A Strange New Day: Day 30

Poppy: Last night was a disaster—and not the good kind, where I get to drink at some sort of benefit.

Mouse (to Poppy): Was it because you & Vincent couldn't get Ripper to go home with you both? I could have told you that wouldn't happen.

Poppy (to Mouse): Oh honey, I should have known, if he had a thing for you, that we would be too much for him to handle.

Mouse (to Poppy): I know you didn't mean it that way, but I am going take that as a compliment.

An hour or so later:

Ripper (to Mouse): Hey Mouse, could you please thank Eep for me? No offense, but your brother & Poppy were being a little intense.

Mouse (to Ripper): Yeah, I'm really sorry about that. They like to think that everyone is as pervy as they are & available.

Ripper (to Mouse): Well, I am single, Marco broke up with me a couple weeks ago, but I'm not really into the whole sharing thing, you know...

Mouse (to Ripper): Oh geez, that sucks... but, why the hell were you hanging out with Poppy? You had to have known what she was up to.

Ripper (to Mouse): Well, to be honest, I thought she was hot.

Mouse (to Ripper): Even, after she opened her mouth?

Ripper (to Mouse): Well, she was actually fine until she introduced me to Vincent and then, it got weird.

Mouse (to Ripper): Yeah, they have a very odd relationship.

Delia (to Vincent): So. How's your pride? Looks like you bruised it pretty good.

Vincent (to Delia): I know! How tragic was that? I guess I'm just 2 much sexy 4 some ppl. No worries, hun. It didn't stay bruised 4 long. There's a vry cute new barista @ the cafe who was chatting me up. Best cure for wounded pride there is.

Delia (to Vincent): Well that's good then. I won't have you pouting behind the bar. Sexy doesn't always mean pushy dear heart. And not everyone is gonna jump on a threeway with you and your gf. (to Mouse) Dear lord. I love your brother to death but sometimes I forget what a lech he can be. Is that DJ from Satanica's okay?

Mouse (to Delia): Yeah, Ripper can handle himself. His boyfriend just broke up with him & he's not really into the whole perv thing…

Vincent (to Delia): Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Besides, y waste time dancing arnd the issue? Hemming and hawing may wrk 4 Mouse & Eep, but I'd rather know rite away if some1 is interested. Or not.

Delia (to Vincent): yes. But sometime I'm going to have to introduce you to my friend, tact. Don't think you've met before. (to Mouse) Ahhh.. yeah. I'm trying to explain to vincent that pushy does not = sexy lol. Don't think I'm gettin through.

Mouse (to Delia): Good luck with that! I've been trying to tell him that for years.

Vincent (to Delia): Oh, I know all abt tact. Never saw the point of it myself. :-P

Delia (to Mouse): I just don't want him turning into uncle creepy when he gets older. (to Vincent) Oh? No point when you can subtly work on someone who initially isn't interested and charm them into changing their mind?

Vincent (to Delia): Hun, u shld know by now I don't have the patience 4 that. Bsides, seems 2 much like a mindgame 4 my tastes. I had enough of those when I was a tender Wee Little Vincent 2 last several lifetimes ovr.

Mouse (to Delia): Yeah, that is one of my constant worries...

Delia (to Vincent): Okay. I'll put it like this. You know who else doesn't have tact? Satanica.

Vincent (to Delia): Mmmm. She's also petty, vindictive, cruel & borderline sex offender. I'm not 2 worried abt being the nxt Satanica.

Delia (to Vincent): Yes but... well. I'm just worried you're going to turn into the creepy lech uncle, sugar butt.

Vincent (to Delia): Hee hee. Awww, hun! Ur such a sweetie! No worries. I know this kind of behavior has a shelf life. I'm not intending 2 keep it up when I'm not young or hot enough 2 get away w/ it. ;-} (to Ripper) I'm srry if we came on a bit 2 strong 4 u last nite. Rest assrd, my coworkers r giving me a stern talking 2. :-P If u visit DD's again, I'll owe u a drink & I promise I'll b a perfect gentleman.

