warm glow

warm glow morning soaked in pastel tea, soulful, soulful kids stamped to the concrete. tryna be a paintbrush, searching for a better seat, summer peelings.

[hippocmpvs]

@veronica-nevin​ // Taj kept the schedule of a night crawler, an unfortunate habit his professors didn’t not always accommodate. After some early morning classes, he spent the rest of Friday passed out in his apartment, a pre-pre-game of sorts for the party on schedule for later that night. By the time the main event rolled around, he was already several beers deep, and he carried himself with a warm ease while he mingled with the crowd. It wasn’t long before he agreed to check the garage for a keg, but any pleasantries in his demeanor faded when he saw who waited for him there: Veronica. “Not funny,” he called over his shoulder, but their snickering friends had already disappeared inside, the lock clicking into place behind them. He sighed, then turned his attention back to the most unpleasant woman on campus. “Looks like we’ve been set up.”

[hippocmpvs]

scott-rogers​:

As much as it shouldn’t be, it was oddly amusing to watch her act like that. He was used to seeing her look sure of herself, so her current actions were bringing a smile to his face. “Mila, calm down.” He spoke softly, placing his hands on her shoulders to try and ground her to the moment. “Jumping out the window is only going to prolong seeing them, letting them fester in how annoyed they are. I think the best course of action is to talk to them.” Something he knew wouldn’t be most people’s first option – but he’d never claimed to be the best planner in the world. “Getting it over with seems better than running when we know we can’t run from there for long.”

Mila didn’t miss the smile on Scott’s face. She hardly missed a thing when it came to Scott. “This isn’t funny, they’re gonna kill us,” she hissed in a hurried whisper, as if that would protect them from the detection. After a deep breath, though, and under Scott’s reassuring touch, her rushing adrenaline slowed and made room for her senses again. With wide eyes, she held Scott’s gaze for a moment. Then she laughed out loud. She was being ridiculous.

“You’re right. And it’s gonna be funny as hell seeing how mad they are. I’m blaming it all on you, though.” Mila flashed a wild grin at him, then yanked the door open with a flourish. True to her word, she declared to their friends, “Scott did it!” ...a declaration met with completely unimpressed and unconvinced expressions.

[hippocmpvs]

steven-dunbar​:

Smiling at the waitress as she brought their order over, he grabbed his cutlery before looking back over at her with a nod. “Intentional trips do seem to be the default.” He jokingly mused, before sipping his drink. “It might be weird, but sometimes I like taking trips where you end up in the middle of nowhere. Just get in the car, drive until you get tired, and you stay wherever it is that you happened to stop. I’ve found a few great towns that way. It’s always interesting to see what they think is important about their town. But I can get why that’s not everyone’s things. There’s no guarantee it works out. As many great town’s as I’ve found, I’ve also ended up in some I wish I’d never seen. You have to take the risk though, don’t you?”

Gabby stared at Steven while he spoke, stars in her eyes and a smile on her lips. She was always like this. Warm and eager, and hanging on the edge of her seat for someone else’s next word, or the next big adventure. It seemed she’d found a kindred spirit in Steven. “No, no, you’re completely right. I mean, most of my trips we at least plan a couple days in advance, but I just had to get out today, I don’t know, and that’s how I ended up here. So far it’s been pretty worth the risk,” she commented, shoving a mouthful of eggs in her mouth. Gabby chewed quickly, so she could add, “Met a great tour guide, enjoying the best eggs I’ve ever had, and I don’t even remember what state I’m in.”

[hippocmpvs]

steven-dunbar​:

Smiling as he watched her inhale, it was an all too familiar gesture for him. Who didn’t love remembering their favourite foods? Especially that one thing you got, that never seemed to be replicated anywhere else. “I think I get it. There’s this bakery, in the next town over and I swear, I’d drive the half hour just to get one of their donuts every day if I could.” Hyperbolic, yes, but that was his usual setting. Picking his phone up, to see if there was any updates, he looked back over at her. “So – have you ever had to take random breaks like this before, in the middle of nowhere?”

