sweethymns | Mι∂ηιgнт ιη Ƥαяιѕ

[The City of Angels aka Los Angeles dwarfs Paris when it comes to size and scale of buildings. While they're still in a residential area, the intimidating and clustered architecture can be seen at a distance. Outside, the sky is blue and the sun is already beginning to warm up the asphalt roads and the sidewalks.

Oren waits for Gus to stop looking at the parked car before speaking.]

We'll take bus. Faster and you can see the city as it goes by.

[And it'll keep Gus in one place, Oren doesn't have time for his shenanigans.]

[ Literally anything that happens is going to make Gus flip out and overreact at this point, since energy conservation doesn't seem to be high on his list of priorities... Thank god he stands still enough to wait for the bus and let Oren do the paying for him. He isn't stupid enough to press the buttons for every stop, but you can bet he's tempted. Sorely tempted. Why would you put these buttons on the buses if no one is going to press them...

He usually isn't so bad, but the combination of all these Americans talking their confusing language and everything being so!! new!! has Gus being incredibly unsubtle about being foreign as fuck. Every few minutes, as someone new gets on the bus, he tests his English with a clunky ' 'ello, a fine day today'. Someone save him. ]

[OREN'S NOT SAVING HIM, HE STANDS OUT ENOUGH AS IT IS. Although, the bus driver seems to be familiar with Oren enough that he even greets him. It's just one of those daily life things.

The bus is a good way to gauge the population of any area especially for such a populous city like LA. Within a few stops there's not only American English being spoken, but there's a lot of Spanish, Korean, some Vietnamese, and even some Armenian spoken by two old ladies. A city this large most definitely had it's problems, but a colorful mixture of different peoples is not one of them.

Throughout the ride, Oren barely moves. While people move around him, he remains as is and it's like time does not even touch him.]

❇ ❇ ❇

[After being dropped off in front of the university and leading them inside the building where Iona's current class is going on. It's the arts building and it's apparent due to the displays with student artwork being shown; pencil still lifes, nude and clothed life drawings of models, landscape paintings...

Oren's on his phone texting Iona.]

She'll be here. In a minute.

[Look Gus... Vending machine... with candy...]

[ WHY ARE THERE SO MANY TEMPTATIONS FOR GUS TO LATCH ONTO... he immediately beelines for this magical box with candy on the other side?! Uwooh?! They're all labeled and there's a keypad for putting the letters and numbers in and everything, this is the best thing he's ever seen.

He's so fascinated by the row of Snickers bars that he doesn't see or hear the people giving him Looks; fuck the haters, he's going to sound out the names of these magical snacks, one by one. ]

Do-ree-tos... Cool Ran-ch!

[ YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ]

[Oren looks at Gus gushing over the hideous snacks. And then he looks a Claude.]

His diet. Always terrible?

[In a way, it's not that different from Berna except she eventually grew to appreciate Oren's effort as a cook.]

I couldn't say. I don't dine with him often enough.

[ A simple truth. But since that's an underwhelming answer: ]

His cholesterol levels, however, are miraculously average.

[You know, it's amazing how Oren can express so much distaste with his constant drywall expression.

Before he can reply, the elevator across from them pings and the door slides open to reveal Iona, wearing jeans, sandals, and a patterned sleeveless top. There's a smear of blue paint on her cheek that she hasn't taken notice of. Iona waves to them energetically with a skip in her step as she bounds towards the odd trio.]

Hi guys! How're you liking your first day in LA, huh?

[She pauses to give the brothers a once over and beams.]

Heh. At least you both look great!

[ Iona's presence is enough for Gus to tear himself away from the vending machine, and he emphatically replies with a 'not as good as you'—

—which Claude promptly ruins with: ]

You look a bit blue.

[ the worst pun, the absolute worst, someone remove Claude from the establishment, someone eliminate him from this earth. ]

[And a snappy reply is given in turn.]

Right back 'atcha.

Anyways! [she claps her hands together and rubs her palms.] We got a language barrier to deal with don't we?

A bit of one, yes.

[ And, after a beat, in heavily accented English (that should come across as such, magic or no): ]

"I can speak English if I work very hard."

. . .

[Iona puts a hand over her heart and then looks up at Oren, her eyes shining.]

Oren, it's so cute...!

[Of course, the golem gives her the, "Does it look like I care?" expression.]

Edited 2015-06-18 16:52 (UTC)

[ 'cute'..... ]

On second thought, yes, let's break this language barrier.

[ never call him cute again!!!!! ]

[HAHAHAHA FAT CHANCE]

I don't think I can get rid of the accent, but I think I'll be able to break the language barrier regardless!

Like it or not, on this continent, we find accents charming.

'Charming'. I'll be sure to keep my mouth shut, then, lest I shatter the illusion.

[ Please Claude, cooperate...but he does smile at a group of girls who walk by, sidesteps them so they can pass. Being personable is so hard. ]

I'm sure your vague insults and jibs will be forgiven because of your accent, Claude.

[Iona's just giving him a hard time... Which he deserves...

Anyways, Oren is keeping watch and there's no one in the hallways now that the group of girls and any other passing students are gone. Iona is rubbing her hands together, brows furrowed in concentration. To Envision something as complicated as this... Well, if she succeeds, it'll be easier from here on out, that's for sure.]

Ah, Gus, come over here, next to Claude please. This shouldn't take long at all.

[ Once the halls empty, Gus bounds next to Claude and stands still, waiting for Iona to... actually, he has no idea what Iona's going to do. Wave a wand? Does she even have one?

Ah well. He'll just watch her expectantly. ]

Alright! Should I stay quiet, or...?

Just a second...

[Her hands are glowing (her right more than her left. She closes her eyes until the her magic is concentrated into her palms. Then both hands are closed except for two fingers on each and Iona proceeds to press said fingers on the brother's lips. The sensation is fuzzy, like a small electrical surge traveling past their lips and through their tongue and into their brains. The feeling disappears in an instant and Iona takes a step back, looking a little anxious.]

Done! Sorry, should have warned you about that.

[Her Envisioning of language is a sort of "transference." Oren nods approvingly.]

"Well done."

[ Always the tinkerer, Claude is distinctly not used to be the tinker-ee: the sudden sensation in his head prompts an involuntary press of his palm to his hair, a not-so-subtle wary look that he forgets to quell for a good few seconds.

Gus looks similarly confounded, but it's Claude that breaks the silence. ]

...Well? Should we go test to see if it works?

[With an enthusiastic nod, Iona points to the elevator.]

Let's go to the studio! You can see what we're working on and chat a little if you feel so inclined. Ah, but try to be discreet though?

Everyone's mostly looking forward to Oren delivering free food soooo... I guess the story we'll stick with for now is that you're his friends from France and he's just showing you around. Yeah!

[IT WORKS SHUT UP]

[ Gus is alright with this alibi, but in a spectacular display of insensitivity: ]

Oren has friends?

[ GUS......... ]

[SON DID YOU JUST GO THERE OREN'S JUST STANDING THERE STIFFLY, GRANTED HE ALWAYS DOES THAT, BUT HE LITERALLY IS JUST STANDING THERE AND BAD VIBES ARE...]

He does now!

[Cue Iona pushing Oren towards the elevator.]

C'mon, before the doors close please.

[ He lets himself be corralled into the elevator, but he follows that up with: ]

What am I going to say if they ask me what me and Oren talk about?! What are we supposed to have in common?!

Er, food! Yeah, food! Since Oren makes great sweets and you're a sugar fiend!

[Oren mutters while in his corner of the elevator:]

"Not for long."

I heard that, Oren...

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

1/2

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject