Welcome to Hickstead, home to both Seven Oak Stables, and Blue Acre - two rival stables. Both offer opportunities for their clients to reach the highest level of excellence. Each stable differs from the other, so choose wisely and never forget, loyalty is everything... Meanwhile as the stables battle it out, there's trouble brewing at the university. Be careful, if you don't pick a side you may get caught in the cross-fire...
This is an chilled out rpg with a super friendly and relaxed atmosphere! Remember to sign up with your characters full name in all caps and don't forget to do your claims! Thank you and Welcome, we've been established since 10th March 2009 but unfortunately have had to close guest view of our boards due to multiple sites ripping off our hard work, such a shame! Come chat to us in Discord before joining if you like!.
Mina was all about being a hermit. There was something very comforting in not leaving the house on the weekend, and just build blanket and pillow forts to the sound of ambiance and candles and doing your own thing without the needs of socializing. But, the young woman also knew that social interaction was needed in her life to keep her sane, which is why she found herself sitting at Parker's Pastries and texting her friend Casper Talbot: 'Hey, I'm chillin' at Parker's if you're not working.' She kept the text light and noncommittal, she wasn't a bully. She wanted the farmhand to come out of his own accord verses thinking like he had to and the young woman was summoning him, which was hardly the case.
She had known the orchard farm hand for years, they worked together as friends because, quite frankly, they were both awkward as fuck, but she didn't mind. It made the two of them endearing to the world even if the rest of the world didn't get them. Plus, it had been a while. Mina had found herself very preoccupied recently with the arrival of Ivan Park - her childhood best friend and onesided childhood crush - or so she thought. Whatever was going on with feelings, the man had came back into her life in like an unexpected winter storm and she found herself getting rather caught up in her hypothetical situations and possibilities - meaning she had to reground herself.
There was always Gideon, he made her feel like a confident friend, but they were also stuck together at the jewelry shop and while he was the Ryan to her Seth, even she knew that he needed a break from her. Which is where Casper came into play. Speaking of the fellow, the chiming door bell alerted her to his presence - well that, and his insane height. Chocolate eyes looked up from her sketchbook and caught his eye, a beaming smile spread across her face as she waved at him enthusiastically, "Heyyyy! Glad you could make it. Nothing says friendship like tea and coffee and oh! Cake."
Yeah, yeah. I'm Fine. I'm just having an allergic reaction to the universe
thanks aofie!
Twenty Eight . Jewelry Designer . Hetero . It's Complicated - IVAN LEE PARK
asper had a rare day off. The Malloy's had to practically force him to take time away from the Orchard. As he was a hermit and awkward, he much preferred being with the Malloy's - they understood his shy personality and left him alone for the most part.
The blond man had woken up at the crack of dawn, even though he was looking forward to sleeping in. His parents and sisters were still asleep and he was finally bored of staring at the ceiling in his bedroom. He pulled back the covers in defeat and got himself dressed, placing his glasses on instead of his contact lenses.
After that, he quietly made his way downstairs and made himself some breakfast, wondering if he should go into town for a walk afterwards. His sisters had said something about wanting to go to the library in town anyhow. Casper started reading the newspaper, eating his scrambled eggs and toast when he received a text message from Mina. Reaching over for his phone, he unlocked it and read the message. Replying with a "You've caught me on my day off, I'm on my way."
He left a note for his family members and cleaned up the kitchen - getting into the truck once he put his shoes on and left the house. It wasn't a long drive into town, though Casper enjoyed the distance in between - the Talbot family had always lived outside of a larger town so he was used to the quiet by now.
Casper found a parking spot easily and walked into the Pastry Shop, locking the truck behind him as he entered. A voice greeted him shortly after and he turned his head, giving Mina a soft smile as he walked over. "Hello, thank you for the invite. Have...you ordered yet?" Casper shrugged off his leather jacket and hung it on the back of the empty chair. He hadn't had his coffee yet, though he wasn't going to be rude and not buy Mina a coffee at least - especially since he was in desperate need of his own.
