Doggonnit!
Why, WHY did I not just admit to her that I'm a mutant when she asked? Now she hates me because of how wierd I've been acting! AND she thinks I have a dog??? Ororo, do me a favor and come shoot me. Just, bring a shotgun and don't hold back. I deserve it! I even deserve being slowly choked to death!
Man... Alison's such a nice person. She says she's human--which I guess could be about as much of a lie as mine. (I'm so stupid.) But she cares about mutants! She's trying to start a 24-hour hotline where parents can call and get help on how to be supportive of their child once they discover they're a mutant. Every parent doesn't want to oust their child once they learn this sort of thing, but despite us being in what could very well be the third generation with mutants, they still really don't know what to do.
I think it's a great thing she's doing. So WHY am I being such an idiot? When she left my apartment last night, it looked like she was never gonna talk to me again! What do I do? Should I give her time? How long should I wait before I go crawling on my hands and knees, begging her not to hate me?
And it was all going so well, too...
(NYC) Central Park South (NYC)
Deviating from the slightly more.../lonely/ feel of the northern sections of the park, the area here seems no less appealing to the eye, regardless. In the distance through the thick treelines of maple and oak, the skyline of New York can be seen looming. Smaller bodies of water than the Reservoir dot the green here, as do the bronze statues placed seemingly at random. The Shakespeare Garden, Tavern on the Green, Strawberry Fields, and the like of more popular 'hotspots' of the park flank to all sides.
Being a dog seems more and more like a good idea as the weather continues to drop, so here Sydney is, once again, wandering the park as a Harlequin Great Dane. This time, however, he has the common sense to have a collar and tag to keep himself from being snatched up. As far as everyone knows, he's someone's dog; someone who's wandering the park as well, perhaps? Well, as far as anyone can guess. He's enjoying his little walk with this in mind, keeping to the sidewalk which he plans to tour around one more time before heading home.
A night out had seemed like a good idea at the time, but with the time change it seems to be getting a lot darker a lot faster. So the book that she'd brought with her to the park in order to read under a tree is quickly tucked back into her purse as she dusts herself off and heads for the sidewalk. Hands tucked into the back pocket of her jeans, Alison takes up a leisurely stroll, eyes roaming lazily over the area. "Oh how sweet!" Is suddenly exclaimed as she notices the large dog heading in her direction.
Syd_Dane stands still, ears perked, and looks in the direction of the exclamation. Hey! It's Alison! That starts his tail a-waggin'. He hasn't seen her in... a good while. Though he keeps getting those checks for her rented space. Like the happy lug he is, he prances over in her direction with his tail still going like a fan. Or a whip, considering its length and flat fur coat. . o O (Okay. Be smooth. You're a dog. No speaking. No giving her cause to flee in the other direction. And no pouncing! ... Well, maybe just this once.) The Great Dane rears up on its hind legs to try and tackle her.
Alison would normally be a little nervous with such a large creature heading in her direction. But he's just so cute, and not to mention that tail is thwapping happily so he's obviously not in a bad mood. The woman's eyes widen slightly as it rises to it's hind legs, but she remains where she is reaching up to try and keep the dog from sending her right to the ground and it moves to tackles. "Woooah.." she laughs trying to maintain her balance.
(Ooo, good catch) O o , Syd_Dane thinks, and resists the urge to slobber. That, would be pushing it. But he does show his teeth in a big, doggy smile while his tail continues to wag. A brown leather collar is wrapped snugly around his neck and from it, dangles a silver tag with his 'information' on it: The name 'Sydney', with a rather familiar address and phone number underneath.
Alison stares at those teeth with just the tiniest hint of fear. "My what big teeth you have." She laughs, managing to finally make herself steady. The gleam of the tag catches her eye, brown settled on the name engraved. "Syd? I didn't know he had a puppy. And such a cute puppy. Oh yes you are. A cute, biiiig puppy." She lifts a hand high enough to scratch the fur beneath his ear, nose scrunched up as she coos.
Syd_Dane blinks. . o O (She thinks I have a dog?) Then it hits him.... Doh! The tag! He knew he shouldn't have used the first address that came to mind. Although he does keep wagging his tail at all her cooing, there's a slight hesitation in his eyes and body language. And eventually, he hops down and looks like he's about to go somewhere.
Alison continues to lavish him with affection until he hops down. Confusion flutters briefly over her features as she glances around, wondering if Sydney was walking him. But with no sign of the man around, Alison tries to tuck a finger under the collar to stop the pup from leaving. "Where you going sweetie. We should probably get you back home. Sydney must be worried sick!"
Sydney erks and stops, not wanting to hurt Alison's finger. He looks up at her and wags his tail a few times, then back around at the surrounding area. . o O (Why did I not take those voice-throwing lessons by email like I'd been offered?) But wait. If she takes him home... She'll be walking him home! And if she's walking him home... He can come out and talk to her! Give him a minute to realize the error in this.
