((Nate Chauncey continued from A Leopard Can't Change Her Spots))
The coffee shop was a comfortable one, and though Nate was perfectly content to work on her various projects at home in a quiet atmosphere, sometimes even she needed the bustle of background chatter to help her focus, much like rain at night helping her sleep. It actually didn't help her sleep, since it made her feel like working on art or music, but the principle was the same. White noise enhancing a state of mind, and all that.
The food was also quite serviceable; Nate appreciated a good cup of iced chocolate-flavored coffee, and the pastries were, if not exactly delectable, were still reasonably good for a lunchtime snack. Having a snack at mealtime was the norm for Nate when she wasn't home, and sometimes when she was. Eating was not her most habitual behavior.
This particular spot in the store was Nate's favorite, since it was next to one of the windows that peered out to a lovely view, but the lighting was just so that it didn't cause glare on her computer screen when she was drawing digitally. Today, it seemed the last customer had left an empty cup and a book on the table across from her, but she didn't touch it. Someone would probably be back for it eventually.
Today, though, it was old-fashioned line art with her trusty pen. Nate's slightly pursed lips were the only sign of her focus as she leaned over her sketchpad, carefully tracing out the contours of the throat of the warrior. His head was tilted back slightly, and his downward-looking eyes radiated disdain like a cold sun. The headdress of the champion cast interesting shadows onto his face, and one of his dark eyes was beneath such a shadow. It was a good piece.
Sipping her beverage, Nate kept working, her focus so intense on her piece that she didn't notice the approaching figure at all. She was too focused on the vision in her head of the clash of sleek chrome blades and whirling kicks, steel shin guards deftly deflecting the slash of the swords before launching a spiral of high-impact strikes against the hero's adversary.
Unstoppable Force, Immovable Object
Paging Dr. Z, but open
((Sebastien Bellamy 2.0 Sandbox Start))
"Um."
This was... not exactly what Sebastien had expected to come back to. He had ducked into the bathroom for a minute, trusting that nobody would be interested enough in World War II biopics to run off with his book. Instead, someone had... well, run off with the table wasn't accurate, because obviously the table was still there. Run off with his solitude, more like.
Nate Chauncey was a familiar face insofar as anyone that Sebastien didn't really talk to at school was familiar. He had never quite known what to maker of her, and frankly had never tried to puzzle it out.
"You're in my seat," he said, figuring that a straightforward approach was probably best when dealing with someone whose head was so far in the clouds that she seemed in danger of levitating away at any given time.
If she would actually take note of the fact that he was standing like. Right there.
"Nate."
...
"Natalie."
You had to be kidding. Maybe he should just... take his stuff and go? Sebastien inched towards his book and empty cup.
"Um."
This was... not exactly what Sebastien had expected to come back to. He had ducked into the bathroom for a minute, trusting that nobody would be interested enough in World War II biopics to run off with his book. Instead, someone had... well, run off with the table wasn't accurate, because obviously the table was still there. Run off with his solitude, more like.
Nate Chauncey was a familiar face insofar as anyone that Sebastien didn't really talk to at school was familiar. He had never quite known what to maker of her, and frankly had never tried to puzzle it out.
"You're in my seat," he said, figuring that a straightforward approach was probably best when dealing with someone whose head was so far in the clouds that she seemed in danger of levitating away at any given time.
If she would actually take note of the fact that he was standing like. Right there.
"Nate."
...
"Natalie."
You had to be kidding. Maybe he should just... take his stuff and go? Sebastien inched towards his book and empty cup.
For her part, Nate didn't notice Sebastien whatsoever when he returned. She was immersing herself in her own head, a pastime that was as comfortable and familiar as the sky was to an eagle.
Her right hand dropped the pen and flopped onto the table, while her left hand came up to her chin as she began to daydream, a familiar posture to anyone who had class with her. This was simply how she positioned herself when she was thinking.
A society of advanced swordsmen, but with no gunpowder, the world would need to develop more advanced ways of fighting safely. Specialized armor, weapons, protective and proactive tools. Every body part becomes a weapon, hence the shin guards, and acrobatic combat becomes the norm as-
A sudden motion on Nate's field of vision, and for a moment she was confused, disoriented from her return to reality. Then she realized a young man, about her age, stood in front of her. It occurred to her that he might have said something, but she had no idea what.
