View source for Log:Dating Tips for Kip

{{ Log
| cast =  [[Haruki]], [[Dave_Mikhael_Desrochers|Oberon]], [[Mina Grey|Mina]], [[Kip]], [[Max]], [[Dorian_Crystal|Dorian]]
| summary = Haruki and Oberon give Kip some much unwanted dating advice. 
| gamedate = 2017.05.01
| gamedatename = 
| subtitle = 
| location = [[Crossroads Cafe]]
| categories = 
| log = Kip's eyes flare a tiny bit with their electric sparks when Mina reaches across the table at their booth to tilt his chin up, but it does down after a second as he lifts his gaze to meet hers. "Egomaniacs? I-- don't know why they would be," he admits to her in his quiet voice. They're at a booth, chatting away. Kip is his usual shy awkward self. Mina is, well, Mina. Which means he's looking at her like he's half scared of her. "I'm not. Terrified. I just-- don't know how to talk to you. People. I mean people. Not /you/ you. I sound stupid every time I say anything. It's not interesting, it's stupid."

Haruki comes into the coffee shop and gets his usual black coffee, which he probably won't drink all of. Still it's the routine that matters, that display of normalcy, the being around other people. He orders a salad as well. He loves salad. Just chopped up vegetables, no dressing, no meat, nothing else. Rabbit food.

Like always, Oberon comes to the Crossroads Cafe after his morning running just a minute after Haruki. Upon entring, he heads straight to the counter to order a glass of water. When he sees Haruki, he wiggles his fingers in a greeting."Morning." Then he turns to have a better look at the whole place as he drinks his water. At that point he sees Kip and another person he doesn't recognize. The Fairest bites his lower lip in hesitation as he watches the interaction between them two.

Once Kip has lifted his gaze to hers, Mina lets her fingers slide away from under his chin with a parting caress. The redhead has her hair in a fishtail braid that drapes over her shoulder, and is wearing an off the shoulder sweater of offwhite with black leggings and boots. "Not me-me?," she asks as if she might not fully believe that. "And you were doing a fine job of talking to me just now." Her gaze flicks away as two more people enter. A flash of smile towards Haruki, and a brief study of Oberon before she looks back to Kip.

Haruki ads for some water too. Did he forget it? Is he copying Oberon. Who knows. He smiles at Oberon, softly. "Morning." He follows his gaze over to Kip and Mina, waving over at them both. "Hi Bookman! Hi Mina!" Yeah Kip still doesn't seem to have got a name. And then. "Are you on a date? Sorry didn't mean to interupt."

"Not /you/ like... personally," Kip is stammering a bit in response to Mina, though thankfully he gets cut off by Haruki calling out and his attention being distracted by Mina's smile at him and then at Oberon. Oberon is given a hand-lift of greeting before his attention rivets back to Haruki. "Date? No-- this... we weren't kissing. I mean date. Not a uh-- I just sat down. I ordered coffee."

At the mention of a date, Oberon grins and shakes his head."You don't need to kiss to be on a date, Kip." He says just to tease the other man a bit. He then turns to Haruki and whispers something to him before sipping from his water once more.

Oberon whispers "I set a meeting to Itsuki meet the Queen. You can go along if you decide to join us."

It's hard to tell if that's the sort of thing that Kip should have said. Maybe Mina enjoyed the idea of it being her, personally, that was so hard to speak with. A little press of lips, before she greets over, "Good morning, Haruki. And no, as Kip said, we're not kissing. Sadly. It's not a date. He just had the misfortune of walking in when I was already here. More's the pity." Her gaze sweeps over Oberon, three times.

"Dates aren't about kissing," Haruki says. "Or at least not all about kissing. They're about spending time in eachother's company, getting to know eachother, talking and enjoying it." Okay maybe he's not an expert on dates either. "Doing romantic thing." He leans in to say something quietly to Kip. "If you're not on a date you should ask her on one, you obviously like her a lot, and she seems into you." Haruki! Dating Expert! He'd probably best not give up his day job. He nods at Oberon. That'd be a yes. He smiles at Mina. "It's hard to see why anyone would consider your company unfortunate."

How did Kip end up in this situation? With Mina across from him doing things like touching his chin to lift his gaze up and Oberon talking about dates and Haruki still talking about kissing and oh god Kip's head might explode if he flushes any harder than he already is. "She said I'm interesting, doesn't mean she's into me," he mumbles. "And Mina's company is not unfortunate. She smells nice. Everyone probably wants to date her." Uh Kip? Mina is /right there/. "We didn't plan this, she was here when I got here. It's not a date. You can sit if you want." That seems directed at both Haruki and Oberon both. "You can talk. I'm done talking. I don't know what to talk about."

