cuddlecity | colors spilling from night to day (ota)

Entry tags:

colors spilling from night to day (ota)

CHARACTERS: Claire Temple & Derek Hale; Claire Temple & you
LOCATIONS: Dinah's, the hospital, wherever you'd like
WARNINGS: None, as far as I know so far, will edit if required
SUMMARY: Claire goes on a breakfast date, and is here for any and all scratches. Come see her!!

i. closed to derek's; dinah's

[ The night was barely letting up, even as 6 am rolled out. Still in her scrubs, a comfortable hoodie thrown over them, Claire leaves the hospital under the night sky, despite her shift being over. Winter days always makes her feel like she should be staying longer, like her shift isn't finished until the sun is coming up.

It's also that shifts, in Cadelle, feel too long and too short all at the same time, because she finds herself with very little to do too often. It stretches the hours but also makes her feel like she's not doing enough. A weird dichotomy.

But this morning, she's ready for her work day to be done. She's starving, which makes her drive faster than she should to Dinah's for breakfast - not the fact that she's supposed to meet Derek there, no. The diner is empty when she makes it there anyway, the bell sounding loud in the quiet of the place as she walks in, gets herself situated in a small booth. She can wait for him anyway - at least that way she gets some coffee, to fight how cold her fingers feel.

When he does come in, she'll greet him with a little wave and a big smile, before going back to the menu in front of her. ]

ii. open; hospital

[ The more common accidents that happen in Cadelle are not the ones that Claire is the most used to dealing with. Here, there are no bullet wounds, no gang fights, no violence between men. Here, she helps with domestic accidents more than anything else - not that they can't be very bad themselves, but it is refreshing, in a way, for her to deal with accidents that have nothing to do with men hating other men.

And, more often than not, the hospital is quiet. So tonight, when you come in with your emergency, Claire is most probably rearranging the supplies locker for the umpteenth time, or maybe racing herself around the empty corridors, or dancing to the radio while cleaning up a bed (or the Christmas decorations she put up a few weeks ago). Whichever it is, she'll stop everything to help you out, of course. ]

iii. open; wildcard

[ Hmu with anything! Find me at

ellievolia if you'd like to plot something in particular! ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Oh, it's just called Soledad's. Very typical, really, but my dad thought it was romantic to use my mom's name.

[ She smiles, listening intently until he talks about not being human, which... Well, comes as a surprise. But she also lives in a world where she's seen aliens, and Gods, and superheroes run around in spandex and star-spangled costumes.

So, while she takes a little time to respond, she doesn't feel like it changes all that much. Well, depending on what he says next, of course. She can't help the few thoughts that cross her mind about it, too - whether if he's asking if it bothers her because he's interested in her, or if he's just worried she'd turn away from friendship just because of what he just confessed.

Without thinking, she reaches out, putting a hand on top of his. ]

It doesn't bother me. But I've got to ask... if you're not technically human, what are you?

That is kind of romantic, in his defense.

[ Derek smiles at that, although the smile fades a little with her question. It isn't that he's worried about how she'll react, but...

Well, he's kind of worried about how she'll react. Anytime he tells someone new what he really is, it worries him a little. He's been conditioned for the better part of his life to believe that the werewolf needs to be a secret that only other werewolves and supernaturals should know. He's been conditioned to believe that it makes him a target and could cost him his life, and while he knows that's not true here and he's gotten better at sharing, he still hasn't kicked that uncomfortable feeling in the pit of his stomach that comes with doing so, just yet.

Her hand on his is a little reassuring, though, so there is that? ]

I'm a werewolf.

[ He pauses then, meaning to give her a chance to absorb that information and process it, because for some people, that would be a lot to take in and he knows it. ]

[ Claire waits patiently as Derek obviously thinks things through, before the words leave his lips. Which surprise her, and she doesn't try to hide the way her eyes widen. Sure, she's seen aliens and ninjas and she's friends with a blind man that can hear heartbeats miles away, but there are some things, she guesses, she expected to stay myths.

