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[Gwen takes a seat at the table next to him, hoping to grab a coffee and a quick breakfast before she's due at the university. She reaches forward to grab a menu and accidentally knocks her purse to the ground.

She sighs as a couple things spill out and she reaches down to gather she stuff and notices that her compact mirror has rolled over to the table next to her and is sitting at the man's feet.]

Excuse me, sir, would you mind grabbing my mirror? I'm afraid it went rogue. It's right by your feet there.

[Vlad appears silently behind him.]

You're very talented.

[Steve is absorbed in sketching the building across the street from the cafe, and there's a lot of hustle and bustle associated with these kinds of establishments, so he doesn't immediately notice the compact. It's only when the young woman speaks up that he glances over in her direction - and then down towards the ground. Thankfully, it's a fairly easy retrieval; he just shoves back the chair and leans down to grab the item, then stands up and leans over to deposit Gwen's mirror on her table.]

There you go, ma'am.

[It's really hard to sneak up on this particular artist; both his senses and military training tend to put a crimp in attempts of that nature. So he's honestly surprised when he turns around.]

That's kind of you. Thanks.

[She gives him a very thankful smile as she takes the mirror and slips it back into her purse.]

Thank you, that was very kind of you.

You're welcome.

[He offers a quick smile before turning back to his own table and settling back down. He glances into his coffee cup and raises a hand to flag down the waitress to get a refill, then picks up a charcoal pencil and resumes drawing once that's taken care of.]

[The waitress does come over to fill the man's coffee and Gwen sneaks in her order of coffee and an omelet before she manages to sneak away.

As the waitress is leaving, Gwen can't help but look at the sketches the guy is working on.]

Last time I'll interrupt you, but I wanted to tell you that your sketches are really good. Are you a professional artist?

[He adds a little bit of shading to one of the awnings, then looks up, pencil resting quietly in a relaxed grip.]

I used to be, a long time ago. Been a while. Thought I'd see how rusty my hands are.

You're welcome. Is this how you earn your living?

[He's trying to adjust to the modern world and honestly doesn't know how things like that work. He would buy Steve's art, though.]

[She gives him another smile as she opens a packet of sugar for her coffee.]

Well it looks like you haven't lost much of your touch. Hope you pick up whatever you lost soon.

No. I used to, years ago.

[It's a little mollifying that someone likes his scribbles, though.]

Art critic?

Edited 2013-04-10 16:58 (UTC)

I'm sure I will, ma'am. Thanks for the good wishes.

[And he means that.]

Please, call me Gwen. And you're welcome.

[A beat as she tips some cream into her coffee.]

Actually, this will seem forward, but can I have your name? Just so I can keep my eye out the next time I'm looking to buy some art.

Miss Gwen. [He nods, figuring it's a compromise between sensibilities and modern life, then switches to shaking his head when she mentions art.]

Oh, I very much doubt you'd find anything I did as a civilian. And it's Steve.

[She'll take the compromise. And she notes the word civilian. He is (or at least was) in the military, but she won't press him about it.]

Well, Steve, in case you ever put anything new up for sale. I'll keep my eye out.

Oh, no! I'm not a critic, never that. I think only other artists should dare to venture opinions on these matters. I'm merely appreciative.

The possibility is extremely low. [He rubs idly at his forehead, not quite sure how to deal with this kind of situation in the here and now.]

It's hardly necessary, but a kind thought, nonetheless.

Thought I'd ask. Critics look like regular people. [His smile is small but friendly.]

Appreciation is nice, on occasion.

[Luckily for Steve, Gwen's omelet arrives.]

I'm sorry. I'll let you get back to sketching. Nice to meet you, Steve.

[And with another smile she focuses her attention back to her breakfast.]

Nice to meet you as well. Enjoy the food. [Lucky for Gwen, too, so she can eat. Very little beats a good meal as far as Steve is concerned. He watches her for a moment, then lifts up his pad long enough to flip to a new page, and begins another drawing from scratch.]

[Gwen continues on with her meal, eating her omelet and sipping her coffee. At one point she pulls out her iPhone to check her email, but she sets it down when she's done. She's planning not to bother Steve again - well, at least not any time in the next fifteen minutes or so - so she keeps her attention on her plate.]

[The silence, or what passes for silence in a big city, is perfectly fine with Steve. He's free to work on the latest sketch, alternating the pencil with a sip of his drink. Eventually he orders a breakfast of his own and does his best to multitask between the three objects on the table.]

They do, don't they? Very deceptive of them. May I join you?

[And Gwen eventually finishes her omelet and sips her coffee. When the check comes she pulls out some bills - enough for the check and a generous tip - and sets them down. When she reaches down to grab her stuff she glances over.]

Well, have a nice day, Steve. Good luck with the building sketch.

[He hesitates briefly, thinking it over, then nods toward the empty chair across the table.]

Probably because they are, and sure.

[It's long enough that his drawing is more or less finished, although in a rough draft state, and would probably benefit from more shading and a future look-over. Still, it's a fairly good rendering of her face. While Gwen is gathering up her things, he scribbles his name at the bottom in a scrawl, then gently tears the page out of the book and offers it across the aisle when she speaks.]

You, too, and thanks. Try not to sell it? Probably not worth more than a couple of dollars.

Edited 2013-04-14 19:32 (UTC)

[Gwen takes the paper and looks down at the sketch of her face. She meets his look with a smile and nods.]

I would never sell this. Thank you. You really are very good.

[She loops her purse over her shoulder as she stands.]

I hope to see you in here again. I'll buy you a coffee next time.

[Dracula holds out his hand.]

I am Matthew Corday. It's a pleasure to meet you.

Edited 2013-04-15 05:01 (UTC)