charlie-clark

[charlie-clark]

ursiiformes​:

“yeah, chicago’s version of things is pretty uhh, ostentatious, isn’t it?” for those who weren’t accustomed, it could probably be a quite overwhelming. hell, even royal still found it kinda overwhelming sometimes. “but winter without snow, man, what’s that like?” royal can hardly imagine it.

     “oh, no problem! can’t have you freezing on my watch now can i?” he chuckles a little, mostly at himself because he sounds like such a dad. “as far as gifts, if you see any fun patterned socks you gotta tell me. i’ve got a little cousin who loves them, so i wanna get her a pair for each night.“ he takes a moment to review the collection of socks he already has for her, counting them off on one hand. only two more pairs to get, that should be doable. “what about you? anything i should keep an eye out for?”

“Yeah, but I mean, it’s certainly pretty to look at” His eyes dance around their environment. It truly feels like winter wonderland. Sure, some of the areas seemed overly crammed with decorations; especially around some of the booths-as if trying to draw patrons closer like a moth to a flame. “Ahh, I mean, it was fine? I didn’t really know anything different; ya know?” Charlie shrugs. Maybe if he had lived here first and then moved, it would be have been different. 

“Yeah, becoming an icicle would be a bit of drag” Charlie joked, laughing quietly before nodding. “Crazy socks, got it” He gave a thumbs up. Were socks even something sold at things like things like this? Guess there wasn’t really a reason they wouldn’t be. “Oh, uhh, no? Not really at least. I’ll take a gander; see if I see anything I want. Maybe gloves? The ones I have are kinda falling apart. 

[charlie-clark]

fcllingangel​:

He plays with Charlie’s collar and pats his chest. “Baby, you look fine. And sometimes, as a wise woman once said, you can’t underestimate the importance of…” Angel grins and he takes his hand off, letting the feeling linger on his body. “Body language.” Charlie always did like to put a dour spin for himself, but Angel knows how to liven it up. At any rate, it was always fun to try and see what people would do with a little bit of a push. “What, don’t you want to try to get some drinks of your own? I mean, try and bat your eyes. Come on, I believe in you!”

Charlie felt his face heat up at the others compliments and he focused his eyes on the ground instead meeting Angels. He was aware that he didn’t have the best self-esteem; but that’s what happens when you go through puberty in not the nicest environment. His eyes flicked up though at the mention of body language. That was something he could do; at least when it came to observing it. He had gotten good at watching how the guards and other prisoners acted. “I...do...”Charlie said before sighing. “If this goes badly, I’m blaming you” He said with a glare; though there was no heat behind it. He downed the glass that he was holding; giving Angel the empty cup. Wouldn’t exactly be easy to get a free drink if you were still holding one in your hand after all. 

Charlie gazed around the area; eyes jumping past anyone who was paired off or in groups. That would be a challenge, one that he wasn’t interested in going for right this second. Finally, the landed on a guy standing by the bar but off a bit to the wall. He looked around his age; but nice enough clothes that he knew that he likely had money. Charlie took a deep breath, before standing up a little straighter and making his way over to him. 10 minutes later; Charlie came back with the free drink. It had really only taken Charlie noticing the sports team on the card holder on the back of his phone to strike up conversation. Charlie couldn’t care less about sports in general, but he tended to learn more then he wanted from his own patrons. Then it came down to Charlie asking what the guy-Jesse-was drinking and then Jesse was offering to buy him to have him try it. Then Jesse went to the bathroom and Charlie made his exit. 

“I got it, but we gotta get out of here before he gets back” Charlie said with a small smile; already turning back to the door. 

[charlie-clark]

echoanswered​:

         “yeah, born and raised,” danny answers, trying to keep himself from sounding too put out. it isn’t festive, after all, to dwell on all the negative things that had happened to them. the question ( slightly oblivious, he thinks ) helps lift his spirits, albeit only a little. something to find amusement in, if nothing else. “yeah, there’s rides every year. mostly the same ones… and mostly just for kids, but there’s a few good ones. what’s your favorite in general? maybe they’ve got it somewhere.”

