2020-02-06 - Waffles!

There are few areas in all of Grey Harbor that Thew Moore can call a haven. His home, the cemetery, the movie theater... The Waffle House. That place where symbol running doughy meh is turned into soft centered, crispy, checked, round and squared magic.
Today? Today he is seated in one of the corner tables, and is looking down at a concoction he asked of the waitress weeks ago and is simply referred to as Mount Moore in the kitchen. Strawberry mixed in waffles, with white chocolate chips, slices of banana and Boston cream between... a quad stack like this, with blueberries on top... strawberry syrup... and whip cream. Also a cure for the diabeetus he is trying to get by eating this.

There are bets being taken.

It had been a difficult January in some ways, and an amazing January in other ways. There were always going to be struggles, both new and old. But everything seemed easier to face with Jonathan, whether it was a half-sister she couldn't quite connect with or something a little more serious. That, and sometimes, waffles were the answer. Jonathan tended to spoil Katy in the kitchen but she felt he deserved a break. And so did she, from pages and pages of code. So she suggested The Waffle Shopppe. "Usual booth?" she says to Jonathan, "Tempest agreed to meet up and catch up." She eyes her surroundings as she entered the room.

The bug got into Ainslie's ear a few nights back when she was at Two If By The Sea, knocking back some pints after having a Shit Sandwich of a day. Waffles just called to her soul and after taking a few days to percolate... yeah, no. Can't deny this siren's call. She is seated at a table that isn't too off from where Thewlis is preparing ascend Mount Moore. She saw the fascinating creation being hefted over to his table and Ainslie is there, waiting for her order to be completed, stomach mumbling. She can't help but stare -- she doesn't realize she is doing it -- ... but at least it's not in a mean way.

This willowy woman with her harried ponytail, skinny jeans (Bad Idea when visiting here) and blouse has a look of... reverence. "Whoa." She declares, and should Thew look up he may see her watching from her nearby table. "That. Is friggin' amazing."

"The usual booth sounds like a great idea," Jonathan replies to Katy, offering her a grin. "What place is better for people to catch up than here, hmmm?" It's offered a bit lightly as he leads the way over to the booth, looking around to see the other people present.

There's a moment where Thewlis has his fork and knife, a section of his mountain of sugary, deliciousness, jabbed onto the tines and being lifted to his mouth until notices he's being stared at. Blinking and turning bright red, the caretaker and movie house operator ducks his head, brow knitting, looking back to Ainslie for a moment before his shoulders come up, his eyes go down, and he puts the magic in his mouth - chewing with a sigh as he slowly relaxes.

Tempest pushes the door to the waffle house open and steps inside. Spotting Katy and Jonathan she starts in their direction. "Hey." She says to her half-sister. Jonathan gets a curt little nod of acknowledgement. When they confirm they will be sitting at the usual booth she comes along with them, stopping to take off her heavy winter coat. She is dressed like she plans to go to the gym after this in a pair of athletic leggings and a hoodie thrown over it all. Her ringlets are piled into a bun on top of her head. She reaches for a menu and opens it up to look over it. "So how's it going?"

"Well, moving is always such a process. But I've set up my home office, finally. And I'm got most of my stuff from Washington now. The apartment finally feels like a home. As much as it'll be for something temporary." Katy shrugs. She's dressed in grey slacks and a pink cashmere sweater, her black winter jacket hanging off the back of where she is sitting. "How are things with you?"

Silence... Ainslie looks as if she wishes to say more, but stops herself. But then! In the seconds of her not saying a word her stomach takes up the torch. From that pit a low, impatient, BILIOUS snarl that even her layers of clothing cannot muffle it. Ainslie, bless her, doesn't even look embarrassed. She looks down briefly at her non-waffle-fied tabletop, around the room at large as other arrive with intent to catch up and visit, and back 'round to Thew. She grins in a sheepish way, "Ah, sorry.. don't wanna come off as rude. See, I just love waffles and what yer knockin' back there looks as if it were brought right down by the sweet angels of waffle heaven." She has an accent: a rough, jovial Scottish-sounding (but NOT true Scots) flavor to her words.

