Welcome

[Callum Johnson]

It wasn't often that Callum found himself eating out- he often couldn’t afford it, considering he had yet to find a stable place of work. What money he had came from odd jobs for people in the apartment complex, or from people who’d heard of him through the grapevine or off the web; either for his skills at coding websites, gaming, or even hacking. The latter always felt a bit shifty, like he was being asked to do something illegal- but surprisingly it was often not the case. Some people just managed to lock themselves out of their own PC and rather than pay a fortune to have an ‘employed professional’ sort it out, it was a lot easier to just ring ‘that English boy’ and have him sort it out. Today he’d had to do the works, unlock someone’s machine and fit it with a new security programme he’d written himself so it couldn’t be hacked again- and he’d been asked to bring his laptop over to prove he couldn’t hack it. As he’d followed the instructions he couldn’t help but wonder what possessed them to think it was a fair test, but was too tired to argue.

Needless to say after all the work involved he figured he’d earned himself a decent lunch- as in, not a pot noodle or leftover takeaway. He found himself in a nice little café that did lunch and teas, and it suited him just fine; it wasn't too expensive, either.

Ordering a pot of tea and a chicken and bacon sandwich (on white bread, of course, god forbid he choose the healthier option) he sat and waited, idly drumming his fingers upon the table, laptop bag nestled between his feet as he perused the menu, obviously debating the very real possibility of cake after the sandwich- well, maybe he did deserve cake too.

[Eve Valentine]

Eve had the worst hang over, she was pretty sure if hang overs were rated like earthquakes hers would be off the chart. She wasn’t sure who she’d been with last night, but discoloured skin on her neck from a love bite told her she had been. Damn why’d she let him do that it wasn’t very appropriate in terms of going out. She didn’t like the fact that people were staring and rolling their eyes like they were viewing an unruly teenager.

“Oh god,” she muttered and rubbed her temples before taking her coffee from the counter and moving to find a suitable place to drink it away from all the clinking glasses and chatty housewives.

She got several steps away from the counter before spilling hot coffee down the front of her white shirt and scolding herself in a place that she couldn’t touch in public without raising eyebrows. She looked to the nearest table a lone man sat drumming his fingers on the laminate top.

“Hey,” Eve said setting the paper cup on the table and smiling at him. She looked about and leaned forward flirtatiously letting him cop the view from the top before nabbing his napkin.

“Sorry but I really need this, I’ll replace it I promise,” she sat across from him and dabbed at the brown splotch on her shirt.

“Man this is some kind of hangover it’s even affecting my fine motor skills.”

[Callum Johnson]

Somehow he’d failed to notice the little faux pas that had occurred by the counter, not even noticing the lull in conversation- far too concerned with his sandwich to pay any attention to the other people in the café. It was in fact only when the woman approached and spoke to him directly that he looked up, surprise evident on his face. He obviously wasn't used to women approaching him, or talking to him without some effort on his behalf… effort he was usually too scared to actually put into practise.

“Hi…” He said hesitantly, noting how she sat down- and definitely noticing the way her breasts were exaggerated by the wetness of her shirt. Immediately he froze up, unable to stop himself staring (though it could be argued more like a rabbit in headlights than in a sexually interested way) until she distracted him by stealing his napkip. “N-No… you… you can have it…” He stammered, clearing his throat forcefully and downing some of his tea- gasping at how hot it was. “No need to replace it or nowt…”

The talk of her hangover had him smiling awkwardly- glancing about to see if this was some sort of set up… “I didn’t know hangovers… did that…” Was he meant to answer? Well, it’d feel too awkward to leave them in silence.

[Eve Valentine]

She grinned realising he’d noticed her breasts, Eve didn’t doubt that drunk she’d go a round with him. She shook her head and winced at the pain that surged through it. It was cute that awkward look in his eyes, like he was terrified and yet unable to look away.

Eve waved a hand in front of his eyes, “hi up here.” She pointed to her eyes and gave a laugh. “And really I’ll replace it I did just inconvenience you. It was just that you were the closest and this stuff is scolding hot.”

She pulled her shirt away from her breasts slightly and frowned at the angry red marks she could see outside of the bra.

