All that he wants...is another donut

[Carlos Banderas]

It'd been a long time since Carlos had allowed himself to take a night off of guard duty with Atraya. Call him paranoid, but he just didn't feel comfortable letting anyone else watch over her. As he had done for the past several years or lifetimes depending on the angle their stories were looked upon. But he was feeling fairly confident with Henderson. He'd been one of Carlos's boys and approved for the payroll by Zander. Henderson being a were-lion was a good choice for being the 2nd in command of watching over Atraya. Should shit really hit the fan, he'd be there to help calm down at least one of her beasts.

But things had been quiet. Not so quiet that Carlos was suspicious. He'd seen Amelia briefly when she'd come by to see Atraya.  She had filled her in on some of their collective bosses drama, and uttered some complaints about having to leave home so soon and be back on the road. Carlos had only grinned at her saying 'That's what you get for doing the devil's dirty work' Amelia would roll her eyes a flash of flames in them that faded quickly a small smirk on her face. 'Yeah well, the devil pays well, and I'm only in it for the paycheck.' Carlos would laugh and nod .'you and me both sista. You and me both.'

So what did an ex-mercenary, turned full body guard do on his first night off in months?

Go hit the first dunkin donuts he could find, and go all porky pig on a couple dozen powdered donuts.  While sitting on the hood of his car in the parking lot. That's what. And he had no shame about it at all. At 6'7" he was already something to look at. But once he he took his shirt off...he wasn't unaware of the attention or stares his chiseled chest got him. But just because he was a were animal, and could eat like a little fat kid, and not gain a pound from it because of his metabolism. Didn't mean that he didn't work out and 'cultivate' his figure. 

He was shamelessly going to down on those donuts like a fat kid on a cupcake. He didn't care his mouth was covered in white evidential powder. He was just happy as a pig rolling around in shit. Indulging one of his only weaknesses. That he only did when Atraya wasn't around. Only because he was afraid of triggering a buried memory of the past. Last thing he wanted was for her to remember a different life time sitting in his car, smoking blunts and eating donuts high off their asses.

Now that he was who he was, he couldn't risk getting back into old habits from life times ago. He had to be aware constantly and focused. Thats what the big man signing his paychecks wanted him to do. Where ever Faruq's spooks had taken him at the reverie the other night, was nothing compared to what Zander was capable off. Yes. Carlos had definitely been shaken up by that experience. And Atraya would have to really really wear him down, to make him go attend another one of those raves again. But maybe the spooks would back off, since he was Atraya's security detail, and she was sleeping with the DJ so didn't they sort've cancel each other out?

Carlos groaned in sadness as he pulled out the last donut from the box. He looked at it, like it was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. There might've been some mist to his eyes even. 'Your so sweet, but damn I gotta eat you. And you're the last one.' He'd let out a dramatic sigh before eagerly devouring the donut. 

He'd lean back on his hands, with a deep sigh of satisfaction. It really was the little things in life, that were meant to be enjoyed. He'd take napkin from his pocket where he'd stashed them and wiped off his mouth and hands of the confectious sugar. Trying to remove most if not all of the evidence of his gluttonous pleasure. while he decided what to do next on his night off bucket list.

Gloriously delicious donuts was checked off the list. He thought about maybe checking out some of the 24 hour gyms, for those rare nights off from work. To keep his girlish figure in shape of course. But that girlish figure was already rumbling again for more food. Maybe it was time for some diner food. Diner pie always seemed to hit the spot. Was he binge eating? Maybe just a little. It made him miss his old life. Back when the world he existed in now, didn't exist. Where he could sit back in his comero smoking a joint with his best friend. Listen to trashy music, whistle at girls at the drag races. Before Atraya was...what she was now. He could vaguely remembered her when she was still a kid, barely above the age of jailbait. But still a kid. She'd been a fierce little thing. Fearless and loyal to a fault. But Angry. She had a lot of pent up rage buried deep beneath the skin. 

He'd pull out a pack of cigarettes and light one up, reminiscing about the past as he took a slow drag. He leaned back on one hand thinking about the past, remembering When Atraya had broken her arm, beating the living shit out of some girl who'd pissed her off for the last time. She was a tiny scrawny little goth kid back then. She'd been quiet. Kept to herself. Even then she was an artist. He remembered how she had loved to paint. She'd always come to hang out with paint stains on her clothes and sometimes in her hair or on her face. Back then she'd even played the piano. Back then she'd been so angry and innocent.

It put a heavy weight on Carlos' chest. Knowing the things of the past that were erased from Atraya's mind. How a part of her still remained that sweet innocent goth kid that loved to paint. But no longer played the piano. It was like with each shift, she gained new attributes same as he, but at the same time she was kept losing pieces of who she was. Because Zander didn't want her to remember. He sometimes wondered, if she was able to, would she fight back or would she just give in to defeat? It was impossible to keep watch over her 24-7 despite best efforts made by him and his team. And for the majority she'd behaved. She'd behaved better when it was just the two of them, on their own in new york.