Oberon grins at that and heads to sit by Kip's side. One arm goes around the other Lost's shoulder."Hm. You do need a friend in the antler crown." He says and smiles."If, like Haruki said, you're into her, you totally should show interest. To start, pay for her breakfast. That'd be a good first move." He says to Kip and turns to Mina."Right?"

There's a bit of silence from Mina, as she looks between the three men, two of them trying to give Kip advice. She is totally right there, as they talk about her as if she isn't. "Perhaps next time, he might," the flowerbus offers. "For now, though, I should be heading off I think." She leaves a few dollars on the table for her coffee, before getting up to her feet. "Good to see you all again.'

Haruki takes a seat at the table when it's offered. "If you're not interested you should also tell her, so you're not leading her on. It's wrong to play games with people's feelings." He looks at Mina. "Oh sorry, I didn't mean to chase you off. Have a great day."

"Play games with-- but she--" Kip stammers to Haruki, looking all too much like he wants to sink into the seat at the booth, weighed down by Oberon's arm alung around him, and just disappear into the darkness or something. "I--" he starts to say to Mina, sitting up a bit straighter as if he might do something like reach out to touch her to get her to stay, but he doesn't. His anxiety and shyness take over and he just sits there, eyes focused on her with a momentary look of something akin to a pleading expression. "Come by later?" he ventures. "I mean uhm, the shop. I put up some pictures. I wanted to show you them." Yeah, good save there. He glances at Haruki for a moment and considers something before blurting out, rather flatly like he's just saying it before he loses the words, "I want you to come by. Later. If you can. If you can't that's okay." He gives Haruki, and sort of Oberon though it's easier to direct it more at Haruki, a look of 'How was that?'

Oberon bites his lower lip again. This time there is regret on his bright green eyes."Sorry, Mina." He says and he sounds genuine. He watches her until she leaves in an attempt to get some salvation from his bad behavior before it is too late. When the ginger woman is gone, he turns to look at Kip."Sorry, buddy. We kind of messed up your non-date." He murmurs and retrieves his arm from the other man's shoulder.

Haruki smiles at Kip, trying to be reassuring. "Girls are just people too. Even the beautiful ones, like Mina." It's easy for him to say though since he doesn't have to deal with her attentions. "And almost everyone gets nervous sometimes. You're a nice guy."

"It's okay," Mina assures the three with a quick flash of a smile. "I just have to..." she thumbs towards the door, and looks to Kip as he speaks. Another little smile, and she dips her head with a nod. "I'd like to see them, Kip. I'll swing by, before you close up shop." And then she's turning, walking towards the door with a slight sway of hips. Exit succubus, stage left.

Kip slouch-sinks down into the booth's confines a bit as he watches Mina leave. "I am such an idiot," he mumbles. "I don't know how to talk to girls. Or anyone." He keeps watching the door for a moment with that wistful expression before he seems to realize that he's not alone and shouldn't be moping or whatever he's doing. "She said she thinks I'm interesting. Is that good? I'm not. But she thinks I am. I don't know why. I think she just likes the smell of books she said." Clearly that's all he has to offer someone. "And hey, you were gonna introduce me to some people," he mentions to Oberon, playing at elbowing him.

Oberon arches a brow and instantly glances around warry."This is not a subject to us to talk here. Hazel doesn't like it. But if you decided to join us, I can send a message to Ava and she can arrange a meeting with the right person so you can signup." He says a bit criptidly. Then, he grins."And yes. I do think you're interesting too. In a nerd and cute way. Some girls like that." He then pats the other Lost in the shoulder lightly.

"That doesn't make you an idiot," Haruki reassures. "Talking to people is difficult, especially if you don't have much practice." He nods. "That is good. You are interesting. You need to have some more confidence. Have you tried reading the books that help with that and doing the exercises? You have to stop the negative thoughts. Whenever you think something negative about yourself, you need to challenge that belief and find a reason it's not true. You aren't an idiot. You're not uninteresting. It takes an awful lot of effort and hard work to reprogramme your brain and your thinking though." He nods. "Yeah, you're really cute. And shy. And it's adorable. And some girls really like that."

