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Joseph Achilles Leverett:

Joseph arrived at the Mad Bean a little out of breath. Determined to get there early, he had nearly run the block from the train station. Miles from his work, he took off the jacket he used at work, but didn't change his pants or boots.

The mildly overweight and short man stepped into the coffee shop almost suspicious of it. Joseph had never been here, so he had to scout the location before arriving. It was ingrained habit, and probably not healthy for social living. But everyone had their vices. After wandering through the shop, looking for the exits, bathrooms and staff doors, acting as if he was looking for someone, he picked a table where he could keep an eye on the main entrance and the workers of the coffee house. It was a little closer to other people than he would have liked, but beggars couldn't be choosers.

He was wearing plain polo like he had in the park, but his pants were heavy and intended for work, spattered with oil and dirt. His boots were steel-toed and well-worn, and he was sporting just a small amount of stubble on his face.

He ordered a panini and some tea, paid and sat down, waiting for the arrival of his, errr, compatriot? Lunch partner? He waited for Lizzy, at least, not wasting time trying to figure out what to call her yet.

Joseph, busy glancing between the counter where he expected his food and the door saw that the Asian woman was not his blue haired target, so his gazed slid off her like quicksilver.

When she said his name, however, he jumped and looked back at her. Could Morph Change that much!? No... this was Phoenix? How on gods earth did she- He was being followed. It had to be. She was hunting him down. Did Morph spill the beans? He was being set up. He glanced at the other exits. Still not sealed, were they running behind? Could he rush out before being trapped? Surely they wouldn't start in on him somewhere public.

Joseph stood and backed away from her, a pleasant smile on his face. "Phoenix... what a surprise... I mean, what are the chances you would show up here, at this time, am I right?"

He could grab a chair and hurl it at her, but not until she did something threatening. His hand did tighten on the chair, just in case she did something like shoot green lasers or something. "You meeting someone here too?" There was a cold chill to his words, not in character with his generally genial demeanor from before. But he wouldn't start violence here, not in a public place. Not unless she started it, and clearly so.

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OoC: You just make Joseph feel all warm and fuzzy inside, Phoenix. =P

Also, since he introduced himself to you and Lizzy as "Jeff" in the park, I am assuming that Luciana meant to say that. If she says Joseph, he will have fled in a heart beat.

☯☁ Luciana ❦ ☆Tian Li ♬✦Alverstein
Known to all as...ϟPhoenixϟ
There is no such thing as a lost battle☮ There is only a loss of heart

Phoenix herself was a bit suspicious that she should find Jeff at the coffee shop at the exact same hour of day. It has to be a coincidence She thought furiously to herself, the cogs in her mind working madly. After all, what are the chances that he's following me? Then again, considering Jeff's behavior in the park a few days ago, he was probably thinking that she was stalking him. As if! Phoenix wasn't sure what made people so paranoid, but she couldn't think of one good reason why she'd even want to follow Jeff around in the first place. After all, it wasn't like she was interested in his life and his daily come and go. Besides, what could she do to him? Even with her abilities, it wasn't like Phoenix would be able to collapse the ground beneath him.

"Not at all Jeff," She replied in a cool and detached manner, not exactly offended but still somewhat on edge. "I'm just here grabbing a cup of coffee before I head back to work," Saying so, Phoenix went up to the counter and deliberately stared at the order board hanging above the service counter for an excruciatingly long time. She was waiting to see what Jeff would do next. He was clearly on edge, glaring daggers at her. What if he started going berserk and throwing stuff? No, that wasn't possible. He would keep under control.

Just then, Phoenix remembered Joseph asking her, "You meeting someone here to?" and she started violently, nearly losing her concentration from the order menu. Did that mean that he was expecting someone? If so, who? Was he trying to get backup so that he could confront her later? No, no, no Phoenix! You're getting ahead of yourself! She scolded mentally, trying to keep her cool. The door to the coffee shop suddenly opened at that moment and spinning around, Phoenix found herself only a few feet away from the all too familiar blue hair. Lizzy! Clearly, she was here to back Jeff up, wasn't she? Trying to keep herself calm and collected, Phoenix finally placed an order of a small mocha and taking the coffee, she rubbed her forehead wearily with her free hand and moved towards the back of the shop. She couldn't take this for much longer. What if Lizzy and Joseph were going to make a move on her? What would she do then?

Outfit

Lizzy smiled at his correction... This guy sure had some random sense of not keeping people waiting. He also seemed to not know why the asian woman was there at that time to it might actually be a coincidence. It still might be a trap but she would have to act like she was at ease. Alright then... She needed to eat something. The blue haired young woman walked up to the counter and ordered herself a cup of soup and a glass of fruit juice. The juice was handed to her right away but she would have to wait a bit on the soup. Lizz walked back over to the table and sat down across from Joseph.

"Good luck at work Then."

She smiled at the woman before turning to face the guy she had come here to talk to. Her smile was still there but he would probably be able to tell it was forced. Lizzy took a sip of her drink and smoother her bangs.

He sighed, and said to Pheonix as she left, "Sorry again," knowing he had taken a normal everyday situation and made it into a crisis.

There was a little stand on the table, indicating he had ordered something, which they should bring by shortly. He asked her, "What would you like to eat? Like I said, I would cover it, as part of my apology to you. I already ordered something for myself." He watched her nervously, clearly his fear and annoyance had drained away, but he might have just been acting.

Joseph was never sure if he was acting all the time or not, either. It was instinct to quash emotions when they rose unbidden. Self defense, no doubt, but it made for being normal very very difficult. Did everyone do that? He wouldn't dare ask, not Lizzy at least. She already knew too much about him for his comfort, at least for now.

Joseph Achilles Leverett:

He nodded, of course she ordered her food, and sat down as she did. "I got a panini. A personal favorite." He took a drink from his tea, and set it down as she apologized to him.

This would be interesting for him. He never talked like this to anyone but the other person who knew his identities. Ah well, here we go. "No, don't apologize for that. No need. I didn't apologize for doing the same. In our line, threats are to "thank you, come again" to cashiers." He smiled, seeming all at less nervous and more confident than he had ever before, even compared to when he was being coldly angry. More honest too. "I wanted to talk about terms. I agree to never let slip an iota of information about you, as long as you do the same for me. I am not brandishing any sort of blackmail here, but, to be fair, I do know more about you than you do about me. So, as long as you are willing to trust my discretion, I can trust yours."

He didn't necessarily believe that completely, but it was a start, and declaration of peace. One he sorely needed for her to agree to abide by. He wrapped his scared palm around the drink again, as he looked away, looking shy, and more nervous again, "And I really am sorry. About not calling. I, ah, make it a habit to not make friends. Never worked out before. "