041: VIDEO

[intheblanks]

[Chase is sitting at what's clearly the large communal table in the kitchen of the Welcome Centre, to anyone who's ever visited (and who hasn't?).

He's working on something involving matchsticks and careful detail work.]

Found him huddled in a corner when I finally went up to take measurements in the loft. [A sheepish smile.] Sorry, Penny, I had to raincheck getting started again. And I brought you another mouth to feed.

[Because what Chase is working on... chirps. And with closer focus the camera makes out that it's a bluebird, with a delicately crafted matchstick splint over one wing.]

But I thought maybe I could take you out for dinner to make up for it. And then maybe find a few other ways of making up I shouldn't put on the network. What do you say?



[ooc: doll!chase aka penny's perfect boyfriend.]

Comments

[synanthrope]

Bringing Penny home birds?

[intheblanks]

[Hi nice lady. There's an amiable but not overly familiar look at the camera.]

I know. I'll make it a flowers next time.

[synanthrope]

How commonplace.

Better when you're more like a cat.

[intheblanks]

What, destroying the curtains and pissing in next door's plants?

[synanthrope]

More interesting than flowers.

[intheblanks]

Arguably less romantic.

[synanthrope]

Are you terribly concerned with being romantic to Penny?

[intheblanks]

It's a habit I don't want to get out of.

[synanthrope]

It's a habit you might regret tomorrow.

[intheblanks]

Let's see. Today's Australia day. I didn't realise tomorrow had any particular significance.

[synanthrope]

Tomorrow either you or I will wake up, and I don't suspect we'll much like what happened today.

video;

[brobeforehos]

I say put them on the network anyway.

action for chase

[anunluckypenny]

[What? Chase has always been this way! Isn't it great? Isn't he just the sweetest and most caring guy of all time? She sets aside the last of the now-clean dishes and comes over to hug Chase from behind, admiring his handiwork.]

Poor little guy. Don't worry about the loft, okay? This is more important, and the more the merrier, right?

[She kisses Chase's cheek before going to check the pantry for birdseed. Because of course there's birdseed on hand for situations like this. There's even a spacious birdcage, but that'll need to be dug out of the closet.]

I definitely wouldn't say no to dinner. Or, you know... any of those other things.

video;

[intheblanks]

Sorry, I don't make-up and tell.

[Chivalry!]

[intheblanks]

[He tries to be, he really tries (as opposed to trying to push these things down deep and appear to be the opposite - because who would do that?). The sweetest, most caring guy of all time leans back in Penny's arms and makes a small, disappointed sound when she moves away - but hey, a bird's gotta eat.

They can dig that birdcage out later, for now the little guy should be safe in one of those pet carrier cardboard boxes - he's not exactly up to a lot of flapping about.

Chase stands and pops him in there, sitting on the table edge to wait for Penny to get back.]

It's a National holiday. I reckon we could push the boat out and go for all of the above.

[intheblanks]

Will we? [This is somewhat concerning, but he's not about to show it.] Lay off the strong stuff, drink a glass of water between anything stiffer, you'll be fine.

[synanthrope]

I don't get drunk, Robert.

Well, I can. But in very specific conditions.

Perhaps I should send Penny a bottle of wine. What kind do you think she likes?

[anunluckypenny]

Which hol--? No, wait. I know this one. Australia Day?

[A handful of seeds later and the bird is set. The dogs have been out, the fish has been fed, chores are done, and there's no one staying at the Welcome Center right now. That means it's best-boyfriend-ever time.

Penny rests a hand on the table on either side of Chase and takes a moment to admire the view. Yep, she's lucky. It might've taken thirty-two years and an incident with a death ray, but she's finally found someone amazing who cares about her--just her, and not in a stalker way or a hey-this-chick-wins-me-karma-points way.]

Is that what you want to do?

video;

[brobeforehos]

Gentlemanly of you.

[intheblanks]

[A nod. Australia day. Always celebrated the most raucously by those who got the hell out.]

You get to be an honorary celebrant.

[He reaches out to catch the edges of her cardigan, pulling her forward with the gentlest of touches.]

Traditionally that means more beer that's advisable and something cooked on charcoal. But I thought, tonight... maybe candles and wine.

[What he wants to do is make her happy. That's what he always wants to do.]

[intheblanks]

Vegan, organic Riesling. [That may or may not be true but it's in his head like it must be. And it doesn't even sound insane to him right now.] But you're all right, I've got wine covered.

video;

[intheblanks]

That might be giving basic respect more credit than it's due.

How's it going?

[synanthrope]

Not to worry. I insist.

[intheblanks]

...I'll let her know you're sending something.

