#brooklynstarter

Triston wasn’t used to letting people get within arms reach let alone become a part of his day to day schedule. Despite that though he had found himself running along the same path as another; A woman who seemed to hide her secrets behind her smiles and her ferocity behind her eyes. Triston had first come across Brooklyn while exploring new running trails. He had a very specific set of needs for his cardio workouts, but his running generally was done on urban trails that he scouted himself. This was the first time he had ever come across someone on one of his runs, when his body was working and burning through any blood he had consumed before; resulting in a slightly hungry vampire pushing himself harder than usual. To his amusement however the brunette seemed to keep her cool even when they had began running side by side. It had become an unconscious habit that formed for the both of them that spanned throughout his later times in New York. They had never engaged in any deep conversations, so much so that neither of them truly learned the other’s name until much later. It wasn’t that they had bonded or anything, but more so they developed a mutual trust of each other just by being around one another daily. That felt like yesterday, the months felt like minutes to him now. 

Shaking his head clear of his thoughts just in time as the sound of a door creaking open resounded through the abandoned gym Triston kept running as a personal place to get back. Only one other person knew where it was and that he’d even be there to begin with. His running partner. “Look Brook, I just wasn’t feeling the run today. Had a little bit more to vent off today than usual. Needed to let loose a bit ya know?” Oddly enough Triston was nervously wrapping his hands as he spoke. As if trying to mask the visible damage on his knuckles, the product no doubt of hours upon hours of punching the multiple bags that lie scattered around the gym floor without rest. A pound for pound reminder of every memory he beat into those bags. The one way he knew to clear his mind when it began to scream at him about his past.

“I hope this isn’t some fantasy attempt to get me back in the world is it? Come to give me the pep talk again? I’m doing alright now, I just got a little heated earlier. You uh... You wanna give it a go?” He raised a brow towards her inquisitively, possibly offering her a friendly challenge. To try and sweeten the deal he through out one last thing as a bonus, “Tell you what, you give the bags a few blows and I’ll tell you how old I am. You’ve been curious right?” It wasn’t until the words left his mouth that he realized that he had just unwittingly walked onto broken glass. It was too late to back out now though as he wouldn’t let her see him step back from his word. It did however keep him from adding to the deal further.

She knew all the regular clients by heart -- name, favorite meal, favorite wine, spouse, spouse history, children, vacation homes, careers, even their pills and prescriptions. Serving was solely and entirely about relationships. And Siobhan had mastered the art. Each guest was a member of the Jean-George family, and, by extension, her family. So when there were new guests, it was her job as head server to ensure that they became regulars. They were to be treated like royalty, and she enjoyed both being a beacon of knowledge and guidance throughout their dining experience, and a waiter who could make their every whim a reality.

Nearing the end of the lunch rush, she saw a bright new face seated at a modest table by the window. She was first in line to greet a new guest after the host had seated them, so it took no more than half a beat for her to make her way to their table.