rue miller !! @rue-in-hatchetfield - Tumblr Blog

[ ring! ring! ]

[ you have one new voicemail from: rue ]

[ the last part of the beep of a car horn picks up as traffic noise starts to filter through into the voicemail. ]

"-ove bitch!! oh shit, hey cal! how've you been? i just wanted to say, i'm back in town for like a day or two-"

[ breaks screech over the phone and a car horn honks. ]

"oh my fucking god, who taught you to drive? an eight-year old playing asphalt legends??!!"

[ another horn beeps. ]

"yeah? fuck you too!! sorry, cal, not you. anyway, i'm in town for a few days and i was wondering if you'd wanna catch up or something? just call me or text me if you're free."

[ another car horn honks. ]

"are you serious? sorry, cal, i gotta go. but gimme a call back!! hope you've been keeping okay."

@rue-in-hatchetfield

[A wide smile bursts onto Cal's face. They call Rue back the second they see the voicemail.]

"hello!!"

[ rue responds within a few rings. ]

Hey! Welcome back where are you staying? I'll meet you there.

"called emma and she's letting me crash at perky's for a few days. i can meet you somewhere else if thats easier for you, though."

Don't worry about it I'll be there in two seconds.

"sweet, i'm just parking up."

Awesome lemme know when you've stopped driving and I'll be over.

[There's a second car in the lot as Rue arrives. It's empty right now, but one look at it can tell anyone that it's lived in.]

"i'm here now!"

[ she says, pulling her keys out of the ignition and hopping out, glancing at the other car. ]

[Rue's phone vibrates and begins to be covered by static before a form pools out of it. The static slowly fades to reveal Cal.]

Hey!

"hi!"

[ rue smiles, slightly disconcerted by the static but happy to see her friend. ]

Sorry I was excited and didn't feel like walking. How ya been? How's Wisconsin?

"i'm good, it's good! it's... different than here, for sure but that's not such a bad thing,"

[ she smiles and there's something real about it, something honest. she looks different from the last time cal saw her too. she's grown about an inch and her hair is back in braids with plenty of hair rings through it. rue pauses for a second before she opens her arms, silently asking cal if they want a hug. ]

[Cal gladly accepts the offer, holding Rue tight.]

Looks like it's done you a lot of good.

[ she nods, hugging them back just as tightly. ]

"i think so too."

[ she pulls away a little. ]

"how've you been?"

I've been alright. Thing's have been pretty quiet. By Hatchetfield standards at least.

"y'know, that kinda sounds like a good thing."

It is. It really is.

So what bring you back?

"tashi's outta town for the weekend so i figured it was a good time to come back and catch up with people."

Ah, good, glad nothing's wrong.

"yeah, me too. so, you still working at CCRP?"

Unfortunately. My contract's not up for renewal until next year.

"eugh. you gonna renew it?"

Haven't decided yet. As evil as that place is, there isn't really anywhere else in town where I can use my skills. Plus Gail works there now and I don't wanna leave her hanging.

[ rue smiles at the mention of gail. ]

"how are you guys doing?"

[ ring! ring! ]

[ you have one new voicemail from: rue ]

[ the last part of the beep of a car horn picks up as traffic noise starts to filter through into the voicemail. ]

"-ove bitch!! oh shit, hey cal! how've you been? i just wanted to say, i'm back in town for like a day or two-"

[ breaks screech over the phone and a car horn honks. ]

"oh my fucking god, who taught you to drive? an eight-year old playing asphalt legends??!!"

[ another horn beeps. ]

"yeah? fuck you too!! sorry, cal, not you. anyway, i'm in town for a few days and i was wondering if you'd wanna catch up or something? just call me or text me if you're free."

[ another car horn honks. ]

"are you serious? sorry, cal, i gotta go. but gimme a call back!! hope you've been keeping okay."

@rue-in-hatchetfield

[A wide smile bursts onto Cal's face. They call Rue back the second they see the voicemail.]

"hello!!"

[ rue responds within a few rings. ]

Hey! Welcome back where are you staying? I'll meet you there.

"called emma and she's letting me crash at perky's for a few days. i can meet you somewhere else if thats easier for you, though."

Don't worry about it I'll be there in two seconds.

"sweet, i'm just parking up."

Awesome lemme know when you've stopped driving and I'll be over.