“Okay, you totally get it. That’s not different from the city at all. I mean, sure, we have brunch near my apartment, but the one on the west side is my favorite. And the subway ride’s 30 minutes too,” she insisted with a clap of her hands. The lives they lead weren’t so different, if they tried to look beneath the surface. His next question pulled her smile a little tighter, but she managed to keep it up. “No, not like this. Any trips I’ve been on were always intentional. I actually didn’t even plan to drive out like this. It just kind of happened.”

[hippocmpvs]

veronica-nevin​:

Smirking at the words, she figured it was a night well spent – if only because she got to annoy him. It probably said something not great about her that she got enjoyment out of it, especially when she didn’t know him, but that was something to dwell on later. “Oh don’t worry, I’ll be sure to call as normal next time. Night!” She replied all too peppy, before taking the phone away from her ear hanging up. After being paired with Tai for the project, that seemed the perfect way to ease some tension. If nothing else, it would – hopefully – get her through working with him the next time they were meant to meet. It had been her idea to play nice – it would be poor form for her to break first.

Taj didn’t bother hiding his eye roll at the caller’s promise to return. Some people had nothing better to do. Wasn’t one thorn in his side enough for one day? Between dealing with Veronica this afternoon, and now the caller, he was exhausted. He couldn’t believe they had to meet again for their project later that night. Taj set up the next song, then took out his phone and texted Veronica. Not feeling great. Meet tomorrow instead?

[hippocmpvs]

scott-rogers​:

Eyes darting to the wall to the next room at the shriek, a small wave of regret hit him – causing him to remind himself that they’d truly not done anything too bad. It was all harmless fun – harmless fun, that would leave a few people annoyed for a few minutes. What had the potential to be less harmless was him and Camila having to share the same room. “If it’s not what you think it is, I’d say Michelle just found the biggest spider of her life.” It was said to help keep things light, as he looked around their room. “They won’t know it’s us until they come here – I’d say we have a good… Five minutes, before someone barges in swearing revenge.”

Nerves ran through her body and spilled out in flapping hands and bouncing toes. Her hair flew as she whirled on Scott, desperation and giddiness in her eyes. “Oh my god, oh my god, what should we do? Should we barricade the door? Should we jump out the window?” she asked quickly, already moving to make sure the chain lock was in place. At least she could buy them some time. 

[hippocmpvs]

steven-dunbar​:

“I’ll take the soup please.” He added on after Gabby had ordered. Laughing at her words, he scrunched his nose slightly. “It’s fine, I get it. Food is always the best part of my day, so no judgement here for being excited.” An exaggeration, but he did always love when he got to go somewhere for lunch, give him something a little different than brining something from home. “Do you have a favourite place to go to back home? Or are you too spoiled for choice to have one favourite.”

spoiled for choice. gabby never saw it that way; she always saw excess of option as the way of the world these days, whether she agreed with it or not. it was curious to see now a lifestyle so different than her own. “i never thought of it that way. i guess i am pretty spoiled. but i do have a favorite restaurant. it’s a brunch place on the west side, their mimosas are to die for, and their pancakes?” she inhaled deeply with her eyes shut, as if to convey they were dreamy beyond articulation. “i can’t put it into words.”

[hippocmpvs]

veronica-nevin​:

“Are you sure about that?” She quipped, leaning into the numerous cushions taken over her bed. They’d started as a couple for decoration, until she found too many she liked and bought them all. “Disney channel soundtracks are classics in a lot of people’s mind. Think of all the throwback playlists, if you don’t have one dcom song on it, you’re doing life wrong.” She probably took too much enjoyment in pressing his buttons, especially when she didn’t really know who it was – but she did enjoy it and saw no reason to stop.

relief flooded taj when his producer caught his eye through the window, fingers rolling in their patented ‘wrap it up’ motion. “throwback playlists are…” foolish nostalgia? insipid frivolity? he couldn’t seem to conjure up any non-insulting descriptions. “aren’t exactly our theme here either. but thank you so much for your input. we have to play our next song now, but thanks for the call. we hope to hear from you soon. if he was lucky, he wouldn’t hear from the caller again in his life. but he knew he would never be so lucky.

