The Warehouse
A dark womb of black, and purple encompass The Warehouse nightclub. The room is a fair sized club area that has been built out of an old warehouse. Most of the club has been well-lit with neon tubing, but the lighting around the booths and back wall are shadowed to provide some modicum of privacy. Other than the dance area, the floor is a deep mauve, with light patterns displayed haphazardly on it. A ring of black light surrounds the ceiling, causing the lighter colors in both the club and on the patrons to fluoresce.
A catwalk spreads over the dance floor, the black iron rails holding state-of-the-art varilights and floods which reflect off of the large disco ball that dangles from the ceiling, splashing the LED dance floor with light. The dance floor itself flashes and pulses to the beat of the music, continually changing colors in a neonic frenzy. On tall black step-platforms set out randomly throughout the dance floor are black dance cages, roomy enough for two people to bump and grind to the music in them.
The bar matches the rest of the nightclub, tall and black with a strand of purple LED's running along the sides and the outer edges. The stools in front of it are white and chrome, reflecting the purple light that washes over the bar area. Behind the bar is a high-tech, mirrored drink area with glass shelving. Various libations, ranging from alcoholic beverages to fruit juices and sodas line the shelves.
The music here is blisteringly loud, but startlingly clear. Heavy bass notes throb, speakers buzzing slightly when the volume reaches its peak.
The brittle cold winter air has drove the weirdos and club rats indoors tonight. For some bizarre reason, Carter is here too. Rather than wear his uptight business suit, he at least had the foresight to change into a black t-shirt, black jeans, and a pair of old brown work boots. He hasn't bothered to do much else for his appearance though, save for the thin black rubber bracelet around his left wrist and the bit of gel in his hair. No eyeliner or black lipstick or collars here, boss. He makes his way over towards the bar and looks down at the LED lights, his brows furrowing before he looks up to see a bartender standing in front of him. "Oh. Just a gin and tonic for me." The bartender eyes Carter, smirks, and asks, "Can I see some ID?" Carter can't bother to seem mildly annoyed with the question even though he gets it often enough. He takes his wallet out of his pocket, flips it open, and lets the bartender see his ID. The man gives him a long once over before his eyes flick back to the ID. Eventually the bartender shrugs and starts to make the requested gin and tonic, leaving Carter to get his pockets situated.
-
Running into one's brother when going out is not really oodles of fun. Which is why Scarlett has changed venues tonight. She's here with a few people from the gym, women from her yoga class. They've got a table not too far from the bar, which is how she spots Carter. Something about him seems familiar, and she's been sitting there since he went up to the bar, trying to recall who he is. "Park boy!" Once she's got it, she's moving out of the booth seat and wandering up to the bar. "Beer for me," she says over Carter's shoulder, before leaning against the bar. "Carter, right?"
-
In contrast, Cooper hasn't been legitimately carded ever since she hit the ripe old age of nineteen. There is just something gritty and dark about her general personality, fitting the jaded individuals of their late twenties. And so, she was allowed her alcohol quite easily earlier into the night. Now, dressed in a plain white tank-top, slightly see-through, and a jean skirt, the woman is leaning over the counter a little way away from Carter and now Scarlett, nursing yet another bottle of vodka which she quickly throws down. Apparently, tonight is a night of fun, and not work.
Apparently, fun for Cooper consists of getting almost too sloshed to stand on her own two feet. Not that she ought to be able to stand in those thigh-high stripper boots anyway.
-
Shifts have been irregular as of late due to injuries and family situations. Technically he should still be out for leave but given everything that is happening he just can't keep away. In fact, negotiations of shifts have been discussed for a good hour which is why the best bouncer of the house has been unavailable. The door to the manager's office eventually opens to reveal none other than Robert. A few of those who actually come to see him make notice immediately but he treats them no differently than any other day. His clothing hides the majority of his injuries but it is impossible to miss the broken hand that is set in a cast. Immediately Bobby begins to walk past the bar on his way to the front of the Warehouse. He would have carded Cooper.