[There's a second car in the lot as Rue arrives. It's empty right now, but one look at it can tell anyone that it's lived in.]

"i'm here now!"

[ she says, pulling her keys out of the ignition and hopping out, glancing at the other car. ]

[Rue's phone vibrates and begins to be covered by static before a form pools out of it. The static slowly fades to reveal Cal.]

Hey!

"hi!"

[ rue smiles, slightly disconcerted by the static but happy to see her friend. ]

Sorry I was excited and didn't feel like walking. How ya been? How's Wisconsin?

"i'm good, it's good! it's... different than here, for sure but that's not such a bad thing,"

[Cal gladly accepts the offer, holding Rue tight.]

Looks like it's done you a lot of good.

[ she nods, hugging them back just as tightly. ]

"i think so too."

[ she pulls away a little. ]

"how've you been?"

I've been alright. Thing's have been pretty quiet. By Hatchetfield standards at least.

"y'know, that kinda sounds like a good thing."

It is. It really is.

So what bring you back?

"tashi's outta town for the weekend so i figured it was a good time to come back and catch up with people."

Ah, good, glad nothing's wrong.

"yeah, me too. so, you still working at CCRP?"

Unfortunately. My contract's not up for renewal until next year.

"eugh. you gonna renew it?"

[ ring! ring! ]

[ you have one new voicemail from: rue ]

[ the last part of the beep of a car horn picks up as traffic noise starts to filter through into the voicemail. ]

"-ove bitch!! oh shit, hey cal! how've you been? i just wanted to say, i'm back in town for like a day or two-"

[ breaks screech over the phone and a car horn honks. ]

"oh my fucking god, who taught you to drive? an eight-year old playing asphalt legends??!!"

[ another horn beeps. ]

"yeah? fuck you too!! sorry, cal, not you. anyway, i'm in town for a few days and i was wondering if you'd wanna catch up or something? just call me or text me if you're free."

[ another car horn honks. ]

"are you serious? sorry, cal, i gotta go. but gimme a call back!! hope you've been keeping okay."

@rue-in-hatchetfield

[A wide smile bursts onto Cal's face. They call Rue back the second they see the voicemail.]

"hello!!"

[ rue responds within a few rings. ]

Hey! Welcome back where are you staying? I'll meet you there.

"called emma and she's letting me crash at perky's for a few days. i can meet you somewhere else if thats easier for you, though."

Don't worry about it I'll be there in two seconds.

"sweet, i'm just parking up."

Awesome lemme know when you've stopped driving and I'll be over.

[There's a second car in the lot as Rue arrives. It's empty right now, but one look at it can tell anyone that it's lived in.]

"i'm here now!"

[ she says, pulling her keys out of the ignition and hopping out, glancing at the other car. ]

[Rue's phone vibrates and begins to be covered by static before a form pools out of it. The static slowly fades to reveal Cal.]

Hey!

"hi!"

[ rue smiles, slightly disconcerted by the static but happy to see her friend. ]

Sorry I was excited and didn't feel like walking. How ya been? How's Wisconsin?

"i'm good, it's good! it's... different than here, for sure but that's not such a bad thing,"

[Cal gladly accepts the offer, holding Rue tight.]

Looks like it's done you a lot of good.

[ she nods, hugging them back just as tightly. ]

"i think so too."

[ she pulls away a little. ]

"how've you been?"

I've been alright. Thing's have been pretty quiet. By Hatchetfield standards at least.

"y'know, that kinda sounds like a good thing."

It is. It really is.

So what bring you back?

"tashi's outta town for the weekend so i figured it was a good time to come back and catch up with people."

Ah, good, glad nothing's wrong.

"yeah, me too. so, you still working at CCRP?"

[ ring! ring! ]

[ you have one new voicemail from: rue ]

[ the last part of the beep of a car horn picks up as traffic noise starts to filter through into the voicemail. ]

"-ove bitch!! oh shit, hey cal! how've you been? i just wanted to say, i'm back in town for like a day or two-"

[ breaks screech over the phone and a car horn honks. ]

"oh my fucking god, who taught you to drive? an eight-year old playing asphalt legends??!!"

[ another horn beeps. ]

"yeah? fuck you too!! sorry, cal, not you. anyway, i'm in town for a few days and i was wondering if you'd wanna catch up or something? just call me or text me if you're free."

