The Perk [Monday morning]

[unlimitedgoals.livejournal.com]

Being mostly unable to travel was, not to put too fine a point on it, a pain in the ass for Joan.

It wasn't like she'd particularly gotten used to the idea of portals yet, no, or this 'traveling through dimensions' thing. While it was all still new, she'd at least managed to get here just fine. But when Eric had left her a list of things to accomplish in Louisiana, and Joan had discovered that getting to his particular version of Shreveport would involve at least three layovers in Alaska, Timbuktu, and something involving an arena for the 72nd something-or-other games -- well, no thank you. She'd just figure out her phone, finally.

Half an hour into it, Joan had needed coffee desperately. And while she wasn't allowing any of her harriedness show in her features, it didn't change the fact that she was quietly chain-smoking and sipping something whipped and delicious and Italian in the coffee shop as she snapped on the phone. "I understand that, sir, but Mr. Northman simply will not settle for anything other than B-positive. No, sir, not AB-negative. I believe I was very clear in my request, and if you can't adhere to my Mr. Northman's understandably high standards, then I'm afraid I'll have to take our business elsewhere." A pause, and then, "Yes, that means the liquor supply for both bars as well. Yes, it would be quite difficult for most people to find another vendor at last minute notice, but I've already got a list of available -- oh, you've found a case of B-positive? What wonderful luck."

And with that taken care of, Joan was able to draw a neat line through Resupply both bars + E's TB stash. She was just going to sit here and eye her phone and smoke for a moment before tackling the next few items. Doing this in person was far easier.

[open omg!]

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[whenshewasnice]

Some mornings, Natalie felt the need to have a walk. And because she kind of disliked wandering aimlessly, the Perk was often deemed a worthy destination. And obviously, this was one of those mornings.

Slippind into the coffee shop, she gave Joan a little nod, just out of familiarity, and because there was a certain amount of politeness that had been ingrained into her by her parents. It was only after she'd done that that she realized she'd been decidedly smaller, not to mention wearing fake glasses, the last time she'd seen this woman about.

Well, couldn't take it back, now could she?

[unlimitedgoals.livejournal.com]

Joan offered a small smile in return, flicking some ash from her cigarette into an empty mug, and then paused. There was something oddly familiar about the girl, though she couldn't place it yet.

Instead, though, she took advantage of the fact that she seemed to be from the present era -- or at least closer to it than 1960. "Excuse me," she said, making a little self-deprecating eyeroll as she gestured to her phone. "You look like you might know your way around these things a little better than I do -- my boss said to send him a text when I've accomplished what I need to this morning, and I frankly have no idea how to do that with this thing. It's like a telegram, right?"

[whenshewasnice]

"Kind of," Natalie allowed, padding closer with her hands in her pockets once she'd given the barista her order. "Not from the present day?"

Not that she was sure she was quite from the present day, either. Comics time was a little vague that way. But she knew her way around cell phones, at least!

[unlimitedgoals.livejournal.com]

"1960," Joan answered a little wryly. "I'm not as bad off as some I've seen, but our phones are little different where I'm from. They have cords and things."

[whenshewasnice]

"Yeah, I've seen those," Natalie said, with just enough of an answering wry tone to mark it as somewhat humorous. She nodded at Joan's phone. "May I?"

[unlimitedgoals.livejournal.com]

"By all means," Joan said, holding the phone out. "Mr. Northman insisted I get one of the most technologically advanced ones, mostly it seems because of some game with upset birds."

Angry Birds, Joan. Angry ones.

[whenshewasnice]

"Angry Birds," Natalie supplied with the briefest flicker of amusement crossing her face. She took the phone and poked around on it for a moment in silence, before coming to the text message screen.

She offered the phone back. "You just type your message here."

[furious-maximus.livejournal.com]

Max had a hang-over. This wasn't really a surprise to him since he'd practically courted the thing the night before. And despite the fact that his head felt like it was being split open, he didn't really regret it, either. After all, the pain kept him distracted.

But he did have a class to teach today, so he should probably be something like functional.

So: sunglasses, a wince, and coffee were called for. Looooots of coffee.

[unlimitedgoals.livejournal.com]

Joan glanced over at the man as he entered, noting his appearance with a small smile of understanding. After all, even if she'd managed to keep herself afloat at the office on a bad morning-after, how many times had she made excuses for Roger to be in his office with his lights off for the morning? It was an all-too-familiar sort of sympathy, yes.

[furious-maximus.livejournal.com]

Even in his current state, Max couldn't help but notice people around him. Especially attractive women. Old habits and all that.

He dredged up a little half-smile (best he could do with the headache). "'morning." Look at that! He even managed not to mumble.

[unlimitedgoals.livejournal.com]

"Rough night?" Joan asked with a half-smile of her own. "Don't worry, it barely shows."

Lying through those pretty white teeth as always, yes.

[furious-maximus.livejournal.com]

Almost in spite of himself, Max managed a grin, a derisive snort, and a wince. "And what, exactly, do you think I look like on a good day?" he asked, voice staying soft.

"But thanks."

[unlimitedgoals.livejournal.com]

"I wouldn't know," she said, arching a brow demurely. "I've just spent enough time covering for men's hangovers. The sunglasses are a tip-off, if you were going for subtlety."

[solo_sword]

Was it wrong to get something like coffee before traing rather than say, water? Probably, but considering how little sleeping Jaina was doing, she would give herself a pass. "Are you even able to do that in here?"she asked, having never seen someone smoke indoors here before.

[unlimitedgoals.livejournal.com]

"Why not?" Joan wondered, because she was still sort of used to being able to smoke everywhere without anyone getting bothered about it. Of course, she also wasn't used to looking for 'no smoking' signs, either. She offered her pack to Jaina, mistaking the question as a hopeful one.

[solo_sword]

Jaina waved the pack away as a no thanks. "Well, it is illegal pretty much everywhere... You new?"she realized.

[unlimitedgoals.livejournal.com]

"I'm on week three," Joan admitted. "I'd though some of the shine had worn off, but no such luck. Joan Holloway," she added, extending a hand.

[solo_sword]

"Oh, so you're Joan," Jaina said, shaking her hand. Of course she was. "Eric's dayperson, right?"

[unlimitedgoals.livejournal.com]

"My reputation precedes me," Joan noted, lifting her brows a little in surprise. "I hope he hasn't been complaining already."

[charming_thief]

Neal had just picked up his coffee and was on his way out of the Perk before he took in the... view. Okay, seriously, what was with all the new hot chicks?

"Morning," he said easily, actually tipping his hat at Joan. Because why not. Taking in her list, he noted, "Getting things done?"

[unlimitedgoals.livejournal.com]

Oh, dear, a handsome man in a hat. Someone somewhere was smiling on Joan, and that meant that this fellow got a real smile. "How else am I supposed to enjoy my evening if I don't knock these things out in the morning?"

[charming_thief]

"That's always been my attitude," Neal agreed, taking a seat next to her. "Neal Caffrey, by the way." He held out a hand. "I haven't seen you around before, have I?"

[unlimitedgoals.livejournal.com]

"Joan Holloway, and no, not unless you've kept your eyes very wide the last three weeks," she replied with a tilt of her head. "I'm brand new."

[charming_thief]

"And you're still here." Neal whistled. "You must be tough." Sizing her up, he guessed, "New Yorker?"

She had that posture about her, and being able to tell a tourist from a local was one of the first things you learned to do when you spent your twenties nicking wallets.

[unlimitedgoals.livejournal.com]

"Manhattanite," she replied, arching a brow. "Well spotted. Yourself?"