When is Spring? (Adonis)

[Idalia Tsavaris]

It had been a few weeks since Idalia had run into Adonis on the street. She’d texted him a couple of times with an apology just to let him know she hadn’t forgotten and wasn’t putting him off. First there was the wedding, which ended up being just as wearying as she’d expected. Questions from her family had been quite invasive and though Ida loved them all it had taken all of her self control not to tell them all to go off and mind their own business. Otherwise it had been a beautiful Greek Orthodox wedding. Ida then had gotten back to Pilot Ridge and after picking up Ike from Cecil, who she had promised endless favors to watch over her puppy. Then it had back to work with a vengeance. Then there was the Nor’easter that had threatened terrible snowfall.

Even Idalia hadn’t been willing to pull the plug on the warnings until the day of. She saw the storm in her mind and the snow fell, but not in the vast quantity that was initially threatened. Her office and the office of the National Weather Service in Burlington had worked with several meteorologists to get the forecast right. It had been two days and a night straight of forecasting and using her power. One moment she would look at her power and Pilot Ridge would be covered in a foot of snow, the next hour it would be gone, then finally it seemed to fix on something right in the middle. She had dropped Ike off with her parents, just in case she wasn’t able to get back to feed him and let him out. That night Idalia had slept at the office, and by slept, she grabbed an hour or two of sleep at a time between new casts and forecast meetings.

Thankfully, the storm wasn’t as bad as previously forecast and she sent all of her forecasters who had been there during the storm home and went on to work her shift, smoothing ruffled feathers, explaining why things had gone differently than expected. All the while, powder erased her lack of sleep and coffee was the only thing keeping her from snapping at callers. She didn’t realize until the next evening when she picked up Ike and went home that someone had to have made it their job to make sure she never had an empty cup. Idalia would have liked to say she had a few days off following that, but instead she was back to work the next day, early. She completely forgot about getting dinner with Adonis until the schedule came out and she sighed with relief that they were back to normal. Idalia was always on call, but she had her two days off this weekend!

She texted Adonis on Wednesday to see if he was free on Friday and when he said he was, they confirmed their dinner plans on Friday night. And Friday night she set an alarm to leave the office at five PM sharp. She typed away, struggling with some new data that was proving to be impossibly difficult to open. Why, oh why couldn’t everyone just pick one file type to use and say to hell with the rest of them? Her alarm went off and she blinked at it startled, not comprehending at first until she realized it said ‘Dinner!’ She grabbed her phone then looked at her computer, she’d just finish this train of thought. Her phone went off again, much to her surprise, fifteen minutes later. She surged to her feet, she had to leave now or she was going to be late. Just as she was gathering her purse she heard a knock on her door. One of the interns, a young, attractive man, who had a good personality, but lacked confidence in himself.

“Ah! Brian, good, I was hoping to catch you before I got out.” She left her office, letting the door lock behind her and she walked with a quick quip letting the intern follow in her wake. “Casey, hey I want you with Brian tonight,” she said leaning on the desk on the watchfloor. When Casey nodded she continued, “I want you to show him how to make his own graphics, I want him to record a forecast tonight as well, I’ll look over it when I get in on Monday. And Brian I want you to pay close attention because Tuesday when you come in I want you to put together your own forecast for the briefing.” She watched with the glee of a teacher, seeing doubt in a pupil she had no doubt in, as the intern paled. She reached out and patted his shoulder, “If you have any questions I want you to come to me or anyone else in here.” She smiled warmly and then with a wave she departed texting Adonis. ‘I’m sorry I’m late getting off work, I might be a tad late!’

She rushed home, cursing the traffic. She let out Ike quickly and then changed into a more casual outfit. A long black and white striped shirt and a frilly black skirt with dark leggings and comfortable boots. She let her hair fall, long and wavy and she wiped away her stage makeup replacing it with a much more subtle garnish. Lastly, she put food in her hungry hound’s bowl before letting him back in. Finally ready she checked the time. Good, she would hopefully only be a few minutes late. She shot a text to Adonis to let him know she was on her way and then she pulled on her coat, scratched her pooch and left to meet her friend. When she arrived she glanced around hoping to see Adonis.

