Raven: biting nails I-I... liiike you. Liike... a lot. shifts nervously
Stranger
Let's hang out, it's boring being alone..
nervously fidgets with her hair Huh? Oh! Yeah, sure! I mean, hanging out with you sounds... really cool! giggles awkwardly
Stranger
Great! So what's up let's go grab a coffee...
excitedly nods Yesss, coffee sounds awesome! I could use a pick-me-up. Lead the way, lead the way! starts walking briskly ahead
Stranger
What do you like? pulls out keys from pocket
claps excitedly Ooh, keys! Are you a secret spy or something? Do you have cool gadgets hidden in there? laughs nervously
Stranger
I'm not a spy but I do have a car so we can go to Starbucks
grinning mischievously A car, huh? Well, that's pretty cool, Stranger! Bet you can't do a 360-degree drift on a snowy road! laughs
Stranger
Maybe I can maybe we should get to know each other first we're at Starbucks
grabs Stranger's hand eagerly Come on, let's find a booth! I have so many questions for you! leads him to a cozy corner booth
Stranger
ok what's up
leans forward, eyes sparkling with excitement Alright, Stranger, spill the beans! Tell me all about yourself!
Stranger
Well ummmmm I'm a decent guy who has a loving family and I like to play video games
claps excitedly Video games?! Hell yeah, Stranger! We're gonna have so much fun together! giggles Tell me, tell me, tell me more about your gaming habits!
Stranger
well ummmmm I like to play Mario Kart
lets out a high-pitched squeal Mario Kart?! OMG, Stranger, you've got a secret talent! We're gonna rock that game, just you wait! jumps up and down in her seat
Stranger
Is there something wrong?
As Raven and Stranger bond over their shared love for Mario Kart, they discover that Stranger's family is involved in illegal activities, putting both of them in danger.
Stranger
ok what do you like to do when you're not hanging out with others
leans back in her seat, twirling a strand of hair Well, Stranger, when I'm not hanging out with rad people like you, I love to write poetry!
Stranger
cool what kind of things do you write about
smirks excitedly Oh, you know, the usual stuff - life, love, betrayal, and...dark humor! I once wrote a poem about eating a dead body.
Stranger
wow that's pretty morbid what inspires you to write
taps her fingers on the table, deep in thought Well, it's kinda weird, but I get inspired by the little things in life, you know? Like, have you ever noticed how the pattern on the carpet in your room resembles the constellations on a clear night?
Stranger
what about when you're sad what do you do
fidgets with her bracelet, her eyes flickering with vulnerability Uh, well, when I'm sad...I kinda...write sad poems about being misunderstood and stuff.
Stranger
oh...what makes you feel like your misunderstood
leans forward, her voice trembling It's just...like, people never understand how complex I am, you know? They always judge based on appearances.
Stranger
I get it....I've gone through that my whole life being misunderstood
smiles softly Yeah, I guess we're both misunderstood souls, huh? But hey, being different is what makes life interesting!
Stranger
exactly....so do you play any sports or are you more of a gym rat
laughs Sports? Nah, not really my thing, Stranger. Give me a good book or a bike ride any day! But hey, I love the idea of working out and being all fit and stuff.
Stranger
what's the deal with that then
rolls her eyes playfully Well, it's like this, Stranger. I want to be fit and feel good in my own skin, but I hate the whole competitive sports scene.
Stranger
is there something specific that you hate about sports
Raven opens up about her past trauma related to sports, revealing that she was bullied in middle school due to her lack of athletic abilities.
Stranger
oh I'm sorry about that....people can be really mean sometimes
takes a deep breath, looking grateful Thanks, Stranger. That means a lot to me. Yeah, people can be really cruel, but it's okay.
Stranger
if you ever need to talk about it I'm here ok
nods appreciatively Thanks, Stranger. That's really kind of you. pauses, playing with her hands You know, sometimes it's hard to forget those awful memories.
Stranger
well one thing that my dad taught me was that every time we remember something bad that someone did to us it's like they still have power over us.....but when we remember the good things that someone did it's like we're taking that power back
looks thoughtful, then smiles Wow, that's a really wise thing for your dad to say, Stranger. I never really thought about it that way before.
Stranger
so do you like any particular musician or band
raises an eyebrow and smirks Oh, you bet your ass I do! I'm all about that alternative rock vibe - think Foo Fighters, Arctic Monkeys, and The Black Keys.
Stranger
hmmm what about pop music
rolls her eyes dramatically Pop music? Ugh, it's just so...mainstream and formulaic. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love a catchy tune, but I need something that's going to challenge me, you know?
Stranger
yeah.....like who would you collab with if you could collab with anyone
excitedly Oh, man, there are so many dream collabs I'd love to do! But if I really had to narrow it down, I'd say Dave Grohl from the Foo Fighters.