2022-01-20 - The Great Pizza Caper

Dressed for the cold, Jonathan has been out and about, taking care of this and that. Now, he's found himself at the strip mall, his steps taking him in search of something to eat. He's currently standing outside of the Pizza Kitchen, looking a bit lost in thought as if trying to decide if he should enter or not.

Gabriella has finally.. FINALLY gotten herself bundled for winter. She's wearing a gray winter coat and jeans. She probably has a sweater under that coat too. Then she spies the former athlete. Her lips curve over and she steps right next to him. "Jon! How did you know that I wanted to eat half your pizza? Of course, I'm starving."

Jonathan pauses as he hears his name, looking up, and offering a bit of a grin. "Hmmm, let's call it a hunch? And if we're both starving, better make it one of the large pizzas," he replies, before he smiles. "How are you today?"

"I'm getting free pizza without pineapple on it, so I would say I am most excellent." Gabriella bubbles easily as she moves to attempt to wrap an arm through his and enter into the business if he will allow. "What about you, Johnny, Have you been good?"

"Good, good. Been keeping out of trouble," Jonathan replies, rather lightly as he lets his arm be wrapped around and following inside the business. "Trying to offer some people workout advice, and such."

There is a tip of her head to that as her lips curve up, Gabby shouldn't. She really shouldn't, but she's doing it. "How would you work me out?" There is an overly innocent flutter of lashes at him as she looks up.

"Hmmm..." Jonathan replies, looking to her before he raises his eyebrow at that overly innocent flutter. "Wait, this isn't a trap, is it?" he asks, offering her a brief grin, before he adds, "But in general, the secret is to find some kind of physical activity you enjoy doing."

"Most things I say are traps. I'm not happy that you are learning this." Gabby laughs easily to this as she cants her head to look at him. There is a thoughtful look. "So tell me everything about you. Spare no detail."

Jonathan grins momentarily as he hears that. "At least I'm perceptive, hmmm?" There's a pause as he considers the request to tell her everything about him. "Everything?" He lets out a bit of a breath. "Well, I was born here in town, my mother's a doctor and my father a firefighter. I have one younger sister." Another brief pause, before he adds, "I left town during high school to play hockey in Seattle. About the same time, I met someone that wass here visiting her family, and for a few years, we tried keeping one of those long distance relationships, but a while later she broke up with me to let me follow my dream." He pauses, before he adds, "I'm not boring you, I hope?"

Gabriella listens with her head tipped to the side in a thoughtful manner. "Interesting. Doctor and Firefighter. Do they shine?" It's a common question in this town. Then she nods her head. "What is your sister's name? WHo were you dating? Is it something that you can pick back up now?"

"My mogther does, I think Amanda does too. That's my sister," Jonathan replies, before he lets out a bit of a breath at the rest of the questions. "Katy... Katherine Addington. And we did pick it back up, but..." He glances around, probably to hide the grimace. "She left."

Gabriella chuckles. "All the men in my life have a thing for Addingtons. That's rather annoying as they own the town and can be vengeful." She winks towards Jon. "Well, you left and came back. Maybe she will too. I have a theory that if you are born here, you are always tethered here. No matter where you might roam."

"She wass born back in the east, though. Her father left town as a young man." Jonathan replies, before he adds, "I guess that second time she left wass a bit like when I got knocked out and lost my career. Things look good, then they're gone too soon." It's said with a bit of a sigh, before he shrugs. "But that's life, right? Find a new dream when the old one dies."

Gabriella nods her head a bit to that. "I don't really... do relationships. I find that people never stay. This town just seems to follow with that." She cants her head to study him. "What is your new dream, Johnny?"

Jonathan nods as he hears that. "It seems that wat, doesn't it? But don't you ever find yourself thinking that the circle can be broken? Maybe one day good will stay?" A brief pausem, before he lets out another breath. "Perhaps that is the new dream."

"I'm sure that good will stay. I am just not good, John." Gabriella looks at him. "Ugh. When did I start getting all honest and deep? This needs to stop. Beer me!" She wrinkles her nose and then pulls him forwards more.

