Mouse (to Delia): Oh god, just realized that Valentine's Day is coming up & I've never had anyone to celebrate it with before... what do I do?
Delia (to Mouse): Have a nice dinner and enjoy one another's company? If you wanna go out for dinner, allow me to suggest make the reservation now. You can get all fancy with it or keep it lowkey. Up to you.
Mouse (to Delia): Oh, really? That's it? That's so simple. Why do folks get all weird about it, then?
Delia (to Mouse): Because they try to make it so over the top romantic with the exchange of gifts and the fancy dinner it's almost doomed to fail. The important bit is you guys doing something you enjoy together and kinda just telling everything else to fuck off for a night.
Mouse (to Delia): heehee, I think that's pretty much how we spend every day together. Thanks for the suggestions. How are you? Is Leon ok? I wanted to check on you guys yesterday, but I ended up busy all day & then last night it was so crazy at the bar.
Delia (to Mouse): He seems to be doing better but I don't think the dreams have stopped. I'm giving him some space to figure it out today.
Mouse (to Delia): Well, he could just be having some good ole fashioned "normal" nightmares after all the trauma.
Delia (to Mouse): Could be. I told him to call me once he figured it out. So I'm just gonna use today to get the apt settled. also doing dinner with ripper tonight. Should be interesting if nothing else.
Mouse (to Delia): Good plan. Well, if you need anything let me know. Wait... Really? Is this a date with Ripper or a just friends dinner?
Delia (to Mouse): Friends as far as I know. He's interesting and I figure it'll be nice to get to know him better.
Mouse (to Delia): Well, have fun... Does Vincent & Poppy know you guys are going for dinner?
Delia (to Mouse): ... now that you mention it, I don't think so. Why?
Mouse (to Delia): heehee, I just know the two of them have been mooning over him.
Delia (to Mouse): Yes. Yes they have lol. While he's cute, and fun to flirt with, I don't think he's actually interested in anyone, more then in a passing kinda way anyway.
Mouse (to Delia): heehee, you're probably right. Though, I suspect that if anyone showed any real interest in him, he'd change his mind quick.
Delia (to Mouse): Perhaps. Although can you imagine if Vincent and Poppy saw us out together tonight? Saddest puppy faces ever.
Mouse (to Delia): God, yeah, they'd look like puppies in a pet store. I mean, did you see the way he & Vincent kept avoiding each other last night?
Delia (to Mouse): Yeeeah.. I think it has to do w/ that kiss. On Ripper's end I guess he thought it'd be a "get it out of your system" for Vincent. And on Vincent's end I'm not sure how happy Poppy was about it. She got pretty pale when she walked in on it.
Mouse (to Delia): Yeah, I think the two of them aren't nearly as open to being "experimental" as either of them let on.
Delia (to Mouse): Yeah. I think they like the idea if not the execution. They haven't yet realized the stable open relationship is one of the magical unicorns of relationships.
Mouse (to Delia): God yeah, and I think just finding someone you can have a "normal" relationship is tricky enough... Hey, strange question... What do you think about a "Goth Prom" for a theme party?
Delia (to Mouse): Only if there is actually a vote for king and queen lol. I think we could totally have fun with it.
Mouse (to Delia): Yeah, I was thinking we would do it like a real prom... photo booth, corsages, king & queen, the whole nine yards. Do you think Sasha will go along with the idea?
Delia (to Mouse): I think he might if we present it well and convince him it'll have a good turn out.
Mouse (to Delia): Ok... I'll think about how to present it to him & then give him a call. Thanks & have fun tonight!
Delia (to Mouse): Will do! I imagine it'll be anything but dull.
An hour later:
Eep: I had no idea Valentine's Day made people so fucking insane. Holy shit.
Mouse (to Eep): Are folks being crazy at the Yog Hut?
Eep (to Mouse): Holy shit, YES. People have reservations at restaurants in the area, I guess, and they're planning on coming here for dessert. I had a guy FLIP HIS SHIT at me because we didn't have cones. He wanted to know how he was supposed to have a romantic stroll with his lady without an ice cream cone. I don't even know. Jesus. I thought VD was fucking bad when I worked at Val-U Mart.