[ another car horn honks. ]

"are you serious? sorry, cal, i gotta go. but gimme a call back!! hope you've been keeping okay."

@rue-in-hatchetfield

[A wide smile bursts onto Cal's face. They call Rue back the second they see the voicemail.]

"hello!!"

[ rue responds within a few rings. ]

Hey! Welcome back where are you staying? I'll meet you there.

"called emma and she's letting me crash at perky's for a few days. i can meet you somewhere else if thats easier for you, though."

Don't worry about it I'll be there in two seconds.

"sweet, i'm just parking up."

Awesome lemme know when you've stopped driving and I'll be over.

[There's a second car in the lot as Rue arrives. It's empty right now, but one look at it can tell anyone that it's lived in.]

"i'm here now!"

[ she says, pulling her keys out of the ignition and hopping out, glancing at the other car. ]

[Rue's phone vibrates and begins to be covered by static before a form pools out of it. The static slowly fades to reveal Cal.]

Hey!

"hi!"

[ rue smiles, slightly disconcerted by the static but happy to see her friend. ]

Sorry I was excited and didn't feel like walking. How ya been? How's Wisconsin?

"i'm good, it's good! it's... different than here, for sure but that's not such a bad thing,"

[Cal gladly accepts the offer, holding Rue tight.]

Looks like it's done you a lot of good.

[ she nods, hugging them back just as tightly. ]

"i think so too."

[ she pulls away a little. ]

"how've you been?"

I've been alright. Thing's have been pretty quiet. By Hatchetfield standards at least.

"y'know, that kinda sounds like a good thing."

It is. It really is.

So what bring you back?

"tashi's outta town for the weekend so i figured it was a good time to come back and catch up with people."

[ ring! ring! ]

[ you have one new voicemail from: rue ]

[ the last part of the beep of a car horn picks up as traffic noise starts to filter through into the voicemail. ]

"-ove bitch!! oh shit, hey cal! how've you been? i just wanted to say, i'm back in town for like a day or two-"

[ breaks screech over the phone and a car horn honks. ]

"oh my fucking god, who taught you to drive? an eight-year old playing asphalt legends??!!"

[ another horn beeps. ]

"yeah? fuck you too!! sorry, cal, not you. anyway, i'm in town for a few days and i was wondering if you'd wanna catch up or something? just call me or text me if you're free."

[ another car horn honks. ]

"are you serious? sorry, cal, i gotta go. but gimme a call back!! hope you've been keeping okay."

@rue-in-hatchetfield

[A wide smile bursts onto Cal's face. They call Rue back the second they see the voicemail.]

"hello!!"

[ rue responds within a few rings. ]

Hey! Welcome back where are you staying? I'll meet you there.

"called emma and she's letting me crash at perky's for a few days. i can meet you somewhere else if thats easier for you, though."

Don't worry about it I'll be there in two seconds.

"sweet, i'm just parking up."

Awesome lemme know when you've stopped driving and I'll be over.

[There's a second car in the lot as Rue arrives. It's empty right now, but one look at it can tell anyone that it's lived in.]

"i'm here now!"

[ she says, pulling her keys out of the ignition and hopping out, glancing at the other car. ]

[Rue's phone vibrates and begins to be covered by static before a form pools out of it. The static slowly fades to reveal Cal.]

Hey!

"hi!"

[ rue smiles, slightly disconcerted by the static but happy to see her friend. ]

Sorry I was excited and didn't feel like walking. How ya been? How's Wisconsin?

"i'm good, it's good! it's... different than here, for sure but that's not such a bad thing,"

[Cal gladly accepts the offer, holding Rue tight.]

Looks like it's done you a lot of good.

[ she nods, hugging them back just as tightly. ]

"i think so too."

[ she pulls away a little. ]

"how've you been?"

I've been alright. Thing's have been pretty quiet. By Hatchetfield standards at least.

"y'know, that kinda sounds like a good thing."

[ ring! ring! ]

[ you have one new voicemail from: rue ]

[ the last part of the beep of a car horn picks up as traffic noise starts to filter through into the voicemail. ]

"-ove bitch!! oh shit, hey cal! how've you been? i just wanted to say, i'm back in town for like a day or two-"

[ breaks screech over the phone and a car horn honks. ]

"oh my fucking god, who taught you to drive? an eight-year old playing asphalt legends??!!"

