[ The bar is an old storage warehouse and the back entrance serves two purposes: First, the staircase to the left upon entering leads up to the loft. It's a safehouse and an apartment with a semi-rotating set of individuals of which Josh is a constant. But the second is that the back leads into the loading bay-turned-inventory space for booze and food. Three large freezers take up the far right wall.
When Nico arrives and sends that text, she'll hear a chime sound from overhead, followed by Josh peering down from over the railing. ]
Great. You're here. [ He takes a pull from the slim vape clutched in his left hand. ] Come on up.
[ Of course, the sound of a phone chiming in the same instant that Nico sends the message is enough to have her starting, the worry evident on her face as she looks up - and breathes a sigh of relief to see Josh looking over the railing at her.
Being on the run is exhausting. Doubtless, the embarrassment at startling over something so small - as well as the irritation at being caught in such a moment - is written all over her face. Nonetheless, she tries on a smile as she heads up the staircase. ]
[ He moves away from the rail, pitching his voice enough that he knows it will carry downstairs, before moving towards one of the couches in the loft's open plan living room. ]
Just me today. The rest of my crew is off running errands or had to head out of town for a while.
[ She has to admit that she's grateful; even though she's sure that with time she'll be comfortable getting to know some of the others in his crew, at least for now it's easier if it's just the two of them, especially given how twitchy she seems to be at the moment.
Without a word, she moves to join him on the couch, only then shooting him a quick grin. ]
So, do I look as shit as I feel?
[ Worn off though the alcohol may be, she now has the beginnings of a hangover headache. ]
Admittedly? [ He shakes his head. ] No. But I know that hangovers can be deceiving.
[ He knows a little bit about her situationโbut it's mostly bits from previous conversations: she's a runaway, hangs with a group of kids who she shares history with. He doesn't know why she left, or if her parents are looking for her. But Josh figures that maybe, in time, she'll loop him in on those details. ]
Do you want to talk about things over some food? I had to play chauffer this morning, so eating fell to the bottom of the priority list.
[ Nico doesn't even realize that she's hungry until her stomach rolls and growls noisily at the mere mention of food. If she was in any other company, she might be embarrassed at it, but as it is, she just grimaces.
At least, with what he already knows, he's probably aware that resources aren't exactly easy to come by, either. She and the other kids make do, but some days are harder than others. Especially when you spend your budget on wannabe-bougie beer.
With a slight, self-deprecating grin, she nods. ]
Uh, yeah. Food sounds really fucking good right now.
[ And... yeah. Talk it out over the food. She owes him that much, at least. ]
[ He offers a sympathetic smile when her stomach growls and then hops off the couch with a little wave to lead her towards the kitchen off to the side. Their fridge is... huge. It's a byproduct of his apartment essentially serving as a base of operations for Migo, Ana and Diana, as well as the odd contact or friend from their network. ]
Late breakfast good? [ Grabbing eggs and bread and some cold cuts. No sense dragging out cooking when the basics will do. ] Should be a couple bags of chips over there.
[ Nodding at a rattan basket atop the kitchen bar which honestly looks like it's seen better days. ]
[ Jumping off the couch, Nico follows to the kitchen, and admittedly her eyes bug out a little when she sees the fridge, even if she tries to keep her reaction mild. This kind of setup is something she dreams of being able to help get for the others, to the point that she's considered trying to magic it into existence, even though she's sure that wouldn't work the way she would want. ]
Late breakfast sounds great. [ And perhaps her face is kind of tame, but her words and tone are definitely proof that she's invested. ] Anyone who says no to late breakfast has some explaining to do.
[ Especially if they turn down something like eggs and cold cuts.
[ He makes quick work of things, putting together 2 sandwiches each and then pushes a plate across the counter towards Nico. ] I think we have juice, but the only thing Ana gets is cranberry for some reason.
[ Turning away at that to measure out some coffee to brew. ]
[ She can't help but wrinkle her nose at the cranberry comment. Not that cranberry is bad per se, but there are just so many other choices. Coffee, at least, sounds good though - especially to the hangover.
But then comes the question, and she sighs. She's hardly about to lie to him, especially given how helpful he's been with her particular brand of circumstances. ]
It's complicated, I guess.
[ Nico pushes at one of the sandwiches with a frown. ]
Our parents are kinda assholes. Of the villain variety. I guess that's the simplest way of putting it.
[ Pouring her a cup of coffee now and turning back to the fridge briefly to grab the three kinds of creamer that Migo just happens to keep on-hand. Sugar's in one of those fancy-looking containers on the table. ]
Yikes. Are they trying to hunt you kids down?
[ He's heard some horror stories of parents being particularly controlling. Granted, the ones he's seen (more accurately) are from the memories of the ghost echoes he has to lay to rest. ]
[ Even as Josh works to get the creamer and sugar, Nico is picking up the coffee and sipping at it. Black, like her lipstick. When she puts the mug down, she nods. ]
Yeah. Also... I dunno if you heard. That girl who was murdered? They're framing us for that too.
[ She shrugs. And the story just goes on from there. Their parents have enough power that if they're hunted down, they could keep them out of jail, but none of that is the point. Their own parents fucking framed them for a murder they committed for some creepy fucking alien's benefit... ugh. ]
It's a mess. So we're sticking together. But that's not always easy, y'know?
