NMSN: Part 5 (and 5a)
What? Azi put up two parts of NMSN? In the same post? Insanity! No, not really; the second part is technically part of the first part. It's not in the format of an MSN convo, so I don't have anything to code.
Same warning as always for NMSN. Part 5 is subtitled: Girls to the rescue. Part 5a is subtitled 'Not an MSN Conversation'.
The Newsies dun belong to me. *disclaims* NMSN Index
---
>.< (L) slingshot! Says: Hey, Books. Happy that it’s Friday? Anyone read “Pride and Prejudice”? Says: Definitely. A weekend to look forward to, and Race is going to lose his bet tonight. >.< (L) slingshot! Says: Yes, it’ll be fun tomorrow. Anyone read “Pride and Prejudice”? Says: Sure will. Hey, Skip is online. >.< (L) slingshot! Says: Let’s add her. We can talk about the fashion show. Anyone read “Pride and Prejudice”? Says: I need to think of another costume or two for Blink. (s)Skip(s) Blah Pineapple! (Sonata_Arctica@hotmail.com) has been added to the conversation. >.< (L) slingshot! Says: Hey, Skip. It’s finally Friday. Now we can get Race out of denial. (s)Skip(s) Blah Pineapple! Says: Yes. Though, we won’t be able to bother him about it until tomorrow. >.< (L) slingshot! Says: Well, obviously. Unless he comes online for some reason before tonight. Anyone read “Pride and Prejudice”? Says: In which case, we will bother him about getting ready. (s)Skip(s) Blah Pineapple! Says: Yes! >.< (L) slingshot! Says: Have you come up with any other ideas for Spot? (s)Skip(s) Blah Pineapple! Says: Maybe… maybe not. Hey! Ducks just signed on. I think she’s got all her ideas by now. >.< (L) slingshot! Says: Really? How many’s that? (s)Skip(s) Blah Pineapple! Says: I honestly don’t know. Did you hear her and Race arguing about the Hobbit lass costume, though? >.< (L) slingshot! Says: Yeah. I like how she is allowed to be short, because she’s a girl. Ducks: Where blah ducks? (bunny_duck_slippers@hotmail.com) has been added to the conversation. Anyone read “Pride and Prejudice”? Says: Hey, Ducks. >.< (L) slingshot! Says: Excited about winning a bet? Ducks: Where blah ducks? Says: Of course! Oh, I can’t wait until tomorrow. >.< (L) slingshot! Says: I don’t think any of us really can. (s)Skip(s) Blah Pineapple! Says: Not even Race. XD Ducks: Where blah ducks? Says: Dude, speaking of Race, why is he online? He should be getting ready. Did Mush give him the money today? >.< (L) slingshot! Says: Yeah, and warned him not to spend any of it until tonight. Ducks: Where blah ducks? Says: I’d still like to know why he’s online. >.< (L) slingshot! Says: So add him, and ask him. I’m NOT Gay! (gamblingsoprano@hotmail.com) has been added to the conversation. (s)Skip(s) Blah Pineapple! Says: Hey, Race. Ducks: Where blah ducks? Says: Shouldn’t you be getting ready for the big date tonight? I’m NOT Gay! Says: Uh, yeah. I need to ask you girls something. Anyone read “Pride and Prejudice”? Says: Really… I’m NOT Gay! Says: Yeah. >.< (L) slingshot! Says: Well, go one, then. Ask. I’m NOT Gay! Says: I’m going to sound like a geek, but… is there a curfew? Anyone read “Pride and Prejudice”? Says: 10 o’clock. Ducks: Where blah ducks? Says: No way. 10’s too early. 11:30. >.< (L) slingshot! Says: I say midnight. (s)Skip(s) Blah Pineapple! Says: Saturday morning. We are so going to win this bet. I’m NOT Gay! Says: o.O Ducks: Where blah ducks? Says: Skip, I use 24 hour time. >.< (L) slingshot! Says: You know, *technically*, midnight is Saturday morning. I’m NOT Gay! Says: No, dude. Seriously, is there any time Spot’s mom will freak if he’s not home? Skip(s)Skip(s) Blah Pineapple! Says: Spot’s mom is on too much crack to care. I’m NOT Gay! Says: Don’t joke about stuff like that. (s)Skip(s) Blah Pineapple! Says: She probably still thinks Spot’s a girl. Ducks: Where blah ducks? Says: Oh, I remember that. Didn’t she think he was his own sister? >.