“Ah, cool” Charlie says, but he notices the way that the question seems to have affected the other, so he follows their lead in changing the subject. “Uh, I mean, usually my favorite is like a roller-coaster” The adrenaline rush was something he enjoyed “But I feel like we would be able to see that from where we are” Charlie joked. “Other than that though? I’m basically down for whatever. What are you feeling? We could also always try to win one of those cheap toys by winning one of the carnival games though”

[charlie-clark]

ursiiformes​:

     “yeah! lots of places have winter festivals and markets like this, though they’re not all this big. chicago has been doing this for as long as i can remember.” and there are so many good memories attached to these events, it’s why he’d invited charlie to come with him. “whaddaya say we go check out some of the food stalls, and then hit the market? i’ve got some last minute hanukkah gifts i need to pick up. oh, and here — ” royal digs a hand-warmer out of his coat pocket and holds it out to charlie in one mittened hand.

“Huh, Interesting. I like, kinda remember there being a holiday market when I was little. But it was pretty small. It was also always pretty warm. Not like, summer warm but Snow definitely wasn’t present” Charlie explains. He crinkles his nose slightly at how he remembers how church was always a topic of conversation around the holidays too. His mom never took him, she was typically too busy working. Charlie is pulled out of his memories by Royal’s voice, and he turns to pay better attention. “Oh, yeah sure that sounds great.” He nods. Charlie raises an eyebrow when the other takes something out of his pocket but he grins when he sees it. “Ahh, thanks.” He cracks it and huffs in relief as it heats up. “What kinda gifts are you looking for? So I can keep an eye out too”

[charlie-clark]

fcllingangel​:​

A little psychic nudge here and there wouldn’t be bad, but Angel skimming the surface thoughts of the people around him and finding a mark willing to be bought? Downright devious, especially during the high holy days. “Well, a man’s gotta have his charm. And his secrets.” The club is a perfect place for him, a hunter in his killing grounds. “And you know, you should try flirting to get free drinks. Or like, more. God knows I bat my eyes and some guy loses twenty bucks.”

“That would require me to actually, ya know, be good at flirting” Charlie rolled his eyes.  Or actually being good at talking to people in general. He was socially awkward, it was a simple fact, and it was why he clung to those who he became close too. “Plus you look like, that” He used his free hand to gesture to all of Angel “and I look like this” Charlie motioned to himself “So it’s not surprising that a guy would be willing to lose 20 bucks just to talk with you” He joked, grinning as he took a sip of his drink. “But again, not complaining, the less money I have to spend, the happier I am”

[charlie-clark]

echoanswered​:

         “thanks,” he replies, curling his long fingers around the drink. it’s nice and warm, perfect for a cold, december night like this. and like charlie says, much better than their circumstances this time a year before. “yeah, i haven’t been here since i was a kid.” reminiscing is more often painful, but he doesn’t mind the ache between his ribs this time. it just makes everything feel more real, both good and bad. “did you ever have a favorite ride?”

“Oh yeah, you’re from around here, right?” Charlie asked as he brought the cup up to his lips and took a sip. It was hot enough that it still burned his tongue a bit but it wasn’t that bad. He tilted his head slightly, eyebrows furrowed at the others question. “Ride? You mean like, in general?” Charlie questioned; although he glanced around a bit. “Oh, are there rides set up here too?” He hadn’t exactly read up a ton about this place. It had just seemed like a cool thing to go to, and plus he could use a day of fun outside work and everything. 

[charlie-clark]

“Here ya go” Charlie said, handing the other their hot drink. He had his own in his other hand; held by his fingers to avoid any burning. Hot chocolate just felt right when it came to walking around a festival like this. “Gotta say, this definitely beats what we were doing last year” To be fair, it would be hard to be much worse then escaping and then being on the run.

@echoanswered​

[charlie-clark]

“I’m always just...so surprised how quickly you are able to find new friends in new places” Charlie jokes, holding the glass that Angel had thrust at him close to his chest as he glanced around their surroundings. “But I mean, if it gets us free drinks then I’m always down for it”

@fcllingangel​

[charlie-clark]

@ursiiformes​

Charlie’s eyes danced around the decorations and stalls that were set up. “So like, you’re saying that this kind of thing is pretty normal for the season?” He asked, hands tucked in his pockets to help keep them out of the cold. Having grown up in Texas, holiday celebrations like this weren’t exactly typical. 

[charlie-clark]

ripleysxfiles​:

          “Uh,   it  was  a  statistical  physics  class.”   Ripley  flinched.   Despite  their  passion  for  space  exploration,   when  it  came  to  talking  about  their  major,   sometimes  it  felt  like  bragging.   They  weren’t  one  of  those  people  who  thought  they  were  smarter  than  other  people…   clearly  not  with  their  history,   but  still.   People  didn’t  just  study  astrophysics  if  they  weren’t  interested  in  space,   if  they  couldn’t  handle  school.   “Sounds  good.   Anything  is  better  than  nothing.”   They  sighed  again.   “I  don’t  do  a  lot  of  drinking  these  days.   Not  a  lot  of  time  with  all  my  classes.” 