-
The blonde boy looks up to see Scarlett there, and he gives her a more warm smile than is normally afforded to everyone else. "Carter, yes. Although I do like the ring of Park Boy, too." He smiles at Scarlett once more before making a little more room for her at the bar. "Scarlett, right? Nice to see you again. Hopefully this time we don't make each other spill anything." The blonde takes notice of Cooper and the bottle of vodka, his eyes widening before he turns back to Scarlett and shakes his head. "Takes all kinds, eh?" He murmurs quietly. Robert isn't immediately noticed just yet, perhaps for the better, lest Carter's tail get tucked between his legs immediately.
-
The fact that he heard her causes a small bout of blushing. Scarlett laughs, then says, "Park Boy it is then. How are you? My brother treating you alright, or making you deal with the fallout from that video?" Sometimes, Scarlett wishes that Ivan wouldn't speak at all. It would have saved her more than one mess to clean up. When Carter points out Cooper, she glances in that direction for a second. "To each their own." As she returns her attention to Carter, she catches sight of Robert. « Oh, crap! What's he doing here? »
-
And that's because Bobby is a poopoo face. Since the current bouncer and/or bartender are not poopoo faces, Cooper is allowed to drink in relative peace and numb out the constant pressure that human minds present to her skull. That, combined with the steady thrum of the base almost drown out the invasive thoughts altogether. Almost, but not quite.
Cooper should not be allowed to stand anymore, with everything that's been forced into her form. She should be, by all rights, passed out on the floor in some gutter. But here she is, standing and now flashing her eyes towards Carter and Scarlett, something surprisingly clear and intelligent behind the glaze of alcohol that covers her.
-
Nothing odd going on at the bar, or odd enough that he needs to stop and investigate. He really is just looking to sit up front and card people for a few hours. Still he is rather thirsty so Robert does walk right up to the bar. The bartender is quick to fill his order, which is nothing but water, before turning to tend to actual patrons. It would seem that the eldest Cornett is in full work mode. There's nothing abnormal about his thoughts and his eyes don't really wander just yet. The water requires his full attention, obviously. Though if he does catch anyone passing out at the bar, even Cooper, they're out.
-
Carter grins, shrugging his shoulders. "I haven't actually seen a lot of Ivan or heard a lot out of him since the video 'scandal'. Mostly I give him his coffee and he mumbles something about my stupid face, then I go about my business." Carter is most certainly NOT secretly gloating about Ivan's conage, nope. He nods at Scarlett's words regarding Cooper before he looks back towards the blonde woman just in time to make awkward eye contact. There's a sharp intake of breath from him before he turns back to Scarlett with an easy smile. "So considering that, I'm doing fairly well. What about you?" He doesn't seem to realize that Scarlett's attention has wavered to Bobby for a minute, rather focused on trying to figure out what the Hell she's up to.
-
"Huh?" Scarlett pulls her eyes off of Robert so that she can talk to Carter again — her entire reason for coming up to the bar. "I don't think your face is stupid, and he's just being a dick." Love for her brother is there, but she has no fear in calling him out on his behavior. "Strange evening, strange day. Feeling pumped as I just finished a great yoga class though." Before which she had some fighting lessons that were strange. "Anyhow, I totally came over to apologize again for the park. I should have been paying more attention."
-
Cooper happens to be positioned directly between Robert and the Scarter duo. Therefore, she happens to be in a rather safe position, despite the fact that she doesn't know it quite yet. Finally finished with her latest binge, she attempts to straighten herself up there, only succeeding in losing her balance and tilting towards the lone bouncer, almost falling directly into him. "W-whoa there!"
-
He really should wear a sign that invites women to fall in to him all the time. Just as he's finishing his drink, Robert turns in time to find a rather tipsy woman falling in his direction. Instinctively he reaches out for her, grabbing her and keeping her fairly close to his chest. It's just the nice guy thing to do. "This seems familiar," he speaks as he tries to figure out how to right her without actually injuring his already injured hand. "Come on now. I think that you may need an escort." In fact he's looking around for one of his coworkers to help and that's when he catches sight of Scarlett. It actually causes him to smile.
