shiningboxofjustice | PSL Post -- Lockon Stratos/Lyle Dylandy and Naomi Kimishima

[Sometimes, Lyle managed to do quite well for himself. His current assignment saw him stationed in Maine, and though his job was to provide security for the medical staff working at the research center in the area, he'd been able to settle in quite well.

Additionally, he was getting to know a beautiful doctor close to his own age. It had taken some coaxing to get Lyle to try dating again after what had happened to Anew, but here he was, waiting in his car, waiting for his date to get in. It was a cool autumn evening, so he was wearing a jacket and long khakis.]

[Naomi lingered inside her home just a moment longer, going over her mental checklist to see she'd missed any instructions for the babysitter (she hadn't) and ensure that she'd taken care of all her work for the night (she had). A quick goodbye hug with Alyssa and a few deflections - no need to get Alyssa excited before she was sure this could work out - and Naomi was out.

She'd made an effort to look good tonight, with a dark red dress and a scarf to protect against the cold; plus one of her favorite pairs of shoes, for comfort. Seeing the car waiting in front of the house, she made her way over and slid into the passenger seat next to Lyle.]

Did I keep you waiting?

[Lyle smiles as Naomi enters the car. For once, he's thinking that perhaps this was a good idea after all when he sees how she looks.]

Not really, just a couple minutes. We've got plenty of time to make our reservation time.

You look fantastic, by the way.

No need for the flattery.

[Despite that, Naomi clearly sounds pleased. A compliment is a compliment, especially coming from a date. Maybe it's a good sign, despite her initial reservations about tonight.]

Let's get going. You know the way there?

Of course. I wouldn't pick a restaurant if I couldn't figure out the location beforehand.

[He puts his car back into drive and pulls away from the curb.]

Good. I've known one or two people who would.

[Back when she was in school, actually...but that's another subject.]

Have you been there before?

No, but I got it on a recommendation, and I took a look at their menu before I booked the reservation. It should be just fine.

Well, I'll trust your word...for now.

[Was that funny? She hopes that came off as a joke, tone and all.

It's starting to become obvious that Naomi hasn't gone on a date for roughly a decade, which is like multiple lifetimes ago in Naomi Kimishima terms.]

Then I'll see to it that that trust is not misplaced. I'd rather not have to start from scratch again.

[He's got a lighthearted tone in his own voice. At any rate, the car begins to speed up, and they're well on their way.]

[Ah, he gets it. That's a good sign.]

Good idea. It would be a pity, wouldn't it?

[They're on their way now, and that too checks something off on another mental list Naomi hasn't even realized she's been keeping until now. She's not nervous, exactly...just very aware of her situation.

She is, however, distracted by that thought enough that she forgets to say anything more to Lyle, leaving a lapse in their conversation. Oops.]

[Lyle remains silent for a few moments, as well. He can tell she's thinking, so he lets her do that for a little bit before speaking.]

Penny for your thoughts?

[...Oh. Oh, right.]

It's nothing important.

[And with most people she'd just leave it at that, really, but she is here on a date for a reason; that ought to require some different responses. So she elaborates.]

I've just been thinking about how it's been a while since I was able to do this. I used to be busier.

Really now? Come on, I don't think I can make that much of a difference.

[He chuckles.]

Seriously, though, you're already pretty busy. I'm not sure there are enough hours in the day to accommodate more work.

I-- [A short pause.] I used to be a surgeon.

[There's another pause, before she laughs it off.]

Back then, I couldn't have had time for this. If I'd had Alyssa, I would never have even dreamed of it.

[Then again, would she have even taken in Alyssa then? If circumstances had been a little different...it's a strange thought to consider, but maybe one she ought to dwell on later.]

A surgeon, eh? Yeah, I've heard stories about their schedules. I once knew a guy who said he had to virtually live off the hospital vending machines during his residency. Does that sound about right?

That, or the cafeteria food. I'm not sure which of the two was better.

[Okay, that's mostly a joke. Caduceus has more than enough money to offer good food, but even a good cafeteria gets boring after a while.]

Yeah, not the best situation unless your cafeteria doubles as a gourmet restaurant. And, well. Hospital food has a reputation for a reason.

That's about right. It's better when you're not the one in a bed, but it doesn't take long to get tired of either. Especially during the busy times, when the hospitals are full.

[Speaking from experience, unfortunately.]

As they say, variety is the spice of life. It's possible to get tired of even a gourmet restaurant.

Speaking of, we're here.

[It's a cozy-looking restaurant. It doesn't look fancy from the outside, though the view through the window looks nice enough.]

[Nice, but not extravagant. That works for Naomi's tastes pretty well, and she nods in approval. It's a good choice.]

Great. Let's get going.

[Lyle parks his car in the first available spot, then starts getting out of the car.]

Got enough room on that side to get out?

Yes, it's fine.

[Naomi follows and heads out to the back of the car to wait for Lyle.]

Are you ready?

Of course. Let me just lock 'er up, and we'll be on our way in.

[He closes the door and locks the car up, then walks toward the entrance. When he reaches the door, he holds it open.]

After you.

You really know how to treat someone, don't you?

[She laughs, and there's a bit of genuine pleasure in there. Then she heads on in, stopping by the reception desk to wait for him.]

I'd like to think it's common sense, even if it makes me a tad idealistic.

[He knows there are plenty of self-serving men out there, and pseudo-gentlemen. But it's hard to be a member of Celestial Being and not believe in the better nature of humanity as a whole. At any rate, he follows her in and tells the host about their reservation. They're quickly taken to a table for two.]

[Naomi settles in nicely, picking up the menu and looking it over.

...Conversation. She probably ought to say something.]

You said you'd looked over the menu before coming today. Anything catch your eye?

Ah, yeah. They had some good-sounding seafood selection. I've heard their chicken parmigiana is pretty good, too.

But hey, pick what you want. You know your tastes better than I do.

[Meanwhile, Lyle himself peruses the menu.]

Hm. It's a good starting point.

[Naomi spends another moment or two looking through the options before making her decision and closing the menu.]

I've made my decision, then. And you?

Yep.

[Lyle sets the menu down.]

And to think, we haven't even ordered drinks yet. Either we're fast, or they're slow.

PSL Post -- Lockon Stratos/Lyle Dylandy and Naomi Kimishima

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