01

Covet: Eli was at the counter taking care of a couple of people at the register.  He'd been trying to keep himself busy so that he wouldn't be thinking about how annoyed with Tae. Today had just been miserable for him between having to deal with a cold shower and Tae waking him up to do her two hour morning primp session, blowdryer and music on her phone to top it off, and the fact that she was loitering in the shop, was enough to do his mood in. // Tae was sitting with a couple of guys on the couches flirting it up a bit as she gabbed on about cosplay stuff, the guys totally into her nerding out.
Alexithymiaa: (Tae is their wet dream, isnt she....)
Covet: [pretty much and Elionly has himself to blame]
Alexithymiaa: -Adam stepped out of the bathroom, drying his hands off on his pants because he's a dude. His eyes set on Tae batting her lashes at the guys and probably doing giggle things, raising his brows and turning to head back behind the counter, keeping his voice low so he could talk to Eli without Tae hearing. "So... your sister is still here. In the shop...."-
Tsaaq: Hayley had her headphones on as she sorted everything in the back issues in the archives. She pulled out one of her headphones and walked towards the counter. "The shit is in alphabetical order again." She declared. // Bliss swept around since there were still people in the shop she wanted to keep it spic and span. "Tae, are you alright? Do you need anything? If you do just let me know alright?" She said, inching her way over to the guys and the younger girl. Willfully oblivious of Eli's annoyance.
Covet: Eli looked over at Adam and sighed, closing the register, waving at the people as they left the shop, "Don't remind me. It's only been two days and I'm trying to keep as much of my sanity as possible. You never realize how small your place is when it's got another person living it it full time."  He said with a mumble then smiled as he watched Bliss check in on Tae, "Thankfully I have Bliss..who's been amazingly helpful." He looked at Hayley as she joined them, "Thank you for getting that back in order. You guys have been doing great at keeping the archives organized."  // Tae looked up at Bliss and smiled, " I'm good right now, but thank you. Actually, I was wondering if there was something more I could do for you, because you've been totally awesome since I came to crash." She said to her with a smile.
Alexithymiaa: "I can imagine how that would be really tough." He nodded, his eyes shifting over to look at Hayley when she walked over. "I don't understand how they get so trashed every single day. It's like people don't know the alphabet or something." He sighed, sweeping his hand back through his hair. His eyes drifted back over to Tae on the couch. "Is it okay that all those guys are just hanging around her all day?"-
Tsaaq: She shrugged her shoulders. "It's productive, I don't have to talk to people and I can listen to Marilyn Manson." She replied, slipping her hands into her plaid shirt pockets. "People get desperate looking for shit probably and panic and then stuff it back in. That's what I always figured." She said. "You guys ever notice how alphabet is like, a mixture of the words alpha and beta?" She asked then glanced over her shoulder at Tae and Bliss then looked to Eli once more. "Isn't that your sister?" She asked in a monotone, like this bitch JUST noticed. // She smiled, letting her broom lean on her a moment as she shifted on her feet. "Oh stop. I'm happy to help." Bliss said as she waved her hand at her. "You are an absolute delight." She grinned before looking to the males. "And look at how happening BTP is today!" She snapped her fingers awkwardly, like it was supposed to be cool or jazzy but it was just confusing.
Covet: "A little, but it's what you do for family." He said with a reluctant sigh, then smiled at Hayley, "I'm sure that's it. Sadly some people just can't be asked to take the extra step."  He listened to her musings about the word Alphabet and chuckled, "I hadn't thought of that before, but you are very correct, and Yep... Tae the one and only. She's not all bad, I guess, I just have a biased oppinion because I'm her brother and she does things to intentionally annoy me." He mumbled. // Tae watched Bliss and cringed internally, but gave a happy smile, "It is, we were just talking about the plans for our costumes on Thursday. I've still got a few LED's to put into Eli's bracers. I'm just doing a simple sith get up I did for ECC con back in February."  The guys hanging out, seemed to be okay with Bliss and looked her over, clearly enjoying the female company today.
Alexithymiaa: "Yeah, but that's what siblings are supposed to do, right? INtentionally annoy each other?" He asked because sometimes he honestly wasnt all that sure since he had such a great relationship with Gabe. "I never really thought about that either, but I guess it does make sense." Adam smiled to Hayley, glancing back over at Tae and the dudes. "Should I go over and ask them if they need help with anything?"-
Tsaaq: She stared at the group for too long before turning to the two males once more. "Bliss is over there." Hayley muttered. "She's helpful." She said  "Those guys should buy something though..." She trailed off. // "Oh that's great. I'll be glad to see you all on Thursday!" She said. "I look forward to whatever outfits you all show up in."
Covet: "Yeah, Bliss probably has it. They have been here a while. But we let people stay without buying anything all the time. So I guess. I can't be mad at Tae or them for it." He said softly, hitting a few buttons on the register to print out an hourly sales report. // "It's going to be a blast. Do you have your costume ready yet Bliss?" Tae asked her, more interested in talking to her than the guys at this point.