Mouse (to Eep): Geez, that's insane.
Eep (to Mouse): Yeah. Tell me something I don't know. Christ! Anyway. How are you holding up? Is eight before VD always that crazy at the club?
Mouse (to Eep): Yeah... the weekend before V day is always pretty busy. Folks seem to get desperate to find someone to spend it with... Speaking of which, do you want to do something for Valentine's Day?
Eep (to Mouse): Oh. Uh, yeah, sure. Oh. Shit. I, uh, I shoulda probably asked you that, huh? Fuck. Sorry.
Mouse (to Eep): No, no, it's okay. I just realized that I've never had anyone to celebrate it with before & I had a moment of panic. So, I thought I should ask. If you don't want to, that's fine with me.
Eep (to Mouse): I've, uh, never really done Valentine's before.
Mouse (to Eep): Really? You & Maddy never celebrated it?
Eep (to Mouse): Nope. We had an "intellectual objection" to it as a matter of principle. Pretentious art school assholes, remember?
Mouse (to Eep): Oh yeah, I had forgotten about that...
Eep (to Mouse): But, um, I wouldn't be adverse to doing something with you. If you wanted to, I mean.
Mouse (to Eep): How about we take our trip to the mountains that we had talked about before?
Eep (to Mouse): Oh. Yeah. I'd really like that, actually.
Mouse (to Eep): Cool! What days do you have off this week? I'll see if I can arrange it today. :-)
Eep (to Mouse): Tues and Wed. I'm free of the Yog Hut this Thurs, but I'm working the door at the club.
Mouse (to Eep): Okay, I'll see if I can book us a place to stay for Tuesday & Wednesday, we'll head back on Thursday. Sound good to you?
Eep (to Mouse): Wow. Uh, yeah. That sounds great.
45 minutes later:
Mouse (to Eep): It looks like we've got a room booked & I also made dinner reservations for Tuesday night. :-)
Eep (to Mouse): Oh wow. Heh. You're not dicking around, are you?
Mouse (to Eep): Nope... I'm sorry. Is it too much? I'm just kind of excited about my first Valentine's Day with you.
Eep (to Mouse): No. No. It's, uh, kinda flattering,actually.
Mouse (to Eep): Well good... just tell me if I get carried away.
Vincent (to Poppy): Hon, I have 2 ask u a question.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh? What is it, honey?
Vincent (to Poppy): I'm srry if this seems terribly uncouth, but I feel I have 2 ask. Do u have stronger feelings 4 me than just as a casual b/f?
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh wow, honey, this a little unexpected... I, uh, certainly don't think of you as merely casual. I mean, how could I? You're faboo.
Vincent (to Poppy): Did it upset u when u saw Ripper & I kissing?
Poppy (to Vincent): Honey, it was quite hot... I think it's intensity just caught me offguard a bit.
Vincent (to Poppy): I have 1 more question, sweetness & then I promise I'll stop behaving like the Spanish Inquisition. o u think ur falling 4 me?
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh... uh... wow... way to put a girl on the spot, honey... there's no way I can answer that, which isn't going to be weird. I mean, if I say no, your feelings might be hurt & if I say yes, it might be me that gets hurt...
Vincent (to Poppy): I know, hun. I rlly do. Pls don't worry abt making it weird. I believe I covered that by asking.
Poppy (to Vincent): Okay honey... I may have stronger feelings for you than I would care to admit.
Vincent (to Poppy): Thank u 4 telling me, hun. I rlly like u, Poppy & I love spending time w/ u. Ur fun, exciting, & so much smarter than u let any1 think u are.
Poppy (to Vincent): Is this the part where you break up with me, honey? I knew if I actually told you, that would end our relationship... which is why I tried not to say anything. It's alright, I can take it...
Vincent (to Poppy): I don't know, hun. I like being w/ u, & God forgive me, I have an unhealthy need 4 ppl 2 want me around but I'm not ready 4 serious. And it's not fair 4 me to keep dating u if u want something more serious than I do. I'm so sorry.
