The three young pendragons padded their way to the register, Radin grabbing random bags of chips and boxes of fruit snacks along the way. Before long, they were standing behind a few others, in a check-out line near the register. Yawning, Storm leaned on the cart, and surveyed the other ardens and thills in front of them. There was a rather old couple, and they were buying some coffee and fruit, it seemed. Behind them, there was an impatient young male, his flamed tail flicking irritably as the couple grasped their bagged goods and shuffled away. Finally, just in front of Stormwing, Radin, and Cayson, there was a rather dashing pair of twins... perhaps around sixteen years old. Stifling another yawn, Storm eyed them, and they eyed her back, but no words were exchanged. By the time the cashier was through with the impatient male, she was looking quite harassed, and she gave the twin ardens a nervous look as they piled a heap of junk food onto the counter. Beep, beep, beep went the the tone as she rang up their items. It didn't take long for them to pay, then be on their way, their plastic bags hitched onto their wrists as they prowled from the store like some sort of partners in crime. Both Storm and Radin watched after them for a split second, and then they shoved their cart up next to the register. They started to unload their cart, and the tired cashier silently passed each bar code through, never making eye contact. As if maybe she no longer trusted her peer group. "How are you today?" Stormwing finally said, after they'd unloaded the last of their purchases — a carton of soda — onto the register. "Um, I'm okay," was all the thill said, and then she began to bag their merchandise. Stormwing gave Radin a glance, and he just shrugged.
"Friendly sort, eh?" Cayson said in a half-whisper to Radin in response to the clerk's quiet demeanour. Cay supposed that either their presence, or Stormwing's had made her feel uncomfortable. Whatever the case, it didn't stop her hands from expediently completing the task at hand. In no time at all their goods were bagged. The orange thill then flicked a charge card up out of his right hand and passed it over to the clerk. She took it gingerly from him without sparing a glance up at the trio. Cay began to wonder if maybe he'd made fun of her sometime, or if maybe something awkward had happened at the party last night. He still couldn't remember even half the going on's from that night. She swiped his card. The card reader let out a soft hum, and Cayson soon found his card being delicately handed back to him. He slipped it away before inclining his head slightly with a nod, "Have a good day, okay?" he said, then moved to gather up their bags. They had made quite a lot of purchases, but these he figured could easily be divided amongst their six hands. Cayson shrugged into his coat, figuring it'd be easier to just wear it instead of carrying it or tying it to himself. He then started to pass off some of the bags to Radin as Storm dumped the shopping cart into the nearby cart bay. "So, we take this stuff back, maybe grab a bite to eat either there, or elsewhere, then it's to the range?" Cayson inquired about their plans.
OOC - Maddox is all up in my face because he wants to eat my rat. He even climbed up here earlier, scruffed it, and tried to run away with it. *_* IC - Once the shopping was over and done with, and each of the three pendragons had grabbed their fair share of bags, they exited the small grocer's. It was still early in the day, but the sun was already high in the sky. In fact, Stormwing was momentarily blinded, and was forced to squint her mismatched eyes; her hands were too full of merchandise to shield the sun's rays. On the other hand, Radin was not at all bothered as they stepped into the mid-morning light. His prescription sunglasses filtered the rays, and they immediately darkened a bit under the sun's heat. He might have been blinded, or else burned badly, if he hadn't been wearing the shades — he was extremely grateful for them. "So, we take this stuff back, maybe grab a bite to eat either there, or elsewhere, then it's to the range?" It was only an hour or so since they'd eaten, so Radin's eyebrows lifted at the suggestion of an early lunch. However, he did not speak. Instead, he turned his head to look at Stormwing, and see what she had to say about the plans. Just as his eyes fell upon her, Storm stifled a yawn. Then, noticing it was her turn to speak, she shrugged her shoulders, and flicked her tail. "Actually, I'm kind of tired. I feel like hanging out at the dorm' instead of going to the range... at least for now. And I'm not hungry, so... if you guys want to go out and do things, though, feel free. I'm okay with staying behind."
*** Cayson had shrugged at Stormwing's mention of just hanging out at the dorm. He had been looking forward to going to the range... but that could always be saved for another day. Today probably wasn't even the best of days for him to go trying to shoot off firearms anyway. He still had a partial hangover. The trip back to the door had been a rather uneventful one. They had run into a few fellow students, but had really only exchanged greetings. Now the trio found themselves back in the dormitory, swiftly working together in order to put away their groceries. Simultaneously, Cayson was also running the coffee machine. Perhaps just staying in today wouldn't be too bad. He wasn't in the mood to search for a party to hit up, although, he knew that finding a place to go, even at an extremely short moment's notice wouldn't be difficult. He also didn't feel like dealing with all of the clingy females (and at times, males) that seemed to find him at parties via their radar. So yeah, perhaps just staying in would be alright. Cayson closed a kitchen drawer with his foot as he poured a cup of coffee. "You guys want any?"
