Nick stopped replying to Gaelan for a bit. Because, yes, he had spotted a certain somebody. Tiny Myles with his shitty sense of fashion and his stupid surname that was a kind of sauce. He wasn't sure why he felt a certain social pull to dislike Myles in that moment, but the look that Myles gave him made it clear that there had probably been some drama that meant they were now on opposing sides of...something.
Nick didn't know, didn't care. He'd just follow the zeitgeist. Stand by his friends, stand against those who wanted to beef with him. He could do that. He was good at that.
So, yeah, from the look that Myles gave him and the way Gaelan didn't respond to his presence despite Myles sticking out like a sore thumb and commenting on his presence being a natural succession to their prior conversation, Nick imagined there was now some drama. Again, Nick didn't care, but he wanted to know. At least so he could be accurate in the insults he wielded to protect his friends.
"You know me, man, I'm terrible at buying gifts. But on that note, if you see something Tristan or Beryl'll like, let me know." Although if he bought a gift for one of them, he'd have to buy a gift for the other. Not that he was complaining. Just a restriction to keep in mind. Maybe Nick was imagining that rule of polyphonic relationship etiquette - it was, after all, slightly odd that something so unconventional would come attached with such prescriptive norms and customs.
It was also probably unfair to place all the thinking responsibilities onto Gaelan, but Nick would make up for it later. He had his own talents - illusions, steadfast loyalty, an ability not to get asked for ID too often - that meant things would even out. But in this situation, Gaelan's skills were far more useful.
"So, uh, what's going on with Myles over there?"
Animal Magnetism
Open once Fen posts
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General Goose
- Posts: 731
- Joined: Mon Aug 13, 2018 4:02 pm
There was a pause as Ivy's face went through the five stages of grief in barely more than five seconds, mourning the potential drama that Bret had left dead on the boutique floor. Her expression settled on acceptance, which for Ivy manifested as a pout accessorized with a hair flip and a barely audible "yeah, okay."
Bret had always been good at this, Ivy thought sourly. If she were to stop and think about it objectively, she would admit that it was for the best; his ability to defuse the situation at the slightest hint of her anger was probably what they'd kept them together so long. But in this particular case she'd felt particularly justified in her anger. Like, he had lied to her. He wasn't denying that. She could still yell at him. But she was already deflated, and the relatively rational side of her remembered that she hadn't really wanted to get into it in the first place. This was supposed to be a nice date, and she had just wanted things settled, and they were settled. Everything was fine. Everything was totally fine.
Things being fine on terms she hadn't set sucked, though.
She played with her hair, her pout turning to a small smile that at least approached genuine as she looked back up at Bret. "Anyway. Any thoughts on where to, darling? I'm thinking an early dinner, perhaps." Her voice was still a bit tense, perhaps, but she was making an effort, and as far as she was concerned it was an admirable one. She deserved praise, really, for being the bigger person in all this. Her phone buzzed in her hand and she glanced down at it as she headed out of the store, trusting Bret would follow.
Ivy was giggling under her breath as she opened the door to the boutique and walked directly into a passerby, making her stumble and sending her phone clattering onto the ground below. She retrieved it in one quick motion before turning to glare at the asshole who'd shoulder-checked her, her dispersed anger reforming with the promise of a new target.
"You-"
It took her a moment to realize exactly who she was looking at. It was a short moment, thankfully, as this was exactly the sort of situation that required quick wits. Ivy, after all, didn't run into Gaelan Meloy every day. That was by design; the war they waged was better fought through proxies, go-betweens, offhanded comments that made their way between the two through hearsay and gossip. When they actually saw each other in the hallways, they normally ignored each other. Single combat wasn't Ivy's style.
Occasionally, though, it couldn't be avoided. In a way the smile that formed on her face now was more real than the one she'd managed for Bret a moment before. The malice in that smile, too, was far too authentic.
"Gaelan. What a pleasant surprise. I should have guessed, honestly. There aren't so many people so entirely lacking in manners or tact." It was then her glance wandered to his companion, and her nose wrinkled in response to the presence of Nick Ogilvie. Truly it was mind-boggling how many worthless people Gaelan had managed to surround himself with over the years.
"And Criss Angel, too. A pleasure as always."
Bret had always been good at this, Ivy thought sourly. If she were to stop and think about it objectively, she would admit that it was for the best; his ability to defuse the situation at the slightest hint of her anger was probably what they'd kept them together so long. But in this particular case she'd felt particularly justified in her anger. Like, he had lied to her. He wasn't denying that. She could still yell at him. But she was already deflated, and the relatively rational side of her remembered that she hadn't really wanted to get into it in the first place. This was supposed to be a nice date, and she had just wanted things settled, and they were settled. Everything was fine. Everything was totally fine.
Things being fine on terms she hadn't set sucked, though.
She played with her hair, her pout turning to a small smile that at least approached genuine as she looked back up at Bret. "Anyway. Any thoughts on where to, darling? I'm thinking an early dinner, perhaps." Her voice was still a bit tense, perhaps, but she was making an effort, and as far as she was concerned it was an admirable one. She deserved praise, really, for being the bigger person in all this. Her phone buzzed in her hand and she glanced down at it as she headed out of the store, trusting Bret would follow.
Ivy was giggling under her breath as she opened the door to the boutique and walked directly into a passerby, making her stumble and sending her phone clattering onto the ground below. She retrieved it in one quick motion before turning to glare at the asshole who'd shoulder-checked her, her dispersed anger reforming with the promise of a new target.