She grinned, “You don’t mean to say that you’ve never had one? Or are you one of those lucky people that don’t get them?” She finished dabbing at her shirt and put the napkin of the table. picking up her cup she sipped at it.

“I got so drunk,” she groaned. “I can’t even remember what the guy I was with looked like.”

She pointed to the love bite on her neck. “I mean look at this I would never had let this happen sober.”

[Callum Johnson]

As she drew his attention to her face, he blushed- going bright red as if he had something to be embarrassed about; when in all honesty, she’d more or less forced him to look! “Sorry!” He exclaimed all the same, finding himself nodding dumbly in response to the next thing she said. “Yeah, no… d-don’t worry about it… I can imagine it hurt…” He was surprised she hadn't cried out, in all honesty.

“I didn’t mean to uh, look… or nowt, it’s just- well…” He didn’t have an excuse, they’d just been there. This was one of the most embarrassing moments of his life; since the school days where wedgies and the like had been rife, that is. It didn’t help that shortly after his apology she began pulling at her top to assess the boob damage. He forced himself to look away from her, staring down into his tea, now that the sandwich had been finished and no longer provided good distraction.

The question caught him by surprise, obviously astounded that she was still choosing to talk to him. “Uh… never had one, actually- never really… been drunk.” He mumbled it, almost inaudible; it was embarrassing to admit, after all- twenty three years of age and he’d never been drunk.

When she gestured to the love bite, he looked surprised. “Uh… yeah, I guess not. I mean, you seem like a classy lady an’ all that.” That was the right thing to say, right? Oh god, he hoped so.

[Eve Valentine]

She smiled and out of politeness ignored his reply. She’d tortured him enough and she thought perhaps he might melt into a puddle in his seat if she kept going. She had never met a man quite like this one.

She twirled a strand of dark hair around the tips of her finger and sipped at her drink. Really now she could thank him and move on, but there was something about this experience. She liked the way he squirmed under the scrutiny of her femininity. She’d been sneered at before, at times been called a slut, or told she was ugly, she could accept that not everyone conformed to her sort of life style. She had never had a guy mumble in her presence and she buzzed with the power of it. She frowned, she should feel horrible, because this was using, and in turn his feeling bad was making her feel good.

Her eyes widened and then watered as she breathed in coffee, okay so it wasn’t that funny or astounding, it was just rare for her to meet someone who didn’t.

She cleared her throat and wiped her eyes before blinking and leaning closer giving a flirtatious grin.

“Sweetie no offence but,” she paused biting her tongue mulling over the words she was going to use. “Is this a life choice for you. Or has no one shown you how to have a good time?”

If it was the fact that no one had bothered to show him a good time she would rectify that with whatever swiftness she could muster, after all they said the best cure for a hangover was another drink. She wasn’t sure if her stomach would stand up to the torture but she’d give it a try.

She leaned forward and laughed her hair falling to cover her eyes she leaned back and tucked it behind her ears and her lip quivered with amusement as she tried to keep a straight face.

“I wouldn’t call myself a lady and classy,” she raised a brow. “But I like you, flattery will get you everywhere.”

[Callum Johnson]

He managed a small smile, though there was a significant degree of uncertainty about it- not quite sure if she was laughing at or with him. It was probably the latter, though he wouldn’t get too bent out of shape over it- he was used to the fairer sex laughing at him; it all came as part of the package when you were a ‘geek’ or a ‘nerd’. As she began talking he found himself nervous, whenever someone started a conversation with ‘no offense’- you were bound to take offense. Thankfully, Callum prided himself on being laid back to the point where it was concerning.

“Well uh… I dunno, nobody ever really invited me out drinking or nowt… me brother Bentley did once but, I ‘ad like.. one beer and didn’t want any more.” He laughed awkwardly. “After that I just sorta stayed home.” An embarrassing thing to admit, but a far better option than claiming to be a heavy drinker then to be tested on that.

