One Of The Cool Kids

[Text: Science Bro]: I'll be back at the house soon.

[✉ - Green Machine]: I'll make sure even the box is made from recyclables.

matty smiled a bit confused at the offer, as if he couldn’t quite believe it. “you want me to sit with you?” he asked, pointing between himself and the chair. “like… after i tripped over you almost?” his smile widened and he let out a laugh. “well thanks man, that’s nice, i would love to.” matty hadn’t gotten very many new friends in town so far and he would love some.

“Of course, you sound surprised. I quite enjoy company. Even if it’s the type who wants to trip over me.” Robert joked lightly with a grin. “Wonderful, so, tell me a little about yourself. What brought you to Bayview?”

“Oh, it’ll get worse. Wait ‘til you get to those terrible twos.” Robert claimed with a grin. She really was adorable. It made him miss all the more. “Thank you, and yes. I am. It’s a nice little town. Very peaceful.”

“Not a bad gig, then,” he nodded his approval, tipping his head to one side. “I think it’s always fun to be able to work on projects with friends, especially.”

Robert shrugged his shoulders. “You should have all the confidence regardless. That’s what gets you by in this life.” He insisted softly. If one could have too much confidence, it’d be Robert without a doubt. It was probably the only good thing that came out of his childhood.

“Oh, it is, Mark is a riot sometimes. I’m just not too sure about talking about pollution for two hours.”

She threw her hands up in defeat. “I mean, if you insist. I won’t try and argue with you, good sir.” She took a few more sips of the beverage as he spoke. “A documentary? Really? Well, it sounds like a fun project to be involved in. Oh there’s a ton of us here in town. I think we might be missing a handful of the cast mates but we might be able to pull off a small reunion.” She laughed.

“Well, I’m hoping so. Might help me come out of my shell a little, God knows I need that.” Robert joked. Usually, he was a social butterfly, but lately? Since his divorce, at least, he’d been kind of too to himself. It was concerning.

“Not this one, no,” he replied with another smile, playing with Amore’s hair fondly as he spoke. “She’s a mermaid,” he said. “I guess Amore wanted to get your attention because she knows how big of a fan I am,” he laughed softly. “I’m Darren,” he said, offering his hand. “And this is my little girl, Amore,”

Robert chuckled softly at the words. “Well, that’s one way to grab someone’s attention. She’s going to be a handful when she’s older,” he warned him. “How old is she? Not much younger than my own girl, I reckon. She’s very adorable.” He complimented the small child. Robert reached out to take his hand and give it a firm shake. “Nice to meet you. I’m Robert.”

Robert nodded his head. “It is, I don’t really keep up with it, if I’m being honest. But, Mark is often talking about such things, I’ve caught on a little.” He admitted softly. “The weather is just murderous, yes.”

“trying to not cry, good at holding it back,” matty joked, even if it wasn’t funny at all but he was a bit overwhelmed by the whole situation, meeting someone and tripping over them was just something that had that effect on him. “so uhm… it’s lovely to meet you. i am just…” he pointed with his thumb towards the order place. “going to be awkward over there now. hope you enjoy the drink and… whatnot.”

Robert raised a brow as the other was quick to try and retreat. “It was lovely to meet you and you know, I don’t mind company,” Robert found himself offering, gesturing to the empty seat across from him.

Having come to town years ago for a bit of rest and relaxation – and maybe some rehab – Gerard was more than glad to say that he was now there because he happily lived there. “Ah, that’ll be nice,” he nodded, crossing his legs at the ankles. “That gives you a bit of downtime until then. What’s the documentary about?”

Robert chuckled softly. “Such low confidence in your law-skills.” He found himself tutting towards the other. He lifted his coffee to take another long drink, considering the words. It was an easy move for him. He was definitely in need of a change, so that helped greatly. 

“Mhmm. We haven’t really started on it, yet, but Mark’s an eco-nut. Pollution, global warming-- all those bad things piled into one with my voice to tell you the warnings.”

