Ready for A Slow Dance w/ A Stranger(Kate)

[Kate]

Kate remembered the days when Outback had been something she saved up for. She chuckled, and cut off a slice of the whole wheat, sweet bread and slathered some butter on it. Kate was an active girl, anything she ate now would be burned off easy in a bit. She took a bite before saying anything.

"The best thing here? Steak darling. They have good bloomin onions, and the garlic mashed potatoes. All of those are really good too."

Those emerald green eyes were dancing. Her full lips twisted in a soft smile. She was watching Adrian, and enjoying every moment of it. She cradled her chin in the palm of her right hand, just watching him. There was a softness to her face that seemed almost serene.

[Adrian]

Adrian grinned in anticipation of what Kate had said.

"Sounds delicious."

He laughed, unsure really as to why. When the waiter came up, he asked for their drink order. Adrian paused, unsure of what he wanted. "Umm," he said, "I think I want a sweetened iced tea," he said, catching the waiter's gaze. After Kate gave her drink order, and the waiter would ask if they wanted any appetizers, like a Bloomin' Onion, Adrian would nod his head, a little more vigorously than was perhaps necessary. After all, Kate said they were good.

"Yeah... that Onion thing sounds like a good idea," Adrian said. The waiter nodded and left to process that while they looked over the menu for their entree choice.

Adrian popped another piece of bread into his mouth and leaned his elbows on the table. Totally non-kosher in any super fancy eating establishment, but right now, he didn't mind. He let out a little contented sigh, almost despite himself.

"This bread's pretty good," he said, making goofy idle small talk. Honestly, if he could just sit here and stare at the girl across from him the entire time without it being awkward, he probably would have.

[Kate]

Truth be told, Kate could sit there and stare at him no matter how awkward it got. Her soft smile took a slightly wickedly smirk turn. The waiter showed up and she instantly ordered her drink right after Adrian. Kate didn't need to know what they had, she already knew.

"Wild berry lemonade with some whipped cream on top, please."

He ordered the bloomin onion which was all sorts of fried goodness.She just smiled at him. Despite the fact they were both blonde and truth be told they looked a ton alike. Their frames were completely different though. He was more built, where Kate was more curvy. She was paler, with her blonde being more of a silvery blonde than his golden blonde. There were differences, if people looked.

Kate leaned forward a bit across the wooden table, and her hand slid across the table palm up. An invitation for him to take her hand.

[Adrian]

Adrian looked down at the hand being offered to her, and with a genuine smile, reached his own out to take it. His palm covered her much smaller one easily, and his eyes met hers with a little wink.

"So... Australian themed, eh? I suppose it works. Gives sort of an exotic feel to it."

Adrian nodded to himself, talking more for his own benefit. His eyes met with the girl's once again, and something came to his attention: He didn't know much about her at all. I mean, he had been given a smidgen of insight into her past, and had an idea she liked video games a little bit, but, past that, he didn't really know any of the other little things. The wealthy youngster figured it was time to fix that.

"So, if you'll permit me some trivial small talk, Kate, you should tell me a little about yourself. Y'know, likes, dislikes, hopes, dreams, musical preferences, anything that comes to mind. I'll reciprocate. Up for it?"

His hand clasped hers for a quick squeeze, and he shrugged, beckoning her on to talk a bit more about herself. She didn't SEEM like the type to be too closed off, but he never knew.

[Kate]

Kate smirked, and let her hand wrap around his. She had played this sort of game before. In fact she had an idea that would make it really interesting. Those emerald eyes twinkled and she explained to Adrian how it worked.

"Here's how were going to do this then Adrian. You'll ask a question and I have to answer truthfully. Then I ask a question and you have to answer truthfully. You only get three 'passes' so you have to use them wisely."

Kate would answer truthfully, and treasure those passes for questions she knew he would ask. Her hand squeezed on his as their drinks were brought to them.

"And no repeat questions. I can't ask one you just asked, same goes for you, and we can't repeat a question we've already personally asked. Okay? I'll start... do you have any brothers or sisters?"

[Adrian]

Adrian listened to the rules of the new 'game' being laid out, nodding his head appreciatively. She had turned something that could oftentimes become kind of a chore into a sort of game between the two. He smiled, excited at the prospect of learning more about Kate, and even about divulging things about himself. Adrian tended to be a rather reserved fellow, at least when it came to talking about himself, but for some reason, he just felt it right to talk to Kate. Perhaps, with her money and wealthy heritage, he felt she could understand him better. Or maybe he just felt more comfortable with her than anyone else, in general.

Either way, he could think on it later. The game was beginning. Upon hearing the question, Adrian shook his head; a negative.

"Nope, I'm the sole heir to the Hanlon family mega-billions. Yay." The way he spoke, it was almost sarcastic, like he didn't really enjoy being part of a wealthy family. This, of course, flew in the face of the way he carried himself. Even so, to learn more, Kate would simply have to ask it of him on her turn.