Charlie blinked once, and then twice at the other. “I don’t even know what that means” He said before chuckling “If you’re in a class like that, I wouldn’t even be concerned about messing up on one thing; you’re smart enough to make up for it. I’m sure of it” Charlie winked at the other as he grabbed the well worn rag and wiped down part of the bar next to them. “Probably for the best honestly. Better to do it too little then too much, hm?” He asked; eyes moving to the group of regulars who were always here. 

[charlie-clark]

echoanswered​:

         “i really appreciate it, charlie.” it’s true that his old coat was beginning to border on unusable… the sides had frayed so much that a tug in the wrong direction might tear it right in half. not to mention the tatters everywhere else. but with comfort rare to find in human-made clothing and options limited… it had served him well. hopefully this one would, too… perhaps for longer this time. “yeah,” he continues, releasing a sigh; “but that doesn’t usually pacify anyone. a lot of people came up to me from other parts of the store, just because i sit behind a computer. doesn’t mean i can make anything else work, you know?” but it’s over now and that’s the important thing. all danny can do is hope that the same thing doesn’t happen tomorrow. “oh… that sounds rough. did he take it out on you at all?”

“It’s really no problem” Charlie said, rubbing the back of his neck; a light blush filling his cheeks. The other’s genuine gratitude was something that Charlie still had to get used to. “True, I guess some people would rather just complain and get mad then actually listen to what the problem is” It was easier to just find someone who seemed ‘official’ and complain then it was to actually think about the reasoning behind the problem after all. He shrugged at the other’s question “I mean, yeah he was pissed; but I think he also understood that we were the only ones helping him; ya know?” It hadn’t helped matters that his car had been towed there. It definitely would have been a headache for the guy to get it moved somewhere else “I think he was more just embarrassed. He’s gonna come back to pick it up tomorrow; so we’ll see if another tantrum happens or not” Charlie joked

[charlie-clark]

valeriareyes​:

          Valeria  was  one  of  those  people  that  didn’t  really  know  what  she  was  supposed  to  be  doing.   She  was  free,   but  freedom  was  one  of  those  things  that  she  had  never  really  had  before.   She  wasn’t  sure  what  she  was  supposed  to  be  doing.   She  has  her  plants  and  her  business,   but  that’s  it.    That’s  all  she  knows  what  to  do.   “Yeah,   I  get  that.”   Surviving.   It  feels  wrong  to  not  have  the  answers  that  she  wants.   “I  don’t  know  what  I’m  doing.”   Valeria  tilted  her  head  and  bit  down  on  her  bottom  lip.   “What  is  surviving?” 

Charlie’s grip on his cup tightens ever so slightly, not enjoying where this conversation had jumped to  “You don’t need to know what you’re doing. None of us do, not really” He shrugs. Charlie blows out a breath at her next question “I mean, that is the question for the ages, hm?” He asks; a ghost of a smile on his lips. “But you know, for me, it’s getting through each day, going to work, talking to people” As he’s talking, he puts down one finger at a time. “That’s really all you can ask for, right?  I’m breathing and I’m sure as hell fighting to be here.” 

[charlie-clark]

thalassofins​:

         fins doesn’t quite know how to answer the question, but thankfully doesn’t seem to have to. really, he survives off of anything he can find. doesn’t everyone? that’s always how it’s been in his life. “…fried?” he questions, instead, head cocked slightly toward one side. “i don’t think i’ve ever had anything fried, before.” but for someone who regularly roots through garbage, it doesn’t sounds bad. perfectly edible, in fact. “that sounds fine. do you like it?”

Charlie purses his lips; trying to decide how much of a lesson is needed in this situation. If Fins normally just eats whatever is in the garbage; then Charlie has to assume that he’s eaten something fried at some point-this is America after all. “Do I like it? Yeah, it’s good. Especially this place.” It was always perfectly fried; where there wasn’t too much oil still on it and he knew that the fish was fresh. He tilts his head to the side slightly “Can you drink things that aren’t water? Like, soda or juice or something? Can you even drink like normal water?” Charlie asks; mostly out of his own curiosity but also because he wants to factor that into what he’ll be getting.

