Working Some Magic

Some day, the machines will rise up and overthrow humanity. They were already beginning their takeover, starving us out, making us suffer before they brought the hammer down. At least, that was how Issie felt as she tried for the fifth time to insert a dollar bill into a vending machine, only to have it rudely returned to her after a moment of mechanical whirring. Sighing, she tried once more to smooth out the bill against the front of the machine, making sure the edges were straight, the corners weren't folded, the wrinkles were as small as possible. Her work done, she once again slipped the bill into the slot, listening to the deliberating noise as the vender decided whether or not to accept the money this time. There was a second of anticipation... and then the bill was sent right back out.

Groaning in annoyance, Issie kicked at the machine, though she had enough sense to make the blow soft enough that it wouldn't damage her toes. "Come on, why're you doing this to me? Is it because of dispenser 34? I swear she meant nothing." The machine, strangely enough, chose not to respond to this admission, drawing forth another sigh from the lanky redhead. Someone was passing by, and an idea struck Issie. Turning to the guy, she held out the money, giving her most winning 'please help a girl out' smile. "Hey, you got change for a dollar? This machine hates me and I don't know why."

for: XANDER REMIEL KNIGHT

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fly me to the moon and let me Play Among The Stars Xander was just casually walking down the hall of the dining services, not quite sure if he wanted to buy anything or just head back to the dorm and cook up a meal. He easily avoided running into people so his cane was folded up neatly in his sweater pocket. He really didn't like using it and most never noticed he was blind. It was great for him. It meant that people didn't treat him any differently than they would another student. The senior walked by the girl struggling at the vending machine and turned to her when she asked for help. He could make out her basic shape and height using his ability to sense temperature. If he focused enough he could make out where her eyes were and the slight difference in temperature in her cheeks telling him she was smiling somewhat. Granted he couldn't keep focusing on details without causing headaches. He looked at her making sure to make somewhat eye contact. "Well I don't carry change around but I don't mind helping a lovely lady like yourself" He said with a kind smile as he took out his wallet.  One thing he liked about the machines was that they all accepted cards. Xan had an issue with bill. Coins were ok but bills were annoying unless he had someone else help him with it. Plastic was easier to deal with and he knew exactly how much he had. He walked over to the machine and felt for where the card slot was before swiping his card. It took a second swipe to make sure the card was the right way before he motioned for her to pick what she wanted. Rich didn't mind spending some money on others. Granted he wasn't rich or anything but he did get a monthly allowance and was good at saving it up. @issieevans • outfit • whoot thread time Fill My Heart With Song and let me sing forever more

made by @alaya

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This kid seemed friendly enough. Sure, he ignored her offered money completely, but he still saw to the machine, giving it a swipe of his card, bypassing the cruel paywall and providing access to the delicious treats within. Issie watched on, her eyes flitting down to his hands as he felt over the machine momentarily. Strange, he hadn't had any trouble looking her in the eye. Maybe he just needed glasses badly or something. Whatever the reason, it was hardly worth worrying about to Issie. Eagerly stepping forward, she keyed in the number for a pack of salt and vinegar chips, grinning at the machine as she watched the little corkscrew push her reward towards the drop.

With a small sound, the machine dispensed her food, and she dropped down, crouching to retrieve the bag from the finicky anti-theft trough. Her meal secured, she righted herself, offering her savour another smile. "Thanks, Hero. Now I can enjoy my delicious fried starch." She held off on opening the bag for a moment, remembering the money in her hand. "So... I guess this is your dollar." Again, she held the bill out, head tilting to the side slightly. She didn't really want to part with the money, but it'd be hella rude to just pocket it without a word. The offer was on the table now, the ball in his court, the metaphor in his notebook.

XANDER REMIEL KNIGHT

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fly me to the moon and let me Play Among The Stars He listened to the machine drop the girl's prize. He instantly knew what she had picked when the aroma of the chips reached his noes as she opened the bag. He smiled and laughed slightly. "Hey no worries. I don't mind leading a hand. Salt and Vinegar? Nice choice" He commented. Those weren't his favorite flavor but he could appreciate a good salty snack from time to time and salt and vinegar chips were useful in some odd ball recipes of his. Xan smiled when she offered him the money, but shook his head. "Don't worry about it. How about instead you let me know the name of the lady I just helped from the evil vending machine" He joked. Xander leaned against the machine waiting to hear her answer. He was good a being charming and courteous to the ladies, a trait drilled into his head by both his father and his grandmother of all people. He did often wonder what it would be like to really see someone. Sure being able to sense them because of his power was cool in all but every now and then he kind of would like to know what a real smile truly looked like instead of just feeling someones face or from sensing their body temperature. Though he didn't let it get to him. Xan was fine with how things turned out. @issieevans • outfit • whoot thread time Fill My Heart With Song and let me sing forever more