"Hmm?" Nate looked up at him, examining his face. He looked familiar, with his lean figure not unlike Nate's own, though perhaps less pronounced, and his hair certainly stood out. Sebastien Bellamy, a classmate of hers, though one whose academic success put him in mostly different classes from Nate.
"Is something wrong?" She said simply, looking at him. Usually people who approached had a reason, but Nate wasn't sure of it offhand. She took her right hand and idly brushed a strand of tangly black hair out of her face.
Her right hand dropped the pen and flopped onto the table, while her left hand came up to her chin as she began to daydream, a familiar posture to anyone who had class with her. This was simply how she positioned herself when she was thinking.
A society of advanced swordsmen, but with no gunpowder, the world would need to develop more advanced ways of fighting safely. Specialized armor, weapons, protective and proactive tools. Every body part becomes a weapon, hence the shin guards, and acrobatic combat becomes the norm as-
A sudden motion on Nate's field of vision, and for a moment she was confused, disoriented from her return to reality. Then she realized a young man, about her age, stood in front of her. It occurred to her that he might have said something, but she had no idea what.
"Hmm?" Nate looked up at him, examining his face. He looked familiar, with his lean figure not unlike Nate's own, though perhaps less pronounced, and his hair certainly stood out. Sebastien Bellamy, a classmate of hers, though one whose academic success put him in mostly different classes from Nate.
"Is something wrong?" She said simply, looking at him. Usually people who approached had a reason, but Nate wasn't sure of it offhand. She took her right hand and idly brushed a strand of tangly black hair out of her face.
Sebastien paused, hand halfway outstretched towards his book. She seriously hadn't absorbed a word he said. He was tempted to sigh.
"You're sort of in my seat," he said finally. Might as well be straight with her. He should probably get going soon anyway, right? He had homework, and he preferred to do it in solitude and quiet. And he didn't really care for the smell of coffee that pervaded the shop. He didn't even drink coffee.
...Why did he hang out in coffee shops so much?
"You're sort of in my seat," he said finally. Might as well be straight with her. He should probably get going soon anyway, right? He had homework, and he preferred to do it in solitude and quiet. And he didn't really care for the smell of coffee that pervaded the shop. He didn't even drink coffee.
...Why did he hang out in coffee shops so much?
So, it seemed Sebastien was the errant owner of the orphaned book and cup. Nate didn't know much about him or really interact with him, so it was difficult to determine if he was careless or sloppy, confrontational or insecure. She hoped he wasn't the type to start something, she was busy.
Nate nodded at him a couple times, and said, "Okay." With that said, Nate turned her head back to her work, gently stroking the paper with her pen in a quick crisscross texture to create a crude shading on the man's face.
It probably should have occurred to Nate that Sebastien had not said anything to imply he was leaving or was not currently intending to sit himself down. She assumed he was leaving; his cup was empty, and she was sitting there now, so why would he stay?
Perhaps that was callous of her, to assume the intentions of strangers. If that was the case, she'd feel pretty bad for being so rude. But that was a digression; she was still in the midst of her work.
Nate nodded at him a couple times, and said, "Okay." With that said, Nate turned her head back to her work, gently stroking the paper with her pen in a quick crisscross texture to create a crude shading on the man's face.
It probably should have occurred to Nate that Sebastien had not said anything to imply he was leaving or was not currently intending to sit himself down. She assumed he was leaving; his cup was empty, and she was sitting there now, so why would he stay?
Perhaps that was callous of her, to assume the intentions of strangers. If that was the case, she'd feel pretty bad for being so rude. But that was a digression; she was still in the midst of her work.
Sebastien wasn't sure what to do besides just sort of stare at Nate for a bit. No "oh, sorry". No "I'll be moving then". Just "okay," and then she went back to drawing. Did she not understand the concept of taking his seat? This wasn't exactly a finders-keepers scenario.
There was a contrarian part of him that reared its head sometimes. That part was currently telling him to just... sit right back down and see what happened. Maybe she'd get the message. Maybe she would have already forgotten he was standing there. Maybe he would start a fight in a public place with a girl that he barely knew. The last one seemed fairly plausible, and yet he couldn't shake the feeling that it was equally likely she wouldn't even notice or care.
