2020-03-08 - Blondes 3 Idiot Man 0

Stefhan has arrived with food on his mind, at the restuarant seems a good place to get a decent meal. Not wanting to partake of too many libations, he finds a comfortable seat to sit in and he offers a smile to the server who eventually greets him. All in all, the atmosphere is casual, at least somewhat, and he politely speaks to the waitress, "A warm cup of coffee if you don't mind." He says as he begins to take his jacket off. "There's many reasons why I need to stay warm for the outside weather, summer is far from here yet."

It's not often that Meredith deigns to take herself out and have someone else make her something to eat. But it's Sunday... sometimes it's just the Right Thing to do on a cold day. At this point in time //this/ particular place just fits the bill.. it's steeped in history. Merry has always favored old buildings being tastefully repurposed. Top it off with a good atmosphere and yeah... good fodder for coaxing Merry out into the general public.

Her arrival is quiet and unassuming, and the woman that strides into the restaurant greets the waitstaff sweetly and politely before casing out a preferred spot to hunker down. There is a peaceful, anachronistic air to the young teacher: a fitted tunic-style dress with tucks in the waist; dark leggings tapering into smart black boots. Hair is pulled back into a thick braid but is left to frame her face softly.

Clutching her messenger bag to her chest, Meredith catches a snippet of Stefhan's request to the waitress. "Now that sounds wonderful. How is the coffee here?" Asked of them both.

Stefhan didn't bring his laptop for a change, maybe he is taking the opportunity to unwind a little? Whatever the case he seems to be content with a good cup of joe. Spotting the nicely groomed woman, he offers a smile and lifts up his cup of coffee in a greeting after it's delivered, "I think so." he comments, "In fact, I would go so far to say that everything is good here. The brisket yesterday was heavenly."

The small blonde smiles openly, seeming to be content with her choice in dining. Granted Merry is here, as well, to 'unwind'... it doesn't happen often. Guaranteed she has something Important in that bag of hers to either read over, grade, proofread or devise. Merry drinks in the atmosphere of the room for a few heartbeats, her blue eyes downcast for those brief seconds. She looks up right as Stefhan lifts his mug in greeting. The smile helps too, in Merry not feeling rude for just piping up as she had done. "I shall take your word for it." Spoken with a little laugh, and given her stance as a born and raised local, surely she knows of the Hub and it's finely-fashioned owner.

"How is business? You look ready to kick up your feet and take a breather." The teacher remarks in her pleasant way. "Owner of.. the Hub, yes? Or am I making an arse of myself?"

Stefhan takes a sip of his coffee and when she comes into better view, his eyes open wide and he almost looks as if he's about to cough into his coffee cup. Maybe the guy is one of those wierd ones that still likes blowing bubbles into his drinks? Fortunately, he doesn't choke but he stares at her hair for quite a long time. Stares can be annoying so hopefully it doesn't wierd her out. "Bu...bu....bu....." Fortunately he isn't saying bl bl bl blonde or else he'd really look like an idiot. "Yes uh, Is Hub I am owner of." He winces as he remembers the quirks of the subject/verb inversion in the German language. "ScheiBe" he mutters, hopefully she doesn't speak German and what makes it worse, she's already figured out who he is! Haha! But soon he gathers his charms about him and says, "Yes, Miss, as a matter of fact I am."

Here's where it's a good thing to be making awkward expressions to one such as Merry: she is used to all overtures, all manner of unexpected and generally inexplicable behaviors. She looks after and teaches young children on a near-daily basis! No no she is not likening this well-dressed and well-established man to kindergarteners; Merry is just used to being patient and open! However her blue eyes round and soften at this man, who she reckons is naturally composed... coughing? Sputtering? Staring? Merry blushes, which probably won't help matters; "O-oh.. ah, are you.. is everything ok? I mean-" She blinks, looks herself over. "Have I anything on my jacket? It isn't unheard of, you know, given my work.. sometimes it can look silly..." Her manner of speech is oddly old-school. However she blinks, still standing there alongside a seat, watches Stefhan compose. She smiles reassuringly. "Forgive me if I am being forthright. I don't quite know your name," Or German for that matter. THe muttered oath dawns incomprehensible on Merry's head.

Honesty, it's the best policy, right? Unless you're a business man turned babbling buffoon. Well, something has happened and the fella has started to loose his mind. "It's just that, your hair color, it's so hot, it makes you so hot, so amazing hot. Blondes they, well last time I had a blonde close to me I was set down to my knees in three seconds flat and then the unmentionables." Fortunately he doesn't go THAT far but he's clearly lost his senses. "This is so awkward, so terribly awkward because I really like the lady who cooks here. I'm fortunate enough that she actually said she wants to go out on a date with me and she actually called me charming. I mean /me/ who never has luck with woman and I want to impress her and." He gets up, feeling a bit woozy but he says, "You're so fucking beautiful, I mean that hair." He then puts his hand over his mouth. That's NOT the way to talk to a schoolteacher.