"I'm not shy," Kip stammers, though it just kind of accents that he is. "I just don't know how to talk to anyone because I might say something wrong so I just don't say anything and then nobody wants to be around me because it makes them uncomfortable. But I /try/." Not very hard. Haruki and Oberon missed the fiasco of him trying to get his messenger bag off earlier where he looked like he was practicing some sort of bad physical comedy. "And I didn't mean we had to talk about it /now/," he mentions to Oberon. "Just didn't know if you remembered. I'm used to being forgotten about is all." He does give that lopsided bit of a grin. "Anyway, you saw Mina. She's... Mina. She's pretty."

Oberon, Kip and Haruki are all in the same booth. Talking about some girl, apparently. Oberon is in his running attire as he always do this early in the morning. Though, this time, he doesn't look sweat and tired. Instead, he looks refreshed and happy. The Fairest, that has his hair in a long ponytail in its natural color retrieves his phone from his pocket, types something on it quickly and shows the display to Kip before putting it away again."See. Done. I sent a reminder to Ava. Just in case she forgot. When she gives me a day and a time, I'll let you know."

Haruki nods. "That sounds like anxiety then. There's techniques to help with that. Most people won't mind if you say something wrong. And the more you practice the better you get." At saying wrong things? He nods. "Mina's pretty and she smells nice. Like Dave." He suddenly grins. "What else is good about her? She's warm and friendly and seems to find talking to people effortless. Maybe she can give you help on being like that?"

"Thanks," Kip says to Oberon before Haruki's words cause him to sort of pull away a little. "Well, I mean yeah, he smells nice and is-- I guess pretty?" he murmurs awkwardly as if he's somehow afraid of Oberon knowing he's saying that about him even though Oberon's close enough to have just had an arm slung around him a few moments ago. He fumbles with the coffee mug in front of him and starts to pick up a spoon to stir it but just drops the spoon with a clatter and does this weird attempt at recovery as if to hide that he did it. "I-- she's very nice and is shorter than me." Those seem to be his observations regarding Mina.

In search of a good meal, Max decides to head into the Crossroads because Hazel has the best food in town! Her steps slow momentarily as she enters, taking a quick glance to see who's around. A smile tugs at the edges of her lips as she spots a booth full of familiar faces. So, she makes her way over toward the trio, lifting a hand to wave in greeting. "Hey fellas!" Her tone is frieindly as usual, those bright blue eyes of hers looking toward each of them in turn. "Mind if I join you guys while I eat?" she questions, just polite enough to not sit down automatically. The mortal is dressed casually per usual, a hoodie with denim shorts and sneakers, her messenger bag hanging from her shoulders with her hair worn down and somewhat straightened.

Oberon grins when he sees Max."Sure, Max. Have a seat. We're giving Kip some advices on how to interact with girls. Maybe you could give us a little help here since, you know, girls are not exactly our thing." He says ignoring kip and the spoon.

"It's okay if you don't like boys," Haruki says to Kip. "Or if you do. I do. One boy. Far too much." He sighs softly. "And don't worry what other people think. You don't need to no homo." He smiles at Kip. "Ah. And you thought she'd like the photos? Do you know about the things she likes?" he tries to gently encourage. "Did she get that art book she was looking for?" He waves at Max. "Welcome. Sure, pull up a chair." His own salad's brought out, belatedly and he starts to tuck in. Lots of veg, no dressing or anything else. Rabbit food. "I can interact with girls just fine," Haruki says to Oberon.

Kip has coffee. And apparently is having enough trouble with that alone, stirring in some cream and some sugar to balance out the taste of it. He's saved from the awkwardness of discussing girls with Haruki and Oberon by the added level of awkward that Max's arrival brings. At least he manages to tap the spoon against the side of the mug and then set it down without dropping it, then picks up the mug with both hands and sips it without spilling it all over. Miracles do happen, apparently. "I told her I'd show her them when I got them blown up and framed and then hung them up," he says to Haruki. "And she likes dancing. She used to dance. Like ballet dancing. The fancy kind. And--" he seems to draw a blank on any other facts about Mina that he has absorbed. "Hi Max. One of those books came in this morning. Still waiting on the other one. I mean sit down. Plenty of room. They were just talking-- I mean I was trying to... Well see my friend Mina was here. She's gone. You can have her spot."

First tilting her head at Oberon, Max is uncertain how to reply at first. Then there's a faint smirk and an even fainter chuckle as she moves over to the seat that was offered. "I'm not sure I'd be the best to as about how to talk to girls. I mean, I'm assuming you meant in a romantic manner or whatever. Which I'm totally clueless how to talk to anyone that way." Another chuckle and a shake of her head. Max doesn't like showing embarrassment so she hides any emotions on the matter she might have by putting her bag down by her feet and quickly picking up a menu. "Other than that... Just talk to them like a normal person. Because we are, you know?" A moment passes before she looks over to Kip with a smile. "And cool about the book. Maybe I'll drop in after hours later sometime to pick it up. If that'd be alright," she suggests.

