2025-02-01 - Blue Besty Acquired!

The turnaround from apartment request to apartment assignment was quicker than Lee expected. And they have spent some time getting things out of storage and into the apartment. So their bedroom is furnished, and being a chef they came with cookware and a full set of chef grade knives. All the other kitchen stuff still has to be bought. And living room furnishings.

Lee is good with gently used furniture for the common room, so Ruby's it is. "Alright, show me this couch." They say to Shirley as they enter the eclectic thrift store.

Shirley had also been unpacking, more of her things were more bakeware related and all her things were moved into her bedroom already.

She skips along excited as she says, "It is so retro and it is actually more comfy than it looks. In my opinion anyway." She leads them towards that large, plush couch in that print that screams 'I belong in the 80s!' She stops right beside it and jazz hands over the bright furniture, "I wanted to make sure you didn't hate it before I bought it. Robbie already told me he knows someone with a truck if I do buy it. And I know someone else who might be willing to carry it in since I have no idea how heavy it is."

Lee is open minded and their tastes can run into the unique and bold, so they follow Shirley past other furniture to the retro sofa she has her eye on. "That's a choice." They say after a long moment of staring at the dark blue-green couch with the floral pattern on it. The have an amused grin on their face, so Lee doesn't seem totally against the sofa.

"Comfy you say?" They drop onto an end and wiggle and bounce "It's not bad, still in great shape." They do have to wonder about the person that left it behind. "It's big. Will definitely need help getting it to the apartment." They shift and stretch out on the couch. Lee is short enough that they can lay down on it without their legs or head encroaching onto the arms. "How much is it?" Not that it matters really, they can afford it, even without going halfsies.

Shirley laughs at the wording Lee uses, "It.. it is a choice yes but, doesn't it kind say, please bring me home?" She moves to lean on the arm of the sofa with Lee as she says, "Oh see apparently I met someone who could shrink it down with their magic to make moving it easier and then they can unshrink it once we have it where we want it. And I think they only want $70 for it which I think is a steal honestly. It will definitely be a talking point when we have company," she giggles at the end.

A hand is run over the velour fabric as Lee looks up from where they are laying down “I’m not fluent it couch, but it certainly has the take me home vibes.” They sit up to look at the tag that hangs on the arm at the other end. It’s been marked down a few times, suggesting it has been there for awhile.

“That’s a useful magic to have.” Lee has only been around a couple of months, so while they have their magic weirdness, there has been no inclinations for magic just yet. They laugh with her about the talking point of the sofa “Are we going to go complete retro for the living room then?” They look around to see if there is any other furniture that fits the theme. “I do have a flat screen TV and an entertainment system, so we will need something for that.” they also have purchased a lot of plants, most are in their room, but there are a few in the living room and kitchen, along with one of those countertop greenhouses for herbs.

Shirley shrugs softly as she offers, "Why not? Could be fun. I mean, the tech should be modern but the rest could be retro. I am sure they have a tv stand around here somewhere that would be perfect. I honestly saw the couch and then had to rescue this guy named Sammy out of a bean bag before we just kinda walked and talked around the store." She laughs a bit before she then begins to slowly look around, "And we might be able to find one of those wall hanging things for some of the plants, unless you have paintings or posters you want to put up in the living room?" She gently moves off the arm of the couch as she asks, "Shall we peruse?"

There is no way Lee is going to watch shows or play video games on an TV made before the 21st century, or even more than a couple of years old. Would any of their consoles even hook up to anything that old? Probably not. “Fingers crossed.” They hold up their hands to show just that.

“You’re coming home with us.” Lee tells the sofa as they pat it, before getting up from it “Going to need something beefy to fit everything.” Their expression brightens “You mean like the macrame plant holders or the wall mounted plant shelves?” They shake their heads then “No posters or paintings.” They don’t even have any of those in their room, it’s all gauzy curtains and plants. They have a very cozy, tent like aesthetic going on. “If you have something you want to hang up, go for it.” The living room needs to reflect both of them. “After you.” They give a small bow and a wave of their arm. Peruse they shall.

Shirley mentions, "Not yet but I do want to at least pay for her and ask them to hold her for us. And I know some guys over in Turning Leaf that are willing to help bring things up. The guy with the truck that Robbie knows almost might be able to help. I will text him later and ask him." She looks around as she says, "As for the macrame, I think do? Somewhat, there was also a metal shelf thing with a lip around it that I could could be handy for the herbs so they can caught the light from the window that hits the wall around the afternoon. I worry about they getting enough natural sunlight on the counter. At least the ones that need the direct sunlight. And I can hang my posters in my room, they would clash with the couch." They really would since they are all anime themed and the couch is more retro American.

She pauses as if to try and look over little landmarks from when she was here yesterday and says, "I think they put them over this way?" She doesn't sound one hundred percent sure but she is going in that direction as they get closer to where the wall decor is somewhat arranged.

