Flattery

Who: Doc and Eva
Where: Campus, then a cafe
When: afternoon

Sunday afternoon found Eva working in one of the well-appointed studios on the school campus; she'd gotten her office settled to her liking and decided to test out the facilities. Seated on a stool in front of a workbench, she had a small desktop lamp shining down on her current project. It was an intricate silver-wire pendant, the loops of which Eva was patiently and delicately bending so that they all twisted and turned in on each other, making it so that one couldn't tell where the piece began and where it ended. In the center was an empty setting; when the main piece was crafted, she would finish it by setting a gem. Which gem in particular, she wasn't sure yet.

One for the books, Doc thought to himself as he stepped through a winding hallway, staring daggers at a 'No Smoking' sign in passing. He was counting the sporadic doors as he passed them, following instructions from the scheduling secretary towards one studio in particular. Doc was surprised by himself, by the willingness he'd had to keep his deal with Eva and drop in sometime soon. He'd held himself at arms length from real involvement in the mundane world for years upon years, first for his career and then for the kids. Both factors were still there, even if the twins didn't exactly need him these days.

So why? Why did he ignore the usual instinct to just drop headfirst into work until the tempting memory faded? Whatever it is, it's one for the books, he repeated to himself, shoulders shrugging as he stopped outside a door. He'd been intrigued on their first meeting; curious about the cultured, refined woman, and not just because of all the drinking. It was refreshing to meet someone who was at least closer to his age, as Doc found more and more that his world, his war, was full of faces young enough to be his kids. Hoping this second encounter would go half as well, Doc raised a hand to knock lightly.

"Entri!" Eva called, so engrossed that little details - like the need to speak English all the time - escaped her. She remembered a second later, turning to call out, "Come in!" A moment later, her attention was back on the wire. One more small turn and she'd be at a stopping point. There. Stripping off the thin gloves she wore to keep fingerprints off the metal, Eva removed the thin metal-frame glasses that helped her with the fine details, briefly pinching the bridge of her nose before turning her attention to whoever was at the door.

Doc slipped in, restraining his grin as the snippet of Italian flipped a switch in his brain, triggering reflexive cognition faster than he was even aware of. It was an endlessly useful gift, given his worldhopping nature. "Am I interrupting?" he asked, poking his head around the door and lingering in the hallway. "I can come back later if I am," Doc went on, effortlessly responding in her native tongue. "I could use a smoke and grab a coffee."

"No, not at all," Eva said with a smile. The smile grew into one of surprise and delight when he answered in Italian; she happily responded in kind. "I was just working on a project, but I need a break of my own. I didn't know you spoke Italian!"

"There's all kinds of things we don't know about each other," Doc pointed out, losing his grip on his own smile when she beamed at him. "That's all the fun, I like to think. Uncovering details and similarities." He loved the sound of the language, flowing and harmonic, full of subtleties he'd nevergrasp without his demonic advantages. "What are you working on?" he went on expertly, taking a few steps farther into the studio.

"Quite right," Eva said, nodding with a soft laugh. "You took me quite by surprise with that one, I'll admit." She beckoned him further in, actually rather impressed with his grasp of the language. Italian could be quite complex, after all. "Just a little project of my own," she said, holding the unfinished pendant up so he could see it. "It will either turn into a necklace pendant or a brooch; I haven't yet decided."

Doc's eyes narrowed in scrutiny, effortlessly looking deeper into the weave of the piece. "Fascinating," he murmured appreciatively, not even focusing on his language for the moment. So long as she kept speaking it, he could too. "You have an incredibly steady hand, by the look of it. I don't get to see much with this level of detail any more," he complimented, eyes darting back to Eva. "I think you just impressed a cup of coffee out of me."

"Goodness, is that all it takes?" Eva teased him, raising one eyebrow. "I've been working on pieces like this since before I went to university; none of those were anything I'd sell - or even give away, for that matter - but it's as they say: practice does indeed make perfect." All the same, her pleased grin showed how much his compliment affected her. "It's not finished yet, but soon. I'm undecided on what I want to use for the center setting."