"They make that special for ya?" Asks Ainslie without any harm in her expression or tone, dark eyes large in her face with amazement.

There are a few doors through which one might enter the dining room. The entrance, of course, is the most common method, followed by the bathroom doors for guests or the kitchen door for waffle-carrying waitresses. Reese arrives through another, far more infrequently used door marked STAFF ONLY. She's dressed comfortably, with a loose tee shirt worn over a light thermal, her jeans a bit more fitted, her boots well-worn. A brief exchange with one of the servers with a look toward Thewlis and his impressive plate earns a laugh, a smile that genuinely lights up her face for a few seconds before dimming to something a touch more subdued. Her hazel gaze moves on from the caretaker and his mountain, a nod offered to the semi-familiar Ainslie as part of her sweep, considering the morning crowd with some contentment.

Jonathan smiles as he takes the seat, offering a nod in return to Tempest, along with a brief smile. "Hello." Listening to the two sisters for now, it would seem.

Tempest continues to look at the menu while she listens to Katy. She is looking at it with deep interest. Or maybe it's an excuse to avoid eye contact. Or maybe she's just super into waffles? Who knows. "Moving is hard. I'm glad it's coming on." She says, putting the menu down to reach for the little glass of ice water the server deposits on the table. At Katy's question she shrugs a shoulder. "Fine. It's all fine. It's whatever you know. Winter sucks because nothing can be done outside."

"I... yuh-yes. I..." Thew nods, looking back up for a moment to the woman speaking to him, "I. It. Oh-Uh-Order it... a l-lot. It... I." he smiles a little and shovels more into his mouth for a moment.
"It's r-ruh-really good. Ih-hiff you do-o-on't like it. I cah-han pay." why is he offering? Who knows. But then he's inspiring potential choices, why not offer to pay if someone orders what he's having and they don't like it?

Catching sight of Reese in passing, Ainslie looks away from Thew and his magical meal and lifts a hand in hearty greeting to the owner of the establishment. The smile that follows fills her face, "Allo' there," She will call out to Reese should the other woman be within earshot, but she does not make to interrupt her on her rounds. She turns back to Thew and listens carefully to him, her expression still open and friendly, understanding that the man before her may very well be quite the shy sort. Ainslie's grin widens even more as she picks up what Thew is putting down, even in his slightly stymied response. Ainslie never judges. She has an 'alrighty then' look to her face though.

"Tell ya what.. I'll pick one up and if I can't finish it, ya can have the rest of 'er, eh? I can say in full confidence that it'll be delicious." A server is flagged down and Ainslie leans in to speak to her.. two pairs of eyes flit in Thew's direction -- and his choice -- and the server gives Ainslie an 'are you sure' look. The woman nods quickly, "Sign me up!"

"It's got to be rough when you're on patrol with the weather the way it is," Katy comments, and she sighs at the ... typical weather small talk. Why did it always have to feel so...awkward? "It's difficult when you're not really a winter person. But if you're into things like figure skating and hockey, it's not so bad." She smiles at Jonathan with a good natured shrug.

Carter is off-duty and so he stops in to the waffle shop looking for some coffee, stepping in from outside and tugging the beanie off his head, which makes his hair stand on end a little before he smooths it down again, giving a smile to whoever happens to be serving at this hour. He glances around the room for a moment, looking to see where there might be an empty seat to settle into.

"Not really. I'm in a car a lot." Tempest says in reply to Katy, the conversation kept bland. She doesn't really look at her half-sister. Instead her eyes are everywhere else. She glances in Reese's direction when the woman makes an appearance out of the staff only area before her gaze flits to Thewlis and his massive creation. She stares a moment, maybe a little judgmentally, before finally she gives Ainslie an eyeballing for good measure. Finally she looks back to Katy and Jonathan. "The winters here are nothing like New York. It snows up to your tits there." When the server comes she smiles, "Can I get a coffee and a pecan waffle? Thanks."

