Spare Keys (Savvy)

[Mary Savage]

Savvy put her high-and-mightiest face on. "It's okay. I am untopable." She said, and then made a face at her own bad pun. Mason, feel free to beat her with a loaf of bread for that one. Why a loaf of bread? Because it would be funny.

Savvy laughed when he called hummus "new age". "I'm pretty sure the stuff is very old-world. It's just chickpeas, oil, some spices, and tahini all shoved into a blender. It's a staple food in the Mediterranean." She smiled at him, and then realized that if he didn't know what hummus was, he certainly wouldn't know what tahini was. "Tahini is sesame paste. That might sound good, but don't ever eat it straight up. It tastes awful." She warned, making a bad-taste face.

Savvy tried very hard to pick her jaw up off the floor, but was having some difficultly achieving her goal. In the time that Mason had taken to respond, she'd imagined things that made her body even more unresponsive to nerve commands than it had been. His naked mole rat comment was unattractive enough to break her out of her reverie. "Okay, let me explain something to you." She said, her face still completely devoid of it's usual snarky expression. "I swing both ways. You were a little cloistered, but I'm sure you know what that means. Generally, I like women more than men, because men are hairy and that's nasty. You are not hairy. You are just about the only man in the world who isn't hairy at all. That officially puts you on the top of my I need to see this person naked list." Okay, so talking had brought some of her snark back. Her smile had returned slowly while she said spoke, and the last comment was given with a wink. She was serious, though. Patricia Day had just been pushed down to number 2.

She was still a little shocked from Mason's revelation and wasn't able to quite sentence properly yet. "Vincent? Haven't... uh... haven't met him. Not yet." She'd heard of him, but she decided that not trying to string more than 2 words together right now might be a good idea. She'd managed a speech earlier, but whatever skill it had taken to do that was now gone.

Savvy was liking all the compliments, even if they were all in good fun. There was always a glimmer of truth behind each joke, which she'd learned by being a world-class joker. She snorted at the image of a pastor giving a sermon in what she imagined as a snake skin jump suit. "Okay, I just got that mental image too, and it's amazing." She said, and then burst into laughter. She'd just turned that jumpsuit into parachute pants. No one knows why Savvy's mind goes where it goes, it's one of those questions best left unanswered.

Savvy put on her serious face and crossed her fingers over her chest. "I won't tell. Cross my heart." She said, a small smile peeking through at the corners of her facade, "...Unless, of course, it turns out to be more entertaining than not telling him." She added, a twinkle in her eye. If he really didn't want her to say anything, she wouldn't, but she was pretty sure he'd already thought of that.

Savvy picked up the bottles carefully and placed them one by one on the table. She read the labels on them, and then held two up. "Hey, if I mix these will they go boom?" She asked, a sly smile on her face. She wouldn't actually do it, but it was sometimes fun to channel her inner 15-year-old.

[Mason McQueen]

If I was Mason, I would’ve given Savvy a very loud ‘snrk’. ‘Cause really, her statement is like an open target for witty (and pretty much innuendo-laden) replies. I can actually think of a couple now, each one as wild as the other. Then again, this is Mason we’re talking about. He doesn’t really want to be dense, but he still comes out as one. And quite frequently, I might add. So instead of jumping onto Savvy, he simply smiled ‘sweetly’ as he grabbed a couple of bottles and led the lady outside. “Indeed, Miss Savage is one of a kind. I can hardly see anyone topping you.” Lame? Extremely.

“Oh.” Mason couldn’t help but be ashamed for such a mistake. Whatever bad feeling he had when he used the words ‘new age’ to describe the seemingly mysterious ‘humus’ got multiplied a hundredfold, feeling extremely idiotic and stupid for not knowing something supposedly simple. “My bad. Guess I should start researching popular culture now and whatnot,” he nodded. Well, if he has time after checking the exams, that is. “Though in my defense, I haven’t tasted anything ‘Mediterranean’.” If anything, all he’s ever tasted is American food, with a tinge of Asian dishes since he’s been in the far east for quite some time. “Maybe you should have me try it sometime. Kidding.” While the enumeration of the ingredients did pique his interest, and indeed he would like to have a taste, he just wasn’t sure if asking Savvy to let him have some would be appropriate, given that they’ve only just met. Maybe in a few days, but definitely not now.

Seems he’s on a roll. Mistake after mistake after mistake. Or so he thinks. “Oh-kay,” was the only thing he could say. Total confusion was upon his face right now. And it’s not because she’s admitted that she’s bisexual (no, having a homosexual brother broke down all barriers pertaining to prejudice about them, mostly built by his parents). He just hasn’t heard of someone admitting to a person that he/she likes the other guy/girl in such a, how does he put it again, straightforward manner. First the compliment, now this. Why does he get the feeling that it wouldn’t just go downhill from here? “Thank you, I guess,” he said weakly. Then he realized that he must’ve been offending Savvy with all his bluntness. While he doesn’t feel any sexual attraction towards Savvy, over the few minutes they’ve been talking, she’s has made quite the impression on Mason already, and he wouldn’t want to simply shove her off his life. Not in this way at least. “Don’t worry. Maybe if I get drunk, your wish will come true.” It came off a bit forced, as Mason doesn’t really drink and all that, but he hoped that it, combined with a playful punch on the arm, would somehow alleviate the unease he’s feeling between them. Hopefully.

