Caroline Forbes (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
overarching) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
hadriel_logs2017-06-12 03:36 pm
overarching) wrote in hadriel_logs2017-06-12 03:36 pm
Entry tags:
we are just like the waves that flow back and forth [closed + open]
Who: Caroline Forbes and Lance Sweets + Caroline and you!
What: Living her life post party hard times, trying to sincerely settle into Hadriel.
Where: All over, places specified in each header.
When: June 12-15
Warnings: None, other than emotional baggage + the mention of character death and that same character being turned into a vampire. Will update if necessary!
June 12 | Her apartment, the Speakeasy
[ Ten days have passed since the fading of ill effects of the event that had consequences nearly as bad as any that Caroline could fathom, since she turned her best friend into a vampire. Less than two weeks. Caroline doesn't let herself smother Elena, but she approaches her several days after her friend moved out. No vampire should have to cope through being turned, alone (and Caroline does not make this about herself, even if she could project her guilt all over the place.) She had Stefan. Elena, future Elena, had herself, Stefan, Damon. There's no reason to go through something so difficult entirely alone.
But at the end of it all, she'll be there as Elena needs her. Or, that's what Caroline keeps telling herself. Her stubborn attitudes already made her seek Elena out once, but it was in time of dire need! Otherwise, there is no reaching out with apologies, mending fences, coming back together again in the same way, not after the conversation expressing how deep in Hell they really are. Her own feelings of self-blame and loathing are complicated. Promising your friend that you won't let shame and guilt eat you alive is a lot easier than putting it into practice.
She realizes in those days after Elena leaves, to find somewhere else to stay, to distancing herself from the only factor she has control over, that life in Hadriel has been viewed through a rose colored glass. Caroline knows she's an optimist to a fault at times, even more so when she was younger, but doing that had largely been for Elena. It's not really worthy of feeling guilty over, not when she forced the one fate Elena never wanted for herself literally down her friend's throat. She's shaken into a reality she knows, wishes, she should've seen more for what it was. Color Caroline a cynical realist.
She draws inward for several days, going out only for more materials to find to reinforce the image she tries to achieve, obsessively, in her apartment. It's not much of an apartment, and it's not as if it wasn't well put together, touches of both girls in the place, but she does what a distressed Caroline does. She overhauls. Tries to achieve something more, something better, a tangible achievement that might help her look, even remotely, past the ache of guilt. Interior decorating is well and good and the place looks nice by the time she's done, but it's not enough. If she wants to let reality really wash over her, the only option is to integrate more into life there in everyone's least favorite murdercave.
Dressed up, hair down in waves, she goes to the Speakeasy because it's the one place she knows of to have a good time, and her drinks go down quickly. With each one, a sliver of tension eases away, and to anyone who's a witness, she's a young woman who sure can handle her shots of liquor. If you're there at the bar, she's gonna ask you to do a shot of something with her. As the hours tick by, she realizes the music there is pretty decent (always the best of distractions) and gets up to dance, turning to someone as she goes and saying ] Looks like you could use a dance, too. [ All smiles and suggestion, brows rising. She's in a great mood! Maybe you're not the partying sort, maybe you just want to relax. But, maybe you're also a good sport! ]
June 13 | The Clinic (closed to Lance Sweets), the Library
[ Let's get down to business, that's Caroline's motto as she treks across the streets of Hadriel. Purse over her shoulder, hair up in a ponytail, black skinny jeans and maroon top on, any indiscretions and knowledge that trying to solve her problems through alcohol wasn't a good plan? It pushed her into putting her mind to a task. The task of learning more! She's observed, taken in a great deal so far, but she hasn't applied it to herself, and that really won't do. Within her purse is a notebook she doesn't hesitate to pull out and write in, when a noteworthy notion rises.
Her steps take her from the Spire she calls home, past the Clinic that she's absolutely familiar with (where else does a vampire who drinks from blood bags go?), and she has no reason to stop there that day. Yet, she does. She's put on the hat of searching for opportunity, and while she's never been interested in medicine, she still goes in. Maybe she'll speak to someone instead of doing the sneak in and out that regularly accompanies blood theft (hey, Hadriel, it's your fault for bringing a vampire who doesn't care to drink on the reg from people!) When there isn't anyone in the front area, which is more welcome and warm than she'd taken the time to realize before, she takes careful steps further in. She really has no business there, but, why not? She calls out. ] Hello?
