001 ‡ Video

[enticingly]

[There’s a handsome young man sitting in front of the console in a really tight t-shirt that shows off pretty much every muscle in his chest. For the moment, his eyes are a dark blue, and there’s a brooding look on his face. When he crosses his arms over his chest, people can see the leather gloves he’s wearing.

Jonah hasn't really wanted to use this thing, but he can recognize the advantage of being able to talk to people without actually being around them.] I have a couple of questions. First, is there a dry cleaners around here, or does anyone know how to get blood out of denim? Second, gloves. Where is the best place I can get a few pairs? Third, I’m in search of a sword. Any will do at the moment.

[His jaw clenches for a second, shoulders tense.] Another thing. If the words ‘Anchorage’, ‘savant’, or ‘weirstones’ means anything to you, let me know.

Comments

[traitorously]

You don't really look like you're from the kind of place that uses swords a whole lot. I'm just saying.

[Skeptical face here] Well if it was, you just made me suspicious by pointing it out. Reverse psychology only works if you don't let people know you're reversing it.

[enticingly]

Looks can be deceiving. Sometimes swords are necessary even when you think they're not. [js.]

Maybe that's also part of the plan.

[traitorously]

I don't really believe that, but I guess that's a part of where I'm from. I'm not really supposed to use weapons.

[nope] You're kind of bad at plans.

[enticingly]

I'm a bit of a special case. [Quite literally.]

So I've been learning about myself recently.

[traitorously]

Special? Is that ego or self-deprecation, I can't tell.

[She laughs] It's okay, I won't let anyone know. I'm Catty, by the way.

[enticingly]

A healthy mix of both, I'd like to think. [Said so dryly.]

Name's Jonah. Catty's your real name?

[traitorously]

At least it's healthy.

Nice to meet you, Jonah. Blood stains aside. [She shrugs a little] It's the name I answer to.

[enticingly]

Do the blood stains really make a difference? [He shrugs, too.] It's not the worst name to answer to.

[traitorously]

They definitely make an impression. Sorry I didn't have any advice to deal with them, but I guess everyone else has you covered there. [Oh, that gets a smile] Oh, that gets you bonus points. Thanks!

[enticingly]

I think I have entirely too much advice, so I appreciate that you have no idea. [He's getting more into this. Talking to random people. He relaxes a bit and flashes a smile.] Bonus points? Was I already getting points before?

[traitorously]

[Catty shifts, leaning in towards the screen, responding to the way his standoffishness wears off.] That's me, helpfully not knowing things since the nineties. [She smiles back, holding out her hand and shaking it from side to side in a 'so-so' kind of gesture.] Maybe one or two. You really needed the bonus help, to be honest.

[enticingly]

Everyone has a particularly good talent. [It could be an insult, him saying that her not knowing things is a talent, but he's laying on the charm now, a smirk flickering over his lips now. It sounds like a compliment.] How many points do I have now?

[traitorously]

[Okay, she's definitely getting her flirt on if he's going to be that charming back at her. There's no harm, right?] Some people have more than one. [She shakes her head a little] Uh uh. A girl has to have some secrets, right?

[enticingly]

[Nope. No harm at all.] Do you? [This is dangerous, though. He's going to have to be careful.]

Secrets are more fun if they're shared, don't you think?

[traitorously]

Me? I've got a few. I'm really good at baking.

[A thoughtful sound] That depends on the secret, I'm pretty sure. Why don't you let me show you around a bit? It might help me decide what kind of secret that one is.

[enticingly]

Baking's a good one to have.

[He stills for a moment. It sounds like a good idea. Not because he wants to spend time with her, but it'd save time in figuring out most things for himself after trial and error. But. Spending time with someone.] No, I can't. Sorry.

[traitorously]

Of course you think that, you're a teenage boy. Always one thing on their minds. [Food, obviously.

She takes in the way he stills, although it's not apparent that she's watching him as closely as she actually is. Any disappointment she experiences is carefully tucked away as she rolls her eyes at him] Come on. What are you, all talk no action? It won't hurt, I promise.

[enticingly]

Depends on the teenage boy. Anyone ever tell you that stereotyping is dangerous?

[No. It's a bad idea. And he doesn't like people. And he shouldn't for so many reasons, like the fact that he's lost and woke up with corpses. Oh, also because he kills people by touching them.] What talk?

[traitorously]

Nope! I'm usually the one telling people.

[She waves a hand.] You only want your secrets if they get handed to you on a platter

[enticingly]

Glad to be the one to give the same advice, then.

[He pauses, and then he grins.] Usually they are handed to me like that, if I ask very nicely. [Not the really important ones, though. Those never seem to be.]

[traitorously]

[O...h, that's a nice smile. Her own lips curve up.] I'll bet. I guess you're just not used to more of a challenge. [And she grins outright, because she's basically bullshitting around now, rather than outright flirting] It's okay if you can't handle it.

[enticingly]

[He thinks about Emma.] I've had some experience with challenges. [She's trying to goad him, but he's not really a goadable kind of guy.] Maybe you're the one who really couldn't, and I'm saving you the trouble.

[traitorously]

Oh, well, that one's easily solved. How about I tell you that I can definitely handle it, and we agree that if it turns out I can't, it's my fault for not listening to your warning. Everyone's happy.

[enticingly]

You're not easily discouraged, are you?