[IC] I Dare You (Anndie & lucideerity)

[lucideerity]

[quiet night at the cafe. not a lot of people around, considering it's a saturday night. the baristas are just chatting, one of them idly wiping the counter and staring balefully at the only people in the cafe, two groups of friends, as if asking them why they were still here instead of leaving the baristas to their coffee-scented peace.]

Symon: Why are we here? I'm pretty sure I didn't sign up for lying around a boring old cafe on a Saturday night. Why aren't we at a strip club or whatever? I mean, come on---

Adeline: Saturday night, we know. *sips her latte* We're still waiting for Rosie, you doofus.

Symon: Can't she wait for us at a bar or something? *sighs, takes a glance at the cafe's wall clock*

Artenius: You know she doesn't like bars if she comes in alone. Besides, it's nice to just sit back and relax once in a while.

Symon: *glares at him* Dude. You're a fucking painter. All you do is sit around. It's your job. Ugh. Whatever. *sips coffee and glares at wall* I just---

Rosina: *bursts in the cafe* Guys! Hah...*pants* S-sorry 'bout that *stumbles over to them and collapses onto a chair Artenius has pulled out* My brother...was...*pants* being a jerk again.

Artenius: *rolls his eyes* Raleigh's not that bad. He's just a lot busier than you are. Asking you to do the dishes doesn't equal being a jerk.

Rosina: *glares at him, still panting from running* Sh-shut up. Can't you not be reasonable for once and side with me, Artens?

Symon: *interrupts Artenius before he can argue* Anyway now that we're all here...what's the plan?

Adeline: *shrugs* I don't know...I think relaxing in a cafe's pretty fun.

Artenius: Agreed. I'm still bruised from last week's rollerblading. Zalid are definitely not meant to be strapped on wheels.

Rosina: I don't know, it was pretty funny...

Artenius: I'm glad my injuries were amusing enough for you. In any case, I'm fine with just drinking coffee and staying here for a while.

Symon: *glares at them all* You're all nerds. *Suddenly catches sight of the other group in the cafe* Hmm...I have an idea.

[Anndie]

Terphos: Jillian, I really can't understand why I have to be part of this social gathering of yours. I'm not familiar--

Jillian: Exactly, Terph. You gotta learn to loosen up a little. *rolls her eyes* It's just a coffee shop anyway.

Barker: I don't mind. *sips from his cup of coffee* Were we supposed to meet with anybody else here, Lian?

Jillian: I got Wes to come over. He should've been here by now. *frowns, tapping her fingers impatiently on the table top*

Terphos: Jillian, he's been sitting here with us this whole time.

Jillian: What?? *turns and sees the quiet Asian dude with them* Dude, why didn't you say anything??

Wes: *shrugs, busy with some book he's currently reading*

Terphos: I must say, we're a very unlikely group for you to sit with. Don't you have any of your "girlfriends" to sit with?

Jillian: *waves him off, looking around the place* I need a change of friends once in a while.

Barker: That's hardly fair, Lian. Would you do the same to us once you get bored?

Jillian: *looks to him and smiles innocently* Not if you keep me occupied, officer.

Barker: *coughs on his coffee and wipes his mouth*

[lucideerity]

Rosina: I don't like the look on your face.

Artenius: And I don't like the tone of your voice. Please don't tell me we're going sledding or skating. The zalid body is not made for extreme speeds at ground level.

Symon: *scoffs* For a scaly beast with claws, you sure are a wuss, Arty. And anyway, for the record, I wasn't going to suggest that. I was going---

Adeline: Let me guess. Dare one of us to go over to that other group and talk to them. *slaps forehead, rolls eyes dramatically* Oh Symon, I thought we told you not to involve innocent bystanders in our plans! Remember the last time we tried?

Artenius: I certainly do. And some of neighbors do too. Mrs. Worth still glares at me when I pass her by at the grocery store.

Rosina: Is this gonna involve cutlery? Or fruit stalls? *winces* Because it was funny at first, but now my ribs ache every time I see a fruit stall.

Symon: Oh shut up, you spoilsports. And no, I wasn't going to suggest any of that! It's just, well, look. Here we are, a bunch of poor schmucks sitting around on a Saturday night at an empty cafe, and there they are, another bunch of poor schmucks sitting around on a Saturday night.

Rosina: In an empty cafe.

Symon: Exactly.

Artenius: Rosina, don't encourage him---

Symon: *glares at Artenius* Hey, shut up. As I was saying, alone, we are a couple of sad saps lying around in a boring old coffee shop, but together...

Adeline: We could be more sad saps lying around together?

Symon: What---No! No, together, we'll be a bunch of hot young people partying and painting the town red! Yeah! *pumps fist in the air*

Artenius: I can't believe you just described us as hot young people.

Adeline: Or used the term "painting the town red." What are you, a middle-aged socialite?

Symon: Gods damn it, shut up you two. In any case, what's the harm in trying? If we fail, well, no harm done, we don't know these people. If we succeed, well...

Rosina: Sure this is a good idea? I mean, I don't want to end up in an emergency room looking after four strangers...

Symon: Ah, c'mon, those guys look tough. I mean, look, that guy has stubble! *waves a hand at the stubbled guy* That's like, a check on the Tough Guy Checklist. And a ponytail! Another check!

*short silence*

Adeline: ...Well, I guess there's no harm in making friends.

Symon: Exactly! Right! Now one of you get up and ask them.

Artenius: ...What.