trainwreck in an elevator

[secondchances]

Who: Steph, Ezio, and Kate!
What: The most awkward elevator adventure
When: Nowwww
Where: The elevator!
Rating: A for AWKWARD



[After a weekend of feeling like she was having a caffeine withdrawl, it was time for some sunshine and fresh air. Might as well combine it with some hangout time with Ezio, too. To the roof it was!]

It's nice, having energy. I think I forgot what the outside felt like. The sun, the breeze... I bet it'll be the most beautiful thing I've seen. I might cry.

[She taps the elevator button.]

Comments

[assassino]

[Ezio chuckles.]

I will gladly offer you my handkerchief if you need it.

[gevurah]

[ As for Kate, she's on her way down from the roof. She liked to go up there every now and then when it wasn't packed full of people (somehow it was worse than the library, where everyone poked their nose into your business). She usually fed the birds, a habit that came about from when Tobias had been here.

She notices the the elevator coming to a stop eventually on one floor and gets ready to move aside for whoever it is coming in.

When it opens, she makes a face.

Of course. ]

[secondchances]

What a gentle[holyshitisthatKate]--

... man.

[Stephanie goes rigid, feet firmly glued to the floor.

Great. This was the last person she wanted to encounter in an enclosed space. Maybe they could catch the next one.]

[assassino]

[Ezio is oblivious to both of their conflicts with each other and steps right into the elevator, expecting Stephanie to follow.]

Kate! It has been some weeks. How have you been?

[gevurah]

[ She tears her eyes off Stephanie to look at Ezio for a moment. ]

Peachy keen.

[ Maybe she should get out now... ]

[secondchances]

[Steph resists the urge to grab Ezio's arm and pull him back out, but that might be weird. So, she takes a breath and steps in.]

What floor?

[So Kate can get out before something terrible happens.]

[assassino]

[He grins, despite Kate's oddly cage-y reaction.]

I am afraid you will have to explain what that means.

[gevurah]

[ Right, Ezio is not pop culture or 21st century savvy. ]

I've been fine.

[secondchances]

[Steph hits the button for the floor the roof is on. Be speedy, elevator.]

[assassino]

[Pleasantly:]

I am glad to hear it.

[gevurah]

[ She says nothing more, regretting her decision to stay in the elevator.

Whatever, she'll just get off as soon as it stops at another floor. She doesn't have to say anything to them, especially to Stephanie. ]

[secondchances]

[Steph crosses her arms over her middle and waits quietly.]

[assassino]

[He glances between the women, then.]

Have you two not met...?

[gevurah]

[ A cursory look, but she appears pretty disinterested. ]

We have.

[secondchances]

[She glances Kate's way, but then back to the numbers on the elevator. Way more interesting.]

Yep.

[assassino]

[Awkward.]

I feel as though I am missing something, then.

[gevurah]

[ Resisting the urge to rest her hand on her hip. ]

We just know of each other. That's it.

[secondchances]

Mmhmm. You're not missing anything. [She smiles at Ezio. A tight smile. Please stop talking, Ezio.]

[assassino]

[He doesn't buy it.]

Then what is this tension? I feel as though I could cut it with a blade.

[gevurah]

[ She doesn't answer, but Ezio does get a warning look. None of your business, assassin. ]

[secondchances]

It's nothing. Don't worry about it. [The smile is a little more apologetic. Just ignore it and move on.]

[assassino]

[How rude... Ezio frowns a little at Kate's coldness. He thought you were his friend, lady... and now you're cutting him off... making it out like it never happened and that their friendship was nothing...]

If you insist.

[So his attention just moves to Steph, hand subtly moving to her lower back, just so he can stand closer to her and be silently supportive, because there is clearly beef here.]

[gevurah]

[ She spies on that movement from the corner of her eye. All she can think about now is how Steph clearly lets her emotions overrule her head and how bad that is when on the job.

Then again, she's still just a kid, isn't she? Maybe Kate shouldn't be too surprised.

She looks up at the numbers, but frowns suddenly. It looks like they haven't progressed anywhere. She pushes the button for the third floor and it lights up.

Elevator doesn't seem to be moving, though... ]

[secondchances]

[She appreciates that support, even though she doesn't react to it. She just wants to be out of this damn elevator and away from Kate. Nothing but negativity in here.

Steph watches her as she pushes the button. That's right. They're not moving.

THEY'RE.

NOT.

MOVING.

Steph presses another button. Clickclickclick. Still not moving.]

Uh...

[assassino]

[Ezio just sort of stands there, oblivious, hand drifting lower.]

Is there something wrong, dolcezza?