"C'mon pup. Let's get you home. You can be my guardian puppy." Alison grins and tugs gently on the collar, trying to guide Sydney back towards the studio. It looks like someone is not inclined to take no for an answer. Though if it comes to a tug of war, she'll certainly be losing.
Sydney goes willingly, though he does whine a little. Hey, he wanted to get a few more laps in before heading home! But as long as they're walking, he can try to think of what he'll say to her when they get there. Hmmm. Long time no see? Wanna get a bite to eat? How's about free dance lessons! . o O (When did I become such a nerd?)
Alison removes her finger from the collar at the whining though the head simply moves position, resting on top of his head as they walk, scritching softly around his ears. "I'm surprised I never noticed you around. A big guy like you should be hard to miss. Then again, I tend to not notice the big things, concentrating so hard on the small things." Oh yeah, babbling to a dog. She's going to be one crazy old lady.
(Oh, I'm around...) O o , Syd_Dane thinks to himself, and the dog makes a loud huffing sound that almost resembles chuckling. This is rather funny, after all. Being walked to his home by a girl he knows in his human form. Of course, when they get there and no 'Sydney' is available to take Sydney... Well let's just cross that bridge when we get there, hmmmm? Syd does have an idea, but it's gonna take a bit of doing to execute.
Or he could just tell her the truth? But that would be too easy. The huffing sound draws her eyes back down, the scritching picking up pace for a few moments. "Don't worry. We're almost there." She smiles, bottom lip being pulled between her teeth. "Just between me and you, I'm glad you got out tonight. I've been meaning to stop by for awhile and see Syd."
The truth would be too much like right! And Syd is nothing if not a procrastinator when it comes to doing what's right. But what's this? She's been meaning to see him??? "Aroo?" He beckons in as close to a dog making random noises as he can.
Alison blinks at the noise, surprised for a moment at how it almost seemed like the dog was listening. "I mean I've been trying to spark interest in my after school program, but until I get a group of students interested I really don't have a good excuse to just stop by." She shrugs patting the dog's head before smiling down at him. "You're the cutest excuse I could ask for."
(Heehee. She thinks I'm cute.) No, she thinks your dog is cute, stupid! Still, Syd takes the compliment and runs with it. After all, he and his dog are one in the same. So technically she does think he's cute! His tail wags a little as he settles on this logic.
"See! We're getting close. It's just right down this block." She informs the dog with a grin. For the first time she removes her hand, pausing for a few minutes in order to straighten out her shirt and dust off her pants. Her hair gets a once over as she brushes her fingers through it, making sure it looks nice enough. "Ok. Ready. You ready?" Another smile to the dog before she begins leading the way to the studio.
Oh, Syd's ready. As soon as Alison takes her hand off his head, the Great Dane takes off down the street in the direction of the studio. Fortunately, being a pony-sized dog means he'll get there before she does, and his little deception will be complete! Why is he celebrating that idea? As soon as he reaches the studio he runs around to the back door and becomes himself again. "Whew!" He fumbles with the key in his pocket, fiddles with the lock, then pulls the door open and stands halfway in it. Aaaand, action! "Come on, boy! Go inside! There you go! Geez, where have you been?"
Alison calls after the dog as it takes off but decides to hurry after him instead. Though heels are hardly something she should be running in. Red cheeked and huffing once or twice, Alison hurries towards the sound of Sydney's voice, flattening her hair once more before turning the corner. "Sydney!" She says with a girlish squeel that she tried so hard to conceal. And failed horribly. "I hope you don't mind me stopping by, but I found that handsome boy wandering around the park by himself so I thought I'd bring him back here."
Sydney stands in his doorway and props his head on one of his hands. "Oh? Really?" He barely conceals his own breathlessness, though if she were to ask, he'd simply say he just... ran downstairs. Yeah, that's the ticket. "Yeah, well, he's pretty independant. I just put food in one bowl and water in another, and he takes care of himself. Even flushes the toilet when he's done doing his business!" He chuckles a bit. "Would you like to come up?"
Alison bites down on her bottom lip as her hands find their way once more into her back pockets as she shifts her weight from foot to foot. "That must be nice. Not having to worry about him. He's a wonderful dog. Very sweet." The offer to ocme up earns Sydney a slightly deeper flush of red on her cheeks. "Sure. I would like that."
Sydney does happen to notice all that fidgety schoolgirl bodylanguage of hers, and it almost makes him stumbled out the door. "Um... Okay!" He turns and runs into the doorframe. "Erf! Whoops! Eh-heh." And while rubbing his face, he steps in and starts up the stairs. "See? He's disappeared already," he calls down in a chuckle, to explain why 'his dog' is not trying to pounce Alison for entering his home.