Jonathan nods as he hears what's said. "Winter's a bit easier when you enjoy sports and activities using skates," he offers, with a grin. There's a smile offered in return to Katy, as he sees her smile. As long as the weather is stable, I don't mind winter. Every now and then, it looks iike it's still trying to decide how it wants to be." It's offered a bit lightly.

Blinking at that and nodding a little, looking to the others coming in and having a good time it seems, Thew takes a risk and motions. "I-hi-hi-if you want too... I mean... Rather than... Sh-sh-sh-hou-houting over the... in be-buh-hu-huh-tween." noting Tempest's look and ducking his head again, brows knit, eyes on his food.

There's something about Ainslie: a degree of very few effs being given re: what she is about to subject herself to. She dresses tidily enough, at least! She gives the area another onceover, as one is apt to do when people are arriving and when there's the din of conversations... conversations that she is not listening to, but the voices. Dark eyes flit sideward to note the final second or two of Tempest's glance, and smiles openly to the woman in return. She turns back to Thewlis, sees him hunching back over following his offer. She hadn't caught the exchange between himself and Tempest but she has a hunch. This decides her. Ainslie picks up her coffee and her ugly purse and shimmies her way over to join the caretaker, noticing Carter as she goes and giving him a polite nod. This place is busy!

Finally Ainslie seats herself companionably at Thew's table and drops her purse beneath her seat. "Thanks for letting me join.. this is easier, eh? My name's Ainslie... what about yerself?" She's not a local.

Carter smiles to Ainslie when she nods to him, not recognizing her, but giving her a nod in return, friendly enough. He finds his way over to the counter and settles himself into a seat. The rookie cop is well known enough to the waitstaff that his coffee arrives almost as soon as he settles into the seat, though he must change his order up often enough that he does ask for "Some cinnamon waffles and a side of bacon, please? Thank you."

"Winters in D.C. aren't exactly warm either." Katy says with a casual shrug as she gives one of the waitresses her order, a waffle with strawberries and whipped cream on it, and a coffee. "I know we don't really get the chance to hang out with conflicting schedules and stuff. This is nice." She is really reaching for something to connect on, but she doesn't want to push Tempest, she never does. She's quietly speaking at this point, leaning forward towards Tempest. "I know it's always weird, me trying to connect. But I'm not him. I want to be better than that." She is speaking only for her and her half sister to hear.

With her hands shoved into her jeans pockets, shirts bunched up around her wrists, Reese drifts lazily toward Thewlis and Ainslie, offering the same contentedly lazy smile to the other patrons on her way. She's not aiming to interrupt, but she can't help but comment to the man, "They've been talking about this for weeks," referring to the kitchen staff, so pleased with their creation. Her accent places her somewhere farther east, just a bit too nonspecific to catch without east coast experience or regional dialect expertise. To Ainslie, then, she notes, "You're looking a bit less soggy today," with a faint tease in her tone.

Tempest finally does level her gaze on Katy when she says that last bit. Her brow furrows ever so slightly. "Katy you don't owe me anything." She says a little incredulously and with a dismissive wave of her hand. "I know you're not him and I don't even know why we need to mention him. If you want to connect then...god, just let me talk about the damned snow, okay? Can I talk about snow?" She shakes her head slightly and lets out a little aggravated puff of air. Her gaze goes to Thewlis and his mountain of waffles. She mutters, in an attempt to change the subject, "I hope he has a job with lots of physical labor cause otherwise he's gonna be in a world of hurt."

