Laurel Hill Springs

The Grub House is a shining chrome tube- shaped modular diner all done in red & cream vinyl inside. Polished and practically sparkling, even in the dark.
Open 24/7.

"Oh, I love a good listener..." Gil chuckles and gives Vince a sort of 'Good boy' grin, walking backward to the glass door.

She watches the guys chat, not genuinely in a rush or upset, but practically vibrating with desire for cheesy grilled meat. There's a little hop from one booted foot to the other as the little fiend swings the door. A mildly exasperated couple watch her hose about then raise their eyebrows at each other. Gil's not 'bovvered', as they say.

Humming something that sounds like "...k-i-s-s-i-n-g...", she is in fact still listening to anything she can make out. And he knows she's fully in support of any adorable crushes or pursuits of happiness.

When Vince and Caprice catch up, Gil smiles and waves at the staff. When they pass Larry & Dan, they are absolutely discussing skeletons in the woods. And the weird living room situation. Gil looks over her shoulder with big eyes.

Leading them all the way to the big corner booth, she slides in and pats the spots beside her. This is clearly then favored sitting spot because you can see everything. That, and no one else was nearby for the moment.

"If I can't have the real thing... you can sandwich me here." And she lets out a tickled laugh!
It's not long before the trio are greeted by what appears to be a familiar college-age kid, probably a human.
They seem to recognize Cap & Gil, and are completely relieved.

Rory ran through his mental checklist for the day once more, wanting to make absolutely sure he hadn't forgotten anything. Enoch would have a fit, otherwise. The latest shipment was snatched and secured just as he'd been asked to do, and that seemed to be the last of it, for now. He finally had some downtime.

After leaving the Teapot, Rorikaan started up ol' Ruby. Down went the windows, and up went the music; nothing like a bit of KMFDM for times like these. His usual joyride out in the middle of nowhere would have to wait however, when his stomach howled. He tosses his hat over into the passenger sat and tucks his aviators away - a stop at the Grub House was in order.

After just a liiittle bit of time taking the scenic route there, Rory finally makes it to his destination. It's been a decent while since he was last here, Enoch had been keeping him real busy as of lately. He pushes all of his work thoughts and energy away, retrieving his hat once more after Ol' Ruby rumbles to a stop in a parking space away from any other vehicles - Lord only knows she needed her space. Engine down, lights out, doors locked, the cowboy pulls his hat back on and adjusts his jacket before strolling on over to the diner's doors. Food was only mere moments away.

He pushes the door open and struts on in much like one of the cowboys entering a saloon in those old western movies, his gaze scanning around for familiar faces. And friendly faces he DID find, though he waited a moment before addressing them just to see how long it'd take them to notice him.

Vince felt his face burning. That grin was almost worse than silver, and he was lucky almost no one was here to witness him blushing like that. It would cost him all his street cred and then some.

He then followed Gil along, trying to walk off whatever damage Gil did. Oh, she probably had a lot of people at her feet.
"Pearl is too good for us sinners, and she'll deserves someone better." he also summarized the other points, although Gil probably won't gift him another good-listener award.

"Well, I'll owe you at least one try at being a wing man. After all, your timing improved." he said to Cap. The guy totally deserved friendship.
For now, Vince ignored all skeletons that were in anyone's closets or woods.
The place looked like something out of a time capsule. Vince get ready to get into a fight with a greaser because of a strain on a motorcycle, and he smiled as he saw the jukebox. He could burn some money and time here.

Vince choose the corner place. It meant not having to watch your back, because the walls took care of it, but it also meant not having a clear escape route, he would either have to go through Gil or over the table to quickly escape.
Well, it was almost full moon. He wasn't too worried about that, or so he told himself.
Her comment earned Gill a poke. "Give us at least time to eat something." he suggested, before he gave the college kid a nod. He turned his head to the other two.
"So, which menu is the one with the good cheeseburgers?" he asked. He gave the newscomer a quick look and a nod, for now he decided to keep his paranoia at bay. One freak-out per night was enough, after all.

