[Here comes Mr. Orange, knock knocking on the engineering department's...wall. Door? Does she have a whole space to herself? Whichever. KNOCK KNOCK ARIADNE.]
[ That very much depends on whether she's working a desk or not. Today, however, she is, and she does get her own space. She's not dressed terribly professionally, which isn't much of a surprise, considering her department -- layers and a scarf, plus yet another pair of boots. ]
I'll be fine. It's not the first time I've eaten while wearing one of these.
[ And she's really hoping that will be the end of it, because she has a mark on her neck from George's teeth under that scarf. It's why she was at her desk today; a scarf is a hazard around power tools, but she wasn't going to flaunt it. ]
[ She's half tempted to ask to see his phone, just to see if it's the same or if the picture of the girl is still on there, but she's not sure if she will. ]
That's why I don't wear it when I work with the machines. [ And another snort. ] If I didn't, I think I'd take it out on Eames the next time his snoring kept me up.
[ She's a little embarrassed, maybe, a little defensive -- trailing off like that could mean anything, and despite herself, she actually likes Orange (even his regular, twenty years younger self). Being the uncool kid isn't something she particularly wants to repeat, even if she claims it doesn't bother her. ]
[Unique and one of a kind too but Freddy doesn't want to sound sentimental as much as she doesn't want to seem sensitive. The hot dog place is coming up and by place he really meant a cart. An old timey street corner cart. Who needs sit down and dine in places? This is real food. They're still a half block away though so Freddy reaches out to palm the scarf.]
The best I can do is one of these.
[He may or may not be fishing for ideas for a gift for her too.]
[ She may not want to seem sensitive, but that doesn't do a thing for not looking pleased at the compliment. Her ego is always up for stroking, especially in a place where she feels a bit useless to the team. ]
Thanks.
[ And then he goes for her scarf and she can't help the way she jerks away. It's an automatic reaction, and she knows as soon as she's done it that it's a mistake, but there's no taking it back now... so she'll try and act like she didn't do it at all. ]
[He won't push it by saying she's welcome anytime. Freddy knows how that goes, sometimes it's a treat knowing you can understand each other without having to say all the words too. Er, this scarf thing though, that takes him by surprise.]
What is your head gonna fall off?
[Ghost stories, ladies with ribbons on their neck, etc. Wait a second. He spots it for the briefest second.] Are you okay?
[ Oh god. She's really hoping he didn't catch a glimpse, hoping that's just a reaction to the fact that she jerked away from him like a startled animal. ]
I'm fine. It's just always been sensitive.
[ Trying to lie by masking it in the truth. Her neck is sensitive, something certain people (George, usually, though there was a memorable moment with the cowboy when he brought her more cigarillos) like to take advantage of. It's not usually something she broadcasts, but if it'll get him off her back... ]
Page 42 of 92