"Alright, you: Do you like animals, like as pets?"

[Kate]

He really was an odd ball, wasn't he? Acting like he didn't want the money... almost. Or at least sounding like it. Once upon a time, life had been simpler. Back when Kate didn't have any cash. But would she have traded it for anything else now. Kate was loving her life, for the first time in forever.

"I like cats, big dogs, ferrets, fish... anything but birds. I own a few horses."

Ah yes, the horses. What rich person didn't have horses? Kate had a chestnut mare that would make your heart melt. She wasn't the greatest looking horses ever bred, but Kate would be damned if she wasn't the sweetest. So of course her name was Sugar. There were a couple of others, but Sugar was Kate's favorite.

"What are your parents like?"

She took a deep sip of that wonderful thing called wild berry lemonade with a bit of whipped cream on top. So good. Just perfect really. Kate always got it, every time she came here.

[Adrian]

You know, Adrian didn't have horses. But that's neither here nor there. He listened to her talk about animals, glad to hear she definitely had nothing against them. Adrian was a dog person, himself, but he didn't have any objections against other animals the way some dog owners seemed to.

Kate came back with another question, asking about his parents. Adrian fell silent a moment, thinking about the question. In truth, he had mixed feelings about his parents. In his youth, he only knew them nominally. They were in his life, not constantly gone as most rich parents were, but they were still more detached than a usual parent was, leaving all the real raising to Adrian's nurses and servants. Regardless, they had been nothing but good to him, giving him everything he wanted, and never treating him like he was just a byproduct when they were with him.

Adrian bit his lip. "Pas-" He began, but he shook his head. No, if he ever was gonna talk about his parents, it might as well be here, and it might as well be with Kate.

"No, nevermind. My parents are good people. Within reason. I used to think they were the greatest, even as they were going off on business cruises and leaving me with the servants. They were rich, they were powerful, but they were kind and caring. When they were around. But I've grown up now, and I've come to see just how the world sees my family."

Adrian was interrupted, not too rudely, but instead rather gingerly and as discretely as possible, by the waiter. As Adrian had been talking, the waiter had sidled up, wanting to get his attention but unwilling to rudely cut in. Finally, his presence caught Adrian's sense, and so the boy turned to him.

"I'm so sorry. Are you two ready to order?"

Adrian's eyes narrowed, his initial reaction to smack the guy for interrupting him, his secondary reaction to have him fired for interrupting him, but, finally, settled instead on his tertiary reaction.

"It's fine. It's your job, right?" Adrian smiled and gestured to Kate to order first. After she had finished, Adrian would speak up. "The Outback Special, eleven ounces. Medium-well. With a side of garlic potatoes and fresh vegetables, please."

The waiter nodded and smiled, and rushed off to have the order prepared. As he did, Adrian would continue.

"My apologies. As I was saying, once I got old enough to read the news and the magazines, I found out what the world thought about my family. I'm sure you know the stories. The Hanlons, built up from nothing to do nothing. My great-great-great-grandfather starts up a little mail business, and generations turned it into a networking megacorporation. And now, on top of it all, is my father, who only sits in on corporate meetings to save face, and has no hand in the company at all, except in its money jar."

Adrian looked down, squeezing her hand a little as a reaction to talking about things he didn't particularly care for.

"That's why I didn't get along so well with the kids in the private schools. Everyone knew I was a Hanlon, and what that meant to all the other rich kid's parents was that I was, at least publically, a lazy money-monger. I was the rich kid that even the rich kids looked down on." Adrian couldn't help but illicit a wry, self-deprecating smirk at the thought.

"So, I mean, sure, they're my parents, and I love them like a son should, but... knowing what they do, or what they don't do, moreover, it can be difficult. Y'know?"

Adrian cut himself short, realizing he had probably rambled on too long. He didn't even think to ask a question in return, he simply quieted down, eyeing the bread in the center of the table again.

[Kate]

He sure had a lot to say! Kate listened to every word, except when it came to ordering her food. At that point she'd stop and list off what she wanted to the T.

"Give me the 12oz, medium rare, the garlic mashed potatoes, and some corn."

And then right back to listening. He had started out looking at his parents as most kids did. Hell, even Kate had... once upon a time. He ended abruptly, trailing off and staring at the bread. She squeezed his hand lightly, and didn't say anything for awhile. At least his parents were alive. At least... no. She wouldn't say any of that. Maybe to someone she didn't know about, and wasn't starting to have feelings for... but Adrian? No, Kate wouldn't do that to him.

"You forgot to ask me a question darling."

[Adrian]

Adrian snapped out of his stupor when the girl talked to him, shaking his head and blinking a few times. He looked back at her and smiled sort of an apologetic grin.

"That's right, that's right, let me think..."

Adrian considered it for a moment. Here he was, opening the conversation about her interests, and couldn't think of something to ask. He had a few ideas, sure, but nothing seemed as impactful as the one she had asked him. Then it hit him. A perfect thing to ask. He nodded to himself, raising his head and looking back up to her.