made by @alaya

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With a shrug, Issie pocketed the bill, happy to be able to hold on to a little more cash. "Well, thanks Hero. Lady isn't the word I'd use, but people tend to call me Issie, or Is, if two syllables is too much." She dug into the bag, picking out the largest of the chips within, filling her mouth and chewing happily. There was no pleasure simpler or better appreciated than a well-flavoured snack satiating a need for food. Swallowing, Issie took a moment to look over her saviour. He seemed nice enough, perhaps a little more into the sweet talking side of things than she'd like, but that wasn't a huge issue. "So, what do I call my knight in shining hoodie?" Her tone betrayed her amusement as much as the smile on her lips did. If he was going to go with 'lady,' then she'd stick with 'hero'. Taking another chip to her lips, Issie couldn't help but pause for a moment to appreciate the 'meal'. It was meagre, but it was free, which obviously made it twice as good. She was already planning what to spend that extra dollar on. Perhaps a nice instant coffee, that certainly wouldn't go amiss. Of course, that may well require interacting with another machine, and considering the luck this particular dollar seemed to have, that might not go down too well. 

XANDER REMIEL KNIGHT

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fly me to the moon and let me Play Among The Stars Issie, he liked the name. It had a fun ring to it. He listened to her voice. Memorizing the tone and pitch she used. It was how he recognized people. He could not tell faces and sensing a persons exact thermal signature was difficult. Also after years of relying on his ears he could pick up more things than what most others noticed. Since he was born he had to rely on his other senses. He sometimes even remembered a person scent if they liked to use a certain perfume or cologne. His dad used the same one every day and that was how he knew if his dad was home just by the scent. However that recognition was more so if he knew a person better. "Issie, defiantly a cool name. I'll be sure to remember it" He couldn't help but burst into laughter when she mention the shinning hoodie. "I don't believe I put on my silver hoodie today" He joked. Honestly he only knew what the colors of his hoodies were by the way they felt. Even then he was never totally sure. One thing he did know was that he didn't own a silver or shinny hoodie. Though understanding colors was something he never could wrap his head around. He only knew from what his family tried to explain to him was that sliver things were shinny and if they were going with the whole knight reference, then armor. Colors themselves were hard to grasp. How to explain colors to someone who would not see them. Sure he knew grass was usually green and sky was blue. But that didn't mean much to him. Now if it had to do with how something felt or sounded like he could describe that to a t. "Xander. But everyone just calls me Xan. It is nice to meet you Issie" He said extending his hand after he stopped laughing. "If I might be so bold, would you mind joining me for lunch, my treat. Could go for an interesting conversational partner" He asked hoping she would be willing. @issieevans • outfit • whoot thread time Fill My Heart With Song and let me sing forever more

made by @alaya

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    There was something almost strange about the way this guy carried himself. He seemed casual and at-ease, but at the same time careful and controlled. He didn't move like Issie did, all sudden turns and jerking action. It was interesting, and the girl couldn't keep herself from peering at him curiously as he spoke. She wasn't being overly subtle  about it, but he didn't seem to mind. Her eyes fell upon his once more when she heard his laugh, the sound bringing a smile to her lips. There was definitely something unusual about his eyes. They didn't seem entirely focussed... his eyesight must be bad or something. He didn't even glance down to reference the decidedly not silver hoodie. Strange, but ultimately it didn't matter all that much.

    Even if it had, the thought would have immediately been pushed from Issie's mind by the idea of getting more food, and for free. It wasn't safe to assume yet, but this Xander guy didn't seem to care all that much about counting pennies, which was definitely a good trait in Issie's book. "Well, Xan, that's very generous of you. How can I turn down such an offer?" Grinning, she took his hand, gripping it firmly and giving a single shake. "I'm flattered that you already consider me interesting. You're one-hundred percent correct, of course, but it's flattering that you noticed so quickly." Her grin grew cheekier at these words, and she released Xander's hand with a final tight squeeze.

