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[wow. Elliot's brow is quieted up, still. He likes the Katy perry but he's decided unimpressed by the bitchiness.

Maybe Ryan's a real New Yorker after all. The coffee joke makes him crack a smile. ]

Have to pay for all that alcohol I buy my adoring fans when they get stood up. Here, or to go? [yeah he remembered that drink. ] or would you rather Starbucks?

[If it's any consolation Ryan's pretty much 100% apologetic and he's actually doing his best to avoid eye contact because he's realized he acted like a giant asshole. Nevertheless he quickly shakes his head, glancing up just once.]

No, um...here? I guess? I'm sorry it's been...[He waves a hand vaguely. It's not his place to bitch to Elliot about his life. He was a one-off, that much Ryan knew.] Here, please. I have a few hours to kill and I don't feel like hanging out at my dorm still. [And he tries to make it up with a charming grin.] So that's something you can make for me?

Nonfat vanilla latte with two shots of expresso. Any preference on milk? [thats Elliot's way of saying it's all good. He starts to make it, glancing up to give Ryan a friendly smile, and rolls up the sleeves of the shirt he's wearing under the Queen Tshirt to reveal a shitton of tattoos as he goes about his business. ]

It's been what? [and, to clarify:] you said 'Sorry it's been...' And then trailed off, earlier.

Nonfat soy if you've got it. [He's leaning on the counter to watch, already acutely aware of where his wallet is and already making up his mind he's leaving a giant tip as an apology. He props his head up with a hand much like the first night they met, headphones tucked into his pocket and eyes wandering over Elliot's arms because hooooly shit. He doesn't say anything for a minute, and it's clear he's squinting a little to make out exactly what the hell's going on there. When Elliot speaks up though he just shrugs.]

It's nothing. Just...people being people. [A wry grin matches the friendly one.] You know how it is buuut it's really not an excuse to freak out at everybody else. [Despite the fact it feels good to bitch at somebody and Kelsi's not around to calm him down. Different classes today.] The last straw was having to deal with a bunch of inconsiderate suitemates.

Like I said , moving out is the best thing I ever did. Four dudes in a room and one of them is gay? They're a going to be a problem. [mostly Elliot freaking out over all the girls they were having sex with, but that was when he was still going at everything a little /too/ hard. ]

Maybe it's fate that brought you here, not just your stupid roommates. [elliot do NOT flirt with Ryan Evans. ]

And like I said, I have to wait until next year before I can even consider it. I know it's supposed to be this whole "getting integrated and socializing with your peers" and probably preparing all of us to not have jobs once we graduate unless you're really good but I swear there are too many people in too small a space. [But at least the grin's melting into something a little more natural and open as he watches Elliot work, fingers still drumming out the beat to the song he'd been listening to.]

If fate's disguised as someone not buying more coffee or washing the rest of the coffee mugs, then I'd believe it. [Aw, but he kinda likes when Elliot flirts with him. It's...nice. Even if it's completely not a thing that should be happening and isn't happening. Elliot's just Elliot and as far as Ryan knows he's only Starchild and Starchild's engaged with everybody.] By the way, you could have warned me the mai tais would give me a wicked hangover the next morning.

[ There it is, that strangely musical laugh. ] You felt bad? I had to go into work feeling like I'd been run over by a truck.

[ And he turns, grabbing the steamed milk and pouring it in to the cappuccino cup. Big cups mean Ryan stays longer. ] Totally worth it, though, I had a blast.

I had to go to four classes back to back trying not to throw up on everyone I knew. I'm pretty sure nobody wins in this case.

[He's eyeballing that cup, tilting his head and allowing himself to fully grin.] Me too. I mean that whole evening started out as a complete flop but…you really made it something. Thanks.

[Part of him wants to say that they should do it again sometime, but he doesn't want to make this into a big deal. Casual. The whole thing has to be casual because Elliot made it casual first.]