< (L) slingshot! Says: I think she did. I’m NOT Gay! Says: I say again, don’t joke about that. Ducks: Where blah ducks? Says: No joke. Spot’s mom should probably be in a mental institute. I’m NOT Gay! Says: Well, so should you. Ducks: Where blah ducks? Says: No, just my muses should. I, myself, am still half sane. >.< (L) slingshot! Says: Race, it really doesn’t matter when you get back, as long as your mom is ok with it. I’m NOT Gay! Says: Ok, fine. Ducks: Where blah ducks? Says: Dude, you should be getting ready. I’m NOT Gay! Says: I’m… multitasking. >.< (L) slingshot! Says: Oh, sure… so, what movie are you going to go see? I’m NOT Gay! Says: That’s a secret. Ducks: Where blah ducks? Says: You getting food too? I’m NOT Gay! Says: Dude, ask questions later. I’m going to go get ready. >.< (L) slingshot! Says: Ok, be ready for the Inquisition tomorrow. Ducks: Where blah ducks? Says: Wait! Race! I’m NOT Gay! Says: What? Ducks: Where blah ducks? Says: Don’t slick your hair back. I’m NOT Gay! Says: What do you want me to do with it, then? >.< (L) slingshot! Says: Methinks the boy is going to need help. I’m NOT Gay! Says: I don’t need help! >.< (L) slingshot! Says: You really actually do. (s)Skip(s) Blah Pineapple! Says: Never fear! The newsgirls of Randomosity and Dewm are here! What time are you leaving? I’m NOT Gay! Says: I’m picking Spot up at 6. Anyone read “Pride and Prejudice”? Says: *looks at watch* Well, you don’t have much time. Only 2 hours. Ducks: Where blah ducks? Says: Gimme 5, Race. I’ll be there. Ducks: Where blah ducks? has left the conversation. I’m NOT Gay! Says: I don’t need your help! Anyone read “Pride and Prejudice”? Says: I’ll be there ASAP. Anyone read “Pride and Prejudice”? has left the conversation. >.< (L) slingshot! Says: I’ll come help with clothing choices. (s)Skip(s) Blah Pineapple! Says: I’ll come help because of peer pressure. I’m NOT Gay! Says: Ugh. I’m signing off. I'm NOT Gay! has left the conversation. >.< (L) slingshot! Says: We’ll see which of us gets there first. (s)Skip(s) Blah Pineapple! Says: Well, Books is probably going to be here waiting for me within the next minute or so. Uh, see you at Race’s. >.< (L) slingshot! Says: Yeah, later.
Sure enough, it was only five minutes for Ducks to walk to Race’s house. She ran, though, so she was there in three, carrying a black backpack. She pushed the button to trigger the doorbell. Race’s younger brother answered the door.
“Oh, hi Adriana.”
“Hey, Pietro. Is Antonio there?”
“Yeah. He’s going to see a movie this evening with some friends, though.”
“I know.”
“Oh. Well, come in. He’s in his room. I guess you can go bug him.”
“Grazie, Pietro.”
Ducks knew that ‘going to bug Race’ was easier said than done. His room was in the basement, and to get to the basement, Ducks would have to go through the Kitchen. She hoped if was relatively empty. Tough Luck. There were three people in the kitchen; Race’s mom, his younger sister Rosalia, and his older brother Riccardo. Riccardo was cool, though, so that wasn’t bad.
“Adriana! What a nice surprise!” Mrs. Higgins exclaimed.
“Ciao, Mrs. Higgins.”
“Are you here to see Antonio?” Mrs. Higgins asked.
“Yes.”
“I’ll yell for him,” Riccardo offered, then opened the door to the basement and yelled down the stairs. “Sibling 2! Adriana’s here to see you!”
Race’s voice carried back up the stairs, “she can just come down here. She doesn’t need an announcement!”
Riccardo grinned. “You can go on down.”
“Thank you.”
“Antonio is going to a movie with his friends tonight. Are you going?” Mrs. Higgins asked.
“I’m not sure. I’ve got a lot of weekend homework. Then again, it’s a Friday, night, so I’ll probably be taking the evening off anyway. I might.”
Mrs. Higgins nodded, and Ducks went downstairs. She frowned. Race was wearing his signature ugly plaid pants, and a shabby black t-shirt. He was sitting on his bed, reading a magazine.
“You said you were going to go get ready. You’re not seriously going like that, are you?”
“Yes, I seriously am.”
Ducks rolled her eyes. “No, you’re seriously not.”
