Penelope Goodson: *food.. both delightful and required for living. She plods into the cafe, rubing her hands together at the prospect of cheesecake and frenchfries.. mmmmmm, she flips her braid over her shoulder and looks around, suprised that she's the only one in the little cafe today*

Aerin Thomas: The man makes his way down the street, running a hand through hair that's still just a little frizzed. The man hasn't had time to get a new leather trench, and thus he is without...scorched leather just has that BAD smell. He makes his way to the restaraunt and opens the door, stepping in. He takes a moment to brush something off the purple poet's shirt he's wearing, the speck floating down past the jeans and Docs to the ground, and then looks around.

Penelope Goodson: Good afternoon! Hey! *she smiles sunnily to Aerin as he walks in. moving to a booth and sliding in with a creak of the seat.*

Catie: *today, it's a trudge rather than a walk. lots done, lots moreto do. but now it's well past time for some lunch. the young girl slips into the cafe, adjusting her heavy backpack with a small sigh*

Aerin Thomas: He looks Penelope over a moment, eyes appraising her, before offering a smile. "Hello." He nods to her and makes his way to take a seat. Halfway there, he takes a paranoid to the door, relaxing and smiling when he sees Catie.

Catie: *blinks and smiles to Aerin, heading slowly towards him. a curious glance and shy smile to Penelope* how are you today, Mr. Aerin?

Penelope Goodson: *Catie gets a happy smile, like the girl knows her already. And then she digs into her cheesecake, poking at it with a fry and eating the potato dessert mixture with glee*

Catie: *blinks at the cheesecake fry. fried cheesecake, she's familiar with. but not quite that way....*although shecan't help but return the happy smile with another one, and a tiny chuckle.*

Aerin Thomas: He shrugs a little bit. "I've been better. I've been worse." Like, five days ago, for example. "How are you?"

Catie: i'm all right, sir. it'sbeen a busy past few days, though. may i join you for lunch? *tilting her head* perhaps with the lady, if you're aquainted with her already? she seems nice.

Penelope Goodson: *she eats happily, content with her own company, as Aerin and Catie seem to know each other*

Penelope Goodson: ((its ok. not feelin th scene suddenly. I'm off))

Catie: ((*hugs and blinks*))

Aerin Thomas: ((*hugs the chumble*)) He shakes his head. "Don't know her, no." And we all know how he feels about people he doesn't know. Paranoid bastard. "Feel free, though." He gestures toward a free table.

Penelope Goodson: *and penelope will eat and hum to herself happily, then scamper out the door*

Penelope Goodson: ((gone! *scampas*))

Catie: *nods to him* neither do i. and thank you. *settles down at the table, heaving off her pack with a sigh of relief* i love books. but the drawback to them is that they tend to be heavy.

Aerin Thomas: "Yeah, they do at that." He smiles, settling into the seat. "What are we reading today?"

Catie: *chuckles* assorted textbooks, three sets of lyrics i need to learn, and for fun, the history of medieval footwear. *dark eyes twinkling* for when i go dain bread from all the technical sorts of things, i have a particularly racy book to devour--the first book in Mr. and Mrs. Eddings' Dreamers series.

Aerin Thomas: He blinks. "Well, at least you're not overloading yourself with heavy reading." He grins...obvious joke. "Man, it's been so long, I've almost forgot what lugging around schoolbooks felt like."

Catie: *giggles* sore shoulders and back, that's what. however, if i study very hard, i might just be able to get my GED early. i'd really like that, because then i can concentrate on more important things.

Aerin Thomas: "A GED is important." He's not lecturing at all, just making a point. God, I'm telling people to stay in school. Am I THAT old? He smirks a little, shaking his head, and leans back in his seat. "But then again, I'm old and crusty."

Catie: *giggles* no you aren't. *rolls her eyes slightly at such a silly comment* i have to get one, because i do eventually wnat to go to college. *grins* did you want to be anything in particular when you were a little boy? *orders a milkshake from the waitress, and a glass of water*

Aerin Thomas: "Oh, did I want to be anything..." He thinks about it, grinning widely, even if it is more then a little bit wistful. Loss of innocence remembered. "Let's see, I wanted to be an actor, and a wrestler. Pro."

Catie: *smiles* both would've been very interesting. i don't want to be an actress, though. i'd rather just sing. and honestly, it seems like most of the singers who go into acting don't really do that job very well, so i'd probably be bad at it. *considers* if you'd become either, i would've been a big fan, though.