After the groceries had been stored away, and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee had permeated the entire dormitory (and, for that matter, the whole wing), Stormwing found herself stretching. She couldn't explain her lackadaisy, because she'd gone to bed early the night before, but she was ready for a nap. After shaking her head at Cayson's offer of a cup of joe, she meandered over to the bunks, drew back the covers on her own, and then slipped beneath them. After a final yawn, she put her head down on the pillow, and was already asleep in just a few short minutes. In the meantime, Radin dragged a bean bag chair into the center of the room, then flopped down upon it. Unlike Storm, he'd taken Cay up on his offer for coffee, and he held his steaming cup of java with both hands, and blew away the steam that hovered over the fresh brew. Even as he settled into his seat, he tipped the mug against his lips, and took a sip, after which he gave his friend an appreciative nod. "Tastes good." After he'd spoken, Radin peered over at Stormwing. She was happily dozing away by now, and there was no need for the arden to use caution when speaking to Cayson now. The green Dragyn had a lot of pressing questions on his minds... some new, some old ones that the two males had already discussed many times. "So, anyway... sorry if I was acting a little funny at the store. I was just wondering..." Here, he paused. What exactly had he been wondering? "I guess I was just curious about whether you and Storm like each other... in an exclusive sort of way." As he waited for Cayson's answer, Radin tapped a claw against the brim of his cup, and once more blew at the tendrils of steam that rose from it.
"Mhm," Cayson murmured in agreement over the coffee. It was good. He pulled at another bean bag chair and positioned it beside Radin's. Then, holding onto his mug carefully, he settled into it. Stormwing had retired for the time being, so he and Radin were free to relax. Talk. Just veg out. He could probably spend all day here. Stretched out, sipping on coffee, and doing absolutely nothing. He'd known that Radin had had something on his mind though. He'd hinted quite clearly about it at the grocery store. So why was Cayson still surprised when his friend brought the subject up? Shouldn't he have been at least a little mentally prepared for the question he knew was inevitable? Cayson had thought he would be, but now that it was there, lingering in the open air, he was flummoxed. Had it been any other girl or guy that had caught Cayson's attention, he could have answered Radin easily. Given him a straight up answer. Although Cayson would have liked to have told Radin flat out no, he wasn't sure if it was true. He couldn't lie. Not to him. "I don't know," he replied at last. How he hated those words and the uncertainty that was attached to him. Sure he was friendly with Stormwing, and she was friendly back. There was also the fact that she was attractive. Even Radin had agreed on that one. They had only been playing around though, right? Nothing more than that though? Cayson just wasn't sure. Cay did like her, at least somewhat. But... but what? "I mean, she's Storm." He said a little lamely. "Even if I did like her, which I do sort of, she's off limits. In a way. Maybe it's just that condition... wanting what you cannot have? You know? That could be it. I mean, can you even imagine what could happen? If we were to have something, and somehow the media caught wind of me - of us? How that could just snowball... reporters would have a field day with that sort of thing." Cayson shook his head sullenly and took a sip of his coffee. He'd always been afraid of his 'cover' being blown.
After Cayson had answered, his words a bit disjointed and his reply a bit choppy, Radin remained in silence for a good moment or two. He was mulling over what his friend had said, as well as what to say himself. He was thankful that, at the very least, this conversation wasn't awkward. The two ardens had gone through entirely too much to feel tense or bashful about heart-to-hearts like this one. "Hm..." Radin finally said, though it was a poor excuse for an answer. "So you do sort of like her." It was a statement, not a question, and another pause ensued as the green male tipped his cup against his lips, and took a rather long slurp. "If you do, though, if it's a major feeling at all — who cares what anybody thinks? That includes everyone: me, your mom, Jaceen, the general public... Though, for the record, I don't care. I mean, I'd be a little jealous, of course, but I know I have a place in both of your hearts, no matter what." As he said this, Radin glanced over towards the bed where Stormwing was soundly asleep. One of her white hands was trailed over the side of the bed, and he looked at the thin, agile fingers. Such small, warm hands. Such a beautiful, dozing face. He couldn't help but wonder if she returned Cayson's "maybe-I-like-you" feelings, and how he'd really feel if anything ever happened between them.
