwiches: A bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich and a grilled cheese "pizza" style.

Both come out fresh and steaming hot, and smelling absolutely savory and delicious.]

There.

[stripedsoul]

[He doesn't have time to be indignant about Oren's lack of reaction to his shouting; all is immediately forgiven once he sees those beautiful sandwiches come out. They smell amazing.]

Oh my god, those smell great.

[And they can't get to him faster. Once Oren sets them down, he's gonna go for the grilled cheese one first -- he's one of those people who act like they haven't eaten for a hundred years, and that's him trying to restrain himself. Somehow, in-between bites:]

So where's everyone else gone off to? [Not that he cares!]

[oren]

Iona, class. Same for other employee.

[And of course, Michael's here on the weekends, but Ryan already knows that now.]

Usually me.

[stripedsoul]

Class, huh?

[Already the one sandwich is meeting its swift end...] Didn't really get a chance to talk to Iona much when I was here last. So she's a fellow college student? I feel her pain.

[oren]

Fine Arts. Paints.

Witch.

[Might as well put that out there seeing where they're at and all.]

[stripedsoul]

Ooh, magic. Fancy. [It's not patronizing, he's actually a little impressed. Magic is a language he'll never understand, nor does he try to.]

Witch, artist, and entrepreneur. Talented young woman.

[One sandwich down, going for the second!]

[oren]

... Dating Michael.

[Yeah, might as well mention that too, why not. Some of the customer's ears perk up since there's quite a few of them aren't in the know about that particular development yet. It's not a secret anyways, Iona is just surprisingly, someone who doesn't announce things like that.]

[stripedsoul]

[He was in the middle of trying to eat his sandwich and you tell him something like that, Oren?]

Wh-

[Oh, a piece of bread feels like it's gone down the wrong way, and all Ryan can do is try to wash it down with some water. It works... kinda. At least he's not gonna choke to death, but instead maybe drown himself...

He sets the glass down with a loud clank on the counter, coughing. Give him a second. Finally:]

W-wait, what did you say?

[oren]

[If Oren wanted to sigh, he could. But he won't.]

Need more water?

[stripedsoul]

[Totally ignoring that question because screw the water! What's this crazy new development?

Unless... unless Oren is messing with him? That's gotta be it.]

Ah... haha. Yeah, okay. Nice try, Old Man Oren, but I'm not gonna fall for that one.

[oren]

I don't joke.

[It's hard to believe Oren's voice can get any flatter, but here it is.]

Waste of time.

[stripedsoul]

[...Okay, his brain doesn't know what to do with this information.]

Well there's no way you can be serious. This is Michael Camden we're talking about here, there's no way he'd end up with a girl like her.

[oren]

Things happen.

[In other words, Oren's not sure why it's so surprising.]

You say that because?

[stripedsoul]

Uh, because have you met the guy? He's too withdrawn and isn't nearly brave enough to date someone like Iona.

[Though he only saw her briefly, she seemed like the complete opposite of Michael.] There's no way he found the courage to ask her out. He's more likely to keep it all to himself and suffer quietly through a crush.

[oren]

She brought it up first.

[Oren gets a pitcher of ice water and moves to refill Ryan's glass.]

Bravery developing. She helps.

[stripedsoul]

[He arches a brow, looking very skeptical.]

...Yeah? She must be something, then. [He still can't believe it.] Bet he's all sorts of awkward.