Dallas Dispatch
The main room of the Dallas Dispatch never seems to be as organized as it could be. Desks are scattered around the office in no particular order, though they look as if its been attempted to arrange them at least somewhat neatly. Three doors lead out of the main room, the first on the far side of the area leads to the Publishers office. The door along the right wall of the room leads to where the printing machines are kept, and finally the door right beside that one leads to a sort of back room; as well as the bathrooms.
Cork-boards along one wall have articles, some used and some not, tacked up in no particular order. Trash cans are a must, most overflowing with useless paper. More often then not the room is in busy constant motion, the low murmur of conversation the only other sound aside from the occasionally buzz of a radio.
Its early in the evening, later afternoon, and Brian is hard at work. Well.. kind of. Button down plaid shirt has the sleeves rolled up to his elbows with a pair of ripped jeans because being professional at work is one of his main worries ;). He's leaning on the edge of a desk reading a rough draft of an article before handing it back to the dark haired girl behind it. She scowls faintly as he points to the changes he marked before he quirks a grin and she huffs. HA, B' wins. He moves to the bulletin board and tacks up a new article in process before wandering to another empty desk and shuffling through a stack of papers, fingers running threw his brown hair.
—-
Just about the time that most people are getting off of work, is when the door to the dispatch opens, and two people walk in. One, a tall, brown-haired man, dressed in a stark black suit, looking every inch the professional, as he holds the door open for a smaller brunette woman, "I'll be right here, petite soeur." Mignonette looks up, and then back, as Alexandre takes up his place by the door, "I know, frere." With that done, she moves over towards whatever might approximate a reception desk, juggling the box in her hands, to give her a free hand to hit the little bell. You know the one, the one everyone hates. *ching*
—-
A scrumpy little girl wanders around the corner, looking particularly annoyed at being disturbed because she's /so/ busy, and arches a eyebrow in Mignonette's direction, "Can I help you?" she drawls in clearly a very southern accent. Brian meanwhile is so engrossed in the papers on the desk the scotsman is vaguely aware of a 'couple' who had just wandered in and were lingering by the front door. He gnaws on the end of a pen idly, crumbling up a piece of paper and idly chucking it over his back.
—-
Mignonette is not about to be out-Southerned, nor is she about to be intimidated by a little slip of a girl who clearly has nothing better to do than be rude to people coming into the office. Her tone, then, despite the normal softness her accent imparts, is crisp and cool, her business voice, "Yes, I'm here to see Mr. Connelly." And yes, she can sort of see him from where she's standing, but she's not going to wave. "You can tell him Miss Savoy is here. He'll want to see me." Well, maybe he won't, but a bluff is a bluff.
—-
The girl frowns, lips pursing in thought before she glances over in Brian's direction. She cuts her eyes back at Mignonette and sniffs dismissively before leaving the desk to tap Brian on the shoulder. There's a brief conversation and Brian chucks the pen and paper to the desk to straighten, peering over curiously. He beams a smile as he wanders over, waving the somewhat disgruntled girl away as he does, "Oy!" The man cracks a wide grin as he wanders over, giving her a faint hug, "What are ye doin here? Jus' got off work?" He glances over in the other mans direction curiously, giving a polite nod, before letting his attention refocus on the woman in front of him.
—-
Mignonette leaves the box on the counter, such as it is, to come into the hug and return it, before she steps back a bit, looking towards the man who came in with her, "Brian, this is my cousin, Alexandre." She's already mentioned him, so… Alex, for his part, returns the man's nod, though, like any good security consultant, he seems more interested in the room than in interfering with Mignonette's conversation, "Alex, this is Brian Connelly." And the pair do look similar, though not perfectly related, as cousins tend to do. But their green eyes are an exact match. Alex, when he speaks, has an accent no less Cajun than Mignonette, so close in fact there's no doubt they must have grown up close together geographically. He finally does step forward, to offer a handshake, "Good to finally meet you, Mr. Connelly. Coco's told me quite a bit about you." Migs, for her part, just shoots Alex a glare, which skips right off of him like a water off a duck's back, "Yes, we just closed the office, I thought I would see if you were here."
—-
Brian notices the eyes, especially once the man actually approaches him, and he returns the handshake firmly with a wide grin, "Pleasure to meet ye Alexandre," he drawls and at the mans later statement 'ohs' as his brows arch, "Has she? Hopefully not that I may eat her out of house an home?" He chuckles before giving her a warm smile. He leans pack against the receptionist desk, arms folding over his chest comfortably, "Aye, I was finishing up, much to the dismay of the others tha' I'm still here," the man grins wryly.
—-
"Oh no, not out of house and home, no." There's just the smallest hint of a smirk on his face, as Alexandre returns to his position by the door, brushing away another glare from his cousin. Mignonette, however, seems to decide that this would be a good time to take things in hand, "I didn't want to come during the day, i thought it might be a bit too busy, but it occurred to me that I never got you a welcome to your new job gift, and…" She lifts up the box and holds it out. if you take it, it feels rather cold.
