d&d scenes } { of returns and dinner invitations

[iluvroadrunner6]

Ric: [after leaving the group meeting and dropping his bag off in his room, he heads to the kitchen to grab some coffee and then he goes to hunt for Donna. He knew he could have just talked to her after the meeting, but the others were around and he didn't like the idea of them listening in.]

Donna: [is down in whatever work space she's in, working on getting her things together for the trip to visit the Archheart. She looks up when she hears footsteps and smiles] Welcome back.

Ric: Thanks. Hope I didn't miss too much.

Donna: [shakes her head] Nope. Fairly boring on this end.

Ric: After what happened before I left, that's a relief to hear.

Donna: Indeed. I think we needed the break.

Ric: Totally. I have to admit, it helped.

Donna: That's good! Feeling more sure of yourself?

Ric: [nods] Yeah. Figured a few things out, made some amends, nearly died in the desert...

Donna: [her brow furrows] What desert?

Ric: Jormanian. Was in a caravan trying to get to Qabla Tanaar.

Donna: ... Well it's fortunate that you didn't.

Ric: I'm pretty happy with the result.

Donna: Good. Why were you trying to get to Qabla Tanaar?

Ric: I was trying to find an acolyte for Nusemnee

Donna: Ah. She doesn't have many of those, and I'm not sure they would be in Zethir's territory.

Ric: My research pointed me there because she tried to prevent people from getting there. [shrugs] If going there could get me her attention...

Donna: And you could have died in the desert.

Ric: [rubs the back of his neck, the fresh spot where the tattoo had once been] I really wasn't thinking about that.

Donna: I'm noticing.

Ric: But I found her. [smirks]

Donna: Oh! So you were successful then.

Ric: Yeah. I mean, I didn't know it was her at first. I thought she was a nomad, or another person lost from the caravan.

Donna: How'd it go?

Ric: Good. I'd spent time with some of my old friends back from the circus the week before. Remembering who I was before Shar came into my life. Made me realize some things I didn't know about how others saw me

Donna: Good things or bad things?

Ric: Bit of both. I should have had more faith in my friends back then. I couldn't see past my own shame to see them trying to reach out to help.

Donna: Shame is powerful that way.

Ric: Yeah. I've been carrying a lot of that, lately. It's blinded me to a lot. Plus, well, the me in this reality has really become a stuck up asshole.

Donna: But something you're working on.

Ric: Yeah. I mean, I know I've still got to figure out what to do with Lammel's businesses if Isabelle has disappeared, since as far as I know I'm still on all the board of directors, if not a co-owner or VP of something. But I think I can turn them around into real organizations for helping others, and not as a cover for Shar's desires. But I don't want that life anymore. I mean, I'm keeping the money because I'm not taking a vow of poverty, but using it for the right reasons.

Donna: Good.

Ric: And the other thing I'm going to do is take care of the things I do have, and the people who I care about.

Donna: Always smart.

Ric: So, um... before we head off again... think I can take you out to dinner tonight?

Donna: Tonight?

Ric: Well, um... yeah. Why not?

Donna: I won't have long. I have to prepare for our trip tomorrow.

Ric: How about instead I'll get it delivered and we can just eat together?

Donna: If you want, I suppose.

Ric: I... [licks his lips] I just want to spend time with you. Get to know you better, outside of all this. [the institute]

Donna: I just need time to get all my spells in order. We won't really have much to work with.

Ric: Okay. When we get back then?

Donna: [she nods] When we get back would be better.

Ric: Alright, but I'm holding you to that then. [smiles]

Donna: [she laughs] I think you know I'm a woman of my word.

Ric: I do. Let me know if you want me to order you something for dinner, though. I'm going to spend a few hours in the gym to practice fighting with this helmet... thing. I'll probably get Chinese after to regain the calories. [or whatever passes for Chinese in this world]

Donna: I will, but I think I'll be okay. Thank you, though.

Ric: No problem. If I don't see you, be safe.

Donna: You as well. Hopefully the Raven Queen will be kind.

Ric: One can hope. OH. Do you have my keys?

Donna: [pats her pockets for a moment before going through her bags to find them and toss them at Ric] There you go.

Ric: Thanks. See you later.

Donna: See you later.