Living their happy little lives, till big daddy called. While Zander wanted to keep his precious daughter locked in a guilded cage for the world to see but not touch. Carlos knew that some where deep inside of Atraya buried down deep. That anger still thrived. She might not be aware of it. But he could feel it, whenever she got agitated, especially when she was angry with her father. He could always feel her beasts stirring restlessly, her anger could prickle his skin like a heatwave. And he often found himself responding to her as if she was his Oba. In a sense she was. But she wasn't cursed with a hyena strain. Therefore had no real control over him in the traditional sense. But she was her fathers daughter, which meant that she was far from human. Cursed yes. But she was also something else. A curse could be eventually removed. But whatever she had inherited from her Dark father, was anyones guess. And now Zander had her exactly where he wanted her.

And there was nothing Carlos could do about it, beyond protect her, and hope she could find some semblance of happiness. The closest he'd seen for her so far had been Zaid. Carlos didn't believe in gods or goddesses. So there was no one left for him to pray too. Zander had basically proved their non-existence to him anyhow. But if saying a prayer helped any, then he'd pray she'd find some happiness in her life. 

finishing his cigarette, he'd flick it off to the parking lot ground and slide off the hood of his vehicle, walking over to the trash cans to dump the D&D donut boxes to hide the evidence of his excursion. Carlos needed to clear his head a little bit. He was always so focused on Atraya that he forgot to assess the real world when he was actually able to immerse himself in it. But the past haunted him for the both of them. He was just the keeper of the secrets. He was left to remember, so he wouldn't forget what Zander was truly capable of.

Driving away, he'd glance around the strip as he drove. Seeing various places that looked familiar or signs he'd recognized from comericals like the cheetah club. But then he spied a dinner that had recently been repaired after a freak accident, that had occured shortly after or around the time that he and Atraya had arrived in town. Obviously the two incidents were unrelated. 

He could've sworn he'd heard one of their rent-a-cops at the gallery mention that this place had some amazing pie. And with Carlos seriously missing his marry Jane. He was going to go on a food binge with or without the legit munchies. He'd grin a little to himself as he let himself into the 24 hr diner, the little bell ringing on the door as he pushed it open. Gave it a more authentic feel. He'd glance around the place. It was fairly empty and the waitress told him to sit where he liked. So he chose a booth with a window. Which he gazed out of while he waited for the waitress to take his order.

He couldn't keep his infectious shit eatting grin from spreading across his face when she gave him an incredulous look as he requested a slice sample of all their current available pies. She'd give him the look up and down, trying to figure out how a man with a figure like that could put that kind of toxcity in his body, and look that way with a little bit of envy.  He'd continued to grin at her, knowing she was mentally what the fucking herself at that moment. he'd tap his hard toned stomach. 

'I'm a growing boy ma'am. gotta keep up with that appitite.' He'd even wink at her in a slightly flirtatious manner causing the older woman to blush and scurry away. But not before giggling at his lame joke.

[Mia §]

"I am not certain I am enjoying this trip, Mia. Can you remind me of the point?"

"The point is to give you a proper taste of big city life before our little cousin whisks you away to places unknown. Can't really do that in Côte d'Ivoire. So why not LA?"

The door to the 24 hour diner had swung open, the little bell announcing the presence of the two platinum blondes that walked in the door. Both of them identical in appearance from a distance though one appeared decidedly more confident than the other.

It was this one that reached out to floor sign, tilting it back to read please seat yourself. A thought that was echoed by one of the waitresses who told the girls to have a seat wherever and she'd be right with them. Mia would grin wildly, taking her sister by the hand and nearly pulling her over to one of the booths by the diner windows. The other rolling her eyes.

"Teh. Why indeed. We also could have chosen an easier way to travel here. That was not pleasant. The lights of this city are attractive though. But it is so loud! And the smell...."

Zella's lip would curl almost in a snarl as she slid herself into the seat.

"I do not understand why the people here choose to live this way."

Mia snickered, looking over to Zella as she too slid into the booth, stretching out her legs across the chair and leaning her back against the window.

"Yes, we have easier and faster ways of getting here but you've never been on a plane. At least it was a private jet. Could've flown you coach on a commercial flight but I didn't want to run the risk of you wigging out. Aaaaaaaand I really don't have time for all that. I barely have the patience for the jet anymore."

The waitress would approach, looking between the two with an overly friendly smile.

"I swear you must be twins! You two look exactly alike it's amazing!"

Mia's silvery blue eyes would turn to the woman, her lips curling into a twisted smile before glancing over to Zella.

"Oh no. She's actually my clone. A biological experiment where my soul was cleaved in two and placed in a copy of my body as a small child. Left to grow on her own to become her own person with her own personality."

Mia would glance over to Zella, her grin growing all the more wide as Zella's mismatched eyes of silvery blue and green widened.

"Well. Maybe not a perfect simulacrum but I suppose depending on the variables there's always the chance of errors in DNA replication."

At this point the waitress was just nodding and smiling at Mia politely, a light chuckle on her lips as the girl went on. Maybe she was one of the kids from CalTech, even though she probably wasn't much older than the two girls who sat in her booth. And maybe she asked an obvious question and deserved a sarcastic answer.

