|
Wonder of wonders, Annie is spending her time off both study and work not in either the Freehold or Spring Hollow, but by going for a jog in one of Philly's many parks. Dressed for the part, too, in a dark green sports bra and leggings.
Hey, she and Calamity match! Well. Kind of. Calamity's just got that dark green bandana they always have around their neck, and is wandering down the path, hands shoved into the pockets of their hoodie as per usual. They've got earbuds in, and a slight bounce to their step implies that they're actually listening to something.
Spotting the teen, Annie's slight smile morphs into a grimace, as she slows to a halt, making sure to stop right in Calamity's path.
It takes Calamity a second to register what's happening - it's not like they're expecting anyone to stop in front of them like this. They pull an earbud out of their ear as their brow furrows slightly, pretty clearly trying to place why Annie looks so familiar. The context is just slightly different than where Calamity usually runs into her, and all, but their face clears a moment later.
"Hey - Annie...?" They don't sound quite certain they've got the name right.
"Calamity." Annie's tone is definitely on the chilly side. "Been meaning to talk to you. You got a moment?"
"Uhhh..." They shrink into themselves a little at her tone, and their gaze drops to the ground. "I mean I guess? What's...up?"
"Mind explaining why you felt the need to sneak into my workplace using a fake ID?" Annie crosses her arms, staring at them. "I am putting myself through medical school on that job, I cannot afford to lose it."
"...What?" Calamity frowns, looking confused and a little offended. "You've seen my ID, why would I sneak in with a fake?"
Annie taps one foot against the ground. "Oh yeah? Because Sturm sounded pretty sure it was not a legit one. You saying she is a liar?"
"Sturm told you? What the fuck...?" They've shifted from offended to something closer to upset. "I dunno why she'd say something like that."
"So she does not have a grudge against you or anything?" Annie seems mollified by the repeated denial.
"I mean she gets in my fucking business all the time..." Calamity rolls their eyes.
"What, like she is trying to protect you or something?" Annie arches one eyebrow at the teen.
A big shrug. They have the presence of mind to look a little guilty now, at least. "I dunno. I guess. Doesn't want me to end up like her, or whatever."
"...Okay, and why would she be worried about that?"
"...Fuck if I know." Calamity waits just a beat too long before they speak. They shrug, and glance down to further play down their knowledge, but it's not entirely successful.
"Pull the other one, kid, it has bells on."
"...The fuck are you talking about?" Calamity wrinkles their nose in confusion.
Annie sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Read my lips, kid: I do not believe you."
"'Cause I do shit that she used to do or something, I don't know!" Calamity folds their arms tightly across their chest and even leans away from Annie slightly.
"Why d'you even care?"
"Wait, not wanting to lose my job over possibly having failed to spot a fake ID is not enough reason to care?"
"I said she's lying about that. Fuck, lady, how many times do I have to tell you?" It seems like getting caught in a lie has really put Calamity's hackles up.
"At least three times, evidently." Annie shrugs slightly. "I do not have any moral issues about serving someone under 21. I just do not want to lose my job over it."
"Well go fuckin'...talk to Sturm or some shit," they mutter, and gesture vaguely in the direction of Not Them. "'S not my fault."
"What, that she wants to keep you out of trouble?" Annie seems genuinely confused.
"That she's fucking telling you shit that's not true. About me. Or whatever." They've shrunk inward even more, and the collar of their sweatshirt is nearly hiding their chin.
"..." Annie pauses for a moment, but then nods. "You know what? I think I will." She moves as if to go back to jogging, but then stills again. "Fair warning: Sturm said she was not going to let you in to Vertigo when she is on the door."
"She's a fucking asshole." There's some heat to the words, and Calamity grimaces. They play with the earbud that's not in their ear, and wait for an indication that Annie's gonna leave them alone before they put it back in. They may be rude, but they're not that rude. Or at least, at the moment they don't seem to have a reason to be that rude.
Annie shrugs. "Maybe, but I would not be so quick to toss away having someone wanting to look out for you." After saying that, she does jog off.
|