Hayden Callaghan.

My head is bloody but unbowed. Beyond this place of wrath and tears looms but the horror of the shade. And yet the mice of the years finds and shall find me unafraid. It matters not how strait the gate, how charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.

[meghansincity-deactivated201408]

The air between them could have been a little more at ease if it hadn’t have been for her her abruptness—and he was unusually kind enough to share a cab, she should take advantage of it. Laurel felt a smile form on her features as she glanced over at him. “Do you read newspapers? The NYC press, perhaps?” Glancing down at his hand, her smile only grew, far more friendly as she took his hand and shook it firmly. “Laurel Delvano. Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Callaghan.” 

[haydencallaghan]

Hayden wasn't surprised that he was meeting someone that one might deem important. Though, it was a bit unusual that it had occurred in the back of a cab that he normally wouldn't be found in. At least this made him appear slightly humble, though that was never a word that he would use to define himself. "I'm one of the few left." Newspapers were a dying form of media, he was well-aware of this and he assumed she was, as well. It made his interest in her remain the same, neutral. He treated her as he might treat anyone else, with a certain brand of kindness reserved for strangers that kept them at an arm's length and from knowing him truthfully. "The pleasure is all mine, Ms. Delvano. I'm sorry to be making you share this ride, now. I wouldn't have insisted, though, if I hadn't needed to get back to my job, sorry about that."

[fuckingcoop-blog]

I prefer calm, isolated, and serious. Just call me the biggest party pooper in the world. 

[haydencallaghan]

In terms of my own personal time, I'd say I would have to agree. I guess we're both pretty lame.

[itsallaboutchris]

[itsallaboutchris]

[elenawrtes]

"Oh, please, enlighten me, what may those be? The men? You? The general penis size? — Do you even need to ask? I would’ve thought the accent gives me away. Anyway, I’m from Russia, only the best country in the world.” 

[haydencallaghan]

"Wonderful. You're a real treat. Your accent sounds like a few others, Ukraine to name one. Besides, it isn't kind to be judgmental. I'm sorry to hear you don't like it here."

[barbarahastings-blog]

I’m always here.

Is the menu being updated again?

[haydencallaghan]

I like to keep things fresh, so that's certainly a possibility.

Why? Do you have any suggestions?

[fuckingcoop-blog]

It seems so. I don’t know whether I should be relieved or not.

[haydencallaghan]

I don't know. Maybe not relieved, it's a little less exciting that way. Unless you're the type that prefers things to be calm.

[meghansincity-deactivated201408]

Her first instinct was to argue her way out of it—for he was so quick to jump to conclusions. “Actually, four seconds would be enough for the cab driver to drive off.” Raised brows, and a confident death stare was the first reaction she mustered.. until he offered to let them share. Now, usually she might be opposed to such a situation.. but she could sense the man was in no mood for arguments —she wasn’t all heartless— and she was in a rush.. there was no hailing another cab at this hour. Relaxing back into her seat, she heaved a sigh, and nodded gently. “That’s fine by me..” Glancing over at him, she offered somewhat of a genuine smile. “Thank you, by the way.”

[haydencallaghan]

Hayden nodded as he listened. "I over-exaggerated, I suposed. Maybe it was less than that." However, he didn't claim that she was right or that he was, he simply let it go. Since the driver took that as a decision being made, the cab began to move. He glanced out the window, trying to figure out how to make this situation thoroughly less uncomfortable for the both of them. "It's not a problem." He stated and then finally glanced back over at her. "I think I might have seen you before, actually. I'm not sure where but you look familiar, now that I've thought about it. I'm Hayden Callaghan." He extended a hand in a courteous manner.

[oftraitorblood]

What was what? Your useless comment? It’s a tv program my daughter watches where these dancing aliens are fueled by a laughing sun baby, it’s terrifying but not usually a concept of confusion. If you’ve never heard of it, count your lucky stars.

[haydencallaghan]

Actually, it was a question regarding your Satan statement, not a comment. I haven't seen a children's show since I was a child, I'm beginning to think they've changed drastically. It sounds like the person who wrote that might have been on drugs.

Is that one her favorite?

