sixwordstories | (no subject)

But it's 92% milk. So what's the point?

[Says the guy who survives on energy drinks. LIKE YOU NEED THEM, CLINT.]

Well, there's the distinct lack of coffee flavor that I like.

[Seriously, the coffee in the kitchen in the morning? Holy crap, that's strong. Not enough sugar and milk in the world to make it something Charlie'd like.]

[For purposes of this thread, they're walking down the street. And he's just going to pop the tab of his can and take a swig. Social drinking I guess?]

...why not just get a milkshake then? Or...chai or something. If you're not going to enjoy the coffee anyway...

It also has just enough caffeine to keep me awake. Plus, the chai's taste sorta chalky to me.

[Insomnia is apparently a fan of her. She has the aforementioned caramel frap in hand. It's the biggest one she can get and this will keep her moderately awake until after dinner.]

[Ohhh he knows that feel. Has he ever told you about Barney?

...who are we kidding, of course he hasn't. This is Barton.]

That thing big enough?

[Have a doubting Thomas. Or, in this case, a doubting Clark.] It tastes better on apples.

[Charlie looks at the container she's holding, shaking her head in mock-dismay.] They were out of Olympic Swimming Pool Size.

[A doubting Clark is probably much more fun.] Green apples, especially. The frappuccino's just help me get through homework and...days in general.

[Possibly, but he tends to be an acquired taste.] I'm a little more fond of the red ones. And I gotta ask - the coffee or the syrup? Caramel addiction could be similar to the chocolate variety.

[Charlie's thought process is if you're not out to kill her because of her ability, you're probably a relatively okay person. Then again, she has some serious trust issues.

The coffee. The syrup helps tone down the coffee flavor. I'm mostly just in it for the caffeine.

[Oddly, he been known to adopt a similar view on occasion.]

You can use milk and sugar for the same effect. Guess that wouldn't be as syrupy, though.

I'm still trying to figure out how to make milk and sugar work in the coffee my house-mates make at home. They like it really strong.

Hi. I'm Charlie.

Uhm, if it's really strong, and I'm guessing hard to drink that way, you could always resort to the instant stuff. Depending on the brand, it's not always godawful bad, and more amenable to milk and sugar.

Hi, Charlie. Nice to meet you. I'm Clark.

Thanks for the advice, Clark. And it's a pleasure to meet you.

You're welcome, but it's the free kind. Taken best with a grain of salt. Just .. not in your coffee.

[A small laugh from Charlie and a faint nose-wrinkle.] That sounds kind of gross. Unless it's a prank being pulled on someone. But then it just sounds mean.

Oh, salt is much better as a cooking ingredient than something you drink.

Definitely. It has a ton of uses there. It's wasted in coffee.

It does. Would that count as caffeine abuse?

It's horrific enough, so yes. Definitely. It's absolutely caffeine abuse.

I'll try and refrain from doing anything of the sort.

[Insert awkward silence, which is thankfully brief.]

So. Why the caffeine addiction?

I'm an insomniac. I've been one for years. I can usually get by okay without caffeine, but sometimes it helps.

Oh, I'm sorry. Have you ever tried something like yoga? I've heard it can help center things. A little.

[So much teasing.]

Damn, and you'd think they would keep it in stock, considering.

No, see, it's brilliant marketing if you think about it. Olympic Pool sized cups are insanely expensive so their sizes stop at Venti. It keeps people coming back until they get their caffeine fix.

[See? Brilliant.]

I actually haven't yet. Now I might have to.

Those marketing guys. I half expect them all to have Snidely Whiplash mustaches.

[Please tell him you know who that is. He'll feel old otherwise.]

[A grin. She knows who that is.] The only Snidely Whiplash quote I remember is him quite angrily shouting "Hey! That's my line!" at Dudley for saying "Curses! Foiled again."

[Whew. Cue tiny sigh of relief.]

Yeah, well, you gotta admit, he had a point there.

True. I'd be pretty pissed if someone stole my catchphrase. If I had one.

Well we've got enough creative minds around, I'm sure we could figure something out for ya.

I think I'm good with being the silent type. Lacking in catchphrase works for me.

You sure? Stark's probably got at least five all ready to go.

He'd make me pay for it.

It's a little low key, and not for everyone, but giving it a shot might be beneficial.

Mmmm maybe, maybe not. Depends on how charitable he's feeling.