WHO: Jen Walters and Eliot Waugh WHAT: Lunch WHERE: Local place WHEN: Backdated to Saturday, Feb. 11 RATING: Low STATUS: Completed via gdoc.
Eliot showed up just a touch early to the cafe they’d agreed to meet at for lunch. Inside he got a table and ordered a drink. He’d never been to the place before, but it looked nice and the menu was decent. He was glad to get out of the apartment. Sometimes it felt like the walls were closing in and no matter, he couldn’t get away.
He saw Jen enter and stood up to wave to get her attention. “Hey, wingwoman,” he grinned as she sat down. “Good to see you.” The waitress brought over menus and shared the specials before leaving them to let them browse the menu. “It’s so good to get out. I haven’t done much exploring since I got here.”
Jen was happy to meet Eliot for lunch. She enjoyed their conversations and it was fun getting to know someone outside her world. Still, she was a little worried about him after their last network conversation. Something seemed “strained” about his brief conversation with Matt on her entry. She hadn’t even known they were friendly. Or maybe not so friendly? She wasn’t sure. She just wanted to make sure her new friend was okay. She smiled and waved before joining him at the table. She dutifully listened to the waitress before turning back to Eliot. “Well, I’m honored you chose me to explore with then! I’ve only been here since late December, but I’m getting around.”
“Smart, sassy and sexy…how could I not want to explore with you?” He smiled then winked at her. He was determined to make this a good day out. He needed it. “I didn’t realize you were so new here.” He took a sip of his drink and perused the menu. “I saw that you’re now going to the Valentine’s Day party now. Who’s the lucky person?”
The waitress reappeared and Eliot ordered the chicken salad sandwich and a small plate of fruit. He wasn’t all that hungry, but he had to eat something now and then. Once Jen had ordered he focused back on their conversation. “Seems just about everyone is going.”
Jen laughed at his description of her, but it was nice to hear all the same. Before she could answer about her date, the waitress interrupted and she gave her order of a grilled chicken salad before turning back to her companion. “I’m going with Bucky as friends,” she said. “He just got out of a relationship and I…well, the person I was dating at home is just a friend here. So might as well go as friends, right?” Jen had thought about asking Loki, but she wasn’t sure it was his scene. “What about you? Are you going?”
Bucky. Eliot didn’t know anyone by that name. He nodded. He understood all too well. “Yes, why not go as friends. It’s something to do. Get out, have some fun and all that.” He took another sip of his drink. “No, I’m not going. Not much in the mood for that kind of thing anyway. I’ll probably just listen to some music and take a long hot bath. At least with being a magician I can keep the water warm,” he chuckled.
“Here I thought we’d have a dance,” Jen replied, but she didn’t push. Valentine’s Day could bring up all sorts of emotions for people. “That is a hell of a talent,” she said, regarding the water, “us mere mortals have to keep adding hot water.” She took a sip of her iced tea. “So, tell me, what other awesome things can you do?”
“At the next party. I promise,” he assured her. For now he really wanted nothing to do with Valentine’s Day. It was like any other day. Eliot smiled. “It does come in handy.” He paused when their food was brought over and thanked the waitress.
“There are number of casting spells that have specific uses and such, but those are kind of boring. You asked about the awesome, the fun things I can do. I think illusion magic is maybe the funnest. I can make myself appear to be anyone. Males are easier, but I can appear as a female as well. I can change the color of the sky and the stars. I can make the moon appear almost touching the earth. I can make a waterfall appear. I can make it snow or rain. Not all over the world, but in a givenl area. You want to dance in the rain? I’m your guy,” he grinned. “I can make music play out of thin air. That’s fun. I can refill a drink with just my finger.” He picked up his glass and finished it off then held his finger over the glass and it filled once more with the yellow liquid that had been in it. “I promise you it’s an actual Mimosa.” He lifted the glass to his lips and took a drink. “And I can do this.” He reached over the table and seemed to snatch a long stemmed red rose out of thin air. “For you,” he smiled holding it out to Jen. “I also have telekinesis which is how I actually found out about magic and that I have it.”