Poppy (to Vincent): Oh... I was actually fine with the way it was... but, I understand... I, uh... I need to go. I didn't want anymore out of our relationship than what we had. Anything more serious frankly scares the hell out of me. Which is why I never said anything to you...
Vincent (to Poppy): Poppy, r u sure u didn't? I'm not trying 2 hurt u, sweetie. I don't know that this is the rite thing 2 do. But, I also cldn't keep going the way we were if u... U told my sister u loved me, sweetie. If u think I'm over reacting, tell me.
Poppy (to Vincent): Honey, is this because of the key or the kiss or both?
Vincent (to Poppy): Both. Honestly, sweet. I didn't think anything of giving u a key 2 my place. Uslly when u take me drinking I end up out like a lightweight & I thought it wld be handy. Then every1 started teasing me abt how we were getting serious, & then u seemed upset after I kissed Ripper. I don't know, hun.
Poppy (to Vincent): I actually just gave you the key, because you really liked the amenities at my place, I didn't mean it as a grand gesture. You know what, honey? None of this even matters... I'll leave your key with the desk clerk in my lobby, come by whenever for it. Now, if you'll excuse me, I think a bottle of gin is calling my name.
Vincent (to Poppy): OK. Of course. I'll leave your key with the attendant as well.
A couple hours later:
Mouse (to Delia, Ripper, Eep, Vincent & Leon): So prepare yourself, it looks like this Saturday's theme is 'Goth Prom'.
Delia (to Mouse, Ripper, Vincent, Eep & Leon): Sweetest deals! So.. who wants to hit the thrift stores? They always have something fun!
Ripper (to Delia): I may have to take you up on that. I'm not sure I have anything appropriate for the theme.
Delia (to Ripper): Yeah, neither do I. Kinda hoping to score something tackily appropriate and awesome. Then possibly modify the hell out of it.
Ripper (to Delia): Do you think I could pull off a powder blue tuxedo?
Delia (to Ripper): ... I don't honestly know. But! I'm willing to find out. One of the thrift stores is bound to have one.
Ripper (to Delia): Do you want to check it out before dinner?
Delia (to Ripper): When do you want to go?
Ripper (to Delia): I could come grab you around 6pm, does that sound good?
Delia (to Ripper): Sounds perfect. Although, do you know where I live?
Ripper (to Delia): No, I just knew you didn't have a car.
Delia (to Ripper): yeah. Never saw the need since there's fantasic public transport. Also gives me an excuse not to have to visit fam too often. I'll send it over to you now.
Ripper (to Delia): Cool, I'll see you soon!
Eep (to Delia, Mouse, Ripper, Vincent & Leon): Oh Jesus. A PROM?
Mouse (to Eep, Ripper, Delia, Leon & Vincent): Yeah, it's my fault... I mentioned it to Delia, then to Sasha & he loved the idea.
Ripper (to Eep, Mouse, Delia, Vincent & Leon): I didn't go to mine, it might be fun. Plus, we know the music will be much better.
Eep (to Ripper, Mouse, Delia, Vincent & Leon): Yeah. Me either. Looks like I'll be getting more use out of my NYC suit after all.
Ripper (to Eep): Well, at least, you have a date. Going stag to the prom was the reason I didn't go to my real one. We'll be working it, so it can't be too awkward.
Eep (to Ripper): Let's hope. I had a date for my high school prom too, and I still didn't want to go.
Mouse (to Eep): You think the whole goth prom thing is dumb... You can say it, I won't be offended.
Eep (to Mouse): It's ...uh, it's prom.
Mouse (to Eep): Yeah, but it's prom done our way... (to Vincent) Little brother, help me defend the 'goth prom' idea to these boys.... I figured this would be right up your alley.
Eep (to Mouse): No. No. I'm sure it'll be fine.
Vincent (to Mouse): Sorry. What am I defending?
