"That wasn't even an option for me before all the shit went down," he spoke, though it had been more about him than actually getting in anywhere. Banks had barely survived high school, leaving college something that never made it to the table despite there being voices in his ear saying that he could make it work. "That's why I fought for the apprenticeship, cause then at least I could do something I was good at. College.. that's a bigger swing than trying to find me a job outside of the cafe."

"i don't think it's a bigger swing, but... a swing in a different direction, sure." he didn't want to argue with banks by any means, but equally gabe wasn't going to stand by and let the other just write off college because he didn't believe it was for him. the brit rifled through his paperwork, producing the community college and du brochures he was sure he'd brought with a quiet but triumphant 'aha.' "it was a tattoo apprenticeship, right? there are loads of art courses that you would be great for, man."

Owen grinned over at Gabe as he watched him reach for his phone, something he was very grateful for. While he could lip read decent enough, he often missed words here and there, trying to scramble and place them mid conversation. Reading off a phone was much more easier for him, though he would never ask anyone to go out of their way to do it for him. So when Gabriel did, it truly meant a lot to Owen. A loud laugh fell from him lips as his eyes scanned over the words, reaching for his own phone as well. Just trying to keep you on your toes. He grinned, shaking his head with amusement as he paused for a moment. You're the one that agrees to go on them with me, can't put the blame on me for that. He teased, shrugging his shoulders lightly before he looked around the two of them for a moment. But this is where I'm really hoping that you know how to get out of here. I feel like I've been going around in circles at this point, briefly debated just making this my new home.

accessibility was a quality many people didn't tend to think too much about. not until it touched their own lives, at least. gabriel had been one of those people -- and would be the first to admit his own ignorance -- so he always made a conscious effort to do whatever he could to make life easier for anyone else. "i think you're forgetting the level of coercion involved," a pause for effect. "what am i supposed to do? look lady in the eye and say no i won't be spending any time with you today? PLEASE." there was an element of truth in his joke -- he found it increasingly difficult to say no to lady or owen. maybe part of it was also that the hikes had turned out to be good for him too, but he wasn't going to concede that. gabriel shook his head, shoulders slumping. "i'm actually really sorry to break this to you, but i have absolutely no idea where the fuck we are. i'm pretty sure i've been walking around in circles since i got here. but you came from back up there, right?" he gestured to the space in front of them. "and i came from the right so maybe we try going left? or like you say, just accept defeat and settle down right here."

“I’m sad to say that the marketing scheme worked on me!” Ophelia scoffed with a small pout. Her desire to try something new did mean caving into the seasonal trends, and she felt burned by it. “Straight vinegar is a little too much. I think I’d suffer through this over that,” she laughed. “Oh. I would not say no to a make-up drink. Anything better than this, please, though it is such a low bar right now.”

"oh, we've all been there! you just watch, when it gets to christmas my defences crumble completely. it's borderline tragic," he truly was an absolute sucker for christmas-themed... well, anything. gabriel conceded with a dip of his head and a slight laugh, hands up in surrender. "yeah, i might've gone a bit too far with the straight vinegar thing, but in my defence i really don't like pumpkin spice flavoured things." considering the drinks menu, he hummed quietly. "do we risk sticking with the seasonal menu to try and get in the spirit of it, or do you think that's just too risky at this point? because if not i'm really feeling a mojito -- you can't go wrong with a classic.

"oh, we've all been there! you just watch, when it gets to christmas my defences crumble completely. it's borderline tragic," he truly was an absolute sucker for christmas-themed... well, anything. gabriel conceded with a dip of his head and a slight laugh, hands up in surrender. "yeah, i might've gone a bit too far with the straight vinegar thing, but in my defence i really don't like pumpkin spice flavoured things." considering the drinks menu, he hummed quietly. "do we risk sticking with the seasonal menu to try and get in the spirit of it, or do you think that's just too risky at this point? because if not i'm really feeling a mojito -- you can't go wrong with a classic."