—-
Brian blinks as the man moves away and gives Mignonette a curious glance, though the corner of his mouth quirks in a bit of a smile. Brian listens, green eyes widening some, "Ye didn't have to do tha' Mignonette.." he answers, a light chuckle resting on his voice. He'd never really experienced friends just acquaintances so it was a nice breath of fresh air. He takes the box cheerfully before peering at it, "Wha' is it?" He has to refrain from shaking it like a child does at christmas. Yay! A gift!
—-
"There was..something, at the park a few days ago, Alex has decided that I'm to have an escort whenever I'm away from the office or home. Today's his day on." Mignonette doesn't move to open the box, allowing you to do that for her. But when you do, it's an ice cream cake, complete with neatly piped words, "Congratulations on the new job." There's even a picture to go with it, well, sort of. It's Snoopy, dressed up as a newspaper writer, complete with pencil behind his ear. Forks and a plastic knife for cutting are inside, "You'd better open it, or it'll melt."
—-
Brian's green eyes harden just a tick as his jaw clenches. Guess who's gunna do another perimeter check of her houseeee… She was ok, and he still didn't know why he was so protective, but her next words snap him out of it and he eyes his cake once he pops the box top open. A wide grin spreads across his face, "Oy Mignonette, this is great… thank you.." He holds the box in one hand so he can slip an arm around her for another quick hug. "Would ye an yer bodyguard like some?" he questions curiously, that crooked grin plastered on his face happily.
—-
"Alex won't, he has to keep his girlish figure," Migs offers in a stage-whisper, which is seconded by the man waving off the cake. "I, though, would love some. It's chocolate and vanilla." Mignonette accepts the hug, returning it, "I did bring some plates, hold on." And there she goes, rummaging in her briefcase, to bring out a bag of coated-paper plates, "Maybe we should set it down somewhere. I don't want it to melt all over you. And it might improve the disposition of your staff. I know i can always bribe mine with anything sweet." Mostly, because the majority of her staff, aside from a few and the security team, are female.
—-
Brian chuckles before nodding and waving them to follow, "There's a lounge back here, he's more then welcome to sit or watch that door too but everyone in here would rather avoid you before they talk to you," he smirks. He leads the way to the employee lounge area and leaves the door open, settling the cake down on the table. He takes a plate and goes to cut her a piece, waiting to figure out how big of a piece she wants before actually cutting it and setting it on a plate for her, licking his fingers after; oh yeah, manners. XD
—-
Mignonette allows Brian to lead her through the office, curiosity making her pace slow, as she takes in the desks and the walls and the work in progress. "He's just trying to take care of me the best he can. Even if I'm starting to get a bit annoyed at being followed everywhere." Which she is, despite the fact that it does make her feel safer, "Just a small piece, thank you." There are other staffers to think about, and whatnot, "Funny, that a reporter wouldn't want to talk to anyone." Alex has settled outside the door, allowing Migs to step into the lounge alone, so to speak.
—-
Brian grins, "Well its more or less they want to talk to people when its their job.. When they're in here, they feel almost out of element." He eyeballs the staffers outside of the lounge who scuttle back to work as they were trying to figure out B's guest. He grins before cutting a piece of his own and settling down in a rickety folding chair, leaving a more sturdy office chair for her. "So wha' are ye plans for today? Abbs took me to tha fair the other day," he mumbles around cake, "Never made it to the arcade but I'm pretty good with a squirt gun." Beam.
—-
"Did Abbey tell you what happened a few days ago?" She has to ask, and everything, "I've been working, mostly, staying in the house. I haven't really been wanting to get out much. But Kirill and I are getting along much better now than we were." Not that the pair ever got along badly, but. "Talking to people should always be in their element, shouldn't it? I mean, you never know when a story will land in your lap." She takes her time with the cake, seeming to like the ice cream a bit runny before she eats it, "I've always enjoyed the midway games. I hope you won her something."
—-
"You'd think, thas what I'm here to work on," he mutters as he cuts his gaze to the people outside the door. He shakes his head at her as he eats another piece of cake, "No she didn't tell me, what happened..?" It doesn't take him long to finish the piece of cake and snag at least one more tiny piece, "Eh I won her a little panda.." he chuckles, "An' I think I ate enough cotton candy to be just as fluffy as that bear was inside." He grins, munching again, before peering at her curiously, "Ye ok Mignonette?" he asks gently.
—-
Mignonette takes her time with her cake, settling herself as comfortably as she can in the chair, "Maybe you should pass out the cake, before they tar and feather you." She's not that oblivious though, that she's not sure she's part of the equation, "Well, I hope you'll be able to get them up to speed." A silence, long enough that it might seem as if she were ignoring your question, "I was helping a friend teach a dance class at the rec center at Kidd Spring, you know, with prom season coming up, and as I was coming out, there was something, I don't know what, like a dog but not a dog, and there were three more dogs chasing after it, and they were coming right for me." Another pause, and that's enough, likely to tell the rest of the story. Panic attack anyone? "Abbey was there, she drove me home and called Alex to stay with me."
