royal_musings | [Open Post] Where the Streets Have No Name

"Oh man," Lucas slides easily into the passenger seat, clicking his belt on and leaning back into the seat with an amused laugh. "Casper...it's been a few years since I've heard that."

No one at the Academy gave him a nickname, but maybe that was for the best.

"So how is big city life really treating you?" It sounded as if her job was taking off, which was good to hear!, but their hometown hadn't been nearly as bustling. Not out in the sticks either, but nothing like this.

"Well, considering I'm one of the only people to call you that...," she trailed off, sending him what she hoped came across as a teasing look. She started to drive again, pulling out of the parking lot of the hotel and hitting the road.

Les glanced over at him. "It's going really well. Don and Ricky's shop is growing in popularity, we've met some great new friends and we're starting to get a name for ourselves in the racing community in town. So it's been really exciting to see it coming together. The city is huge but we're enjoying it. Definitely a huge adjustment."

She focused on the road a bit before glancing at Lucas. "How about you though? The Academy treated you well? And you're happy with what you're doing?"

"Heh, that's true." It brought back some fond memories, making their time in high school more bearable to say the least. It wasn't always easy, but they muddled through those years as well as they could.

"Big city life everything it's cracked up to be? I mean, it's good that it's going well, though. I know it takes a lot of work and crazy hours to get something like that up and running," He met her gaze with a big grin, eager to hear how things were working out. He wanted to ask something a bit more personal about it, but held off. It was better to reconnect first than dig at something potentially painful.

"I'm doing pretty good. Academy was...it was rough but in a good way. Like boot camp for weirdos." He laughed breathily, "The work's good but the hours can be long. I mean, we both knew I wasn't gonna stick to a regular job anyways so why not jump into this with both feet?"

Les smiled as she thought back on those days. Although life was a bit of a challenge, she'd was thankful that she'd had her family and had made a great friend in Lucas. It helped that they both knew the other wasn't exactly as human as everyone else.

"It has its own set of problems but honestly? We've all taken it like a duck to water. There's always something to do, things to see... the water is nearby which I definitely love. The cost of living is ridiculous and stupid but all in all? We really like it." She paused for a moment, considering. "You know, I think Don and Ricky regret not moving down sooner but because of the said cost of living, it's a really good thing we didn't." She grinned. It had been a challenge but they'd always thrived on challenges when it came down to it.

Les glanced over at him. "I can imagine it was but I'm really glad you went. You deserve to have something that you really enjoy - long hours and all. Normal jobs are vastly overrated if you ask me." And even if no one asked her, if she felt comfortable with you, she gave you her opinion anyway!

"Sometimes you gonna go against the grain a little to find out if you're made from sterner stuff, right?" The shop and everything involved with it, that's a big risk in his eyes. He would have been nervous trying to make a leap like that, but one glance aside told him for Les, it was the right choice. She's practically glowing while speaking about it all.

"I mean, I think I'm with Don and Ricky on this one. It's kind of painful to spend twelve bucks on a sandwich. At least it's working out for the best." He does have to wonder though, and decides to go for broke. Les would set him straight either way, he feels, "Being a shifter in the big city working out okay, too?"

Lucas ducks his head a little at her questions, his smile crinkling the corners of his eyes. There she goes, setting the record straight! He laughs in agreement, "For sure! As boring as the paperwork can be at least it's not normal job boring?"

"Exactly," Les agreed with a grin. "Which, let's be honest, is essentially my life in a nutshell." It hadn't just been her going into the shop, it was Don, Ricky, and Abby - they all brought something to it and made it run. They all believed in it. And in a city like San Francisco when a shop like theirs was a dime a dozen, they all realized it was a huge risk. It had been a struggle but they were working hard to make something of it by whatever they needed to do. There was a group of racers who'd made their shop a favorite so that had certainly helped.