Doc reached out to brush a finger against the pendant lightly, feeling the delicate folds on some ephemeral level. "Emerald?" he suggested, withdrawing a hand and taking a step back towards the door. "Something with a vibrant green to it would work nicely." Popping the door open, he leaned back into it and grinned over at Eva patiently. "Are you planning on selling it? Maybe you should do a birthstone for a buyer."

"Indeed," Eva agreed, smiling at him. "And I thought you claimed no artistic talent." She studied it for a moment, then laid it down on a piece of black velvet and turned off the lamp on the studio table. "I don't know yet if I'll sell it. I might keep it, or give it to someone as a gift." She saw him edging towards the door, sliding off the bench. She'd been sitting there for hours and winced a bit as she straightened and stretched, but it passed quickly enough and she smiled. "I'm sorry, I'm not keeping you waiting, am I?" she teased him.

"Not a bit, I've got all day to pester you," Doc jabbed back, cheeks bunching in a grin as he tucked his hands in his coat pockets. "But now that I've broken your focus, how long until you need a smoke?" Her work was intriguing at a first glance, and he couldn't help wondering what really complicated pieces for her must be like. Doc's worn old hands couldn't hope for such precision, not without his willworking fueling it. " And just because I suggest a color doesn't mean I'm an artist," he countered belatedly, chuckling at the perplexed look a woman breezing down the hall gave the conversation. "I'd say it means I like the color green."

"Don't you know?" Eva joked. "We don't need to smoke; we just do it because it's 'cool.' As such, we can partake whenever we like." She gestured down the hall. "Lead on, signor. I believe you also mentioned something about coffee? It seems a good day for it." She laughed softly. "I see; you have ulterior motives in mind. Perhaps you are to be the one who gets the piece in the end? It strikes me as a little too feminine for your tastes, however."

Doc stepped away from the studio door with Eva at a light pace, grinning at her barbs. "Also, do you see a spot of jewelry on me? Never been able to find a single piece that felt right on me." He shook his head with a grin, glancing down at her as they walked. "Not for lack of trying either. What sort of coffee am I treating you to? Vending machine? Or coffee shop?" His grin had an edge of teasing to it, a faint flirtation Doc wouldn't admit to, but was glad to feel without the presence of alcohol behind it.

"Finding the right piece can be difficult," Eva agreed; he might not have noticed, but she didn't often wear very much, either. Like today; the only jewelry she wore was a pair of bright silver studs in her ears. Subdued and decidedly non-flashy. "But when it comes, you'll know." She grinned back at him, pretending to consider. "Well," she mused, "there are both within equal distances of where we are; an actual vending machine and a Starbucks. Though if you ask me, the only difference between Starbucks and a vending machine is price." Yes, Eva was indeed a coffee snob; she couldn't help it, it was nearly genetic.

Doc stalled where he was, crooking a hand under his chin to feign thought. "I do happen to know of a great little coffee shop downtown, maybe a five minute drive from here," he offered slowly, thinking of where he'd parked from here. "You could follow me, if you wanted to take your own car." It was a perfectly safe offer, he was a man who could enjoy a good cup of coffee at every chance.

Eva paused with him, watching with an amused smile as he pretended to think hard. "I think I'd love to learn of good coffee in the area," she agreed. "I don't always have time to make my own at home. I wouldn't mind taking the same car, provided you'd be heading back this way afterwards. If not, I'm happy to follow."

Tilting his head back towards a stretch of sidewalk, Doc turned and waited for Eva before starting off again. "I'm parked up the street a bit," he explained, digging out a pack of cigarettes and slipping one in his mouth. "And I'm more than happy to clue you in around town. It's a nice little place once you learn the ins and outs." And don't hang around too much after dark. Still, she seemed like a smart woman, maybe the warning was unneeded on her. Strolling along, Doc gradually drew closer to a sleek old Superbee, a brilliantly rich forest green in color. "This is me," he confirmed with a grin of affection at his car.