XANDER REMIEL KNIGHT

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fly me to the moon and let me Play Among The Stars Xander had spent a good amount of time learning the best ways to blend in with everyone else. Sure there were subtle hints that he was blind but for the most part he had a good grasp on things. Anything from using his hands to talk to just making it seem like he was looking at someone. Even if that was hard. That was one of the perks of his ability he could get a sense where peoples eyes were and the likes by sensing the temperature of their features. He was glad that Issie didn't seem to notice, or care that something was off about the way did things. "Think nothing of it" He responded. He was always willing to give a girl a good time and food was always a good way to make a new friend. He just grinned when she talked about him being right she was interesting. "So what do you want to eat. There are many different choices here, I still wasn't sure what get. So maybe you can help with that dilemma" Xan always let the lady have the choice but he was careful about how he approached it. By saying that he was indecisive might get them to be more willing to pick something. Honestly Xander didn't care what they had. He loved food in general. @issieevans • outfit • whoot thread time Fill My Heart With Song and let me sing forever more

made by @alaya

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It's not every day you're given the offer of a free meal with virtually no restrictions. Sure, Xander probably wouldn't be happy if she suggested some fancy Italian three-course dealie, but so long as she didn't go over the top with her choice she was golden. Taking a moment to think, Issie let her hand slip into the bag of chips again, pulling out a few at once this time. If she was about to have a full meal there was no point in making these last. Her mouth full, she tapped a finger thoughtfully to her chin making a show out of thinking, chewing as she did so. Swallowing her mouthful, she gave a slow nod, as though acknowledging some age old conundrum. "Hmm, well it certainly is i dilemma. There's an awful lot of food to choose from." Once more, she let a smile play over her features. "Fear not though, you've got me to guide you now. I'm thinking asian food, maybe Chinese... yeah, that's sounding about right."

Another nod, this one more certain. "Yes. I have consulted the helix, and it says Chinese is in this time of year." Half-turning, Issie took the first few steps towards the eateries manned by living people, holding back so her new companion could keep pace. "So then Knight Xan, hero of the great vending disaster, what realm do you hail from?" Though she hadn't exactly been expecting a proper meal and company to go with it, Issie never turned don the offer of free food, nor would she turn away a good conversational partner, and this guy seemed laid back enough to have a good chat with.

XANDER REMIEL KNIGHT

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fly me to the moon and let me Play Among The Stars Her antics were quite amusing that Xander couldn't help but snicker some. Sure he couldn't tell all the small movements but from the tone of her voice he could tell she was putting on show. She seemed at ease which was a good thing. Xander always liked people to just be themselves. Anything else seemed unnecessary. "Chinese sounds great. And the place here makes a mean dumpling" He added. He could go for some good Chinese food and it was one of the places he had visited frequently so he knew the menu well enough not to ask for assistance. Xander had no issues keeping up with the girl. Heading more into more populated areas sometimes could be tricky since temperatures tended to blend more, but after being at the school for years he could avoid most people. He laughed again when she addressed him Knight Xan. "You know that is funner than you realize" Since Knight was his last name the statement just really amused him, not that she knew it was his last name. "Ah, I hail from a small town just outside our great capital of DC. Though currently the hallowed halls of Page Hall is where I call home" He joked, keeping up with the whole Knight antics. "And which realm might the charming Lady Issie hath traveled from" He gave her a half smile as he avoided running into someone walking the other direction. @issieevans • outfit • whoot thread time Fill My Heart With Song and let me sing forever more

made by @alaya

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Issie lead to way towards the Chinese place, slowing a little to pull alongside Xander. A mean dumpling sounded just great about now. She'd checked out a few of the food places around here, but hadn't actually dined at many of them. Why spend the money on a full meal when there were a series of vending machines just across the way? Now, of course, she had someone to pay the way for her. It wasn't that she was planning to take advantage of his better nature, just that she couldn't see a reason to refuse a meal so freely offered.

There was, apparently, something funny about her calling him Knight Xan, so of course the girl had resolved to keep calling him it. She wasn't sure why it was funny, but that wasn't something she needed to question. "Well, noble Knight Xan, I'm hardly a noble maiden, but I hail from the great stead of Portland, in the duchy of Oregon. A fine land of hipsters in coffee houses, small business associations and packs of feral cyclists. As of right now, this 'lady' as you put it resides in Milani, a fine land of... student kitchens and segregated dorms." Matching his smile, Issie turned towards the Chinese, waving her arm out in the direction of the tables. "Any preference for seating, Sir Knight? After all, t'is the man's role to make such decisions, and to pull out the chair so his delicate lady does not strain her slender arms." On the verge of open laughter now, she couldn't keep a straight face even if she tried.

