039 x 930 // video/action

[dignity_misery]

[Hello, City, hello. Miss Carla is sitting inside a little cafe today, with a plate of cupcakes that look like this in front of her. One is peeled open and half-eaten. The rest of her little table is occupied by a sketch pad where something to this effect is slowly taking shape. If you're looking, you might notice this tattooed on the hand she's drawing with.]

How did you enjoy winding yourselves up yesterday?

[There's something a little wry to her voice in asking. She always feels like she has to wind herself up in the mornings, it was almost too funny seeing it acted out in reality.]

Comments

[dignity_misery]

I didn't do anything to her.

[intheblanks]

[This is the sigh of someone who really doesn't want to get caught up in girl fights.]

Great. Then leaving her alone won't be an effort.

[dignity_misery]

I do leave her alone.

[Seriously, Chase, they've had half a conversation in what must be four months.]

[intheblanks]

You left her alone so much she called me to 'call you off'.

[Yes, he makes that sound as though he thought it was absurd. He did.]

I told her that wasn't my remit, but I'd ask you not to respond to her again. So can you do me the favour?

[dignity_misery]

She tells me she'll make certain you're busy the next time I want to jump off the roof.

[Her expression is amused.]

That didn't scare me off of teasing her for buying cheap candy.

[Because the scales of threat are completely incomparable.]

[intheblanks]

[Did she. His lips thin slightly.]

I'm not trying to scare you off. I'm just asking.

[dignity_misery]

I'll think about it.

[It's not no, and it's not as if she feels compelled to talk to Eden frequently.]

[intheblanks]

[He takes one little cookie monster and reaches into his pocket, digging out a little white candle and a book of matches she may remember.]

[dignity_misery]

[And now she's back to giving him incredibly confused looks.]

What are you doing?

[intheblanks]

I was doing this for someone else last week. [She'll know who.] And I remembered I missed yours.

[He prods the birthday candle into the cake and lights it, sliding it over.]

You don't have to wish.

[dignity_misery]

You didn't miss it.

[It just wasn't a good time. But who is she to object to another cupcake. She can blow out her candle.]

[intheblanks]

Happy birthday. Belated.

[And if he makes a quiet wish, who's to know.]

[dignity_misery]

[Wishes are dangerous, Doctor Chase, and she curls up with her cupcake quietly.]

[intheblanks]

[He's still eating grilled cheese, wiping his fingers carefully when he's done.]

Can I take a look?

[The sketchbook, of course.]

[dignity_misery]

[She nods, scooting it across the table without really looking. What she sketches mostly goes back and forth between various landscapes around the city and items more in line with the zombie and its bloodied fingers. There's practice, and then there's the sort of thing her mind is inclined toward, none of which is particularly pleasant.]

[intheblanks]

[He looks through it nontheless. He's not an art critic, but there's talent in the sketches and perhaps the gore is cathartic.]

Still not interested in coming to the palace with me?

[dignity_misery]

I gave away the tickets.

[Which isn't no.]

[intheblanks]

You could buy more.

[He glances up for a second, then flicks a page.]

[dignity_misery]

I could.

[It's unlikely.]