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[flippin_peachy]

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[flippin_peachy]

Then why not just call them mini burgers? Sliders doesn't exactly bring up a pleasant image, especially when you want to have an appetite.

[He says as he takes a left turn towards the area Karen waved at, he spots the glowing sign and concentrates on getting into the right lane to turn into their drive through.]

All right, what do you want me to order?

[pagekaren]

What does sliders make you think of?

[Karen sounds amused, turning a bit in the seat - as much as she can - to give him a dubious look that's just on the edge of laughter.

Though her attention soon turns to the menu up ahead, and she fishes her card out to hand over to him as she considers the options.]

Okay, definitely fries and a chocolate shake. And...two of the original sliders. And then whatever you want.

[flippin_peachy]

Someone who has shit themselves.

[He says honestly and then shakes his head at how she's offering up her card.]

No no, my treat.
I'll get fries and a milkshake as well.

[pagekaren]

[Well, that answer certainly takes her by surprise, and she lets out a snort of laughter.]

Oh, that's gross. Is that a British slang thing?

[Her nose wrinkles as she considers it, though the expression fades when he offers to pay, and she beams a smile over at him instead. Her head tips back to rest against the headrest.]

Are you sure? I already dragged you all the way over here. I'm surprised you didn't ask what happened yet.

[flippin_peachy]

No, just what comes to mind when you use that word.

[He glances at her, giving her a smile.]

I'm sure.

[He pauses to give their order at the machine and then pulls up to wait behind the car in front of them.]

And I figured I'd let you eat before bombarding you with questions.

[pagekaren]

Gross.

[She reiterates her sentiment on the idea, though she's still smiling back at him as she lets her card fall back into her purse.]

Thank you. I appreciate...all of this, really. You're a good guy. [There's a beat before she continues, talking quickly in the way that she does when she really means something.] And don't tell me that you're not because of what you do. You can do what you do and still be a good person.

[flippin_peachy]

[He hums thoughtfully after she says that.]

I wasn't about to argue with you on that, I know I'm no prince and I've certainly done some violent things but I'd like to think I'm a decent enough bloke.

I appreciate you saying that though.

[pagekaren]

Oh.

[There's a pause, and then she can't help but smile again, looking amused at herself.]

Sorry. I'm glad you know that. I think I'm just...used to people not being able to see the good in themselves. I jumped the gun. I'm glad you know that you're good, though.

[It's clear that she doesn't realize that she's repeated herself there. Karen moves a bit, like she's thinking about reaching over to touch his arm or hand, and then remembers that her arm is immobilized. She makes a face. It's going to be a miracle if the sling makes it to the end of the night, never mind the full length of time she's meant to keep it on.]

[flippin_peachy]

No need to apologize, luv.

[He says and pulls the car up to the window to both pay and get their food, the teen girl working the window perks up instantly when she sees how cute Alfred is and that he's British.

Alfred meanwhile doesn't seem to notice and thanks the girl, making sure to tip her before taking the bag of food and carefully pulling back onto the road.]

Do you want to eat in the car or will it keep till I get you home?

[pagekaren]

[Karen definitely notices, her eyes flicking back and forth between the girl and Alfred as a smile slowly blossoms. She can't do much about helping with the milkshakes, but she does reach around to take the bag of food from him with her good hand and holds it against her knee.]

Oh, this car is too nice to eat fast food in. It'll keep.

[There's a pause, and she can't help but laugh.]

She thought you were cuuute. And you had no idea.

[She is clearly delighted by this turn of events.]

[flippin_peachy]

What? You mean the bird at the window?

[He asks, cocking an eyebrow at her.]

[pagekaren]

Mmhm. I mean, she was obviously a teenager. But still.

[Karen grins as she points at him, making a vaguely circular gesture with her finger.]

Cute, and completely unaware. It's kind of charming.

[flippin_peachy]

[He huffs a little laugh.]

There's no point in being aware of birds that young.

[Sandra, a girl he had been with back home for a little bit, was younger than him but not a teenager.]

They're not even really birds, more like baby chicks.

[pagekaren]

Oh, no, aware of the effect you had, not of the bird. That would be weird.