"You-"
It took her a moment to realize exactly who she was looking at. It was a short moment, thankfully, as this was exactly the sort of situation that required quick wits. Ivy, after all, didn't run into Gaelan Meloy every day. That was by design; the war they waged was better fought through proxies, go-betweens, offhanded comments that made their way between the two through hearsay and gossip. When they actually saw each other in the hallways, they normally ignored each other. Single combat wasn't Ivy's style.
Occasionally, though, it couldn't be avoided. In a way the smile that formed on her face now was more real than the one she'd managed for Bret a moment before. The malice in that smile, too, was far too authentic.
"Gaelan. What a pleasant surprise. I should have guessed, honestly. There aren't so many people so entirely lacking in manners or tact." It was then her glance wandered to his companion, and her nose wrinkled in response to the presence of Nick Ogilvie. Truly it was mind-boggling how many worthless people Gaelan had managed to surround himself with over the years.
"And Criss Angel, too. A pleasure as always."
"Well, Fenris, the King of Gossip. We meet again."
Okay, cool. Gaelan, for once in his sorry life, kept his douchebag all tucked in and out of sight of polite company. Myles made it to the cafe truck unscathed and placed his order, and it was all gravy.
And then he glanced back while waiting for his order, just to make sure Gaelan hadn't gotten any ideas while Myles's back was turned (because that would be just like you, wouldn't it Gaelan) and oh heck.
Myles took a few seconds to absorb the change in scenery -- Gaelan and Nick gone from the bench, Ivy in the doorway, the absolutely evil grin on Ivy's face. Bret was still there somewhere, probably, but of course he couldn't have the decency to make himself known when it would have actually been a good idea to show up and loom over someone. Myles could get behind Bret breaking Gaelan and/or Nick over his knee.
Well regardless, this might be about to get good after all. Myles stuck his hands in his jacket pockets and leaned against the side of the truck, attention partly turned to the truck's window so that he could hear when his order was called, but mostly focused on what was unfolding a ways up the street.
There was a very real possibility that fur might be about to fly, and he didn't want to miss it.
And then he glanced back while waiting for his order, just to make sure Gaelan hadn't gotten any ideas while Myles's back was turned (because that would be just like you, wouldn't it Gaelan) and oh heck.
Myles took a few seconds to absorb the change in scenery -- Gaelan and Nick gone from the bench, Ivy in the doorway, the absolutely evil grin on Ivy's face. Bret was still there somewhere, probably, but of course he couldn't have the decency to make himself known when it would have actually been a good idea to show up and loom over someone. Myles could get behind Bret breaking Gaelan and/or Nick over his knee.
Well regardless, this might be about to get good after all. Myles stuck his hands in his jacket pockets and leaned against the side of the truck, attention partly turned to the truck's window so that he could hear when his order was called, but mostly focused on what was unfolding a ways up the street.
There was a very real possibility that fur might be about to fly, and he didn't want to miss it.
"Art enriches the community, Steve, no less than a pulsing fire hose, or a fireman beating down a blazing door. So what if we're drawing a nude man? So what if all we ever draw is a nude man, or the same nude man over and over in all sorts of provocative positions? Context, not content! Process, not subject! Don't be so gauche, Steve, it's beneath you."
There was a brief moment where Ivy processed what he had said and there was the slightest hint that she wasn't going to accept it. Thankfully that shadow passed as quickly as it came and everything was fine. Ivy accepted what he said and moved on. Bret was pleasantly surprised when a smile found its way onto her face, meaning he had managed to successfully navigate the minefield with a minimum amount of issues. It could sometimes be difficult considering Ivy's love for drama but Bret supposed his calmer, more thoughtful presence ensured that things never got too out of control. That was for the best, he didn't want to argue with her about it and he certainly didn't want that argument to occur in the middle of a weird boutique.
He returned her smile and nodded at her suggestion. It also gave him another opportunity to make amends without losing any face in the process, as he could tell from her tone that she wasn't one hundred percent over the discussion they'd had.
"An early dinner sounds good. You can choose where we go if you want." He said as he raised a hand and nodded in thanks to the server.
He didn't get an immediate response because Ivy was messaging someone on her phone, which he was used to. Ivy was always on her phone in some shape or form. Bret did find it funny in a way as her small hands made any phone look like a tablet. He also found it funny because it made it impossible for him to imagine Ivy being in any other time period besides the modern day, the constant presence of a phone was such an underlying part of her as a person.
That was when they got an unpleasant surprise as they left the boutique. Gaelan was right in front of them. To be more specific he was right in front of Ivy as Bret hadn't passed over the boutiques' threshold and back out onto the street. Once had though he moved to Ivy's side, standing just a step forward so as to make his presence as clear as possible.
He disinterestedly returned his sunglasses to his face, speaking as he did so.
"Gaelan, Nick."
He returned her smile and nodded at her suggestion. It also gave him another opportunity to make amends without losing any face in the process, as he could tell from her tone that she wasn't one hundred percent over the discussion they'd had.
"An early dinner sounds good. You can choose where we go if you want." He said as he raised a hand and nodded in thanks to the server.
He didn't get an immediate response because Ivy was messaging someone on her phone, which he was used to. Ivy was always on her phone in some shape or form. Bret did find it funny in a way as her small hands made any phone look like a tablet. He also found it funny because it made it impossible for him to imagine Ivy being in any other time period besides the modern day, the constant presence of a phone was such an underlying part of her as a person.
