[color=00aeef]FRIEDA RICHTER[/color] - Salem diner

The young woman spun on her heel, “SURRREEEE AM!” She juggled the cartons to offer her hand, dropping one on the floor it broke open spilling the ten packs of cigarettes, “Just a sec please.” 

Frieda bit her lip to keep from chuckling.  She glanced around the diner but saw that no one was paying attention.  Suddenly, the younger woman was standing again and had thrust her hand out in front of her.  “You’re new in town, I’m Brandy Brooks, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” 

Frieda blinked.  "Ah -- oh.  Thanks.  I'm Richter," she replied reflexively, before she could catch herself.  "[i]Frieda[/i], I mean.  Frieda Richter."  [i]Could I sound any more awkward?[/i]  She took Brandy's offered hand and shook it.

Brandy leaned her left shoulder towards her, “Take one, you can have it as a welcoming gift. I’d like to personally welcome you to Salem. A growing community of likeminded people looking to better the world we live in,” she smiled brightly, using her free hand to push her glasses up.

It felt as though Frieda's heart had stopped.  Brandy's generosity threw her for a loop.  "Are you sure?"  The look on Brandy's face showed she was serious.  Frieda gently removed the top most pack and offered what she hoped was her warmest smile.  "You're a [i]lifesaver[/i], Brandy."  She stepped just outside the door and searched her pockets.  It was with extreme relief that she found her lighter.  Frieda wasted no time in lighting up her smoke, relishing everything about it.  The crackle of the dry tobacco.  The heat.  The taste.  She all but sighed in delight, though she restrained herself for fear of drawing any more attention.

Frieda watched as Brandy spoke with someone else, wearing an overcoat, who then left the diner with that creep Steve.  She wondered that she should be suspicious, but then thought nothing of it.  Let the others make their own decisions about prying weirdos.

Brandy and Rook were both at the bar.  Frieda considered a second cigarette, but decided to save that until a bit later.  Unsure of what else to do with herself, she looked back into the diner, her eyes falling again on the quiet man with familiar features.  His softer-than-most complexion nagged at her.

She decided to sit down at the bar.  Before the shop keep could even notice her, Barney cried out, "hey!  Well if it isn't Little Miss Trigger Happy, huh?"

[i]Oh, no.[/i]  She didn't reply.

"Best you not shoot that gun in here, you're liable to hurt someone innocent," he continued.  "Rook's a bonafide payin' customer."

Frieda quickly looked between Rook, Barney, then Brandy.  "Look, I'm not going to apologize for earlier.  Anyone --" she stopped herself, looking again at Brandy, "well, most anyone, would have done exactly what I did.  White flag or otherwise.  Besides, it was just a warning shot, too."