The Ces Batards De L'autre Cote De La Rue Restaurant Of International Cuisine had a line up that stretched around the block. It seemed as though more than half of Cerulean City had shown up for the event, and more than half of those seemed to simply want to wait in line with no hope of ever actually getting in. For the most part, just seeing those with special advanced reservations being quickly ushered in amongst a sea of reporters and blinding flashbulbs seemed to be enough for them. "Gee," commented Miranda, her arm linked through Misty's as they stepped out of their taxi and onto the long red carpet, only to immediately assaulted by the swarm of overly enthusiastic reporters, "it was just a silly contest!" "They just want the publicity, dear," assured Misty, feeling better, and enjoying the sudden unexpected attention as reporters on their left threw questions at them above the sound of the chattering crowd lined up to the couple's right, "Besides, it's kinda fun to be a bit of celebrity now and then." "Ms. Lilcamp!" called a small thin man at the back whose arm was just long enough to wedge a microphone between two other reporters, "Is this the lucky lady you wrote your winning ballad about?" "You bet!" called Miranda over her shoulder as they walked past him, blushing profusely as another reporter from one of the less reputable newspapers found only in convenience stores used an aikido throw to move a smaller man out of her way. "Is it true that you're not on speaking terms with your famous sisters?" she called out to Misty, practically waving her pen and paper, "And that's why accompanying them this evening?!" Misty glanced over at the woman, her sea green eyes narrowing with fury as she glowered. "That's a family matter," she hissed without breaking stride or loosing the wonderfully elegant feeling she felt wearing something new and beautiful to an expensive restaurant while a hundred some odd people oohed and awed, "Ask Daisy." Miranda laughed as the doorman let them in immediately. "Isn't she the 'quiet one'?" she inquired as a second man hurried over to take the jackets they'd worn about their shoulders against the chill that blew in off the water. "Of course!" giggled Misty, as the maitre'd looked up expectantly, "They'll have her stammering for a few minutes before Violet bales her out with some excuse. But I don't mind wasting a trash reporter's time." As the two entered the dining area of Ces Batards De L'autre Cote De La Rue their ears were filled with a gentle cacophony of often laughing voices and live piano music, supplied by a small orchestra. Everywhere they looked, people in fancy dresses and expensive suits sat at huge round tables while waiters and waitresses attended to their needs, clad in the uniform they'd seen at Irene's shop. Every table was set with crystal glasses, and silverware that was actually silver, and plates, bowls and coffee cups that were worth more than Miranda made in a year. Above them were three immense chandeliers, set in a perfect triangle and giving the room just enough light that small, slow burning white candles had to be set at each table. Floor was done over in a dark red carpet, guaranteed to hide stains, and the walls had been decorated with three-dimensional wall hangings of various pokemon in battle, although someone had painted the effects of their 'special' attacks directly onto the wall in a way that made it seem more real. "Excuse me, ladies," the well-dressed maitre'd with a light German accent said with a politeness that bordered on superhuman, "but your table is ready, and your other guests have already arrived." "Other guests?" asked Miranda, her tone flattening as her stormy gray eyes narrowed behind her shimmering glasses. "Ah, yes!" the man said even more apologetically, "It sees that the seating arrangements are not quite what we had hoped for, so we've had to put some of our patrons at group tables. Please forgive us, but it was decided that since you were all family-" "Family?!" exclaimed Misty in a harsh whisper, somehow managing to keep her voice down along with her barely contained anger. The maitre'd gave a sad smile, nodding apologetically. "Yes," he explained, indicating Misty, "Your sisters, if I'm not mistaken?" "Any chance of sitting with my Uncle?" inquired Miranda hopefully as Misty gripped her hand a tightly, her knuckles turning white. "The name?" "Oh, he's with Pokeforce," she explained, "Name's Frank...?" The man checked his reservation book and shook his head sadly. "No, I am very sorry, miss," he explained, no longer willing to make eye contact with the couple, "But that table is full. Although I'm pleased to say that he's sitting with both our very own Officer Jenny, the Festival Coordinator Todd Burke, his wife Nancy, Professor Myria, and the other City Councilors." Miranda glanced over at Misty. "We could just go," she offered, but Misty shook her head. "No," she said simply, brushing her bangs out of her eyes in an unaccustomed gesture since they'd both chosen to wear their hair down, "As I said, their not ruining this." With her head held high, and her shoulders straight, Misty