Delia (to Vincent): well that's good at least.

Ripper (to Vincent): It's fine... I mean, to be honest, both you & Poppy are my types but I'm not really into the whole three-way thing.

Poppy (to Ripper): Honey, I'm sorry we got a little carried away last night... I don't normally apologize, but it seems the right thing to do.

Ripper (to Poppy): No worries... maybe, we can try it again, sometime?

Vincent (to Ripper): Oh dear. I am srry. We get a bit over enthusiastic when it comes 2 gorgeous men. :-P

Poppy (to Ripper): Really? I'd like that, honey.

Ripper (to Vincent): Look, I just got out of 2 year relationship, so I'm not really myself, but I'd love to grab dinner with you sometime...

Vincent (to Ripper): Aww, hun. U make it hard 4 a boy 2 refuse. But I'm afraid I can't. I'm seeing Poppy, & we have wiggle room, but not romantic dinner wiggle room, I think.

Ripper (to Vincent): Oh. I understand. If you change your mind, let me know.

Vincent (to Ripper): Of course! U do the same if u ever change ur mind abt the 3-way. ;-} (to Mouse) Sister dear, tell me again that I'm a good, honorable & trustworthy little man. I need 2 b reminded.

Ripper (to Vincent): Been there, done that... but, you never know.

Mouse (to Vincent): Uh ok... deep, deep down, beneath all of the perv, you are a good, honorable & trustworthy young man. What happened?

Vincent (to Mouse): Nothing. Ur attractive DJ friend frm last nite flirted w/ me & asked me out. I turned him down.

Mouse (to Vincent): Oh? I'm very proud of you.

Vincent (to Mouse): Well, it's easier 2 b virtuous when it DOESN'T involve hot DJs.

Mouse (to Vincent): Well, I'm still proud of you.

Vincent (to Mouse): Don't b 2 proud. I don't want ppl thinking I'm virtuous. Just 2day Delia gave me a stern talking 2 abt lst nite. :-P

Mouse (to Vincent): Yeah, she told me... Not really surprising though. You two were in rare form last night.

Vincent (to Mouse): When r we not? :-P

Mouse (to Vincent): I don't think I've ever seen you two behave that way towards anyone but Eep before.

Vincent (to Mouse): Well, Poppy had been drinking & I was just... intrigued.

Mouse (to Vincent): Intrigued? Is that what we're calling it these days?

Vincent (to Mouse): Hey! This is me being tactful. I was told I should try it. ;-}

Mouse (to Vincent): God, I'm sure you're just bursting at the seams to say something inappropriate.

Vincent (to Mouse): U have NO idea. This tact business is TERRIBLE.

An hour or so later:

Mouse (to Eep): Hey, Ripper said to thank you for letting him hide out with you last night.

Eep (to Mouse): Oh. Heh. It was no problem. I certainly can't blame him for needing a place to hide. I can't even imagine what having both Poppy & Vincent fixate their attention on you must be like. Jesus.

Mouse (to Eep): Yeah, the funny thing is either one of them probably had a chance until they ganged up on him like a pair of hungry wolves.

Eep (to Mouse): Tiny, pervy wolves. I'm just glad Wanda wasn't there. He'd of had 3 of them.

Mouse (to Eep): Yeah, when I first met him, a few years ago, he was a lot like Vincent, all ego & innuendo but he seems to have grown out of it… or it's just because his boyfriend just broke up with him a couple weeks ago & he's being mopey.

Eep (to Mouse): Thank God. I don't think the world could handle two Vincents. Jesus. It's bad enough we've got Poppy.

Mouse (to Eep): Yeah, the world does not need a Perv Trio... Enough about them. So, how's work today? How are you?

Eep (to Mouse): Bored, but fine. What are you up to?

Mouse (to Eep): Presently, I am laying upside down on my couch, watching a crap movie with Otto, being bored out of my mind.