Cap chuckled a little at Vince. “I appreciate that man. There was a time I’d disagree with you.” He still might. Deep deep down but he was getting better. The joys of therapy and learning to love yourself and all that.

His ass slid into the booth, right next to the little lady where she had patted for him to sit. Normally when the little lady was courting a new man friend to suck on, Cap did tend to be a little more ‘distant’. Didn’t want to cock block his little lass if the man she was trying to snog was uppity. Vince didn’t seem like the type, so he allowed himself to come back. His arm casually came to rest behind Gil though his elbow bent completely, making sure that his hand, and mainly his rings weren’t on Vince’s side. Those fingers that gently brushing those soft curls from the side of Gil’s face out of habit.

“Hey,” he greeted the teen who approached the table. The teen who absolutely knew that he was going to get a decent tip from the big guy. Cap was a dragon, but he was always good about paying what was due. “I’ll take the cheese fries and some chicken tenders.” Ge said before looking at the pooch. “The loaded burger is always a good bet. A bit messy though.”

And he would have said something else, but the fucking hat caught his eye, and his hand lifted to catch the dude’s eye and beckon him back to the booth. It seems everyone was slowly congregating before reaching the final destination of the night. Once there he’d absolutely make the introduction.

“Evening Rory, we were just ordering" Obviously the offer for the man to sit with them was there and didn't need saying. "This is Vince,” he motioned to the man on the other side of Gil. “Stranded here for a bit. Car issues. Vince. This is Rory. One of the brothers we were just talking about.” The ones who might be able to hook him up with work. And the brother to that tree of man he was absolutely going to be hitting on later. He’d leave Vince to give any other info about himself though. Wasn’t his place.

Gillian eyed Vince over her shoulder the whole way there.
"HA! My gosh. She'll think you're so sweet." The smol blonde monster certainly thinks he's very tasty.
Amused by the blossoming friendship, Gil admires the shaggy brunette & her long time friend who charms everyone so effortlessly. He easily presents as always up in the clouds and joyous around Gil and Pearl, at least!
Everyone needs something. And everyone feels alive in different ways for different reasons.
That's the beauty.

From their spot, Gil looks at the records on the wall. Instead of retro classics, Vince might note psychedelic occult rock & synthwave albums. Now, the glowing jukebox was in the traditional style. However, it also had a small & discreetly updated panel for an aux or usb cable. This is mostly for horrible little goblins like Gil to play their own music for a small fee. Worth it.

As Vince slides into the corner beside Gil her hand is immediately on his thigh, even as she looks at Cap when he brushes her shaggy curls out of her face. * A boot knocks against each other foot beneath the table playfully***** (haha sorry, I forgot!)
. At the poke, Gil giggles and it sounds a bit like she's VERY ticklish. Squirming and wriggling against him, she bumps Vince's hip with hers before their arms brush. Then, her attention comes away from Vince as she notices what seems to be a familiar & beloved face. Did she just write everything on her face at all times no matter what?
Gil almost instantly breaks Rory's rugged & sexy cowboy movie-worthy entrance with a holler & wave while bouncing against some new shaggy dude. Her grin says, playfully, "Look what I have done!!!!!!" Pleased as punch.
Hopefully she won't rattle Vince's cage in a bad way. You know, like negative bad. Good bad is always encouraged, right?
"Helloooooo Cowboy!"


Good tippers who are very chill and cool, and weird... are always welcome At the Grub House! The young human smiles, lifting their notepad to prepare for the destruction. To Vince, "Chicken tendies are quality. Amazing fries, even plain. I like the banana malt with hot fudge and extra cherries." She leans on him while pointing at the menu.
"Any burger combination is perfect. They will do it right. I like a crispy outside and a rare inside. I haven't died yet! Oh, and I like to get it deluxe with bacon and an egg on top. Also the way you like."
Why was EVERY word an innuendo?! Definitely a button-pusher. Always intentional and only theatrically coy.
Lord.