Aerin Thomas: He chuckles a little bit. "Yeah...I never had the look for either, though. Shockingly, people don't seem willing to accept a 140 pound man as legitimately able to kick ass inside the squared circle." A wink. "I'm sure you'll be a much more successsfuly singer then I would have been either."

Catie: *giggles* i hope i can make a living at it. at least until i've graduated from college and can start a practice. it'll all depend on whether or not i can make myself get onstage--i think the first time will tell me. if i can do it then, i should be able to make myself keep doing it, right?

Aerin Thomas: "Absolutely." He nods. "And don't overstress it, or overthink it. You'll psyche yourself out, and that will make things worse. Just...try to relax about it, and when you get up on stage, you'll do fine."

Catie: *nods seriously* do you think that will work? people keep telling me odd things, likeimagining every in the audience isn't wearing clothes. but really, i don't want to think about everyone in a room wearing the Emperor's clothing. i'm probably going to try and find a spot on the far wall and just sing at that....

Aerin Thomas: "That not wearing clothes thing is just a tactic to make you not overthink it," he says with a nod. "Find whatever works for you. Most people get a little wierd with the naked thing...just use whatever takes your mind off of it, and doesn't distract you too much. You'll do fine."

Catie: *smiles warmly* thank you, Mr. Aerin. *tilts her head* when i start writing songs that are worth letting someone else hear, i'm going to write one for you.

Aerin Thomas: "Happy to help." He smiles softly to her. "I can't wait to hear whatever you come up with. I'm sure it will be incredible."

Catie: *blushes* i hope so. i've tried to write a song or two, but i don't read music well yet. so it's hard to write what's in my head down onto the paper. *wrinkles her nose slightly* and honestly, i don't like doing nothing but rhyming words. sometimes, a word that rhymes just doesn'tfit. and changing other words turns the song the wrong way.

Aerin Thomas: "I never could read music. Tried for a couple years. It was just...I dunno. Not one of the things I've ever been any aptitude with, is all." He shrugs with a smile. "Some people can't read code, some people have no aptitude with languages, some people can't read music. I'm in group C." He chuckles a little. "Lyrics, on the other hand, I've always been somewhat decent with, at least. It's a matter of inspiration, is all. You'll find yours."

Catie: *chuckles softly* writing down what i want to say isn't that hard. it's making it into something that can be a song that's the tough part.

Catie: *propsher chin on her fists* do you write, sir?

Aerin Thomas: "No, I know." He nods. "It's all about the formula, or the tune, or rhythm scheme. Which makes it an extra challenge." He smiles a little bit to her. "You'll do fine, Catie. You're extraordinarily talented, and you have a passion for it. That's all you need."

Aerin Thomas: "Not as much as I'd like to." He sighs. "I don't have time anymore. Too busy running between my two jobs across the state, as well as home. And saving the world...all of that."

Catie: *blushes* i hope that's true. i suppose eventaully we'll allfind out....*pats his hand gently* you should make time sometimes. it can be relaxing. *soft chuckle* me, ikeep a diary. although it's not a written one. that might not be a good idea, so mine's mostly visual. if you like, sometime i'll show you a page or two. you won't understand, but that's the whole point. *chuckles again, seeming rather confidant*

POSTS LOST

Aerin Thomas: "Awesome." He nods, smiling widely. "I'll be happy to do so. I think you'd like it up there...it's great, very laid back."

Catie: *chuckles softly* as well as being a learning experience, it sounds like it'd be a nice break from endless studying and tutoring and tests. *wry grin* do you know if they allow anything like....*frowns, trying to think of the right terms* internships or the like? or volunteering, ever? like a candy striper at the hospital? perhaps after i get my GED and liscense, i could apply, if they do that there.

Aerin Thomas: "I don't know." He shrugs. "It's a lot of family there, so I'm sure they could work something for you. Not just family, though. There's others that stay there, too."

Catie: *nods seriously* that's good. sometimes i wonder if some of our family forgets that we aren't the only ones here. *wrinkles her nose slightly* that's sad. no matter the differences between us, we all still bleed the same color when we prick our fingers, after all.

Aerin Thomas: "Depends on the family branch, I guess." He sighs and gives her a warm, if slightly sad, smile. "Mine are pretty good about it. Others...not so much. You're right, we're all the same where it counts...some of our people would do well to remember that."

Catie: *nods solemnly* yes, they would. and i admit, some of my branch of the family tends toward a lot of it. perhaps in time they'll learn. without lessons that are terribly harsh and before it's too late. *smiles softly* but anyway, how are Miss Ita and the babies? including the furry ones. *laughs a bit*

Aerin Thomas: "Ita's doing good. So are the babies." He smiles, very much warm and loving, hint of...something else there. Confusion? Pain, maybe? Whatever it is, it's gone quickly. "And all the other kids are doing well, if misbehaving like mad and growing in number."

