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Hannah Silver {Cinderella} (noglass_slipper) wrote in bellumlogs,
@ 2010-05-08 22:14:00

Entry tags:

Who: Diego and Hannah
What: Lunch!
Where: The lobby to start, then elsewhere
When: Backdated to Thursday at 12:30
Warnings: None :D

Hannah nearly slept in on Thursday, but luckily when her alarm clock failed she could count on Gabriel to be her very own canine wake-up call. Aside from work she really hadn't needed to get up at a particular time in a while, but when she remembered that she was going out for lunch she felt a little more awake. Diego seemed nice, and his fable hadn't been bad or anything - was it too presumptuous to make judgments based on a fictional character they happened to be sometimes?

Either way she was ready by quarter after twelve, dressed in a long white top and jeans. She took the elevator down to the lobby, and for once it didn't stop like it usually did. She'd almost become used to the quirky elevator by now, and it's temperamental behavior didn't bother her as much as it once had.

She fiddled with her phone while she waited for Diego, glancing up every so often to check the stairwell.

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dwagonslayer
2010-05-11 05:53 pm UTC (link)

"The window is a good place to sit," he agreed, still thumbing through the menu. "You can see the outside, what is going on." He left it unsaid that seeing your surroundings conferred a strong advantage on the people that needed to be aware. After all, this was a friendly lunch, not a business one. There was no need to get into all that unpleasantness.

He chuckled. "Yes, and then you see what you were going to order, and begin to have second thoughts." After a few moments, he decided on the crispy skin duck and egg drop soup. The waiter arrived shortly to take their orders and disappeared, leaving them to their window table.

Picking up his glass of water, Diego took a small sip. "I cannot believe how nice the weather has been here," he said. "It is beautiful, eh? I don't remember my last visit to New York being this pleasant."

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noglass_slipper
2010-05-11 08:42 pm UTC (link)

She nodded, trying not to let herself scan the menu too many times in case she started having second thoughts. The last thing she wanted to do was take forever to order, resolutely closing the menu so she wouldn't be tempted. "I'm not usually as indecisive as I am whenever I have to choose from a menu."

Once the waiter came Hannah ordered her food, even though what Diego had ordered did sound good as well. "It has been," she agreed. "It's nice to be able to go to the park or even just take a walk without freezing. When was the last time you visited New York?"

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dwagonslayer
2010-05-11 10:02 pm UTC (link)

At her question, he paused. "Ah, that is a good question." He stroked his chin, thinking on this. Sometimes, Diego didn't keep track of time as well as he should have. Events tended to bend and twist in his mind, flip-flopping around until they all looked almost the same. Was New York before Chile, or after Cuba?

"Two years ago, if I remember correctly," he said finally. "It was winter, I do remember that much. They say traffic here is bad, but with the snow, it is criminal." He laughed. "I didn't get behind the wheel of a car once the last time I came here, just for that reason. But really, do you need to here? Everything is so close! I have met many New Yorkers before that don't even own cars because it's so unnecessary."

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noglass_slipper
2010-05-12 12:41 am UTC (link)

She was curious as to why he couldn't remember right away, but it could have been as simple as his memory being a little hazy. Although... Sinbad had been a world traveller, and even though she knew that people weren't the same as their fables, maybe he had a little more in common with him than she'd thought. "The winters can be terrible. I moved here in January, and it was nothing like I expected." Not that she minded the snow, but sometimes it was just a bit ridiculous. "Have you travelled to many other places?" She was curious, but hoped she wasn't intruding or anything like that.

Hannah laughed and shook her head. "I don't own a car, and I can't see myself getting one in the near future. There are so many other modes of transportation, and considering the traffic, most of the time it's a lot faster to just walk." She paused, glancing out the window. "I think you miss a lot more then you drive, too."

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dwagonslayer
2010-05-12 01:13 am UTC (link)

"Oh yes, all over!" Diego was an open book - mostly - when it came to his past adventures. He was always far too eager to share. "I've been to all populated continents - Antarctica, of course, never counts - and was just recently in Pakistan. But I love coming to America. It is such a fun country to visit, no matter where in it you are!"

As she mentioned not owning a car, he nodded. "Yes, that is smart. It's hard to navigate here - all the roads look the same!" He chuckled. "Ah, yes, that too. I would much rather walk when I travel than drive. You're right, you see so much more. Why, I would have missed this restaurant if I had driven past it! And where would we be eating now? I don't know."