(NYC) SKJ Dance, Vocal and Acting Studio - Sydney's Apartment
This place is perhaps as odd as the person who calls it home. The majority of this upper level is wide open as though it could have been a studio itself, although that space is now full of furniture and partitions that try to make it seem more closed off. The first section that anyone would see upon entering is the living room, set apart from the dining area by two wooden and rice paper dividers with matching cherry blossom designs. A beanbag couch sits in the middle of the living area, dark blue in color, and with lasting imprints from a few people who have visited recently. A wooden coffee table stands in front of it, looking rather plain, although there is a battery-powered fountain resting on it as a centerpiece, and a few magazines with theatre and dance themes for anyone to browse. Green beanbag chairs sit on either side of the table just to make extra places for people to sit.
The floor is polished wood, but a section of green, shag carpeting extends in front of a very open space just before a bookshelf. Surprisingly, the only television in the place has a mere ten inch screen and is a combination TV/VCR. There probably isn't any kind of cable hookup to it, and it doesn't look as though it is used very often. Against one wall there is an upright piano with a tape recorder sitting on top of it, right alongside a ceramic gord that sometimes swirls out scented incense.
There's an open doorway to a kitchen against one wall, next to two closed doors that hide other rooms. One door sits alone on a far wall, leading to the stairwell to the first floor.
When you hang out with school girls it's hard not to pick up a few of their habits every now and again. Not to mention it's been awhile since she's had to interact with someone she could quite possibly have a crush on. "Careful." She warns with a giggle as he stumbles, moving to follow him up the stairs. "Wow. Independant doesn't even begin to cover it."
Sydney chuckles sheepishly, then opens the door to his place. "Make yourself at home," he says as he steps in and stands near the coffee table. There's a girl. In his apartment. And it's not a friend he's known for years! What does he do, what does he do?? "Um... Want something to drink? I got coffee! Or... water." Oh yeah. Smooth.
Yeah right. Make herself at home. For the moment she stays in the doorway, glancing around the apartment. It's the first time she's ever been to this level of the studio. "I love the dividers." Alison murmurs as a finger traces gently over the cherry blossom design. "Coffee is fine. Or.. water. Anything really."
"Okay!" And he practically zooms into the kitchen, behind the swinging door. He takes a moment to silently suck in air and do a little 'Holy crap there's a woman in my apartment' dance. Then, remembering the request, starts up his coffee maker. "Uh... Um... how do you like yours? Your coffee," he calls to her. "And... you can watch the TV if you want! Though I only have local channels...."
"I like mine sweet. Lots of sugar if you have it." Alison replies as she manages to resist her own urge to do the 'in a guy's apartment' jig. "But I can take it black if that's easier." A few quick steps into the room as she inches towards one of the beanbag chairs, scooping up a theater magazine as she passes the table. "Thanks."
"Oh no! I have plenty of sugar!" There's much fidgeting, clanking and nervous muttering coming from the kitchen before Sydney finally emerges carrying two cups of coffee. "Here we are," he says, holding out a white ceramic coffee cup decorated in brown chinese characters. "Sweet for the sweet! And plain for the busybody." He smiles and chooses to sit on the couch, though on the end that's as close to Alison as he can get without it being creepy.
Alison blushes as she's called sweet, but hides it by inclining her head slightly as she accepts the cup. "Well thank you! And you are hardly a busybody. Unless asking how someone takes their coffee has suddenly become an intrusive question and nobody told me." She grins, body tilting in his direction as she settles in the chair.
Sydney chuckles. "Well, I meant that literally, really. What with running this place. But then, I guess you're a busy body as well, having your after school program, and the whole help thing you're trying to do?" He leans back and takes a sip of his coffee. "How's that going, by the way?"
Alison blushes deeper, embarrassment this time. "Oh. Well I suppose that makes more sense." A nervous giggle as she craddles the mug between her hands, glancing down into the brown liquid. "It's going well. I'm working on finding some space and volunteers. I want to make the hotline a twenty four hour sort of thing, so that there's always someone there to help. But it's difficult by myself you know? With the teaching and the after school programs, I hardly have any time to breath. But it'll be worth it in the end."
Sydney nods several times. "Well you know, I really do want to help you, Alison." Oh man, does he want to help! "Maybe I could pull some hours at the hotline?" Something dawns on him--Something Ororo brought to his attention, that he should probably ask. But man! Is this gonna be awkward. "Hey, Alison... You mind if I ask if there's a deeper reason why you're doing all this for Mutants?" Like maybe, being one yourself?