"It's r-r-eally guh-good... I." looking up to Reese and offering a nervous smile before answering Ainslee, "I'm Th-th-th-Thewlis Muh-muh… Moore." forking up more of his waffles to get a break from speech. "Its nuh-hice to meet y-you." Thew offers between the pair. "Th-th... I nuh-need to suh-send the kitchen f-f-f-folk thanks... for this." motioning to his meal, and then he's back to Ainslie,
"Suh-ho... what do you do?"

Dark eyes are alight with amusement as she flops back into her chair, rolls her sleeves up and fastens them with their buttons. Tossing one leg over the other, Ainslie is now in her Battle Pose. She's ready for what's to come. Reese's arrival to their table isn't seen as an interruption whatsoever, and Ainslie cranes her neck to look up at the proprietor. "Ya might be onto a new proper addition to yer menu, if this catches on. I just ordered the same thing." She nods to Thew's waffles. The dark-haired woman, greyhound-thin, admits to this as if it is the most natural decision in the world. An earnest belly laugh as she watches Reese, "No wet jeans today... I made sure to walk proper without the cartwheels."

Ainslie then looks to Thew warmly, "Ain't nothin' special what I do, Thew. I've only been here in town for about a year now, but been busting my hump workin' as a waitress. It's time I start actually getting to know folks." A beat, "I live over Huckleberry way. It's a good life." Simple as that. "What about yerself?"

This was always the frustrating part. There was only so much conversation to be had about snow, and about the weather. And she was starting to get a little agitated. Glancing over her shoulder at Thewlis, she mumbles, "He doesn't seem like the type. But he does own the movie theatre. I've seen him around." She looks down at her glass of water.

Tough job, frigid cold, hungry tradesman. Add it all together and you've got a recipe for a Leon in a Waffle shop. The cold air accompanies the large man in through the door, gloved hand briefly swiping little flakes off his shoulders as he peers around the shop. Busy day for the shiny folks apparently. He takes a brief gander around for a seat, then ambles himself up to a quiet spot at the counter.

Reese nods in easy agreement with that bit of priase Thewlis offers for Mount Moore, noting to the both of them at Ainslie's suggestion, "They've been asking about making it a special, but I worry about food waste." As is an owner slash manager's lot to do. "Figure we'll keep it on the secret menu for now until it's got a proven track record." With some introductions going around, she offers her own, providing, "Reese Burke." She might be a somewhat familiar face to regulars, occasionally found tucked in a booth or at the counter, hunkered over a laptop while she works. There's even a decent chance that she knows them too by face, by order, if not by name. Note the nods toward the cop, toward the locksmith, the quiet curiosity paid toward the Addingtons, how comfortably she surveys her sweet-smelling domain.

Tempest clings on to talk about Thewlis because talking about someone else is always better than talking about themselves. "The new theater? With the drive-in? I like that place. I've been a few times. Can't wait for Summer so I can go to the drive-in." The server arrives with their orders and she reaches for the syrup. A glance is given to Jonathan, "I don't think we've met before, have we? I saw your pics together on the Friendzone. Cute." She licks syrup off of a thumb.

Thew Moore is a figure that is also often seen up at the Cemetery. Only recently owning the new theater in town, if you've had someone buried in the last five years - Thew Moore is the man who put them in the ground for you.
"Secret muh-hu-hum-menu is... guh-good... I luh-like this mix buh-best." motioning to his waffes. "I've n-n-not been... I. N-not good... muh-meeting puh-people. Buh-but." he trails off, stammering and stuttering, eating more to hide it.
"Wuh-wah-hant a suh-seat?" looking to Reese and motioning to one of the chairs.

Katy keeps up the appearance of having a nice quiet meal when her waffle and coffee finally arrives. She was on the chubby side but damn it, she loved to eat. She was never going to be skinny, even if her ex-dance instructors saw it as a problem. When Reese appears to be surveying the room, Katy offers a smile and a polite wave to greet the diner owner before keeping an ear out on the conversation when Tempest addressed Jonathan.