She was laughing again, and once more that meek smile came into play- trying hard not to look at her chest again despite how prominent it truly was. Instead, he busied himself with his tea, looking up to the ceiling as he drank it. “Well, you look kinda classy… without the um,” he gestured awkwardly at his own neck- not entirely sure it was a safe topic of conversation. “And y’are a lady, you’re not a bloke are you?” He grinned, feeling comforted by her compliment. “I like you too, not every day a girl actually talks to me. Not that I’m some psycho or anything, but y’know… I aint exactly… good looking or tough or whatever."

[Eve Valentine]

She frowned at his reply so it wasn’t self inflicted then? Well everyone should get drunk at least once in their lives damn it. She guessed no one had given him a chance the losers.

“Well they suck then don’t they?” she said with a shake of her head. She poised a finger and held it up. “See that’s where your brother went wrong, he started you with beer, no one likes beer at first. A scotch or vodka that would have been better, or some lolly water.”

She hesitated maybe she shouldn’t be suggesting this to him, no drinker should start out on the hard stuff, she remember having to look after a few girlfriends because they’d thought hitting the bourbon hard was a good idea. It was generally messy.

“In moderation... You should drink that stuff slowly and in moderation.”

Who was she to talk?

He smiled and it made it worthwhile, she didn’t know him from a bar of soap, but she got the impression he didn’t smile all that often. He told her without the love bite she was classy and she laughed so hard she had to wipe tears from her eyes.

“Wonder if I should cover that with a little foundation,” she mused. “Last time I checked I was most certainly a woman.”

This guy was a riot! She had to get his number so she could hang out with him more often.

“Well you’re not wearing a paper bag over your head and that’s a start,” she teased. Her expression became more serious. “Listen I don’t know what’s wrong with those women, but I promise it isn’t you. Some girls they’re just... Vanity you know it gets in the way sometimes. If you ever want someone to hang around with though I’m your girl, however I couldn’t promise that I’d be a good influence.”

[Callum Johnson]

Callum couldn’t help but laugh, lifting up a hand to bid her pause- so he might interject without being rude about it. “In fairness, I asked for it- ‘cause that’s what they were all drinking.” Inwardly, he’d thought by asking for what they were having he’d appear seasoned, and in some way cooler. Of course, the reality had been (as it almost always was) entirely different from expectations, and instead he’d simply shown his naivety when it came to Alcohol, and he’d wound up gagging at the bitter taste, and opting for orange juice for the rest of the evening despite obvious scrutiny. “Scotch or vodka? Aint that the hard stuff?” He asked, one brow lifted in slight wariness. When she clarified, he relaxed- she needn’t worry about him necking a bottle of Russian standard vodka any time soon; the very idea was laughable, the reality would likely be horrific.

“Well, I wouldn’t judge ya if you were a bloke… just be a bit surprised, really.” He admitted, honest as always- even if he would eventually talk himself into an early grave. Talk of foundation went far over his head, his lack of knowledge on females and their make up habits almost legendary in size.

As she spoke of a paper bag he found himself grinning like an idiot though he couldn’t have explained why if asked. Something about the image of sitting in a café with a paper bag over his face was simply amusing, though possibly wouldn’t be quite so funny in reality. Her tone turned serious and he found himself listening obediently, like a student avid and attentive in a lecture hall with a dynamic tutor; “Well… glad it aint me.” He grinned, unsure of what else to say in response, though was quick to add a “Sure!” to the prospect of having someone to hang out with.

[Eve Valentine]

Her mood lifted at the sound of him laughing. She relaxed and rolled her shoulders. “Ah the trials of the inexperienced drinker.” She winked at him.

She’d learnt a long time ago that ‘I’ll have what she’s having’ didn’t not always work, of course it depended on the drinker and how alcohol hardy they were.

“Well yeah it’s the hard stuff,” she caught a tendril of hair between her fingers and twirled it thoughtfully. “But it tastes better than beer. Beer seems to be the drink that should turn drinkers off. If it wasn’t an acquired taste you could pass it around alcoholics anonymous and say hey here’s a reason why you shouldn’t drink.”

Hell maybe she should go herself, she pushed the thought aside and for a moment bit her lip. “You know maybe it’s just as well you don’t like beer.”