Which doesn't entirely makes sense, come to think of it. She's been talking with people coming from all sorts of time eras, since arriving to Cadelle. She's seen a God naked. She's flirted outrageously with a gunslinger from the Wild West and gave advice to a kid that lives on the Moon.

Why not a werewolf? It's not weirder than anything else, after all. So she squeezes Derek's hand, looking straight into his eyes as she smiles. ]

Now I get why you said you couldn't have doctors see you, back home. [ She bites her lip, her scientific curiosity making her want to know so much more. ] I have so many questions, but I don't think it's super appropriate, so I should probably refrain.

[ When she's quiet for a moment, it makes Derek more antsy than he'd like to admit, but it isn't long enough to make him very uncomfortable. At least she's processed the information quickly and doesn't appear or sound too terribly traumatized by the realization that werewolves are real.

He smiles a little and gives a knowing look coupled with a little nod. That's exactly why he can't see doctors at home, but he supposes he doesn't have to confirm that. She knows.

That lip bite makes him smirk a little, because before she even continues, he has a feeling he knows what's next. If she isn't afraid, she's likely to be curious and Claire certainly doesn't disappoint. ]

You can ask me whatever you want, I just can't promise to answer. At least not in public like this where just anybody can overhear.

[ She takes him in some more, before smiling, letting out a slightly embarrassed chuckle as she knows - she knows she's going to go off on all of her scientific curiosity, right now. ]

Okay, fine. I'm just - what does it entail? Is it a 'got to turn into a wolf on the full moon', or is it something you control? Does it mean you can only be hurt by silver weapons? Do you like, go hunt at night and stuff? Do you have rapid healing powers?

[ All of it comes out in a rush, and a deep blush adorns her cheeks when she stops, feeling a little stupid about it. ]

Sorry - sorry. I guess I'm just curious about reality versus fiction.

[ A smile tugs up the corners of his mouth when she starts spouting off questions one after the other. He probably should've anticipated that, but it still comes as a surprise. An amusing one, but a surprise all the same. ]

No, I learned to control it when I was in my teens...my sisters learned a lot faster, so it varies from werewolf to werewolf. A friend of mine learned in less than a month or something like that, which is embarrassing for me because it took me sixteen years and I was born this way; took him exponentially less and he was bitten, so go figure. I can be hurt by everything, just like a human, it's just that I heal a lot faster than a human does from most things. There are a few things that can injure me in ways that I can't heal from properly. Silver is one of them.

[ He pauses, trying to replay her questions in his head to see if he missed one. He's pretty sure he did, but he can't recall what it was. ]

It's okay, don't worry. I'd rather you ask than make assumptions, since I know that fictional werewolves where I come from don't really put us real ones in a very good light. There's a reason people hunt us. I'd prefer to clear up inconsistencies than foster fear by not educating people when they want to be educated, you know? I don't mind.

[ The amazing thing is that as he answers her questions, he answers even more that she didn't even think of asking yet.

That's when their food arrive, and Claire is quick to push her plate to the middle of the table to share with him, grabbing a fork. The smell of pancakes is suddenly awakening how hungry she is. She chews as she takes in the amount of information he just gave her, eyes taking him in in a whole different light now.

God, but he's gorgeous. She can't deny that - nor would she want to. ]

Ah, so you can be born a werewolf. It's not like vampires. Wait, I'm sorry. Is that offensive?

[ She stops, her fork in mid-air. She doesn't want to put her foot in her mouth. ]

You've got enhanced senses?

[ Derek looks up when the food arrives, following Claire's example and moving his own plate to the middle, since they'd agreed to share so they could both have a taste of either type.

He waits until he's sure that the waiter isn't going to come back with anything he forgot before Derek looks back at Claire and gives her his attention again. ]

You can, yeah. I honestly don't know anything about vampires, except myth. Since they're undead, it makes sense that they can't reproduce. We're perfectly mortal. We live longer and we age a little differently, but we're definitely mortal, and living, so yeah. You can be born a werewolf.

[ He grins a little, lifting his forkful for his own first bite. ]

So no. Not offensive.