The door opens, and stays open for the much more diminutive redhead to enter first before Everett follows in after Bean. Ducking under the doorjamb, he pauses at the doorway to take a look around. No bears. No excessive bears. That's a plus. Glancing down, and more down, the gorilla gives Bean a questioning look to see if this will do before moving in any further.

.... well now.

Sweet vanilla Merry, in her sweet vanilla life, will never have expected a response like this. Her eyes widen briefly; she mines that ever-steadfast, perpetually reasonable aspect of her mind. Blue eyes watch Stefhan, who only wanted a Peaceful Coffee.. effectively unravel. Then, bless her pure little heart, Meredith has the grace to blush and see reason. "My--ah.. hah. Thank you?" A quick little smile, she hugs her bag tight to her chest. "Well you are charming! My, you must... you.. really like blondes, don't you? Why don't you tell me about the cook who is interested in you? You want her impress her?" Merry deflects like a boss, but that high color paired with her anachronistic charm and gentle manner... deadly. "Maybe I can offer hints?"

But then she smiles. "Thank you, however, for your... comments. I do not hear that often." Merry looks up instinctively to the new arrivals. Pay no attention to the teacher breaking the businessman.

Stefhan recites, "Currents of a golden dream, always glimmering with an enchanting sheen, hynotizing locks to enrapt a man, such beauty, I can hardly stand." Yes, his knees seem to be wobbly so the poem fits, "All within such a perfect countenance, would a foolish man ever have a chance, to bask within such a lady's presence, fairer than fair, that is your essence." But he then coughs and manages to regain his senses, "Crap up, Faith Faith! Where is my Faith! I am not safe! I must remain chaste! Faith Faith!" He tries to stop rhyming and he says, "Yes, I really want to impress her. If she's in the back cooking I have got to be doing a horrible job. Oh maybe I should go home. My son is too easily impressed." Then recalling more poetry he just babbles, "Looks go everywhere looks go everywhere looks go everywhere."

Bean follows in afer Ev and she moves her hand round his arm. "What is good in here, Cuddlebear?" a little smile creeps into her features as she looks around and she smiles softly as she sees the others within, a little smile as she looks about. Squeezing the bikers arm.

Alisha wanders into the Firehouse putting away her phone. Dressed for work in full GHPD uniform and jacket, her hair pulled back into a tight ponytail. It's lunch time for her and someone needs a rescue plus nummy meat. She starts to walk towards Stefhan and Meredith shaking her head. Giving a nod of her head in greeting to Everett and his companion. Upon getting closer she gives Stefhan a pat on the back "So how are things going? Everyone has to have a little Faith." her lips curve into a smile, not that she really knows what he is going on about. A nod is given to Meredith. "Hello there."

Okay so in Stefhan's defense, Meredith loves poetry. Hey, she teaches language (at the most primary level) to kids... but when a person -- man or woman -- deftly delivers to her such words... yeah. Meredith, still standing and holding her things, still in her heckin' winter coat, studies Stefhan levelly as she contemplates her next response. She has heard of people having powerful triggers so imagine that: she walks in, perfectly groomed... and that innocuous coil of thick golden-blonde hair is sending Stefhan into madness. The slight woman gives Everett and Bean another quick glance -- my, he is tall and she is so tiny! <3 -- ... Merry is about to ease in, to deliver more gentle, calming affirmations to Stefhan....

... then Alisha arrives. BAM! Blue eyes instinctively lift to Alisha's striking locks, and Merry bites her lip shyly as she smiles in greeting. Inwardly braces herself.. "H-hi! Hello! I-is he... ok?"

Cuddlebear.
The ape smirks pleasantly, but rolls his eyes never the less, then sighs softly and shakes his head and follows it with a shrug of his shoulder. "Beats me, I've never been in here before Puddin' Pop," fair's fair, "Where do you want to sit? Damn, smell that meat." He doesn't wait long before escorting Bean further into the resturant to make room for other people coming in and, when the door opens again, Everett looks over his shoulder and smiles for a moment, then up nods to the new arrival, "Hey," what'd he call her before. Damn it. "... fuzzy cuffs."

"Looks like it's poetry hour too," he adds, up nodding his head towards the model woeing the blonde. The non-goth blonde.

Stefhan exclaims, "I don't want a little Faith, I want ALL Faith." Yeah, he's beyond making sense at this point and then, here comes blonde number two, and she's on duty. Well, that's it, any way you put it, loosing control, the sinking of the battleship, the spark that hit the Hindenberg, yup, he collapses onto the floor and seems to forget what normal English is at the moment. "Who shall I cling to, what will I be? I am but a fool, for all to see." You got that right, "So I thought I might be fortunate, free of despair, but I'm a weak willed fool, all because of hair! Foul is foul, and that's what I am be, someone please, knock some sense into me." Then remembering random lines of what he studied, he recites part of another, "My blue eyed lady, do you have munificence? I doubt for my occassion, I have the sense." That's...probably true.