"Well, yeah but..." Cayson was about to argue, figured it was fruitless, then simply shrugged. He knew Radin was right. "I guess I don't want to go and cause anyone unnecessary strife. Whether that be for you, Storm, or anyone else for that matter. I mean, who knows? Perhaps my feelings are just a fleeting thing, and they'll pass..." Cay trailed a blue banded finger around his coffee mug, thinking a little before he took another sip. Maybe he was sick and this was just a type of infatuation, an illness. Maybe the feelings would pass and he should just stay quiet in the meanwhile. He hated being doubtful. Cayson cast a brief glance over at Stormwing, then quickly turned his attention back to his coffee. "Jaceen wants to see me sometime this week. I kind of need to confirm the time and date. Maybe you could come as well. I think it's just one of those suppers. And well, Koani... I'm not sure. I think something is up. Sure, yeah, she's obscenely busy," chuckled the orange arden quietly. "But - Jaceen mentioned that Koani had been to see her recently though, and not me. I think I'm being a little selfish, but it does seem weird to me. Usually she calls ahead, you know? So that I can make sure that I'm around." Cayson leaned back on the bean bag chair to stare up at the ceiling. Deep down, he really didn't like Jaceen and Koani interacting. In any way whatsoever. He could see their differences so clearly and had come to loathe the strange subtle atmospheric change whenever the two of them were together with him. They didn't exactly compete over him, or with each other, but there was always a stiffness, a type of restrained tension. Cayson noticed it more so in Jaceen. He could only imagine how awkward things would be for the two of them to converse together without him.
"If it ever seems like it might be long-lasting, more than a fleeting thing, you go for it. Don't let something like that pass up because you're too worried about what others will think," Radin advised his friend on the romantic matter. "Yeah, I'd probably be a bit envious. I am a green monster, after all," he joked. "I'd rather be a little jealous, though, than see you miserable because you let such a great opportunity pass you up." He accented his words with a sincere nod, and then tipped his mug towards his mouth again. This time, he emptied the cup. When even its dregs had been drained, he stared into it as if he saw something beyond the bottom, but then he shook his thoughts away. Standing, he held out an idle hand to Cayson. "Want a refill?" he asked even as he began to move towards the kitchenette. He didn't want one, personally, but instead he put his mug in the sink, and rinsed it out. After drying it with a damp dish towel, he then leaned on the counter. His ears flicked as Cayson continued talking, now about the goings-on with him, Jaceen, and Koani. "I can come, if you'd be more comfortable with me around," the green arden said contemplatively. "And if I can't make it, she can," he added, gesturing towards their slumbering roomie. "At least her presence would distract the attention away from the overall awkwardness of the situation, ha."
Cayson nodded his head. Radin seemed to always know what to say. Most of the time anyway. He had to chuckle a little at his mention of being a green monster. Cay could have hugged him at that moment, but the cool shaded arden had suddenly become rather distant. When he surfaced out of his thoughts, his mind appeared to be on the topic of more coffee. Case could find no fault with that. "Yeah, sure I guess," he said in response to his friend's offer. "You know, it'd be great if you or Storm could come. Although, haha, it might be a bit of an endurance test. I mean, it's just Jaceen, and this is probably a horrible thing to say, but she can be rather boring at times. I mean, I love her dearly, but, whoa, some of the things that she finds interesting. And her place! Aah! Remember when I used to live there?" Cayson checked his voice, realizing that he was getting a little too loud. He giggled quietly. "We used to play hide and seek for hours in those piles of books."
Radin nodded knowingly at Cayson's remarks about Jaceen's place, and let a small shadow of his usual mega-watt grin flash over his face. The next moment, though, as he placed his dried mug on a dish towel to air out, a thoughtful expression overtook his countenance. It remained there as he exited the kitchenette, stood near Case, and took his friend's mug in order to refill it — and it still clung to his mug as he padded back towards the counter, and filled the cup to the brim with the strong, dark liquid. "Here you go," Radin said when he handed the hot java back to Cayson. He paused, then said. "I think breakfast went right through me today. I think I'm going to spend some quality time in the library." He pointed a green thumb at the bathroom door, before puttering over to the counter and grabbing one of various magazines stacked on the edge nearest to the wall. This he tucked under his arm as he puttered towards the water closet, and it wasn't long before he disappeared behind the door, his disappearance accompanied with the click of the lock.