Well. He'd always liked science experiments. So.
Hypothesis: Nate Chauncey is completely disconnected from the reality around her.
Trial 1: Begin.
Sebastien eased himself down into the seat across from Nate and opened his book, though he glanced up at her through his bangs to gauge any reaction.
There was a contrarian part of him that reared its head sometimes. That part was currently telling him to just... sit right back down and see what happened. Maybe she'd get the message. Maybe she would have already forgotten he was standing there. Maybe he would start a fight in a public place with a girl that he barely knew. The last one seemed fairly plausible, and yet he couldn't shake the feeling that it was equally likely she wouldn't even notice or care.
Well. He'd always liked science experiments. So.
Hypothesis: Nate Chauncey is completely disconnected from the reality around her.
Trial 1: Begin.
Sebastien eased himself down into the seat across from Nate and opened his book, though he glanced up at her through his bangs to gauge any reaction.
It took maybe 10 seconds of Nate quietly scribbling in shadows onto the face of her portrait before she realized the student had not, in fact, left with his stuff. He'd sat down instead, confirming her guess that she was wrong about him.
That was unfortunate. Nate didn't like confrontation, shockingly enough. Sebastien seemed to be more of the type to start something, which complicated the situation. She wasn't sure if he was going to go away on his own, or if she ought to leave.
It occurred to Nate that she could simply share. It was a nice spot to sit in, after all, and there was definitely room for two people. It wasn't like either of them were doing something that required seclusion, either. The coffee shop was many things; private was not one of them.
Admittedly, there were some issues with this compromise. Sitting with someone was an unfamiliar experience, and it made Nate feel a little awkward, but she could deal if it meant not having to pointlessly move to a different table.
So as she added slight lines to the picture's furrowed brow, Nate said nothing, merely glanced up at the fellow customer across from her. Expression unchanging, she returned to her work.
That was unfortunate. Nate didn't like confrontation, shockingly enough. Sebastien seemed to be more of the type to start something, which complicated the situation. She wasn't sure if he was going to go away on his own, or if she ought to leave.
It occurred to Nate that she could simply share. It was a nice spot to sit in, after all, and there was definitely room for two people. It wasn't like either of them were doing something that required seclusion, either. The coffee shop was many things; private was not one of them.
Admittedly, there were some issues with this compromise. Sitting with someone was an unfamiliar experience, and it made Nate feel a little awkward, but she could deal if it meant not having to pointlessly move to a different table.
So as she added slight lines to the picture's furrowed brow, Nate said nothing, merely glanced up at the fellow customer across from her. Expression unchanging, she returned to her work.
Results of Trial 1: Subject has acknowledged observer's presence but otherwise provided no reaction.
Conclusion: Nate Chauncey is only mostly disconnected from the reality around her and does occasionally take in external stimuli.
Revised Hypothesis: Nate Chauncey is somewhat aware of reality, but basically just doesn't care.
Trial 2: Begin.
...
Sebastien hadn't thought far enough ahead to decide what Trial 2 would be. So much for that.
Honestly, he just wanted to sit and read his book. It was kind of weird, sitting across from someone he didn't really know after she had essentially muscled in on his territory, but she wasn't being annoying. Yet.
Well, what the heck. Trial 2 could be just sitting here and reading until she decided to ask what was up or something. Like a regular person would have the moment he returned.
Trial 2: Begin.
Conclusion: Nate Chauncey is only mostly disconnected from the reality around her and does occasionally take in external stimuli.
Revised Hypothesis: Nate Chauncey is somewhat aware of reality, but basically just doesn't care.
Trial 2: Begin.
...
Sebastien hadn't thought far enough ahead to decide what Trial 2 would be. So much for that.
Honestly, he just wanted to sit and read his book. It was kind of weird, sitting across from someone he didn't really know after she had essentially muscled in on his territory, but she wasn't being annoying. Yet.
Well, what the heck. Trial 2 could be just sitting here and reading until she decided to ask what was up or something. Like a regular person would have the moment he returned.
Trial 2: Begin.