-
Carter laughs when Scarlett says that his face isn't happy in her opinion, grinning briefly. "Thanks for that. Probably the best compliment I've gotten from a girl in a while, and the best I've ever gotten from a Fontane." Carter quirks a brow as Scarlett professes her apology once more. He shakes his head at her. "No, no harm done." He won't mention the myriad of bruising he still has on his back from having fallen. The glamorous life of an anemic isn't so glamorous after all. "You're forgiven. For now. Next time I might not be so lenient." Carter winks at her before he glances towards Cooper falling into Bobby and nods in their direction. "D'you know that guy? He's smiling at you. Man, she is toasted."
-
« He's smiling at me! » Rife with confusion, Scarlett smiles back. Slowly at first, though it becomes warmer with each passing second. "Hey, Slugger! Don't treat her too roughly now," she calls out, teasingly. With a laugh, she turns back to Carter. "Yeah, he beat the crap out of my brother." Simple explanation, but it works. Much easier than explaining the mixed signals from earlier. "I'm a Fontane like no other," she says to Carter. "Consider everything you know about Ivan, and then consider the pretty much diametrically opposite of that, and you have me." Her beer finally arrives, the bartender is paid and given a tip, and then she takes a small sip. "Plus, I'm better looking."
-
Cooper, luckily, is caught. Looking over her shoulder, she stares almost childishly, with her mouth agape, at Robert. After a couple of moments, she recognizes the fact that his mouth was moving, which then brings to mind the fact that he was probably talking to her. This prompts the girl to giggle happily, realizing that for once, she has no idea of what he's thinking or saying. "Heehee. What?" She is in no hurry to pull away from the man, and is almost unaware that she's currently being held up to his chest. In fact, there is very little she's actually aware of.
-
It looks like there will be no relief for the man just yet. He shoots a glance to Scarlett, one pleading for help, before he looks down at Cooper. "You've had way too much. Hey, how old are you?" Yes, he /does/ work here and he is going to ask. Even so he continues to hold her. It would be rather intimate looking if he wasn't so awkward about it. "I can call you a cab if you need one." It doesn't even strike Bobby to be nervous that Scarlett is around, or that she's seeing him hold someone else. He's just there, after all. "I'm not going to let this one fall on her ass. I don't think she can take it like you can." He then allows his eyes to move over to Carter since he's apparently here with Scarlett. « Good thing I resisted. »
-
« Damn right you're better looking than Ivan. Smarter too. And less of an asshole. » "I'm definitely not arguing that point," Carter says. His own drink came with Scarlett's, although he looks at it dubiously now. After considering it for a moment he finally takes a small drink. When Scarlett says that Bobby beat the crap out of Ivan, Carter's brows raise in interest. "Oh ho ho, really? No offense, but I think I need to shake that man's hand. He looks away from Scarlett once more to watch the unfolding shenanigans between Cooper and Robert, taking another sip of his drink. When he hears Bobby's words to Scarlett, he furrows his brows. « Take WHAT like she can? … »
-
« Hussy. » Scarlett is just sort of glaring at Cooper at this point, but is then drawn back to Carter when he speaks. "I can introduce you if you'd like. Looks like he may need some help over there." A longer drink is taken from the beer, before she hands it to Carter. "Give me a minute, would you?" Then she's wandering over to that pleading look Robert is giving her. "Need some help, Slugger?"
-
"Seventy-four," Cooper informs Robert, blatantly lying without a care in the world. After a second, she finally makes her way to her own feet. "Thanks…you. Stranger. But I'm like, okay. I can take care of myself." And with that, she attempts to push away from him, blonde hair flying around as she turns to stare in an almost disconcerting manner at Scarlett. "There's no need to be hateful and jealous, sweetie. If you want to make him as yours or something by pissing all over him though, go right ahead." This prompts a snicker to escape from her lips, chipper and bright and oh so inebriated.
