"Uh-huh." Klaus scrambled upstairs, flinging himself into his room to stare at his closet for 15 minutes. Today's outfit was like any of his others- 80s punk vibes without a doubt. He scurried back down to the kitchen, glancing around for Archer.
Archer was still in the kitchen, this time reading a book. It was his favorite kind—fantasy. He didn’t notice Klaus come in, as he was deep in the book. It hovered in front of him, the pages turning once Archer finished his page because it was easier than being corporeal and it looked cool, in Archer’s opinion.
"You ready?" He walked up behind Archer, hands in his pockets.
Archer jumped, his book falling to the ground with a thud. “Oh, yeah, I’m ready,” he responded, glancing up at Klaus. He sent the book from the floor to the table.
"Alright! Let's rock an' roll, brother!" He twirled his car keys around his finger, making strides for the door.
Archer trailed after him, a bit excited, even though it was probably lame to the others. He swung the door open with his powers, giving a small smile. Despite his somewhat shy demeanor, he secretly liked showing off when he could.
"Ah, thanks. Just a heads up, my car is kinda trashed. I'll clean her later, I just haven't had time for a while, you feel?" He glanced at Archer when he spoke.
Archer shrugged. “I mean, not really. I haven’t driven a car since like 1918…” he said with a wry smile. “It’s fine though. I’ve never been a tidy person either.”
"1918? Damn. That's a hot minute, ain't it? Just.. ignore the water bottles, I guess."
“Yeah, it is,” he said, as if just realizing it himself. “I never mentioned that I’m like 120? Huh. Sometimes I forget to tell people that and then just talk about stuff that happened a century ago.” He laughed.
"I'm.. 21. A fuckin' baby next to you, dear god." He shook his head, laughing to himself.
Archer smiled. “Yeah, I’m old, I know. I am a ghost.” He wondered how his clothes hadn’t clued the other in on the fact that Archer was about six times his age.
"Well, I knew that! It's just.. I don't know- Motherfucker! Can you drive?!" He barked aggressively at the car that had merged in front of them without using their signal. "Good god!"
Archer chuckled. “Does driving always make you this angry?” he asked, slightly nervous himself. The road was so much more crowded then he remembered, and the cars much different. He really needed to get out more.
"Just this asshole right here." If he were in his wolf form, Klaus' hackles would've been raised and bristling. "Where the fuck did he get his license, clown college? Goddamn, it's like he got his eyes cut out and decided today would be a nice time to flex those brand new marbles in his head."
Archer raised his eyebrows. He wasn’t used to road rage. Or rage in general, as he tended to avoid conflict. Besides, riding in a car was making him a bit anxious.
“Well, you certainly are creative with your insults, I’ll give you that,” he said.
"Thank you, thank you. I like to think I'm like.. the Van Gogh of insults. Some people have music, some people have painting, I have.. tearing dipshits on the freeway a new one with my quick wit and charm."
“How inspiring,” Archer remarked, teasing. At least that was helping him to not concentrate on the cars. So many cars. “Too bad they can’t hear your variety of insults. I’m sure they would be impressed.”
“I mean- I can roll down the window? But then the air pressure in here gets all fucked up and I get a headache. Not worth it, but I feel sorry for them.” He pulled into the parking lot, hopping out of the car to wait for Archer.
Archer opened the passenger side door and got out, closing it like a normal person so that no one would think he was suspicious or anything. Suddenly the idea of going into the store seemed like a lot. Almost too much. He glanced around at the other cars in the parking lot and at the store itself, the technology still somewhat foreign to him, and all of the people who could potentially see him and freak out. He tried to take a deep breath to calm himself down, hoping that Klaus didn't think he was a total weirdo.
“You alright, man?” He looked at Archer, head tipped inquisitively to the right.
"Yeah…yeah, I'm fine," he responded weakly, taking another breath. "It's just…this is sort of the first time I've gone out in public in a very long time. I'm just nervous."
“Oh.. dude, you’ll be fine, okay? It’s Walmart, people don’t give a shit here.” He gave him a reassuring (but lopsided) grin, kicking at some loose gravel from the parking lot. “Besides, no time like the present to start going back outside.”
Archer took another breath. “You’re right…” he agreed, still seeming anxious but trying to brave it. He swallowed and nodded. “Okay, okay, let’s go then.”
Klaus started through the parking lot, hands in his pockets. "I still don't know what we're supposed to get. Play it by ear, I guess."