As Rory approaches into Caprice's introduction, Gillian smiles broadly at him and gives big eyebrow wiggles while side-glancing in Vince's direction. Her cheeks are on fire!
"Yeees! Caprice has offered to get us one of everything so I can finally have a single bite of the tuna melt and decide if I'd ever actually eat that. Just need to cross it off the list. It's like an obsession!"
Is it possible to be the most ridiculous person? If so, Gil is at least in the running.

Her nod at a mention of work which might keep Vince in town could perhaps be noted...
And then all eyes were on Vince for a moment while Gil pets his thigh. "Oh, story time? Please note you may plead the fifth, we just love the hot goss tho. Well, I do. And no one here is going to judge you. Unless you're a knight..." Her eyes narrow at Vince but she smiles.

It would tickle her to know anyone thought she might not be human, but what WOULD she be? A horny faery? A little spring goddess? A little moth drawn to the flames, for sure.

"Howdy, folks." The cowboy tips his hat in greeting , beaming - a subtly sharp-toothed grin - as he saunters over to the booth that the other three had occupied. He gives a good long once-over at the new fellow with a raised brow.

"Talkin' about lil ol' me, eh? How's that ol' sayin' go again? Speak o' th'devil, an' he shall arrive." Rory then does a quick and dramatic bow, to the point where his hat nearly falls off, and then he is upright once more. "Pleasure ta meetcha, Vince. Ain't got the brother with me, he was too busy ta hold a call with me fer more than a minute. Somethin's got 'em worked up. Also, damn shame 'bout the vehicular malfunctions, but these two are already takin' mighty fine care o' ya by th'look of it."

The talk of food brought him back to his original quest. "Hells, I'm so hungry, could eat a horse, m'self. They still got those big ol super-stacked burgers here? Been a hot minute since I last stopped by, fer sure."

While Cap made sure Gil's hair was taken care off, Vince lowered his hand to stroke her back for a bit. She seemed like she liked the attention and little signs of affection, so she would like more of it probably even more.
If he'd had to place her, his guess would be nymph, succubus or whatever the female version of a satyr would be. A faun? But those were just first impressions and prejudices. All he knew was that he was very fond of the little menace already.
That she seemed to show him of like a new trophy didn't hurt either, it just feed Vince's ego.
He decided to order the burger-fry-combination and to make it deluxe. So close to full moon, getting stuffed was the wisest decision, and it was the one most friendly to the locals.
Sadly, that meant Gil would probably stop listening menus, he could listen to her doing that for hours!

"Hey Rory, nice to meet ya. The two are taking good care of me, and, if that helps anyone, I'm not a knight. I like swords, but horses spook too easy around me.
I'm just someone who needs some cash to get his car fixed, to pay these two back and maybe to buy Gil a box of chocolates. I've done some odd-jobs, I mainly worked as bouncer. I've left my CV at home, though…"
He thought about it for a moment, then he shrugged. "Back at home, I've pissed off some people in high places and I'd prefer to do things off-the-grid right now."
It probably wasn't all the hot goss, but it was what he was willing to share with this crowd.

Yes it was indeed pretty hard not to enjoy the attention from the little lady. Maybe it was her looks or her attitude towards the world or maybe it was the fact she always seemed like she was going to vibrate so hard she was just going to float away. Girl never sat still, even when she was sandwiched between two people. Lord knows if something caught her eye she’d have melted under the table and been off before they could catch her.

Cap just sat and enjoyed the moment. Old friends and new friends and all that. Though his pocket suddenly felt like it was burning, and he glanced down to the little lass who was just going to throw his money around. Lord. He might be an old dragon, and he might not be able to tell her no but the comment about buying one of everything honestly took him longer to realize it was a joke than it should have. He should pay more attention to what was actually being said than just enjoying the moment.