Oberon shows Haruki his tongue in a child-ish way before turning to listen the Max."This book chatting reminded me I have to retrieve the book to the Custodians, Max. But I don't have it here. Do you mind dropping by at the Wayhouse later so I can give the book back to you?" He asks.

Haruki eats his salad quietly. Munch munch munch.

"Uh, sure. After hours is fine," Kip says to Max with an enthusiastic nod of his head. "And uh-- I didn't mean... well they meant, but I... I'm not good at talking to people. Most people. I don't have much problem talking to /you/, that is," he says to Max haltingly. "But... you're different. I mean it's different. You're you." Apparently in Kip's mind that makes total and utter sense. "You can come by tonight. I don't have plans. I mean it won't interrupt anything. Nothing will be going on. There won't be anyone else there. Because... after hours." Yeah. What was that he was trying to say about not having a problem talking to Max? At least he doesn't appear to be as uncomfortable. "Because you don't like a lot of people around, I mean." See? He makes a point to drop in something he knows about someone into the conversation. Take that, Haruki-Salad-Eater and Oberon-Not-Helping.

Haruki's done with interfering in Kip's love-life or lack thereof it seems. He does smile at Kip's words though and continues to munch upon salad.

Despite Kip's disclaimer that he's bad at talking to people, he still advertises his cell number on his business cards for the store, so when his phone rings, he answers it with "Homepage, this is Kip." and gives a one-second finger to everyone before sliding out of the booth. A hand goes over the phone. "I'll be right back," he stage-whispers to the trio at his table, then heads to the doors to talk where he can actually hear.

The group of mortals and Lost are all sitting in a booth, chatting! As a server passes by, Max orders a burger and fries with a milkshake, splurging on her meal since she probably won't eat again until it's dark out for one reason or another. Once that's dealt with, she glances over toward Oberon first and smiles. "Sure. I'll make sure to wander over there relatively soon so that you don't get a late fee," she teases with a playful tone. Then she glances back toward Kip, that smile lingering but becoming warmer. Any advice to be given will be done so when he returns! She watches him head out, then returns her attention to the others. Particularly Haruki! "So, you been doing okay?"

Oberon, the fairest of them all, is in running attire. His light green long hair set in a ponytail behind his back. He wiggles his fingers to Kip as the man gets out to hang on his phone. Then his attention turn to look at those left at the table, specially Haruki since he's adressed a question.

Haruki nods at Max, and he does seem a little more relaxed than last time. "Yes, great, you?" The polite response.

Dorian is yawning all the way in the door of the cafe, face scruffy and unshaven. Mirror eyes squinting. He's barely aware of other Lost or people nearby, staggering in to stare at specials and sniff out coffee, not yet spotting a seat. He stands to one side, not grasping the seat yourself philosophy, with the aura of one who might be a real night shift type. And not just because of a certain starry quality to his appearance.

"Doing well enough," Max answers Haruki, offering him a friendly smile. There's a glance between the two sitting before her expression softens some. "Glad to see you guys are doing better," she states sincerely. Then she looks around momentarily, noticing Dorian as he stands around, raising her brow lightly. "You can sit wherever you like," she calls out to him with a friendly tone.

"We're getting there." Oberon says as he follows the girls eyes until finding an unknown Lost."Including here with us if you want to. Max here just ordered a burguer and some fries." He grins."Unless you prefer Haruki's salad." He teases the small asian man with an elbow on his ribs. A second later, he realizes he gave up on everyone's name except his own."Ah. I'm Oberon, by the way."

"My salad," Haruki says. "He's not getting it." He looks over at Dorian and smiles. "Hi." And then he asks Oberon. "So are you dating Oliver now?" Out of nowhere.

Dorian makes a noise like "Wh-huh", then shifts on his heel to study the busy table more closely, though his gaze is odd thanks to the reflective surface of his eyes. "I... hi. I wasn't going to steal anybody's... breakfast? Lunch?" He pulls out his phone, looks at the specials board. "Breakfast for me, anyway." He runs a hand through his hair self consciously, and smiles with some nerves to it. "Dorian. Um. Crystal. Hi. I'm not awake as I want to be. Ask me more after coffee."