walked past the overly apologetic man and strode into the room on Miranda's arm as though no force on earth could stop her. With a quick glance at the table Frank was sitting at, she caught the gazes of her three sisters and put on her most sincere smile. "So glad you could make it," she said civilly through gritted teeth, only half noticing as Miranda pulled her chair out for her. "Like, I wasn't sure if you'd show or not," commented Violet casually, idly waving a bread stick she had no intention of eating. "Gee, I guess I loose the bet then," commented Lily, not even flinching when both Misty and Miranda glared at her. "Wouldn't have missed it for the world," replied Miranda briskly, sitting in one of the high-backed, and mildly uncomfortable chairs between Daisy and Misty as she tried to catch Frank's eye. Across the room, and past several other crowded tables, a raised platform had been set up with a long table. It had been specially reserved for the City Councilors, which included two middle aged men and women Miranda didn't recognize, as well as Professor Myria and the Festival coordinator who had over seen the poetry contest and his wife. Officer's Jenny and Frank had also been given places, and Miranda found it odd that Misty's sister Violet hadn't been asked to sit at the table, seeing as she was the City's Gym Leader. It also didn't take much for her to infer that the unpleasantly scowling woman beside the Festival Coordinator was his wife. The small, disapproving woman seemed to be most upset by whatever joke Frank was leaning across Jenny to tell her husband, who was laughing almost to the point of hysteria. Officer Jenny for her part, just shook her head at him, and immediately regretted it. Her one eye that hadn't been bandaged up snapped closed as she gritted her teeth and shuffled uncomfortably in her seat, adjusting her right arm in its sling. "So," came Violet's voice, interrupting Miranda's attempts to get her almost-Uncle's attention, "Did you hear about what happened to Jenny?" Miranda glanced over at the woman, who was balancing her chin on her linked fingers and smiling conspiratorially. "Yes, we were there," replied Miranda, suddenly regretting her lover's decision to stay as she felt something touch her ankle and lift the hem of her dress. "Oh? That wasn't YOUR gastly that saved Officer Jenny, was it?" inquired Lily, glancing over at her elder sibling and smiling at her sudden pained expression. Miranda had slammed her feet together on either side of Violet's ankle. "Yes, it was Wraith and Officer Frank's growlithe Bow," confirmed Misty, making a point of moving her chair a little closer to Miranda's and holding her hand under the table, "And Wraith's a haunter now. Remember?" "Ghosts are ghosts," commented Violet with a shrug, shaking out her foot to regain feeling as Daisy jumped a little. She'd put her hand on Miranda's thigh and suddenly found the courier's nails digging into her skin. "And they can all be quite dangerous," Miranda replied like nothing had happened, "But I've been meaning to ask you. Do any of you know anything about a rumor involving the formation of a ninth gym? Flint in Pewter mentioned it, but..." "Oh, that!" laughed Violet, leaning back and provocatively tossing her long dark hair over her shoulders as she ignored Misty's sudden scowl, "I'm surprised you don't know already, it's in your home town." "It is?!" exclaimed Misty and Miranda at the same time, their further questions being silenced as the background music came to a suddenly halt and several people began applauding. "Oh!" gasped Lily, excited covering her mouth with her hands like a star struck otaku, "It's HIM!" "Gary?!" whispered Miranda into Misty's ear, and nearly causing the girl to spit out the water she'd been drinking. Several people had leapt to their feet, making it necessary for their table to do the same, if only to see if not applaud. But it soon became clear who the new center of attention was. Entering the room, in Chef's whites that were easily as expensive as any Armani suit and being followed by an alakazam in a chef's hat and wielding a tray of h'orderves was none other than Chef Troy. With a sly, almost forced smile, the tall man waved politely to the crowd before motioning for silence. "Welcome, my friends," he proclaimed, his German accent slipping out from time to time, "To my greatest endeavor since 'Coffee Armageddon'... 