Catie: *tilts her head slightly* is everything all right, sir? *a soft smile* although i'm glad everyone's doing well. i'd thought of giving Miss Ita a kitten to add to the furry children.

Aerin Thomas: "No, please. No more pets. You have NO idea how many we have as it is. It's getting rediculous."

Catie: *giggles* how many, altogether?

Aerin Thomas: "I don't honestly know. Four dogs, three crows, four horses, sheep, mice, I...think we may have a goat..." He shrugs helplessly.

Catie: a goat? *giggles impishly* well, you know--you should have acat in allof that somewhere. they're wonderfully comforting. it'sthe purr. *gives him her very best Geunine Faux Innocent Look (patent pending)*

Aerin Thomas: "No. No cats. No more pets. Please." He actually does look pleading about it.

Catie: *blinks and giggles* i'm sorry--the look on your face is so.....oh, i wish there was a mirror handy...*grins widely* how about this. no more pets unless i find some poor thing that needs a ~temporary~ home, and needs it very, very badly. or toy animals.

Aerin Thomas: "Even a temporary pet will not be temporary...but sure. Maybe then."

Catie: *soft chuckle* if that happens, it will probably be a wild animal i find in the city which needs to be healed and set free again. outside the city.

Aerin Thomas: "Got it." He nods, taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. "That's fine. Besides everything previously covered, eveything's going well for you, then?"

Catie: *nods, with a small, slightly sad smile of her own* yes. perhaps not everything's going as i would have wanted it best, but it is going well.

Aerin Thomas: A small, sympathetic smile, empathy very evident in his eyes. "I understand."

Catie: *nods, reaching over to pat his hand lightly again* i know. *sighs* someday when i've become all-powerful *soft voice rather dry* i think i'll remake the world so that everyone's happy all the time and nothing bad every happens to anyone. and we are all able to have and do what we want as well as what we should be doing.

Aerin Thomas: "Mmm. That would be nice." He gives a half-smile, watching the table a second, before taking a deep breath and sighing. "So...anyway."

Catie: *a soft smile* yes. it will be perfect. and there will be a great deal of pink, because i like pink. *smiles* so, when are you coming over next so that Bana can glare at you?

Ethan Demian Augustus: He walks into the cafe, glancing over it quickly. Nothing scary hapening. Okay. He walks over to order coffee and a strawberry muffin. Trained a little too well by experience, he asks for them packaged to go 'in case he doesn't finish them.' [Worst that'll happen is he'll preen for awhile, by which time I'll likely be settled down enough to drag out Kris. 8) But I'm just slightly fried for real thought yet.]

Catie: *glances up and gives the young man a shy smile. he'sfamiliar, from somewhere or the other*

Aerin Thomas: He glances over as Ethan steps into the restaraunt...the man's vaguely familiar from--oh, yes. Cafe. Adriana. Olivia. ADRIAN. He watches the man calmly for a moment, then looks back at Catie. "Soon, I promise." He nods. "I stopped by on Sunday...you were gone somewhere. Had to talk."

Catie: *nods* i went to a slumber party then. it was fun to go to.....was the talk all right? *a tiny frown*

Ethan Demian Augustus: [Grrrrr! Sorry. Back.] He smiles at Catie, though the smile falters just a bit when he realises who she's with. Aerin though, after a second to consider strategic retreat, gets a smile as well, before he finds himself a table . Near the door.

Catie: *blinks suddenly* hmm. Mr. Aerin--do you realize we've not yet actually ordered our food? *giggles, blushing*

Aerin Thomas: "Not at all. And incredibly so." That seems to make perfect sense to him.

Ethan Demian Augustus -> Aerin Thomas: [Hey, it would make sense to Bliss too. *L* I just can't get that excited right now.]

Catie: *soft chuckle. glances curiously at Ethan again, crossing her ankles under her chair and sipping the only thing she did manage to oder other than water. her milkshake*

Aerin Thomas -> Ethan Demian Augustus: ((*Grins and hugs*))

Ethan Demian Augustus: He settles back with his muffin and his coffee, watching, alternating between watching the cafe and the street. He seems perfectly content with being on his own, though he still gives warm sniles in greeting to anyone who gets close to him.

Aerin Thomas: He follows her gaze up to Ethan, then back to Catie with a grin. "Yeah, I did notice that. Was just occurring to me, like I had come in here for a reason..." He grins.

