sixwordstories | (no subject)

~Oh come off it, we only just got here.~

[Grumble, grumble, grumble.] Fine, fine. Shutting up now.

~Look, you said you were bored, yeah?~

[She might have preferred staying bored to the flea market, Jono.]

It's summer session, Jono. I am bored out of my mind. I just... I don't know, I wasn't expecting this?

[This, of course, is row after row of tables piled with all manner of junk. In New Jersey.]

~Think of it as practice fer yer bartering skills.~

[Honestly, the fact he even managed to get her past state lines is impressive. Rachel, on the other hand, remains mostly unimpressed. She walks along side him with her arms folded over her chest, glancing from table to table.]

Yeah, can't really say I'm seeing a whole lot I'm willing to barter for.

It's not about how early or late you leave; it's about convincing them to be glad you came at all...

That's a lot harder, sometimes.

Difficult, but a useful knack to have, especially if you're not a people-person.

I'm guessing you speak from experience?

Oh, yes. I can't stand large gatherings. More than five people in one place is far too many and even five... well, it had better be the right four friends.

See, I have a large extended family, so I'm always surrounded by people. I wouldn't go so far to say that I'm not a people-person, but I also really value my alone time.

Many people don't spend enough time truly alone. That's where self-knowledge is born...

Sometimes I think I like being alone too much, but... I'm working on that. Learning to leave the past behind and stop worrying so much about the future, just... live in the now. [At this point, Rachel's a frequent flier with all the time-traveling and alternate timeline nonsense. Living in the now is a lot harder than it seems.]

I suppose there's something to be said for that, but the past and future can teach us a lot, so I shouldn't think it would do to disregard them entirely. Although, if I may perhaps be blunt, you seem a bit young to need to learn not to live in the past or future...

~It's like treasure hunting.~

[He stops at a table with box after box of records. The guy behind the table looks like Santa if Santa had survived the apocalypse.]

I've learned plenty from the past. I'd hope that we all take the opportunity to learn from our past failures and triumphs and we use that knowledge in order to do better.

There are just some things in my past that I need to learn to let go of.

This is New Jersey. You think you're going to find any treasure buried in this garbage pit? I think you'd have better luck in an actual junk yard.

[That's not her complaining, for the record. She's still here even if she's yet to see anything that's caught her eye. She follows and begins flipping through one of the boxes.]

Looking for anything specific?

[His expression turns sympathetic.] Letting go can be hard. Sometimes the work of a lifetime...

So I am beginning to learn.

[A little embarrassed by the turn of conversation with the man, Rachel's eyes squeeze shut as she pinches the bridge of her nose and takes a second to recover.] Sorry, that's...

I'm Rachel, by the way. And I don't normally getting all mopey with strangers in public, I assure you.

It's a pleasure, Rachel. [He takes her hand and kisses it politely, giving a half-bow as he drops it.] I'm James, and I tend to inspire any number of unexpected confidences from others...

[Yeah, not expecting that.] That must be one hell of a talent, James. That must get a little tiresome.

It certainly has its moments. [He chuckles, shaking his head.] That's part of the reason I've gotten so good at taking my leave in an effective and tactful manner. To quote a darling friend's protege "Dinner parties are hell"...

~Hope springs eternal.

I'm hoping to find some weird 70s devil music type stuff.~

I find hiding out in the security office works pretty good for me, but I have kind of a weird job.