That was when they got an unpleasant surprise as they left the boutique. Gaelan was right in front of them. To be more specific he was right in front of Ivy as Bret hadn't passed over the boutiques' threshold and back out onto the street. Once had though he moved to Ivy's side, standing just a step forward so as to make his presence as clear as possible.
He disinterestedly returned his sunglasses to his face, speaking as he did so.
"Gaelan, Nick."
V8
Aracelis Fuentes
California “Cali” Fox
Darryl Smith Jr.
Jessica Romero
Roberta “Robbie” Woodvine
Aracelis Fuentes
California “Cali” Fox
Darryl Smith Jr.
Jessica Romero
Roberta “Robbie” Woodvine
Nick was one of Gaelan's best friends, but even then he didn't get some of the stuff he was involved in. The magic? Gaelan got that. Bisexuality? Gaelan definitely got that, even though Gaelan was as straight as they came. But being in a relationship with multiple people was just plain something Gaelan was never going to understand - how did it work? People were people, they always got jealous. It was just one of the many things that made Gaelan feel like he wasn't part of the real world even though he knew for sure that he was. Maybe he'd catch up one day.
But Nick had another question, something Gaelan could actually answer.
"Oh, him. Not sure. I thought I saw him-"
That was all Gaelan got out when a blur of pink exited the store to their right and barged right into him, throwing Gaelan off balance and causing him to drop his drink. He'd gotten through most of it already, but the remainder smashed to the ground like a chandelier. He regained his balance, ready to throw a rude comment at the person who knocked him off balance, when he saw Ivy Langley picking her phone off the ground.
Almost instinctively he felt his jaw clench and threaten to shatter his teeth. Why? Why did she have to show up? Why did she have to go out and have a life when people who weren't pieces of shit were out and about living their lives without ruining it for everyone else? And more importantly why did she have to go and spill his drink? Those things weren't cheap. He'd have accused her of doing it on purpose if she herself wasn't picking up her phone, so maybe she was just being an idiot, as usual.
It was strange - it had been a while since they'd confronted each other, even longer with company on either of their sides. But the football bro who wasn't a complete piece of shit (well, less of a complete piece of shit) was walking up to the fray as well.
Ivy threw out some things that were probably insults in Ivy's world, a throwback to when they were like six and still friends, and called Nick a name he'd never heard before. Yes, these were probably insults in Ivy's world, but for her sake Gaelan hoped she would soon reach a cohesive alignment with reality.
Gaelan's always worked much better.
"Hi Ivy."
He paused, looking her up and down.
"You've gained weight. Might wanna get that looked at."
But Nick had another question, something Gaelan could actually answer.
"Oh, him. Not sure. I thought I saw him-"
That was all Gaelan got out when a blur of pink exited the store to their right and barged right into him, throwing Gaelan off balance and causing him to drop his drink. He'd gotten through most of it already, but the remainder smashed to the ground like a chandelier. He regained his balance, ready to throw a rude comment at the person who knocked him off balance, when he saw Ivy Langley picking her phone off the ground.
Almost instinctively he felt his jaw clench and threaten to shatter his teeth. Why? Why did she have to show up? Why did she have to go out and have a life when people who weren't pieces of shit were out and about living their lives without ruining it for everyone else? And more importantly why did she have to go and spill his drink? Those things weren't cheap. He'd have accused her of doing it on purpose if she herself wasn't picking up her phone, so maybe she was just being an idiot, as usual.
It was strange - it had been a while since they'd confronted each other, even longer with company on either of their sides. But the football bro who wasn't a complete piece of shit (well, less of a complete piece of shit) was walking up to the fray as well.
Ivy threw out some things that were probably insults in Ivy's world, a throwback to when they were like six and still friends, and called Nick a name he'd never heard before. Yes, these were probably insults in Ivy's world, but for her sake Gaelan hoped she would soon reach a cohesive alignment with reality.
Gaelan's always worked much better.
"Hi Ivy."
He paused, looking her up and down.
"You've gained weight. Might wanna get that looked at."
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General Goose
- Posts: 731
- Joined: Mon Aug 13, 2018 4:02 pm
Oh fuck off Ivy, you shit-smelling arsepiece.
...is what Nick wanted to say, but no. He held himself back. It was always more fun, not to mention slightly more in keeping with his internalised and unmethodical sense of fair play to just, wait for her to escalate it, to save the harshest insults for later. Plus, gave him more time to develop some good insults in his head. Nick liked using insults that most people would think were quaint Scottish witticisms. In reality, most of them were just a random swear merged together with a random noun, a la a German compound word, but sometimes he'd just Google Scottish insults and pass them off as his own.
But there would be time for that later.
For now, he straightened his posture, held his chin up high, just to remind everyone that, hey, he wouldn't be lorded over by Ivy's oversized pet. In a way it was good that Ivy was here with her gigolo. Otherwise it'd look like he was arguing with a child. Not a good luck. The superpower of not getting ID'd half the time had its drawbacks.
The fuckers interrupted Gaelan's story. That's what really vexed Nick. He wanted to hear the gossip!
Plus the Criss Angel line? Fuck off. He wasn't even that bad! Plus Nick looked nothing like him. Stupid bitch. Bet it was the only illusionist she could name.
"Well, if it isn't Poison Ivy and Swamp Thing. Ain't you guys got some sweatshop clothes to buy?"