Catie: *giggles* what sounds good to you today. perhaps we should have the grilled lobster tails. *grins* or maybe just a nice burger.

Ethan Demian Augustus: And of course, the man who nearly started killing people keeps looking at him. Of course. He pulls out his phone, scrolling down the menu before placing a call.

Catie: *well, so does the girl who's never threatened to kill anyone in his prescence*

Aerin Thomas: "I was thinking mushroom burger, myself." He chuckles to Catie. "You can never go wrong with fungus."

Catie: *grins* that does sound good. but i want cheddar and provolone onmine, too. *ponders* but a salad,i think, instead of fries.

Ethan Demian Augustus: He frowns a little, then hangs up without leaving a message. For about fifteen seconds he pouts. Then he puts the phone down and takes a cautious sip of coffee.

Aerin Thomas: "Naaah...always fries. It is, technically, a vegetable...albeit a highly starched, filler vegetable. Besides, ranch is better with fries then it is on lettuce."

Catie: *grins* but, raspberry vinaigrette is much better on salad than fries.

Ethan Demian Augustus: He leans back a little, watching the two people who seem interested in him quietly. At least there seems to be no threats of violence today. He breaks his muffin in half.

Catie: *gives Ethan another smile whenever she happens to look his way* i do think i should have pie for dessert, though.

Aerin Thomas: "Eww. Nothing vinegar, thank you very much." He makes a sort of 'blegh' face, then smiles to Catie. "Never could stomach it."

Ethan Demian Augustus: He gives Catie a bright smile and a wave.

Aerin Thomas: "Feel free. You and I have quite different tastes in food."

Catie: *giggles softly* you can do a weekend of drinking alot of water and vinegar to purge yourself, i'm told. *giggles and grins at Ethan in return*

Ethan Demian Augustus: He sighs, and focuses on his muffin for awhile, though he seems more interested in dividing it into peices than eating it.

Catie: mmm, yes, i tend to eat lots of salads and vegetables that aren't all starch. *grins* and muffins like that gentleman's eating. muffins must be health food, because they have flour which comes from a vegetable, and eggs which are a good source of protein, andmilk, which is a good source of calcium. and ones with fruit in them have more of your daily recommended dose of fruits and veggies. *giggles softly*

Aerin Thomas: He blinks. "Wow...that's WAY more in-depth then I get when I think of a muffin."

Catie: *grins* when you've been raised with the idea that you have to eat healthy stuff all the time, youlearn to justify a lot of different foods. although, that line of reasoning doesn't tend to work very well on mothers. *giggles* cooks seem to find it terribly amusing, though, and often give you ~two~ muffins when you sneak downstairs for a midnight snack.

Aerin Thomas: He nods, conceding the issue. "Point. Makes one almost glad they didn't care what they put in their body for the first 19 years of their life. Almost."

Ethan Demian Augustus: He has the muffin in bite-sized pieces before he's done, wihch he then ignores after one bite in favor of more coffee. Rather than returning to the muffin after that, he pulls out a little notebook and starts to flip through it idly.

Catie: *giggles* i don't always eat just things that are good for me, though. but i try to eat mostly good stuff. luckily, i like a lot of things that're good for me. like salads.

Aerin Thomas: He nods. "My one concession to 'good for me' food is tea. Even that, I trade in for big brother coffee every now and then."

Catie: *wrinkles her nose playfully*well, when you come over for dinner, i'll make something healthish. and tea.

Ethan Demian Augustus: He glances up, re-establishing where everyone in the cafe is relative to him, and offering a trio that's settled into the table next to him, shrinking just a little when he gets hostile glares.

Aerin Thomas: "Cool." He nods.

Catie: *flashes Ethan a sympathetic smile for the hostility,and chuckles to Aerin* i hope you like it.

Ethan Demian Augustus: [offering a trio (...) a friendly smile, shrinking - GAH!!! It's not even late yet!]

Ethan Demian Augustus: Catie gets a tiny grin. AND batted eyelashes. Apparently he's decided to play.

Catie: *blinks and giggles at the batted lashes.feeling safe with Aerin*

Ethan Demian Augustus: She's probably safe enough anyway, he doesn't really seem to mean anything. He has another peice of muffin. At this rate he'll finish half of it sometime this century.

Aerin Thomas: "I'm sure I will." He glances over at Ethan and back to Catie...and chuckles. Apparently, he finds no fault with harmless play. Unless Adrian were the one playing.

Catie: *sticks out her tongue at Aerin with a giggle*

Raven: ((Hey! I saw that remark! *EG* hehhe, just passing through, carry on.))