Alison's eyes brighten at the idea of having help. "Oh that would be wonderful. But I know you're so busy with your classes and keeping this place running. I'd hate to be a bother." The bright smile that was beginning to form turns to confusion for a moment. For a woman as smart as Alison it takes her a few moments to realize what he's asking. "Ooooh. You're asking if I'm a mutant." Brown eyes lift to settle on his. "Alas, I am not. Just a human who wants to see the suffering come to an end. Would it bother you if I were? A mutant that is."
Sydney shakes his head rapidly. "Oh no no no! It wouldn't! It'd be wonderful!" He rubs the back of his neck. "I mean... It's okay to be whatever you are, mutant or human. I was just, curious. You know, so many mutants don't want to show themselves off--would rather go obscure and unknown, for all sorts of reasons." Like, not wanting people to run screaming in the other direction... Or screaming in your direction with a blunt object. Syd smiles timidly. "It's good for humans to want to help mutants, you know? Openly want to. So many want to, but are afraid of being singled out as 'traitors' to their own kind."
Alison breaths a sigh of relief. She'd hate to think she had a crush on a guy who wouldn't like her for being a mutant. If she were one that is. "Yeah I know. It's a shame that people have to hide who they are these days, but maybe one day, with a little help from the people that care, that can change." She shrugs, eyes narrowing slightly as she studies his face. "The only 'traitors' are the people who treat others poorly for simply having a different gene." A long pause as she ponders something. Oh what the hell. "How about you?"
"Oh, I complete agree," he says while nodding to her final statement. However, the question she asks almost causes him to spill coffee on himself. "Gah!" He holds his cup forward while it dribbles all over his nice, wood floor. "Oh, would you give me a moment? I really have to get that up before it stains!" He carries his coffeecup with him into the kitchen, and once behind the door, does a little 'Dammit, what do I say to that question' dance.
Alison drags her eyes from his face to the cup as it spills, but not before noticing the look in his eyes at her question. Brows arch high as she hurries into the kitchen, but she lifts from her chair, reaching for her purse. A few napkins are pulled free and dabbed on the spill to help try and clean it up. "I didn't mean to ...intrude. You don't have to answer if you don't want to." She thinks she already has her answer.
"Oh no, it's okay," he calls from the kitchen, then comes out with a handful of paper towels. "I'm just clumsy, despite fifteen years of dance experience." Just look at the way he ran into that doorframe on his way inside. "As for the question, well," he chuckles, "I kinda wish I did have the power to blow up annoying drivers at will or halt taxicabs as they pass me by, but I think I'll just have to make do with shaking my fist angrily in their direction." Oo! Liar! Well, not exactly a lie. It's more of a clever statement to keep from having to tell the truth or a lie. Politicians use them all time. He smiles at her and kneels to wipe up the coffee spill.
Alison glances up at him as he kneels across from her to help clean up the mess. Her face is now devoid of anything readable, the look in her eyes trying so hard not to be suspicious. Nobody spills their coffee and flees from the room like that if the answer is a simple no. "I see." A faint smile. She sees all right. He doesn't trust her. "I suppose not all of us can be lucky enough to have the mutant gene huh?" Another brief smile as she rises and dusts off her knees.
Sydney nods several times and rises with her. "Lucky, or unlucky, in some cases." Like the ones who can't hide as easily as him. "Anyway. I do have plenty of free time, still. Especially in the mornings, when most of my students are off being students elsewhere. Maybe I could cover an early hotline shift?"
"I suppose not everyone would think of it as a gift." Alison shrugs as she finishes dusting herself off, giving him a brief nod in responce to that last part. "Well, I can stop by or give you a call once I get everything worked out, we'll schedule some time for you if you'd like. No pressure of course." The sweet, breezy tone is trying so hard to worm it's way through the chill of her voice, but it's having a little difficulty. "But it's late, I should probably be on my way."
And don't think Syd doesn't notice! In fact, the slight change in her town has caused his expression to falter considerably. "Oh. Okay," he says in a hushed tone. Uh-oh, this is not good. "Thanks again for finding my dog, by the way," he says and smiles, mainly to try and work a smile out of her. Smile, please!
"Thank you for the coffee." Alison says, remembering her manners even through the annoyance. The easy going way about her has certainly shifted as she seems to be going into her teacher-mode. Caring but standoffish. "Of course. He's a wonderful dog, I'd hate to see him get in trouble with the pound for not being on a leash." Still no smile.
"Did I say something wrong," Syd asks as he moves to walk her to the door. He may be a liar, but he's still a polite one. If... that makes any sense.
"Sometimes it's the things we don't say." She murmurs quietly, honestly while trying to remain un-pushy. It's not her place. Alison pats him gently on the hand as she passes him to try and make it to the door a little quicker.
Sydney stands still and stares after her. Things we don't say? Oh no.... But he lets her go. He's got a lot of beating himself up to do, once that door closes and she's on her way home.
