If Being Confused Is The First Step To Knowledge...

“Howdy,” The greeting slipped out with a small nod as Jack passed someone else on the street, old boots clicking with every step he took, a rhythm he’d long since grown accustomed to. He reached up and fixed the worn baseball cap on his head, then paused in front of the store he’d been headed for. “Pardon, I was hopin’ to get in there.” He said, even as he spotted the hours sign and realized they were already closed for the day.

Genesis was leaving a store that had already reached its closing time. It felt more like everybody was kicking her out, really, but she needed to buy some batteries - for scientific reasons, of course. Not noticing the stranger right as she stepped outside, her shoulders jumped a little in surprise when he spoke. “My goodness, you scared me,” she chuckled nervously. “I’m sorry, but they’re closed. I basically just got forced out of the place.”

“But I don’t even know why someone would find a spider sexy, or any animal for that matter” he wasn’t judging the kid, everyone was different, what seemed weird to some people, could not be for them. He didn’t like to use the word weird, but that was just… Very different, and confusing to him “I wish I knew the girl to ask her what that meant”

“Well,” Genesis trailed off, really thinking to herself that she shouldn’t delve into a subject she knows nothing about but only knows about it because of an accidental Tumblr adventure that led her into a very odd corner of said website. “I mean... she could have been a furry,” she shrugged her shoulders. “Probably the only thing that would make sense, honestly.”

“How old was this person because if they were a teenager, they use the horrible term bae thinking that it’s cool. When in reality it’s poop in Danish.” 

Genesis laughed, shaking her head a bit at Jeanette’s response. “Probably anywhere from 14 to 16 years old, honestly. I feel like they’d embody everything you hate about our current youth.”

Kel bounced up and down on his heels as Ella started to fuss, hoping to stop her from really starting to cry. She settled down, head resting against him as she apparently decided to sleep, and he let out a breath of relief. Disaster avoided, for the moment at least. He turned his attention back to the woman he’d bumped into, doing his best to ignore Abigail tugging at his shirt. “What? Oh, yeah, of course.” He pulled away from his older daughter and moved his cart back before walking around it and reaching up to snag the box she had been reaching for. He handed it over, and at Abigail’s insistence from behind him, fixed the tiara on his head. “Sorry again about that. It’s been…a long day.”

Genesis watched in silence, and almost suspense, as the man successfully avoided one of his little girls from bursting out in tears. Well, she could only assume he was the father, what with the slightly tilted tiara on his head. It was endearing, to say the least. Nevertheless, once he had helped her with reaching the box, she smiled at him and almost wanted to apologize for being a bother. “Thank you so much,” Genesis said, a chuckle escaping her when he fixed the tiara at the eldest’s request. "I promise it’s alright. I’m sorry about your long day though. I have a feeling they might make it better as it drags along.”

Abigail had been full of energy all day. It made him a little wary of going to the grocery store, but the only thing left in their fridge was half a jug of milk that was probably bad and some fuzzy oranges that seemed questionable. He strapped Ella into a carrier on his chest and, at Abigail’s insistence, left his tiara on as they walked into the store. He’d made it down about two aisles before he was distracted and his cart hit someone else. Immediately, he pulled back, one arm going protectively over Ella. “I’m so sorry, I was distracted.”

It was about to be thanksgiving, and while she wasn’t particularly planning anything special for it, she figured she could make a lot of food in the spirit of it all. Maybe she’ll give it to random people on the street, or maybe she’ll eat the whole thing herself. Who knows? But cooking was a stress reliever for Genesis, so she found herself doing a massive grocery shopping. Before she was getting ready to stretch her little T-Rex arms to reach something on a shelve that was a little too high for her, something hit her by the side. It was barely a bump but the stranger apologized either way - which was nice. “Oh that’s alright. Barely even felt it. Do you uh,” she trailed off, looking at the breakfast cereal, “think you can help me with that though? I’m kind of vertically challenged.”