"Nice to meet ya proper.. again." Ainslie beams up at Reese, then continues along in her lilting mutt-Scottish way. "So.. as a manager of this fine place... what's yer favorite thing on the menu?" Asked with that open curiosity, though she pauses to allow Thew to make the offer that has been brewing in her own mind. She nods to the seat, "Yer welcome to take a load off with us if ya want. Everything is running like a nicely oiled machine, so-"

Oh snap... here it comes. A duplicate of Thew's initial order... being brought right on over to Ainslie. She straightens, watches reverently as the concoction is set down in front of her. The server smiles, "Enjoy." Ie. Good luck.

Jonathan smiles, nodding as he listens. "I don't think we've met before, no. It's a pleasure to meet you," he offers, before he grins at the mention of the pictures. "Ahh yes, they're quite nice, aren't they," he offers. He starts eating some of his own food,, before he offers another smile. "And that drive-in place sounds quite nice, I think."

The motion is caught by the locksmith, eyes glancing to Reese, a small smile and nod offered as he flags down some lower peon to grab him some coffee. Any introductions he'd usually give are half done already, since he was already wearing a parka with his name on it, and there was a little Nissan NV200 parked out front with the same logo. He picks himself up a menu and looks for something to order as he waits on the black liquid of warmth and wakefulness.

Carter smiles pleasantly as his order arrives and digs into his food. He idly pays attention to the conversations and comings and goings of people around him in that sort of -- aware of his surroundings, but not actively eavesdropping sort of way. His main focus is on his waffles and bacon, with the occasional sip of coffee to watch it down.

Jonathan's response earns a smile and approving nod of the head from Tempest. Now here is a man who can do smalltalk! "It does sound nice. Thank you!" She takes a sip of her coffee before picking up a knife to begin cutting into her now syrup soaked pecan waffle. Seems like someone may be a bit of a hypocrite when it comes to passing waffle caloric judgement on others. When Ainslie's waffle order arrives she just shakes her head in disappointment of a complete stranger before cramming a piece of syrup soaked waffle in her mouth.

Katy nods in response to Tempest's comments about the pictures. "Yeah, it was a fun little trip to Seattle for his birthday." She was thankful for Jonathan, he was always the more charismatic and charming one in general. She was good at making deals, negotiating contracts, things she'd learned at school. But genuine human interaction? Not so good. "It's a nice drive. Just a couple of hours away. Ever get a chance to go?" Okay, so there's a direction for the conversation to go that won't piss off her half-sister. Good. She shoves a piece of waffle in her mouth in a less than delicate manner. She seems to give no fucks about it.

Offered a seat, Reese considers for a moment, weighing the day ahead of her and, well, her own reluctance to get out and meet people before a decision is made. She pulls a chair out and settles in, knees settled wide as she leans back, keeping one ear toward the breakfast crowd. "It's hard to meet people," she agrees with Thew, even as they sit surrounded by people, even as she starts to get to know these two. Her smile broadens slightly, briefly, as she confides to Ainslie, "I order off-menu, too," in a conspiratorial tone. "If you ask real nice? They'll make up some candied bacon waffles with a bit of maple butter on top. Only thing better than a simple sausage omelette."

Jonathan smiles, as the talk goes to that Seattle trip. "That trip was the best surprise anyone ever did for my birthday." It's offered with a smile, as he thoughtfully chews another piece of his own waffle.

"Duh-Denver omelet - crisp buh-b-b-b-bacon. Cuh-corn buh-heef hash." Thew posits before his mouth is filled with more waffles. Munching away and taking a sip of coffee, looking between Reese and Ainslie with his head ducking again for being so bold to offer so much to the conversation at hand.

"A few times with Aunt Susan." Something like sadness flashes across Tempest's face when she says that name, but as quickly as it came it's gone. "Her girls were buying prom dresses. She got one for me, too. Probably the fanciest clothing I'd ever owned at that point. Mom wasn't big on flashy things and liked a bargain so-" She drags her waffle through the syrup and pops more into her mouth. "That's nice." She says to Jonathan with an easy smile.

