She’d been sitting alone in her office at the paper. There hadn’t been any particularly interesting going on, but Karen thought that she might try to finish up a couple pieces for the next edition. The themes of her writing had taken a significant shift when she decided to stay in Atlantis - although she hadn’t been doing much writing at all back home as of late - but she still tried to keep it as interesting as she could both for the readers but also for herself. Looking up at the clock, she saw that it was inching closer and closer to dinner time, but before she could complete the thought of what to pick up on her way home, Karen looked down at the rough draft on her computer screen only to see a salad on the table with a man who looked as confused as she did across from her.
“Well, this is new,” she said and took in their surroundings. Nice restaurant, a couple candles on the table, quiet music, and the couples around them seemed to be enjoying themselves in quiet conversation. Wait, come again? Couples?
That’s when Karen noticed that she was now wearing a casual dress instead of the dress pants and blouse she’d worn to work that morning. Was this supposed to be a date?
“You’re Logan, right?” Karen said to the man across from her. “I could be wrong, but I think Atlantis may be trying its hand at match-making.”
Logan had been enjoying some camping time (father/daughter time?) with Laura when he was suddenly whisked away from the cabin. He growled under his breath at the obvious magic that Atlantis was pulling, on him and the woman across the table from him. Looking down at himself he noticed he was wearing a nice jacket, button-down shirt, and some slacks; far different from the jeans and tank he was wearing only moments ago.
He managed a smile at the woman across from him when she spoke, and let out a chuckle. Her comment about match-making was funny considering the fact that he had a thing for redheads. How did Atlantis know?
“I am, ma’am,” he answered. “I’d uh offer to pull your chair out for you so this could be proper-like, but we’re already sittin’.” He extended a hand across the table toward her. Logan was a gruff man, but he did have manners when it counted. “You’re Karen, if I ain’t wrong.”
"You're not wrong," Karen replied with a smile and reached across the table to shake his hand. It wasn't often that she started out on a date with a handshake with someone after they'd already sat down to have dinner. And now that she was thinking of it, when exactly was the last time she'd gone a date, period? Whatever it was she had with Frank Castle would never be constituted as dating, and she hadn't had one since being in Atlantis for over six months. Was this supposed to be a big, giant, unsubtle hint that she needed to get out more?
"Nice meeting you, Logan. Officially, anyway." She looked down at the salad in front of them. "I guess they've already thought to order for us? Here's hoping they sprung for the steak and lobster."
She guessed that they could always get up and leave if they really wanted to, but what for? "Well, when in Rome, right? We might as well play along?" She half-shrugged and picked up her fork to start eating. "I hope being brought here didn't interrupt you too badly."
“I was out with my daughter,” he said as he picked up his utensils to start eating. “She’ll be fine, though. She understands how this place is.” Seeing as this was a date and all Logan opted for politeness instead of using his claws to cut up his meat. Hell, there were times at home he didn’t bother cutting it up at all, opting for the “pick up and dive in” option.
He looked up and smiled at Karen. This whole situation was awkward enough without them being so formal about all of it. Sure, they were sittin’ down and eatin, but they could have fun, right? “So where you from, Karen,” he said as jovially as possible. Anyone that knew Logan knew he was naturally gruff, and often devoid of manners.
In a lot of ways, this man reminded Karen a lot of Frank. His demeanor and the gruffness. He seemed like the kind of man that would bust through walls if he needed to for whatever reason struck him. Was it irony that she’d been paired with someone like him or coincidence? Knowing Atlantis, probably a little of both.
“Vermont originally, but I’ve lived in New York City for a few years now,” she said after a couple bites of her food. “But if you mean where as in the other where… have you heard of the Avengers? I’m not affiliated with them, but we’re from the same place. Iron Man, Captain America, Thor. Though that last one isn’t here anymore.” Shame, really. It’s been nice to see his arms in person.
“What about you, Logan? Where are you from?”
Conversation was easy after that, and Karen found that she was enjoying herself. Despite the “first date” implications Atlantis had chosen to toss them into, there was no pressure, and it was nice to be out away from work and not worrying over what was happening here or back home. It was nice with good company and good food, and by the end of the night she didn’t at all mind the interruption from work to an impromptu blind dinner date.