"Alright. Tell me a little about the person you consider your best friend, who it is, and why."

[Kate]

One eyebrow cocked at him, and her fingers squeezed firmly. That was a rather complicated question, if it could even really be one! It sounded more like three to her.

"Really Adrian, that's more than one question!!! Cheater."

She chuckled and use her free hand to sip at her lemonade. The glass was about half full at that point, and she was sure another round would be coming with their food. Service was normally really good at this place, filled with nice seeming people as staff.

"My best friend's name is Linda Osako. We've been friends since we schooled together in New York. We met when I got jumped into a gang way back when, and she was the one running it. She pulled me into a leadership position right away, and introduced me to my ex-boyfriend Damien Kross."

Another sip of mixed berry goodness! That stuff was bitchin.

"I'd have to say she's the only person I'd trust with my life at this point. We can go out, shop, and act like complete air heads... and laugh about it. It's rather nice."

[Adrian]

Adrian grinned at her calling him a cheater, shrugging as if there was nothing he could do about it. When she explained her best friend, however, Adrian leaned forward, definitely interested at this point. He took a sip of his iced tea, very happy with the flavor and the inherent sugar-to-tea ratio.

Linda Osako, eh?

"Linda Osako..." Adrian would repeat, both Kate's answer and his own mental musings. "The Bone Dragon..."

"I must say, I have met this girl. She seems polite, if not a bit high-strung. I can't say I know her past a quick acquaintanceship, however. Small world, isn't it?"

Adrian laughed at it. He still hadn't mentioned Mathew or his involvement in the Reapers. He realized she'd probably be mad at him for it when she found out, but oh well, it was worth it, if only to have a few things about HIM she'd have to find out in time.

"You never asked me a question, love," Adrian would remind her, his left eye blinking closed quickly in a little wink. He took another sip of his tea, and relaxed again, contented in just sitting there and taking her in.

[Kate]

Yes, Kate had forgotten to ask him a question... just as he had done a bit before. Smart blonde is smart? She chuckled slightly and drained her glass until it was almost empty. Kate loved berry flavored stuff, drinks, ice cream, desserts.

"Okay fine then blondie. Why did you buy that penis extender of a car?"

That's right, she was taking a cheap shot at the shiny car they had driven in. Grinning at him almost like a damned fool. Why? Because she was sure she was about to hit a button somewhere for that one.

[Adrian]

Adrian was taking a drink of his tea when she asked the question, and he balked visibly at it, nearly choking on his tea as she so explicitly defined it. He coughed a few times, setting the glass down heavily and shaking his head. He thumped his chest with his free hand, taking breaths and trying to keep himself calm. People were starting to look at the nearby tables, until finally Adrian got his drink down, although he was fairly sure about half of it went down the wrong pipe, and he re-collected his composure, looking at Kate with what wasn't quite anger, but definitely a hint of ire in his features.

"You know, Kate, the common idea for a 'penis extender car'," Adrian said the words with narrowed eyes, his pride definitely taking a shot from her jibe, "is some jacked-up, four-ton pickup truck. My car is sophisticated."

Adrian let out a sigh. Okay, he had gotten her good. He could tell in the way she was smirking at him. She had set out to try and get him flustered, and she had succeeded with flying colors. As he realized this, Adrian shook his head distinctively at her. "Are you familiar with cars at all? I can guarantee you there is a crowd of people outside right now, car enthusiasts and not alike, gawking at my vehicle and taking pictures. That's a Bugatti Veyron, the fastest car on the market. That's why I bought it. Because it was expensive, and rightly so. I mean, you see all sorts of stupid things out there that sell for more than they're worth. The Veyron is worth every bit of its price tag for sheer ability."

Adrian thought about it a bit, coming to a realization about the car he hadn't even thought about until just now. "I suppose it could be said to represent my philosophy on things. Strive for the best, no matter what the cost, because you know, in the end, that it's worth every bit of the price." The boy shrugged, passing off a rather evocative piece of philosophy as if it were nothing special.

"Your turn to talk," Adrian said, grinning. "What do you hate the most, out of anyone or anything, concrete or metaphysical?"

[Kate]

He had to ask a question that would really sour the mood, didn't he? She finished off her lemonade and looked away. What did she hate the most? That was a question she had to think on... if she was going to answer and not pass. She offered him a slight smile about his car.

"Penis extenders are big, sleek, and shiny. The more expensive, the more they make up for. Though I know the car and love it."

A slight chuckle... before her smile dropped again.

"I use to think that I hated Hiroko, as a person all together. For his brute strength and actions, for his unquenchable lust or something... but I realized that I hated something in my father more. The personal greed a person can get. For money, for things, for everything. To put themselves above everything else. Above friends, above their children, and above their... love. I can't stand it."

A sigh, and her free hand shoved the glass to the end of the table for some bus boy to pick up. A new one would come with the new round of drinks.

"Why did you come to Moral Crest if you were at 259 before?"