Mavis Dracula (mavey_wavey) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2013-04-19 13:12:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, alex rogan, mavis dracula |
WHO: Mavis, Alex R
WHAT: Catching up
WHEN: Shortly after this
WHERE: Rogan Electronics, & a bistro across the street
Eighteen years old, and excited to be truly out on her own for the first time, Mavis had just gotten settled into her new apartment near campus, and was out hunting for a job to keep herself busy until classes started in the fall. She had her resume in order, and had picked up a few applications around town--coffee shops and retail stores mostly--and now she was just taking in the sights, getting to know her way around Orange County, when she spotted a familiar name on one of the storefronts. Rogan Electronics.
Alex was inside, puttering around a few work projects, when he heard the door open. He smiled as he looked up, and then his smile widened even more. “Mavis? Is that you?”
He grinned as he came around the counter toward her, arms out to her. It’d been three years since he had seen her last, her and her father, whose financial help had enabled him to complete one of his first inventions.
Mavis had just stepped inside the door, peering around to see if she might recognize anyone who was working, when Alex came to greet her. She let out an excited squeal as she all but flung herself into those outstretched arms, greeting him with an enthusiastic hug. She wasn’t very good at the stiff-upper-lip thing at all, really. She wore her heart on her sleeve and didn’t care who saw it. “Alex! How are you? It’s been ages!”
Alex hugged her, smiling and kissed her cheek. “I’m good. It’s nice to see you again! You grew up!” He didn’t so much notice her as a woman as he did as she was taller.
“I’m good. Working hard. What are you doing in these parts?”
“I’ll be starting school here in the fall,” she said, smiling. She didn’t have to look up at him quite as far as before. “And visiting my uncle Nicky! What about you? How is business? Are you still inventing?”
“I am. Working it as a side to this business. I fix up things that need to be fixed and go to school for more knowledge, to invent more things.” He grinned at her. “Awesome!”
"That's wonderful, Alex," Mavis exclaimed, peering excitedly around the shop. Of course she didn't think he'd have anything too top secret out in plain view, but she still wanted to see his shop, and how he'd fared for himself. He was only a few years older than she was, and he'd been so friendly and enthusiastic about his projects when he'd visited the UK; Mavis has really admired him. "I'm still deciding what I want to major in."
Alex grinned at her, and nodded. “Feel free to look around.” He paused. “Just, ah, be careful about what you touch.” He smiled softly. “Nothing wrong with that. You can take the time, now that you’re in college, to figure it out.” She had the money to do so. He didn’t begrudge her that.
“I’ve got a couple of fields I’d like to dip my toes in,” she said, wandering the perimeter of the shop with her hands clasped behind her back. “But I’ll probably settle on some kind of science. It just seems more hands-on than business. You know?”
Alex smiled at her. “Makes sense. I like working with my hands, too. Always have. That’s why I settled on doing this as a job for now. Seems to be a high need for fix it work.”
Mavis nodded. “I think there’s always going to be a need for that,” she said, “Even if things are built to last, they still need upkeep.” She shrugged. “It seems like business is going pretty well for you, anyway. I’m really glad.” Alex was a nice guy, she was pleased to see he’d been successful.
Alex nodded. “It seems you’re right.” He grinned a little more. “Want to get lunch? Sarah, my employee, will be back from her morning jobs soon and she can run the shop while we’re gone.”
“Sure, I’d like that!” They hadn’t seen each other in a while, but she still liked to think of Alex as a friend. It would be nice to catch up. “Where’s the best place to eat around here?”
Alex smiled at her, nodding. “There’s a little bistro right across the street that I like.” Might not be the best, but it was nice. And Alex crossed the road to it all the time.
Sometimes convenience was nice, and since Mavis didn’t really know where anything was unless she googled it, or drove by, convenient seemed like a good thing. She’d do more exploring on her own, she was sure, but it was nice to have somebody who could point her in the right direction to start out. “Sounds good to me.”
Alex linked arms with her and closed the shop, then led the way across the street carefully. “And how’s your dad?” He had liked the rather impressive man.
“Oh, you know,” she said, smiling as she mimicked her father’s regal bearing for a moment, then playfully hugged Alex’ arm. “Busy and ambitious as ever. I’ll be lucky if I remember half of the advice he gave me before he put me on the plane--and I’m probably going to be glad I took notes. He helped me work out a budget to follow while I’m looking for a summer job. And after, of course.”
Alex smiled to her, nodding. “I hope everything keeps working out for him,and for you.” He bowed his head to her. “I’m sure you’ll find an awesome job. What sort of thing are you looking for?”
“Dad’s pretty smart about investing,” she said with a nod. Sure, he took some risks, sometimes, but he seemed to know when to hold and when to fold, or however that old song went. As for Mavis? She would just be happy to have a steady income, so she could be at least a little independent. “I’m trying not to be too particular,” she said, “I was working as a barista, last summer, so there’s always that.”
He opened the door to the shop, and held it for her as they stepped into the bistro. Soon, they had a table and menus. “Mmmm, I think I’ll go with the philly Cheesesteak.” He smiled at her.
“I’m sure you can find something!”
Mavis took a little longer deciding, but eventually she found something that seemed like it would suit her taste. Part of her reason for going vegan was because lactose did not agree with her tummy. But she wasn’t bothered if Alex enjoyed his cheese and steak. “I have to ask,” she said, “What exactly is a Philly Cheesesteak? It always sounds like a pan-seared slab of cheese, but I know that can’t be right.”
“Uhm, nothing you’d be interested in, really. It’s steak and cheese and onions on bread.” He smiled softly at her. “Maybe the marinated angelhair pasta angellico? It’s got veggies and good sauce? No milk, no cheese, no meat!”
“It sounds like it would smell delicious,” she said, smiling, “But I’d regret it in the morning. So yeah, pasta angellico for me.” She shrugged. At least she could still satisfy her ice cream craving as long as it was made with soy- or rice-milk.
Alex nodded and gently poked her. “I saw a good alternative store the other day, and I’ll show it to you when we get done here.” He smiled.
“Thanks,” she said, “That would be awesome.” She had done a bit of googling, but she was always open to suggestion. “So how long have you had the shop open?”
“About a year.” His cheeks flushed. “I never managed to get the scholarships to attend school, so the business pays for it.” He smiled a little.
Mavis offered a sympathetic grimace. Alex worked so hard, it would have been nice if he’d been able to get a scholarship. Still, he seemed to be doing well, if he could hire another employee to work with him--and he was doing something he enjoyed. “I wish I was that sure of myself and what I want to do.”
Alex smiled, and poked her. “You will be, in time. Give yourself a chance to learn what you like.” He nodded. “You’ll discover yourself.”