She grinned liking his response, now there was someone with some respect it was refreshing. She would have liked to have seen the look on his face if she said she was though.

“Good,” she grinned and then dug in her purse retrieving a pen and a docket she read the front of the docket which was for a packet of condoms she’d purchased at a chemist, maybe not that one... She stuffed it back into her bag and retrieved another that had been for a couple of bottles of cola, not so scary. She scrawled her number down on it and slid it across the table to him.

“Here, and you better give me yours just in case you lose mine.”

[Callum Johnson]

He couldn’t help but laugh as she spoke, running his finger along the rim of his empty mug- a wry smile evident on his lips as he considered her words. “Yeah… definitely a trial. Not that great having a bunch of ‘cool guys’ eyeing your orange juice like you ordered it wi’ a pink umbrella.” Still, he couldn’t help but grin.

“Does it?” Callum looked dubious, scrunching up his nose as he continued to play with the mug, half tempted to order another lot of tea; it was a shame he hadn't got a tea pot, perhaps then he wouldn’t be forced to use a mug clearly intended for coffee… technicalities. “’Cause I smelled Vodka once, smelled like Bleach or summat you use to clean. Strong cleaning stuff… not just your lemon pledge.”

And the idea of drinking anything that smelled like Bleach simply did not appeal!

When she pushed the little bit of paper toward him he looked puzzled initially, inspecting it before a somewhat bashful grin took over his face. It was odd to think that a girl- particularly one as attractive as Eve- was willingly giving him her number, then again, he had to remind himself; it wasn't like that. Baffled expression soon gave way to a smile as he pocketed it, and pulled out a scrap of paper he had in his pockets. A quick once-over revealed it to be a receipt for a Pokémon game… but another pocket patting revealed it was all he had. Willing to deal with the mockery he jotted down his own number and slid it over, raising one brow with a smirk; “I won’t lose it, gi’ me some credit yeah? Only just met me!”

Then again, had his brother been there- he’d likely agree with Eve; Callum didn’t keep the best track on anything that wasn't electronic.

[Eve Valentine]

Eve grinned tilted her head back and laughed. This guy was a character, she wiped tears from her eyes.

“You know you could totally play it cool and pretend there‘s something other than orange juice in there,” she sighed and cleared her throat trying to regain her composure.

She could almost imagine Callum sitting in a bar looking uncomfortable while hunched over an orange juice. It was quite the scene in her mind.

“Yeah, not the best smelling stuff. But even bourbon and scotch has this almost sickly sort of scent to it. It‘s like you know it‘ll burn on the way down, but what the hell you only have one life right? No do overs, we‘re not cats after all.”

She shrugged and ran her fingers over the rim of her cup thoughtfully, way to say things you’re a shining example for you moron she thought to herself.

He smiled at her, it was somewhat bashful and sweet if not innocent. She got the feeling this might be one of only a had full of numbers he’d been given. What was wrong with women these days? The timid ones were easier to train, not that she’d ever let a guy stick around long enough to find out.

She took his number and after noting the purchase of Pokemon she resisted the urge to raise a brow. She wondered if Alex still had that game and if he was playing it? Guys were wired and since when did yellow cats say pika and fire lightening bolts out there rear ends? Cute - very cute.

“So you play video games?” she smiled and lowered an elbow to the table lowering her lashes slightly.

“Are you an Xbox fan, or Play Station?”

[Callum Johnson]

“I could, but then what would I do if someone checked eh?” He grinned, shaking his head. “Not worth the potential ridicule, they’d never let me live it down.” Not that he actually had that many mates to go out drinking with; and as far as he knew, his brother wasn't likely to come to Australia any time soon (oh, if only he knew!). Still, he was quite content to have these phantom drinking buddies as long as Eve didn’t question him. It was probably painfully obvious that he was on his own, he’d pretty much said it earlier; but he didn’t see any reason to underline that fact. “I suppose I could try a bit o’ vodka in with me juice but I dunno… it’d be a bit of a waste if I didn’t like it wouldn’t it?” Then again if he went out with Eve maybe she’d appreciate the offer of a free drink if it wasn't to his tastes…

“No we’re not, it’d be way cool though- having nine lives… being able to laze around and nobody gives a damn, get tuna whenever you wan-” he cut himself off, clearing his throat and hunching awkwardly over his mug to try and hide his embarrassment at that little ramble. “Uh, sorry about that- got a bit carried away. I don’t actually want to be a cat or nowt, just… I dunno, you started it.” His tone was almost pleading, hoping to god he hadn't ruined it.