Mina watched as her friend made his way over to her now, that soft shy smile on his lips - the classic Casper Talbot look. She beamed him a smile back, that sort of half cheeky half awkward smile that she made her own, "You're looking good. If it wasn't so early, I would have thought I might have interrupted a date," she said jokingly now. Brown eyes watched as he shrugged off his leather jacket to claim his spot now before asking, "Hello, thank you for the invite. Have...you ordered yet?" The young woman shook her head at Casper's question now, "No, I was waiting to see if you'd take up my offer." Besides, she would have thought it quite rude to get herself a drink and make him stand in line by himself.
Getting up now, Mina side stepped around the table and managed to give him a slight hug in greeting before stepping back, "I'm glad you could come though," she said now, "I can't believe I actually caught you on a day off. Did the Talbots force you to take a vacation day?" While it sounded like a joke, it was a actually a serious question. Mina knew the man well enough that he actually preferred working at the orchard rather than staying at home. The young woman didn't entirely understand why, other than maybe the Orchard was rather quiet, which shocked her given that Mina herself thought all of the Malloy's were actually chatty.
Grabbing her purse, she headed towards the line now with Casper now to wait in line now. The morning rush thankfully was slowly flittering out, but it likely would still be a bit of waiting, "So how is everything?" Mina asked now, "Work. The Fam. Idk, anything else." Might as well let Casper talk as much as he wanted before she dumped her own trivial thoughts on him, besides, as a friend, she actually was curious to hear what he's been up to since the last time she saw him.
Yeah, yeah. I'm Fine. I'm just having an allergic reaction to the universe
thanks aofie!
Twenty Eight . Jewelry Designer . Hetero . It's Complicated - IVAN LEE PARK
A date? You know I'm too awkward for that kind of stuff. You'll be the first to know if I go on a date." Casper laughed, realizing that people rarely saw him outside of his usual farming gear. He tried his best to dress up on his days off, his parents having bought him nice clothes to wear when he went into town.
He wasn't expecting the side hug, but he reached the arm closest to her to return it before letting go. "Thanks for inviting me, it's always nice to catch up." His parents wanted him to work on making friends and keeping them. "Yeah, the Malloy's are saying I work too much so they are making me take more days off." He knew he needed to, spending too much time at the Orchard wasn't good for him either - though his employers were great company for him. They were chatty but knew when to leave him alone.
Casper followed Mina's lead, grabbing his wallet from the pocket of his jacket before leaving the table. "Where do I start? I mean with winter here, it's not really harvesting season yet. But the animals can't look after themselves, so they keep me busy enough." He swore they were like children, especially the hens who were constantly laying eggs for them to sell. "My family is good, I think my parents are a little sad that they don't have a farm of their own again but they are still enjoying their jobs." He shuffled his feet forward as the line grew smaller. "And you? How has it been working for Gideon and his family?"
"Ha! I'll hold you to that," Mina replied with a smile, "Although, I cannot help but to think that this will be the year that Hickstead will come around to us awkward people. I've been doing pretty well on Bantr." Granted, she supposed that a dating app would not be Casper Talbot's cup of tea. To the young woman, he was probably more of an 80's or 90's teen comedy plot waiting to happen...despite being twenty nine years old, "Being awkward is considered cool now by the media standards."
She could tell by the slightly awkward hug that the man hadn't been expecting her to invade his personal space, so maybe that had been her own awkward territory - not being able to read the room with her friends. Mina could be very self centered that way - it was hard to not do. Granted, she was even worse when something was amiss in her life, and considering that it might just be, perhaps this hug was simply the lead up to her ranting to poor Casper about her life, just like she ranted to Gideon as well. As soon as his armed dropped though, Mina knew to break it, "Thanks for inviting me, it's always nice to catch up," Casper commented now, "Yeah, the Malloy's are saying I work too much so they are making me take more days off."