[ Journeying further through the city after her time at the clinic, she purposefully veers away from the Colosseum and goes on a long path that takes her to the library. She doubts whether or not she should go in -- how many people really spend a lot of time at the library, anyway? Elena could be there. But. It's not fair to either of them to live their lives ever avoiding each other. It's just, not. So, she goes in, looking around the place with interested eyes, eyes scanning at ground level to spot anyone else.
No one, yet, and a book that's opened on a table draws her attention. Approaching it, she looks down to find series of sentences that don't seem...pertinent, not to her. On the page is a chart, neatly drawn, but with number about ore deposits in cities that sound like they could be from any state in the US, but she just ] Why would anyone even need to be reading this, here? Unless Springfield is code for, like, one of the caves. [ Talking to herself, never any shame.
When she exits the library, all Temples are avoided. Not because she necessarily wishes to, but out of a necessity for her sanity. After what the influence of Rage and Delight led her to? Caroline can't deal with the gods. Instead, she makes her way back to the Speakeasy -- she's becoming a regular, isn't she? -- and has a few drinks before heading home. In the dim light, she decides to text the owner of the place for the first time, Rey, moving back to the emptiest of three bedroom apartments. ]
June 14 | The bank of the lake, the Hot Springs
[ Meditation isn't, well, it doesn't work so well for vampires. But Caroline peers out across the lake that can be seen from her apartment. Instead of settling on relaxation, the ties to water, rivers, bridges from home start to parade through her mind (they can't not.) Memories of time spent at the Lockwood Mansion, on their property. Of the creek that Wickery Bridge runs over, and her brain wastes no time in bringing together sadness over more than one of her friends, the people she loves. She abruptly texts the only person she can associate with this body of water. Who she knows spends time there. Fishes there. Will. She's not sure where all he spends his time, and that's okay. She needs something to reconnect back to Hadriel. Which, is a bizarre intention and goal that she can't quite shake the absurdity of.
It isn't as if she hasn't been all over, she realizes, as she stares out toward the Temple she knows is that of Love's. Hanging around there, anything associated with it, has seemed like a bad idea. Her feelings about it have only intensified after she's seen what she effects of the God's little events can really manage. There at the water's bank, she remembers that there are hot springs, though.
Whatever conversation transpires while she's there, whatever else happens, she finds her way over to the hot springs a couple of hours before what's best known as dusk. She goes for a dip in a blue bathing suit she scrounged up, because why the hell not? She relaxes, neck deep so only her head is showing and relaxed against a surface behind her and mulls over things, trying to let the sounds of the area flood over her senses. ]
June 15 | Delight's Temple, Tranquility's Temple
[ Caroline's takes steps in the direction of the coffee cart she expects to still be running (but since it's so close to Delight's, will it? does Delight power it? not a train of thought she wants to consider, thinking about that god, but it's unavoidable.) She acknowledged what look like clouds above, wondering if it was some trick someone was playing. Even if it could rain there, as if a little rain ever hurt anyone.
Of course, she never makes it to the cart. There's a crack of lightning and rain comes down in a torrent, pounding on her, and she dashes at vampire speed to the nearest building. Delight's Temple. There's no escaping having gotten drenched, and Caroline doesn't look happy. She wipes away water from her face, fingers streaking with black. ] Little waterproof mascara couldn't hurt, could it? [ But Delight isn't there to hear anyway. Caroline doesn't care about her makeup nearly as much as she may seem to, and if anyone else is there, she certainly might sound a little superficial, huh?
She's not sorry for hating Delight and Rage, though. No other way to put it. She won't outright ignore someone who also went there for shelter, or who was already there, but she doesn't stick around for long thereafter.