Catie: ((*giggles and grooms a Rave*))

Aerin Thomas: ((Hey, Counterpart! They'll meet in a darkened alley one day...just you wait and see! *G*))

Aerin Thomas: He raises an eyebrow and grins at Catie. He could make her blush SOOOO easily right now....must...fight...urge...

Catie: *raises an eyebrow right back at him* whaaaaaaat?

Ethan Demian Augustus: He goes back to reading through the mini-notebook, leaning a little on the window frame.

Catie: *gives Ethan a curious look, owndering what's in his notebook. it would be rude to ask,though*

Aerin Thomas: Okay...he can't fight it anymore. "Oh, nothing. Just an old saying I remember...goes something along the lines of, 'Don't point anything you're not planning on using...'"

Catie: ah. *ponders along moment. with only a small blush this time. and calmly glances around. then rises, tongue out again. quite obviously attempting to lean over the table far enough to lick his hand. not quite bold enough to lick his face or anything....*

Ethan Demian Augustus: He peers over the top of the book at the public licking. Damn. The only two friendly people in the cafe and they're BOTH taken.

Aerin Thomas: He raises an eyebrow, and, quite obligingly, holds the back of his hand up for her, so she doesn't actually have to lean over. Not like he's worried about what people think...hell, what's the worst that could happen? People think he's actually interested with a FEmale KIN...who's with one of the Kensingtons...and Bliss was...okay, it won't be that bad.

Catie: *andpromptly slobbers his hand, sitting back down with abrighter blush and a giggle. and turns scarelt upon noticing Ethan noticing, grinning impishly*

Catie: *clears her throat and decides to attempt bravery. still blushing, politely speaks to Ethan* are you, um, studying for a class? *nodding at his notebook*

Ethan Demian Augustus: He grins a little to Catie, drops his eyes to the pages of the book, and then raises them to peek back over the top at her, practically glowing grey eyes only half visible.

Aerin Thomas: He makes an EWWWWW expression, eyes laughing throughout, and them picks up his napkin to wipe his hand off. "And there you go."

Ethan Demian Augustus: "No. I'm afraid I'm not doing observations for sociology, though I promise I could write a fascinating paper after this. I'm not in school at the moment." He grins impishly. "Anyway, I'm Ethan." He offers her a hand. "I'm a Leo."

Catie: *laughs softly* well, i did use it. *smacks her lips thoughtfully* Mr. Aerin, you know, they make hand lotion that tastes like melons and berries and stuff. i recommend it. *nods "seriously"* but, you can't use the honey scent. that one, i claim, even though i'm not wearing it today.

Aerin Thomas: He leans back, looking over to Ethan, offering him a calm nod.

Ethan Demian Augustus: He smothers a giggle at Catie's comment and ALMOST says something to Aerin. But then remembers this guy IS violent sometimes, and shrinks back a little toward Catie.

Ethan Demian Augustus: Aerin does however get a return nod and a warm smile.

Catie: *chuckles softly and reaches over to shake his hand* i'm Catie, and this is Mr. Aerin. it's nice to meet you, sir. may i ask what is in your notebook? if it's not private, i mean.

Ethan Demian Augustus: There is a slight raised brow at the title for Aerin. "I don't believe in secrets," he says with a gentle smile, offering her the little book.

Catie: *takes it curiously, peeking inside* i'm a bug, by the way. Scorpio. *chuckles* however, i don't really have much of a sting.

Aerin Thomas: He smiles to Ethan. "Aerin Thomas. Umm...Sagittarius. Scorpio cusp." Someone knows their astrology.

Catie: Mr. Aerin, what zodiacal sign are you? *tilts her head curiously*

Aerin Thomas: ((Puts my post after Catie's))

Catie: ((DLP))

Catie: so, we have a lion, an arachnid, and a goatfish, right? *grins cheerfully* we're a zoo.

Aerin Thomas: "No, you're thinking Capricorn, Catie." A warm grin to her. "Lion, arachnid, and centaur archer."

Catie: oops! *giggles* sorry, Mr. Aerin. *grins* although, your arrows must be particualrly sharp, since your on my cusp. that means your birthday's not too far after mine!

Aerin Thomas: "November 23rd."

Aerin Thomas: ((November 24th. Dear gods, it's happened, I've hit semility. I've forgotten my own birthday.))

Ethan Demian Augustus: He chuckles, and at the smile, offers Aerin a hand too. He doesn't seem in a mood to rip it off.

