[When Nate returns to his apartment, he will find that everything in the common spaces appears to be spic and span. The counters and cabinets shine like they probably haven't since they got the place, and all the dishes and utensils have been neatly organized.
Simon isn't sporting his usual long blond pony as a result of the whole operation deal, and touts the first closely cropped hairstyle he's had since he was a child. He is also wearing one of Wade's apron monstrosities as it was all that was on hand for him to wear. He's not the biggest fan of the graphic, but he wasn't expecting anyone to be home so soon. He pops up from behind a kitchen counter, surprised to see Nate. While he had been informed that there was another man residing here, he has yet to meet the other face to face.]
Gah!
[There is a toothbrush in Simon's right hand, and the floor is rather slippery. Instead of being normal and saying, you know, anything that would make sense, Simon simply stares Nate down with beady brown eyes, as if attempting to bore a hole straight through him with just his gaze alone. Finally, after a few seconds, he offers a brief-]
[ When you've had a long day in the metaphorical salt mines, you tend to want to unwind in your own space, comfortably and with little interruption. These days he's been frequenting Ian's place slightly more often due to the ever-present reminders of his erstwhile brother, but his apartment is still his apartment and his roommate is still his friend, which is why he's that much more surprised to see a.) everything spotless and b.) a fucking stranger in the kitchen. ]
Gah!
[ Reactionary, he steps back quickly with one hand on the jamb of the door, staring at furious-looking kid with the shorn hair indicative of the newly Displaced. The greeting hovers in the air uncomfortably before Nate hazards a slow: ]
...hi. [ The silence lingers longer. ] Who are you?
[A bit tired of putting on the Nice Guy act and having to smile and use corny turns of phrase to get what he wants, Simon shows his true colors in this moment, because as far as he's concerned, there's nothing for him to gain from this particular old person. He has everything he needs.]
You first.
[Oh, wait. There's no indication of how smart the other is. He must make his instructions clearer. The older man looks... Stupid, anyway.]
State your name.
[He folds his arms over his chest as if he owns the place??? Simon. You are a guest here.]
Your living conditions are filthy. As your roommate, Wade, is an ally of mine and has graciously offered me shelter here, I have taken it upon myself to correct the situation.
[Mumbling because, he indeed a little terror-]
I found a sock in the dishwasher! I mean, c'mon! Really?
[ You first, oh, that's funny. Kid's got a sense of humor. What is it with him and running into teenager who threaten him with bodily harm or something equally adorable? In a mirror image of the same gesture Nate folds his arms over his chest, scrutinizing him while he talks about his invitation, the alliance, something something apparently the empty space his brother left behind is being filled with...this. ]
I'm the guy whose toothbrush you're using to clean the grout.
[ Nate points out, making a solemn vow to hide his toothbrushes in the future. The kid can thank Wade for the sock, because he's the only one in this household that wears red.
Considerate enough to refrain from attempting to walk on the wet portions of the floor Nate rounds the kitchen island to sit on a stool opposite the newbie, graciously gesturing at him. ]
So why don't you go first, and I'll do you a solid and refrain from calling you "grill daddy" in the future.
[Simon may... Have not had to exhibit any form of manners for the greater part of a decade, especially towards an adult, but he understands that much. Wow, yeah, that's no good.]
Sorry, whew, yeah, I'll grab you a new one... My b-
[Oh no. The mention of that horrible nickname causes Simon's eyes to widen, and his cheeks turn the slightest hue of pink. He is so embarrassed that he yells. Um, it's a recurring pattern with this one.]
[ Nate waits patiently throughout the better part of this mild tirade, chin propped in one hand on the counter, watching him in vague amusement. There are worse ways to spend his afternoon than puppet theatre behind the kitchen island. ]
Yeah, he does that. It's fine, it looks good on you.
[ Maybe a little loose, but these are Wade's aprons, which means they fit Wade's stupid buff body. ]
Simon is unused to compliments, particularly ones about his appearance, and so that blush grows even deeper, darkening despite his fierce desire to appear Strong and Very Threatening. In fact, he'll be over here on his side of the kitchen island stunned into silence, until he remembers that conversations are a two way street.]
S-Simon.
[This butterfly feeling in his chest is squicky and dumb??? W h y-]
[ Well, that...sure did something, all right. Simon seems to briefly short-circuit before finding his voice again, and Nate does his damnedest not to look as amused as he feels. Sort of reminds him of when he was a kid and someone would say something genuine and complimentary, and he'd shut down over it. ]
Yeah.
[ He picks a piece of fuzz from his sleeve in idle interest, giving Simon the time he needs to reboot. It's only polite. ]
But Nate's fine. The only people who call me Nathan are either annoyed or trying to kill me.
[Simon can't help but quirk an eyebrow at that. Most normal kids would probably find that Concerning. Simon, however, finds it intriguing:]
Sounds like you got a lotta those on your tail, pal.
[People who cause trouble where they're from will continue to cause trouble where they're at. Simon is no exception, but this little detail will keep him on his toes. It's best to ensure that anyone entering the premises isn't an intruder, and well, probably a good idea to have some kind of sharp object on his person at all times. Noted.]
If you're planning on hidin' any big ol' diamonds or whatever, be sure to keep them away from my room.
[Your room??? You are temporarily occupying the couch, you little tyrant.]