'Ces Batards De L'autre Cote De La Rue!'" There was more applause, and Miranda made quiet note of who applauded the loudest as she clapped politely, ignoring her Uncle's rather theatrical performance of it. She knew it was only because Chef Troy was feeding him. It was the Festival Coordinator and his wife, though; who seemed to be the most appreciative, exchanging knowing glances with Troy as the alakazam brought the tray to the head table. "This restaurant of international cuisine," continued Chef Troy, turning slowly so that everyone could catch a glimpse of the tight smile he wore, and the few reporters who were allowed in could get pictures of his gleaming, all too white teeth through his well- groomed goatee, "Promises one thing to it's patrons. A dining experience unlike any other offered on this continent, or in the entire world!" Once again he was interrupted by applause and a few happy shouts, but the Chef seemed unperturbed, even as Frank grabbed a rather large handful of something Miranda couldn't identify except to say that it was on a cracker. "Here at MY restaurant," Troy went on, his wary tone indicating that he wasn't one for long speeches, but wanted people to know who to thank at the end of the evening, "you will be able to not just eat, but 'experience' taste sensations unlike any other you have, or ever will have again! Unless of course you're a repeat customer." There was a chorus of gentle laughter, as Violet sighed heavily, tossing her breadstick into Misty's glass of water before she could take another sip. "Just get over it," she muttered, shaking her head at Lily for swooning so badly, and ignoring Misty's dark glare, "And for that matter, over yourself." Miranda contemplated giving her a kick under the table the first chance she got, but couldn't help agree with the sentiment. 'Oh well,' she thought, retrieving the bread stick from her partner's glass and pointedly tossing it back into Violet's, 'At least the food is free.' "But I have droned on long enough!" announced Chef Troy as his alakazam teleported to his side with a loud -POP!- that caused a few people to jump in their seats, "My staff will be along shortly to take your orders so that you may also sample our food, not just hear about it." There was an appreciative murmur as their table joined the rest in sitting down, and as Miranda picked up the blue velvet menu book, bound by gold thread with the restaurant logo on the cover, she felt a gentle tap upon her foot. Looking up with a scowl, she saw Violet smile at her mischievously as she brought the sopping wet breadstick to her lips, and provocatively pushed it against them. For a moment her dark eyes fluttered a bit, as if enjoying herself far too much, whilst parting her lips ever so slightly to allow the breadstick entrance. "Wrong gender," whispered Miranda with a chuckle, hiding behind her menu and laughing as Violet bit the breadstick in half in frustration. "Must you?" inquired Misty rhetorically, before going back to her own and giving a startled look as she realized that not a single item was to be found with a listed price. "Just remember it's free, dear," said Miranda, leaning close with a hand upon Misty's knee. "Oh, before I forget," whispered Misty back, lifting her menu to hide herself from her sisters, "Did you happen to notice that alakazam?" Miranda nodded. "Same one?" "I think so," her lover replied, glancing at the double swinging doors that lead to the kitchen, "But I'm no expert. Too bad Professor Myria or your friend Zack weren't there. I'm sure they'd-" But her train of thought was interrupted by a loud cough and the two turned to see the waiter they'd seen at Irene's looming over them in his tacky blue and gold suit. "Are you ready to order, ladies?" Misty and Miranda exchanged glances and quickly chose the first thing that sounded good on their menus. "I'll have the soulaki platter," replied Miranda. "Oh, same for me, I guess," added Misty, too annoyed at her sisters to have really paid attention to her menu and just then noticing that the man simply nodded, and didn't seem to have to write anything down as he turned his attention to her three pretentious siblings. "Oh, I'll just have the cannolli," replied Violet in a bored tone. "Souffle," said Lily quickly, tearing her gaze away from his stunning blue eyes. "I'll have the teriyaki," finished Daisy. "Spearow or tauros?" "Oh, spearow I guess," she replied with a shy smile and a wave of her hand. "Very well then," said the waiter simply giving Miranda a slightly disapproving look as her watch chimed Beethoven's fifth, "And to drink?" "Tea, green if possible, Earl Gray if not. Orange pekoe and I sue," the courier replied with a wry grin, pushing back her chair awkwardly and getting to her feet before leaning down kiss Misty on the cheek, "I'll just be a minute." "Oh, I'll just have what she's having," said Misty, feeling her heart sink a little as Miranda glided off, nearly tripping over her gown as she made a sharp left and hurried off towards the pay phones at the back of the restaurant. "Mineral water for the three of us," added Violet, catching the waiter's eye and giving him a mischievous look that made Lily glare at her. "You know," commented Misty as the man walked away, his shoes making no sound across the carpeted floor, "'Evian' is just 'Naive' spelt backwards. Not bad for water brought to us by a guy in his backyard wielding a garden hose and a few thousand clear- plastic bottles, eh?" Lily suppressed a chuckle as Violet glowered at their youngest sister. "Ya know," she said in a condescending tone, meeting Misty's gaze with a knowing look, "That Miranda's like, so totally using you." Misty leaned back, folding her arms across her chest as she gave her sister a disbelieving look. "And just how do you figure that?" she asked, not really caring whether her sibling