Gilidry

After a moment, Gypsy returned with some bread, which Manion accepted with a "Thank you." and he couldnt help but smile a little at her comment about the juice.

The bread was perfect, just the way he liked it. Still warm from the oven, soft in the middle and the crust was just hard enough to hold everything together.

As he savored his first bite, he had a debate with himself over leaving a tip. "She did say I couldnt pay her... I wonder if she would be upset if I still tipped Gypsy. I'd be commiting a crime if I didn't do something to say thank you. My father raised me better than that."

<sigh> "Guess I'll cross that path when I get there." he said out loud.

((OOC: Manion, like I said in a previous post, is what I might call a "social speed bump". Some subtle things can hit him right between the eyes, others just go right over his head. As far as Gal's humor... well, he may catch on eventually. Right now hes just thinking that his attempt at a thank you was misuderstood, and is trying to find a way to rectify the situation. Personally I understand it fine, but Manion is just gonna have to stumble along for a bit. ))

((OOC: For what its worth it was only $20. Although Im sure that wouldnt have changed your reply much. ))

"I ... uh... " Manion seemed to be taken aback at what was being said to him. For two reasons. First, he had seen many a nasty smiting in his day, and certainly wasn't about to find out which brand Gypsy was using. Second she said she was a gypsy. All the stories he had read as a child did nothing to prepare him for the real thing. He hadnt even been sure, up to this point, that there were any left, or if they were even real.

Suddenly finding words again he said, "My name is Manion, a pleasure to meet you." He almost stood as he handed her his jacket, although he wasnt quite sure why. "And yes I think I'll try the Goulasch." He had been all set to have the Portabello Platter before it dropped off the menu, but the woman seemed proud that her recipe was the one used by Gal and Manion couldn't refuse. Besides he was a big fan of goulasch, he didn't realize they served it here.

"One more thing..." he said leaning over a little. "This may seem a little... odd. But, I was wondering if you served orange juice here. Im not really in the mood for alcohol tonight."

*****

Manion saw Gal purposefuly make her way over to him, and knew right away he'd messed up. He swore his heart skipped a beat at least twice as she explained the situation to him. Even though he was pretty sure she meant no harm, he still felt very small for obvious reasons. His eyes were at least twice their normal size and he fumbled with the menu a little. When she smiled he felt a little better, but he knew she meant business.

He was all set to try and explain himself when she turned suddenly and left him alone at the table.

((OOC: To Sib and Sweet. I honestly had no intention of leaving. I was just poking a little fun at myself is all, promise. Lets just write it off as a bad joke, and I promise I'll go home and work on my delivery a little more. ))

((OOC: Thank you for the kind words. I wasnt thinking of leaving, and I promise, more will be coming as I find places to fit it in and still make sense. ))

((OOC: Very nice Sweet. I dunno guys, between that and the awesome story for Steve... Im starting to feel outta my league. ))

[ QUOTE ]
"Mister Manion, it is a pleasure to see you this evening," Martin replied, having sent Beth off to seat the tall mohawked man and the slight woman. "I reserved the table as you asked, and with Ms. War's compliments. Please, follow me." Marting led Manion to a table with an excellent view of the room and a warm fire in a side-fireplace nearby.

"Specials tonight include prime rib with sauteed potatoes and baked mussels in sauce. I believe when Ms War is finished," his comments were broken by the owner's voice rising in pitch as she spoke to another woman near the grill, cell phone to one ear. Martin looked that way for a moment.

"As I was saying, when Ms. War is finished with her call, I will tell her you have arrived. Apparently there ws a matter of some," the proper man waggled his fingers, as though at something beneath notice, "money the other evening, a bill that was paid twice or some thing."

"Please, enjoy the view, this is one of the finest seats in the house." With that he made his way back to the podium, moing close to the grill and speaking quickly to Gypsy, who looked directly at Manion, and shook her head affirmative.