Catie: *tilts her head at something in the notebook, then passes it over* i beg your pardon, Mr. Ethan--but do you by chance know a very large tattooed native american fellow with a rather boisterous personality and earrings?

Aerin Thomas: He leans over at takes the hand.

Catie: *chuckles* i was almost a Halloween baby. October 29th. *tilts her head at Ethan, curiosu both about Merc and his birthdate*

Ethan Demian Augustus: He almost chokes, and then mutters, "crazy son of a bitch does know half the damned city." It's not even so much surprised as amused. "Yeah," he says a bit louder to Catie. "Seems to intimidate the hell out of people? I think he's a landmark."

Aerin Thomas: "Ahh, Mercury." He nods with a chuckle. "Yeah, he's a popular guy."

Catie: *giggles and nods* Mr. Merc is a very nice person, though. i like him. even though it rather does hurt my neck to look up at him if i'm standing right beside him.

Catie: ((brb, folks))

Ethan Demian Augustus: He smiles, settling back a little, a bit more relaxed after finding out they know Mercury. "Yeah," he says with a lazy smile. "But he's wonderful."

Aerin Thomas: He nods. "He's a good guy. We don't always see eye-to-eye, but we get along well the rest of the time. How do you know him?"

Ethan Demian Augustus: "Oh...he picked me up in a cafe, then ran off, then came back, then killed his cell phone, then stormed off. And I was hooked." He smiles and flutters his eyelashes a little.

Catie: *giggles* i met him the first time when i was having a picnic in the park. he ate most of the food i had left that day. *a wry grin* he's a little scary at first, but wonderful once you've known him a little while.

Ethan Demian Augustus: "Yeah, once you get over the spooky."

Catie: i think the spooky's mostly from his sheer mass. "dainty" and "delicate" are words thatcannot be honestly used to describe him. *chuckles*

Aerin Thomas: He raises an eyebrow at the fluttering to the eyelashes and grins oddly. "He tends to have that effect on people, yes."

Ethan Demian Augustus: "Not at all...."

Catie: *eyes the two men and fights off a giggle fit. obviously* Mr. Merc's great fun. i think he finds my habit of calling him Mr. or sir to be a tad disconcerting, though.

Catie: *considers* Mr. Ethan, why don't you come sit with us, so we can stop talking across the table?

Ethan Demian Augustus: He looks at Aerin, studying, there is something too intimate in that look for most people, something that says he's seen likely a little more than you might think quite comfortable of your soul. Maybe from someone you know, that kind of attention would be soothing, he certainly seems concerned. But after about five seconds he blinks, and whatever moment he almost just had is gone.

Ethan Demian Augustus: Huh? Invitation? Oh! He smiles at Catie, and totally pulls his mind off whatever track it had been on. "Sure, that might get old...." He moves his coffee and his half dissected muffin over to their table.

Nathaniel type lurker: (Scene open?)

Aerin Thomas: He returns the stare, meeting Ethan's gaze quite calmly. A curious look in his eyes, that for just a moment becomes very intense, staring directly into the man's eyes with his own green ones. When the moment passes, he looks to Catie, nodding. "Yes, please."

Catie: *grins widely,making sure her heavy backpack's out of Ethan's way* it could, and *lowers her voice conspiratorially* the terrible trio over there is givning us death-glares for talking across tables. *giggles*

Aerin Thomas: ((Yep! Half-hour warning by the way, all.))

Ethan Demian Augustus: He only holds Aerin's eyes a second - there's just something too intense there, unsettling. He can't place it. Just looks away quietly.

Nathaniel type lurker: (Great :)

Ethan Demian Augustus: He blinks as his cell rings, thank god for distravtions, and then when he sees who it is seems a little less relieved. "Um. Hi. How are you?"

Catie: *glances between the two men with a faint, rueful smile. somehow, she doubts it's sexual fascination going on here.*

Aerin Thomas: He looks over to Catie, noting the smile, and shrugs it off, as if to say 'No big deal.' A lean back into his seat, relaxing.

Catie: *tilts her head at Ethan, watching his face curiously for a moment, then grins to Aerin*

Ethan Demian Augustus: "I'm actually...hold on. Not with Mikah." He looks at Aerin and Catie, covering the phone with one hand. "Friend's having a rough night. Mercury knows him too. Anyway, do you mind company?"

Catie: *raises an eyebrow* not at all. is he all right, though?

Ethan Demian Augustus: "I. Well. He's...complicated. I can't tell exactly, over the phone."