...is what Nick wanted to say, but no. He held himself back. It was always more fun, not to mention slightly more in keeping with his internalised and unmethodical sense of fair play to just, wait for her to escalate it, to save the harshest insults for later. Plus, gave him more time to develop some good insults in his head. Nick liked using insults that most people would think were quaint Scottish witticisms. In reality, most of them were just a random swear merged together with a random noun, a la a German compound word, but sometimes he'd just Google Scottish insults and pass them off as his own.
But there would be time for that later.
For now, he straightened his posture, held his chin up high, just to remind everyone that, hey, he wouldn't be lorded over by Ivy's oversized pet. In a way it was good that Ivy was here with her gigolo. Otherwise it'd look like he was arguing with a child. Not a good luck. The superpower of not getting ID'd half the time had its drawbacks.
The fuckers interrupted Gaelan's story. That's what really vexed Nick. He wanted to hear the gossip!
Plus the Criss Angel line? Fuck off. He wasn't even that bad! Plus Nick looked nothing like him. Stupid bitch. Bet it was the only illusionist she could name.
"Well, if it isn't Poison Ivy and Swamp Thing. Ain't you guys got some sweatshop clothes to buy?"
Ivy twirled a strand of pastel pink hair around her finger. The only movement in her expression was a twitch of her nose, like a cat scenting prey. This was fun, wasn't it? This was, in her way, what she'd been hoping for. The Tyrell thing was too close, too real, too painful; putting Wyatt on his trail was enjoyable, but thinking about it too hard stung in a way she couldn't tolerate. Fighting with Bret might have been entertaining for a moment, but it would be more than a bit of a waste in the long term. Gaelan, though? Gaelan she didn't have to think about; Gaelan she could crush under her heel with no doubt and no guilt. As long as she stayed in this moment, as long as she didn't dwell, it was comfortable, in a way, facing him. Not physically, though. She had to strain her neck to meet his eyes, and she hated him for it.
"Oh, Gaelan," she said, her voice sugary sweet as ever. "I know honesty is difficult for you, but you ought to be saving comments like that for your girlfriend. Bless her heart."
Her gaze shifted, just for a moment, to Bret. Inscrutable as ever with those sunglasses of his on. It was a look, and not a bad one at that, but she had to admit this was a particular moment in time she rather wished she had the other Carter next to her. Witticisms weren't exactly Bret's specialty. They weren't exactly Wyatt's specialty, either, but at least whatever came out of his mouth would inevitably be funny. And if things went sour he'd punch Gaelan in the nose for her. Bret's discretion was an admirable quality, but often an inconvenient one.
She hadn't gained weight, had she? Would Bret notice if she had?
The corner of her mouth twitched as she turned toward Nick. A casualty of war, she supposed. How unfortunate for him, being caught in this particular crossfire.
"Was... was that an attempt at an insult? I mean, to be fair, the lack of effort in itself is kind of insulting. At least Gaelan's trying, if failing, miserably, as per usual. I'll give you another shot if you want one, hon. You can do better."
Ivy leaned against Bret, feigning a yawn as she glanced back down at her phone, the very picture of boredom.
"So? Are you done?"
Her eyes met Gaelan's once again. Her voice was a taunt, a dare, a question. How much worse did he want to make this?
"Oh, Gaelan," she said, her voice sugary sweet as ever. "I know honesty is difficult for you, but you ought to be saving comments like that for your girlfriend. Bless her heart."
Her gaze shifted, just for a moment, to Bret. Inscrutable as ever with those sunglasses of his on. It was a look, and not a bad one at that, but she had to admit this was a particular moment in time she rather wished she had the other Carter next to her. Witticisms weren't exactly Bret's specialty. They weren't exactly Wyatt's specialty, either, but at least whatever came out of his mouth would inevitably be funny. And if things went sour he'd punch Gaelan in the nose for her. Bret's discretion was an admirable quality, but often an inconvenient one.
She hadn't gained weight, had she? Would Bret notice if she had?
The corner of her mouth twitched as she turned toward Nick. A casualty of war, she supposed. How unfortunate for him, being caught in this particular crossfire.
"Was... was that an attempt at an insult? I mean, to be fair, the lack of effort in itself is kind of insulting. At least Gaelan's trying, if failing, miserably, as per usual. I'll give you another shot if you want one, hon. You can do better."
Ivy leaned against Bret, feigning a yawn as she glanced back down at her phone, the very picture of boredom.
"So? Are you done?"
Her eyes met Gaelan's once again. Her voice was a taunt, a dare, a question. How much worse did he want to make this?
"Well, Fenris, the King of Gossip. We meet again."
Myles's name was finally called by the barista (were they still a barista if they worked in a truck and not a cafe?) and he grabbed his coffee in a hurry, belatedly remembering to throw out a "Thanks" over his shoulder as he turned back to the scene that was unfolding.
Should he go over there? He should probably go over there. It'd be a good friend thing to do, even if getting close to Gaelan made Myles's skin crawl more than just about anyone else he knew.
Myles hated it when Gaelan showed up, not just for the fact that he hated Gaelan himself, but because feeling that strongly about someone was uncomfortable no matter what end of the love-hate spectrum it was on. It took a lot of time, energy, and mental power, and Myles needed those for important things.
Gaelan wasn't important. Not anymore.