“Is he ok?” He’d ask Rory. He knew that they all had their secrets but if something had gotten Enoch upset it was still upsetting. “Do you think he’ll still be able to come tonight?” While he understood that things get busy and all that he was still bummed at the thought of Enoch not being there for their ‘Not a date’ date.

But the little details about Vince that came through. Well, he couldn’t say that he was surprised. After all, the saying was still true. If you’re from the little weird town you were either born there or you're running. Didn’t matter to something or from something, you didn’t just end up here because of a stable happy life. In 80 years, Cap had never spoken about where he came from and why. Not to any real degree.

“Well, you’re welcome here as long as you need, friend. Just let us know if something happens so we can help instead of you just running. We all like throwing hands here at this take.” A sort of all knowing smirk crossed his lips. Oooh the fights. Good times. Good times.

But they’d all fight a bitch if asked. And sometimes you didn’t even have to ask.

Gil absolutely does love attention! She shivers when Vince touches her back. Between the two preening her, she seems to be fully luxuriating! However, still nods happily at Rory about the any-stack burger one could surely convince the cook to assemble.
She seems rather interested!

To make it easy, Gil orders the same burger as Vince with cheese fries and a Cherry cola.

Her index and middle fingers March in repeating circles along Vince's thigh until the trio adjusts accordingly for Rory. Really, this just means Gil has squished against Vince even if there was more than enough room for Rory on either end.

Mention of Enoch being worked up refocused the small woman and she looked curiously to Rory. They all deserved a good time; especially if the King of the Teapot might let his hair down a little.

(I've been reading Rory like Steve Shell from Old Gods of Appalachia! 🥵)

"Swords are pretty neat. Ol' friend of mine had one made fer me as a gift 'afore he retired. Don' dare touch it though, ain't any good with holdin' it at all so it jus' sits on a wall, lookin' pretty." After working out the details of his order (mainly negotiation in the way of getting his burger stacked as high as they would be willing to) Rory finally sidles into a seat in the booth, seeing as the others had managed to make some space for him.

"Oh, yuh, he's still comin'. He was in a rush ta pick up some suits from tha cleaner n' all. Usually he's on top o' those kinda things, but tonight's a curveball that he wasn't expectin'. As fer work.." He glances back to Vincent. "I dunno if the work I usually do counts as 'off-grid', but I can give ya a sales pitch on it - later o'course - on what I do when I ain't sittin' around at the Teapot, n' ya can decide if yer interested or not."

He leans back in the seat he took up, and hurriedly takes off his hat, nearly having forgotten his manners. The corners of his lips pull up into another small smile at the mention of scrapping. "Throwin' Hands is my middle name." He was glad Enoch wasn't here, Lord only knows he'd correct his little joke.

Vince's choice of drink was Pepsi, and he ordered as much. He was willing to make space, especially even if that meant having Gil almost on his lap.
Especialyl if it meant having Gil almost on his lap.
Luckily, Rory didn't seem too keen on having a job interview right now, because for Vince it would be almost impossible, with Gil almost going Swordfish on him.
His hand squeezed her back in return, and for a moment he leaned his head against her shoulder.
"I think I'm going to like it here." Vince decided. No wonder. "What a coincidence, it is my second name as well. Vin throwing-hands ce." he smiled about his bad joke.
"As long as you don't call any of my old jobs for references or higher math is needed, I should be fine. Or, if you have to call them, disable caller id and just tell 'em you're calling from… I don't know, Springfield, Washington or something. And I might not exactly do taxes this year."
As Vince talked, he felt like he was maybe two or three red flags away from accidentally starting a communist revolution.
Well, hopefully Rory wasn't looking for workers with a white west.
"If things work as intended, there will be no fight. Sorry to disappoint, I'm sure we'll find other reasons to throw hands around here."

It was funny how things worked out wasn’t it? In one breath life was the way that it was with no light at the end of the tunnel. Be it your own sins or getting lost in the sins of another. The next you were playing the awkward booty shuffle across booth seats in a nowhere town with people you just met. People who you just met but still it came so easily. They’d all be the new person on that awkward shuffle. Not knowing where to sit but yet here they were. Time was a funny thing.