—-
Brian listens quietly, his fork lowering slowly to his plate. He winces, mainly because he can smell the mix of anxiety and fear that comes from her when she speaks about the experience, and then again because he knows the rush to chase a smaller creature. He grunts gently as he sets the little plate down and leans forwards, elbows propped on his knees, "You know if you need anything you can call me, righ'?" he questions gently. A man exits an office at the far end of the room, peering around curiously before he finally spots Brian threw the door and crooks a finger at him to 'come'. He waves a hand before looking to Migs, "Listen, I gotta go finish up with an article but It won't take me very long. Do ye wanna maybe get a movie and jus' relax and talk? Don' have to be about anything special," he shrugs, "Ye c'n come see mah apartment since I got to see yer palace," he chuckles.
—-
Mignonette nods, looking down at the remains of her now soggy cake, "I know that. But I'm not an invalid." Mostly, when it's not dark, "And I don't want you to start thinking of me as the woman you always have to rescue." Whatever else she might say pauses, as she looks over towards the man gesturing to Brian, "Oh, of course, I didn't mean to keep you from your deadline." At the offer of a movie, and conversation, she nods, a smile escaping, "I'd like that. Should I wait for you? or do you want to call me when you're ready and I can come over?"
—-
Brian laughs, "Mignonette, yer far from a woman I feel like needs rescuing all the time." He smiles, "I'd hate to get on yer bad side, I feel like ye c'n take care of yerself when ye are on yer own grounds," he nods his head matter-of-factly. He blinks, "Oh he's fine," waving a hand towards the Publishers office before standing and smiling, "I'll call ye soon as I make it home and get a shower, I got ink all over mah hands," he chuckles. The scot gives her a quick hug, "See ye in a bit?" And walks towards the Publishers office, giving the man outside the door and her cousin a nod in farewell until next time.
Unit #445 - Connelly Apartment
Living Room/Kitchen - The living room and kitchen of Brian's apartment merge into the same room, only an archway separating the two different areas. Through the living room is a door out to a patio; which has a cushioned bench and small table.
In the living room a dark sofa is settled in the center of the room; dark brown leather and big enough for one person to sprawl out or three people to sit. Before the sofa is your basic wooden coffee table, the wood stained dark. In the corner of the room, angled to the sofa so all who sit there can see it, a flat screen is tucked, settled atop a two shelved entertainment area. Beside the TV is a shelf full of DVDs, some bought and most burned. The walls of the living room are covered with photographs of places all over the world and upon close inspection it's noticed that majority of these photos were taken by Brian himself.
As the area splits into the kitchen the carpet stops and is replaced by tan tile. The kitchen isn't anything spectacular and is big enough to fit three people, but not very comfortably. The sink normally has dishes in it and the countertops are generally littered with junk that Brian couldn't find any other room for.
Brian's Room - Brian's room is a little less tidy then the living room and kitchen area. A queen sized bed is pushed against one wall of the bedroom; white sheets and a dark crimson comforter. A single window houses dark curtains to block most of the sunlight if drawn closed; however they usually remain open. Clothes litter the floor more then they do the open closet, and only a few pictures grace his walls here; those of his family mostly as well as photos of the Highlands landscape.
He had finished up at work and made it home quickly to do what else? Pick up his trash! He's tore threw his apartment chucking his dirty laundry and clutter of his apartment into his room where visitation is rare as in none. Due to his efforts the place looks pretty decent. He's changed, still in a pair of semi-ripped jeans he's got a V-neck long-sleeve dark blue shirt one with the sleeves pushed to his elbows. Brown hair is wet and tousled from a speedy shower as he stands in the kitchen attempting to make a cabinet shut all the way, grumbles uttered under his breath.
—-
There's a faint knock on the door, polite, but not overbearing, as Mignonette arrives at the apartment. Alex is apparently off-duty now, because it's Miles who's sitting down in her car parked to be able to keep an eye on the building. Mignonette, for her part, has set aside her business attire. A light spring dress, that falls just above her knees, a pale eggshell creme with embroidered flowers and simple sandals seems to be her dress for the evening. She still has the briefcase though, something she always seems to carry with her.
—-
Brian blinks and peers towards the door before glowering at the cabinet, "Aye.." he calls as he wanders over and cracks it open a peek before opening it all the way, "Hey there." He offers her a warm smile, half peering behind her for any 'shadow' of her guard which he finally figures is scoping out his place. He moves aside to allow the woman to enter, running his fingers threw his damp hair, "Well… this is about it," he chuckles. His whole apartment was pretty much visible from the living room. He closes the door behind her and goes to flick the light to the balcony on before wandering idly away from the door.
—-
"He's downstairs." Mignonette is used to the look behind her routine. It's sort of…a fact of life in her line of work and in her family. "Thank you for having me over. You look great." She does lift up a hand, to flick a curl out of your face, but the hand's withdrawn soon enough. Once she steps inside, she does move to place her briefcase down beside the door, before she walks into the apartment fully. There's only genuine curiosity in her expression, as she makes a beeline for the photographs. And her voice is just as genuine, as she speaks, "It's a great little place. Just enough for one person." A beat, "Well, maybe too, if you're close." The photographs get their due appreciation, "You took all of these?" A hand reaches out, almost touching one, "The Blue Mosque. I've always wanted to see that."