Mina gave some arched eyebrow action at that, but delivered her next words with a smile, "Well, that's rude of them. But I can't deny I appreciate them doing it since I clearly reap the benefits." Plus, it probably did him some good getting away from the fruit farm, but she wouldn't be voicing that opinion out loud. She listened to him speak as they stood in line, shuffling forward each time it dwindled. She had forgotten that Casper and his family used to have their own farm back in the states. The young woman supposed that the Tablots had become such a staple of her life in the last year or so that she truthfully forgot sometimes that htey weren't even from the country, "I'm sorry to hear about your parents, but I'm glad to hear everyone is still enjoying themselves. It will probably get better in spring too." Its not like the English winter does any good for peoples feelings.
The tables turned to her though: how was she? How was her life? How was Gideon and his family? Many questions in there, and Mina had very many answers, "Oh Gideon is doing well. I think his father is contemplating firing me," she said, jokingly of course. But sometimes it didn't feel that way. Its been awfully hard for her to concentrate since the new years. Mina thought on it for a moment before finally saying, "My childhood friend is back in town and it's driving be bananas." There. Its out in the open. And then, Mina looked at Casper expectantly, waiting for him to prompt her to explain more.
Yeah, yeah. I'm Fine. I'm just having an allergic reaction to the universe
thanks aofie!
Twenty Eight . Jewelry Designer . Hetero . It's Complicated - IVAN LEE PARK
asper had no idea when his next date would be. There wasn't really anyone he was romantically interested in. That, and he worked too many long days at the Orchard to have the time to go find someone - not that he felt that he needed a romantic partner at this moment. "I don't know who else I would tell. Don't take that the wrong way though." He awkwardly ran a hand through his short hair. "Well let me know when you hear anything of awkward people taking over the world. What on Earth is Bantr?" He assumed it was some sort of dating app, something his sisters knew more about than he did.
He continued moving forward, realizing now they were getting very close to the beginning of the line. Casper took a moment to decide what he wanted. A black coffee and cinnamon coffee cake sounded amazing, seeing as he took a quick glance of the pastry display case. "I said the exact same thing, though they weren't happy with me. Come the Spring, they'll need me more most likely. I don't want to know how many vacation days I have." He was lucky enough to work for a small business, where they really could keep track of when employees took a day off. "It's easier that we don't, though some days I have the same thoughts. They built some raised garden beds so hopefully that will cure the craving for farm work." He shrugged his shoulders, knowing that nothing would cure the need to farm, but he could only hope this would help.
"You are the only one that does. Though my family likes to see me around at home. I usually leave before they wake up in the Morning." Usually his sisters were awake early, though that was only because of school. "Why would he want to fire you? Did you do something?" It felt odd, he liked to think he knew Mina well by now - doing something to get herself fired wasn't something he thought she would do. "Oh? Do tell me more if you'd like." Casper stepped up, waiting for the next barista to take their order after realizing he was at the front of the line.
The look that Casper shot her nearly made her burst into laughter, but the young woman managed to keep it together. After all, had the situations been reversed, she knew very well that she would be behaving just like her friend. Either that, or just dramatically whine about her whole situation - which, as Gideon Alcott could attest, Mina was very prone to doing, "Take it the wrong way? Never. I am quite proud you're suggesting I rank above your sisters for that sort of context," she replied with a grin now, chocolate brown eyes watching as he fidgeted just slightly by running his hand through his hair. It was probably way too early for this sort of talk. Mina figured she better rein it in before he went running for the hills as soon as he got his black coffee, "Well let me know when you hear anything of awkward people taking over the world. What on Earth is Bantr?" She simply smiled, "I will," she stated matter-o-factly, "And Bantr is a dating app. No pictures, just words."