Eep (to Mouse): Sounds like a good afternoon to me. Well, except for the bored part.

Mouse (to Eep): Well, if you were here with me, I wouldn't be bored. :-)

Eep (to Mouse): So far, the highlight of my day has included gettin' hit on by an 80 year old woman.

Mouse (to Eep): Ooh, are you leaving me for an octogenarian? :-p

Eep (to Mouse): I dunno. Her huge glasses DID frame her eyes in a lovely way. ... God. I think I just made myself sick...

Mouse (to Eep): Oh god, I'm sorry...

Eep (to Mouse): Heh. It's alright. I have no one to blame but myself. I mean, I did always want a grandmother, but not like THAT.

Mouse (to Eep): Well, I have one that I haven't seen in years, I'd let you have her, but she's not very nice.

Eep (to Mouse): Heh. That's alright. I think I'm already at maximum asshole capacity w/ my family.

Mouse (to Eep): Yeah, my other Grandmother wasn't very happy when I went to live with my dad's mom. I still only hear from her on holidays.

Eep (to Mouse): Well that's a shitty thing to carry a grudge about. Especially since you were like, what, 10, when your parents died?

Mouse (to Eep): There may have been other reasons but I have no idea.

Eep (to Mouse): Well, whatever her reason, she can fuck off. You're amazing. Her loss.

Mouse (to Eep): Awww, you're sweet.

Eep (to Mouse): I'm biased as Hell.

Mouse (to Eep): Well, thank goodness for that. :-)

Eep (to Mouse): Yeah, well I could say the same about you, ya know.

Mouse (to Eep): Aww, we're both fabulously biased for each other... it must be love. :-)

A couple hours later:

Delia (to Eep): So. Since we're both such hardened criminals I was thinking maybe we should get some tattoos for our time in the big house.

Eep (to Delia): Heh. Prison tats? Are we going to give them to each other in India ink in the alley behind the club?

Delia (to Eep): With a sharpened paperclip! It'll be awesome. Or, if you don't want staph, we could go to a shop. lol

Mouse (to Delia & Eep): Awww, I wanna tattoo, too...

Eep (to Delia & Mouse): Heh. Well, I was thinking about getting another one someday...

Delia (to Eep): and now you have the perfect excuse!

Several hours later:

Delia: Hmm. Doesn't seem like we've lost too much biz to Satanica's joint. Nice!

Ripper: What the hell? There appears to be a lot of people with capes in here again tonight. (to Mouse) How's the crowd there? We've got a bunch of LARPers again. Are you guys sending them over here?

Mouse (to Ripper): Hmmm, I plead the fifth. :-)

Poppy (to Ripper): Really, honey? I was going to stop in & say hello on my way to Drac's Daughter but those cape folks scare me.

Ripper (to Mouse): Gee thanks… (to Poppy) Well, I wouldn't mind a visit from you, pretty lady.

Poppy (to Vincent): Honey, that Ripper boy is dangerous...

Vincent (to Poppy): Don't I know it.

Poppy (to Vincent): I think he's been flirting with me a little, honey. It's a little confusing.

Vincent (to Poppy): Me too. He actually invited 2 dinner 2day. It's SO much easier 2 behave when the temptation isn't a hawt goth DJ. :-P

Poppy (to Vincent): Oh honey, You should totally go to dinner with him... Because the idea of that is trés chaud.

Vincent (to Poppy): Rlly? I thought that it might upset u, so I turned him down.

Poppy (to Vincent): Oh? I mean I'm disappointed that I don't get to go, but I certainly don't want you to miss out on hot boy DJ action.

Vincent (to Poppy): Really? I turned him down b/c I didn't want 2 upset u. Do u want 2 open up our relationship 2 more than just random makeouts w/ other folks?

Poppy (to Vincent): Honey, I think this may be a discussion best done face to face.

Vincent (to Poppy): Vry true. I'll txt u 2morrow & we can meet 4 coffee. See u then, sweetness.

