open | one horse open sleighs for everyone!

[sempreadagio]

[ OPEN TO ALL ]

Even when the snow hits Itinere overnight, Jill still goes to work and opens The Houndstooth every day. It's right down the street from the apartment she and Lucy share so the commute isn't that rough. Also, she still has the same snow boots she'd wished into existence last year when the snow appeared overnight. So The Houndstooth is open, all manner of sports broadcasting on all the televisions and the food warm and hot.

Jill can usually be found behind the bar serving drinks or busing tables when and employee doesn't make it in or taking food and drinks to tables for the same reason. Occasionally though, she's behind the piano playing a song or two, usually jazzy renditions of rock or pop songs, sometimes she goes into her favorites, songs from the classic era of jazz, originally sung by the likes of Frank Sinatra or Nat King Cole. Whether behind the bar or sitting at the baby grand, she's definitely in her element.

Also, she might have dipped into a candy cane or two and found herself in a great mood, which is definitely not par for the course for Jill.


[ TEXT FOR LUCY ]

Lucy. There are sleigh rides. Actual, legit sleigh rides pulled by horses and everything. This needs to be a thing.


[ TEXT FOR HAWKE ]

What say you and me go shopping and find you some new clothes?


[ TEXT FOR CAM ]

So. You. Me. Same time, same place? Maybe? What do you say?

Comments

Text reply;

[respinto]

Sounds like the best plan I've heard all week.

Text

[sempreadagio]

Really? Some week you must have had. (Joking) (Mostly) So maybe you meet me at The Houndstooth and we go from there?

Text

[respinto]

Hey now, you'll hurt my feelings. Yeah sounds good. Today or...?

Text

[sempreadagio]

Yeah, if you're not busy. Maybe around dinner time? Six or seven?

Text

[respinto]

Yeah, no, I'm good for today. Meet you in the middle at six thirty?

[sempreadagio]

Perfect. See you then!

It's close to fifteen after six when Jill ducks into the employee lounge room to change into something more than what she wore for work that day. Her makeup needs a touch-up, which she does. Then she spritzes some body spray on, especially around her hair so that she smells less like fried food and beer and more like a gardenia because she figures Cam will thank her later, then she changes into something more date appropriate.

And how about them apples? Jill has a date. Just Jill. Well, and Cam. Jill and Cam. Cam and Jill. She's excited.

After fussing with her mess of hair for a bit and finally deciding to leave it in its long, messy waves, she's ready. It's six thirty on the dot when she's grabbed her bag and makes her way back out to the front of The Houndstooth to look for Cam. She pinky swears with Lucy that she'll keep her updated as the night progresses, then steps out into the cool, evening air onto the sidewalk. She loves The Houndstooth, but sometimes it's nice to get out of there too, especially when there's an evening filled with a cute boy to look forward to.

[respinto]

Around five, Cam hops in the shower and makes himself more presentable for a date. It's been a while since he's been on a real one but this is Jill, so even though he doubts it's going to be the nerve-wracking situation a date usually tends to be, he still wants to look his best. This isn't a big deal, he tells himself. It's Jill. They're chill and it's cool, this is just slapping a more formal — and admittedly intimidating — label on something that they've already pretty much done. It's going to be fine. It's fine.

He's dressed fairly casually, but still nicely by comparison to most of his typically overly casual wardrobe when he arrives at the Houndstooth and moves further inside, looking reflexively behind the bar for Jill before realizing that Jill wouldn't be working; she's up front instead.

A smile tugs up the corners of his mouth as he approaches her. "Hey," he greets warmly. She always manages to look incredible, if you ask Cam, but he's really digging the look she's rocking right now. Not everyone could pull it off. Jill's not everyone, though; she's Jill.

[sempreadagio]

Jill is trying so very hard to be as chill about it as she possibly can be. But it's true that this is something more than what they've done before because she'd actually gotten up the nerve to ask him out. She'd asked Cam out. It's a very gutsy thing for Jill to do, something she doesn't do lightly. But it's Cam. She likes him a lot... or more than a lot. So she put herself out there on that limb and luckily he was there too and it wasn't so bad... at least in the theoretical.

But now, now it's a real thing. The asking and the answering has happened and now it's actually happening. Her heart feels like it's going to beat its way all the way up into her throat when she sees him walking toward her. He looks so good. That shirt fits across his shoulders, chest, waist, in all the right ways and she'd have to be blind not to notice that. She's not blind. Cam looks hot.

