Solitary Matchmaker

November 4, 2023

When Lochlan enters Luna and Cole's house, she sits by the corner and remains quiet.

Luna waves to Lochlan from the sofa, "Hey Lochlan. Welcome back?"

Cole walks in as well and leans next to the hallway, "She was at my company office building."

Lochlan keeps her head down and stays quiet.

Hinata tilts her head in confusion, "With the hot lady that has that social media account? What's her face? I swear I saw the name but I can't remember it."

Luna mumbles, "Hot woman where?"

Lochlan speaks up, "Viper."

Cole rolls his eyes, "She's just a girl that wears a tuxedo and prevents me from using things that aren't ready yet."

Lochlan adds, "Yeah I also got her number."

Cole slowly looks over at Lochlan, "What?"

Hinata claps her hands, "Ah yeah! Viper. That's such a cool name da- wait huh? You got her number!?!"

Lochlan gets the card out from her jacket, "Yeah, you want it?"

Luna and Hinata both nod excitedly.

Lochlan holds it out to them, "She gave it to me for something called a date. I don't like the taste of dates so have fun."

Luna chuckles, "You rizzed her up?" She takes the card.

Lochlan tilts her head, "What's rizzed?"

Hinata responds, "Short for charisma, basically sweet talking and flirting to excite and persuade others. I'm pretty good at that myself."

Luna shakes her head, "tell me about it. You basically had a hold on me when we first met. I couldn't stop staring into your eyes."

Cole shakes his head, "Well good luck with trying to get with Viper, I don't know one person who's actually gotten her to blush or be flustered."

Hinata clasps her hands again, "Then it's about time I be the first. After we finish eating of course." She goes back to eating.

Lochlan shrugs, "I already got her to fluster pretty easily. Crumbled like a cookie. She was threatening to harm me for answers but the minute I led her on she was leading me out the door."

Cole raises his eyebrow at Lochlan, "Huh... well forgive me for not believing but that's a stretch and a half."

Luna mumbles, "That's either hot as hell or extremely concerning."

Lochlan shrugs, "Ok, fine suuurrreee I just took a note with her number on it without getting close enough to smell pomegranates."

Cole rolls his eyes, "You probably took it from her desk, and everything in her fucking office smells like that."

Luna tilts her head, "Pomegranate? Dunno if I know that smell."

Lochlan nods, "Alright. Fine, definitely stole it. Definitely didn't steal the heart of a green eyed 5'11" and black hair woman with ease and she's expecting a call from me right now."

Hinata quickly tries to step in, "Oh really? Want us to talk for you?"

Luna sighs, "Holy tall. I wish I was that tall."

Cole folds his arms, "Like any of you would be able to actually get a date with her."

Lochlan suddenly sits up, "IS THAT A BET???"

Luna boasts again, "Jeez Loch, calm down. If anyone is getting a date with Viper, it's me. Uhm.. us!"

Cole snickers, "Yeah right."

Lochlan nods, "If it wasn't for me you wouldn't have her number."

Hinata sighs, "True, okay, you go first then Lochlan. Need a phone?"

Lochlan nods and holds out a hand. Hinata hands Lochlan her cell phone and Lochlan dials the number. Hinata mutters, "Good luck~"

Lochlan holds the phone up to her ear after hitting call.

A woman's voice answers, she sounds excited, "Wow, you called me already?"

Lochlan puts a hand behind her head and takes on a smug grin as she gets into character, "Yeah! Thought getting to know someone like you would be fun so I couldn't stop thinking about it. Was worried you might have been busy this late though. You're not too busy right now are you?"

Luna chuckles at Lochlan. Hinata watches silently.

There's some quiet clacking of a keyboard, as Viper responds "Uhhh I'm not too too busy, ask away."

Lochlan continues, "So what kind of food are we thinkin? Something heavy, light, quick, cozy, maybe elegant?"

Viper continues, "I mean I wouldn't mind something light, but I haven't had a good meal in a little bit so I'd say something heavy."

Lochlan makes a quiet snicker, "Maybe some place classy? Though... we wouldn't want the other customers feeling underdressed when you walk in."

Luna raises an eyebrow, "Do you even have money for that?" she mutters.

Viper lets out a small laugh, "I have stuff that's more casual, I just dress like this for work."

Lochlan maintains the same relaxed tone, "Oh I didn't mean clothing."

