A New Future (rp)

She opened her mouth to agree, only to be interupted by the sound of thunder again. She squeaked, and got up, stumbling a little from getting up too quickly. "N-no, I'll walk with you."

"Alright, then here." he set down his keys just long enough to take off her jacket and drape it over Mari's shoulders, then he smiled once again and retrieved his keys. "So you dont' get a cold on top of everything else" And with that, Jules started for the door

Jules's jacket smelled nice, like cherries, and maybe something else. She followed behind him. "W-wait, what about you?"

"The dramatic prat grabbed a shank and stabbed it like ripped it open, then got a hold of his father's gun and shot it twice, THEN he drenched it in gasoline and set it on fire. Just where on the scale would you place that reaction?" he said with a large smirk. Although that prank had been rather innocent and low key for him, he couldn't help but feel rather happy he had done it... for multiple reasons. "May Victoria rest in peace~" he added rather smugly.

Victoria scoffed. "I'd rate that reaction a nine," then scowled darkly. "And may Victoria continue burning in the depths of Hell."

At the thought of that absolutely horrifying ugly plush bunny, she couldn't help an amused smile. "Seriously, did you have to name the thing after me? I mean, there's plenty things that would've ticked me off that day that didn't involve you implying I'm that ugly."

He frowned. Implying she was ugly had never been his intention. He couldn't help but mentally curse a bit. He hadn't cared how she had taken him naming the rabbit after her before (but it hadn't been to insult her looks), and couldn't pinpoint why it felt as if it was biting him in the ass now. "I wasn't trying to imply that you were ugly. I only thought it would annoy you. You overestimate me that much, huh? I'm flattered." He smirked a bit. "I was only trying to piss you off."

"Well, you've definitely met your goal," she deadpanned. "I was right pissed. I think that if I went back to that moment, even if I knew you're not all that bad, I'd still want to strangle you."

She let a small smile settle on her face.

"But, you know, I did show you up on that day."

The thought of the groceries she'd let him pay for and carry was still way too amusing.

He subconsciously smiled a bit at the 'not that bad' comment. He rolled his eyes playfully, still a bit bitter over his 'loss' but finding the memory amusing nonetheless. "Yeah, yeah. You seem ever so proud of that accomplishment. Should I get you an engraved trophy? Or will you leave me with that in the middle of a stupid mall too?" he said with a smirk.

Victoria smirked back at him.

"No need for a trophy. The look on your face once you realised what I was doing is prize enough for me," she let out a giggle that she cut short. God, giggling. She'd been around her coworkers for way too long. "I can still remember it. Shame I didn't have a camera with me-- I would've made you a shirt with the picture."

It was nice to think back at what was probably the worst work day of her life and be able to laugh over it with... a friend? Friend sounded accurate, even though some times...

Nope.

He couldn't help but smirk a little at her giggling. It was rare when she did, and he would never tell anyone, but he liked the sound. He rolled his eyes playfully. "Oh you're so hilarious, forgive me for not just falling over in a fit." He smiled as they walk. "So stubborn. Why couldn't you just take the damn things? You know I left some just out in the street? Stray cats probably had a field day." Okay so it wasn't literally 'in the street', he'd left them on a bench outside the library on his way home. If he didn't need them, why was he going to crowd his tiny loft?

She shrugged, her smirk still in place. "That's your problem. It should've occurred to you I'd do that," suddenly remembering something, her smirk widened. "Besides, I've been merciful. Before we reached check-out, I actually considered making you put all of them back on their respective shelves. That would've been lots of fun to watch."

She stopped, vaguely noticing they'd reached their destination. "But I guess I'm just a kind person. Well, in comparison."

Gil rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah well... I know it's not really my place to say anything... But, have you ever considered staying off duty?... Maybe going back to school or something...?"
---
She felt the awkward silence linger, making her eager to change the subject. "... So what sort of things do you edit?"

She raised a brow, her smile now fast fading. "You're right. It's not you're place... If I could, then I'd do something about it, but I can't"

"You could get help you know... There are programs..." Gil trailed off, knowing he was once again overstepping his boundaries. "It's just something you should consider. What you do is dangerous..."

By now her smile had gone from a playful smirk to one very unimpressed, tight-lipped line. "I know that what I do is dangerous, but I still don't think it's your place to tell me all this. I've been dealing with this for a very long time, and I'm trying to find other outlets"

He blinked. "Uhm, a lot of stuff! Books, short stories, comics...sometimes Laura comes by and makes me edit her college papers." He smiled weakly.

"Oh! How's Laure doing?... I haven't spoken to her in ages either." she smiled, happy to have her mind off of her mess of a life.
---
"Look... I'm sorry. I just- wanted to make sure that you know... I'd hate to see you get hurt."

Despite the fact that she barely knew him, that was nice to know... But did seem a bit false and generic, considering how little they knew each other. "Well... thank you. But, there's nothing either of us can do about it." she thought for a moment, then started to search around in her purse, finally pulling out a card. She pressed the card to her lips, leaving a perfect red kiss mark, and slid it across the table to Gil. It was just a plain white business card, with a name and number and no other information. "Just in case you change your mind... Or decide you want to be all noble and offer more advice"

"Good, actually! She's going to school, getting her degree.." He chuckled a little. "Hasn't quite grown up yet, but I think that'll change in a while. She's got a kid on the way."

Gil hesitated, but took the card. "If I call you, it'll be to check up on you. I don't know you very well... but.." He'd connected with her? Gil kept trying to remind himself that that hadn't been real and it was her job to 'connect' with people. "But, if you ever decide you want to get out of this situation, I'll vouch for you." he reached for a napkin and pulled a pen out of his pocket. Then, he scribbled his number down and slid it towards her. "If you ever get in trouble, or end up in a situation that you don't want to be in... Just take it in case."
----
Kelti's smile broadened "Wow, I didn't even know she got married. I'm happy for her!... How far along is she?" Of course Kelti wouldn't consider that someone would have a baby out of wedlock. She simply didn't consider those sorts of things... Although, it was not as if she'd hold it against Laura regardless.

"Ah, that's because she's not married, not yet at least. They're waiting for the baby to be born. She's in her second trimester."

"Oh..." And now she felt stupid. Worried that he might misunderstand her, and think she was unsupportive, Kelti quickly added: "I'm still very happy for her! Do they know what they're having yet?"

He shook his head. "They want it to be a surprise, so no one knows yet! But whatever it is, I'm pretty sure it's gonna look like nice." He smiled. "She's beautiful, and the guy's handsome, they'd have really pretty babies."

She smiled sadly and looked away. "...I can't help, but feel a bit envious..."

Dilyn frowned, before mumbling a soft "Me too..."