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[img]http://33.media.tumblr.com/67914a68612819126f5cfff85875bb8a/tumblr_nmt1fc1pL41th1illo3_500.gif[/img]
[img]http://38.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m9ahtnrx8q1qdboxco1_r1_500.gif[/img]


Location: Simone’s Cafe
Interacting with: Each other, Nina’s Boss
[hr][hr]

Nina was barely paying attention to the news as it played on the mounted TV at Simone’s. She was reading over some homework from Monday since the cafe was mostly dead that evening. Until her manager walked over. “Nina, I know you got a minute, can we talk?”

[color=d86c00]”Sure, what is up?”[/color]

“So, I don’t know if you were paying that much attention to the news, but there is a curfew in town again.”

[color=d86c00]”Goodie.”[/color]

“However, they’ve also closed down the school till their investigation of Rachel’s murder is done.”

[color=d86c00]”Double goodie.”[/color] Nina sighed. This wasn’t going to look good on a college application. 

“So, I want you and your brother to swap shifts while the school is closed and while the curfew is in effect, starting tomorrow. Come in during the day, and go home early. Tonight, well, I won’t report you, since Alicia is called out. However, call your father or go home with someone at 7:30, ok?” 

[color=d86c00]”Yeah boss.”[/color] She looked at the clock and noted it was just past 6. That meant she had about an hour… and Ash still hadn’t shown up quite yet. She frowned a bit and leaned against the counter. 

”Also, if you need…”

[color=d86c00]”I’m fine. I don’t need any time off… you know that.”[/color] Nina’s manager nodded and walked off to the back. She sighed and turned towards the door. 

The door happened to open at that same moment that Nina glanced at it. Ashton promptly ducked inside, a small grin spreading across his face when he saw his friend. Without a hurry in his step, he made his way over to the counter. [color=32CD32][b]”Hey, what’s up?”[/b][/color] 

[color=d86c00]”Hey! Well as you can see it is dead here, but I can understand why. I hear at least half of our class is either in the clinic or grounded, including you. Also apparently a curfew? Did you hear about that?”[/color] Nina smiled as she looked at Ash and stepped to the side to start making his usual cup of hot chocolate.

[color=32CD32][b]”Oh yeah, part of the reason why I’m grounded actually. Something about ‘if I don’t go out, I won’t be caught after curfew.’”[/b][/color] Ashton chuckled, leaning casually against the counter. [color=32CD32][b]”Parents are kind of--no, they’re definitely freaking out about the whole thing. Understandable, but it’s just a bit overbearing, you know?”[/b][/color] 

[color=d86c00]”Otec was mostly worried about Petyr and I, and well, surprisingly, not grounded. However, I will be working during the day during curfew and no school. So, are you the sort of grounded that can’t have friends over?[/color] Nina worked on making the hot cocoa, and soon handed Ash the paper cup full of the warm brown liquid.

[color=32CD32][b]”Technically yes.”[/b][/color] Ashton accepted the cup and took a sip. After a drink and a moment of thought, he smirked and tipped the cup slightly at Nina and winked. [color=32CD32][b]”My brother isn’t grounded though, so if a mutual friend of ours came over to hang out with him and I just [i]happened[/i] to be in the house…. Well, that’s not breaking any rules, is it?”[/b][/color] 

Nina had to smirk for a moment. [color=d86c00]”I’ll keep that in mind then. I do hope the hot cocoa was worth the trouble. As I said, I think I owe you a few hundred after last night.”[/color] Her smirk seemed to vanish as her thoughts turned to the night before. 

[color=32CD32][b]”Delicious as always, Jelen. And you don’t owe me anything,”[/b][/color] Upon seeing Nina’s face darken, Ashton leaned forward to peer into her face with slight concern. His elbows supported his chin upon the counter as he turned his gaze upwards towards her. [color=32CD32][b]”You alright there?”[/b][/color]

Nina paused and looked at Ash and blinked. [color=d86c00]”Ah… sorry, was just thinking about last night. I mean, for a moment, I was pretty sure we were all dead… and, I just… there is so much that is so confusing now. You know how they say when you think you’re about to die, your life flashes before your eyes? Well, just some of those glimpses were confusing, and honestly I was terrified. I just made up with Tess, and if I lost her, or Petyr, or even…”[/color] She trailed off at that moment and looked at Ash and her cheeks grew red. [color=d86c00]”Ah, sorry.”[/color] l

[color=32CD32][b]”You don’t have to apologize,”[/b][/color] Ashton said, his eyes turning a bit more serious as he reached out to place a hand on her head. [color=32CD32][b]”I was scared shitless last night, I’m sure all of us were. But we made it out alive, every single one of us. Even if some people ended up in the clinic, everyone is going to be fine. And that’s what matters.”[/b][/color]

Nina nodded and leaned into Ash’s hand a bit. [color=d86c00]”Yes, we’ll be fine, for now. I suppose, but…”[/color] She looked around and frowned. [color=d86c00]”This may not be the place to discuss some things, so maybe I can pop by tomorrow when I get off shift?”[/color] [go ahead]

[color=32CD32][b]”As long as you’re visiting my brother Daniel, and not me,”[/b][/color] Ashton said with a slight smirk, taking another swift sip of his drink. [color=32CD32][b]”I’ll let him know that he has a guest tomorrow.”[/b][/color]

[color=d86c00]”Thanks. If anything comes up, I’ll let you know, otherwise, I’ll be over after, hmm lets say 4, to see Daniel.”[/color] Nina let a small smile grace her face as she leaned back a bit. [all yours]

[color=32CD32][b]”I’ll be sure to be properly grounded and in the house,”[/b][/color] Ashton winked. He pulled out his phone to text his brother this information, knowing that he would likely owe his brother [i]more[/i] after this--a fact he noted with a wry smile.

[color=d86c00]”Alright. I’ll also bring around some cocoa for you and that really carmelly thing your brother likes. Now you should probably head home before you get more grounded.”[/color] Nina walked around the counter to hug her friend goodbye. 

[color=32CD32][b]”Sounds good!”[/b][/color] Ashton returned her embrace, gently rubbing her back. He turned to make his way out of the coffee shop, but paused and twisted around to face Nina right before he stepped out the door. [color=32CD32][b]”Don’t get too caught up in what happened last night, okay? Everything is fine.”[/b][/color]

Nina nodded. [color=d86c00]”Yeah, I won’t. Take care Ash, and till later.”[/color] She waved at him as he left and sighed, and went behind the counter. [color=d86c00][i]”Everything is fine… everything will be fine… don’t worry.”[/i][/color]