Gilidry

Manion saw Gypsy coming across the room, she looked happy, but tired. She was obviously working very hard.

When she mentioned Beth, he couldnt stop from turning red again and looking down at the table smiling.

He was about to say something when the sound of pots and pans crashing came from the kitchen. "I hope I haven't been too much... trouble... tonight..." he said to her back as she left to go see what had happened. He wasn't sure if she had heard him.

Then a though occured to him. "Note? What note?" He thought about this for a second. He looked briefly over the table and didn't see a note. The only other place he could think of was his... jacket! "Of course, she must have put it there the other night when she took it, and I hadn't found it because Beth had my jacket last night." He thought to himself.

He checked his pockets and sure enough, he found a folded up piece of paper and some money. He remembered what Gal had said about paying, and putting that together with what Gypsy had just told him, he guessed why the money was there. He was pretty sure Beth would still have gotten her part of the tip, but he would ask her later just to be sure.

Then he opened up the note and read it.

["You are welcome anytime, no reservation necessary. Your face and disposition are good for business. Beth was smitten."]

He lingered over the last sentence for a moment, rereading it to be sure he wasn't seeing things. He couldn't have been more excited. He was hoping he could calm down a bit before Beth got back. He didn't want to giver her the wrong impression. He liked her a lot and didn't want to mess up by scaring her off.

Once again lost in his thoughts, he didn't see Beth coming to his table. He still had the note out, reading it. He was afraid to show her, and he didn't want to shove it in his pocket. Either option was a bad idea. One would probably embarass her, and the other would definitely look suspiscious.

So he decided to tell the truth and leave the rest up to her.

"Gal left me a note the other night. Gypsy left in my jacket and I just now found it." He didn't tell her not to read it, but didn't offer it either. He stopped and looked up at her again, waiting to see what she would say.

((OOC: Manion will give her the note if she asks for it, if not he will fold it up and leave it in front of him on the table. Oh, and good thing I ordered water to drink. ))

"Sucking up to Martin? Wow, of all the people she could have picked. Good luck to her there." He said laughing.

"Don't worry I think I'll be ok. I don't mind if you check in though, will make the evening go by a lot nicer." He returned her smile, and didn't stop watching her as she went back to the front until Candice came to take his order.

"I think I'll have the Goulasch again tonight please." He said. When she paused and gave him a blank stare he remembered it wasn't an item on the posted menu. "Oh, sorry. Gypsy, the cook, made it for me last night. She'll know what you mean."

"And can I just have water to drink tonight also please." He had caught the small sigh she gave when he had explained about the goulasch and decided to try and keep it simple... no juice, no bar drinks. He wasn't upset, just a little leery.

As she left to go get his drink and place his order he thought about Beth again and smiled. "Its gonna take more than Candice to mess up my night." He thought to himself.

"Heh, don't apologize. I understand, training and all." He said, grabbing a piece of bread and trying not to look too amused with the situation.

["I'm sorry, she has an attitude. I don't think she'll last too long once Miss Gal gets back, she won't have that kind of thing. You don't mind? I have to say "Sir" when she's around, or she'll get too cocky.]

"Maybe she's just having first day jitters." he suggested. "Although it is a wierd way of showing it. I probably shouldnt ask her to recommend anything huh?"

["Still walking me home?"]

He pretended to stop and think about this for a moment, hiding his smile by chewing a piece of bread. "Hmmm... I think so. On one condition though," he said, putting on a mock serious face, "the Sir stuff stops when we get out the front door." He shook his finger at her when he said this, but was unable to hold back his smile anymore.

"Im sorry" he said "I dont mean to tease. Of course I will. I asked you remember? And you said yes. I should be asking if you will still let me."

"Well, his loss, my gain." he said with a broad smile. "Im glad you enjoyed the night, so did I. Honestly. As if forgetting my jacket didn't give it away. Thanks for bringing it back." he said, blushing slightly.

"I think I'd like to try the Portabello Platter tonight. I've been meaning too, but with all the wonderful suggestions I hadn't gotten to it yet. And spicy doesn't bother me, but thanks for the warning."