Alexithymiaa: "Yeah, but..." He trailed off, trying to find flaw in that logic because honestly it just made him uncomfortable that these guys were only sticking around to flirt with Tae. "People stick around without buying anything because they're interested in the things going on in the shop. They don't seem very interested in the shop...." // Neil breezed through the front door of the shop, still dressed in his business casual slacks and button down with his vest for teachings. He walked straight up to Eli at the counter, his voice with a bit of sharpness. "Elijah. A word? Now." He pointed his finger toward the corner of the shop that was unoccupied, waiting for Eli to oblige.-
Tsaaq: Hayley lowered her head and kicked at the ground. "Well, at least people like her and shit." She whispered and turned to see Professor Cohen come into the shop. Her eyebrows rose and she went to flee. "I forgot I uh, I had a thing I had to do..." She lied as she walked away, slowly passing the males, Tae and Bliss. // "Of course I do." She smiled then picked up her broom, turning to the door. "Professor Cohen, what a pleasure to see you-" She started to say until she saw how serious business he had looked.
Covet: "I know..." Eli said with a sigh thinking to himself, a few more days... and Tae will be over this. He looked over when Neil walked in and started to give a smile and a wave then his dad used his full name and less words then there were fingers on his hand. His face dropped and he glanced at Tae, then to his dad, "Coming...." He drew the word out and pushed back from the counter following his dad over to the corner, "Yes?" // Tae saw her dad come in but completely ignoring him, instead choosing the option to be loud and make it seem like she was having a blast. "Hayley! I thought that was you over there, Come join us. I haven't seen you since the DC cosplay event, How are you doing?" She asked her in a very friendly tone, catching her walk by.
Alexithymiaa: -Adam immediately shut his mouth and looked away from Neil because awkward, trying to busy himself behind the counter with the computer. // Neil walked over with Eli into the corner, taking a deep breath before starting in. "What the hell do you think you're doing to your mother by harboring Tae in your apartment? She's distraught enough that Tae left, and then you're just adding to it by helping her disobey your mother and me. She needs to come home, Elijah. Her staying here isn't helping anyone. I get it, teen angst, yada yada whatever. But I don't think it's ridiculous that your mother and I just want her to have a little direction."-
Tsaaq: She stopped in her tracks and her eyes widened. "Oh, hey Tae. Miscellaneous dudes." She greeted with a nod before dragging her feet and crossing her feet. "I've been alright. How have you been?" She asked with her head tilted. // Bliss furrowed her eyebrows, patting Hayley's shoulder. "I'll be right back guys." She told them before moving towards the counter. "Hey..." Bliss trailed off as she looked at Adam. "What's happening?"
Covet: Eli started to say something a couple of times as his Dad talked before he put his hands on Neil's shoulders, " Dad...It's fine...tell mom, it's fine.  What did you want me to do? Turn her away so she could still not come home? At least right now, you know where she's at. Just give Tae a little space, I promise that Bliss and I are trying to help give her some options for some direction. She's not doing anything wrong , and she is an adult... teenager sure, but an adult all the same." Eli said trying to reason with him, though honestly he would take her going home just as easily.
Covet: [FUCK]
Covet: // Tae smiled, "Little bit of a rough patch, but overall I've been doing really good. A lot of traveling along the west coast, but it's been worth it. I've been a bit bored though lately, spending too much time huffing silicone mixes, not enough time hanging out with people."
Alexithymiaa: -Adam lifted his head from the computer screen when he deemed it safe to address Bliss without any backlash from Neil. "I'm not really sure. Eli's dad just walked over and kind of demanded to talk to him in private. I've never seen Professor Cohen look like that before." // Neil stared into Eli's face. "It's not fine. Your mother is crying. Do you know what that does to my house? It makes it a terrible place. You're making me live in a terrible place. Is that what you want? At least if you kick her out she has to come back home. She has nowhere else to go. And she's not an adult. Especially considering she's throwing a temper tantrum like a child."-
Tsaaq: Hayley looked around cautiously before taking a seat with the group. "Yeah... I don't know. I'm around people sometimes but I don't think I've hung out persay in a while." Hayley said. "Also school stuff makes me busy. And other stuff..." She trailed off. "But that's cool. Travelling and stuff."// She furrowed her eyebrows and looked back at Professor Cohen and Eli. "Me either. I've never really seen him so agitated." Bliss said. "It's been a tense week thus far. I'm trying to stay positive."
Covet: "Dad...She cried when I left for Seattle. She cried when I got back from Seattle. Mom cries at everything. I'm sorry it's making your house miserable, but mine's not exactly perfect right now either. I'm not going to kick her out because she won't go back home, and Portland is full things that are way worse than Tae staying at my place for a few days." He said crossing his arms, "Pretty sure her ID says eighteen these days, so you're going to have a hard time getting her to do anything you want her to do.  Just give me a couple of days, Bliss and I can talk some sense into her. She just needs some space. // Tae looked at Hayley as she spoke, then brightened up, "Well, then maybe could hang out sometime? I think it would be fun."