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noglass_slipper
2010-05-12 04:34 am UTC (link)

"It must be exciting to have seen all those places." She couldn't help but sound slightly envious, one of the few things she and Cinderella had in common. Neither of them had travelled very often, and the idea of seeing as many places as Diego had was almost overwhelming. "You've really been to Antarctica? With penguins and seals and everything?" Of course her first thought was the wildlife, which would make even the extreme cold worth it.

"To be honest, I've always been a nervous driver. I don't think I could brave New York traffic." No need to mention the fact that it had been years since she'd last driven a vehicle - patients in institutions weren't exactly allowed to drive. "See?" She laughed. "Walking does have its advantages."

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dwagonslayer
2010-05-12 05:45 pm UTC (link)

He nodded. "Oh, yes, it is so much fun." And it was. Once again, he felt that itchy feeling under his skin. Wasn't he going to Peru next? He shelved the thought as she mentioned Antarctica. "Oh, no, I'm sorry! I meant that it does not count as a continent - there are no people!" He chuckled. "No, I've never been. I travel because I like to see the people. Scientists in a fancy igloo don't count for me."

As she mentioned driving, he nodded. "Oh yes, driving can be very scary. I drove in Jerusalem once." He shook his head, wiping his brow for effect. "Every second you think you're going to die! So you are right - walking is very advantageous."

He settled back into his chair, relaxing more the longer they were there. "And bicycles are a happy medium between the two, eh? I like biking. It's very relaxing."

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noglass_slipper
2010-05-12 08:52 pm UTC (link)

"Oh!" She felt herself flush, shrugging apologetically. "I thought you meant that you... yeah." Of course he hadn't been to Antarctica - who went there except scientists, people who liked cold climates, or wildlife researchers? It wasn't exactly a popular vacation spot. "I guess it's not exactly a tourist area."

She had no idea what Jerusalem was like, but it was probably fairly crowded and not exactly the safest place to drive. "Was it really that bad? I can't imagine it - I'd probably be able to drive for about a minute before having to stop if it was that dangerous."

Hannah wasn't as wary as she usually was when she went out, especially with someone else, and despite Bellum's quirks it really had made things better for her. "It is - I tend to either walk or rollerblade, though. My dog is still a puppy, and he has a hard time keeping up with bikes."

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dwagonslayer
2010-05-13 12:14 am UTC (link)

He laughed at her apologetic shrug. "No, no, it's fine! I was a little bit vague. And yes, it is not. Though I have heard that scientists like it very much." He picked up his glass of water and took a sip, setting it down and resting his hand on his knee.

At the question of Jerusalem's traffic, he pressed a hand to his temples. "Oh, yes, it was terrible! People just do whatever they want there, they drive as they like. There's so much beeping and yelling, it's so scary." He laughed, pressing his hand over his heart. "I could feel my heart stop every time I saw a car!"

He calmed down as she mentioned rollerblading and her dog. He grinned. "You have a puppy? That is great! I love dogs, they're so affectionate. What is his name? Did you get him from the shelter where you work?"

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noglass_slipper
2010-05-13 05:36 am UTC (link)

Hannah glanced downward for a moment, taking a drink of water and waiting until she felt a little less sheepish before looking up again. His description of how people drove in Jerusalem made her raise her eyebrows, laughing out of surprise more than amusement. "That sounds like quite the adventure. A dangerous one, yes, but most are like that." Some people didn't seem to resemble their fables, but to her Diego and Sinbad seemed to have quite a few things in common - luckily, it was a good thing rather than a bad one.

She nodded, brightening instantly. Animals were usually a topic that was sure to catch her attention, especially her own. "His name is Gabriel - and yes, I did. I was there when he was born, actually, but I had to wait until he was old enough to take him home."

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dwagonslayer
2010-05-13 05:58 pm UTC (link)

"The only good kind of adventure is a dangerous one, if you ask me!" he said cheerfully, taking another sip from his glass of water. And it was true. Though Diego wouldn't call himself a foolish risk-taker, he preferred a bit of danger to none at all. What good was going on an adventure if you couldn't feel your heart pounding in your chest, ready to explode at any moment?

It was obvious in her face that she adored her dog. Everything about her changed subtly. He chuckled, listening. "Gabriel? That's a nice name for a dog!" Lacing his fingers together, he rested his hands on his knee, bobbing his foot slightly. "Ah, that is so nice! So you saw him when he was a little baby? That is precious. Puppies when they're so small are so much fun!"

