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[thevelmster]

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Action, Late October

[shadowkate]

[Kate was making an effort to try and socialize with people outside of the X-Men and the Avengers, and that meant reaching out to her hallmate. She'd heard someone coming and going from the other door on the floor but she hadn't yet taken the time to introduce herself. Today was the day, though. She'd hit up a bakery recommended by Ororo and picked up a small package of teacakes. That should be a decent 'how do you do' gift, right? She hoped so.

Stepping out into the hall, forgoing the heavy red coat and sticking to a more simple shirt and slacks look, Kate checked herself in the mirror. Lockheed and her sword also remained at home, because those were things that would definitely draw questions...or make her look like some kind of fantasy bandit.

Just a normal person, not looking to make any weird impressions she thought to herself with a wry smile. You can do this, Kate..

Reaching the door, she knocked twice and then pressed the bell.]

[thevelmster]

[Velma's also aware that the previously empty abode is no longer so, but unlike her new neighbor, has not gathered the gumption to go introduce herself yet. So, it's a surprise when there's a knock at her door, mainly because she's not usually the sort to have visitors unannounced. Hopefully this isn't an emergency!

In case it's just that, she's relatively quick to the door after turning off and unplugging her soldering iron. When it opens, the very normal looking woman is greeted by a very orange and maroon wearing young woman that barely stood over five feet in height.

She glances between the package and the woman's face, offering her a smile.]

Hello. May I help you?

[shadowkate]

[Kates smiles back, warm and sincere, and holds out the little package under her arm. This is totally normal, right? Nothing weird about greeting your...apparently kind of cute...neighbor in a weird cyberpunk sex dystopia.]

Hey, I'm your new neighbor, and I just wanted to say hi. My name's Kate, Kate Pryde.

[She shrugs.]

I...uh...brought you some baked goods, too.

[thevelmster]

Oh! That's very kind of you.

[She looks pleasantly surprised at the gesture, and a little flustered to boot. Once she gathers her wits, she offers Kate her hand to shake in greeting.]

Velma Dinkley. It's nice to meet you Kate. [Her gaze shifts to the box of baked goods, intrigued.] What sort of baked goods?

[Not that it matters, but she's curious.]

[shadowkate]

A pleasure, Velma.

[Kate's handshake is firm, her hand actually kind of calloused.]

They're tea-cakes. A bit like castella, or sponge cakes, the baker said. They're supposed to go well with tea and coffee, and I liked the sample she gave me.

[It's not really important, no, but Kate likes being thorough.]

Hope I'm not interrupting anything. I wanted to say hi, at least.

[thevelmster]

[She takes note of the callouses on Kate's hand for later, when it might be more appropriate to ask her about them. For now, her attention's on the tea cakes as she listens intently to the very thorough explanation, which she genuinely appreciates, as evident by her expression.]

You're not interrupting. I was at a decent place to pause my soldering.

[Velma opens the door further and steps aside to motion her neighbor inside.]

Would you like to try the tea cakes with me? I can put brew put on a pot for tea.

[shadowkate]

Soldering, huh?

[That's interesting. Definitely worth asking about. It's been a bit since she needed to wire anything herself (thanks Forge!) but that'll probably change here.

She does step around, meandering inside.]

And sure, yeah, if it's not an imposition.

text | un: givenchy

[zhampagne]

hey
how have you been?
it's been a minute, sorry. shit got a little trippy there for awhile.

un: velmster

[thevelmster]

Hey!
Same. It's been chaotic. I've been just trying to keep my head above water.
Are you okay?

[zhampagne]

oh, i'm okay
i contracted with someone finally so that took a lot of weight off my shoulders.
you okay??

[thevelmster]

I did the same.
Is it a good arrangement? Do you feel safe?
Relatively speaking. Still trying to process everything that's happened recently.

[zhampagne]

oh good!
yeah it's nice. feels pretty safe.

[he doesn't mention that his Dominant has a bit of a wild streak or that he's literally the pirate Blackbeard.]

and you? is the person cool?
don't tell me you got stuck in the backrooms too.

[thevelmster]

Good.
It all still feels weird, having to make these contracts.

[Probably for the best! Though she has spoken to Ed once before and he wasn't particularly rude.]

Yes, but more importantly he's kind. We get along well I think.

[She adores Hughie and feels very thankful to have contracted with a friend. A hot friend that's also a nerd.]

Oh, yeah. You too? Did you also meet a dragon?

text | un: mr lasers

[knewiwasmore]

so
Do you celebrate Christmas

un; velmster

[thevelmster]

Not in a religious sense, but yes.
Do you?

[knewiwasmore]

In the sense that I buy people presents, so now I have you to add to the list.

[thevelmster]

Oh! Please don't feel obligated to buy me anything.

[knewiwasmore]

I never feel obligated

It makes me feel happy to get someone I like something that will remind them I like them

[thevelmster]

That's good.

[There's quite a bit of typing then deleting, then lingering, before typing again. What are words?]

I know that feeling.
How do you plan on reminding me?

text; un: cable

[sodark]

Hi Velma.

Not sure if you remember me. It's Cable. Robot arm.

I'm back in the city.

text; un: velmster

[thevelmster]

You’re difficult to forget.
In a positive way.

I’m sorry.
Who’d you anger to be brought back?

[sodark]

thanks for clarifying.

it's fine.
no idea. nothing happened, just woke up back here like i never left.

are you taking care of yourself?

[thevelmster]

I imagine you intimidate people frequently.

[She thinks he's neat and likes that he's straightforward.]

Interesting.
Aside from the obvious unpleasant circumstances, I am glad to hear from you.

Relatively. There was a period where they put my contracts under review that was stressful, but that's been resolved thankfully.
What about you?

[sodark]

i'm glad you're glad. and glad to hear it's resolved.

nothing terribly eventful. i have taken on two new contracts, so you'll have to forgive me when i admit that i had ulterior motives when i reached out. never been good at saying hello just for the sake of it.

[thevelmster]

You should work on that. The saying hello to check in on people. Granted, I should also work on that as I didn't reach out to you either.
Two at once? Did they come as a pair?

[She's curious to the dynamics here knowing Cable, so she pulls up public records.

Well that's interesting.

The motive of the call quickly becomes apparent.]

Would you like to work at Radio Shacked?