He put the flower back in the vase and watched her as she left to go bet the bread. He smiled and shook his head, his head, still unable to believe his luck.

Manion was a little confused. He wasnt sure why Martin would give him his jacket just yet, but he took it anyway. Placing it on the back of his chair he thanked Martin and sat to wait.

The first thing he noticed was the smell. The last two nights the kitchen gave off all kinds of pleasant smells from the food that was being cooked. That was when he noticed no one was in the outside kitchen. "Gal must have called in." he thought.

"So, hero, what brings you here?"

He had been looking into the kitchen when she came around, so he didnt see her coming.

"Hmm... that's a silly question," he said with a smile, "the flowers of course." He picked a lilac out of its display and offered it to her. Hoping he didn't sound too sappy.

With a sly grin he said, "You look nice tonight, Statesman not take no for an answer?"

He noticed the nice clothes she had on, and felt a little self conscious again. "I'm gonna have to get something nicer to wear when Im out." He thought.

Manion came in again the next night. He was a little later then he had planned. His assignments took longer to finish then he expected.

He walked up to the podium, and seeing Martin waiting he gave a sheepish grin. "Sorry, I uh..." he gave a little shrug, extending his arms out. "I left my jacket with Beth last night. I leave myself at your mercy." he said with a grin and a slight bow, not meant to sound mocking. "I can wait at the bar if you like. But in either case if you could let Beth know I'm here you would have a new friend." He smiled again, knowing Martin probably wouldn't smile back, but trying anyway.

He gave a quick look around, trying to catch a glimpse of Beth as he waited for Martin's reply.

((OOC: Yep, we've started our walk in PM's also. Can't tell ya how it's goin just yet though, still waiting for an answer. Whenever we decide how to handle it, definitely update us on Steve and Falcon. Now that's a cute couple. ))

((OOC: Continuing the dessert conversation... sheesh missed another deadline. Sorry ))

"Yeah sorry, this probably seems kinda fast, but I was hoping maybe we could fix that. I'd like to know more about you too." he wasnt sure exactly how to continue, but her next question helped him along a little.

"What brought me here? Well a couple things really. First, I needed a break. My contacts were telling me to take it easy, but I wasn't listening. Then Gilidry, my roomate... best friend really, told me I was working myself too hard. He's an empath, and the best healer I know. When he says something like that to me, I take it to heart. I was overdoing it honestly, out all day and night, only coming home to eat and sleep then back out on assignments. It wasn't nearly as glamorous as other Hero's have made it to be for themselves. Sure a city rep drops me a badge or two to make me feel like Im doing a good job, but they go overkill with that. Even that loses its novelty after a while. Heck, I got a badge one day just for standing in the right place! Wheres the glamour in that? Anyway, about the same time Gili told me too cool off I found this place. I mentioned it to some friends, and one of them suggested we meet here opening night. Thats why I finally ended up coming." He paused for a moment, taking a bite of his pie. Realizing that this could go the wrong way, he decided to explain.

"Her name was Jade Angel, her and Gili were the only two heroes I've ever trusted in a fight. She was the sister I never had, even called me Little Bro every now and then. I was excited to finally get to spend some time with her that didn't involve arresting thugs." He tried to swallow the lump in his throat with a sip of his drink.

"But, well... things happened. Another chapter for another day."

"Enough about me. It's only fair now for you to answer a question," he said with a small grin. "What brought you to Gal's?"

Manion looked up, startled by the commotion in the kitchen. "Oh man... Gal is gonna kill me" he thought to himself. Beth hadn't answered him yet, so he still wasn't sure if he was in the clear. He was sure is high healing rate could keep up with whatever damage she dished out if it came to that, but that wouldn't stop the pain. And he knew he'd have to take all of it, he'd done exactly what he said he wouldn't do, even if he didn't mean it.

When he saw the tray she was carrying though, and the smile on her face, he was obviously relieved. He didn't even try to hide it.

He followed the two women to the table, holding a chair for Beth before he sat down. He looked back and forth between the two, waiting to see what would happen next.