"Now some philosop..." Jonathan trails off as he's pulled forward. "Okay, then," he offers, with a smile. "Beer and pizza it is."

"Look Jonathan Wallgren of some sort of sportsball fame. I am the fun friend. I'm not the serious one. If you want serious Gabby, you come lay on my couch and let me analyze you." She winks to him. "Now important question. What are we getting on our pizza?"

Jonathan offers a light salute with a grin as he hears that. "Got it, Gabby the non-serious one," he replies, rather lightly, before he considers that question. "Well, I do seem to recall you said it was iwithout pineapple, so we know that much, at least. If I made one myself, I think I'd use a few different kinds of cheese, maybe some bacon or something," he offers.

"As long as no pineapple. I'm not comfortable eating food that eats me back." Then Gabby laughs. "So, order away, Johnny. Also, where is your favorite place in town, being you are a local and all."

"My favorite place in town? What kind of place are you thinking about? i mean, there are some nice bars, and I really enjoy the bosardwalk. The beach is a nice place to go for a walk too," Jonathan replies, before he speaks with the person taking the order, to order the food and drinks.

"I have been to the beach, a lot actually. I enjoy it. I have not been to the boardwalk though. What is there?" Gabriella is always a little impatient. Where food is involved? Moreso unless she's cooking. "What about your personal favorite spot?"

"At the boardwalk? Well, for one, it's a nice place to just take a walk, or sit down to watch people, but aside from that, there's a lovely ice cream shop," Jonathan replies, with a smile. "As for my personal favorite spot? There's a trail in the woods where I've always used to run, or walk, or otherwise simply relax."

Very slowly. So very very slowly, Gabriella's eyes slide up to his as she thinks it over. There.is.ice.cream. She tries to make it look like she doesn't care. She tries. Then her feet start to bounce. Is she vibrating?! Then a noise starts. It's like it comes from her feet up. "There's an ice cream place?!" Oh right.. "Yeah, trails are cool. You should meet Garrett, he likes them too."

Jonathan pauses as he hears that noise, watching her carefully to see if anything's wrong, before he nods. "One of those vintage ice cream and soda places. I've always enjoyed visiting that place," he replies, before he nods again. "Garrett? Don't think I've met him yet."

"You should. He's a great guy. I think he's one of the few friends I actually have in town. I think we are friends." Gabriella offers with a laugh. "It's hard to know with people sometimes. He's dating the gorgeous Perdita. I um.. don't remember her last name." There is a wince to that as she chews her lower lip. "I think it starts with an L. Benji just said it not that long ago. It might be in my phone." She shrugs a bit. "I guess.. she owns property?"

"What does he do?" Jonathan asks, before he nods a bit as he hears the rest of what's said. "She owns property? I think I might have heard something about thsat." He nods as he looks around. "So, where should we sit?" Thankfully, the pizza place isn't too crowded at the moment.

"In the forest." Is he homeless?! Gabriella offers to that as she smiles. "I think he's a park ranger around here. Great person. Great smile. Tends to be happy most of the time." She bounces a bit on her toes as she points to a table by the window. "You got beer right?"

Parvati walks to her own rhythm- low heels clicking as the quite tall east Asian woman seems to glide along the sidewalk towards the Pizza Kitchen. If her height didn't catch the eye, her fashion almost certainly does. Today, she's dressed for colder weather in what appears to be a long leather catsuit lined in some sort of fur, clinging to her lithe form almost as a second skin. The collar is high, broad, decorated with multi-colored feathers. She wear a waist-coated style jacket in silk over it, white with black stitching in floral patterns. Her makeup is impeccable, her posture perfect. She carries herself with an almost regal baring as she steps into the pizza place, pulling her clutch style purse out from under an arm as she looks around with a quiet curiosity.

Jonathan smiles, "A park ranger? Those are usually good people," he offers, before he nods to that tbable by the window. "Sounds good, and they'll bring the beer over shortly." He pauses as he looks to the woman entering, offering a bit of a nod.