—-
Brian flashes a grin as she flicks a curl from his face before he watches her wander around and shrugs a shoulder casually, "It's a nice place… cozy.. I don' need too much." Maybe a doggy door so the whole shifting and not having clothes thing wouldn't suck as bad as it does but eh, you can't be picky. He smiles as she admires his photographs and nods his head, "Majority of them yes.." Her comment on the one gets a warm smile, "Ye c'n have tha if ye want," he drawls. He wanders into the kitchen and peers into the fridge, "Ye thirsty? I have water, gatorade, fruit juice, a bottle of.." he peers at it, "Ah reisling wine, aaaand some beer." He opens a beer for himself, twisting the cap off as he peers over at her curiously.
—-
Now that Mignonette is turned away from you, it's possible to get a view of her back. The woman has been trying to change up her wardrobe, in light of recent events, but spring clothing are just not as conducive to covering up as she would like. And so, while most of her back is covered by the cut of her dress, you can just see the edge of what looks like a very unpleasant, still healing, but almost there, claw mark just at the bottom of her left shoulder blade. "Oh, I couldn't take that," despite the fact that she wants to. "Maybe I'll get a chance to see it for real one day." She continues to look, giving each photograph it's due, though she does turn her head at your question, "Please, just some water, I'm not much of a drinker, and I'm not sure I ever acquired a taste for gatorade."
—-
Green eyes settle on the claw mark upon her shoulder and he sets the bottle down upon the counter. She must have been one of the ones Abbey was talking about got attacked by that were… The thought makes the man growl, like actually but deep down in his throat. When he realizes he's doing it he covers it with a cough as if clearing his throat and covers his mouth with a fist. "Water it is, m'lady," he quickly comments, gathering a glass of ice water for her. He carries it over and points to the picture she's previously said she liked, "I have copies of all my work… please…" he taps the frame, "'s all yours." Brian gives her an easy smile before he wanders to flop ungracefully upon the sofa, "So. What would ye like to watch, I have quite the collection," he indicates the rack; as if that doesn't scream 'I'm a homebody nerd, check out my movie and video game collection. ;D Rawr.'
—-
Mignonette glances over, catching the sound, and the cough, "You're not coming down with anything, are you?" of course, given the fact that it's this particular southern woman talking, well, she's probably more concerned with getting soup cooking than getting you to a hospital. A smile, as you move into the kitchen, seeming content to watch you, though she does step forward to accept the glass when you come back into the living room, "Thank you, Brian." And then, once he makes the offer a second time, she nods, accepting, "Then thank you. I know just the place I'll put it in the house." A sip of her water, before she sets it down on the table, and heads to the movie collection, "Can i pick any movie I like?" She's already in the process of going through the rather extensive collection.
—-
Brian waves a hand dismissively, "Nah I'm ok, just swallowed wrong," he chuckles. Idiot. The scot watches her and nods his head, "Any movie ye like," he answers her. He watches her curiously, scratching at the now more then stubble upon his jaw line. Darn, he forgot to shave. He picks at it irritatedly as he waits for her to pick a movie. He was generally a rather quiet man and so he doesn't mind sitting there happily sipping his beer as he waits, green eyes narrowing amusedly as he wonders what exactly she'll pick.
—-
"Your collection's just about as big as mine. I spend most of my nights in watching movies." It takes Mignonette a while, to go through the entire collection, before she finally picks out the one she wants. Two, actually, which she carries back over towards the couch. She offers both, "These are the two I'd like to see, you can make the final choice." The first is Apollo 13. The second is Toys, the Robin Williams movie. A momentary glance, as she takes in the living room again, but no, there's only the couch to sit on.
—-
Yeah Brian is lacking when it comes to actual furniture area. As she hands him the movies he peers at them, then her, then the sofa and chuckles, "I won't bite ye." Though he does like to nibble. He scoots to give her a sufficient amount of room before wandering over to pop in Apollo 13 and moves back to turn the TV on. He sits back down, once again making sure she has enough room and doesn't feel like he's crowding her. "I like having movie nights," he comments, shrugging faintly, "I prefer that to the club life really."
—-
There's a blush of colour that darkens Mignonette's cheeks, as she sees your reaction, and tries to wave it off, "It's not that. I just didn't want -you- to feel uncomfortable. I mean, well, i don't really know what I mean, so I'll just sit down." She does settle, though rather than sit back completely, out of deference to her back, she turns, so that she's half facing you and half facing the television, "When I was a little girl, I wanted to be an astronaut. I even got to go to Space Camp, just for one summer." She takes a few moments, to get herself comfortable, before she answers, "So do I. I don't go to clubs that often, usually unless Alex doesn't want to look like a bachelor." Yes, she admits it, he sometimes uses his cousin to run interference for him with girls.
—-
Brian chuckles some at her reaction, "'s ok," he comments. The man leans back comfortably as he hits play on the main menu and drops the remote beside him. A grin cracks his face almost in half, "Must be nice to have close family like tha'," he chuckles. "I go every once in awhile, functions an all that." B' ponders her previous statement and can't help but shake his head, "When I was little I wanted to be a stunt man.." he flashes her a smile, "I was never very good in school but once I hid college I kind of got mah act together an here I am. I figured, Hey! I like cameras! Why not."