[ He pauses before taking it to answer. ]

Yeah, I can hear, see, and smell a lot better than humans. I can tell how someone might be feeling based on their chemosignals; little changes in their natural scent given off by their emotions and hormones, or whatever. I can tell if people are lying, too, which is nice.

[ Well now, that last part definitely gets him a raised eyebrow, an interested look on her face. It makes sense, but it's still quite fascinating.

She licks maple syrup off of the corner of her mouth, looking at Derek with what can definitely be considered a flirting look. If he's not completely oblivious to it, at least. Claire doesn't really think she's very subtle most of the time, because she is a grown woman and she has no time for it; she wants, and if it's not reciprocated, she'd rather move on quickly.

She cuts another piece of pancake with her fork, talking before she puts it in her mouth. ]

Oh yeah? What am I feeling, then?

[ Derek's eyebrows lift with both amusement and the challenge she's set forth. He doesn't miss that look, either. It might have been a while and he might be a little rusty, but he's not so rusty that he doesn't recognize a flirtatious look when he sees one, especially when coupled with that question.

Derek lowers his voice a little, leaning in over the table just slightly so that she'll be able to hear him. ]

Besides curious? I can tell that from the questions; I don't need my nose for that. I know that you're aroused. I can sense a tension that would suggest anticipation.

[ He smirks a little and pauses. ]

All that in addition to being tired as hell from a long day, you've got quite a lot going on with you right now, Nurse Temple.

[ She lets out a chuckle, looking down at the plates on the table. It is what she expected, and also isn't - she doesn't know him well enough yet to be able to say if he's the forward kind of guy, but now, it appears he is.

And she can appreciate that.

Switching to the sweet toppings, she fixes him with a look as they both lean over the table, tongue touching her top lip before she eats another forkful of pancakes. ]

There is a lot going on with me, indeed. I'm still looking forward to that bath, when I get home. That is, if there's nothing you want to do about that tension...

[ It's very forward of her, and she knows it. But there's also teasing in her voice, nothing serious about it. She's in a mood, but she isn't about to be mad if it's not reciprocated. ]

[ Derek's eyebrows lift at her forward remark. He's hardly offended by it, but it does come as a bit of a surprise and it's not typically his thing on a first date. It used to be, but then he learned that not getting to know someone worse has a tendency to leave dead bodies in the wake of his sexual escapades; now he's a little more careful. Even here. ]

As tempting as that is — and believe me, it is — maybe sometime when you haven't just worked a full on shift. You should relax after this and I'm not very good at helping people relax. My specialty is a little closer to getting people wound up.

[ He smirks a little. It's his way of letting her know that he's absolutely interested, just not today. Just in case she was being serious under that teasing tone. He doesn't want her to think he's rejecting the idea, because he isn't at all; only the timing.

He when she switches to the strawberries and cream, Derek switches to the bacon and maple and he has to consider how he feels about the taste for a second. Derek hasn't ever tried a savory with waffles. He laughs a little when he's chewed and swallowed his mouthful.]

I can't decide how I feel about this... It's good but it's...definitely different.

[ She laughs, dismissing his rejection as quickly as it comes. She takes shots, and sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. She's hardly embarrassed by it.

Tempting, but not tempting enough. She gives him a half-smile, her fork in her mouth as she licks whipped cream off of it. ]

All right.

[ No need to dwell on it. She'll go home, get in that bath, take care of herself. Nothing she's not done before.

His next words make her laugh, raise an eyebrow. ]

You've never had pancakes with maple syrup and bacon? Have you lived? Damn, Derek. What about chicken and waffles?

[ It's a bit of a relief that she seems to brush off the temporary rejection, because he's actually been kind of starting to wonder if his disinterest in hooking up casually on a first or second meeting, regardless of whether he has or has not connected with a woman is hurting his ability to have follow up meetings. Things had seemed okay with Glinda, but then she'd left without a word. Before her, Felicity had done the same. A part of him wants to ask, but that's setting himself up for embarrassment and he'd really rather not.

Instead, he'll just continue hoping that he'll meet someone who will understand his hesitance and come back anyway. Maybe Claire will be that person. ]

With maple syrup, yeah, and with whipped cream or strawberries, bananas, or blueberries, but never with bacon.