She laughed and nodded. "Isn't that for damn sure," she said as she shook her head. "That part is ridiculous." At the question about being a shifter in the city, she allowed herself a smile. "It hasn't been the easiest but Ricky knows a guy outside the city a bit, a shifter too who has allowed us to go running. There's a ton of trees and places to explore. It's not as convenient as when we were younger but it's better than nothing."

Les glanced over at him and noticed how happy he was talking about it. "Exactly. You have to choose your boring. In this case, boring paperwork is better than a normal job boring any day. So I imagine you travel a ton, don't you? Has that been fun?"

"That's true," He conceded with a laugh. Between the two of them Lucas always thought Les was the stronger one. The admiration he had carried when they were younger came flooding back to the forefront of his mind, watching her while she spoke about life in the big city. It suited her, in a way, carving out a path that was uniquely her own. By her own merits.

"Not something they taught us in school, is it?" He waved his arms, making big grand gestures while he spoke, "Shoot for the moon and explode into stars! Wait...no, that's not it."

He doesn't bother stifling a laugh at that before settling back to a simple smile, "Traveling a bit now that I'm not so green behind the ears, and it's been fun. I think you'd like part of it, meeting people from all over. Some of them have some interesting stories, you know?"

Finding this thing that she did well and that she enjoyed was a long hard road to come to. Over the years, she's considered everything from being a vet (hard no, she'd cry) to pursue being an actress (she'd even tried out for a play in high school) but ultimately, she always returned to spending all her free time in Don and Ricky's garage. She'd realized this was her thing and she loved it. She also could readily admit that she loved the feeling it gave her when she knew a little more about cars than most guys who just thought they knew cars.

She laughed at the analogy before shooting him an amused grin. "Especially not in our school. I think they were just hoping our classes wouldn't have the highest drop out rate," she said, her tone teasing.

"Oh, that part - the traveling and listening to people's stories? I know I would love," she agreed. "And the investigating haunted places part is especially intriguing." Les enjoyed listening to him talk about his job and she could tell just how much he enjoyed it. She'd been so proud of him that he went for it. That took a lot of guts and that he's been successful at it so far said a lot.

"God, right? Or end up with half the class in jail or something. It's honestly a wonder we made it out of there." But it did have a part in who they are now, like it or not. Some of it he even misses

"Man I hope I can drag you along, you might change your tune." He snickers. "It can be tedious, but when it gets exciting, it gets really exciting."

And he'd keep on yapping if it wasn't for his stomach giving a loud, unhappy gurgle from not being fed. Lucas pats his midsection, trying to stifle the heat of embarrassment in his cheeks. He tends to skip meals while working...

"There were some days that were questionable at best," Les said with a laugh. Truthfully, it had made them who they were and she couldn't deny that one bit.

Her mouth quirked up. "Change my tune to what, make me never want to go for an investigation again or do more of them," she asked with a laugh, glancing over at him.

It was a good thing then that they were just blocks away from their destination. She was grateful to find a parking spot not too far away from the coffee and tea house in Japantown. "It's just a block away if you're good with walking," she said, getting out of her car and shutting the door behind her. "I'm really looking forward to having one of their pastries again. Then, if you want, we can explore the area a bit?"

"I mean, it really could go either way." Although he would never go so far as to suggest Les leave what she's built here, no way. Who knows, though, maybe she could help out the local IOPSA branch from time to time, but thankfully his stomach is saved from its torment as they arrive at their destination.

"Come on, I know it's a desk job a lot of the times but I still go out on my daily runs!" Although they were a lot less fun without someone to run with, but he's not going to complain.

"A block is like, pffft, nothing, Les." He pops out of the car with bag in hand, "But depending on how good the food is, you might have to roll me out!"

She laughed and nodded. She'd have no problem assisting in cases if it didn't interfere with work or races. Or, if it paid just as much as she'd get at a race, she'd give it some good thought. "Really though, it sounds like a lot of fun - even the paperwork," she said, looking at him with a grin.

