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Post by Miso Shuu on Jul 4, 2011 15:46:07 GMT -7
Tonight was one of those nights that Miso didn't favor turning the oven on. It was muggy outside and it had been time to treat herself to a meal out anyway. It was true that Shreveport would of been her normal restaurant destination but lately the name "Merlotte's Bar and Grill" had been floating around the minds at the office. So essentially, it seemed like the place to come - and a place where it was unlikely she would run into a vampire.
Every since she had met Gin a couple nights ago she had been avoiding vampires. She didn't want to take the chance anymore, for all she knew half of Fangtasia already knew she was telepath and Gin was trying to find anybody that would turn her into the king so he didn't have too. Boy, had running into him and confessing almost everything about herself been a mistake. She still couldn't believe she had let her guard down that much, maybe it was because she did trust him? Or maybe a bigger part of her wanted too.
And then there was Richard. She didn't know what to make of his sudden new interest in her. Maybe it was just her imagination or maybe he had some crazy hidden agenda that she had yet to know about. A sigh left her lips as she put her elbow on the table and rested her chin in her hand, all these things on her mind and the one thing she wanted most of all was a waitress.
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Post by Halleigh Robinson on Jul 5, 2011 13:20:37 GMT -7
Merlotte’s was crowded, even more so than usual. Halleigh had no idea what the big deal was, but she had never seen a crowd like this on a Wednesday. The waitresses were rushing around, the cook was calling orders every two seconds, and Sam was slinging drinks like nobody’s business. Halleigh had grabbed one of the last open booths (the one without a view of the television,) and had made herself at home, watching instead the comings and goings of the Bon Temps residents.
An barely touched basket of fries and an open book were in front of Halleigh, but she didn’t seem to notice either of them, her mind elsewhere as she stared into space. Her mind was on Cajun, to say the least- she couldn’t quite figure out what to do with him. He was attractive enough, but Halleigh wasn’t attracted, and that bothered her. They made a good couple, the people that had seen her with him had said as much and she had to admit that, in pictures anyway, they were.
But something was missing. She couldn’t put her finger on what it was, but the lack was catastrophic.
As the door opened again, Halleigh raised her head. It was rare to see someone in Bon Temps that you didn’t know, so she watched the newcomer for a moment before making eye contact with her. Not wanting to seem like she was being rude, she gave a small wave of acknowledgment and went back to staring at her book.
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Post by Miso Shuu on Jul 5, 2011 17:07:04 GMT -7
Miso had saw Halleigh when she walked in and had met her wave with a polite nod. She had taken her place close to where Halleigh was sitting but one part time waitress gave her a strange look when a family of five arrived right after her.
"I really wish that Asian girl would of taken a different seat, that was the last booth"
Miso swallowed, glancing around the bar. All the single bar stools were taken and the only available spot seemed to be in the booth with the girl that had waved at her earlier. Normally Miso wasn't the type to just invite herself to sit with someone, but the girl had seemed nice enough and Miso didn't feel threatened by her in the slightest. That, and anything was better than the waitress glaring at her until one of the other booths became free.
Miso finally worked up the nerve to get up and walk over to Halleigh's booth, no sooner had she appeared to be leaving the seat the waitress rushed the family over to the free booth. There was no turning back now, not unless Miso wanted to order take out and eat in her car. She lightly put her hands behind her back and bowed politely to Halleigh.
"Excuse... excuse me. Is it, I mean, may I sit here? The rest of the bar is full and the waitress filled my space with a family. I mean, if it isn't too much trouble"
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Post by Halleigh Robinson on Jul 5, 2011 17:31:54 GMT -7
Halleigh had accomplished maybe one paragraph by the time she realized that anyone was actually approaching her- the first paragraph all day, if she was being honest. It was quite a terrible waste of her only free day all week, but it was too late to do anything about that, after all.
"Excuse... excuse me.
Halleigh raised her gaze and blinked. It was the girl that she had been staring at earlier; what could she possibly want? Was she about to call her out for being rude and staring initially? “Yes?”
Is it, I mean, may I sit here? The rest of the bar is full and the waitress filled my space with a family.
“Uh,” Her surprise was evident as she looked at the empty half of her booth as if it were the first time she had seen it, then back at her book, and then finally back at Miso. Confused, she nodded.
I mean, if it isn't too much trouble"
“No, no, it’s fine. Really.” She gestured to the seat. “Help yourself, it isn’t like I’m expecting anyone.” After all, hot guys only pop up and persistently seek you out once in a lifetime. Pretty sure I’m done with that. “I’m Halleigh Robinson. Might as well introduce ourselves since we’re sharing a table.”
