ZED'S - New Haven

The place wasn't the sort that you might stop for if you were looking for something to dazzle the eye. The name made it sound like an old neighborhood watering hole or one of those annoying chain restaurants that made the waiters wear buttons and doodads in a misguided effort to entertain their patrons.

But ZED'S was none of those things.

Stepping inside, the decorations were understated and tasteful. Booths lined in dark leather and darker wood were situated along the far wall, crisp white tablecloths and a single tealight adorned each table. Large windows sat in a neat row opposite the main entrance to perfectly frame the stone-paved patio (which was magically climate controlled all year round). Cheery white lights hugged the edges of the patio and some of the umbrellas that hovered protectively over the tables, as if inclement weather would ever be allowed to ruin the ambiance.

When Serah and Sabine showed up, they would be escorted out to the patio, which had been reserved just for them. Waiting on the table was an envelope for each of them, their names written in his scrawling hand.

Sabine,

We have had a rocky road together in the past year but I am glad that I know you, glad I am to call you friend. When I saw you in the Inn, you had that lonely and lost look about you and though we did not have much time to talk about it, I sense that there was a lad involved.

You yearn for someone to fill your heart but I think that you do not have to look any further than a mirror. You have such a light inside you that burns fierce and true, it hurts me to see you doubt it. You do not need anyone else to tell you that you are strong and beautiful, you just have to believe it. I believe it and so do those others in your life that love you. Some lad telling you the same sweetly will not make that any truer. I know you have been hurt in the past but you always find the courage to face each new day, your bravery is humbling. Let it be a beacon for others that have suffered the same.

There is so much love around you and in you already but I do not think anyone is so rich in it that they cannot afford to make a new friend. Your gifts to me were so fine and I wanted to be able to do something in kind for you. You and Serah do not know each other well, I think, but I see similarities between you. I sense you are kindred spirits, both searching for something you have not yet found but love comes in a hundred different forms. I think that friendship is the truest, most selfless form of love and I hope this evening blossoms into something greater for the both of you, gives you another hand to hold when fear and doubt darken your doorstep.

Do not be nervous, wee monster, just be yourself. It really is good enough. Let your light shine.


Fin

The original invitation had been received while she was on a shoot with Mia so that poor messenger boy got himself an eyeful. Didn't seem to complain too much when handing her the missive and wearing a big ol' cheesy grin! Still it was kind of odd to get such a message but chalked it up to some sort of family dinner with her sister's family. Granted she had absolutely no clue of the place in question nor why her sister just didn't text her!

She had arrived perhaps a few minutes early but to something that was completely not expected. In fact totally opposite of what she had thought! She wasn't sure what to expect with a name like ZED's but it was a real nice joint! She was busy looking over the scenery when she'd find a waiter seeking to escort her. She'd follow along, expecting her niece and nephew's coos to be greeting her but instead a reserved table with a pair of envelopes.

The waiter was given a questioned look as she placed her fingertips against the envelope with her name on it. The other, she noted to her surprise, was for Sabine. "The hell is going on?"

The answer she received was a shrug and the waiter was off to do something or another, leaving her to the table and envelopes. She went from expecting family to being utterly confused. One thing she was sure of that was if Sabine did show up? This wasn't her idea and she was likely to make her just as confused and likely leave them both in an awkward state of being. Well more awkward than they normally were. It made her nervous! She was pretty sure that Sabine found her overwhelming and most of the time seemed uncomfortable near her. Maybe it was best to just read the note and boot scoot before Sabine showed up?

So that is what she did. Instead of sitting she stood with her hip to the table and she slid her nail to break the seal of the envelope addressed to herself. The note was given a once over and found herself gawking a bit. "Holy crap on a cracker." she mumbled to herself and reread it again.

While the note was touching she was just dumbstruck by the fact that Fin went through the efforts to try and, what? Put her on a play date with Sabine? She had plan on asking Sabine if she wanted to go shopping but that plan had kind of went ka-put so maybe this was something that could help things along? She just hoped that Sabine didn't view it as being shoved into a closed room with her and being forced to make friends. That wasn't what she wanted. She did like Sabine and to a degree she did feel she was somewhat of a kindred spirit but there was also a fear.

Well it isn't like he was expecting them to turn out to be best buds so the least she could do was have some food on Fin's dime and hope for the best! Or was it her dime? Drat! Either way she tucked her skirt close to her legs and settled into her seat to wait for her 'date' to arrive.

She did kind of wonder though. Was the master planner watching from the safety of the shadows or had he long since hidden himself away in fear of the possibility he might end up getting throttling for being such a sneak.




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She had been eyeballing the more stronger of the drinks side of the menu when she heard Sabin. Instantly her lips quirked over into a little smirk. "Nope! Don't have the danglie bits and I think you have the hot part covered for the both of us." It was light hearted and easily followed into silence when she saw Sabine collect the letter addressed to her. It did kind of explain everything the mastermind that was Fin.

She was ready to tell Sabine she didn't have to sit or, hell, Serah could of left so the woman could eat in peace. Damn if she wasn't a nervous nelly. When the woman sat down she slapped on another smile and sucked it up. She'd stay put until Sabine showed she didn't want company! "Eat and drink first most definitely! We will plot sweet, sweet revenge later." Course she was thinking more of attacking Fin with snowballs rather than murder. She and Sabine could totally do some snowball damage together.

"I've never actually been here before but I say we order what looks the tastiest and most expensive and put it on Fin's bill." The start of that revenge started!

There would be no prying but light conversation. Hopefully she'd get Sabine to laugh and come out a little more out of her shell. The night was young and they needed to do some serious damage on Fin's bank account.