Eva paused with him, watching with an amused smile as he pretended to think hard. "I think I'd love to learn of good coffee in the area," she agreed. "I don't always have time to make my own at home. I wouldn't mind taking the same car, provided you'd be heading back this way afterwards. If not, I'm happy to follow."

Tilting his head back towards a stretch of sidewalk, Doc turned and waited for Eva before starting off again. "I'm parked up the street a bit," he explained, digging out a pack of cigarettes and slipping one in his mouth. "And I'm more than happy to clue you in around town. It's a nice little place once you learn the ins and outs." And don't hang around too much after dark. Still, she seemed like a smart woman, maybe the warning was unneeded on her. Strolling along, Doc gradually drew closer to a sleek old Superbee, a brilliantly rich forest green in color. "This is me," he confirmed with a grin of affection at his car.

"It seems very idyllic," Eva agreed as she strolled along beside him. "A very large change from Florence, I must say." She smiled as she saw his car; she wasn't terribly familiar with American models, but she could tell how much he loved it. "It suits you," she said, smiling over at him. "I like it."

He was definitely fond of it; Doc had very few things that lasted through his life, and his car was one of them. "It's a good ride, has been for years and years," he replied, unlocking the passenger door for her and moving around to the driver's side. "It's had a hundred different tunes and tweaks over the years, but it still runs like a dream," Doc went on, resting an arm on the roof of the car with a little grin, then climbing inside.

Eva slid in, pulling the door shut behind her and taking a long look around. "It's strange sometimes," she remarked as she buckled herself in, "driving myself everywhere now. I didn't even have a car back home. A little scooter, yes, but if I wasn't using that I just walked, or took the trains. It's been an adjustment." She patted the seat, throwing him a grin. "I'm glad you've found one that runs so well. Does it have a name?"

"The town's not too large, you can still get by on foot," Doc assured her, yanking his door shut. "It just takes a bit longer. But in the summer and fall, it's definitely worth the walk." Turning the engine over, the car purred to life smoothly as Doc gripped the suicide knob on the wheel and pulled away from the curb. "I never thought to name it, actually. But if I had to? 'Old Faithful', maybe. It's never let me down..." He thumbed in the dashboard lighter, guiding a fresh cigartte to his lips as Doc cranked the wheel and brought the car away from campus.

"I'll certainly be thankful for my car when winter comes around," Eva said, nodding. "I've been walking most days, save when it looks like rain. It's always been the quickest way for me to become familiar with a new place." Not to mention she'd kept a sharp eye out for any places that looked interesting enough to do some peeking around of a different sort. She relaxed back into the seat, smiling. "Old Faithful," she echoed. "Very good choice."

Snagging the lighter once it popped out, Doc cracked a window and lit up, puffing his smoke to life. "Not bad, for being put on the spot," he agreed with a playful wink aimed Eva's way. "Is your car running alright? If you're new to it, best to get it checked out sometime soon. The last thing you want is a surprise like that." Wasn't he just playing the welcoming committee? Doc chuckled at himself for a moment, rolling forward through a green light and into a parking lot.

"It's running just fine," Eva reassured him, more than a little touched at the thoughtfulness. "It's new, and I had an independent mechanic check it out before I bought it as well." She unbuckled her seatbelt as the car drew to a stop, peering out the window at the place he'd chosen. "I have to admit, driving is certainly growing on me. I didn't realize it could be quite so enjoyable."

"There's some amazing stretches of road out here," Doc agreed, cutting the engine and undoing his seatbelt. "You can just drive for a while, wilderness on all sides. The nights out there'll steal your breath away." Plus you were usually less likely to run into one of the supernatural predators that roamed the area that far out, which was always nice when Doc was seeking peace. "Not too hard to get pointed in the right direction either, if you're ever curious," he finished, popping open his door.

"Oh, I am," Eva breathed, sliding out of the car as he did. "You make it sound so lovely. I've always had a weakness for beautiful landscapes and nights, both. Combining them is nearly irresistible."

Nodding in affirmation, Doc locked up quickly and pointed across the street to where a few tables sat outdoors. "It can be divine here, to be sure," he agreed, waiting for her before starting over. "I miss city sounds now and then, but I've met more amazing people here than I did in ten years spent in big cities. I think you're going to like it here quite a bit, Eva." He knew his own enjoyment of the city would only increase with someone like her around, that was for certain.

