Dollar Short (open)

[Elliot is on the edge.]

"Yeah, I noticed your brother and Angela." Morgan could probably hear the way Elliot's lip curled in minor distaste at the mental imagine. Elliot and Angela were more than similar in some ways, from the killer blonde looks and staggering insecurities. Neither seemed to last very long without a boy to hold them up, and still, Elliot never had taken an immense liking to the other girl. Her sugary-sweet personality had never fit well with the Almasian's cynical disposition, and all the mess that Angela made over finding her real one true love seemed like such a waste in Elliot's eyes.

"As far as Eiji goes, I haven't heard a single mention of anyone from him," A truth that had her wondering late into the night after she had first spoken to him. "But I heard he's picked up that psycho kleptomaniac girl." For half a second, Elliot wondered if she had disliked Kara this much before hearing about her and Eiji. Brushing off the thought, she fiddled with her purse and listening to Morgan.

"So not much as changed I guess. As long as Rae's still a frisky lesbian and Angela is stringing someone along, everything is nearly normal." Elliot grinned, the afternoon sun beginning to beat down on them past the strained gray clouds.

"I miss Europe."
The thought had been sudden, but not completely random as the two girls strolled along, headed for a shot of caffeine.

[morg]

"You think the whole Angela and Kennedy thing is fun, trying being related to one of them. They're so wrapped up in their true love stuff," Morgan pulled a face, then rolled her eyes. While she wasn't about to share it with Elliot just yet, that seemed to be a common them among her family. Her two married brothers had both selected the loves of their lives, and both were extraordinarily happy. Her father was stuck in a loveless marriage, but had named his youngest and best loved daughter after his true love. It got nearly hammered into Morgan.

"I think Rae nailed it best; she calls them Barbie and Ken," that gave Morgan a sly smile. She then moved on to think about Eiji, as much as she didn't want to. Probably why the long train of thought going along the painful route to her brother. It sounded as though he'd rejected Elliot cold, and Morgan did feel a bit sorry for the girl. More so than she expected, really.

"Mostly normal," agreed Morgan, nodding. She then looked around, confirming the harsh reality which was the small Midwestern town. "Yeah, I miss Europe too. The best thing about the Academy was that it was there. Now my family's close enough to visit."

Morgan couldn't hide the dread in the word. while she loved her family dearly, she still wished they were quite so... involved. Desmond and Eoin were bound to make an appearance, if their wives didn't intervene. Even then, Holly might want to check on Morgan herself, though Mackenzie generally disliked her youngest.

"And we're really going to miss Europe about the time we experience crappy American coffee."

[Elliot is on the edge.]

"Love is just propaganda to keep the flower and card buisness up and running." Elliot, ever the cynic, smirked over at Morgan as the younger girl mentioned having to spend so much time in the company of her brother and his lover. It would have probably driven the blond mad, to be forced to exist anywhere near all that canoodling. It was, in the simplest of terms, really gross.

"Oh, I feel your pain" She grinned, stuffing her hands in the front pockets of her heavy winter coat, feeling cold despite the warm jacket. "My family was close enough to visit when we were in England." Mae's frequent visits were one thing that Elliot dreaded above all else. The way that her sister could simply sweep in whenever and steal everyone's attention with such calculated ease; it was infuriating.

"Though my family is much smaller so I have less of a problem. I hear that you've got quite the Brady Bunch going in?" Elliot smiled, to show that she was only teasing as they walked on, still headed for that cup of coffee that could be nowhere near as delicious as it could be if they were somewhere proper.

[morg]

Morgan snorted. "Brady Bunch is a bit of an understatement. I've got three siblings on top of Kennedy, and each one of them is married. Heck, half of them even have kids, which adds nieces and nephews into the equation. It gets real complicated real fast; be thankful that you're not involved."

Morgan frowned, looking around the streets. Masonville reminded her entirely too much of Pickneyville. Not just because of the similarity of the names. All this town was really missing was Morgan's family to be practically identical. And Morgan had gone to the Academy to get away from Pickneyville.

"Think we could complain to someone about the position? Get a petition going, let us wind up somewhere awesome? At this rate we're going to wind up in Canada next," Morgan's face left little doubt as to how she felt about that idea.

Finally they'd reached what passed for a coffee house in Masonville. Namely a placed called "Joe's Coffee," complete with a picture of a coffee mug and a happy smiling man.

"Just shoot me now," mumbled Morgan.

[Elliot is on the edge.]

"If we suddenly have to move to Canada, I'm dropping out." Elliot smirked, pushing her purse up on her shoulder once more, just for the sake of fidgeting. It was cold in Canada, as far as she was aware, and though in her mind it might have been a step up from this Midwestern slice of Podunk that they were stationed at current, Elliot had already decided that if there going to be any sudden moves, it better not be for anything less than exotic and gorgeous.