“I’m glad.” The thought of Enoch rushing about though suddenly made him pretty happy. Was the big guy really getting his feathers ruffled trying to figure out the perfect outfit to wear out? And was it because he was going out unplanned or was it because of the person who had invited. He liked that thought.

“If you take Rory up on his offer, you’ll have to let me know how that goes. Maybe I can help.” He said it so casually but shot the other dragon a coy look. Vince had no idea of their little, long running information standoff between Cap and the brothers. It was a fun game if anything.

Vince just settled right in like they were four cozy peas in a pod for many ages before now. It's a magical thing when people just sort of fall into place together.
It made Gil smile.

Drinks and fresh waters arrived along with some crayons and paper placemats for doodles while they wait... Because even adults need entertained sometimes. Gil is listening to the three chat while drawing filthy doodles on her placemat.

It's not very long at all before their food arrives hot and fresh! The young server looks rather impressed by Rory's tall stack which has been skewered by a steak knife to hold it in place.

The server puts their deeeeply discounted ticket face down, tucked under the condiments basket, with a smile before leaving them to it. No rush intended, but to be taken to the register later. And they wouldn't have to wait if a sudden late night rush came.


(Heh... Good ol' Donnybrook.


PS: Someone in town is gonna need a super soft birthday party, too!
-
Also LOL. I had to look up Swordfish & I am shocked I'd never seen it. But that scene absolutely made me laugh!!!!)

"Ol' references? Don't gotta worry 'bout that. Same with the math - Enoch can handle those parts well 'nuff." He willfully neglected the taxes part, grinning as his order arrived. Rory drew the knife from the absolute unit of a burger, using it to cut it into sections. "I know ya said that yer typical ride's all busted-up-like, could lend ya somethin' ta get around with in tha meantime."

As he goes to take the first bite of his burger, he shoots Caprice a knowing glance. After finishing the portion, he speaks up. "Sparky would kill me if he found out I let anythin' slip.." He pauses, looking thoughtful. "That's if, though.." A dangerous idea was worming its way into his brain now that Enoch wasn't around to keep that in check.

Vince smiled. That were two stones off his chest. If it was this easy, the work really must suck.
"It's a recent purchase. Fell in love with a van. She was also burning for me, just… quite literally."
Vince admitted. He tilted his head.
"Could need a set of wheels while I wait on the repairs." he admitted. He couldn't exactly open an Uber-account right now.
Those were formalities he would take care off later.
It felt like there was a hidden cost, something he didn't see.
Vince didn't care much, you couldn't get blood from a stone, or money from someone with no money to speak off and a willingness to skip town at the drop of a hat.

He emptied his Pepsi before the meal arrived and ordered a new one. Then he grabbed himself one of the crayons to quickly scribble a… well, sheath in front of one of the swords Gil just had painted.
His knee tipped in the rythm of whatever Rockabiity-Song the bar has chosen to play now, and left the Gil that was almost on his lap anyways little rest.

For a moment he looked from his new boss to cap and back. Alright, the grown ups were talking now, and he didn't understand a thing.
Just like back home!
The question marks seemed almost tangible above his head, but he said nothing and instead started eating. The table manners of a werewolf left a bit to desire, they always choose the wrong knife when eating the deer they just killed.
Vince wasn't the exception, and he stuffed his face rather unceremoniously, only stopping to quickly steal one of the fries from Gil. It was a daring heist, he took the fry as she was about to lift it to her mouth right out of her fingers - with his own mouth.
And just like a dog that had something in his mouth that he wasn't allowed to eat, he made sure to chew quickly.

That glass was picked up and he took a sip of his eater as he watched the kiddos start doodling happily. Oh, to be young again. Though to be fair Gild and Vince weren’t super young for their species. They were just easily entertained. But he loved that joy. So simple and carefree. Must be nice.