"Well. You know what they say. If every pork chop were perfect...." The waitress with the Connie name tag would comment with a chuckle. "What can I get you ladies to drink?"

"We wouldn't have hot dogs!" Mia chimed in almost on top of the waitress with a loud laugh. She loved Steven Universe and the waitress seemed just as amused that someone got her reference.

Zella would sit there, her mouth agape as she looked between the two. Did this woman just call her a porkchop? What the hell was a hotdog anyway. Was her sister not born with a filter? She'd narrow her eyes and cross her arms across her chest.

"I'll have a water please."

"Strawberry milkshake."

The waitress would nod and slip away. Zella would lean over the table with a frown.

"I was concerned when you insisted upon this trip and leaving behind Morsus, thinking it not wise you leave his side. Now I'm wondering if it is not him who keeps you in check."

Mia would cackle at that thought.

"We were separated for a very long time and did just fine. Besides, our Brother is off doing his favorite person right now before she also gets pulled away by our cousin. He's fine."

Zella would just huff, pulling up her menu and looking over the ridiculous amount of choices while they waited for their waitress to return.

[Carlos Banderas]

Carlos was still waiting for his pie when the two gorgeous blondes walked into the diner, taking a booth not too far away from him, but still was by the window. His eyes were kind of a golden brown in color. As he watched the two women talk. Hearing every word of their conversation. Not because he was noesy and enjoyed ease dropping on beautiful women (not that that, wasn't a bonus). But because of his hyper sensitive hearing. He'd arch a brow as one of the girls, told the waitress that her sister was a clone, and her spirit had been split apart. That was kind of a new one for Carlos. Having been the pawn of a powerful man's sick game. It made him reflect on his own experiences, with the universe dimension transitions. How they seemed to absorb the lives of their selves that originally existed in each universe that Zander had sent them too. Trying to find the right one, apparently that would activate Atraya. Whatever it was that she was. He'd suspected she was a succubus, seeing how her father was...well demonic. So there was no way she didn't have a demon side to her. The question was, what. Was he wrong about guessing what she was? There was a certain flare about her in this universe that she'd never had in the previous. It was like confidence was growing on all fronts. And he'd seen more than one patron at the gallery casting admiring glances at her. She of course unaware, but he also knew she was clearly distracted by her personal guest. It was almost like she could influence with a level of charm he'd never seen her express in all the lives they'd experienced together. And it kind of worried him. The curse was one thing. That by itself had been hard enough to deal with. The curse would supposedly be lifted, provided she died 9 times. 3 for each strain that she was cursed with. She wasn't a normal lycanthrope like he was. But she still had the capabilities of most shifters. In the sense she could also shift. But it was pure magic, that let her avoid the pain and gunk that normal shifters felt. Because she wasn't a real shifter. But the rest of the power she possessed was still strong enough to effect him. And that was something that was concerning.

His thoughts would tune back into the women's conversation, a brow would arch as they discussed the mode of transportation. One seemed to be less than pleased to be in LA. The other seemed confident and a total cruise director. He'd listen as the ordered their drinks, and perked a brow at their final comments about their brother and cousin, and being seperated for a long time. He had a sneaking suspicion, that they were not normal human patrons, especially at an establishment like this. But his thoughts were short lived as the waitress having gotten their drink order finally brought over a rather large platter of different slices of pie. His eyes would light up and a grin would cross his face in excitement. Momentarily forgetting about the two blondes, as the waitress would go and bring them their drinks and see what they ordered. 

Carlos in the mean time was trying to decide which pie to devour first. There was so many choices. And he'd eat every single one of them down to the last crumb. Undoubtedly it would officially shock the waitress to see him put that much pastry away. Especially considering how fit he seemed. Finally he decided on the blueberry pie first, eagerly digging into it. He had to control himself from outwardly moaning at how delicious the pie was. It was so delicious it really made him miss his Mary Jane. Thinking about how much more delicious it would've been had he been stoned out of his gourd. And plus he didn't want to draw attention to himself and his huge platter of pies. 

Not that he had any shame about it. But it could still give him some awkward looks. And tonight his focus was just having a good night off and indulge his sweet tooth.

[Mia §]

The waitress would return, brining the water and strawberry milkshake. She'd take their food orders, Zella ordering chicken tenders and Mia ordering fries and leaving the girls to chat amongst themselves again.

A small smile curled to Zella's lips, glancing up to Mia.

"Only fries?"

Mia would nod.

"Testing a theory I heard."

Zella brought the straw to her lips and leaned slightly over the table. It was her back that was turned to the only other patron in the diner. Her eyes would grow distant, as if staring off into space and listening to something, taking in a deep breath.

"Mia." Her tone quiet as she glanced up to her sister. "This city has a large population of... others?"

Mia would look to Zella curiously, her gaze drifting in the direction of Carlos as he scarfed down his collection of pie. A grin would curl to her lips and she'd just nod. She had a feeling Zella would pick up on that as soon as they walked in the door. Mia, being the near master and reading and manipulating energy around her had pegged him for other than human before the door opened. Zella's sense of smell and other senses were incredible. Mia could only assume she waited this long to mention it out of politeness.

