if i get home before daylight

[salamanca]

who: lalo salamanca + you!
what: lalo's log for the month of august, including closed + open threads! ft. lalo's bulletin board post and the re-opening of his restaurant at doe's retreat in lakeside
when: throughout august
where: lalo's restaurant in lakeside (first 2 weeks of august) + all around milton (second two weeks of august)


[ open + closed starters below. ]

Comments

[balancedlight]

I would love to help, yes. As - long as I do not have to see Mr. Hickey. [There's something low and angry in her voice still. She has to keep herself from trying to curse him, even though she has none of her normal powers here.

It's the thought that counts.]

As far as Randvi, I - I'm not certain. I didn't - I don't think I'm the right person to ask.

[salamanca]

You won't have to see him. I promise. [ Lalo reaches out, to gently and reassuringly touch her elbow, like Chloe does for him, hoping to make her feel better. He usually doesn't touch women like that, aware of how it could come off, but he knows Sveta well by now. He's careful, though. Sveta is spoken for; he doesn't want to seem like he's encroaching on Fraser's territory. ]

What do you mean? Of course you're the perfect person to ask! You're a girl. You know what girls like! And you know Randvi!

[balancedlight]

I know what I like. Why are you - I am not the right person for this! [She understands that she's repeating herself, but she has no idea how to answer the question. Why would it even matter? She doesn't understand at all what this is about.]

[salamanca]

[ Oh, no. It seems like he's really upsetting her. Lalo decides to let it drop. He can't tell her why he really asked, after all. He just hopes this isn't enough for her to guess.

He puts up both hands, gives her a cheesy smile. ]

Ah - ah! I'm sorry. You're right. I just thought you might like to do something fun, that's all. You work so hard. [ It's not a lie. She does work hard, and he does think she'd like to do something fun. But clearly this isn't fun to her. ]

You know what? Forget it. I'll tell you what. I'll stay home and rest for the rest of the day. [ He knows Sveta likes it when he rests so maybe this will make up for making her uncomfortable? ] We can go find out who needs talismans tomorrow. Okay? [ He looks at her hopefully. ]

Maybe you can show me what you think is fun someday. I would like that. I don't get out enough here. And you're from Russia! I'm not used to the snow like you are. In Mexico, we don't really have it -- not like this -- [ He sounds slightly sad. He misses Mexico! But he also knows he's rambling out of embarrassment, unused to genuine apologies, and if she was confused before he probably makes even less sense now. He quiets, and sheepishly looks at his feet. ]

[balancedlight]

[She reaches out and takes his hands for a moment.] Lalo. You are trying to do a good thing. I know you are. And I want to help.

Give me a little time and I will find out the answers for you, yes?

[She smiles.]

And I think ice skating is fun. Reading, too. I miss my books and yes, I miss home. I've never been to Mexico. Tell me about it?

[salamanca]

[ Lalo smiles brightly back at her. ] Okay! I trust you.

[ He looks down at her hands in his. It's funny. It feels nice. His are warm against her skin, due to his fire power. He smiles at her. ]

Oh, it's lovely. It's home, you know? Probably different from Russia, I would imagine. It's warm. The people are so friendly. It's a beautiful place.

[balancedlight]

It's home. [She nods and tucks her hands under her chin.]

And warm! I miss being warm. I've been to the hot springs, but that's so different. I've heard there is good food.