"Now she has to meet Perdita." Gabriella offers towards the new arrival. "HEY!" Gabby is nothing if not overly friendly, in so many ways. "Come join Johnny and myself. You might have to get your own beer. I'm sure John will be gentleman enough to share his part of the pizza." There is a chuckle as she hip checks the taller man. She's short with all that angelic innocent thing going. The blonde hair conceals the horns.

The tall woman's head turns, a moment to gather in the pair who are seated near by. She turns, heels clicking softly on the ground- small metal tabs ensuring that every step is memorable.

"Thank you." Parvati replies, with a bow of her head. "Honored to do so." she continues, her English carrying the clipped accent of a native Hindi speaker. It is not particularly thick, but is indeed very noticeable.

Parvati sits, the leather of her catsuit barely making a sound- it's fit specifically for her, after all. Her posture remains perfect- as if an iron rod were through her spine, head held high with an elegant grace. "I am Parvati Deloria." she begins, "A pleasure to meet you both."

"Wait..." Jonathan begins at the mention of his part of the pizza, not to mention the hip check, before he looks back to the person that took the order. "We're going to need more pizza..." he offers, before he smiles, "It's a pleasure to meet you," he replies, before he adds, "I'm Jonathan Wallgren."

"Don't let him just say it like that. He's this world famous..." There is a pause as Gabriella offers a look up at Jonathan. "... sportsballer that has ever sportsballed." She looks a little awkward at that. A winning smile is given to the woman. "I'm Gabriella Leigh. There is nothing exciting about me. I'm blonde, which is a dime a dozen. I'm green eyed, that's actually kinda cool." Then she flops in the seat.

She is in a sweater and a pair of jeans. It looks thrift and she's fine with that. She waits to see if JohnnyBoy sits across from her or next to her. "You new to town? You been here?"

Parvati takes a clutch style purse from under her arm to place the small bag on the table. "A pleasure Jonathan, and Gabriella." she offers once more. "Yes. Quite new, actually. I'll be opening a clothing store before long."

"No, I've never been to this location before- but, I've grown a bit peckish and have no kitchen of my own. So, here I am." the woman offers with a widening of hands, palms up. "And such a unique pleasure it is to be here- and you two? Are you locals? Here on vacation?" she wonders, "It's a very charming little town, isn't it, in it's own odd way."

"Not that world famous... I mean..." Jonathan begins as he hears Gabriella's words, before he takes a seat next to her, nodding a bit at Parvagti's words. "Welome to Gary Harbor," he offers, before he adds, "I'm local, but spent some years away from town."

Gabriella looks over at Parvati for a moment or three. Then she smiles that adorable smile of hers. "Oh, I'm outsider in so many ways. Just moved here right before Christmas. This town is fucking crazy. I mean charming, but feeling like if you came in by bus, you might want a one way out." Her eyes slide over the woman for a few moments as if she's storing the name away. "What kind of clothing store are you opening?"

She shakes her head. "On, he's being modest. His ass was on billboards in tighty whiteys. I mean he rocked that eight pack and made men and women drool. Like hardcore. Are you single, Parvati?"

"I've been making clothing for about fifteen years now." Parvati replies, before indicating her own outfit. "I produce high quality couture for those who desire fashion in their lives. My cliental is across the world already, so really a change in locale really isn't an issue." she explains, with a quiet smile.

Parvati turns her gaze towards Jonathan as Gabriella talks him up. "Oh? How lovely. Please let me know if you need a suit." she says to Jonathan, before her gaze turns back to Gabriella. Her smile turns a little sad. "I'm not on the market, as they say. But thank you, my dear, you're quite lovely."

Nodding a little at the mention of the store, Jonathan smiles. "It sounds like it will be a lovely store," he offers, before he blinks again at Gabriella's words,m "Wait..." he begins, trailing off and just giving her a 'what are you doing' look.

Gabriella reaches out a hand to absently pat Jonathan's hand. It's one of those there-there sort of pats. Her smile is on Parvati though. "I'm afraid you see what I wear." She chuckles lightly to that. "I did dress up a bit and put on makeup, curl my hair, once for a date. I even rocked some four inch heels." She tips her head and leans in. It looks like she's going to be so excited in this. "I'm sorry to hear that. I was hoping to see what was under that cat suit. I do so love pus... cats." She grins to herself as the beer arrives and she takes a drink.

