(no subject)

[the_hermit]

Who: Henley and Merritt
What: Henley's having a bad day and Merritt tries to lighten things up. It doesn't go as well as he'd like.


the_highpriestess: *it seems like bad days are going around here, lately, and she seems to be no exception to the rule. she's sitting on the couch in the living room, like Daniel the other night, for no other reason than that seems to be where people aren't at the moment, working on yet another pair of gloves. it's supposed to be calming -- she really doesn't need another pair -- but from the looks of things, her facial expressions and her posture, it doesn't seem to be helping much*

the_hermit: *he's having bad days by proxy considering everyone else seems to be having bad days and he can't figure out what the hell is going on. it's why he's wandering downstairs to get a bottle out of the minibar, too, taking it with him as he rounds a chair to drop into it*

the_highpriestess: *looks up at him briefly, before turning one of her gloves inside out -- or, well, rightside out, since it was already inside out -- so she can try it on* Daniel piss in your Cheerios, too? Or was it Jack?

the_hermit: Pretty sure it's a citywide conspiracy to ruin my breakfast at this point.

the_highpriestess: Yeah, that sounds familiar. *flexes her fingers, checking the seams as she does so, and sighs, irritated, when one of them all but splits. takes the glove back off, turns it inside out again and goes to restitch*

the_hermit: *makes an acknowleding noise while he takes a drink - and then, after a beat of watching her* You okay, Hen?

the_highpriestess: Between those assholes going at it and then turning on anyone who tries to get between them, and then these? *she drops the gloves into her lap* It's been kind of a lousy day. *a beat and then vaguely suspiciously* You're not gonna start in on me now, too, are you?

the_hermit: *frowns at her* About what?

the_highpriestess: *she shrugs coolly* The boys found something when they decided to include me in their little dick measuring contest. I'm sure you could come up with something if you really wanted.

the_hermit: Hey, I'm not part of whatever crawled up those two's asses. I was almost in the middle of it the other night.

the_highpriestess: *and now it's her turn to frown -- she's not sure she likes his tone* Okay, whatever.

the_hermit: *huffs out a frustrated sigh - not you, too, seriously, woman - and takes another, longer drink*

the_highpriestess: *yes, her, too, if the fact that she rolls her eyes is any indication*

the_hermit: *and just reaches up to run a hand over his eyes and down his face - and then, tone light, if forcibly so...* I'd make a comment about the boys just both being on their periods, but that wouldn't be fair. *since he's assuming they're why Henley's having a bad day*

the_highpriestess: *she snorts, the sound managing to be both amused and disgusted, somehow* No, I'm pretty sure that's accurate, actually.

the_hermit: *hey, it's progress. ish, and he chuckles* Okay then.

the_highpriestess: *ish* ... I think I'm gonna leave a box of my tampons on Daniel's dresser.

the_hermit: *and actually laughs, at that, raising his drink to her* Fitting. I approve.

the_highpriestess: *not that she really needs his approval, but she hums anyway* Thanks.

the_hermit: Welcome.

the_highpriestess: *flashes him a tight-lipped smile and then goes back to her gloves, her frustration resurfacing*

the_hermit: *and he'll turn his attention back to his drink for the moment, considering the frustration's clear and he's willing to give her the space*

the_highpriestess: *works for a few minutes more and then, with a huff, gives up, shoving the gloves out of her lap and onto the coffee table. she probably shouldn't leave them there, because God only knows what the three-year-olds will do to them if she does, but they're going to sit there until she goes up to her room, at least*

the_hermit: Not feeling it?

the_highpriestess: What gave it away?

the_hermit: No, no, it was definitely the years of practice reading people. *a beat* Or maybe the nearly pitching them across the room. One or the other. *again with trying to joke*

the_highpriestess: *she doesn't seem terribly amused. instead, she just gives him a sour look and reaches up to run a hand over her face. apparently the headache thing is going around, too. maybe they're all just getting sick or something?*

the_hermit: *that's entirely possible. and bound to happen eventually, really, considering how on top of each other they are. still, he mutters something about...* Tough crowd. *as he finishes his drink*

the_highpriestess: Sorry, Merritt. *she doesn't really sound like she's all that sorry* I'm just not in the mood.

the_hermit: *yeah, he got that. and this one more slips out considering his own frustrations with all this* I think you're supposed to say you have a headache.

the_highpriestess: *rather than look kind of dimly amused by the innuendo, as per usual, it seems to be some sort of last straw, now. her expression shifting abruptly from irritated to disgusted and more than a little furious, she gets to her feet in a rush, takes a couple of steps forward and slaps him. hard* Actually, I'm pretty sure I'm supposed to say no means no, asshole.

the_hermit: *congratulations, Henley, you actually surprised him with that one, and he all but drops his thankfully empty bottle in the name of putting a hand to his cheek and staring at her for a moment before...* What the hell, Henley? I was joking!

the_highpriestess: *she moves away just as swiftly to start gathering up her sewing supplies -- right now, upstairs is looking a lot better than here* Yeah, well, I'm not. I'm done with all the creepy attempts at getting into my pants.

the_hermit: *doesn't stand up, but does scoot forward a little to sit on the edge of his chair. and, seriously...* Jesus, Henley, I'm sorry. I was.... *trying to lighten things up, trying to make her laugh, he's just. completely lost as to what the hell's going on, here, because he's never had a problem reading her, and that came out of nowhere*

the_highpriestess: Save it, Merritt. Just -- save it. *really. don't push her, right now, because she will turn around and slap him again. and while the first hit wasn't all that visible, that probably is*

the_hermit: *yeah, it is, and he just settles back, and his tone is soft - and more than a little hurt* Okay, Hen.

the_highpriestess: *scowls at him as she finishes picking up her things and then turns to head towards the stairs without another word, storming up them. and like Jack the other night, when she reaches her room, she slams the door behind her*

the_hermit: *and just sits there for a long moment after she leaves, still just stunned - and then does get up, to head back into the kitchen and back to the minibar. he can't deal with this right now*