Manchester with ds_rockgod

[have_no_mercy]

Over the years, Tess has travelled quite a bit. Most of it was for research in the warm climates of the Caribbean or South America, and the rest was pure pleasure - scuba diving. England never made it to her list. Or Europe in general, to tell the truth

Comments

[ds_rockgod]

Charlie nods, opening the door and gesturing for her to enter first. "After you, milady," he says lightly, his smile remaining in place.

Upon entering, Tess will see a great deal of wood--wooden tables, wooden floors, etc. The pub is also small, dimly lit, and relatively empty, with a welcoming fire burning on the far side, just as Charlie promised.

[have_no_mercy]

It's what Tess suspects people would call 'homey'; warm and comfortable. Which isn't something she's exactly used to, but she isn't going to complain at the moment. It's pleasant enough.

"Where should we sit? Grab a booth so we can talk?"

[ds_rockgod]

"Sounds good to me," Charlie agrees, joining Tess inside and closing the door behind them. After a brief glance around, he spots a booth near the fire and leads the way over to it.

[have_no_mercy]

Tess follows gamely, not opposed to his choice at all. When they arrive, she slides in one side and leans an elbow on the table, chin in hand.

"This is nice."

[ds_rockgod]

He slides in across from her and nods. "I'm glad you think so, mate. Used to come here a lot, actually, but I haven't been in ages."

[have_no_mercy]

She offers a small smile. "Oh, good. Then you can recommend something."

[ds_rockgod]

"Right." He gives her a small smile of his own, picking up one of the small menus placed in the center of the table. "Well, what sort of food do you like?"

[have_no_mercy]

Tess thinks for a moment. "I'm not actually all that picky. I think I'm in the mood for something salty, though."

[ds_rockgod]

"I s'pose it depends on how traditional English you want to go, mate," Charlie tells her with a grin as he glances over the menu in his hand. "If you want to go very English, you could always have fish 'n' chips or bangers 'n' mash. And for the record, the latter is much better tasting than it sounds."

[have_no_mercy]

"Fish and chips sounds perfect." Well, that was easy. "It's funny, I don't actually make that decision very often. I usually just take what my chef makes."

[ds_rockgod]

He gives her another smile at that and nods. "And is that a good thing? Being able to choose for a change, I mean."

[have_no_mercy]

"I don't know," she says, genuinely uncertain. "It's more become one of those small details I don't have time to worry about."

[ds_rockgod]

He nods again understandingly and leans forward to rest his elbows on the table. "So basically, this is the first time in a while you've had time to stop and think about it, yeah?"

[have_no_mercy]

Tess nods in reply. "Basically."

Then she shakes her head, more at herself. "It's amazing how much things can change."

[ds_rockgod]

"Well, how did thing used to be?" Charlie asks with genuine curiosity, watching her. "Better or worse? Or a bit of both?" Which he would certainly be able to relate to.

[have_no_mercy]

"It's always a bit of both, isn't it?" Tess sidesteps the actual question mostly out of habit. And then she decides to see what honestly answering would feel like. "I was referring to my childhood, though. We really didn't have anything. Half the time that included dinner."