“Of course.” Lee readily agrees. Neither of them came equipped to take the sofa with them so that makes sense. “If they need incentive to help toss in an offer of free food and drink.” What that will look like is too early to say. Lee will need to do some grocery shopping before then, or just order in. Whichever.

“I can always rotate the plants if necessary.” Lee says as they wander through the home goods section and survey what else is available. “It sounds like more work than it is.” For them at least.

They cover a laugh. “What doesn’t clash with that couch?” There are plenty of things that wouldn’t, finding them here though is questionable. Anything wooden or metal would certainly work. “Do you usually work second and third shift?”

Shirley giggles before she mentions, "As if I wasn't already going to bring them with such motivations." She looks back to Lee as she says to them, "If you are sure. I just would feel like it is for me but that is cause I don't have too much of a green thumb." More laugh escapes her lips before she utters, "I suppose that is a fair point but about the couch but I still like it. And I usually work third shift." She stops in front of one of the tv stands with a short but wide place to set the electronic with multiple glass doors in a dark wood. She curiously asks, "What about this one Lee? Might even have enough room for all the systems and their charges in the cabinets."

"I'm not bad with the plants. My mom and sister are better, but I haven't killed any plants yet." And if keeping them alive is the bar, then they have met it so far.

Lee glances back to the sofa and gives a nod. "It's growing on me." They tell her "It has personality...charisma." like one of those animals that are so ugly that they have turned the corner to oddly cute.

"Second shift here. So that makes who gets the kitchen for dinner easier. Neither of us will be there." Lee smiles at her and their logic about it. The cabinet is looked at, they crouch opening the doors and testing the hinges "Not bad. It could work. Mount the TV on the wall above it and it would definitely fit everything."

Shirley laughs softly before she says, "Indeed. That is true about dinner." She smiles as she says, "I am sure we can find someone who is handy with mounting and stuff like that. I am only food with my hands when it comes to food and drinks, assembly? Not so much. Worse case scenario. I can always put something up on the bulletin if no one I text can help out. Also assuming you are similar to me in the ways of handiness." She looks back to the couch fondly, "I am glad it is growing on you, as for the wall hanging for the plants, I still vote we look for them, I like the idea of oxygen coming from the walls inside since the plants produce it, even if in small amounts."

"There are plenty of handy people around here." its an amusement park, they have people that can do just about everything "Put a post on the employee forum, someone will be here yesterday to take care of it." they have noticed that staff is very dependable and responsive to requests.

"I am handy in the kitchen, and I can do some tech stuff, but like you no where else." he continues to wander the store, looking around for plant stuff now "There are some plant stands over here." they pick one of the wood ones up, it is wall, with several platforms where potted plants could be put.

Shirley laughs softly, "Fair fair. I'll do that before I take my nap before work." She gets distracted by one of those little stained glass wall lamps before she realizes Lee is a few steps away. She forgets about the pretty lights and makes her way to Lee, "Oh, I do like that. I think that may be perfect. And I have one of the on the back of a door shoe holders I could put on the front door it you are like me and dislike wearing shoes inside. Heck, I even hate socks unless I am wearing my boots," she giggles a bit after.

"I dislike wearing shoes in general, outside, inside, doesn't matter." even now Lee is wearing sandals that are more straps than anything else. They dislike shoes so much they would rather have chilly feet than suffocated feet. Their toenails are nicely pedicured and painted a light pink. Being a chef they can't have painted fingernails, though they are nicely manicured as well. "A shoe holder would be great for herbs and things as well." they smile brightly "That's a great idea. Never would have thought of that." probably because they don't have a shoe holder like that.

"Did you like that lamp?" Lee noticed her looking at it "It would be a good reading lamp for the living room." of side table lap, however it's called.

Shirley nods as she says, "I do yeah, and if you don't mind, I would like to get it yes. And I can easily get another shoe holder for the pantry door easily. But I love having the shoe holder on the back of the front door because it will also help with less dirt being tracked into the apartment." She gives a quick smile and goes off to grab the lamp and then returns to where Lee is with the plant holder, "Did you want to look for anything else while we are here? Coffee table? Kitchen table and chairs? Oh, maybe side tables if we don't find a coffee table?"

“It’s a pretty lamp, and you like it, you should get it.” Lee isn’t going to deny their roommate getting something as trivial as a lamp. The space belongs to both of them so there has to be things they both like.

As Shirley goes to get the lamp, Lee pokes around and finds a few wooden stools that would work for the eat at counter that splits the kitchen and the living room. “Coffee table and side tables.” They nod to the lamp in her hand “We need something to put that on. We will probably need a kitchen table eventually, but I am fine eating at the counter for now. Or will you need a table for baking and stuff?” There is enough counter space for their cooking, but Lee isn’t much of a baker “I’m easy.”

