2020-01-22 - Dresses and Dates and New Friends

It's too late for students and too early for sleep. While the doors are not open to normal patrons, they aren't locked either. It's in this mood that Hera makes the gallery part of her home. Queso is walks about, claiming everything he sees as 'his' with head bumps and Hans sits down on his hind legs and watches his alpha. With a bottle of red sparkling wine open, Hera keeps a glass on an end table but, at the same time, she has about three dresses on the counter. "I guess I should take Harper's advice, but, I don't know, I just want to be sure." She looks over at her dog and asks, "Do you think Jessica would really like the red dress?" Sure, take the dog's advice, he seems quite agreeable.

With her work day over Kim decided to check in with her favorite small gallery owner. Dressed in her normal street wear, nothing fancy for her today, and carrying with her a large duffle bag. Spotting the increasingly familiar animals and of course Hera. She waves "Hi there." she says as she starts walking towards her. Spotting the dresses on the corner, she looks them over "Getting ready for a big night out? Oh that red one looks pretty. I'd offer you one of dresses but I think they'd be like super small for you."

Hera hears the door open and turns around to see her friend. "Oh hi!" she says and she goes over to offer her friend a hug. "Yeah uhm." she blushes a little and says, "I have a date. Maybe I'm being more excited about it than I should be but, I haven't been on a real date in years. Harper says the red one would look good on me, but I just want to be sure. Come in! Have a glass of wine, let's visit!"

Kim chuckles softly returning the friendly "That's great! I am sure it will go wonderfully." thinking back to the festival "It isn't that Jessica is it? I mean she was so flirting with you, but I didn't know you liked other women. If I knew you did I might have flirted with you more than I did." giving a small giggle "It's a great thing to be excited for. It's been a bit for me as well for a date. But then again my ideal date is playing a game while cuddled up and chatting. Not too many people are into that. Harper? Well Harper has good taste then. Sure though a glass of wine shouldn't hurt and I have some presents for you." she puts the duffle bag down by the counter. She certainly seems in a chipper mood today.

Hera blushes a little and says, "Uhm, I, well, I don't know how much you want to hear about all this but, so far I really do like her. I haven't really had many choices about who or what I could like when I was younger, then Theo and I hooked up then after all that I got hooked up in my studies. She's sooooooooooooo pretty though, and smart. We texted a bit and, the things she said." Already it looks like she's on cloud nine, "She just, told me the right things and, she's pretty, did I mention that she's pretty." She does blink a bit and says, "Presents? Oh you shouldn't have, really."

Kim gives Hera a warm smile "I want to hear everything. Go ahead and just spill it all." she listens to her friend gush and lifts a tiny eyebrow at soooo pretty. "You know it seems like you really, really like her. That's great. You deserve it and I don't know her at all, but if you think she's all that then she must be something special. So go ahead and tell me some of things she texted that have you looking all dreamy." not like Kim hasn't meet someone like recently. But hey she welcomes comments about it as well. She nods "Yep I brought some equipment to setup camera outside. Got the spy cams, a larger 'legal' cam, the wiring and a bit of software to get it set-up with your system. I can install them when I get the time or you can get someone else." she talks as she is unzips the bag to all the electronic and probably not so legal equipment inside.

Hera blushes more, if that is even possible. "She's, a journalist, and very hard working. She has tenacity, as if she would do anything to get a story. That's really admirable though, I think. Honestly when I started chatting with her I was thinking oh yeah this could help business but, then, her hair, is so pretty, dark, and just so pretty. Harper told me a lot about her and to find out, she values truth. That's really important. I don't want to get stabbed in the back again." She rolls her eyes as says, "I should shut up and stop getting ahead of myself but, she is very very loyal to her friends. I can tell that right off the bat in our conversations." Yeah, she's dreamy about it and all but at the mention of a camera she says, "You and Leon should chat. I really really need the help with the security. I don't know much about setting up such things. I normally rely on Hans oh" she snaps her fingers and says, "That's another thing about Jessica, she already accepts Hans."

Kim is pulling out various cameras and electronic things from a duffle bag while Hera stands by the counter. Finishing up showing Hera what she brought for her, she stands up to final get that glass of wine. She has been listening to everything Hera has had to say. "She sounds great. The way you talk about her is just so kawaii. Do I sound that way then I'm talking about...Eh nothing." this isn't about you Kim, just keep it together she mentally chides herself. "It does sound like you two have important things in common. Truth is important, I find you have massage it sometimes though. But you are excited and early things are going, but if things don't work out I can always give her so many parking tickets and make her work PC look like she is doing all sorts of naughty things on it." she jokes, maybe she's joking. "Who is Leon? You know I don't know many people in town yet. Oh Zoiya had some really nice things to say about."