"You might be surprised," Eva said as she headed across the street with him, "how much of a community there was to Florence. Not all of the city, of course, but there were sections that had very small-town feels to them. Those were my favorite parts - where shop owners knew your name and family business and people greeted you on the street. I think the only thing about Florence that I'd miss here is the abundance of museums, the tangible history that permeates the city." She smiled. "Call me sentimental, but when you walk through the streets in some areas, knowing your surroundings are centuries old... it's an amazing feeling, to be so connected to your ancestry."

"What's wrong with being sentimental?" Doc asked in response, smiling curiously at her. "It sounds pretty wonderful to me. There's history here, but it's in the land itself, not the town. I'd love a chance to walk through a city like that, I bet I could spend days at it. And I haven't been to a proper museum in years." It wasn't that Doc had no interest in art or history, but his lifestyle didn't always leave much room to catch the new exhibits. Hopping the curb, Doc moved to the door of the cafe, drawing it wide and holding it for Eva.

"Nothing wrong with it at all," Eva said, nodding her thanks to him as she slipped inside the café, glancing up to peruse the menu hanging on the wall. "Though you'd be surprised how many are too concerned with looking sophisticated and worldly to appreciate what they have right there at home, or to take pleasure and comfort in the small things." She flashed him a smile. "The gallery at the university is worth visiting," she suggested. "I plan on making a few weekend trips to New York while I'm here to see some of their museums and galleries." Her first instinct was to invite him along, but realized that it might seem rather forward of her and be taken the wrong way. Her next thought was spent wondering why she didn't seem to mind so much the thought of him taking it the wrong way.

"You'll love New York, if you've never been," he responded, stepping into the shop behind Eva and glancing at their house roasts for the day. "The city has almost everything you could hope to find, or at least enough to make you think that way. I'd love to head back out there sometime." Her offer couldn't have been taken in a bad way, though it would've surprised Doc to no end. As it was, he smiled in thought of the countless things to do in New York. "I've never been to the university gallery... I'm not even sure I know where it is," Doc joked, "You can give me directions, I trust..." Trailing off, Doc flashed a quick wink at Eva before looking to the clerk, switching back to English. "I'll have a large cup of the house Sumatran, no cream or milk."

"I had to go once on business," Eva said, "but I was in and out before I had time to do anything for myself." She laughed softly at his last little sally. "You walked past it on your way to my office," she said, amused. "I'll make sure I point it out on the return trip. There's a fascinating exhibit coming up in October. An artist who combines modern dance and calligraphy in Chinese art inspired by her family lineage." She, too, made the switch back to English to place her order for a caffé con pana, espresso with sweet whipped cream. It required a tiny bit of explanation, but certainly far less than would the same drink at Starbucks.

Doc pulled his wallet, paying for both drinks and pointing out an open table their coffees could be sent to. "Sounds like quite the show coming up, if a bit out of my experience," he commented, moving over to a chair and settling in without heeding the stares the other patrons were giving their foreign talk. "I've never been exposed to much that ran along those lines, but I'd definitely give it a look if you recommended it." And it wasn't just an empty flattery either, he genuinely was motivated to find out about what inspired this woman. She was worldly and knowledgable, and the more Doc learned the more curious he became.

Eva hadn't noticed the stares either; to her, their conversation was the most natural thing since coming to Marquette. "I'll admit, I'm a bigger fan of older works and the classics than I am of the more experimental art forms around today, but I had the opportunity to sneak a peak at the promotional materials that were sent to the director's office and the shots of her performance look amazing. The artist actually dips her body in calligraphy ink and uses it as the brush on a large piece of canvas, which is where her dance comes in. I saw only still shots, but they were magnificent. I'm quite excited to see the live performance."