—-
"Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't. With Alex, it's nice. He's taken care of me most of my life. He was five when I was born, but he and his mother lived with us. So we grew up like brother and sister." As the movie starts, she divides her attention between the man and the television, though, she's seen the movie enough that she doesn't have to watch it to know what's going on, "I'm glad you didn't become a stuntman, I have to say. You have a really wonderful talent. Would have been a shame to waste it."
—-
Brian periodically sips his beer as he watches the movie and listens to her. Green eyes sliding to her every once in awhile. "Thankyou.." he says gently concerning his talent and spares her a happy smile. "I had a lot of cousins growing up and others who weren't blood but basically were family, all of our parents hung out, ye know.. small town," he sips his beer casually and shrugs, "Maybe one day they'll come visit. Hopefully not all at tha same time," he snickers as he shakes his head.
—-
"I know exactly what you mean. Baton Rouge is exactly the same way, though no one would call it a small town. Everyone knows everyone else, and most people try to help each other and be there for each other. At least the people I grew up around. I suppose we were both lucky in that way." The laughter is shared, at the last, "Well, if worse comes to worse, we can stick them all in my spare guest room."
—-
Brian chuckles, "Oh geez I wouldn't unleash that pack of wolves on ye even for yer spare room," he laughs; no pun intended. "They're rowdy, I jus' happened to be the odd child out," he adds casually. Yeah ok, Mr. Ringleader when he was younger. He sips his beer and stretches his feet out infront of the sofa, wiggling to get cozy in the cushions. Gaze slides towards the glass balcony door at the late evening cast of the sky and he idly glances at her before drinking his beer again and sighing contentedly. He blinks as an afterthought, "If yer hungry just let me know, I'm sure I c'n cook somethin up."
—-
"You can stretch out on the couch, if you want," Mignonette offers, "You don't have to be uncomfortable on my account." She even scoots back, so that she's sitting almost against the arm of the sofa, "I'm just the guest." As for the family, well, "I'm a lawyer, you think I haven't dealt with worse?" There is humour in that. She's no above using the stereotypes people have about her profession to her advantage, "I will. Maybe we can work on something together." Always one to do her share.
—-
Brian shakes his head, "Don't be silly," he comments about him stretching out and her just being the guest, "You can peel yerself off the arm of the couch, I'm fine where I am," he chuckles. Brian tilts his head thoughtfully and hops up to go check the kitchen, "Well.. I don't have too much to offer," he drawls, "Ramen… Velveta Shells…" he chuckles, "I have the things to make beef stroganoff but I doubt ye wanna hang around here for five hours while I throw it in a crockpot," He peers at her curiously before grinning, "Maybe another time," before he goes back to rummaging around in the cupboards, muttering defiances now and then to his shelves.
—-
"It's not as if I have plans." Mignonette does peel herself off of the arm of the couch, but only to follow you into the kitchen, hands flicking her dress straight as she moves, rummaging herself, since you started it, "You've got rolls, or potatoes?" Typical bachelor pad, but who knows, she might get lucky. "Or we could just order out. One of my favourite chinese places isn't far from here." It's close quarters in the kitchen, but she's mostly deft enough to avoid bumping into you.
—-
Brian prods into a cabinet and pulls out a loaf of bread, "Just bread…" he chuckles. He stuffs it back in a cabinet and turns to face her, which doesn't put much space between them. He peers down at her before shrugging, that grin quirking a corner of his mouth, "Chinese sounds good, can't go wrong there right." B' hesitates before sliding past her with a soft, "Sorry.." and wanders threw the living room to his room, aka the disaster zone, to grab his wallet.
—-
Mignonette takes a peek at the bread, her expression playful, as she looks it over for little green men, "No, no, put that away. No one needs to see that." There's more than a touch of humour in her expression, as she looks up at you. Thankfully, you're not SO much taller that she has to struggle too much to meet your eyes. She does try to step back, as you move to leave the kitchen, but barring being able to slide the countertop further back into the wall, it's a close fit. "You can never go wrong with Chinese, especially if you add dumplings." Oh no! There she goes walking towards the bedroom. Disaster! Or not.
—-
Brian laughs from his room, "Can you call and they deliver or do we need to pick it up?" he questions threw the door as he thumbs threw his wallet. The man goes to peer out the door only to meet her gaze and blinks. For the first time somebody in Dallas catches the Scot off guard and Brian's cheeks turn crimson. A foot goes to kick a pair of briefs away from the doorway and he starts shuffling his feet in a way that tosses dirty clothes in less obvious places. Of course that doesn't hide all of the unpacked boxes in his room nor the barely slept in bed thats simply tossed on the floor. Ahem.
—-
Mignonette just can't help it! Particularly after she catches sight of the red in the Scotsman's cheeks, and she peeks around him to get a good gander of his room. "Are you sure you graduated from college, Brian?" Rather than appalled or disgusted, she sounds as though she were trying very hard not to burst out laughing, "You've had some cowboys up in there." She does finally, step back, making room for you to step out and, if you choose, to close the door. But well, the damage is done, as it were. Mignonette starts off back towards the living room, expression as innocent as you please, except for the laughter still in her eyes, "Oh, they deliver."
