hopeless opus

“oh no, we’re definitely open.” he shook his head slightly, offering an apologetic smile; it wasn’t anyone else’s but his own fault that he had no time management skills, so the least he could do is just brush it off and act like it never happened. technically, except his little pajama slip-up there was nothing wrong with the efficiency of his work, at least in his opinion - other might’ve absolutely disagreed though, hence he never asked about it, not really wanting to hear the criticism. if he wanted to get bashed for not acting his age, he’d just call his father or something. “whose order you’re picking up? i’ll get it sorted for you asap.”

he put his mug aside, digging into one of the drawers of his desk to find the notebook with the orders; he really hoped it wasn’t the wedding one, as the lilies for the table toppers still didn’t arrive and he had no replacement ideas either. “would you like some coffee in the meantime? no offense, but you look like you could use it.”

“oh, thank god, that could’ve been embarrassing if i’d just walked into your house.” he scoffed, fishing the note out of his pocket. “this piece of paper should have everything on here? this was all i was given.” tj handed over the note, his other hand shoved into his pocket as he waited, still feeling more than a little guilty for catching the other in his pyjamas.

when the pencil finally stopped moving itself, his hand was free to cup the tea and pull the saucer closer to himself. the removal of the spoon was quick– the metal utensil discarded upon an unused napkin. and despite the vacant stare back, a shaking hand rose to scratch at his neck, just below his ear. such an existential question caused a pause in his speech– a deep sigh followed as he admitted. “Debatable these days.” honestly he liked his chances of someone asking him questions here then out in the real world where it was much scarier– much harder to explain. perhaps, he was wrong about Monarda. perhaps it was something of a home to the middle-aged man.

“If I’m being honest, and if I can speak off the record, the sense of control is slowly unraveling. It’s beginning to scare me. That trick you just saw– I’m hardly certain it was me.” he looked around the room, suspiciously. yet there was still no clear explanation at hand. “Perhaps we should be asking those questions… or I’m seriously losing my mind.”

“Thanks, by the way for not asking too many of those questions.” he was beginning to think the other was one of those people he could trust.

“do you...want to talk about it?” he looked at him, almost nervously before taking the finishing bite out of his lunch. after he had cleaned off his plate, tj moved to the seat in front of the other and placing the drink on the table in front of them both. “what do you mean sense of control? do you think it’s just a you thing or this whole place is losing it?”

“i’m not one to pry...well, kinda, that’s a bit of a lie. i can be nosy but i blame it on getting it from my grandma.” he chuckled, attempting to lighten the mood given that ken looked like he needed a little pick me up. “what’s gotten you so rattled?”

“That’s the thing. She sent me a couple of laughing face emojis followed by the worst one of the bunch– the clown, and that was it! Am I being bullied?!” 

what she wouldn’t do for a cup of warm coffee in the moment– though she did have Harry’s jacket to keep her warm. it was, perhaps, his excuse to see her again.“Yeah… I guess that’s why I wanted to walk home too– I needed to sort out my thoughts on that whole thing. Growing up with three sisters– it was never really quiet in my house. I guess that’s why I’m talking so much– if it bothers you, I’m an expert on the quiet game.” she chuckled to herself.

“But to answer your question, I think that’s the part I can’t figure out– if he was nice or if he was just as weirded out by the situation as me– I can’t be the only one who thinks it’s a little strange to date someone with the same name as you.” she took a pause before asking, “Would you do it? Maybe they don’t have the exact name, but initials– would that be weird?”

“so she actually sent you the clown emoji and you didn’t think twice about it?” he couldn’t help but chuckle at the thought of all this, he began shaking his head soon after. “i shouldn’t laugh should i?” 

“it doesn’t bother me, it’s actually quite nice to have someone to talk to that doesn’t seem to worry about me talking too much.” he shrugged, a small smile on his lips as he took another long sip from his coffee. “i think it’d be weird if it ended up getting serious...you’d end up with the exact name if you married them. plus i’m not sure how i’d feel about say my own name when -- you know.”

parker had half the mind to want to smack her own forehead at the others response, only being able to keep herself from doing it because she did not want a red mark on her forehead. “each person and family have their own thoughts.. but i’ve only ever heard it toward black cats and even those of dog or wolf forms in reading tea.” she said, snorting slightly; instantly covering her face out of embarrassment.