[synanthrope]

I appreciate it. I'll see you shortly, I'm sure.

[intheblanks]

Um.

We'll be out, this evening. The centre'll be open, if you need anything-

[synanthrope]

Of course you are.

[intheblanks]

[Oh, so confused.]

Right. Then we'll see you... when we do.

[Wait, just to check.]

It's Saya, isn't it?

[synanthrope]

Satya.

[Precise]

But yes.

[intheblanks]

[A lot gets erased, going far back enough to predate any interest in her.]

Satya, right. Just checking.

[So he can tell Penny she's getting a present from her weird friend - is she a goth or something?]

[synanthrope]

[There's a pause, because now she's getting agitated, and it's not very usual for her-]

You should get that mole on your right hip checked. Doctor or not. No need to take chances.

[She knows that mole is safe, because Chase told her, but she wants to know if it's real, or if it' something that she remembers because she's cursed to believe they were in a relationship.]

[intheblanks]

[He looks down automatically. He had it checked years ago - rough edges but nothing to worry about, but-]

When have you seen my right hip?

Either of my hips?

[synanthrope]

Suffice to say I have.

[intheblanks]

Actually, I'm not sure that's sufficient. Sufficiently creepy, maybe.

[synanthrope]

Yes, I've been told I'm creepy. Although not usually by you.

[intheblanks]

Well you can add me to the collection. [He's not angry just - genuinely weirded out.]

It's been checked. It's fine. You can put the binocs down and come out of the bushes now.

[synanthrope]

I wouldn't add you to any collection of mine.

[And there's that agitation again, this is surprisingly good at making her irritated, despite the fact that she knows it's a curse.

And of course, that begins a spiral of not particularly enjoying feeling.]

This is a very aggravating curse.

[intheblanks]

[Oh, a curse. There's something wrong with her. Well that explains some of it.]

Most of them are.

[synanthrope]

It's most likely a good idea that I stop speaking to you.

[intheblanks]

Could be. Before you start worrying about any other body parts.

[He sighs a little. Maybe he snapped more than he should have, earlier - he's working on that.]

I appreciate the concern. Satya.

[synanthrope]

It is not your body parts I would be worried about.

Goodbye, Robert.

[anunluckypenny]

[Instead of flopping on him like she kind of wants to, Penny hops up on the table next to him and grabs his nearest hand.]

Lucky me.

[And not so much because she gets to be an honorary Austrailian expat. She elbows him gently.]

I'm always up for candles and wine, but Australia Day only happens once a year. We can do stuff you want to do sometimes, you know? I want you to be happy, not... I don't know, doomed to a purgatory of candlelit dinners and organic Riesling.

[intheblanks]

[But, but! Flopping would be more than acceptable. Instead he takes her hand and captures it between both of his (if only to stop her needling him with that elbow again.]

If that's what purgatory looks like, maybe I should live a more questionable life.

[Because he doesn't, today. Those grey areas are a clearer white. And he leans across to kiss her cheek.]

I like candlelit dinners. [Then the corner of her mouth.] And I like you.

[And then, well, just to kiss her.]

I really like you. So, right now? I'm ridiculously happy.

[anunluckypenny]

[Oh, sure, that's exactly why. It's a super-effective maneuver regardless and Penny has absolutely no choice but to keep her elbows to herself and bask in whatever it is that people bask in when they're happy and infatuated.]

Hey, we do plenty of questionable things! [In bed. But now there's kissing and pretty words so all she can do is melt and kiss back.]

That's good because [kiss] I really [kiss] like you, too, and I'm pretty sure I've never been happier. [Just one more kiss, really.] If we don't leave now, we'll never make it to dinner.

[Not that she'd complain.]

[intheblanks]

[He can't help but bark out a laugh because - well, she's right, but most people don't talk about it quite so perkily.]

Not questionable. Agreeable. Pleasurable. Other 'able' words that essentially mean hot. But, if you're not up for more just yet-

[He steps down from the table, keeping hold of that one hand and turning in to face her, reversing their positions from a minute ago and offering a palm to take the other.]

Dinner sounds good. I can teach you the words to the anthem over butternut lasagna.

[anunluckypenny]

I'm only not up for more because we can't do questionable, pleasurable, agreeable things on empty stomachs.

[Such fine manners. Penny takes the offered hand and lets him help her down.]

An educational candlelit dinner? Be still, my heart. [She's charmed, obviously. He knows her so well.]

[intheblanks]

[No, he knows her better than that.]

A musical one.

[Yes, he'll sing in public. Yes, she'll be the only one who doesn't think it's a little strange.]