His smile is met with a small crooked one and she impulsively leans up on her toes to kiss at his cheek. "Hey." She pulls back and reaches for his hand. "You clean up nice, Marco. You ready to get out of here?"

[respinto]

Cam grins at the kiss on his cheek and takes her hand, giving it a little squeeze when she reaches for his. "Hey," he says with feigned offense that his grin immediately betrays. "What are you trying to say, here, Jill?" The playful implication is that he doesn't look good all the time, but he knows that it's actually meant as a compliment and the look on his face tells her so. "You look great, too," he adds, just in case his amused expression doesn't communicate that he's joking.

Nodding, he looks over toward the door. "Yeah, let's go. You know this place way better than I do, where do you think we should go first?" He's not sure if they're going to grab something to eat or check out some of this winter wonderland thing that the city's got going on right now, or what. All he knows is that he's pretty stoked to be going on a date with Jill because he really likes her and it's been a while since he's been this interested in someone.

"Should we eat?" he wonders. He's not super hungry, but he could eat. Cam can always eat, really. He's a big guy with a decent paced metabolism; he's always just this side of hungry, it seems like. At least it's not as bad as it used to be when he was a teenager. Back then, he'd been little short of a human garbage disposal.

private text;

[considerdying]

what, you dont like my fashion choices? im wounded.

[ it's hard to convey her dry humor over text but she has a feeling jill will get it. if anyone will, she will. ]

private text;

[sempreadagio]

[ She totally gets it. Funny, Hawke. Funny. ]

I love your fashion choices. But you need some opposite of battle attire. Plus maybe a party outfit. Options are good!

private text;

[considerdying]

ill have you know, there arent many people i would agree to do this with.

i may regret this if you try to dress me in ruffles.

private text;

[sempreadagio]

[ I feel special then. Also, please have a little more faith in me than ruffles. We are not pastries.

Meet you in front of The Houndstooth in half an hour? ]

private text;

[considerdying]

wouldnt miss it.

and when we're done, we're getting a drink. on me.

[sempreadagio]

I make it a point to never turn down drinks. See you in a few.

It's half an hour later that Jill has changed out of what she wore into work that morning into something more shopping appropriate that smells less like beer and fried foods of The Houndstooth. She steps outside with a bag slung over one shoulder and looks around for Hawke. She doesn't mind waiting for a bit.

Truthfully, she hadn't been sure that Hawke would take her up on her offer. But she thought it would be fun and she's glad there wasn't too much of a protest at the idea. Even if they find nothing, it'll be fun hanging out for awhile.

[considerdying]

Hawke is waiting there, though she doesn't look in the least bit bored. She is, of course, wearing her usual Champion's armor rather than anything else, though she glances almost critically at Jill's choice of outfit as her friend steps out.

"You know, I do think I prefer your fashions to Thedosian ones, especially Orlesians."

So this might not be a terrible idea. Really, Hawke isn't expecting a crazy wardrobe change. She's just here for the companionship.

[sempreadagio]

Companionship is a good enough reason and is, in part, Jill's reason for suggesting they do this as well. She doesn't make friends all that easily, not friends as in people who become more than passing acquaintances in any case. Because as a bar tender, she gets to meet a lot of people. Befriending them is more difficult. Everyone likes you if you're refilling their drinks, after all. They don't really have to get to know you for that.

She sees Hawke and offers her a crooked smile as she seems to approve of her outfit. "Thanks. I guess I've gravitated toward boho chic if my style is any one thing. We're gonna find your style today, hopefully. I'm really glad you agreed to come out with me. There was a minute there right after I asked when I wasn't sure you would say yes."

[mightbeconcussed]

Lucy has been out Christmas shopping and decorating her and Jill's apartment. She's been eating candy canes that taste exactly like her mother's Hummingbird cake all morning. When she gets Jill's text, she abandons what she's doing in favor of texting back.

I'll meet you in ten?

[sempreadagio]

Perfect. They're loading up across the street from The Houndstooth at the park. See you there.

When Lucy arrives, Jill is all bundled up for being outside in the cold. She has a bulky bag slung over one shoulder and snow boots on as well. It got super cold and snowed a ton overnight, so she's still got to wish up some new winter clothes because last year's selection feels outdated. In this sense, Lucy has definitely been an influence on her.

