we do our time like pennies in a jar

[dugdowndeep]

It's been more than a little while since Jack has graced Stigmata with his presence. He's been... indisposed, shall we say, in ways that apparently involve high volumes of dirt and a distinct lack of fancy suits. The camouflage pants, t-shirt and light jacket he has on now are probably the most casual things he's ever warn to the Nexus, which

Comments

[oleanderknife]

Hasibe occasionally visits Stigmata, still, but less and less these days, so when she breezes into the bar, she's somewhat surprised to find it so quiet. Except--no, she does sense someone else there, and it only takes a few steps to guide her to the kitchen, because she is nosy in all things and always wants to investigate what's going on. She's wearing her ridiculous Balenciaga coat (the overpriced one from the 50s), but will almost certainly shuck it soon in favor of milling around in her heels and red day dress.

Besides, one glimpse of the the kitchen's present occupant means that she'll be staying here for a while. At least until they've gotten sufficiently caught up--and she has decided for her own self he is in one piece, although she'll be relatively discreet about that.

"Jack," she smiles, pausing in the doorway, head tilted to one side. "I wondered when we'd see each other in person again. Hello."

[dugdowndeep]

Physically, at least, he is better than he was -- the fingers on his right hand are still splinted, which has made cooking a bit more challenging, but he's not limping around like someone mashed his toes anymore and most the bruises have faded. The latter-most is a large part of why he hadn't called her before now, though the usual desire to put off difficult conversations probably contributed.

"Hasi, hey." He pauses mid veggie-stirring when he sees her and smiles, maybe not as confident as before but a smile nonetheless. "Are you hungry? I think I've gotten a little carried away."

[oleanderknife]

The millisecond he is not preoccupied with stirring things, he is going to get hugged; she is poised on the edge of her heels waiting for this, as a matter of fact. But there is also conversation occurring, so she settles her coat on the hook conveniently located near the doorway and drifts over to expedite both of these things, shucking her winter gloves as she goes, and leaving them far enough away from the occupied countertops that they won't get in the way.

"Sure, starving. I'll help, too, if you like." The splint is notable, but Hasi doesn't say anything. No need to call unnecessary attention to it (despite her claim of 'fussing' over him, her methods are subtler than that). "Come here, it's been an age."

[dugdowndeep]

"I'd say I can handle it, but then you'd have to watch me fumble around one-handed and that might actually be more embarrassing than letting you help." So yes, he could use some assistance.

But in a minute, apparently, because first he has to give her the requisite good-natured 'must we really' look and put the spatula down, open-armed. Far be it from Jack to deny anyone their hug. "It's good to see you."

[cheiroakanta]

Emily has also been somewhat quiet in the nexus, compared to her usual use of this place as a combination get away/office/study hall, but she's here today, decked out in a stolen navy blue long sleeve shirt that hangs off of her shoulders, belted at the waist, dark jeans, and purple flats. It's almost somber, but she seems cheerful anyway.

"That smells really good," she comments, standing in the doorway, "What are you--oh, hey, I remember you, you're Jack, right?" ...the last time she saw him it was her first time in the nexus, and she was silly drunk. Allow her a moment to struggle with trying to feel some shame over this--no, it's not going to happen.

[dugdowndeep]

"I am, and I'm... drawing a blank on your name, sorry." It has been a long month or two, alright. He does vaguely remember her and her silly drunken ways, but considering how much whiskey he was probably imbibing at the time, it probably doesn't even occur to him to judge.

"I'm completely willing to bribe you with this delicious food if you'll forgive me, though," he adds with a hint of a charming smile -- a natural one for once in his life, rather than the usual princely persona. Mutually beneficial solution, y/y.

[cheiroakanta]

"I knew I vaguely remembered liking you," Emily says, very seriously, before beaming at him and bouncing into the kitchen. "I'm April, and that looks as good as it smells, that never happens. But you don't actually have to worry about forgetting my name, I know I just have an eerie memory for stuff like that."

"You can still bribe me! Just for something else, like--I know, you can bribe me to help you wash dishes after." It can still be mutually beneficial, then, since Emily is in a mood to be helpful. More so than usual.

[dugdowndeep]

Jack makes a face at the thought. "Anything I can do to get out of dishes." It's fully possible he could count the number of times he's had to do his own dishes on one hand -- okay no, he is not that spoiled, but close. At least he has an excuse for now, as his right hand is mostly a useless arrangement of finger splints. Woe.

"Help yourself. I think that steak is done, and there's rice in the pot and a ridiculous number of vegetables." Actually ridiculous -- it's mostly squashes, long beans, carrots and parsnips cooked in butter, sage and tarragon, amongst bits of other herbs. He was going for vitamins, okay. Jack doesn't have many domestic talents, but he can certainly cook.

[ciddimisin]

Alex Atalay (face it Jack, if the people you meet here don't look alike, they will at least have similar names) comes and goes as he pleases where this Nexus is concerned, usually avoiding the places where people congregate. It's not that he doesn't like people or has a thing about crowds; he happens to live in L.A. and it's a crowded town so when he's here, he's looking for green space and wildlife and air not laden with smog. Except for today.

Today he wanders into Stigmata and assesses it for what the place happens to be: a bar. Of course, he's also soaking up the environment itself and like most of the Nexus it returns to him a rather bland feeling. The AVF. It's nice to not have to worry about certain things while poking at the odd (sometimes amazingly so) crossroads. No danger here, at least of the imminent kind that tends to end people.

There is a wonderful series of smells coming from that way, back there, behind the bar and beyond that set of doors. Someone's cooking. Alex considers this a double bonus. A BOGO of sorts. If

[dugdowndeep]

Jack could share a thing or two about crowded cities, considering the sheer population density of Shiloh, but lately he's been in the polar opposite manner of surroundings -- caves and tents in the middle of the woods, miles from civilization in any direction and surrounded by people who may or may not want him dead. The Nexus' mass crowds of strangers are practically comforting by comparison.

And speaking of strangers, Jack peeks his head out from around the door frame to affirm that he does not, in fact, know that voice. "Hi. Sorry, I'm--" Doing something complicated back here, apparently, "Not to be a pain, but could I borrow one of your hands?" Perfectly normal request, that. (Well, at least it is when you've only got one functional hand to start with.)

[ciddimisin]

Alex gives the guy a wary smile but waves in a manner not unlike making jazz hands in answer to the request. "Right or left and do I get it back?" Experience has taught him to ask for clarification especially where strangers were concerned. More so when concerning strangers in the Nexus. He pretty well enjoys having two hands which is understandable. Hopefully.

Walking into the kitchen to actually offer up the use of the hand in question, "What are we doing?" Yes, we. He'll jump right in.

[dugdowndeep]

Jack figures jazz hands are always a good sign. "Whichever is your best, and you can even keep it attached to your body." He is so generous. And also appears to have a legitimate excuse for the request, as four of the fingers on his right hand are thoroughly immobilized in splints. Not that that stopped him from making a ridiculous amount of food in here.

"I'm just trying to check this last steak, if you could man the fork." He motions to said fork, which is already stuck in the steak in question, but while Jack has managed to brace many a utensil between his bandages and functional thumb, he can only keep that up for so long before his thumb muscles start to rebel. And you have no idea how difficult it us to cut something you can't even hold still.