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Post by Miso Shuu on Jul 5, 2011 18:51:21 GMT -7
“Uh,”
Miso blinked a couple times, watching as the girl looked from the booth, then to her book, then finally to her again. Miso was actually worried for a moment that Halleigh was going to say no. That would not only be embarrassing but well, it would mostly be embarrassing. However, Miso was glad to quickly learn that was not the case.
“Help yourself, it isn’t like I’m expecting anyone.” Miso felt almost for a moment that she should be apologizing, but instead she didn't say anything and slipped into the seat directly across from her. “I’m Halleigh Robinson. Might as well introduce ourselves since we’re sharing a table.”
Miso tucked her hair behind her hair, placing her hands lightly in her lap. "My name is Miso Shuu, and thank you for offering your table to me. I have never been in a place when it is this busy"
The truth of it was, if she wasn't so hungry she probably would of left already. Miso wasn't one for crowds or loud places, but at least if she made herself concentrate she could be sure to tune all the voices out. Resist the urge to read minds, at least that way she could make it through a whole meal.
"Are you from around here as well?" It wasn't often that Miso initiated conversation but there was something welcoming about Halleigh that made it easier for Miso to want to warm up to her.
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Post by Halleigh Robinson on Jul 5, 2011 20:05:53 GMT -7
It was definitely the first time something like this had happened to Halleigh, to say the least, but strangers had been in the habit of ruining her solitude as late, so what was one more? At least this one was polite.
"My name is Miso Shuu, and thank you for offering your table to me. I have never been in a place when it is this busy"
Halleigh shrugged. “Thanks for at least asking before you joined me.” She offered a slight smile, more amused than put out. “I would like to say I have, but I’d be lying. I think all of Bon Temps is here tonight. Then again, it’s not like there’s much else to do around here. Why not play a little pool?”
She glanced out over the bar, taking in all the familiar faces. There were a few that were missing, but had she not been consciously thinking of them, she probably wouldn’t have even noticed. Hoyt Fortenberry wasn’t there, though his mama was; Andy Bellefleur was thankfully absent; and as far as she could tell, Bill Compton wasn’t hiding in the corner. Still, it was like everyone else was crammed in one of the corners or booths, drawn here by some silent dogwhistle or something.
"Are you from around here as well?"
“You could say that. I was born here, raised here, but I don’t currently live here. I live just outside of Shreveport. I came to visit my family before I throw myself back into school. What about you? I’ve never seen you around here before.”
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Post by Miso Shuu on Jul 5, 2011 21:07:59 GMT -7
“Thanks for at least asking before you joined me.”
Miso nodded, she would never be as rude not to ask - but she was sure some people weren't as.. respectful. Miso had impeccable manners and was always cautious when it came to approaching others. She was the opposite of blunt, but there was more to her than a quiet Asian girl who kept mostly to herself. As rare as it was for her to approach people, she would only approach those who gave her a good impression from the first glance or first read of their mind. Depending on who they were, and with Halleigh.. she didn't feel quite the need too. It was too dangerous at the moment in a busy place like this anyway, if she opened up the connection to Halleigh it would be far too easily for other connections to follow.
“I would like to say I have, but I’d be lying. I think all of Bon Temps is here tonight. Then again, it’s not like there’s much else to do around here. Why not play a little pool?”
Miso had glanced toward the pool table, which made her realize it wasn't an invitation. It was busy tonight and Miso wasn't sure why, it wasn't a weekend nor was there a full moon out tonight. Maybe it was because of all the bad publicity vampires had been getting that Merlotte's was the new place to be rather than Fangtasia. But that didn't make sense either, seeing she was at Fangtasia herself the other night and it was even more busy than this - with twice the room, but still.
“You could say that. I was born here, raised here, but I don’t currently live here. I live just outside of Shreveport. I came to visit my family before I throw myself back into school. What about you? I’ve never seen you around here before.”
"I am originally from Toyko, Japan. My parents relocated here last year and opened up a sushi restaurant in Shreveport. I only recently moved to Bon Temps myself and I work at the Bon Temps Gazette. I usually don't leave the apartment much, but lately I've been.. expanding my horizons."
And meeting all sorts of interesting people, interesting people who she wasn't quite sure what their motives entirely were yet.
