InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "You're 1-liners are not worthy"

Oriel Summerby (isign) wrote in wished,
@ 2010-09-30 17:40:00

Entry tags:

!2003: 09, kevin entwhistle, oriel summerby

Who: Oriel Summerby and Kevin Entwhistle.
when: September 30th. Evening.
Where: Restaurant --> Beyond.
What: Dinner and a movie. AKA a date maybe sorta kinda.
Rating: Low?
Status: Incomplete/closed.

Oriel had been filled with anticipation the whole week long as Thursday drew ever closer. The days ticking by slowly, the way that time always seemed to trudge along when ancitipation was in the air. As if that day would never come.

But of course it did come.

He spent Thursday working, of course, at the Quibbler offices, doing fact checking and research, some for himself and some for other people, senior writers and what not. Oriel was glad to be kept busy, because that made the day go all the faster, and he was pleased for that. Soon it was time to call it a day and he said goodbye to his co-workers and headed home.

Back in his flat he fed Tweak and Ralph and Fuzz and the budgies, and left food on the sill for his owl if he came by, and then cleaned up. He changed into a pair of skinny gray jeans and blue shirt, with a jacket and a scarf over top. Combing his hair and then he headed out.

He was meeting Kevin in a place in Muggle London, and so he Apparated to a place he knew would be empty and walked the rest of the way to the park where they were meeting. Tucking his hands into his coat pockets and lingering near the entrance of the park as he waited.

(Post a new comment)

kevinkandpaper
2010-10-01 04:54 pm UTC (link)

October was just about upon them. It was a bittersweet time for Kevin - sure, it was nice to have City back in action, but the quickly decaying warmth in the air discouraged him. As such, he had tugged on a slate grey jumper before he headed out the door, nearly doubling back for an additional layer of protection, but deciding he could "rough it" without.

Besides, if Kevin knew himself at all, he was going to end up flushed of embarrassment a couple of times before the evening was out, and that usually provided a measure of heat.

Running a couple of minutes late, as after-hours journalists are apt to do (punctuality is a business thing), Kevin broke into a very light jog as he rounded the corner approaching the park. Very light because the air's briskness and Kevin's history of breathing problems were likely to collude and cause an asthma attack were he not extraordinarily careful. Since his reintegration to the Muggle world, Kevin had taken to carrying his inhaler around, so there was that, at least.

"Hey," Kevin said simply, waving his arm to get Oriel's attention as he sidled up to him. He smiled, a genuine grin of affection and anticipation.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

isign
2010-10-01 05:28 pm UTC (link)

Oriel was admiring the way the leaves were looking as he glanced around, keeping an eye out for Kevin. When he did see him coming, he smiled, and felt something warm inside of him. True, they did not know each other terribly well yet, but he liked Kevin.

He lifted a hand and returned the wave. "Hi," he replied once Kevin was closer.

"How are you?" he asked him, the smile still on his face. He still wasn't sure if this was a date or not - polling his friends hadn't come up with any conclusive answers - but either way, he had been quite looking forward to this evening.

"Did you have a place you wanted to go to eat?" he asked. "Or just walk until we find something?" Fingers absently signing along.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

kevinkandpaper
2010-10-01 07:44 pm UTC (link)

For Kevin, there was no question. This was a date, and he hoped to behave appropriately. "Appropriately", of course, meaning with chivalry and tact, two things Kevin possessed only on occasion.

"Your choice," he said kindly with a nod of his head and a smile. "I've been well, another couple short articles come, another couple short articles gone," he added, recalling a week that was filled with ennui. Though he had gotten a ring on something up near home he might have to take a look into.

"And yourself?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

isign
2010-10-02 12:14 am UTC (link)

"Let's walk," Oriel decided, since he didn't have a particular destination in mind. And so they stepped away from the park and started down the street, falling into step rather easily, he noted in an idle way.

"About the same," he said as he stole looks at Kevin as they walked - to read his lips, of course, although perhaps that wasn't the only reason. "Work. And down time." His life was a quiet one, but he enjoyed it.

"I've been trying to take Tweak - my kitten - out on playdates," he admitted ruefully.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

kevinkandpaper
2010-10-02 03:13 pm UTC (link)

Wait, what? Kevin wasn't much of a cat person. Indeed, he preferred the company of a big sloppy dog to a petite and bitchy cat. But playdates for cats?

"Your cat needs socialization?" he smirked. He walked another second or two before assembling the last sentence fully. "Wait, Tweak? Where'd that name come from?" he asked, curiously. Wasn't that a term for someone on meth?

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

isign
2010-10-02 03:16 pm UTC (link)

Oriel got that laughing look in his eyes. "He's a kitten. I want him to learn to be familiar around other animals," he replied. If he got used to being around other animals now, it wouldn't be a big deal when he was older and set in his ways.