-
The answer he's given pretty much sums up his thoughts. "I'm going to have to ask you to leave." Yes, the bandaged man is asking her to leave. Still she's trying to get to her feet so he lets her go. If she falls at this point it is her own fault. He can only be so nice, after all. "I guess not?" This is said to Scarlett as Cooper appears to be finding her own feet. "I just can't carry her right now." Then he hears Cooper and just stares. « Don't people like that see how much of a turnoff they are? » Robert shakes his head. "Seriously, there's no need for this, Miss. I'll walk you out." Beat. "Sorry, Scarlett. I'll take care of it, though. You should go back to your date."
-
Carter's jaw drops when Cooper starts telling Scarlett to piss on Bobby. That took a turn for the random and disgusting he wasn't expecting. He quickly puts the gin and tonic back — something he's surely going to regret in about fifteen minutes. "I… uh. Huh. Wow, I thought your brother was vicious when he talked to me. Girls really step up the game, eh?" Carter asks, before he catches Bobby's words. "Oh, we're not… yeah…" He clears his throat awkwardly. « This isn't a date. Unless she's stalking me. That would be awesome. » "Can I give you some help with her? I heard you beat Ivan up. That makes you my new personal hero. I'm in your debt or something."
-
"There's no hate or jealousy here, sweetie," Scarlett says extremely smoothly. "Considering I'm the one that's sober… aww, screw it." Her stance loosens up a little, she gives her body a shake, then she "practices" the punch she was taught earlier in the day. Aiming it right for Cooper's cheek. It may not be the hardest punch in the world, but the intention is to daze her enough that she can drag the girl to the door and drop her with the bouncers. "This would be a hell of a lot easier if just shut the—" « fuck up, bitch. » Glance to Robert « He's way too sweet for his own good… » and a shake of the head is given. "Carter? He's not a date, he works with my brother."
-
Cooper twirls around dramatically, ignoring everyone to peer at Robert, as if looking into his soul with her crystalline eyes. But she's not - she's merely looking into his head. "I'm twenty-three, you tight ass." Ignoring the others, she is caught one hundred percent off-guard by the sudden hit, and the woman collapses onto the floor, a bedraggled mess. For a little while, she lies there, seemingly punched out.
But then, the laughter rings, rich and true. Slowly, she lifts her head up and brushes the stream of blood off of the corner of her mouth, her lips curled into a humorless smile. "Real nice and upstanding of you, there. You're the biggest hypocrite of them all - the self-righteous shit that likes to think she's good, she's better than the rest." She declares, proud and scathing in her words. "Everything you say and do is a lie. You're no better then your brother." And then, she turns to Robert, and her expression hardens. "Such a good guy, aren't you? A good…nice guy. I wonder, did you tell little miss bitch over there that you're engaged? Were you planning on it before or after you kissed her? Were you going to tell her period?"
It is then that she, shakily, makes her way to her feet. "You're all the same. Everyone's all the same. At least I don't pretend like I'm anything more than a piece of shit. You hypocrites and liars and cheaters would do well to do the same. Think of that before you get on your moral high-horse and start judging bitches." And off she wobbles.
-
What in the world is going on? It's as if it all plays out in slow motion, every last detail. So much so that the man is having difficulties catching up. "All I did was split his head open, really." It isn't anything to brag about. He's going to continue but then Scarlett decides to use what he's taught her. He'll have to deal with that soon but first he drops to the ground. The drunken blond is his immediate concern and he moves to check on her. Only to hear the laughter. He remains crouching there through her little speech, and even after he leaves. His good hand runs through his hair as he lowers his head. That could have gone far better. There's no saving anything at this point and so he doesn't even try. No. Robert finally stands and turns to the bar, immediately ordering a refill on his water. The other bouncers are waved off to keep Scarlett from being escorted out.