Race just kept reading the magazine. Ducks hoped the other girls would get there soon; she’d need their help, not to mention Skip’s duct tape and Sling’s slingshot prowess. She searched through her bag until she found a small notebook, which she took out and flipped through. She tore a page out, and handed it to Race.
“Those are the quotes I told you I’d give you.”
Race glanced at the page.
“Fine, there is no Mafia?”
“Well, you never know. Your whole world might come crashing down on you, and it would be fitting.”
Race just rolled his eyes, and went back to his magazine. Ducks put the notebook back in her bag, and idly dug through the pockets.
“Sibling 2! Sam is here. Does she not need an announcement, either?”
“No, she doesn’t! Send her down.”
Slings’ footsteps were heard on the stairs.
“Slings! I’m glad you’re here! I have a feeling we’ll have to use forceful measures.”
“Oh, hi Ducks. Race, why are you wearing your gross plaid pants? Don’t you own any normal pants? You know, blue jeans? Even plain black pants? And the shirt… just no. I don’t have much fashion sense, but I’ve got sense enough to know that won’t work.”
Race glared at Slings. Slings glared at Race. Ducks interrupted the glaring.
“Can you at least go brush your hair? Slings, go through Race’s closet, and see if you can find him any decent clothes.”
“Hey! Don’t go through my closet!”
“Do you own a hairbrush, Race? Or will I have to get you one from my bag?” Ducks asked.
“I own a hairbrush.”
“Well, make use of it.”
“Sibling 2! Riccardo’s voice interrupted the impending argument.
“Send them down!”
“I don’t doubt that Skip brought duct-tape. Are you going to struggle, or are you going to be agreeable?” Ducks asked.
“T’odio,” was the only reply.
“Hey, guys! Ugh, Race! Why are you wearing those pants?” Skip was obviously not impressed with Race’s plaid pants.
“Skip! Come help me pick out a better outfit for Race!” Slings exclaimed. The two immediately started going through the clothes in Race’s closet. Race looked murderous, but Ducks told him to brush his hair again.
“So, Books. What do you think we should do with Race’s hair?”
Books looked thoughtful. “We should see how it looks after he finishes brushing it, then decide.”
“Fair enough.”
More footsteps were heard on the stairs. Riccardo appeard.
“You know, Sibling 2, I’m wondering why you have 4 girls showing up here all at about the same time. Oh, and why two of them are going through your clothes.”
“He’s no longer allowed to wear plaid in public,” Slings quipped.
“No plaid at all? Or just not those pants?” Riccardo asked.
“Well, definitely not the pants,” Skip muttered. Riccardo laughed.
“I’m not sure you’ll have much luck dressing Sibling 2 decently enough for a date, using only the clothes in his closet. Let me know if he needs to borrow something.”
“Ok, Riccardo!” Slings said, cheerfully.
“Hey, Riccardo, do you think we should do anything with Race’s hair? It’s not getting slicked back.” Ducks wanted Riccardo’s advice.
“I’m not a hairstyling genius. What would Riccardo’s date want?”
“You know he’s going on a date?” Books asked.
Riccardo smirked, and chose not to remind Books he’d already mentioned the fact that he knew. “Yeah. Who’s the lucky guy?”
“I’m not gay!” Race complained, his hair brushed.
Slings took this opportunity to torment Race. “You’re going on a date with a guy. That’s not something straight guys do.”
Riccardo grinned. “I can fix that.” He ruffled Race’s hair.
“Ooh! I’ve found some pants for you, Race!” Slings exclaimed, holding up a pair of black jeans. The jeans were relatively plain, but much better than anything else Race had. She threw then at Race, who grumblingly left toward the basement bathroom.
“So, who’s the lucky guy?” Riccardo asked.
Skip was now searching for a shirt, and Ducks and Books were looking through Ducks’ bag. That left Slings to answer.
“Well, you know Patrick? We call him Spot…”
Riccardo looked a bit surprised. “How’d that manadge to happen? You girls help it along?”
“Yeah,” Slings answered.
“Riccardo! I think we need to take you up on your clothing offer! Skip called.
Riccardo smiled maliciously. “I have the perfect shirt.” He disappeared up the stairs, as Race returned, wearing the jeans. They were tight, and Race wasn’t happy about that.
“Where’d Riccardo go?”
“To get you a shirt.”
Race sat down on his bed. Books looked at her watch.