With the sudden onslaught of rain, the way her grieving rage quakes and storms within her, she needs to do something. She races out into the rain, heavy on her, going at vampire speed, heading for Tranquility's Temple. Going inside, she wastes no time in calling out to the deity. ]
What: Living her life post party hard times, trying to sincerely settle into Hadriel.
Where: All over, places specified in each header.
When: June 12-15
Warnings: None, other than emotional baggage + the mention of character death and that same character being turned into a vampire. Will update if necessary!
June 12 | Her apartment, the Speakeasy
[ Ten days have passed since the fading of ill effects of the event that had consequences nearly as bad as any that Caroline could fathom, since she turned her best friend into a vampire. Less than two weeks. Caroline doesn't let herself smother Elena, but she approaches her several days after her friend moved out. No vampire should have to cope through being turned, alone (and Caroline does not make this about herself, even if she could project her guilt all over the place.) She had Stefan. Elena, future Elena, had herself, Stefan, Damon. There's no reason to go through something so difficult entirely alone.
But at the end of it all, she'll be there as Elena needs her. Or, that's what Caroline keeps telling herself. Her stubborn attitudes already made her seek Elena out once, but it was in time of dire need! Otherwise, there is no reaching out with apologies, mending fences, coming back together again in the same way, not after the conversation expressing how deep in Hell they really are. Her own feelings of self-blame and loathing are complicated. Promising your friend that you won't let shame and guilt eat you alive is a lot easier than putting it into practice.
She realizes in those days after Elena leaves, to find somewhere else to stay, to distancing herself from the only factor she has control over, that life in Hadriel has been viewed through a rose colored glass. Caroline knows she's an optimist to a fault at times, even more so when she was younger, but doing that had largely been for Elena. It's not really worthy of feeling guilty over, not when she forced the one fate Elena never wanted for herself literally down her friend's throat. She's shaken into a reality she knows, wishes, she should've seen more for what it was. Color Caroline a cynical realist.
She draws inward for several days, going out only for more materials to find to reinforce the image she tries to achieve, obsessively, in her apartment. It's not much of an apartment, and it's not as if it wasn't well put together, touches of both girls in the place, but she does what a distressed Caroline does. She overhauls. Tries to achieve something more, something better, a tangible achievement that might help her look, even remotely, past the ache of guilt. Interior decorating is well and good and the place looks nice by the time she's done, but it's not enough. If she wants to let reality really wash over her, the only option is to integrate more into life there in everyone's least favorite murdercave.
Dressed up, hair down in waves, she goes to the Speakeasy because it's the one place she knows of to have a good time, and her drinks go down quickly. With each one, a sliver of tension eases away, and to anyone who's a witness, she's a young woman who sure can handle her shots of liquor. If you're there at the bar, she's gonna ask you to do a shot of something with her. As the hours tick by, she realizes the music there is pretty decent (always the best of distractions) and gets up to dance, turning to someone as she goes and saying ] Looks like you could use a dance, too. [ All smiles and suggestion, brows rising. She's in a great mood! Maybe you're not the partying sort, maybe you just want to relax. But, maybe you're also a good sport! ]
June 13 | The Clinic (closed to Lance Sweets), the Library
[ Let's get down to business, that's Caroline's motto as she treks across the streets of Hadriel. Purse over her shoulder, hair up in a ponytail, black skinny jeans and maroon top on, any indiscretions and knowledge that trying to solve her problems through alcohol wasn't a good plan? It pushed her into putting her mind to a task. The task of learning more! She's observed, taken in a great deal so far, but she hasn't applied it to herself, and that really won't do. Within her purse is a notebook she doesn't hesitate to pull out and write in, when a noteworthy notion rises.
Her steps take her from the Spire she calls home, past the Clinic that she's absolutely familiar with (where else does a vampire who drinks from blood bags go?), and she has no reason to stop there that day. Yet, she does. She's put on the hat of searching for opportunity, and while she's never been interested in medicine, she still goes in. Maybe she'll speak to someone instead of doing the sneak in and out that regularly accompanies blood theft (hey, Hadriel, it's your fault for bringing a vampire who doesn't care to drink on the reg from people!) When there isn't anyone in the front area, which is more welcome and warm than she'd taken the time to realize before, she takes careful steps further in. She really has no business there, but, why not? She calls out. ] Hello?