"Really?" Doc asked, intrigued by the description. "That does sound worth attending. Chinese calligraphy's something I know a bit of, but never on a level like that. I'll have to get the exact date from you, I don't think I'd like to miss that." Provided, of course, he wasn't halfway around the world and hip-deep in balancing the forces of reality. "Really, I get the feeling I should just keep at these visits. That way I'll never miss hearing about a show."

"That's perfectly acceptable to me," Eva said with a laugh. "Though should you find your frequent trips to campus to become tedious, I could always forward the email notices I receive from the faculty mailing list." She paused as their drinks arrived, taking a sip of her espresso. Her eyes widened slightly and she nodded her approval. "I've found my newest local hangout," she announced, smiling. "Consider me your loyal devotee in all things Marquette."

"That's perfectly acceptable to me," Eva said with a laugh. "Though should you find your frequent trips to campus to become tedious, I could always forward the email notices I receive from the faculty mailing list." She paused as their drinks arrived, taking a sip of her espresso. Her eyes widened slightly and she nodded her approval. "I've found my newest local hangout," she announced, smiling. "Consider me your loyal devotee in all things Marquette."

Doc's grin stretched out, crinkling his tatto up towards his eye as he laughed. "My devotee?" Lady, you have no idea. "I'd have to treat such faith appropriately, of course." He could've spoken the language all day, loving the structured flow of it all compared to the mutable English he spoke normally. "And we have a lot of ground to cover, if I'm going to teach you physics and the lay of the land." Wrapping a hand around his mug, Doc breathed in deep from the steaming cup of coffee before sipping it lightly and chuckling. "Best thing short of the source itself," he murmured before drinking again.

"Well," Eva said, chuckling, "I'll have to find something else I can offer up in trade. Though there is not much land to cover, is there?" She sipped at her own coffee, unable to help the small, amused chuckle that slipped out as she noticed a nearby table all with cappuccino. A surefire sign of a tourist in Italy. Her eyebrow raised slightly as she heard Doc's murmured comment. "The source itself?" she echoed questioningly. "You've traveled to Sumatra?" Or was she misunderstanding him?

Doc had, in fact, visited Sumatra. It was an unpleasant trip, soaked with other mens' blood, but a necessary one. He didn't linger on it though, shaking his head lightly. "Much of South America though," he said instead, "And the only way to beat this coffee is to pick and dry it yourself." He sat back, slipping the mug to his other hand and fixing a speculative gaze on Eva for a long moment. "Granted, I' sure some of the cafes in Italy could compete."

"But of course," Eva said, feigning a haughty head toss before grinning at him. "The trick is to get fresh-roasted beans. Most coffee beans go at least partially stale only two weeks after they're roasted, and pre-ground even worse." She smiled, a little sheepishly. "Coffee in Italy is certainly a national passion. It's very nearly been elevated to an art form - and when done well, it can be as flavorful and nuanced as a fine wine or whiskey." She nodded towards him. "South America sounds like it would make a wonderful trip; was it pleasure or business, if I might ask?"

Trapped. How did one say 'balancing the scales of good and evil'? "Business," Doc decided smartly, "Though I got a good chance to seeall around the area while I was there." He was much more interested in redirecting this conversation before having to come up with just what business it would've been; and so with a grin he rarely used intentionally, Doc sat forward and braced an arm on the countertop. "Have dinner with me," he offered, hoping that her enthusiasm wasn't just professional. He hadn't been planning to do it so abruptly, but there was also no great rush to uncover the world of secrets the man carried.

He'd moved just in time; Eva's next question was going to be what he did for a living - or at least, what had sent him to South America - but the thought was forgotten at his rather abrupt and unexpected (though not unwelcome) invitation. A briefly raised eyebrow was the only sign of her surprise, and after a tiny sip of her coffee (because the woman just couldn't resist a little teasing), she gave him a pleased smile. "I'd love to," she answered. "When?"

"Is tomorrow too forward of me? Too short notice?" Doc ventured, silently relaxing now that that was out of the way "If it is, it's no problem. My evenings are mostly free, so we can plan for any time that works for you." And he could book a good restaurant, and ask SYn for pointers, and a slew of other things as Doc suddenly stared down the barrel of his first date in over thirty years.