[Adonis Voskopoulos]

It had be a failry uneventful few weeks for Adonis. He went about his day very systematically as he usually did. Aside from some extra training sessions, Adi's schedule was essentially set in stone. He worked from 7 to 5 most days, with an hour off for lunch. Friday he usually got to leave at 3 or 4. He went home, and took Zeus out for a run - even in the ever increasing amounts of snow. He cooked himself dinner, using fresh spices he continuously grew in his small house. His plants were always abundantly healthy, even in the winter cold. He made sure of it. After dinner he would watch some television, and call his parents. Then bed, and doing it all again in the morning.

It became a bit monotonous sometimes, so Adonis was elated when Idalia kept her word and they planned to have dinner on a Friday night. Adi always found ways to entertain himself over the weekend, anyway, so this was just a good way to kick it off. He knew the woman had been working hard, seeing as the weather had been a bit crazy lately. He was sure that she would enjoy getting away from forecasting for a while.

Adi dressed in a pair of straight leg black jeans, a white tshirt, and his brown leather jacket - nice, but causal. Something appropriate for the evening. He made his way to Munroe's place, and got a table, even though Idalia said she may be a bit late. Adonis didn't mind. He was more than happy to wait for good company. The man scanned the menu as he waited, trying to decide between a few of his favorite choices. Of course, the food could not compare to the traditional meals he and his mother enjoyed preparing, but there were some options that could suffice.

When Idalia arrived, Adi saw her before she seemed to find him. The woman scanned the restaurant, looking for the man. To make her job easier, Adi stood up, and raised his hand a bit to wave, an attempt to subtly gain the woman's attention without the whole restaurant turning toward him. Not that he would be phased by all eyes being on him.

[Idalia Tsavaris]

Idalia wished she had consistent work schedules and she wished she didn’t live somewhere where the winters were so bad. Though she supposed it could be worse, she could work in Oklahoma. She was very glad that Adonis had been so understanding, she’d found friends were more forgiving than anyone else, she’d lost more dates by working too much than anything else. At least she was close to her family and they were understanding if she had to bail on a family event. She was hoping that she was going to have less of a hard time soon, as soon as spring came it was hopefully going to come gently. She was not enjoying answering all of the Climate Change Denier emails either. People did not seem to realize that just because it was snowing, as surprise, surprise it does every winter, the climate wasn’t warming. No one listened to data either. It drove her mad.

She was so glad when she pulled up to the restaurant to be able to put all of that behind her for the night and just enjoy herself. Maybe have a few drinks and pretend that she was holding it all together well. Part of her wondered if Adonis had watched her forecasts since she’d told him that was what she did. Part of her hoped that he had, but another part of her hoped not. She got comments on her looks just as frequently as she did on her forecasts. She had nearly gone on the air with a rant when she’d been gone for her cousin’s wedding and someone had posted to the news station’s Twitter, requesting that they bring the ‘hot weather girl back’. Idalia had had a full response drafted before she was talked out of sending it.

Idalia spotted Adonis when he rose and waved. She waved back and squeezed between some people chatting at the bar to get to the table. Damn he looked good, he always did. He was definitely a man who knew how to dress. “I’m so sorry I’m late,” she said removing her coat and draping it over the back of the chair. Before she slid into her seat she leaned forward and gave Adi a hug. “How are you, Adi?” She asked settling in and smiling at her friend. She really wanted to know all about what he had been up to. His life seemed so much more interesting to her, she had wondered since they’d met up a few weeks ago how working at Hammel was. She knew being a student there had been… okay, basically high school but the added burden of powers. She in the shadow of her sisters. She relished being in a field where people saw I.S. Tsavaris on a paper they immediately associated it with her work, not one of her sisters.

The thought reminded her of the proposal she was working on with someone downstairs at the NWS. A forecasting case study involving meta humans, it was bound to be interesting, but it was due in a couple weeks and they had a lot of work to do… She shook her head, oh well, it could wait right now she was having dinner with an old friend and pretending life didn’t exist.

[Adonis Voskopoulos]

Adi was happy to see that Idalia had finally made it. He hadn't been waiting long, of course, but it was always better to have a friendly face across the table. "Hello, Ida. You look beautiful, as always," the man gushed, always spoiling the women in his company. He accepted her hug, and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek before they both sat back down at their small table. Adi's menu stayed tucked under his arms, where he leaned slightly on the table, as he had time to look it over before the woman had arrived.

"I'm well," Adi said truthfully when the woman inquired. "I'm feeling a little stuck in a rut, though, to be honest. It's good to get out and away from my normal routine," the man explained, never afraid to be truly honest in front of Ida - even after all this time. Her presence was comforting and she made it hard to be anything but completely honest. They had built such a friendship in Hammel that it seemed those values hadn't changed, and even if Adi wanted to tell Idalia that everything was perfect, she'd manage to get his real feelings out anyway.

