Meeting Sober This Time @detectivebird
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Tim arrived at the diner just after two, wanting to give off the impression of being fashionably late. In actuality, heâd been nearby for a good ten minutes, scouting the area just in case. Nothing seemed too suspicious, other than a heavily-built man in a suit standing around inside and looking like he didnât belong. Given that diners didnât tend to employ bouncers, Timâs guess was that somebody inside had a bodyguard. Interesting, but not worrying.Â
Heâd dressed smart-casually, in a dark red shirt and jeans, not quite sure what impression to give. Or what kind of one heâd given that night. He gave Princess a slight smile. âSorry Iâm late.â
Princess didnât like lateness, good timekeeping was important simply because there was always more to be done, something else, perhaps someone else to meet. One late arrival could mean an early departure.
She waited almost anxiously, hoping that Tim would turn up, and beginning to fear that he wouldnât. Then, thankfully she spotted him approaching, and she relaxed a little more. She pushed herself off against the wall, straightening her position.Â
âUhum, if we do ever meet again, can you try not to be? I really hate lateness.â Princess explained, trying to keep her tone as light and friendly as possible. She didnât want to ruffle his feathers or anything like that, but at the same time she wanted to make him aware of her position on timekeeping.Â
âAfter you.â Princess stated as she crossed to the door of the diner, pulling it open and gesturing with her free hand for Tim to go in.Â
âHm? Oh, sure.â Tim sounded almost flippant. It was purposeful, though. Princessâ choice of clothing spoke of something more casual than her irritation, however mild, at him being a couple of minutes late. Nobody was that strict about timekeeping without good reason. If this had been a date, or a business meeting, Tim might have let it slide, but just meeting for coffee? Most people would take closer to fifteen minutes before deciding the other person was starting to waste their time.Â
So now Tim was curious, as any good detective would have been.Â
He walked through the door, holding it open behind him for Princess, and waiting for a member of staff to gesture them towards a booth. âSo exactly how much did I tell you about myself that night? Just so I know whether or not weâre starting from scratch, here.â
Princess murmured a small thank you at Tim holding the door open behind him for her. Manners, always good. It was something that was sorely absent these days.Â
"Hmm, well you told me your name was Tim, and you like Rum and Coke, and I am guessing you like birds, or keep birds cause you kept on going on about robins and jays." Princess replied, a slight note of confusion entering her voice as she spoke about the birds. She still hadn't been able to properly figure that one out.Â
One of the waitresses came over and directed them to a booth at the far end of the diner. Princess followed after the waitress, settling herself down in the seat and picking up the menu to peruse the available options.Â