Hera replies to her friend when she says, "Maybe too excited. Technically, it's too early to tell anything. She may start talking to me and get bored about art and things like that real quick. If nothing else I have Hans and Queso and good friends who look out for me." But the blush is still there and she says, "I'm still very excited and, Leon, I'll explain that later but, what is that question you asked? Like, do you sound that way when talking about nothing? What's, nothing?" Witty redhead maybe, she might have picked up on something.

Art galleries aren't exactly Gigi's scene, but she was out for a walk, tripping balls on enough LSD to turn her brain into a monochromatic sitcom and is drawn to abstracts like a moth to flame. As she enters, pupils wide enough to drive through, it's with a beanie and a pair of welding goggles up on her brow. She's wearing her leather jacket, but it's open with the coming warmth, and has done away with gloves on her hands. Dragging them down her face as she looks around trying to make pinpoint something, literally anything, to stare at for the next four or five hours like a crazy person.

Kim sips at her wine "I think you are a perfectly exciting person and willing to try new things. I doubt she get bored with you talking about art. Not that I don't know the feeling, my friends just usually say shut up Kim when I go on too long. Oh not you of course, but I'm sure you'll do it one day. Anyway I have every confidence that wouldn't happen. That blush looks so adorable on you." then it's turned back on her "I...look we are talking about you. And not like I haven't mentioned Mac before...so don't pay it any mind." yup deflect. When Giada comes in...oh she has seen that particular look in her friend's eyes enough times. Also saving her from the embarrassment of gushing if her friend pushes. "We should probably help her." she says to Hera before setting down the wine and slowly heading to Gigi "Hi there." she says softly.

Giada, a good deflection it seems because Hera is very curious about "Kim mentioning Mac." The redhead doesn't want to push the issue but when the newcomer enters she offers a friendly smile and a wave, "Hello." she says, "Would you like some wine?" Wine, maybe not the best thing for Giada at the moment but if she looks for something to stare at, there is art here. Pottery, paintings, and other things. Quite vivid it seems but nothing that unusual.

Event he unusual is pretty unusual when hopped up on acid. Gigi is staring wide eyed at... it looks like a pot.. and leaning dangerously close with her mouth open agape. Just sort of hanging out, as if whatever the hell it is, it's literally the most amazing thing(tm). Until she hears voices, "What are you trying to say, you pesky pottery..." Not yet aware that the voices speaking to her are, in fact, not from inanimate objects, but from real people! "There's wine in you?" That's not entirely unimaginable, actually. Squinty eyed... "No, you're a pot, you're not talking.." Accusatory finger pointing! She instead looks for the TRUE culpret! Kim and Hera.. She stares at them too. Wide eyed, slack jawed. "Sup." Head up nodding. "This pot said it had wine in it."

Good Hera didn't push and not that she is glad that the poor woman is wandering around high. I mean she could have as easily gone into a police station. Giving Hera a sidelong look at the offer of wine and shakes her head. When Giada's focus is somewhat on them she says "I think the pot was lying. There is some nice coffee though. I have some extra spice to add to the flavor. Why don't you have a seat and I'll get you some." she goes to pull one of the chairs out for high girl.

Hera turns to look over to Giada with a baffled look on he face, "Uh" she says, "There's no wine there I'm afraid and, the pots don't talk back, not literally anyway. Would you, like some coffee miss? Maybe some coffee would be better. If you would like to ask the coffee pot about the coffee well, you might get a good answer." Why is Hera humoring her? In this state though, coffee might be better than wine.

"I've had some pretty fucking awesome conversations with a coffee pot, dude..." Gia scratches the back of her neck, nose scrunching up at the offers flung at her by... okay she's worked out that they're people and not mobile statues. "Okay, yeah.. let's do the coffee thing." Sher jaw works side to side, mouth opening and closing as she makes her way to the seat pulled out for her, "Thanks. Where am I?" Likely surprising in how not knowing doesn't seem to bother her in the slightest. "Is this somebodies house? Did I walk into someones house... I swore I wouldn't do that again. Stupid, Gigi.. basic social decency."