"In a way I'm slightly jealous of you," Adi said with a laugh. "I almost wish for once something unexpected came up and I'd have to rearrange everything and rush to get the job done." He was sure that Idalia would contest, as her job seemed as if it could be quite stressful. Though Adi simply wished that his routine harbored a bit more excitement. Being a trainer at Hammel could certainly become monotonous. It was especially so, lately, since Adi was working with kids who, for the most part, had their abilities under control. It had been a while since he'd delt with a new student. Their was certainly the possibility of excitement when a new recruit was assigned to you, but Adi hadn't received one in quite some time now.

"How are you?" Adi asked in return. "Work is still giving you the go-around?" he asked with a knowing smile, since she had sent him the text earlier. Adi still didn't know a ton about Idalia's job, but she seemed to have a huge impact on what happened at her station. He'd even watched some of her forecasts in the time since he'd seen her downtown. Most beautiful weather girl he'd seen in ages, in his opinion.

[Idalia Tsavaris]

She curtsied comically at his compliment, coloring despite herself. “You don’t look half bad yourself, Adi,” she said as she settled into her seat. She flipped open the menu but left it laying on the table, so she could glance it over and also converse with Adonis. It was so nice to get out of the station and spend time with someone that wasn’t her dog. She enjoyed spending a lot of time with Cecil and she was holding him to that vacation that they’d planned. She was working on keeping up with friends but unfortunately they had all fallen backseat to her career. Adonis was the first person she’d seen that wasn’t a coworker in what felt like forever and it was so nice to relax and not have to worry about being Meteorologist Idalia Tsavaris.

Ida cocked her head and smiled warmly at her friend. It was a grass is always greener situation. She couldn’t say she wouldn’t kill to have a normal routine. “We should trade for a while, I would kill for a normal routine. I think even just a set schedule.” She didn’t mind shift work so much but she never left work on time, things came up and there were things she tried to get taken care of before she left. When she’d graduated with her Ph.D she’d promised herself she wouldn’t become one of those people that lived to work, but it seemed that that was exactly what she had become. She was finding that fact out and now it felt like it was too late. She couldn’t stop working so hard or else she’d be accused again of winning her position with her power and looks. She’d given a scathing response to the last person who asked her about her power and its role in her career.

“I’m sure something exciting will happen.” She smiled and gestured randomly as she spoke. “After all, you’re a trainer, they’re probably going to give you a trouble kid or something one of these days and then you’ll have your hands full.” She had never had trouble with her power, it had never been a control thing with her, she’d grown and her power had grown with her but she could only sometimes bring on a vision and if a vision wanted to come along she couldn’t stop it. “Be grateful now for your schedule.” She said. He had no idea what he was asking. Idalia had been called in the middle of the night, with two hours of sleep and had rushed into work to give a forecast. She couldn’t wait until summer. Nothing interesting ever happened in the summer, but this winter had been even worse than the last. Even now she knew there was another snow event headed their way and she was planning on bringing Ike with her and staying at the station.

Idalia smiled wanly and shrugged her shoulders. “I’m alive,” she said with a giggle. “It’s been a rough couple weeks with all of the winter weather. And there is looking to be more on the way.” Ida rolled her eyes and looked down at the menu. “I’m not going to lie, it’s been exciting, but exhausting.” As much as she complained Idalia really did love what she did. She was more and more tempted to take a job at a university the more this went on. “Did you have a good Christmas?” She asked and smiled at the waiter who came over a dropped off glasses of water for them. “You went back to New York right?” She asked, hoping she remembered right from her conversation with him.

[Adonis Voskopoulos]

Adi didn't mind the fact that he hadn't seen Ida in long. Of course, seeing her more than less was better. Adi never had a problem picking things up where they left off, though. There were plenty of things to catch up on, but Adi treated people as if he had just seen them yesterday - even though they hadn't had any interaction in years - save the short conversation the two held on the street couple weeks back.