[/ QUOTE ]

"Please, I dont mean to sound rude, but just call me Manion. That mister stuff is kinda creepy." He honestly didnt think there was a tire iron big enough to get this guy to loosen up even a little but he didnt think it would hurt to try.

He took off his jacket and placed on the back of his chair before sitting down. He was suddenly very nervous, like he had done something wrong. He was thinking about what Martin had said concerning the "matter of ... money" when he noticed the exchange between Martin and the girl behind the grill. Even odder was the look he got from the both of them. There was no mistaking he was being talked about.

He could only think that maybe he had offended Gal. He hoped this wasn't the case, he was just trying to return the nice gesture shown to him.

"Oh well, best not to get too worked up before you hear what she has to say." he thought to himself. Still, he couldnt stop himself from fiddling with the dinnerware in front of him while he waited for a server.

((OOC: Nice curve ))

((OOC: Oops... I am so sorry. I hope I didn't seem rude. I am in fact waiting in line behind the above couple. My apologies. ))

"Punctual is still 10 minutes late in my book." He had said to the phone after he had hung up.

At 5:50 Manion walked through the doors. He wore a brand new pair of black denim pants, a brand new forest green tee shirt, and a black leather jacket. His boots were the same as he had worn the night before. Well worn, and slightly scuffed. The jacket wasnt new, but you could tell that it wasnt worn often. Its as dressed up as he ever remembered being. He hoped it was enough. If not, he would consider going in the bar entrance next time.

As he approached the podium to be seated, he took his gloves off and stuffed them in his left hip pocket. He looked tired. He walked like a man dragging a great weight behind him.

When he got to the podium he noticed several things at once. The food smelled even better than it did before, and the music coming from the bar wasn't his choice, but it could easily have been. When he looked back towards the bar to see who might have put the music on, he noticed an elegantly dressed woman talking to a rather large man, and a ... penguin playing pool? He almost laughed out loud at this last sight, and he felt a little better. He may have even stood a little straighter.

"Definitely a good idea coming out tonight." He thought to himself as he waited to be seated.

((OOC: Hes not upset with Martin, just trying to stay on everyone's good side ))

"Well, I said I'd go back. Tonights as good a night as any." thought Manion to himself. Besides, he had heard something in Gal's voice before he had left the night before. He wasn't an empath, so he couldnt quite put his finger on it, but he felt the need to go back. It had been a long, bad day, and he needed to talk to someone.

He stopped and saw Lauren at the Icon in Independance Port. He had noticed he was one of the few men in the restaraunt without a jacket, and had a feeling that was the reason he had gotten "the look" from the headwaiter.

Once he got back home, he laid out the oufit he had bought and picked up the phone. He would remember to make a reservation this time. He didnt like to make the same mistakes twice. He dialed the number he found on the flyer Gertrude had given him.

"Yes, I'd like to make a reservation for tonight please... 6 o'clock... just myself... Manion... oh sorry Manion Butler... Thank you..."

He hung up and started to get ready.

((OOC: No not at all, just didnt want to stiff anyone is all, thanks for the clarification. ))

Hearing that the check was "lost", Manion was more than a little confused. He must have missed something. Not wanting to seem rude, he decided he was still going to leave a tip. He took two tens out of his wallet, and walked over to Beth.

"Please take this, for you and Gal. You all have been too nice to me, considering I haven't been nearly as friendly as I would have liked. I insist." He placed the folded bills in her hand. "I'll try to be back soon, thank you again."

He left a little bit full, and more than a little bit worried. He was already dialing a number on his cell phone before he got out the door.

((OOC: Sorry I know Im a bit behind, hope I dont mess things up too bad here. I'll be back on schedule next post promise.))

((OOC: Maybe I missed it, and I apologize if I did, but I was waiting to get my bill still. I dont think I actually left. But I guess we can assume I payed, tipped, and left in all the commotion.))

