A little Thai

((Follows Working Girl Open to any with a craving for Thai.))



Ginnie held the door open for Serena as they stepped into the brisk late night air. She loved this time of night. When this part of the Strip was dead and in just two blocks they would walk into the loud screaming night life of Nachton. She loved to stand on a busy street corner and breathe in the humanity. It kept her...grounded.

She pulled her hat down more firmly over her hair, to keep it from blowing away, and zipped her jacket about half way up, high enough to block the wind but low enough so that she could draw her gun. Not that she needed to worry all that much, vampire hunters didn't exist anymore, but one never knew when one would need to put a bullet between some chucklehead's eyes.

They turned the corner on to the main drag of the Strip and the noise and smell of the city's busiest street hit her like a mac truck. She turned a smiling face to her companion.


"It's amazing how many people don't have to work tomorrow."

Serena 18 years ago
Following Ginnie outside, she took a deep breath of the cool night's air. Releasing it with a soft 'ahh' and a smile, she shivered a little as a gust of wind went over them. Stuffing her hands into her jean's pockets, she walked along beside the scientist. Glancing up at the sky she marveled at all of the stars out tonight. This was the best time of the day in her opinion. Or certainly the most fun. The wee hours of the morning when the majority of society was tucked away asleep and the wildest and craziest people were out on the streets.

Thinking of that, she wondered if Winter was out enjoying the weather tonight. Hopefully he'd gotten her email and would be contacting her, soon. She crossed her fingers for a moment and made a little wish before dismissing thoughts of him and the more unpleasant reasons behind her contacting him.

Walking along in a pleasant silence, she unconsciously glanced around in her typical defensive manner until she caught herself. 'No boogey men are going to jump out looking to tear out your throat, at least not this close to DI.. and certainly not with you wearing one of their shirts.' She chuckled softly. Sometimes working with the "monsters" could be advantageous.

When they reached the busier part of the strip, she had just thought to herself it seemed a little more crowded than normal when Ginnie spoke. Looking back and returning her smile, she nodded in agreement.


Really.. I think somehow I must be in the wrong job. I want one that let's me party all night, too! Or maybe just be able to call in sick a lot. She grinned.
Ginnie 18 years ago
Ginnie let out a noise that was halfway between a snicker and a chuckle. Something she liked to term a snerk, since that is what it sounded like to her. "That would be nice."


She let her eyes wonder through the crowd, taking in the scent of humans. Vampires just didn't smell the same to her, maybe it was the whole lack of body odor thing. When they approached the Thai restaurant, three storefronts from the mall, a tiny Asian woman opened the door for them and bid them hello in what Ginnie could only guess was Thai.

"Two." She held up two fingers more out of habit than in trying to make the woman understand. Heavens knew if she spoke English and Ginnie really didn't care.

"Table or booth?"

Ginnie turned to Serena with a raised eyebrow. She didn't care one way or the other, so she would let her companion decide.
Milazo 18 years ago
What a perfect night to have nothing to do, Calo thought to himself as he strolled down the nearly deserted Strip. It felt good to be back in Nachton, the only place (besides Abigayle's estate, of course) he'd ever been able to even consider calling home. He was still tired from the road, but the dark hours were never conducive to sleep. So instead of vegging on the couch watching a movie, he'd decided to take a stroll.

He still found it a little odd that so many places stayed open so late. He was very aware of the city's... darker... inhabitants. He knew he should be wary, being what he was and what he wasn't a part of; the streets at night were not a place for clanless vampires to be seen in. But Calo didn't much care. He was more than capable of taking care of himself. He had for centuries. He was a big boy.

Passing in front of a restaurant - Thai, perhaps? - he did a double take. There was a pair of women standing just inside the door, probably waiting to be shown a table. One of them was familiar. After an instant, her name came back to him. Ginnie. It'd be good to see a familiar face, he decided, and turned to enter the restaurant.

His agility brought him up behind the two women without a sound. Unable to suppress the grin on his lips, Calo reached out carefully with his mind and brushed the outer swell of Ginnie's breast as he'd done in the convenience store so long ago.
Ginnie 18 years ago
Serena hadn't yet had a chance to answer when Ginnie felt someone touch her through her jacket. She spun on her heel, sending her hat askew and her braid flying. Ginnie didn't exactly take kindly to being touched with out persmission.

"Listen, ass..." She stopped in mid motion, and a slow grin split her face. It seemed the prodigal child had returned home.