Aerin Thomas: Ooh, watch the man's eye twitch slightly, his jaw harden momentarily. Ethan and Mikah. Something is very not right about this, somehow. Otherwise, he shows no reaction, though, and shakes his head. "No, don't mind it at all."

Catie: *nods,small face worried* of course, invite him to join us, then.

Catie: *blinks slightly at Aerin*

Ethan Demian Augustus: "Uh." He watches Aerin a few seconds, a little uneasy. "Okay." He uncovers the phone. "I'm actually hanging out with a couple other people who know Mercury, you know how he is, at this cafe. We'd love company." He rattles off the address, and directions, should Nate need them.

Aerin Thomas: He waves off the looks of surprised and unease. "Sorry. Odd coincidence."

Nathaniel Dikastis: "Okay then, I'll see ya there in a few, gotta catch a cab." The line clicks.

Aerin Thomas: ((*hands the PM over*))

Nathaniel Dikastis: (*Thanks pm to Ethan, then scurries off*)

Nathaniel Dikastis: (Okay... *hands out fluent typo books to all and then carries on*)

Ethan Demian Augustus: He gives Aerin that look again, but this time he reaches out to touch Aerin's arm lightly and actually speaks. "Are you alright?" Gentle, concerned, warm...it is far more emotion than most people really invest in practical strangers.

Catie: *and now it clicks. winces slightly and nods to Aerin, touching his hand lightly, with a solemn smile*

Nathaniel Dikastis: He catches a cab from the club, pulling on his long coat and giving the addess that Ethan gave him to the driver.

Aerin Thomas: "Yeah." Amazingly, for such an angry guy, he doesn't shy away or react badly to the two touches...in fact, he warms to them, both from Catie who he knows well, and Ethan, who he barely knows. "Yeah, I'll be...rather, I am fine."

Ethan Demian Augustus: "Okay." He gives Aerin a very understanding smile, petting his arm a few seconds before pulling his hand away gently.

Catie: *smiles softly* all right, Mr. Aerin. *ponders something, then tilts her head* and by the way. as has become a tradition of sorts between us--i maintain that i win. still. *a tentative smile, hoping her silly tactic worked to help him feel a bit better*

Aerin Thomas: He looks at her and smiles faintly. "Says you." Still a bit shaken. He doesn't really believe in coincidence. But still, it is a smile.

Nathaniel Dikastis: He pays the cabbie when they reach their destination, and he checks over the place before moving inside.

Catie: yes, i do say. *a soft smile, eyes oddly gentle* and since i'm the female here, i must be correct. it says so in the bylaws of my Female Handbook.

Aerin Thomas: "I'm practically half," he says with a shrug.

Ethan Demian Augustus: He wants to reach out and touch Aerin again, he's worried, and touching it totally part of how he deals with people he's worried about. However, pouring youself onto a guy you just met.... He watches Aerin with an expression that's caught between curious and heartbroken.

Nathaniel Dikastis: *A slender young man wearing dress black pants that are slightly wrinkled, and a white shirt with a red stain at the shoulder. His ebony hair is slicked back into a pony-tail that trails down his back, leaving only a thick round of curls over his forehead, almost obscuring one eye, eyeliner permanent tattooed and a curl of an Egyptian looking symbol etched around it in Khol. He has the appearance of someone who is perhaps in the middle of a growth spurt, although somewhere in his late teens or even maybe early twenties, it hard to tell with the eye make-up. He has the distinct scent of him of spices, spagetti sauce, liquer, and various foods.*

Catie: *chuckles* of course you are. after all, if it were left up to women, all children would be born female. it's the father's contribution that decides a baby's gender.

Nathaniel Dikastis: d10: Perc/Alertness: 5,4,6,2,3,

Catie: *blinks and gives Ethan'sarm a tentativepat for the look on his face. then glances over when the doorbell jingles, curious*

Nathaniel Dikastis: He doesn't immediately spot Ethan and his group, but after moving through the cafe he finally spots them. He gives a faint smile to Ethan, and approaches their table.

Aerin Thomas: "Missed the point there, Catie." He chuckles, and looks at Ethan. The man's intense expression actually takes him aback for a moment, before he just nods, qratefully. A thank you for the other's concern.

Nathaniel Dikastis: (pic in gallery if anyone curious)

Catie: *grins widely to Aerin* mmmm, maybe i did.

Ethan Demian Augustus: He nods back to Aerin and waves to Nate. Catie gets a warm smile. Suspected psycho-killer or not, he still seemed less awkward about Aerin than he looks as Nate walks toward them.

