one more cup of coffee for the road | (coops)

[lucency]

There are certain perks to having someone else's wallet.

Not the money that might be stored in there; in all honestly, Belle hasn't even touched it. It could be three dollars or fifty for all she knows. No, it's more along the lines of identification. Contact information. The telephone number of a certain Special Agent Dale Cooper. That sort of thing.

Truthfully, her father and his connections could have likely had it back to him the same evening that he dropped it, if she'd told him. Or even handed it to one of the other guards working that evening. But Belle had decided to take matters into her own hands regarding this, call him up herself, completely innocuously arrange a meeting.

She hadn't been expecting breakfast, necessarily, but it's not something she's going to complain about. And she waits patiently outside, just as planned, wallet tucked safely into the purse that she has slung over her shoulder. She's not going to be the one to lose it.

Comments

[lucency]

Well, to be perfectly honest, he might be attractive and amusing, but maybe things should progress to something beyond wars over syrup. There's a method to Belle's madness, here. Or - progress. Progress, madness. Same thing, right?

Belle frowns slightly as she thinks the question over. She doesn't have a planner or anything of the sort with her, just a vague memory of meetings she's supposed to attend, luncheons, just being seen, and -

"I normally don't have much to do on weekends," she says. It's kind of a lie. She's sure there's something. But she'll get out of it. "Which day's best?"

[coops]

"Whichever day is best for you," he replies, "You'll find I'm pretty flexible."

He pours himself a fresh cup of coffee. "Although I like the sound of Friday. If you want me to be more decisive."

Then he takes a sip.

[lucency]

"And if I say Saturday, instead?" Belle asks - partially just to be contrary, honestly. Gotta get a little of that in, every once in a while. "That might work better." And she takes another bite of her remaining pancakes while she waits for an answer.

[coops]

"Saturday's fine too," he replies with a shrug. Cooper is easy to please. Not fussy when it comes to plan-making. He just rolls with it.

Besides, he'd rather pick a day that's more convenient for her okay. It's the gentlemanly thing to do.

[lucency]

Belle beams, taking a drink of her tea and then sealing it with a decisive nod. "Good. Saturday it is."

She almost wonders if she should shake his hand to make it official, but - no, Belle, don't be stupid. That's silly.

[coops]

Cooper actually moves to shake her hand - but when he notices she isn't exactly going for that, he just fakes her out and... picks up... something. Anything that's near his place. Ketchup? Sure. He'll just... put some... on... nothing.

Damn.

[lucency]

She just watches for a moment, biting her lip to keep from laughing. But - okay, fine, since he seemed to be all too ready for it, she plucks the ketchup bottle from his hand and sets it to the side, before taking his hand in hers and apparently this is a business transaction. Whatever.

"There."

[coops]

But - ketchup. And - dammit. He should've put it on the ham. Ketchup wouldn't have ruined it too much.

Oh but she's holding his hand. And that's nice. Really nice. So he's going to give Belle a firm handshake. And a nervous smile.

[lucency]

Ketchup's more important than officially having another date with her, Cooper? Oh. Okay.

But he's got a point. It is pretty nice. She notices. And maybe even keeps a hold on him an instant too long before reluctantly withdrawing her hand. And setting it in her lap. And clearing her throat. With an unsure smile of her own.

[coops]

The ham is more important than the ketchup. And none of those are more important than Belle.

Belle > ham > ketchup

If you need a diagram.

He clears his throat when she lets go. He wasn't going to be the one to do so first. Just because of reasons.

"Breakfast for dinner on Saturday. I can most definitely do that. Is there anything else you wanted to do? I'm open to suggestions."

[lucency]

Can we maybe get that in a bar graph instead of a mathematical equation? Just for statistical purposes. Might be helpful, just saying.

"Fantastic," she says, expression infinitely less unsure and then - oh, he's essentially giving her free reign? Huh. She won't lie, several options pop into her mind, but then again, most of them require a day trip and he does have a job. Which is good, but likely doesn't lend itself to such things.

Besides, she's only had, what - forty-five minutes worth of contact with him total? Her shrug is totally nonchalant as she said, "I've always been a fan of ice skating." Silly? Gotta deal with it.

Except maybe that's not a good idea given his dance record but.

[coops]

How about a pie chart.

"Ice skating?" he repeats over the lip of his mug. He makes a face, considering this option. Then takes a sip, and mulls over it some more.

"I don't see why not. Breakfast for dinner and ice skating. Sounds like a good time to me."