So she’d noticed… He grimaced, though tried to make it look more like a smile. “Yeah… can’t really pretend it was for a sibling- only got one and he’s older than I am, like I said.” He laughed, shrugging. “I play all sorts really, bit of a tech-freak I guess… feel free to run,” he put his hands over his eyes. “I won’t look. No need to feel bad.”

[Eve Valentine]

“People huh?” she said with a roll of her eyes. She couldn’t think of much else to add to that. She guessed some people were just luckier than most.

She shrugged and brushed her hair away from her eyes, “ask for half a shot rather than a full one? And hey if you don‘t like it someone could always accidentally spill it. If I‘m with you I‘ll drink it for you.”

She laughed, if she had her way she’d drink the entire contents of a bar. It would just add to the joy of the day for her. But was she really enjoying it? She knew she sure as hell didn’t like the feeling of remorse the next day. She loathed that she couldn’t remember half the evening that had come before it.

“Waste smaste, at least you would have given it a go,” she said holding up a finger to punctuate her statement.

She grinned and laughed she wasn’t sure about the tuna part, but hey cats got all the love in the world so she guessed being one wouldn’t be so bad. She wondered for a moment if the poor thing had esteem issues, that maybe he really did want to be someone or something else.

“Mhm,” she said. “I‘ll take all those pats and naps in the sun, but the tuna the cats can keep.”

She didn’t miss the slight discomfort in his face when she mentioned the video game and for a moment she wished that she hadn’t, it wasn’t such a bad thing. Alex liked them and she adored her brother. She’d heard before it took all types to play those things. Even Justice sometimes sat around playing that fighting game with the girls with the big chests. She was pretty certain the bounce in their assets was just for shits and giggles, she could imagine a group of guys snickering in the midst of programming that game. It was an outlet, that’s what Justice said. It made him feel better when he felt angry, Von Gibbs would have loved to hear that.

She studied him perplexed for a moment and then her face smoothed into a look of sympathy.

“You really think I‘d turn and leave because you play a game?” she shook her head. “Honey I don‘t care much for social classes. I know they say high school never ends, but I choose to ignore that sentiment. My brother plays and he‘s cute as a button just like you.”

[Callum Johnson]

“Aw thanks, you’d be a saviour,” he grinned- finding it easier now to talk to her than he had at the start; he just had to get past the fact that she was a pretty lady and he would be fine! Just think of her as another ‘guy’ and it’d all be okay- that’s what he had to keep telling himself. “Well, if you do end up dragging me to a bar I’ll give ‘alf a shot a go and we can see eh?”

He screwed his nose up in thought as she dismissed the idea of a waste. Callum by nature was quite a frugal sort, he didn’t have a lot of money to waste after all, and working for a man like Von Gibbs always left that worrisome thought of ‘what if I get fired’ hanging over your head. He wasn't exactly the charitable or forgiving sort, after all! “I suppose…”

“I like tuna…” He mused, obviously still very much caught up in the ‘if I were a cat’ trail of thoughts. No doubt he’d be a tabby cat, a slightly tubby tabby cat, what with all that tuna he planned to consume. Having to do nothing all day, just lounge in the sun without a care in the world… but if he were a cat, he’d have no thumbs- and that would surely be terrible. How could one play video games without the necessity of thumbs? It’d be impossible! “… I’d only be a cat if I could still have me thumbs,” he said decisively. “It’d be too hard without ‘em.”

Her question had him shrugging lightly, letting his hands drop gently onto the table top, a rueful smile on his face. “Well, it aint too ‘cool’ when a guy my age still plays Pokémon is it?” He laughed, though it was an awkward laugh. “How old is your brother?” He asked warily, half expecting her to admit he was only twelve.