All he really cared about was that he didn't get to have everything handed to him like he used to, and he wanted to play it off like it was some moral issue. Because Gaelan had so many morals. Gaelan was bitter because his rich daddy decided to run out on him, and because Gaelan was a stupid, selfish idiot, he had decided that the best way to deal with that was to hurt someone who cared about him and then put all the blame on Ivy for just living the life that she had always lived. Even Myles, who actively disliked the wealthy on principle because honestly, most of them sucked, knew that Gaelan was full of it when he went off like that.
Okay, he was getting too mad thinking about this to just stand here. He was going over there.
Should he go over there? He should probably go over there. It'd be a good friend thing to do, even if getting close to Gaelan made Myles's skin crawl more than just about anyone else he knew.
Myles hated it when Gaelan showed up, not just for the fact that he hated Gaelan himself, but because feeling that strongly about someone was uncomfortable no matter what end of the love-hate spectrum it was on. It took a lot of time, energy, and mental power, and Myles needed those for important things.
Gaelan wasn't important. Not anymore.
All he really cared about was that he didn't get to have everything handed to him like he used to, and he wanted to play it off like it was some moral issue. Because Gaelan had so many morals. Gaelan was bitter because his rich daddy decided to run out on him, and because Gaelan was a stupid, selfish idiot, he had decided that the best way to deal with that was to hurt someone who cared about him and then put all the blame on Ivy for just living the life that she had always lived. Even Myles, who actively disliked the wealthy on principle because honestly, most of them sucked, knew that Gaelan was full of it when he went off like that.
Okay, he was getting too mad thinking about this to just stand here. He was going over there.
"Art enriches the community, Steve, no less than a pulsing fire hose, or a fireman beating down a blazing door. So what if we're drawing a nude man? So what if all we ever draw is a nude man, or the same nude man over and over in all sorts of provocative positions? Context, not content! Process, not subject! Don't be so gauche, Steve, it's beneath you."
"Swamp Thing. Not bad for an older, fatter Gerard Way." Bret didn't put as much time and effort into his insults as some of his classmates seemed to. Some of them seemed so desperate to get a "win" that they went home and spent all their time coming up with the best ways to insult people, just in case they got the chance. It was sad really. In truth, he'd had no intention to speak up but Nick had brought him into the argument for no good reason so he had to return the insult in kind. You couldn't just let someone insult you to your face after all.
It was funny to him how Nick felt the need to square up in response to his presence. The king of the jungle had arrived and everyone was taking notice. Truthfully while Nick was the same height as Bret that was all he could truly boast about in terms of physique. He made a show of running his vision over Nick and smirked.
The whole argument was a waste of their time. Gaelan was an annoyance, his constant war of words with Ivy was pathetic and his Instagram account was quite frankly sad in how artificial the whole thing was. That was the perfect word to describe Gaelan. He was the artificial boy, a slave to the new trends whenever they appeared, living his life to the drumbeat of those more popular than him. It was the same with all the social media obsessed kids he presumed.
Bret shared Ivy's sentiment. The sooner this pointlessness was done the better.
It was funny to him how Nick felt the need to square up in response to his presence. The king of the jungle had arrived and everyone was taking notice. Truthfully while Nick was the same height as Bret that was all he could truly boast about in terms of physique. He made a show of running his vision over Nick and smirked.
The whole argument was a waste of their time. Gaelan was an annoyance, his constant war of words with Ivy was pathetic and his Instagram account was quite frankly sad in how artificial the whole thing was. That was the perfect word to describe Gaelan. He was the artificial boy, a slave to the new trends whenever they appeared, living his life to the drumbeat of those more popular than him. It was the same with all the social media obsessed kids he presumed.
Bret shared Ivy's sentiment. The sooner this pointlessness was done the better.
V8
Aracelis Fuentes
California “Cali” Fox
Darryl Smith Jr.
Jessica Romero
Roberta “Robbie” Woodvine
Aracelis Fuentes
California “Cali” Fox
Darryl Smith Jr.
Jessica Romero
Roberta “Robbie” Woodvine
There was a small part of Gaelan that just instinctively wanted to throw something, but there was nothing to throw. So words were used instead.
"Am I done? You're the one who ran into me, you're the one who spilled my drink, you're the one who insulted me and my friend because you're a fucking idiot who can't see where she's going, and now you're the one who has the fucking nerve to act bored and done because you wanna run away from something you started?"
His eyes glanced down to the fading stain on the cement of what was once his drink, before returning to the damaged moron in front of him.
"Get your story straight, Ivy. Bret manages it, why can't you?"
Gaelan gave Bret a knowing glance and smile, even though he'd have no idea what he was even talking about. But it was already too far into this whole thing to back out now and get scared of throwing around a false infidelity accusation so, as the saying went, in for a penny in for a pound.
"Or is thinking just too hard for the spoiled rich girl?"
"Am I done? You're the one who ran into me, you're the one who spilled my drink, you're the one who insulted me and my friend because you're a fucking idiot who can't see where she's going, and now you're the one who has the fucking nerve to act bored and done because you wanna run away from something you started?"
His eyes glanced down to the fading stain on the cement of what was once his drink, before returning to the damaged moron in front of him.
"Get your story straight, Ivy. Bret manages it, why can't you?"
Gaelan gave Bret a knowing glance and smile, even though he'd have no idea what he was even talking about. But it was already too far into this whole thing to back out now and get scared of throwing around a false infidelity accusation so, as the saying went, in for a penny in for a pound.