[lucency]

Wow, because no one saw that option coming. Slow claps abound.

His consideration earns him a quick arch of the eyebrow. It'd be fine if he said no, but she'd be lying if she wouldn't have been a little disappointed. But it turns out to be nothing to worry about, thankfully.

She comes about half a second away from saying something like, 'I hope you won't hurt yourself,' but no, that's way too mean, and she just shakes her head. Not funny, even if it was a relatively harmless comment. Instead, she goes with, "Good. I'm looking forward to it already."

[coops]

I'm here all week.

Oh he'll hurt himself. Or something equally embarrassing. Most likely.

"Good! Good. Did you save room for dessert?"

[lucency]

It's okay, Cooper, she's already mentally preparing herself for a trip to the ER. Just please don't slice anything open with the blades, okay, she doesn't need this second date to be a complete disaster.

But back in the present, she peers down at her plate and just blinks for a second. Is this some kind test? Given how excited he gets about this kind of thing - probably. So what else is there to do but to take him up on it.

"I forgot that part, didn't I?" she says. "Sure."

[coops]

"You forgot about the pie?" Well that's gonna be a problem. One must never forget the pie, Miss Belle. It's the most important part of any meal.

When the waitress is nearby, he flags her down. Oh, it's time for pie. He tells her to surprise them, whatever pie she wants to bestow upon them.

And then Cooper folds his hands in front of him, positively beaming while he waits. Because it's almost pie time. And Belle's about to experience some of the best pie she's ever had in her entire lifetime.

[lucency]

Last I heard, they were actually turning the food pyramid into the food pie slice, so he might actually be onto something there.

Belle actually opens her mouth to order - apple's pretty good, okay - but, nope. Okay. Surprises are perfectly fine. And then she mirrors the way he's sitting - not on purpose, but - well. It just seems to be the thing to do when they're anticipating something like this.

But maybe he seems to be anticipating it a little too much. "Are you going to be alright?"

[coops]

"Not until the pie's here."

It's hard to tell if he's joking or not. But knowing him...

He smiles. Yeah, he's joking. He still sits up properly, his hands folded in front of him.

And when the pie's here - surprise! - it's cherry. That's when he deems it the proper time to budge and to dig in.

[lucency]

Well, if Belle comes out of this knowing nothing else, she will be more than completely aware that pie might as well be a life support system. She'll be sure to remember that if, indeed, the proposed adventures on ice lead them to the ER. No medication. Just pie.

She stabs a bite of it with her fork and raises it upward in a gesture similar to a fake toast or even a salute before eating it. And - okay, yeah, she's not even gonna lie: it's pretty important. Doesn't stop her from pretending to mull it over, fork walking across the plate as she doesn't say anything, letting the indecisive expression on her face do all the talking.

[coops]

"So," he says after a few indulgent bites, clearing his throat. He sets his fork down. Just for the moment. "What do you think?"

Take your time formulating an answer. This is a life-or-death situation.

[lucency]

Oh. It looks like things got serious. Exhaling loudly, Belle frowns before taking another bite of it. Just for consideration purposes.

And then she stares at it on her plate. Time. It's being taken.

"It's..." she trails off, expression looking for a moment like she's searching for the words and maybe she just wants to be polite - but then she laughs. "It's perfect. A good decision."

[coops]

Cooper looks ridiculously pleased.

"I'm glad you agree," he says, barely able to contain his grin.

That's all. He'll just go back to eating. He's already destroyed practically the entire slice in record time.

[lucency]

But it was just there a second ago. That's almost like magic, wow.

"That was fast." Maybe she should really stop blurting out things like that. Except that's actually terrifying. The thought crosses her mind that maybe he does the whole professional eating contest thing, but - no. She already knows that's not the case.

She'll just. Methodically eat hers. Or try to. The filling's the most important part, okay, and not everyone can eat half the kitchen supplies at a time.

[coops]

Pie magic.

He stops, fork in mouth. It was fast, wasn't it? Maybe he's enjoying himself too much. He just sort of stares at her for a moment, bewildered by her observation. But then he sets the fork down on the edge of his now-empty plate.

Someone's taking a rather long time to each their slice. Just saying.

[lucency]

You know what? Someone needs to check his privilege. And his name is Dale Cooper. Just saying.

And - yeah. She's trying, okay. But about a moment later, she places her fork down as well. And folds her hands on the table. And maybe pushes her plate toward the edge of the table. And then she takes a sip of iced tea. Because she's pretty sure he's going to judge her and she needs to diffuse the tension somehow.