—-
Brian coughs and goes to speak but simply does the 'open fish mouth' deal where his mouth opens and closes like five times. The pink in his cheeks takes awhile before it disappears as he follows her out and snaps the door shut behind him with a faint grumble. "Oh it's not tha funny woman," he scowls before he can't help but laugh, "Ok.. 's a little amusing.. I guess." he shuffles past her, offering a light jab to the area right above her hip, before tossing his wallet on the coffee table, "Ye know the number or do I need to scavenge mah phonebook out of tha mess," he asks, a hand pointing back to his room with a wide grin.
—-
"Actually, it's absolutely hilarious, I think, man." She's still walking back, when she feels the jab at her side, and lets out a squeal. Clearly, ticklish is one thing Mignonette is, and she reaches out, once you've stopped at the coffee table, attempting to return the favour, though, like most girls, she doesn't play fair and attempt to use both hands. "Back in the room!" Though, of course, she does -have- the number.
—-
The squeal gets a brief look of amusement and Brian can't help but laugh at her; what?? It was cute! As she moves to retaliate he grunts and goes to fend her hands away, strained laughter escaping his mouth. He wasn't /that/ ticklish.. maybe… He grasps her wrists gently, probably the only time he's ever actually touched her aside from a hug, and laughs as he moves them away, "Oh no, don' ye start tha cause I'll get ye good," he warns her in between laughs. Her skin feels extremely cool to him since his own temperature is a lot higher then hers, which he mentally notes, before he releases her and points a finger at her, "Truce!…." Fisheye look.
—-
Mignonette doesn't fight to get free. It was just a momentary thing, and as tickling as she is, she's not about to continue torturing the poor man, "You couldn't, even if you wanted to," she offers, at the threat, before she steps back, moving out of reach, though she does spare a glance for her wrists, before she steps towards her briefcase, "I've got the number right here." For just a moment, as her face is turned away, there's a look of something, hesitation perhaps, or uncertainty, but it's quickly swept away, before she comes out with her own wallet, "Where's the phone?"
—-
Brian scoffs, "I'll wait tell ye aren't expecting it," Sneak attack! He watches her wander over to her briefcase and runs his fingers threw his hair absentmindedly. When she asks for the phone he tosses her his cell phone, "No house phone, sorry lass," he chuckles. He scribbles down his address and hands it to her before he slides back on the couch and points at her again, "I got this, so I don' want to see any credit card of slipping of money at the door…. Ok?" He tries…tries to look serious but he can't help a chuckle as he eyes the movie, "Eh.. we're gunna have to start it over.." Mumble.
—-
Mignonette was never a good softball player, but she does manage to stop the phone with her body, scrambling for it before it falls down somewhere unfortunate, and looking over, "You don't have to do that." Pay that is, still, she pulls out the card from the restaurant and wanders back over towards the couch, "You know what you want?" She does look back over to the television, and her voice is honestly contrite, "I'm sorry, Brian, I didn't mean to make you miss the movie."
—-
Brian smirks, "Oh yes I do, your mah guest, I wana treat ye." He taps his lips thoughtfully, "Those noodle thingies.. some fried rice… sweet and spicy chicken… dumplings… aaand…." he hesitates, "Yeah thas it." He smiles broadly before it falters as he looks from the TV to her, "Oh no its ok Mignonette," he chuckles, "I've seen it before and we can always rewind. No biggie."
—-
Mignonette nods, as she accepts the order, and after a few minutes waiting for the call to pick up, she places it. The only thing she adds is an order of crab rangoon. After giving the address, she hangs up the phone, handing it back to you, "Thanks. They said about 30 minutes." With the ordering done, she moves to come around the sofa, through she has to pass in front of you to get back to her seat. "I know, I watch it at least once a month, and cry every time."
—-
"I used to cry watching Milo and Otis.." he drawls, sliding his gaze to her with a faint grin. As she passes he scoots so she can make it by and then slides back against the sofa, "I also used to cry when mah mother arranged for clowns to come to mah birthday party… if a wee mouse got in mah clothes.. and when my older cousins stole mah sweet treats." He rocks his head to peer at her, green eyes amused.
—-
Mignonette settles back onto the couch, not quite so squished away from you as before, but still arranged to spare her back, "So what you're trying to tell me, is that despite the fact that you look like a grown man, you're actually a little girl, ten, maybe twelve years old, pigtails and all?"
—-
Brian nods his head, "Exactly. In that mess of a room I actually have a stash of beanie babies.." he whispers, leaning towards her slightly. Brian beams a smile as he lays back on the back of the sofa and chuckles, "Oy, jus' cause I'm a guy does not mean I can't be sensitive.. without being gay… It c'n happen." He defends, making a face at her comically in protest.
