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 Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 6:08 pm
Nicole had arrived at a small Italian restaurant a little earlier than the time they had agreed to meet for lunch but that was simply the kind of person she was. Simply being punctual wasn't good enough, she liked to be prepared as well so instead of arriving at the time they agreed on she arrived twenty minutes early to account for the chance Rosalie might be early. She didn't mind being there alone because frankly it allowed her the opportunity to pick out where she wanted to sit, and even allow her time to fiddle with all the place-settings before Rosalie arrived.
The table was completely set differently by the time a waiter arrived with a basket of bread. He might have questioned it but before he could say anything or even ask if she would like an appetizer she told him that she was waiting on another party member and would wait to order then. Smiling the best he could, the waiter scuttled off to another table.
Twenty minutes passed quickly, and as punctual as she came to expect Rosalie, the door opened and Nicole looked across the room to see if it was her. It was, and she waved her hand slightly to her companion in hopes she would see where she was located. It wasn't particularly hidden compared to some of the table locations, only blinded slightly by the waiter's a**.
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Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 7:45 pm
Rosalie was always on time, wasn't she? Stepping through the door into the familiar red and gold of Giana's, her hair rumpled from the wind and jacket hauled off due to the sudden, unseasonable warmth, she took a moment to stand just inside and turn a look around. Let the waiter approach to take her coat, to ask her if she needed a table, and then Nicole would become visible.
She indicated the table with a point [likely to his exasperation] and approached without offering him a word, sliding in to sit opposite her friend.
This wasn't a fancy place, but neither was it cheap; exactly the right sort of setting for a monthly lunch out, for a low end business meeting, for a company lunch. And that was what was around them, a few sparse groups here and there, the whole place quieted to a low hum.
Rosalie took in the adjusted silverware and made a sound, carefully putting hers back in order. "You've been her a while, haven't you."
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Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 9:05 pm
Nicole mentally groaned as Rosalie adjusted the silverware back but found herself simply smiling as she stated that she'd been here awhile. It was true and she was proud to be acknowledged for it. The alternative was being late, and that was unacceptable.
"Long enough," she said happily, fiddling with her own placements rather idly until she was satisfied with it again. It was not a moment after that she began fiddling with it again. Rosalie may have been used to Nicole's enjoyment out of changing the organization of things but she was being more obsessive than usual about it right now. This was because she was thinking about the mass stabbing that had occurred the other day in Texas. No one wanted to talk about work while at lunch but she couldn't help but think about it. She wanted to help the world but it just kept crumbling further into the depths of darkness. Most people would begin to wonder if their efforts were in vain but Nicole simply thought of more ways to work harder.
"How've you been Rosalie?" She asked, a little more cordially than usual before finally, "Do you think they have good pie here?" If they didn't have pie, she'd settle for a good pastry.
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Posted: Fri Apr 12, 2013 12:44 pm
"Tiramisu, maybe. I think they have tiramisu." It was the savory that interested Rosalie: she'd known what she was going to eat well before arriving at the front door. As such, she didn't even bother with the menu, just picked up her knife and toyed with it between her hands, not quite setting to picking under her fingernails. It was nervous, perhaps. Just a little bit nervous.
"...and things have been strange." She looked up, finally, green eyes locking on Nicole. Across the room, the waiter fidgeted, probably waiting for just a small break so he could step in and take orders.
"I bumped into one of those so-called terrorists last week, during investigations." It was a lie, but that didn't show on her face. She hid it beautifully. "I wasn't sure what to make of it, and wanted to hear your professional opinion."
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Posted: Sun Apr 14, 2013 8:15 pm
Nicole had no doubts that tiramisu would be a good desert but it simply fell between the cracks to a good old fashioned pie in her eyes. She could humor the idea of tiramisu all day but in the end if there was pie she would rotate right back to it. Other than that back and forth thought, Nicole had decided twenty minutes ago what she'd order before she even started toying with the place settings.
A smile lingered on her face as if her only thought was of the most delicious pie in the world despite the topic change. She may have been a little surprised by the shift but her expression remained quite pleasant. In fact, anyone who knew Nicole knew she almost always smiled. It was when she didn't smile that there was something to be concerned about but even then she was trained to adjust well under pressure and held her cool quite well.
The "so-called terrorists" were a special topic though. If this had been 2012, her answer would have been quite different. However, her world had taken a shift in the past couple of months. Svartalfheim's existence had changed a few things but in the end she was always an altruistic person so no single person was fully beyond reason or help. There was always hope, and she was quite set in her ways to believe she could be the one to change things.
"Well, how often do we as law enforcement personally deal with the terrorism in this city? It happens but we barely have scratched the surface. What we, and what the city, has come to know of the terrorists is almost entirely media based, and I refuse to simply believe what the media of all things tells me. Their prime motive contradicts everything else."
She paused, taking a sip of her water before meticulously sitting back exactly where she'd removed it from.
"I am fascinated that you bumped into one. What are you opinions on it? On them?"
To be honest, Nicole actually hoped what Rosalie said was not entirely negative but she had an ulterior motive for that.
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Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2013 1:54 pm
It was a good question, and one that required thought - so Rosalie took advantage of their situation. She leaned back, settling her jacket over the back of the chair, and it was like magic to summon the waiter over. They could order [Nicole her pie, if they had it, and Rosalie something with veggies], with green eyes gone distant in thought.
Black and white meant that it was hard for Rosalie to think about lying in this -- even to a friend. It meant picking and choosing her words, tapping a knife somewhat-restlessly against the table until the waiter was out of earshot again.