[ another horn beeps. ]

"yeah? fuck you too!! sorry, cal, not you. anyway, i'm in town for a few days and i was wondering if you'd wanna catch up or something? just call me or text me if you're free."

[ another car horn honks. ]

"are you serious? sorry, cal, i gotta go. but gimme a call back!! hope you've been keeping okay."

@rue-in-hatchetfield

[A wide smile bursts onto Cal's face. They call Rue back the second they see the voicemail.]

"hello!!"

[ rue responds within a few rings. ]

Hey! Welcome back where are you staying? I'll meet you there.

"called emma and she's letting me crash at perky's for a few days. i can meet you somewhere else if thats easier for you, though."

Don't worry about it I'll be there in two seconds.

"sweet, i'm just parking up."

Awesome lemme know when you've stopped driving and I'll be over.

[There's a second car in the lot as Rue arrives. It's empty right now, but one look at it can tell anyone that it's lived in.]

"i'm here now!"

[ she says, pulling her keys out of the ignition and hopping out, glancing at the other car. ]

[Rue's phone vibrates and begins to be covered by static before a form pools out of it. The static slowly fades to reveal Cal.]

Hey!

"hi!"

[ rue smiles, slightly disconcerted by the static but happy to see her friend. ]

Sorry I was excited and didn't feel like walking. How ya been? How's Wisconsin?

"i'm good, it's good! it's... different than here, for sure but that's not such a bad thing,"

[Cal gladly accepts the offer, holding Rue tight.]

Looks like it's done you a lot of good.

[ she nods, hugging them back just as tightly. ]

"i think so too."

[ she pulls away a little. ]

"how've you been?"

[ ring! ring! ]

[ you have one new voicemail from: rue ]

[ the last part of the beep of a car horn picks up as traffic noise starts to filter through into the voicemail. ]

"-ove bitch!! oh shit, hey cal! how've you been? i just wanted to say, i'm back in town for like a day or two-"

[ breaks screech over the phone and a car horn honks. ]

"oh my fucking god, who taught you to drive? an eight-year old playing asphalt legends??!!"

[ another horn beeps. ]

"yeah? fuck you too!! sorry, cal, not you. anyway, i'm in town for a few days and i was wondering if you'd wanna catch up or something? just call me or text me if you're free."

[ another car horn honks. ]

"are you serious? sorry, cal, i gotta go. but gimme a call back!! hope you've been keeping okay."

@rue-in-hatchetfield

[A wide smile bursts onto Cal's face. They call Rue back the second they see the voicemail.]

"hello!!"

[ rue responds within a few rings. ]

Hey! Welcome back where are you staying? I'll meet you there.

"called emma and she's letting me crash at perky's for a few days. i can meet you somewhere else if thats easier for you, though."

Don't worry about it I'll be there in two seconds.

"sweet, i'm just parking up."

Awesome lemme know when you've stopped driving and I'll be over.

[There's a second car in the lot as Rue arrives. It's empty right now, but one look at it can tell anyone that it's lived in.]

"i'm here now!"

[ she says, pulling her keys out of the ignition and hopping out, glancing at the other car. ]

[Rue's phone vibrates and begins to be covered by static before a form pools out of it. The static slowly fades to reveal Cal.]

Hey!

"hi!"

[ rue smiles, slightly disconcerted by the static but happy to see her friend. ]

Sorry I was excited and didn't feel like walking. How ya been? How's Wisconsin?

"i'm good, it's good! it's... different than here, for sure but that's not such a bad thing,"

[ ring! ring! ]

[ you have one new voicemail from: rue ]

[ the last part of the beep of a car horn picks up as traffic noise starts to filter through into the voicemail. ]

"-ove bitch!! oh shit, hey cal! how've you been? i just wanted to say, i'm back in town for like a day or two-"

[ breaks screech over the phone and a car horn honks. ]

"oh my fucking god, who taught you to drive? an eight-year old playing asphalt legends??!!"

[ another horn beeps. ]

"yeah? fuck you too!! sorry, cal, not you. anyway, i'm in town for a few days and i was wondering if you'd wanna catch up or something? just call me or text me if you're free."