Alisha tilts her head slightly towards Meredith "He will be. Just has a slight problem with another people with fair hair. He's rather charming when he isn't drooling a bit." she comments. Everett's voice bring her attention over to the giant "Hey Candyman and none of my cuffs are fuzzy. Think the name your looking for is Everclear." she calls back to him. And then Stefhan proves her previous words so very wrong. "Oh what the hell Stefhan." she reaches down to pick him or at least try "Alright try to calm down would you. One who is Faith and two you really need to get your crap together. Believe me you don't want me to knock sense into you, at least not in front of witness." maybe humor helps? She'll try to guide to him a seat.

"So--" Meredith takes a breath, begins unbuttoning her coat. Is in hot in here? Hey, she's an Empath; anyone with the 'sense' may or may not detect her glow: soft, warm, subtle. Merry-player is still new to the system so she is playing this out on the down-low. But there has to be something of Stefhan's meltdown manifesting in Merry's empathic glimmer. She feels hot, literally; her heart is tripping. "So, Faith... tell me about Faith." She fumbles, nearly drops her bag. Seems this 'Faith' lass is a touchstone in this madness. Oh, to have someone think of her that way! Merry feels the barest, sweetest pang of envy... then crushes it like a bug.

Alisha takes things well into hand and Merry offers the other woman a shy smile. Turns to the waitress: "M-make my dark roast a B-52..." She's flustered enough to need it. She turns a sweet, apologetic smile in the direction of Ev and Bean.

Bean looks over to Stefhan as she sits. Whilest nicknames being tossed around she looks over to Ev with a grin to Alisha. "Everclear?" she asks him with a waggle of her eyebrows before her eyes look back to stefhan. "Dose he need a medic?" she asks about looking conserned a moment at the meltdown. "I'll take whatever is the special today I think" the woman smiles and she looks between everyone with a polite smile "perhaps it should be poetry night"

The police are here to protect and serve right? Well, that often means when people need protecting from themselves right? Alisha is more adept at handling physical distress than the computer guy is so she can stop him from hurting himself more, physically anyway. It may be too far to save his pride. "Faith!" he yelps, "The gorgeous woman who cooks here. No wonder why the food stays hot! Who wouldn't?!" He then winces as he realizes yup yup, putting that foot into his mouth again tastes horrible, you would think he would quit. "I need to have a seat and water." he yelps, "I need water NOT and I stress NOT everclear. Alcohol and me create no inhibitions and NO ONE wants that." Huh? He's worse on liquig courage? "I need a hot cup of coffee, though not too hot." With a look over to Meredith he asks, "I'm sorry, truly. You are just a very beautiful woman and I'm an idiot man. If you want to have a cup of coffee as I try to settle my head, I'd like that. I'd like to talk about Faith. She works here and, I thik I just blew it. Maybe I can talk about my son. He has no hair, which may be a good thing."

Atli considered most of the bar-type eateries in Gray Harbor to be places to skip when it came down to it. Given the pristine nature of the floors and history preserved in the Firehouse however, it was always good in a pinch. She had just finished repairing a door at the Addington House and she did not much feel like cooking. Given the snow, she sports a heavy denim jacket, a stylish yet over-sized gray sweater, fur-lined boots, and a warm white winter hat. She rubs she hands together to warm them as she enters, looking about.

Snapping his thick right fingers, Everett points then at Alisha, "Everclear. That's what it was." Then, to Bean, while still pointing he explains, "she and I were on a drinking team just a couple of days ago. As it turns out, she's a light weight." The apologetic smile from Meredith is shrugged and smiled at, "It's alright. Some guys," his green eyes focus down on the pile of goo being assisted up from the floor, "have a thing for blondes. I stopped caring after I learned hair color comes in a bottle." His left hand combs through Bean's hair once, then twice, before he tightens his grip and forces Bean's head back, enough for him to do the lion's share of the leaning down and peck the redhead's lips.

Straightening, the giant points, "Bean, Alisha. Alisha, Bean." His leather jacket comes off and its slide into a booth before he follows it. Since the server is about, "Coffee," he orders for a start. Then he explains to Bean, "She," meaning Alisha, "is of the opinion that Everclear is a good drink. So I tease. And no poetry."

When her spiked coffee is brought forth, Merry turns her cornflower blues upon the waitress. "Perhaps a strong brew." A soft whisper, "For him." A nod to Stef. Speaking of Stef, she smiles reassuringly, "I.. I understand." Said as she lowers her slight self into a seat opposite the businessman. "Tell me of Faith. Tell me more. What does she enjoy? What are her favorite dishes, to cook?" Distract, distract!

