twtymay: good to see you join the OOC thread. welcome to RPing




Donnie's Responses:


Q1. Imagine you can go anywhere and do anything at all. What would you plan for us for a fun first date?

"We'd visit the Hadron collider in Switzerland, eat out with the scientists, and talk about all the research they're doing. After dinner, we'd sneak into the Planetarium and lie there together, holding hands and looking at the stars."


Q2. We're on our first date at a fancy restaurant, and suddenly you have to pass gas really badly. What do you do?

"The risk:reward ratio is too high to not go to the bathroom."


Q3. Which body part do you find most attractive in a man/woman?

"Her brain."
*double takes*
"Wait... I mean, not when it's in my hand. I don't want to dissect her or anything."
*nervous laugh*


Q4. If you were a character in a romance novel, how would the author describe your looks?

*blanks out*
"Uh... smart... mysterious... Vulcan-esque guy?"


Q5. If you were sleeping right now and I was in your dream, what would we be doing together?

"We'd be solving the mysteries of quantum entanglement together... and I might not have any clothing since that's been a reoccurring motif in my dreams."


Q6. If you wanted to dress up in your sexiest outfit for me, what would you wear?

"My lab coat. I also have a really cool Michael Jackson jacket."


Q7. I've just had a long day at work/school and am really stressed out. How do you help me relax and pamper me?

"I'd give you several muscle relaxants and see if you wanted to talk about your day."


Q8. What would you most like to shower me with?

*nose crinkles*
"Photons? So I can see you?"


Q9. We're on our first date together in a park, and a 6 year old comes up and kicks you in the shin. What do you do?

"Take a picture of him and put it on the internet. Make fun of him, and make the meme go viral."


Q10. We're sitting down together at a bar, when your ex comes up and starts yelling at you. Why would she/he be so angry at you?

"Optimizing our previous relationship."

Here are Loren's answers:

Q1. Imagine you can go anywhere and do anything at all. What would you plan for us for a fun first date?
We'd go to see an old classic, on Broadway, because first dates are too important to risk a first run show, and then have ice cream on a ferry ride.

Q2. We're on our first date at a fancy restaurant, and suddenly you have to pass gas really badly. What do you do?
Pass it... why would I have brought a helium balloon in the first place?

Q3. Which body part do you find most attractive in a man/woman?
Hands. They're so expressive and they have so many little joints and you can just stare at them and play with them for hours without running out of new things.

Q4. If you were a character in a romance novel, how would the author describe your looks?
I don't read romance novels... Positively?

Q5. If you were sleeping right now and I was in your dream, what would we be doing together?
A climactic romantic scene... Or a sad unrequited love scene. Maybe Marius and Cosette meeting after the barricade? Or when Eponine dies? Or... I need to get Les Mis out of my head.

Q6. If you wanted to dress up in your sexiest outfit for me, what would you wear?
Whatever it is, it'd be orange, formal, and have shiny shoes.

Q7. I've just had a long day at work/school and am really stressed out. How do you help me relax and pamper me?
A nice dinner and a night at a classical symphony. Calming stuff.

Q8. What would you most like to shower me with?
Rose petals, they're pretty easy to clean up between events and have a lot of effect.

Q9. We're on our first date together in a park, and a 6 year old comes up and kicks you in the shin. What do you do?
It happens so often I barely even notice anymore...

Q10. We're sitting down together at a bar, when your ex comes up and starts yelling at you. Why would she/he be so angry at you?
I had a girlfriend? Did I stand her up for play practice? Crud...

Ah fun, I need to do a few of these





Lilith's answers:



Q1. Imagine you can go anywhere and do anything at all. What would you plan for us for a fun first date?

"Holy shit, anywhere? Okay...first we'd grab a bite to eat, I don't really care where, then hit the dancefloor at the best alt club in town. Either that, or go to see our (my) favorite band live."

Q2. We're on our first date at a fancy restaurant, and suddenly you have to pass gas really badly. What do you do?

"Psh, is that all? I'd just be quiet about it, done it a hundred times in class."

Q3. Which body part do you find most attractive in a man/woman?

"Hmm..really depends. Really, there's no clear cut answer for this, but I do like a guy with nice hair and a tight body."

Q4. If you were a character in a romance novel, how would the author describe your looks?

"Ugh, what? Romance novel?" *smirk* "You mean girl porn? Fine...I'd be a leather-clad vixen with dominatrix tendencies."
*laughs*

Q5. If you were sleeping right now and I was in your dream, what would we be doing together?

"Knowing my dreams, something really weird. We'd probably be trying to get somewhere really common, like my place, but never getting there, then suddenly finding out the whole neighborhood is on top of a volcano about to erupt and I'm not wearing any shoes."

Q6. If you wanted to dress up in your sexiest outfit for me, what would you wear?

"That plaid micro-mini skirt I have to smuggle out of the house to wear, corset top and knee-length leather boots."

Q7. I've just had a long day at work/school and am really stressed out. How do you help me relax and pamper me?

"I'd get us a few drinks, some food and something decent to watch on tv then see how well my hands-on "relaxing" techniques do..." *smirk*

Q8. What would you most like to shower me with?

"My everlasting scorn if you screw up. No, really...it would happen."

Q9. We're on our first date together in a park, and a 6 year old comes up and kicks you in the shin. What do you do?

"Resist kicking it back, then count this as an excellent reminder why I don't want kids."

Q10. We're sitting down together at a bar, when your ex comes up and starts yelling at you. Why would she/he be so angry at you?

"I don't really have "exes", but for the sake of the argument he'd probably be pissed off about his injured male ego. That's usually the case."





Faye's answers:



Q1. Imagine you can go anywhere and do anything at all. What would you plan for us for a fun first date?

"Oooh...well, we'd first go to a nice restaurant, I love those tavern-themed ones, but anything interesting and out of the ordinary is good, then take a walk down the beach, just in time to see the sun set, lie down on the sand and cuddle."

Q2. We're on our first date at a fancy restaurant, and suddenly you have to pass gas really badly. What do you do?

"Um...I can usually be pretty quiet, but I'd attempt getting to the bathroom first."

Q3. Which body part do you find most attractive in a man/woman?

"I could say something stereotypical like eyes or hair but it's really not that simple. When I'm attracted to someone, it's the overall person I like. There has to be -something- about them."

Q4. If you were a character in a romance novel, how would the author describe your looks?

"Hmm...bodacious girl-genius in a steampunk setting."

Q5. If you were sleeping right now and I was in your dream, what would we be doing together?

"Flying in an endless blue sky, and exploring the strange but wonderful landscape below."

Q6. If you wanted to dress up in your sexiest outfit for me, what would you wear?

"Heh...something delicate and feminine, the sort of thing I rarely wear because it's so damn inconvenient."

Q7. I've just had a long day at work/school and am really stressed out. How do you help me relax and pamper me?

"We'd both hop in my double hammock in the backyard, with glasses of freshly-squeezed orange juice at hand and some snacks. I usually go there to read when it's warm outside, and it's very soothing."

Q8. What would you most like to shower me with?

"Um..." *is unsure what to say here*

Q9. We're on our first date together in a park, and a 6 year old comes up and kicks you in the shin. What do you do?

"Expect a parent to be around and say/do something about it, and rant about their parenting skills if they don't."

Q10. We're sitting down together at a bar, when your ex comes up and starts yelling at you. Why would she/he be so angry at you?

"Probably because he's drunk, or otherwise oblivious why he's an ex. The fact that he's yelling at people in a bar should be a clue though."

Adrien's answers (yeah, I know that RP isn't on this forum anymore, but whatever. );


Q1. Imagine you can go anywhere and do anything at all. What would you plan for us for a fun first date?

Hmmm. We'd start by staking out a Sabbat hideout, and from there we'd move on to actual staking, among other things, once we're good and ready. You would have your own choice of weapon, of course. Personally, I'd recommend the katana; it's light, it's quiet, swift, and it's got precision. Though it does of course require a bit of practice to wield correctly, so if you're inexperienced or simply want something more low-key, a shotgun will also get the job done, if maybe require more than one hit.


