[color=f7941d]CELESTE BROWN[/color] - Sandy Coves Inn -- dinnertime and about to be late for her date

"We'll be alright guys...I promise."  Sara came behind the counter and gave Celeste a reassuring squeeze around the shoulders.  Brandy took her leave.  

"Ah, okay, bye, Brandy!  We can catch up later," Celeste gave a short wave.

"Good evening," Archie added, as Brandy left, saying goodbye to both.

“I'll hang out up here until things settle down. How's that sound?” Sara grinned. Before she let go of Celeste she rubbed her shoulder ever so gently and crawled up on the counter.

Celeste gaped at Sara, finally realizing what it was she was doing.  "O-oh!  Okay!  That's really nice of you!"

"It's entirely [i]unnecessary,[/i]" huffed Archie.

Celeste glowered at the robot.  "You hush."  She jammed her fists onto her hips, causing her curls and her bosom to jiggle.  "You weren't anywhere helpful both times shots went off.  If Sara wants to help protect us, then I don't see why not."

Archie seemed to pause.  "Yes, well, whatever you like, manager.  I was merely organizing this inn of yours for you, certainly not [i]helpful.[/i]  I'll just get back to doing that, then?"  The robot turned and retreated back into the depths of the inn.

Celeste completely did not pick up on Archie's sarcastic, passive aggressive tone.  She perked right back up, smiling and waving at him.  "Oh!  Well that sure sounds good.  Thank you!"

She turned back to Sara, finally getting a glance at her.  In her panic and fear she hadn't noticed that Sara had bathed.  Her hair and skin was clean and smelled lightly of soap.  "[i]Ohh![/i] Sara, you're already settling in and making yourself comfortable.  That's delightful!" she smiled.  Celeste adjusted her dress on her shoulders.  She glanced at Brandy's picnic basket with regret.  "That chicken sure smells great.  Here, Sara, if you get hungry, please help yourself.  I need to get going.  I'll be back later tonight if you need me!"

Celeste stepped through the doors and into the twilight.  The breeze off the water pushed her curls off her cheeks and smelled of brine and decay.  She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves.  "I better get going," she said aloud to herself.  She walked through the town, watching people enter the diner and going about their evening routine.  Soon enough she found herself at Adam's place.  She pulled out the note once more, re-read it for a third time, and confirmed she was at the right spot.  Her heart fluttered, thrilled and nervous at the same time.  Celeste reached up and smoothed her hair, then her dress, and finally she knocked on the door.

"Adam, it's me, Celeste!"  She paused.  "Sorry if I'm late.  There was a little bit of...ah...unpleasantness outside the inn."

Celeste stood quietly for a moment, shifting side to side in her nervousness.  Finally, she knocked, again.  "Adam?  Are...are you there?"