He, of course, had no idea that 'Tweak' could be a drug reference. He had just heard the name one day when his father-in-law had South Park on, and thought it would be cute. For a cat. "I liked the sound of it," he said with a shrug. "I heard it on the telly."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

OOC: Father-in-law? Should Kevin be concerned?

kevinkandpaper
2010-10-02 06:19 pm UTC (link)

Kevin rolled his eyes, not unkindly. Oh the telly and its wondrous influence over the entire populace. How often had Kevin arrived for work (at both the MEN and the Prophet), and been asked if he'd seen the latest such-and-such?

Usually, of course, he had, but that was beside the point. Self-loathing for an unbreakable TV habit, that was Kevin all right.

"Heh, okay," he said. They walked in silence for a little while, comfortably enjoying each other's company. Just like last time, though, they turned a corner and saw a row of restaurants and pubs. Kevin wasn't sure quite what Oriel had in mind for food, but he had been thinking something more formal than their last meeting.

"See anything?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

lmao. step-father!

isign
2010-10-02 06:25 pm UTC (link)

Oriel wasn't much of a television person. He barely even used the small one he had in his flat. But when in the Muggle world, it was an unescapable thing.

His eyes moved along the fronts of pubs and restaurants, studying the exterior decor, and the names. Trying to figure out what looked interesting, at least from first glance. Even still, it was always a gamble when finding a new restaurant.

But then one did catch his eye. It had a quaint little out door patio - unused now that the fall weather that set in - and looked quite nice. "That one?" he asked, pointing towards it, before drifting closer so he could study the menu posted outside in a wooden framed glass covered box.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Re: lmao. step-father!

kevinkandpaper
2010-10-05 01:57 am UTC (link)

"Works for me," Kevin said, bee-lining toward it. He perused the menu quickly and found a couple of intriguing menu options, then gestured Oriel ahead of him.

They waited patiently for the hostess to show them to a table, and when she did, Kevin was faced with a question of a chivalrous nature: should he pull out Oriel's chair? After all, this was a "date", wasn't it? But it wasn't a boy-girl date, and Kevin had no idea of a. whether Oriel interpreted this evening as a date or b. if he'd be particularly affected by the gesture.

In the end, Kevin's dithering answered the question by itself, as he didn't do it. But he did hesitate behind the seat...just for a moment.

"I needed this," he said somewhat abruptly as he sat.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

sorry for the delay! >.<

isign
2010-10-07 03:09 pm UTC (link)

Oriel's eyes skimmed over the menu, just long enough to assure himself that yes, they had a few vegetarian options. And then they were into the restaurant, surrounded by the soft smell of food and the noise of other diners - it wasnt packed, but it wasn't slow either.

The hostess showed them to the table, and he looked over his shoulder and smiled at Kevin as he sat down. His eyes following the other over as he sat as well so he didn't miss any of his words.

"Me too," he said, looking shy, and happy, as he fingered the edge of his menu, and then opened it in front of him.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	kevinkandpaper 2010-10-07 08:22 pm UTC (link)
	Kevin's smile was closed-lipped, shy, and and bashful. But it was completely true. He enjoyed spending time with Oriel - his foil in writing and in football, but his compatriot in intelligence and in kindness. "So teach me some signs," he said to Oriel, pulling his hands up on the table for the effort. "Show me something," he grinned. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

isign
2010-10-07 09:06 pm UTC (link)

Oriel's fingers curled together briefly and set them down on the table as well. He tried to think of the best signs to teach Kevin.

"Well, I could teach you the alphabet - that's usually where people start - but that takes a little bit of time." Most people learned the letters first, so they could finger spell out things.

And then he smiled a little bit and made a motion as if he was drinking. "That's 'beer'," he said with a laugh in his eyes.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

kevinkandpaper
2010-10-07 10:15 pm UTC (link)

"Then that's the most important one of all!" he cheerfully cried. He tried it out a couple times. BEER. Beeeeeeer. Beer. That one was easy enough, and kinda fun to do. He planned to get some practice in.

Kevin laughed. Just then, the waitress stopped by, and Kevin quickly ordered a black-and-tan and some bangers and mash. He let Oriel pass along his order, then turned his attention back to his hands.

"Okay, then show me how to sign my name," he said.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

isign
2010-10-07 10:20 pm UTC (link)

Oriel's smile was bright as he watched Kevin mimic the movement, getting it down pat fairly quickly. He nodded his head. "Just like that," he agreed, momentarily distracted by the waitress.

He ordered the vegetarian lasagna and a bottle of cider before his attention was returned to Kevin.

"Names are different," he replied. "There aren't specific signs for every name. We make signs for names that we use often. Usually using the first letter of their name and something that connects to them." So one Kevin might have a different sign than another - if he knew two Kevin's. Which he didn't.

"My name is the letter 'O' mixed with the sign for 'bird'," he explained.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

kevinkandpaper
2010-10-07 11:05 pm UTC (link)

"So my name wouldn't just be the letters in it?" he asked. He wondered what the sign for his name would be, if not that. Something to do with writing, or was that too obvious? How symbolic was it supposed to be?

He tried out Oriel's sign, which he had done quickly when he explained what symbols went into it. It fit, somehow, like his hands almost knew what they were doing of their own accord.

