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Tweak says, "Where's the any key?"

Carlos Reyes (impackinapiece) wrote in chances_rpg,
@ 2025-04-24 14:30:00

Entry tags:

9-1-1: carlos reyes, nikita: alexandra udinov

WHO: Carlos Reyes & Alex Udinov (TK Strand later)
WHEN: April 23 | Wed
WHERE: their apartment
WHAT: Carlos meets Alex
WARNINGS:non for now

Carlos had been in this place for a couple days now and he was starting to feel a little better. The questions in his head seemed to finally be settling. He was one that tended to overthink things too much. It could be annoying, he knew. But he couldn’t help it. It was part of who he was. But that was one thing that was great about TK. TK kept him grounded, balanced him out and helped him to stop overthinking things.

After spending a lot of alone time with TK, he was left alone in the apartment for the first time. He was in the kitchen checking out the food supply, seeing what they had and if he could make anything decent for dinner. They seemed well stocked. He was sitting at the kitchen island making note of what they had and coming up with ideas for meals when the door opened and a petite brown haired girl walked in. When he looked up and laid eyes on her he froze. The similarities were uncanny and had Carlos in shock. He knew their roommate looked like Iris but damn they were like identical twins. “Hi,” he said while staring.

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russiandoll
2025-04-24 09:57 pm UTC (link)

It wasn't really all that unusual that Carlos and Alex hadn't run into each other in person yet. He'd only been there a few days and when she was home, she usually spent most of her time in her room. While she was pretty comfortable with TK, the whole in person socializing thing was still a bit difficult for her on a larger scale.

Alex kept busy as best she could, keeping up her routine. She was working on getting her GED, working for Pepper, going for runs, it didn't leave a lot of free time. Alex liked it that way, less time she spent alone with her thoughts.

When she walked into the apartment she hadn't really been expecting to see anyone, but Carlos was there. She recognized him from when they'd spoken over the network. Alex was really happy that he was here for TK, and she knew TK was happy too. Normally someone staring at her would make her really uncomfortable, but even before Carlos had gotten here TK had filled Alex in on the fact that she looked like a younger version of someone they knew.

"Hi," She said back, with a slight smile. Social interaction wasn't always easy for her. It was funny because she could speak in front of thousands of people and be completely at ease. But something like this? It was harder. Still, she knew she had to try. So maybe this would be a good start. "Carlos, right?"

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impackinapiece
2025-04-25 02:50 am UTC (link)

Carlos just blinked and stared for a moment as she spoke. “Uh, um, yeah.” He shook his head a bit, trying to refocus himself. He knew it was rude to just stare at someone, no matter what the reason. “I’m sorry, I’m being so rude.” He blinked again and averted his eyes to the floor, just to kind of get a better handle on himself. It wasn’t long before he was looking back at her though. “Alex, yeah? It’s just so uncanny how much you look like Iris. I promise, I’ll try not to stare.” He said with a nervous chuckle. “So, um, you live here too. So we are gonna be roommates.” He said with a nod. “Are you, busy? I mean, obviously, right in this minute you’re not. Are you about to be? Going anywhere, I mean…” he paused and cleared his throat as he tried to calm his nerves. Why was he nervous? “Sorry, I ramble when I’m nervous.”

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russiandoll
2025-04-28 03:08 pm UTC (link)

"You're not being rude," Alex told him. "I'm sure I'd feel the same way if I saw someone who looked like someone I knew but wasn't then. It's cool, I promise." She was hoping to assure him. Thankfully, TK had prepared her for this otherwise she might now have been as chill about it, especially because she didn't exactly love being the center of attention.

"Yeah, that's me," Alex laughed a little, hoping she didn't sound too nervous or anything. The fact was this was all a little weird but it wasn't Carlos' fault. And it was probably the least weird thing about all of this. A few days ago she'd been in space, after all.

"No," Alex shook her head. "I wasn't going anywhere, I was just going to go to my room." She spent more time in there than she probably should, admittedly.

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impackinapiece
2025-05-02 03:38 pm UTC (link)

Carlos let out a small, relieved laugh when she reassured him. "Phew, thanks. I swear, I didn’t mean to make it awkward." He rubbed the back of his neck, still feeling that weird mix of nervousness and relief.

Carlos paused momentarily, glancing around the room as if looking for something to distract himself. “Spend a lot of time in your room? I don't blame ya. Not with this place being as weird as it is. Especially when things are... unpredictable like they are here.”

He flashed a small, awkward smile. “If you ever want to get out of your room or just talk or whatever, I’m here. No pressure, though. Just saying, I’m around.” He added with a slight shrug.

“Sorry, I’m rambling again,” he said, rubbing his eyes briefly. “I’ll shut up now.”

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russiandoll
2025-05-04 01:20 pm UTC (link)

"It's okay," Alex said. The truth was it would probably have been a little awkward even without the added bonus of her looking like someone he knew. She was a little awkward in social settings. But she was going to work on that. She was never going to get better if she didn't try, and she had made a promise to someone that she would find a way to get better.

There were some things she was already working on, her GED and working for Pepper. They were both good for her. And while she was taking GED classes online at work she had to interact with all manner of people. She was adaptable so she was handling it pretty well, she thought. Still there were times she wanted to lock herself in her room for days. That wouldn't have been very professional so she was definitely making an effort there. Maybe less in social interactions outside of work...but baby steps.

"I don't mean to, this is just...a lot as I'm sure you know." Alex told him, with a small nod. Carlos would likely be able to understand more when whatever the next event was happened. Going to space had been Alex's first...adventure here and she was still kind of processing all that. "And I was dealing with a lot before I got here." She didn't elaborate on that. "But it's good to socialize more and I am trying." She said, wondering whether she was currently trying to convince Carlos or herself.

"You don't need to shut up," Alex smiled a bit. Carlos seemed like a nice guy and she was so happy he and TK had been reunited. "And thanks that means a lot. Um I've got a bit of studying to do but I can work on it later. If you want to talk for a bit..." She should get to know him if she was going to be living with him after all.

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impackinapiece
2025-05-05 05:02 am UTC (link)

Carlos gave her a warm, reassuring smile, his posture easing when she said he didn’t need to shut up. “Okay, good—’cause I tend to ramble when I’m trying not to be weird,” he said with a small laugh. “Which, ironically, probably just makes me weirder.”

He listened closely, nodding as she explained. There was something steady and genuine in his gaze as she spoke. “Yeah, I get that. Coming here can really throw you off, especially if you were already carrying a lot. You don’t need to explain any of it to me if you don’t want to. Just… I respect that you’re even trying. That’s more than most people give themselves credit for.”

When she mentioned studying and invited him to talk for a bit, a hint of a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Yeah? I’d like that. And I promise not to be too distracting while you’re being all studious later.”

He glanced at her with curiosity. “So… since we’re officially socializing now—what’s something I wouldn’t guess about you?” His voice was light, friendly. “Could be something silly. Or serious. Dealer’s choice.”

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