I think I saw that on the news. [ He's pouring himself a cup and settling down, listening to her because sometimes you have to just let kids talk. ]
It's not. Sometimes you just need a bit of space from each other. It's healthy.
[ While this place is HQ, Migo and Ana have their own lodgings, opting to come by and stay as long as they like because they can leave if they want to. ]
[ She nods, grateful that he seems to be understanding at least. ]
Yeah. Which isn't easy. I mean, the Hostelโ that's what we call our place. It's big, but we're all still under the same roof. Too easy to find each other.
[ But here? None of them know where she is. That fact should scare her, but it's honestly something of a relief. ]
You're welcome to stay as long as you like. [ Putting together two egg salad sandwiches with 4 slices each of Hungarian salami on a plate and then sliding it over to Nico. ]
I've already given my people the head's up that we have a guestโ [ he pauses, thoughtful ] โMigo is a recluse and will probably skulk around. Ana will likely ask about your eyeshadow brand.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
yaaaaas โฅ
When Nico arrives and sends that text, she'll hear a chime sound from overhead, followed by Josh peering down from over the railing. ]
Great. You're here. [ He takes a pull from the slim vape clutched in his left hand. ] Come on up.
no subject
Being on the run is exhausting. Doubtless, the embarrassment at startling over something so small - as well as the irritation at being caught in such a moment - is written all over her face. Nonetheless, she tries on a smile as she heads up the staircase. ]
Hey. Thanks for having me over.
no subject
[ He moves away from the rail, pitching his voice enough that he knows it will carry downstairs, before moving towards one of the couches in the loft's open plan living room. ]
Just me today. The rest of my crew is off running errands or had to head out of town for a while.
no subject
Without a word, she moves to join him on the couch, only then shooting him a quick grin. ]
So, do I look as shit as I feel?
[ Worn off though the alcohol may be, she now has the beginnings of a hangover headache. ]
no subject
[ He knows a little bit about her situationโbut it's mostly bits from previous conversations: she's a runaway, hangs with a group of kids who she shares history with. He doesn't know why she left, or if her parents are looking for her. But Josh figures that maybe, in time, she'll loop him in on those details. ]
Do you want to talk about things over some food? I had to play chauffer this morning, so eating fell to the bottom of the priority list.
no subject
At least, with what he already knows, he's probably aware that resources aren't exactly easy to come by, either. She and the other kids make do, but some days are harder than others. Especially when you spend your budget on wannabe-bougie beer.
With a slight, self-deprecating grin, she nods. ]
Uh, yeah. Food sounds really fucking good right now.
[ And... yeah. Talk it out over the food. She owes him that much, at least. ]
no subject
Late breakfast good? [ Grabbing eggs and bread and some cold cuts. No sense dragging out cooking when the basics will do. ] Should be a couple bags of chips over there.
[ Nodding at a rattan basket atop the kitchen bar which honestly looks like it's seen better days. ]
Not sure if Ana's done groceries yet.
no subject
Late breakfast sounds great. [ And perhaps her face is kind of tame, but her words and tone are definitely proof that she's invested. ] Anyone who says no to late breakfast has some explaining to do.
[ Especially if they turn down something like eggs and cold cuts.
Unless, you know, they're vegan or whatever. ]
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[ Turning away at that to measure out some coffee to brew. ]
So, tell me. How come you're on the run?
no subject
But then comes the question, and she sighs. She's hardly about to lie to him, especially given how helpful he's been with her particular brand of circumstances. ]
It's complicated, I guess.
[ Nico pushes at one of the sandwiches with a frown. ]
Our parents are kinda assholes. Of the villain variety. I guess that's the simplest way of putting it.
no subject
Yikes. Are they trying to hunt you kids down?
[ He's heard some horror stories of parents being particularly controlling. Granted, the ones he's seen (more accurately) are from the memories of the ghost echoes he has to lay to rest. ]
no subject
Yeah. Also... I dunno if you heard. That girl who was murdered? They're framing us for that too.
[ She shrugs. And the story just goes on from there. Their parents have enough power that if they're hunted down, they could keep them out of jail, but none of that is the point. Their own parents fucking framed them for a murder they committed for some creepy fucking alien's benefit... ugh. ]
It's a mess. So we're sticking together. But that's not always easy, y'know?
no subject
It's not. Sometimes you just need a bit of space from each other. It's healthy.
[ While this place is HQ, Migo and Ana have their own lodgings, opting to come by and stay as long as they like because they can leave if they want to. ]
no subject
Yeah. Which isn't easy. I mean, the Hostelโ that's what we call our place. It's big, but we're all still under the same roof. Too easy to find each other.
[ But here? None of them know where she is. That fact should scare her, but it's honestly something of a relief. ]
So... you know, thanks.
late 5 ever i'm sorry :c
I've already given my people the head's up that we have a guestโ [ he pauses, thoughtful ] โMigo is a recluse and will probably skulk around. Ana will likely ask about your eyeshadow brand.
that's okay, I was late this time too โฅ
If I see Ana, I'll happily pass that information on.
[ She takes the sandwiches with a nod and takes a bite out of oneโ she barely manages to swallow it before she exclaims: ]
Fuck, that's good.
[ She's pretty sure she hasn't had good quality food in quite a while now. ]