Tallah jumped at the unexpected thump of a hand on their table. She looked up to see the man who was dining here earlier. He was wearing an odd turtleneck sweater despite the summer heat. She had seen him around once or twice before, but never really thought much of him. He always seemed like the quiet type, so his sudden intrusion shocked her.

[b]"Sorry to interrupt. Billy Blue. I'm the deacon at the church here. First Presbyterian, right over on Locust Street. I don't normally do this, but we're having a little meeting this afternoon at the church. Spiritual guidance, moral support, that sort of thing. If you're lost or lonely or unsure, it might do you guys some good. Bring you a little peace. Especially if you're stuck in the middle of bumfuck nowhere,"[/b] (Tallah thought it was unusual that a religious man would use language like that.) [b]"So, you know, give it some thought. And if you've maybe got a friend who keeps following you around and just won't leave you alone, bring them too."[/b]

Tallah froze at the mention of the "friend". How could he know about that? She flicked her gaze towards Colm for a second to see her own momentary panic reflected in his eyes. That only increased her confusion. Why was he afraid? Unless he shared her problem... but that wasn't possible... was it? She turned back to watch Turtleneck saunter off to the next table and repeat his offer to the people sitting there.

[i]What's going on?[/i]

Tallah had been stuck here for three days now and nothing particularly unusual had happened. Why the sudden change? She looked around at the other unfamiliar faces in the diner. Could it be because of them? As she felt a new wariness for her fellow hotel guests, she spotted a moving shadow out of the corner of her eye.

[i]I found Waldo,[/i] Tallah thought sarcastically. She shot her stalker buddy a glare for his poor sense of timing. He couldn't have picked a worse moment to appear. Then again, he usually showed up when she was feeling out-of-sorts like this. It was just his nature. She glanced back at Colm, who still looked unnerved. He surprised her by suddenly bursting out in a laugh.

[b]"Well, I don't know what that was about."[/b]

Somehow, Tallah doubted he was as clueless as he tried to imply, but she kept it to herself. Despite her boisterous exterior, she was a very observant person. Plus, Colm wasn't covering up his anxiety very well. She offered him a friendly grin in an attempt to lessen the awkwardness of the whole situation.

"I don't either," Tallah responded, chuckling lightly. "What an odd guy. And did you [i]see[/i] that hideous sweater? Talk about a fashion statement!" She made a face as if she were completely disgusted. "I bet he's only a deacon 'cause he can't get a girl. Celibate by force, y' know?"