From: haladwen	Date: 07/03/2007 08:00:58

*picks up* *cheerfully* Pepe's Pizza Parlor. Guaranteed delivery in four hours or that shit's free!

	From: handofsilver	Date: 07/03/2007 08:10:02

*looks at the phone, taking a second to catch on*

Four hours? You need to fix your delivery van. ;)

	From: haladwen	Date: 07/03/2007 08:24:39

*grins* Hey. Some nut mechanic's had my car in the shop for Eru knows how long, and my other car's a ratty pair of trainers.

*as easily as if she's talking to an Age-old pal* You will never guess what happened to me the other day.

	From: handofsilver	Date: 07/03/2007 08:39:14

*smoothly* Yeah I've heard they do that. You should really fire your guy and find a new one.

*sits on the edge of the desk, holding the phone cradle in one hand* I probably won't, so I guess you better spill.

	From: haladwen	Date: 07/03/2007 08:52:49

I dunno. *cheekily* I hear he's pretty good so maybe it's just the artist 'tude at work? The thing'll prolly come back all pimped out with rims and hydraulics and tinted windows and shit.

*clearly satisfied* I foiled a bank robbery and became the Head Marchwarden of Doriath.

	From: handofsilver	Date: 07/03/2007 08:56:43

*laughs* Naw, I think you're okay on that. *is actually feeling pretty good about being back in town again, talking to you* *kind of likes that*

*eyes widening, even though it's not visible over the phone* What? No way? ... Do they know what they're getting into? ;)

	From: haladwen	Date: 07/03/2007 09:10:11

*bites her lip to keep from laughing* Aw. And I had such a bright future in gangsta-ing.

*really does laugh this time* Not a chance! Ain't it a hoot? And this came down from the top banana so it's not just somebody fuckin' with me. I feel kinda bad for Mablung, though. Dude took a demotion right in front of me. He's a swell guy, too.

	From: handofsilver	Date: 07/03/2007 09:18:33

*snickers* You don't have to front for me, I know. ;)

*puts his feet on the desk chair* That's awesome. Really. You should let me buy you a drink to celebrate.

	From: haladwen	Date: 07/03/2007 09:23:24

Thanks! *chews a fingernail briefly* I have soooo much to get up to speed on, though, you have no idea. And it all seems kinda silly since Beleg'll come back sooner or later. I haven't even told my brother yet 'cause he'll be paranoid about me getting fired and then cry when I have to give up the post. But still.

You should let me buy you a drink to celebrate.

*smilingly* Oh, you twisted my arm. When are you free?

	From: handofsilver	Date: 07/03/2007 09:28:57

I just punched out, so... when ever you want me. *realizes the undertones of this statement as soon as he says it but lets it sit*

*listens to you go on* *in a relaxed tone* No, you'll do great, for sure. I'll probably have to be on my best behaviour around you now. ;)

	From: haladwen	Date: 07/03/2007 09:36:39

*raises an eyebrow but tactfully (wow) doesn't comment on this* I have to go to the precinct in a couple hours—oh lord, do I sound old or what?—but it'd be great to get outta here for a little while. I'd love to.

I'll probably have to be on my best behaviour

*playfully* Yeah you will. Starting in— *checks her watch* —twenty minutes when I show up to pick up my pimpmobile?

	From: handofsilver	Date: 07/03/2007 09:44:39

*checks his own watch* *scatters a look around the office to look for the key lockup* You're on then.

*hangs up* *sifts through the lock box and finds your keyring*

*goes out back to get your truck and drive it out to the front of the shop*

	From: haladwen	Date: 07/03/2007 09:52:53

*dashes into her bedroom the moment she hangs up to change her clothes*

*realizes there's exactly one thing in her closet that isn't jeans...and it's a cocktail dress* *a dusty cocktail dress*

*settles for unripped jeans and a cute fitted top the salesgirl talked her into buying when she was slightly drunk*

*walks over to the shop and finds you* I double-checked today's Most Wanted bulletin so it looks like you're safe for now. But don't get cocky, buddy. I'm watching you. Oh, I'm watching you.

	From: handofsilver	Date: 07/03/2007 12:12:30

*sees you arrive and puts down the hood, having a last look over*

*thinks you look as chipper as you were before*

Oh yeah? *lets out a whistle as he unfolds a piece of carbon-copy receipt* Not as bad as the rap sheet on this guy. *nods to the truck* He was doing hard time.

	From: haladwen	Date: 07/03/2007 12:41:52

*pats the hood affectionately* And all for seven hundred bucks and a drink. He's a trouper.

*squeezes her eyes shut and reaches for the receipt* *opens one eye verrry cautiously to read it* Oh! That's not so bad. *is just happy not to have to borrow money from Haldar again*

*digs some crumpled bills out of her pocket and hands them to you* How much time d'you think he's got left on Eru's green earth, anyway?

	From: handofsilver	Date: 07/03/2007 13:04:51

*has a think on that* It should run you okay for a year or so, everything that's in there now. But maybe your new job'll need some new wheels to go with it?