Eva's mother had taught her never to accept a Saturday date from a man who asked her on Wednesday and she assumed the same would ring true for a Monday date with a man who asked her on Sunday, but she didn't much care. Doc was intelligent, charming, personable, and she'd greatly enjoyed both of their meetings. "I do actually have a meeting tomorrow evening with the art school's dean," she said, disappointment obvious, "but my evenings from Tuesday onward are free; whichever day you prefer would be fine."

Doc feigned disappointment for a moment, winking across the table at Eva and drinking from his mug. "Tuesday sounds wonderful, Eva. Let me know when and I can pick you up if you like." He could use the buffer day to plan, to attend to as many demonic summons as possible, and to hope for the best come Tuesday. "Maybe I can show you around town afterwards."

"Anytime after six would be ideal," Eva said, mentally reviewing her schedule. She'd be able to finish the majority of her work by four-thirty or five, which would leave enough time to shower and change before he came by. She plucked a pen from her purse, scribbling on one of the napkins for a moment before sliding it in his direction. "My address," she explained with a smile. She didn't expect he'd have any trouble finding it. "I look forward to it."

LaCosaNostroid: "That makes two of us," Doc agreed, glancing at the napkin before pocketing it. He knew the neighborhood, to be sure; Doc had learned a great deal of the town through regular patrols, hunting down the darkness that bled through here. "It's been a while since I got to even make dinner plans, this should be fun." It'd mean probably buying a fresh shirt, but he was overdue for one in any case. "How long can I keep you from work? Have you driven the shoreline yet?" he asked finally, wondering just how long this wonderful diversion could last.

"I haven't," Eva admitted, "and I'm fairly flexible until classes actually begin; I'd just need to know approximations ahead of time so I could plan my schedule." She wondered what he had in mind that sounded as though it would be longer than a day; whatever it was, she was sure it would be entertaining. "It's been a while for me, as well," she confessed with a smile. "Work has kept me busy for a long while." As well as certain other nocturnal activities that had prevented her from inviting anyone to stay the night.

Doc knew the feeling all too well, even if his work was of a different sort entirely. "People need to make room for enjoyment in their lives," he agreed readily, washing back a healthy swallow of coffee, "but it's easier said than done. I'm hoping to manage the juggling act this time around." Of course, even if this went well, there was more to contend with than a first date. You're a demon. From a dead world. She's an art professor, who's going to think you're crazy.

"Ah, but when one enjoys their work, is it really such a sacrifice?" Eva countered with a raised eyebrow, smiling. "I count myself lucky that I rise each morning eager to resume my work, to be able to express myself creatively and pass my knowledge on to a younger generation."

"Not in the least," Doc answered, nodding his agreement. "Having a job that matters is a large part of a life worth living. We're all given a task to do, but if you can't embrace it then you can't excel at it." He could understand her logic all too easily, Doc was a man born to fight on one front line or another, it was the only work he'd ever felt fit. "I only hope your students are as eager to take the lessons."

"I can't say they are," Eva said with a laugh, finishing her coffee. "At least, not in their freshman classes. There are a few star students who have the sort of passion I look for early on, but my biggest joys are the students who take my higher-level classes. Once they're past the required courses and can begin exploring the mediums that interest them, they're much more attentive. I do my best to make my lessons interesting for everyone, though. A strong classical education can greatly enrich one's life."

He was sure the woman was an engrossing speaker, and Doc nodded in agreement. "No argument from me. I had a fairly thorough one myself, but private education's always been good about that sort of thing." And his uncle's largesse had ensured that, what other reason would there be for this man to know the steps of a marenge? "Still, I don't doubt that you'll inspire a few students who may've dozed on their own."

"Well, I'll do my best to live up to such welcome flattery," Eva teased him gently, winking. "I'd hate to have it become undeserved."

"I should probably get you back to campus before we run out of things to talk about though," Doc joked, finishing his coffee. "I need some material for Tuesday, after all." He was loathe to part company though, even if it was a short time until their planned get-together. God, old man. Just call it a date.

