Nicholas was still poking Arlette once every couple seconds waiting untill she responded, or untill he got bored, one of the two. suddonly his eyes lit up and he asked as his stomache made a noise almost as loud as his speaking- just when is our food gonna be done?! *sad puppy dog eyes*

Mirna emerged from the kitchen, bearing an intimidating array of plates. "Quit yer rumblin's, it's here. We had a lil spill in the back, but we scraped it back together an' wiped it off for you, good as new!" After enough pause to elicit a horrified look from Reishon, she grinned at the medic "I'm jus' kidding, we made ye a fresh dish. Sorry for the wait. You lot want this at your table, or are ye gonna devour it where you stand?"

TABLE! YAY FOOD! *runs and sit patiently*

Reishon, after giving Mirna an uncertain glance, concured, "Table." He still wasn't too sure about his food now, and he paused for a moment as his mind and stomach warred, one claiming that he'd be fine without food and the other claiming he'd be fine anyway, food or not. His stomach, as stomachs often do, won out in the end and he placed the hemostat back in his bag before moving over to the table and taking a seat. He glanced of at the woman who he was next to at the counter, slightly curious now. She had been very quiet, wheras seemingly everyone else in the establishment had either entered with a friend who they spoke animatedly to, or started speaking to their neighbor. But so far as he could see, not her. Turning his gaze back to the table, he decided that she probably had simply had an argument with the friend she probably frequented here with. It had happened before with his father and one of his friends, (and though they were drinking together again within a week, neither had apologized) so it seemed likely that it had happened again with another such person. His attention was drawn back to the present as a plate of delicious smelling food was placed in front of him. All question of weather or not to eat and trust Mirna's word was gone as its aroma drifted to his nose, and without further ado, he proceeded to consume it, one bite at a time, a habbit left over from when food had not been abundant and every bite had to feel filling. He shivered in delight as the first wave of taste hit him, and resolved to make this meal last.

Nicholas was none too careful with his meal, consuming a large part of the plate in several seconds and contently chewing the afore mentioned large portion. As he did so a look of happy bliss appeared on his face... until he almost choked at least, causing the look to flee and making him to stop chewing long enough to swallow what he had just ate, and continue to eat in small bites more carefully, chewing longer now. *Mid bite he Points to the wine while making a crude muffled noise which the best approximation of was "whmgh?". Which is to say, Nicholas was pointing at the wine bottle and grunting like an idiot. Before he finished swallowing and smiling sheepishly spoke shaking his head- "A touch of wine perhaps? Hunger is the root of uncivilly behavior in men... that was quite rude of me... Sorry." He finished with laugh that any with an ear for being able to pick up such things showed he was both amused and ashamed by his own behavior...

((Sorry I haven't posted in a while. xP Life got in the way. *Weasels her way back in.* I'll be keeping up from now on. :3)) Arlette had been a bit taken aback when one of the men had initially approached her and taken a seat. She watched him, but never said a word and had gone through her third shot of whiskey. Despite her small size, she could hold her liquor. She was mildly relieved when she was left alone finally, but continued to people watch. It was a good substitute to actually talking in her opinion. Once the man that had left her side had started eating, it was hard not to notice. The man was practically trying to kill himself via supper. She denied a fourth fill on her whiskey and slid the tender the amount she owed. The warmth in her bell was enough and she didn't want to get too inebriated. She stuck around though to continue watching. The wafting smell of an actual cooked meal hit her like a ton of bricks though and she realized she hadn't had an actual meal since she was stationed for desk work. She dug almost sheepishly though her own funds, she had only brought enough for the alcohol and not for a meal and she had to let out a sigh. More military issue gruel later tonight. She leaned back against the bar again and crossed her legs and just went back to watching. But she was thinking about trying to talk some one into buying her some food to take back with her.

Reishon laughed. "Aye, hunger does nobody no good to nobody. But wine sounds to be a damn good idea. Wouldn't want my new friend choking t' death 'cause he didn't chew proporly again. As good 'o a story it might make, I'm thinking it's best t' avoid it." As he went back to his meal, he noticed a sigh escape the woman at the bar. Now that 'aint a sigh 'o somone that's gotten into a fight with their pals, he thought, usually sighs for that reason are more angry or dissapointed, not a sort 'o resigned longing. Spat with her lover, perhaps? He had no way of knowing, and in truth, was contnet to merely speculate. However, speculation is often more fun, and on ocasion more insightful, when done with company, and as such, he said out loud to Nicholas, "What d'ya think's goin' on with her?" He jerked his head over to Arlette, "People don't usually come t' a bar alone 'less they got some problems, however big or small. How bad d'ya think her problems are? Oh, and if y' would, try to finish chewing 'fore answering. I don't look foreword none to givin' y' a tracheotomy so that y' can breathe with your whole meal stuck in your throat."