The wink from Gal was all he needed to see. He knew she hadn't noticed the misunderstanding and he could get back to patching things up with Beth. He smiled again.

"Thanks Gal." He said before she left.

"I would like you to walk me home." Beth said, looking at the table.

"I really am sorry Beth, I didn't mean to upset you. I will, I told you I would, and I really would like to." He lowered his head a little trying to meet her eyes with his, but she still didnt look up.

He waited a moment, then decided to put on his best smile, and held a bite of the pie up in front of him on his fork. "But first, how about some pie?" He held it there, waiting for her to react.

((OOC:You did that on purpose? I see... That was very, very evil. Had me ten kinds of worried there. Nice job. Oh and about the mud pie, Florida boy here, VA transplant... know it, love it... and now I need to find some for real. ))

((OOC: <gets a little antsy> Hope I didnt upset anyone. *bonk*bonk* <forehead + table> ))

((OOC: Ok, trying to save the day here ))

He heard her voice behind him, and without even turning around he knew what had happened.

"Of all the lousy timing" he thought to himself.

He turned around, saw the dampness in her eyes and his heart hit the floor. He hated to see a women so upset, and hated it even more to know he had caused it.

"No, I wasn't leaving." He reached over to tha bar and grabbed a napkin, reaching up to dab her eyes, hoping she didn't recoil. "I told you it would be a pleasure to walk you home and I meant that."

"I was... just hoping to surprise you. I came in here to ask what your favorite drink was. I thought you would be a little longer and that I would be back at the table when you got there. I was going to ask if you would join me for some dessert when your shift was over if you weren't in a hurry to get home."

"I... I don't know what else to say except sorry. I know how this must have looked, but I promise I wasn't going to leave you here." He looked down at the floor now, angry at himself for a moment.

"I hope you'll still sit with me, but I'll understand if you just want to go home."

((OOC: Hope that works. ))

Edit: (( To clarify, he was thinking that if it was too late for dessert that maybe he and Beth would have time for a quick drink before they left... I gotta wark on my wording. Sorry again for the confusion.))

((OOC: no no no! ACK! I wasnt headed for the bar... sorry if it seemed that way... oh dear... just considering the options in case it was too late for dessert... it was all in my head! ... umm... hmm... ok no prob, gimme a sec to rethink this one... so sorry!))

It was starting to get late. Manion noticed things start to wind down. He also saw the kitchen getting shut down.

"I wonder if its too late for dessert..." he wondered, "maybe a quick drink at the bar would be ok. Shouldn't take too long."

He was worried about keeping anyone here on account of him.

Either way he was sure he and Beth were bound to talk during the walk to her home.

Guys I dont think all this is really necessary. If you dont have anything constructive to say or any feedback to give then please respect Sibling and not make a mess of their thread.

To Sibling: Im sorry if this is inappropriate here, I just felt that something needed to be said.

I did some thinking. My previous post was more of my "general" scrapper theme song.


I would have to say that for my main, Manion it would be: Alone I Break by Korn

For my future Kheldian: The Pulse of the Maggots by Slipknot

For False Dawn my first scrapper: Low Man's Lyric by Metallica

For Gilidry my controller: Don't Be Afraid by Stereomud

I could go into all the why's but that might take a while. Just listening to those songs though should give you a pretty solid feel for the type of characters I've tried to make them.

Edit: Dyslexic and I missed it the first time.

"That went better than I expected." he said to himself as he brushed the dust off the table into his empty bowl.

He had no intention of "messing with Beth", as she had put it. But he had seen something in her eyes, like a mother bear protecting her cub, that told him he needed to be extra careful. That and the crystal thing, that was a pretty solid hint too.

He wasn't worried though, he would be happy enough just getting to talk with her for a bit. The thought of anything past that hadn't honestly entered his head until Gal's warning.

Now that it was cleared up, Manion sat waiting at his table. Suddenly he was a little nervous, he hand't really planned out how he was going to bring this up with Beth. He turned his empty glass in its place on his table, trying to work up the nerve, and practicing what he would say in his head.

"No m'am, well... I may have left another tip, but I wasn't gonna pay, promise. And I trust what you say about Gypsy, believe me."