Mouse (to Eep): Now, you're just humoring me... I thought it would be fun to slow dance to Bauhaus with you. (to Vincent) Goth Prom for next Saturday. Apparently, both Ripper & Eep didn't go to theirs, and they sound a little pessimistic about it.
Eep (to Mouse): Heh. You really know how to play me don't you?
Vincent (to Mouse): Hun, they're boys. We're all idiots. You've never had a bad idea for a party. Tell them to shut the fuck up.
Poppy: Remember that scene in Notting Hill with the party in the garden? I'd rather see that terrible movie 5 times than ever see Vincent Potter again!
Mouse (to Vincent): Oh, uh, ok... what's wrong, sweetie? You don't normally swear like that, unless you're really upset. (to Eep) I wasn't trying to play you... I was actually being selfish & wanted to rewrite history & have a prom with you. :-)
Eep (to Mouse): Oh. In that case, uh, hey wanna go to prom with me?
Vincent (to Mouse): It's fine.
Mouse (to Eep): I would love to, thank you for asking. :-) (to Vincent) You sure? Did something happen?
Vincent (to Mouse): Yes. No. Probably. I'm not sure.
Mouse (to Vincent): Do you wanna talk about it?
Vincent (to Mouse): I don't know what to say, sweetie. I'm just going to keep drinking. Because that is a rational adult response, and I'm EXCELLENT at being a rational adult.
Mouse (to Vincent): Stop it, Vincent... and tell me what's wrong.
Vincent (to Mouse): think I really hurt Poppy today.
Mouse (to Vincent): What do you mean? How did you hurt her? Wait... this isn't going to be some weird kinky thing, is it?
Vincent (to Mouse): No. No. No. Nothing like that. We broke up.
Mouse (to Vincent): Did that stupid girl do something? Do I need to go slap her upside the head? Cuz I can.
Vincent (to Mouse): It wasn't her, sweetie.
Mouse (to Vincent): Oh... are you okay?
Vincent (to Mouse): I will be. Eventually, I'm sure.
Mouse (to Vincent): Can I ask why you broke up with her? I mean, I though things were going well. You two seemed happy in your own weird way.
Vincent (to Mouse): I was afraid she wanted something more serious than I did. I'm not ready for serious, and I... I don't know.
Mouse (to Vincent): Oh, so she wanted something more serious? Well, I guess that makes sense. (to Eep) When do you get done with work?
Vincent (to Mouse): She said she was fine with how things were, but she also admitted to having stronger feelings for me than she'd like to admit.
Eep (to Mouse): Believe it or not, 9. My coworker didn't show up. Same thing every Sun. She gets drunk on Sat and then is "sick."
Mouse (to Vincent): And since you're not in love with her, you broke up? (to Eep) Oh, that sucks. Do you want me to bring you some dinner?
Eep (to Mouse): That's pretty fucking tempting, but I only have an hour left. Can I head over afterwards?
Vincent (to Mouse): I... I think I was more enamored with being in the relationship than with the actual relationship.
Mouse (to Vincent): Well, I know it hurts & you feel like a jerk but it's probably for the best... You can both move on. So if you think you did the right thing, then why are you so upset? (to Eep) Of course... I may go & grab Vincent though. He's down in the dumps. Apparently, he broke up with Poppy today.
Eep (to Mouse): Wait. What?
Mouse (to Eep): Yeah, I'm trying to find out what the hell happened. He's being a bit difficult.
Poppy: Oh god, He would look at me with those beautiful blue eyes. It was like the Death Star tractor beam when the Falcon… oh god, I'm talking Star Wars... Well, I guess that's something I can look forward to, no more endless chatter about Star Wars or wearing that darn Slave Leia outfit. Besides, I like Star Trek better, anyway. That's right, Vincent, I said it!
Eep (to Mouse): Is he OK?
Vincent (to Mouse): Because I like Poppy, and I didn't want to hurt her. And I did. Plus, she's been trying to goad me into an argument all evening. So she's pissed off too. So, double plus points for me. Woo.