[ Journeying further through the city after her time at the clinic, she purposefully veers away from the Colosseum and goes on a long path that takes her to the library. She doubts whether or not she should go in -- how many people really spend a lot of time at the library, anyway? Elena could be there. But. It's not fair to either of them to live their lives ever avoiding each other. It's just, not. So, she goes in, looking around the place with interested eyes, eyes scanning at ground level to spot anyone else.
No one, yet, and a book that's opened on a table draws her attention. Approaching it, she looks down to find series of sentences that don't seem...pertinent, not to her. On the page is a chart, neatly drawn, but with number about ore deposits in cities that sound like they could be from any state in the US, but she just ] Why would anyone even need to be reading this, here? Unless Springfield is code for, like, one of the caves. [ Talking to herself, never any shame.
When she exits the library, all Temples are avoided. Not because she necessarily wishes to, but out of a necessity for her sanity. After what the influence of Rage and Delight led her to? Caroline can't deal with the gods. Instead, she makes her way back to the Speakeasy -- she's becoming a regular, isn't she? -- and has a few drinks before heading home. In the dim light, she decides to text the owner of the place for the first time, Rey, moving back to the emptiest of three bedroom apartments. ]
June 14 | The bank of the lake, the Hot Springs
[ Meditation isn't, well, it doesn't work so well for vampires. But Caroline peers out across the lake that can be seen from her apartment. Instead of settling on relaxation, the ties to water, rivers, bridges from home start to parade through her mind (they can't not.) Memories of time spent at the Lockwood Mansion, on their property. Of the creek that Wickery Bridge runs over, and her brain wastes no time in bringing together sadness over more than one of her friends, the people she loves. She abruptly texts the only person she can associate with this body of water. Who she knows spends time there. Fishes there. Will. She's not sure where all he spends his time, and that's okay. She needs something to reconnect back to Hadriel. Which, is a bizarre intention and goal that she can't quite shake the absurdity of.
It isn't as if she hasn't been all over, she realizes, as she stares out toward the Temple she knows is that of Love's. Hanging around there, anything associated with it, has seemed like a bad idea. Her feelings about it have only intensified after she's seen what she effects of the God's little events can really manage. There at the water's bank, she remembers that there are hot springs, though.
Whatever conversation transpires while she's there, whatever else happens, she finds her way over to the hot springs a couple of hours before what's best known as dusk. She goes for a dip in a blue bathing suit she scrounged up, because why the hell not? She relaxes, neck deep so only her head is showing and relaxed against a surface behind her and mulls over things, trying to let the sounds of the area flood over her senses. ]
June 15 | Delight's Temple, Tranquility's Temple
[ Caroline's takes steps in the direction of the coffee cart she expects to still be running (but since it's so close to Delight's, will it? does Delight power it? not a train of thought she wants to consider, thinking about that god, but it's unavoidable.) She acknowledged what look like clouds above, wondering if it was some trick someone was playing. Even if it could rain there, as if a little rain ever hurt anyone.
Of course, she never makes it to the cart. There's a crack of lightning and rain comes down in a torrent, pounding on her, and she dashes at vampire speed to the nearest building. Delight's Temple. There's no escaping having gotten drenched, and Caroline doesn't look happy. She wipes away water from her face, fingers streaking with black. ] Little waterproof mascara couldn't hurt, could it? [ But Delight isn't there to hear anyway. Caroline doesn't care about her makeup nearly as much as she may seem to, and if anyone else is there, she certainly might sound a little superficial, huh?
She's not sorry for hating Delight and Rage, though. No other way to put it. She won't outright ignore someone who also went there for shelter, or who was already there, but she doesn't stick around for long thereafter.
With the sudden onslaught of rain, the way her grieving rage quakes and storms within her, she needs to do something. She races out into the rain, heavy on her, going at vampire speed, heading for Tranquility's Temple. Going inside, she wastes no time in calling out to the deity. ]
no subject
Why would he be? It's not late, he has a perfectly good apartment to sleep in, and no real reason to even be at the Clinic that much when he's not seeing a patient. It's not like he's a medical doctor, even if he's a bit more adept at first aid that he might be expected to be, and it's not like he's 'officially' there helping any walk-ins or anything either.