XANDER REMIEL KNIGHT

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fly me to the moon and let me Play Among The Stars It was getting really hard to hold back a laugh. Their conversation was getting quite interesting and he wouldn't have expected the whole sudo old english language thing to continue but he had to admit he was impressed with how well they were keeping up with it. It had been a while since Xan had such a fun conversation with anyone really. He was usually a really social person but had gotten so caught up in his schooling that he had become somewhat of a recluse. He knew they were in the right place by the smell. It made him realize how hungry he really was. Xan motioned to an empty table. The temperature of the chairs and table were different from the floor but he had a slight issue telling the pushed in chairs apart from the table so he walked over to the table and used his foot subtly to figure out where the chair leg was. Once he figured it out he pulled out the chair for Issie. "I'll go grab the food, what would m'lady like" He was having such a hard time to not burst into laughter. He had such a wide smile on his face. @issieevans • outfit • sorry its short Fill My Heart With Song and let me sing forever more

made by @alaya

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She was about to sit down in the chair offered to her when he said it. She knew it was likely to be said sooner or later, but hearing the word still drew forth a groan. It was an exaggerated noise, clearly intended to display an over the top fake emotion of distress. Still, it drew glances from one or two people around. Dropping into the chair, the girl slumped over, resting her head back. "Aaggh, you said it. Why did you have to say it? Of all the things you could have said, you said that... I thought you were cool, Xan... but it turns out you're just a... a..." She paused for effect, her tone melodramatic, just as over the top as her earlier groan. "A nice guy!" Looking up at him with her head back on the chair, she let out a sigh. "I'll have a spicy beef with noodles and a side of fedora, please. And, if they're all out of fedora I'll try some of those dumplings you mentioned." Her smile returned, and she gave him a grin as she straightened up in her chair. "Don't be too long, now. I'm a very hungry girl, starved of both good food and good conversation."

XANDER REMIEL KNIGHT

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fly me to the moon and let me Play Among The Stars Over all Xander was generally a nice person. He still found her sarcasm funny and kind of charming. It was nice to have someone act so natural around him. "Excellent, my plan is working. I have you fooled that I am such a kind person" He teased, his voice laced with sarcasm, but in a good way. He headed over to get the food. One thing he like about the Chinese food was that it was very quick. So it didn't take too long for the order to be ready. The person manning the register made sure to let Xan know which containers the food was in as they would always do. He usually could tell based on the smell but it wasn't often he was getting food for someone else and they noticed. Xan headed back to the table with the food in his hands. He didn't have to worry about a tray or bag since he could control the temperature so the heat didn't bother him, just as long as the food was hot when eaten. He placed the container of beef with noodles and an order of the dumplings in front of Issie before taking a seat across from her with his own order of dumplings and a couple egg rolls. "Well I hope I didn't take too long. Would hate to have you bored" He grinned as he carefully opened the dumplings. Sometimes dealing with the lids was annoying when all you had to go by was just a feeling of the edge. "Well I already know you are quite interesting. But I am curious to know a bit more. If you don't mind telling that is" Xan asked is a very charming manor. He didn't want to scare her off by asking such a question but he did want to know more. Their conversation had been quite funny up till this point and he wanted that to continue. @issieevans • outfit • sorry for the wait Fill My Heart With Song and let me sing forever more

made by @alaya

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    He was certainly interesting. Issie was glad to have run into someone who seemed as easygoing as she was, who she could just chill and chat with. He returned before too long, the containers in his hands. That was certainly interesting. From what she knew of freshly cooked food, it tended to be more than a little hot. Was it possible that Xander had some kind of heat resistance as his ability? Or did he just have the asbestos hands of a housewife? Issie's mother and grandmother had both been able to handle hotter pots and pans than they had any reason to. Whatever the reason, it was a topic for a little later at least. Flashing him another smile, issie eagerly opened up her own containers. "Well, I'll have you know I was starting to get a little bored. Any later and I might have gotten distracted by something shiny and wandered off." She started to dig in, glancing up at Xan as she scooped up a mouthful of beef and noodles.

    She finished off her first mouthful before answering his second question. "Well, there is more to me than being worth some points on certain quiz shows, as for what I'll tell you... well, that'll depend on what you ask. And my mood, that too, but you can't directly control that, so you'll just have to ask the right questions, detective Spooner." She turned her attention back to her food for a moment, trying one of those famous dumplings, which she was happy to find did live up to the hype. Nodding appreciatively, she turned her attention back to the guy in front of her, deciding to give him a little to go on. "For starters, I'm seventeen, I haven't been here long, I like music, movies, romantic walks on the beach, cliches, lying for effect, and photography." She gave him a little smile. "Or at least, I like some of that."

XANDER REMIEL KNIGHT

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