The food came and Cap moved to not only take the receipt and tuck it way but to also take off the glove one of his hands so that he could also start eating, one piece at a time. Though each piece was dipped in the diner’s honey mustard. It was lovely. But the pace was definitely a bit slower than the others who apparently have been starving for many moons. “We don't have to worry about you eating proper meals while here, do we Vince?” Cap just wanted to know if he should be worried for the dog or if this was a normal sort of deal. Who knows. Dude could have food trauma.

But those words coming out of the other man’s lips made that smile pull back a little farther as his brow lifted. “If? I do love if.” He took a bite of his tender and leaned forward. He was all ears.

Gil admires Rory's burger as it comes by. Stunning!
She's listening to discussion of cars and jobs, not for lack of interest, but that she's always down to help.

As Vince finishes his sheath doodle, Gil laughs and turns the filthy drawing into a perfectly innocent banana fudge sundae 8=D **{|})) **donut situation. She can't even finish it without laughing. The fountain-y doodle of drippy icing trails off to the edge of the paper.

When their food arrives it's not clear who is influencing who here. She matches Vince's excited approach to her meal until he so sneakily, so carefully, extracts the crispy cheesy fry from her salty fingers. With a theatrical act of disappointment at his bad behavior, Gil wags a finger... But, she gives in.
"I'm typically very fry aggressive! Good thing you're cute!" She continues to offer him fries.

Gil's no stranger to Caprice's tidiness, she's not bothered or mocking

Rory soon finishes off the rest of the burger with far more speed than grace before wiping his hands clean, chugging a drink just as quick, and cleanly fishes out a card from his jacket pocket - one from Tempest in a Teapot. He also procures a pen, scratching out Enoch's number and highlights his own on it before handing it over to the other man. "We'll getcha hooked up all-nice like." Rory then flashes one more grin at Vince before his attention shifts over to Caprice.

"Yeah, uh..it's 'Resource Acquisition'. Y'see, we have some folks we like to find and collect--" The cowboy immediately quietens as his phone begins to ring, and he hurries to check it - Enoch. Of course, his brother's timing was always on point, in some way or another. He nearly fumbles with the phone as he answers. "Y'ello - somethin' up?"

The call is brief, as such things always were with Enoch, and Rory sighs once it concludes. "Aight, Chief needs a ride ta drop one last thing off afore his real big arrangement fer the night. I'll catch y'all later. Just' uh..lemme know what my share o' the bill is, n' I'll send it on over." With that, he rises from his seat, and tips his hat to the other three before leaving the booth, and then the diner.

Just as he steps outside, Rory catches a glimpse of another vehicle from the corner of his eye. One that wasn't there before when he'd arrived. It starts up, and slowly begins to drive away - thankfully, in the opposite direction of where he needed to be going. Even still, it gave him a serious case of the heebie-jeebies, and he jogs over to Ol' Ruby and locks himself inside, waiting a few more moments, at least until it was far enough away. And then, he starts his own vehicle up, moving on as quick as he can, didn't want to keep Enoch waiting too long, of course.

Vince totally fell for Gill's trap card!
He at least tried to add a tongue, a nose and a two eyes, making his original drawing very clumsily resemble a mouth
"I've done Acquisition before." he said to Rory as he drew. Well, polite eye-contact was something he had yet to learn. He just lifed his head as the cowboy was about to leave.
"Now I feel like swindling you on the bill is part of the job interview." Vince admitted with a smile. "…well, next time I can drive people around. See you soon, hopefully."
He tipped his imaginary hat as the guy was leaving.

Then he looked at the results of his drawing. It was terribly obvious what it used to be, so terrible he had to laugh at it once more.
"So, what is the deal with that guy, you and secrets?" he asked Cap, before turning to Gil. "…and how cute exactly?" he added, before quickly eating yet another fry out of her hands. He might be pushing it, at least at one front.