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Primrosette
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((Simon Leroy begins once again))
Oh, what was this? Were Simon's eyes deceiving him from seeing his friend from sitting with a girl that he didn't know? How interesting and unusual. He hadn't thought that he would be drawn to this view of them as soon as he had walked inside. He had only came there to finish off his homework in peace with a cup of coffee by his side. He could go over to Sebastien and the unknown girl and join them in the.... silence? As long as the girl didn't do anything to bother him, then he wouldn't have a problem with her.
Simon adjusted his bag strap on his shoulder that had his textbooks and his homework in and he made his way over to their table with a confident stroll. He noticed that the girl was working on something artistic and he thought that it didn't look too bad. He wondered if he had seen her in school, but he was drawing a blank right now. He would have to ask for her name if she would want to talk to him. Unless she was the quiet type and then he couldn't do anything about that. Her loss to get to know him, right?
He was now standing right beside Sebastien and he felt a small smile form on his face. He noticed that his friend was really focused on what he was reading and now he was going to ruin that by distracting him. Simon thought that it would be worth it. No hard feelings, right, Sebastien?
Simon raised his hand up to Sebastien's shoulder and he gave it a tap gently. "Hey, Seb. Mind if I join you and your new.... friend?" He asked in a confident tone of voice and he took a step back to look at them both again. "I didn't think that you would be here with.... Sorry, what's your name? I'm drawing a blank here."
Oh, what was this? Were Simon's eyes deceiving him from seeing his friend from sitting with a girl that he didn't know? How interesting and unusual. He hadn't thought that he would be drawn to this view of them as soon as he had walked inside. He had only came there to finish off his homework in peace with a cup of coffee by his side. He could go over to Sebastien and the unknown girl and join them in the.... silence? As long as the girl didn't do anything to bother him, then he wouldn't have a problem with her.
Simon adjusted his bag strap on his shoulder that had his textbooks and his homework in and he made his way over to their table with a confident stroll. He noticed that the girl was working on something artistic and he thought that it didn't look too bad. He wondered if he had seen her in school, but he was drawing a blank right now. He would have to ask for her name if she would want to talk to him. Unless she was the quiet type and then he couldn't do anything about that. Her loss to get to know him, right?
He was now standing right beside Sebastien and he felt a small smile form on his face. He noticed that his friend was really focused on what he was reading and now he was going to ruin that by distracting him. Simon thought that it would be worth it. No hard feelings, right, Sebastien?
Simon raised his hand up to Sebastien's shoulder and he gave it a tap gently. "Hey, Seb. Mind if I join you and your new.... friend?" He asked in a confident tone of voice and he took a step back to look at them both again. "I didn't think that you would be here with.... Sorry, what's your name? I'm drawing a blank here."
It seemed like Nate was attracting more attention than usual. It wasn't necessarily a bad thing, but it was certainly out of the ordinary; normally people simply didn't notice her, and she wasn't that inclined to draw attention to herself.
But not only was Sebastien still seated across from Nate, occasionally glancing at her as though analyzing her in some way, but another person approached and struck up an attempt at conversing. Simon wasn't someone she'd ever spoken to, so the fact that she knew his name was a bit surprising even to her. Nate was usually not so good with names.
Speaking, or rather thinking, of names, he asked for hers. She glanced up at him briefly, said, "Nate," and returned to her paper without much fuss. Then she took a bite of her pastry.
She really needed to remember to eat more often. She couldn't remember if she'd eaten since dinner last night, about...14 hours ago? More or less. And she'd only eaten then because her mother had insisted on her attendance, probably for the exact reason that Nate might not have eaten otherwise.
But not only was Sebastien still seated across from Nate, occasionally glancing at her as though analyzing her in some way, but another person approached and struck up an attempt at conversing. Simon wasn't someone she'd ever spoken to, so the fact that she knew his name was a bit surprising even to her. Nate was usually not so good with names.
Speaking, or rather thinking, of names, he asked for hers. She glanced up at him briefly, said, "Nate," and returned to her paper without much fuss. Then she took a bite of her pastry.
She really needed to remember to eat more often. She couldn't remember if she'd eaten since dinner last night, about...14 hours ago? More or less. And she'd only eaten then because her mother had insisted on her attendance, probably for the exact reason that Nate might not have eaten otherwise.
Trial 2: Inconclusive due to unforeseen outside factors.