Carter makes his way through his meal fairly quickly, pulling out his phone and glancing down at it to answer a couple of texts with one hand while he consumes his breakfast goodness with the other. It doesn't take him too long to make it through the bacon, and then he sets in on his waffles. Before long, he's finished up the meal and sets some money down for the tab and a generous tip before he slips out of his seat and heads for the door, slipping out the way that he'd come in.

Right when Katy over there shoves some waffle into her gob, Ainslie in-tandem crams a terrifying mouthful of her own grub right into her mouth. She at least had the foresight to cleanly cut the order in half so she could tackle one part of it without handling the other. She meant it when she said Thew could take the rest of it with him if she died at the table. This much sugar? Yeah she just might. How ironic that he could be the one to plant her...!

Chew chew gulp. She's off to a good start though she pauses to speak when her mouth is not full... because her mother just about had her drawn and quartered if she did such a thing as a kid. She smiles openly, grateful for Reese having a sitdown. Even moreso for further talk of this 'secret menu'.. oooh. She leans in a bit, "I may have to try that next." She takes another bite from the waffle vortex, chews, swallows... turns to look at Thew. "Corned beef hash! I love the stuff! Ate it growing up..." Soft, happy eyes as she dives in again. "Comfort food." Gnom.

Katy simply nods. If the mention of an Aunt Susan did anything for Katy, she showed no visible signs of it. Though Jonathan would likely see the subtle signs of Katy trying to repress a strong show of emotions, and feel her left hand rest on his right thigh for a moment, before the tapping of her fingertips starts.

One of the waitresses brings by some coffee for Reese without word, seeing to any other refills and needs of those at the table before heading on her way. She might not say much, the diner owner, but she certainly seems comfortable with the conversation, the company. Helps that watching Ainslie try to tackle Thew's preferred order is just damned amusing. "Yeah," comes for the talk of corned beef hash and omelets. Comfort food. "That's what I love most about this place. If I'd settled into business closer to home, I would've ended up with something else entirely, bit more fitted to my family's tastes, but there's nothing like good bacon or a stack of pancakes. Simple and familiar. Good when you've been far away too long, ya know?"

There's a very brief pause at Katy's reaction to that name, and Jonathan looks to her, offering another smile. "I used to spend hockey season based in Seattle for a few years back before I left for college, so the city still has a place in my heart," he offers to Tempest, before he adds, "And there's nothing wrong about liking a bargain." He looks back to Katy again, offering her another smile.

"Did you play hockey?" Tempest asks Jonathan with some interest. "Very cool." She takes a swallow of her coffee and returns her attention back to her pancake. Katy's pain regarding their Aunt Susan is unnoticed. She instead drags the waffle through more syrup. "Going to hit the gym today." She says blandly, because bland is safe, "It's leg day. You can't skip leg day. I'm going to do so many squats." Like so many guys.

"I understand... w-wi-wi-hith comfort f-food..." Thew smiles down at his meal, brow knitted. "Muh-miss... ever th-th-hought about... A c-c-cross advert-tisement?" Thew's head cants to the side now an idea swirling in his brain as he looks to his waffles and then around the dining room.

Amusing is right.. hopefully. She's close to polishing off her 'half' of the beast but one can bet that once she does so, it will be too much to tackle the other side. Gotta give her props though... she's eating like her livelihood is based on this victory! She's listening the whole time though and she gives Reese and Thew several glances here and there, simple appreciative of their company. It's just in Ainslie's nature, with where she hails from. She's slowing down though... so much so that she already has her debit card ready on the table to field her bill.