"Oh, well, you must come in once I'm up and running, my dear, we'll get you set up with something truly breathtaking." Parvati offers to Gabriella, just smiling wryly at what she says. "Likewise." is all that's offered in terms of her final words. "But, as I said, I'm not looking to date. I don't even have an apartment, yet." she offers with a shake of her head. "Still, you can always dream, darling- Although, if you do, I demand to hear the details." A teasing tone to her voice as she leans back, looking again to Jonathan.

"Now you- what exactly is.. 'sportsball'?"

Taking a long sip of his beer as it arrives, Jonathan seems lost in thought as he listens. He's halfway through the second sip as he hears Parvati's question, and he lowers the beer again. "An unaccurate term, really. But what she referred to is that I used to play ice hockey," he explains.

Gabriella snaps her fingers on both hands. "That's it! Ice soccer. I remember now. I'm a total puck bunny. Johnny here and I were married for five years until he left me. It was horrible. He just sort of showed up one night in Seattle and told me he couldn't do it anymore. He said I just couldn't keep up with his... well his.." She looks towards his lap and then back to Parvati. "It killed me. I mean straight to my blackened heart. So I came here a few months ago. He just showed up and was like, Hey Bunny Butt, I missed you. Then we had a five hour talk about us just being friends. So here we are. He's single if you are ever looking."

Parvati just listens to the whole thing, face flat. Not a hint of emotion- she has a well practiced RBF. One that ends with the slightest of smiles. "Oh, I'm gay, darling." Parvati offers to Gabriella, not missing a beat. Given her accent- chances are things were not easy for her at one point in her life. "I have, absolutely zero interest in Mister Wallgren, beyond that of a potential friend and/or client." she explains as if this was perfectly normal conversation.

"You, though, darling- are quite cute." She offers to Gabriella, "Were I not on a hiatus I'd invite you over for a special fitting." she offers, tones turned teasing. Two can play that game, right?

Jonathan was just starting on that sip of beer when he hears Gabriella's words, and he ends up coughing, barely managing to get the beer down onto the tbable. Taking a few brief moments to regain his breath, he shakes his head a little bit now. "Don't believe everything she says..." he manages to get out, before he hears Parvsati's words. He tries to chuckle, but ends up coughing a few more times.

Gabriella gasps at Jonathan first. She just looks at him like he ruined her whole life. Her lower lip wobbles a bit. "All of it is a lie? So... we... aren't.. friends?" Her eyes get really really really big too. As if she's about to anime cry. She just looks at him for a long moment. "Do you.. deny our marriage now too? It was bad enough that you left me but.. OH! Pizza!" She makes happy noises now and is already reaching for a slice before they get it fully on the table.

Then she winks towards Parvati. "I mean I'm okay with being dressed up like your Barbie girl. I mean if things start to go from there. I really don't have much say huh?" Then she winks and indicates a hand towards the pizza in offering to the woman.

Parvati smiles, holding back laughter as Gabriella plays with her friend. Just nodding in quiet commiseration to the clearly distraught blonde. "Mm. What sort of Pizza did you get?" she wonders now, curious.

Parvati helps herself to a single slice, pulling at it with a fork and using a knife as a sort of spade to serve herself on a plate. She keeps the fork and knife in hand as she begins to cut the pizza into smaller pieces to eat- all very prim and proper.

"Oh, well then!" she smiles, "I'll have to consider my hiatus while I get things set up, won't I?" she replies, before taking a bite of her recently cut piece of pizza.

"What? No, we are friends..." Jonathan replies, looking quite unsure of what else to say now. And then the pizza arrives, so he simply gets himself a slice of it and eat a bit more in silence now, as he starts thinking about something.