"Well, well. Look what the nasty little stray cat has drug in. What did I tell you the last time you did that?"
Serena 18 years ago
Following Ginnie into the restaurant, she stopped to take a deep breath. The spicy smells made her mouth water. She looked around to check out the place and scope out the surprisingly large amount of patrons for so late at night. Wrapped up in her observations, it took a second for her companion's question to register. She debated a moment (privacy, was it a little too private? No point taking chances.. of being ON the menu.) But once she looked at the rather comfy looking booths she made up her mind.

About to reply, suddenly Ginnie went spinning and snapping at someone out of her vision. Turning to glance towards the new arrival she got a face full of the scientist's braid. Blinking away the sting, she checked out the dread-locked wall grinning at her co-worker.

'Well, at least he's easy on the eyes, that helps..' she grinned to herself. Listening to Ginnie, she glanced between the two, curious. Something about the guy was familiar, but she couldn't't place him.

So, I see you two know each other? Rena looked at Ginnie and quirked an eyebrow. We could grab a table for three if you two want to catch up, or if you want some privacy I could just get some take out, no big deal..
Ginnie 18 years ago
Ginnie wrinkled up her nose at Drev. She guessed she could eat dinner with him, it was the least she could do. Well not really the least, but she could be civil, no really she could.

"He can join us, if he promises to keep his hands to himself."

Not waiting for his answer Ginnie turned to Serena, and gestured at the big burly scary man. She snorted in her head. 'Yeah about as scary as my ass.'

"Serena, this manner-less oaf is Drev. Drev, Serena."
Milazo 18 years ago
Chuckling to himself, he let Ginnie's quips roll off. With his best smile, he extended a hand to Serena.

"A pleasure to meet you, Serena. Please, don't believe any bad things Ginnie might say about me." With a wink, he straightened and took the opportunity to quickly check out his dinner companion. She's attractive and her lines and curves seem to be in the right places. He'd have to remind himself to get a more thorough look later.

At first, Drev had been a little hesitant about coming into the restaurant in his grungy clothes - faded White Zombie t-shirt with white long-sleeve undershirt, worn jeans, and scuffed Doc Martens - but seeing that Serena was wearing jeans and a t-shirt, he didn't feel quite so out of place. At least his dreads were pulled into a respectable ponytail.
Serena 18 years ago
Shaking Drev's hand, Serena gave him a slightly lopsided, warm smile. She studied him a second, taking in the comfortable looking clothes and then nodded.

Nice to meet ya.. and OK, I will reserve my judgment for the moment. Cool band, she said, motioning slightly towards his t-shirt. So, I was going to suggest one of those cushy looking booths, you guys cool with that? Rena glanced back and forth between them for any objections.
Ginnie 18 years ago
Ginnie gave Drev a final warning glare and then smiled at Serena.

"Sounds fine to me."

'This might turn out to be an interesting evening.' If there was one thing Ginnie enjoyed, it was interesting evenings.
Milazo 18 years ago
"The best," Drev said with a wink in response to Serena's comment about his shirt. "Booth is fine with me," he adds, turning back to Ginnie and their host.

He wondered how close these two were, and how much they knew about each other. That information would be vital in monitoring what he says and doesn't say. A slip of the tongue could be disasterous when dealing with others like him.


"So how do you two know each other?" he asked, remaining politely behind them. He was basically a guest, having interrupted their... date? So it would be best to impose as little as possible.
Serena 18 years ago
Turning to the small hostess who'd been patiently waiting during their introductions, she made eye contact and motioned to an available booth off to the side. As she wove across the dining room towards it, Serena glanced over at Drev and replied, We work together.. well, at the same company. Ginnie's got the much cooler job though. I'm just in IT.

When they reached the booth, she slid in and over some, not sure if they would want to sit together, or someone with her. In the seconds she waited, Serena was proud of herself for not choosing the outside seat facing the door in a corner, perhaps she was actually getting a grip on some of her paranoid compulsions. "See, a nice dinner, with two normal albeit hot looking people. No vampires here. None jumping out from behind the plants.. just dinner."


((OOC *giggle-snorts* ))
Ginnie 18 years ago
Ginnie slid in next to Serena, she didn't exactly trust Drev to keep his hands to himself, or his mind for that matter, but she would be just a bit safer over here. She'd fallen in love with Thai food during her travel after her husband's death and this was one of the few places in the States that actually came close.

