Fandom Island Museum, Thursday Daytime

[hasaknightjob]

After the ups and downs of the past two weeks, it was rather comforting for Steven to be back at work. It was something known and familiar. Plus Steven could focus on catching up on everything that had been waiting for him during his time away.

Paperwork was much better than getting lost in his thoughts right now.

Distractions worked too, if any of those happened to occur.

[open!]

Comments

[pocketpretzels]

A distraction, you say?

How about a visit from one’s beau in the afternoon? Well past lunch, since their weekly date was not until tomorrow.

“Hello, you.”

[hasaknightjob]

Steven hadn't expected a visit at all from said beau, which was clear from the look of delight on his face. "Hello, you. This is a lovely surprise."

[pocketpretzels]

“Oh, good,” Watts said, in a not entirely exaggerated show of relief. “You’ve not tired of me yet.”

[hasaknightjob]

"Hardly possible for that to happen," Steven said. "I like a limitless supply of you, really."

Yes, Llewellyn had stayed over last night. What did that matter? It had been hours now.

[pocketpretzels]

Well that got a smirk out of Watts, for just a moment.

“And what of time for a short snack break?” Watts wondered.

[hasaknightjob]

"Could do with a break," Steven said. "Why? Do you have something in mind?"

[pocketpretzels]

From the tote bag slung over one shoulder, Watts produced a jar of saskatoon berry jam and a container of (homemade) English muffins.

“Look what I was able to find!” he said triumphantly.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven gave a bark of delighted laughter. "That's brilliant! Was that one of your secret purchases as well?"

[pocketpretzels]

“It was,” Watts confirmed. “Though I checked and they do indeed sell it in the shop here as well.” Which meant he had hopes that the berries themselves would be available once in season. Because saskatoon berry pie…

[hasaknightjob]

"Whose been sly and clever then?" Steven asked with an appreciative smile. "You."

Steven indicated the English muffins. "Did you make those?"

[pocketpretzels]

“I did,” Watts confirmed. “Quite similar to regular bread, really, only they’re fried instead of baked in the oven.”

[hasaknightjob]

"You didn't!" Steven said, but in a manner which suggested that he was very impressed with his beau. "Shall we make a picnic of it? Our usual spot?"

[pocketpretzels]

“If you’ve time?” Watts said, though he was reasonably certain Steven wouldn’t have offered if he couldn’t spare a few minutes.

[mylandmyrules]

Nell stopped in before lunch to say hello to Steven. It had been a while, so she wanted to make sure she got to ah him about his trips.

"Good morning," she said cheerfully.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven waved at her. "Nell! Good to see you. Feels like ages, hasn't it?"

[mylandmyrules]

"Two weeks," Nell said with a smile. She had a wrapped package with her. She'd taken some of the ikat weaving from her trip to Indonesia and made it into four place mats.

"I brought a little something for you - well, for you and the Detective really," she said, handing him the package.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven took the package, pleasantly surprised to be given one. "Cheers. That's kind of you. Should I wait to open it with him then?"

[mylandmyrules]

"I think it's fine for you to open it, but you can wait if you want," Nell said. "It's just a little something for your house, but since the Detective is often there it's for him as well."

[hasaknightjob]

"I'll do it now then," Steven said, since he knew a good part of the fun of giving gifts was seeing the person's reaction. He unwrapped the gift then smiled when he saw the contents. "Oh these are lovely. Did you make them?"

In Steven's mind surely Nell did the weaving as well. She was that clever after all.

[mylandmyrules]

"It's traditional Ikat weaving from Indonesia," Nell said, "I just made it into place mats for the table. I'm going to carry some of their weaving in my store. Beautiful work, isn't it?"

[hasaknightjob]

"I see," Steven said. "So you got the fabric on holiday? Oh it's lovely. And to take the extra time to make something with it. Thank you."

[mylandmyrules]

"You're very welcome. I thought the colors would be nice. And I know they're not Egyptian, but they felt a bit like it to me," she explained. "And how were your vacations?"

[hasaknightjob]

"They're beautiful regardless," Steven assured her. He put the mats safely into his satchel so they wouldn't get dirty being out on the welcome desk. "And all right? Miami - brilliant. Food and sun and Llewellyn and I even went dancing. Salsa. Marc helped, if you can imagine."

[mylandmyrules]

Nell smiled at the thought then frowned slightly. "Like... while you were dancing?" That would have been awkward.

"But I'm glad you had such a good time!"

[hasaknightjob]

"What? Oh! No, no," Steven said, once he realized what she was picturing. "No. He helped Llewellyn learn. Him and Annie. Still need to thank her for that."

Shame she hadn't been at Caritas last night. Steven of course had no idea why.

"Then Toronto was... interesting," Steven said. "Llewellyn got shot. In his arm. He's fine. On the mend. But didn't care for that at all, don't mind telling you."