"Or is thinking just too hard for the spoiled rich girl?"
-
General Goose
- Posts: 731
- Joined: Mon Aug 13, 2018 4:02 pm
There was a kind of amateur verbal jousting going on here, and Nick admitted a certain thrill from it. He would have rubbed his hands together with glee, had he not been holding a cup of coffee that - he noticed with a slightly forlorn vexation - had declined to tepid and lukewarm quite quickly. Probably some silly health and safety requirement, or some corners cut or something.
Normally when hanging out with his friends, he liked who they liked, disliked who they disliked. Saw it as an imperative to support them, except when some tangible moral line was being stepped over in the heat of the moment, when Nick would, he liked to think, step in and use his experience to pull them back from the brink. But other than that hypothetical, Nick was just a good hype man and an even better enforcer for his friends. Loyalty, that was his thing. He could certainly, these days, tell the difference between that and just feckless peer pressure.
So, sure, if Gaelan started an argument with anyone, he'd start by Gaelan. Unless it was with someone like Tristan or Beryl, which would cause a dilemma, but that was quite unlikely.
But Ivy was very much one of the exceptions to that rule. Arguing with her was always a righteous task.
He hadn't really been listening to the insults Gaelan was springing out. He was sure they were good. Plus, hey, not his job to assess them. The best insult he'd heard came from Bret. And it hurt, actually. Like, not a lot. But a sting. A sharp sting that almost made him visibly recoil, because damn. It was kinda - well, not accurate, but understandable. Like yeah, Nick wasn't fat, and he was pretty sure Gerard Way was a fair bit older than him, but the message made sense. So the initial hurt gave way to grudging acceptance. Nick shrugged. "Yeah, Swamp Thing wasn't my best. Just wanted to stick with the theme."
He was a little bit pissed off, but best to channel that towards Ivy. And the shitty coffee.
Normally when hanging out with his friends, he liked who they liked, disliked who they disliked. Saw it as an imperative to support them, except when some tangible moral line was being stepped over in the heat of the moment, when Nick would, he liked to think, step in and use his experience to pull them back from the brink. But other than that hypothetical, Nick was just a good hype man and an even better enforcer for his friends. Loyalty, that was his thing. He could certainly, these days, tell the difference between that and just feckless peer pressure.
So, sure, if Gaelan started an argument with anyone, he'd start by Gaelan. Unless it was with someone like Tristan or Beryl, which would cause a dilemma, but that was quite unlikely.
But Ivy was very much one of the exceptions to that rule. Arguing with her was always a righteous task.
He hadn't really been listening to the insults Gaelan was springing out. He was sure they were good. Plus, hey, not his job to assess them. The best insult he'd heard came from Bret. And it hurt, actually. Like, not a lot. But a sting. A sharp sting that almost made him visibly recoil, because damn. It was kinda - well, not accurate, but understandable. Like yeah, Nick wasn't fat, and he was pretty sure Gerard Way was a fair bit older than him, but the message made sense. So the initial hurt gave way to grudging acceptance. Nick shrugged. "Yeah, Swamp Thing wasn't my best. Just wanted to stick with the theme."
He was a little bit pissed off, but best to channel that towards Ivy. And the shitty coffee.
"Really, Gaelan? You're going to do that whole bit all over again?"
Ta-da, Myles was here. Ivy probably didn't need more backup, but she would appreciate it, and Myles had gotten himself more worked up than he initially realized. He'd arrived just in time to hear Gaelan's weak excuses for comebacks, and for Nick to start backing down because Nick was weird, annoying, and vaguely crusty-looking, but at least he had half a brain left.
Myles stepped up beside Ivy and linked his arm with hers, an action born from years of habit. He was smiling, sweetly mocking as he finally engaged Gaelan properly.
"Gonna call someone spoiled just because you don't get everything handed to you anymore? I guess you're going to go with 'shallow' next, right? Because it's all only bad when it's not you doing it." The smile slid from his face, leaving nothing but cold contempt.
"You're a fucking joke, and if you had any real friends, they wouldn't let you walk around acting like that." Myles's gaze darted from Gaelan to rest briefly on Nick and then back.
People could call him two-faced all they wanted, but he was honest where it really counted.
Ta-da, Myles was here. Ivy probably didn't need more backup, but she would appreciate it, and Myles had gotten himself more worked up than he initially realized. He'd arrived just in time to hear Gaelan's weak excuses for comebacks, and for Nick to start backing down because Nick was weird, annoying, and vaguely crusty-looking, but at least he had half a brain left.
Myles stepped up beside Ivy and linked his arm with hers, an action born from years of habit. He was smiling, sweetly mocking as he finally engaged Gaelan properly.
"Gonna call someone spoiled just because you don't get everything handed to you anymore? I guess you're going to go with 'shallow' next, right? Because it's all only bad when it's not you doing it." The smile slid from his face, leaving nothing but cold contempt.
"You're a fucking joke, and if you had any real friends, they wouldn't let you walk around acting like that." Myles's gaze darted from Gaelan to rest briefly on Nick and then back.
People could call him two-faced all they wanted, but he was honest where it really counted.
"Art enriches the community, Steve, no less than a pulsing fire hose, or a fireman beating down a blazing door. So what if we're drawing a nude man? So what if all we ever draw is a nude man, or the same nude man over and over in all sorts of provocative positions? Context, not content! Process, not subject! Don't be so gauche, Steve, it's beneath you."
