{ IC Contact | Mask or Menace }

[superposition]

will prettify later

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March 4 - tgif

[driftsintobuffetline]

Heeeeey, dude. How're you feeling? Less ...upchucky yet? Just checking up on you since you know, we only ever manage to talk when shit's going down, and since shit's not currently going down, now seemed a good time to call. So how are you?

voice

[superposition]

[That earns a chuckle. Good lord - if he was still throwing up like that two and a half weeks later, he'd have long ago turned himself inside-out.]

Hi, Newt. Much better, thanks. As of... about twelve hours after going back, actually. That whole pitiful debacle did turn out to be LACKEY's doing, just as I'd suspected. Oh, and speaking of, I don't think I got a chance to thank you properly, did I? Sorry you two had to put up with all that.

[You know, both the grossness and the crankiness.]

voice

[driftsintobuffetline]

Eh, you know, Hermann barfs at a drop of blood. Yours was no big. Just glad you're feeling better. We can't have you getting sick and sneezing and suddenly there's portals to the center of the Earth everywhere, right?

[superposition]

Oh, please. That isn't how it works and you know it.

... But, thanks for the concern. I do appreciate it. And you're right, we do need to keep in touch outside of crisis hours. How have you been?

[driftsintobuffetline]

But that's how I WISH it worked.

I'm uh. Let's just say if I had a Facebook, "It's Complicated" would be the relationship status. But trouble in paradise is not really something you want to hear about, right, so it's going good. I'm good.

[superposition]

[Trouble in paradise? Ohhh dear. Relationship drama is quite possibly the subject Qubit feels least qualified to comment on, and his instincts start backpedaling fiercely - don't get involved! none of your business! But at the same time, he's curious, and Newt's his friend, and ...]

... Something happen?

[- he asks, after a pause that suggests he knows he shouldn't ask.]

[driftsintobuffetline]

[Oh boy. QB, do you what to open this can of worms?]

Ehh... You know.

Had the Big M talk with Hermann thanks to some pressure from the peanut gallery and we sort of agreed it was a thing that would happen--except he wants to wait, and that's fine. But then I kind of did-but-didn't ask during the whole Occupation thing? And...he sort of said no. I mean, he said later, but he said 'minimizing the risk' and maximizing the success rate and whatever.

[A loud exhale.]

And that's what you missed on Glee.

[superposition]

[Ahaha QB very much does not want to open this can of worms, but he is doing it to be nice and because he cares. That said, a little peek inside the can is plenty. He sighs as well, sort of a "phooo" sound, and rubs his temple with a couple of fingers.]

Well. I... do not have a lot to offer in the advice department, I'm afraid. But... if you'd like to do something to get your mind off things, that could be arranged.

[driftsintobuffetline]

[He's glad that explanation ends there.]

I get my own Qubit-friend-date, huh? I'd like that. What kind of outing you have in mind?

[superposition]

Still wish you'd stop calling it that, but sure. I don't know - it's a Friday, isn't it? Want to grab a pint somewhere?

[driftsintobuffetline]

Hell yeah! Any particular bars around here you like? Got to admit, that's not a social scene Hermann and I do much hanging out in, so I don't have a preference on them yet.

And what's wrong with calling it a friend-date?

[superposition]

[exasperated] Look, there's already a perfectly serviceable term for "friend date." It's called "not a date." Why are we even discussing this?

[It's because you won't let it go, Qubit. That is literally the only reason. Okay, okay, venue.]

All right. There's actually - there's a little craft brewery a few miles west of here. Good beer, locally sourced food, not a lot of gawkers. [At imPorts, he means. It's a common problem when you eat out in a Porter city.]

[driftsintobuffetline]

Cool. Sounds like a good place, then. I'll meet you there in ...an hour? In ten minutes? What're we shooting for and are you picking me up with a portal or am I taxiing over?

[And because QB can't drop it, so neither can Newt...]

Not-A-Date is not a title for something. This is a friend date, different from a Hermann Date, which is actually a romantic date. Okay? QB, your straightness is not in jeopardy, if that's what you're concerned about. 'It's complicated' doesn't mean I'm not taken. I'm not going to do anything weird...er...than my usual weirdness.

[superposition]

[ITP: Qubit gets hung up on semantics again, digs own grave :'D One of these days he will remember how Newt can out-nitpick just about anybody, but it is not this day.]

That - what?? That's not at all what I - why would -

[No, shut up, anything you say is just going to dig you deeper. He sighs, squeezing his eyes shut and pressing on them.]

Just - forget I said anything. About that. Uh... God. What time is it? Want to shoot for 6-ish? I'll text you the address.

[driftsintobuffetline]

Uh huh, dude.

It's a date~! I'll see you at 6!

[superposition]

[Oh, right, he does it to get exactly this reaction. Good job, Newt, played me like a goddamn fiddle.]

See you then.