fandomtownies | The Fourth Sin--Tuesday--OPEN

Current Mood: frustrated

The Fourth Sin--Tuesday--OPEN

Jarod was once again behind the desk, furiously surfing the internet for shopping ideas.

He couldn't believe he'd forgotten Parker's birthday. If he didn't come up with something good, she'd skin him alive. He thought of simming her to get a gift idea, but it probably wouldn't yield the results he wanted--simming Parker never did.

The problem was that he knew what she wanted most, but he couldn't bring her mother back. So, the internet it was.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Riiiiing

This was getting to be a bad habit. Good thing Rory didn't know about it.

Jarod paused in his search and answered the phone. "Good evening, Fourth Sin. How may I direct your call?"

"Would Miho take a contract for a hit from me, if I included pie?"

"Evening, Miss Parker." He laughed. "Do you want me to put her on?"

"If she's around, sure."

Parker sighed. "Or, no. Too many people she'd have to kill," she grumbled. "And I'm taking care of the one at the top of the list myself."

"Anything I can help you with?" Jarod thought about that for a second. Hopefully she wasn't serious, but with Parker it was sometimes hard to tell. "What happened?"

"Everyone knows my name!" Okay, that was pathetic. "Kara Thrace has a big mouth and a rotten sense of humor. Damnit."

"How'd they find that out?" Jarod asked, amused. "And you haven't called in the Cleaners yet?"

"My own fault. Stupid Truth or Dare game. I should've lied. She tricked me." The staccato annoyance in her voice doesn't hide the chagrin. "And I have something else planned. Let's see how much she laughs after I'm done with her." She sighed. "Anyway. I also called to find out if you work at Caritas on Thursday. You know. January fifth?" Her voice is only slightly gleeful.

"You got sucked into a game of Truth or Dare and answered questions you didn't want to answer? That's not like you."

"No, I don't," he smirked, "Why, what's the fifth?"

"Shut up, I was hungover from New Year's." Parker made a face at the phone, then glared at the receiver. "I can hear you smirking, you know. Your voice gets all buzzed and happy."

He laughed out loud, then answered, all innocence. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Jaroooooood!"

"Why, Miss Parker, is something bothering you?"

She wished she were there to either smack him or pout at him. "You're going to make me say it, aren't you? You *know* this. You don't forget things."

He chuckled. "So, do you want anything in particular for your birthday?"

She paused, thinking. The earrings that had been her mothers, and the mosaic she was still snacking her way through, had been more than enough for Christmas. "Not really. A book? Something you like? I'm curious. Or, a toy. And not one that Miho or Becky would supply, either," she said hastily. "That would be weird."

Jarod thought about that, tapping his fingers on the counter. "Hmm. Books and toys? Should be easy enough, I guess."

"It's not like it's a milestone," Parker hurries on, glad he didn't take that the wrong way. "Like 16 or 18 or 21. Seventeen just means I'm one year closer to graduation, college, the Centre, and death. Hopefully in that order." She shrugged. "I'd love a big party, but everyone's sick of the holidays, and so am I. Something fun is all I want."

"Optimistic, as always, I see. I guess this is the price you pay for being born so close to the holiday," Jarod said, "But at least you know when yours is."

Parker frowned. "Didn't any of the paperwork Sydney had show your real birthdate?"

"It may have, but I haven't seen it." He thought about the picture of his mother, locked safely upstairs in his room. He'd show it to Parker, but didn't want to discuss it over the phone. "I guess I should pick one, huh?"

"Sure. Pick a fun one-- Fourth of July weekend, or something, so there's parties and fireworks already. Or around Halloween. Candy and costumes as well as cake and ice cream," she said encouragingly. "Which reminds me. What last name are you using? If I have to introduce you to someone, I should know this."

"Maybe I'll pick an ordinary day, make it my own," he smiled. "And I haven't chosen one yet. No one's requested it. Any suggestions?"

"That long stretch of nothing in March or August. Plenty of time to break it up with ice cream and party favors," she says, thinking ahead already to what she'd have to plan. "And the name? That you're using right now. I don't want to get stuck flailing for it if this comes up."

"Hmm." Jarod considered that. "April's nice."

"I'm using Jarod right now. No one's ever asked for it. Too bad Parker's already taken." He grimaced. Besides, that would be one of the first names they'd check. "What do you think of Abignale?"

"Urgh. No. Since your first name is *not* Frank." Parker shudders over the line. "And hell yes Parker's taken! I have enough problems without you suddenly being related to me or something!"

"What, you don't want to be my sister?" Jarod was a tiny bit hurt. He thought he'd really enjoy being a sibling, and Parker and Angelo were the only people he'd consider for the job right now. "What about either Flanagan or Coughlin?"

He chose the names of the bartenders in the movie Cocktail that he'd watched to learn how to bartend.

"You practically are my brother anyway, but it would be even easier for you to torment me if we were related by blood," Parker grumbled, oblivious. "You'd know even more embarassing stories and ways to make me crazy. Plus, I worry enough already. God. If you were my brother, I'd never get any sleep."

"Flanagan. Easier to spell. Jarod Flanagan," she said, trying it out.

"Why would sharing the same blood make it easier for me to annoy you?" He frowned. "And why would you worry more?"

"Jarod Flanagan. It's as good as anything else, I guess."

"Knowing you? You'd become psychic and be able to read my mind even more than you do." Parker's voice is laced with exasperation and fondness in equal measure. "And... hmm. Maybe I wouldn't."

She pauses to think, then slowly says, "I don't know if finding out, maybe, that you were my brother would make me worry more, or less. I guess-- hunh. Maybe I *can't* worry any more than I do."

Okay, backing away from that thought. "You'll find your real name some day. Jarod Flanagan is just who you are for now."

He chuckled. "I don't think being a psychic is in my repertoire, and goodness knows I was tested enough for it."

Jarod wasn't exactly sure what to do with Parker's statement, so he decided not to say anything. "For now. Right."

"So. Caritas on Thursday?" Parker asked, since she had decided not to hire Miho. But it was comforting to think she could.

"Caritas it is, then." Jarod's mind was already active, trying to think of books Parker might like.

"See you then."

*click*

Miho isn't around to take Parker's hit, because she is on the roof of the Sin, attempting to be stealthy while monitoring the clientele for any who need...corrective measures. Unfortunately, she is being stealthy like a ninja with a head cold. The (NPC) guy in with Goldie is probably wondering why ~~adorable~~ sneezing can be heard. Or he would be if he weren't otherwise occupied.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

The Fourth Sin--Tuesday--OPEN

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

On the Roof