They shuffled forward, getting closer to their tasty snacks. Mina could see one Molly Mac'Intosh running around behind the counter and manning the cashier like a one person show. For a second, the young woman wondered if she should spare the teenager her order of a flavorful latte but then decided against it, the look of determination on Molly's face said she would not be cheated out of any order, "I said the exact same thing, though they weren't happy with me. Come the Spring, they'll need me more most likely. I don't want to know how many vacation days I have." Mina could not help but to shoot her friend a slightly exasperated look, "Casper, please do not tell me you actually called your employees rude for making you take time off?" After all, she had been joking, sarcastically yes, but maybe that had been lost on him. It was kind of funny how seriously he took the farm work though, but everyone had their niches, and Casper clearly felt most at home when working, "Regardless though, I am sure building those garden beds will keep you preoccupied until the spring!"
When Casper noted he was usually up early enough to not catch his family before going to work, it beame clear that him having the day off really was the only reason why she caught him his morning with her late text. Otherwise, he certainly wouldn't have seen it. Or at least, seen it and had to reply with a whole 'sorry mina, i'm at work' sort of thing. She took another step now, the smell of coffee and sweets starting to waft in the air as her friend questioned her over her work remarks, "OH...well," Mina turned slightly now, craning a little to look up at Casper, "I think I may have been frightening the customers? I've managed to chill out, but since earlier in the month, every time that door bell chimed, I went sprinting out onto sales floor like a crazy cat to see who it was," she commented, "And then, when it wasn't who I thought it was, I'd sorta deflate and sulk back, ignoring the customers."
It was funny, for as awkward as she could be, Mina also knew that she could be a dramatically, self centered person. But it was hard to not be when you thought that the universe had it out for you on a daily basis. Or at least, that was how the young woman viewed her current standings. Maybe thinking Carroll would fire her was also a bit dramatic, but he hadn't been pleased, "Carroll Alcott didn't care for my antics, however, Gideon appeared to find them effin' hilarious and was laughing at me the whole time." It probably helped her other friend's understanding that since he was locked in the shop with her for eight hours in the day that he got the full load of Mina Cohen's self absorbed whiny rants and crazy ideas. And then came Casper's innocent invite: "Oh? Do tell me more if you'd like." Well, did she ever!
"Ughs, it's Ivan Park. I was absolutely madly in love with him the second he moved in next door. I think he wow'd me in the fifth grade when he gave some poem about being an ice skater or something like that," she started now, "But. I never told him. Cause I was his best friend, so best friends can't like, confess feelings right? And then college came anyways, and we sorta lost touch. And yet, I kept pinning after him." God, this was getting sad, "But then, I moved on, did the whole self discovery thing and began adulting. And now, just out of no where, I see him in the grocery store. And what do I do? Do I go talk to him? No. I turn around and collide into the avocado stand, spilling them everywhere. And...I didn't even pick them up." Mina might have continued her harrowing tale if it weren't for the fact that there was a giggle of laughter. Apparently they were at the front now, with Molly the Cashier, who looked like she was keeping herself together by mere seems, "Anything I can help you and Casper with Mina?"
Damn, the girl was good if she already had the local cliental memorized, "Give me my Rose Chai Latte, Molly, or give me death!" And for dramatic effect, she slammed her palm down on the counter. She was all fired up now, although, talking about Ivan always seemed to do that, "And an orange vanilla scone, plus whatever Casper would like here." She added on now, nodding to her friend besides her. The slam had made Molly's eyes go wide, but she still looked like she was doing her best to not laugh as the teenager simply looked to Casper now, waiting.
Yeah, yeah. I'm Fine. I'm just having an allergic reaction to the universe
thanks aofie!
Twenty Eight . Jewelry Designer . Hetero . It's Complicated - IVAN LEE PARK
e could tell it was hard for Mina to keep back a laugh - though he thought that she would know that she was one of his only friends. It was hard to make friends when he worked too much for his own good. "Please, you know my sisters aren't interested in my non existent love life." They were too interested in their own, though if he brought a woman home he was sure they'd notice.
Casper was clueless when it came to dating apps, often using technology only when necessary. "Huh, any luck getting a date on that app?" He had heard of people having success finding a long term significant other on dating apps, just wasn't his thing. He didn't recognize the teen behind the counter, but he could tell she was frantically filling orders and serving customers as they queued. He shook his head at her question, the Malloy's were way too nice to him. "Oh no. I'd never say that to them. I was just slightly disappointed, that's all." In all honesty, the "labor police" were enforcing the fact that he was working too much overtime.