"The fish was wonderful, I actually wanted to thank you before I left." he said. "And as tempting as the dessert sounds, I dont think I have the room. Just waiting on the check. Thank you again. I'll try to stop back in a few days, after I ... look into a few things. Good luck tonight." With a quick look around the room he said, "Looks like things are picking up, I better let you get back to it."

Beth was right, he wasn't disappointed with the salmon at all. He'd have to thank her on his way out, Gal too.

He finished his last bite, and took the last drink of his beer. Then got Beth's attention. "I'd like the check please. Thank you by the way for the recommendation, the salmon was excellant. I'll try to let Gal know if she's not busy." he said glancing towards the kitchen. "It's about time I got out of here, I need to make a few calls before it gets too late." He said, taking one last look at the clock.

Manion jumped a little, startled by the sudden appearance of Gal. He must have been watching that door closer than he thought.

"Pleasure to meet you Gal." As she leaned lower he was surprised that someone of her stature could sneak up on him like that. "Medium sounds good, if that means the same for fish as it does for steak."

Manion waited nearly half an hour for Jade, before he decided to go ahead and order. He felt like he had wasted too much of the restaurants' time and there were probably paying customers that could use the table. Besides he could keep an eye on the door.

He ordered another drink, and the salmon. Just a little curious as to what Beth had hinted at earlier.

He watched the crowd of Heros at a nearbye table, admiring the badge that one of them was proudly showing off. He had just gotten promoted to SL 36 himself, but that was nothing compared to 50.

Once his order had been placed, he turned to watch Gal in the kitchen preparing the meal.

[ QUOTE ]
Gator Bait trailed off as the first twangs of guitar wafted over the bar. oooo yeah, now thats what ima talkin bout. Good choice on the music hon. Having lost her train of thought, Gator Bait simply raised her glass to the man down the bar and smiled.

[/ QUOTE ]

"Thanks" said Manion, and raised his glass in return. "Kinda figured you'd like it. Stevie never dissapoints." he said with a smile.

[ QUOTE ]
Beth glanced around the bar and noticed the young man returning from the Pool Room. The bar looked more crowded than the restaurant, which usually meant more tips. She knew she couldn't compete with Gertrude for those, glancing down at her less than impressive front.

"Mr. Manion, we have a table ready for you. Has your party arrived, or would you care to take your drink to your table? We are having several large parties tonight, and it's opening, sorry for the wait."

[/ QUOTE ]

Manion saw Beth walking towards the bar, glancing down to make sure her name tag was on, and instantly felt bad about his little blunder earlier. "Please, just Manion." he said. "And no, I'm still waiting for my friend." He glanced at the clock again, and almost asked for a few more minutes, but Beth did say a lot of people were showing up. "Sure, I'll take my drink with me." he said. As he got up to follow Beth into the dining area, he took out his wallet. He knew his drink was free, but if he left without leaving a tip he would have felt bad. He left six dollars on the bar and trusted that it would be split.

((OOC: Manion's only preference to seating is that he faces the entrance, preferably in a corner. A habit he's never been able to shake. He doesn't expect Beth to know this, and likely won't think to mention it. He also tips heavy (or likes to think he does)whenever possible. Another habit hes never gotten out of, not that he has ever really tried.))

"Oh, thank you Gertrude." As she stood there for a moment longer, Manion began to worry that maybe he was forgetting something. He wasn't sure what to make of the attention he was getting. Before he could come to any decision though, she turned walked back into the kitchen.

"Room temperature is fine, I'll take a glass please." he said as he turned back to the bar. He noticed the look the bartender was giving to the doors Gertrude had just walked through. "You guys not get along?"

As the bartender went to help the lady a few stools down, Manion noticed something odd about the bar. The wood was beautiful, but he couldn't quite place it. Even stranger, there appeared to be a slight indentation where his arm had been resting. "Thats odd" he said aloud. He checked the clock again. Only a half hour maybe had gone by. "Did I do that?" he asked the bartender, rubbing his hand over the dip in the wood. It was very shallow, hardly visible, but it was still there.