“sorry. no digs towards you. truly. each to their own, respect.” pj gave a smile. the prospect of losing her friends dog? terrifying. even more, of not finding said dog? she might as well go into hiding. plus, embarrassing herself in front of someone else? hide her. 

raising a brow, she shook her head with a string of laughter. “oh, no, we certainly are welcome to it, i was just taken aback by it. i ask about a missing dog and you offer a beer.” she deeply exhaled. “if you’re offering, i’m accepting – and your offer on helping looking for this dog?”

“the black dog is very famous in irish folklore, he’s a sign of bad luck. i think it’s similar is english folklore, but don’t quote me on it.” he shrugged, taking a sip of his beer. “it’s also called a hellhound in some tales, so...not too excited to go look for this thing. but, out of the generosity of my own heart, i’ll help you out.” 

She must look like a girl in trouble, of course, but Tomi doesn’t realize it until she finds herself trying to cross the street, her hands holding the architectural model, the thousands of plans hanging from her arms, her backpack and everything else. . She feels a bit miserable and feels sorry for herself, things that focus her mind, as well as daydreaming about the car that she could buy when she has the money. For the same reason, she does not realize that the conversation is directed towards her until a little after her. —Sir … and doesn’t offering beers to people on the street make you feel weird as well?—  because it definitely made her feel that way.

“uh -- no, actually.” he shrugged, looking her up and down and at all the things in her arms and backpacks, wincing slightly at how she looked only a moment away from dropping all of them. “i was just trying to make friends, if you couldn’t tell by the accent.. i’m a little new here.” tj scoffed, cheeks reddening in slight embarrassment. “do you need a hand?”

   ▐▐ ░ * .  — it was the perfect afternoon to collect herbs, needing to refill the mason jars at home. with the sky greying with time, rays of sun still desperate to shine through, doe was on her way home with dirt fraying at her jeans edges. her mind was clearly elsewhere, and when the sound of her hairband snapped from it’s old wear, doe took it as a sign. as she grumbled, a small backpack bounced by doe’s side as her feet came to a halt, blue hues noticing the van nearby. curiosity pricked her interest and before she knew it, another figure appeared. 

doe’s lips reflected the same smile as his, recomposing herself from being slightly startled. ❝ you know, mud is very good for the skin, it’s anti-inflammatory. ❞ she nodded. doe couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at his offer, a shadow of a shrug followed. ❝ do you often offer beers to strangers ? but, what kind do you have ? ❞ she asked curiously, chewing the inside of her cheek. ❝ also, you wouldn’t happen to have string, or even hopefully a hair-tie, by any chance ? ❞ 

tj sat up a little more on the hood, looking the other up and down with a laugh and a shrug. “what can i say? i’m a generous man. they’re just some random brands i got for cheap at the store, nothing too exciting but they’re up on offer if you fancy one.” the irishman nodded to the cooler in the back of his truck, cracking his own open and taking a long sip. “looks like i’m not the only one messing around in the mud today, huh? what were you doing?” he raised a brow as he asked the question and slid off of the hood so he could look for some kind of string or band for her to wrap her hair in. 

“will this do?” he popped back up from the side, his hand filled with a rubber band and some string. “take your pick...i know there’s almost too many options for you to put up your hair with so don’t stress too much.”

“What? Gross,” She even stuck her tongue out at the idea that the green M&M - a literal piece of candy - could be deemed attractive. “I think she wears some like. Strappy heels because, you know, the animators and design team have to make sure everyone knows that she’s a girl M&M and the rest of them are boys even though they’re all just candy. Anyway, she’s definitely not hot.” Again, Annabelle shook her head. “What, did you not like my story?” She asked while gratefully borrowing his phone. “Don’t tell me you’re a sucker for Skittles on top of thinking that the green M&M is hot.”