Her smile came back, and so did his.

"I've got a few questions if you have the time actually. First, I heard about the work you do at the Mission, and I'd like to help. I think it would do me some good to be a different kind of hero every now and then. I know it seems all of a sudden and maybe a bit suspicious, but honestly, I hadnt looked at it quite like this til now."

"Second, I was wondering if I could hang out here for a bit after you closed." he looked and the table and blushed a little. "I told Beth I would walk her home tonight. She says her shift ends at one and Id like to wait for her."

"And last... if it isnt too much... well..." He decided it wouldnt hurt, and there was no use beating around the bush. "I asked her ealier if she'd like to sit and talk with me. I knew she couldn't because she was busy, but I thought Id make the offer anyway 'cause shes nice, and well..."

"What I mean to ask is if we might be able to sit here a bit after she got off the clock. I was gonna ask her to join me for a dessert. I haven't yet, not until I heard from you. I know you all have families to get to, and I dont want to keep anyone here later than they need, so I won't be dissappointed if you say no. I'll just order the dessert now, and I can still walk her home."

He searched her face for any kind of reaction. He felt like he was talking to her mother, and was worried he might be going a little too far.

"Ok? Wow it was more than ok. That was absolutely delicious. My compliments to Gypsy." He made a show of rubbing his stomach.

"Now about dessert... I'd like to order, but I need to ask a question of Gal first, as soon as she has a moment. Once thats done though, I'd be happy to look at the menu. Just out of curiosity though, what would you recommend?"

He couldnt help but grin. He wasn't quite ready to spring his idea yet. First he felt he should clear it through Gal to make sure he didn't overstep his bounds.

((OOC: Go get some sleep! Goodness, how some people do it I'll never know. <shakes his head> ))

((OOC: Funny you should mention the alt+tabbing Asuryan. Ive started doing the same thing. This thread is addicting! ))

Manion tried not to look too disappointed. It was the answer he had expected to get after all. "I'm sorry, I hope I didn't embarass you." he said, once she paused, noticing her blush again.

The next statement caught him completely off guard. "Walk you home? I... well... that is... of course." Not once had anyone ever asked him that before. Even when he stopped a purse snatching or a shake down, none of those people had ever asked him that. It was kinda nice.

"Yes, it would be a pleasure." he finally managed to get out. "And no, its not too late."

He waited until she left before taking a bite of his dinner. He wasn't uncomfortable eating in front of others, he just didn't want to seem inconsiderate eating when he should be listening.

The bowl held the heat of the meal in, and he enjoyed every bite, first to last. "Shes right, the lady does know how cookin' is done."

As he sat back in his chair, letting things settle and waiting for Beth to come back, he had an idea. He thought it was a good one, and he smiled.

"Thank you very much. And thank you for talking to Gal, I appreciate that." He looked at her and smiled. A light in his eyes.

He quickly weighed his options and tried to choose his next words carefully. "I might like to see the dessert menu later, and, if its ok... err what I mean to say if it's not too forward is..."

He paused for a moment as the events of the last few days came back suddenly, unbidden and unwelcome. Looking back up at her, he quietly said, "Honestly, if you'd like to sit and talk... well, I think I'd like that very much. If thats not asking to much, of course, and if," he looked around the room for Gal and Martin, "no one else will mind."

((OOC: Curse my need for sleep, and the 4 hour time difference. Must... beat... deadline... <runs around like a squirrel looking for a place to bury his sunflower seed> ))

The Mississippi Squirrel Revival by Ray Stevens


Ok, this is either going to make sense or not, depending on how varied your musical tastes are.

Its always been one of my favortie songs, and I find it a comical fit for a scrapper.

Here is the lyrics for those who may not know the song Im talking about. Its much better to hear in song, but this will give you an idea.

Edit: Im really not as old as this post might make you think.

Manion noticed Beth picking at the carpet with the toe of her shoe, and saw her face turn a little red. He started to blush himself and looked back at the table. He wondered how old she was. She was cute, no denying it, but his experiences around women were limited, so he was unsure of exactly how to react.

