(no subject)

[that_cost]

[ Hanging out in this, reading quietly. ]

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[hollow_man]

[It's finally autumn. That means that wearing scarves makes sense again, which in turn means Jono can walk around in public without worrying quite so much. This is how he comes to find himself taking a stroll through the park, admiring the colours of the trees.

He admires them so much, in fact, that he manages to trip and nearly crash into the hammock hung nearby.]

~!!!~

[that_cost]

[ The cooler weather is probably why Charlie chose to be outside. It's nice. The leaves are pretty. There aren't many people. Except for this guy. Charlie hears him trip and sits up, the hammock swaying slightly before she speaks. ]

Are you okay?

[ Because she has a first aid kit, dude. ]

[hollow_man]

[He stands up, brushing his hands on his jeans. A leaf has taken up residence in his hair.]

~Yes, thank you. Only me pride is hurt.~

[that_cost]

[ Was that in her head? That was totally in her head, wasn't it? Not that it's freaking her out. She has a few abilities of her own, telepathy being one of them. ]

Good to know. You have a leaf in your hair, by the way.

[ Which she's gonna casually point out ]

[hollow_man]

[You shouldn't be able to sigh telepathically, but somehow he does so anyway. He pulls the leaf out and examines it.]

~Cheers. Uh, sorry fer disturbing you there. ...in a hammock. Huh.~

[that_cost]

[ She kinda finds the sigh amusing. ]

You weren't disturbing anything. I'm reading a cookbook. It's only so engaging before I start getting annoyed at how much vanilla is being used in something.

[hollow_man]

~They use it a lot, do they? Can't say I've ever noticed.~

[that_cost]

It can be a bit excessive. Kinda covers up other flavors if you're not careful.

[hollow_man]

~I'll take yer word for it.

You cook a lot, then?~

[that_cost]

I poke at it. It's a hobby.

[ Charlie grins at the guy and then extends her hand. ] Charlie. Hi.

[hollow_man]

~I see.~

[He steps closer awkwardly and shakes her hand.] ~Jono. That short for Charlene, is it?~

ooc: these two are fun..

[that_cost]

It is. Most people guess 'Charlotte'. So, ten points for you.

[ She shakes his hand in return, tilting her head some. ]

Jono can be short for a few names, but I'm terrible at guessing. So do you mind helping a girl out?

[hollow_man]

~You know, I've never met a Charlotte.

It's Jonothon. Jonothon Evan Starsmore, actually.~

[that_cost]

I've met a few. Kinda jealous of their name, but...

[ A shrug. Changing her name requires far too much paperwork and effort and she thinks it's stupid to do, anyway. ]

Nice to meet you, Jono.

[hollow_man]

~Don't be, it's pretty dull.

Cheers. So do you always carry a hammock?~

[dr_jd_watson]

Well, now, that looks cosy. What are you reading, lass?

[that_cost]

[ Charlie holds up the book, an old copy of Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking. ]

It was the only book on the Free to a Good Home cart at the library, so I took it.

[dr_jd_watson]

[James chuckles at that, dropping into a comfortable crouch not too far from the hammock.]

She has some amusing anecdotes, I'm given to understand. Are you an avid reader, then?

[that_cost]

If it has words, I'll read it.

[ A small smirk because it's a yes. Her father taught st a university. An English professor. So she has his habits. ]

[dr_jd_watson]

[James beams at that response.]

This is probably going to sound like a cliched approach from a very bad man, but I have some books you're welcome to...

[that_cost]

Kinda does.

[ And there we have all of Charlie's trust issues in two word. But she's being polite, that much she can manage. She looks over from her book with an apologetic smile. ]

Thank you, but I think I'm good.

] If she can't fit it in a backpack and still have room for essentials, she doesn't want it. ]

[dr_jd_watson]

[James honestly can't blame her for her caution but, at the same time, he's always drawn to fellow bibliophiles.]

I could bring you a volume or two here, if you prefer...

[that_cost]

That might depend on what books.

[ Because now she feels like she's on her territory and not following some random guy to his. ]

What's your name?

[dr_jd_watson]

[He knows what a difference rephrasing his offer would make to most cautious-minded individuals. That's exactly why he did it.]

James Watson, m'dear, at your service.

