( the sun is starting its mid-afternoon descent into the horizon by the time the door to b-sides swings open, the bell overhead ringing merrily to announce a new visitor during this slow period. who is this mysterious afternoon arrival? it's none other than kimberly hart, her hair and clothes still damp from a workout and over-sized pink headphones left to rest around her neck, looking particularly eager to explore the world of records.
she's surprisingly out of breath by the time she approaches the counter — for once, she's run around town, her own ride still left parked in its convenient garage space under the gentlemen's palace, and she's been running for a while by the looks of things.
spotting baby doesn't take more than a second of scanning the room, and kimberly's all too happy to make a beeline for him once she does. ) You, ( she starts, palms resting on the counter top for support as she tries to catch her breath, ) Are a difficult guy to find today.
I went to, like, three different places before here.
[ In the background, music is playing, as is appropriate for a record store, a song also quite appropriate for Kimberly, if Baby was asked. He's actually not that hard to find in the store itself, stacking a bunch of boxes of records to be put into display later behind the counter, the lean shape of him stretched out as he balances box on top of box.
He runs the back of his hand over his brow when he turns around, giving Kimberly a grin and a wave, his smile turning sheepish. ]
Well, where did you go look? Because, for what it's worth, this is the only place I've been today.
[ He winks, just as the back door is nudged open, Otis trotting out, tail wagging happily. He probably heard Kimberly and decided to get up from his old man's nap to say hello. ]
( for all that she associates baby to music, you'd think this would have been the first stop. but no, she'd checked his room upstairs first, thinking maybe he'd had a bit of a lie-in that morning. no luck. she'd checked at the garage, to see if perhaps he'd been tuning up the challenger or preparing for car club, but no dice. the nearby breakfast joint was her last stop — an impulse while her stomach growled, just in case he'd made a pit stop for pancakes and bacon that day. when none of the above had been fruitful, she'd finally checked b-sides off her list, and lo and behold: here he was.
she ticks off the names on her fingers in between breaths before her attention diverts down to the lumbering pup headed her way. kneeling down, she's all smiles as she greets the dog, hands at rapt attention to pet and stroke and play with the dog who's all too glad for the affection. )
Hey buddy, ( crooned out in a soft baby voice, the same one adopted when kimberly played with robbie's little french bulldog. ) You were sleepy, huh? I bet you're spoiled rotten with your own little spot over there, aren't you?
( peeking back up, a little grin curves the edges of her mouth. )
[ Baby throws a quick glance at the clock on the wall - fair enough, probably, it's still early, and he could have had a late start. He gives Kimberly an apologetic face, shrugging a shoulder. ]
Had an early start, doing inventory. We're going to have a sale soon, so I'm checking what we've actually got. It's going to be a bit of a thing.
[ Which is another reason why he needs to send a message around to get some favorite songs listed out - they can make it a bit of a street party, with music blasting from the store and people milling around.
Baby and Otis exchange a look, Baby chuckling at the look on his dog's face. It's taken them a little time to get comfortable with each other, but now, they were practically inseparable, Otis even coming to spend the night at Izzy's with Baby on the regular. ]
We went for a run this morning, so at least this time he had reason to be sleepy.
( she can't hide her agreement to his teasing reply. they may be firmly on the side of friendship, but he's important to her; he offers genuine caring, honesty and sweetness, and losing his friendship had been a blow she wasn't ready to face. now, that fear is long past them, and she's much happier for it. the fondness in her smile as she peers back up at him can't be missed. )
Yeah, ( kimberly finally echoes, nuzzling otis' ear with her fingertips before standing up again. a step or two allows her to pull herself up onto the countertop, a hand brushing a stack of advertising flyers over towards the edge. ) Maybe I do.
( love is a big word. agreeing out loud reminds her of it, and she's quiet for a moment or two, smiling to herself before her countenance perks back to life. )
Any new stuff I should listen to? I've got to keep my workouts fresh, you know.
[ He has no problem talking about love, when it comes to Kimberly. It's not a romantic love - sure, they dated, and it was lovely, but she'd been into Robbie more, and he'd met Izzy and had helplessly fallen for her. But he still loved Kimberly, loved her as a friend, and wanted her around. He had never had many friends, and getting to make some here in Cadelle was just as important to him as Isabelle was.
