Luke's Diner; Tuesday [07/22].

[chef_chocobro]

Unless by some miracle of timing, it would seem that the betting board would be filled with disappointment yet again this week, as Ignis didn't suspect Liliana would just so happen to turn back into herself in time for their usual lunchtime rendevous at the diner. There was a possibility, of course, but he was still going to use this probable prospect of not being interrupted to focus a little bit more on his work.

Specifically in leading the charge on a good deep cleaning of kitchen.

It had benefits two-fold: not only was the kitchen going to be immacculate by the time they were done with it, but anyone who found those typical interruptions annoying would likely change their mind when this was the other option!

Today's Specials

Salmon-in-a-Suit with Spicy Miso Soup
Chickpea "Tuna" Salad Sandwich with Fried Pickles
Key Lime Shortcake

Luke's is open!

Comments

[stykera]

This might be a colossal mistake but Stark was going to make the attempt anyway.

He walked in to the diner carrying a container with 6 cupcakes.

"Ignis? I...I was hoping we could talk. Just briefly. I won't take up too much of your time."

[chef_chocobro]

Ignis was regretting the fact that he had, apparently, chosen exactly the wrong moment to take a sip of his coffee, because the moment the person who entered the diner spoke, he just about nearly spit it out.

Just about. He actually was able to contain his shock and dismay enough to swallow it down, but it was relatively rough going, and he cleared his throat as he set down his mug.

"Yes, well," he grumbled slightly before pulling it together. "Luckily for you, it would seem I've nothing but time at the moment. What's on your mind, then?"

[stykera]

"I brought you something. Cupcakes. Dark chocolate and espresso."

That was not what Stark wanted to discuss, no, but it was worth mentioning.

"And I wanted to apologize. Properly. If I can."

Yes, there was doubt there. He could still screw this up.

"For...all of it."

[chef_chocobro]

The cupcakes did seem to snag Ignis' intrigue, so perhaps not the worst first step, but everything else after that?

"All of it?" he asked. "Well, that's rather vague and unspecified, now, isn't it?"

And considering the whole crux of his...dislike of Stark was about how the bumbling man didn't even seem to realize what he should even be apologizing for...well. A disappointing continuation of the same after a....somewhat strong beginning.

[stykera]

There was a whole list. 'All of it' was just a place to start.

"It is, yes. I know. But there's a lot. I know that, too."

Stark swallowed hard and took a breath.

"For hurting Liliana, to start. For hurting you. For trying to explain what happened instead of apologizing the first time I tried. The reasoning didn't matter. The harm was done and I only made it worse trying to explain myself because I shouldn't have been trying to explain anything."

[chef_chocobro]

"Mmm..."

It was a soft, speculative, unconvinced hum, as Ignis' arms folded in front of him, waiting to see if that, too, was 'all of it,' or if Stark felt there was more to add.

[stykera]

"For not apologizing sooner," Stark went on. "Because I was concerned with how I felt instead of how you did and it wasn't about me at all other than I...I frelled it up."

He really had. Repeatedly.

"And...and for acting on instinct, when it happened. I should have stopped. I should have taken the time to think then, rather than jumping in. I am sorry, Ignis. And I'd hate me, too, were I you."

[chef_chocobro]

"Oh, spare me the pitying self-flaggelation, Stark," Ignis said,coming around to the end of it with a faint sigh and a moment to rub at the small headache beginning to build right between his eyes. "It really isn't helping your case. In fact, all it did was swiftly spoil any relief I might have felt that you finally seem to have managed to stumble into the point."

There was another still dissatisfied sigh.

"Or near enough to it, anyway."

[stykera]

"That's not how I meant it," Stark said softly. "I'm sorry, again."

[chef_chocobro]

"Of course that's not how you meant it," Ignis drawled. "So few of the things you say and do seem to how you meant them, really, because you seem perpetually incapable of seeing things from a perspective that extends any further than your own damn nose. How in the w--"

But he stopped himself, halting short, to remind himself to just take a careful breath and remember to do the thing that he was accusing Stark of continually failing to do.