But he's tired, from a combination of physical and mental exhaustion, and still catching up on sleep from the last week. So he's dozing in one of the chairs he's set up in his unofficial office in one of the back rooms of the Clinic, and doesn't hear Caroline enter but does hear when she calls out shortly afterward.
It takes a moment for him to appear in the lobby, dressed casually and his hair a little out of control both because it's getting long and from sleeping in a chair, but he offers a smile of greeting at the stranger.]
Hello. Can I help you with something?
[His voice is quieter than it has been, but even and friendly.]
June 15, Delight's temple
The disadvantage of the rain poncho, mind you, is that with it covering the box on her back, she looks like some kind of hunchback. But it's a decent enough way to keep the rain off important electronics, like the device on her back... or the one in her hand, with several metal loops sticking out of a boxy little device.
With a couple of the gods gone, Marian decided to go poking around their 'temples'. But she wasn't expecting to run into any supplicants to the gods, as she's inclined to interpret any visitors other than herself.]
What are you doing here? [She retorts abruptly.]They're supposed to be gone.
June 12
Realizing that he's gawking at her, he quickly shakes it off, downs the rest of his beer, then turns on the confidence as much as he can.]
Y-Yeah? Yeah! Of course I could use a dance.
the Speakeasy
she makes her way to the bar, has a seat on one of the stools, and tries to get the bartender's attention. she's not having much luck. maybe someone who's been here a while knows the trick
she's not exactly dressed up in her tshirt, plain Levis, green leather jacket, and Converse sneakers, but she's hoping that will just make her easier to overlook by creepers and anyone decent won't give a shit. she darts a look around, trying to see who else is there and who looks approachable
she eventually gives up on getting her drink, only for a girl she's never met (of course, that goes for almost everyone here) to tap her on the shoulder and ask her for a dance]
Wh--what? Me? Dance with you?
no subject
Oh, hey. I hope I didn't take you away from something important? [ Like a nap?? No no, she's sincere in that, head giving the tiniest tilt to the side. ] I was just dropping in to check out the place a bit more. I'd been here before, but not this...far in. [ Not that it's that huge of a place. Her nose wrinkles a teeny bit. ] But here I go, showing how nosy I am right off the bat, huh?
[ She moves in closer, reaching out a hand for a friendly shake. ] I'm Caroline Forbes. A couple months new to town. Just, trying to get my bearings more. Meet who all there is to meet. You work here, right [ And her tendency to ramble has taken flight. ]
no subject
The statement is accusatory and while Caroline isn't the type to back down from anything at all, she also has no reason to barrel into a negative tone with this stranger. Having had no protection from the rain, she sighs and gives that poncho another once over before replying. ]
It was the closest place with a roof to where I was planning to go, which was to get coffee. Which would've been awfully nice to have right about now. [ She doesn't feign happiness, but there's no hostility. She casts a shadowy look back the way she came, rolling her eyes at the rain. ] And you couldn't pay me to willingly talk to Delight right now. [ Okay, she's hostile in saying that, but it's not aimed at the other woman. Who, she looks back to, head giving a small nod in her direction. ] What about you? Do you come around here often? [ She's genuinely curious, even if she's not in the greatest of moods. ]
no subject
She offers a hand, intention completely to lead him out toward the dance floor. ]
no subject
Anyone could stand to have a bit more fun, too, so Caroline approaches the first person she encounters. Her head tilts at the young woman's answer, brows rising, friendly smile glued to her face. ] Sure! Unless, were you...waiting to get a drink first? A little liquid courage maybe? [ Because, certainly, this stranger's end goal at the Speakeasy is to do something eventful! Like, dance, maybe even sing, something she'd need courage for! Of course.
She hadn't even been observing from afar, so she's not aware of that sad inability to procure a drink. Lucky for them both, she has no problem getting served there, and if she did? Nothing a little mind compulsion on the bartender for a drink (that she'll pay for!) wouldn't solve. It's not harmful, really! ]
no subject
Swing, huh... Yeah, I can do that! [It'd been even longer since he'd done that. When was the last time he tried? Surely when visiting America some time. He was nuts for that stuff back in the day.