She tried. The rest is boxed up and eventually Ainslie slides the untouched leftovers toward Thew. "Take the rest, please. Eat it yourself. Give it to your missus," Assuming there's a missus. Ainslie can only guess. "I need to get on my way.. I'm on the night shift." Said with a little moue. Beginning to shrug on her coat, she gives Reese a cheeky look, "I'll be back to try more of those secret dishes." A laugh, "Have a good day. Nice to meet you both, proper."

"Looking forward to it," Reese offers easily to Ainslie as she promises a return visit, keeping her attention on the woman until she's making her way from the table. Her attention flicks out about the room, just checking on everything, before looking back to the half-a-mountain left behind. Sure, it was offered over to Thewlis, but that doesn't keep her from plucking up a spoon to scoop off a little bit of the sweetness crowning the tower to enjoy a little taste as she asks, "Something like a brunch and matinee special?"

There is even a bark of a chuckle at Reese's getting the idea, "Ex-hah-hah-hactly that." Thewlis nods and smiles to himself. "B-b-bu-hut that would be a g-g-ood one, eh?" He's already halfway through his waffle tower. How? How is he so damn stringy and lanky? Sonovabitch...

Jonathan smiles, nodding as he hears that question. "I did. Through the college level up to the minor leagues and finally for a short while in the big league. Trouble was, believe it or not, that there's a brain in my head." There's a distant expression for a few moments, before he grins. "I know it might sound a bit shocking, but it's true..."

Reese's smile is wide and lazy and makes her look a whole lot more girlish, her whole face softening for the mirth. "It would," she agrees with confidence. "I'll talk with the kitchen, see if they've got any ideas and send something over." With a curious cant of her head, she wonders, "Are you showing anything special for Valentines Day?" Because it is way better to focus on work than the holday itself.

"Whu-well, I w-was more th-hinking - Pu-people who come ff-f-for any brunch spe-specials you have - buh-bring pr-r-proof of p-p-p-purchase, duh-discount tickets?" Thew's head tilts a touch. "Guh-get you m-m-more cu-hustomers?" he looks around now, "Nnnnot that it's... pr-p-problem here." chuckling

"Brains are good for strategy." Tempest says with a laugh and a shake of her head. She finishes off her waffle and gets enough cash out of her pocket for her meal and tip and puts it on the table. "Anyways I need to get going. You know. Leg day. See you, Katy." Then she stands up to depart.

Katy sighs as Tempest walks out the Waffle Shoppe. "I wish she'd drop that chip off her shoulder, it's been ten fucking years," Katy mutters, adds as she pushes her plate in Jonathan's direction with the half eaten waffle, "You want the rest of this? Not hungry anymore."

Reese's smile warms further as Thewlis explains what he meant, head bowing in what might be apology. Or agreement. Whatever the case, she doesn't seem at all troubled with his stammering, comfortable waiting, like she's got some well-cultivated patience. Though it might just make it easier to keep some portion of her attention on the rest of the room. Just in case. "I like that," she agrees, though it's pretty clear from the distance in her gaze that she's already running through numbers, working out the details. The movement and conversation nearby steals her focus for a moment, though who knows if she actually caught what Katy said. Whatever the case, she returns her attention to Thewlis and nods. "It'll be good for both businesses."

Thewlis bobs his head at that and beams, looking a little proud of himself now. "I... I think... good fo-or b-b-b-both too." Thewlis notes and continues his meal happily. "Muh-makes muh-me feel a luh-hittle better... All I p-puh-put them through." motioning vaguely for the kitchen.

Reese rolls her eyes at that, shaking her head in easy disagreement with Thewlis. "There are people who fuss over their orders and make the kitchen work extra hard who leave half their meal on their plate and don't bother to tip. You aren't that. You're fine." Her head tips to the side as one of the servers comes by to point to a young man not far from the door, whispering something about an interview. There might even be mention of the word early in there. With that, she pushes to her feet and tells the man, "It was good meeting you. I'll be in touch." But there's a potential employee in need of her attention, and so she's off thattaway.