Ivy, feigned boredom or no, had had her attention so thoroughly focused on the situation at hand that she didn't notice her best friend approaching until he was already beside her. When his arm moved to take hers, she moved almost instinctually to meet his, and it was only at that point that her brain caught up with her. Thankfully she'd been concentrating on maintaining a neutral expression, else the mild surprise that showed on her face might have become something significantly less attractive. She snuffed out the instinct to question Myles's sudden appearance, at least for the time being. She'd run into Gaelan, why shouldn't she expect Myles to be here too? It was that kind of day. She'd have questions for him later, though. The ease with which he'd slid into the conversation told her he'd known they were here for more than a moment.
And oh, the ease with which he'd slid into the conversation could not be overstated. Myles knew what he was doing, for which she was happy and willing to take full credit. If only to mask her slight irritation at his taking her spotlight. She didn't need his help here, not at all. Gaelan was so on edge, so angry, and it was both hilarious and kind of adorable. She'd raised her eyebrow a bit at Gaelan's "get your story straight" line (did he really think that would work? making up rumors was her specialty, he'd never been any good at it), but otherwise he was spouting pure nonsense. But she'd prefer to have Myles on her side than anyone else, including Bret, though she was pleasantly surprised and entertained by his little Gerard Way quip. She supposed she'd underestimated him.
"Must be hard, having such useless friends," Ivy said idly. She didn't look at Myles, but she didn't have to; her words flowed as easily after his as they did after her own.
"I won this little tête-à-tête the moment you got yourself all worked up, hon. Now I'm just waiting for you to figure it out and stop wasting my time. I'd hate for you to forget how much more valuable it is than yours."
And oh, the ease with which he'd slid into the conversation could not be overstated. Myles knew what he was doing, for which she was happy and willing to take full credit. If only to mask her slight irritation at his taking her spotlight. She didn't need his help here, not at all. Gaelan was so on edge, so angry, and it was both hilarious and kind of adorable. She'd raised her eyebrow a bit at Gaelan's "get your story straight" line (did he really think that would work? making up rumors was her specialty, he'd never been any good at it), but otherwise he was spouting pure nonsense. But she'd prefer to have Myles on her side than anyone else, including Bret, though she was pleasantly surprised and entertained by his little Gerard Way quip. She supposed she'd underestimated him.
"Must be hard, having such useless friends," Ivy said idly. She didn't look at Myles, but she didn't have to; her words flowed as easily after his as they did after her own.
"I won this little tête-à-tête the moment you got yourself all worked up, hon. Now I'm just waiting for you to figure it out and stop wasting my time. I'd hate for you to forget how much more valuable it is than yours."
"Well, Fenris, the King of Gossip. We meet again."
And this, above everything else, was why Gaelan was no longer friends with Myles or Ivy.
Because this was the kind of people they were. Sure, this was just an isolated incident, but was he wrong? Ivy, or Myles, or anyone in their little crew, would start something, punch down on people who couldn't defend themselves, belittle them, smear their name, and that wasn't even putting himself into the equation. It was like Ivy's entire life revolved around making anyone who was even friends with Gaelan a living hell, because she really had nothing else going on. She'd never had to struggle. She was never going to struggle. She'd breeze through life like it was a game and everyone else were the players, marry someone just as rich as dear dad, and plop out babies because her entire purpose would be relegated to that, all the while abusing the people who work for her. The cycle of high school would never end for her.
And that wasn't even getting into Myles, popping in like an unwanted zit on the face of this whole conversation, acting like he actually remembered who Gaelan was when it was quite clear he had no clue. Myles had been to Gaelan's old apartment building, the one with the hookers on one floor and the heroin on the other. Who did he think he was fooling by starting something up about how Gaelan ever got anything he wanted? Himself? He fooled himself every day by thinking anything he wore was worth the sweatshop wages it was built for, what more could flat-out lies hurt?
This whole situation was why Nick was his friend, and Blaise was his friend, and Lukas, and everyone else he let into his life, despite what Myles just said. Because they may have been slightly unpredictable, Blaise especially, but they weren't ever going to stoop to the level that Gaelan was scooped into every time this same conversation repeated itself. They were good people. They knew who Gaelan was, and they welcomed him into their life. And Gaelan worked every day to repay that, and repay them for every time he had to apologize because Ivy set out to ruin everything, because that's the kind of person he was; a good friend, something Ivy would never know anything about.
He could have said some of that. He could have said all of that, and the ensuing monologue would have attracted onlookers and it would have been awkward for everyone. In fact, Gaelan was very much about to start saying something like that.
But instead, something far more interesting happened.
Because this was the kind of people they were. Sure, this was just an isolated incident, but was he wrong? Ivy, or Myles, or anyone in their little crew, would start something, punch down on people who couldn't defend themselves, belittle them, smear their name, and that wasn't even putting himself into the equation. It was like Ivy's entire life revolved around making anyone who was even friends with Gaelan a living hell, because she really had nothing else going on. She'd never had to struggle. She was never going to struggle. She'd breeze through life like it was a game and everyone else were the players, marry someone just as rich as dear dad, and plop out babies because her entire purpose would be relegated to that, all the while abusing the people who work for her. The cycle of high school would never end for her.
And that wasn't even getting into Myles, popping in like an unwanted zit on the face of this whole conversation, acting like he actually remembered who Gaelan was when it was quite clear he had no clue. Myles had been to Gaelan's old apartment building, the one with the hookers on one floor and the heroin on the other. Who did he think he was fooling by starting something up about how Gaelan ever got anything he wanted? Himself? He fooled himself every day by thinking anything he wore was worth the sweatshop wages it was built for, what more could flat-out lies hurt?