answered, but unwilling to simply ignore the slight. "Well, you know," continued Violet as all three sisters leaned in closer, "She's a courier. Like, you know how 'they' are." "That's right," agreed Daisy. "Yeah, like, she's probably got two or three lovers in every town," added Lily; "She's just stringing you along little sister. Just like that Ash guy you used to hang around with." "THAT," warned Misty, keeping her voice low and containing her anger as best she could, gripping the table so hard her knuckles had turned white, "Will be quite enough!" Misty's anger was abruptly halted as she spotted the dark blue of Miranda's dress as she awkwardly hurried back to the table as if on cue. "Forget something, dear?" inquired Misty, reserving the edge in her tone solely for her trio of siblings. "Y-yes," said Miranda breathlessly, kneeling beside Misty's chair and taking her hand, her cloudy gray eyes fully of mischief. "What's wrong?" her lover asked, well aware of the looks they were getting from the three sisters, "What did you forget?" Miranda's lips formed a wide smile as she leaned up towards her. "I forgot," she said just loud enough for the others to hear, "To tell you 'I love you.'" Before Misty could stammer out a reply, she felt Miranda's lips pressed against her own for a moment before the courier rushed off again to take care of her mysterious phone call. And for a long moment, Misty could only stare after her, her face flushing with both embarrassment and endearment. "Oh, like I'm so sure," she heard Violet reply to something Daisy said, bringing Misty back to reality even as Lily waved her hand in front of her face. "Like, hello? Earth to Misty!" she called impatiently, causing her sister to sigh heavily, shaking her head as the moment faded all to quickly. "What now?" she muttered, giving her sister an annoyed look that was returned by one of astonishment. "Like, you've been sitting there staring off into space for way too long," said Lily, tossing her dark red hair over her shoulder. "For sure," agreed Violet, shaking her head in dismayed disapproval as she idly sipped her drink, "I think you're way too taken with this girl, Misty. I think she's starting to make you crazy." "What's that supposed to mean?!" growled Misty through gritted teeth, clenching her fists and really wishing that there weren't so many witnesses. "Ooh, looks like our little sister's still got all those anger management problems," chuckled Lily all too coolly. "Well," spat Misty, unable to rein her venomous tone as she turned her dark look to her second oldest sibling, "At least I don't sleep with everything that'll hold still long enough!" Daisy and Violet stifled a laugh as Lily began to stammer out a reply, only to be interrupted by an expected polite inquiry. "Problem?" inquired Miranda who had suddenly appeared, her arm linked through her Uncle's. "Not at all," assured Violet, smiling up at Frank, who had been forced to wear his dress uniform, "Just discussing family business. Care to join us Officer?" "Just for minute," said Officer Frank with a shrug, taking the empty seat beside Misty as his almost-niece sat down, "I just wanted to get away from those old fogies for a few minutes and try to find out who this strange woman is..." Miranda turned her head, desperately trying to hide her smirk as she glared at her Uncle. "I thought I warned you?" she said through gritted teeth as Misty laughed. "I didn't say anything," chuckled Frank, glancing over his shoulder and waving at Jenny. "So how is she?" inquired Misty with concern look in Jenny's direction and frowning when the woman winced when she tried to smile back at Frank. "The doc's say she'll live. The naninte treatment managed to heal the worst of it, but the rest is up to her, I'm afraid," explained Frank, his eyes going wide for a moment as Lily slid her leg around his possessively, "But I'm not leaving 'till she's all healed up." "Oh, so like now you're leaving us?" pouted Lily as Frank caught his breath, trying to move closer to Misty and away from the woman's rather blatant attempts at seduction as he felt a hand upon his knee. "Y-yes, actually," he stammered, turning to his niece and pointedly ignored the delicate seeming hand that was moving slowly up his leg and causing his voice to go up an octave, "I- I called you're Aunt, Miri." "You did!" she exclaimed happily, almost forgetting to stomp down hard on Violet's foot as the woman tried to slide her toe up her bare leg, "How'd it go? What'd she say?" Frank smiled, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath as he ignored Lily's sudden pout. "Well, it's like I said," he explained in the tone he reserved for story telling, "She's a wonderful woman. There's no way I could ever do better, and I certainly don't deserve her." He paused for effect, long enough to reach under the table and bend Lily's index finger far enough back for her to get the point. "But Laurna wants me to head back to Lavender first chance I get. So as soon as Jen's all healed up, I'm puttin' in for a transfer. It's about time Lavender had a decent cop in town." "We don't even have a Jenny," agreed