itinere | Open Action | Closed Network

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{ text to Cam }

Okay, first it's rude to arrange to have your little sister kidnapped and not be there to greet her. Second, Mom and Dad won't notice the ransom notes for at least a month so I hope you're not planning on starving me and keeping me tied to a chair. That didn't work when I was twelve and annoying; it won't work now. Third, thanks for the new phone. Who are all these other people programmed into my contacts?

{ open action }

After talking to Cam, catching up and doing the sibling thing, she decides to do her own sort of wandering around. It's how she'd familiarized herself with their little corner of New York as well as campus. She figures it'll work here just as well. Besides, after everything that Cam told her, she's curious about this place. Okay, the truth is she'd be curious about it regardless, she's just that sort of person, but everything he said added to that curiosity.

Fortunately, the weather here and back home had been very similar. She's dressed in a pair of jeans that splattered with paint on one thigh and a chunky burgundy sweater. She hits the beach first and uses her PDA to take some pictures. She'll probably end up painting some of this later. After that, she wanders along the sidewalks of the town proper. There is, particularly after New York City, surprisingly very little traffic. She pokes into some of the stores and is delighted to find a well stocked art supply shop. Cam had explained to her a bit about the lack of money here, so she decides to try it out in a coffee shop and is delighted to find that no one even hesitates before giving her a hot tea with milk. Okay, she could get used to this. She'll go in a few more shops before finally heading back to the apartment building to get the key to the apartment she now shares with Cam.

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First, I didn't arrange that. At all. I never would do that to you ever. Two, Mom and Shawn don't notice anything. We both are painfully aware of this. Three, I didn't give you the phone; this wasn't me. They're people that live in Itinere. The contacts update themselves, I guess.

Four, WHEN DID YOU GET HERE AND WHERE ARE YOU? I've been here like a month and some waiting for you. Looking for my stupid ass door so that I could come home and check in on you. Are you okay???

First, totally joking, Dorkus. Two, no comment necessary. Three, ooookay. Booyah for arrival gifts?

Four, about fifteen minutes ago and the middle of a street? There's a coffee shop and I can see some sort of festival further up. I'm okay and seriously I just saw you this morning. We had coffee at that place on my way to school.

...ass.

Yeah that might've happened for you, but for me that was like a month ago and then some. I think I know where you're talking about, I'll be there in a few, okay? I'm heading out now.

I know you are, but what am I?

[Yeah sometimes she's six]

Sophie is actively looking for Cam because despite the fact that it's only been a few hours since she's seen him for her, she knows it's been a long time for him and that makes her anxious. She worries about him far more than he would probably like. Luckily, Cameron is incredibly easy to spot because of his height. When she sees him walking down the street, she bursts into a jog to tackle him in a hug.

You're the worst.

[ And he's seldom afraid to let her know it. ]

Cam's out the door a minute later, bundling up a little because he'd gotten sort of used to the warmth and his body isn't ready for the chill again so soon. It takes him a few more minutes to get himself headed in the right direction because he hasn't been out a whole lot — something he's been working on fixing now that the monsters are gone — and he smiles when he sees his sister taking off toward him.

You'd think she hadn't seen him in a month instead of the other way around with the way she launches herself at him, but Cam just laughs and catches her, swinging her around once before standing still and hugging her. ...while still having her lifted off the ground, half because he thinks it's funny for her legs to dangle so he can remind her that he's the big brother for a reason and it isn't just his age, and half because he knows it drives her nuts if he does it for too long. He wonders how long before she gets annoyed.

"I missed you, kiddo."

Hey now, it's because he hasn't seen her in a month that she's so enthusiastic. She wouldn't want him to feel unloved or suffer any longer from Sophie Withdrawal (totally a real thing, okay). She's going to shame him so much for not getting out, then she's going to insist that he get out more.

She hugs him tightly, then leans back to look at him. She is going to try not to let it annoy her that he's letting her feet dangle like this. "I know you did," she tells him glibly. "So tell me about this place?"

Feet still dangling. Annoyance growing.

Cam smirks a little because she hasn't told him specifically and directly to put her down yet, which he assumes is her way of trying to humor his having missed her in the time he's been gone, but that just means he's not going to put her down. He does, however, lean back a little to look back at her.

"There's superheroes? I met Captain America. I really thought it was Chris Evans, but he had no freaking clue what I was talking about. Because...Captain America is real here," he starts. "I met this really hot girl who loves beer as much as I do," he adds with a smirk.

Still not putting her down. Sensing her annoyance growing. Amusement turned up to eleven while expression remains on the pleasant end of neutral.

"There were monsters all over the place last month, so that sucked. Locked myself in the apartment to keep from being eaten alive or something. Aaaaand there is a fall festival in full swing in the park. We'll have to go soon."

Still holding.