Speculation while fun, took awhile of time to do. Which Nicholas took none of and just went the blunt approach. As he finished the bite he told the medic- "I could if i ate it fast enough... which was followed by a small laugh and he ate a few more bites slowly this time. then upon hiss freind speaking agian he replied in almost afterthought: nor if they aren't single. And perchance- I dunno' bout her problems so I'll ask then." The man without a second thought getting out of his chair and approaching Arlette stated simply in a mild tone: "either you got a problem or your bored- though i'd hazard a guess... three shots down and diggen' in your bag likely means low funds, which your likely be a needn' based on how you reacted to the scent o' the meal your smelling over there. *he stops talking long enough to point to the table he and Reishon are sitting at* so am I right or am I wrong?" A wide smile gracing his face as he stopped talking.

Arlette had to lean back in her chair in mild surprise as she was abruptly approached by the same man she had tried to ignore earlier. Granted he was an observant one and she'd give him that. After an awkward pause, Arlette returned the smile cleared her throat, "I find myself having to say you're right." If he hadn't been paying attention, her voice would have been lost in the background noise of the bar. She had to assume then that she was being invited to his table and the man wasn't bad looking. Neither was his companion. She slid off the barstool and stood and for the sake of being polite, she introduced herself, "Greetings. My name is Arlette." She had to look up at him as he was a good half foot taller than her, but she didn't seem at all shy or intimidated by the rather distinct size difference. "And, am I to assume that this is an invitation?" This would quite possibly be the last thing she'd say all night. Unless the gentlemen could get her much more inebriated at which point she'd be sure to loosen up. She waited for the confirmation though. She could sure use the company. It really wasn't a lot of fun sitting alone.

"And my name is Nicholas" He replied in a cheerful tone and somehow at the same time, a smile. "So if I am right, perhaps I can arrange a meal, Either from my purse or flute- Make yourself comfortable- the medics name is Reishon, and he is very friendly so no concerns there. Now I am going to see how many song will be needed to pay for our meals... *He pauses and think and adds in a friendly but serious tone. "Oh! can you sing Arlette? If you sing as good as you look, we'll get our meal for sure." Nicholas finishing this statement with a sincere grin and an excited look in his eye as he waited for her to respond, really really hoping for her to say she could sing.

Reishon chuckled at his friend's straightforwardness, but made no comment otherwise. If Nicholas felt like bringing more company to their table, then the more the merrier. In truth, Nicholas could have invited half the bar over to the table and still not elicited an objection from him. Reishon nodded when introduced, and during the short pause left by Nicholas for thought, said to Arlette, “Don't you mind his whimsical nature nor direct approach none. He just can sort of jump from topic t' topic a bit faster than most o' us, and don't seem t' like takin' too much time t' get there. Just in case y' haven't figured it out already, he's a pretty good guy.”

Arlette shook her head in response to singing and her face got redder at the comment about her looks. She wasn't a singer and tended to be a little sheepish about her appearance in particular. She moved around Nicholas and walked over to the table and seated herself next to Reishon. She folded her hands in her lap and crossed her legs, looking very much like a proper lady and for a moment almost seemed out of place. That was, until the smile graced her lips once more. It was roguish and cocky a fit well on her tanned features. She brushed a lock of blond hair behind her hair and tried to not look at the food. It was very appetizing, but she was too polite to ask and would wait until there was an offer. So in the meantime, she turned her gaze on Reshion and held her hand out in a greeting finally. These two looked like they'd be excellent company to spend the evening with to her, might as well get to know them.

Nicholas shrugged in response and went to the bar spinning his flute between his fingers as he uncharacteristically displayed some amount of tact and waited for Garuda to take notice that he was there. A gleam suddenly in his eye as he got a second idea for an item to inquire upon, If a functional flask was not to be found, perhaps a nice instrument could be found for his new friend.

Meanwhile, Reishon had taken Arlette's hand and shaken it. Normally, such as with new squad mates or pretty much any other male who didn't immediately command respect, he would shake firmly, which to a soldier meant squeeze as hard as you could and avoid giving any indication that the other is hurting you. But with Arlette there was no need to try to assert oneself; she didn't need to listen to him to stay healthy as his squad would, and unless she was blind and deaf he had already made a fool of himself, (and had a damn good time doing so,) and as such there were no first impressions to worry about. Therefore he took her hand lightly, and left the strength of the grip up to her, applying only slightly less pressure than she. He spoke, “So, are y' a local, then, or jus' visiting? And how come y' were all alone o'er there? I'm jus' wondering, 'cause I always had a friend, or at least a book t' keep me company whenever I ate here.”

Garuda hobbled around behind the bar for a minute, fetching this and that and trading brief banter with the familiar faces, before catching sight of Nicholas, and tossing his head in the man's direction in acknowledgment. He flipped a damp bar rag over his shoulder and limped down to the man. "Need somethin' else lad?"