Re: The Cat: Patrick G/MJ W
[A grin.] You're probably right. I'm glad you worked through that for us. [She laughed and rolled her eyes at him when his defensive spread of fingers broke and widened.] For the sake of dudes like you, maybe. For most dudes? I still think I'd rather turn them to stone. Plus, even though I could pull it off, I don't think I'd want to. It's almost June, slugger. They'd find me dead from the heat in a super old-fashioned turtleneck, and they'd know whose fault it was. [MJ didn't know his family, but, even though she'd gone to a premier high school, she knew what it was like to feel like the kind of insignificant person in a group. She was pretty, sure, but that was all she had next to super geniuses like Perry and Gwendy, superheroes like all of them. Still, she thought he was smart—Patrick—, from the little she knew. Like I said, he did use the word 'stratovolcano' like it was as everyday as a Dairy Queen.
The talk of the household was easy for MJ. It was all new and exciting, so she babbled, because she had a tendency to do that. She talked a lot.] Matt's nice. He's super tall-dark-and-stoic. I bet he'd look really nice if he smiled more, but he doesn't really. He doesn't talk much either. But, he's nice. He knows Cat, the owner of this bar, who's my boss, who technically owns the house, I think?—Though she gave it to him? [It was a little complicated.] I like girls with mouths on them, [she said with a smile and a bat of eyelash. But, that skipped and stuttered. Sunshine. Ugh. Marta. That reminded her of Flash. Fuck Flash and fuck everyone else.] God, do you know her? We grew up togetherish. My jock ex? She's his sister. We don't get along super well, me and her, but he just left town. Flash was his name. So she's super sad. How do you know her? [In case she was his friend of whatever.—But, MJ's smile, charming and bright, returned when Patrick ducked his head like that, sheepish and young-looking.] They are, [she agreed. And it just reiterated to her how absolutely un-nice she herself was. This kid and Destiny were like made for each other on that count.] Sister's friend though? Ouch. That's always hard.
[He wasn't exactly saved by the ball, but MJ was easy. She let the conversation segue, and she smiled before she took a swig of her beer.] Totally a jock then. I did theater. Obviously. [And, okay, it was like, for real self-satisfaction that she laughed with when he conceded his wit to hers. The true way to a girl's heart. Or at least her self-esteem, let it be known.] Going down without a fight, huh, killer? [She smiled. And she listened when he talked about his sister.] It's cute that you're close. Are you guys similar? Me and my sister are not. [Another flare of a smile as Patrick pushed back from the bar. MJ looked at her own beer. At the dishes that needed doing. The bar was super low-key right now, mostly empty save for regulars who were milling by the pool table. She grinned and passed him a rag. It was damp.] Want to wipe down the bartop? [She drained the rest of her beer, before taking her glass to the little sink. She started the water.] I'll try to remain chill, [she said flippantly, but it was more than a little worrisome to MJ, this whole thing.]