[ another car horn honks. ]

"are you serious? sorry, cal, i gotta go. but gimme a call back!! hope you've been keeping okay."

@rue-in-hatchetfield

[A wide smile bursts onto Cal's face. They call Rue back the second they see the voicemail.]

"hello!!"

[ rue responds within a few rings. ]

Hey! Welcome back where are you staying? I'll meet you there.

"called emma and she's letting me crash at perky's for a few days. i can meet you somewhere else if thats easier for you, though."

Don't worry about it I'll be there in two seconds.

"sweet, i'm just parking up."

Awesome lemme know when you've stopped driving and I'll be over.

[There's a second car in the lot as Rue arrives. It's empty right now, but one look at it can tell anyone that it's lived in.]

"i'm here now!"

[ she says, pulling her keys out of the ignition and hopping out, glancing at the other car. ]

[Rue's phone vibrates and begins to be covered by static before a form pools out of it. The static slowly fades to reveal Cal.]

Hey!

"hi!"

[ rue smiles, slightly disconcerted by the static but happy to see her friend. ]

[ ring! ring! ]

[ you have one new voicemail from: rue ]

[ the last part of the beep of a car horn picks up as traffic noise starts to filter through into the voicemail. ]

"-ove bitch!! oh shit, hey cal! how've you been? i just wanted to say, i'm back in town for like a day or two-"

[ breaks screech over the phone and a car horn honks. ]

"oh my fucking god, who taught you to drive? an eight-year old playing asphalt legends??!!"

[ another horn beeps. ]

"yeah? fuck you too!! sorry, cal, not you. anyway, i'm in town for a few days and i was wondering if you'd wanna catch up or something? just call me or text me if you're free."

[ another car horn honks. ]

"are you serious? sorry, cal, i gotta go. but gimme a call back!! hope you've been keeping okay."

@rue-in-hatchetfield

[A wide smile bursts onto Cal's face. They call Rue back the second they see the voicemail.]

"hello!!"

[ rue responds within a few rings. ]

Hey! Welcome back where are you staying? I'll meet you there.

"called emma and she's letting me crash at perky's for a few days. i can meet you somewhere else if thats easier for you, though."

Don't worry about it I'll be there in two seconds.

"sweet, i'm just parking up."

Awesome lemme know when you've stopped driving and I'll be over.

[There's a second car in the lot as Rue arrives. It's empty right now, but one look at it can tell anyone that it's lived in.]

"i'm here now!"

[ she says, pulling her keys out of the ignition and hopping out, glancing at the other car. ]

[ ring! ring! ]

[ you have one new voicemail from: rue ]

[ the last part of the beep of a car horn picks up as traffic noise starts to filter through into the voicemail. ]

"-ove bitch!! oh shit, hey cal! how've you been? i just wanted to say, i'm back in town for like a day or two-"

[ breaks screech over the phone and a car horn honks. ]

"oh my fucking god, who taught you to drive? an eight-year old playing asphalt legends??!!"

[ another horn beeps. ]

"yeah? fuck you too!! sorry, cal, not you. anyway, i'm in town for a few days and i was wondering if you'd wanna catch up or something? just call me or text me if you're free."

[ another car horn honks. ]

"are you serious? sorry, cal, i gotta go. but gimme a call back!! hope you've been keeping okay."

@rue-in-hatchetfield

[A wide smile bursts onto Cal's face. They call Rue back the second they see the voicemail.]

"hello!!"

[ rue responds within a few rings. ]

Hey! Welcome back where are you staying? I'll meet you there.

"called emma and she's letting me crash at perky's for a few days. i can meet you somewhere else if thats easier for you, though."

Don't worry about it I'll be there in two seconds.

"sweet, i'm just parking up."

[ ring! ring! ]

[ you have one new voicemail from: rue ]

[ the last part of the beep of a car horn picks up as traffic noise starts to filter through into the voicemail. ]

"-ove bitch!! oh shit, hey cal! how've you been? i just wanted to say, i'm back in town for like a day or two-"

[ breaks screech over the phone and a car horn honks. ]

"oh my fucking god, who taught you to drive? an eight-year old playing asphalt legends??!!"

[ another horn beeps. ]

"yeah? fuck you too!! sorry, cal, not you. anyway, i'm in town for a few days and i was wondering if you'd wanna catch up or something? just call me or text me if you're free."