Mouse (to Eep): Hey, I was thinking about the tattoo thing... Will you design a tattoo for me? Or would that be weird?

Eep (to Mouse): Oh. Uh... Wow. Um, are you SURE you want me to design something that will be on your body forever? Uhhhh... OK. Sure. Um... Honestly? I'm kinda trapped between flattered & terrified.

Mouse (to Eep): Well, it was just an idea, I certainly don't want to terrify you. And yes, I feel pretty confident that you'd design something cool. Besides, I love the painting you gave me for Christmas.

Eep (to Mouse): Really? Oh... Uh, well, um, I'm really glad you liked it. I, uh... Wow. I really don't know what to say. I've just never had anyone want me to design a tattoo for them.

Mouse (to Eep): Well, I like the idea of being the first. :-)

Eep (to Mouse): Oh. Uh, wow.... I, uh, I don't know what to say to that. Heh. I don't know how I feel about me designing the tattoo, but I like the idea of getting one with you. Oh. And Delia too, I, mean. I'm kinda not helping myself am I?

Mouse (to Eep): Umm, you're not talking matching tattoos, are you?

Eep (to Mouse): Oh God, no!

Mouse (to Eep): You & Delia should get your "prison" tattoos... I can wait.

Eep (to Mouse): Oh. Yeah. Um, is it dumb if I'd ask you to come? I mean, I've just got the 1, and it was kinda a major thing when I got it. And I'd, uh... Shit. Um. This is dumb, but I'd like you to be there? God. I'm a weirdo. Ignore me.

Mouse (to Eep): Oh no, I don't mind going with you and it's not weird... I made Vincent go with me for my last one.

Eep (to Mouse): Heh. Ok. I feel less like an asshole now. Thanks. Course, now I just have to figure out what I want. :p

A Strange New Day: Day 29

Mouse: Awww, Delia has gotten the last of her stuff out of my house. I'm going to miss her...

Delia (to Mouse): Aww... I'm not too far. Besides, you'll see me plenty at the club and when I'll bring Tesla over to play w/ Otto. Think of it this way. Now you get to walk around naked w/ Eep w/out worrying about me seeing anything I shouldn't.

Mouse (to Delia): lol, it's cute that you think Eep would walk around naked... cuz, he doesn't. And, I know I'll see you all of the time, it was just nice having you for a roommate. :-)

Delia (to Mouse): Aww, thanks. I suppose I can see why he wouldn't being all corners, straight lines and elbows. He might snag on something. lol

Mouse (to Delia): heehee, it's more because he has hangups from childhood about it. Apparently, walking around naked wasn't really encouraged. Makes sense though, since he was raised by his mom & then when she passed away, lived with his dad & brothers.

Delia (to Mouse): Show me the children that ARE encouraged to walk around naked. That's the fun of it! You're an adult and you don't have to worry about what the parents think

Mouse (to Delia): Well, my parents were hippies, so I was allowed to, but my Nan didn't really like it so much.

Delia (to Mouse): Well… touché! But my point is still valid!

Mouse (to Delia): heehee.

A few hours later:

Poppy (to Vincent): Oh honey, do I have some dirt for you!

Vincent (to Poppy): RLLY. Do tell! Do tell!

Poppy (to Vincent): Apparently, my boss just had a meeting with the other owners of Pandora's Box. They're making the manager of the club & one of them be the contact person for their account. Apparently, they're going to give Inga the choice of being a silent partner or buying her out completely. They're not very happy about her being escorted by the police out of the club on opening night.

Vincent (to Poppy): Oh my! I wldn't imagine. If she wasn't such a horrible troll of a person, I might feel srry 4 her.

Poppy (to Vincent): I wonder, if the police pressed charges against her, honey?

Vincent (to Poppy): I don't know, but I'm DYING 2 know. I wonder if the police det will call again, or if they have all they need frm us. All that dye she slathers on her hair must have finally addled her brain. I can't imagine what she was thinking.