[ Conversational and light, Nate flicks his small piece of lint off the edge of the counter. It's the blase and uncaring delivery of a man completely self-assured, whose career as a thief and grifter spanned over two decades.
It's also complete bullshit, but it seems like a fun pastime riling this kid up. ]
They re-branded coal and it's going for three-hundred creds an ounce as "pre-diamonds."
Sure, diamonds are shiny 'n all, and some people are super into that-
[Namely, people like Grace, people who liked showy things.
Simon isn't really one to show off in that way, at least not yet. He lacks the confidence to do so.]
But they don't do anything. Coal keeps you warm! It can power things. If you ask me, that makes coal way more valuable. Doesn't matter if it's not pretty.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
action; apartment
Simon isn't sporting his usual long blond pony as a result of the whole operation deal, and touts the first closely cropped hairstyle he's had since he was a child. He is also wearing one of Wade's apron monstrosities as it was all that was on hand for him to wear. He's not the biggest fan of the graphic, but he wasn't expecting anyone to be home so soon. He pops up from behind a kitchen counter, surprised to see Nate. While he had been informed that there was another man residing here, he has yet to meet the other face to face.]
Gah!
[There is a toothbrush in Simon's right hand, and the floor is rather slippery. Instead of being normal and saying, you know, anything that would make sense, Simon simply stares Nate down with beady brown eyes, as if attempting to bore a hole straight through him with just his gaze alone. Finally, after a few seconds, he offers a brief-]
Hello.
crying with laughter already thx
Gah!
[ Reactionary, he steps back quickly with one hand on the jamb of the door, staring at furious-looking kid with the shorn hair indicative of the newly Displaced. The greeting hovers in the air uncomfortably before Nate hazards a slow: ]
...hi. [ The silence lingers longer. ] Who are you?
no subject
You first.
[Oh, wait. There's no indication of how smart the other is. He must make his instructions clearer. The older man looks... Stupid, anyway.]
State your name.
[He folds his arms over his chest as if he owns the place??? Simon. You are a guest here.]
Your living conditions are filthy. As your roommate, Wade, is an ally of mine and has graciously offered me shelter here, I have taken it upon myself to correct the situation.
[Mumbling because, he indeed a little terror-]
I found a sock in the dishwasher! I mean, c'mon! Really?
no subject
I'm the guy whose toothbrush you're using to clean the grout.
[ Nate points out, making a solemn vow to hide his toothbrushes in the future. The kid can thank Wade for the sock, because he's the only one in this household that wears red.
Considerate enough to refrain from attempting to walk on the wet portions of the floor Nate rounds the kitchen island to sit on a stool opposite the newbie, graciously gesturing at him. ]
So why don't you go first, and I'll do you a solid and refrain from calling you "grill daddy" in the future.
no subject
[Simon may... Have not had to exhibit any form of manners for the greater part of a decade, especially towards an adult, but he understands that much. Wow, yeah, that's no good.]
Sorry, whew, yeah, I'll grab you a new one... My b-
[Oh no. The mention of that horrible nickname causes Simon's eyes to widen, and his cheeks turn the slightest hue of pink. He is so embarrassed that he yells. Um, it's a recurring pattern with this one.]
URGGGH!
Curse Wade and his infernal sense of humor-
no subject
Yeah, he does that. It's fine, it looks good on you.
[ Maybe a little loose, but these are Wade's aprons, which means they fit Wade's stupid buff body. ]
I'm Nate, by the way.
no subject
Simon is unused to compliments, particularly ones about his appearance, and so that blush grows even deeper, darkening despite his fierce desire to appear Strong and Very Threatening. In fact, he'll be over here on his side of the kitchen island stunned into silence, until he remembers that conversations are a two way street.]
S-Simon.
[This butterfly feeling in his chest is squicky and dumb??? W h y-]
The name's Simon.
[how... to word..s..]
So then you must be... Nathan?
no subject
Yeah.
[ He picks a piece of fuzz from his sleeve in idle interest, giving Simon the time he needs to reboot. It's only polite. ]
But Nate's fine. The only people who call me Nathan are either annoyed or trying to kill me.
[ Or Sam. ]
no subject
[Simon can't help but quirk an eyebrow at that. Most normal kids would probably find that Concerning. Simon, however, finds it intriguing:]
Sounds like you got a lotta those on your tail, pal.
[People who cause trouble where they're from will continue to cause trouble where they're at. Simon is no exception, but this little detail will keep him on his toes. It's best to ensure that anyone entering the premises isn't an intruder, and well, probably a good idea to have some kind of sharp object on his person at all times. Noted.]
If you're planning on hidin' any big ol' diamonds or whatever, be sure to keep them away from my room.
[Your room??? You are temporarily occupying the couch, you little tyrant.]
no subject
[ Conversational and light, Nate flicks his small piece of lint off the edge of the counter. It's the blase and uncaring delivery of a man completely self-assured, whose career as a thief and grifter spanned over two decades.
It's also complete bullshit, but it seems like a fun pastime riling this kid up. ]
They re-branded coal and it's going for three-hundred creds an ounce as "pre-diamonds."
no subject
[...Simon.]
Sure, diamonds are shiny 'n all, and some people are super into that-
[Namely, people like Grace, people who liked showy things.
Simon isn't really one to show off in that way, at least not yet. He lacks the confidence to do so.]
But they don't do anything. Coal keeps you warm! It can power things. If you ask me, that makes coal way more valuable. Doesn't matter if it's not pretty.