"Yup. You remember Donnalbane? Seraphina's Father? He lives here. Works as some kind of "paranormal investigator". So you get all kinds."

Mia would lean in, her grin wild as she looked to her sister, now also keeping her voice low though not really even caring if the man with the pie heard them or not. He didn't seem all that threatening.

"What do you smell Zella?"

"Dog? Of some kind?" Zella couldn't place it, though the smell was certainly canine of some variety.

Mia would snicker, still keeping her voice low as she teased. "Does that get your hackles raised, kitten?"

Zella would only shake her head, giving her twin an incredulous look. "You are so strange..."

To which Mia would only laugh, turning back in her chair to once more lean her back against the window. "I know..."

About that time the waitress would return with their order, to which Mia would sit up, promptly grab a fry off of the plate, dunk it in her milkshake, and plop it in her mouth. She'd chew thoughtfully, catching both the waitress and Zella off guard a moment before shrugging and resuming her usual lounged position.

"Hm. Not bad Princess. Not bad at all..."

[Carlos Banderas]

As polite as he tried to be in not deliberately ease dropping on their conversation, it was virtually impossible. They were the only ones in the resturant, and there was not nearly enough background noise to tune their conversation out, with the rest of the back ground noise. So he basically had to sit and listen to their conversation in silence. He was doing his best not to act like he heard them nor that he had any interest in their conversation, until they started talking about supernatural beings. But refering to them as others. Now that caught his attention. Now he was definitely listening in to their conversation. He hadn't bothered to take a wiff of the ladies so he hadn't bothered to see if they were human which he at this point doubted, based off of what he'd heard so far. He arched a brow as they talked about what kind of shifter he was, like they didn't care if he could possibly hear them or not. He wondered idely if that was his cue to chime into their conversation, and make himself a known entity to their conversation or to continue with his mission in continuing to devour the pie. He had to chuckle softly as neither girl guess correctly, but had correctly identified him as in the canine family. Were Heyena's weren't very common, it would seem. Perhaps lycans in general were something peculiar to the two of them. That is until he finally took a wiff of the air, as the waitress moved away and the movement shifted their scent directly towards him. 

the one closest to him with her back to him smelt feline. But not like any feline he'd encountered, and the other one...her smell was hard to place. He would sit there chewing absently on his pie as he tried to place the scent. It was something old, earthy like and yet this tingle that felt magical. Something he'd yet to actually encounter in the universe jumps that Zander had pulled him and Atraya through. Except maybe in Wisteria, their last world, the one where they'd picked up their shifter abilities and persona. There had been magic there. It was so thick you could barely breathe around it. And everything there had been something other than a mortal. Though he'd never encountered one face to face or even interacted rather with one of those magical creatures. 

He'd be willing to lay down money, and he wasn't a gambler. That the one facing him belonged to some race of Fae. It took him a second to swallow hard on his piece of pie. It actually made the hair on the back of his neck stand on end just a little bit. The fae were things of myth and legend and didn't exist in this world  as far as he knew. Where as lycans and shifters were alive and very much very real. It took a lot to surprise Carlos these days after the things he'd seen and experienced. And considering this wasn't even his real timeline...well...nothing really seemed out of the realm of probability. But this definitely took him by surprise. It left him a little unsettled. Almost as much as the spooks at the reverie had. But not in that terrifying I almost wet my pants way. More like a feeling of revelation like someone figuring out a deity actually existed and walked amongst them. 

He'd peek over the booth because he was just THAT tall, and could easily see mia's face, even as she repositioned herself and was looking at her sister. He half expected her to be all sparkley or have wings, or even large point elf ears. The way hollywood had pretty much always portrayed the fae. As far as Carlos was concerned, Elves would still be classified as part of the Fae races. Genuinely surprised that she seemed to look like a relatively normal human. An attractive human, but still human none the less. Perhaps it was faerie magic, some kind of glamor spell that he couldn't sense and she looked completely different if she had another form. He couldn't tell having never interacted with such an elusive creature.

He continued to radiate himself as being non-threatening. If anything, he was just really really curious. And trying to refrain himself, from regressing back to his former mortal life and time line where he'd have probably abandoned his pie and joined them uninvited and flirt outrageously with both of them while talking their ears off. Because in that life, he'd been a wheeler and dealer, and could talk a hind leg off a donkey. 

But that wasn't who he was now. He was polite enough to wait to be invited or engaged with. His look at mia should've come off as passing curiosity before his attention went back to his pie and him still listening.


 

[Mia §]

Mia's silvery blue eyes would glance up as the head of Carlos popped up over the booth seat. Her grin only widened into something wild. Zella would glance over her shoulder, of course having sensed the movement behind her but by the time she'd look Carlos had already lowered himself back down into his seat. She'd look back over to Mia with trepedation as her sister licked her lips and finally stood to her feet, looking over the booth seat and over to Carlos.