Atli's arrival is noted--oh SHIT SHE'S BLONDE and legit lovely---

Meredith smiles helplessly, slams the B-52 to her lips. DOOM.

Alisha gives a little nod to Meredith while she is handling Stefhan "Sorry. Usually he's much better." apologizing for Stefhan. "Are you alright?" she asks the other blonde. A small smile thrown Bean's way "I don't believe he needs a medic. Nothing physical wrong with him." but right she does have to try to keep Stefhan more calm or at least off the floor. "You might not what to say that so loud if she works here. Yes some water that was just a nickname. So don't worry I'm not about to let you have any booze. So take a seat. And we'll make sure you get what you need." Seeing a new arrival and damn it this is going to cause more problems. She tries to position herself between Stefhan and Atil at least to block his view until he calms down. To Everett she scolds a bit "Yeah not so much. You were far drunker than I. Everclear is better than bud lite at least. And Hi Bean...if I wasn't so busy I'd offer a better introduction."

Fortunately for him, the other beautiful blonde that enters seems to be dressed for the winter. For him, the more clothes the better. Also fortunately for him, none of the blondes are punching him just yet even if Alisha might be tempted. Likely with Meredith's help he was able to take a seat though he can't help but take a moment to drool over at Atli. He doesn't stare THAT long though and he coughs to try to regain his senses. "Just...please....." he tells Merry, "Whatever you do, don't let me drink alcohol, like this, you wouldn't like me if I drank alcohol." Though little is certain at this point. But when Alisha looks his way he holds up three fingers in a wierd way. Some people might think he's trying to mimic Spock's 'live long and prosper' V hand gesture but nope. He looks at the cop and says, "Three....remember....three..." What is so wonderful about the number three? But then the conversation is on Faith and he sighs happily, "I don't have luck with women, that's why my son is a cat." Well that's one thing that makes sense about the guy, "But, she has the most spellbinding eyes...ever. She is a combination of down to earth, but hardworking. A classy woman, but one who also likes to have a good time without being ashamed of it. She also has manners. She would never say a crass thing about anyone. Family oriented and wow, did I mention she's gorgeous? Also, just a very sweet lady. I, hope she realizes that I am older than her. I don't want to lie to anyone. The world of business is full of lies. Honestly, I hate that. I try to avoid that in my personal relationships as my friends." he ahems toward Alisha, "Know."

From across the room, the only people Atli seems to recognize are Meredith and Alisha. It would be quite rude not to at least offer a friendly hello, especially when both provide to the towns well-being as far as she can recall. She always tried very hard to not forget a face as it helped to put people at ease and helped them remember her. There is a bit of a crowd, but it doesn't seem like a friendly greeting would be imposing herself too drastically. Confidently, Atli approaches the table with an amiable smile and a little wave of gloved fingers.

"Hello! I'm Atli Addington. I don't know if either of you ladies will remember me, but I could not forget such lovely features! Meredith and Alisha right?" While flattery always helped to perpetuate positive social encounters, in this case it was also true. Alisha in particular looked far more delicate than her career would suggest. Whilst Atli was certain Meredith went by something shorter, the women always insisted on using full names out of respect to the person who named them, a habit that drove her cousin Vincenzo nuts.

Bean gives a little nod to the woman known as Everclear, she smiles her way before she murmers something to the large biker keeping her voice down she laughs a little after her murmer. "it is no problem". Said to Alisha. Stefhans rambling catches her off guard and she just stares at her, her eyes look over to the large brute whom she shares her table with and she awaits his reply to her whisper as she people watches and awaits her food.

Righteous indignation scoff comes from the biker wearing the too tight tee-shirt now that his jacket is beside him, "As if. You were drinking before the drinks started and saying such goofy things, like Samuel Adams is a better beer, or an Everclear. Crazy, just crazy. Clearly," Everett points to Alisha's waist, then head, "either your utility belt is too tight, or your braid is." Continuing to grin. That is, until Bean leans over and whispers something to him.

Everett's eyes go large, then jaw goes slack. He looks aghast at whatever it is. "WHAT?!" and tries to stand, but they're seated at a booth, and he only knocks the table, loudly, suddenly. There's a flash of a look given, first, to Alisha. Then back to Bean, then the remainder of the room before pink rises to Everett's cheeks and he leans in to Bean, cupping his right hand over his mouth to keep harsh words private. He is heated without being incensed.

Oh God. Oh God. Meredith is, by nature, boring. She coupons. She meal plans. She has a sleep schedule. BORING A.F. It's NOT her nature to walk into a restaurant and destroy a man because her hair is naturally (yes) blonde. Seriously. She's as unrequited-single as they come and boring A.F in her dress and tights. Now seated, she offers: "I bet she is gorgeous, to catch your eye." She supplies... keep the topic on Faith.