"Hi!" She gives Lucy a hug and then it's up into the sleigh she'd commandeered. There's a fur blanket to cover their laps with which is nice. "This is so cool. I've never been on a sleigh ride before."

[mightbeconcussed]

Lucy doesn't bother to text Jill back. Instead, she dashes up to the apartment she shares with Jill and bundles up as well. A sense of fashion is not a bad influence as far as Lucy is concerned.

The hug is returned, squeezing her best friend tightly before slipping into the sleigh and under the fur blanket. She snuggles back against the back of the sleigh and close to Jill. "Me either," she admits as well then pulls out a large thermos style coffee cup from inside her coat. "Coffee, Rumchata and caramel flavor," she says as she pops the lid and takes a sip before passing it to Jill.

[sempreadagio]

Really, a decent fashion sense is only one of the many ways in which Lucy has been a good influence on Jill and Jill loves her for that... and many more things than that as well. She also loves that Lucy will drop everything at a moment's notice and come ride a sleigh with her. Fun.

"This is already so much fun!" She's excited about doing this and they haven't even started moving yet. When Lucy gets the thermos from her coat Jill is half surprised and half not. Of course Lucy brought some booze. Jill digs in her own bag and gets out a styrophoam carton. "And I brought warm, fresh butter rolls from work."

The sleigh starts to move and Jill squeaks in excitement. "Here we go!"

[mightbeconcussed]

Really, Lucy just wants Jill to be happy even if that means she has an awful fashion sense. Jill is the person Lucy loves most in the world. It's pretty important to her that Jill is happy. As for dropping things at a moment's notice, her schedule isn't exactly pressing, but when Jill wants to do something, Lucy is totally there and she judges anyone who isn't.

Jill's excitement is infectious and Lucy can't help but laugh. "We might have to do this twice," Lucy says, agreeing with the already fun. Lucy almost always has booze. Blame it, very affectionately, on Lucy's very boozy mother. Growing up, Lucy had wanted to be just like her and they are a lot alike now. "Yum. You know, without you, I think I'd exist on booze and cupcakes." It's actually true for the most part.

Lucy squeals a little when the sleigh starts off. "Pictures! We need a sleigh selfie." And out comes the PDC with it's camera.

[sempreadagio]

This is just like something you'd read in a book or see in a movie. Jill likes feeling as if she's living in a fantasy world and in many ways being a part of Lucy's life has always felt like that to her. Itinere, even more so, obviously. It isn't a bad thing, really. Lucy's life wasn't perfect but it was so much better than anything Jill knew from her own home. Of course it was fairytale.

And now, with Lucy now, this is fairytale too. There's no one else she'd rather be on a sleigh ride with than Lucy Locke. "Twice sounds good. Three times might be overkill. But twice, we're in Goldilocks territory where it's just right."

When Lucy takes out her PDC, Jill automatically leans in and presents her crooked smile, cheek to cheek with Lucy. She loves selfies with Lucy too. They have many of them and there are probably many more to come. "Was a making a stupid face?" She asks her about the photo.

[mightbeconcussed]

It really is. Honestly, Lucy has always tried to make her life something like a fairytale because that's the sort of life she wanted to live in, but it's so much easier to make her life resemble that here because there are sleigh rides and no need to work. There's her best friend and no responsability. It's a good foundation for a fairytale life.

She giggles at Jill's reasoning. "that is perfect logic, Jillybean." And, in Lucy's opinion, it really is.

Lucy certainly hopes there are many more selfies to come. Really, she's got every plan in the world of growing old with Jill whether they do it here or back home in Alabama or somewhere else entirely. "You were making a gorgeous face," Lucy tells her as she shows her the picture.

[sempreadagio]

"Right? It makes perfect sense." Or probably no sense at all, but she's okay with that. She likes the nonsensical nature of herself and Lucy. They're both ridiculous and perfect and serious given whatever the situation calls for. Jill knows that there will always be herself and Lucy, she doesn't even have to question it. It will even be Lucy and her in the end, no matter where that is.

A gorgeous face? Maybe not. But Jill also knows that Lucy would tell her if she looked stupid. That's what friends are for. "Okay then it's a keeper. Also, I think we should get a bird. Like, parakeets or something. How much fun would that be?"