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Post by Cajun June on Jul 6, 2011 6:50:24 GMT -7
Cajun was curious. Curious about a lot of things. He was curious about Halleigh, now that they were dating he was going to start working in the FOTS angle. He had hinted about her coming out to the church to gauge her reaction but he wasn't specific. When he had asked her what she was doing on her day off she had casually mentioned that she wasn't sure and Cajun told her he would catch up with her some time during the day. He didn't give a time or a place, because he felt it was good for a woman to worry a bit - made them crave you even more.
The other thing he was curious about was Richard and his newest conquest. Richard had been driving Karen nuts with his subtle hints and Cajun couldn't figure out if Richard actually was starting to like the newest conquest or if he was acting mainly to see the reaction on Karen's face. Did Cajun himself like Halleigh? Sure, he did, but she wasn't quite perfect. Not yet. He was going to make her that way.
Cajun had connections, part of being a rich boy. Did he mention that? His mother was the last in her family and in her will she had left everything to Cajun so when his father went all psycho vampire on his mother and killed her all the fortune went to him. Sure, he had been taken to a foster family but he had an overseas bank account bursting at the seams which he hadn't had access to until he was sixteen. Regardless, his connections had been hired and they quickly informed him where his girlfriend was - Merlotte's Bar and Grill.
Oh, you bet he was spying on her. He had been spying on her since the first night at the jazz club. That was the night he asked her to be his girlfriend, and even though they hadn't been dating that long he already felt that he had her comfortable enough with him to trust him with anything. When he walked into the bar he spotted her, but he didn't recognize the girl she was with. The girl with her was extremely cute, a smirk was on his face at the thoughts that entered his mind - he was a guy, after all.
"Yo, babe, whose your friend?"
It wasn't his style to ask her if he could join them, or even asking her to move over. Instead he slipped in beside her, nudging her to the side when he outstretched his hand to shake Miso's.
"Don't get many Asian girls around here, Halleigh didn't tell me she had such cute little friends"
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Post by Halleigh Robinson on Jul 7, 2011 8:46:34 GMT -7
"I am originally from Toyko, Japan. My parents relocated here last year and opened up a sushi restaurant in Shreveport. I only recently moved to Bon Temps myself and I work at the Bon Temps Gazette. I usually don't leave the apartment much, but lately I've been.. expanding my horizons."
“That’s exciting. I don’t think I’d make a good reporter- I can’t be objective to save my life.” Halleigh shrugged. “But to each their own. It must be rather exciting.” This was so normal, to sit here with another girl and talk about stuff that wasn’t related to drugs or the Fellowship of the Sun, just jobs and day to day life.
“Expanding your horizons?” Halleigh repeated, her gaze curious. “How so-oh.” While Halleigh’s booth didn’t have a good view of the television, it did have a good view of the door, and Halleigh hadn’t missed who had just walked in. Cajun. What was he doing here?
It wasn’t that Halleigh didn’t like her boyfriend. She did- he was smart, funny, attractive- but he was also somewhat… possessive. And controlling. Halleigh was a headstrong girl herself, and to say it was stressful to deal with wasn’t far off. She tried to make amends by telling herself that it was just his personality- he was, in a lot of ways, like a spoiled puppy that was too curious. He didn’t realize what he was doing, and to tell him otherwise would hurt his feelings, which was her intent. But still, having just one night away from him would be nice… which was why her smile was so stilted he pushed into the booth, giving her no option but to slide over.
“Cajun. What are you doing here?” She asked, watching him as he looked Miso over. It was almost like he was spying on her…
"Yo, babe, whose your friend?"
Halleigh wrinkled her nose at being called “babe.” “This is Miso. Miso… Cajun.”
"Don't get many Asian girls around here, Halleigh didn't tell me she had such cute little friends"
“You didn’t tell me you were going to be at Merlotte’s tonight.”
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Post by Miso Shuu on Jul 7, 2011 14:30:18 GMT -7
“That’s exciting. I don’t think I’d make a good reporter- I can’t be objective to save my life. But to each their own. It must be rather exciting.”
Miso had smiled softly, Halleigh actually was sincere and seemed excited when Miso mentioned what she did for a living. She wanted to expand more on it, especially when she said she didn't think she would be a reporter, because Miso was in her own way a reporter herself. However, she stopped herself, for both of their sake. Maybe Miso was being paranoid, but it was a tough world out there for anybody who was a vampire sympathizer. It was so much more easier for the norm to hate rather than to embrace.
"Sadly, I only work in editing the final draft of the paper, however I am very much a writer. I suppose I could become a reporter any time that I wanted, my boss and I get along really well"
“Expanding your horizons? How so-oh.”