[hippocmpvs]

scott-rogers​:

“How stubborn you are, is the stuff of legends.” He teased, belatedly realizing it sounded far too much like their old play fights for comfort, and he was glad for the reprise going for a shower gave him. When they were around their other friends it was easy to know where the line was, but when it was just them – sharing a room and having the banter they used to have – it seemed next to impossible to keep track of what he could and couldn’t say. “Hey, make fun all you want. I’m not going to feel bad about being quick when there was no warm water – I have high standards you know? They need to be met.” Which was the most ridiculous he’d said so far. Unless something was glaringly wrong, he’d shrug it off and go along with it. He was never the most picky the person, and for hotel rooms – that meant he didn’t have anything close to high standards.

scott’s little joke brought a smile to camila’s face. his jokes were always quiet and unassuming, but she caught this one easily, like she always did. scott’s expectations were never too high. he was always impossibly easygoing in a way that camila appreciated and envied. oh, to be like scott…but she counted herself lucky to know and spend time with him if nothing else.

before she could respond and hop in the shower, a shriek sounded through the wall from next door. her eyes widened with fear and mischief. “is that what i think it is?” had they been found out?

[hippocmpvs]

scott-rogers‌:

“You don’t think I can be stubborn when I want to be?” The challenge purposely made no mention of Camila’s stubborn streak. He may have one of his own when it came to things he cared about, but he knew it was never going to be a match for her’s. Nodding at her words, he walked over to his bag slinging it over his shoulder as he looked back at her. “Sharing’s not caring, I know exactly how much coffee I have left, and I better have the same amount when I get back out.” He mock threatened, before going into the bathroom and taking what was perhaps the quickest shower of his life. The door to the room may have been shut, but it still felt odd showering so close to her after everything.

Walking back into the room, he dropped his bag where it was previously. “Shower’s all your’s now. Though fair warning, I think lukewarm is the best temperature you can expect, unless you have more luck with it than I did.”

“i think you can be stubborn...but i know just how stubborn i can be,” camila assured scott with a cheshire grin. as scott disappeared into the bathroom, she hoped he caught the way she stuck out her tongue at him. she ought to drink half his coffee just for that comment. after a beat, she rose from her spot with a loud sigh and took the time to venmo him for breakfast, followed by a prompt block, so he couldn’t transfer any money back. restlessly, she moved to gather her own belongings for her own shower.

she turned with a start when scott emerged from the bathroom; she hadn’t expected him out so quickly. “whoa, speed demon,” she said, backing away from the door to give him room to move about the room. “that was lightning speed...but if the water is lukewarm, then maybe i’ll have to be quick too. i hate cold showers.”

[hippocmpvs]

veronica-nevin‌:

As he spoke, she had to pull her cell phone away from her face to mask the laughter that was threatening to bubble over it. “Well now you have something to look forward to listening to when you’re finished working.” She quipped, once she was certain that she could speak without breaking down into fits of laughter. “You know, for a radio host, your music knowledge is sorely lacking.” It wasn’t that bad if she was honest, not necessarily her taste but she could appreciate his choices – but that didn’t mean she had t admit that. “Someone should give you some classic music training.”

taj’s jaw set harshly as the caller continued to insult his...everything. music was his life’s passion, life’s study, and life’s work. he didn’t appreciate this faceless troll’s uninvited harassment. “my music knowledge is actually quite robust,” he replied, his measured tone only betraying a hint of strain at the edges. his hand gripped the armrest as he spoke. “most would argue disney channel soundtracks aren’t considered classics, or even music, but we really should get back to our music segment. is there anything else you’d like to share before we go?”

[hippocmpvs]

steven-dunbar‌:

“Expert huh? I think you’re the only person who’s ever describe me that way.” He chuckled, before placing a hand on his heart. “But I promise to not lead you down the wrong path.” He may have come across as a bit of an idiot, but he was okay with that – as long as it came off friendly. Looking up at the waitress at Gabby’s words. “We have our usual soup and sandwich deal, soup of the day is minestrone. We also have filo wrapped king prawns, crispy shredded beef salad, double cheese macaroni gratin or red onion and goat’s cheese filo parcels.” Nodding at the end, he looked back towards the woman opposite him. “Do you know what you want to order now, or do you need another minute?”