Q2. We're on our first date at a fancy restaurant, and suddenly you have to pass gas really badly. What do you do?

*disbelieving silence*

*unimpressed silence*

*annoyed silence, and brows furrowing in a look of "Are you friggin' kidding me?!"*


Q3. Which body part do you find most attractive in a man/woman?

Any that's got a pulse.


Q4. If you were a character in a romance novel, how would the author describe your looks?

Dark and brooding, probably. Romance novelists have such a tendency to simplify. Though I suppose they have to, considering their target audience.


Q5. If you were sleeping right now and I was in your dream, what would we be doing together?

Something useful. I don't waste time on barren matters. Even in my dreams.


Q6. If you wanted to dress up in your sexiest outfit for me, what would you wear?

I don't dress sexy. It's redundant; where I'm going, I don't intend to be seen.


Q7. I've just had a long day at work/school and am really stressed out. How do you help me relax and pamper me?

By leaving you alone. Solitude is underrated.


Q8. What would you most like to shower me with?

Again, something useful, such as self-defence training, or target practice.


Q9. We're on our first date together in a park, and a 6 year old comes up and kicks you in the shin. What do you do?

Presuming for the sake of argument that he, or she, would even get that far in the first place - which, for the record, I highly doubt - I would probably see to it that social services were called: Six year-olds should be in bed at that time of night, not wandering the park.


Q10. We're sitting down together at a bar, when your ex comes up and starts yelling at you. Why would she/he be so angry at you?

Considering the closest thing I have to an ex these days is someone I once tried to dispose of, that would probably be it.

Okay, got more!

Lavinia's this time:




Q1. Imagine you can go anywhere and do anything at all. What would you plan for us for a fun first date?

"Bungee jumping expedition in a kickass mountain area. Come on, everyone likes bungee jumping...right?"


Q2. We're on our first date at a fancy restaurant, and suddenly you have to pass gas really badly. What do you do?

*snorts derisively* What are you, five?


Q3. Which body part do you find most attractive in a man/woman?

"Ass. Come on, gotta love a nice, tight, grabbable ass."


Q4. If you were a character in a romance novel, how would the author describe your looks?

"Adora Belle Dearheart-esque, because she kicks ass. Who's that, you ask? Read Pratchett, go on! Or, alternately, Google it."


Q5. If you were sleeping right now and I was in your dream, what would we be doing together?


"I think there's a fairly high probability at least one of us would be a face-cutting serial killer. Or faceless, omnipresent entity that can control space-time. Or-" *looks around, falls silent, smirking to self"


Q6. If you wanted to dress up in your sexiest outfit for me, what would you wear?

"So many choices, so little time. How do you feel about latex?" *wiggles brows suggestively*


Q7. I've just had a long day at work/school and am really stressed out. How do you help me relax and pamper me?


"What better way to shake off a stressful day than a night out partying? Unless you're a lightweight or something, in which case we probably won't get very far."


Q8. What would you most like to shower me with?

*snicker* "Just don't pass out drunk and you won't have to find out."


Q9. We're on our first date together in a park, and a 6 year old comes up and kicks you in the shin. What do you do?

"Yell 'Hey, brat! Yeah, you! Don't let me catch you anywhere near here again or you'll be in for a serious whooping!' "

*looks around again, notices a few uncomfortable looks*

"I wouldn't, obviously, but it scares 'em off."


Q10. We're sitting down together at a bar, when your ex comes up and starts yelling at you. Why would she/he be so angry at you?

"That's not nearly as important as the reason he would be yelling a few moments later..."

Rio's answers:


Q1. Imagine you can go anywhere and do anything at all. What would you plan for us for a fun first date?

Oh, we'd totally go to Berlin, for the Anton Corbijn exhibition there. I'm dying to see it. After that, we'd go for a tour around the city and immortalize all the beautiful sceneries there. I'd nag you into modelling for me a little bit. And then we'd have dinner at the restaurant of your choice.


Q2. We're on our first date at a fancy restaurant, and suddenly you have to pass gas really badly. What do you do?

Seriously...? You want to know how I handle my bowel movements? Uh....


Q3. Which body part do you find most attractive in a man/woman?

Eyes, and arms. Definitely arms. If they're toned, that is. Oh, and nice, rich hair. I've never gotten some guys' ambitions to look like a cue ball. Seriously. What's up with that? Not that I wouldn't go out with them if the chemistry worked, I'm just sayin'...


Q4. If you were a character in a romance novel, how would the author describe your looks?

Hmmm... Slender, part Italian youth, with a generous smile, big heart, and a devilish twinkle in the eyes. *grins* And for good reason, too.


Q5. If you were sleeping right now and I was in your dream, what would we be doing together?

Taking an exam, probably. I swear, school work is haunting me even in my sleep. So either that, or arguing. I tend to do that a lot in my dreams.
*carefree shrug*
Unresolved issues; we all got 'em.


Q6. If you wanted to dress up in your sexiest outfit for me, what would you wear?

I think I'd go for something casual, actually. Fancy stuff like suits and ties makes me feel awkward, and I find that people are way sexier when they're comfortable.


Q7. I've just had a long day at work/school and am really stressed out. How do you help me relax and pamper me?

Heh, you wouldn't need to have had a long day for me to do that. But alright. Let's see... I'm told I have really talented hands... *wiggles eyebrows suggestively* ... so I'd probably start by giving you a backrub, while drawing you a bath. Then I'd let you soak while I order takeout - you don't want me cooking for you, trust me - before joining you in the tub. After that, we'd eat, and just veg out in front of the TV, until we fall asleep, all cuddled up.


Q8. What would you most like to shower me with?

Uhh... *wicked grin* ... I think I'd better not answer that one... Let's just say it's something I've given to others, and they have all seemed to enjoy it.


Q9. We're on our first date together in a park, and a 6 year old comes up and kicks you in the shin. What do you do?

I kick him right back. How else is the little brat gonna learn? You get what you give.


Q10. We're sitting down together at a bar, when your ex comes up and starts yelling at you. Why would she/he be so angry at you?

I have no idea... But if they're yelling at me about it, I'm sure we'd find out.


- - - - - - - - - - - -

I would do Valerian's answers as well, but like I said to Ghani, knowing him, it would be a 5-page essay for each question! :p

Decided to have a little fun, and do Damian's. :p


Q1. Imagine you can go anywhere and do anything at all. What would you plan for us for a fun first date?

"Imagine"? *raises eyebrow* ... Very well. As I rarely make uninformed decisions, I would of course have acquainted myself with your interests and preferences, found one or more that coincides with my own, and arranged for something that we would both enjoy. Since I do not yet know these things, I cannot give a more specific answer at this time.


Q2. We're on our first date at a fancy restaurant, and suddenly you have to pass gas really badly. What do you do?

With these kinds of questions, you needn't worry about a first date.


Q3. Which body part do you find most attractive in a man/woman?

It is not as much about body parts, as it is about posture. I appreciate a woman that knows how to carry herself. And a long, elegant neck.


Q4. If you were a character in a romance novel, how would the author describe your looks?

A refined gentleman with an air of cultivation, and electrifying potency.


Q5. If you were sleeping right now and I was in your dream, what would we be doing together?

We would be enjoying the fruits of the successful execution of my plan for world domination.


Q6. If you wanted to dress up in your sexiest outfit for me, what would you wear?

I have always found Armani to have a keen understanding of how to appropriately design their suits to be both exquisite and fashionable, as well as tastefully sensual.


Q7. I've just had a long day at work/school and am really stressed out. How do you help me relax and pamper me?

I would treat you to a glass of wine, dinner, and pleasant conversation.


Q8. What would you most like to shower me with?

Anything you might desire. As long as you have proven worthy of it.


Q9. We're on our first date together in a park, and a 6 year old comes up and kicks you in the shin. What do you do?

Preposterous. He wouldn't dare.


Q10. We're sitting down together at a bar, when your ex comes up and starts yelling at you. Why would she/he be so angry at you?