"Somehow, I find it hard to imagine you ever at a loss for words," Eva said with a laugh. It was a part of what made him so attractive - Eva had run into a dearth of good conversation in Marquette, based both on the slightly biased small-town attitudes of some of her colleagues and a lack of a social circle, and it was wonderful to find someone so erudite and versed in subjects of mutual interest. "But - though it pains me to think - I do have work to finish." Particularly as she needed to finish that work in order to go home and evaluate the contents of her closet for Tuesday.

"I've dried up, once or twice," Doc assured her, rising from his seat. "But it's not often... I just get the hunch you and I could talk a night away." He'd lacked this sort of thing for far too long, at least since quitting the more organized ranks of beings like him. Most hunters he met on the road weren't looking for downtime like this, whereas Doc was suddenly loathe to give it up. "And just think, finishing that piece puts you one step closer to a sale, maybe," he offered, moving at a leisurely pace for the door.

"It's been a long time since I found someone who could talk all night with me," Eva confessed, "or want to, for that matter." She rose with him, slinging her purse over her shoulder and matching his pace easily. "Or a gift," she added, smiling at him. "Or a demonstration piece for a class, or a donation to a charity, or something to gather dust in my poor, sparse jewelrybox." That last was a joke; true her collection was positively Spartan compared to most women, but Eva rarely wore her own pieces unless it was something that had deeply moved her.

"I bet you have a piece or two that shines," Doc countered, backing into the door and swinging it open for Eva. "Something for a special occassion maybe." In truth, he didn't think she'd need anything flashy or exquisite, Eva seemed to cover all those bases on her own. "But whatever you do with it, I'm sure it'll be well-used. I do still hope to see more of your work sometime soon," he added, releasing the door to leave the cafe' behind.

"Whenever you'd like to stop by the studio," Eva offered, "you'll be more than welcome. Perhaps we'll even start your practical-arts lessons," she teased him as they reached his car. "But yes, I do have one or two little trinkets for special occasions. They don't often see daylight, however."

Doc chuckled at the suggestion, nodding his agreement. "Perhaps we will. I think you may be frustrated by these thick fingers of mine, but I'm willing to try at least." He popped her door again before moving for his own. "And I think I'll have to keep an eye peeled, try to guess when you've got one of these 'trinkets' on, hm?" he asked across the roof of the car before climbing in.

"I think you might be surprised what those 'thick fingers' of yours could accomplish," Eva said easily, face utterly inscrutable as she uttered the double entendre while sliding into the car. "You'll find that a particular piece doesn't have to be jewelry - nor does it have to be delicate or complex to be compelling in its own right."

Doc bit back a laugh, climbing in after her and grinning toothily for a moment. "I suppose we'll have no way of knowing until I actually try, will we?" he asked good-naturedly, buckling up and turning the key in the ignition. "Though I'm curious too, you just may clue me into something I never knew I could do..." She already gotten more conversation from him than most people managed to in the whole of their time knowing Doc, so that was a definite start. He mulled on that as he started back towards the campus, smiling to himself. Not bad, old man. Not a bad day by half.

"Moments like that are why I do so enjoy teaching," Eva said with a laugh. "Though remember, I won't be satisfied until I've learned something from you as well; I fully expect your lessons to be both engaging and educational." She felt a twinge of genuine regret when they pulled back up to the arts building, and she turned to face him slightly. "Thank you for a lovely afternoon," she said with a wide smile. "The coffee was delicious and the company wonderful; I can't tell you how nice it is to find someone who speaks my language." Both literally and figuratively. "You could have just stepped off the plane with an accent like that. Quite the gift." She smiled again. "I very much look forward to dinner, Doc."

"You and I both," Doc agreed, glancing past her to the building and back. "And my accent still has a ways to go, but thank you. It's been a rare chance for me to use it, I hope it's not as rare as it was before today. I had a great day, Eva. I'll be in touch soon, he promised with a twinkle in his eye. Tuesday couldn't come fast enough.

"I should hope so," Eva said with a wink. "Enjoy the rest of your day." She waved as she slid out of the car and headed into the building, step just a bit lighter than it had been before he'd arrived.