Also, he's pretty sure she's in love with Robbie. Not that it's any of his business. ]
Depends on what you're in the mood for. It's not so new but I've had Selena Gomez' Shake it Up playing a lot. Also a lot of Halestorm, when I'm cleaning up. It's good angry music.
( don't ask her if she's in love, or you'll only get echoes of ancient greek animated heroines with a penchant for purple. i won't say it. besides, it's way too early to even think that sort of thing, let alone admit it out loud. she likes robbie, sure; she's even willing to say she's happy to have a label to attach to the two of them, one that's still new and sweet in her mouth and in her head. but love? no chance, no way. )
I don't think I've heard that one, but I do like her stuff.
( her headphones are easy enough to pull off her neck; the auxiliary jack pops from the pink shuffle currently clipped to her waistband, dangling in the air for a minute before kimberly loosely wraps it around her hand. holding it out in his direction is a casual encouragement. music me, dj. )
[ Baby doesn't care. He's a romantic. He'll believe in love before it's quite there yet - he'll believe in love at first sight and meant to be and star-crossed everything. It's something that keeps him going.
He takes the jack from her after a moment, plugging it into his own iPod after plucking it out of his pocket. He's been using the store as a big boombox all day, but nothing will ever beat earphones, in his mind.
A few clicks of the wheel, and then the song starts playing. ]
Here you go.
[ With a grin, he hands her his iPod, and only when Kimberly's visibly not listening anymore does he ask. ]
So, everything okay? You didn't bring me breakfast foods, my feelings are hurt.
( the song in question takes a moment or two before it really gets under her skin, beat thumping against her ears until it starts to echo in the tapping of her palms against her thighs, fingertips rolling against an invisible keyboard in harmony. when the music quiets, her headphones slip off again to rest against her neck; it's catchy enough to leave her humming the melody for a few seconds afterwards. )
Everything's fine, Baby, don't worry. ( she's in good spirits this morning, cheerful and easy-going; there's no need for alarm. ) Just wanted some company.
( speaking of breakfast foods... )
Are you hungry? I can go make a run if you're going to be here for a while.
[ Leaning back against the counter, Baby pulls himself to sit atop it, Otis coming to lie down on the floor just under him, the two of them already growing into habits with one another. ]
I'm good, actually. It's nice to see you. Feel like I'm always just crossing paths with you, even when we're in the same building.
[ He smiles, running a hand through his hair. It's getting a bit long, he notices. ]
Not that - I guess it's my fault, too, for not being home that much.
It does kind of feel that way sometimes. ( there's a beat, as kimberly considers it, but it's a companionable sort of silence. it's easy to just be with baby, to enjoy his company even when doing something as simple as hanging out in a record store. ) I don't think it's anybody's fault, though.
( the answer is, at least in kimberly's mind, blissfully simple. ) We just need to hang out more. You and me. ( boyfriends and car club and roommates and everyone else can wait. )
Nah, wouldn't blame anyone. [ They're busy; they have jobs and significant others and events to attend and friends to spend time with. ] Some days, I barely see Robbie, and I live with the guy.
[ Shrug. They can always find ways to see each other; like right now, Kimberly in the store, Otis curled up between them, music in the background, happy, content, simple.
He has to ask: ]
We talking as friends, right? Because I think we should make it a standing weekly date to go for breakfast. Or for a ride, you still haven't tried driving my car.
( she can't help but laugh, leaning over just enough to nudge him with her shoulder. it's a quiet, sleepy sound, but enough to show she doesn't take offense as his question. )
Yeah, as friends. ( in another time and place, maybe it would have been different. ) Breakfast dates sound great. Breakfast friend dates, even. You can bring me new music for my Zumba class, and I'll bring you... hm. I'll figure something out.
( she doesn't have very much to offer in that regard, but maybe she can think of something he might like. )
Are you sure you want to let me behind the wheel? Robbie won't even let me breathe on his, and it's indestructible.
[ It's a good thing it doesn't turn awkward at his question - he realizes a little too late that it could have been taken the wrong way, but at least - with Kimberly, it feels like they've navigated these waters already. They landed firmly on the 'friends' shore, which works for them. ]
Okay then. Let's do that.