"Let's petition for somewhere like Fiji, Cabo maybe?" Her smirk melted seamlessly into a grin and as she looked from Morgan over to the coffee shop, she had to suppress a giggle. They needed Brazil, or Argentina; somewhere that actually knew something about a good coffee. Elliot reached forward to hold the door open for the younger girl.

"It's not exactly La Petit, is it?" The blonde managed to find a touch of humor in their situation, though it probably would only last up until she actually had to drink a 'Joe's Coffee' concoction.

[morg]

"Fiji's good," agreed Morgan, nodding. "But I'm betting we'd head for somewhere Asian next. What with the ocean hopping and all. Gotta be fair."

She chuckled at the irony there. Fair to the various founders of the Academy, and the bigwigs in charge. But the students? Then again, they pulled people in from everywhere. Morgan might be American, but she was pretty sure that Elliot was English. Rae had been Scottish, and they're been some Japanese students, if memory served.

"It looks like something that I'd find in Pickneyville," admitted Morgan. She frowned again up at the sign, narrowing her eyes. "Part of the reason I followed my brother was to get away from Pickneyville."

Sighing, Morgan rolled her eyes. "Anyway, we might as well head in. A coffee's a coffee."

She pushed open the door, taking a step in. The smell of freshly grown coffee beans washed over both girls, and you could hear the noise of several pots brewing. The place certainly looked friendly and welcoming, though decidedly American. A middle aged woman waved and smiled at both girls, and a chubby man behind the counter, inevitably Joe, waved them forward.

"At least I can afford the coffee here," joked Morgan.

[Elliot is on the edge.]

"Oh good god, I think you're right." Elliot's features pulled together into a momentary scowl at the prospect, and she sighed. Her thoughts had turned to Nate and their conversation about vacationing in Japan and it's many downfalls. Though, the memory eventually caused her to grin and she stepped into the coffee shop without a frown. "Well, let's cross our fingers for Tokyo then. I hear it's gorgeous there."

The interior of the quaint shop was a great deal warmer than outside, and Elliot knew that if they decided to linger, she was going to have to loose the coat. Her clouded blue eyes scanned the room with mild interest, amusement lingering in her tiny smile as they stepped forward to the counter.

"Well," She grinned over at Morgan, obviously finding their surroundings to indeed be incredibly 'Midwestern America'. "I want something with Vanilla in it, but other than that, go ahead and surprise me."

[morg]

The menu included such exotic delights as "Joe's Special" and "Kahlua Blast." Why, if Morgan wished hard enough, she could almost pretend they weren't in Midwestern America.

"I've heard good things about Tokyo. Probably a good bet," Morgan replied, grinning. She took a few steps forward, scanning the menu again. "Something with vanilla" looked to be actually doable. And Joe was thankful enough to actually include descriptions with the various menu items.

"Find a seat," suggested Morgan. She stepped forward, slapping a few dollars onto the counter. The chubby man smiled, and listened intently to Morgan's order. Chocolate caramel and a French Vanilla swirl. Thus situated, Morgan headed to Elliot, hopefully to a seat.

"Won't be getting coffee in Japan though," she quipped, "have to get used to hot tea. My martial arts tricks ought to be a hit though, so long as no one thinks I'm one of those whacked out cartoon characters."

She pulled a face, then laughed. Little chance there.

[Elliot is on the edge.]

At Morgan's suggestion, Elliot turned around, eyes scanning the small shop for a place to sit. The establishment was hardly full, and before long she spotted a table back in the corner for two and, thankfully for Elliot with her curious eyes, next to a window. Slipping off her jacket to reveal a snug purple t-shirt that she had, as with most of her wardrobe, stolen from her sister's closet long ago, she set the coat on the back of her chair. Scooting into her seat as Morgan made her way over, Elliot crossed her legs at the ankle and tugged restlessly at her skirt, not liking the way it was crawling up her thighs.

"Nate said their booze sucks though, so I give it a week before my head explodes." She smiled over the rim of her coffee before taking a tiny sip, wincing as it burned her tongue. Elliot had never been one to downplay her love of excess; it seemed to be the one area that she wasn't determined to be lady-like about. "But their fashion is eons ahead of anything here, so shopping sounds alright."

She paused, a grin coming easily to her features. "Though, I doubt we'll be able to afford anything there better than we can here."

[morg]

Years of living in her crazy household had granted Morgan the unique ability to notice other people's flaws. Generally she elected to point them out and rub people's faces in them. She was fully aware of how tactless that was, and generally didn't care.

"You should consider drinking less then," offered Morgan. She took a sip of her coffee, enjoying it despite herself. Her bag had been set next to her seat, the new jeans nestled inside. "And who's Nate?"

Morgan honestly didn't know any "Nate." At all. Then again, she didn't expect to know everyone that Elliot knew. The two girls generally ran in vastly different social circles, after all. Morgan doubted that Elliot knew Noah or Raelena.