Hinata whispers, "Eh? I didn't mean clo--? Ohhhhh wait, girl you're too good at this. You gotta give me some pointers Lochlan."

Luna giggles quietly, "Daaaaayum, go get those bitches Lock."

The clacking of the keyboard stops as Viper clears her throat, "Right..."

Lochlan asks, "Trivials aside, how do you feel about Italian food?"

The keyboard noises resume but seem slightly slower as Viper responds, "I wouldn't mind depending on what it is, I've had pasta one too many times this week."

Lochlan nods, "Alright what about a steakhouse? Some less than usual."

Viper pauses for a second then responds, "I wouldn't mind a steakhouse, seems more your style anyways."

An eyebrow is raised from both Luna and Hinata.

Lochlan gets up and stretches, "So when do you get off work?"

Viper's typing stops as she thinks for a second and then responds, "Uhhh I mean technically right now? I could leave at any point since I'm kinda just doing my work for the next day."

Lochlan smiles, "Great! I'll be a purple cat woman and a yellow dog. See you then!" Lochlan hangs up.

Luna looks confused.

Cole shakes his head at them, "Of course you'd bait and switch her."

Lochlan holds the phone out to Hinata, "What does that mean?"

Hinata takes the phone back and sighs, "You do realize Viper's gonna be really confused when you're not the one who shows up at the steakhouse, right?"

Lochlan responds, "What?"

Luna sighs, "Like Viper knows exactly what you look like right? She's probably gonna think we're some assassins or some shit. Which... we all technically are, but that's beside the point."

Cole chuckles, "Well I did train her in hand to hand combat so you might get a rude awakening if she thinks your gonna kill her, might wanna call her back and tell her what's going on."

Hinata nods, "Yeah, that's probably for the best. God I hope she picks up." Hinata dials the number once more.

It rings a couple times before Viper answers, "Sorry if I'm taking so long, I'm trying to figure out what I have that's more casual in my wardrobe."

Hinata gulps as she grows nervous, "U-Uhm, hello, sorry, I'm not Lochlan, this is Hinata someone she lives with and Cole? I'm the uh yellow dog she mentioned previously."

Lochlan watches, she still looks a bit confused.

There's a couple seconds before she answers, "So....I'm not meeting with whoever called earlier?" it's at this point she realizes that she did not get a name, "I didn't even get her name... shit"

"Uhm," Hinata covers the receiver with her hand, "You never gave her your name and still managed a date?!? What the heck?"

Luna shakes her head as Cole snickers quietly.

Viper pauses for a second, "Do these two happen to have the names of Luna and Hinata?"

Luna and Hinata's ears perk up on hearing their name from the phone.

Viper seems slightly excited, "Wait wait, you mean the two that caused Cole to want to sharpen his sword skills? Not to mention the two that I've had my eye on for who knows how long?"

Cole seems embarrassed and crosses his arms as he looks at the floor.

Hinata removes her hand from the receiver. Hinata and Luna look at each other in confusion and exclaim at the same time, "Had your eye on?!"

Lochlan nods with a sly grin and leans in near the phone where Viper can hear her, "Yeah! Those two! You could go on a date with them if you wanted. I'm sure they wouldn't mind."

Viper seems to think about it, "I mean I wouldn't mind but by judging on that reaction I don't think I have a chance."

Hinata responds, "No no, I wouldn't mind that!" Luna nods, "Yeah our relationship's open. You definitely have a chance, Viper."

Viper sounds a hint confused, "Then why did you react like that? Do a lot of people ha-" Viper is cut off by Lochlan

Lochlan had leaned in again towards the phone for the last time, "Oh no they love you and alot. They also think you're hot."

Hinata is cherry red in the face and stammering heavily. She cannot get words out, "hgdskgslgsl."

It takes Viper a second but then she responds with a, "Ohhhhh, alright also is whoever just had a stroke okay? And I have a feeling Lochlan enjoys stirring the pot..."

Hinata takes a deep breath and replies using her words, "Definitely... likes teasing. Good gods above. But uh yeah I'm down to have dinner with you. Lu is too." Luna nods.

It takes Viper a second to respond, "I'm down, maybe I'll get some private sword lessons from the people able to make Cole jealous... And I'm assuming it's the same plan as before with the steakhouse? Or are we changing the plan a little?"

Lochlan snickers as she leaves towards the kitchen, "I'll leave it up to you musketeers to figure it out, you owe me."