"Anata wa sore to issho ni ikanakereba narimasen. Ishi-uchi no hitobito wa yumoa o hitsuyo to shimasu." Kim says quietly to Hera. Forgetting that the artist doesn't speak Japanese or at least not that she knows. "I am positive the coffee pots had great things to say." changing back to english as she addresses Giada. "Your are Vivid Dreams. It's a art gallery. It's alright you came some place safe." making sure Gigi is the seat "I'm Kim and this is Hera." she points to the red head before going back to the coffee maker, she knows the way by now, to get a cup to bring back.

Hera tries not to laugh at the conversations she's had with the coffee pot and fortunately she doesn't do anything to ruin her sweet nature. "You're safe" she assures the woman, "This is part of my house but, in a way it's a bit different. If you fancy a chat come on in. We can share a few drinks."

"I speak mandarin." That seems absolutely and suddenly important to mention when Kim speaks in what is absolutely /not/ mandarin. "Which is why I have no idea what you just said.. but it sounded magical." Gigi, rubs the back of her neck and blows out a sigh from a ''oh'' lips. Looking up, Gi glances from Redhead to Asian, blinking her big dilated pupilly eyes at them. "I'm Gigi.. Gia.. Gi.. Giada.." One eye squints, nose wrinkles, "I guess I'm open to new nicknames, but at this point it's getting kind of wordy when I'm introducing myself.." Topic shift, on a dime, "Do you paint these?" She's still having trouble sorting out who's talking and when, but she's looking generally in Hera's direction. "I fucking love all the colors."

Kim comes back with a cup of coffee. Nodding to Hera's echoing her reassurance that this is a safe place. How her friend knows how to deal with a so very high person is a topic for another time. She isn't as sheltered as Kim thought. She looks to Giada "Really that is great. I don't speak a word of Mandarin. That was Japanese." I mean it's a little obvious coming from Japanese American, but most Americans can't seem to tell the difference between the various Asian's. She offers the cup to Giada "It's really nice to meet you Giada. Though whatever you want to be called is fine. Believe me I can understand the being wordy habit." right lack of focus she'll have to reign herself in a bit "I think these are from varying artist. Hera would have be very desperate to put my paintings up."

Hera shakes her head and says, "Not desperate at all, not at all. I think I need to go check on Queso. Probably time to make sure that litter box is cleaned and all. Please, sit down, enjoy yourself. There's plenty of coffee to go around."

Gigi accepts the coffee in both hands, "Thanks." Letting the hot aroma wash over her with a soothing smell, mug up near her face. "I know.. I mean I speak fluent mandarin, which means I'm pretty well versed in at least one asian culture, right?" All reason, sipping black coffee with a long suffering sigh of apprecation, "My girlfriend is Chinese... she'd kick my ass if I ever called her Korean... actually she probably wouldn't." Curiously tweaking her mouth to the side, "I don't know if I've ever even seen her frown.. huh.. anyways, where was I?" Glancing around herself as if completely unsure of where she is again. "You sure that pot wasn't talking?"

Kim gives a wave to Hera, she'll figure out a way to lock up later. Turning her attention back to Giada. The question, well she doesn't that much about where her ancestry is from "It does you mean you now more than most. So that's a good thing." looking relieved that Giada is drinking the coffee "Eh there is a whole cultural thing there. My parents hate those from other Asian countries so probably a good thing you don't call her by another heritage. Hey why don't you tell me about your girlfriend. She must be a fantastic girl right?" she takes on a very gentle tone "You are some place safe. I am sure the pot was talking, but it was lying remember? If you need to go home I can drive you there."

"I don't like my neighbors either." Gigi says as if drawing parallels between hating varying cultures, typical white girl. She drinks a bit more of the coffee and sighs into the mug, settling it down inbetween parted legs, held in both hands. "She's pretty awesome, yeah. Drinks a lot, but I'm high as fuck most of the time anyways, so I don't really feel in any particular position to judge.. besides, she's hot, so she gets a mulligan." Grinning, like a real grin rather than one born of talking to pots, while talking of said girlfriend. "Ugh, no.. I'm good. Don't feel like going home. I'll just end up in another fight with bitch ass step dad, but this coffee is the tits.." Another long drink, swallowing, and immediately drinking more.