Alison offers a quiet wave over her shoulder before she slips through the door, tucking her purse under her arm. She has a whole subway ride home to sulk silently to herself and try and figure out why it is he couldn't trust her.
Man... Alison's such a nice person. She says she's human--which I guess could be about as much of a lie as mine. (I'm so stupid.) But she cares about mutants! She's trying to start a 24-hour hotline where parents can call and get help on how to be supportive of their child once they discover they're a mutant. Every parent doesn't want to oust their child once they learn this sort of thing, but despite us being in what could very well be the third generation with mutants, they still really don't know what to do.
I think it's a great thing she's doing. So WHY am I being such an idiot? When she left my apartment last night, it looked like she was never gonna talk to me again! What do I do? Should I give her time? How long should I wait before I go crawling on my hands and knees, begging her not to hate me?
And it was all going so well, too...
(NYC) Central Park South (NYC)
Deviating from the slightly more.../lonely/ feel of the northern sections of the park, the area here seems no less appealing to the eye, regardless. In the distance through the thick treelines of maple and oak, the skyline of New York can be seen looming. Smaller bodies of water than the Reservoir dot the green here, as do the bronze statues placed seemingly at random. The Shakespeare Garden, Tavern on the Green, Strawberry Fields, and the like of more popular 'hotspots' of the park flank to all sides.
Being a dog seems more and more like a good idea as the weather continues to drop, so here Sydney is, once again, wandering the park as a Harlequin Great Dane. This time, however, he has the common sense to have a collar and tag to keep himself from being snatched up. As far as everyone knows, he's someone's dog; someone who's wandering the park as well, perhaps? Well, as far as anyone can guess. He's enjoying his little walk with this in mind, keeping to the sidewalk which he plans to tour around one more time before heading home.
A night out had seemed like a good idea at the time, but with the time change it seems to be getting a lot darker a lot faster. So the book that she'd brought with her to the park in order to read under a tree is quickly tucked back into her purse as she dusts herself off and heads for the sidewalk. Hands tucked into the back pocket of her jeans, Alison takes up a leisurely stroll, eyes roaming lazily over the area. "Oh how sweet!" Is suddenly exclaimed as she notices the large dog heading in her direction.
Syd_Dane stands still, ears perked, and looks in the direction of the exclamation. Hey! It's Alison! That starts his tail a-waggin'. He hasn't seen her in... a good while. Though he keeps getting those checks for her rented space. Like the happy lug he is, he prances over in her direction with his tail still going like a fan. Or a whip, considering its length and flat fur coat. . o O (Okay. Be smooth. You're a dog. No speaking. No giving her cause to flee in the other direction. And no pouncing! ... Well, maybe just this once.) The Great Dane rears up on its hind legs to try and tackle her.
Alison would normally be a little nervous with such a large creature heading in her direction. But he's just so cute, and not to mention that tail is thwapping happily so he's obviously not in a bad mood. The woman's eyes widen slightly as it rises to it's hind legs, but she remains where she is reaching up to try and keep the dog from sending her right to the ground and it moves to tackles. "Woooah.." she laughs trying to maintain her balance.
(Ooo, good catch) O o , Syd_Dane thinks, and resists the urge to slobber. That, would be pushing it. But he does show his teeth in a big, doggy smile while his tail continues to wag. A brown leather collar is wrapped snugly around his neck and from it, dangles a silver tag with his 'information' on it: The name 'Sydney', with a rather familiar address and phone number underneath.
Alison stares at those teeth with just the tiniest hint of fear. "My what big teeth you have." She laughs, managing to finally make herself steady. The gleam of the tag catches her eye, brown settled on the name engraved. "Syd? I didn't know he had a puppy. And such a cute puppy. Oh yes you are. A cute, biiiig puppy." She lifts a hand high enough to scratch the fur beneath his ear, nose scrunched up as she coos.
Syd_Dane blinks. . o O (She thinks I have a dog?) Then it hits him.... Doh! The tag! He knew he shouldn't have used the first address that came to mind. Although he does keep wagging his tail at all her cooing, there's a slight hesitation in his eyes and body language. And eventually, he hops down and looks like he's about to go somewhere.
Alison continues to lavish him with affection until he hops down. Confusion flutters briefly over her features as she glances around, wondering if Sydney was walking him. But with no sign of the man around, Alison tries to tuck a finger under the collar to stop the pup from leaving. "Where you going sweetie. We should probably get you back home. Sydney must be worried sick!"
Sydney erks and stops, not wanting to hurt Alison's finger. He looks up at her and wags his tail a few times, then back around at the surrounding area. . o O (Why did I not take those voice-throwing lessons by email like I'd been offered?) But wait. If she takes him home... She'll be walking him home! And if she's walking him home... He can come out and talk to her! Give him a minute to realize the error in this.
