San Francisco with Ysalwen

[heatherandsteel]

The door opens onto a park in the fading light of early evening, they're stepping out from a gazebo type area. Across from the park, beautiful painted houses stand, one in particular looks more lovely in the fading light than the others.

A mix of people walk around them, programmers home from a long day at work, the coffee shops and restaurants are active and there's the sound of music and the taste of sea salt in the air, "Here we are."

Comments

[heatherandsteel]

"Yes, when there are festivals and its possible to walk. I'm not usually around then, not during the day, but I've seen it sometimes. Oh yes, you'll like this one,"

Its not the exact diner that he went with Toby and Connor to meet the Duchess of Saltmist but its the same sort of place. When he enters, he gets a smile from the man behind the counter who gestures to a free booth looking over the water.

[freedom_is_grey]

"What kind of festivals?"

She doesn't make any move to not bring Liranan in with her, so hopefully that isn't a problem.

(She has no idea why it might be one.)

[heatherandsteel]

The man behind the counter who looks like a fisherman with his tan and tattoos smiles at them, Ysalwen gets a nod for her own tattoos. He walks over to them, there's a roll to his step and he brings over menus, "The fish and chips is best and I know you like the fries."

"They're some of the best, two things of fries and the fish and chips for me. Does Liranan like fish?" Quentin decides that's always good to start.

[freedom_is_grey]

"Fish and chips?"

She looks up at the tattooed man questioningly, reaching up to smooth down her hair just in case any flyaway locks have revealed her ears.

(Even with illusion a body can't be too careful.)

"Should I know what that is? The chips part, I mean. And -- how the fish is prepared?"

Heavily spiced things and mabari digestive systems do not mix.

For example.

"And, well. Fish bones are bad for dogs. If you have rabbit or the like, that would work better. It's not as if he can de-bone his own fish. Liranan, I mean."

[heatherandsteel]

"Fried up in a nice batter with not much spice. Chips are another word for fries, Quentin would all I put in front of him given the chance. I'll see what I can find for your dog. Don't get much rabbit around here but I've got all sorts of things,"

His accent is American but with some hints of others. The waterfront is a place where there are a few Fae who like to be near the water if not in it. Quentin watches Ysalwen to see if that works and to Liranan too, there are good smells from the kitchen of fish and fried potatoes.

[freedom_is_grey]

"Cow or goat or pig would also be fine? Just -- nothing with splinter-y bones."

Chicken is right out.

"I'll have the fish and chips for myself, then, please? It sounds lovely."

[heatherandsteel]

"I'll get it goin' and I've got some sausages of all sorts of meat. Will he like those?"

The question is partly to Liranan to be polite.

[freedom_is_grey]

Liranan yips once, and Ysalwen laughs.

"Sausages will do quite nicely, I think. Thank you!"

[heatherandsteel]

"I do like feeding people who like to eat," Then he heads back to the kitchen while humming as Quentin grins. "I like coming here, that's Phil and he's always nice."

[freedom_is_grey]

"He seems to be. How did you meet him? Just by coming here?"

Maybe they met at sea!

(Ysalwen doubts it.)

[heatherandsteel]

"Yes and he's a friend of a friend of mine and generous to the local cats,"

Also Quentin's always on the look out for places to eat that are cheap and tasty.

[freedom_is_grey]

"Do the friend and the cats have anything to do with each other?"

It's something about Quentin's phrasing . . .

[heatherandsteel]

"Yes and no, with one of the friends but not both of them,"

As they're talking Phil comes back, balancing various baskets of delicious food. Two heaping servings of fries, fried fish and a plate of assorted sausages for Liranan that goes on the floor along with a bowl with water.

[freedom_is_grey]

"Oh!"

Ysalwen beams at Phil.

"Thank you, I'd forgotten to ask for water for him."

It's nice being around people that understand dogs. Unlike everywhere in Ferelden . . . wait.

"This smells delicious."

And once Phil is gone again --

"Is now a bad time and place to ask for more details?"

[heatherandsteel]

Phil comes back out with water for them too before heading back into the kitchen.

"Nope, not really. Raj is kind of connected to cats and Dean, my other friend has high standards for seafood,"

Both of them are always up for good food.

[freedom_is_grey]

"The kind of high standards that your Toby could have come back with after her last trip?"

Indirect speaking isn't always terrible!

Liranan, meanwhile, is busy devouring sausages like they will never come again.

[heatherandsteel]

"Yes, just like that. Oh and all of these sauces are good on the fries and fish,"

The condiments are fairly simple, tartar sauce, cocktail sauce, oil, vinegar, salt and pepper.

[freedom_is_grey]

This time Ysalwen chooses to stick with salt, pepper, and vinegar.

Those she knows what to do with!

"It sounds like you have an interesting group of friends here. That's usually the best kind."

Not like she speaks from experience or anything.

[heatherandsteel]

"I do," None of them are who he expected to be friends with but he likes them.

[freedom_is_grey]

"I have the something similar back home. And I suppose in Milliways, too, but it's not quite the same, is it?"

She takes a careful bite of fish, mostly because it's hot and she'd hate to burn her tongue.

[heatherandsteel]

"No, not really, its still nice,"

Milliways is weird but kind of works.

[freedom_is_grey]

"Maybe not as nice as this food, just now."

Talking is definitely not as good as eating when you're hungry.

Ysalwen is just saying.

[heatherandsteel]

"Course not," And there's so much food.

[freedom_is_grey]

So much food and still Ysalwen has to sheepishly ask for seconds.

It's the Grey Warden thing.

And it's all so delicious.

But all good meals must eventually come to an end.

[heatherandsteel]

Phil beams at them and brings out more of everything and later, apple pie with whipped cream. Their slices are huge, he loves an appreciative audience. Quentin pays for it all leaving a generous tip and though no thanks yous are exchanged, its clear Phil knows his food is loved.

After that, Quentin walks them around the curve of the city to the Presidio and the Embarcadero where he knows the water is closer. As the night goes on, they see fewer people and Quentin's aware of how to dodge them and show off the Bay. He'd go to Golden Gate Park but then he'd probably have to explain Ysalwen and Milliways, that can happen later.