"Yes, they will. I need to start building them here shortly." He had ordered the wood for them from the local hardware store and would pick it up on his way to work the next day. "You can be quite intense in a good way. I assume this secret person is the friend that recently came back?" Or maybe it was a customer she had been expecting - either way she dealt with people a lot more than he did at work. "The antics of you hiding from people? That would be quite funny actually." He cracked a smile and the smell of freshly baked goods was wafting towards his nose.
Casper listened to the story intently, making all the right faces in terms of reactions. He had no idea this friend crush existed, not that he had feelings for her. "Crazy how small the world is, right? Do you still have feelings for him and have you seen him again since?" It was too big of a story for him not to ask questions. He was equally as startled with the palm slap against the counter - giving Molly an apologetic smile. "She has a bit too much energy today. I'll just have a black coffee and a cranberry muffin please." He pulled out his leather wallet and rummaged around for some cash to pay for their beverages and snacks.
Casper was right, his sisters were utterly uninterested in his love life which always baffled her given that Mina had an infatuation with her own sister's life. She supposed that not all little sisters could be as awkward and annoying as her though with their imagination and thoughts up in the clouds, "Well, you've always got me Casper," she said with a grin, "And I will always be colored curious." Could one actually be colored with an emotion? What color would represent curious? No - focus Mina, focus on the conversation at hand. The topic had turned to her and her success with Bantr, "I've gotten a few single dates and free meals," she said with a grin, the perks of being a girl, "And one steady...courting?"
Mina wasn't sure on what to classify her current situation, other than complicated, which hadn't been complicated until Ivan showed his adorably stupid face in town. But that was besides the point, "If you ever feel like forarying into the weirdness that is app dating, I'm sure I can hook you up." The young woman knew the answer would be a hard no, but she figured it was best to still offer. She was his friend after all, maybe one of his best friends. But Casper was Casper, Mina was certain that he needed to come to his own conclusions just like she needed to after a seismic rant. At her friends mention that he was disappointed that he was voluntold to take vacation, Mina could not help but to smile, "Casper - I believe you are the only person I know who would be disappointed to take a break from work and hard labor."
And he simply drove her statement home when he told her that he had already gotten the materials for said flower beds earlier. Everybody has their passion, "I swear, you should build Legos with me some time." It would be curious to see what Casper could come up with if she just dumped a bunch of bricks in front of him with no instruction manual, just the flow of creativity juices. Unfortunately, but not unfortunately really, the conversation topic turned to her and Ivan. Ivan. Ivan. Ivan. Her friend was also asking her all the right questions, right in which they made her think, and also incredibly annoying that she had to think about these feelings. A dramatic sigh escaped her, "I don't know. It's complicated. I had feelings for him for like...nearly ten years of my life." Okay, it was a lie, she did indeed still have feelings for him, "Uh, he actually showed up at my apartment unannounced and unexpectantly with flowers and legos. But you are right, its certainly a small world." The man did know the way into her heart.
In front of them, Molly got to work the second the moment that Casper gave her his order, and she hurried quickly with the black coffee and producing the scone and muffin, "Mina, I'll have to deliver you your latte." Figures, "That's fine, Molly." She assured her now before she noticed that the man besides her was pulling out cash, "Here, let me contribute," Mina said hastily now, doing the same as Molly took the cash from both of them now rather perplexly. Once it was taken care of though, Mina grabbed the two tasty desserts and nodded for Casper to grab his black coffee and follow her, "What would you do if you were in my position with Ivan?"
Yeah, yeah. I'm Fine. I'm just having an allergic reaction to the universe
thanks aofie!