"Mia...."

"Hey there. I see you like Pie."

"Sweet Eilistraee give me strength...."

"I'd say you have a couple of choices. Take your pie and go elsewhere where you can't eavesdrop on someone's conversation. Or bring the pie over here and share."

Zella's hand would hold onto her own face, leaning against it as she shook her head. Already she had counted the number of people within, counting and memorizing their locations just in case she needed to get them out of the building quickly. Their waitress, having heard the girl call out to the guy would make her way out behind the counter. A hesitant smile on her features as she approached the two girls.

"Ladies is everything okay?"

Mia, being Mia, wouldn't even deem it necessary to answer the woman. Instead she'd remain standing within the booth, looking to Carlos and not breaking eye contact until he responded. He was pretty cute. It would be a shame to ruin his face. She'd only smile.

Zella would turn in the booth to the waitress, giving the woman a reassuring smile and a nod.

"Everything is fine. My sister is just very... outspoken? She don't have much of an inside voice. Or inside anything really. This is how she flirts?"

The waitress would blink, glancing over to Carlos with a nod and a shrug. She would agree he was easy on the eyes and would just leave them to it. There wasn't anyone else in the diner anyway and as long as no trouble came of it.

"Okay then. Just let me know if I can get you anything else dear."

[darkheart]

A bathroom door would open as the sound of a flush entered the room. A man who looked to be well into his 90's hobbled out. He wore a generic blue suit with a black fedora and sunglasses, bald at as a bat and hobbling slowly on his cane. Like most people his age, he smelled too strongly of ointments and aftershave, in a pleasantly unpleasant pungency. He looked around at the scene quietly, then started tap, tap, tapping his way towards the door. The waitress moved to him, almost embarrassed, bending over to speak with him.

"Um...sir...I'm sorry, but you haven't paid for your coffee and pie yet...were you....were you going to settle your bill?"

The old man tried to crane his stiff neck upward to look at her, barely getting his eyes to her shoulder level.

"Hm? But I already paid! Or...or was that last time. Hmph. Perhaps it was next time. I'm sorry dear...at my age things get a little cloudy. Forgive an old man?"

His hand would move, shaking, to his pants pocket, pulling out a small wad of bills. Taking way too long, he'd find a $10 bill and hand it to the woman with a nod. She would smile, moving out of his way with a compassionate pity in her eyes. She'd hated to embarrass him, but it was clear that he might be partially gone and was not actually planning to dine and dash. He seemed cognizant enough of who he was, at least not confused about where he was or that he'd eaten there. He would watch as Mia had her outburst and Zella covered for her, hobbling slowly in Zella's direction. Stopping over their booth, he reached a hand out slowly to take one of Mia's fries and dip it in her milkshake, bringing it to his lips with a wheezing chuckle. His voice was raspy as he cast his gaze upon Zella from behind his darkened glasses.

"Aren't you a lovely dear. You remind me of someone...someone close to me once, I think. Anyway...a bit of advice from a strange old man? The best place to get fries and a milkshake is in Meridian. Trust me on that one. My wife taught me that, hm?"

He would look to Carlos, taking a small step backwards in shock.

"Aren't you a large lad? My, My..."

He would turn to hobble towards the door, pushing it open slowly. The waitress would wave to his back kindly.

"Good night sir!"

"Good nigh..." *cough* *COUGH*

"Good night, ma'am! Thank you for the pie!"

He would move out the door and be gone.

[Mia §]

Mia's gaze would glance towards the sounds of another person in the bathroom, frowning to herself since she hadn't sensed the energy previously of another person in the building. Zella also seemed a little surprised at the old man who tottered his way out into the main restaurant.

Both of the girls would watch as he approached, stealing a fry off of Mia's plate and dipping it in the milkshake, making his comment about Meridian. A small grin would curl to Mia's lips, just watching him without a word as he made his way towards the exit.

Zella's senses would finally filter through the pungent layers of aftershave and ointments to recognize the scent. Her eyes growing wide and she'd stand up quickly, stepping out of the booth.

"Sit down Zella." Mia would instruct with a tone that demanded no question.

Zella would turn a questioning gaze back to her twin, not understanding why she shouldn't go after him right that moment.

"Tch. What are you doing to do? Drag an elderly man home and present him like you've done a good thing? Leave it alone. None of our business."

Zella had no comment, only glanced down at the tabletop with a sigh and slid her posterior back into the booth seat. Mia would return her gaze back to Carlos.

"Now where were we..."

[Carlos Banderas]

Carlos was half way bringing a forkful of pie to his mouth when the rude little fae would suddenly get out of her booth and stare him down. Even sitting down, his height would be taller than her. And clearly wasn't intimidated by her in the slightest. Before he could answer her though, an elderly man made his way from the bathroom. Carlos almost dropped his fork on that one. He had been certain when he'd entered the dinner, no one else but the wait staff had been there. How did he miss this guy?! His yellow brown eyes would focus on Mia again after barking at her sister and turning back on him. He'd slowly raise and eyebrow at her. 

'Rude much?'