"You're dead on about the fashion," agreed Morgan. "A friend of the family used to bring stuff from Japan. It's awesome, let me tell you. And I can so pull off most of their stuff."

This caused Morgan to grin. Rarely did she think she could "pull off" any clothing, but this was one thing she was confident in.

"We'll have to take up petty larceny or something then," Morgan coyly suggested. "Knock over a bank. Rob some little Japanese businessman. Works for me."

She winked at Elliot, "Just, no tights."

[Elliot is on the edge.]

"And deal with life head-on and sober?" Elliot scoffed, looking like Morgan had just suggested she cut off her own leg and eat it; but there was also the spark in her eyes that made it obvious she was kidding. "I couldn't possibly. Life kicks my ass." The blonde smirked, taking another sip from her coffee as she leaned back in her chair.

"Nate," She paused, eyes flickering to the window as she wondered exactly how to describe the boy. "Nate's a friend of mine. Total douchebag, not exactly the most outgoing creature. He's in our house?" Elliot's features pulled together in a small smile, looking amused. Even though Morgan was an Almasian herself, she couldn't necessarily picture the girl getting on to well with many other people in their house.

"Alright, alright. No tights." She returned the wink, "You'd look great in a burglar mask though." Chuckling, the blonde set her coffee down, wrapping her hands around it to try and steal some of it's warmth.

[morg]

"I prefer to kick life's a**," replied Morgan, grinning. That was pretty much how she lived, and didn't see any reason to change it. She wasn't stupid enough to think that everyone should live that way. Though she still didn't like the idea of dulling everything with alcohol. Still, wasn't her life.

The description of Nate really narrowed things down. Seriously, douchebags in House Almasy? Nooo, that didn't describe eighty percent of the male population of that house. Not outgoing halved that eighty percent, but didn't really narrow it down enough for Morgan to pinpoint. It sounded like Elliot didn't want to give too much information, and Morgan didn't feel like prying.

"I've tried on a burglar mask before," admitted Morgan. She smiled as she sipped coffee. "But I'm not the black sheep of the Cavan clan, believe it or not."

Elliot wouldn't believe who had earned that label. Kennedy certainly hadn't lived up to it lately.

"You going to be my partner in crime? Or am I all on my lonesome?"

[Elliot is on the edge.]

"It suits you." Elliot said, of their very different methods of going about buisness. She found Morgan's spark to be incredibly endearing if not vaguely inspiring; but as it was with the entire Cavan family. They just didn't seem happy unless they were rescuing someone.

Elliot's drink had started to cool and she took a long sip, smirking at the dirt taste of coffee and the sweet sting of vanilla. Her eyes wandered to the window and she let them linger for a moment, her thoughts obviously trapped someone else as she looked back at Morgan, still wearing a convincing smile.

"Really?" She raised a shapely eyebrow, reaching down to tug at her skirt once more. "I thought you lot were born and bred do-gooders?" The Almasian hid her grin behind the edge of her drink before taking a long sip, her mind still wandering away from her.

"Oh darling," she pressed a hand to her chest, smirking "I thought you'd never ask."

[morg]

Momentarily lost in chocolate-caramel bliss, Morgan almost missed Elliot's remark regarding her family. Fortunately, she did just get it, and grinned around her sip. Once she sat the cup down, she addressed the matter.

"I'm an Almasian, remember?" she joked, smirking. "Besides, it's not that bred into us. My dad's a philanderer, and Kennedy spent the better part of seventeen years as a bad boy. Dumba** used to hang with a horrible crowd, think 'gang.'" Morgan arched her brows, rolling her eyes. "Now he's practically whipped. It's better though. I prefer the white knight to the black."

She tapped her fingers on her coffee cup, musing for a while. "And I've pinched a bit. Nothin' major. We snuck some alcohol into a hotel room during a trip and I stole some snacks from the lobby. Stuff like that."

Morgan took another sip of her coffee, then focused back on Elliot. "I vote we dress in black trenchcoats and kick a** Matrix-style. If I'm going to be a super villain, I want to look cool doing it."

[Elliot is on the edge.]

Elliot digested the information over a long, quiet minute, washing down the new image of Kennedy with a long sip from her coffee. Once she eventually set the cup down on the tabletop, the Almasian was wearing a bemused smile, looking stuck somewhere between skeptic and impressed.

"Well hell, since the delinquent gene runs in your family too, that just means you're destined to don the leather and look bloody amazing while wearing it." She laughed, still caught up in the mental imagine of the two girls, decked out in general badassery and wrecking a world of havoc. Her eyes went to the window once more, unable to focus on one thing for long while her mind was running wild, as per usual.

"Yeah, I went through a pretty decent shoplifting phase for a while, but that's nothing compared to my sister. Before she started really getting paid for the modeling stuff, that girl could, and would, steal anything that wasn't bolted to the floor." Elliot smirked, remembering her sister back when she had been an outright bad kid, and was honest about it, instead of the sugary sweet front she wore constantly these days.