Kinda gives me incentive to check out more places in the city, y'know? Plus I think if I spend any more time in my dorm than necessary I'm actually going to choke one of my roommates.

Well, Dani and I are out on Thursdays after our shows most of the time, but Sunday Funday is my main jam. You should come out.

[he pauses what he's doing to look Ryan straight in the eye. ] it'll be fun.

I have no idea what that means, but sure, count me in. [He's holding Elliot's gaze for a minute even as he's reaching for his wallet.] It sounds fun whatever it is and Sundays are, like, one of the only days I actually have off after 8am.

Cool. So you're hanging around here for a while, you said? [ Keep it casual, Gilbert. He rings up the coffee, announces that it's just over 4 bucks, and is already writing his number on the receipt before Ryan even pays. ]

'Cause it'll be cool to just chat with someone who doesn't think Tolstoy's all that and High Fidelity is God's gift to man. [ And, a stage whisper: ] It's not even that good a movie.

Sounds like you could use my assistance then. I'm more of a Say Anything kinda guy myself anyway. [As far as John Cusack movies go, at any rate. He looks at the receipt briefly, not at all missing what Elliot's doing and he pulls a ten out of his wallet to shove into his hand. There you go, bill and a six dollar tip.]

Don't you have to get back to work though? [He'll just make a grab for the cup, taking a tentative sip before there's something that can only be described as a purr of content as he deems it satisfactory.] Not that I wouldn't love to waste your time but don't bosses generally not like that?

[Ahaha what is having a real job, what is having to earn money.]

[ And that's why Elliot taps the receipt before grabbing the money and automatically beginning to make change at the till. ]

That's why we text if someone comes in. Think of it like working at Macy's or JC Penny's. [ Both of which he's done and both of which he's hated with a passion. ]

Unless this was the part where I was supposed to reveal that I own the place and I'm about to alleviate you from your student debt by giving you a job?

[He swipes the receipt, already moving to log the number into his phone even as Elliot talks. He puts his wallet away though and gives him a look. Don't even think about change, dude. Seriously.

Of course that flat look turns into something a little more perplexed because…well first of all what the fuck is a JC Penny and secondly what does that even mean? He just blinks, 100% clueless before he just gives him another awkward grin, shrugging to himself.]

Lucky for you, I don't have any kind of debt to speak of. And double-lucky for you I don't really have time for a job. [Nor does he want one. He's not above working if he needs to but…not this. No way in fuck.]

[ No debt? The guy's going to college for dance, and he has no debt? Or time for a job? No one has time for a job, but everyone's got one. The confusion that was on his face when Ryan puts his wallet away and leaves him with the change has now shifted to slightly amused. He laughs, and it's not the same musical type. It's the slightly sarcastic, catty sort of laugh he saves when someone's telling him a really bad joke and he has to laugh because it's polite. ]

Right. [ But hey, he's not going to say no to a huge tip, and he dumps the change into the rather empty tip jar--it's been a slow morning. ]

So? Going to curl up with a Jack Kerouac novel?

[He catches the shift and he belatedly realizes that everything he's doing, while acceptable back home, isn't really normal here. So instead he just lets his gaze wander the cafe instead of meeting Elliot's eyes because it's easier to pretend he's not completely socially awkward still. Plus it's damn good coffee and he's going to enjoy it.]

Very funny. I'm actually not a huge reader and listening to Kerouac via audiobook is boring as shit. If anything I'm a magazine person. [Because pictures are better than words. Pictures can help him guess context if he can't decipher words while they're floating off the page…but Elliot doesn't need to know that, either.]

I think it's cute that you think I know anything about everything you're namedropping. [He does though, that's the problem. He does and he just sort of smirks in response.] Also I think it's a subtle way of making fun of me but I can respect that.

I never make fun of anyone. [ Sarcasm, thy name is Gilbert. He bats his eyelashes like he's in a club acting incredibly innocent.