"I'm sure something will happen soon. You know how it is... new students every day," Adi agreed, knowing that it was only a matter of time before he was given a student with absolutely no control of his power, or an awful attitude. Adi weirdly loved when he was handed a 'problem' student. He liked being the guy to create some sort of change in them. That being said, it wasn't as if he didn't enjoy his more easy going students. Simply having only hardworking and progressing students made for a very monotonous workweek. "I suppose you're right," Adi noted with a small laugh, knowing that Ida's schedule was much more stressful and complex than his. He had found that out just trying to schedule this dinner. It seemed as if meteorology was a very unpredictable career path. It was nice to hear that she loved it though. It would be incredibly difficult to deal with if you didn't. "I wouldn't mind a break from the snow soon," Adi said with a sigh, before Idalia could ask him about his holiday again.

"Christmas was lovely," Adi said with a smile, picking up the conversation they had ended the last time they met as if they'd never walked away. "And yes, I spent it with Ma and Pop and my sister and her husband," Adi listed off those in attendance. He had occasionally gone back to Greece for the holidays, but this year the US Voskopoulos clan decided to keep it small and simple (by Greek standards). This was especially so Adi could visit his daughter and deliver presents from his side of the family - as it was probably the first Christmas the little one really understood what was happening. "Christmas Night I drove up to Albany to visit some... college friends," Adi said, not lying, but taking a brief moment to dance around the 'my-ex-fiance conversation. He wasn't quite ready to go there... even though he still felt plenty comfortable around the woman. It wasn't a simple topic of conversation and, frankly, he didn't want to ruin a perfectly good dinner with a conversation likely to put him in a poor mood. "And yourself? I imagine your holidays were a bit more hectic than mine," Adi said with a chuckle, taking a sip of the water that had been brought to him.

[Idalia Tsavaris]

Idalia loved Adonis, he was one of those friends that made distance and time seem insignificant. It had been years since they’d been in the same place and it felt like they’d lost no time between those years, he was still the same Adi, and she was still the same Idalia and things just fell back into place. She felt terrible about having to keep canceling on him but well, there was only so much she could do, she didn’t control the weather and in her opinion no one should. She knew there were meta humans that could, but she never got more nervous than when meta humans were mucking about with the weather. While the butterfly effect wasn’t necessarily right, Chaos Theory was knocked up a few gears when people started messing with it.

“Have you got anyone with interesting powers?” She asked resting her elbows on the table and leaning her chin on her hands. Idalia had never had a problem with her powers, sure there were things that she had to learn to control but well it was a little like sneezing, when her power wanted her to know something well she ended up knowing it. Not like Isolade who could easily terrify significant portions of the population or like Aliana who could accidentally burn someone. “Soon enough you’re going to get that one kid and then you’re going to regret those words,” Idalia warned with a smile. It was truly a ‘grass is greener’ situation and Idalia knew she definitely would kill for some calm days. It was part of the reason she had been looking around at some alternatives.

Ida smiled, she’d met Adi’s parents only a handful of times but they were such sweet people. “Ah, how are your parents doing? And your sister?” She smiled it was a pretty small get together even by the smallest of Tsavaris gatherings. But it could only get so small when you had a family of eleven, and once you start adding nieces and nephews that number skyrocketed. An ex-boyfriend had once referred to her family as a clan. She couldn’t say he was completely wrong. “Oh your parents let you out on Christmas night!?” Idalia exclaimed jokingly in shock. “That does sound fun, it must have been nice to go back to New York.” Idalia laughed and took a drink before she started. “You have no idea. We had both Yia-yias and Papous come around and my mom’s sister was there with there with her new boy toy. All of my sisters were there and I’m sure you can image we were running out of space. My apartment was housing five of us. Would you believe that Rebecca is pregnant again?!” She laughed and flapped her hands excitedly. “Oh Adi, and you’ll never believe it, Isolade showed up!” She pressed her hands to her chest, “Oh it was so good to see her.” Adi had been there when they got the news about Rio and Idalia couldn’t even remember all the hours she spent crying on his shoulder.

[Adonis Voskopoulos]

"Most of my students have some sort of 'manipulation' power," Adi explained as he stirred his drink with his straw. "I have a girl who creates psonic blasts... that's probably the most interesting and challenging power I've had to train," Adi continued, running through his students in his head. He reached his hand forward and plucked the rose that was set on the table between them from it's vase. Adi liked playing around with his power when he was able. The rose suddenly perked up, petals blooming and changing to a deeper red. The bloom probably doubled in size before Adi placed it back into the vase. "I'd like to believe there isn't anything I can't handle," the man noted with a slightly cocky smile.