Twenty Eight . Jewelry Designer . Hetero . It's Complicated - IVAN LEE PARK
asper nodded, truly thankful for Mina's friendship. "Are you saying that if I need a date to a family function that you would say yes?" He was sure his family was secretly planning a reunion behind his back, though he was oblivious to that kind of thing - work took too much brain power. "Well, I don't have any romance gossip." It wasn't like he heard anything to gossip about anyway - he found it was rude.
"Is it always about the free food with you? And anyone in the running for a second date?" Casper wouldn't dare ask if there was anyone creepy. That was the most unnerving part for him - even as a man. "I'll let you know I promise. Which ones have you tried?" He tried to never say never, but dating apps were just a weird concept to him. "I really can't be the only one? I'm a worker bee who can't say no to helping someone who needs it." It was the mindset he grew up with - both of his parents worked hard to get where they were now.
Casper felt his eyebrows rise. "With or without instructions? I feel like I could probably figure it out though. Since when do you build with Lego?" He used to build a lot with Legos as a child, always wanting the newest set. Casper nodded, picking up his black coffee as he listened. It wasn't a situation he had been in himself but he would try his best and help. "That does sound complicated. The best thing to do is talk to him about it. I know it'll be awkward at first, but then you'll know how each other feels?" He was trying to think the situation though, but at least there would be some clarity between the two of them. "Wow, that guy knows you pretty well. Did he give you some sort explanation of why he is here as well?"
Casper handed Molly his cash, glancing to the side as he saw Mina handing the woman cash as well. "Sorry Molly, you've got the awkward crew today." He shrugged sheepishly and headed off to find them a table. "Like I said, just talk to him and see. It's better than living in the shadows."
Dinner date? Now that was truly quite the proposal - mainly because socializing, but Mina was willing to handle any crowds if that meant being one of her best friend's wingman for the evening, not to mention, the free food, "Of course! Friendship is magic," the young woman said with a grin, "Tell me the date and I will be there. Although if you find a real date date, I will have no hurt feelings. I will just require all of the details of the lucky lady." Mina supposed she wasn't surprised when the man ended the conversation by simply stating that he had no romance gossip, Casper was above that. Still, it was hard to not poke him. She managed to hold back though.
Mina laughed awkwardly at Casper's question, of course the free food would be the statement of hers that he would notice - since it was a jerk thing to say, "No! Its not always about the free food, its just a perk!" She defended herself now, "And yes, I have gone of three or four dates now with a guy named Danny. He's sweet, and seems to put up with me." The young woman knew she wasn't always the easiest - she had epic tangents and could come off as self absorbed when having a meltdown, but she wasn't mean, she was just...easily overwhelmed. In fact everything with Danny was going quite well which was what made her Ivan Park situation all the more infuriating, "AH! Well I met Danny on bantr, but I've also used bumble and hinge. There's many more though."
Since when did she build lego? Mina felt a little embarrassed now, "Man, have I been hiding that fact from you?" That seemed silly to fret over though when there were bigger things at play: like literally her mini rant about Ivan Park just then. Casper was asking her all sorts of questions now, honest ones and giving her honest advice, but Mina Cohen wasn't sure if she exactly...liked it. Talking about her feelings to a major crush? Hashing out everything over the last twenty something years? No, she didn't like that at all, and as Gideon had brought up and even Mina just now: wasn't everything going perfectly well with Danny? The whole thing was hardly the perfect situation.
She just smiled at the young girl now as she scurried off and her friend apologized for her, and then promptly followed after Casper as he brought up something important: "Like I said, just talk to him and see. It's better than living in the shadows." A loud groan escaped Mina as she slid into a chair now, and she pulled on her hair in two big chunks, "I know I knowwwww but.....I don't want to. I feel like ignoring the situation is a way more solid plan." And she would just keep on spinning her wheels as such until either Danny or Ivan prompted her otherwise, "I swear, its like you coordinated with Gideon on how to tackle this topic. This is the only reason why I need you two to get significant others, so I can annoy you."
Yeah, yeah. I'm Fine. I'm just having an allergic reaction to the universe
thanks aofie!