"C'mon pup. Let's get you home. You can be my guardian puppy." Alison grins and tugs gently on the collar, trying to guide Sydney back towards the studio. It looks like someone is not inclined to take no for an answer. Though if it comes to a tug of war, she'll certainly be losing.
Sydney goes willingly, though he does whine a little. Hey, he wanted to get a few more laps in before heading home! But as long as they're walking, he can try to think of what he'll say to her when they get there. Hmmm. Long time no see? Wanna get a bite to eat? How's about free dance lessons! . o O (When did I become such a nerd?)
Alison removes her finger from the collar at the whining though the head simply moves position, resting on top of his head as they walk, scritching softly around his ears. "I'm surprised I never noticed you around. A big guy like you should be hard to miss. Then again, I tend to not notice the big things, concentrating so hard on the small things." Oh yeah, babbling to a dog. She's going to be one crazy old lady.
(Oh, I'm around...) O o , Syd_Dane thinks to himself, and the dog makes a loud huffing sound that almost resembles chuckling. This is rather funny, after all. Being walked to his home by a girl he knows in his human form. Of course, when they get there and no 'Sydney' is available to take Sydney... Well let's just cross that bridge when we get there, hmmmm? Syd does have an idea, but it's gonna take a bit of doing to execute.
Or he could just tell her the truth? But that would be too easy. The huffing sound draws her eyes back down, the scritching picking up pace for a few moments. "Don't worry. We're almost there." She smiles, bottom lip being pulled between her teeth. "Just between me and you, I'm glad you got out tonight. I've been meaning to stop by for awhile and see Syd."
The truth would be too much like right! And Syd is nothing if not a procrastinator when it comes to doing what's right. But what's this? She's been meaning to see him??? "Aroo?" He beckons in as close to a dog making random noises as he can.
Alison blinks at the noise, surprised for a moment at how it almost seemed like the dog was listening. "I mean I've been trying to spark interest in my after school program, but until I get a group of students interested I really don't have a good excuse to just stop by." She shrugs patting the dog's head before smiling down at him. "You're the cutest excuse I could ask for."
(Heehee. She thinks I'm cute.) No, she thinks your dog is cute, stupid! Still, Syd takes the compliment and runs with it. After all, he and his dog are one in the same. So technically she does think he's cute! His tail wags a little as he settles on this logic.
"See! We're getting close. It's just right down this block." She informs the dog with a grin. For the first time she removes her hand, pausing for a few minutes in order to straighten out her shirt and dust off her pants. Her hair gets a once over as she brushes her fingers through it, making sure it looks nice enough. "Ok. Ready. You ready?" Another smile to the dog before she begins leading the way to the studio.
Oh, Syd's ready. As soon as Alison takes her hand off his head, the Great Dane takes off down the street in the direction of the studio. Fortunately, being a pony-sized dog means he'll get there before she does, and his little deception will be complete! Why is he celebrating that idea? As soon as he reaches the studio he runs around to the back door and becomes himself again. "Whew!" He fumbles with the key in his pocket, fiddles with the lock, then pulls the door open and stands halfway in it. Aaaand, action! "Come on, boy! Go inside! There you go! Geez, where have you been?"
Alison calls after the dog as it takes off but decides to hurry after him instead. Though heels are hardly something she should be running in. Red cheeked and huffing once or twice, Alison hurries towards the sound of Sydney's voice, flattening her hair once more before turning the corner. "Sydney!" She says with a girlish squeel that she tried so hard to conceal. And failed horribly. "I hope you don't mind me stopping by, but I found that handsome boy wandering around the park by himself so I thought I'd bring him back here."
Sydney stands in his doorway and props his head on one of his hands. "Oh? Really?" He barely conceals his own breathlessness, though if she were to ask, he'd simply say he just... ran downstairs. Yeah, that's the ticket. "Yeah, well, he's pretty independant. I just put food in one bowl and water in another, and he takes care of himself. Even flushes the toilet when he's done doing his business!" He chuckles a bit. "Would you like to come up?"
Alison bites down on her bottom lip as her hands find their way once more into her back pockets as she shifts her weight from foot to foot. "That must be nice. Not having to worry about him. He's a wonderful dog. Very sweet." The offer to ocme up earns Sydney a slightly deeper flush of red on her cheeks. "Sure. I would like that."
Sydney does happen to notice all that fidgety schoolgirl bodylanguage of hers, and it almost makes him stumbled out the door. "Um... Okay!" He turns and runs into the doorframe. "Erf! Whoops! Eh-heh." And while rubbing his face, he steps in and starts up the stairs. "See? He's disappeared already," he calls down in a chuckle, to explain why 'his dog' is not trying to pounce Alison for entering his home.
