m i d n i g h t f i r e x
Hal said, but there was not much else to say on the subject. He did make a note to start carrying some of those chemical handwarmers. He had never needed them, but it would be nice to bring them along for Razekial. Not that Hal minded in the slightest trying to warm up Razekial with his own heat, it gave him an excuse to touch the other. In only a studious fashion, of course! Anyhow, he returned a little smile when Razekial mentioned being lucky. Actually, Hal felt like the lucky one for having run into Razekial. But was it more than luck? He found it hard to believe that it was mere coincidence that brought three of his kind upon the only two Ardreux in existence. It would be one thing if his kind were demons and were everywhere, but they did not number so high either and there could not be more than a dozen on this world currently, so it was definitely strange.
"And to think, we may never have met had that singer not so rudely launched her guitar at me." Not that he appreciated that incident too much, it still irked him that he had been attacked when he had been there first. And anyway, as it seemed his kind and Razekial's kind were like magnets for one another, perhaps he would have met up with Razekial at some point no matter what.
At the teasing, Hal could not help but to smile even more. The thought crossed his mind that he smiled more in one day with Razekial than in the rest of his entire life. He was usually fairly serious and showed not much in the way of emotions, but Razekial brought out a more lighthearted side that he had not been certain he had before. Anyway, Razekial mentioned that the only other person who fed him candy and talked to him for long periods was Xen. Hal nodded, and was satisfied with that. Good. Xen was allowed to do those things. No one else was.
"I'll make sure I outdo him in that," Hal commented. He would give Razekial more candy than Xen! His thoughts went for the moment toward Xen and Aphra, and he wondered how deep their relationship was and where they were right now. He still owed Aphra a talking-to and a good beating.
"I do. We won't be trapped here. I promise." Hal would not allow them to be snowed in to a place such as this, where a huge crowd of people, including many supernaturals, was gathering. That was a disaster waiting to happen. He would get Razekial home even if it meant bringing out technology he did not wish to reveal. It likely would never be noticed anyway, but one could never be too sure. Anyway, Razekial voted to wait and see what would happen with the storm, and Hal nodded. That was fine, he just hoped that the place would not become even more crowded.
At the mention of food, Razekial actually said he would order more than dessert. Hal was curious at this. His question about the coffee was answered, and it all made sense. Coffee was plenty tolerable drowned in sweetener and creamer. For some reason he had just never imagined Razekial to be a coffee drinker. Anyway, a waitress was hailed and Razekial ordered a nice steak as raw as it could be made, and something with strawberries for dessert. Hal smiled a little at that, having predicted such a thing. Razekial and his strawberries. The waitress then spoke to Hal, and he seemed almost startled.
"Oh, ah, u-um, as a m-matter of fact, I would like the s-same thing as my friend, b-but with some type of chocolate c-cake for dessert. And, ah, m-more tea, please." He was relieved once the waitress left, but before he could resume the conversation, he caught movement coming toward their table. It was that brown-haired girl with the dress, though she was now covered by a robe. It must be a mistake, because why would she have any reason to approach them? But as she got closer there was no mistaking that she was heading right for them. Hal had given her an initial scan but now looked down to avoid meeting her eyes, his face half hidden by the bill of his cap. The woman... was inviting them to her table? Over there, with the green girl. Was this some kind of weird, random double-date? Hal felt uncomfortable and nervous. He said nothing, but looked toward Razekial for the answer. Hal also noticed how close he was to Razekial. He was no longer grabbing his hands, but he was still right up next to him, and he felt abashed for a stranger to see this. He scooted just a couple of inches away and continued to look down at the table. Now he definitely felt exposed without his jacket, so he crossed his arms.