“If it’s not smooth then it’s definitely a personal favourite of mine.” Colby compromised with an intrigued expression on her face. She’d tried Hennessy before but she wasn’t sure what with. She’d been purchased many drinks of strange descriptions but she always had an open mind. “Well I’m sure I can sort that out for you. My treat. Purely because one of my current band mates got so drunk last night he gave me $100 and then forgot and thought he’d spent it all. Lucky us.”

“I’m guessing that’s kind of like your trademark, right?” Genesis asked, mostly joking, but in her defense, this woman did come off as somebody who likes all things rough. And of course that’s not to be mistaken for an innuendo. Even though Genesis mind is already there. “Lucky us, indeed. On our way there I guess you can tell me about that band of yours. What kind of music do you guys do?”

“Guess I’m just a really smart person.” She insisted softly before shrugging her shoulders and looking at the other woman with a small smile. She liked company. Drifting from place to place meant that she didn’t get to stick around with the same people so it couldn’t hurt to get to know lots of people in Wilmington. “Thirsting for?” She asked, resisting the subconscious urge to chew her lip. “Well I usually go for a double Jack and Coke. Smooth. Good on the tastebuds. You?” 

Genesis quirked an eyebrow at the other’s first response to her question, and soon thereafter chuckled with a shake of her head at what she heard. “There is no way that’s smooth. I don’t know why, I can never do whiskey. I’m more of a Hennessy and apple juice kind of person.”

Colby just couldn’t stop smiling as she looked across at Genesis. She’d never really been one for boundaries either. Music was her expression and there was nothing she particularly felt she had to hold back. “Oh I will take full responsibility don’t you worry. Completely my fault for the diversion in the conversation you started.” Colby teased and then tilted her head. “Would it be my fault if I asked if you want to get a drink too? I’m really thirsty.”

“Thank you,” Genesis giggled. “See? I knew you’d get it,” she added, a smile still on her lips. Upon hearing the other’s question, Genesis couldn’t help but wonder if this week she accidentally made a deal with the devil or something. Maybe in exchange for her soul every attractive woman in the city was granting her their time. Whether or not this theory was true, it was beautiful. “I’d love to. I guess I’m kind of thirsty too. What are you thirsting for, anyway?” 

Colby opened her mouth to speak again and then simply closed it with an amused laugh. “Well I’ve definitely called someone daddy before but I was very drunk in a bar in Oakland and they told me they were in to it so…” She shrugged simply and then tilted her head at the other woman curiously. “I still don’t get why those people would have said it about him but my point still remains….that not comprehending in your pretty head?”

“Oh,” Genesis nods at the other’s response. She realizes now that maybe that’s not something you should ask a stranger, but Genesis was never really known for respecting boundaries. Nevertheless, in response to the woman’s question, Genesis couldn’t help but chuckle. “I mean, you can’t blame me for getting side tracked here. It was kind of your fault,” she said in jest.

“They’re just creepy. I can’t stand it when they run around without any sense of direction. Makes my skin crawl.” Yes, she was being dramatic and almost childish about her hatred of spiders, but none of it was really untrue. “What a strange child. I do hope they over this obscure phase. Genesis. That’s a pretty name. I’m Eveline.” 

“I just think they’re gross looking, but I feel like you might run if you see one near you though.” There was no judgement about the other’s hatred towards spiders, she feels the same way about lizards but it was kind of amusing to listen at how intensely she felt about them. “Charming,” Genesis said in regards to the comment about her name, a grateful smile on her lips. What is it with women in Wilmington? They’re either all gay or too hot to be gay. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Eveline. What do you do for a living, if you don’t mind me asking?” 

Colby grimaced and looked over at Genesis with a grossed out expression. “I’m not quite sure how to feel right now. My brain can’t process what exactly I’ve just been told…” She mumbled and shook her head stubbornly. “Daddy….long….legs….” She mused before making a noise in the back of her throat. “Sure called someone daddy but…I’m not sure anything I’ve just been told is appropriate for anywhere other than the safe place of the internet. Are you managing okay after it all?” She asked jokingly.