When Halleigh stopped talking and suddenly had her attention on something else, Miso had accidentally slipped herself into Halleigh's thoughts. Halleigh was bothered by the boy that walked into the bar, her boyfriend, Cajun. The boy had become possessive but Halleigh was sympathetic, even if all she wanted was one night away from him. Miso couldn't relate herself, at least not in the way that Halleigh felt. Still, Miso took a deep breath to center herself to try and turn the voices off again before it was too late.
“Cajun. What are you doing here?”
Miso's eyes were on Cajun only for a moment before they returned back to the table in front of her. “This is Miso. Miso… Cajun.” Miso just nodded politely but kept her focus on anything but him. Even when he had mentioned that she had "cute little friends" nothing in her body language had given away that she was even considering "officially" introducing herself or acknowledging him.
“You didn’t tell me you were going to be at Merlotte’s tonight.”
Miso had gazed toward the waitress that had approached them, just as Halleigh had asked Cajun the question. Miso turned all her attention on the waitress, this was awkward enough for her but Miso wanted to learn more about Halleigh... not Cajun.
"A sweet tea please, and a green salad with Italian dressing on the side. Thank you."
The waitress nodded, turning toward the couple.
"You two ordering or not?"
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Post by Cajun June on Jul 7, 2011 14:59:18 GMT -7
“Cajun. What are you doing here?”
Cajun glanced toward Halleigh, giving her a charming smile as he lightly nudged her and reached for her hand. He entangled his fingers in her's, bringing her hand up to his lips to kiss it gently. "I am sorry, I should of asked if it was alright for me to join you. Forgive me?"
'Make her out to be the bad guy for asking Cajun, she will fall for it. Can't let her know that it was Tom who tipped me off that she was here talking to someone. She doesn't need to know I came here to see who it was myself'
His attention was back on the Asian girl again, he wanted to know about her and why she was hanging around Halleigh. However, the girl wasn't even acknowledging him and Cajun resisted the urge to kick the girl underneath the table. Nobody, especially a girl, ignored him, he would just have to pour on more charm until the girl opened up to him the way she had apparently opened up to Halleigh - according to his source who was still watching them as they all spoke.
“You didn’t tell me you were going to be at Merlotte’s tonight.”
Cajun let go of Halleigh's hand right then, bringing his own hand to her face he cupped her chin in his hand and lightly brought her face to his. His warm goldish green eyes were looking deep into hers before he pressed his lips against hers and pulled her in for a deep kiss. His hand eased it's way around to the small of her back as he kissed her, lightly caressing the flesh right below her tail bone. When he broke the kiss he held her gaze and ran his tongue over his lips before he spoke.
"I was headed to fill up the car at the Grabbit Kwik when I drove by and saw your car parked inside. I wanted to make sure you were alright is all, you are never gone for more than a couple hours and I didn't get to ask you if you were spending the night again tonight"
His smile was charming as he tucked her hair behind her ear before glancing up at the waitress who asked if they were ordering or not. Cajun saw it as a great chance to make her feel even more sorry for wanting to be without him tonight.
"I would love to order, I haven't eaten all day and I am simply starving.. but I must ask my girlfriend if it is alright if I stay. So, is it alright Halleigh? I completely understand if it isn't and I'll go right away. Probably pick up a sandwich at the Grabbit if I have too"
Now, all eyes were on her and surely not only the waitress but also Miso would think she was a complete bitch if she still sent him away.
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Post by Halleigh Robinson on Jul 8, 2011 19:28:34 GMT -7
Halleigh was trying very, very hard to tone down her irritation, if not for Cajun’s sake, for Miso’s. She herself had been witness to several events with her own friends, and the awkwardness one felt when the appearance of a significant other suddenly appeared and made you into a third wheel. True, she didn’t owe Miso anything, barely even knew her, but Halleight was not going to be one of “those” girls.
“Cajun.” She said a bit more forcefully, frowning as he took her hand. She didn’t pull away, but she didn’t encourage him either, her fingers not moving to grasp his.
"I am sorry, I should of asked if it was alright for me to join you. Forgive me?"
“I’m not, I’m not mad, Cajun-“ She shook her head, glancing at Miso. The poor girl was trying hard to ignore them both, and Halleigh didn’t want to make the situation worse for her. She felt as if everyone was watching her- Cajun, the waitress, everyone else.