This whole situation was why Nick was his friend, and Blaise was his friend, and Lukas, and everyone else he let into his life, despite what Myles just said. Because they may have been slightly unpredictable, Blaise especially, but they weren't ever going to stoop to the level that Gaelan was scooped into every time this same conversation repeated itself. They were good people. They knew who Gaelan was, and they welcomed him into their life. And Gaelan worked every day to repay that, and repay them for every time he had to apologize because Ivy set out to ruin everything, because that's the kind of person he was; a good friend, something Ivy would never know anything about.
He could have said some of that. He could have said all of that, and the ensuing monologue would have attracted onlookers and it would have been awkward for everyone. In fact, Gaelan was very much about to start saying something like that.
But instead, something far more interesting happened.
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General Goose
- Posts: 731
- Joined: Mon Aug 13, 2018 4:02 pm
Okay. Fuck. Fuckfuckfuckfuck.
Nick was fucking fuming. You couldn't see it, because his beard strategically covered up the parts of his cheeks that tended to inflame with anguished rage, but...actually, no. You could see it. Nick was shaking. And he was a big guy, so even the most minor tremble was amplified by his sheer size.
This was why Nick hung out with his friends. Because other people tended to be such odious cunts. Like, okay, Ivy was Ivy. It was in her nature. Venom was in her fucking veins, like some kind of infestation, turning her into the human embodiment of everything Nick hated. And Bret, if he had any decency left over once you scraped away all the mean-spirited Carter DNA, clearly was willing to put aside any free moral thinking in service of doing Ivy's whims. Fuck that. Nick appreciated loyalty. That shit mattered. But loyalty to Ivy? Man, at that point, being disloyal would count as a veritable fucking virtue.
And Myles. Myles, Myles, Myles. What the fuck had Nick even done to Myles? Nick couldn't even place exactly why he was enemies with him, why they couldn't just get along. It seemed to be some guilt by association, some kind of hating Nick because he dared to be friends with Gaelan. Well, news flash, you dimunitive wankstain, freedom of association was his fucking constitutional right. Like, okay, that right cut both ways and gave Myles the right to like who he liked for whatever reasons he liked, but still. Fuck off Myles. There's a reason most of the world has converted to the metric system.
"How dare you fucking call me a bad friend?"
Why the fuck was he suddenly a bad friend? Nick didn't even know what the fuck was going on! These cunts saw to that, what with their fucking interruptions of a private conversation. Plus, hey, it wasn't his job to be Gaelan's fucking insulation against obnoxious shitheads like the miscoloured wankstains in front of him. He was a friend, for fuck's sake, not a fucking full-time carer. He took a final sip from his coffee, trembling. It was too cold now. Lukewarm. Tepid. Urgh. He needed hot coffee. This shit was only good for one thing.
"Hope you got money for a new outfit!" And with that, he pulled the lid off, chucked it in Myles's face like a frisbee, and splashed his coffee all over Ivy. Not the wittiest one-liner to accompany it, but he doubted they'd be on top bantering form after that. And regardless, it felt good to do. Really good to do.
Nick was fucking fuming. You couldn't see it, because his beard strategically covered up the parts of his cheeks that tended to inflame with anguished rage, but...actually, no. You could see it. Nick was shaking. And he was a big guy, so even the most minor tremble was amplified by his sheer size.
This was why Nick hung out with his friends. Because other people tended to be such odious cunts. Like, okay, Ivy was Ivy. It was in her nature. Venom was in her fucking veins, like some kind of infestation, turning her into the human embodiment of everything Nick hated. And Bret, if he had any decency left over once you scraped away all the mean-spirited Carter DNA, clearly was willing to put aside any free moral thinking in service of doing Ivy's whims. Fuck that. Nick appreciated loyalty. That shit mattered. But loyalty to Ivy? Man, at that point, being disloyal would count as a veritable fucking virtue.
And Myles. Myles, Myles, Myles. What the fuck had Nick even done to Myles? Nick couldn't even place exactly why he was enemies with him, why they couldn't just get along. It seemed to be some guilt by association, some kind of hating Nick because he dared to be friends with Gaelan. Well, news flash, you dimunitive wankstain, freedom of association was his fucking constitutional right. Like, okay, that right cut both ways and gave Myles the right to like who he liked for whatever reasons he liked, but still. Fuck off Myles. There's a reason most of the world has converted to the metric system.
"How dare you fucking call me a bad friend?"
Why the fuck was he suddenly a bad friend? Nick didn't even know what the fuck was going on! These cunts saw to that, what with their fucking interruptions of a private conversation. Plus, hey, it wasn't his job to be Gaelan's fucking insulation against obnoxious shitheads like the miscoloured wankstains in front of him. He was a friend, for fuck's sake, not a fucking full-time carer. He took a final sip from his coffee, trembling. It was too cold now. Lukewarm. Tepid. Urgh. He needed hot coffee. This shit was only good for one thing.
"Hope you got money for a new outfit!" And with that, he pulled the lid off, chucked it in Myles's face like a frisbee, and splashed his coffee all over Ivy. Not the wittiest one-liner to accompany it, but he doubted they'd be on top bantering form after that. And regardless, it felt good to do. Really good to do.