She ordered ice water when the waitress stopped to give them menus and ask for their drink order.


"I would have to agree I do have a pretty cool job. I'm treating Serena to dinner, since she came and fixed the computer I blew up."
Milazo 18 years ago
Drev slid into the empty bench, grateful for the space and the ability to look at both attractive women at the same time.

"Ah yes, I remember you saying you're good at blowing things up," Drev comments with a chuckle. When the hostess turns to him for his drink order, he tells her a glass of ice water would be fine. Turning back to his companions, he smiles at Serena. "And if you're skilled enough to fix what she breaks, I should have you take a look at my laptop. I dropped it down some stairs when I moved in and wonder if it's even repairable. I wouldn't mind buying a new one, but I have a lot of personal things on it that I'd rather not lose."

Drev mentally berated himself. The poor girl surely doesn't want to talk about working on computers. Oh well... too late now. He resigned himself to redirecting the conversation at the first opportunity.
Serena 18 years ago
As she picked up her menu, Rena smiled at the hostess and made it three glasses of water for the table. Splitting her attention between the menu and Drev as he spoke she sighed a little to herself. 'Work work work.. ahh well. Gives us something to talk about.' She didn't find it annoying, people were always asking her computer related questions.

Personal stuff.. got any good porn on it? She gave him a cheeky grin. With a slight shrug and a nod, she continued in a more serious tone. Sure, I can take a look at it. If nothing else I can salvage the hard drive and plop it into a new machine if it's fubar.

Turning to Ginnie, she motioned towards the menu. Anything here you recommend?
Ginnie 18 years ago
Ginnie looked down at her menu, remembering each of the items she had tried.

"They have really good duck, and a curried shrimp that's to die for. Or if you want something that is a bit more tame go for one of the noodle stir-fries."

The waitress returned with their water and Ginnie ordered the appetizer sampler so that they could munch while they talked.
Milazo 18 years ago
"About ten gigs worth," Drev said to Serena with a wink. "But don't worry about it. I didn't mean to bring it up." Smiling, Drev held Serena's gaze a moment. He'd noticed the instant of almost-recognition when they'd been introduced. Frankly, he was surprised she didn't recognize him immediately, since she seemed to be familiar with White Zombie's music. Oh well. He'll handle it as it arose, if it arose.

He half listened to Ginnie go through her suggestions. He decided he'd just order whatever they did. Thai wasn't his favorite, but he didn't come into the restaurant for the cuisine. At least it's not fast-food.


"Are you a native of Nachton, Serena?"
Serena 18 years ago
Nodding after Ginnie's suggestions, she closed her menu and smiled at her. Now that sounds good. Curry shrimp it is!

Serena thanked the waitress as she handed her the water. Taking a sip, she shook her head at Drev.

I wouldn't say I'm a native of anywhere really, I'm pretty nomadic by nature. I guess technically I'd be German since I was born on a base in Germany. But we moved around Europe until I was about 14, then I moved to Florida. Then I bounced around the US some for college and work until I got my job at Dubine a couple years ago.. She paused and blushed faintly. Sorry, I'm rambling. It's just.. I dunno why, but it seems like I know you from someplace.
Milazo 18 years ago
"I dunno why, but it seems like I know you from someplace."

Drev couldn't help grinning. But what to do...? Should he just come out and say it, or should he let her figure it out on her own. Ah hell. What'll it hurt now? The band is finished for certain, this time. And what's she going to do? Freak out and go all nuts? If she was going to, she'd have done it by now. She can't be that into him if she doesn't even recognize him.

Leaning forward, Drev assumes a lowered voice, ostentatiously glancing around at the nearby patrons.


"Can you keep a secret?"
Serena 18 years ago
Serena quirked an eyebrow at Drev. That response certainly wasn't what she'd been expecting. With a smug grin, the brunette nodded. Her tone lowered and a little thick with amusement she whispered back, You have no idea how well I can..

She leaned forward, looking curious. What would it be? "Hi I was on an episode of some reality show? or Hi, I'm a famous serial killer?" She tried not to giggle at that one. "Always so negative!"
Milazo 18 years ago
"Do you listen to Starface?" Drev asked in a lowered voice, holding Serena's eyes. He used his singing voice, the croon that had become his signature, as well as the band's. If Serena's ever heard even a few seconds of a Starface song, she'll recognize the voice immediately.