Kim will just let things go, she has heard so much from her parents about why she should hate. That isn't her though "I am sure there are some parallels there. Do you want another cup of coffee?" she replies and then mentions she is high as fuck most of the time. Like nope really and Kim has to repress a sigh "I mean if she's hot and maybe there issues...who doesn't have issues? I am sure she has a reason for drinking just as you have a reason for being high. Did you two go to the LGBT meet-up?" she is trying to keep things grounded. "What is her name? Alright you don't want to go home. That's fair." she doesn't want to touch the family issue, only because she'd be tempted to do something. "Yeah the coffee is good isn't it?" she decides to say instead.

Gigi finishes the coffee and liks at her lips like a tiger cleaning its chops. Something about caffine is calming to her acid riddled mind, but it does nothing to constrict her dilated pupils and wide eyed stare. "Yes, please." Holding the empty mug out in both hands. "I'm sure, everyone has problems, and I absolutely want to ask her about them, but then she'll ask me and I'll have to tell her because I asked her." Her head turns to the side, "Which I'm actually more okay with than I thought I would be... huh.. good advice, Kim!" Not that the Japanese woman gave her advice, persay. "I'm going to ask her." She blinks a few times and looks around, "Yeah.. well I went and she showed up later. Her name is Kai... I guess, if you wanted, you could take me back to her apartment.. not now, but after another cup of coffee, is there special beans in it?"

Kim takes the mug and moves back to the coffee machine. Looking over her shoulder to response to Giada "Seriously what is wrong about telling her about yours? She's your girlfriend and why shouldn't you tell her about your issues?" she does actually offer some advice, at least after the fact. "You should ask her. If nothing else it would bring you two closer. Oh you went? I don't recall seeing you there, but I wasn't there for all that long. Kai? Mee actually mentioned her. Said she was worth knowing." she starts to move back with another cup of coffee "Not saying I'd be interested in your girl at all. You know just not alot of us from the Asian communities in this town. I can drive you back to her place later. Just take your time, I just want you to be in a place you feel safe. Special beans...well it's my own blend. So probably not but at least interesting." finally reaching where Giada is seated and giving the cup back.

Gia rubs at the back of her neck when her hands nolonger have anything toh old onto, watching Kim with a flickering grin that matches her widened eyes, then pressing into a fine line, "Yeah, I guess. I'm not really great at telling people shit.." She doesn't really think Kai is either though. She shrugs a little and slumps forward until Kim returns with a refreshed mug of coffee. As with the previous, it's brought up to her nose for a long smell and a happy mewing, "I spent most of the time with Sparrow and Aliroo... I don't really like crowds when I'm sober, ya know.. everyone looking at you and being all staringy.." Said before a long drink of coffee, opening her eyes wide, stretching her forehead. "Dude, no, totally. You should know Kai, she's awesome. If I started worrying about ever girl that talked ot her, I'd spend more time worrying and less time enjoying being with her, ya know? Totally not the jealous type over here." Motioning to herself with a wiggling finger... which she stares at, head wobbling to follow it for a second, mouth hanging open. "Uhh... oh.. I'm not worried about her going anywhere, I'm fucking awesome." Another sip of coffee, "Well, these are special special blends, I dig it. Strong work, Kim. Strong work."

Kim shrugs her shoulders "Look I could be the last person to say anything on the subject. But I think you should really try if don't then how will Kai ever know how you truly feel? I mean it be like me not telling Mac...eh what did you say about a Sparrow?" trying to catch herself in mistake "The girl offering readings?" while she is very new to town social media is one of her things. "Aliroo? I have no idea who that is. You know not being able to handle crowds sober is fine. I can't myself unless I'm with friends or without a few drinks. People who can say shut up Kim." okay so maybe she doesn't have the highest self-esteem and her friends from another place weren't really friends. "Okay nice. With Mee's recommendation I really should, I mean Mee is nice if intense person. Still glad you aren't the jealous type. So it's okay if I flirt with you?" alright maybe that is bit too far. Kim is just trying to go along with things and really only meant it in a joking way. "I am sure you are amaze balls. Well thanks I do try my best at everything."