“It’s 5 o’clock! We have less than an hour!” “Oh, great. Race, you’d better hope Riccardo gets back with that shirt soon. We still have to fix your hair. Oh, and your skin; it looks awful. Go wash your face,” Ducks ordered.
Slings picked up the magazine Race had been reading, and flipped through it. “Are you planning on accessorizing?” she asked.
“Depends on the shirt Riccardo brings down. I have som stuff that’s possible. I also have hair goop.”
“Ooh, is it the blue hair goop?” Books asked.
“Is that the nice smelling stuff?” Slings wanted to know.
“Yeah,” Ducks said as an answer to both questions.
Riccardo came running down the stairs, carrying two shirts. Both were short sleeved, button up, collared shirts. One was black, with pink polka dots. The other was black, but was yellow inside, and was shimmery. It sometimes looked black, and sometimes looked yellow, depending on the light. Riccardo offered the pink polka dotted one first.
“Riccardo, where did you get that?” Skip asked.
“It was… a present. From my favourite favourite aunt Myrtle.”
“It’s hideous!” Slings said.
“No, Riccardo, you fail.” Skip said.
“Ok, ok. What about this one?” Riccardo asked, holding up the second shirt.
“Ooh, me likes! It’s shiney!” Ducks exclaimed.
There was a snort of disgust. Race was evidently finished washing his face.
“Go put that shirt on, Sibling 2,” Riccardo ordered. “Are you exfoliating?” Race scowled and left again.
“Dude, he’s totally going to have to leave the top two buttons undone.” Slings commentes.
“He won’t do that. He’ll button them back up.”
“Riccardo, do you mind if we remove the top two buttons?” Skip asked.
“I don’t care.”
“Ok, cool.”
“So, Books! Hair and accessories.. I’m thinking, a plain hemp necklace.” Ducks commented.
“You’re giving him jewellery?” Riccardo asked.
Books looked at her watch again. “Dude! Half an hour at most left for this!”
Race came back. Ducks pulled a stitch-ripper out of her bag. “We’re ditching the top two buttons,” she said, handing the ripper to Slings. Ducks reached back into her bag.
“Hair goop!” She exclaimed.
“Ugh! No! Is that the smelly stuff?” Race asked, as Slings finished removing the second button.
“Yup! Nice smelling hair is a must for a date.” Ducks grinned, then opened the jar of goop. “Sit.”
Race muttered something incoherent, then sat down on his bed. Ducks put a bit of goop in her hands, rubbed them together, then randomly dispersed the goop through Race’s hair, making it slightly spiked looking. Then she ruffled his hair.
“Look alright?” she asked. Books nodded. Ducks went back to her bag. “Good. Now, for the most important part… accessorizing.”
“No.”
Ducks pulled a plain hemp necklace out of the bag. “Please, Race? It’s subtle, but it’s good for showing that it’s still you. I mean, you always try to pull off random eklectic style, we’re just helping it actually work.”
“I am not wearing a necklace!”
Slings rolled her eyes. “Skip, go get the duct tape.”
“Fine! I’ll wear the necklace. But you can’t make me do anything after I put it on.”
“Ok. Ducks, don’t give him the necklace yet. I’m enjoying the power we have,” Slings said.
“Was there anything else we need to do to help him get ready?” Ducks asked.
Books immediately began listing things. “Well, shoes. He needs black shoes. And what about a watch? Oh, and I think you need a leather cuff, Race. Because that’s stylish.”
“A leather cuff?!”
“Don’t you have one from your punk days?” Riccardo asked.
“Um, no?”
“Oh, well. I have some. You can borrow one.” Riccardo went running back up the stairs.
Books nodded, then went back to the subject at hand. “Ok, so, shoes. You got any black shoes, Race? Because your shoes have to match your pants.”
“He should wear black combat boots!” Skip exclaimed.
“I don’t own any black combat boots!”
“Well, I’m wearing black combat boots. I’m sure our feet are about the same size.”
Race frowned. “And what are you going to wear, then?”
“I have some flip-flops in my bag. It’s warm enough; she can wear them.” Ducks supplied.
“Ducks, you have everything in that bag, don’t you?” Slings asked. Ducks grinned.
Race put his hand to his head. “No.”
“Just try them.” Skip said, taking off her combat boots.
“No.”
“Skip, get the duct-tape.”
“No.” Race said a third time.
“You will at least try the combat boots. If they don’t fit, and you own black shoes, you can wear them.”
“No.”
Books sat down beside Race, and poked him. “Guys, I think we broke Race.”
