Verity (jokeshopgirl) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2013-08-06 22:32:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, john reid (lone ranger), verity |
Who: John Reid and Verity
When: July 20
Where: Street
What: Random Encounter
Rating/Warning: Low/None
Status: Complete
Verity was on her way out of the donut shop. Okay, it was the first Saturday she’d had off in ages, and she felt like celebrating with some donuts. She’d been up way too late last night after a late afternoon nap, and needed a bit of a pick-me-up after waking this morning. Late morning. Actually, sleeping in was nice. But it made her feel sluggish. Hopefully the donuts would help.
She moved out to the tables and chairs on the sidewalk outside the donut place, and moved to sit. Of course, with her center of gravity all wonky from the growing baby bump, and the chair balanced precariously on only three of its legs, Verity took a pretty nasty tumble down onto her backside. The donut box opened, and one of her precious babies fell down onto the sidewalk... and rolled.
In an attempt to get to know his surroundings and figure out where everything was, John decided to go on some personal walking tours. He could really get used to California, he figured.
He was on his way by a few shops when a donut rolled to his feet. Confused, John looked up and blinked, then rushed over to the girl who had tumbled to the ground.
“Are you all right?” he asked, kneeling down next to her.
“I’m okay, I’m okay,” Verity said, going rather pink as she uncurled her feet from underneath her to try and climb up. “Really, it’s just my pride that’s bruised.” A wince. “And maybe my backside. And oh... my poor donut! I was going to eat that.” She frowned a little. At least the rest were still in the box.
“Here,” John said, helping her stand. “Sit here, I’ll go replace that rogue donut of yours.” He gave her a smile. “Back in a moment.”
“You really don’t need to do that,” Verity said, but she wasn’t about to stop him. She was rubbing her upper thigh where she’d hit the ground, frowning, and trying to climb back into her chair. The baby was all excited and kicking in there.
“Nonsense.” John waited a moment, making sure she made it into the chair, then went inside the shop. He replaced the donut and brought it out to her. “There. Are you sure you’re all right?”
Well, donuts only cost about sixty cents each. Sometimes more, depending on the shop. This place... actually, now she couldn’t remember how much they were. She’d bought a drink and other stuff, too, so... When he brought the donut out to her, she had a hand resting against the baby bump and was breathing slow.
“You’re a hero,” she said, softly, sitting up a bit in her chair. “You really didn’t need to do that. Are you... hungry?” Man, he was tall. Really tall.
“A hero I’m definitely not.” He shrugged a bit, smiling. “Nah. I grabbed a drink inside, should do me just fine until I get home.”
“Are you sure? I mean... I’ve got plenty here. It’s the least I can do to thank you for... y’know. Being my hero.” She gave him a bright smile, and pushed the chair out opposite hers with her foot.
“Well, I can’t say no to a lady,” John admitted. He took a seat and smiled. “I’m John, by the way.”
“Verity,” Verity sat up a bit and held her hand out for him to shake. “Verity Ashford.”
“A pleasure,” he said, shaking her hand. “Not every day I meet someone under these circumstances.”
“What circumstances? Runaway donut?” She asked, then opened her box and put the new donut into it. It was difficult to decide which one to eat first. After all, she was eating for two. (Okay, one and like, 1/8th, or something, but...)
“Yeah, pretty much.” John laughed. “Not that I’m complaining. Always good to make new acquaintances. Person can’t ever have too many friends, I figure.”
“I think you’re absolutely right. I love meeting new people and making new friends. So, that’s a good place to start.” She pulled one of the donuts out of the box and set it on her napkin, as if sizing up her meal. “I work over at For The Lulz.” She said. “Joke shop? It’s fun. What do you do?”
“I haven’t heard of it. Sorry,” he said, sincerely apologetic about that. “Just moved here and all. I’m a lawyer, actually. That’s what brought me out here.”
“Oh, not that many people have, really. We’ve got a big internet presence, and we make a lot of custom t-shirts.” Verity’s eyebrows both raised in surprise. She was impressed. A lawyer. “Welcome to the area, then. Where’d you come from?” She asked, taking a bite from her donut.
“That’s cool. Must be a fun job.” He sipped at his drink. “Texas. A little town outside of Austin.”
“It’s got its ups and downs. But my bosses are amazing. They’re two of my favorite people in the whole world.” She really couldn’t say enough good things about Fred and George. “Ah, I’ve heard Austin is the only blue county in Texas,” Verity said. Crap. Don’t bring up politics. That was a stupid thing to say.