"My parents are great. Mama thinks it's time to retire, but I'm convinced Babbas won't ever give up the restaurant," Adi said with a chuckle. "He loves his food more than he loves Lyssa and I," he added, rolling his eyes a tad. He knew he was exaggerating, but it was well known that Adi's dad would have given a limb if it meant keeping his restaurant open. The man was obsessed with cooking, and loved seeing the looks on the faces of his customers. He taught Adi everything he knows about cooking, and although Adonis didn't want to take over the business, he certainly enjoyed cooking and experimenting with his father's traditional Greek recipes.

"Trust me, Mama wasn't happy about it," Adi noted in regards to leaving Christmas night. He left it at that though as Idalia started reminiscing her holiday. He smiled warmly as the woman practically rambled on about her family. Adi wasn't phased by this, of course. It seemed that Greek women needed to spew out about seven thoughts at a time or otherwise they would explode. It was slightly endearing for the man to be near that again, as he hadn't experienced such excitement over such simple things since being around his mother and sister. His smile cracked when Idalia mentioned the return of her sister Isolade. His face fell into one of slight shock - not entirely knowing what had happened between Idalia and her sister after school, but imagining that this could have been the first Idalia had seen her in a long time.

"Honestly? Is this the first you have seen her?" he asked, wondering if it had really taken this long for the woman to return to her family - even if it was just for a visit. "I know how worried all of you had been for her.... how is she?"

[Idalia Tsavaris]

Idalia rested her elbows on the table as Adonis spoke. She nodded along and raised a brow at the idea of psonic blasts. “Wow, that’s gotta be crazy. Are they older students or do you have a few that are brand new to Hammel?” She asked as she watched him revive the rose in the vase. She’d always found his power wonderful and she loved to watch him work. There was something about the life that came from the plants when Adonis was around, it was like he was a mini sun, one could almost imagine the plants turning their faces to him. “Be wary of boasting,” she warned gently, it was Adonis, cocky was basically his way, and she loved him for it. Sometimes his head got a little large but she knew it was well based in facts. Life had a tendency to attempt to prove them wrong. Idalia had thought she had a fairly good understanding of the atmosphere when she graduated college, but graduate school pretty much solidified her thinking that she actually knew little to nothing.

Laughing she nodded, “Leave them to their ways,” she said warmly, “I think my parents are going to work until they both keel over.” There had been a lot of assumptions made in the recent past when Greece was in turmoil, rumors of laziness were hard to take, someone merely needed to look at any of the hard working Greeks Idalia knew to know that the work ethic of the Greeks was high. “One of these days I’m going to make it to their restaurant. Or maybe I’ll just get you to cook for me.” She said giving Adonis a wink. If what she’d heard was true and if Adi had any of the skills his father had then Ida wanted to taste. Idalia loved food and it was a wonder she was able to keep herself from blowing up. She’d accepted the fact she wasn’t going to be a stick, she wasn’t fat but she loved her curves and the last person who suggested she lose weight had been a viewer and she’d politely told him where to stick his suggestions. She was muscular and she liked it that way.

Ida giggled, she knew that feeling, she was lucky she wasn’t married, but some of her sisters who had to make the decision between her parents or their husbands houses always seemed to have tension, especially when their mother invited everyone over anyways, she took it as a genuine insult when her sister’s in-laws declined her offer. It sometimes took a lot to keep things from escalating. She nodded, seeing his face when she mentioned Isolade. Isolade had been furious about Rio’s death and had taken it harder than any of them. Isolade had always been different and when Rio died, Isolade decided she liked her kin cougars better, she was very sick of humans. When she decided to leave it had struck all of them. Ida had broken into tears when she saw Isolade again, she knew her mother and father were beside themselves with joy to see her.

Nodding again, Idalia couldn’t keep a smile from her face. “First time since Rio... passed away.” Just shy of eleven years now. “She’s doing wonderfully,” Ida said, “She only stayed a few days, she’s been living in the mountains on her own. It’s strange, she’s so different, but she’s so familiar. She said she goes to a town nearby for supplies occasionally but other than that this is the first time she’s been around people.” Isolade could shift into a cougar and she was much happier as one than she was a human. She was the most misanthropic person Idalia had ever known, and she’d known a lot of climate scientists weary of people. “She looks good. She’s gone back now, but she promises to visit for holidays now at least.”