To Atli, "It is a pleasure, miss Adli." Meredith is hooked. She bows her head demurely, even as she sips her drink, "Hartwell. I am known as a Meredith," Offered in her oddly old-timey way, "Meredith Hartwell." Spoken eloquently, she's the Worst Bond Ever. "A pleasure. "

Stefhan looks like he's trying to whisper to Meredith but, in his state of mind, it fails. "And there's another one!" He talks about Atli. "Hell, there's no way in the world such a small town should have THAT many gorgeous blonde women no uhm, wait. She's a lesbian, she's got to be a lesbian. Good because I'm not the kind of guy to try to change a lesbian. If that's the way you feel you know, go for it." He then blunders some more and barks out to Meredith, "I'm not saying that's the way you feel! I mean maybe you would feel that way after seeing Faith. Her eyes would make you melt, I know they would." He's far from eloquence right now even though normally eloquence is his middle name. To make matters worse he catches Everett's lack of grace and he stands up to point to the main, "See! He's been affected by the blonde beauty in the room too! He can hardly stand!"

Fortunately Stefhan can stand for now, unfortunately there's no telling for how long.

Strange enough that Grace is a coowner here too but, there seems to be a lack of grace here.

Bean laughs and pats his arm, she looks startled as the table thumps though and then.. as he whisperes to her she nods her head a little, "let me buy you a drink." she offers softly before she looks back to Stefhan and she worries her brows at him, "are you sure you are ok?" she asks "has someone drugged you?"

At least now Stefhan is making some sense. Alisha listens to him go on "Yeah I remember three. It's less now so..." she nods to his description of Faith "Alright she sounds like a wonderful woman. So do you not think that you tell her this. I know she'd love to hear it and maybe don't focus so much on other women? Just focus your attention." is Alisha offering good advice for once. "I know how important honesty is to you in your personal life."

She does nod her head to Atli "I do remember you Miss Addington. I think you were a year ahead of me back in school. Thank you for the compliment." she can focus a bit more on others now that the situation is more under control "It's good to see you again." forcing a smile onto her lips. Tilting her head slighty to Bean "Sorry. Sure we'll get a chance to talk in a bit." Then there is Ev "I was and Sam Adams is the superior beer that's just a fact." smile turning more genuine as she shakes her head "Crazy is where I live."

Wut? Wuuut?! Stef leans in to whisper and Merry (bless her) listens: "Oh, but there are beautiful women in this town..." Merry offers feebly: pure truth. So many: blonde, brunette, red and gold... blue eyes blinking coquettishly; brown gazing demurely. Dangerous. She is silent, bewildered. (OOC: Sorry for slow / latency.)

Atli looks at the large man in surprise at his sudden outburst. This was perhaps a more intensive situation than she needed to intrude upon given how angry he seemed, though she did in fact not know much about him. It was possible he was just an angry person. For a split second she is reassured by Meredith's congeniality, the smile returning. Atli is about to reply when the second man indulges in socially questionable behavior...

Her bubbly grin turns downward at the corners, wilting like a rose that has sat for too long. Atli does her best to try not to sound offended at the outburst. "I'm afraid that would be inaccurate, not that it matters. I simply have the confidence to uplift women around me because I find feminist support lacking in every day society." This is said very matter-of-fact in intonation. The comment did irk her. Was it impossible to believe someone was single because they had standards or were focused on their families well-being?

Looking back to those of Gray Harbor origin she responds as though she has not in fact just been labeled in a rude fashion. "Good to see you ladies! If I am not intruding, do you mind if I eat with you? Fixing a door ran a bit late and you seem better company than the sports channel on the screens near the bar." Bean seems reasonable enough so the look of inquiry is extended to her, despite the lack of introduction.

Since there are few and fair 'He's' in the room, not complaining, Everett gives an unsteady sidelong glance towards the blondephilic. Under his breath, Everett murmurs, a few words, before his attention is returned to his table in time for his coffee. Not that he's not jumpy enough. The offer to buy him a drink settles the gorilla a little, though his nostrils flare when he snorts out of them; the last of his retorts while glancing down at Bean's hand, patting his thick arm. And for a moment, he lets her, then, with his forefinger curls it around hers. He's apparently not done, adding to Bean, "Nyah," and sticking out just the tip of a pink tongue. "And a t-bone with broccoli, then we'll be square."

"I can tell," Everett adds, sounding more like himself, but still a little guarded when he replies to Alisha. "You still think you like Samuel Adams. Instead of a real, All-American beer." The arm Bean touches slips off the table, while the thug continues, "Next you'll say you don't like apple pie, or baseball is just a passing fad." Pause. "You commie." He smiles softly.