“oh my god, that sounds amazing,” gabby crooned, her mouth all but watering when the server listed off the specials. she didn’t realize how hungry she was until now, and she felt like she would shrivel into dust if she didn’t eat stat. “oh, it all sounds so good. i think i’ll have to go with the red onion and goat’s cheese filo parcels,” she decided, then looked back to steven. “oh, sorry, were you ready? i just got so excited there.”

[hippocmpvs]

scott-rogers‌:

Ducking his head as realisation dawned on Camila, he couldn’t keep the smile from his face. That look was oh so familiar, and of the things he loves – no had loved, he reminded himself – about her. Camila had always seemed ready to try absolutely anything, but he was the one who usually pointed out the many ways it could go wrong. Of course this time, he hadn’t pointed it out, leading to him giving a half-shrug. “We are, but on the bright side, maybe a little trepidation will make the vacation a little more interesting.” He couldn’t help the good-natured roll of his eyes at her next words. “You’re really going to be so stubborn over paying for breakfast? Because I have my own stubborn streak you know.” He mock threatened, knowing that his stubborn streak was non-existent ninety percent of the time. “Exactly, they need us at least until we get home. All we have to do is remind them how great we are before we’re home, and they can’t do anything to us. Seems easier than avoiding them forever.” He quipped, opening the bottle of water he’d bought and taking a sip. “Do you want to go for a shower first or should I?” He asked, before deciding it almost seemed odd not to add in ‘or we could go together’ – but that would definitely have been crossing a line, joke or not.

camila was so wrapped up in her horror that she didn’t catch the fondness across scott’s expression, but maybe that was for the best. as she started to wake up, the coziness of the prior night started to sink in, and she couldn’t say that she minded it. she reached over to the nightstand for the cup of coffee she’d grabbed and took a sip, letting it ease down her throat before she replied, “even if you did have a stubborn streak, which is such a lie, you know mine always wins out. so just give it up, scott.”

she looked up at him from her nest in the bed, where she felt like she’d sunken into a pit of quicksand. “there is no way i’m getting up any time soon. you should go ahead,” she nodded from him to the door to nudge him along. plus, he’d gone through all the trouble to get breakfast. he deserved it.

[hippocmpvs]

veronica-nevin‌:

Sinking into the pillows on her bed, even she had to admit it was a little strange to love tormenting the radio host as much as she did. The only other person she enjoyed teasing that much was Taj, but that was a completely different scenario. Taj managed to annoy her with his mere presence, he deserved whatever she dished out – the radio host she had no reason to annoy, but she wasn’t going to give it up. Humming at his choices, she had to admit they weren’t awful, but was she going to say that? Of course not. “I guess they’re not the worst recs in the world… but it’s no Supernova Girl is it? I’m sure there’s other people who listen who agree with me – can’t beat the classics.”

“supernova girl?” taj echoed into the mic, trying to place the song with no luck. to be honest, it wasn’t a half bad title, though knowing the caller it was probably some kitschy boy band drivel mass-produced for whatever blonde six-pack of the month happened to be trending. “i’m afraid i haven’t heard of it.” he didn’t ask the caller to continue, hoping they would get bored with the conversation and hang up. they wasted so much air time with their little tirades, and taj just wanted to focus on the music.

[hippocmpvs]

steven-dunbar‌:

Nodding his thanks as the host left them at the table, he took his seat dropping his jacket on the seat beside him. “Whatever the special is normally.” It wasn’t the most helpful answer, but it was the honest one. After all, he never had much opportunity to try something new, so he took it whenever he could. “If you want something more helpful than that… I’d stick to something light, that way you can try as many of the pastries and cakes as you want after. They’ve never steered me wrong with their pasta salads or soups. Sounds basic but… Even the basics can surprise you, right?”

gabby was all eyes and ears as steven rattled off his advice for dining at the hotel. whenever she went somewhere new, she always took the locals’ advice, and this small town was no exception, even if it was hardly an exotic wonderland. it was just far enough from her beaten path to feel foreign and exciting, and she’d found such a gracious guide. “no, no, it’s not basic. you’re the expert, and i’m but your humble follower.” her eyes twinkled as she smile at him over her menu. the server arrived at their table then, and asked if they wanted to hear the specials. “yes, please, because i have a feeling i’ll be ordering whatever it is,” she replied.