Was the first thing that came out of his mouth, as he calmly finished taking the bite of pie he'd been trying to take when her and the old man had interrupted his gluttonous gorging. 

'First off lady, I was in this dinner first. I'm the tallest person in this joint, and you could see me well before you chose to pick the booth right next to mine.' He'd let that sink in before he continued. 


'And its not my fault that you talk loud enough in an damn near empty diner that half the wait staff can probably hear you in the kitchen. It was also you who made the choice to sit in that booth. I wasn't given a choice of not hearing you and your sisters conversation. with barely a barrier between us.'   His gaze never waivered as he held her gaze.  When he spoke his next words. His face devoid of emotion.

'And I only share my pie with people who are nice to me. Or at least ask politely and don't demand it.'


He was really struggling now to keep a straight face. The sides of his mouth would twitch slightly, like he was struggling not to laugh or smile at her. Or rather show any signs of amusement at all. 
She kind of reminded of an angry little midget. But then again to someone of his height everyone was a damn midget. The past was rushing to catch up to the present, and trying to force him back into old habits. One of them being an outrageous flirt. She was definitely easy on the eyes. But that didn't mean she didn't have claws or talons hidden behind perfectly manicured nails.

He was trying very hard to keep himself neutral, and it was a struggle of wills inside of himself. He'd all but turned himself into a deadly monk in this life. No girlfriends, no friends aside from Atraya. No life. No real interaction with anyone outside of the Crowe family circle.

Even if it was seemingly awkward it was a nice reprieve to actually have an interaction with someone outside of the circle. Even if she was a demanding feisty little thing. Which unfortunately for Carlos, was completely his type of woman. He loved them feisty and spicy. Women like that had always been his weakness and downfall. But he wasn't about to let that be the case tonight. But it reallllly didn't help his self control when Zella told the waitress this was her sisters way of trying to flirt. It'd been so long since he'd flirted with a woman of any caliber, he wasn't even certain he still knew how to. Or even if she was actually flirting with him. Last thing he wanted to do was read the wrong signals. Neutrality and some friendliness he decided was the best course of action in this moment.

'But if you'd like to try again, Miss feisty and ask nicely, I'd be more than happy to join you ladies, and share my delicious horde of pie with the two of you.' 

At that he would finally give into his flirtatious nature just a little bit and offer  Mia one of his completely natural lady killer smiles. He was not intentionally trying to flirt with her. But it was out of an old habit, especially when he found himself talking to an attractive woman. Mia seemed a little unstable. So Carlos wasn't certain how the harmless and non-aggressive his smile would go over. He was hoping for a pleasant surprise, but was expecting the worst at this point. He wasn't there looking for trouble. Even if trouble found him, he'd have to find away for himself to walk away from it. It was the priced he had to pay to being Zanders indentured lap dog. 

He'd even go so far as slightly nudging one of the untouched plates of pie on the table in her direction, as a silent peace offering.

[Mia §]

Rude?! This wasn't Mia being rude. This was Mia giving him a choice and offering him a way to save his skin. Not that Carlos would probably know that. She would just grin wide with a knowing look. A look that said she didn't care if he was almost a full foot taller than she was she would disconnect all of the muscle from his bone and just leave him in that booth.

"Yeah. I saw you. Saw you before we even opened that diner door."

She'd glance down at the pie he was eating on, tilt her head to the side and just gesture towards the table.

"You'll find I'm not really the asking type. Especially when I could just take it."

There would be no pull of the weave. No casting of some grand spell. Nothing at all to indicate Mia had done anything. But deep inside of the pie he was eating a chemical reaction was happening. Sugars would begin to break down. The crust would begin to get soggy and bacteria would begin to set up. Everything in this world dies. Everything in this world is slowly decaying and that decay releases energy that she can manipulate. So the next bite Carlos took of that one slice of pie would not be as fresh as he remembered it. Instead it would be nearly rotten as if it had been sitting on an open shelf for weeks.

Zella was just watching this interaction, waiting for Mia to actually do something to start a fight. Even though she hadn't witnessed it, she had the feeling Mia wouldn't care about casualties or any human lives in this diner.

"Zhah nindol ulu tlu ussta dro? Dorn'la y'sik alu rath ulu waterdeep lu'inbal mina talinth uns'aa natha phindar taga nindol."

With a bit of a grumble Zella would stand, picking up her chicken tenders and water and moving herself into Carlos' booth. She'd offer a tight but polite smile as she slid herself across the seat to be near the window and set down her plate.

"Luckily I am the asking type. Thank you for the offer."

Zella would reach over to the untouched plate of pie that he had nudged over into her direction, taking up a fork and digging in. This one happened to be coconut cream. The girls eyes, one blue one green with pupils that were very feline-like, would widen. She'd look up to him with a smile and a look of amazement.

"Oh Gods this is good. Mia! Mia come sit down and share this with me."

Mia would just watch from where she stood in the seat of the booth, eyes wide as Zella decided to make herself comfortable with her new enemy toy.

