RO > call me out; a forever open RP post, version 2

[midvalley]

NEW OPEN RP POST

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[animated]

[ He gives a little shrug ] I don't mind. I know what it's like, not knowing if there's anywhere you truly belong.

Besides, when I first came out here, your family had a big part in helping me get established. It's the least I could do.

[arbitrated]

[ That Charlie has been nothing but kind during all of this has been a balm, and Sandon is grateful for it -- especially during his less than stellar moments in the early days, when Lys would be gone and he had no one and nothing to vent his frustrations on but the Animator.

By now, he's just-- disappointed, when she's not here. And worried, and agitated, and, yes, angry, but more at the situation than anything. And when she is here, sleeping off the days she spent doing who knows what -- he's not quite happy, but calmer, at least. ]

How's the store? [ It's the only thing he can think of to change the topic. ]

[animated]

[ A change of subject isn't entirely unwarranted. They can only talk about Lys for so long before they're going in circles. ]

Doing fine. I'm probably gonna hire some part-time help, just to be around if I can't be. Jacob drags me away more often than not, these days.

[ he actually wants to offer the job to Lys, but considering her current state, that would be unwise. ]

[arbitrated]

I'll be honest -- sometimes I'm surprised you even have much business, these days, and that you haven't given up entirely. [ He says it with a bit of a smile. ] Turned it into a coffee shop, for instance.

[animated]

Okay, first of all, you could not pay me enough money to be a barista.

Second of all, I have plenty of business, thank you very much.

[arbitrated]

I'm going to assume the local high schoolers are keeping you afloat?

[animated]

I'm not having any problem "keeping afloat".

... But the high school kids do help.

[arbitrated]

[ His smile widens a hair. ]

Probably just the need to pick up assigned reading. You know most people buy ebooks, now.

[animated]

[ He can't help but grin back. He's glad to have gotten a smile out of Sandon, even if it is a small one ]

You kids and your new-fangled ereaders.

[ though it occurs to him that he does not, in fact, know how old the shifter is. Alyssa's barely 21, but that's hardly a stick to measure her whole family by considering shifters can live just as long, if not longer, than wizards can. ]

[arbitrated]

[ He holds up a hand, as if to placate him. ]

Sorry, Mr. Maxwell. We'll try to stay off your lawn when we're playing on our iPhones and our Androids and our Kindles.

[ He pauses, giving Charlie a considering look. ]

I doubt you're much older than I am, in any case.

[animated]

Don't let my good looks fool you. I'm coming up on 81.

[arbitrated]

Well, I'm 83, which means you have absolutely no excuse -- except, maybe, that you're just a Luddite.

[animated]

Hey now, let's not go that far. I just like to read on paper, that's all.

[arbitrated]

Alright, fair enough. Partial Luddite, then. Possibly still in the initiation stages.

[animated]

I don't know that I'm gonna go for the full membership. They'd probably make me get rid of my phone.

[arbitrated]

Among other things. Your movie collection, for starters.

It seems disingenuous to keep the membership card if you won't make the sacrifice, though.

[animated]

[ He gasps, pressing a hand to his chest ] Not my movies. That's where I draw the line.

[arbitrated]

[ That manages to coax a quiet laugh from him. ]

It is an expansive collection. It would take ages for you to smash all of them, anyway, and who has the time these days?

[animated]

I mean, I am an Animator, so it's possible, but no. Not gonna happen.

[ there's a little pause, and then, ] Nice to know you can still laugh.

[arbitrated]

[ He pauses, then, and picks up the mug as if to hide behind it. ]

Been a while, I'll admit. [ It's said softly, and he turns a little to check on Alyssa. ] Things have been-- less than ideal.

[animated]

[ Charlie's expression softens, and he follows the shifter's gaze. ]

I know.

Things like this... they don't last forever.

[arbitrated]

[ A few silent seconds pass, and Sandon exhales slowly before turning back to the table. ]

Let's hope so.

[ He doesn't quite smile, but there's something like it in his eyes -- slightly sheepish, for having brought down the mood again. He clears his throat quietly. ]

But the high schoolers. They're visiting your store often? I'm guessing they must come to ogle the good looking almost-81-year-old gentleman.

[animated]

[ Charlie props an elbow on the table, resting his chin in his hand. ]

You think I'm good looking?

[ Let it never be said that Charlie turned down an opportunity to flirt ]

[arbitrated]

[ He hesitates, a bit of color rising to his cheeks. ]

I-- I was actually quoting. What you said earlier, that is.

[animated]

[ Oh no. That was adorable. ]

Oh. Well. You should swing by the store one day. Then they can also ogle the good looking 83-year-old.