Gabriella is chomping on pizza and then pauses as Jonathan speaks. "Hmmm?" Oh right that thing. "Good, it means that I can call you to be my DD." Then she smiles at the woman again. "I think it's multi-cheese and bacon. This guy wanted to put pineappple on pizza like a heathen." She studies her and then laughs. "We'll see how it goes, Precious."

Parvati chuckles softly, a lovely contralto sound. "Pineapple on pizza isn't so bad." she offers, "What you need to watch out for is banana." she says with a sage, sad nod. "That's the real crime. Real desecration." she intones in that almost purring tone she seems to carry.

"Won't we all, though? See how it goes." she wonders to no-one in particular. "All we can do, really." Parvati asks in a moment of reflection. "Still though- you both know what I do- whatever is it that you do?"

Gabriella watches as Johnathan gets a phone call and wanders out. Then she smiles at Parvati. "So what brought you here, like why this city, this town?" She kicks her feet up on the chair across from her.

"I couldn't say, exactly." Parvati replies honestly. "I've traveled most of my life- from India, to China and elsewhere in Asia." she begins, "Onward to Europe, by way of England and then to the Americas. I settled a while on the East Coast." Parvati pauses a moment, fork and knife left alone as she just takes a moment- thumb and forefinger playing with a simple gold band on her left ring finger. Rolling it along her flesh. "But, eventually, it was time to move on." she continues after her short moment of retrospection- the mask of her face shivering a moment as it holds something back.

"Anyways, I felt drawn west- and I was just driving along the Pacific Coast highway- South to North. I passed through and.. something compelled me to stay here." she offers, "It's an oddly charming town."

Gabriella twitches near her left eye. It's clear the mentalist wants to read her mind, but she resists. Look, she's learning to be good and respectful. It sucks. Her eyes move the golden ring on the woman's left hand. "Are you married?" Her brows lift upwards. "What's your wife's name?"

"A widow. Lais. Her name was Lais." Parvati offers quietly, "But that's hardly something to discuss with new friends. Instead, let's talk about clothing." Parvati offers, changing the subject with a quiet smile. "Or pineapple on pizza." Really, anything other than Lais.

"I apologize, of course, but I.." Another pause. "I am more interested in making a new friend." she continues, diplomatically- that sad smile remaining.

Gabriella tips her head to listen to this and there is a spark in her eyes. It's something deeper than just her flirty behavior. One hand comes out and if allowed will be set upon Parvati. "I mean, I will let it go, but if you want to talk ever. I'm here for you to talk about it."

Parvati simply smiles to Gabriella, patting her hand when it comes to sit on her own. "Thank you, my dear. It is very kind of you." she offers in those clipped, accented tones. "But perhaps another time." she says simply, "It is.. not something for first meetings, yes?" she says, as that mask is replaced- that iron wall that allows her delicate features to seem all the more regal.

"So then- what is it you do?" she goes on, as she gently extracts her hand to return to cutting up pizza.

Gabriella presses her lips together. "I'm a clinical psychologist." She shakes her head. "I'm just a modern day insane Harley Quinn or something. Although I haven't started carrying a bat and dating criminals yet."

Parvati nods slowly. "A.. harlequin?" she blinks a few times- the cultural reference lost on her. "I'm sorry. I'm not sure I understand." she says slowly, "Are.. you a clown psychologist? Like.. to help sick children in hospitals?" she wonders, trying to piece together some frame of reference here that she can meet Gabriella half-way with.

Gabriella contemplates this for a few moments. "Yes." That is all she says. Right there. "I help clowns actually. It's a hard life to try and pretend that one is happy all the time. They have deep issues. Like what if they get too fat to get in the car? What if their feet shrink? Get a fear of water?"

Parvati nods, that mask of civility absolutely refusing to slip. Only a small smile offered, "Lovely. I'm reminded of the joke about the Clown and the Doctor." she remarks, just bowing her head. "And also the Sonheim song- Send in the Clowns." she continues, before returning to her pizza- another strip cut free before eating from fork and knife.

Gabriella looks over at her phone for a moment and sighs. "I have to go. Dinner is ready." She might be young, it's hard to tell being 5 foot little and not wearing makeup. "But hey... here's my number. Hit me up if you are bored."