(NYC) SKJ Dance, Vocal and Acting Studio - Sydney's Apartment
This place is perhaps as odd as the person who calls it home. The majority of this upper level is wide open as though it could have been a studio itself, although that space is now full of furniture and partitions that try to make it seem more closed off. The first section that anyone would see upon entering is the living room, set apart from the dining area by two wooden and rice paper dividers with matching cherry blossom designs. A beanbag couch sits in the middle of the living area, dark blue in color, and with lasting imprints from a few people who have visited recently. A wooden coffee table stands in front of it, looking rather plain, although there is a battery-powered fountain resting on it as a centerpiece, and a few magazines with theatre and dance themes for anyone to browse. Green beanbag chairs sit on either side of the table just to make extra places for people to sit.
The floor is polished wood, but a section of green, shag carpeting extends in front of a very open space just before a bookshelf. Surprisingly, the only television in the place has a mere ten inch screen and is a combination TV/VCR. There probably isn't any kind of cable hookup to it, and it doesn't look as though it is used very often. Against one wall there is an upright piano with a tape recorder sitting on top of it, right alongside a ceramic gord that sometimes swirls out scented incense.
There's an open doorway to a kitchen against one wall, next to two closed doors that hide other rooms. One door sits alone on a far wall, leading to the stairwell to the first floor.
When you hang out with school girls it's hard not to pick up a few of their habits every now and again. Not to mention it's been awhile since she's had to interact with someone she could quite possibly have a crush on. "Careful." She warns with a giggle as he stumbles, moving to follow him up the stairs. "Wow. Independant doesn't even begin to cover it."
Sydney chuckles sheepishly, then opens the door to his place. "Make yourself at home," he says as he steps in and stands near the coffee table. There's a girl. In his apartment. And it's not a friend he's known for years! What does he do, what does he do?? "Um... Want something to drink? I got coffee! Or... water." Oh yeah. Smooth.
Yeah right. Make herself at home. For the moment she stays in the doorway, glancing around the apartment. It's the first time she's ever been to this level of the studio. "I love the dividers." Alison murmurs as a finger traces gently over the cherry blossom design. "Coffee is fine. Or.. water. Anything really."
"Okay!" And he practically zooms into the kitchen, behind the swinging door. He takes a moment to silently suck in air and do a little 'Holy crap there's a woman in my apartment' dance. Then, remembering the request, starts up his coffee maker. "Uh... Um... how do you like yours? Your coffee," he calls to her. "And... you can watch the TV if you want! Though I only have local channels...."
"I like mine sweet. Lots of sugar if you have it." Alison replies as she manages to resist her own urge to do the 'in a guy's apartment' jig. "But I can take it black if that's easier." A few quick steps into the room as she inches towards one of the beanbag chairs, scooping up a theater magazine as she passes the table. "Thanks."
"Oh no! I have plenty of sugar!" There's much fidgeting, clanking and nervous muttering coming from the kitchen before Sydney finally emerges carrying two cups of coffee. "Here we are," he says, holding out a white ceramic coffee cup decorated in brown chinese characters. "Sweet for the sweet! And plain for the busybody." He smiles and chooses to sit on the couch, though on the end that's as close to Alison as he can get without it being creepy.
Alison blushes as she's called sweet, but hides it by inclining her head slightly as she accepts the cup. "Well thank you! And you are hardly a busybody. Unless asking how someone takes their coffee has suddenly become an intrusive question and nobody told me." She grins, body tilting in his direction as she settles in the chair.
Sydney chuckles. "Well, I meant that literally, really. What with running this place. But then, I guess you're a busy body as well, having your after school program, and the whole help thing you're trying to do?" He leans back and takes a sip of his coffee. "How's that going, by the way?"
Alison blushes deeper, embarrassment this time. "Oh. Well I suppose that makes more sense." A nervous giggle as she craddles the mug between her hands, glancing down into the brown liquid. "It's going well. I'm working on finding some space and volunteers. I want to make the hotline a twenty four hour sort of thing, so that there's always someone there to help. But it's difficult by myself you know? With the teaching and the after school programs, I hardly have any time to breath. But it'll be worth it in the end."
Sydney nods several times. "Well you know, I really do want to help you, Alison." Oh man, does he want to help! "Maybe I could pull some hours at the hotline?" Something dawns on him--Something Ororo brought to his attention, that he should probably ask. But man! Is this gonna be awkward. "Hey, Alison... You mind if I ask if there's a deeper reason why you're doing all this for Mutants?" Like maybe, being one yourself?
Alison's eyes brighten at the idea of having help. "Oh that would be wonderful. But I know you're so busy with your classes and keeping this place running. I'd hate to be a bother." The bright smile that was beginning to form turns to confusion for a moment. For a woman as smart as Alison it takes her a few moments to realize what he's asking. "Ooooh. You're asking if I'm a mutant." Brown eyes lift to settle on his. "Alas, I am not. Just a human who wants to see the suffering come to an end. Would it bother you if I were? A mutant that is."