"You don't expect to be signing my name often?" he asked, mocking hurt and hoping the expression in his eyes read he was speaking tongue-in-cheek.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

isign
2010-10-07 11:08 pm UTC (link)

"It would be, at first," Oriel replied. "We finger spell names at first - and names that we don't use often." It was easier than assigning a sign to every name, when they wouldn't even be used often.

"But when it's a person I talk about often, or to often, I make up a sign for them." He had one for his mother and step-father, for his close friends.

His smile was still shy and he studied the table top for a moment before dragging his gaze back up. "I might sign it.. often. I just have to figure out what the right sign would be."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	kevinkandpaper 2010-10-07 11:13 pm UTC (link)
	"And how do we do that?" he asked, glad Oriel hadn't missed the humor in his voice. "Should I ask you out more often? I want a cool sign!" he chuckled, grinning. The waitress arrived with their drinks, and Kevin signed beer before taking a sip for real. Boy, wouldn't it be really convenient if most signs were basically mime. That'd definitely help. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

isign
2010-10-07 11:25 pm UTC (link)

Oriel traced a fingertip in little curlicues on the table top before he spoke - and signed - again. "Usually when I get to know someone, I figure out something... something that's them. That connects to them. And then make a sign out of it." He had not missed the asking out part and that sort of settled it in his mind that this was a date.

He was glad for that.

"It has to be just right," he added, pausing to say thank you to the waitress. "Since it's your name." And he'd always have the same sign for his name. At least from Oriel.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

kevinkandpaper
2010-10-08 12:13 am UTC (link)

"And how many people have you named before?" Kevin asked, not realizing until after he'd spoken that the question was more loaded than he'd intended. It had been innocently meant; he was curious about this naming process. He quickly tried to change track. "Why's your name the word for bird?"

He tried to sign it again, fumbling a little bit with his hands over the table and looking to Oriel for help.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

isign
2010-10-08 12:18 am UTC (link)

"A lot," Oriel admitted. "My Mum and my step-father. My grandparents and my great-grandmum." None of the latter three were alive anymore, but they had been a large part of his life.

"My friends. And some of the Professors at school. And some of my co-workers." Anyone he spoke of or two frequently.

And then a pink colour touched his cheek. He showed Kevin the sign again before he replied. "Well, because my name sounds like 'oriole', the bird," he explained. "And so, my Mum used to call me her little bird." And sometimes still did.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

kevinkandpaper
2010-10-08 01:03 am UTC (link)

"That's cute", Kevin said without thinking. He flushed and dropped his eyes to the table. He hid a shy smile at his Freudian slip with a long drag on the beer. A few moments later, after he'd regained at least some of his composure, he looked up at Oriel again.

"So in the meantime, show me how to sign my name in letters," he said, offering his hands to the younger boy for him to mold into the shapes needed.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

isign
2010-10-08 01:18 am UTC (link)

"Except when she called me that in front of my entire fifth grade class," Oriel said, but he smiled, because he didn't really mind. He had been flustered at the time, but that was in the past.

"Okay." He took Kevin's hands and walked him through the letters of his name. Extending both index fingers and then bending the finger of the right hand, pressing the knuckle to the other index finger for the 'k'. He showed him all the letters, ending with the first two fingers of his right hand tapping his left palm for the 'n'.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

kevinkandpaper
2010-10-08 01:45 am UTC (link)

"K-E-V-I-N," he said aloud as Oriel manipulated Kevin's fingers into the figures. He tried not to think too much about how Oriel's fingers were strong and nimble, if not very big. Kevin's hand would have dwarfed Oriel's if they compared.

He tried all the symbols again, confirming the order of signs. When Oriel smiled and nodded, Kevin smiled back, a hint of a wink sneaking into his eye as he did so.

The waitress reappeared with their food, and Kevin's eyes flashed with hunger as he tucked in. The sooner they finished using their hands to shovel food, the sooner Kevin could return to having Oriel play with his hands and show him new signs.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

isign
2010-10-08 12:15 pm UTC (link)

"Good!" Oriel said when Kevin had repeated all of the signs back to him, showing him how they went. "With finger spelling, you can spell any word, which is why you learn it first. It's slower, but it gives you that first 'in'."

His stomach twisted happily when the food arrived, the scent of it greeting him before the sight of it did. He was definitely hungry, and it smelled really good.

Oriel dug in as well, cutting into tyhe lasagna and letting the steam release before he took a bite, tentative so he didn't scald his tongue, the next one bigger. He took a few bites, content on sating his stomach before he paused for some cider, and looked across to Kevin and his meal. "How is it?" he asked him.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

kevinkandpaper
2010-10-08 03:17 pm UTC (link)

"Hmmf gnroon."

Kevin swallowed.

"It's good," he said, more intelligibly. "It's no shepherd's pie, but..." he added with a wink. Washing down his first several forkfuls of mash (waiting for the bangers to cool), he began to think of what movies were playing currently. Or, in fact, if Oriel still wanted to do a movie, or if he had something else in mind.

"Still up for a movie after food, or d'you want to do something else?" he asked.