-
Any fantasies that Carter has about Scarlett stalking him are quickly laid to rest when she pronounces that he's just a guy who works with her brother. He motions towards the bartender, points towards his glass, and nods in the affirmative that he'd like another. He pounds his fist a little bit on the bar when he hears Cooper's revelant but angry ranting. That drink just can't come soon enough. "Another beer for her too…" Carter mutters weakly to the bartender and gives the briefest of smiles back towards Scarlett. "Nice moves you've got there. I'm hoping that Ivan doesn't punch like you, otherwise I'm probably in for a world of hurt one of these days." Carter nods to Bobby for a minute before he tries to tune the other two out with limited success. Bartender, hurry with the alcohol.
-
Punching people, apparently, does not make them shut up. What it does is twist the hell out of her wrist since she wasn't holding the punch properly. There is a grimace on Scarlett's face, and part of her wants to stalk after Cooper, injured wrist and all. "Drunk, bitchy, telepath." Never met one before, and now she's quite happy for that. If this is how they all act, they're definitely not people that Scar would ever want to associate with. When the beer is ordered for her, she holds her wrist up. "Ice would be nice too, please." Far too good to be upset at the situation with Bobby, she forces a smile for Carter's benefit. "Ivan's not a fighter, he just… neither am I. I was taking defense lessons, but those are pretty much over now, I think." A sidelong glance is sent in Robert's direction, and she sighs. She starts to call out to Robert, "Slug—" but he's busy working, and now is probably not the greatest time for a friend-to-friend discussion anyhow.
-
This just isn't what he wanted. Orders are given to a few people, one of which making sure that Cooper is completely out of the establishment. He then tells the bartender to put all the drinks for Carter and Scarlett on his tab to be taken care of at a later date. Finally he decides that it is time to be a man. He walks up to Scarlett, jaw set. "I did say that I was sor…" It's only then that he actually notices her injury. Robert holds out his hand as he did at the gym, hoping to inspect it. There doesn't seem to be any motivation other than general concern. "Let me make sure you're okay? Then I'll just go." It isn't that he's trying to be rude by ignoring Carter, but this entire situation is awkward. "Drinks are on the house. The owner would insist."
-
The ice, the beer, and Carter's second gin and tonic comes. He slams back the g&t in short order. When he tries to pay the 'tender and finds his money is no good, he lets out something of a sigh. Bobby has this one wrapped up, fiance or not. "Are you alright, Scarlett? If you are, I think I'ma take off." There's a pause before he does the slightly unthinkable and takes a business card from his pocket. "If you ever feel like introducing me as something other than the guy your brother works with, give me a call. Even if it's just to talk." Carter nods to Bobby. It's one of those manly nods that expresses everything a man should need to express at a time like this.
-
Unlike at the gym, Scarlett keeps her hand to herself for a moment. Grudgingly, she holds it out to Robert. "I think I twisted the wrist. Haven't quite mastered the art of punching smart-mouthed telepaths yet." The card is taken from Carter with her other hand, and she just blinks at him. "Thanks, Carter." Uh, well she'd reach to give him a card for the studio but her hands are sort of occupied. The business card is slipped between her lips and she reaches into her pocket for a slightly mangled card which is held out. "Here," she says in an awkward, muffled voice.
-
He really isn't trying to interfere with Carter and Scarlett, he really isn't. This is just too much for him and he feels responsible for it. The same gentle care is taken as he looks at her wrist, wincing as he does so. Robert tries to stay out of the interactions as much as possible except for the nod that he does make a point to give Carter. It really is a man thing. "You should have it looked at," he offers, his eyes back to her wrist and not to her actual person. "I can have someone take you." The hand in the cast does clench at it all, though. "At least my sister isn't so arrogant."
-
Carter takes the business card from Scarlett, smiling with vague amusement before slipping it into his pocket. "Thanks. I'll call you soon then." There's no sense in crowding her if Robert is going to take care of her. It really is pretty damned awkward. Already there's a bit of a stumble in Carter's step, one he hopes that the other two won't notice as he beats a hasty retreat out of the club.