“Good that you work for people you like.” John didn’t look too upset about her comment. He sort of looked a bit pleased she knew that. “Yeah. Weird bit of trivia to know.”
Verity was a little pink, but pleased he didn’t freak out in one direction or the other. If he was too red or too blue it might have made things awkward. “Yeah, really weird, right? I had a friend who moved there after high school.”
“It’s a nice place. Hot, but nice.” He shrugged, sitting back a bit. “Have you lived here a long time?”
“A few years. I moved up after college.” Verity explained. “This is the perfect place to live, though. Hot, for sure. I grew up near San Francisco. Talk about cold and dreary.”
“I hear San Francisco is beautiful,” John said. “Never been yet. I’d like to go, it seems the sort of place a person should visit.”
“It is. Let me know when you go, I’ve got a ton of suggestions for things to do and see.” She smiled warmly. “I miss it up there sometimes, but... I think I really just miss my mom and dad.”
“That’s fair. At least it’s not too far?” John raised his eyebrows as he took another sip. “Could be at lot worse if you lived on the other side of the country or something.”
“That’s true. It’s only an eight hour drive or so. Well, six, if you drive like my dad does.” She said, breaking into a smile. “I’m sure my mom is going to come up with excuses to come down every weekend after the baby gets here.”
“Probably.” He laughed. “That should be nice, though. Having the extra help and all. Who knows better than your mom during that time, right?”
“Exactly. My mom’s pretty cool, too. I’ll be glad to have a second set of hands around.” Verity said. She wasn’t exactly looking forward to being a single mother, all on her own.
“I bet. What did you go to college for? If you don’t mind my asking.”
“Liberal arts.” Verity said, then gave a little laugh. “Whatever that means.” It wasn’t like she was using her degree for anything.
“I think it’s the sort of thing that, I think, means whatever you want.” John gave her a smile. “Or something.”
“I like that spin on it. It pretty much means I can show any potential employer that I know how to study. And I know... things. About things. But that’s about all. Stick-to-it-iveness, perseverance. It does take four years to get a Liberal Arts degree, just like any other. I guess I’ve got that going for me.”
“All most good employers look for is that you have a degree. They don’t really care much what it’s in, unless you’re trying to specialize in something. But it seems like you have a pretty good job as it is, so, moot point.” He grinned.
Verity nodded. “I love my job. I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. Though, I’m probably going to have to cut back my hours or work from home, or something.” She said, her grin fading just a little at that idea. It was rough that she was the only income into her tiny, one-person household. And it was about to become a two-person household.
“You seem to be the sort who always manages to come out on top. I think you’ll be just fine.”
“That’s very sweet of you. Tell me, do you have so much faith in all the women you randomly run into on the street?” She asked, playfully.
“I try to have faith in just about everybody,” he replied honestly. “But you’ve got that air about you.”
Verity flushed deeply. “I do?” She asked, flattered. Something about this guy was endearing. He had a look about him. “Well... thank you.”
“Just being honest.” John shrugged. “But you’re welcome.”
Verity was flattered. Very much so. “Are you sure you don’t want a donut?” She asked, lifting the box toward him.
“If you insist.” It was, after all, not very polite to refuse a lady. He took one from the box carefully and took a bite. “Mm, s’good. I see what all the fuss is about now.”
“Right?” Verity responded, grinning. “These donuts are the best in Orange County. I practically live here lately.” If the baby wanted donuts, who was Verity to refuse?
“There are probably worse places to spend your time.” John grinned back, finishing off his donut. “Think I might start making this a habit, too.”
“Then I’ll probably see you around.” Verity said, playfully. “If you make this a habit, and I obviously make it a habit...”
“Then I guess it’s pretty likely.” He wiped his hands on a napkin, feeling pretty cheerful. “But I should probably get going. It was great meeting you. I need to sort of get to know people from places other than work around here.”
“Then I’m your girl. Ooh, hey,” she pulled a pen out of her purse and jotted her name, phone number, and email onto a napkin, along with the words ‘the donut damsel in distress.’ “Here. In case we decide to meet up together here again on purpose.”
“I’ll keep it in mind.” John laughed at the little memo, and slipped the card into his pocket. “You have yourself a wonderful day,” he told her, giving her a slight wave goodbye.
Verity lifted her hand to wave to him, too, then settled back to eat another donut with a smile on her face.
fin