"...thank you," he said,trying it again. "For acknowledging it, and your continued attempts to rectify matters, despite my particular lack of...charity...in this matter. Thr cupcakes were wholly unnecessary, but still appreciated. Your apology is accepted, Stark."

He did sound awfully tired about it, though.

[stykera]

He only had one eye, seeing things from other perspectives was hard! Oh, wait. The narrative acknowledges that is probably not how that was meant.

"I hope you enjoy them," Stark said quietly. "And I w-"

Whatever he was about to say was cut off.

Ignis, how did you feel about koalas? Because there was one at the counter right now looking up at you in dismay. Not that Ignis could see that.

This had probably not been bet on by the staff.

[chef_chocobro]

Not to mention that excuse hardly worked against a blind man, regardless.

There was....a moment, where Ignis sort of waited for Stark to finish, before he started to realize that something had shifted. Something had changed, in the energy and spaces and sounds around him, and a horrible thought struck him as realization sunk in.

"...Greg?" he said, slightly calling for the attention of his coworker. "Tell me. Is there some sort of animal in front of me right now where Stark just was?"

Greg took a moment to check.

"Yes, chef. Looks like a koala."

And now Ignis needed another moment.

"Oh, gods dammit! You've got to be bloody kidding me."

He certainly hoped Summer had recovered from her Ragefest activities enough to be animal sitting, because there was no way in hell he was dealing with this any longer than he had to.

[stykera]

Stark made a very sad little koala noise. He had not done this on purpose! There might not be anyone on the island Stark would have been less thrilled to end up completely helpless in front of.

[chef_chocobro]

Not even the raccoons, Stark?

To that sad little pathetic sound, Ignis just shook his head.

"Well," he finally concluded, "go ahead and put him him in a booth for now, keep an eye on him. I'll go ask Ali if he know if we've got any eucalyptus around. And I might be inclined to leave bit early today to....take care of this."

Greg gasped.

"Not like that, Greg. Honestly, now. I meant just depositing him with a mutual friend instead."

[deathsmajesty]

Lilicat raised her head and narrowed her eyes at Greg, just in case he was thinking about putting the koala in her booth.

No. No sharing. Not for Lilicats.

She was fairly certain that, even as a cat and him as a koala, she could take Stark in a fight.

[stykera]

That was fine, Liliana.

Stark would just be a sad lonely koala all on his own! In his own booth. He could take a nap. Koalas were good at napping.

[deathsmajesty]

After the departure of Ignis' human guest, Liliana hopped down from her comfortable perch on their booth and sauntered over to where Ignis was standing and mrow'd. She needed to be picked up and, more specifically, clearly Ignis needed to hold her.

[chef_chocobro]

Well, was he technically---oh, never mind.

Far be it from Ignis to refuse any reasonable demands for what his fiancée might need, no matter what her form, least of all when those demands simply meant attention. He took a moment to remove himself from anywhere he'd be concerned about cat hair undoing all the good deep cleaning work they'd done, and picked Liliana up.

Immediately holding her close with another sigh and a scratch behind her ears.

"You know," he told her, "now really would be a spectacular time for you to turn back, my love."

Willing things into existence had never been a strong suit of his,but one never knew. There was always a first time for everything.

[deathsmajesty]

In that moment, when Ignis needed her most, Liliana looked up at him with big, yellow-green eyes...

And then butted her head under his chin, nuzzling him, her tail wrapping around his wrist.

[chef_chocobro]

And even if that was, categorically, the direct opposite of what he'd been hoping for, it still managed to make him feel immensely better. And so thr scratching continued through the nuzzling,at least until it turned into more of a petting down her back.

"Yes, well," he said, "I suppose I expected that. But, darling, if you do manage to reconsider it....just imagine what a field day they'd have with that absurd board."

[deathsmajesty]

Okay, so 'departure' and 'human' had been inaccurate. Fair.

She purred, loudly. The ring attached to her golden collar pressed against his forearm as she settled in comfortably.

In a few minutes, he should probably feed her. But for now, snuggles.