Preposterous. She wouldn't dare.

Sienna:

Q1. Imagine you can go anywhere and do anything at all. What would you plan for us for a fun first date?
Uh.. what? I mean.. I don't usually chose. Uh, I guess.. a nice restaurant where you can spoil me. But I'm not a big eater. Uhm, maybe a picnic in a park or something. Ug! That involved food, too! I'm not good at this game!
Q2. We're on our first date at a fancy restaurant, and suddenly you have to pass gas really badly. What do you do?
Are you kidding me?! Ladies don't fluff.
Q3. Which body part do you find most attractive in a man/woman?
Oh my god back, shoulders, arms, eyes... I could go on and on and on...
Q4. If you were a character in a romance novel, how would the author describe your looks?
Isn't that smut? My mom reads those things. I dunno.. uhh.. A coy, beautiful, sensual woman with luscious, long brown locks and enchanting, come-hither eyes. Geez, ok, I don't know. I'm no novelist..
Q5. If you were sleeping right now and I was in your dream, what would we be doing together?
I've been having weird dreams about stealing cars that travel through time so probably that. I mean, what the hell??
Q6. If you wanted to dress up in your sexiest outfit for me, what would you wear?
*giddy, coy smirk and shoulder shimmy*
The racy, next to nothing little number I just got from Frederick's of Hollywood. Only if you've been a good boy.
Q7. I've just had a long day at work/school and am really stressed out. How do you help me relax and pamper me?
I'd make sure you were nice and comfy on the couch with a beer or a scotch and wear above outfit while burning cooking you dinner. And then I'd make sure to rub you.. down.
Q8. What would you most like to shower me with?
Gawd I had to read this question like ten times. I kept seeing shower se-
*clears throat*
Compliments. Nothing beats a good ego stroking.
*flashes a smile*
Q9. We're on our first date together in a park, and a 6 year old comes up and kicks you in the shin. What do you do?
Command you to beat the ever loving shit out of him!! Who the hell kicks a girl in the shin?!?
Q10. We're sitting down together at a bar, when your ex comes up and starts yelling at you. Why would she/he be so angry at you?
Oh god, who knows. He's, like, bi-polar or something.

Katie
Q1. Imagine you can go anywhere and do anything at all. What would you plan for us for a fun first date?
Probably dinner and dancing, hard to mess that up, and good for both of us to know if one of us manages to mess up a perfect cliche.

Q2. We're on our first date at a fancy restaurant, and suddenly you have to pass gas really badly. What do you do?
Change the subject onto something obscure in modern physics to bore you to not pay attention when I go ahead and fart. Recover attention by laughing elegantly and saying I must be being utterly dull.

Q3. Which body part do you find most attractive in a man?
Ummmm... eyes? Other than the blatantly obvious of course.

Q4. If you were a character in a romance novel, how would the author describe your looks?
Dancer's body, caramel hair and extreme haughtiness of bearing, because you never see adverbs in these things. They really aren't that terrible!

Q5. If you were sleeping right now and I was in your dream, what would we be doing together?
If I were sleeping now I wouldn't be answering these stupid questions. If I were sleeping later and dreaming about you, it'd be surprising.

Q6. If you wanted to dress up in your sexiest outfit for me, what would you wear?
That lovely, exploitative piece from my last recital. It had less than a yard of fabric and lots of beads. The boys at the studio loved those things.

Q7. I've just had a long day at work/school and am really stressed out. How do you help me relax and pamper me?
A backrub, and a sympathetic ear, and some advice, either sincere or witty, depending on your mood.

Q8. What would you most like to shower me with?
Water. Body odor is absolutely unacceptable in any circumstance.

Q9. We're on our first date together in a park, and a 6 year old comes up and kicks you in the shin. What do you do?
I'd be too startled to react. What kind of little twerp kicks a girl?

Q10. We're sitting down together at a bar, when your ex comes up and starts yelling at you. Why would she/he be so angry at you?
I probably made him feel mentally inferior. Poor dear, can't take a bit of intellectual conversation without feeling small.

((Dang, Katie's a b*tch))

Dearest Lena:

Q1. Imagine you can go anywhere and do anything at all. What would you plan for us for a fun first date?

Depends a little on what you're like, but it'll definitely be something unconventional. Nothing like a little bit of a shock the the system to figure you out *playful, coy look*

Q2. We're on our first date at a fancy restaurant, and suddenly you have to pass gas really badly. What do you do?

*laughs amusedly, playful teasing but also a little unimpressed* I can see you date a lot....

Q3. Which body part do you find most attractive in a man/woman?

Lips. And the eyes.

Q4. If you were a character in a romance novel, how would the author describe your looks?

Ah... elven, probably. I'm the tall, slender type.

Q5. If you were sleeping right now and I was in your dream, what would we be doing together?

Oh. I'd be with MI5 and you'd be a supervillain in your underwater lair. *flirty* I'd be your Vicki Anderson if you'll be my Thomas Crown.

Q6. If you wanted to dress up in your sexiest outfit for me, what would you wear?

*ever so slightly smouldering look* Nothing. Or a silk bedsheet at most....

Q7. I've just had a long day at work/school and am really stressed out. How do you help me relax and pamper me?

Your favourite drink... and a scented oil massage... and we'll see how tired you are....

Q8. What would you most like to shower me with?
Whatever you deserve.

Q9. We're on our first date together in a park, and a 6 year old comes up and kicks you in the shin. What do you do?

Get the parents to discipline the kid, or threaten to burn it's house down if it does it again. *silence* What? He should pick on people his own size. Others might not be so nice.

Q10. We're sitting down together at a bar, when your ex comes up and starts yelling at you. Why would she/he be so angry at you?

Did I con/try to kill him? That usually is the case....

I'm loving all of these responses. Interesting to see how the different characters react.

And I real-life LOLed when I read this response:




A few more of mine:

Lola

Q1. Imagine you can go anywhere and do anything at all. What would you plan for us for a fun first date?
"Hmmmm..."
*bites lip playfully*
"Two words: Laser tag. Aaand, after that, maybe chill out together over a little pho at my favorite dive and go dancing."


Q2. We're on our first date at a fancy restaurant, and suddenly you have to pass gas really badly. What do you do?
"Ew, gross. Um, hope it's silent, I guess."


Q3. Which body part do you find most attractive in a man/woman?
*rolls eyes*
*irreverent*
"Well, it depends on which one's in my mouth at the time."

Q4. If you were a character in a romance novel, how would the author describe your looks?
*laughs*
"I'd be the buxom and busty blonde babe."

Q5. If you were sleeping right now and I was in your dream, what would we be doing together?
*hesitates and scratches arm*
"Um... pass."

Q6. If you wanted to dress up in your sexiest outfit for me, what would you wear?
*snickers*
"Something low-cut with a mini-skirt and four-inch heels. That's basically my whole closet right there."


Q7. I've just had a long day at work/school and am really stressed out. How do you help me relax and pamper me?
"I'd see if you felt like screwing."
*glaces left, glances right, sees that people are looking at her funny*
"... ...Around."


Q8. What would you most like to shower me with?
"Definitely paintballs! And if I piss you off, then you can wrestle me over it later."
*devilish grins*

Q9. We're on our first date together in a park, and a 6 year old comes up and kicks you in the shin. What do you do?
"I"d yell at the little shit and pull out my pepper spray to scare him."


Q10. We're sitting down together at a bar, when your ex comes up and starts yelling at you. Why would she/he be so angry at you?
"Uh, cause he's a total fucking douchebag?"
*rolls eyes*
*duh*



Frankie

Q1. Imagine you can go anywhere and do anything at all. What would you plan for us for a fun first date?
"We'd go out to eat at a restaurant that serves food from organic, local farms and then stop at a cozy lounge for poetry reading night."
*grins thoughtfully*
"...or a karaoke bar, if you're up for it."


Q2. We're on our first date at a fancy restaurant, and suddenly you have to pass gas really badly. What do you do?
"Rip it and continue talking uninterrupted."
*rolls eyes*
"It's natural. Get over it."