Prussia takes her hand and will be the one to lead to the dance floor, but once they get out there, that doesn't last long. He doesn't know what he's doing at first. It might take a little bit to shake the rust out of his memory and his dancing shoes. That won't slow him down, though.]
no subject
Right! [ That's her name! ]
Perfect! [ She's pleased as punch that he's as enthusiastic as herself. Appreciative of being assertive, she's all smiles, sizing up his stance, overall outward confidence, when they stop. ] Don't think about it too hard. Just let the music move you. It's a lot like muscle memory, getting back into the swing of things. [ A grin, shifting to encourage their hands, arms, in the appropriate places. ] Pun totally intended. [ She excels at encouragement and guidance when she puts her mind to it, no intention of trying to lead. She's conventional in terms of that, and it genuinely is a moment that allows for letting Gilbert start things off. ]
no subject
George ducks her head and smiles back nervously] Yeah. Yeah, that's probably a good idea. I mean, not that I don't want to dance with you, but. Yeah. [dancing she'll be able to manage after a drink or two. singing? there's not enough alcohol in existance to manage to get her to do that. but she would like to settle into this place, try to meet the locals she's sharing this place with]
[probably for the best that Caroline didn't see George being the world's most awkward turtle. that would've been embarrassing. she does wonder briefly how Caroline managed to get the bartender's attention so quickly]
no subject
But he decides to take the chance, shaking her hand, but he's tense and wary in contrast to how demeanor a few moments earlier. Still, his voice is friendly enough when he replies, but he's having to purposefully affect it now.]
I do work here, yes.
[Although it's not exactly a job in the sense that he's used to, but that's semantics.]
My name is Lance; I'm a psychologist. I believe Elena volunteered you for cooking lessons a few weeks ago, after finding out how hopeless I am at it.
[Not that he's really planning on taking the offer considering everything, but still. It's a harmless thing to mention regarding why he knows who she is, and not confidential.]
no subject
[ A beat, attention diverting to the bartender serving another patron, before she looks back to the other girl. If she cares about legal drinking ages, she sure doesn't make it known. ] Do you know what you want? Beer? Something fruitier? [ She's certainly the sort of person to choose for someone if they'd prefer! Ordering on behalf of them both seems like the thing to do, too. Otherwise, the girl would have her own drink already, right? ]
no subject
If prompted about the state of her relationship with Elena, well, she wouldn't be able to stop herself from blurting out how she really feels. Especially to someone who knows certain details. The two of them will get through anything, she knows, even if she can't apply the means to achieve that, yet. She hates that she can't, but she also promised she wouldn't let the guilt eat her alive. It's not easy to try doing that, either.
She's always been perceptive, and being a vampire, she notices all the more. The shift in his demeanor is noted, but she can't blame that on herself too, can she? Maybe he's just not having a good day? She smiles as they shake hands, nodding at his answer, awareness registering over her features when he gives his name, what his profession is, pain that she tries (and mostly fails at) covering up over the reference. It's harmless, yes, but with the comment comes with a number of implications.
At the end of the day, however, Caroline is a loyal, amazing friend. Prying into Elena's business, on purpose, is not something she'd ever do. She keeps her tone steady, friendly still. ] She mentioned you, and that, actually. I'm always up for those lessons, too. Things have been a little...hectic [ understatement of the freaking century ] lately, but whenever you want, I mean. I'm sure we could put something together. [ She throws on a brighter grin for the sake of appearing sincere. Which she is! She's just, not actually in a place to be in a bright mood. Elena might not be there, at the lessons, which is weird. It's still weird to think things like that. But. Space. Space is good. Isn't it?
