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Interactions: Claire Dupont [@berlin][/I][/center]
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One thing that Nick noticed pretty quickly was Ellie's smile. It seemed like Ellie preferred to stray from convention, and her smile reflected that. She seemed to smile often, and it didn't seem she was doing it simply for pleasantries. Nick liked that about her. Something about that put him at ease.

Nick couldn't help a bit of a snicker when Ellie tried to guess what kind of day he had. [color=98b8a3]"Although I wish it had been more like the former, it was definitely kind of like the latter."[/color] The amendment that followed her statement pulled a real laugh from him, a smile spreading on his face. [color=98b8a3]"I'll give you the benefit of the doubt that you haven't woken up in Illinois with an engagement sash. Do those things really exist?[/color]

It felt good to talk like this, to socialize. Over the past years, Nick had disconnected himself from company. He'd almost been a sort of hermit, a whirlwind trying to sort itself out. If he really tricked himself, he could say it was because he didn't have time, but Nick knew better.

Either way, he was here now, and he could at least make an effort to get to know the people he lived near. Ellie had already finished her beer, and in a subtle effort to follow her lead, he drained his. [color=98b8a3][i]When in Rome, do as the Romans do, right?[/i][/color] He grabbed himself another beer as well, taking the one from Ellie. [color=98b8a3]"Yeah, I can't imagine using your teeth as your personal beer opener can be good."[/color] He laughed good-naturedly, hoping the comment came off as banter rather than criticism. Taking both of the bottles, he pulled the caps off on the edge of the railing, spilling only a little, and handing one back to Ellie. The caps he tossed into the trash by the grill, secretly thankful he didn't miss.