Filters can start working any day now...

[originalcopy]

So,  I'm just going to assume that the filters are still broken.    You know, since there hasn't been a collective sigh of relief yet.

Anyway,  North...  I have something I've been wanting to talk to you about. 
You got some free time?

Comments

[ol_northy]

What can I do for you?

[originalcopy]

I've been working on this idea and I need an opinion from someone who's slightly more sociable than a rabid badger to run it past.

Congratulations on being the only sociable Freelancer in the building by the way.

[ol_northy]

[He'd laugh if his life wasn't fucked up right now.]

I'll help as much as I can.

[originalcopy]

[What can he say except, welcome to wonderfuck man.]

Great... uh, since the filters are still Fubared do you mind talking in person?

[ol_northy]

Sure. Where do you want to meet?

[originalcopy]

Hmmm... well, I guess you could come here or I could go there or the lobby...

Whatever works.

[ol_northy]

Let's meet in the lobby.

[North sounds pretty tired, bro.]

I'll be there in a few minutes, alright?

written/action

[originalcopy]

See you there.

[Church will be waiting in the lobby. He's keeping an eye out for North since he knows that North wouldn't recognize him out of armor.]

action

[ol_northy]

[North heads down in full armor, looking around to make sure there's no one there he doesn't want to see. He's wary, unsettled, and in the worst mood he can ever recall having been.]

action; to end

[originalcopy]

[Armor is a bad sign. Church's been here long enough to have figured that out.
He hadn't realized how much the armor had become a sense of security until he was able to leave it behind... and then put it right back on again whenever something jarred him out of his comfort zone enough. He also hadn't realized how much it became part of his identity either. Although, he supposes North doesn't really have that part to worry about.
Still, he manages a smile.]

Hey...

[ol_northy]

[Armor is just North's way of getting people to back off. It's comfortable, though, and comforting.

He notes the other man's presence and nods. I mean, at least there's no helmet.]

You rang?

[originalcopy]

Yeah, I need the opinion of a non-asshole.

Do you want to stay here or can we walk and talk?

[and avoid the high traffic area where drama is almost begging to happen]

[ol_northy]

Walk and talk. Truth be told, I was about to head out somewhere, anyway.

[So he shrugs and points toward the door.]

Outside?

[originalcopy]

Fine with me.

[He picks up the coat he brought down. After all, "walking and talking" is essentially code for "getting the fuck out of the castle"]

Where we going?

[ol_northy]

[A pause.]

Now, that part I didn't really think through. Out sounds good. Honestly, I'm feeling pretty antsy. You've been here longer... Got a suggestion?

[originalcopy]

Have you been to town yet?

I know a decent place to get a bite and a beer... because frankly dude, you seem like you could use one.

[He'll lead the way, shrugging on his coat as he goes.]

[ol_northy]

I... you know, I probably could. It's been a long week.

[So. Walking and talking.]

This whole place is still a little beyond me.

[originalcopy]

This place is beyond all of us.

Hell, York has been here like four years... it still managed to fuck him over.

[he shakes his head.]

I think it's what the place wants.

[ol_northy]

...That much I did catch on to. Not to say good things don't happen, right? But the bad...

[Some of it doesn't even have to do with here, apparently.]

[originalcopy]

That's what York said... I haven't really run into any good stuff yet.

[Not strictly true, he's got his human body back thanks to Harper. Or at least as close to it as he'll get.]

... but the bad can be pretty God damned awful.

[and some of it can be both really]

[ol_northy]

There are good things.

[The awkwardness of the Valentine's Day mishap aside, it was nice to meet someone new.]

The bad follows you no matter where you go.

[originalcopy]

Yeah, no shit.

[Church knows all about bad things following you around, thank you very much.]

It's just... like this place goes out of it's way to provide it.

[Oh North, Valentine's wasn't bad it was just kind of annoying. Catching the wrath strain of the sin virus was bad.]

[ol_northy]

Sounds like it. And people have... I don't know. Let's say baggage, right? They carry it all with them.

[originalcopy]

I doubt any of us has had a particularly cheerful time of things.

You either learn to let shit go and move on, or you just drag it around with you and let it make you miserable.

Some of us just aren't very good at letting shit go.

[never mind not spreading shit around like a diseased bulls asshole]

[ol_northy]

[....right.]

Not everybody handles things the same way.