He is the most irritating brother. She's not sure why she puts up with him, at least that's her thought process right now. When she'd been little, it had been fun to be this high. Of course, when she'd been little, he hadn't dangled her feet. She is humoring him, but she also just doesn't want to tell him put me down. He knows she hates this.

Oh. Well that distracts her for a moment. "Did you hit your head? I know falling from this height is dangerous." Then there's girl talk and her grin turns teasing. Oh, he's going to regret this. "Really hot girl, huh? Does really hot girl have a name because if you're calling her that, I'm probably going to have to kick you."

Annoyance growing even more. She wiggles a little in an attempt to convey that she'd like to be put down now. Of course, he knows this, but if she manages to get him to put her down without saying anything then it's a win for her.

And side tracked again by monsters. The look on her face now is one of puzzlement and disbelief. "Monsters. Captain America..." she pokes him in the shoulder. "Clearly, you're fine so I'm not going to worry about the first one. And the real question: do they have Pumpkin Spice Lattes there?"

And we're back to being more annoyed, less side tracked. He's a brat.

"I didn't hit my head," Cam says, rolling his eyes. "I thought he'd hit his head, honestly. But I swear to God." He always talks too much and realizes too late that he's said something that Sophie can easily and readily use as ammunition. ...and she seldom misses the chance to seize those opportunities when they arise. Crap. Just for that, he gives her a little squeeze before rocking his torso from side to side and taking her and her dangling legs with him. "She has a name and it's Jill," he says, giving her a disapproving look. One that says you know I don't call her hot girl quite clearly.

He grins when he feels her wiggle with protest and he almost puts her down, actually, before she appears to be sidetracked again. "This place is all kinds of crazy, but it's mostly a good kind of crazy," he promises. When she asks about pumpkin spice lattes, Cam rolls his eyes again and laughs, finally setting her down if only because she has clearly earned it by not whining or asking. Generally, her reward for putting up with him is getting what she wants. ...Cam does not often receive that same reward when the tables are turned.

"Yeah, they have your pumpkin spice lattes," he laughs, putting an arm around her and guiding her to turn on the street so that they're facing in the direction from which he came. His arm falls away again and he starts to lead the way to the apartments. First things first, he ought to get her settled in, Cam thinks. "It's kind of cool here, like...we don't have to get jobs if we don't want to; there's no bills to pay. Everything is free. Literally, you could go shopping for all the art supplies in the damn town and clean out their store and not pay a penny. It's pretty sweet, to be honest."

That actually makes a lot of sense and yes, he does usually give her way too much ammunition. It's her duty as a little sister to collect ammunition and use it as she sees fit. She squeals a little when he squeezes her and swings her dangling legs back and forth. "Jill. I like it." Of course, she knows he doesn't call her hot girl. She's teasing him. Again: sisterly duty.

He's given her a lot to be sidetracked about. "Mostly." Okay, she can handle mostly as long as Cam is there. Besides, he survived the monster thing without injury, or at least he doesn't appear to be injured. She'll have to make sure of that. When he finally puts her down, she gives him a good once over. "You are okay, after the monsters, right?" She can't help the worry that leaks into her voice and her expression.

"Oh Big Brother, I was worried about you getting your PSL fix," she tells him sweetly, letting him lead her where ever he wants. His explanation of this place has her gaping a little at him. "Seriously?" Because doing just what he said sounds like her idea of heaven. "Where are we living?"

Because the idea of not living with Cam hasn't crossed her mind.

Cam has no doubt that Sophie's new mission will be to track Jill down and get to know her. Translation: hunt the woman down to make sure that Sophie finds her to be worth her older brother's time. It's a trait about her that he loves and hates in equal measure. It's nice to know that she cares, but it's his own fault she's like that. She got it from somewhere, after all, and it isn't like their parents ever gave enough of a shit about them to have that sort of influence on her. Luckily, he thinks that Jill and Sophie will probably get along pretty well. ...he hopes.

He nods and gives his sister what he hopes is a reassuring smile. "I'm really okay, I promise. I stayed inside like a total wuss, not a scratch on me," he promises. Mildly embarrassing to admit, but if he had to do October over again, he'd do it exactly the same way as he already had.

Rolling his eyes, Cam shakes his head. "Ha ha," he deadpans back at her. They're not a very far walk from the apartments and Cam almost points out The Houndstooth as they pass it before thinking better of it for the time being. "I swear to God," he replies to her question with sincerity and a grin. "It's freaking awesome."

The apartments come into view ahead and Cam points with his free hand. "Up there. I have an apartment in there and it looks like the one in New York except, you know...without the cockroaches and mold." He huffs a little laugh then. He's exaggerating. ...about the mold. He's not going to miss those goddamn roaches, that's for sure.

Cam knows his little sister well. It's her duty to make sure that Jill is worthy of her brother. He would do the same if Sophie were interested in someone. Cam is lucky because as long as he's happy, Sophie doesn't care who he's dating. Well, if the person were mean to Cam or bad for him, she might care, but in general. Sophie gets along with most people so it's a good bet and Cam has good taste in people.