[ He laughs a little shaking his head and having the grace to look playfully ashamed for it. ]

I've never mixed savory with sweet in breakfast foods, until now. It's always been one or the other, the sole exception being eating a piece of fruit when I'm also eating, say, eggs and bacon. Clearly, I have not lived. Thank God I met you so we can fix it, because this is really good.

[ In her mind, the ball's in his court. She expressed her interest and left it to him - she felt no embarrassment for it, but wasn't going to try again. It was on him, now, which was perfectly fine with Claire. She'd done it before, and she'd gotten a friend out of it.

Man, but Cadelle is not quite working for her as she hoped, so far. ]

Clearly you have not. See, this is why you want to have breakfast with a girl who lived in a diner half her life. My sister and I used to try the most random combinations, just to have something new, a few years in. Which is how my dad ended up putting a waffle burger on the menu.

[ She eats another bite of pancakes, before sighing contently. ]

Here, let you in on a secret: bacon and cheddar oatmeal.

[ Derek laughs a little. He likes that she has a sense of humor; that's certainly encouraging. ]

I obviously should have been seeking out girls who lived in diners for half their lives far, far sooner. What is a waffle burger? Do you use waffles for the buns or...?

[ He honestly can't even picture what else she might possibly mean besides that.

Derek's eyebrows lift with interest. ]

I'll have to give that a shot sometime. See, look at that, I'm learning new things.

[ It takes a conscious effort for Derek not to inhale his food, because he typically does when he's alone and it's a tough habit to break. It isn't necessarily that he's starving, but his body always seems to think he is.

When a lull falls over the conversation, Derek swallows a mouthful of strawberries and cream pancakes before breaking into the quiet again. ]

So, if a guy wanted to take you out again, what kinds of things would you be interested in...? Food is always a safe bet; everybody eats, but let's say hypothetically he wanted to try something a little less predictable.

Yes - [ then, emphasized: ] yes. Two waffles as the buns, and whatever you feel like having in between, although I'm partial to a pulled pork, egg and american jack waffle burger. But I obviously have much refined tastebuds than you do.

[ She winks, as if the tone of her voice didn't make the teasing obvious. She and her sister did try some ridiculous combinations over the years, but some of them were now staples of Soledad's, so she would never complain. Even about that monstrosity of a broccoli-blue cheese-falafel nightmare they tried once.

If she's surprised by his following question, Claire tries not to show it. The ball's in his court, and apparently, he's grabbing it. She's not going to complain. ]

Believe it or not, but I haven't gone to a museum in years. For someone living in New York, I think it's quite a shame, too.

[ Laughing, Derek takes another bite of the sweeter pancakes. He's partial to it, personally, even if he's willing to admit wholeheartedly that both are pretty damn good. ]

Oh, obviously.

[ While her wink and the teasing tone of her voice suggest she's kidding, Derek doesn't do the same; he deadpans it, but there might or might not be a sparkle of amusement hiding behind his eyes. ]

If it makes you feel any better, I haven't been to a museum since the last middle school field trip I was on... But duly noted. We'll have to check out the one they have here.

[ Actually, that sounds kind of nice, considering museums are typically very quiet and there's nothing Derek loves more than a quiet place, especially considering his sensitive ears. ]

[ She laughs at his deadpan response, amused by the reaction. Sarcasm and deadpan is usually not lost on her - she's got to keep a sense of humor with the life she lives.

We. Guess he's played his card, then.

But then again, Claire is a catch. He'd be foolish not to want to see her again, after all, she thinks with a little smirk to herself, putting her fork down, full now. ]

I guess we shall have to.

[ Taking the response as a green light, Derek smiles to himself. There, that's established, a follow up with Claire which is nice because not only does he find her attractive, but he's been open with her now and he likes that he won't have to hide a huge piece of himself with her.

Contented with the knowledge that he hasn't completely blown it, Derek goes on to enjoy the rest of his breakfast with her, already looking forward to the next time they'll meet up. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

colors spilling from night to day (ota)

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

/scene