Haunted House College AU

[worthallthis]

While the army is covering tuition, it doesn't cover living expenses, and temporary work on-campus is better than temporary work off-campus. So when the drama department managed to raise funds for a haunted house in one of the frat houses, James put on his best "I can kill you with my pinky" look, a shabby suit (shabby is really all he has, so, lucky), and his growing out hair loose around his face and "interviewed" for a spot as in-character for a creepy fucky as possible.

He had to refuse the first offer to be one of the ghosts inside. Dropping the character and donning a slightly sheepish smile, "Really not that keen on jumping out an' scaring people. Especially the ones that get punchy when they're scared." When the interviewer looked at his resume, saw his army tour (the whole "captured and tortured" thing isn't on there, but it doesn't have to be), she just nodded and stuck him at introductions and taking tickets. The pay isn't great, but it'll cover meals for a while.

So he shows up for opening night, gets his face done all pale with stage-make up and his suit a little spruced up with a very fancy shirt underneath from the costume department, and takes in the faces of the other people who'd been brought on.

Comments

[shadowsran]

"I'll take names of jerks, if you've got 'em." Up go the fists, for a joking little jab at the air in front of her. The spirit is willing. "Only one math, I'm a little less eager to chip at those but there's always one required. Moving along in biology, which is cool, uh, a course on how detective novels developed, costuming, gearing up for baking. Mostly pretty fun stuff! I'm liking the load so far, it'll be a good winter.

[worthallthis]

That makes him actually laugh, not just chuckle. "You're not gonna beat up my customers, Misty, c'mon. It's just how people are. Sounds like you got a busy semester going, anyway. No time in there for tracking down jerks." Also, he's a little surprised by her enjoyment of biology, when every single one of her non-required courses appear to be electives.

[shadowsran]

"That's what you think now, and that's what they think, until I come in with the--" Grinning, she mimes a haymaker. "Won't stop me from going in if I catch 'em in the act. If it ever gets bad you should try the kitchens on campus, there's no public to face."

No idea what she'd do without it; pleasant and mindless, very little interaction with anyone not also cooking.

[worthallthis]

"What kinda pay is that like?" He'd written off campus jobs as both being more competitive to get than regular around-the-city jobs, and probably not likely to pay enough nor get him enough hours. "Also, still can't cook."

[shadowsran]

"Pay's nothing dazzling, but you manage about as well as you would any cafe. Hours can make up the gap, if you put in for the one open nearly all night."

Her elbow prods gingerly at his, as she continues, "Not about cooking. You memorize a recipe on a card and make however much of it people on the other side are taking, it's not a test of creativity. Or there's always dishes. Or there's like, the coffee places in study areas, but I don't have any experience there."

[worthallthis]

He considers it. Dishes would be a problem with a metal hand, maybe. Hell, cooking might be, too, he really doesn't know. But he could probably use some extra hours on top of the bagging, considering how much he eats and he'd really rather like to have some actual savings someday, so he asks, "How crowded does it get in there?"

[shadowsran]

"Dishes is just one person off in a nook. You spray stuff down and take them to a washer, sometimes they might add a person for Christmas? Definitely no fitting more than two there anyway. Cooking's a couple people making separate chunks of something-- one person's just cooking beef all day to go in ten other things, someone's baking rolls, someone's chopping one or two vegetables..."

So on. They've rounded a corner, and with a gentle tug at his sleeve she speeds up a touch. "It's just up here, that little one past the smoke shop."

[worthallthis]

He snorts a little laugh, letting her steer him, matching her pace. "Chopping vegetables, I bet I'd be good at that." He may not be quite the original flavor, but he's still handy with a knife. "I'll look into it. You work there?"

[shadowsran]

"Mhm! Kitchens mostly, but I might look into picking up space in the cafes. It's nice, you're just doing the same couple things so as long as you keep pace you don't have to focus on too much."

But more importantly - they've arrived. A bell signals their entry, and the interior is fittingly cozy. Varying shades of brown and red, hardwood countertops and tables, yellow lighting. There's a predictable coffee smell, with an undercurrent spice and chocolate.

"You can get whatever, but again, I highly recommend the hot chocolate." The menu, to make up for the size of the place, is surprisingly varied. He's got options.

[worthallthis]

"You're the guide here, I'll take your recommendation," he chuckles, and follows her up to the counter, fishing for his wallet and looking over the options anyway. "You can get it with cinnamon or nutmeg. Huh."

[shadowsran]

"I do both, but I'm a glutton-- half my bill's extras, when we're really getting into winter. I can spot you on this, by the way-- I'm dragging you out, it can be my treat." For politeness' sake she won't fight him, but it hardly feels fair to invite someone out to make them spend their own money.

He's got a moment to deliberate while she gets through her own order, minimal extras for sake of time and not making a sweet tooth look childish.