[Mini-Mingle] A Shopping Trip

[henchgal]

Given that those who're staying at the ADI housing are getting a clothing allowance, Meredith has taken it upon herself to organize a shopping trip to the Marshalls at Gloucester Crossing. The store is full of surprising deals, and a wide enough variety of clothing that people of all genders might find something interesting. There's even some of the new fall selections in stock already.

While Meredith's been sure to grab those who obviously need a little help, and those who'll obviously enjoy the chance to get out of ADI territory, everyone's welcome to come along for the trip.

(ooc: feel free to tag around with one another as well as me, this is just a fun way to introduce our characters to one another)

Comments

[henchgal]

"Who says I want you out of my hair, Tim?"

After all, there's a reason these two asked to be roommates. There's a reason she invited him on this shopping trip. There's a reason Meredith hasn't gone out of her way to go answering-the-phone cold impersonal on him.

He's awfully young, isn't he? Not just to be world-napped, but to be the sort of person who's thinking deeply about gang violence and how hostile the world can be.

She starts rolling the cart toward a display of hats, regardless.

[ployboy]

Tim levels her with a quiet sort of thanks, and he obediently follows.

"You will. I'm nixing the trenchcoat because I figure I can hold out until the fall when it actually rains, if we're doomed to stick around that long."

Still not doing too hot on keeping the talk light and cheery. Christ, Drake, get it together. He says something under his breath that sounds suspiciously like oh god they do sell hats here. He's learning. Be gentle.

"I can just get a pipe to finish off that cliche detective look I'm going for."

[henchgal]

"You're too young to smoke. And it's bad for you."

Nevermind that she slips out to the patio for the regular cigarette when she thinks he's not paying attention. Her hypocrisy is legal. Him smoking wouldn't be.

[ployboy]

Meanwhile he ponders a fanny pack. It's a sports brand and very obviously cheap plastic. It's neon green. Tim thinks, hey, he does need a wallet if they're going to be paid under the table in cash.

He shakes his head and puts on a baseball team's ballcap. He is not, never has been, never will be interested in smoking. But.

"I can totally buy a pipe. They've got to be less than fifty dollars, right? It's the 19th."

...oh. He knew that. It still feels-- it's not pleasant. Anxiety rushes his chest. Or something. Tim pulls off and examines the cap, and into the cart it goes. He gives himself a second. And smiles. "That means I'm eighteen today."

[henchgal]

There's a startled look on Meredith's face at that announcement. And then she adjusts--of course, people would end up celebrating birthdays and anniversaries and other landmarks in the vast expanse of time, while they're here.

She just has to figure out how to mark it for him, make up for the fact that he's here with her and Malcolm, not with his dad and whoever else he calls family.

"I'll have to save some cash to get you a cake on the way home. Or maybe ice cream and some toppings. What do you think?"

[ployboy]

It gives him some satisfaction, he thinks, to see Meredith falter like that. He's kept himself steady, hands on the cart again to keep from honestly fidgeting. This isn't the first time he lets the significance of the date wash over him; the early morning had been fun.

'Fun' meaning he had stared at the four walls of his room and just

but then Meredith had dragged him and a sizable portion of ADI to Marshalls.

And now here they are.

There's goosebumps under the sleeves of his shirt. His smile grows tighter, but that's fair. Right? "Nah," he says. There's a... small panic. Is that rude? Is he being rude? "Thanks, but your gift to me is to to find me that fedora."

[henchgal]

A look of determination comes to Meredith's face as she moves to the hat section and begins to look for a proper...

"Alright, Tim, come here."

...hat.