Indeed, the notion of her meeting his ever ecstatic brother would be a lovely disaster. On one hand, it would be great, as he could really see the two getting along perfectly. On the other side of things, he’ll most likely be teased for the whole duration of the meeting. Andrei has a knack for making Mason so self-conscious with himself, add Savvy’s wit to the mix and you’ll get one very flustered Mason. And who knows, maybe with that meeting Savvy might get her wish granted too. “Remind me never to make you two meet then,” he teased, “It’ll be the end of me when that happens.”

“N’aww. Neutralization is a very boring process. Just a couple of colorless ions and water, what’s the fun in that?” Time to put the nerd cap on, as people would say it. “If you’ll be good, I can tell you what stuff goes boom with just a drop of water,” he winked, moving back to the room to get more supplies. “Can you help me get these Bunsen burners out too? After this I’ll let you go. Or even better, I’d like to treat you out to dinner, just to say thanks. Though I’m not sure if Pilot Ridge has some vegan restaurants around.”

[Mary Savage]

Talking about hummus was making Savvy hungry. It was one of her favorite foods, if just because it tasted good and was ridiculously easy to make. "If I ever bring some to work with me, I'll be sure to drop by your classroom. I could even give your students a demonstration of what not to do in lab!" She said in a ridiculous tone, knowing full well that nobody would ever let her do that kind of demonstration, if only because she'd be way too good at it. Ending up in the ER good.

Mason, that was a bad more. Very bad. Only because now Savvy is going to be completely determined to get you plastered. She knows what she wants, and now that you've told her how to get it she's going to try. She smirked at him, her jaw muscles finally deciding to have some kind of tension on them. "Well, we'll just have to go bar hopping sometime. Though I have to say if we want to hop more than two or three bars, we might have to take a drive to Vancouver." Oooh. Savvy + Mason + booze + a hotel in another city could equal a very memorable evening. It would probably be for the best if that never happened.

Savvy smiled at the expression on Mason's face. She could tell that he was a little uncomfortable with the idea of the two of them meeting, and honestly, by what he'd told her, she didn't blame him. "When we do meet" Notice she said when, not if, "we'll probably end up tying you to a chair in an abandoned warehouse so we can molest your hair." She reached up and flicked a strand of it with the tip of her finger, trying to make herself look intimidating even though she was laughing. It didn't work.

Savvy's eyes went wide. She could make stuff explode with water? That would be frickin' awesome! "Oooh!" She said, not bothering to hold back the excitement in her voice, "Really? I'll totally be good. No hair molesting, promise." She crossed her heart with her fingers like a grade school kid trying to prove their honesty. She went back into the store room and grabbed some of what she'd always called "exploding flame thingies of doom", for reasons which are pretty obvious. If not, it means she blew a couple of them up. That's what happens when you put the gas on high and don't light it for a little too long. Also what happens when you go to chem lab high.

Savvy would never, ever say no to someone willing to buy her food. That was ten bucks she could spend on buying something worthless, which was always way more fun. "Actually, there's this awesome Thai place that has a lot of vegan stuff, and an Indian place. You like curry?" She asked, though she had a feeling he might not know what curry was. He seemed a little inexperienced in the food area of life.

[Mason McQueen]

True to form, Savvy’s latest retort earned another warm laugh from the older man. Not only that, but her volunteering to take the ever-so-dignified role of ‘what-not-to-do’ model caught him off guard, making him lose his balance slightly and wobble as he walked toward the desk. He sighed slightly when he reached the said countertop, relieved that the glasswares got safely across without a scratch; he’d probably get quite the speech from Ms. Barnes should that happen, and that’s something he isn’t looking forward to really (though she does seem like she’s softened up a bit compared to what he can remember; maybe he just has age on his side, that’s all). AgNO3 does not come cheap, averaging at around $10 per kg (compared to the $1.35/kg cost of NH4NO3); and with the department budget as it is right now (limited and tight, as with the rest of the school, or so he’s told), Ms. Barnes told them she’d rather not face the Board of Directors again should they go above budget. “And you’d make a wonderful example Savvy. Perfect even. I just know it,” chuckled Mason as he tried to arrange the bottles in a way that he thinks would be easier for his students.

“N’aw. I don’t think we’d have to bar hop or anything. I mean, just a few drinks, and I’m good. I have a relatively low alcohol tolerance. Lame, I know,” laughed the man, unaware of the grave digging he’s done for himself now. He thinks he’s deterring Savvy from the idea, but I have a feeling she’d just be a bit more motivated to try. “Never really liked the taste anyway”- as even in holiday parties, he still squirms whenever his tongue touches the stuff-“they say it’s an acquired taste, but I don’t think I’d be comfortable with it. Never had much of it in my youth, doubt that I’d have much for the rest of my life too.” Blame his rather strict Christian brainwashing upbringing. Despite moving away from his parents during his twenties, he did live with the rather pious Moores, who he knows wouldn’t hesitate from calling his parents should they learn of Mason ‘straying from the path’. “But we could still visit Vancouver some time if you like.”