Shirley ponders for a moment before she says, "We can skip the table. As long as we both clean up as we go when we do stuff in the kitchen, I don't think we will need the extra space. I did want to if the community center has folding tables I could rent at some point but that is more cause I want to start pot luck nights on the roof top or something. Everyone bring something and taste and socialize." She laughs softly before she says, "But yes, side tables and coffee tables. Those might be back towards the couches I think? I like the stools though. And if we have company, we could eat in the living room, worst case scenario."

Cleaning as you go has been ingrained into Lee for the past eight years "That won't be a problem. If we didn't do that in restaurant kitchens we would never get the place clean." and having a clean kitchen at a restaurant is kind of a big deal "We can probably get some folding tables at Tarjay for cheap and just store them in a closet, take them out when we need them." that could solve the problem right there.

"That'd be fun to do on nights off before going out to the club." Lee has to get their dance on "Let's take this to the checkout first, and let them know we are taking Blue Betsy." they have named the couch, even though the sofa is more dark teal and not blue, Teal Betsy just doesn't roll off the tongue.

"Ok, we can do that, easy peasy," Shirley agrees and begins to walk towards the couches to where the coffee tables and side tables are. "It would, wouldn't it? And sure, if you want to let them know before we find the coffee table and such sure." Her steps easily shifting to head towards the check out with her stained glass lamp in hand and happy smile curling her lips.

Lee follows Shirly up to the counter, plant stand in hand, careful not to knock it against anything or any other people that may be in the shop. "We are going to take that floral sofa in the back, the one that looks like it belonged to someone's grandmother." It does, and Lee is telling the person at the counter that with confidence, despite getting an are you sure type of look from the cashier. "One of us will be by to pick it up later."

"I may see about switching shifts with someone at work so we can get all this taken care of today." Lee has set the plant stand beside the counter and out of the way. "Let's see what we else we can find in the back." they start to head to the back "Have you checked out the clothes they have upstairs?"

Shirley shakes her head as she sets the lamp down for it to be set aside as claimed and hands them some cash with both of their names and numbers on the slip for when pick up does occur. "I haven't yet, not in an age it feels like. But I am down to see what treasures might lurk up in there." She easily starts to skip towards the stairs and slowly goes up the stairs, falling in combat heels is never fun after all. "Is there something specific you are looking for in the clothes?" is asked curiously as she looks to Lee.

They were heading to look at more furniture when Shirley starts to head for the stairs at their questioning "Oh!" they cover a laugh "I was just curious. I have never been upstairs to look at the clothes." they look from where they were heading to the back to where Shirley has started up the stairs and hurries over to head up as well.

"I have a hard time finding clothes I like that fit in regular stores." they are only a few inches taller than she is, at least when she is wearing her platform boots. "I don't hold much hope for thrift stores."

Shirley stops at the stairs as she says, "Oh I thought," she laughs more, "We can go back to the furniture and do the clothes after. Sorry, I thought you were saying you wanted to look at them right now." She is laughing as she talks, "And that is a fair thing, I have a hard time find stuff that is my style, but if I do and it is too big, the costuming department can help you out if you ask them super nicely. They are all pretty welcoming. But again, we can do the clothes later and finish up with the furniture if you want. I can text Josh and see when he and Kellin and I have others I can text to see when they can help with getting stuff moved in for us."

They give a shrug to Shirley, they are unbothered by her misunderstanding "I don't mind going upstairs. You never know when and where you will find a treasure. "The costume department does that? I figured that would be so busy with the costumes for the performers. There has to be a lot of wear and tear going on." they think so at least "Especially with the knights and the jousters. All that sword playing and falling of horses."

"I have no idea who those people are. Good thing you know people. Everyone I know is in food service and probably not much help with the moving heavy things."

"I mean they can be very very busy yes but, the worst answer you might get from one of them is a no and that they are busy," Shirley mentions to Lee. "I try to talk to a lot of people, I am just not everyone's cup of tea." She easily continues up the stairs further and hmms softly as she asks, "Where do you want to try and find things?"

"Well I haven't needed any help moving until now." Lee tells her as they go over to the clothing rack to look for nothing in particular "They have been very accommodating about the couch crashing."

"I get that a lot too. That I am too much." Lee shrugs "It bothered me the first few times, but eventually it gets to the point where it doesn't matter, your people, our people are out there. You just have to find them. Pretty sure this is that place." he gives up on the clothes and heads over to the stairs that go up to the third floor "I am going to check out what's up there." and they are taking the steps, two at a time.

"That is fair. Thankfully I can outsource a lot of it so that won't be a concern truly," Shirley mentions cheerily. She easily moves over to where Lee is looking over the clothes and begins to curiously look through them as she says, "I used to bug me too but I rather be weird that a sheeple so I get the finding your own people thing. But yes, mostly everyone is pretty accepting of one another here." She is quick to follow after Lee, curious what is on the third floor herself.