video/action:

[charring]

[It's Charlie, frowning at pretty much the world. It's not her typical frown, this one seems a bit more confused and hurt than her usual scowl. And it's not accidental video for once. She speaks, her tone calm but exasperated. And an underlying hint of anxiousness.]

This is ridiculous. I have work to do. I can't serve people tea if I can't get within five feet of them before something knocks them over. [She goes quiet, closing her eyes and pinching the bridge of her nose before running her fingers through her hair.]

Toph and anyone else working the tea shop, apparently I have several feet of semi-invisible and completely impenetrable bubble or something around me. I don't think it'd be wise for me to come in. I keep knocking people over. I'd apologize, but this is a curse. It'll be over by midnight and I'll work a double tomorrow.

[And the feed shuts off, but not before Charlie scoffs, shakes her head and mutters 'ridiculous'.]

Comments

[socoolbrewster]

Yeah yeah.

Aww, you really mean it? That's so sweet; it took you long enough to say that.

[...Teasing. Really.]

perma-action

[charring]

I mean it about as much as I meant any of the fake names I've ever used. But, anyway. I changed my mind about work. Apparently, Rapunzel is cursed, too. I'll see you later, Ed.

[And a few hours later, there's one bubble-free McGee heading for the twenty four hour ice cream place. She looks bubble free and happy about it.]

[socoolbrewster]

[And Ed's wandering around there; it's not like he's really jazzed about the ice cream, but he likes to see what's going on, and the city's kind of funny with all the people in bubbles.

Seeing her, he saunters over.]

Well hey, if it isn't the bubble girl.

[charring]

Former bubble girl. [She's looking over ice cream suggestions, taking long enough to give Ed a grin. When has she ever done that? Pointing to the clock above the register, it's about thirty past midnight.]

Guy named Peter said it was possible this was a two day curse and I told him that was an awful thing to say after the desert.

[socoolbrewster]

...Peter Vincent?

[Have all the irritated looks; stupid Peter Vincent and his...stupid everything.]

[charring]

Yep. He's from your Earth Variant, I take it? [A pause. A frown and she orders a Sundae with a ridiculous amount of toppings. What?] You want anything?

[socoolbrewster]

Yeah. He's an ass. And about the exact opposite of what's advertised.

[A shrug.]

Nah, I'm good. I'd only end up letting it melt anyway.

[charring]

[She doesn't seem entirely surprised, honestly. Paying for her ice cream, she starts back out the door, nudging her shoulder against Ed's with a smile.] See? No bubble.

So, wait. Can you eat anything other than blood?

[socoolbrewster]

[He nudges back, smirking.]

Nice. And you didn't even need to pop it.

I can, yeah. It's just not the same? And I don't need to.

[charring]

Nope! The only thing I'll miss about the bubble is the cats were having fun with it. Petrichor especially. Hypnos, not so much. I accidentally knocked her off of her cat tower.

[And if Ed were home around...oh...four thirty in the afternoon. And awake. He'd have heard Charlie laughing hysterically along with apologizing to the cat.]

That sounds a bit annoying, honestly. [But then, this is coming form a girl who likes all things food.] Favorite food before being turned?

[socoolbrewster]

[He hadn't been, but it had woken him up. Damn superhearing.]

Oh, that's what that was. I was wondering.

Nah, it's not that bad. I don't miss it, mostly. Favorite before... [He thinks for a bit, pretty visibly too.]

Gummy worms. I guess. If I had to pick.

[charring]

If you ever find yourself human for a day and want some damn decent food, let me know. [Charlie. What are you even saying, here?] I mean, you'd probably hate being human again, but...

[She shrugs. A small attempt at saving that, which BTW, Charlie? Epic fail. She'll just continue to pick at her ice cream, most of which is covered in Reeses Pieces. Protip: That's her favorite candy.]

Gummy worms, huh? Any specific kind or just worms in general?

[socoolbrewster]

...Why would I be human again? This place doesn't pull shit like that, does it?

[It better not. He will be piiiissed.]

Anyway, it doesn't really matter. The sour ones are fucking awesome, but they're all good.

[charring]

It happens. [Charlie shrugs, picking out a piece of crushed graham cracker and popping into her mouth.] Sour? Really? Ew.

[See that smirk? She's teasing.]

[socoolbrewster]

Don't knock 'em 'til you've tried 'em.

[charring]

Sour makes my face hurt. [But she's committing this to memory, Ed. Hope you don't mind.]

[socoolbrewster]

...How does that even work? You know how little sense that makes, right?

[charring]

I dunno. It's just how sour candy works for me. Makes me feel like my whole face and mouth are tensing up.

[socoolbrewster]

[HOW CAN SHE NOT EAT SOUR Ed finds this unfortunate.]

Well that sucks. Is it the same for things that aren't fake sour? Like...lemonade or something?

[charring]

Lemonade, I'm okay with. It has enough sugar to counter the sour. [She holds up her half eaten ice cream. Most of the toppings have been picked off and now it's just a swirl of rocky road, strawberry and vanilla.] Current snack aside, I usually prefer salty. Oh, also. Did you know that not everyone has the same set of taste buds?

[socoolbrewster]

I know you can identify people by them? Although hell if I know how that would ever be useful, it's not like you have a lot of murderers licking the crime scene.

[charring]

[She stops walking a moment, spoon in her mouth as she gives Ed a very amused and very pointed look.]

[socoolbrewster]

...What?

[All the innocent!face.]

[charring]

Did you hear what you said a moment ago? [She's not sure if she trusts that innocent face. Also? She's laughing. Ed you made her laugh how does that make you feel?]

It was oddly fitting.

[socoolbrewster]

[Awesome, which is concerning in its own right. Have a smirk, McGee.]

Yeah, except ideally my crime scenes are supposed to be able to walk away. It's the perfect crime.