Someone comes in and he switches to work mode--kind, courteous, and not at all like the actual Elliot or Starchild, and once the pretentious hipster leaves he's right back to leaning over the counter in his Queen shirt and stupid, stupid apron. ]

Sorry. Some people think I'm really, rally catty.

[He doesn't say anything as he watches, though there's a little thoughtful look that follows as he sees the transition come full circle.

Starchild, it seems, is kind of a multifaceted asshole and that's okay. Ryan gets it. Nevertheless he knows better than to really get close until he gets a better read so he just sort of snorts into his coffee at the comment.]

Some people know I am. [If earlier that morning is any indication.] What does that all really mean though? Do you think you are, and furthermore, do you care?

Getting serious, are we? [ But Elliot's amused, and.. honestly? Surprised. No one asks him why, they all have just known him to be the voice of reason, the surprisingly zen clubber who's surprisingly honest and earnest, if blunt. ]

I just don't like bullshit, I think. I try to be as honest as possible, and if people think I'm being mean, then they think I'm being mean. I don't have time for that sort of stuff.

The catty thing, though--yeah, I can totally be a bitch without realizing it. Something I'm working on, not everyone appreciates sarcasm and being told that their jacket was last year's Vogue.

[He just responds with a closed-lip smile because yes, he's serious. He wants to hear the real answer. When Elliot gives it though he finds that it's a solid answer and it's something he resonates with. He can appreciate that and honestly? It's something he finds in himself, too. He hates being lied to and he's dealt with enough underhanded bullshit in his life as a performer to want to deal with it all the time.

Instead of saying all of that though…]

Wow you would get along great with my sister. [He shakes his head.] But I get it. Trust me, I get it. I know it's New York and nobody understands the word honesty but I don't see why people try to lie when you can see right through them. I don't like being a doormat so if people get mad if I push back? They can find somebody else.

…though considering my best friend used to willingly shop at Good Will I'm pretty sure I draw the line at slamming someone's fashion sense without trying to actually help.

Excuse me, Good Will is a treasure trove. [ To prove his point, he tugs on his T-shirt. ]

Oh my God, that's insulting. Most of my shit comes from Goodwill. [ Nah, he's joking.

..Mostly. His stuff DOES come from goodwill. ]

[So much for keeping Elliot at a distance because he's grabbing his phone again, quickly navigating to his Facebook page and pulling up an old photo of Kelsi in her clothes from junior year. They're hideous. Let's be real they're really hideous and the photo itself makes it obvious that Ryan was sitting on her piano when he took it.]

My case in point. Do you see this? Do you see what a horrible thing Good Will actually can be? [In which he's quickly flipping to a much more recent photo of Kelsi from prom.] This is why I can't advocate that kind of shit. Treasure trove or not it buries beauty when it shouldn't be buried.

[On the other hand that t-shirt wears Elliot well so maybe he should just shut the fuck up.]

Oh. Oh, my God. [ He pulls the phone a little closer, squinting. ] She has eyes to kill for and she's hiding them with those? I would kill to be that slim, holy shit.

[ The phone is handed away, and Elliot sighs. ] Case in point, and I salute just how good of a friend you really are. Friends don't let friends wear cargo pants.

Exactly. [He looks self-satisfied as he pockets the phone again, shaking his head.] Trust me, this is why she has me and it's like…I tried to tell her that she's adorable and that being a lesbian isn't a choice but she can at least choose to be a pretty one. [Ryan why do you have zero problems outing your best friend but not yourself what the fuck.]

…she really is gorgeous though. It disgusts me. [But he's grinning. He's definitely proud of her.]

Not my type. She has boobs. [ Simple and as about as matter-of-fact you can be, and Elliot waves it off slightly comically, moving to shove a few things in the dishwasher as he talks. Gotta do his job, after all. ]

Oh, hey, thanks for the tip, by the way.

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Night bb <3

sleep well <3

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