[ At the mention of Robbie's car, Baby chuckles, shrugging. ]
He's precious about it, I guess. I'm used to going from car to car, so it's not like I have a deep bond or something. I mean, I like it, but you're not going to wreck it, are ya?
I dunno. ( a soft shrug of her shoulders in reply, a mirror of baby's easy reply. ) To be honest, I don't really know how to drive a stick.
( it's not like it's something that's taught to girls in angel grove. she understood the basics of it, the general idea, but in practice? not so much. )
[ He can't help the surprise - she looked like the kind of girl who would know how to, for some reason. Maybe because she reminds him of Debbie, in some ways - the independence, the love of music, the eyes that seem to see beyond what he does. ]
I'll absolutely teach you, yeah. Maybe I should start my own driving school.
Is that really that surprising? ( she's smiling, but there's a bit of quiet to her movements as she brushes a lock of hair behind her ears. she can't help but think of jason and his truck, billy and the van — things left behind in her staying here. ) I mean, guys drove pick-up trucks in Angel Grove but it's not like they were inviting me to drive them or anything.
( the enthusiasm of his teaching offer, though, helps her to swallow down any uncomfortable feelings that may have crept up thinking of home. )
You should totally start your own school. I'll be your first.
( no double entendre needed. but it's probably there all the same. )
I guess it's not. Surprising, I mean. It's just that I've been driving stick since I was ten, so I always think everybody can.
[ It's on him, really.
Chuckling, he looks around the store, its cozy atmosphere, the shelves and shelves of vinyls, of equipment, like a relic in a world of technology. Baby is pretty proud of being able to work here, like a reject of Empire Records. ]
Even if my other two jobs aren't an every day thing like B-Sides is, I don't know where I'd find the time, really.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
she's surprisingly out of breath by the time she approaches the counter — for once, she's run around town, her own ride still left parked in its convenient garage space under the gentlemen's palace, and she's been running for a while by the looks of things.
spotting baby doesn't take more than a second of scanning the room, and kimberly's all too happy to make a beeline for him once she does. ) You, ( she starts, palms resting on the counter top for support as she tries to catch her breath, ) Are a difficult guy to find today.
I went to, like, three different places before here.
no subject
He runs the back of his hand over his brow when he turns around, giving Kimberly a grin and a wave, his smile turning sheepish. ]
Well, where did you go look? Because, for what it's worth, this is the only place I've been today.
[ He winks, just as the back door is nudged open, Otis trotting out, tail wagging happily. He probably heard Kimberly and decided to get up from his old man's nap to say hello. ]
no subject
( for all that she associates baby to music, you'd think this would have been the first stop. but no, she'd checked his room upstairs first, thinking maybe he'd had a bit of a lie-in that morning. no luck. she'd checked at the garage, to see if perhaps he'd been tuning up the challenger or preparing for car club, but no dice. the nearby breakfast joint was her last stop — an impulse while her stomach growled, just in case he'd made a pit stop for pancakes and bacon that day. when none of the above had been fruitful, she'd finally checked b-sides off her list, and lo and behold: here he was.
she ticks off the names on her fingers in between breaths before her attention diverts down to the lumbering pup headed her way. kneeling down, she's all smiles as she greets the dog, hands at rapt attention to pet and stroke and play with the dog who's all too glad for the affection. )
Hey buddy, ( crooned out in a soft baby voice, the same one adopted when kimberly played with robbie's little french bulldog. ) You were sleepy, huh? I bet you're spoiled rotten with your own little spot over there, aren't you?
( peeking back up, a little grin curves the edges of her mouth. )
You guys and your dogs and your cars.
no subject
Had an early start, doing inventory. We're going to have a sale soon, so I'm checking what we've actually got. It's going to be a bit of a thing.
[ Which is another reason why he needs to send a message around to get some favorite songs listed out - they can make it a bit of a street party, with music blasting from the store and people milling around.
Baby and Otis exchange a look, Baby chuckling at the look on his dog's face. It's taken them a little time to get comfortable with each other, but now, they were practically inseparable, Otis even coming to spend the night at Izzy's with Baby on the regular. ]
We went for a run this morning, so at least this time he had reason to be sleepy.