[goodolcapnjack]

[Rather abruptly, while passing by, there's suddenly a puzzled newsie leaning against the tree at one end, adjusting his cap and trying to puzzle out...]

'Ey--whaddaya doin' in that thing?

[that_cost]

Reading. And relaxing.

[ Friends though they may just be? The hammock is big enough for the two of them. So she looks over at him and closes her book. ]

Do you know how to get in one of these things without flipping it?

[goodolcapnjack]

Well--yeah, I mean...yeah, I know how.

[He's just...not gonna, if it's all the same. Nope, he rigged up a few of those things at the refuge for the smaller boys what couldn't handle three to a bed or got bit too many times by the rats. Strong enough knots between a couple of bunks, and you could put two to a sling--even try to make it fun by laying on a bottom bunk and making it sway with your foot so they'd think they was going for a ride.

And, of course, if any of the rougher kids got ideas about tossing any unsuspecting little kid out of 'em--well, he'd got his nose broken for less in his lifetime.

Yeah, he knows them things. And he's not getting into one if he can help it.]

[that_cost]

[ She could pick up his mood from a mile away, honestly. So she closes her book and watches with some concern. A lot of concern. No, she doesn't like that at all. Upset is not a good look on him. It's almost upsetting her. So she shakes her head and holds a hand out. ]


So, help me out of it. I've been in this thing for an hour, anyway.

[ And she wants to put a smile on his face. ].

[goodolcapnjack]

{There's no real dispelling the mood--the mood never really leaves him, it's a way of life woven through everything he does--but there's a bit of a facial sigh of relief as he smirks and, instead of pulling her out with one hand, takes her hand and leans over, draping her arm around his neck.]

Hang on, s' easier dis way.

[And it's truth: no flirting, no fun, she's just too big to swing out with hands under her arms like he did with the kids in the refuge. So, with strength gained from slinging papes every day of his life, he slides one arm under her back, the other beneath her knees, and lifts her out with little more than a soft puff of air to show for the effort he expends, and sets her chastely and deftly on her feet beside the hammock before he straightens up and makes a show of dusting off his hands.]

There you are--safe as houses.

[that_cost]

[ Hang on, she does, her arms going around his shoulders readily. It's the safest way to travel out of the hammock. Also? Good lord, are his arms nice. She's trying really, really hard to not focus on that fact. Nor is she gonna dwell on the fact that this is probably the closest they've been since meeting, so he'll have to forgive her if she looks a bit unsure for a moment or two.


Unsure of what? Well, that's a tough call. It's either unsure of being held, or unsure of being let go of. Take your pick, she leans either way.

When she's on the ground again, she smiles a bit at him, pushing her hair out of her eyes, idly digging in her pocket for a hair tye and pulling her hair back. ]

Thanks.

[ And no, she's not gonna harass him about why the hammock bothered him. Not directly. Instead, she's going to focus on the less obvious but no less important question. ]

Are you okay?

[goodolcapnjack]

Pshaw--I'm peart, I'm good. [Said with a smile, but again: that's his state of being. He's never okay, he's never quite right--but he can talk his way in and out of anything.

Especially when he wants to take care of his people.

So he winks at her, then rubs his nose and moves to one side of the hammock, peering at how it's hooked up.]

You want we should pack dis up? Looks expensive--what'd ya pay for this, five dollars or somethin'?

[that_cost]

I paid zero dollars for it because I stole it from someone who was being a complete dick to a customer in the market. Just picked it up and walked off.

[ This is a god damn lie and it's obvious with how quickly she says it. She has some money now from work. And she's trying to get rid of her thieving habits. But she does give Jack a minute to think about what she said before answering calmly. ]

Ten. It was at a yard sale. Never used. They said they paid thirty for it and just wanted it gone.

[goodolcapnjack]

Thoity? That thing's worth thoity bucks 'n you paid ten like it's no big deal? Charlie, that's a damn fortune. [He sniffs and starts moving to take it down so they can take it with them, muttering.]

Ten bucks--like you see ten bucks every day--sure.

[that_cost]

I don't really spend my money past what I have to. This just...seems like an interesting thing to own. Useful.

[ In case she needs to start running again. That part is unspoken, but it's still in her voice. The damage The Shop did to her is still obvious. She's never gonna stop keeping one eye over her shoulder. ]