Poppy (to Vincent): Spite will make you do crazy things, honey...

Vincent (to Poppy): Huh. I suppose so. I rlly wldn't know. I always thought being fabulous was the best revenge.

Poppy (to Vincent): Honey, I would so love to be a fly on the wall at that club tonight... Maybe, after the work party, I should go & spy.

Vincent (to Poppy): U totally shld! U cld be our sexy goth Mata Hari.

Poppy (to Vincent): You do know how to entice a girl into espionage, honey.

Vincent (to Poppy): If I'm not careful I'll be tapped by the CIA. I do hope the CIA agent is cute if he wants 2 tap me. :-P

Poppy (to Vincent): I would think they'd have to be, honey, isn't that what the C stands for? :-P

Vincent (to Poppy): It SHLD b. They're supposed 2 b our nation's finest, aren't they?

Poppy (to Vincent): Well, then I have a plan for this evening... it's a good thing I'm wearing a black dress tonight.

Vincent (to Poppy): I can't wait 2 see what ur up 2, darling!

Poppy (to Vincent): I'll see if I can take some photos of the club, the staff & the crowd while I'm there.

Vincent (to Poppy): Oooo! Pls do!

Several hours later:

Poppy (to Vincent): Honey, I've infiltrated the enemy headquarters.

Vincent (to Poppy): Excellent work, Agent Hotpants! What's ur 20?

Poppy (to Vincent): Honey, I've got 3 20's, but I don't know why that's relevant.

Vincent (to Poppy): No, it's... Unimportant, sweetness. What's the club like? How about the clientele? And most importantly, what r u wearing?

Poppy (to Vincent): The club is a lot of red velvet & purple lighting. There's an awful lot of vampyres in here... and I'm wearing a black cocktail number with fringe.

Vincent (to Poppy): Vampyres? Oh Lord. I didn't realize Satanica went in 4 that kind of crowd, tho I'm not at all surprised. Ur outfit sounds like it's the most interesting thing there. Ooo! Send me some pics.

Poppy (to Vincent): Oh honey, if I get asked what clan or bloodline I belong to one more time there will be actual blood...

Vincent (to Poppy): Sweetie, I hate 2 tell u this b/c I know ur feelings on it, ur surrounded by LARPers. Winston isn't there, is he?

Poppy (to Vincent): Oh god, honey, I don't know, what does he look like?

Vincent (to Poppy): Big, shaggy, staring, wearing awkward fitting clothing & staring @ u frm a dark corner. Tho if it's a bunch of vampyres, I prolly just described 88% of the club. Let's just say I had to stop playing The Ruse b/c a gentleman of my quality was a bit 2 rare a commodity.

Poppy (to Vincent): Well, he could be 3 or 4 of the young "men" staring at me. Does he wear a cape, honey?

Vincent (to Poppy): He might. R there actually ppl in CAPES? Tell me they're opera jackets. I may have 2 go in there & slap some ppl 4 crimes against fashion. (to Mouse, Eep, Delia & Leon) OMG. Who wants 2 see pics of Pandora's Box? It's totes what ur expecting!

Eep (to Vincent): Why the fuck do we care?

Poppy (to Vincent): Oh honey, I'm sorry to say there are actually three people with capes.

Vincent (to Poppy): Oh dear sweet God. RUN! (to Eep) B/c I may forgive, but I never 4get. :-P

Mouse (to Vincent): I kinda wanna see but I'm scared.

Vincent (to Mouse): Oh no! I think you wanna. >:-}

Mouse (to Vincent): Alright, show me the pictures.

Vincent (to Mouse): Accrding 2 Poppy, there's LOTS of velvet, purple lights & vampyres in capes.
Mouse (to Vincent): Wow... That's exactly what I was expecting...

Vincent (to Mouse): And here some of them are!Mouse (to Vincent): Oh god, that club can have them.

