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[youngtimer]

NeverAcorned - Standard UN || HoratioV - Fog/Lighthouse UN || 5ofDiamonds - Casino Business || Odyssean - Anonymous/Sock UN

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Comments

[gothicgambit]

[How unexpected, she thought that Five would be more experienced with making other people act a certain way. Not that she minded actually knowing something he didn't for once.]

What we will do at first is observe, to make sure we aren't wrong.

[She puts two sugar cubes about an inch apart on the table in front of them.]

Jealousy was a poor tactic. I had thought Atem might fall into the right type for it, but it turns out they're both martyrs. [Her nose wrinkles in a momentarily childish sort-of pout.] Fools. They'll just end up pouting and offering sickening support instead of confessing.

Once we're sure of an approach, we just keep -[she taps on the end of one sugar cube with the end of her spoon.]

prodding them [tap]
closer. [tap. The cubes are near touching now.]

Watching them will make it easier to make a plan, at first.

[youngtimer]

[if she wants that sort of manipulation, she should look to Handler. Five is better at the predicting: at knowing people and how they'll react. Handler was always the other half of the equation, the one who set them up to give the reactions she wanted. He's a precise tactician, and emotions are anything but precise]

That, I understand. You need more data. What is it you emotional blackmail types call it? Dirt.

[he grins]

That much I can do.

[gothicgambit]

[She taps the tip of her finger against her bottom lip in thought. If this was a serious matter, yes. But-]

You make it sound so sinister! [It kind of is, Celeste]

Data would be a more accurate term. The more we know about what strings to pull, the easier it will be to drag them into realizing how foolish they're both acting.

If I wanted to actually manipulate them, I would be trying far harder.

[youngtimer]

[at her mild accusation, he simply raises an eyebrow as if to say '...yes, and?'. he enjoys her little quirks and mannerisms when she's away from the game table - she has so many tells, and every single one of them is deliberately chosen, a choreography meant to broadcast just what she wants everyone to see. it's impressive as hell]

Ryou's been messaging me privately about having trouble sleeping. That seems like it could be useful.

[gothicgambit]

Perhaps...

[Atem was very obviously protective where Ryou was concerned, but was that enough.]

I think we can push things a bit more though. They're rather comfortable at home, maybe observe them somewhere outside of their preferred environment?

[There's something she's forgetting, she can feel it. The shittiest part of recovering from an injury, it made everything harder to do.]

[youngtimer]

[he's preoccupied with savoring the last of his coffee before it gets cold for a moment, and as he abandons the empty mug, his gaze lands on his laptop, sitting closed on the couch nearby.

lightbulb.]

Dr. Pierce's grand opening dance for the school. He just put something up about it... hang on.

[he gets up and retrieves the laptop, cracking it open and logging back in. if she's quick she might catch the tail end of his password: ______4r@de. once he's in, he turns it around so she can have a look]

Might be a bit cliche, I don't know. Thoughts?

[gothicgambit]

[Celeste, being an unfortunately terrible snoop, does note the back half of his password. Never know when you might need something like that. But she leans over slightly so he does not have to turn the screen quite so far, and even scoots her drink out of the way in case of errant elbows.]

I think it's perfectly suitable. Cliches exist for good reason, after all.

[Her nail-claws tap a quick staccato on the tabletop, and she turns to him-]

Are you asking?

hint hint: it's an MCR reference XD

[youngtimer]

[he doesn't even hesitate. at this point it's just two pals scheming, nothing else at all. right? totally.]

Seems like the best way to keep an eye on them, don't you think? Besides. Pretty sure with how much we both like to dress for an occasion, we'd make a nice pair.

lmao

[gothicgambit]

[She thinks about it. They might actually, Five seemed to have better fashion sense than most people their age. Her age? Whatever. Obviously this is just as friends, since he's her boss and also probably considers himself a grown man no matter how much he talks about 'second puberty.' They're coworkers. It's fine.

That security that there couldn't possibly be another motive is what helps her answer.]

Hm, I suppose you wouldn't embarrass me. With your permission, Dolores.

[She can't help but be a little sarcastic, and directs her attention to the mannequin silently sitting with them.]

XD

[youngtimer]

[he glances over at her]

Finally, someone with some goddamned manners. Yes, you can take him. He's not mine anymore, anyway. Someone might as well give him a good time.

[that earns a little choked noise from Horatio before he frowns at her]

Doloreeesss...! [ahem] She says you have it. She's just in a mood today, I guess. Thinking she knows what's best for me, as always, when she only knows what she sees happen in here.

I see more than enough, Five. You like her, don't you. It's fine. I'm not jealous. Okay, maybe a little.

[he just purses his lips and gives Dolores the tiniest raise of his eyebrows, the universal frustrated teenager expression for 'oh my god shut UP']

look she's done weirder shit lmao

[gothicgambit]

[Well, whatever Dolores' response is, Five doesn't seem to think it's very funny. Part of her almost wonders what he thought was said.

But at least he doesn't act like she can hear her too.]

Somehow I think there's more to it then that.

[obviously, with how out of sorts he suddenly is. so far Celeste hasn't managed to throw him like that, but this mannequin can apparently accomplish it with ease. Interesting. It does not make her feel inadequate.]

So she 'thinks' she knows what's best. Does she not? Since you obviously seem to disagree.

[youngtimer]

[he coughs]

Let's just say her comment wasn't age-appropriate.

[gothicgambit]

[For you or for me? She almost asks.]

Will you ever stop treating me like a child? I am older than you, physically at least.

[youngtimer]

It's not that I'm treating you like a child, it's more like I don't appreciate her treating this as a hook-up opportunity. There. Y'happy?

[gothicgambit]

[She is. If the instant glinting satisfaction in her eyes and almost feral turn of her smile. Oh no- winding up Five is surprisingly fun, and that might get her in trouble. She decides to disengage before she makes it worse and he kicks her out. The nerve is noted though, with a careful kind of precision that she tucks away to take out and examine under better lighting later.]

Because I upset you? That would be childish.

[Celeste moves to stand, but puts her palms on the table to lean forward as she does.]

I'd best get shopping then, if expectations are so high. Good day, dear. Dolores.

[She half-bows to the mannequin and makes her exit.]

[youngtimer]

You see that? "Dear".

[his nostrils flare a little and he rounds on her.]

You know what? I think you get your own room, now, Dolores.

[he picks her up and whirls toward the back of the room, opening the neglected linen closet and dumping her unceremoniously inside on the pile of sheets and towels.]

Got all the amenities.

[and with that, he's going to make himself a pitcher of margaritas. or two. or three. anything to drown both her and the prospect of an impending ... dare he even - no. he won't even THINK the word 'date'. fuck that. it's intel. that's all it is. ever. forever. there's no chance of that for him, not ever, not now, not before, not anymore. and how dare that lump of molded vinyl and paint even think of teasing him with the hope of it?]

Jealous bitch.