Unsure of when his table would be ready, Manion began to get a little antsy. He wasnt in a hurry to get seated, but he was beginning to worry about Jade. She was never late for anything. He hoped she hadn't run into trouble. To take his mind off things, he decided to go over and see what was in the juke box. He flipped straight through to the "S" albums. it seemed most of his favorite music was by bands that started with S and he figured he would have the best luck finding something there.

"Santana, Sevendust, Skillet, Steely Dan, aha Stevie Ray Vaughan." He wasnt sure what Gator Bait or the other lady in the bar listened to, but he was pretty sure everyone liked Stevie. He put in a dollar and punched up a few random songs from the album.

As he headed back to the bar he admired the pool tables. He was tempted to ask for a set of billiard balls, but decided that could wait.

"Tin Pan Alley" came on in the background as he sat back down. He smiled, that seemed oddly fitting.

((OOC: Just throwing the part about the bar out there. I wasnt sure what you had in mind when you said it was alive and taught to grow, hope this isnt too far out of line. Also to make things easier I am assuming standard currency as opposed to influence.))

"Excuse me? Did I drop what?" He turned just in time to catch a glimpse of an attractive woman bent over in front of him. As she stood back up, he couldnt help but notice that her blouse was open quite a bit. At least one button further than most women he had met, probably more. He hoped she hadn't caught his glance and tried to play it off by looking over her shoulder towards the pool tables.

As he took the flyer she was passing to him, he noticed a smile on her face and knew he'd been busted. Well, he didn't know for sure, but he was pretty sure. He could feel his ears start to burn and again tried to play it off, this time by reading the flyer.

He was about to give it back, he hadn't dropped it of course, when he saw her wink and realized what she was doing. "Thank you... " he said nervously, too scared to actually look at her name tag after what had just happened. "I appreciate it."

He handed the flyer to the bartender. "Actually I do have that flyer. If it doesnt cover the Rauchbier, lemme know. I can change my order."

He took a quick look towards the clock on the wall. Frowning just a little.

[ QUOTE ]
"Beth," said the girl at the door, somewhat flattered he would care about her name. She thought he was giving her the once over until she noticed that her name-badge was lying on the podium. She reached for it subtley, hoping Martin would not notice, but a raised eyebrow from him told her otherwise.

"I will put you down for a table, did you say two?"

[/ QUOTE ]

"Thank you Beth. Yes, two please." He noticed her reaching for her name tag, and the look from the man behind her. After the man had turned his back again, Manion mouthed the words "Im so sorry" glancing towards the Maitre D' before he heads to the bar.

-----

[ QUOTE ]
"I can serve you Guinness Stout, but we also have Ayinger Rauchbier and Salvator Doppelbock on tap." She pullled a small list of beers from beneath the bar. "Would you care to sample, we also have a sample platter of several tap beers that the first drink free flyer covers." She waved the flyer that Isis had handed her for a free drink.

[/ QUOTE ]

"I dont think Im gonna need a sampler platter, the Ayinger Rauchbier sounds right up my alley, thank you. And I didnt know about a flyer" he said frowning slightly.

He glanced over at the ... "girl?"... who seemed to be in a hurry and called herself Gator Bait. "Tyin one on? Congratulations I think. Whiskey doesnt do anything for me, but I appreciate the offer."

((OOC: A little background on Manion. Hes 25, been involved in, or fought against, crime most of his life. As such, he isnt exactly a social butterfly. He is shy, and tries very hard to not offend anyone, often too hard. Also in the interest of avoiding confusion later, the woman he is supposed to be meeting, isnt showing up.))

Edit: Changed my sig to have a link to a pic of Manion.