—-
Mignonette holds up a hand, as if she were giving in, in this battle, though she doesn't scoot back as you lean forward, "There's nothing wrong with a man being sensitive, and certainly not with being sensitive and heterosexual. Just be careful of who you let in on that bit of information. You'll have half of the female population of Dallas lining up at your door. If the 'I'm the younger, sexier version of Sean Connery look and accent' wasn't enough to get them started."
—-
Brian can't help but laugh, a deep happy sound, as he listens to her. "So, ye think I'm sexy ah?" He wiggles his eyebrows at her before grinning and interrupting whatever she may be saying next, "Well thankyou, Ms. Mignonette." He reaches for his beer to take a sip before he sets it back down and debates grabbing another. He remains on the sofa beside her however, head rotating to peer over at her again, a grin plastered on his face.
—-
"I do. But I also think I'm only confirming something that you already know." Mignonette lifts a finger, wagging it in your direction, the classic 'no' gesture, despite the fact that there's still humour in her eyes, and a curl of a smile on her lips, "You don't think that girl at your office was so unhappy to see me just because I happened to interrupt her workday, did you?" Mignonette has certainly never portrayed herself as a woman who is obsessed with her looks, but she clearly does actually know what she looks like, at least in the eyes of other people, "I think if I had handed -her- the cake, I would have ended up wearing it."
—-
He fixes an amused stare on her, "I don't think I'm ugly, but I don't think I'm top of the list either," he laughs and shrugs, he can't help the faint pink that covers his face again. Is it hot in here? Or is someone embarrassed? XD Brian blinks at the mention of the girl from his work and he laughs, "Oh Jen? Ye can't get a word in otherwise with tha one unless its about her or affects her," he shakes his head, "Besides. She's not my type," he says simply. There's a reason B' hasn't had a relationship for so long, one being his traveling and the other being that he's picky. "She's all bark and no bite, she's throw it on the floor before she threw it at ye."
—-
"If you want my opinion, as a woman, no woman wants a man at the top of the list. The majority of them take longer than you do in the bathroom to get ready, and spend twice at much at the hairstylist. Men say good-looking women are high-maintenance, but it's nothing compared to a man." In addition to other things, "But the accent gives you a few points." As the conversation turns to Jen, Mignonette shrugs, "It's not really about whether or not she's your type, you know that right? Wait till a woman walks in looking for you, looking like you're about to take her out on a date.
—-
Brian listens and nods his head, "Aye ye got a point," he muses. He scratches at his jaw line before she compliments his accent and he grins, "I like yers more." Southern drawl was cute. The scottish man listens to her as she explains about Jen and he shrugs, "Well she already glared at ye, so maybe ye c'n be the one being taken on tha date," he mumbles rather quickly before conveniently taking a sip of his beer and inconveniently choking on some of it. Smooth.
—-
"Wait till we head down to Louisiana, you'll start hating it, especially if we head out on the bayou." But there's no small amount of pleasure in her expression for the compliment, "But thank you." Mignonette leans over, to reach for her water, which is still cold, despite the fact that most of the ice has melted away to slivers. She just has her hand on the glass when she hears the comment, and looks over, just in time to see you having a little trouble with the sip, "Well, you'd have to ask me first." Saved by the bell. Just then, the doorbell rings, and the glass is set aside, again, as Mignonette uncurls herself from the couch, heading to the door, and the peephole. No just opening doors for her, no.
—-
Brian grins at the idea of going to Louisiana and shakes his head, "Nah, at least I don't think so." He watches her and her response gets a faint cough as he clears his throat. His mouth opens just as the doorbell rings and he hops up to follow her to the door before turning back to snatch his wallet up. As she peers threw the peephole the man cracks the door a fraction before opening, "Oy," he offers to the delivery guy at the door. He makes sure she's not trying to stick any money anywhere, before he dishes out the price for exchange for the food. A quick 'Thanks' is given before he shuts the door with a hip and breaths in deeply, "Ahhh..nothin' beats takeout." For now her statement isn't answered as he wanders to set the chinese food on the coffee table and grab another beer.
—-
Mignonette is polite enough to step back as you step to the door. Your house, your rules, mostly. And perhaps, in some small part of herself, she's glad she didn't have to deal with a stranger. Still, she's quite happy to put the chinese food out, as you go the refresh your beer, even pulling out the chopsticks and plastic utensils it came with. Take-out Chinese is simply not right without the plastic stuff. One of the set of wooden chopsticks she keeps for herself, pulling them apart, and rubbing the ends together to get rid of the loose wood at the ends. "It certainly makes the movie night."
—-
Brian opens the other beer as he wanders back to settle on the sofa. He smiles thankfully as she sets out the food. Once all that is done the man starts the movie over and digs into his chinese food quietly. He's munching for awhile, staring curiously at the TV before waving a plastic fork around, "I mean, I was just sayin," he gets out around a mouthful of food, "Ye know.. if maybe ye wana go to that restaurant ye like… I don' know.. with me?" All said in between bites. Hey, he's a little rusty kthnx. He slides his gaze towards her almost shyly before finally glancing her way, cheeks puffy with food.