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noglass_slipper
2010-05-14 04:21 am UTC (link)

"I can't really disagree. Out of all the books and movies I've seen, every single adventure had some kind of dangerous element to it." It was, she supposed, what made adventures exciting rather than boring. It would be more of a journey if there was no excitement, after all.

Some people thought it was strange to give a dog what some considered to be a 'people' name, but Hannah had never really favored names like Fluffy or Spot. "Thanks. I didn't want to name him anything too typical, like Sparky or Fido. Gabriel just... seems to suit him." She laughed, nodding as their waiter appeared with their food. "They are adorable as puppies, and they do have a certain playfulness that's just too cute."

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dwagonslayer
2010-05-15 06:06 pm UTC (link)

As the food arrived, Diego picked up his spoon and twirled it between his fingers, not yet taking a bite. "Oh yes, it seems that every dog is Sparky or Fido or Spot or something like that," he chuckled. "It is good to be original! Gabriel is a strong name, for a dog or a man. You have a talent for choosing names, I think."

With a smile, he scooped up a spoonful of soup and took a sip. "Oh, this is very good!" Nodding with appreciation, he took a drink of water before returning to the soup. "It is always so nice to find places like this, with good food. Good food, good company, it's a good day."

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noglass_slipper
2010-05-15 08:52 pm UTC (link)

She laughed, surprised that he'd matched her train of thought. "That was my line of thinking exactly." Names should have some kind of meaning, even if it was personal, and she shrugged as she cut into her chicken. "I like names with... substance. Even if it's just a personal meaning, I don't think it should be random."

Hannah took a bite of her food and nodded, swallowing before voicing her agreement. "It is good." She tilted her head to the side. "You're very positive. It's... refreshing. Most people I know tend to be the opposite."

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dwagonslayer
2010-05-15 09:01 pm UTC (link)

He nodded. "Oh yes, names are very important. They define you, of course. Without a name, you are..." He paused, frowning slightly. "You are nothing." After a moment, he shook his head, running a hand through his hair and taking a bite of his duck. "So you are very good to put thought into your dog's name. He is very fortunate to have such a considerate owner."

They ate for a short bit before she spoke again, causing him to glance up from his glass of water. "Oh?" He laughed, wiping his mouth with his napkin. "Well, it seems that many people prefer to be negative than positive. But I believe that we are only here once. We have one life, so why should we not be happy as much as possible?" He grinned. "I enjoy being happy, it's so much better than being sad."

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noglass_slipper
2010-05-15 10:45 pm UTC (link)

She nodded, chewing while she listened. His frown stirred her curiosity, but she didn't want to press forward on the topic of names if there was something about it that made him uncomfortable. "Oh, I'd say I'm the one who's lucky to have him, but that is true."

Hannah smiled sheepishly, relieved that he didn't seem to mind her random observation. "That's a good way to live. I think it takes a lot more effort to be positive rather than negative, which is why it's nice to see people like you. I mean, I try to be positive, but it isn't always so easy."

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dwagonslayer
2010-05-16 04:57 am UTC (link)

The topic of positive thinking was an interesting one. Diego understood that while being positive was a virtue, it was something of a commodity that could be paid for. He wasn't about to say that financially challenged people couldn't be positive, but he would say that it was easy to look on the bright side when you would always have food on the table and a roof over your head. Diego was always financially secure, and got to go wherever he pleased. He had to work, but it was work he enjoyed. All things considered, it was easy for him to be a positive thinker.

"It isn't. But as I said, I am selfish in my ways. I am optimistic because it makes me feel good. I like to do what feels good." He shrugged, taking a bite of duck. "Worrying and being sad and negative is not fun. Not at all." He shook his head. "You should find somewhere nice. Somewhere relaxing. Where you can go and always be happy." He smiled. "It is good to have those kinds of places."

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noglass_slipper
2010-05-16 05:40 am UTC (link)

There had been a time when she could have honestly called herself an optimist, but once that was lost, it wasn't so easy to regain. It had been an uphill battle so far and it wasn't getting any easier, but she was fairly sure that she was making progress regardless. When her life had been relatively untroubled, it was much easier to find the brighter side of things. Now, though, she needed to look a little harder.

"I don't think it's selfish to be optimistic. It makes others feel good too - it helps them to feel positive too." Hannah smiled before taking another bite of chicken. "I had somewhere like that once. But... well, I guess you could say I lost it, and I'm trying to find a replacement."