Genesis was still shaking her head, still trying to process why anyone would ever say something like that out loud. At least she was until she heard the other suggest she’s called someone daddy, in which her mind did a complete turn into an alley it probably shouldn’t have gone into. “Wait hold up, what? You’ve... what?” Eloquence clearly was not her strong suit at this moment in time. 

To be fair, she hadn’t actually expected the woman to actually follow through, though she decided she didn’t mind. She was very drunk at this point; the world had become hazy around the edges, and it was as though the rest of the messes in her life didn’t quite exist in the present moment. No Sophia, no Spencer, no lesson plans or students. Just vodka and this tiny, dark-haired woman. 

The apples of her cheeks grew pink and hot as she approached, and Savannah giggled like a fool. She studied the stranger’s face, eyes dropping to her lips for just a moment before she gained control of herself. “I…” She laughed again. “I forgot what I was going to say.”

Genesis could see how flustered the blonde was getting. She could tell the other giggled out of nerves and possibly surprise at how far they’d manage to take this. Watching the other’s eyes fall to her lips almost made her give in. But she didn’t. 

The blonde’s words made Genesis chuckle. “Well, in that case,” Genesis started, getting even closer to the blonde - only turning her head slightly when their lips were about to meet in a kiss she probably would’ve gone for if she was a tiny bit more drunk. Tipsy Genesis is not as confident, hence the kiss on the stranger’s cheek. “I guess you’ll remember it at another time,” Genesis finished her sentence as she pulled away from the blonde. The brunette proceeded to stand up from the stool at the bar, a smirk on her lips. “It was lovely to meet you, blondie,” she added with a wink before walking away.

“That is… positively strange. And quite possibly extremely disgusting as well. Then again, I despise spiders and don’t understand why anyone would want to compare a person they seemingly lust after to one of those devil’s very own creatures,” Eveline stated, her nose crinkled up in disgust. 

“The pure passion behind your hate towards spiders is comforting for some reason,” Genesis responds, agreeing with the other mostly because she also hated spiders. Perhaps it’s why this kid messed her up so much. “Psychologically damaged horny kids aside, I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Genesis,” the brunette extends her hand, to formally greet the stranger.

She dropped her head, averting the other’s gaze, a slow, drunken chuckle escaping her throat. Looking back up, she grinned, a devilish gleam in her eyes.  “Maybe if you came a bit closer, I could tell  you.” Extending her hand a bit, she curled her index finger, motioning her hand in a ‘come hither’ gesture.

Genesis watched the other chuckle, before their eyes locked one more time. At the blonde’s suggestion, she smirked. Eyes following the other’s hands, soon thereafter chuckling at the ‘come hither’ gesture given to her. Well, shit. Why the fuck not, was the only reasoning going through Genesis’ head as she moved closer - invading the other’s personal space. “I’m all yours,” the brunette trailed off, a smirk on her lips - before she continued. “I mean ears. Of course. I’m all ears.”

“Well, I can only speak for myself…” She trailed off, a devious smirk pulling at her lips. “But, one would assume the woman would have an easier time of it.”

The other’s smile was contagious, and soon Genesis found herself doing the same. Mostly because of what she was hearing though, honestly. “Is that speaking from experience?” Oh geez. You can tell she was only this forward because of that liquid courage she’d been nursing since she entered the bar. Who knew her night would turn out like this?

“What about her?”

“Well, if the man actually finds the time to look for the golf ball,” Genesis trailed off, looking at the stranger before continuing. “What would you -- or, I’m sorry, I mean the woman -- what would she do?”

“Sexy spider child?” he asked with a confused expression on his face, he never heard of such thing, that was definitely the first thing, hence why he didn’t know what it meant, but he wouldn’t lie, he was curious. He wasn’t sure if she knew what it meant, but he hoped she did, otherwise he will just keep being curious “Definitely, very wild”

“I mean,” Genesis shook her head, as if trying to find an idea somewhere deep within her mind as to what would posses a girl to say something like this. “You think it might be some deep repressed kink, produced by psychological reasons? I’m just... I can’t,” she shrugged in defeat. Kids are weird. “Couldn’t agree more though.”