Q3. Which body part do you find most attractive in a man/woman?
*frowns*
"That's such a superficial question. Appearance doesn't matter."


Q4. If you were a character in a romance novel, how would the author describe your looks?
*snorts*
"I wouldn't be in one."


Q5. If you were sleeping right now and I was in your dream, what would we be doing together?
*scrunches face*
"I have no idea. I don't even know what you're like! At this point, you'd probably be sitting behind a screen and asking me random questions."


Q6. If you wanted to dress up in your sexiest outfit for me, what would you wear?
*rolls eyes and says flatly*
"What I'm wearing right now."


Q7. I've just had a long day at work/school and am really stressed out. How do you help me relax and pamper me?
"I'd play your favorite music and order out some pizza or takeout for you while you unwind."
*emphatically*
"I don't cook."


Q8. What would you most like to shower me with?
*looks irritated at how this question was worded*
"Uh... words. Or maybe weed, because then at least I'd have some."


Q9. We're on our first date together in a park, and a 6 year old comes up and kicks you in the shin. What do you do?
"I'd chew the little brat's ear off!" *hmphs* "Ugh, male privilege starts so young, it's disgusting!"


Q10. We're sitting down together at a bar, when your ex comes up and starts yelling at you. Why would she/he be so angry at you?
"He probably thought I was a bitch because I'm a woman and I speak my mind."
*rolls eyes and says sarcastically*
"Oh no... I hurt yet another chauvinist's inflated ego. Big deal."

Finally, one that works for Arkin:

Q1. Imagine you can go anywhere and do anything at all. What would you plan for us for a fun first date?
A romantic, many course meal, in which we would both exchange increasingly sincere compliments, and increasingly exaggerated anecdotes.

Q2. We're on our first date at a fancy restaurant, and suddenly you have to pass gas really badly. What do you do?
Go right ahead and fart, there are some really classic old earth jokes on the subject if a tactful retreat is needed.

Q3. Which body part do you find most attractive in a man/woman?
The whole package has to be pretty fine, since I can get what I want, almost without exception.

Q4. If you were a character in a romance novel, how would the author describe your looks?
"Tall, with a commanding presence and an air of ironic worldweariness, with a pecuilar blend of the best of classical earth good looks and "that alien charm".
There might be something in there about being a bit full of himself too.

Q5. If you were sleeping right now and I was in your dream, what would we be doing together?
Screwing. Most girls really don't penetrate into my subconscious beyond that.

Q6. If you wanted to dress up in your sexiest outfit for me, what would you wear?
Probably a dress uniform. Everyone avoids wearing them, both because they're uncomfortable, and because civilians think they are utterly attractive. It can get embarassing.

Q7. I've just had a long day at work/school and am really stressed out. How do you help me relax and pamper me?
Arrange to get you early shore leave, and time it so we're near somewhere pleasant.

Q8. What would you most like to shower me with?
There really aren't enough resources on a ship to waste on "showering" someone. Sorry, but no one's worth the waste, or the lecture afterward.

Q9. We're on our first date together in a park, and a 6 year old comes up and kicks you in the shin. What do you do?
I thought we were going to that nice restaraunt for a first date? Or do you differentiate between every sort of first date? "first date together in a park," "first date together in a theatre", "first date together in a holopark". If so, then really, they aren't all worth jotting down and getting goo-eyed over.

Q10. We're sitting down together at a bar, when your ex comes up and starts yelling at you. Why would she/he be so angry at you?
I would guess any one ex would be annoyed by any other exes that were not exes at the time the ex in question became an ex. Or, in the case of one recent basket case, because my cooking wasn't too her taste.

Olivia

Q1. Imagine you can go anywhere and do anything at all. What would you plan for us for a fun first date?

Surely, as the gentlman, it would be your duty to ensure that I enjoy your company?

Q2. We're on our first date at a fancy restaurant, and suddenly you have to pass gas really badly. What do you do?

I'm afraid I must inform you that I see very little potential for us.

Q3. Which body part do you find most attractive in a man/woman?

The wallet? Oh. Well, if it must be a body part... the back, I suppose. The carriage of a man is quite important.

Q4. If you were a character in a romance novel, how would the author describe your looks?

Classically beautiful, distinguished and feminine.

Q5. If you were sleeping right now and I was in your dream, what would we be doing together?

You would be indulging my every whim.

Q6. If you wanted to dress up in your sexiest outfit for me, what would you wear?

A full length ball dress, perfectly and tastefully fitted.

Q7. I've just had a long day at work/school and am really stressed out. How do you help me relax and pamper me?

I suppose we wouldn't talk about your work given that that had you stressed to begin with, but that depends on whether it was anything I could help you with. Or we could simply have the servants bring us a meal and relax.

Q8. What would you most like to shower me with?

Isn't that your job?

Q9. We're on our first date together in a park, and a 6 year old comes up and kicks you in the shin. What do you do?

Cry. Why would that little insignificant brat do that? How could he? I expect you to see that he is fittingly punished.

Q10. We're sitting down together at a bar, when your ex comes up and starts yelling at you. Why would she/he be so angry at you?

Simply because he is bitter from losing me and jealous that he could never measure up to a man like you.

------

Dylan

Q1. Imagine you can go anywhere and do anything at all. What would you plan for us for a fun first date?

A picnic by a scenic place of some sort - I love that spot by the lake.

Q2. We're on our first date at a fancy restaurant, and suddenly you have to pass gas really badly. What do you do?

Oh... um... excuse myself and go to the bathroom, I guess?

Q3. Which body part do you find most attractive in a man/woman?

His arms - I love the way they wrap around me warmly, and hold me.

Q4. If you were a character in a romance novel, how would the author describe your looks?

Cute and pretty.... I guess?

Q5. If you were sleeping right now and I was in your dream, what would we be doing together?

You'd be opening up to me, and truly letting me in.

Q6. If you wanted to dress up in your sexiest outfit for me, what would you wear?

A little black dress?

Q7. I've just had a long day at work/school and am really stressed out. How do you help me relax and pamper me?

I'd let you talk to me, if you want, and if you don't I'd just hold you and let you relax with me until you want to talk.

Q8. What would you most like to shower me with?

My unconditional love.

Q9. We're on our first date together in a park, and a 6 year old comes up and kicks you in the shin. What do you do?

Ask him why he did that. I mean, six year olds act out for a lot of repressed reasons. He's probably not trying to be a jerk for the sake of it.

Q10. We're sitting down together at a bar, when your ex comes up and starts yelling at you. Why would she/he be so angry at you?

...I'm not sure, but I'm going to find out. God, why couldn't he just talk to be about it when I asked him?

Hey, I loved all your posts guys so I figured I had to participate. I hope this makes sense, I wrote it quickly

Deb:
Q1. Imagine you can go anywhere and do anything at all. What would you plan for us for a fun first date?
It's hard to say without knowing what you're into so I'll probably write 3 very different dates on a paper, and make you randomly pick one. Since the goal is that we both have a good time, if you really don't like the one you picked I'll let you pick another one. *she smiles playfully * But it might get you a dare.
Q2. We're on our first date at a fancy restaurant, and suddenly you have to pass gas really badly. What do you do?
*seems confused about what to answer* Isn't that what toilets are for?
Q3. Which body part do you find most attractive in a man/woman?
Being anatomically correct is a prerequisite but otherwise that is entirely dependent of the person. Although finding someone not only cute but also attractive is usually more due to an ensemble of more subtle things like his voice or his body language, the way he carry himself.
Q4. If you were a character in a romance novel, how would the author describe your looks?
Romance novel? Oh you mean, these so-called books filled with silly stereotypes, right? I guess i'll be the female hero's bff, described as a typical girl next door.
Q5. If you were sleeping right now and I was in your dream, what would we be doing together?
Can't I say what I'd like to dream of instead? My dreams are weird...
Q6. If you wanted to dress up in your sexiest outfit for me, what would you wear?
I would let my usual pair of jeans in the closet for once and go for something a little bit more revealing, like some cute little dress. The usual stuff.
Q7. I've just had a long day at work/school and am really stressed out. How do you help me relax and pamper me?
Depends on your level of energy left. If you're really tired I'll let you crash on the couch then I'll join you with beers, an ear to listen to your venting if you need to and a thorough massage. But if you're not tired there's nothing better than going out to get your mind out of any issue you might have had.
Q8. What would you most like to shower me with?
Uhm... skepticism if you keep asking me this kind of questions?
Q9. We're on our first date together in a park, and a 6 year old comes up and kicks you in the shin. What do you do?
I'll scold my little brother and would tell him that kicking people is not a good way to get their attention.
Q10. We're sitting down together at a bar, when your ex comes up and starts yelling at you. Why would she/he be so angry at you?
He could be angry at me because... uh... *try hard to find something* I'm supposed to never get over him?