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dwagonslayer
2010-05-16 05:46 am UTC (link)

Diego sipped his soup as Hannah spoke, wiping his lips with a napkin before replying. "That is too bad," he replied to her comment about losing her place. "You should find it again." He smiled. "You're a very nice girl, Hannah. You deserve to be happy."

Living his life in tiny increments of several weeks at a time gave Diego the ability to assume closeness with people rapidly. This was perhaps the sort of thing you said to a friend you knew for a long time, but he didn't mind. "How do you think you could find a replacement?"

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noglass_slipper
2010-05-16 08:11 am UTC (link)

She couldn't explain that finding it again wasn't possible, not without delving into things that were better left in the past where they belonged. When her father died she'd lost the source of her happiness, and from there the rest of it had eventually disappeared to. Sometimes it felt like an entirely different life, the years before she was institutionalized, compared to now. "I don't know if I can," she said carefully, in between bites of food. "Find it again, I mean."

Hannah wasn't sure if she deserved happiness simply because she was nice, but she appreciated him saying it nonetheless. "Things are... different now, from what they used to be. So I think I might need to find some other place that makes me happy, that doesn't involve the past and what I don't have anymore." She shrugged. "If that even makes sense."

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dwagonslayer
2010-05-16 08:31 am UTC (link)

At her explanation, Diego listened intently, a small smile on his face. People were so fascinating. He nodded as she finished, eating a bit more of his duck before replying. "I believe it makes a lot of sense. That is actually, if I may say, profound." And he meant what he said. It was a very interesting thing, the idea of foregoing the past to embrace the future.

"The past is important, of course, but it is not the only thing. People get too attached sometimes, they forget that the rest of their lives have yet to occur yet." He took a sip of water. "But that's good. Embracing the future, moving forward, that's a positive thing. See? You think much more positively than you think."

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noglass_slipper
2010-05-17 01:59 am UTC (link)

She looked at him in surprise for a moment, but she realized he was right - moving forward and leaving the past behind was a positive thing, much more so than refusing to move forward and trying to go back instead. She'd never seen it like that, though. "I... I guess you're right." Hannah took a sip of water to wash down the chicken, laughing softly. "It's funny how sometimes you don't realize something until someone else points it out for you."

Hannah didn't feel as uncomfortable as she usually would have, since the most conversation she'd had with someone who wasn't Nick or Boyd was just everyday niceties. "See? I told you your positivity would be a good influence on people."

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	dwagonslayer 2010-05-17 02:19 am UTC (link)
	The look of surprise on her face made him chuckle. "Yes, sometimes that happens. We don't see ourselves until another person holds up a mirror." He finished off his duck, pushing the plate away slightly as she spoke again. "Oh, you're too kind, Hannah!" he exclaimed. "But thank you. I am always happy to be a good influence, after all." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

noglass_slipper
2010-05-17 04:16 am UTC (link)

People could be strange like that, she thought; there were certain things they had difficulty realizing on their own. Hannah considered that as she finished her chicken, leaning back slightly in her chair. "It's much better than being a bad influence, isn't it?"

She let a moment of silence pass, wanting to offer to pay for her own lunch - or even both, since he'd been nice enough to ask her - but knowing that he would probably insist paying himself. That was only polite, wasn't it? It might have been a while since she'd been out to lunch with anyone, but that didn't mean she'd forgotten things like that.

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dwagonslayer
2010-05-17 08:02 pm UTC (link)

The mention of being a bad influence made him laugh. Oh, there were those that would call him a terrible influence. But that didn't need to be mentioned. Not on this nice lunch between new friends. "This is very true," he replied, nodding. "It is always nice to be a positive change in the world, however small."

As the waiter approached with the check, Diego snatched it, smiling at Hannah. "My treat, eh? This was very pleasant." He pulled out a card and placed it with the check, handing it back to the waiter as he picked up their used dishes. "Thank you very much for having lunch with me, Hannah."

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noglass_slipper
2010-05-18 12:30 am UTC (link)

She barely had time when the waiter brought the check, laughing at how quickly Diego managed to react. "Thank you for inviting me. Eating out just isn't the same on your own." Hannah couldn't even remember the last time she'd been out to lunch with someone, never mind the other person paying.

"Next time you'll have to let me treat you instead." It was only polite, but she meant it too.

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