—-
Mignonette grabs for the crab rangoon first, setting out the sweet and sour sauce it came with to make it easy for you to reach, and she's not a food hog, despite what some people might say, if they saw her eating when she's really hungry. She shares evenly, half and half. One of the fried crab and cheese pockets is just on the way to her mouth, the sauce teetering dangerously close to dripping onto her dress when she hears the question. She manages to salvage that with a bite, but she chews before she answers, "Yes, I think maybe I would." Rusty? Aren't we all, "I'll try to be good company. To tell you the truth, I haven't been out on a date in years, I hope you don't mind that."
—-
His cheeks ignite full on red as he glances down to the rice he's stuffing in his face. At her response he glances to her and smiles broadly, "I'm sure ye'll be amazing company. Since we're being honest here, I haven't been on a date in years either," he chuckles and shrugs a shoulder casually. "So no, I don' mind at all." The man offers a warm smile before going back to stuffing food into his face, a little of everything but not enough to leave her without enough to eat, his eyes focused on the TV or so it seems. He's managed to scoot just a hair closer though he keeps his face turned towards the television.
—-
Thankfully, or perhaps understandably, Mignonette doesn't seem in the lest offended by your appetite. She knows all about it, and truth to tell, it's refreshing to be with someone who's just themselves. After the rangoon, she turns to the noodles, settling in to just about where they lost the movie the first time, as the astronauts are building the air filter to process C02. "I'm sure you will be too." he already has been, after all. He scoots, she scoots too, and they settle in, at least as they work on dinner.
—-
He lets the corner of his mouth tick in a smile as she scoots and his leg touches her. Aww, sappy cute. B' finishes his food contentedly, watching the movie and just enjoying the moment. He sits like that for awhile, not wanting to get too in her personal space, thought not being able to help glancing at her now an then. He couldn't believe he actually asked her on a date; is that was nerves felt like? What if she finds out what he is? Not that his kind is unheard of but still… He gnaws on a lip idly before scratching at the scruff along his cheek. Green eyes finally glance back towards the balcony and past the porch light to the darkened sky outside. "… It's late… do ye want me to walk ye to whoever's waiting downstairs? I'm sure they didn't leave you but I don't want ye goin out alone.." he drawls. 'Or you could stay here! And sleep in my unkempt bed while I sprawl on the sofa!' Yeah that would totally go over well.
—-
Mignonette was getting comfortably, and she's almost leaned over far enough, to set her head on your shoulder, when she hears your comment, and she snaps back to herself. And for a moment, as she sits back up there's definite confusion there. That sort of look of, 'Okay, where exactly did I mess this up?' But she knows how to pull things back together, and she scoots back on the couch, straightening her dress as she rises, "Of course. I don't want to keep you up too late. You probably have work in the morning." Even if he said that he doesn't usually, the change was rather abrupt, "Yes, please, I wouldn't mind an escort. I'm sure Miles is still waiting."
—-
Brian sees her expression and the look in her eyes and he sighs gently, fingers running threw his hair. His mouth goes to open but he shuts it and nods his head, "Mkay." He sets the half drank beer off to the side of the table and stands, stretching some before looking to her. He offers a hand and if she takes it or not wanders towards the front door and opens it for her. He leads her out, quiet for a moment, "I just don' wana make ye uncomfortable…" he murmurs idly, green eyes shifting along the hallway as they move. He gives her a sheepish grin, "I think ye are a very.. beautiful woman…" he mutters, a hand moving to scratch the back of his neck nervously, "And not just because of how ye look, but inside too." He peers at her somewhat before opening the front door of his apartment building and waiting to walk her outside. Really he's terrified of getting too comfy, falling asleep with her on the couch, and either snoring or drooling on her; well, that's one reason why he's scared. "I can have pretty much whichever night I wan' off If I let mah boss know ahead of time so pick a night that is good for ye and I'll take ye to dinner." Smile.
—-
Mignonette does take the hand, allowing him to lead her out of the apartment. And she's mostly quiet, as they walk down through the building, into the elevator, and into the lobby. She's even quiet through his explanation, and it's more that not that she doesn't have anything to say, but that she has to say just the right thing. Finally, once the exit the building, which, incidentally, coincides with a large hispanic man, dressed much the same was as Alex was getting out of her car to start his approach, Mignonette turns back, the hand you're not holding rising to touch your cheek, holding it there, stubble and all, "Brian, if I were uncomfortable with you, I would never have invited you to come to my home, I would never have come to see you at work, I wouldn't have come over tonight for a movie and dinner, and I certainly would never have agreed to have dinner with you. Trust me. Just like I trust you." Mignonette gets up on her tiptoes, placing a light kiss, just on the very edge of his mouth, mostly on his cheek, before she settles back down. "I'll let you know as soon as I decide on a night."
—-
Brian glances to the man, a sort of sizing him to make sure he's good enough way, before looking back at her. At the touch he blinks and listens, his ears gradually getting hotter. The man blinks at the kiss and smiles gently before nodding his head, "Aye." He watches her and the man before giving her a gentle hug. He runs his hands threw his hair as is his vice and turns finally, that sappy boyish grin still on his face, as he wanders back into the apartment complex. He leans back against the wall beside the elevator as he waits and exhales slowly, that smile still plastered on his face. Dallas was a good idea after all.