Stefhan finally starts to realize that maybe with the lesbian comment he took things too far, but in his defense he didn't want to be heard. The inside voice was more of an outside voice than it should have been and he sighs. "My, sincerest apologies." he tells Atli, "It's just hard to believe that a woman so beautiful well." Maybe the comment is making it worse so he just goes back to groveling, "It's not you, it's me. The fact you try to uplift women is a wonderful thing. More people should be that way. I humbly apologize and if there is any way I can make amends, please, let me know how I can do so." The somewhat normal and gentlemanly behavior returns to the businessman and he moves to take a seat. "Thank you." He tells Meredith, "For putting up with me. You really don't need to."

But in all the chaos he notices a speck of dust on his sleeve. Well, not all quirks can easily be fixed and he takes a fingernail and flicks the dust off. Neatness...it's important to him.

To Stefhan: "It's really alright," As the B-52 fills her belly with fortitude. Merry really hadn't expected to have an alcoholic drink. "You needed to unwind, right? I could not help my hair color. This Faith is a lucky woman. Save your poetry for her, and her alone." Bids the gentle blonde.

Alisha nods to Atli and it does also remind her that she hasn't ordered anything yet. "That would be great. Some extra company would be welcome. You were doing some repair work then? But please have a seat if you are so inclined." she moves to take a seat herself and finally get around to ordering some ribs and a coke.

"To be fair it isn't all that hard to notice." replying to Everett "It just isn't good beer. Doesn't really matter if it's All-American or not." she shakes her head again "Nyet! I mean no of course I love apple pie. Baseball is so boring though. So that can go as well." she says as she grins.

Bean stiffens as she curls a little around the large mans large form. Not much PDA just her head resting on his arm as she people watches.. she moves a little when the food arrives. Stefhan is overlooked, now and she looks to her plate with surprise, "Oh this looks lovely!" she says as she looks to the food that is placed before her and the large biker.

"Some women have all the luck," offers Everett to Meredith, "having guys serenade them with poetry." He turns his head to look down at Bean behind him when he's curled against and for a second rests his lips on her crown. When the food arrives, he doesn't acknowledge it, but agrees with how it must look. "Yes. Yes, it does look lovely," his deep voice murmurs before he smiles a little wider down at her. Then he affords himself a glance at the plate put down in front of him and inspects it. And then Alisha, "I suppose we'll just have to agree to disagree that you're wrong, so wrong. So very wrong. But now I know what to get you for your birthday."

Stefhan looks over at his sleeves just to make sure there's no more dust there. What a neat freak it seems. He frowns slightly and shakes his head at Meredith, "No, it's not alright, it's not at all. I should be more, restrained. That is something that I need to work on. People are what they are. I don't expect anyone to be perfect but, I need to work on repressing my emotions a bit more in that regard. I do hope that Faith still finds me charming after all this, but, if she doesn't, I do hope we can at least be friends. I probably shouldn't be putting that much stress on the circumstance anyway. She could be seeing someone else and after my outburst, I wouldn't blame her." He ahems and tries to start back at square one. Extending a hand to Meredith he says, "Let's try this again. Stefhan Rosenberg, pleasure to meet you." Though he couldn't ignore the other fair haired woman and, telling Atli again he says, "Again, I'm so sorry."

The shift in the athletic man's attitude brings life back to the petals of her grin, it was possible she had caught him at the wrong moment. She herself had had one with a piano earlier this month. "That will not be necessary Stefhan, but I do very much appreciate the apology. It is a pleasure to meet you!" She snags a chair from a nearby table to add to the end of the booth and sits at Alisha's kind behest. At the delivery of food she orders a medium mushroom burger with a salad rather than fries, and a small glass of red wine given the long day. These people seemed the alright sort to have a glass of wine around.

To Alisha she offers, "Yes I am working with Uncle Patrick at the family house as their restoration specialist. Not nearly as exciting as your line of work!" Atli places her jacket on the back of her chair gingerly. She pauses as she is about to remove her gloves, almost thinking better of it, but that would draw more attention and she had ordered a burger. Cautiously they are removed, her fingers sporting un-lady-like bruises. Perhaps no one would question this given her career. They are folded and placed in the pocket of her coat.

"Meredith Hartwell." The teacher offers sweetly, blissfully overlooking the Awkward. "Excuse me, but I need to order a bite." Says the teacher next un her old-tmey way. "I am starving." And still astounded. (OOC: Pardon slow, have to AFK a bit. Excuse me a few rounds!)

The sweet-natured woman sips her spiked coffee. Hey, she hasn't fled! Meredith listens to Stef and the other lovelies for a time, sipping ponderously.

Bean shakes her head, a blush coming into her cheeks, she shares quiet conversation a her table before she looks over the shop.. she looks to his plate and she nudges it a little in Ev's direction. A little laugh escapes her lips and she bites her lips harshly a moment as she shifts yet again before scooting a bit away from the large man so she can eat.

