People Watching (Closed)

[peacemongering]

who: Alexander Pierce & Jefferson
what: Two strangers come together because of mutual appreciation for tea and creeping on people.
when: During the Sempremi event
where: Busy public park
warnings: Creepin'


[With no need for love or celebrations of it, Pierce took some time out of his day to perform a simple but pleasurable task. He packed up a backpack with a few necessary supplies, a rolled up blanket settled on top and headed out into the safe environment of Riverview to one of his favourite parks where people were known to stroll, chat and perform activities like frisbee to their own amusement.

He wasn't much for park benches. He wasn't much for taking the same spot every time he came here.

However, as always, he laid out his embroidered blanket and unpacked his supplies. A thermos of warm tea, a cup and saucer, a small bottle of milk, a spoon, his cross-word puzzle book and a pen. He poured his tea with unwavering hands and set the saucer on his folded knee where he had crossed his legs. He set his puzzle book on the other and began the usual pleasantness of people watching.

That group might have been doing some form of alien yoga. Over there, a group of youngsters were laughing and pushing each other; he suspected some drug use but no matter. There were a few people who were power walking, setting a brisk pace on the paths. Others in twos or more meandered and chatted, some pausing the smell the flowers in the gardens. There was a larger percentage of smitten people in the park, and while love was entertaining, it was also very predictable.

He stirred his tea with one hand and scribbled an answer in his puzzle book with the other, pausing only long enough to watch a few more people and assess their activities.]

Comments

[royalpassport]

[ Hey, Pierce, hope you don't mind an uninvited companion. Jefferson recognizes a fellow people-watcher-- indeed, he's probably seen the older man at the park now and again, often in different places-- and he's lived on the outside of societal norms for long enough now that he really doesn't feel the need to announce himself, wait for an invitation, or follow any other expected customs before flopping down beside the stranger.

He knows what you're about, Pierce. Or, at least, he assumes he does. Long legs stretched out, Jefferson leans back on his hands and glances over at the man he's just thrust his company upon. Older, distinguished, well-dressed and well-prepared for a leisurely day in the park.

Kind of reminds him of Mr. Gold, minus the curmudgeonliness. ]

Those kids are definitely high.

[ Just an observation from a guy who spends a lot of time observing. And making up stories in his head to make the people-watching more exciting. ]

[peacemongering]

[Pierce paused in scratching the next answer on his puzzle down when he was joined by someone he would have considered a complete stranger were it not for the face that was almost identical to two people that he already knew. They could have been twin brothers separated at birth save that TJ looked younger and the Soldier looked older. It made him wonder how many of them were out there, which cloning project by which god they were part of.

He sat up straighter, examining the young man next to him for all the little differences that set him apart from the two he knew. There were some, of course, but they were superficial mostly. It was interesting, and he had to also wonder what sort of odd miracle seemed to bring them all to him.

A fellow people watcher was for certain. He glanced over at the teenagers who he too had thought were experimenting with drug use.]

Indeed. My bet is they break out into dance within ten minutes with the music over breaking out into a fight.

[He gestured to his bag which sat between them.]

There is a cup and saucer in there if you would like to join me for a cup of tea. It's a strong black tea.

[royalpassport]

[ Jefferson keeps his eyes on the youths, a hint of a smile breaking out on his face. ]

Oh, no, I bet they're going to wrestle.

[ Playful headlocks, ending in the kids in a pile, collapsing with giggles, that's what he's anticipating. Who knows, though... Only time will tell.

In the meantime, he glances over at the gentleman, brow lifting innocently. ]

Tempting... But I'm not sure I should take tea from a stranger. [ Though he doesn't think this fellow's spiked the tea or anything. It's just, well. In the event of that .01% chance of there being sedatives in that thermos, Jefferson would feel really stupid if he fell for his own trick. ]

[peacemongering]

[He considered the possibility, especially with the playful shoving that was going on and youthful challenges being issues. Clearly, the drugs were doing something.]

That will be entertaining.

[He smiled and shrugged his shoulders, not offended by the decline of his offer. He always kept extra on hand in case one of the many people that he knew in this city came to pay him a visit. It was only polite to have some tea to offer. And besides, they technically weren't entirely strangers since this young man had come to sit on his blanket and observe with him.]

Well then, let us not be strangers any longer and then be able to partake. I'm Alexander. [He held out his hand for a shake.]

[royalpassport]

[ He shakes the offered hand, his own grip loose and brief. Superficial and perfunctory. Definitely not the handshake of a seasoned businessman, or even much of a people-person. Jefferson may appear relatively relaxed and outgoing, but it's like a hastily applied mask, designed to hide the cracks in somebody who's been broken for a long time. His eyes, especially, don't appear as relaxed as his body, but rather haunted.

Easy for most to miss, but probably obvious to a man like Alexander Pierce. ]

Jefferson. I've seen you around. [ Here, in the park, he means. ]

[peacemongering]

[Much information was gleaned from the handshake but more when they made eye contact. This was a man who had seen too much, a broken man and not all the masks in the world could hide that away. He also had more than his share of experience with broken men, those who had seen rock bottom and often times lingered there.

His own grip was firm but welcoming. Trust me, it said.

He nodded at the name, and he picked up his tea cup to take a sip, now far more intent on the young man next to him than the teenager shoving and laughing.]

I could say the same for you. Do you watch for the entertainment or are you looking for someone?

[royalpassport]

[ His smile falters a little, but he makes an effort to keep it going, despite that. ]

Entertainment. [ A lie. The truth is, he always hopes that he'll see Grace here one day, no matter how improbable it may be. ] You can make a story out of complete strangers. It's better than TV.

[ He points to a couple holding hands as they stroll past in a blissful state of puppy love. ]

He's an adulterer. His wife hired her to seduce him and gather blackmail. It's not gonna end well for him. [ All bullshit, made up on the spot. But that's the fun of it. ]

What about you? Watching or waiting?

[peacemongering]

[Now there was a plain lie if he ever saw one, and he filed that away as he continued to sip his tea. That left the answer to the question of just whom this young man was hoping to see wandering in the park.

He regarded the couple in question where the whole story was made up, and he set his cup back on its saucer. He considered the love-struck couple a moment and then his companion.]

There are very few people that can act that love sick and pull off blackmail. [He should know; he's hired them against his political opponents.]

Oh, I'm simply watching, myself. Everything that I need is already here in this place, but I find watching people enjoying themselves in one way or another grounding.