I13DT - Gardens by Night

[Stephanie Kaltiera]

Steph sat on a bench alone late at night, gazing up at the moon, lost in thought.

((Open))

[Connor Marshall]

"Oy, thought only the full moon made you go all wolfy an' starey, luv," Connor said as he came walking along, lighting a cigarette.

[Stephanie Kaltiera]

Steph smirked and pulled her gaze from the moon.

"Shows what you know about werewolves," she joked.

[Connor Marshall]

"I know I like knowin' it better second-person than first-person," he said as he took a drag.

[Stephanie Kaltiera]

"That was...something alright," she smirked.

"Place never stops surprising me. No matter how long I'm here.”

[Connor Marshall]

"Yer a glutton for punishment, then, luv," he mused.

"So, what is it? All introspective after that rubbish that was going on today?"

[Stephanie Kaltiera]

"Somewhat..." she said hesitantly.

"Just wonder if I'm cut out to be teaching, that's all...feel like the kids just...I know they're kids, and I'm not that far removed from them so I should be more understanding but...I don't know. I feel like none of the kids care about anything I try to tell them."

[Connor Marshall]

"Oh, leave it out, luv. Have you looked at any of them lately? Most of 'em don't give a toss what anyone has to say."

[Stephanie Kaltiera]

"I suppose..." she sighed.

"Any more strange characters in your bar since the last time I was there?" she said most certainly not changing the subject.

[Connor Marshall]

"Not so much," he answered. "Bloody boring most of the time, truth be told. Unlike the shite you have to deal with, aye?" he said, not at all changing it back.

[Stephanie Kaltiera]

"I'd like boring for a change. I get a taste of boring working the coffee shop down the street from your bar...seeing people with boring jobs, just getting coffee and talking about insurance or their kids or their weekend projects..."

She sighed and stared off towards the moon again. "Meanwhile, I fly around the country trying to rescue my kids from mad scientists, and spend considerable mental energy not running around like a wild animal."

[Connor Marshall]

He chuckled. "Well, ye'd do the second one anyway, aye?"

"So... this the part where I'm s'posed to give some encouraging speech about how it's somethin' only you can do, an' reaffirm your dedication an' all that? Because I can, but I'm better at it when there's a few pints involved."

[Stephanie Kaltiera]

"The last time I got drinks with you, we had to beat up some ill-tempered Germans in your bar," she smirked.

[Connor Marshall]

"Nothin' wrong with that. A good toss-up's a nice respectable way to spend the evening, right?"

[Stephanie Kaltiera]

Stephanie chuckled, "wasn't I just talking about how I wanted normalcy, oh, 30 seconds ago?"

[Connor Marshall]

"So gettin' pissed with a mate an' gettin' thrown out of a pub with some bruises isn't normal? You run with the wrong crowds, luv," Connor chuckled.

[Stephanie Kaltiera]

Stephanie laughed. "You're talking to a girl who spends most of her nights curled up in a chair with her nose in a book and a pot of tea next to her."

[Connor Marshall]

"Then we're expandin' your horizons, eh?" he chuckled. He got a little more serious as he went on. "Don' have to go anywhere for it. Bloody long day I bet, probably just want to stay in, right?"

[Stephanie Kaltiera]

"A strong drink might help..." she agreed, a hint of a smile crossing her face.

[Connor Marshall]

"A really strong drink, maybe," he agreed. "More drinking an' less moping. Don't need to go to the pub if you don't want, though, been a long day an' all."

[Stephanie Kaltiera]

"Got anything strong here? I don't especially feel like going out."

[Connor Marshall]

"Hope you like whiskey, luv," he said, nodding toward the dorms.

[Stephanie Kaltiera]

She grimaced a bit. "That's an angry drink, but it will do the trick."

[Connor Marshall]

"Oh, sorry, need something a little easier? Maybe with a little umbrella in it?" he said with a smirk as they headed toward the dorms.

[Stephanie Kaltiera]

"Not gonna live that one down am I?" she smirked.