Papa's Got a Brand New...Bling (Late July 2008)

[nomorekaraoke]

It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life--

Wrong theme song, even though the theme certainly applies. It's a new day in Lorne's life. He quite enjoys dawn, thank you very much. He's found a new place to live - another penthouse in the middle of Youdon'tneedtoknow-ville. And recently, he's been indulging more and more in taking breathers at Milliways.

In short: good times all around.

Comments

[stilljustandrew]

It's one of the first really hot days of the summer, and the heat hits even harder when one's just emerging from the pleasant chill of an air-conditioned subway car.

At least aboveground there's a slight breeze.

"You wanted sun," Andrew says ruefully.

[nomorekaraoke]

One of the biggest advantages of having a just slightly warmer body temp than the average human is that the heat of summer doesn't get to you quite as fast.

All that aside, Lorne is having the time of his life. "There'll be no raining on my parade today, babycakes, that's for sure. You know any good place around here for ice cream?"

Glee!face is his face.

[stilljustandrew]

It really is, and Andrew can't help but return that grin in kind.

"There's a Baskin & Robbins a few blocks down from here, I think?"

[nomorekaraoke]

Lorne gasps delightedly. "Icecream and cake! Even better!" There's a definite bounce to his step as he hurries along.

[stilljustandrew]

"...Now I've got that song in my head," says Andrew reproachfully.

[nomorekaraoke]

"I don't know what you're talking about," Lorne says with an impish grin that belies the innocent tone of his voice.





And then he starts humming.

[stilljustandrew]

Andrew starts to laugh. "Oh I am so going to get you for that --"

[nomorekaraoke]

"Nah," Lorne retorts. "You know you love it. And besides, you try anything, I'll do the dance."

A beat, then, mock ominously. "You don't want to see me do the dance."

[stilljustandrew]

There is Eyeing. Somewhere between speculative and suspicious.

"You're not bluffing, are you."

[nomorekaraoke]

The demon in disguise arches one of his eyebrows (eyebrows are so cool by the by), and then shrugs nonchalantly. "I wasn't aware we're playing poker."

In other words: do you feel lucky, punk?

[stilljustandrew]

A long beat.



"Yeah so about that whole ice cream concept," he says.

[nomorekaraoke]

"Yes? Just lead the way, compadre."

Skipping a step to get into Andrew's walking rhythm, Lorne leans in slightly. "So... Baskin Robbins? Is it anything like Ben & Jerry's?"

[stilljustandrew]

"They're not as creative about their flavors," he says, "but about the same quality of stuff. And they do these really good blended ice-cream-and-frozen-coffee drinks."

[nomorekaraoke]

"Excellent." He smiles, as excited about this as the proverbial kid in the candy store. "Got any favorites?"

[stilljustandrew]

Andrew grins. "How about I show you when we get there? You can get a free taste of anything, if you want to try it out."

[nomorekaraoke]

"You do?" He gapes, feeling like such a tourist all of a sudden - which, all things concerned, isn't too far off the mark. "Well come on, what are we waiting for? Hurry up before ya start melting, cream cake, chop chop!"

[stilljustandrew]

He starts to laugh. He can't help it.

"Yessir," he tosses off, picking up the pace to match Lorne's stride.

[nomorekaraoke]

It doesn't take them long at all to see the sign hanging over the entrance, and before you can say 'sugar rush', Lorne's holding the door open for his friend, and lavishly, to boot. It's such a strange thing; he feels rejuvenated.

"After you, kind Sir."

[stilljustandrew]

The cool air inside breaks over them as they step in, mild and sweet with the faint scents of a double dozen different flavorings: fruits and nuts and extracts and spices, caramel and coffee and the ever-beloved chocolate. Two or three other people are inside, lingering over their selections; there's no place inside the shop to sit down, which means customers aren't likely to hang around once they've bought their ice cream.

Andrew gestures to the menu on the wall, detailing different desserts and their prices, and to the bank of ice cream freezer space with the names of the flavors prominently displayed. "What do you like the look of?"

[nomorekaraoke]

At first glance, the menu is daunting with its array of choices and pretty pictures and not always too helpful names. He shrugs, feeling like a tourist again, and not minding too much, as a matter of fact.

Because being a tourist is fun. "Oh, I don't know. I love the idea of cherries and rum, but... You can't ever go wrong with chocolate, right?"

[stilljustandrew]

"Not here you can't," he grins. "--And I think they might have a chocolate cherry flavor. Let's look?"

[nomorekaraoke]

"There's just so many of them," Lorne frowns, looking every bit the out-of-towner. "I mean, I like the sound of Cherries Jubilee - can't beat that name - but I could just as easily go for the Brownie Sundae, because brownies says it all..."

A beat, and a glance Andrew's way. "Is this where we cop out and ask for Flavour of the Month?

[stilljustandrew]

"Not a chance," Andrew tells him firmly. "You should get both."

Personally, he's got his eye on the Jamoca Almond Fudge and the Peanut Butter Chocolate.

[nomorekaraoke]

"So you're suggesting I get a 2-Scoop Sundae, huh?" He shrugs. It does sound like a very good idea indeed, not to mention a tasty one.

[stilljustandrew]

"Or a two-scoop waffle cone," he suggests.

Innocently.