-
"I'll be fine, Slugger. It's not broken. I'd be crying if it was broken." Scarlett does look a little as though she wants to cry, but she grabs the beer with her now freed hand, after slipping the card in her pocket, and downs it nearly all at once. "You're engaged," she says randomly. "I should apologize for earlier then. I had no idea that it was so… serious."
-
He doesn't cry. He gets angry, extremely angry. Luckily for everyone he has someone around to keep him from further injury. "I'm still concerned. You don't want to end up like me." It isn't until she mentioned the engagement that Robert bothers to look up at her. He's being completely open, not at all sheepish or charming. "There's a funny story behind that," he explains. "You know that ring I bought off of you? Well, I dropped it and went to pick it up. When I did…" He can't even fully explain it as he wasn't expecting it at all. "So there was confusion. Then more confusion. And I didn't want her to feel bad. She is the only person to tolerate me."
-
The beer is finished before she reaches for the ice to set on her wrist. There is a lot of noise milling about them, and more than one guy tries to buy her a drink for laying out the drunk girl, but she just shakes her head at them. "What? With the broken wrist, the confusing potential engagement, or the randomly punching strange mouthy bitches?" Laughing, Scarlett reaches up and runs a hand through her hair. "Not the only one, Slugger. Don't sweat it though. I'll totally understand if you want to cancel the lessons on Thursday, or the fighting lessons."
-
The multiple choices actually cause him to blink before laughing. "I was talking about your wrist." When she moves the ice to it he actually attempts to hold it there. He's being sweet again. "I don't wish any potential engagements on you. I'm not complaining, and if that's what she wants I guess I will do it, but I really wasn't planning on it at all. Especially not with everything else." No, he will not be like this. Robert dares a smile as if testing to see if she'll walk out on him. "We can't stop. If you keep hitting people like that you will end up like me."
-
"It's just a wrist, but not a word to Ivan. It's bad enough Carter will likely mention something, and then I'll never hear the end of it." Scarlett is meant to be the responsible one. The good girl. Not the one to start fights, and not the one to punch people. "Is it what you want? If I were you, Slugger, I'd think on what you just said. If it's not something you want to, do you really want to resign yourself to it and hope it all works out for the best? Marriages like that don't work." Not that she knows from experience. "Not that it's really my place to say anything either. Your life and all that."
-
"The funny thing is that nothing will get out of here other than what Carter says. My guys? They're cool." He doesn't run the show here, not by a long shot, but he does seem to have a bit of pull. The bouncers do all answer to him. "By that time we'll have it set so you can be the one to teach him a lesson." Enter the charming grin, the attempt to lighten the situation. Robert sighs then when she mentions the rest. "I was attracted to her issues at first. It isn't that I don't care because I have learned to but I don't think marriage is right. She's young and I'm, well, look at me." His hand will linger on her wrist for as long as she allows. "No. Don't say that. I care about what you have to say." Hello mixed signals. Hell, even /he/ doesn't know what he's saying.
-
"Considering they've not thrown me out of here for starting a brawl, I'm going to guess that they are." The ice is shifted just a little, and Scarlett sighs. "Much as I'd love to sometimes slug Ivan in the face and knock the smarmy attitude out of him, I don't think I could ever actually hit my brother." While she works on not concentrating on how much her wrist hurts, she listens to what he says with a sympathetic ear. "So the logic in me says that maybe you should sit down with her and explain how you feel? Chances are, she could be feeling the same way but thinking you want all the hoopla." Then he's putting himself down again, and she glowers. "Slugger, if my wrist wasn't killing me, I'd smack you. There's not a thing wrong with you."
-
He actually chuckles. "Look at me. Do you know how I got so banged up, and where? Besides, most people are likely thankful for what you did. Telepaths like that are dangerous." He doesn't even seem set off by it all, like he's familiar with how they work. He continues to fuss at her wrist. "Do you want me to get you something? Aspirin or anything? I can." The way that Robert is acting might be evidence as to why he makes a decent boyfriend. "She mentioned someday. I think she's more leveled headed than that. I just don't know. I want to be happy, but I didn't plan on all of this. Any of this." Drama. Scarlett is the one woman in his life that isn't full of it. Another sheepish smile before he laughs. "You know, I've been smacked in the face twice since Dad died. You can always use me for practice throwing a punch with your off hand."