[Adonis Voskopoulos]

"I train a nice mix of ages," Adi said, recalling his newest student - a boy who had arrived only weeks ago, as well as his two graduating students, whom he was immensely proud of. It was strange to feel such a connection to your students, that you're almost sad to see them go, but it had become something Adi really did love about his job. His students almost became like another little family to him. This was good for the Greek away from home. "It seems they like to give me slightly older students though... they're afraid I'll be tough on the young ones," Adi admitted with a laugh. Not everyone knew the man's softer side, and one of his weaknesses were children. Not even Idalia knew that yet... and Adi wasn't really sure how or if he was ready to bring that up.

"Oh, I will cook for you any time!" Adi noted without hesitation. He loved to cook. He loved to cook for guests, beautiful women especially. Ida definitely fell under that category. And even if Adi had no ulterior motive for cooking for Idalia, he'd still be happy to do so. "Or I will just have to whisk you away to New York City so Babba can serve you the 'real deal'," Adi added. No matter how good Adi became at cooking, his father would always insist that he was the master, and Adi would never be able to out cook him. While this was likely true, Adonis certainly liked to try. And sometimes he joked with his father saying 'Well you aren't going to live forever, old man.' All in jest. His father usually responded with a whack of a wooden spoon on the back of the head, followed by a hearty, sincere laugh.

"I'm so happy you've reunited, that' wonderful news," Adi said, a smile curling on his lips because of how contagious Idalia's was. Family was incredibly important in their culture. Adonis couldn't imagine losing his sister, or not knowing where she was - two things Idalia had experienced at once. For one of the problems to be somewhat resolved was clearly a large weight off the woman's shoulders, one that had probably been sitting there for years. "I do hope she is sincere with her offer. I know how much your family has missed her," Adi said. He respected the woman's choice to live her life however she wanted, but he also knew that her choices had greatly hurt many of her family members in the past. He would hate to have to see Idalia (or her mother) go through that kind of pain again.

[Idalia Tsavaris]

Idalia nodded interested in what he was doing to help these kids. “Have you gotten any really interesting powers yet?” She asked curiously, she had always been jealous of Adonis’ power and looking at the rose now made her wonder what use her power really was. She reached a finger out and gently brushed the soft petal of the rose. A smile grew on her lips and she laughed. “Awe, they just haven’t figure out you’re a big softy,” she winked at him. He wasn’t, he was tough and definitely one of the least soft people she knew, but because she knew that that made it all the more entertaining to tell him so. That wasn’t to say that he hadn’t still been there for her when she had needed him. He was her best friend, they’d come together because of similar lives but that hadn’t been all that kept them friends.

Brightening at the idea Idalia sat up a little straighter. “That sounds wonderful, Adi! I would love that and I can even make some baklava for dessert,” she suggested. It had been a while since she’d baked baklava, it was a long and laborious process but there was also something about it that was very therapeutic. “Ohh,” she said raising her eyebrows clearly interested in the idea, “Now that would be an adventure, it’s been so long since I’ve been to New York, the next time I get a long break that coincides with the weekend be prepared,” she said pointing a finger at him before letting her hand dangle and her fingers toyed with the edges of the glass. She couldn’t believe how much she’d missed Adi, it had been far too long and yet it also felt like it had been no time at all.

Nodding, Idalia placed a hand over her heart, “It really is. I can’t say for sure but I think she’s sincere and if not, well I’ll find her and I’ll kick her ass.” She said and not only that but she’d have an army at her back. All of her sisters knew how much Rio’s death had killed their parents and when Isolade left it had taken all eight of the remaining daughters to pull the family back together. Ida was still furious with Isolade even as she was glad to see her, Isolade had been selfish and had had no regard for what her absence had done. Ida shrugged and smiled, all that didn’t matter Isolade had at least shown she was alive and well, in the end that was what really mattered. “So, Adi are you seeing anyone?” She asked suddenly, changing the subject so fast she was hoping it would startle him into an spontaneous answer.

[Adonis Voskopoulos]

"I didn't train him, but there is a student right now who shifts into a vending machine. Noone really knows how to deal with that one," Adonis shared with a chuckle, glad he hadn't had to come up with a plan of study for such an obscure and puzzling ability. "I haven't had anything that interesting," Adi said honestly. He mostly delt with manipulation based powers - plant manipulation, energy manipulation, weather manipulation... while each had interesting qualities, none compared to vending machine shifting.