Kip awkwardly hangs out near the doors, just inside because he doesn't have his jacket on to go outside. The jacket is still at his seat at the booth along with his messenger bag. He seems to be finishing up his call if you pay attention to his body language, though.

Dorian makes a noise like "Wh-huh", then shifts on his heel to study the busy table more closely, though his gaze is odd thanks to the reflective surface of his eyes. "I... hi. I wasn't going to steal anybody's... breakfast? Lunch?" He pulls out his phone, looks at the specials board. "Breakfast for me, anyway." He runs a hand through his hair self consciously, and smiles with some nerves to it. "Dorian. Um. Crystal. Hi. I'm not awake as I want to be. Ask me more after coffee (re)."

"Well, you're free to some of the fries on my plate when my food arrives," Max tells Dorian with a playful smirk. Then she glances around the booth as if to extend the offer to the others as well. The burger will probably be more than enough for her! And the shake. Leaning back in her seat, she makes herself comfortable. "Nice to meet you though, Dorian. Like he said, I'm Max. Feel free to join us, or not. We're friendly though!"

"Brunch, actually. It's after breakfast and before lunch. Brunch." The Fairest throws some social maneurs into those around just because that is what Fairests are for. To the offer of fries, he grins."Thanks, but no. Now that it's Spring, I must get back into my diet. I need to get in shape to when Summer arrives." He explains briefly. Then, he finally turns to look at Haruki, the small asian man."Why are you asking that?" Meaning sure.

Haruki's smile falters a moment. He tries to keep it in place, struggles oh so hard. "Of course." He says, his chair scraping hard across the ground as he pushes it back, fork clattering on the plate as he drops it.

Since Kip did not order actual food, he perks up at Max mentioning her fries being @set steal_ok. He settles back into his seat at the booth, phone tucked back into his back pocket for safekeeping. "Sorry, it was the store. I mean /for/ the store," he apologizes, peering Dorian over for a moment before offering, "I'm Kip. Hi." Haruki is given a glance, then Oberon. "In shape? This isn't in shape?" He looks Oberon over, then looks down at his own torso. "Maybe I should get in shape then. Do books count as lifting weights? Some of them are really heavy."

Dorian's eyebrow raises at Oberon. "You're not in shape now? What, is anything less than Adonis slacking?" He takes only a moment before deciding to sit, but chooses the next booth over from the small group. "Jinx," he adds to Kip just after. "I'm still leaning on the breakfast side of brunch. Except I intend to nap my afternoon away and eat bacon, unlike some people."

Oberon ignores both Kip and Dorian's comments about his body. Instead, he arches a brow in a light surprise as he stares at Haruki reaction to his question. Then, he leans forward and whispers something to the other man. When he's done, he turns to look at Dorian."Dorian Crystal is an interesting name. Are you new here? Or just shy and socially hiding?" He asks.

Oberon whispers "Can we talk about it later? It's not the right place."

Haruki nods once at whatever Oberon whispers to him. He tries to compose himself at least. "I need to go for a run."

"Bacon and an afternoon nap sounds awesome," Max tells Dorian with a wide grin. Then said a little quieter as an afterthought, "I miss naps." But soon her food arrives and she's all smiles because Hazel's food is the best. The server is thanked and she grabs the burger, taking a bite with a satisfied grin. Her plate is nudged slightly more toward the middle of the table, somewhat within reach of everyone but still mostly closest to her. "You should only get in shape enough that you're healthy. And that you can run a bit if you're being chased by someone dangerous," she states, her opinion of the matter. "I mean, you have your other strengths. I don't see you needing to be all fitness model in shape or whatever," she tells Kip.

Dorian takes a longer look at Haruki, a bit of thoughtfulness seeping past the sharp edges. There's sympathy there. He studies his menu next while he answers Oberon. "Shy no. New... depends. I also keep very odd hours, so my social life ends up as the thing that suffers most. Why is the name so interesting? I blame my drunk parents." Overshare? Perhaps, though he may be joking, dark humor style.

"I can definitely run if I'm being chased by something," Kip echoes after Max says it. He leans back in the seat and tugs his shirt up over his navel. He doesn't /actually/ have a belly. At least, not moreso than what typically scrunches up when you're sitting. "See? I'm not in shape. I should work out." He peeks over at Oberon. "Will you explain to me how to work out? Naps I got. Working out... I don't." He peers toward Dorian, shifting in the seat, his belly thankfully covered again by his shirt. "Nothing wrong with being shy. Or... new."

}}