xp_logs | talkie talkie little happy talk

Angelo was sitting in the rec room during one of his free periods, idly flicking channels and hoping someone would show up for him to talk to - he was bored.

"Yo," Clarice says, coming into the room all sweaty in her workout clothes. "Whatcha watching?"

Angelo glances up at her and nods a greeting. "Nothing much - just channel-hopping. Did you want to see anything in particular?"

"Nah, I'm just avoiding Rahne for a couple days - as much as roommates can," Clarice explains stretching on teh floor. She sits far enough away to not be smelled but close enough for discussion.

Angelo nods. "How were you feeling, the morning after?"

"About like I expected. Hungover for a while, but a shower and asprin helped. I only got drunk to piss her and Jamie off really," she explains laughing. "I originally wasn't going to."

Angelo nods, but doesn't laugh. "Ah well, once won't hurt."

"Yeah. I used to drink more than I should have at home, but I don't really care here, y'know? What about you?"

"Pretty much the same - which has the benefit that I don't usually get hangovers, so when I do drink here, I'm fine."

Clarice nods, understanding. "So why are they so uptight? I don't get it."

Angelo sighs, looking sideways at her. "Different strokes for different folks, you know? They're allowed their opinions..."

Clarice shifts looking directly at him, "I know, but I want to understand why. They shouldn't do anything they don't want to do, but I'd like to understand why they have their opinions."

Angelo shrugs. "Well, have you tried asking them? Might be interesting, at least..."

Clarice shrugs. "Rahne doesn't seem to want to talk to me right now. So you and Paige getting serious?"

Angelo blinks at the sudden change of subject, then answers slowly, "...Hard to say. I'd like to..."

"Well, you two seem like you're getting serious," Clarice grins, remembering the semi-formal and last night

Angelo smiles, also remembering. "It's... complicated."

Clarice raises an eyebrow, "That's what Doug said."

Angelo looks at her, amused. "Did he now? You two talk about me and Paige much?"

"Nah, not really. He basically told me who the established couples were, said you and Paige were complicated." Clarice explains.

Angelo nods, still somewhat amused. "Well. We are. It's hard to explain."

"Uh huh," she nods, understanding a little. "Well, Paige likes you. A lot."

Angelo looks at her sharply, eyes suddenly lighting up against his will. "Did she tell you that?"

Clarice shakes her head causing her braids to bounce wildly, "No, but her eyes light up when she sees you and she gets this weird thing her voice."

Angelo can't help asking, "What weird thing?"

"It's like...I dunno...she gets softer."

Angelo smiles despite himself. "You notice a lot, don't you?"

"Don't tell anyone, it would ruin my harmless-nut reputation." Clarice twirled one of her braids and looked out of it for a minute before becoming serious again. "It's better to be the harmless nutcase than the scary mutant."

Angelo glanced over at her, suddenly serious himself. "Agreed." He falls silent for a moment before continuing, more lightly, "So, what else have you noticed?"

"Now that would be telling," she chided lightly. "But, I will say that more love is brewing."

Angelo grins. "Entirely possible, if you're talking about who I think you are."

"Maybe. Valentine's Day could be violent. Love is in the air. Yeesh!"

"She's been lightening up lately, though. Especially around him, I think."

"Yeah. I haven't seen her 'not light' though, she seems nice to me."

That actually makes him laugh. "So, from a newbie's perspective... what do you think of the place?"

"It's a madhouse with the loons in charge," she deadpans, "I love it. Well, I still get lost every time I try to go somewhere new, and I haven't met everyone yet, but it's pretty cool."

Angelo nods. "Yeah, it really is."

"I should go shower, I stink." Clarice says getting up, "I hate stinking."

"Okay", Angelo says. "Talk to you again sometime!"