[ another car horn honks. ]

"are you serious? sorry, cal, i gotta go. but gimme a call back!! hope you've been keeping okay."

@rue-in-hatchetfield

[A wide smile bursts onto Cal's face. They call Rue back the second they see the voicemail.]

"hello!!"

[ rue responds within a few rings. ]

Hey! Welcome back where are you staying? I'll meet you there.

"called emma and she's letting me crash at perky's for a few days. i can meet you somewhere else if thats easier for you, though."

[ ring! ring! ]

[ you have one new voicemail from: rue ]

[ the last part of the beep of a car horn picks up as traffic noise starts to filter through into the voicemail. ]

"-ove bitch!! oh shit, hey cal! how've you been? i just wanted to say, i'm back in town for like a day or two-"

[ breaks screech over the phone and a car horn honks. ]

"oh my fucking god, who taught you to drive? an eight-year old playing asphalt legends??!!"

[ another horn beeps. ]

"yeah? fuck you too!! sorry, cal, not you. anyway, i'm in town for a few days and i was wondering if you'd wanna catch up or something? just call me or text me if you're free."

[ another car horn honks. ]

"are you serious? sorry, cal, i gotta go. but gimme a call back!! hope you've been keeping okay."

@rue-in-hatchetfield

[A wide smile bursts onto Cal's face. They call Rue back the second they see the voicemail.]

"hello!!"

[ rue responds within a few rings. ]

#ooc: HIIIIII!!!

[ a knock at the door. ]

@rue-in-hatchetfield

[Ethan answers, munching on a snack]

Mm...Rue, right?

"yeah,"

[ she nods, knee bouncing slightly. ]

"sorry, this is weird but d'you like movies?"

Oh, definitely. In fact, I got my cds here with me.

"you got a projector?"

Nope. But I got an old tv.

"d'you want a projector?"

You brought one?

"in my car, yeah. i'm moving to wisconsin and i don't really have space for it where i'm going so... i thought you might like it."

Oh...? You're going?

"yeah..."

Okay...

"but, um... projector's in my car? if you want it, that is..."

Um, sure. I'd love to.

"cool, i'll go grab it."

I'll come with.

[ rue leads him back out into the street where her car is parked. she opens the boot, where the projector sits. ]

Hey, I know we're not that close. The other me probably was, but I'll just take this in memory of your friendship.

[ she smiles. ]

"thanks, man."

[ there is a knock at the door. ]

@rue-in-hatchetfield

[Cal's rubs their eyes as they open it.]

...oh. Hey man. What's up?

"hey. have you got a minute?"

Always. Come on in.

"thanks."

[ she wanders inside. ]

"how've you been?"

That's...complicated. There's been some shit going on with my dad, but we're figuring it out.

"d'you wanna talk about it?"

Not particularly.

What about you? How've you been?

"alright,"

[ she nods. she's walked this conversation through in her mind about a thousand times already but it's not making it any easier. ]

You sure? Seems like something's on your mind.

"i'm... i think... i think i'm gonna move... out of hatchetfield."

Oh? Where to?

"i've got a friend out in wisconsin... she texted me around my birthday and mentioned getting a new place and i just... i don't know why i'm still in this fucking town, cal. it's shit."

Yeah that's fair we missed your fucking birthday???

"don't sweat it, man, i don't do shit for it anyway. i might not even have told you when it was, to be honest,"

[ rue smiles genuinely. ]

Uh uh, we're going to your favorite restaurant. And then ice cream. One for birthday and one for going away.

"cal, you don't have to-"

Yeah but I want to. Come on.

[ she smiles a little at them. ]

"thank you."

Don't mention it man.

[ she smiles again. ]

So, where are we eating?

"miss retros?"

Sounds good.

[Cal bounds down the steps, heading towards the diner.]

[ rue follows after them. ]

"i was actually in the mood for a milkshake before i came here."

Then a milkshake you shall have.

"ever dip fries in your milkshake before?"

[They do a double take.]

Is there any other way to fucking eat 'em?

"thank you! steph thinks it's really weird."

Nah man the sweet and the salty.

[Cal gives a Chef's kiss.]

Steph doesn't know what she's talking about.

"not on this one, she don't."

