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.
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. ]
[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. ]
[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.
[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. ]
I don't really like it sometimes but it's still something that has to be done. And anyway maybe I'm just an exception to most rules. I'd say "well don't be nice" but pretty sure that's the kind of thing that'd get you fired. Maybe?
Maybe? I'd be out faster then RuPaul starts a Kiki. You act like you've never had a job in your life.
[ He's shaking his head, and they're interrupted as a line of preteens wanting to go to the cool yuppie stores around here get their mocha-frappe-whatever, and Elliot is suddenly all smiles and laughter. Luckily, no one complains (he's a good barista, goddammit) but it takes for fucking ever. It's immediately after the door closes that Elliot looks up, notices the time, and narrows his eyes at the clock. ]
And as usual, Ellie is either late or not coming. Awesome. [ Which means he has to deal with the lunch rush on his own, most likely. He gets up and away from the counter, plops himself onto a chair next to Ryan's, and sighs. ]
Of course you watch RuPaul's Drag Race. [He laughs a little, carefully skirting around the issue of never having a job in his life. He steps to the side to let the annoying kids place their orders, idly wondering if he was ever that bad. He's watching Elliot closely, still amazed at the way he rotates through personalities until the last of the kids exits the shop.
When Elliot joins him though he just lifts an eyebrow while taking a sip. The cup's almost empty, but it doesn't help that Ryan's been downing his coffee like it's the last drink on earth.]
If it's any consolation, I don't really trust anybody.
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Date: 2015-01-19 07:18 pm (UTC)[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.
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Date: 2015-01-19 07:36 pm (UTC)[he pauses what he's doing to look Ryan straight in the eye. ] it'll be fun.
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Date: 2015-01-19 07:40 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-01-19 08:21 pm (UTC)'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.
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Date: 2015-01-19 08:27 pm (UTC)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.]
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Date: 2015-01-19 08:36 pm (UTC)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?
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Date: 2015-01-19 08:43 pm (UTC)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.]
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Date: 2015-01-19 09:36 pm (UTC)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?
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Date: 2015-01-19 09:45 pm (UTC)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.
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Date: 2015-01-19 10:01 pm (UTC)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.
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Date: 2015-01-19 10:04 pm (UTC)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?
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Date: 2015-01-19 10:26 pm (UTC)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.
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Date: 2015-01-19 10:31 pm (UTC)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.
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Date: 2015-01-19 10:58 pm (UTC)Oh my God, that's insulting. Most of my shit comes from Goodwill. [ Nah, he's joking.
..Mostly. His stuff DOES come from goodwill. ]
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Date: 2015-01-19 11:10 pm (UTC)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.]
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Date: 2015-01-19 11:37 pm (UTC)[ 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.
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Date: 2015-01-19 11:52 pm (UTC)…she really is gorgeous though. It disgusts me. [But he's grinning. He's definitely proud of her.]
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Date: 2015-01-20 05:43 am (UTC)Oh, hey, thanks for the tip, by the way.
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Date: 2015-01-20 05:48 am (UTC)Sure. You sorta went above and beyond your job and that always deserves to be rewarded don't you think?
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Date: 2015-01-20 05:49 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-01-20 05:50 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-01-20 05:53 am (UTC)[ He sort of half-shrugs. ]
I guess I'm just surprised. There's a lot of people I have to grit my teeth to here. I hate having to be nice.
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Date: 2015-01-20 05:56 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-01-20 08:39 am (UTC)[ He's shaking his head, and they're interrupted as a line of preteens wanting to go to the cool yuppie stores around here get their mocha-frappe-whatever, and Elliot is suddenly all smiles and laughter. Luckily, no one complains (he's a good barista, goddammit) but it takes for fucking ever. It's immediately after the door closes that Elliot looks up, notices the time, and narrows his eyes at the clock. ]
And as usual, Ellie is either late or not coming. Awesome. [ Which means he has to deal with the lunch rush on his own, most likely. He gets up and away from the counter, plops himself onto a chair next to Ryan's, and sighs. ]
Don't trust shady bitches, Ryan.
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Date: 2015-01-20 08:44 am (UTC)When Elliot joins him though he just lifts an eyebrow while taking a sip. The cup's almost empty, but it doesn't help that Ryan's been downing his coffee like it's the last drink on earth.]
If it's any consolation, I don't really trust anybody.
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