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[indent][indent]Ziggy would be lying if he said he wasn’t relieved by Venus’ response to the brownie. He’d never been the most discerning diner — [i]hell[/i], his idea of a five-star meal was a crockpot full of mac and cheese, and maybe some bacon bits sprinkled over the top, if he was feeling fancy. So, it was a huge reassurance that Venus actually managed to eat one without spitting it out, tangible proof that his taste buds weren’t completely busted quite just yet. Though he supposed that when it came to a pot brownie, how it tasted paled in importance to just how stoned it’d get you.

[color=fada5e][b]“East Coast represent?”[/b][/color] Ziggy remarks, a little teasingly, but keeps his mouth shut when the other falls silent. He takes another swig of his beer while he waits, gaze drawn towards an altercation between Lilly, their floor manager, and someone who seemed very, [i]very[/i] unhappy with the current state of affairs. It was rather hard to ignore, in fact, seeing as how the guy’s voice carried over the music with all the clarity and vindication of a church bell. Whoever he was, he must’ve had some stage training to make himself heard over so much noise. Ziggy would almost be impressed, if he weren’t so annoyed. Some people were just [i]born[/i] to be buzzkills.

Venus’ voice next to him captures Ziggy’s attention once again, and he gives her a nod to indicate that he’s listening. Her answer is far from surprising; most people only end up at Upper Lake because they had no other choice. Wanting to see the world? He could understand that. After all, there’s only so much you can do before you had to step out of your comfort zone. For a second, he considers inquiring further about Venus’ past, but soon finds himself faced with a question of his own.

[color=fada5e][b]“[i]Jeez[/i]… I don’t think [i]anyone[/i] enjoys freezing their balls off.”[/b][/color] He laughs, shaking his head. Then, the levity of the moment wears off, leaving behind a lingering silence as Ziggy attempts to gather his thoughts. Come to think of it, he never really understood [i]what[/i] drew him to Upper Lake. Sure, his SATs weren’t anything to write home about, but he could’ve just gone to any old college in Portland instead of moving all the way out here. Maybe, like Venus, he just wanted to get away from it all, away from the same buildings, streets, and bad memories. It’s one thing leaving everything behind to start a new life, but no matter how much he tried to convince himself otherwise, he still wanted a place he could go back to if things went south.

[color=fada5e][b]“Seems like we’re on the same boat. Thought Upper Lake would be a nice change of pace with all the… [i]snow[/i]. Less distractions, and all that.”[/b][/color] Ziggy doesn’t sound entirely convinced by his own answer, though he plays it off with a one-shouldered shrug. When he does speak again, his voice is tinged with wry amusement, like he was sharing an inside joke. [color=fada5e][b]“I’m from Portland, so like, you know I’ve seen a ton of weird shit.”[/b][/color]

There’s a sudden pause in conversation as he looks up to see familiar, blonde someone approaching them. …[i]Wait[/i], that’s the guy who was shouting at poor, old Lilly earlier, wasn’t it? Ziggy feels his hackles rise when he drags a chair over where they were sitting, but decides against saying anything incendiary. Instead, he simply nods his head in greeting, and allows himself a chuckle at the other’s attempt at a joke.

[color=fada5e][b]“Yeah, the Guardians of the Galaxy was already taken, so…”[/b][/color] Ziggy doesn’t bother to finish the sentence, and instead just gives Julius a wry sort of smile. This time, however, he doesn’t offer a hand to shake as he introduces himself. [color=fada5e][b]“I’m Ziggy, and uh, I’ll let the lady make her own introductions.”[/b][/color]

[color=fada5e][b]“Pretty rough back there, man.”[/b][/color] He nods towards where Lilly is standing, his implication clear. [color=fada5e][b]“You feelin’ okay?”[/b][/color]

He’s more irritated than concerned, really, but he wasn’t about to have his night ruined by a fight. At the very least, Julius seems to have calmed down some, which was a good start. Still, he didn’t want to risk another blow-up like the one prior, and he knew just the solution.

Baring his teeth in an impish grin, Ziggy nudges the tray of brownies closer to Julius. [color=fada5e][b]“Hey, why don’t you try one? They’re my special recipe.”[/b][/color][/indent][/indent]
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