Sydney shakes his head rapidly. "Oh no no no! It wouldn't! It'd be wonderful!" He rubs the back of his neck. "I mean... It's okay to be whatever you are, mutant or human. I was just, curious. You know, so many mutants don't want to show themselves off--would rather go obscure and unknown, for all sorts of reasons." Like, not wanting people to run screaming in the other direction... Or screaming in your direction with a blunt object. Syd smiles timidly. "It's good for humans to want to help mutants, you know? Openly want to. So many want to, but are afraid of being singled out as 'traitors' to their own kind."
Alison breaths a sigh of relief. She'd hate to think she had a crush on a guy who wouldn't like her for being a mutant. If she were one that is. "Yeah I know. It's a shame that people have to hide who they are these days, but maybe one day, with a little help from the people that care, that can change." She shrugs, eyes narrowing slightly as she studies his face. "The only 'traitors' are the people who treat others poorly for simply having a different gene." A long pause as she ponders something. Oh what the hell. "How about you?"
"Oh, I complete agree," he says while nodding to her final statement. However, the question she asks almost causes him to spill coffee on himself. "Gah!" He holds his cup forward while it dribbles all over his nice, wood floor. "Oh, would you give me a moment? I really have to get that up before it stains!" He carries his coffeecup with him into the kitchen, and once behind the door, does a little 'Dammit, what do I say to that question' dance.
Alison drags her eyes from his face to the cup as it spills, but not before noticing the look in his eyes at her question. Brows arch high as she hurries into the kitchen, but she lifts from her chair, reaching for her purse. A few napkins are pulled free and dabbed on the spill to help try and clean it up. "I didn't mean to ...intrude. You don't have to answer if you don't want to." She thinks she already has her answer.
"Oh no, it's okay," he calls from the kitchen, then comes out with a handful of paper towels. "I'm just clumsy, despite fifteen years of dance experience." Just look at the way he ran into that doorframe on his way inside. "As for the question, well," he chuckles, "I kinda wish I did have the power to blow up annoying drivers at will or halt taxicabs as they pass me by, but I think I'll just have to make do with shaking my fist angrily in their direction." Oo! Liar! Well, not exactly a lie. It's more of a clever statement to keep from having to tell the truth or a lie. Politicians use them all time. He smiles at her and kneels to wipe up the coffee spill.
Alison glances up at him as he kneels across from her to help clean up the mess. Her face is now devoid of anything readable, the look in her eyes trying so hard not to be suspicious. Nobody spills their coffee and flees from the room like that if the answer is a simple no. "I see." A faint smile. She sees all right. He doesn't trust her. "I suppose not all of us can be lucky enough to have the mutant gene huh?" Another brief smile as she rises and dusts off her knees.
Sydney nods several times and rises with her. "Lucky, or unlucky, in some cases." Like the ones who can't hide as easily as him. "Anyway. I do have plenty of free time, still. Especially in the mornings, when most of my students are off being students elsewhere. Maybe I could cover an early hotline shift?"
"I suppose not everyone would think of it as a gift." Alison shrugs as she finishes dusting herself off, giving him a brief nod in responce to that last part. "Well, I can stop by or give you a call once I get everything worked out, we'll schedule some time for you if you'd like. No pressure of course." The sweet, breezy tone is trying so hard to worm it's way through the chill of her voice, but it's having a little difficulty. "But it's late, I should probably be on my way."
And don't think Syd doesn't notice! In fact, the slight change in her town has caused his expression to falter considerably. "Oh. Okay," he says in a hushed tone. Uh-oh, this is not good. "Thanks again for finding my dog, by the way," he says and smiles, mainly to try and work a smile out of her. Smile, please!
"Thank you for the coffee." Alison says, remembering her manners even through the annoyance. The easy going way about her has certainly shifted as she seems to be going into her teacher-mode. Caring but standoffish. "Of course. He's a wonderful dog, I'd hate to see him get in trouble with the pound for not being on a leash." Still no smile.
"Did I say something wrong," Syd asks as he moves to walk her to the door. He may be a liar, but he's still a polite one. If... that makes any sense.
"Sometimes it's the things we don't say." She murmurs quietly, honestly while trying to remain un-pushy. It's not her place. Alison pats him gently on the hand as she passes him to try and make it to the door a little quicker.
Sydney stands still and stares after her. Things we don't say? Oh no.... But he lets her go. He's got a lot of beating himself up to do, once that door closes and she's on her way home.
Alison offers a quiet wave over her shoulder before she slips through the door, tucking her purse under her arm. She has a whole subway ride home to sulk silently to herself and try and figure out why it is he couldn't trust her.