"I have no problem rolling you out of it comes to that. There is a ton of great food around here. I really think you'll like it," Les said with a grin, joining him on the sidewalk then paying the meter. The last thing she wanted was to be towed!

"So other than work, how's life been treating you?"

"Well you know, not a lot of foodie choices back home." Small town woes. If anyone could understand, it's Les. Sometimes his co-workers just don't get it!

"Work's kinda eaten up a lot of my time, actually. So outside of that it's okay?" Saying that out loud sounds kind of lame, now that he thinks about it. "I think I need a hobby. I have been keeping up with the El Camino though, one day I might even get the body work done."

Maybe. That's been a forever project since he turned sixteen. It still looks like a POS but it runs like a champ. With a sheepish grin he eyes Les, tone lightly teasing, "How about you? Hitting up all the clubs, living the big bourgeois city life?"

"Isn't that for damn sure," she agreed with a laugh before leading the way to the tea and coffee house. She nodded when he talked about how work ate up a lot of time. Les could relate to that. The shop and cars kept her busy in and out of work.

She shot him a grin. "I get that. Work eats up a lot of time in general. Oh? Good, I'm glad to know you've been keeping up with it. Well, if you ever want assistance with the bodywork, let me know. It's something I've been learning how to do. I want to show a car at SEMA one day or another big car show."

"God no, I was never into the club scene. You know that" she said, shaking her head with a laugh. "Work, primarily and racing. Working on my project car with a little assistance from Don and Ricky. Random road trips down or up the coast when I can. Driving helps clear my head."

"Honestly I'm not sure when I'll have that kind of time, but then again..." He takes a moment as they enter the shop to take an appreciative sniff of the air. That big grin on his face? Lucas seal of approval. "I should make time."

Because he'd let so much slip between his fingers already and it'd only been a handful of years. But some things don't change and he snorts at her reaction. Of course Lucas knew she wasn't much into that scene, he hadn't been either! "Ya feel that, Les? That's me yanking you're chain. Big time!"

As they meander up to the counter, he puts a pin in any further remarks to hold after making an order. "Got any recommendations? Otherwise I'll just go with my usual."

The biggest cup he could get of the house brew with cream. And whatever pastry caught his fancy in the moment. Already the selection is looking good so it might be a tough choice.

Les laughed at the appreciative sniff and the wide grin that spread over his face. "I've been told finding hobbies outside of work is important," she teased him, repeating something that perhaps an old teacher or counselor shared with her. Even when she was in high school, she had worked at the shop Don and Ricky ran back home and was told time and time again that she needed to focus on school if she ever hoped to graduate. School, hobbies... they were the same difference, right?

She grinned as she shook her head. "Uh-huh, it's like you don't even know me," she scoffing noise, looking her best to look put out though she truly wasn't, pulling his chain this time. So she was perhaps a little dramatic!

"You can't go wrong with your usual," she said with a grin. "They make a great dirty chai as well."

"You wound me, Les! Arrow!" He jabs a finger into his chest while making the appropriate whmpt! sound affect. "Straight to the heart~! And you're to blame~!"

And the song cuts off right there before he gets too far, mostly because he's laughing too much to continue.

"True! Or I could branch out. You convinced me, dirty chai it is." And something to munch on as well.

Les laughed and shook her head. She would have continued said song but they were in line and the cashier was ready for them to speed up the process. "And honestly, all of the pastries I've tried so far are delicious," she said before she ordered the largest iced dirty chai latte she could and a chocolate croissant.

"Do you want to just chill out in here? Or we can find a place outside?"

Sorry, not sorry, barista. He's having too much fun to feel too badly about holding things up in line, but he makes his pastery selection quick enough before they pay and move aside. At that question Lucas sweeps his pale gaze over the inside of the shop. It's cozy in here, for sure, and definitely not a terrible place to chill for a bit. Outside is easier to carry on conversations that may stray into the weirder side of things.

