I met him on a Monday and my heart stood still

[dogsled]

WHO: Big Red Benton Fraser and Big Red Hair Freddie Lounds
WHERE: A coffee shop of her choosing, Heropa
WHEN: Saturday morning, 11am
WHAT: Two people hanging out drinking. Pretty much the same as their first meeting only with less red. What am I saying? All red all the time.
WARNINGS: I got nothing

It had been a gorgeous summer morning so far. Fraser had woken at five, and been at the beach by the time the sun stretched over the horizon, sharing the stretch of sand with only other early risers: horse riders, dog walkers and the occasional group of passed out summer-breakers lying like driftwood around a dying campfire.

Diefenbaker had swum in the ocean, which he seemed to enjoy, while Fraser sat on the sand with a history syllabus open in his lap, studiously brushing up on his knowledge. From eight to eleven he had little to do, so he whittled gifts for his housemates out of pieces of driftwood he'd found on the beach, before heading to meet Freddie at the coffee shop. The warm sun had dried Diefenbaker out, mostly, but there was still a hint of wet sea smell about the wolf, and sand stuck in his fur where he'd been rolling about in it. Fraser looked somewhat better, in figure hugging scuffed blue jeans and a cream colored shirt, the top few buttons of which he'd loosened when the temperature had climbed. He wore his hat, but that was more practicality than necessity: it kept the light out of his eyes.

Choosing a seat with plenty of shade from the glaring sun, Fraser settled on a wooden bench underneath a giant umbrella made out of plastic imitation palm fronds. It was...incredibly ugly. Tacky. Borderline offensive, even. He tapped his fingers on the tabletop - just once - then, apart from ordering a large cup of tea (which only served to frustrate the barista) he sat back and waited, the picture of patience

Comments

[redhairring]

Freddie had also woken up early--though for her, early was 9 am. Just enough time to put together an outfit and do her hair. She too is wearing a hat, but hers is a big gaudy sunhat that matches her equally gaudy light green sundress. The dress was carefully chosen to accentuate her cleavage as well as to keep her cool in the scorching sun.

She was only a few minutes late as she walked up to the coffee shop, chosen specifically because she really liked the fake palm fronds. Waving to Fraser, Freddie walked up to the bench, sitting down next to him, taking particular consideration to try and not pay attention to his dog. She could tolerate dogs. But that didn't mean that they deserved all her attention.

"I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long."

[dogsled]

He stands when she waves to him, and stays standing until she sits, ever the gentleman even in casual-wear, and while his eyes don't linger where it would be inappropriate, he does permit himself a single pleasing sweep of her attire, noting in particular the pleasant way the natural light reflects on her skin, and the way the color of the dress compliments her eyes. Fraser keeps his remarks to himself, if only because he's making a distinct effort not to cause her discomfort--they hardly knew each other.

"Not at all, you're much more punctual than my tea, at least." He lowered his voice conspiratorially. "I have my suspicions that the barista had to fly to India to pick the leaves herself."

Dief was sitting up and paying attention now, sniffing at Freddie's heals in a not-at-all-about-to-eat-them way. After a moment white ears and a nose poked over the edge of the table to watch the conversation.

[redhairring]

Freddie couldn't help but grin at his statement, shaking her head. "That doesn't bode well for my coffee. Unless they're making a pit stop at Ecuador on the way back." Did coffee come from Ecuador? Who even knew. Not Freddie, that's who. And she was hoping that Fraser didn't know either, otherwise she just made herself look even more like an idiot in front of someone who already saw her making idiotic decisions once.

This conversation, at least in Freddie's mind, is partly a stab at redemption, partly to show Fraser that she's not just a combative drunk with a bitchy streak: she's also a ruthless, smart journalist who, for lack of a better term, has her shit together...in comparison to drunk shitshow Freddie.

As the dog's nose pokes over the edge of the table, it also slightly nudges Freddie's arm--well she's got to look now. "Is this your wolf?" Christ, it's huge. Did they let this guy walk around outside with this massive thing? Surely that had to be against some sort of health and safety thing, wouldn't it?

[dogsled]

Ecuador was right, so Fraser didn't question it. Which was fortunate, because his propensity for correcting other people was the fastest route to alienating them. His eyes crinkled somewhat at the humor, and he smiled, before his attention was drawn downward.

"Half wolf, yes. This is Diefenbaker. He's ah--well, he's friendly, unless you happen to be holding a doughnut; then he's very friendly."

Dief wagged his tail, licked the back of her hand, then settled down at her feet, satisfied with whatever efforts to judge her character he'd made. He really was very perceptive with that kind of thing. Emotionally attuned, and very protective of women. Good dog.

"Apparently you pass the test," he stated, in explanation, and then at last the tea arrived, providing a break in which he might consider how to approach a topic that wasn't demonstrably obvious, while she ordered her coffee.

[redhairring]

Freddie gave the dog a tentative smile as it licked the back of her hand. She tried her hardest not to show it, but cold shivers ran down her spine as the dog licked her hand. Urgh, she'd have to wash that later. Still, she shot Fraser a forced smile.

"I think he likes me." Just her luck. Thankfully, his tea arrived, thereby saving Freddie from having to deal with dogs further. She orders a (very ridiculous and very sugary) coffee drink, with so much whipped cream and caramel drizzle that it might as well not be coffee. She flashes the waiter a smile that's not exactly an actual smile as it is teeth and lips forced into the shape of a smile, before turning back to Fraser.

"How's the drink?"