Gigi is following along the conversation as best she can, but she's really high and keeps getting distracted by the way the coffee ripples in her mug after each drink, which means she keeps drinking it to see the ripples. Which means she's paying attention in waves. Periodically glancing up and nodding agreement or just staring, which is kind of agreeing too. "Aliroo... Alison. I call her Aliroo because I call everyone roo... like you'd be Kimiroo... later I mean, once we're friends. We will be, by the way, I'm impossible not to like." Big, goofy grin, because she's high. "Don't let people tell you to shut up.. you talk all you fucking want to and anyone who doesn't like it can cover their ears." The mug is put between her knees, held there like a pea in finishing school, so she can cover both ears with the cupping of her hands, "SEE?! I CAN'T HEAR YOU NOW... just kidding, I hear you fine." Another long drink of coffee, another long stare at the rippling beverage. "Mee... Do I- wait is her name Park? Dude, fuck yeah, she's hot. She was at the fall festival thing." Smacking her lips a little, "Sure, I'm probably going to flirt with you, so might as well flirt back, right? Seems unfair if only I'm allowed... just no swipey. Swiper no swipey... but flirting is cool, I think? I don't know, this is my first ''relationship'', mostly I just make friends and then fuck them.. this is all new territory for me, but I'm liking it so far."

Even if Giada was sober it may not be clear that Kim is new to town. "Alison...yeah don't know who that is. You know what I'm okay with Kimiroo, it's better than what others have called me. We can be friends for sure." still used to those so high she nods her head "That's fair but sober you will probably think I talk too much. Which is just a thing because I can really go on about things. Really it's okay." yeah she has no self-esteem issues. "Well it's just a thing." no need not to play along so she sticks out her tongue "Sure you can hear me. Well Mee did say some people call her Park. I mean yeah she is hot but not probably wouldn't be into me. So hey we flirt with each other and that is fine. I mean unless you and Kai are poly, then it gets into sticky things. But oh yeah swiper no swipey so not poly. Look I get you at friends with benefits...I tried that and failed. Eh sorry going off a little there. Still I'm happy you are liking this new space. Being mono is awesome as well."

"You do have a set of pipes on you, yeah." Even high Gigi can see that, but she's grinning all the same. "I talk a lot too, but maybe take a breath so you don't pass out.. I don't know CPR and I don't think you use CPR on passed out people anyways..." Glancing down thoughtfully. She shrugs in a shoulders bumping way up, kind of way and then lets them fall back further than they started. "I wouldn't really think hot people would be with me either, but they keep proving me wrong... I think it's my personality though. I'm really hard not to just fall right in love with. I think it's my eyes, but probably how forward I am about liking sex..." Her lips twist, shoulders bounc again, "I don't think we're poly.. but flirting isn't cheating because it's all fun, right? I think? I don't know, I'll probably end up getting myself in trouble, but I don't intend to sleep with anyone else, so it should be fine." She finishs the second mug of coffee with a big grin, tilting it upside down to get every last drop to drip into her open mouth. "Damn that's good." Where were they? "I've never had a girlfriend before. Seems pretty cool so far, though. Cuddling and waking up next to someone was pretty awesome.. mostly on account of sneaking out while people are sleeping always felt shady as shit."

Kim laughs "I really do. I don't push myself so badly that I will pass out. So I'm all good there. Just get me going about a favorite topic and I'll just go on. Not that I'll push myself so badly..." oh hey what was the original topic. She refocuses "Look not to sort of seeming like I am a try-hard. But you are hot. Just even those googles on your head...just yummy. If I wasn't into someone else so hardcore I'd be offering to you back to my place." she means it as jest, forgetting for a moment what that can mean to high mind. "Well hey you aren't polyamorous and that is fair as well. Flirting isn't cheating, coming back to my place will be. But asking Kai and you both coming back yeah that is fine." she means it as a joke, as Kim is looking at one person. Still Gigi is high so she needs to clarify "So you seem awesome. Like completely awesome." nodding her head at the comments of a first girlfriend "Yeah I'd love it if Mac would let me cuddle. Yep creeping out on people just feels awful to me." Kim admits to this.

"Why on earth wouldn't Mac want cuddles?" Gigi's eyes go wide, suddenly feeling very sad for Kim's lack of cuddles. Her frown deep enough that she's worried her skin might fall off and has to bodily reach up to move her frown back into order on her face before that terrible melty face actually happens. "I try! To be awesome.. and honest.. and not run out on people, but I was always really upfront." The mug is set down somewhere, most likely the floor. "Dude, I don't want to cut the conversation short or anything, but I'm starting to freak out and I think I need an adult..." Her wide eyes look around, staring at things for too long, rubbing at her face now that she's kept her skin from slothing off. "I think I need to get back to Kai's apartment before I lose my shit."