"Gal... loves an audience?" He was geniunely confused now. It took him a moment before he realized the kitchen was out in plain view. A woman, who he assumed was Gal was busily cooking away. "Oh.. I see" he said with a small smile.

He hadn't planned on eating, but she did say he would't be sorry, and it had been years since he had salmon. He didnt want to stay too long chatting, the man behind the Hostess seemed a little stuffy. The last thing he wanted to do was get anyone in trouble.

"Thank you uhh... miss." he said searching for a name tag. "I think that sounds good. I'll just wait at the bar then."

With one last glance at the Maitre D', he headed into the bar and grabbed a stool.

He was used to being carded so he was ready when she asked for ID. He pulled it out of his wallet, slid it towards the bartender and said, "I'll have a glass of your darkest beer please. Guinness is my usual, but if you have any other recommendations, Im not afraid to try something new."

Manion stood in front of the door for a moment, still unsure about entering.

"Jade did say this was an all Heroes bar... oh well."

The door opened and in walked a man in his mid 20's. His hair was cut short and brown. In the right light you could see hints of red. The goatee on his chin had been there since the first day he shaved. He wore a black tee shirt and blue jeans. As he walked in he took off the gloves he had been wearing and stuffed them into his left hip pocket.

He approached the woman behind the podium looking a little uncomfortable and feeling a little underdressed.

"Do you have a reservation, and what name might it be under?" she asked.

Manion kicked himsself for not calling ahead. If he thought he was underdressed before, he knew it now. "Umm... my name is Manion, but I doubt you're gonna see my name in the book. Maybe under Jade, or Jade Angel?" he asked taking a stab and hoping Jade had planned better than him.

"No, sorry." replied the woman.

"That's ok, Im just meeting someone here for drinks. Do you have an open table at the bar?" he asked. He wasnt hungry, but just in case Jade was he thought he should ask.

((OOC: I realize this bit technically takes place outside Gals's Place, but I hope it still fits. Dont be too mad please? ))

**Kings Row, Wednesday about 10AM**

"Wow, I haven't been back here in ages" thought Manion to himself as he walked along the streets. Normally he would be jumping from rooftop to rooftop hurrying to his next assignment, but today his contact decided he needed a break. All he had to do today was get some information on the Tsoo from a warehouse in the Industrial area. He wasn't in a huge hurry and took some time to revisit his old stomping grounds.

On the corner of one of the buildings he saw a sign that he didn't remember:

Ladies by the Lake
Restaurant and Bar
Opening at 4PM
Bar Open Now

"Hmm, girl's club huh? Will have to let some of the women I know this place is here. Im sure they'll be happy to know they can have a place of 'their own' to come unwind after work." he thought to himself as he continued on his way.

"Its nice to see people starting to take a chance in this area, I hope they do alright."

OOoooh!!!

Head monkey, shoulder monkey...

Potato, potahto...

Im not picky. I just think that they should consider adding monkies to their list of animal accessories. It would be to cool for school! (ok sorry about that... wont happen again)

[ QUOTE ]
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We're all still missing the key issue here: Stuffed shoulder kittens.
Best costume option ever? I say yes.

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Actually, I think the shoulder-Pandas are cooler.

[/ QUOTE ]
*Hopes for sholder-baby dragons*

[/ QUOTE ]

Umm... if I ask nicely enough... with that sad, lost puppy dog face... could I get a shoulder monkey? Pretty please? <sad lost puppy dog face>

Even if it is only for girls? Id be willing to roll a chick Hero just so I could have a monkey on my shoulder. Honest. Pretty please? <sad lost puppy dog face>

Did someone say monkies?

<.<

>.>

<looks down>

Awesome thread! Very good read and definitley brings a much needed lighter side to what can sometimes be a disappointing forum.

Im guessing it has to do with the level you did it at. The first try was with a lvl 30 so it spawned higher than when you went back at lvl 20. This is all of course a hairy wild guess, but it made sense to me at the time.