Sebastien had kind of forgotten that they were still in a public place where anyone could happen by. It occurred to him that he was kind of acting like a creep. Fortunately, Simon couldn't see inside his head and point that out, or otherwise he probably would have done so. Loudly. They had been friends pretty much since the very beginning of elementary school, but Simon could be kind of an annoyance.
Nate had looked up though, further confirming that she did parse what was going on at least part of the time. Her reactions were so minimal, though. How did she get through the day?
Sebastien shrugged in eloquent response to Simon's request to have a seat. Apparently this was turning into some kind of group event. "Fine by me. What are you doing here?"
Sebastien had kind of forgotten that they were still in a public place where anyone could happen by. It occurred to him that he was kind of acting like a creep. Fortunately, Simon couldn't see inside his head and point that out, or otherwise he probably would have done so. Loudly. They had been friends pretty much since the very beginning of elementary school, but Simon could be kind of an annoyance.
Nate had looked up though, further confirming that she did parse what was going on at least part of the time. Her reactions were so minimal, though. How did she get through the day?
Sebastien shrugged in eloquent response to Simon's request to have a seat. Apparently this was turning into some kind of group event. "Fine by me. What are you doing here?"
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Primrosette
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Nate, huh? Simon assumed that she could have not told him as she had been so focused on what she had been doing. But surprisingly, she actually spoke to him. So she was alert to who was talking to her after all. Simon was about to say his name, but she went back to concentrating on her paper in front of her. He guessed that was more important than getting to know him. Oh, well. He still had Sebastien there. So not all was lost.
"Nate.... That's a nice name." He commented politely. He could still be a little nice if he wanted to, he wasn't a complete asshole unless it was necessary. Especially if the other person was getting on his nerves or if he just didn't like that person at all. "My name's Simon if you wanted to know anyway."
He got permission from his dearest friend to join the two of them. Normally Sebastien wouldn't have cared, but Nate was with him. And Simon didn't want to barge in unnecessarily. That would have been a bit of a pain-in-the-ass move for obvious reasons. He could have scared Nate off and then he could have nabbed her seat. But no, he was going to be good for the time being.
He grabbed a seat and he sat down, lowering his bag onto the ground beside him. Then he turned his head towards Sebastien and he started to unzip his bag. "Well, I was planning on getting some alone time with my homework and a cup of coffee here." He admitted honestly and then he looked towards Nate's paper. "But I thought it would be more exciting if I hung out with you and Natey here."
He didn't know if Nate would be bothered or not by him calling her 'Natey' instead. Well, if she reacted out of anger. Then he would think that she should chill out. Besides, it was only a nickname that possibly wouldn't stick anyway.
"Nate.... That's a nice name." He commented politely. He could still be a little nice if he wanted to, he wasn't a complete asshole unless it was necessary. Especially if the other person was getting on his nerves or if he just didn't like that person at all. "My name's Simon if you wanted to know anyway."
He got permission from his dearest friend to join the two of them. Normally Sebastien wouldn't have cared, but Nate was with him. And Simon didn't want to barge in unnecessarily. That would have been a bit of a pain-in-the-ass move for obvious reasons. He could have scared Nate off and then he could have nabbed her seat. But no, he was going to be good for the time being.
He grabbed a seat and he sat down, lowering his bag onto the ground beside him. Then he turned his head towards Sebastien and he started to unzip his bag. "Well, I was planning on getting some alone time with my homework and a cup of coffee here." He admitted honestly and then he looked towards Nate's paper. "But I thought it would be more exciting if I hung out with you and Natey here."
He didn't know if Nate would be bothered or not by him calling her 'Natey' instead. Well, if she reacted out of anger. Then he would think that she should chill out. Besides, it was only a nickname that possibly wouldn't stick anyway.
It seemed to Nate that Simon was trying to test her, get on her nerves or force a reaction from her. That was kind of silly. She'd be angered by this, but it didn't really bother her. She was still drawing with food available (though she had forgotten the pastry once again by this point), and besides, why worry what her peers thought of her? She hadn't up until this point, no use starting now.
'Natey' was a new one. Funny that it coincided with Natalie, her 'real' name. She wasn't especially fond of any name but Nate; even 'Miss Chauncey' gave her a sense that she was being judged. It didn't usually bother her that much, but it was the principle of the thing. "Nice to meet you." She said flatly; not the friendliest she could have been, but she didn't think it sounded too rude. She didn't intend to be rude. Why bother?
