failureisntachoice | Mask or Menance IC Contact Post

[ She shrugs and shoves her hands in her pockets. ]

Not much. One of his good friends is still here, I thought he might want to join in anything I end up doing.

[There wasn't much traffic on this road, foot or otherwise. Most of the businesses on this particular collection of buildings didn't begin to attract attention until the sheer amount of rattling neon could replace the night streetlamps. The only other pedestrian their side by side monopoly of the sidewalk they had to move for was a man bundled up heavily against the cold spring breezes, moving briskly in the other direction.

As Aral's pace slows a touch, they've near privacy.]

It is a personal thing, as such, you can invite who you like. Just the two of you, if you wish.

[The suggestion is quiet, less preference and more respect.]

[ She barely moves out of the way of the oncoming pedestrian, more focused on wherever it is they seem to be going. Or at least on going in general.

She's not sure what Tucker will want or if he'll even want to be there. Their relationship or whatever it was has only recently started to be repaired. Either way she's extending an invitation to him, but whether or not anyone else should be there she's not sure.

There's a small frown and a long moment of silence as she turns this over in her head before deciding. ]

I... wouldn't mind company. You and Cordelia. If you didn't mind.

[Now that it was less immediate, it was more about the distraction of movement. The vague pathing towards where one might find a proper offering dish and incense was merely a bonus.]

It would be my honor. I'll pass it along to Cordelia as well, though I imagine you may count upon both.

[ She nods. That's something at least even if it doesn't change what's happened. Maybe she'll get lucky and he'll pop up in a week or so... ]

Thank you. I can ask her myself if you want.

[Aral hasn't been here long enough to offer such comforting possibilities. He considers and then slowly nods.]

She would be receptive, I imagine.

[ She thought Cordelia would be. The question is will Tucker? That's something she'll find out shortly even if she feels strange explaining any of this to him. ]

I'll get in touch with her then.

[He nods at that.]

I'll make arrangements for proper supplies in that time.

If you need to leave, you can. [ She glances over at him. ] But I wouldn't mind the company for lunch.

[ And maybe she'll go in after all once they finish. Going home doesn't feel right. ]

[He gives a slight smile at that.]

I haven't eaten yet, either. There seemed to be a few decent places near by.

I don't care where we go if you have a preference.

[ As long as it's not home. ]

[The ones they'd passed already tended to make their living on particularly drunk clientele. The one he was looking for, with a somewhat high looking rating on the consumer survey program on his communicator.

He doesn't answer immediately, but nods to the building, a small delicatessen by all indication.]

This should do.

[ She barely glances at the exterior of the building before she's making her way inside. She keeps her eyes forward and away from him. ]

If I forgot earlier, thanks for coming to find me.

I was glad to see you.

[Which is as close to "I was worried" as it was going to get. He nods to her, whether she sees the slight gesture or not, and makes his way to a table by the corner.]

[ She doesn't catch the gesture, but she catches the meaning of that simple phrase. If she up and vanishes one day, she knows people will track her down at least.

She slides into her seat and reaches for one of the napkins on the table to start folding. It's more to give her hands something to do than anything else. ]

Have you been here before?

Not at all.

[The menu didn't have a lot of dishes he was particularly familiar with, but he was nothing if not willing to try.]

[ She leans back in her seat and glances at the menu before making some quick decision. It doesn't matter what she gets in front of her, it's only for a distraction anyway. ]

This isn't causing a disruption in your day, right?

Not at all. I've the day off and Gregor and Miles are well protected and in good company.

Good. I didn't mean to leave anyone in a lurch over this.

[He looks at her over the edge of the menu. There was something there, but he wasn't really equipped to untangle it.. maybe he'd ask Cordelia later.]

Regardless of any other status... you would have been family by circumstances of birth. [Cordelia HAD been working on him, in general.] It is more than acceptable to take care of yourself, however you find you need it.

[ She snorts and sets the menu down, already knowing exactly what she'll order when their server approaches. ]

I wouldn't call drinking at the bar taking care of myself. Not that it matters.

[ Hell, she didn't even have anyone at the house anymore now with Epsilon moving out. ]

It... well. It has a certain place. [He couldn't quite manage any sort of a platitude about it being a good place. Not in any sort of good faith.]

I'm not sure if I envy your inability to get properly soused, or am mortified by it.

[When the server comes by, he sets his own order in a quick, perfunctory manner, handing the menu over.]

[ She places her order in a similar fashion and with the menus out of the way, folds her hands together on the table. ]

I'd go with mortified. I'm sure I can simulate the damn feeling, but it's more of a pain in the ass than it's worth to figure out.

It seems to take the point away, yes. There's always keeping busy, instead.

That was my next step. I need to find a new place to stay now, so that should give me plenty to do on top of work.

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