It was typical, really, that she’d run into him here. Ofelia had been innocently, harmlessly passing down the street, simply going about her business on this evening, when she suddenly noticed a familiar figure on her street. Just a block away from her apartment. (And her eyes instinctively flitted to that rooftop in the distance, gauging the distance between them. She could just keep walking, and go home and not open this particular can of worms today…)
She paused, and almost darted into the sanctuary of a nearby shop before realising that it was closed. If she wasted any more time, he’d likely turn around and notice her.
Ofelia sighed inwardly, and approached.
“Hungry?” she asked, noting the way Cian had frozen in front of the tavern and was staring at the doorway as if on the verge of a decision.
Watching for people approaching him was a sort of professional habit at this point. It had kept him alive often enough that he wasn’t about to relax, even (especially) in a public place. He noticed her before she spoke, and turned his head to offer her something like a faint smile. Of the people he’d run into today, she was far from the least desirable company.
“Considering it,” he said with a shrug of his shoulders under his jacket. “Trying to decide if I’d be taking my life in my hands going in there. Planning on hitting the gaming tables down at Red Light tonight, so dying would be pretty damn inconvenient.”
She shook her head. “No, I’ve had dinner here several times. It’s convenient, nicely-priced, and won’t cause any gastrointestinal distress. Ranger’s honour.” Ofelia crossed her heart, giving a small flourish of the hand as if she were one of those stalwart fighters raised for the defense of the Outlands.
After a pause, she added, “Of course, this might just be a ploy to lure you off-guard, have you retching into the toilet by the end of the night as I clean out your purse.” His mention of the gambling tables set off a small but familiar pang in her gut, a little lurch of hungry need – and it wasn’t for food.
“Always knew you had it in for me,” he quipped. “Guess if I’m going down, I might as well take you with me. Hungry?” He gave her an amused look -- it had been awhile since he’d played this game with her, which had been increasing in entertainment value lately -- and added, “I’ll even let them split the check, since I’m no gentleman.” He sincerely doubted she would allow him to pay even if he offered.
“Ah, going Kerwonian. My favourite.” Ofelia lingered, and shot another longing look at her apartment – it was quite literally within sight, for she could see the spindly staircase leading up to the second floor – but the thought of slimy reheated leftovers soon changed her mind. “I could eat,” she said carefully, and rested her hand against the door before shoving it open and leading the way inside.
“What time is the game?”
He thought she might not agree, but she went for it, in the end. He found himself oddly pleased. He could use some intelligent company with the afternoon he’d had. “The real game starts whenever I get there,” he said as he followed her into the tavern. Smelled pretty good, fortunately -- even better than on the street. It seemed it had been a good choice. “Playing with the amateurs tonight,” he explained as a harried looking teen boy directed them toward an unoccupied table. “Need to remind them I exist once in awhile, check in on my people, make sure everything is smooth.”
He paused as they sat and the boy retreated before adding, “Check on some other people, too. They could also probably stand to remember I exist. Thinking of a romp in that sandbox too? Good night for it.”
Ofelia took her spot at the table as she always did: strategically, sliding one of the chairs over so she could sit with her back to the wall and her eyes on the door. “Which sandbox would that be?” she asked blandly, her hands settling on the menu and unfolding it with a snap. She could wager a guess on which business venture he was referring to, but it always did well to be clear and upfront.
(Unless, of course, it benefited her to be otherwise.)