[charlie-clark]

Charlie let out a low whistle at the other’s obvious despair “That sucks. What was it on?” He asks as he grabs a bottle of beer-it’s a decent brand- and opens the top of it before sliding it over. Charlie had never gotten to go to college. He had only been in the 5th or 6th grade when Kappa had taken him; and while there was basic schooling there, it wasn’t anything like he had heard about since getting out. Or even when he was inside, when the new people would talk about things.  “Figure best to start here and then move onto the stronger stuff. Unless you wanna start there in which case just lemme know” 

status / closed for @charlie-clark​​ location / the bar charlie works at.  

          “I  got  the  worst  grade  in  one  of  my  classes  today.”   They  drummed  their  fingers  against  the  bar  surface  and  let  out  a  huge  sigh.   Ripley  had  gotten  so  into  their  research  and  their  show  that  they  forgot  to  turn  an  assignment  on  time.   “Hit  me  with  uh…”   they  trailed  off,   not  really  drinking  that  much  anymore.   “Um.   Whatever’s  decent.” 

[charlie-clark]

valeriareyes​:​

          Spending  time  outside  was  something  she  liked  doing,   like  she  needed  the  sun  that  she  hadn’t  gotten  in  so  long.   Valeria  liked  the  outdoors,   she  always  had  felt  more  comfortable  outside  than  indoors.   “Oh,   hi  Charlie.   Thank  you.”   Valeria  took  the  mug  and  let  the  warmth  seep  into  her  hands.   “How  are  you  doing?”   It  felt  like  a  loaded  question  these  days,   but  she  still  had  to  ask.

“No problem” Charlie says as he takes a seat on the blanket near Valeria. Not too close, but close enough. He holds his own cup and brings it up to mouth; taking a small sip. He hums, content with the taste before turning his attention to her question “I’m ok, ya know, surviving” He says, a gentle shrug moving through his shoulders as he keeps his eyes focused on the stars above them. “You?” Charlie asked, glancing at the other. There was a reason they were both out here in the middle of the night, even if neither wanted to talk about it. 

[charlie-clark]

thalassofins​:

          charlie seems uncomfortable with the question, and fins resolves himself to ask nothing more. it’s not the first time that someone hasn’t appreciated his curiosity, for whatever reason, and won’t be the last. he can accept that. “need? i don’t know,” he admits, uncertain about accepting a gift like that. doesn’t he need to eat, too? does he have enough to cover them both? but having made the decision to bite his tongue, and not wanting to seem ungrateful for his kindness, he doesn’t voice any of his concerns. “i don’t know if i have a specific thing i can eat,” he continues, after a pause; “but i like fish.”

“Yeah like, what do you survive off of and all?” Charlie asks before humming quietly when Fins mentions liking fish. “Hmm, would like...fried fish work? We aren’t really near any of the places that have the fresh stuff” Charlie explains. It wouldn’t be that far of a walk but the further they walked, the more likely that Fins appearance would draw attention. “But there is a decent fish and chips place like down the street? Would that work?” Charlie was pretty certain that he could get a decent amount for the other for $20. Probably nothing for himself but he could always scavenge something back at the building.

[charlie-clark]

echoanswered​:

         danny does have to wonder what the coat had cost him… but he doesn’t want to ruin the moment by begging for the price. he can look into it later and pay him back when he can manage to take a few bucks off. quietly, just in the same way that he’s always shown his gratitude. “well… thanks, again. it’s a lot nicer than the one i have right now. that one was starting to get old.” and it has a lot of memories with it that he would prefer to leave fully in the past. “it was alright. the computers went down at work for a few hours and that pissed a few people off, but not having to do anything balanced that out.” a pause. “you?”

“Yeah, I thought the one you have now was looking a little worn down and stuff” It didn’t matter that his own coat had just been patched up recently; he had seen this coat and known that it would work way better for Danny. His own worked just fine for now and he had some semi-ok sewing skills if needed. “Ahh, yeah i can see how that would be both good and bad. At least you had an excuse; so if your clients were mad then they just had to blame technology” Charlie said with a grin “You should have called Cam in; have her pretend to do things so it at least looks like you are working on it” He joked before nodding “It was fine. I gotta actually head out of here in the next half hour or so to get to the bar in time for my shift; but everything at the mechanics was easy” He ran a hand through his hair “We did have one guy who came after trying to fix his stuff at home and...hoo boy was he not thrilled at how much it cost to fix his fuck up”