Stefhan puts down his card at the side of the table where he and Meredith sit. "She's hungry, please." he tells whatever employee listens to him, "Get the nice lady whatever she wants." Then when Atli accepts his apology he looks relieved, "Thank you, dear lady." he says, "I have done nothing to deserve your kind words but, I truly thank you. You have no idea how much your kindness means." Then he ponders, "I wonder, is the brisket the same as it was the other day? Now, that would be a delight. I wonder if my new friend might enjoy such a dish?" Wait, did Meredith say she wanted to be friends? Poor woman.

Picking at his plate with his right hand when its nudged, Everett moves a piece of broccoli around, poking at the slab of meat with it. Curious, he glances to his companion for a moment, and then smiles. Predatorily almost, and then looks up from her to curiously look and listen to the conversation happening around them. Him. Smirking softly at Meredith's excuse, the giant seated man chuckles softly but otherwise his attention.

When Bean scoots away from Everett, he fixes her with an unabashed look before leaning over to kiss her temple and when he sits erect, brings both hands up to collect his cutlery. "Fine," he says, looking back down, and starting to cut meat, "but you know what's going to happen."

Alisha shrugs her shoulders "I know I'm right but if you want to say otherwise. Meh your choice. If it's a case of Bud I may just have to knock you around a little. Or a lot anything else I can live with Candyman." quiping with a bit of smile. "You know Faith probably will be. Just if you do go on date with her, try not to look at other blondes. Some women find it rude."
"That sounds pretty neat." she talks to Atli while waiting for food. "So I'd imagine that sort of job is all sorts of demanding. As well having to pay a lot of attention to detail. Why did you decide to go into the field." she laughs a tiny bit at the supposed excitement of her work "Most of the time it isn't. Though those special times when it is. Oh boy it's something else and if I'm honest quite the rush as well."

Bean looks to her food and she shakes her head poking at her food almost as if she suddenly was not hungry "Can I get this to go please?" she asks softly her voice gentle and almost nothing.

Candyman smiles wolfishly at the cop, but doesn't say anything else. In the game of Last Word, she wins. Instead, Everett returns to cutting the rare steak into bite sided pieces, so he can put the knife down and then raises his hand to his mouth, softly sniffing. Forking veggie, the jolly green giant takes a bite and silently chews a couple of times. Then, classy moves. He stretches his left arm, oh so tired, and returns it back to the booth, this time around the back of the seats and around Bean. Smooth. He gives the redhead a look to check if she noticed just how smooth her date is, because he can do it again if she missed it.

Waiting until Bean's food is taken away, Everett smirks down at her and answers a question she asked privately with his outside voice. "No." He grins broadly like he was answering with a joke. "Have you seen you?" Even though she asked for hers to be boxed, he stabs a cube of the meat on his plate and offers it to her with upraised brows.

Now that he was being compassionate, Stefhan was decidedly not so bad. She appreciated him looking after Meredith. Alisha's advice to Stefhan was sound, she would personally leave it that happened to her, but then it usually didn't. Perfect white teeth are trained in a half moon on the officer. "Precisely your description!" She laughs a tinkling sound like a small silver bell. "That and the preservation of history, no one is really forgotten if you keep their pieces alive." The idea of a 'rush' within a career gave Atli a twinge of anxiety, she was glad there were people more adept for that sort of thing. "I'm sure! Many including myself are grateful you handle the line of work you do!"

Looking at the reformed dirty blonde she asks cordially, "What do you do Stefhan?"

Stefhan looks over to the source of the question and answers with pride, a calmer pride that shows he may act a bit normal for a change, "I have opened The Hub and I work on computers, setup computer network, do computer consulting, so many interesting things." He says, "If you're into technology, find the right place to connect, The Hub."

Bean shakes her head a little as she looks to the large man beside her, and she kisses his nose lightly. "Oh." she says as she reaches down to look at her telephone "I need to go in Ev, it seems that Mr Rodgers dog has eatten a poisoned frog.. sorry my love." she says as she offers him a hug "can you bring my food back home?"

"Has anyone ever told you that you have a rather beautiful laugh?" Alisha says with touch of a smile. "Very true. It's important to keep the past alive. Reminds us of where we came from. It really a shame that some of historic buildings got into such disrepair. Good to know there are at least some dedicated to keeping it alive. I mean I guess there would have to be." she comments. "I know not everyone is as grateful. But thank you. To me it's a calling and I'd like to think I am doing justice to my father's memory. At least getting there."

He frowns softly at the interruption of the phone, the frown on Everett's expression continuing when Bean takes it and announces their lunch is over. His answer is a guttural sound of annoyance, which melts away when the kiss to his nose, for which Everett crosses and widens his eyes. "I'll bring it back home, Babygirl. You want me to drive you there? I might need a moment," he adds under his breath, making no effort to stand. The piece he had offered Bean goes in his mouth, plucked off the fork before the fork is returned to the plate.