Poppy (to Vincent): So, I made nice with one of the DJs & I got some more dirt on Satanica.

Vincent (to Poppy): I'd love 2 hear ur report, Agent Hotpants. (to Mouse) Told u. The crowd is made up of a lot of LARPers, apparently. Poppy counted 3 lads in capes.

Poppy (to Vincent): So, it looks like she was arrested, charged, & made bail And, honey, you should totally grill your sister about this DJ. He's like a taller, swishier version of you.

Vincent (to Poppy): REALLY? Good 2 know that Satanica is getting what she deserves, but tell me MORE of this interesting DJ.

Poppy (to Vincent): He goes by the name Ripper, he is gorgeous & has excellent taste as he likes my dress. I may have a bit of a crush.

Vincent (to Poppy): Taller, swishier me? Who WLDN'T have a crush? I think *I* have a crush. (to Mouse) So, who is this Ripper DJ & y haven't u introduced me?

Mouse (to Vincent): Umm, his real name is Jacob Rathbone, he was deejaying at a club across the bay... Why are you asking?

Vincent (to Mouse): Poppy met him at Satanica's place & accrding 2 her, he's a taller, more swishy me. Y WLDN'T I b asking?

Mouse (to Vincent): Because, I worried that if you two met the world might explode...

Vincent (to Mouse): Vry true. I'm not sure if 1 room cld handle or hold all that sexiness.

Poppy (to Vincent): Oh honey, he's finishing his set & then we're coming your way...

Vincent (to Poppy): REALLY? Do go on.

Poppy (to Vincent): Honey, just imagine it... We'll be there shortly. He's REALLY looking forward to meeting you.

Vincent (to Poppy): Darling, I don't deserve u.

Poppy (to Vincent): Awww, honey, you say the sweetest things. We're on our way.

Vincent (to Poppy): Looking forward 2 seeing u. Seeing u both. ;-P

20 minutes later:

Eep (to Mouse): Oh God... Poppy just showed up and it looks like she's found another one like your brother.

Mouse (to Eep): Oh geez, she brought Ripper here to meet Vincent... This might be a little awkward.

Vincent (to Poppy): Have I mentioned lately that u r a wonderful woman?

Poppy (to Vincent): So, you like him?

Vincent (to Poppy): Darling, he's GORGEOUS. I wonder if he likes boys. I HOPE he likes boys.

Poppy (to Vincent): Oh honey, I think he does...

Vincent (to Poppy): Excellent,

Eep (to Mouse): Christ! Should we run away now? We could go out for a smoke and just never come back.

Mouse (to Eep): I'm tempted to say yes. It should be fine. Ripper is a pro & he won't want to embarrass himself too much in public.

Eep (to Mouse): Ripper might be a professional, but what about Vincent?

Mouse (to Eep): Well, Ripper isn't as big a perv as Poppy & Vincent might like, so they might be disappointed.

Eep (to Mouse): I hope they get bored or disappointed soon because watching them swoon over this guy in tandem is really disturbing.

Poppy (to Mouse): So, honey, is it true that Ripper asked you out & you said no? How could you!?! Are you blind!?!

Mouse (to Eep): He's actually a pretty decent guy, so I hope they're not too pervy with him. (to Poppy) Look you may like the idea of making out with someone who looks vaguely like my brother, but I don't.

Eep (to Mouse): I can ask Delia to throw water on them if they look like they're getting out of control.

Poppy (to Vincent): Awww, where is he running off to?

Vincent (to Poppy): Awwww. I think we might have shocked the poor lad.

Mouse (to Vincent & Poppy): What the hell did you two say to Ripper?

Vincent (to Mouse): Nothing 2 terribly sordid. Y?

Mouse (to Vincent): Well, he made a beeline over this way & is now chatting with Eep.

Eep (to Mouse): Yeah. He seems alright. He's been hiding from the Perv Twins.

Vincent (to Mouse): Awww. All that talent being wasted on a straight boy. The universe is not fair.