[Speed Dating, Round One]

[callofkaren]

This wasn't the first time Karen had run speed dating, and she had everything down to practically a science by now. She was going to miss watching what sorts of trouble Tony could get himself in, but there were a decent amount of people signed up, enough so that she had to split them down the middle so nobody would be overwhelmed

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[farmgrown]

It's safe to say that, given her line of work, Annie doesn't have the opportunity to get out much. Speed dating, coincidentally, tends to fall into that category of a pursuit she'd only attempt if she had the free time. Working for the CIA means she doesn't get much of a social life, if at all - the only close friends she has originated as a result of her job, anyway.

On the island, all she has is time. It seems only fitting to sign herself up for this, if only to get the chance to know some new faces and maybe even make new friends. She drags Auggie along with her and gives his hand a brief squeeze before setting up at her table, a drink in one hand as she takes a bite of food with the other - just in time for her first date to sit down.

"Oops, sorry," she mumbles, covering her mouth with her hand so she can finish chewing first.

[theblondsheep]

"I didn't see a thing," Silas lies, grinning as he lowers himself into his seat. Although he never tried it back in the real world, he was pretty sure that speed dating came with certain risks, namely those involving awkward dates with completely unappealing partners. Tabula Rasa, for all its' faults, fortunately did not operate like the real world, and he had yet to be faced with a date who wasn't equal parts charming and attractive. They hadn't spoken yet, but he doubted that the woman before him would be any exception. "So, uh, you having fun?"

[farmgrown]

"Well, that's only mildly reassuring," Annie answers, once she's swallowed. She's already gotten off to a fantastic start if this is any indication of how the night is going to go, but she feels a little better about it after her first date plays it off. She nods in response to his question, after a moment. "It's not something I would've had the chance to do too much back home," she confesses, "so I decided to sign up for the fun of it. What about you? Are you enjoying yourself so far?"

[theblondsheep]

"Definitely," Silas answers with a firm nod. For different reasons entirely, he suspects, he would not have had a chance to do this before coming here either. Nor would it have been a good idea for him to get involved with anyone, lest he need to flee town at a moment's notice; that happened once, when he inadvertently stole Kimmi's car as well, and should never happen again. But there's nowhere to run here, nor any need to, for the first time in a very long year. "I'm new here, so I thought it would be a good way to meet people. It's working out pretty well so far."

[shewaswarned]

She hasn't been in a serious relationship since David. Even Wes was something more of casual, someone she never allowed herself to get too close to beyond the physical. It's difficult for her even now to comprehend a close relationship with anyone, especially after the mantra she reminds herself of every day, the one Patty seems to have indirectly ingrained in her being: trust no one.

Tonight is harmless, though. Ellen can handle this much, and she doesn't want to become a recluse. She doesn't have her job to distract her, to tie her down, to overwhelm her with commitment and to detract from her personal life. She unconsciously straightens her posture and shifts in her chair, smiling as her first date sits and holding out a hand with a smile. "Hi."

[theblondsheep]

The handshake throws him off, at first, but he forces himself to recover quickly enough. One would think that the more times he does this, the easier it gets, but that isn't the case at all. It's different with each date, and for whatever reason, he expects that it will be particularly challenging with this one. It makes him grin wider, but he remains in control, careful not to seem insincere. "I'm Silas. How are you tonight?"

[shewaswarned]

"All things considered? Surprisingly good. And I'm Ellen, by the way," Ellen says, smiling warmly before she can even think to make it look convincing enough. The fact that she can manage it is something of a surprise, but not completely; she's learned from the best, after all, and part of what often made Patty so appealing was her ability to kill you with kindness - quite literally, in fact. She pulls her hand back and clasps it with her other, resting both in her lap. "What about you? Found anyone who qualifies for a place on that card yet?"

[theblondsheep]

Actually, Silas may indeed have a hard time narrowing down just a few names to list on his own card, having found himself charmed by most everyone he has met tonight, albeit in different ways for each date. But then, he's never been especially choosy, except perhaps for some unconscious criteria he must have to confirm anyone he develops an interest in will delight in sucking out his soul and devouring it for breakfast. (Or, of course, simply breaking up with him.) "How about you ask me again in five minutes?" he said, hoping that it was, as he thought, the best possible answer that didn't involve potentially upsetting her with the sheer size of his mental list. "Five minutes in which I... try to learn as much as possible about you, right? Though I'd settle for not boring you completely."