He then glances over at the beat cop and grins broadly and chuckles, then follows her eyeline to the person she's speaking with.

To Stefan she simply smiles and nods for a time. New wasn't Atli's specialty and technology was by definition just that. "I like the slogan!" she adds positively. "I'm not very good with computers, perhaps I could get some help from you on navigating digital record keeping for projects?"

Alisha garners a hand wave. "You are just the sweetest thing!" The comment does widen her grin, cheeks dimpling. The expression lessens at the mention of her father's memory. She struggles a bit the remain smiling at all with what that drags up. "I'm sure he would be very proud," she states a tad wistfully, flavored with a form of hope perhaps?

Bean nods her head to Ev, "Nah you take your time, eat good yes" she asks him then she slides out of her booth and heads on out, "was good to almost meet you Everclear" she smiles to Alisha before the small woman heads out

Stefhan yawns a little and finaly decides to stand up. "I guess the next day starts early." He says as it's likely time for him to depart. A wave is offered to Alisha and he says, "Lovely to see you again. Come by and say hello to my son." Then with that, he begins to leave.

Leaning to the side, the big man watches the small woman leave the restaurant, not waiting long before muttering under his breath, "Oh, I'll eat good," while he watches her leave. Sighing when the door closes behind Bean, Everett leans back into his seat proper, and smiles to the waitress upon accepting the portion of Bean's meal she didn't finish, that is. The majority of it. Setting it beside him, Everett returns to his own food, and eating slowly, mostly watching the conversation unfold around him.

Alisha chuckles softly "Don't think anyone's ever said that about me. Most don't find me sweet." she does find the idea rather amusing. At the diminished expression she sighs. "Didn't mean it in a feel sorry for me way. I am sure he would be pride. Just he's memory is part of my motivation to be a better cop everyday." she doesn't seem sad at all. She does wave to Bean "Ditto. Maybe we'll get a chance to talk another time." and Stefhan is heading out as well "Good to see you to Stefhan. Sure I'll drop by at some point to see your kitty."

Atli waves to those departing as her own food arrives. A napkin is placed in her lap, and her sleeves rolled. Picking up a fork a small bite of lightly dressed salad is loaded but not yet eaten. She makes a point to thank the waitress. "Oh No, not that. I just know the feeling and I think your father would be proud. I am sorry he is gone, not in a way of pity." Atli's own father had been murdered earlier the previous year only about six months past. She eyes the hulking man with some skepticism, trying to determine how she felt about him.
"I didn't catch your name," she attempts to change the subject.

"I'm sure you'll get a chance to talk with her more," offers the brute in the booth, meaning Bean. He pauses to stab and chew off a limb of broccoli. When he swallows, he takes a sip of his coffee and then continues the long enough pause, "If I stop hiding her from all the perverts." He points skewered veggie in the direction Stefhan left, while smirking from the right side of his mouth. He's been eyed by the other woman, but unsure if she's asking for his name or not, Everett glances towards the cop, black brows up.

And damn Alisha's lunch time is almost up. Flagging down a waitress to get her order to go. "I'm sorry. That you got to know that particular feeling as well. I have to get back to work. Maybe we could hangout sometime I'm not working?" she offers to Atil and her number if she wants it. Paying for her meal. Giving a nod over to Everett "Probably. It seems I run into you pretty often and I'm sure she'll be nearby. Unless I read things wrong." she'll of course wait for responses before heading back out to her patrol car.

"Her?" Everett offers, and then shrugs before he smirks gently. "That little thing is a stray I found at the side of the road. Bring her home, fed her. Now I can't get rid of her." Almost right away, he slides to sit up in his seat looking up wide eyed at Alisha, "Don't tell her I said any of that, Everclear. She knows where I sleep. But if you want to see her, she works at the animal shelter outside of town." He points in a vague direction with his fork, as if that's supposed to help.

Atli nods, her smile returning amiably to Alisha at the departure, and the number is taken down. She has decided the hulking man may not be the most respectable meal companion in consideration of the fact he may not even have a name. Having taken her phone out to get Alisha's contact, Atli excuses herself in a civil manner. "Absolutely! And, Oh! You are right, I did not even see the time!" Not even a bite taken of her food yet she is waving down a waitress for a box and to cancel the glass of wine. She stands to put on her own coat, not quite running away from the strange and uncouth man, but pretty darn close. "It was really a pleasure to meet you sir." She states in a tangibly fake, yet well-mannered way.

Was as unsure then as he is now that his name was being asked for. But he's on first name basis with that tone. "Uh huh," is Atli's reply before she's as easily dismissed as he is to her. Looking down and to his left, the ape rummages through his leather jacket's pockets until he finds what he's looking for. Finding better company with his smart phone, he flicks his head back to shoo long hair over his shoulder while he turns his attention between his device and lunch.