Abandoned warehouses? (Hair) Molestation? Doesn’t sound so good. Then again, this is Savvy he’s talking about. “Meh. I doubt you’d be able to do that. I’ll unleash my lovely hair powers on you when you do,” he said with a wink, trying to act all brave and macho. Which being Mason, meant that he failed. He highly doubts Savvy’s spiders and Andrei’s empathy would help much against his thick hair, not that he was considering they’d battle it out or anything.

“Really? I’ve never heard of it,” beamed the man, obviously excited about the idea. True, he hasn’t heard of curry before, nor has he had a taste of Indian or Thai food, but he’s willing to try. He is a scientist after all, and experiments are his life. “I think I’m done here anyways,” he said, taking one last look of the room before they go, “Ready to go?”


ooc:
Hopefully that's enough to usher it to the end and stuff.
- Jam

[Mary Savage]

Savvy laughed at Mason's calm acceptance of her offer. She liked him, he could take life with a grain of salt. "You know it!" She said, giving him a sly wink and putting some Bunsen burners on the desk.

Her smile broadened significantly at finding out Mason was a lightweight. It had an evil-genius-just-got-an-idea tone to it. She was going to get him so drunk. It was going to be amazing! She wanted to rub her hands together in a plotting way, but that might make Mason reject any drinking ideas she might have. "I'm sure we could find you a nice, fruity drink to ease you in. Like a mai tai." That would also probably knock him on his ass, and then Savvy could see him naked. She wouldn't take advantage of him, at least not in the traditional sense, if he was too inebriated to be coherent, but there would be photographs. Oh yes, many wonderful photographs. She giggled softly in barely-restrained glee.

Never heard of curry...? Wow, and people called Savvy uncultured. That made up her mind, though, it had to be Thai. She was going to burn his mouth off with delicious, spicy food. It was going to be awesome! "Just gotta grab my bag." Savvy responded, and then sauntered out of the room and down the hall to where he had first asked her for assistance. This was an experience that was going to change Mason's view on food, that was for sure.

[Mason McQueen]

Needless to say, Mason can be seen blushing once more (then again, it’s not like he has done anything other than that, right?). Lucky for Savvy, it’s nothing she did on purpose this time. Nope, the dense guy did not get the not-so-subtle intent behind her offer nor did he notice the naughty smirk painted on the younger woman’s face. As it was, Savvy’s remark about easing the man in tossed up some rather embarrassing memories, memories he’d rather he not relive once again.

Mason had only been drunk four times in his life, and only the fourth time did he drink on purpose (it happened a few weeks after Angela’s death; he knew for himself that it was an act of weakness, but he just couldn’t help himself – the event actually sparked Andrei’s urging to have his older brother move in with him in Pilot Ridge). His lips first knew the taste of alcohol at a Halloween party during his first year in university. Ever the good boy, he wasn’t really planning on getting drunk; in fact, he wasn’t really planning on attending the said party. His friends, however, had other plans, dragging the poor boy along with them against his wishes.

After a few minutes of futile resistance, he complied, on one condition – he will be the DD, hence should not be forced to drink. The poor boy should’ve learned by now never to fully trust his friends, as the moment they got in, they did everything to get him drunk. As it was, one can only resist the power of his friends for so long, and before he knew it, he was inebriated, crazy and out of his wits.

When he woke up the next morning – hung over, guilty, embarrassed and all – he was surprised to see his hair all over himself. As it was, over the course of his crazy night, he unwillingly used his powers to do some crazy stuff, tricks his friends were oh-so-excited to elaborate and tell him down to the detail. (It’s a good thing his friends knew about his meta-human secret and covered up for him, else he’d be in all sorts of trouble really). And from then on, he made a vow not to drink anything alcoholic, religious reasons aside. (And obviously, it didn’t work; thank goodness his hair didn’t grow as much the second or third time.)

“Just make sure that mai tai isn’t strong even by my standards,” said the man shyly, finally finding his voice, scratching the back of his head, “Apparently my hair doesn’t take me being drunk too lightly.” Hopefully that’s enough of a warning.

He made a quick look around his classroom when Savvy left, making sure everything’s in order. He definitely doesn’t want to be the one to blame should a fire start in Hammel in the middle of the night, not that he wants one to start or anything. After making sure nothing would go wrong in the middle of the night, he grabbed his bag from his desk and walked towards Savvy’s locker. “Ready to go beautiful?”

Did Mason just flirt?!

ooc:
I am so so sorry for the lateness. Muse has been on a slump, and combined with the @_@ RL has been giving me, everything's been bleh. I do hope the rambling's fine. Sorry Savvy.
- Jam