“No.”
Ducks looked annoyed. “Slings, go get your slingshot.”
“Fine! I’ll try on the stupid boots! And I’ll wear the hemp necklace, and the leather cuff! But you are not going to win the bet. And even if you do, you don’t get bragging rights.”
It turned out that Skip’s boots didn’t fit Race, so he ended up wearing some dress shoes he dug out of the back of the closet. The cuff that Riccardo brought down had small studs in it, and Race just ended up wearing his own watch, which was an analog watch with a black leather strap. After checking that he was entirely ready, Ducks gave Race the hemp necklace. He hesitated slightly before putting it on. Books looked at her watch.
“Wow, we’re good. 10 minutes to spare.”
“I just want to get this over with.” Race muttered. “Or at least, get out of the house as soon as possible. Riccardo, are there people in the kitchen?”
“I’ll go check.” Riccardo ran up the stairs. “Nope, all clear for now.” He said. Race sighed, put his wallet in the pocket of his jeans, and walked up the stairs, followed by all four girls. Riccardo had been true to his word; the kitchen was empty. Race hurried around the main floor to the door, and he quickly went out. Once again, all the girls followed. Riccardo followed from a bit further back.
“Uh, Race, how are your friends going to get home?”
“I think we should watch a movie at Ducks’ house tonight.” Slings suggested.
“If my parent’s will let us…”
“Well, Race, can you drop us at Ducks’ and we’ll figure out from there?”
“Alright. Can I hang out at your house for a bit?” Race asked.
“You mean, for 5 minutes, before I make you leave?”
“Yeah,”
“Alright.”
“Riccardo, cover for why I didn’t say goodbye, will you?”
“Will do.”
“Thanks. Ok, everyone in the car.”
It was a very short ride over to Ducks’ house, so Race had a bit more than five minutes before Ducks was going to tell him to leave. Ducks walked into the house through the garage.
“Hey, family! My friends are here!” She called as she opened the door.
“Nice announcement.” Slings joked.
“Isn’t it? Oh, hey.” Ducks switched people she was talking to abruptly, her older sister had come to greet her and her friends.
“Oh, good. It’s not all your friends. Just the girls.”
“Minus Spot, and plus Race.” Skip muttered.
Ducks’ sister gave Skip an odd look, then wandered away into the house. Ducks took off her boots before going onto the carpeted part of the floor, then motioned for the rest to do the same, and follow her upstairs. They hung out in her room, while Race checked how much money he had from the fund.
“Dude, I don’t have enough money for good food and a full-priced movie. Does anyone know what’s showing at Denton’s tonight?”
Slings shrugged, and Books looked like she was trying to remember. Ducks logged onto her computer, and went to the website for Denton’s.
“A touch of Pink. Good movie for us to win the bet with.”
“A Touch of Pink is showing at Denton’s tonight? Can we go see it?” Skip asked.
“It starts at 7. It’s playing next Friday, too, Skip. We can go see it then. Wow, Crutchy finally made the navigation simpler.” Ducks closed the internet window, and spun her chair around.
“I believe you,” she said, pointing at Race, “need to go pick up your date. Do tell us everything tomorrow, will you?”
Race rolled his eyes, put the money into his wallet, and left the room. The girls followed him to the door.
“Bye, Race! Have a good date!” Books exclaimed.
Race left, then the girls went back up to Ducks’ room.
“So,” Slings asked, “what are we doing tonight?”
“We should watch a movie.” Skip answered.
“But what movie?” Books asked, sitting down on the futon in Ducks’ room.
Ducks looked thoughtful. “Something… with a cool actor in it.”
“Social Misfits!”
“I don’t own it, and it’s not likely to be at the video store,” Ducks said.
Books’ suggestion was either Laurel Canyon or Equilibrium. Both suggestions were voted down.
“What about Harry Potter? We all like that, right?” Slings asked.
“Or we could watch Little Mermaid two. Tip’s singing voice is very nice.” Ducks suggested.
Slings quickly changed her mind, and sided with Ducks. Books didn’t have any real objection, and Skip didn’t really care. After Ducks checked with her mom that it was ok, and popped some popcorn, the girls settled down to watch the movie.
Fin.
I thought it would be fun for Ducks to have a super-Italian name, seing as she's not actually Italian. XD
Anyone with ideas for the big date, please let me know. I'm not good at writing romance, so any suggestions will be appreciated. (As will any suggestions for stuff Ducks should have in her big bag o' everything. XD)