"I still don't know what the point of all this is, it's not like any of these places are gonna want me anyways," he replied to the various ideas they were pooling together to get his shit on track. Banks didn't know how the other had talked him into it or why he was even thinking there was some place that would be willing to hire him on with his record, much less aspire for more as he looked at the list. "Who even put college on this? That's got to be for someone else." Not him. @modestvm

gabriel frowned, shuffling papers idly in his hands as banks spoke ( he still tended towards the analogue when it came to important subjects -- and he very much considered helping the other in any way he could incredibly important. ) "you don't know that," he asserted, "you have a job and people have come back from way worse records than yours -- and i put college on that because it could be for you. if that's something you're interested in, i know it's not for everybody."

Open | @chqstarter Farm Fest.

his sense of direction was poor at the best of times, but desperate times had called for desperate measures and a corn maze was as good a distraction as any from work. at least, that's what gabriel was continuing to tell himself after about ten minutes of wandering aimlessly around said maze. it had brought him away from his desk for the first time that day though and the fresh air really was working wonders. he hadn't expected to run into anyone in the maze, but realising it was owen he'd just literally bumped shoulders with gabriel was all of a sudden very grateful for it. he grinned, signing 'no problem' back before reaching instinctively for his phone to type. the brit had made an effort to pick up some asl but he still only knew a little. "i thought you usually saved trying to kill me for when you're dragging me out on hikes. is this your way of telling me i have to start looking out for you wherever i go now?"

open starter ! @chqstarter location: hell & high water

gabriel winced sympathetically at her reaction to the drink, nose scrunching at the idea of pumpkin spice flavoured anything. "well, you said it; everybody's trying to capitalise on the season and its trends... even if it turns out to be a terrible idea." he gestured vaguely towards the offending drink. "oh, no, thank you! i think i'd rather drink straight vinegar, but, uh can i get you another drink to make up for this loss?"

check the source link OR HERE for #124 gifs of 𝐣𝐚𝐜𝐨𝐛 𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 as himself in various youtube videos. all gifs were made from scratch by me for roleplaying purposes and are 268 x 165 px. if you found this post useful, PLEASE REBLOG. check the rules for more information.

He wasn't sure if the other was being serious or not, but he knew that he could use a break regardless. Not to mention that there were plenty more people working at that moment than customers as he glanced at a few of the others that were set up in other places in the café. Any of them would easily take his spot behind the counter rather than do inventory or clean up after the cats, while he would have preferred to be in the stockroom any time that he was there. "I'm good. I don't need anything," he replied with a shake of his head before he gestured towards the cup that'd been deemed his among the others for the workers. Some had coffee or tea, while he stuck with water while he was working most of the time anyways as he finished making the other's drink and brought it, along with his own, to the table that he'd seen the other sit at earlier. "Feel free to tell me to fuck off at any point. I'm not even sure I'm supposed to take my break in the actual cafe, usually I'm in the back with a smoke." And his fingers twitched once when he spoke as he took the seat across from the other.

he had figured those behind the counter would have been able to grab whatever they wanted ( within reason, anyway ) throughout the day, but also would have kicked himself had he not even offered. after all, he had basically roped the other into sitting with a stranger. gabriel thanked banks as he arrived with their drinks, secretly glad he hadn't scared the other off after all. he frowned over the top of his mug of coffee. "i wouldn't tell you to fuck off," fingers tapped idly against the mug. "and if i did you'd be well within your rights to deck me one. i invited you over here." he nodded his understanding. "well, if you get in trouble i'll just tell them it was my fault." he shrugged nonchalantly. it was only the truth. "so, banks... do you just really like cats and coffee?"

a laugh escaped at his words and she nodded her head. she agreed wholeheartedly with the sentiment, though sticking a middle finger up to memories that had once been pleasant was no easy task. if it was she’d have done it years ago. “well then I might have to start saying that too.”

he nodded, expression schooled only half-successfully into seriousness. "oh, you should." gabe implored, hand on heart. "i could see it really catching on, you know."