Idalia would likely be surprised by how much softer Adi was these days. He knew she was being sarcastic when she called him a big softie, and the comment made the man roll his eyes. Granted, even at this 'soft' state in his life, Adi could still be quite the hard ass. But it was much easier for the man to show real emotion. Not to everyone, but select people definitely got a glimpse at the Adonis behind his tough exterior.

Adi laughed again as Idalia went on about going to New York. Though he knew it would be a while before they could possibly work out such arrangements, if the opportunity came he would certainly bring Idalia to his father's restaurant. That wasn't an offer Adi could possibly joke about. He was sure Ida would make him live up to the offer, anyway. "I think a dinner at Casa de Adonis would be a little easier, so we should do that first," Adi said, reminding the woman that the original plan was still on the table. It couldn't compare to a trip to New York, of course, but Adi would certainly provide an excellent Greek meal.

Adi nodded, listening intently as Idalia spoke of her sister. He couldn't possibly imagina going through what the Tsavaris family had, and often didn't know what to say when his friend spoke of the incident. Usually it was easier to nod, and offer silent support. This silent support was interrupted suddenly, when Idalia asked if Adonis was dating. He wasn't necessarily surprised by the question. He had his fill of girls in high school. He probably seemed to date a new girl every week. He was certainly a bit thrown off by it, though, and choked on the water he was sipping on just after his friend asked. Once he composed himsef, Adi chuckled. "You'll probably be surprised to know I'm not." The man shrugged, then continued, "I actually haven't been in a proper relationship for quite a while... I think it's driving my parents mad." Adi explained himself in simple and relative terms, still not quite ready to admit to his friend that he had, in fact, been engaged only a couple years before. "How about you? I'd find it hard to believe a man hasn't scooped up a beautiful thing like you."

[Idalia Tsavaris]

Idalia let out a startled laugh. “You’re kidding!” That had to be equal parts awesome and atrocious for that poor student. Idalia for the life of her couldn’t figure out a way that would be useful, after all could it really produce snacks? And also if it were used to camouflage, someone would surely notes a very obtrusive vending machine in the middle of nowhere. Ida shook her head, “Wow, they just keep coming up with weirder powers don’t they?” She said, she’d thought her power was relatively useless but at least it had its uses and occasionally showed her things that were relevant and even interesting. “Poor kid,” she mused, “Well, it certainly does sound like a challenge for whoever does have him.”

Covering her mouth, Ida snickered at her old friend. He was, since she could remember, a macho kind of man and she loved teasing him endlessly for it. It was a wonderful friendship, Idalia thought, one where they could have been so long apart and yet come back together and everything felt as if there had been no time in between. They’d been close through school and through college, but somewhere within that time they’d lost touch and Idalia very much regretted it, but now it felt as if all that didn’t matter.

A smile brightly graced her face and she nodded her head at him. “I’ll hold you to that!” She said and then added, “I’ll bring some ouzo.” She winked, she loved the stuff, for as much as it tasted like liquorish on fire. “I’m excited,” she said leaning forward over the table and smiled at him conspiratorially, “I bet it’s even better than your fathers.” She knew that was the words of a blasphemer, even when she claimed she was just as good of a cook as her mother she got a scoff. Well, her mother did cook for a living, but that was beside the point. They used the same recipes, but her mother always claimed that hers was better and annoyingly enough Ida still had to agree, she had no idea what, if anything she was doing wrong.

Leave it to Idalia to ask a question like that when Adonis was drinking. She hadn’t meant to but she still giggled and tried her best to suppress it behind her hand. “Sorry,” she muttered hopefully not being too obvious that she was struggling not to laugh. “No?” Ida exclaimed her brows rising, appropriately shocked. Adonis, without a girlfriend. Her mouth dropped open, not only without a girlfriend but without one for a while. “Really? How is that even possible?” She asked half serious and half joking. Idalia laughed easily and nodded sympathetically. If there was one thing that drove Greek parents mad it was the fact that their children weren’t marrying. She waved a hand dismissively. “Oh you know how it is, I’m unlucky, always picking the wrong guys.” She shrugged. “I’m tired of dating men who don’t appreciate me. Or worse complain about my work.” She smiled jokingly at that. She lost more boyfriends that way, she was already married to the job. “Looks like we’re both single for once,” she laughed, back at Hammel she’d dated, not nearly as much as Adonis but for a while she had entertained the idea of the two of them, but they made much better friends, she saw that now and was silently grateful they’d never been single at the same time in high school.