Ethan:
Q1. Imagine you can go anywhere and do anything at all. What would you plan for us for a fun first date?
We'll take my *my mother's* jet and I'll take you to some dreamy destination. What about Hawaii? I'm tired of the winter. We could kite-surf, or simply chill out on the beach, taste the local food, and so much more.
Q2. We're on our first date at a fancy restaurant, and suddenly you have to pass gas really badly. What do you do?
What do you think i'll do? It's bad to hold these things. Good thing it usually comes out silent.
Q3. Which body part do you find most attractive in a man/woman?
That's a stupid question. You dig the whole ensemble or you don't.
Q4. If you were a character in a romance novel, how would the author describe your looks?
Tall, handsome, with an imposing figure and a winning smile. *thinks* I'll be also probably turned into a secretly romantic guy. Girls digs the tough guys who turns out to be sensitive story. Laughable if you ask me.
Q5. If you were sleeping right now and I was in your dream, what would we be doing together?
Partying with some … girlfriends of mine
Q6. If you wanted to dress up in your sexiest outfit for me, what would you wear?
If you want to see me in my sexiest outfit, go find me right after a match.
Q7. I've just had a long day at work/school and am really stressed out. How do you help me relax and pamper me?
I'll let you do whatever you need while I'll go out with my boys and I'll come back when you'll be in a better mood.
Q8. What would you most like to shower me with?
Whatever make you uncover.
Q9. We're on our first date together in a park, and a 6 year old comes up and kicks you in the shin. What do you do?
I'll offer him twice the price he'd been paid to do it to make him spill the hoaxer behind this identity.
Q10. We're sitting down together at a bar, when your ex comes up and starts yelling at you. Why would she/he be so angry at you?
She might have heard that she was part of a bet. *adds with the most earnest smile* But who would give credit to silly rumors, right?

Dominic's answers;


Q1. Imagine you can go anywhere and do anything at all. What would you plan for us for a fun first date?

How much time would I get? There's so much fun stuff to do. *tries to think of where to start* We'd probably start off by getting something to eat, somewhere casual, and see who could get the biggest reaction from people by saying the most random thing. Ever tried it? *grins* It's hilarious to see the look on people's faces when you go something like "Wait... I think there's a tooth in my pizza", or "So, what did you set the timer on? We should probably get out of here before it blows". Then there's go-carting, sky diving, balloon rides... Oh, I know, I'd probably take you to some amusement park. It's got everything; fun, thrills, romance, sometimes even live music. And even if it doesn't, we'd probably end up going to a concert too. There's nothing like raw music to get the pulse going.


Q2. We're on our first date at a fancy restaurant, and suddenly you have to pass gas really badly. What do you do?

Fancy restaurants aren't my scene. We'd most likely be eating in a place where the music is too loud for you to hear anything, so I'd just go for it.


Q3. Which body part do you find most attractive in a man/woman?

All of them! Seriously. The female anatomy is so hot, plain and simple.


Q4. If you were a character in a romance novel, how would the author describe your looks?

Irresistable! *laughs*


Q5. If you were sleeping right now and I was in your dream, what would we be doing together?

*without missing a beat* Having sex.

*looks around*

What, you want me to lie? C'mon! My dream, my rules.


Q6. If you wanted to dress up in your sexiest outfit for me, what would you wear?

Handcuffs and a smile.


Q7. I've just had a long day at work/school and am really stressed out. How do you help me relax and pamper me?

I'd cook you dinner and probably try my hand at giving you a massage. And I'd try to make you laugh.


Q8. What would you most like to shower me with?

Sex, drugs and rock'n'roll, baby.


Q9. We're on our first date together in a park, and a 6 year old comes up and kicks you in the shin. What do you do?

Tie him to the monkeybars and leave him there to ponder the value of picking your targets.


Q10. We're sitting down together at a bar, when your ex comes up and starts yelling at you. Why would she/he be so angry at you?

Oh boy, where do I start...

Natalie:

Q1. Imagine you can go anywhere and do anything at all. What would you plan for us for a fun first date?

Well, if you really can take me anywhere and afford anything, then you just scored major points. Fun first date... let's have a late lunch/dinner in Rome, and then see what the city has for us.

Q2. We're on our first date at a fancy restaurant, and suddenly you have to pass gas really badly. What do you do?

Oh, please. Anyone with half a brain would go somewhere private.

Q3. Which body part do you find most attractive in a man/woman?

*naughty grin* Depends on which you use best.

Q4. If you were a character in a romance novel, how would the author describe your looks?

Romance - hopefully - isn't about looks, so I'd rather have the author describe my personality.

Q5. If you were sleeping right now and I was in your dream, what would we be doing together?

You'd be telling me how amazing I am.

Q6. If you wanted to dress up in your sexiest outfit for me, what would you wear?

Take me to Rio, and I'll show you.

Q7. I've just had a long day at work/school and am really stressed out. How do you help me relax and pamper me?

Skinny dipping in the pool? Or let's have a relaxing bath together....

Q8. What would you most like to shower me with?

Our success.

Q9. We're on our first date together in a park, and a 6 year old comes up and kicks you in the shin. What do you do?

Threaten the parents with social services, or if I'm particularly pissed off, break one of his toys.

Q10. We're sitting down together at a bar, when your ex comes up and starts yelling at you. Why would she/he be so angry at you?

Yeah, my ex really isn't in any position to yell right now.
*awkward silence*
But if he is, I'd be the first to congratulate him.

I think it's about time for a new prompt.

Prompt 12: IC Sandbox: Dialogue Prompts

Choose one of the following lines of dialogue and incorporate it into your IC free-writing post. You can choose how it's being said, who is saying it, and the context. Whatever you write about can happen in the past, present, future, alternate reality, etc... just keep it relatively in-character.


Here are the quotes:

1. "Well, if you could accuse anybody of being downright evil, it would be him."
   
2. "I just had the weirdest dream about you."
   
3. "I'm never doing that again."
   
4. "He was pretty religious once."
   
5. "Well, he said he was pretty drunk at the time."
   
6. "Gee, let me guess. You're not authorized to be in here, are you?"
   
7. "There are several possible answers to that question."
   
8. "Why do you have ten cans of easy cheese in your cart?"
   
9. "Funny, I always thought of myself as a ladies man."
   
10. "You won't believe what I just got in the mail."
    
11. "If I kiss you, will you turn back into a frog and croak?"
    
12. "I've got a bad feeling about it this time."
    
13. "I hate you for interfering."
    
14. "I think you broke it."
    
15. "Why did you pretend not to see me?"
    
16. "I'm not sure, but I think that suit is wearing you, and not the other way around."
    
17. "Ordinarily, I'd never agree to this sort of thing, but you've got an honest face."
    
18. "It's not worth getting pushed down a flight of stairs for. I'm pretty sure of that much, anyway."
    
19. "Ten bucks says you can't go a week."
    
20. "I'm here to answer the ad in the paper."
    

Loren was grinning like an idiot. Fifteen years of hard work, pretty much since he'd graduated from college, all had led to this moment. He was not a starving actor. He was not a starving playwright. Heck, he hadn't missed a meal in months, and he had royalties checks coming in every week.