As Cajun touched her face and kissed her, Halleigh jerked back, nearly hitting her head against the wall. “Stop it.” She hissed, her glance going again to Miso. Halleigh wasn’t by any means a girl who was comfortable with PDA- the most she would concede to was holding hands when there were other people around. Cajun knew this about her, hell, even the guy at the barstool who had never spoke to her in his life knew that about her.
"I was headed to fill up the car at the Grabbit Kwik when I drove by and saw your car parked inside. I wanted to make sure you were alright is all, you are never gone for more than a couple hours and I didn't get to ask you if you were spending the night again tonight"
The look she gave him was one that said he was definitely more likely to get ignored for the next three days than get her to come home with him. She wasn’t sure what his problem was, but when they were alone, he was sweet to her, amusing, charming. Right now? Well, now he was being an ass, and she wasn’t so sure she deserved it. “I think I’ll go home tonight.” She muttered.
And now a waitress was staring at her as well. This night really couldn’t get any worse.
"I would love to order, I haven't eaten all day and I am simply starving.. but I must ask my girlfriend if it is alright if I stay. So, is it alright Halleigh? I completely understand if it isn't and I'll go right away. Probably pick up a sandwich at the Grabbit if I have too”
She had two options- deal with this now, or do it later, in private. The last thing she needed was more gossip to get around town about her, so she backed off… for the moment. “You can stay if it’s fine with Miso.”
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Post by Miso Shuu on Jul 8, 2011 21:53:01 GMT -7
Miso was uncomfortable, and she didn't trust Cajun – not in the slightest. She didn't need to read his mind to know there was something just a bit wrong with him. However, she didn't want to judge – he was Halleigh's boyfriend which must of met Halleigh saw something in him.
It was the hiss and the jerk away from Cajun that had pulled Miso's attention back to them. Cajun's expression looked angry, but it wasn't an obvious look of angry – but rather of irritation and impatience. Miso, who had a habit of watching people more than interacting with them, had saw the raw anger in his eyes. Underneath the table Miso had squeezed her hands, bunching up the material of her jeans underneath her palms. She barely knew Halleigh but already she was feeling protective toward the girl, like she knew Halleigh should not be with this man beside her.
As Cajun gave his explanation to Halleigh, Miso didn't believe it. Again, however, she resisted the urge to read his mind and find out the truth – it wasn't her place and certainly wasn't her business. “I think I’ll go home tonight.” Miso knew Cajun really didn't like that option.
And then, quite unexpectanly, Miso was pulled into the middle of it. “You can stay if it’s fine with Miso.” Miso swallowed, because now Cajun's attention was on her. She really wished that Halleigh hadn't turned the attention on her, because Miso – who was the least confrontational person of them all, found only one option in what to say.
”I... I don't mind”
Right then she really hoped she could get closer to Halleigh and actually become friends with her, Halleigh seemed like a good person and Miso felt drawn to her. The person she didn't want to get closer to was Cajun – what she did want was to find out exactly what his real intention with Halleigh was.
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Post by Cajun June on Jul 8, 2011 21:54:13 GMT -7
“I’m not, I’m not mad, Cajun-“ Of course she wasn't mad, how could she ever stay mad at him? As far as he was concerned, he had her wrapped right around his finger. Or so he thought – what he didn't expect was for her to suddenly pull away from his kiss.
“Stop it.” Cajun bit back a sneer, she had done the biggest no-no to him right then – not only did her actions make him look like a pushy jerk but she had embarressed him. As angry as he was he made it look like he was merely hurt and as his hand slipped away from her's. “I think I’ll go home tonight.” Her next comment only added insult to injury and he clenched his fist underneath the table so hard that his knuckles were turning white. Oh, she would pay for this, Cajun would see to that – he had backhanded girls before for less than this.
”Fine, if that is the way you feel I am not going to stop you.” He wouldn't stop her, but a little tampering with her vechile would, as soon as he got something to bloody eat and learned more about this girl in front of him. “You can stay if it’s fine with Miso.” He looked at Miso, irritated that Halleigh actually thought she had control of the situation. And this girl, Miso was her name? If she knew what was good for her, she would say that he could stay.
”I... I don't mind” Smart girl.
Cajun forced a smile and turned to the waitress.
”Double cheeseburger with fries, coleslaw, gravy, and a beer” He pushed everything to the back of his mind, for now, and glanced at Halleigh.
”You need anything else? I'll cover everything, an apology for my terrible behavior, that goes for you as well Miso. Whatever you order is on me tonight”
He was certain that would smooth things over, at least for now. Inside however, he was turning Halleigh inside out.
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