[It's clear for a moment by the look on her face that she's picturing an actual baby chick. And then the meaning catches up with her through the haze of pain meds and she lets out a laugh, smiling over at him.]

Nice word play. Have I told you that I find word play unreasonably attractive?

[flippin_peachy]

[Her laugh is very sweet sounding and he glances over at her, smiling.]

No, but please tell me more. Are you saying you like puns or more that eloquent, poetic language gets you going?

[pagekaren]

Okay, to be clear, nobody likes puns. The only thing you can do with a pun is love to hate it, right? Like, you groan but you laugh.

[This clearly makes sense to Karen. Or at least to the filterless, rambling version of her brought about by the aftermath of her unfortunate evening. It might be a bit of compartmentalization as well.

Her brow furrows, and she lapses into a thoughtful silence for a moment.]

Hmm. Maybe more a combination of genuineness and cleverness? So it could be a pun or something poetic or a - really good speech or a line from a song. If it's real and it's smart, it's definitely appealing.

[flippin_peachy]

I think if you laugh that counts as liking them.

[He teases and turns the car into a parking spot that is about a block from Karen's place.]

I'll have to keep that in mind, although I don't know if I'd be able to pick a line from a song considering my musical taste.

[pagekaren]

I can like and hate something at the same time. I'm very complex.

[Karen manages to deliver most of the sentiment seriously, though she does trail off into a laugh towards the end. Once he parks the car, she reaches over to set the bag of food down on the center console so she'll be able to navigate her way out of the seat one armed. And then he distracts her with that comment about music, turning to give him an amused look.]

Wait, what kind of music do you like? Because that could mean anything from experimental jazz to...death metal.

[flippin_peachy]

Do I look like a death metal fan?

[He asks and motions for her to stay put, getting out of the car first and coming round to help her with her seatbelt and easing her out of the car. He grabs the bag of food with one hand and loops the other around her waist again.]

I like a lot of British music from the 60's.

[pagekaren]

[Karen gives him a serious, contemplative look, as if assessing to determine whether or not he's a death metal fan. Finally, with a grin, she declares,] nope.

[She can only be who she is, so she's still trying (and failing) to navigate the process of getting out of the car before he appears at the door to help. She thanks him, leaning in against him as they make their way toward her building. There's a thoughtful hum as she considers British music from the 60s.]

I mean, The Beatles are a given, everyone likes The Beatles. Hmm...I could see you as a secret punk, so maybe like. The Yardbirds and The Kinks, too.

[flippin_peachy]

All of those yes, but also The Who, The Zombies, Pink Floyd, and we can't forget about David Bowie.

[He says as he helps guide her to the door, waiting for her to get her keys out.]

[pagekaren]

[Karen nods along, looking pleased with his choices.] Who could forget David Bowie? [She sounds almost indignant about it.

And then she idly sings the opening lines of Heroes as she fishes through her purse one handed in search of her keys. She has a surprisingly good singing voice, clear like a bell, with a tone that seems suited to jazz. Her brow furrows and she trails off, but finally finds the keys and lets them both in to her apartment. It's undeniably a relief to be home.]

[flippin_peachy]

[The singing is a surprise but a welcome one and he chuckles while he helps her into her apartment suite.]

All right, where should I put you? Table or couch?

[pagekaren]

[Karen apparently doesn't even realize she'd been doing it, if one were to judge by the fact that she's just immediately putting down her things and stepping out of her shoes to nudge them out of the way by the door.]

I'm going to put myself at the table, if you want to join me.

[She flips on some of the lights as she leads the way in, and then sits down in one of the chairs at the island. As they get the food unpacked, she remembers her threat/promise regarding the fries and shakes, and with a grin, she dunks on of the fries in and offers it to him to take a bite. With the flavor of the ice cream, you can't really taste the potato in the fry - it's just a contrast of hot and cold, sweet and salty.]

[flippin_peachy]

[The way he looks at the milkshake french fry you'd think she just offered him a giant grub on a stick or something but after looking at her carefully he sighs and takes the offered bite.]

Mnngh.

[He says and then shakes his head, swallowing it down with a grimace.]

Nope.
No.
You're a lovely bird but that's awful.