"...it seems to me that terrorists would be better organized." That was true, at least, her head cocked to the side and attention resettling on Nicole. "More of a central base of operations and goals. The one I...she didn't even seem to quite know what was expected of her. Or who to learn more from."
All of it true. That could put her conscience at ease, at least.
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Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2013 8:09 pm
Nicole watched the waiter as he walked away with a lingering stare before her eyes shot to the table where the clacking noise of Rosaline tapping the knife against the table could be sourced. It was an interesting reaction and Nicole's assessment lingered on an area of boredom, uncertainty, or nerves. Maybe Nicole just didn't like idle hands, a case not too different from her own. Either way, as the waiter was out of earshot her eyes settled on the other woman's face.
She thought about the response that was given to her, unable to bring herself to simply reply without giving it proper thought. A muffled hm, and a murmuring mm slipped out of her lips in the meanwhile. Rosalie made a valid point, and from what she knew of the senshi they definitely didn't seem very organized. She nodded her head, her eyes following Rosalie as she cocked her head.
"Yeah, I suppose that's true!" She said with quite a bit more perk than what was probably necessary. Following it, there was a pause.
"If that is the case, I can't help but wonder what's really going on."
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Posted: Sat Apr 20, 2013 6:16 pm
"Well, that is why I'm asking you." All at once, she seemed to recognize her rattling nerves, and very carefully she set the knife back down where it belonged. Rosalie's mouth was pinched, but that was hardly new. She wasn't the type to often crack a smile or even to relax that edge of a frown. She was tense by nature.
"You must know something more. Someone with some kind of connections, or who knows something about them." She tilted her head, eyes narrowing just a touch. Not suspicious, but uncertain. "Or where to find more."
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Posted: Thu Apr 25, 2013 6:18 pm
Nicole shifted in her seat, moving side to side before leaning in closer to Rosalie. She looked at Rosalie's face, her face offering a comforting smile in return.
"I might have a few leads," she replied with a hint of hesitation. "Perhaps I could arrange something."
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Posted: Sat Apr 27, 2013 4:12 pm
Rosalie wasn't comforted -- or, at least, she didn't show as comforted. She didn't really show as upset either, though: just distracted, thoughtful, quiet. Frustrated, maybe, on top of it. She nodded at Nicole, a brusque little gesture, and started to answer.
Except that their water showed up. So she went quiet, conspicuously silent as he put their food down, shifting her fork in her hand. She stabbed into her food as he stepped away. "If you know anyone, I'd like to speak to them."
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Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2013 8:05 pm
The appearance of the waiter's return brought a unique smile to Nicole's face that was reserved solely for pie and other pastry desserts. They didn't exactly have a good old fashioned pie but what the waiter had brought her was the closest thing they must have had to it. It looked delicious and as the waiter walked away Nicole found herself taking a bite. It was filled with cream, and it brought delight to her mouth.
A simple smile spread over her lips from bliss, and once the waiter was out of earshot and the food slid down her throat Nicole opened her mouth to reply.
"I understand, I'll give you a call if I can work anything out."
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Posted: Wed May 01, 2013 8:31 pm
Rosalie was, perhaps, more practical about her food. Fork in, give it a twist, and she took a bite of pasta, still considering Nicole as she did. Really, this had been the purpose of the meeting: information and lunch. One was done, and the other on its way. So she chewed, thinking.
"I'd meet up at a neutral location, if they preferred that." She only spoke once she'd swallowed, stabbing at more pasta, her eyes distracted. "I imagine I would, in their position. Especially if the cops are involved. I don't imagine you're their biggest fans..."
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Posted: Sat May 04, 2013 6:53 am
Nicole seemed a little distracted by the food in front of her for a moment but with Rosalie taking a moment to enjoy her own food it was simply water under the bridge. Occasionally Nicole looked up to look at the menu choice Rosalie had made, smiling as she did, certainly not regretting her own in the least.
"No, I would definitely think they're not... A lot undercover work for sure," she agreed. Undercover was one way to put it, and there it held a double meaning more than ever to her.
"I hear they like dark alleys," she laughed, only half joking. Her voice said joke but her face read completely serious. Given the smile that bounced back, it was hard to gauge exactly.
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Posted: Sat May 11, 2013 10:19 pm
"So. Simple. You'll call me when you know something?" That settled it for her: they were down to food and conversation, Rosalie relaxing out of her somewhat-tensed, professionalism melting away back to something easier. Of course, for Rosalie, that was still somewhat closed off, sitting up straight and considering Nicole across from her.
"You could come, too, if you wanted to have a little chat, or make sure everything's on the level."
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Posted: Sat May 18, 2013 8:57 am
The suggestion Rosalie gave her was more than reasonable and Nicole accepted it without question. It was the perfect solution! There was no guarantee she would find anything or be able to "convince" anyone to do anything anytime soon and it wasn't like Nicole to promise something she couldn't deliver. Not that Nicole ever thought there was something she couldn't do but she liked to have a plan before she started doing things.
"Agreed," she said, sliding back comfortably in her chair. She was unsure of just when she'd made it to the edge of her seat but it felt much nicer to have the full weight of her body against the whole chair now. However, as nice as it felt her body once again went into full motion as she leaned over to the edge of her chair to consider what Rosalie said. A smile on her face, it took her a second come to a conclusion.
"Perhaps, I'll see what I can do about arranging it first," she said thoughtfully.
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