InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "Bingo!"

the fabled swan (fabledswan) wrote in valarlogs,
@ 2012-05-15 16:09:00

Entry tags:

emma swan, sheriff graham (the huntsman)

Who: Emma Swan and Open
What: Emma stops for food
When: Tuesday afternoon
Where: A diner
Rating: PG?
Status: Incomplete

No appointment until two o’clock was a great way to start the day. Even better was the fact that Henry had an after school thing and so Emma wouldn’t have to rush to pick him up on time. That was when late afternoon sessions got slightly problematic. Regardless, things had fallen into a nice, even flow that had even left time for a mid-morning nap after seeing Henry off to school. So when Emma left the apartment at half past ten she had been in high spirits.

It didn’t last.

Emma blamed California. And maybe traffic. But if she were honest, the reason that she had gotten lost was mostly due to the fact that she had been distracted by a trivia contest on the radio. Her continued frustration was most definitely because she had neglected to ask for directions when stopping for gas. But directions or not, she did manage to find her way. Eventually. She was pretty sure. There was a parking lot and stores and therefore she was willing to call it a success.

The plan was to pick up the turtle’s (name still to be determined) food, check out the clothing sale, find the supplies for Henry’s science project, and then maybe pick up some groceries. But first Emma decided an amendment was in order. Hot chocolate topped with cinnamon and a bear claw on the side was an excellent late-morning pick-me up. The problem, she thought as she took a seat at the counter of the very busy diner, was surviving whatever rush she was currently stuck in the middle of. It was probably lunch meaning she might want to rethink that bear claw.

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awildthing
2012-05-16 12:34 am UTC (link)

Graham was having a strange day. Ordinarily he was fairly flexible about what he'd do for a client - as long as it wouldn't harm the animals, he tried to go above and beyond. This, however, was a first; he'd never once been asked to go out and purchase carpeting on the wardrobe department's dime. Carpeting. Really. But he had the largest truck and the most space, so he'd been elected.

(Volunteered, really. They were paying for three trainers on what was essentially a two-man job, and Graham felt a little guilty over what he was charging them.)

The shop was meant to be in the same storefront as the diner, but Graham felt his good deed deserved pie first. He took the first empty seat - coincidentally, close enough to bump elbows with Emma - and slapped down a truly hideous fabric swatch.

Right. He could breathe. Breathe, and decide what to do if the rug store didn't have anything in camouflage-green.

One of the waitresses working the counter wandered up with a menu. "What is that?" She asked.

"Swamp monster," Graham answered, with absolutely no hesitation. "I believe. Or it will be, once it's been sewn into a suit."

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fabledswan
2012-05-16 03:38 am UTC (link)

Emma's hands were wrapped securely around her mug of hot cocoa as she allowed the aroma of chocolate and cinnamon to do its work. One sip and she could feel the pounding between her eyes begin to recede. Which very nearly helped when it came to tuning out Chatty Kathy's strawberry and pear debate. She felt bad for the person on the other end of that phone.

Her attention, clearly out of necessity, was in the mood to travel. So a glimpse of something that looked as though it would have fit in with the decor of her uncle's old home was good enough to grab it. Curiosity peeked, mostly in the form of amusement, Emma raised a brow. "Getting an early start on the Halloween costume?”

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awildthing
2012-05-16 04:19 am UTC (link)

"There's nothing like a suit made of carpeting in June." The stranger with the square of ugly fabric tilted his head forward a measured inch and feigned a conspiratorial tone. "It's going to be the next trend. Just wait."

Graham was able to stay serious for about ten seconds, but then a smile twitched at the edge of his mouth and gave him away. "A favor, actually. I have the most cargo space, which volunteered me for adventures in rug-shopping. Some other poor soul has to wear the carpeting and, if I am any judge of a makeup department, mud."

Mud and carpeting. There wasn't money enough in the world to lure Graham back into acting.

"Besides," Graham added, unable to leave it at 'carpet and mud,' "Everyone knows the Wolfman is far superior to the Black Lagoon monster, as far as Halloween costumes go. It's an acknowledged fact."

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fabledswan
2012-05-17 12:05 am UTC (link)

See. There was the benefit of small cars. Things got a little cramped from time to time, but aside from the occasional airport pick-up, no one ever went to Emma with car related favors.

"Now I don't know," said Emma as if this was a serious dilemma they had on their hands. "Sounds to me as if the Black Lagoon monster could trick and treat. No eggs or toilet paper required." Because come on. There had to be some crazy kid out there that took the holiday far too seriously and crafted a costume made partly of mud and maybe even seaweed. Never mind the pain it would be to clean themselves up after.

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awildthing
2012-05-17 02:23 am UTC (link)

So they'd be turning this into a semi-serious conversation, then? Graham smiled abruptly, surprised, and pivoted in his seat. He was holding the menu, but he knew what he wanted without having to check. Coffee was a good start, and he turned his mug over on his napkin to indicate to the waitress that he'd like some.

Then he could truly ponder the question of swamp monsters versus wolfmen. Well. Ponder the question, but also ponder Emma, who looked vaguely familiar in that maybe-I've-seen-her-at-the-grocer's sort of way.

"Yes, but consider the wolfman. Half man, half wolf, all Lon Cheney. Have you ever seen photographs of Lon Cheney? He's not someone I'd cross, even without makeup. Also, you've an excuse to howl wildly at anyone who opens their door to you. What sort of noise does a Lagoon monster make, I ask."

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