The smile is reassuring as are his words. She's glad that Cam hid and stayed inside. He's safe, that's all she cares about.

Well, he is delaying the inevitable, but okay. "I've got to admit it sounds freaking awesome."

"Definitely docking points for accuracy," Sophie grins at Cam. It hadn't been a great apartment, but it had been the first apartment that had been theirs. "Do all the apartments look like New York apartments? Or did you pick the one that did?"

Cam laughs, rolling his eyes. "I feel like instead of docking points, we should be giving points. That's not the kind of accuracy I want," he jokes back. Really, he's pretty positive that Sophie is going to love their new apartment as much as he does. It's got a very lived-in sort of feel to it even though he hasn't been there all that long himself. It's almost like this place knows already that Cam and Sophie are the sorts that need that little seed of stability planted because they've been looking out for themselves and each other for so long already.

"I don't know...I didn't actually pick it, I just went to the one that the key said it would open and that's what it looked like. I haven't made a whole lot of friends yet, because again, cowering like a pussy for the whole month of October," he goes on as they start to close in on the apartments so that he can lead her inside. "So I haven't really seen anyone else's place yet to compare."

He'd assume they all look generally the same because why wouldn't they if they're all in the same complex? Cam is such a sweet summer child.

Sophie smiles at him. "Good point," she tells him, bumping his shoulder with her own. She probably will love it. Cam is there, and that's the important part of any place being a home as far as she's concerned. It's weird that this place knows them and anticipates what they'll like, but it also makes it nice. It helps them settle in a little.

"Weird," she tells him, giving him a dubious look, as if he's about to tell her that this is all a joke. "I'm just glad you're safe," she tells him, squeezing his arm . "Not even hot beer girl's?" she teases him.

It would make sense that they all look generally the same.

"There's not a lot about this place that isn't kinda weird, Soph," he replies. That much, as it seems so far, is true. There's a lot more weird here than there isn't. And while Cam isn't exactly complaining, it does merit mentioning so that Sophie is at least expecting to have to get used to stuff she probably wouldn't ever face back home. Especially if they're going to stay.

With a playful roll of his eyes, Cam shakes his head. "No, Brattastic, I haven't seen Jill's apartment. I'm glad you think you're funny. One of is should," he teases.

They reach the apartments a moment later and Cam leads the way up to their apartment. "Sorry it's a little messy. Like I said...kinda didn't leave for a month straight," he says sheepishly. It isn't gross or anything, but it's definitely a little more cluttered than their shared apartment in New York tends to be.

"But you still like it here," she phrases it as a statement rather than a question. She's interested in seeing the weird, but she's not worried about it. Cam doesn't seem to be. It is probably good to mention it so that she is prepared to handle it a little better.

"Oh, I'm hilarious. You know you think so too," she teases back.

She gives the apartment a once over and she does immediately like it. That much shows on her face as she looks around. "I like what you've done with the place," she jokes. Really, she expected it to be worse with him having been locked away so long. It might be nice for a few days, but eventually Sophie would lose her mind staying in. She walks over, picks up a pillow from the couch that looks a lot like one of the pillows they had back home and she hugs it to her. "I like it. So what's the take away situation like? Do they have good Chinese or decent pizza?"

Cam's glad to see that she's into the apartment because if she didn't like it, then that'd be an uphill battle to fight as far as the whole trying to get her to stick around here, at least for a while. It's a small victory, so he'll take it. "Hey, it's not so bad, it could be a lot worse you know," he points out. After all, a month is a long time.

"Takeaway ah...well," he says with a little facial shrug. "It's not Manhattan, but...you know. It's got a decent selection. I think you'll like it, Soph. Speaking of takeaway, you want me to order something? Are you hungry?" He doesn't know exactly when she came from and suddenly big brother mode is going back into gear.

Small victories are good things to take with Sophie. She's not that difficult, but she can be bratty. "Mmmmmhm. Well, I'm not cleaning it up," she tells him as she walks further into the apartment. "Where's my room?" She's hoping it looks like her room back in New York City.

"I can survive on a decent selection," she says with a sigh as if it's a hardship. She smiles at him and shakes her head. "I'm good for a little while. We should have a celebration dinner tonight though."

Cam leads her further into the apartment when she asks where her room is. "I'm not asking you to clean up; I got it," he says with a roll of his eyes. "This way."

Pointing a little ways back, Cam hangs back so that Sophie can check out her room on her own. That's her space and it isn't his to encroach on, even by way of giving a tour. "All right, I'll order. You get settled in. Gonna be a Netflix night, Soph, because I know you and I know you're going to drag me all over town tomorrow, so I want to get my R&R in while I still can," he teases before picking up his phone.

This is going to be the best. Sophie's here; everything is good, now. Now, now Cam can settle and really enjoy Itinere and everything it has to offer. Best. day. ever.

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