She adjusts the strap of her purse resting on her shoulder. ] I know there's the risk of breaching confidentiality, but do you get a lot of people who come to you? [ See, she's not going to ask about Elena. She's genuinely curious about the state of a practice he has there! Whether or not there's a subconscious implication that she's now wondering if her friend might be going there may, of course, be a thing. Oops. ] I mean, a lot of awful stuff happens here. [ Kind of a given. ] A psychologist is probably pretty helpful...
no subject
[George considers for a moment, not wanting to seem too inexperienced, but having enough inexperience to not really be sure what she wants] Ummm. Maybe something frutier to start? I've heard good things about tequila. [she's trying to seem confident. it may or may not be successful]
no subject
What did the parasites do to you? Besides what they've done to all of us here, I mean. [She adds sourly, still unwilling to even use the term 'gods'.]
no subject
Her brows flick up at the offered hand, reaching up to firmly shake. Names are names, and she wonders only to herself if George is short for something. Georgette? Who knows. It's what the other girl goes by, and that's all that matters. ] I've only been here a couple months, so most of the time, I feel new too.
[ Caroline overthinks too, and she'd be ready and raring with a comment about how totally unnecessary it is for George to put on any kind of face for the benefit of fitting in. Fitting in could be completely overrated sometimes. Either way, her interest stays locked, nodding. ] Right. Good as long as you make sure that you don't overindulge. [ A beat. ] Which can be said for anything, but tequila really has a punch to it. So, let's do...Tequila Sunrises. See how you like those. [ Simple. Inoffensive. Far, far more involved than the customary neat bourbon that Caroline regularly throws back.
She captures the bartender's attention and orders two without a second glance. ] Unless you have an aversion to orange juice, they're pretty good. [ She slides a glass over in front of George once she's presented with them. Then -- ] What do you think? [ Once she has an answer, she picks her own glass up and brings it slightly over to toast. ] To being new and meeting new people.
no subject
shakes hands back. she wasn't really expecting this "meeting new people" thing to go so smoothly Really? A couple of months and you still feel new? And what's exactly up with this place, anyway?
[George has been so convinced by most of her life experiences that who she is is unacceptable and that things would go so much more smoothly if she would just try having a positive attitude. So, she's trying. Honest. She's just afraid it will fail all over again] N--no, I'll just have a little. One or two drinks, that's it. Then I'll stop. And, that sounds fine.
I like orange juice. [takes her drink, then takes a drink. It's pretty good and she can't really taste the alcohol. She appreciates that since she's not used to alcohol and drinking in any way, shape, or form.] I like it. Thanks. [she picks up her own drink and clinks it against Caroline's, echoing her words.]
no subject
[It's true, even if it's a weird thing to say. The other problem is how obviously nervous he is, as a part of his brain is screaming about how it's unbelievable that he'd actually get close enough with someone to dance with them. But with a couple of beers in his system and a desperate need for attention, he's just going to have to step on her feet a few times until he can find his groove.
Really, he's better at competitive things, no cooperative. And he sure does his best to act like he's totally competent at this and isn't nervous at all.]
Ha! See, I-I can totally do this!
no subject
[Hectic is definitely an understatement, both for what he knows of what's been going on for her and for his own situation. It's really fortunate that Rosen's taken pity on him and been providing him with preprepared food, because otherwise who knows if Lance would even be bothered to open a can with how difficult life has been lately.
As far as actually taking her up on the offer, he'll deflect a bit for now without outright rejecting it; who knows if it might be useful in the future, whether just for him skill-wise or as a good excuse to get Elena and Caroline in the same room while being there to mediate. He might have to talk to Elena about the idea and see if she's up for it, although he still isn't so sure if it's good for them to try talking to each other again just yet.]
Maybe once things settle down, if that's something that actually happens here, I'll see if you're busy.
[At her question about how many people he's seeing he narrows his eyes a little, suspicious, but there's nothing actually wrong with answering as long as he doesn't name names.]
I've met with more people than I was expecting to, by far.
[He'd mostly expected everyone to tell him to go to hell, like he isn't already there, but many have been surprisingly receptive to the idea of counseling. It does make him feel useful and helpful, even if he's not sure he's actually doing anyone any good or just making things worse.
Her comment about awful things happening here makes him wonder something, unsure of whether she's speaking from experience or what she's heard, or in regards to the specific incident he knows about.]
How long have you been here?