[Text: Science Bro]: I expect your usual quirks.

[✉ - Green Machine]: No. Of course not, why would it? I'm the crazy one, not you.

When he continued to ask him if he was there for work, the Scot shook his head, lifting his mug to his lips to take a sip, and then leaned back in his chair. “Can’t say that I am. I’ve lived here for three years now, old-timer. I’ve worked plenty, though, don’t get me wrong, just was in a film that premiered last week in town, but right now I’m doing what my mum tells me. Laying low. How about yourself? What brings you to town?”

Robert chuckled softly as he sat back down, glad the other decided to join him. “I would have hired you in a heart beat, so of course it counts. Wouldn’t be calling you ‘honor’, though. That only goes for the officials.” He told the man with a wink. He gave a nod of his head and lifted his cup to take a long sip before replying, “It is. I’m glad to know I’ve got a few good friends in town, honestly.”

His brows raised. Three years? Robert had been quite out of touch, he almost cursed himself for it. “Almost the same, honestly. I’m working on a documentary, but it’s not something that’ll be getting started until a month or two.” He admitted softly.

It was nice to get some fresh air in the park, especially since he had been indoors a lot lately, busy working and taking care of the kids. But at least he had chosen a good day to go for it. He looked down when he heard a giggle and Amorette’s teal bear flying off somewhere. “Sweetie, don’t throw Ariel around like that,” he chuckled, then saw where the bear had landed, nearly choking on his words. “Oh-um-hi,” he said, almost too nervous to continue speaking.

Robert looked up when he felt something brush against his leg, only to find it to be a little bear. He put the newspaper down on the table for later and reached down to grab the bear, lifting his head up and offering it to the man who had seemed to be going for it anyway. 

Robert managed a smile at the words. “You’re completely fine. At least you’re not crying because I’m not wearing the Iron Man suit like most kids.” He joked lightly as he took the young man’s hand, giving it a firm shake. “Pleasure to meet you, I’m Robert -- you know that, but well... you introduced yourself so I have to do so, too.”

“Shit. Well, I’m going to gamble on your benevolence, in that case,” Sebastian huffed on a laugh as he settled into the chair across from Robert, giving the German Shepherd a besotted look. “About a year ago, right before I moved to Bayview,” he explained, rubbing a hand over the dog’s head as he settled under Sebastian’s chair, “and don’t I know it, he’s in another league of cuteness than me,” he admitted. Gently knocking his foot into Robert’s, he asked, “so did you decide to just come all the way out to Bayview to try our great coffee, or are you here to turn the neighborhood upside down? What have you been up to?”

“Actually, I’m Iron Man -- everything I do is cool, Stanny-boy.” Robert claimed without taking his eyes off the pup. “I think I should make Mark buy me a dog, that would work out well. He loves animals, so we should have a lot of them, right?” he mostly asked himself. His mind already set on probably picking up a dog without even warning Mark. 

Taking his offer in sitting down, Elizabeth thanked him for moving the chair and sat down, placing her cup on the table. “Oh please, you don’t have to send me any flowers- but I do live in the apartments.” She smiled, crossing her legs as she took a sip of her coffee while he talked. “Mark too? How exciting! Any particular reason on why you moved or did you secretly know we lived here and thought you’d surprise us?”

“You should have!” Robert insisted. “It’s absolutely gorgeous here and to know that a few good friends are right around the block or two? Someone ought to be crazy not to want to move here.” It was perfect for actors, really. All of the connections were nearby, it seemed, and the houses were modest enough that one could leave for awhile on work and not have to worry about them or the neighborhood.

“To be vague, it’s about global warming. Mark is quite the humanitarian. Really goes bonkers for stuff like that, bless him.” Robert said with a smile. “I’ve always enjoyed London. The weather, though, I always end up sick the first week I go there.”