As he watched her walk back to the podium, the light bulb went off in his head. "Of course! The Mission..." He knew about the Mission, he knew where it was and what it did for the community of Kings Row and Paragon City. He had just been so wrapped up in the cloak and dagger side of bing a hero that the thought hadn't even crossed his mind. Now he knew how to solve two problems at one time. He made up his mind to stop by on Wednesday and offer to help. He would have to ask Gal about it when he got the chance. He didn't want to show up and have her mistake his intentions. He wasn't going so he could pay off a dinner tab, he was going so he could actually do some good without feeling bad about it at the end of the day, and hopefully clear the air between him and Gal.

The more he thought about it, the more he felt that this was something he had to do. For his own good, as well as others.

As he took another bite of the bread he thought, "There's more than one way to be a hero after all. Its just a shame it took you this long to realize it. Besides, my contacts won't miss me one day out of the week."

Manion found himself once again, a little surprised. "You must be an empath." His tone was half joking, half asking.

"And its ok, last night I wanted you to tell her, I was just trying to say thanks. I didnt mean to offend." he said with a slight frown.

"I just got done getting set staight by Gal. I see what you mean by not wanting charity. I was hoping I didnt cause too much trouble for you last night between that and the name tag thing with Martin."

"Maybe you can help me wrap my head around this." he said, taking the opportunity to as Beth a question since she seemed to know Gal. "If I cant pay for my meal, or at least tip her, then what can I do? I dont want to upset her, and the last thing I want to do is seem ungrateful. Just 'cause Ive had a bad week, doesnt mean I can come in here and take advantage of the hospitality you ladies have shown me. Up until now the only way I knew to say thanks in a place like this was with money." He paused to gather his thoughts looking up at her.

"I do some pretty nasty things to people, and I use that term loosely, sometimes. Everyone of them deserves it though. I make sure. Muggers, muderers, rapists, you name it. Well, you dont deserve to be treated nasty. Call me sensitive, but just leaving here last night, without some kind of gesture in return would have made me feel like I was being nasty. Not the same I know, but still, thats just me I guess."

He stopped, suddenly self conscious and aware that he had gone off on kind of a rant. He looked back at the table, and at his hands in front of him.

"I'm sorry. Im glad I didn't get Gal mad at you. Please tell her Im sorry. She left before I got to say anything. And... your welcome." he looked back at her, and followed her eyes around the room.

"I can see things are starting to pick up, I should let you get back, before I really do cause you trouble."

He said this last part with a smile, hoping she understood that he wasn't trying to brush her off.

((OOC: Manion likes being a hero, it helps him to forget about his less than stellar past. But sometimes he doesnt like the things he's forced to do as a hero, things that remind him of that past all over again. So he takes every opportunity to be as nice to "good people" as he is nasty to "bad people". He can see that Gal and the other ladies are good people, which might explain his eagerness. Also in regards to his past all I can say so far is this: throughout his little rant, he habitually pulled down the sleeves of his tee-shirt, he does it subconsciously although it would appear on the outside that he was trying to cover his arms. The shirt is still new and hasnt quite fitted to his frame yet, an observant listener would see tatoos on either arm, just peeking below the hem of his sleeves.))

As Manion sat, contemplating his situation, and waiting for Gypsy to return, he noticed a familiar man enter the restaraunt. He wasnt dressed up like he had been the other night, but he looked comfortable. He also looked excited, almost boyish as he waited to be seated. He could hardly hold onto the parcels in his hands. Manion thought it stange on a man of his stature, and wondered what might have gotten him so worked up. He was seated at a table near him, with the woman Gal had been talking to.

"Nice trick on Martin." he thought. He had caught part of what Gal had said and could peice together the rest. He remembered "the eye".

Thinking of that suddenly reminded him. "Beth... I hope Gal wasn't too rough on her." He seriously didn't believe it, and dismissed the thought as soon as it entered his head, shaming himself for even thinking it. Still he was curious as to how she was doing.

From his seat he could smell the goulasch cooking, his mouth started watering and he couldnt wait to try it.