[roslynswan-deactivated20140627]

Roslyn didn’t waste much time analyzing him, like she usually would. It was undeniable that he was a handsome man, the kind that some women would kill and be killed for, however, Roslyn preferred searching for other traits. For faults in his eyes, for lies in his smile and for a false smile on his lips. She would rather spend her time searching for stories to be told, for tips to be followed and, since Hayden didn’t strike her as an interesting story, she allowed herself to get distracted by the beeping of her phone while he spoke words of flattery and caused her to smirk. Her fingers typed fast the response to her boss who was, once again, trying to convince her to write a piece on a lie to sell more papers. There was a reason why she did all the investigation on her cases, and that reason was so that she wouldn’t write any lies.

Finally, she raised her icy blue eyes, finding his and holding his gaze for a moment, before she spoke again. “Was that an actual invitation?” Her free hand moved to her chest, feigning surprise as she continued. “First, you shower me with compliments, now, you’re inviting me to your restaurant. What more can I expect? A bottle of Pinor Grigio on my table when I do stop by?”

[haydencallaghan]

And, she took the story ten-fold. Just a kind man with a restaurant that, out of luck, became known throughout the nation. It was amazing to him that she was able to find much out about anyone, she seemed more apt to take a compliment than listen to the undertones of speech. Maybe, he thought, he should be the one that would make a good reporter. It wasn't as if he cared much for others -- which he didn't, though he masqueraded the art of kindness as if he was something much, much friendlier than he truly was. Hayden remained what most would assume was docile, passive perhaps, as he watched her type on her phone. "I'm not interrupting anything, am I? That wasn't my intentions, whatsoever."

When she made eye contact with him, he allowed himself to offer a small smile before he listened to her. The smile grew as she clutched her chest and then he nodded with laughter escaping his throat. "You caught me, I was inviting you. Not that you'd need an invitation, by the by." Hayden informed her with the wave of his hand before he crossed his arms over his chest. He observed her, but not for too long. "I like to think you should expect the unexpected. I'm not the most predictable man, mind you. You'll just have to find out."

[elenawrtes]

"Oh please, only if you Americans consider Bambie a dog. In which case you’re even weirder than I first thought. Honestly, the only good thing in your stupid continent I’ve come by thus far is BBQ ribs. They’re excellent." 

[haydencallaghan]

"I'm sure there's other things that aren't so bad. Where are you from? If you don't mind me asking."

[spellofice]

Cat calling and wolf-whistling doesn’t make me feel glamorous and sexy. I just feel a dog being called. I do believe that there are still gentlemen left in the world though.

[haydencallaghan]

Yeah. The maturity level of some men here is harrowing at best. Are you alright?

[fuckingcoop-blog]

And Bonnie promised me going out would actually be worth it— but her words have failed me. 

[fuckingcoop-blog]

[haydencallaghan]

It is pretty dead, huh?

[barbarahastings-blog]

…What are you doing with that?

[haydencallaghan]

With...? Oh. A cooking book? Just getting some ideas, I didn't realize you were there.

[oftraitorblood]

The devil has taken possession of teletubbies. There ain’t nothing right about those satanic worshipers.

[oftraitorblood]

[haydencallaghan]

...What was that?

[roslynswan-deactivated20140627]

Arching one brow, Roslyn allowed an amused smirk to take over her lips as she watched Hayden carefully. Everyone knew him in New York, or at least, everyone should, since he owned one of the best restaurants in Manhattan. In her opinion, of course, which, was the only one that mattered. “It’s in my future plans, Hayden.” She nodded, folding the newspaper and holding it close to her body, pressed against the side of her thigh. “But for now, I think it would frustrate me so much, I would end up rewriting everything. It’s best if I write the pieces, myself. I’m too much of a control freak.”

She meant it, though. Becoming editor-in-chief was in her plans, but not for now. “I haven’t seen you in a while. How’s the restaurant going?”

[haydencallaghan]

He never did like interacting with Roslyn. His every move was scrutinized; observed and operated on so he had to act as though he was who he painted himself to be. If anyone could call him on his false kindnesses and the charm that he only created when others were around, it would have been her. "Not much of a surprise," He offered and then smiled quickly soon after. "I always thought you'd be going places. We may not know each other very well, but I can safely say that you've certainly got a talent." He tilted his head slightly and then nodded, listening to her as she continued on when truthfully, he didn't quite care. "Ah, I'm sure it's a learned habit."

Another smile out of the way, he cleared his throat before continuing. "It's going well. Maybe you should stop by more often." 

[elenawrtes]

"I think I just saw a girl walk a deer down the street. A deer. You, Americans, are freaking weird. Not that it comes as a surprise."

[haydencallaghan]

"You sure it wasn't what we Americans like to call 'dogs'?"