Nathaniel Dikastis: (or maybe not, I can't find it - that's weird)

Nathaniel Dikastis: He seems a bit more subdued than normal to Ethan, perhaps just tired. "Hey Ethan" He nods to the other two. "Sure I ain't interruptin'?"

Ziahl: Enters the diner, the door jingling as she walks in.

Ziahl: The light caught her features just so, and for a moment, there was no denying you were in the presence of something inexplicable: the archetype Nubian queen in NY. It was ludicrous of course. Material for a B comedy with Eddy Murphy as the sidekick. Still the mahogany skin looked like mocha cream silk, and those amber eyes, golden when the light touched them at just the right angle. Maybe you just imagined it. Her nose is straight and wide, a strong feature that somehow manages to fit nicely above full, thick lips which could only have been crafted by cupid. Her cheek bones are sculpted high above a strong jaw. Nobility has replaced delicacy in her features, and something about her simply breathes of strength and passion. (pic in gallery, last page)

Nathaniel Dikastis: (ah, there it is, page 7)

Ethan Demian Augustus: "Yeah. Sit down. What's up?"

Aerin Thomas: He looks up at Nathaniel, nodding to him politely. "Hello." ((PB 3 for those who don't know...PM for DD, though I'm leaving in JUST a few.))

Catie: *smiles shyly to Nath* hello, sir, i'm Catie. *offers him a small hand*

Nathaniel Dikastis: d10: Perc/Lore: 9,6,8,4,

Nathaniel Dikastis -> Aerin Thomas: (Depending on his rage, he might recognize the Rage in his. Nathaniel is PB3)

Ziahl: d10: per + alert: 2,3,5,6,5,6,

Catie: ((mrp. PB 3 here, and feral app. thanks for the reminder, Rav. *hugs tight*))

Nathaniel Dikastis: Even subdued, he is never 'that' shy. "Hey all, I'm Nathaniel." He takes Catie's hand and give it a gentle squeeze.

Aerin Thomas: d10: Per+G. Lore: 1,7,7,4,9,1,

Ziahl: She gives a quick look around, people, people, people... a couple of them look familiar. Moving to the counter she orders cheesecake and coffee, paying cash, carefully counting out the exact amount.

Nathaniel Dikastis: (Okay then, PB3 here as well)

Nathaniel Dikastis: (ick, damn 1s)

Ethan Demian Augustus: [No PB. Just that hot....]

Aerin Thomas: ((Still a success! *S*))

Ziahl: Carries her delectables to a table and settles down. Is that Nate? Gives a wave.

Nathaniel Dikastis: (lol)

Ethan Demian Augustus: "Nathdaniel, Aerin, and Catie. Saggitarius and Scorpio. And you were...a Leo?"

Ethan Demian Augustus: "Were you the other Leo?"

Catie: it'snice to meet you, Mr. Nathaniel.

Nathaniel Dikastis: He blinks seeing Ziahl. At least she seemed better now, and he waves as he sits down at the table, his eyes moving curiously to Aerin.

Aerin Thomas: He looks at Nathaniel, head tilting a bit, and nodding. "Aerin." He raises a hand to shake, when his cell phone goes off. He checks it with a frown, and sighs. "Damn. Guess I am going to work after all."

Nathaniel Dikastis: (If Ethan is speaking to Nathaniel) "Nope, Scorpio, you know, the genitals section of the body."

Catie: *sighs sadly* oh, bother. *smiels to Aerin, rising to give himan extra-good hug, since she didn't give himone before* be safe, sir. and give my love to your family when you get home, all right?

Nathaniel Dikastis: He starts to put his hand out to Aerin, then draws it back. "Work is always a bitch. EH.... Sir."

Ethan Demian Augustus: He nods, then scribbles his number on a slip of paper and lays it in Aerin's hand, gently closing Aerin's hand around it, and then his hands over Aerin's. "Take care." And he MEANS it. For a few seconds he manages eye contact again.

Catie: *dark eyes widen slightly at Nath's comment to Ethan, cheeks flushing a bit. oh goodness. and--she'sa Scorpio, too! the blush deepens*

Ziahl: Digs into her cheesecake with great relish, occassionally glancing towards Nate's table.

Aerin Thomas: He meets Ethan's gaze, brow furrowing for just a moment, before he rises. "Thank you, Ethan." He hugs Catie warmly. "Will do. Nice meeting you, Nathanial. Have to do it for more then a few moments next time...duty calls." A nod to all, the phone number slipped into his pocket, as he heads out.

Aerin Thomas: ((before it evens out and he rises, smiling. Wow, haste does not make for emotionally complete posts. :P See you all...thanks for the scene!)