Jen grinned and accepted the rose. “That list is impressive,” she told him. “Did you have these powers your whole life or did you have to discover them?” She set the rose next to her, but where it wouldn’t get squashed by dishes or elbows. Then, since he had been honest with her, she added, “I’m a hulk. I can get big and green and kick ass.”
“I promise I wasn’t trying to impress you, just listing off things. Oh! I forgot! Cleaning spells. Yes, those are real and come in very handy,” he grinned. “I discovered the telekinesis when I was thirteen. A few more things after that, but didn’t really come into magic until I went to Brakebills, a magic university I went to back home.” Their food was brought and Eliot ordered some iced tea because Jen’s looked good.
“A female hulk?” He’d never heard of a female hulk. “Does it hurt when you…hulk out? Sorry if that’s not the right word.” The truth was Eliot didn’t know much about Hulks in general. “How long do you stay like that?”
“That is what we call it - hulking out.” Jen smiled at the waitress as she placed her dish in front of her. “It doesn't hurt and I normally stay for as long as I need to defeat the bad guy. I had to learn to control her though. My cousin, Bruce, helped me learn tactics so my journey was way easier than his. He lives here too, with his family.” It was odd thinking of Bruce with a family, but she was happy for him. “I’ll show you sometime.”
“Ah, I got it right then,” he smiled. “He’s your cousin. Makes sense. I’m sure it was nice to have him there to help you out along the way. Not many people always get that when learning about abilities.” He took a bite of his sandwich, chewed and swallowed. Really? You’d show me? You wouldn’t like try to kick my ass?” he grinned. “Can I ask how you became a hulk? I mean, is something genetic or…?” She laughed. “No, I wouldn’t kick your ass unless you deserved it,” she teased. She took a bite of her chicken as she thought about the day that changed her life. “I was in a car accident with Bruce. Some of his blood mixed with mine and…” She held her arms out. “Ta da, She-Hulk. I hated that name at first, by the way, but then it became a symbol of something bigger than myself.”
Eliot laughed. “At present I don’t need an ass kicking. If I ever do, I hope no one calls you!” he teased. “Fascinating. So if your blood mixes with a hulk or you someone gets hulk blood then you become one. Thank god hulks aren’t vampires,” he teased once more. “That’s a beautiful thing, to be a symbol of something bigger than yourself.”
They continued to eat and chat, learning more about each other. He was enjoying the company. “Do you think we’ll be here forever?” It was a bit of a more serious question. “I mean, no one seems to know why we’re pulled here. Surely there has to be a reason.”
Jennifer thought about his question for a moment. “Some people have been here over a year,” she replied, “but then other people get sent back…” She shrugged. “I don’t know if even the government knows that answer. Forever is a long time.” She wasn’t sure she could go that long without seeing her best friend or parents. “I think some people would like to. Those who don’t have a chance back in their home worlds.”
“I don’t think anyone here knows or has any real answers. It’s kind of frustrating.” Quentin had been sent back then showed up again. Who would do something like that and why? “It is a long time. I’m not sure I can go that long without seeing my friends, especially Margo.” He missed her terribly. “I suppose you're right. It’s good for them to be here then.”
By the time they finished Eliot felt a little full, but there was definitely room for ice cream. They paid and made their way out of the cafe. “I found this cute little ice cream parlor. It’s not too far from here. What’s your favorite flavor of ice cream?”
Sadness flickered across her face when he mentioned missing his friends. She wished she could help. However, before she knew it, she was distracted by ice cream. “Cookies and cream,” she said immediately. “How about you?”
They walked into the parlor and up to the counter. “I have a hard time picking a favorite.” He looked over the menu. “Though it’s probably Moose Tracks which a lot of places don’t seem to have. So…” he paused a beat, “I’ll have a scoop of strawberry in a sugar cone. And whatever the lady would like.” After Jen placed her order he paid. “It’s a good day to walk around the city.”
“Thank you,” Jen said, smiling as she took her cookies and cream in a cup. “Shall we, then? Unless you are tired of me by now.” She headed to the door and opened it for him.
“Oh stop,” he laughed. “You’re very pleasant company and I’m glad to get to know you better.” They began their walk and exploration of the city. It turned into a fun afternoon and by the time they parted ways Eliot made sure to have Jen promise they would hang out again soon.