Mouse (to Eep): I'm not sure. It sounds like he confronted her about what she accidentally told me... He's been drinking. (to Vincent) Of course, she is. I kinda know what she's going through... Being angry is sometimes easier then being sad. Sweetie, that's the risk you take being in any kind of relationship. Do you want me to get you & we can camp out in my living room, watch cheesy movies?
Eep (to Mouse): Oh. Shit. Well that explains Poppy's prior Star Wars-tastic update.
Vincent (to Mouse): Well, I've done a very good job of making her angry. And I could use a friendly face, hon.
Mouse (to Eep): Oh? I didn't see it. I've been trying to get Vincent to spill his guts. (to Vincent) I'm on my way to get you, right now. Do we need a blanket fort or you wanna just curl up on couch?
Vincent (to Mouse): The couch is fine, hun. I don't need anything else.
Mouse (to Vincent): ok, I'll be there in 10-15 minutes.
An hour or so later:
Eep (to Mouse): I'm off. Do you need me to pick anything up? (to Vincent) Hey. Uh, you OK?
Vincent (to Eep): I... Honestly, I don't know. I'm... I'll be ok. I think. Am I going to see you later?
Mouse (to Eep): Probably some good 'I just broke up with my girlfriend because she's in love with me' type snacks... ice cream?
Eep (to Mouse): Oh God. Is that what happened? I don't know if ice cream is gonna be enough? (to Vincent) Is this... Vincent?
Mouse (to Eep): Yeah, he was worried that she wanted something more serious & he doesn't think he's ready for that... I didn't really think ice cream was going to cut it. I've got some absinthe... maybe grab some lemonade?
Vincent (to Eep): Who else?
Eep (to Mouse): Will do. (to Vincent) Oh. It's just... You're not, uh, talking, I mean, texting like yourself.
Vincent (to Eep): Oh? I hadn't noticed.
Mouse (to Eep): Hey, just in case I forget to tell you later - I love you & thank you for putting up with my little drama filled brother.
Poppy (to Vincent): Honey, why couldn't you have just left well enough alone? I liked what we had & it seemed like you did too... I'm sorry, I've been drinking... I shouldn't even be talking to you.
Vincent (to Poppy): Well, that makes two of us. I did like what we had, hun, but I like you more. You wanted more than I did. And, it wouldn't have been fair for me to keep dating you when you wanted more.
Eep (to Mouse): It's alright. Is he OK? He's texting all weird. I mean normal. Which is weird for him.
Mouse (to Eep): He's being pretty subdued... I think he & Poppy are texting.
Poppy (to Vincent): I didn't want more, honey, that's what I keep trying to tell you. Not that it much matters now anyway. Just because I told your sister something I shouldn't have, didn't mean I was looking for something you couldn't give. Well, now you're free of me... I won't bother you anymore. Have a nice life, honey.
Vincent (to Poppy): I'm sorry. I really am.
Poppy (to Vincent): Honey, one day I hope you look back at this & realize this was the dumbest thing you ever did...
Vincent (to Poppy): Maybe. Maybe I will. Or, I could have kept dating you, knowing how you felt, and dumped you when things got too intense and then REALLY fucked you over. Or, even worse, stayed out of some sense of obligation. Would that have been better?
Poppy (to Vincent): So, why did you even start dating me in the first place? It could have just stayed that one night fling...
Vincent (to Poppy): Because you were beautiful, and you intrigued me, and I really liked spending time with you.
Poppy (to Vincent): So, this was this your plan all along?
Vincent (to Poppy): Yes. That was my plan. Date a wonderful girl and make her feel like shit.
Poppy (to Vincent): Well, I didn't feel like shit until today... You just want to keep everyone at arms length. If people don't see the real you then they can't hurt you.
Vincent (to Poppy): Well, you really didn't seem to give a shit about who I presented myself to be before this moment.
Poppy (to Vincent): That's because I liked the for show Vincent, but it was the real, secret you that I was in love with... not that it matters.
Vincent (to Poppy): If you want to hate me in order to get over this? Fine. Go ahead! In fact, join the fucking club.
