(not backdated)

[detectivewonder]

 Explaining that I'm pretty sure my wheelchair is at the bottom of the bay went over great at the hospital.  Sorry if anyone was worried that I'd vanished, but there's not a lot of call for a coffee-shop in a pirate cove.  I decided it was best just to hide out until things went back to normal yesterday, and after that I got kind of caught up in editing my next video.  It should be ready soon.

Still, it'll be good to get back into the regular routine, even if that means coping with my usual Monday class-load tomorrow after so long on 'vacation' in centuries past.

Comments

[detectivewonder]

My roommate's acting a little crazy at the moment, so I was headed out. hadn't decided where I was going yet. Have you had dinner yet?

[hellofist]

Can always eat. Want to meet somewhere?

[detectivewonder]

There's a good Italian place downtown. A few blocks west of the dance club?

[hellofist]

Think I know it. Last one there... has to pay?

[detectivewonder]

Cheapskate.

Deal.

[hellofist]

Motivating you. Won't even run, so we're even.

[detectivewonder]

That will make it interesting.

See you there.

[hellofist]

[She even gives him a head start, what a great friend. Probably still shows up first, but maybe if he goes straight there he'll get there first!]

[detectivewonder]

[He'll make the best time he can, straining himself more than is wise - with the head start, whoever makes it there first, they'll be in sight of one another as they close on the front door of the I Love Garden.]

[hellofist]

[She had tried to take her time, but in the end she still gets there first, frowning as he comes closer to her and leaving the place she was waiting at to meet him halfway.]

You should have... taken more rest breaks.

[detectivewonder]

And... leave you waiting? That'd be rude.

[He's doing his best to indicate that he's fine, but at the least, his legs are sore and his shoulder muscles spasming a little from aggressive overuse of crutches.]

Check's on me, though. Let's get a table.

[hellofist]

Should be more careful. Will take... even longer to heal, if you push.

[The last thing they need is for him to be out of commission because he reinjured himself being too stubborn. She leads the way to a table for them, going slow to be sure he'll at least take his time now. She even pulls his chair out for him.]

[detectivewonder]

Only if I push too much.

... I'll be careful.

[His tone is stubborn, as is his expression, but his posture loosens in grateful relief when she pulls out his chair, and he sinks into it with a sigh.]

[hellofist]

[She touches his shoulder lightly in sympathy for his discomfort, then moves around the table to sit across from him. His promise to be careful is good enough for her, for now at least.]

Hungry, after all that work?

[detectivewonder]

[He hesitates a moment, then smiles and admits the truth.]

Starving.

[He glances around the place thoughtfully.]</small. I haven't been here since last year.

[hellofist]

[Interesting.]

Why not? Stopped liking it?

[detectivewonder]

No, it was just... I went here on dates, mostly.

[hellofist]

[She watches him curiously for a moment, wondering if he realizes what that might sound like if he were to put two and two together.

He's asked her to have dinner in a place he goes on dates. It's kind of amusing, really.]

You're here now, though.

[detectivewonder]

[Well, he is a detective. He puts it together quickly enough, then sighs and shakes his head.]

I think you're a little out of my league.

[He is and isn't joking.]

[hellofist]

[And that is much less amusing. She doesn't think it's his place at all to decide that kind of thing and anyway, the idea of being in anyone's league is stupid.]

Why?

[detectivewonder]

Well, every time I've dated someone with a similar night life, we've wound up sparring a lot...

It was kind of a joke.

[hellofist]

What's wrong with sparring?

[detectivewonder]

Nothing. I like it. But when it comes down to a fight, you and I aren't even in the same category.

[hellofist]

No.

[No point arguing that, but she still doesn't see what the correlation is between sparring and dating. She watches him for a moment longer, then sits back in her chair. She can't exactly read the menu, so he'll have to help her out here.]

I want lasagna.

[detectivewonder]

The lasagna here is great.

[He glances over at her for a moment, noticing the shift in her posture. He can't read it, exactly, but he can pick up the context clues enough to figure out the implications.]

Just tell the waiter if you want the chicken alfredo lasagna, the classic lasagna - like Alfred made it, but not as good - or the beef pesto lasagna. That's what I'm getting. Protein, dairy, dark greens - all good for broken bones.