"Traitor..." She'd almost hiss out as her sister's butt touched the other seat. She'd frown, just continuing to stand there until Zella told her to join her.

She'd snort, narrowing her eyes before her entire demeanor shifted into something a bit more broody and pouty. Mia would walk across the booth and hop down, taking her milkshake and fries with her as she hunched herself into the seat beside Zella.

"Fine. Party pooper."

[Carlos Banderas]

If this encounter had taught Carlos anything. It was that Fae were nothing like they were portrayed to be in books and movies. This little cherry bomb, actually kinda scared him. Just a tiny bit. Probably because he couldn’t read her, like he could a fellow shifter. Or other ‘normal’ supernaturals. At least normal in the eyes of continued mythology. Not only could he not read her, but he had absolutely no idea what she was even capable of. This being his first ever encounter with one.



He’d spit out the rotten piece of pie into a napkin. Almost making gagging sounds at how retched it had tasted in the split second it’d been in his mouth. He couldn’t contain the dirty look he shot in Mia’s direction. He was getting the feeling she was rather enjoying ruining his evening.



His eye’s would flicker away from Mia, although he kept her in his sideline vision, not trusting her to not randomly grab a fork and try and stab him in the neck with it. To look at Zella. The clearly calm and ‘sane’ one. Between the two. He’d notice how she had two different colored eyes with the feline pupil. She sort’ve reminded him of Atraya, minus the eye color differences of course. She wasn’t like any shifter he’d encountered before. But neither was Atraya. In fact, he wasn’t certain if Zella was an actual feline shifter, or was she some other weird genetic product of the elusive fae community.



He returned her tight polite smile. With a surprisingly gentle one of his own. The smile would grow a little bit, as she took the offered pie, watching how her eyes widened with excitement. He’d glance briefly with his full focus on Mia, at Zella’s excitement and exclamation that her sister needed to try it.



He chose to ignore Mia’s displeasure at her sister’s neutrality.



‘The pie here is pretty damn good. I gotta admit it myself. I wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into going for the “sampler” platter.’ he’d make air quotes at sampler. He hadn’t relaxed yet. Even when Mia finally grabbed her own food and joined them in a huff. He just remained as neutral as possible.



‘But I’m glad I did.’ He’d pause for a second. ‘And I’m happy to share it with someone who is enjoying it as much as me.’ There was a flash of a friendly smile, but it would quickly vanish back to the neutral tone he’d kept his face in. Not wanting to Trigger the crazy twin, by being a ‘nice guy’.



Why was it all the crazy women seemed to find him? It was if fate was laughing at him. Saying ‘here bitch, lets see how you handle this level of crazy.’ Just like tonight, just trying to have a nice quiet solo evening, minding his own damn business. And just like that he now had a crazy broad on his hands. That he wasn’t sure if she was trying to intimidate him, or if she just honestly wanted to fuck him up and leave him for dead just because her crazy ass could.



He genuinely hoped it was the former and not the latter. But even if she did wrangle him up and leave him for dead. He’d eventually heal, be it by his own nature or by Zander’s command to have someone save him. Or resurrect him should the damage be too much for him to self heal from. He wore Zanders brand on his back left shoulder. Forever binding him and his soul to Zander’s will. Be it one way or the other Zander would always be the real master of Carlos’s fate. If Atraya wasn’t a part of the picture. He’d have welcomed death. It was a far less cruel fate than the one Zander would provide if anything ever happened to Atraya because of Carlos’s absence or negligence.



He’d glance over at Mia again when she mumbled at her sister about being a party pooper. Had he dodged some kind of mythical bullet? Gods willing he really hoped so. Now that the pair was sitting across from him. His eyes would flicker between the two, notating the subtle and not so subtle differences between the twins. It made him wonder if what Mia had told the waitress was actually true or not. But decided, the less he said the better. With the exception of at least offering the two his name. The simplest most neutral thing he could possibly come up with in that given moment.

‘I’m Carlos.’

[Mia §]

Zella lowered her gaze, a small satisfied smile slipping across her lips as Mia backed down. She had had only a few days so far to truly experience her lost family. They were loud, brash, and calculated. While Mia and Morsus were running around the beach house trying to get her drunk, Zella had been watching them, trying to pick apart their motives. What their Father had told her about them was pretty much true, but she wondered if they weren't as chaotic as she first thought.

She'd take her fork and stick it into the coconut cream pie, glancing back up to catch the hint of a friendly smile as he mentioned he was happy to share the pie. She'd chuckle lightly, taking a good sized chunk of it on her fork and holding it up with an offer to her sister. Mia would roll her head over to Zella with a touch of an amused look on her face. If it would make her sister happy then she would try it. She'd lean in and open her mouth and Zella would meet her half way. Mia leaning back to more of an upright position to chew thoughtfully, finally licking her teeth and glancing between Carlos and Zella. Zella would was looking at her expectantly.

"Okay. It's good! Are you happy?" She'd snap back with no malice. To which Zella would just nod with a small chuckle.

"Yes. I am very happy."

The twins would glance over in Carlos' direction almost in unison as he introduced himself. Both would smile, one friendly one mischievous.