Miranda sympathetically, although her tone was somewhat thankful, "But that'll give me another reason to read home in October." "Why wait?" inquired Frank, his tone becoming serious, "Your mother misses you." "Let's not start that again," muttered Miranda, shaking her head and pushing her glasses back up her nose, "I hate it when Bob tells me that on the phone every time I get a dispatch call, and I don't need it from you too, Uncle." "I know," said Frank with a shrug as the waiter returned with their drinks, "But anyway, I'd better get back there before Myria dumps water over Ms. Burke's head like she's been threatening to." "She's the Festival Coordinator's wife, right?" inquired Misty, turning in her seat in time to see Professor Myria grin broadly at the annoyed looking elderly woman next to her, clutching the pitcher of water in both small hands with a mischievous glint in her emerald eyes. Frank nodded. "The best expletive to describe her would be an insult to Bow, so forget it," he commented, "She's been in a bit of a snit since they got here, but she was happy to see Chef Troy, let me tell ya." "I kinda noticed," replied Miranda, recalling that the woman was amongst the first to leap to her feet and applaud when he'd entered, and the first to laugh at his lame joke. "Yeah," continued Frank, oblivious to the displeased look the waiter gave him, "She's rather excitable for someone her age. I guess old Todd finally brought her around." "She didn't like him at first?" asked Miranda, remembering how her first impression of the Chef wasn't helped by the presence of the man's umbreon. Frank nodded, forgetting that he had a drink waiting for him at his table. "Couldn't stand him!" he mused, "She was the strongest voice on the Council against allowing him to set up shop here. Especially after that fiasco with his second cousin thrice removed in Neon town." "Let me guess," interjected Misty dryly, "His name is Troy too?" "Um, yeah," commented Frank, a little bewildered, "Why?" "No reason," she assured, bowing her head in dismay. "Anyway, I'd better get going. Stay out of trouble, Miri." "As if!" called Miranda to her retreating uncle, unable to keep from smiling as Misty looked up at the ceiling and mouthed the words, "Why? Aren't Jenny's and Joy's enough?!" "So," asked Miranda briskly, looking pointedly at Violet, "You were saying about the new gym?" Violet nodded, taking a sip of her extra pretentious drink before speaking. "Well, like I said," she replied, licking her lips and using her drink as an excuse, "I'm like, totally astonished that you haven't heard. 'Cause like, it's in your home town, don't'cha know." "Lavender?" said Miranda, her astonishment genuine as opposed to Violet's more pretentious slant on it. "Oh, you bet!" chuckled Lily, giving Officer Frank a final hungry look as he sat back down at his own table, "Some pokemon professor or other's like totally taking care of it." "Professor Laurna?!" exclaimed Miranda, blushing as she looked down at the table meekly and Misty gave her a gentle, teasing nudge with her shoulder, giggling at the sudden out burst. "You, you like know her?" inquired Daisy quietly, her fingers entwining as single lock of hair as she smiled at Miranda. The woman nodded. "She's my aunt," the courier explained, "She came to Lavender with my mother and father, and apparently it was as though she was meant to be there. There isn't a pokemon professor on the planet who knows more about ghost types than her. Apparently her gengar was an arbok once, but she won't tell me how Viper died." The three sisters gave Miranda looks that ranged from curious to confused. "But like, Miranda," commented Violet, as always the first to speak, "Aren't 'ghosts' just like, sentient balls of gas? Sorta like grimers and muks?" Miranda smiled, seizing the opportunity. "No," she said curtly, leaning back in her chair with her eyes closed as she contemplated the question, "No they are not. Ghosts, from gastlies to gengars were all once living, breathing pokemon." She waited a moment for her words to sink in, to have their desired effect. "No one is completely certain why it happens," she explained, opening one gray eye to see the look of morbid fascination upon their faces, "but sometimes pokemon who die just don't pass on. Something causes them to cling to this plane. Unfortunately, though, they have no memories of their former lives, so there's no real way to help them. But I suppose that's what the Tower is for. It gives them a place to dwell." "Uh-until someone captures them, you mean," Lily stammered, her suddenly wide eyes betraying just how unnerved she felt. Miranda shrugged. "Well, sometimes they don't stay for long," she replied, taking Misty's suddenly cold hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze, "Most ghosts are captured outside the Tower, cause only a lunatic would actually go in there hunting one." "Why- why is that?" gulped Daisy, looking even paler than usual. Miranda glanced at Misty, who looked up at her with pleading eyes. "It's just not safe," she finished, putting her arm around Misty and giving her a reassuring hug as Daisy