Let's Start at the Beginning ((CLOSED -- for now))

[Sapphy]

Sapphy's eyes widened. "I didn't? Oh... Well, I guess the kids these days are calling me Sapphire Eyes." She shrugged and grinned, feeling a little embarrassed by it.

She turned to the waiter and asked, "May I please have the meatball sandwich? Extra provolone if you can. Thank you."

[Kid Blink]

Blink swatted Race's finger away and literally buried himself in his work, er, food.

[Racetrack]

"And a fitting name it is!" Race said without thinking, then coughed and went back to scanning the tip sheet, then remembered it was rude to do that in the middle of a conversation, and returned his gaze to those sapphire eyes. "So, uh...what brought you to our humble home? You can make something up if you don't like your real story."

[Sapphy]

"I used to be a fairy princess. But my evil stepmother banished me to this Man-haaa-tan after I wouldn't stop trying to take over her title and throne," she said very seriously. She had a hint of a smile on her face. "And you?"

((Blink's gonna be quiet unless further needed so don't wait for him.))

[Racetrack]

"That was very ambitious of you," Race said just as solemnly. "Sorry it didn't work out. You're not gonna try to pull the same thing here, are you? 'Cause Jacky-boy's real fond of his throne, but he's been known to underestimate the ladies, so I'd say your odds ain't all that bad. Your Highness," he added, almost smiling at the end there.

"And as for me...well, our stories are really a lot alike, only my kingdom was right across the river, and I didn't so much try to steal the throne as try to...give wise counsel to the king."

[Sapphy]

"Oh blah, I almost puked a little. Don't call me that," Sapphy laughed. "I actually was a rogue thief who travelled all across Europe. I cannot tell you my real name because it'll make any nearby children cry."

[Racetrack]

"And Blink's right across the table, so we can't have that," Race agreed as a waiter walked up with their orders. He took his coffee and three of Blink's fries and sneaked a peek at his big gold pocket watch. He'd missed the afternoon race, but that was for the best. The big contenders didn't run until tomorrow. Besides, girls were more interesting than horses, a fact that he usually managed to remember.

"So, you play cards at all, Sapphire? I hear it's big with famous thieves in Europe."

[Sapphy]

"I play, but not well... Or I'm just saying that to bait you in," she said, cocking an eyebrow as she sipped her hot tea. Sapphy looked down at her submarine sandwich, pondering what was the best way to eat such a messy meal in front of new company.

[Racetrack]

Race scrutinized her face with a practiced eye. He thought she was bluffing. Thought, but wasn't sure. Suddenly it was all he could do not to pull out a deck of cards and start dealing them out on the table.

"Well, you'll just have to get in on a game. Someone starts one 'most every night down in the lobby. If you're really not that good, I'd be happy to teach you a few tricks, and if you are hustling me..." He grinned and jingled the coins in his pocket. "You got plenty to gain."

[Sapphy]

"I'm just teasing," Sapphy beamed as she cut her sandwich in half with a knife. "I know how to play, but I never play with a strategy. So I'm not one to gamble very often. You're welcome to teach me a few moves."

She eagerly picked up one half and took a big bite.

[Racetrack]

He polished off his second coffee and surmised that he had gulped it down way too fast, judging by his pounding heart and the jittery way his fingers were drumming the tabletop. "Sandwiches can be tricky," he said sympathetically as Sapphire Eyes disected hers in a slightly puzzled way. "Blink, you should share your fries." And your witty remarks, if you have any. I'm running low, and I want her to keep hanging around us, at least till I see if she can learn to palm an ace.

[Kid Blink]

Blink looked up at Race gravely.

"...You want me to WHAT?!"

[Sapphy]

Sapphy snickered around her sandwich, eating hungrily. She hadn't had a real meal since before the lodging house became an option. Just little snacks and fruit here or there or whatever those precious nuns donated every morning.

She started to get absorbed in her food -- Sapphy rarely talked while eating. And Leo was right, Tibby's was great. They even made meatball sandwiches her favorite way -- lots of marinara suce. Mmm, delicious!

And messy. Sapphy subtly licked her lips, trying to clean the red off.

[Racetrack]

Yep, that was probably the epitome of Blink's sharing skills, and his witty remarks as well. "Our friend Mush, he don't know his own strength," he explained to Sapphire. "Got poor Blink here in a headlock once and crushed part of his brain. Very tragic." While he spoke, his hand darted out and palmed five or six fries with the same sneaky dexterity he employed in any dirty card game. He offered one to Sapphire, then saw her face and laughed. "Need some help there?" He picked up a napkin and dabbed at the corner of her mouth.

[Sapphy]

Sapphire reeled back, out of Race's touch. She quickly turned red and her eyes finally left Race's.

She took her own napkin and wiped her face, looking down at her lap. Her mind went blank as an awkward silence fell over her.