-
"I'm guessing that one," she says of the broken wrist, "Was probably partially on my brother's face. The rest of it was busily blowing off steam in dive bars to get over your loss." Scarlett is far from psychic, but she's got a good idea as to why he was drinking with her brother that night at Absinthe. "Somehow I don't think aspirin and beer will go together at all. You still got that amulet I let you borrow earlier?" That will help long enough for her to get home at least. "Like I said, it's not my place. You'll know if you have to talk about things or not." Rethinking the tango lessons for sure though. A quiet laugh rings out, and she smiles at him. "I wouldn't dare. I don't even think I'm cut out for fighting at all."
-
Hello, sheepish. He actually blushes as she guesses very close to the truth. "I never actually hit him, you know. I just introduced him to the wall. He didn't even try to fight back. I don't get that, either, because it would be very easy to cripple" Oversharing again. When she mentions the amulet he finally pulls his hand away from her wrist. He works as best he can to get it off but it just doesn't seem to be going too well. "It's all yours if you can get it." He even bends down lower to her height for her to get it. "I think you've got the right spirit, Grace, it just takes practice. It isn't like I was a natural right away." Leaning down closer to her actually causes him to look away. It's a good thing she isn't psychic or else she'd know exactly why he should leave.
-
This time, she avoids looking at him when he leans closer. Especially considering he's engaged, whether future or not. Her good hand reaches up, tickling the back of his neck briefly as she grabs for the string that the amulet is on. After a few fumbles, she manages to take it off of his neck and sloppily slip it onto her own. Scarlett licks her lips, and stares down at her hand. "Now if you wouldn't mind getting me a cab? I can be out of your hair in no time."
-
It likely is best for both of them to avoid and ignore everything that's happened today. The sad part is that Robert doesn't work like that. When he cares for someone he cares for them. Masking feelings is just not an option. When she retrieves the amulet he stands tall once more, looking down at her as if she were the only one in the room. Bobby attempts to place a hand on her shoulder as he watches her, his mind churning to decide just to what level he cares for her. "I could drive you but something tells me you want to get away from me as fast as possible." He's almost like a hurt little boy but turns his attention to the bartender and makes the signal of a phone. Universal speak for a cab. "So I can do the next best thing."
-
Scarlett is the good one in the family. Not as good as Helen, maybe, but she's definitely better than Ivan. There is a glance over at the hand on her shoulder, and she keeps her eyes on it for now. "I just don't want to complicate things for you, Slugger. I really don't." When his attention goes elsewhere, she carefully moves the ice from her wrist, and holds her arm up against her chest. It's no longer in pain, for the moment, but it's freezing. "I've said it before, and I'll say it again, you're a good guy."
-
"You're not, trust me." It is complicated, all of it, but she's not causing any of it. "Nothing happening is happening because of you. Besides, I'm not complaining." The hand moves from her shoulder finally. He makes a move, as if to cup her cheek, but he changes instead to reach for the bag of ice. "We've kind of hit on this before. I'm extremely protective of people I care about. Part of me wants to make sure that you get home, safely." Robert makes no move to look away from her as he is not ashamed of what he's saying. "I won't make you uncomfortable, though. I promise."
-
He may not think that she is, but she is. Scarlett just watches the hand, and then nods. "You have mentioned that, but I'll be fine in a cab. I'd walk but the studio is across town." … "You're not making me uncomfortable. I'm making me uncomfortable. That damnable telepath made me uncomfortable. Going to have to work on something new to shield that crap. Wonder if I could…" Her thoughts, now safely on work rather than where that hand was going to reach, seem to put her at ease. Which is when she slips away from the bar, offering only a distracted wave to Robert, trying to get out to the cab before she can complicate things further for him.