He was looking at her sketch, the profile of a warrior. She wondered if he ought to be human; it was almost complete, a sleek and sharp image of his scowling face, dark shadows across his face. Perhaps he could be a fantasy creature; the blunt of his jaw would suit an orc.
His headdress also served as protection in a hot desert land, as did his grayish-green skin tone. Agility and speed were as critical as strength, since fights in the sand could badly burn your skin if you stood still for too long. An honor-battle in a searing-hot arena...
'Natey' was a new one. Funny that it coincided with Natalie, her 'real' name. She wasn't especially fond of any name but Nate; even 'Miss Chauncey' gave her a sense that she was being judged. It didn't usually bother her that much, but it was the principle of the thing. "Nice to meet you." She said flatly; not the friendliest she could have been, but she didn't think it sounded too rude. She didn't intend to be rude. Why bother?
He was looking at her sketch, the profile of a warrior. She wondered if he ought to be human; it was almost complete, a sleek and sharp image of his scowling face, dark shadows across his face. Perhaps he could be a fantasy creature; the blunt of his jaw would suit an orc.
His headdress also served as protection in a hot desert land, as did his grayish-green skin tone. Agility and speed were as critical as strength, since fights in the sand could badly burn your skin if you stood still for too long. An honor-battle in a searing-hot arena...
Sebastien glanced over at Simon and raised his eyebrows, giving a half-shrug to indicate that he couldn't shed any light on what might be going on inside Nate's head. She was weird. Interesting, in a way. He kept that to himself, though; even someone as spacey as Nate probably wouldn't appreciate someone studying her like an insect.
It wasn't the most tactful thing to do, on reflection. Definitely kind of creepy. He probably should have just left in the first place, but it was far too late for that now with Simon boxing him in.
"So..." he began, addressing Simon. "Homework?"
It wasn't the most tactful thing to do, on reflection. Definitely kind of creepy. He probably should have just left in the first place, but it was far too late for that now with Simon boxing him in.
"So..." he began, addressing Simon. "Homework?"
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Primrosette
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Oh? Was that the sound of distaste in Nate's tone of voice that he just heard? How interesting. He almost smiled at making her not feel happy about being called Natey. Almost. He was just testing her to see if they would either being friends or not get along with each other. It looked like they were heading to the latter. That was too bad and over a nickname as well. Should he make an effort and apologise to her? Would she be someone that he could continue a conversation with? She didn't look like the talkative type to him. But maybe he was wrong. Anti-social? That made more sense. Should he ask her about her sketch instead? He could at least try to get along with her for Sebastien's sake. Right?
Wait. Did Sebastien just ask him something? Crap. He hadn't been listening to what his friend had asked because he was concentrating so much on Nate. Well, that was a first for him to get distracted by a girl.
Simon blinked a few times to try to think of what Sebastien just asked. No. He didn't have a clue. He now had to ask what he just asked him. That would be too embarrassing. So he was going to change the topic to Nate. Yeah, just focus on Nate like you want to know everything about her, Simon. Not creepy at all.
He covered his mouth and he let out a small cough, shifting his eyes over in Nate's direction. "Hey, instead of talking about me. Why don't we actually get to know Nate, Seb?" He suggested as he wanted to cover his ass and not have his friend on his back about not hearing his question at all. "Like.... What are you sketching there? It's looks very fascinating."
Wait. Did Sebastien just ask him something? Crap. He hadn't been listening to what his friend had asked because he was concentrating so much on Nate. Well, that was a first for him to get distracted by a girl.
Simon blinked a few times to try to think of what Sebastien just asked. No. He didn't have a clue. He now had to ask what he just asked him. That would be too embarrassing. So he was going to change the topic to Nate. Yeah, just focus on Nate like you want to know everything about her, Simon. Not creepy at all.
He covered his mouth and he let out a small cough, shifting his eyes over in Nate's direction. "Hey, instead of talking about me. Why don't we actually get to know Nate, Seb?" He suggested as he wanted to cover his ass and not have his friend on his back about not hearing his question at all. "Like.... What are you sketching there? It's looks very fascinating."