...have you talked to her about moving yet?

[ her smile fades slightly. ]

"yeah..."

And...how did it go...?

"honestly? i have no fucking clue. i don't know if we're gonna try for the distance or what... i don't want it to be like i'm giving up on us."

There's no harm in giving it a shot man. It's not like you'll be completely disconnected from us. Technology's a wonderful thing.

"true but... i don't wanna push for something that she doesn't wanna do, you know?"

You don't if she does or doesn't if you don't ask, Rue.

"that's also true... when did you get all wise?"

What do you mean? I'm the pinnacle of sage wisdom, Rue.

[Cal chuckles.]

"oh right, i forgot,"

[ rue snorts. ]

[They arrive at Miss Retro's, sliding into a booth.]

Watcha thinkin' for food?

"hmmm,"

[ rue contemplates. ]

"maybe a burger..."

That's what I always get. Can't knock the classics.

"exactly."

[ there is a knock at the door. ]

@rue-in-hatchetfield

[Cal's rubs their eyes as they open it.]

...oh. Hey man. What's up?

"hey. have you got a minute?"

Always. Come on in.

"thanks."

[ she wanders inside. ]

"how've you been?"

That's...complicated. There's been some shit going on with my dad, but we're figuring it out.

"d'you wanna talk about it?"

Not particularly.

What about you? How've you been?

"alright,"

[ she nods. she's walked this conversation through in her mind about a thousand times already but it's not making it any easier. ]

You sure? Seems like something's on your mind.

"i'm... i think... i think i'm gonna move... out of hatchetfield."

Oh? Where to?

"i've got a friend out in wisconsin... she texted me around my birthday and mentioned getting a new place and i just... i don't know why i'm still in this fucking town, cal. it's shit."

Yeah that's fair we missed your fucking birthday???

"don't sweat it, man, i don't do shit for it anyway. i might not even have told you when it was, to be honest,"

[ rue smiles genuinely. ]

Uh uh, we're going to your favorite restaurant. And then ice cream. One for birthday and one for going away.

"cal, you don't have to-"

Yeah but I want to. Come on.

[ she smiles a little at them. ]

"thank you."

Don't mention it man.

[ she smiles again. ]

So, where are we eating?

"miss retros?"

Sounds good.

[Cal bounds down the steps, heading towards the diner.]

[ rue follows after them. ]

"i was actually in the mood for a milkshake before i came here."

Then a milkshake you shall have.

"ever dip fries in your milkshake before?"

[They do a double take.]

Is there any other way to fucking eat 'em?

"thank you! steph thinks it's really weird."

Nah man the sweet and the salty.

[Cal gives a Chef's kiss.]

Steph doesn't know what she's talking about.

"not on this one, she don't."

...have you talked to her about moving yet?

[ her smile fades slightly. ]

"yeah..."

And...how did it go...?

"honestly? i have no fucking clue. i don't know if we're gonna try for the distance or what... i don't want it to be like i'm giving up on us."

There's no harm in giving it a shot man. It's not like you'll be completely disconnected from us. Technology's a wonderful thing.

"true but... i don't wanna push for something that she doesn't wanna do, you know?"

You don't if she does or doesn't if you don't ask, Rue.

"that's also true... when did you get all wise?"

What do you mean? I'm the pinnacle of sage wisdom, Rue.

[Cal chuckles.]

"oh right, i forgot,"

[ rue snorts. ]

[They arrive at Miss Retro's, sliding into a booth.]

Watcha thinkin' for food?

"hmmm,"

[ rue contemplates. ]

"maybe a burger..."

[ a knock at the door. ]

@rue-in-hatchetfield

[Ethan answers, munching on a snack]

Mm...Rue, right?

"yeah,"

[ she nods, knee bouncing slightly. ]

"sorry, this is weird but d'you like movies?"

Oh, definitely. In fact, I got my cds here with me.

"you got a projector?"

Nope. But I got an old tv.

"d'you want a projector?"

You brought one?

"in my car, yeah. i'm moving to wisconsin and i don't really have space for it where i'm going so... i thought you might like it."

Oh...? You're going?

"yeah..."

Okay...

"but, um... projector's in my car? if you want it, that is..."

Um, sure. I'd love to.

"cool, i'll go grab it."

I'll come with.