He'd wised up a lot in the past twenty or so years, enough to have some inkling when people were having fun at his expense, and when he should play along, and when he should get the heck out if he wanted to have anything to do with a theatre. Or director. Or actors.

But now? His show, his Tale of the Sub-Suburbanites was opening for its second run, not Off-Off Broadway, not Off-Broadway, but on Broadway. It'd been to London, it had toured the country, and finally, here it was, on Broadway. He grinned to himself as he walked to the back stage entrance and flashed a pass. He was thinking "on Broadway" every tenth word in his head, but no one could blame him, cause his show was opening on Broadway!

He went in, and everything was utter chaos, of course. He'd managed to speak to the theatre manager a month before opening, and gotten permission to watch from a defunct cat walk they hadn't gotten a chance to tear down. He was able to blend in with the teeming mass of half naked everyone, frazzled black clad stage workers, and a flock of directorial types that seemed convinced that the show was going to be horrible. From his time as a Broadway actor, Loren knew that was a good sign.

He knew his way around a theater, and it was a matter of minutes to find his way to the one empty cat-walk in the theatre. They were sort of depressing, empty cat walks. There should have been a bank of lights heating the place to the point where it was nigh uninhabitable, or a legion of motors manipulating a scrim and danglies. But there wasn't and the metal grill was noticeably cool even through his trousers. That would change as the other lights came up, he knew.

He could hear the doors open with the sudden rush of chattering humanity, but he couldn't see them from this vantage point. He could see fairly far into the backstage area, and the entirety of the stage, so just what he wanted to see.

Loren wouldn't deny that he was tense and filled with anticipation. He also wouldn't exaggerate that he was as worried as the actors and directors down there. He was getting close to being famous enough in his own right that a flop wouldn't hurt him, and though he desperately wanted another smash, it wasn't a starving or not starving type of thing like it was for some of those actors.

Finally the curtains opened, and the first act went, almost exactly as he'd envisioned it when he was writing it in the first place, and far better than the one he'd directed off-off broadway. It was beautiful, and as the intermission began, he stayed where he was, not wanting to disturb the organized chaos that he could glimpse from his vantage point.

He grinned at the sight of all of the people helping each other, with set changes, with costume changes, and he was momentarily filled with nostalgia as he watched the behind the scenes chaos. That was what he had grown fond of, not being another forgettable face behind a memorable character, but the sheer camraderie and organization that was the back stage.

His nostalgic musing was violently disturbed when he heard a harsh voice say, ""Gee, let me guess. You're not authorized to be in here, are you?" He jumped, and landed back on the catwalk with his spare change clanging in his pocket, though mercifully none fell out and pinged the stage.

"I am actually," he said, softly, but not whispering. Whispers carried.

The person who'd bothered him was the guy who played the protagonist, the young protagonist. He didn't have anything to do until the curtain call, and had probably gotten getting from this excellent vantage back down in time for curtain call down to a science. "If I'm in your spot, there's plenty of room," Loren said, scooting over.

The actor, whose name Loren had unfortunately forgotten already, looked suspicious, but he sat down. "Who are you? I haven't seen you around," he said, and Loren smiled ruefully. He remembered in high school how he'd been the utter center of attention at every show, and in his third Broadway play when his star as an actor had peaked.

"Loren Dasen," he said, extending a hand. He doubted the actor had heard of him, he was too confident, too sure of himself to be a real theatre nerd, with a mental database of every play and all its details. This kid probably was the sort to just know highlights and plots from every show.

"Timothy Cardew" he said, as if it were entirely unnescessary.

Loren grinned again. "Cardew, eh? There was a girl in my high school with that name. Any relation? Natalie? She'd be thirty six, thirty seven, now?"

Timothy looked a little alarmed. "That's my mom's name," he said, his voice coming out quickly. "Look, I don't want any trouble, sir." Loren might not have acted in several years, but he still didn't let his expression get as baffled as his head was.

He answered honestly, aware of the nuances that Timothy was probably reading into things, but whatever. "I don't want any trouble either. You're very talented."

His reaction wasn't startling, given that Loren had spoken with the same care and craftsmanship with which he wrote, except this time he was trying to say absolutely nothing to advance a plot. The kid blanched, and Loren felt a twinge of guilt. "Okay, fine, how about we talk about this over lunch, I'll get off your catwalk, sir, and you'll leave my mom out of this?"

Loren shrugged. "There's plenty of room here, and lunch sounds fine. I'll see you at the steak place on 75th and 3rd, my treat, at four tomorrow, should be plenty of time after the matinee."

Timothy left without a word, and Loren wondered idly what he'd just gotten into, or if the kid would even show up. The curtain was coming back up though, and the second act was even better than the first.

((OOC: To be continued
Hope that was okay with Alissa that Natalie has a thirteen year old son? If not, then this takes place in Lorenverse
Also, I love getting comments on these writings (good, bad or ugly, just as long as the latter is very witty)))

furry - The thing with Natalie having a thirteen year old son might be an issue if you ended that post with Loren scratching the back of his neck and saying, "Gee whiz, I never did see Natalie again after that fateful night thirteen years ago...." XD

((OOC: Robokitty- I was tempted to, but there was no way they would have stayed in touch after high school, let alone after college. Besides, what actually caused Loren's kids is better.))

As the curtain call finished, Loren applauded on the catwalk, silently. He really didn't want to make a racket up there, and though most of the audience knew there was an entire other world in the top of a theatre, he had no need to draw attention to it. He also made the effort of tapping one hand on the other wrist in case the star of the first act happened to look up to see if he was still there. Young Timothy did, and Loren waved at him. He couldn't tell from this distance if he was forcing his expression for the curtain call, and it didn't matter either way. Loren just wanted to get out of the theatre before his flesh molded into the metal grille of the catwalk anymore than it already had.

Right after the show he slipped out the back door without seeing Timothy, the stage manager, or the director, so no one he felt any need to talk to. His other motive for using the backstage entrance was a parking garage down two blocks of deserted alleyways, which let him avoid the one right across the street and its full capacity of excited theatre goers.

His car was very easy to find, a blue mini-van with artwork from a number of his favorite shows, which he'd had commissioned to be painted on the side when he'd gotten his first major sum of money for his work. It had been a foolish investment, unless one considered the ease with which he could find his car in a parking lot.

Even without having to deal with most of the traffic coming out of the theatre it took half an hour to get back to his apartment, a function of the fact that he still had a little bit of the starving actor mindset that prevented large investments. A mindset he hadn't developed when he'd gotten his car done.

But it wasn't a true dump, the super did fix the pipes when they leaked, and there was enough room for him and Melissa.

"Mel?" he called, as he came into the dark apartment. His daughter was ten years old next week, and she and he had a quiet, unspoken agreement, that she didn't ask about her mother, and he made sure that she had every opportunity she could want. It wasn't that he didn't want to talk about her mother, Kristina Ursi, but the entire incident had embarassed him terribly.

"What dad?" she said, her voice sleep fogged as she shuffled out of her room in pajamas and bunny slippers.

"Just making sure you're alright," he said reassuringly. "Did you have dinner?" It was only seven o' clock, but she napped during the day so she could stay up at night and still rouse herself in the morning, since he needed to be out of the apartment way earlier than she did.

"No, you said you'd be home early." She rummaged in the pantry for a moment and tossed him a package of spaghetti. "I think there's still some chicken in the fridge."

He smiled wistfully, wishing she acted a little bit more her age and less like a thirty something housewife. Then again, given how her mother had been, was it really much of a shock? Didn't seriousness skip generations? Kristina's mother, Melissa's grandmother, had apparently been serious to the point of being stifling, but he did wish that Melissa was a bit less... straight laced. Though maybe that was more a function of a single parent household? Or... who knew.

Her mother had been wonderful. He'd been doing the casting for the first run of Tale of the Sub-Suburbanites, and when they auditioned for Jessica's part, he couldn't remember the last time that so many beautiful women had been paying that much attention to his every mannerism. Heck, he hadn't been the person the girls were trying to impress since then, directing being way more work for the same money than playwrighting, once he'd established a reputation.