“maybe she’s just not your type? maybe you’re into sportier M&M women?” he raised a brow, the smirk still firm on his lips. “it depends, sometimes skittles taste too sour for me i gotta be in the mood. i loved your story but i’m also just a person who is so giving i don’t need to have a reason to help. it’s one of my better qualities.” tj pointed out, holding out his phone for her. “what happened to your own phone, or are you one of those people who are unplugged?”

“i wanna say no,” he answers with a shrug of his shoulders. “the mud is understandable given what you’re doing. i think it would be weirder if you were perfectly clean right now.” he attempts to reassure him nonchalantly. “i could go for some beers, yeah, you just made my day. ” he nods his head, a smile forming on his lips. “how do you keep them cold though? is it ‘cause it’s cold outside or… can you have a mini fridge in a car- wait, no- the answer is that they’re in a cooler, isn’t it?”

“yeah, not really.” he shook his head slightly, taking the beer and glancing at the poor plant again; yeah, it was definitely in a terrible shape, like a thisty-something year old with a hangover - not that he had first hand experience with that, he wasn’t even thirty yet, but he kind of imagined it like that. “you think they’d listen? i mean, it would be nice, since we’re kind of running out of spare places where we could put plants and i really don’t want a hibiscus or something in my bed with me, so…” he chuckled, as he imagined how this scene would even look. 

“i mean, if you have a date or something, don’t let me hold you back.” free hand running through his hair, he let out another small laugh; there was literally no reason to immediately go there, but of course he had to, god damn blabbermouth that he was. “but i was thinking of a movie marathon and making chow mein with crispy tofu, if you’re interested? i’ll let you pick the movies, as long as it’s not some romantic comedy for teens.”

“you don’t wanna live in some kinda forest?” tj feigned shock before he grabbed the worse-for-ware plant to carry it inside with them both. “i think it definitely adds to our cool factor if we did. it makes us look like we can look after stuff, massive hit with any future partners we bring over.” he tipped the top of the bottle towards him as he spoke to make more of a point, a grin on his lips. 

“actually, have you seen a black lab run past here by any chance?” the woman asked, slowing to a stop from a jog; looking at the male, hopeful. “my friend’s damn dog ran off and they will probably murder me if I can’t find this dog.” parker explained, having already been searching for the furry friend the past hour. it wasn’t her fault anyway that the dog got away. she just so happened to feel the need to search for them. A chuckle left her lips, raising an eyebrow. “wait.. are you just out right offering beer to strangers that pass you by?” she mused.

lynx never considered himself a nature person; okay, he liked being outdoors, that was an undeniable fact, but plants still just seemed to hate him, with even the most durable ones saying goodbye to dear life under his care within a few weeks tops, so he gave up on them as well - or so he believed. he still felt bad seeing some poor, sad looking fern left behind on the shelf in the flowers section of the store, and before he could properly think it through, he was already walking back home with it, clutching it proudly in his hands like some kind of new trophy. only he didn’t expect tj to be back early, before he had the chance to come up with a reason to why he was actually carrying around a sad looking plant. “in fact… i think yeah. doctor, the patient is dying.” he held up the flowerpot with a small, almost apologetic smile. “well, i still think you still clean up nicely, so… and as long as you don’t get mud on the fur carpet, i honestly don’t care.”

he leaned against the car too, putting the fern off to the side if tj didn’t take it from him yet; for a moment he debated whether he was allowed to sit on the hood, but then dropped the idea of asking about it - it was enough that he scratched his own car this way and never had it fixed… “you know me, i’ll never say no to a cold beer. does that also mean you’re free for today?”

tj looked at him with an amused expression across his face, taking a bottle each for the pair of them and handing one over. “things are not looking too hot for that guy, huh?” the irishman looked closer at the plant, frowning slightly when his free hand hovered over some of the leaves after he had relieved the other with it. “i gotta start telling these places to put their plants in nicer areas, or i gotta start buying up all of them and i only think one of those ideas is supported by my bank account.” he snorted, twisting the top open and taking a long drink, rolling his shoulders back as he relaxed slightly.