*takes the cash and walks over to the front desk to check you out and stamp the receipt* *casually checks while he's there to see if he got all the grease out from under his nails*

	From: haladwen	Date: 07/03/2007 13:12:15

*shrugs unconcernedly* Suppose so. Or I'll just get myself a bike, maybe.

*follows you over* I guess I'm driving then, eh? Where will we go for that drink? *mischievously* Larry's?

	From: handofsilver	Date: 07/03/2007 13:14:46

*holds out the keys for you*

*with some carefully put on hesitation* Oh, the infamous Larry's. If I'm gonna go, it'd be better under the best protection, eh? ;)

	From: haladwen	Date: 07/03/2007 13:22:37

*sticks her tongue out at you* C'mon. You haven't lived 'til you've seen Larry's.

*thinks it over* 'Cept we won't see anything interesting now that I can toss all those characters in the clink. *looks vaguely disappointed by this*

*brightening suddenly* Then again, if that doesn't work out, there's always The Hole around the corner. Even I wouldn't normally show my face there without an armed escort. That's not even the name of the joint. It's just that nobody's rightly asked on account of the owner's moodiness and sawed-off shotgun.

	From: handofsilver	Date: 07/03/2007 13:30:29

*holds out the driver's-side door and leans on it as you get in* *wonders if Thingol didn't make the wrong choice with you after all* ...Yeah let's make it Larry's then.

*has a thought*

*gets in after you, so you have to slide over*

*takes the keys back and starts the engine himself*

	From: haladwen	Date: 07/03/2007 13:35:22

*sees your fleeting look of terror apprehension and giggles* Celebrimbor. I'm totally fucking with you.

Hey! *tries not to look amused and/or pleased* What's the big idea?!

	From: handofsilver	Date: 07/03/2007 13:39:56

*pauses* Uh. I knew that. *he did mention that whole thing about being gullible, right?*

I'm taking you out, I drive, that's just the way it is.

*pulls out of the parking lot* So when you see the place you want... *casually looks over the road* ...we stop.

	From: haladwen	Date: 07/03/2007 13:45:31

*looks suitably challenged* Oh, it is, is it?

*settles into the passenger seat and puts on her seatbelt* Okay then! *rides along in cheerful silence for a little while* *abruptly* STOP.

	From: handofsilver	Date: 07/03/2007 13:47:36

*shrugs his shoulders* Hey, I don't make these rules, I just follow 'em.

*tries not to look startled*

*brakes and pulls over* Where to?

	From: haladwen	Date: 07/03/2007 13:49:34

*cracks up laughing* Just testing your reflexes, mate.

*lip-twitch* Seriously. Just take a left up there. *points and waits for you to comply* *...* And another left. *...*

*innocently* Now turn left here.

	From: handofsilver	Date: 07/03/2007 14:28:01

*arches an eyebrow but says little else*

*turns*

*turns*

*turns*

...

You know, why don't I just go back to the first corner and make a right, instead?

	From: haladwen	Date: 07/03/2007 19:26:41

*can hardly talk for snickering* You're onto my devious plan, huh?

*kicks her feet up on the dash* Maybe I'll just let you drive around 'til you find it.

	From: handofsilver	Date: 07/04/2007 07:26:59

*shakes his head*

*drives a few blocks down the main strip, in not much of a hurry*

*makes a few turns off to side streets and back again*

*glances over at you* So you give this test to everyone you know, or just the lucky ones?

	From: haladwen	Date: 07/04/2007 08:28:32

*smiles at you a little shyly* Just the people I like being around.

*seriously* Turn right up here. It's on the far corner.

	From: handofsilver	Date: 07/04/2007 14:33:54

*grins, making a show of looking pleased with himself* Better notch that one up for myself then.

*does so*

*parallel parks in the closest spot he can find to the corner*

*steps out and holds open the driver's side door*

	From: haladwen	Date: 07/04/2007 16:36:58

*slides out after you and slams the door shut*

*takes your hand unceremoniously and leads you toward Larry's* Now remember. Showing fear's the quickest way to get us both killed.

	From: handofsilver	Date: 07/04/2007 16:40:28

*takes a few long strides after you*

Well see that's why I have the the Marchwarden Herself to protect me.

	From: haladwen	Date: 07/04/2007 16:46:05

Shh. Do you want to blow our cover? *heads inside and claims a corner table*

*looks around and grins* See? Now you can say you've been to the edge and back.

	From: handofsilver	Date: 07/04/2007 16:52:03

*is pretty sure he could say that before today unfortunately but plays along*

*gives a wave to the bartender and a gesture that indicates "pitcher" and "pretzels"*

*succeeds on the first part, then just grabs a bowl from the end of the bar*

	From: haladwen	Date: 07/04/2007 16:59:45

*takes a big swig of beer when it arrives* *approvingly* Nice choice!

*relaxes a bit more if that's possible now that she knows she doesn't have to pretend to be a wine connoisseur or something*

So. Was it nice getting out of town?