Those auditions had been nice, but Kristina... she had been the most agressive, waiting all day to audition last- the most memorable position, and approaching him afterward to invite him to lunch. He wasn't going to think about what happened after lunch, or the eight months after that, not in front of his daughter, she might think she was an old maid, but he certainly wasn't even going to think about... He busied himself putting the chicken into a pan to brown while he chopped vegetables, remembering how glorious that show had been to prepare, with the most beautiful and wonderful girl imaginable in his bed the entire time.

And then it had all come crashing down when she'd told him she intended to abort, that this was just to keep her part in the show. It had taken every skill he had, as an actor, as a financier, as someone who'd been in love to convince her to bear Melissa, and he'd take care of her. He was still, ten years later, ashamed that he hadn't figured out that she was just with him for his influence with his show, and ashamed that he had let her seduce him that easily.

By then the onions were caramelizing, and the pasta was done, so he ate his dinner without another thought on the subject, and put Melissa back to bed. Time, and a healthy distance from reality, did heal all wounds, even if he occasionally wanted to prod at them.

((OOC: Back to Loren and Tim Cardew next post))

Oooh, this will be awesome sauce for sure.

I'll just use Zulu, my rat woman!

Q1. Imagine you can go anywhere and do anything at all. What would you plan for us for a fun first date?
Zulu: Lets see... I could insult your hair style, that would be fun for me. Or I could walk off this stage, and punch Arkin ((Again)) for some how getting me up on this stage.

Q2. We're on our first date at a fancy restaurant, and suddenly you have to pass gas really badly. What do you do?
Zulu: Wait, Rattus Sapiens can pass gas?

Q3. Which body part do you find most attractive in a man/woman?
[b]Zulu: *Blink* I'm going to tell this random judge what I think is attractive?

Q4. If you were a character in a romance novel, how would the author describe your looks?
[b]Zulu: More awesome then all of you, and extremely smoking. *Hides face*

Q5. If you were sleeping right now and I was in your dream, what would we be doing together?
Zulu: I'd probably have my gun pointed to your head, asking you why the hell your in my head!

Q6. If you wanted to dress up in your sexiest outfit for me, what would you wear?
Zulu: Civilian pants, a normal shirt.

Q7. I've just had a long day at work/school and am really stressed out. How do you help me relax and pamper me?
Zulu: Who said I'd pamper you?!

Q8. What would you most like to shower me with?
Zulu: Excuse me?

Q9. We're on our first date together in a park, and a 6 year old comes up and kicks you in the shin. What do you do?
Zulu: Grab the child by the arm, put my gun to its back, and take it back to its mother.

Q10. We're sitting down together at a bar, when your ex comes up and starts yelling at you. Why would she/he be so angry at you?
Zulu: For one I don't have any Exs... And two, they'd probably be mad at me for taking their computer apart, and adding all the nice pieces to my own.

That was just to much fun, that was.

furry- awww, Loren having a kid is <3
refox - Hahaha, Zulu sounds great! I'm glad to see some space pirates RPers around here

XD Thank you! This was a blast to do!

Esteban had a bad feeling about this. Up ahead on the sidewalk, he could see Steve White leaning against a tree and chatting with his friend, Wes Thompson. They were both two years older than him—fifth graders. Steve had round blue eyes, a lot of forehead, curly blonde hair, and extra baby fat on his face. Wes was tall and sturdy, with ginger hair and freckles covering every inch of his body.

He’d never actually spoken to either of them before. After all, they didn’t mingle with any of the lower elementary “kiddies.” However, he had seen Steve on the playground before getting real close with a girl named Sara-Lynn Peterson. The same Sara-Lynn Peterson who had just started dating his older brother.

Esteban gripped the straps on his backpack at his shoulders, took a deep breath, and kept walking onward. He had been in a few fights before, but it had mostly been with other third graders. These guys were older, and they looked tough, and there were two of them. That was all more than enough to get him a little on guard.

As he passed the older boys, his eyes darted around and met Steve’s beady blues. A flash of recognition passed between them, and Esteban instantly broke contact and braced himself.

“You’re Rafael’s little brother, aren’t you?” came Steve’s surly voice.

“Hell no.” little Esteban shot back without breaking his pace. He walked right by them, and as he heard their footsteps approaching him from behind, his body stiffened.

“So you’re a smartass too, huh?”

“Better than being ugly and dumped by some stupid girl.”

“You little sh*thead…” his tone lowered to a threatening growl. Steve’s next step carried the weight of intent, falling louder, faster than before. Esteban sped to a brisk walk, and when Steve more than matched his pace, he broke out into an all-out run.

“Hey!” Steve bellowed. “Get back here!”

“Yeah right, dumbass!” Esteban shouted as his Nikes slapped against the concrete, the two older boys falling into sprints behind him. He was running as fast as he could, but his backpack was weighing him down, and the other boys, with their longer legs, were catching up fast.

Suddenly, Esteban was jerked back by his shoulders as Wes grabbed his backpack and pulled it. Esteban cried out and instinctively slipped his arms out of the straps, easily falling out of his backpack.

However, in the few lost seconds, Steve caught up and grabbed him by the shirt. It stretched, and he swung around him like a pendulum before the older boy pulled him in, grappled him, and forced his head in a lock under his armpit. He dug his knuckles into Esteban’s head for a vicious noogie.

“Not so smart now, are ya?” Steve gloated. “Tard.”

“Leggo a’ me, you frickin’ gaywad!” Esteban cried, lashing wildly and trying to escape. It was embarrassing, and his scalp felt like it was burning from the noogie.

Steve’s friend, Wes, still had the backpack in his hands. His freckled fingers found the zipper, opened it, and began rummaging through it. He grabbed a handful of papers, tossing them out in a flurry of white leaves. Then he produced an English textbook, which he threw over his shoulder. It landed on the sidewalk with a loud crack as its spine split open. Finally, with an evil grin on his face, he pulled out a brand new GameBoy Color.

Esteban’s eyes widened and desperation seeped into his little bones. Marty Whedon, one of the richest kids in their grade, dared Esteban to pull off a rather imaginative prank that they had cooked up together one day at lunch. What’ll ya give me for it? Esteban asked. Marty said he could have his GBC, and Esteban was sold. He got caught later and spent a week in detention, but it was worth it. He’d never owned anything that nice before.

“Hey Steve, check this out.” Wes said, waving the GBC.

“I’ve already got one,” Steve laughed.

“Put that down!” Esteban wailed.

“Ok.”

A smug look crossed Wes’ face, and Esteban’s stomach sank as he realized what was about to happen. “

The GBC in hand, Wes whipped his arm down and released it, driving it into the sidewalk. It cracked against the concrete, bounced once, twice, and clattered on the ground before finally laying there, dead. Spider web cracks covered its plastic casing.

A horrible rage filled Esteban’s gut, and his vision tinted red along the peripheries until it narrowed into blood red tunnel vision. His body trembled, and all he could think about was ripping these guys to shreds.

“I think you broke it,” Steve snickered.

Little Esteban roared, and he flailed against Steve, pushing, pulling, and prying his fingers into his face, his eyes, anything. The violent burst surprised the older boy, and he lost his grasp on Esteban, but as soon as he was free he turned back on Steven again and lunged, his fists pounding wildly.

“Whoah!” Steve chuckled, his eyes widening briefly before he regained his composure and raised his forearms to shield himself from the third grader’s blows. When he saw an opening, he shot out his hand so that he palmed Esteban’s forehead and then locked his arm straight out, using his longer armspan to keep the angry third grader’s punches at bay.

Whiff. Whiff. Whiff. Whiff. Whiff.

The two older boys began snickering again.

Outraged, Esteban grabbed Steve’s wrist with both hands. He yanked it down forcefully and bit into his fingers with all his might. He felt Steve’s fingertips spasm in his mouth, and he tasted blood.