Alexithymiaa: "I haven't either. Every time I see him he's pretty humorous." Adam dared a glance over at Eli and Neil in the corner, the discussion clearly one of serious tone. "Do you think everything is okay?" // Neil sighed, rubbing his hand over his face. "I don't really care what her ID says. She doesnt pay rent, doesnt pay her own cell phone bill. Doesn't pay for her own car insurance, and still lives under my roof. That's not an adult. And if she werent so damn stubborn, she'd understand that we're just trying to look out for her." He took a deep breath, trying to collect himself. "If she's not home by Friday, I'm dragging her home myself. Understood?"-
Tsaaq: Her eyebrows rose. "I-" She stammered. "You want to-" She paused again and cleared her throat. "Yeah sure. That's fine." Hayley shrugged. "I don't see why we shouldn't." She said then awkwardly turned to look at her Eli and Professor Cohen. // Bliss inhaled deeply and shook her head but attempted to look subtle. "Honestly, from what I know. The whole situation is just foggy. I'm trying to be optimistic but Professor Cohen doesn't look happy... And it's only been a few days that she's been with us."
Covet: "I know, Dad. I know. She'll get there. Yeah, fine Friday." He said just trying to please him at this point, because he didn't like being public enemy uno because he was trying to help. "I'll talk to her by then."  Eli was feeling a stress headache creeping up his neck, "Can I get to closing up my shop now?" // "Sweet!  Here let me give you my number." She said pulling it out, handing it over to Hayley , the guys looking excited that they might get a chance at her number, but she had no intention of handing it off to them. She looked over seeing her dad and Eli having a heated discussion, feeling a little guilty. Once she got her phone back she leaned over to give Hayley a hug, "I'll message you tomorrow, I'm going to go upstairs. It was great to see you again though, Bye guys." She said to the men that were about as she snuck off upstairs to pretend to be asleep by the time Eli and Bliss were done closing the shop to avoid talking to them.
Alexithymiaa: "Yeah, he really really doesnt." Adam spoke gently, feeling his phone vibrate in his pocket. He pulled it out to see Gabe's name run across the screen, bringing it up to his ear to answer. "Hello?" His smile immediately spread across his face, ducking his head a bit. "Yeah, thanks. It's been a pretty good day. I've been enjoying it." // Neil nodded, patting Eli roughly on the shoulder. "Yes. But keep me updated if anything changes, okay?" He looked Eli straight in the eye before turning away, sending a wave to Bliss as he passed her. "Goodnight, Bliss." He didnt dare address Tae who was fleeing, making his way quickly out of the shop.-
Tsaaq: "Oh uh-" Her eyebrows rose and she took Tae's number down in her phone and gave it back to her. "Okay well... Cool. We'll do that. Have a good night." She waved at her and watched her retreat. Hayley went over to the counter and looked at Adam who had been on the phone then to Bliss. "I got a girl's number. If I was a guy I'd be so in." She said quietly. // Bliss pursed her lips. "I can only hope for the best." She watched Tae leave but fought speaking. "Goodnight Neil." She waved then gave Eli a worrisome look. "Everything alright? Should we close up?" She asked before raising her eyebrow at Hayley. "Oh, that's great." She patted her shoulder.
Covet: "Yeah, closing please." Eli said with an exhausted look, "It will be...We have until Friday, but that's Cohen for Sunday. I'm not seeing Tae being willing to go home by Friday." He looked over at Hayley, "Tae gave you her number? Cool, I think you guys would get along. I'd rather have her hanging out with you, than with any trouble she could find around here." Eli said leaning over to press a kiss to Bliss's temple, looking to Adam and Hayley, "We can finish up if you guys want to take off for the night. "
Alexithymiaa: -Adam smiled again into his phone. "Thanks Gabe. Ill talk to you tomorrow." He pulled the phone from his ear, ending the call and shoving it back down into his pocket. "Yeah, that sounds good." He turned his attention to Hayley. "I'll meet you out by the truck if you want to grab your jacket?" He asked, stepping out from behind the counter and moving around to her to kiss her cheek before making his way out of the shop to wait by his truck to give her a ride home with him.-
Tsaaq: "Yeah it's dope. I'm definitely not trouble." She nodded her head. "Well... I'm sleepy. And I feel bad about your dad coming and making you sad so..." Hayley trailed off. "I'll see you guys around." She declared. "Yeah I'll see you out there Abs." She said, jogging to the back so she can get her jacket and go outside. "Night guys." She called out as she met Adam at the truck. // Bliss sighed and went to give him a hug. "Anything I can do?" She asked then waved at Adam and Hayley. "Goodnight you two." She called out. "Let's close up first then worry later." She suggested.
Covet: Eli nodded his head, "Yeah, we can talk in bed when we're done. Maybe I could request a neck rub." He asked, pulling Bliss in tightly. Then went about closing up the shop so they could do that.