Twenty Eight . Jewelry Designer . Hetero . It's Complicated - IVAN LEE PARK
You really are a lifesaver. I feel like my family is secretly planning something behind my back. Though honestly, I’m too busy and oblivious to pay attention if they said anything recently.” Even his parents were starting to complain that they barely saw him at home. There was always something to do at the Orchard, and being the nice guy that he was - he often offered to stay late. “Same goes for you though, in case your parents are bothering you.” He knew how it could be when parents expected someone to bring a date and he didn’t have one.
Casper nodded, he was hoping Mina wasn’t shallow. “I figured, that came out a bit more awkward than I intended. Oh? And what can you tell me about Danny? Are you interested in him enough to see him again?” He was glad to hear there were still men that knew they should be paying for the date. Chivalry wasn’t dead after all! “Those are too many names for me to comprehend. How do you keep track of all the guys you talk to?” Casper was just happy he knew how to text, phone people and look things up on the internet - that’s all he wanted his phone to do. He took a sip of his drink and smiled awkwardly. “Yeah, I had no idea you built Lego. Would have made getting gifts for you much easier.” It was already hard enough for him to buy gifts for anyone - even his immediate family.
“What happens if he wants to get to know you again? Maybe even date you?” Casper didn’t want to admit that he would be there to clean up the pieces of this Ivan decided to love her and leave her - that’s what friends were for after all. “Was that annoying though? We are just telling you the truth. I promise we don’t talk about you behind your back.” He didn’t talk to Gideon much - except wen he visited Mina at work. “Does he not have anyone either?”
It was a little funny to hear her friend grouse that he was certain that his parents were planning something behind his back, "Oh? Does your family intend to play matchmaker for you?" Mina asked with a laugh now, "You may have to keep me in the loop on how that goes." The young woman couldn't imagine that working out well for Casper - over 100 years of Disney magic suggested that parents could never pick the proper match for their offspring. Besides, Mina was certain that her awkward friend needed someone special in order to bring him out of his shell. As for his offer to be a date whenever she may need him though, Mina merely grinned, "Deal. You can fill in for whenever Danny is unavailable."
They seemed to be at an impasse though after her crass comment about free food. Well, it wasn't crass per say, but perhaps it wasn't something that she should have just been blurting about. Brown eyes stared at her friend for a moment before it moved to the cup coffee that had been placed before her by Molly along with Casper's coffee as well. Thank goodness. Mina quickly grabbed it to busy herself as Casper finally recovered and promptly asked her about Danny: "Oh, he's wonderful," she gushed now, "Sweet. Sensitive. Mellow as far as I can tell. Plays guitar. I swear, it's like he walked out of a hallmark card. He also likes comics, so he's a bit of a nerd too." The young woman was certain she could go on and go, but Casper was a guy, he didn't need to hear all of that. She took a sip of her coffee now, mainly to shut herself up until the young man asked her another question, "Oh! The app will track everyone for you until you widdle them down to the one." At least, that had been how she did it and Mina felt like it worked out pretty well, "As for the legos. Don't worry about it. They're expensive but if you ever want to try and build something from scratch, let me know!"
The notion of Ivan possibly wanting to date her made Mina unceremoniously spew out her latte, "Date me?!" The young woman couldn't even comprehend - although, that was what ten year old Mina Cohen had wanted in the fifth grade, "No. No no no no no. It's not going to be that. As for if he wants to get to know me again...well...maybe...just maybe I can handle that. But no promises." Mina knew she was probably being mildly immature about it all - okay, majorly immature - but it was hard to not be. At least, in her mind. She really wanted to shove this whole conversation under a rug - Ivan, her friends looking out for her, the works. Thankfully, it came in the form of Gideon's lack of a life, and Mina just ran with it: "You know. I don't think he is seeing anyone. Gideon's an enigma anyways. I can never get a read on the man." Brown eyes burrowed into Casper now, "You know, maybe he can give you the dating advice from a guy's perspective."
Yeah, yeah. I'm Fine. I'm just having an allergic reaction to the universe
thanks aofie!