"It is good to meet you Carlos. I am Zella. This is my sister Mia. Do you live here or are you also visiting?"

"And do you know where we can find a rave or something equally fun. Zella is a bit of a stick in the mud and I'm trying to take her out to have some fun."

"I am not a stick in the mud."

"I'm not convinced yet."

"Carlos, I don't think I would finish that pie in front of you. It smells... not fresh." Zella's nose had wrinkled, and she'd lean a bit in his direction to look more closely at the pie. Not just to warn him, but perhaps to change the subject. Mia had been trying to explain what a rave was and she wasn't sure it was a safe environment.

Mia would chuckle lightly, recognizing Zella's subject avoidance. She'd just shake her head, looking over to Carlos. Slowly she'd let her gaze travel down the visible parts of him, her face going reserved and studious for a moment or two.

"Carlos. Can you cook? In particular breakfast?" She had a sudden craving for frittatas.

[Carlos Banderas]

Again he'd offer Zella a smile this one grateful, as he pushed away the rotted pie also with a face of disgust as he reached for another random slice on the table, this one being safe and apple. He'd glance at Mia, his eyes flickering between the twins as they went back and forth between Mia's questions. He sat for a moment as he thought about how carefully he should be about the the questions they'd ask. Zella having one of her own prior to mia's. He'd smile a little at Zella before answering as he thought about answer the 2nd question carefully the last question left him a little bit surprised. As that was the last thing he'd expected from this woman. He chose to answer Zella's question first. Her's being the easiest of the 3. 'Just moved here not to long ago, actually" 

he would return the question of course, curious now about the two since it seemed like the atmosphere had calmed down. And Mia seemed less likely to wanting to skin him alive. 'What about you two? live here, move here or visiting?' But before Zella could answer, he'd address Mia's questions, not to let her think he hadn't heard them. Still not fully trusting her, or her bi polar like emotional changes. 'I'd like to think I know how to make breakfast' he said to her. Wondering why it was she was asking. It wasn't something most strangers would ask another stranger. He'd hold her gaze before finally answering her initial question. 'I suppose it would depend on what kind of rave you're looking for' he'd answer. He was guessing it was a supernatural rave. But given Zella's demeanor Mia might be reffering to a human rave. The only supernatural rave he'd come across thus far had been the wandering reverie. And he reallllly didn't want to go back there. Unless he realllly had to. He'd perk a brow at them waiting to see what they said. 

[Mia §]

Zella smiled, leaning her chin on her palm. She had already answered that question but it was forgivable that he'd miss it. Mia likely was speaking over her.

"We are visiting. Mia is taking me around the realms to show me the sights. It has been... overwhelming."

She'd chuckle lightly, glancing over to Mia as she finished her shake and make a loud slurping sound with her straw. Mia would look between the two, her eyes narrowing at Zella's face of disappointment. She was beginning to hate that face. Did she look at people like that? No. Pretty sure she didn't.

"Whatever."

Mia looked back to Carlos, not breaking his eye contact as he responded that he knew how to make breakfast. A wide hungry grin slipping across her features as she leaned over towards her twin without looking away from Carlos.

"Take it from me, Sis. Find one that can cook. Totally worth staying the night and keeping them on speed dial."

Zella was no stranger to casual encounters, but Mia was being a little too forward for her tastes. She'd have the decency to almost blush.

"But yeah, we're looking for a party. Something exclusive. Somewhere we can let loose."

"We do not have to let loose. Letting loose is dangerous."

"Letting loose is fun."

"I heard about Dagestan with Morsus."

"Eh. My vypuskayem par?"

"No one in that bar survived."

"Trivialities."

Zella would almost say something else but Mia would just snicker and press a palm to her face which Zella would just smack away with a half hearted snarl.

"Anyway! What cha got for us, Carlos? You may not have been here very long but I'm betting you're in the know."

[butterflyhime]

Alara stood in front of the door to the diner for a long moment debating on what she should do. She had had a plan, carb load  and go for a long swim. It didn't matter to Alara how late it was - swimming at anytime was always good practice and gave her a feeling of accomplishment when she completed her goals for the day, the only thing she hadn't planned for was that there were people in the diner other then the waitress. She always felt uncomfortable around large groups of people and even small clusters sometimes gave her pause.

She took a deep breath and finally opened the door the diner and stepped inside. There was no use in turning around and finding somewhere else to eat. It was possible the next place would be more crowded and she was already there. Alara stood at the please seat yourself sign for a long moment looking over the place. It wasn't like it was bad just the two girls and guy sitting together, it wouldn't be hard to find a corner booth and hide herself away while she ate would it. She fiddled with the shirt that was two sizes too big debating on what she wanted to do.  

"You can seat yourself." The Waitress told her looking at the girl who just seemed lost standing there.

"I know." The musical lilt of her voice was the only sign that she heard the waitress. She stood there and finally bit down on her bottom lip still debating on where a good sit would be. Maybe she should have turned around after all - she should have eaten at home at least then she wouldn't have to decide on where to sit.