“Ahhh!!! Sh*t!! SH*T!!!” Steve howled in pain and tried to tug his hand away, but Esteban kept his teeth clamped tightly.

It took Wes a couple seconds to register what was happening and a couple more to act. He punched Esteban in the back as hard as he could. On impact, a shock of pain shot into little Esteban’s back, but it only fed his anger like a whip to the beast. Wes landed two more punches, Esteban wincing and biting harder with each one.

Changing his approach, Wes grabbed the third grader’s jaw, shoving his fingers painfully into his cheeks and trying to pry it open. Esteban resisted stubbornly, but Wes managed to loosen it enough that Steve could yank his fingers out, ripping off flesh and skin in the process. Steve stared stunned at his blood-coated fingers, his shoulders heaving, and his face twisted.

Esteban spun around, his fist arcing wide before it connected with Wes’ jaw. The ginger’s head jerked backwards, and when it came back, his lip was split open and bloodied. The sight of blood, knowing he made him bleed, sent a wave of manic satisfaction through him.

Suddenly, a crippling pain exploded in Esteban’s right side as Steve landed a punch in his kidneys. It was worse than being kicked in the balls. He spun around in time for Steve’s fist to land in his temple in a pop of pain and light. He could feel something wet dripping down the side of his face from his open, bleeding brow, but the little kid would not stop swinging.

A little while later, Esteban remembered being grabbed from behind. He remembered how third and fourth punches hurt less than the first ones, and he remembered his loose tooth falling out and spitting it out. He remembered getting a second wind and could’ve sworn he managed to land a few more blows in that fight. Then he remembered being too weak to stand and curling up in a ball on the ground and shielding himself from their last few kicks. He felt something wet falling on his face and realized it wasn’t his own blood but their spit. In retrospect, he was glad they didn’t have to pee.

When they left, tears were running down his face, and his body was in excruciating pain. He felt ashamed for his own weakness—for being beaten and for crying. He had let those bastards see him cry and let them know they could hurt him, and boys weren’t supposed to cry. It was humiliating. He wiped the tears and blood from his face, and wiped his dirtied palm on his pants, and crawled to his broken things and gathered them up into his bag. And slowly, very slowly, he stood again, slung his backpack over his shoulders, and trudged home as the shadows grew longer.

When he finally came home, he slid his backpack off his shoulders at the door. It dropped to the floor like dead weight. His shoulders slumped, he checked the clock. Five thirteen. Marissa was still at practice and mom was at work and Rafael was probably with that stupid chick Sara whatshername.

He went to the bathroom to clean up. Carefully, he washed the blood and dirt away from his face, examined his double black eyes, his split brow and lip, the ugly bruises covering his body, and put ointment and band-aids on his open wounds. He touched his ribs, and cried out when they smarted painfully. He’d have to ask mom to see if they were broken.

When he came out, he went to the kitchen. The kitchen table had a note on it:

Dinner is in the fridge. They’re tamales from Aurelia’s. Besos, Mom.

Esteban filled a plate with a couple cold tamales and then eased his aching body on the couch. He switched on the television. He flipped through the channels, finally stopping on ESPN. They were showing a boxing match. With his fingers, he opened up the tamales’ sticky husks and ate with his hands, watching the match intently. The white guy was getting killed.

Less than five minutes later, he heard the door open, and Rafael strode in and headed for the kitchen. Esteban heard him fixing himself his own dinner plate, the ding of the microwave, and his footsteps as he came towards the living room. Esteban did not take his eyes off the TV. He watched the fighting match as if in a trance.

Those bastards were going to pay.

As Rafael rounded the corner for the couch, he finally saw the bruises over his brother’s face. His eyes widened, and his brows arched with brotherly concern.

“Whoah, what happened to you?”

“You owe me a fucking GBC.”

Loren put Melissa to bed and spent a few hours tinkering with his latest work, a theatrical special effects drama, carefully tailored to be a marvel with a high budget, and a comedy with a low budget.

His sleep was completely peaceful, and he was out before sunset, going to see the producer of the second run of Sub-subarbanites at his Manhattan office. The traffic was horrific, even at five in the morning, and Loren spent his commute the same way every time, hoping that no one would ding the paint job that had cost him almost a year's income to insure. He'd been a really stupid kid right of college, getting the car done up like that.

Parking wasn't bad at all, not that he'd expected there to be many people living in apartments with rents he wouldn't begin to contemplate. And the garage would be secure for his precious van, since his appointment was called when he rolled into the garage, and when he left the garage, and when he entered the building. He thought it might be overkill, but he was willing to deal with it.

The meeting went well, the producer handed him a royalty check entirely out of the goodness of his heart, and asked about other shows he had in the works. Loren didn't even mention his pet project with the special effects, he would produce that himself, but he did talk about another emotional comedy, this one centered around a Twelfth Night type of plot.

It took quite a while to work out the details of the rest of his royalties, and Loren did quite appreciate that the two of them were working it out, like civilized gentleman, rather than having their agents do it. He made out well, and the producer probably (accurately) thought that he'd acquired first looks at one of the best new playwrights works. A win win situation, which put Loren in quite a good mood as he said his goodbyes and left the building, once more having to deal with security three times.

As he passed the intersection leading to third avenue, he remembered that he had a lunch date with the Timothy kid. He checked the time and after a moment's indecision made the next right to go parallel to third til he got to 75th. By the time he got there, it was ten after four, and, with what Loren knew about theatre types, he wasn't worried about being late.

Much to his surprise, Timothy was already there, looking out of place in the steak house in a suit. A cheap suit, but a suit nonetheless. Loren was wearing his usual business attire of a button down shirt in a nice color- magenta today- and traditional black slacks, but the fact that Tim had been there long enough to get a soda from the inattentive wait staff here, and not taken off his jacket... interesting.

Loren sat down opposite the young actor in the booth he'd chosen, and waited for him to make the first move. He kept his expression open, slightly interested, and pretty worthless as far as visual cues went. Timothy looked absolutely gaurded.

They sat at such a stand still, with Loren perfectly willing to think about nothing until Timothy broke the silence, or the waiter showed up.

Finally, after almost ten minutes of nothing, Timothy said, "I've done everything that was asked of me. What do you want?"

Loren was pretty sure he hadn't ever seen Timothy, and he knew he hadn't seen the boy's mom since high school graduation. He idly wished for a snifter to swirl an amber liquid around in- probably cola, he didn't drink during the day- but he managed to convey the same effect of profoundly indifferent interest with his posture. "Remind me what's been asked of you already." Very Godfather-esque.

The kid blanched, and Loren felt a vicious twinge of guilt. He doubted Melissa would ever get herself into trouble like Timothy apparently was, but if she did, he would hate whoever was going to put them through this kind of torment purely for their own curiosity.

Timothy started talking, describing how he was taking parcels to people in the theatre, taking money back to someone else, who had made sure that Timothy got the part, got good references, all of that stuff. In short, he was doing to someone with bad intentions what Kristina had done to him.

Timothy wound down what was starting to sound like a combination rant and vent when the waiter finally showed up. Loren ordered good steaks for both of them.

Thy sat in an awkward silence for several more minutes, and Loren finally offered, "You don't have to work for them if you don't want to."

He sighed. "I owe them." Loren didn't know why, but he was pleased that at some point Timothy had realized on his own that Loren wasn't with the boy's... employers.

Their food arrived, and they ate in silence, Loren musing over the situation. Finally, as he sopped up the last of the savory sauce with a roll, he came to a decision. He pulled out one of his business cards, that had his home number and the title of Theatrical Jack of Most Trades, and handed it to Timothy. "Find out if they'll take a bribe to leave you alone kid. You have enough reputation now to be able to get work on your own merits if you need it. And tell your mom I say hello."

He put a hundred dollars on the table which about accounted for the meal and a nice tip, and left without another word, leaving Timothy holding the card, running his finger along it thoughtfully.

((OOC: One more post should wrap this one up
As always, comments and critiques are appreciated
Robokitty- awww, little Esteban is cute. This sort of explains a bit about him, doesn't it?))