[ 54th consult; action ]

[dr_conscience]

[ James Wilson is, by a rule, not generally the kind of person you would be inclined to call lucky. So it is that he winds up being cursed every now and again, and today is just one of those lucky days for him. He's made a few stops himself, sitting down and finding himself having a typical first-date conversation. (Almost luckily, he has a formula for such conversations.)

By now, a day of impromptu dating has worn on him and it's time to grab a bite to eat. As such, he has a sandwich, and he's seated at a small, inviting 2-person table, in a friendly cafe just off the square. Should anyone feel so inclined, they would be most welcome to join him. Really. He has no choice but to feel that way. ]



[ooc: As it says, open to anyone~ ]

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[heelsandlaw.livejournal.com]

[Sitting down opposite of him with a scowl.]

Hello.

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[dr_conscience]

[ He glances up, rather pleasantly for his part despite her scowl. He's seen more than a few people irate at the day; this is the sort of curse where it's hard to not realize what it is, even if you're too cursed to do anything with that knowledge. All he can do is go right into first-date mode. ]

Hi. [ And here he offers an extended hand paired with a smile; ] I'm James.

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[heelsandlaw.livejournal.com]

[She makes an effort to return his smile as she takes his hand and shakes it.] Cameron, hi.

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[dr_conscience]

Nice to meet you.

[ And because he is helplessly aware of their situation and her apparent annoyance, ]

Not a big fan of this sort of thing, I take it?

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[heelsandlaw.livejournal.com]

[She sighs a little and studies him. When he doesn't look like he's about to ask her anything stupid, she relaxes a little.]

It stopped being amusing after the first three rounds or so.

[A little pause, but she has to ask.] You are aware we're both cursed, right? Or at least I am- for all I know, you could be doing this every day. [That's said with the beginning of an honest smile. She doesn't think so, and her tone makes that clear. Don't disappoint her now, Wilson.]

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[worksmart.livejournal.com]

[It really is inviting, Wilson. Chase should know, he's been doing the rounds in this place half the afternoon. So far, he has two dozen phone numbers. Only about six last names. And the next table is? Oh, hi.]

If we were having guests for dinner, would you cook or order in?

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[dr_conscience]

[It really doesn't matter how awkward this is, he's far too cursed to do anything about it. So he hardly skips a beat as he answers.]

Hypotheticals. Not a bad means of getting to know someone, given the time limit. Could grant insight into someone's methods of reasoning, motivations, priorities... and you tend to get more if you ask less directly.

[He sits back, crossing his arms as he eyes Chase, though he's got a hint of a smile. Clearly, this is the type of banter he would employ on a date with Chase. (Clearly, useful knowledge.)]

The answer depends, though. After all, cooking is more personal but requires more effort and can cause complications to arise which could potentially interfere in enjoying time with guests. And really, you don't go through the effort of preparing a home-cooked meal for just anyone - or just any occasion. So, who did you invite and why?

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[worksmart.livejournal.com]

Are you critiquing my strategy?

[Chase's eyebrows lift in tandem with the corners of his mouth.]

I'm impressed. But maybe I just wanted to know whether you cook.

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[dr_conscience]

Well, it was a positive critique?

[He smirks, shrugging slightly.]

Possible, but you could get a lot more out of it than just that. But yes, I do; enough, at least.

[synanthrope]

[She slides into the seat]

Hello, James.

[dr_conscience]

[He smiles as soon as she does.]

And hello to you, Saya. How are you doing today?

[synanthrope]

Well enough. This is a bit unusual - I feel the need to ask if you come here often.

[dr_conscience]

That would be the day's theme.

[At least his standard first-date behavior is more inclined towards friendly conversation than hypothetical questions and pick-up lines. At least that's one point in favor of luck.]

If you'd really like an answer, then I do come often enough. Convenient, at least. I can't imagine that really interests you, though, does it?

[as_damaged]

[Passing through, Cameron is caught unawares by the curse and takes the seat across from him.]

Can I see your hand?

[dr_conscience]

[He looks... slightly bemused at the request, but holds both of his hands not entirely extended, but in offering.]

Have a preference?

[as_damaged]

[She reaches for his left and pulls it towards her, holding it in her right and tracing with her left forefinger as she narrates.]

So there are three penguins on an ice floe. [She rests briefly at the heel of his hand, before following the crease of his palm to the space between his fingers.] And they really want to get to an island here, but it's too cold to swim. A polar bear offers to take them, but he can only take two at a time, and one of the penguins is afraid to be alone. How do they get to the island?

[Her finger drifts back towards the center of his hand as she looks up to meet his eyes.]

[dr_conscience]

[Now he's smiling, almost suspiciously... though, of course, the curse is keeping it on the flirtatious banter side.]

Is there actually an answer? Because I could probably think of one, but I'd hate to be wasting the effort.

[the-dawnster.livejournal.com]

[Dawn sits down across from him, folding her arms together on the table and leaning in to eye his sandwich.]

What do you recommend?

[dr_conscience]

[Wilson smiles slightly, glancing down at the sandwich. He knew Dawn, previously, but is perfectly aware that this isn't one who knows him. Still, he recognizes her, and it's nice to see her even if she has no idea who he is.]

Well, nothing's too awful, but I might stay away from anything too complicated. [And spoken with an air of dramatic confidentiality;] I'm not entirely certain what world some of the meat is from.

[the-dawnster.livejournal.com]

[She wrinkles her nose a bit, nodding her understanding.]

Salad it is.

[She doesn't remember him, so her first order of business is to reach across the table to offer her hand in greeting.]

I'm Dawn.

[dr_conscience]

[He nods back, appreciatively.]

That sounds like a solid choice.

[Of course, he accepts and shakes her hand. Fresh starts aren't exactly uncommon in The City.]

James. It's a pleasure to meet you, Dawn.

[nosferotofu.livejournal.com]

Hi, Wilson.



Do you play any instruments? And if you do, what song would you play for someone on your first date?

[dr_conscience]

Hey, Ed.

[ It's always nice to see a familiar face, especially one that's looking much better than it was the last time you saw it.

Of course, now he's sitting down and... asking one of those questions that seem to be so popular. Wilson smiles slightly; part of it is that he'd be amused either way, but more of it is that he's stuck in friendly date mode for anyone and everyone that sits down with him. ]

Unfortunately, no. Or... at least not for a very long time now. Though I am quite adept at using the stereo, and can use that to play a few of my date's favorite songs. I think a little research and extra effort is generally worth it.

[nosferotofu.livejournal.com]

You didn't have to answer that, you know. But you probably had as much of a choice as me.



Thanks for coming down there. I didn't realize it was a vampire bar. I wouldn't have guessed Frankie-

[dr_conscience]

[ He just raps his knuckles once on the table, giving a slow, small shake of his head with a tight smile. ] I certainly did.

[ After a moment, he relaxes, sitting back and folding his hands on the table, his fingers interlocking. ]

It's alright. You needed help, I could help, ergo... [ and that he just punctuates with a shrug of his shoulders, considering it an effective means of concluding the topic ]

So. You and Frankie, you're... from the same world, obviously?