"Weather's nice and all, so let's go snag an outside table."

Thankfully the service seems to be quick, while they stand off to the side chatting their order comes up, ready for the taking. Lucas sloshes his drink around in the cup, catching whiffs of the expresso and grins brightly. "Whoo...this smells promising. I'm excited to be jittering off the walls later. Hope you're ready for that."

Les nodded in agreement. Considering who the two of them were (a medium and a werewolf) it was a good option to go outside where they're less likely to be overheard. Though, truth be told, most were just going about their lives and wouldn't pay much attention to what two twenty-something's were talking about anyway.

She took a drink from her cup with a happy sigh then laughed at his reaction. "Well, it's good to know that somethings never change," she said, teasing as she walked out of the building with a parting thank you.

"How was the investigation you had by the way? Find anything interesting," she asked once they were settled at one of the tables outside.

That comment earns Les a grin but he takes a few moments to sip again at his drink and tap his fingers against the mug. Normally he'd stay pretty mum about an open case, but she's not going to go blabbing. Plus he thought it was kind of interesting.

"Well, actually it's this little bar right? With a patron who just can't take the hint and leave. Hasn't for the last twenty-five years according to what the rest of the team could dig up." On its surface, a pretty small fries investigation, honestly.

"They called me in because no one could figure out why the guy seemed stuck in place, you know? Like a loop. Would you believe the poor soul was trying to get his card back?"

She had to wonder just what little bar it was but in this place, they were all over and it was like a needle in a haystack. Les listened to him as he spoke and tore off a piece of her chocolate croissant then popped it into her mouth. Her eyebrows rose before she laughed. "Did he know he was dead? Do they have something like ghost credit card bills because if so, I can see why he'd want it."

Lucas snorted, nearly kicking up coffee in his face. "That would sure be a thing, right? MasterDeath card."

For a moment that got him, his laugh quickly escalating into a giggle fit he couldn't put the lid back on. Not until it ran itself out, at least. "Oh man...priceless." Another snort-laugh before much of that mirth died away. "But actually, no. Poor guy has no clue. He's not being malicious, the current owner just wants to see if there's anything they can do for the spirit. So at least it's not some pissed off poltergeist slinging around glassware or anything like that."

Although those could be fun cases, but for different reasons. "He sure is insistent on that card, though. So I kinda wonder if it's stolen or something."

Maybe that was speaking ill of the dead, but...who knows what lingering regret can hold someone to this mortal realm. Shrugging, Lucas sipped at his coffee. "I mean, that's the long and short of it, if you want the more deets I guess I could put you to sleep with them."

"Let's not even play, we both know if they can make money as ghosts on the other side, they would definitely attempt it," Les said with a laugh, watching him with amusement. "And you should definitely trademark that. MasterDeath Card is the best name for a credit card on the other side."

She took a sip of her chai latte and shook her head. "That poor guy. At least it's not an intentional malicious haunting. That makes it a bit easier to deal with, I imagine."

Les shook her head with a laugh. "Sounds like it was a great case to come to San Francisco for. But I'm glad you did. I'm glad we get to reconnect."

"Hah! Ain't that the damn truth?" Snickering Lucas pauses to take another sip of coffee while his lips smile around the rim of the cup. "And maybe I will. If I strike it rich I'm throwing half at you for the idea!"

Wouldn't that be something, too? Kind of like the old days, when they'd dream up far fetched scenarios to get out of that sleepy little town. The odds were always long, but somehow they at least the getting out part.

"I'm glad I did, too." He can only keep his gaze on Les for a moment, smile warming even as he finds a spot on the table to look at instead. "I really dropped the ball keeping up and...I missed you. A lot."

[Open Post] Where the Streets Have No Name

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i'm sorry about her - she's a mess sometimes! Lol!

Les is great no worries xD

OH GOOD! :D

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