shivered all over. "Anyone, like you know, go in to the Tower, and like, totally never come out again?" inquired Violet with a hint of malice in her voice, not caring about the effect the story was having on Daisy, instead concentrating on the rather unpleasant expression crossing her youngest sibling's face. Miranda took a deep breath, not prying her gaze away from Misty. "No," she lied, for her lover's benefit, pulling a number out of the ether, "Not in oh, at least hundred years." "Look," she said, glancing over at Violet, "If you really care, go to Lavender Town for the Halloween celebrations and you'll hear all about the Tower then. My Aunt Laurna does this simply amazing show with her troupe. Some of the illusions they weave while she tells the story are simply amazing!" Violet muttered something about doing just that, but Miranda, who leaned in closer to Misty, ignored her half-hearted tone. "Sorry, about that," she said quietly, "I keep forgetting you don't like ghosts very much." Misty nodded, smiling weakly. "It's okay," she assured, "I'm getting used to Wraith. I mean, intellectually I know he won't hurt me, it's just..." "I know," said Miranda with a smile and a gentle hug, "It's okay, my step-father's lived in Lavender for nearly seven years, and he's still terrified of them. Although my Mom's actually stared down wild ones." "Sounds like your mom's scarier than the ghosts!" chuckled Misty, the colour returning to her cheeks even as Daisy got up from the table and hurried to the restroom, looking more than a little green. Miranda grinned, amused by the sentiment. "Only when she's angry," she assured, "This is a 'Mom' we're talking about here..." *** The rest of the dinner went smoothly, with the only real interruption being when Ms. Burke began yelling at Frank for eating his abesynian platter with his left hand, to which the Pokeforce Officer replied, "But I'm ambidextrous!" And then he merely laughed at the dirty look their waiter gave him when he said, "Oh, this is so unspicy I can put it in my eye!" By eight o'clock, Misty and Miranda had finished eating, and both were just a little anxious to go. With a glance at her empty plate, wondering where it all could have gone, Miranda turned to flag down their waiter. "So," inquired Misty briskly, wiping her mouth with napkin that cost more than everyone at the table combined made in a year and catching Violet staring longingly at Miranda, "Are you three heading home after this?" "Like, no way!" exclaimed Lily before Violet could speak, and receiving a kick under the table for it, "As if! Like, we're all dressed up, we might as well go and do something!" "Not a bad idea," agreed Miranda with a sly grin as the waiter returned, "Have a nice time." "Is that everything?" the man inquired, his tone a touch suspicious. "That'll do," Miranda assured him, "Unless there's some kind of hidden charge that I'm unaware of...?" "Oh no," assured the waiter with an insincere smile that seemed to be more of a sneer, "Your meals are complimentary." "Good," said Miranda curtly, getting to her feet at the same time as Misty, sensing the her lover's sudden urgency to away from her siblings, "Oh, and thank you." The waiter nodded as he wrote out the bill that Violet, Lily and Daisy would have to share, a smirk crossing his face as Misty and Miranda almost ran across the room. By the time they'd reached Frank, they were both laughing at the strangely guilty feeling they both felt at walking away from a meal, that they both had to admit was incredible, without paying. "Heading out?" inquired Frank as they approached; his fingers stained red from the sauce as he scooped up the last of his meal with a strange, air-bubble infested injera flat bread. Miranda nodded, smiling as she held Misty's hand. "Actually, I was thinking of maybe going for Coffee at Irene's," she explained, glancing at Misty, "If you're up for it?" "Definitely!" her lover replied, nodding vigorously, "At least then we can get away from my sisters without having to lock a door behind us." "Ah, siblings," chuckled Frank, looking thoughtful before finishing off his meal and talking with his mouth full, "I'll bet I have a million of 'em!" "He's an orphan. Adopted shortly after birth," explained Miranda, suddenly anxious to get out into the cool night air as the stifling dry warmth of the dining room was only made worse by the look of unbridled contempt Ms. Burke gave her. "Then we have something in common," replied Misty with a sad smile, "Did you know them? Your parents I mean?" Frank yawned, shaking his head. "Nope," he said, tapping the table in front of Jenny who had dozed off with her large bowl of soup unfinished, "Never had the pleasure. Anyway, I have to get my commanding officer home before people start talking. Again. Say, need a ride?" "They gave you another car?" inquired Miranda with a smirk that made her Uncle give her a sarcastic grin that would do Nezumi proud. "It's Jen's," he confessed, helping a very worn out Officer Jenny to her feet and saying goodbye to the people at his table, "So? Shall we...?"
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