Twenty Eight . Jewelry Designer . Hetero . It's Complicated - IVAN LEE PARK
e knew in at the bottom of his heart that his parents wanted grandchildren and as he was the oldest - the pressure was put on him. "I think they are wishing I'd go out and find myself a girlfriend. Or they are bored and want something to do." With it being the season of Winter, both his parents jobs were slow, giving them more time to think about their future. "Dang, I forgot about Danny. Well maybe there is a wedding you'll be invited to that he doesn't want to go to." He joked, knowing Danny was more her type. Casper didn't really know what his type was - he needed someone who could deal with his awkwardness - and with him working more than he should.
"Sounds like he really is a prince charming for you. Remind me where you met him again?" Casper was glad his friend was happy in a relationship - he was a bit jealous, but he was sure he would be in one when the time was right. He didn't know how he felt about an app tracking who you were talking to. Casper did use technology as it was helpful in his day to day job, but he was finding it could be a bit invasive. "Isn't that a bit creepy? Please tell me you meet these strangers in public." There went his big brother instinct. He cared about Mina as a friend and didn't want anything bad to happen to her on a date. "That would be fun actually. I enjoy building things in real life, Lego can't be that different." He hadn't built a Lego set since he was a youngster as it was something he would do with his dad.
Casper took another sip of coffee, realizing that he had clearly hit a nerve when he mentioned that Mina had the possibility of dating Ivan. "I thought you had a crush on him back in the day? Has that changed then?" He hoped it wasn't coming off as an interrogation. Casper just wanted to know how his friend felt about the various options. "You could start with that at least. Take it nice and slow and learn about how you two feel about each other." It felt odd that he was the one giving her advice about relationships - though people seemed to come to him about these things anyway.
"That surprises me. I thought he would be the type of person who would have someone. Do you ask him too many questions about it when you two work together?" He laughed, it seemed that Mina got all the gossip - despite being awkward herself too.
Mina knew where Casper was coming from when he had mentioned how his family had wanted to edge him out of the house and go out and do something, maybe even get a girlfriend. She had her own trials and tribulations at home that had often exasperated her family, perhaps more so than Casper given he was an introvert completely and she was an introvert extrovert with a dramatic flare, "Do you want a girlfriend?" It was an honest question really, she had never heard the man say he want to date, let alone comment on how attractive someone was. Still, that didn't stop him from having good jokes, to include forgetting about Danny.
Laughter bubbled up from her and she merely shook her head, "I met him online - through Bantr. I was just lucky he's a good looking man." Granted, the whole point of the app was to base attraction off of personality verses looks - so, no pictures allowed. You get what you get when you go on your first date. Hearing Casper ask if she made certain to meet these people in public, Mina simply grinned, "Of course! No catfish is going to get me." Or axe murderers for that matter, but there was no need to startle Casper - he might take her axe murderer joke seriously. As for the Legos, the young woman nodded astutely, "It's exactly that - I think you'll have a lot of fun."
Unfortunately for her though, the conversation was taking a turn into territory that Mina wasn't sure if she entirely wanted to discuss, not even with her friend. She knew she was being odd about it, she was being odd about it to everyone, including herself. All that stuff had been in the past, and technically, Mina had moved on when she had started dating again, if moving on was even the right word for what it had been, "I don't know. I just have mixed emotions about him, which is annoying, since I thought I was over my stupid childhood crush." And rightfully, she should be. But did that mean she should ice out Ivan? No...although, Mina was immature enough to take such actions, "I guess I could start slow - see if I make it weird. Just as friends, of course." Like she wouldn't make it weird.
As for Gideon, the young woman merely laughed, "I ask him too many questions and I ponder too many things. Outloud." And with that, she downed her coffee - because its not like she had enough energy to get through the day.
Yeah, yeah. I'm Fine. I'm just having an allergic reaction to the universe
thanks aofie!
Twenty Eight . Jewelry Designer . Hetero . It's Complicated - IVAN LEE PARK