	From: handofsilver	Date: 07/04/2007 17:06:37

*sits back in his chair, with a handful of pretzels* *creaks a little on the rickety legs*

*pretty genuinely relaxed, actually* Yeah, you know, it was. Coming back, too though. I didn't figure it, but it was kind of cool to have a place to come back to. And message from a girl on the phone.

	From: haladwen	Date: 07/04/2007 17:11:16

*munches on some pretzels too* *remembers not to talk with her mouth full, yay!*

*warmly* Aw, that's what I'm talkin' about. The last time I saw you...well. *smiles faintly* Let's just say I can see a definite improvment.

	From: handofsilver	Date: 07/04/2007 17:23:48

*stretches his legs underneath the table* Yeah. It happens why I empty my schedule of family reunions, usually. ;) *didn't expect to be that honest with someone new yet, but there we go*

*reaches for his pint* Anyhow, it's your night, right? There's no such thing as bad nights today, that's another rule.

	From: haladwen	Date: 07/04/2007 19:39:29

*raises her glass* Hear, hear. *cheerfully* Don't you think of getting me tipsy when I've still gotta go in to work, though.

*rests her chin on her hand and looks at you thoughtfully* You do good work, you know. I hardly heard the engine on the way over here.

	From: handofsilver	Date: 07/04/2007 19:49:06

*takes a large sip* *firmly* Right. You're cut off after a quarter pint. We'll set you up with a real nice Shirley Temple. *is clearly in a good mood*

*folds his arms comfortably* Yeah? Wasn't even my best work. ... Actually it was someone else's best. The other guys got to the hard part before I got back. ;)

	From: haladwen	Date: 07/05/2007 07:31:24

*is well into her second pint already* Yessir. Right on that, sir.

You mean you were gone all the while...? *laughs* *teasingly* Maybe that explains the reasonable price.

	From: handofsilver	Date: 07/05/2007 08:09:14

*laughs* Hey. I'm not gonna be held responsible for you falling behind on your first day. There's enough on my head. ;P

Well yeah, otherwise I would have called you sooner.

*goes to slide your glass away from you* *bumps your feet under the table while he does so*

	From: haladwen	Date: 07/05/2007 08:14:42

*holds up her hands in mock surrender and allows you to confiscate her beer*

*stretches her legs between your two and crosses them at the ankles* *tries not to blush* Hey, a coupla weeks is damn quick. Sometimes I wonder if you mechanic types hang onto our rides for ages just to bet on when we'll start complaining.

	From: handofsilver	Date: 07/05/2007 08:24:08

*wonders if that is a blush on your face* :)

*really thinks he's doing remarkably well at not questioning this whole "good mood" thing* Yeah, maybe it if gets really slow we start a pool. *with almost the sincerity of someone who was born into that life* Blue collars have to have something, you know.

*stays put, noticing your feet where they are* *flexes his foot a little, brushing against yours*

	From: haladwen	Date: 07/05/2007 08:30:05

*looks at her hands intently* *very deliberately does not move her foot away*

blue collars have to have something

*leans back in her chair and crosses her arms* *accusingly butnotreally* Now that is the funniest thing I've heard all day. Your Royalness.

	From: handofsilver	Date: 07/05/2007 08:43:16

*folds his arms on the table and leans in*

Your Royalness

*quieter, thoughtful, shaking his head again* Naw. That's not for me.

*watches you looking down* *half-smiles, considering you*

	From: haladwen	Date: 07/05/2007 08:53:05

*smiles too, still without looking at you* That works.

*reluctantly, knowing she's probably thisclose to making herself late for work* I guess I should prolly get my ass in gear here.

	From: handofsilver	Date: 07/05/2007 08:57:03

*sits up, (unintentionally) untangling one of his feet in the process*

I could take you, if you want...? *looks around the bar* Or I could start a fight, give you something to work on here instead. ;):s

	From: haladwen	Date: 07/05/2007 09:07:41

*pulls her own feet back and tucks them under her chair*

*shrugs* I've got the wheels, so I should maybe be taking you home? *blushes harder* *shoots you a mischievous look* Anyway, if you're keen to do time you can at least go down for somethin' good, like a museum heist. Or covering the palace in bubble wrap.

	From: handofsilver	Date: 07/05/2007 09:20:17

*gives you a slightly wider smile* I'll get right on it. It'll be something good, just you wait for it. ;)

*takes the keys from his jeans pocket and slides them over to you so you can take them* How 'bout you call me next time you want me have the night off.

	From: haladwen	Date: 07/05/2007 09:28:38

*tilts her head slightly and takes the keys* Yeah, okay. Hey, thanks for the drink.

*stands and comes around to your side of the table* *rests one knee on the edge of your chair and leans down to drop the lightest of kisses on your mouth*

	From: handofsilver	Date: 07/05/2007 09:32:16

*is taken just a little by surprise* *likes it*

*watches your whole face when you pull away* Okay.

	From: haladwen	Date: 07/05/2007 09:38:17

*softly* *(suddenly feels quite brilliantly witty)*
'kay. *(or not?)* Later, 'gator.

*turns and saunters out of the pub* *can't quite seem to stop grinning*