[ Baby smiles at Kimberly. ]
You love it, don't lie.
no subject
Yeah, ( kimberly finally echoes, nuzzling otis' ear with her fingertips before standing up again. a step or two allows her to pull herself up onto the countertop, a hand brushing a stack of advertising flyers over towards the edge. ) Maybe I do.
( love is a big word. agreeing out loud reminds her of it, and she's quiet for a moment or two, smiling to herself before her countenance perks back to life. )
Any new stuff I should listen to? I've got to keep my workouts fresh, you know.
no subject
Also, he's pretty sure she's in love with Robbie. Not that it's any of his business. ]
Depends on what you're in the mood for. It's not so new but I've had Selena Gomez' Shake it Up playing a lot. Also a lot of Halestorm, when I'm cleaning up. It's good angry music.
no subject
I don't think I've heard that one, but I do like her stuff.
( her headphones are easy enough to pull off her neck; the auxiliary jack pops from the pink shuffle currently clipped to her waistband, dangling in the air for a minute before kimberly loosely wraps it around her hand. holding it out in his direction is a casual encouragement. music me, dj. )
Can you play it for me?
no subject
He takes the jack from her after a moment, plugging it into his own iPod after plucking it out of his pocket. He's been using the store as a big boombox all day, but nothing will ever beat earphones, in his mind.
A few clicks of the wheel, and then the song starts playing. ]
Here you go.
[ With a grin, he hands her his iPod, and only when Kimberly's visibly not listening anymore does he ask. ]
So, everything okay? You didn't bring me breakfast foods, my feelings are hurt.
no subject
Everything's fine, Baby, don't worry. ( she's in good spirits this morning, cheerful and easy-going; there's no need for alarm. ) Just wanted some company.
( speaking of breakfast foods... )
Are you hungry? I can go make a run if you're going to be here for a while.
no subject
I'm good, actually. It's nice to see you. Feel like I'm always just crossing paths with you, even when we're in the same building.
[ He smiles, running a hand through his hair. It's getting a bit long, he notices. ]
Not that - I guess it's my fault, too, for not being home that much.
no subject
( the answer is, at least in kimberly's mind, blissfully simple. ) We just need to hang out more. You and me. ( boyfriends and car club and roommates and everyone else can wait. )
If you wanted to, I mean.
no subject
[ Shrug. They can always find ways to see each other; like right now, Kimberly in the store, Otis curled up between them, music in the background, happy, content, simple.
He has to ask: ]
We talking as friends, right? Because I think we should make it a standing weekly date to go for breakfast. Or for a ride, you still haven't tried driving my car.
no subject
Yeah, as friends. ( in another time and place, maybe it would have been different. ) Breakfast dates sound great. Breakfast friend dates, even. You can bring me new music for my Zumba class, and I'll bring you... hm. I'll figure something out.
( she doesn't have very much to offer in that regard, but maybe she can think of something he might like. )
Are you sure you want to let me behind the wheel? Robbie won't even let me breathe on his, and it's indestructible.
no subject
Okay then. Let's do that.
[ At the mention of Robbie's car, Baby chuckles, shrugging. ]
He's precious about it, I guess. I'm used to going from car to car, so it's not like I have a deep bond or something. I mean, I like it, but you're not going to wreck it, are ya?
no subject
( it's not like it's something that's taught to girls in angel grove. she understood the basics of it, the general idea, but in practice? not so much. )
You feel like teaching me, professor?
no subject
[ He can't help the surprise - she looked like the kind of girl who would know how to, for some reason. Maybe because she reminds him of Debbie, in some ways - the independence, the love of music, the eyes that seem to see beyond what he does. ]
I'll absolutely teach you, yeah. Maybe I should start my own driving school.
no subject
( the enthusiasm of his teaching offer, though, helps her to swallow down any uncomfortable feelings that may have crept up thinking of home. )
You should totally start your own school. I'll be your first.
( no double entendre needed. but it's probably there all the same. )
no subject
[ It's on him, really.
Chuckling, he looks around the store, its cozy atmosphere, the shelves and shelves of vinyls, of equipment, like a relic in a world of technology. Baby is pretty proud of being able to work here, like a reject of Empire Records. ]
Even if my other two jobs aren't an every day thing like B-Sides is, I don't know where I'd find the time, really.