Wednesday: February 13, 2008
Who: Ralph & Hayate
When: Evening
Where: The wine bar
What: A meeting of like minds

Boredom was what brought him here. Thankfully it wasn't like a club. Ralph hated those things. Enough flashing lights to induce a seizure and music loud enough to invoke a migraine wasn't his idea of a good time. Nice, quiet places attracted Ralph. The empty nook of a library or the calmness of a café were among his prized places to visit. Read a book and sip your coffee in peace. To Ralph, that was the real treat.

The bar bordered on vacant tonight. Any other packed night would've driven him away because crowds panicked Ralph. He walked to the bar and ordered a drink. Ralph paid no attention to the bartender while he asked for a rum and coke. Time away from home was on his agenda this night. It was simple. For now.

He waited for his order and looked at the few visitors in the room. One caught his eye. It was a slight frame blonde. Ralph looked away. His drink came and he sipped it in quiet, but his thoughts nagged him. He looked back.

Ralph never initiated conversation at random. It wasn't normal behavior from him. He always had a reason. Always. Tonight he didn't have a reason. He just had a rum and coke.

He crossed the distance, sat down beside the stranger. Nervously his legs twitched, tapping away at the floor.

"Hello," he said. Usually people looked at who they talked to but Ralph stared down at his rum and coke. Tap tap tap. "Nice night."