[Adonis Voskopoulos]

Idalia had the contagious kind of laugh that made it so Adi couldn't help but smile. It made him want to make her laugh more. It was little things like that which made it so Adonis could so easily reconnect with the woman. Even after all this time she still had that laugh, and crazy stories about greek families, and wasn't afraid to push Adi's buttons a little. Part of him wished he had kept the woman closer over the years. Life got in the way incredibly quick, however. And it wasn't until recently that things cleared up.

"I look forward to it," Adi agreed, planning on holding his word when it came to his dinner. (Not like many of his second 'dates' which were occasionally never spoken of again). "But don't you ever utter those words in front of my father. He will never let you or I forget about it!" Adonis warned, knowing just how his father would react to such a comment. His mother would find it hilarious, but his father would take it as a challenge and stuff Idalia's face with 7 differently spiced lamb chops until she admitted he was the best. Adi was good too , of course, but never questions Mr. Voskopoulus' reign over the kitchen.

Adonis rolled his eyes at Idalia's shock, even though he had been expecting it. "You heard me correctly. Single," Adi admitted with a little chuckle. When Idalia asked how that was possible the man sighed slightly. "Well to be honest, I've been single for a while now. Kind of had a serious thing going and... well it fell apart and I haven't really dated since," the man said honestly. Since he and his ex called off their engagement, the man had some deal of trouble getting into anything more serious than a couple of dates. He wasn't sure if he was still getting over her, or if he was scared to go through that again, or if he wasn't sure what to say in regards to having a daughter. Probably all of the above.

"Hey, you'll find a guy crazy enough to get with you some day," Adi teased with a crooked smile. He wasn't kidding, though. Ida was a great woman, and while the man could see how her work schedule could put a damper on things, he was positive his friend would find someone willing to go the extra mile to make things work with her. "Me, on the other hand, I don't think there is any woman who can handle all of this," Adonis claimed, gesturing at himself, a slight cock to his eyebrow. He chuckled, though he was sure Idalia knew he was, once again, being slightly serious.

[Idalia Tsavaris]

It felt very much like the cliché lessons they always learned, but it was a rare friend indeed that could be apart for years and connect just like no time had passed. She was really glad she’d run into Adonis, otherwise she’d probably never even have realized he was back in town. She wondered if she could find him on facebook. A large part of her wanted to stalk him and see all that he’d been up to recently. They had been so closed at Hammel, Ida had really missed him more than she had ever thought. Idalia smiled to herself, she had always found it her personal mission to keep Adonis level headed. And admittedly, he often had done the same for her. Maybe not so much keeping her from getting a big head but instead keeping her from losing it. Idalia had been extremely studious in high school and without Adonis she knew more than once she probably would have lost her mind.

“Me too,” She said grinning with excitement. “It’ll be just like old times. Only with a real kitchen.” She laughed. Attempting to bake or cook in the Hammel dorms was basically a recipe for disaster. Unless they snuck into the home economics classrooms. She made a motion of zipping her lip shut and tossing the key. “I’ll just have to try both and come to my own conclusion won’t I?” Most women, when they were out to lunch with a handsome man tended to avoid getting something that would make it look like they ate a lot. Not Idalia, Idalia was Greek and she needed her heavy meaty heartwarming foods.

Idalia’s expression sobered and she smiled softly at him. “Oh, Adi, I’m sorry to hear that.” She reached her hand over and patted him gently on the hand. “Those things happen, but it’s probably for the best, right?” She was curious about what had happened. Also if someone broke her Adi’s heart, as she suspected from his expression, Idalia was gonna have to go kick some ass. No one hurt her friends and got away with it. She couldn’t really relate, she’d dated but she’d never found someone that she felt comfortable giving her heart to. It was like she was guarding it carefully and closely. She had gotten hurt far too much for that. And there was the nagging problem that she’d never actually been in love. She’d had feelings, sure, but love? She was starting to think there was something wrong with her. Was she not pretty enough, not smart enough?

Adonis’ encouragement brought a startled and boisterous laugh from Idalia. “What makes you think he’s gotta be crazy?” she snapped jokingly, pretending to be offended as she mimed a blow at him. On the other hand Cecil was predicting a boring TV exec for her future. Where on earth was she going to find a TV exec rich enough to have a boat on the Caribbean that was both boring and crazy? “Bah! Boufo!” Ida cried throwing her hands in the air. She shook her finger at him, not even realizing how much like her mother she looked doing so. “You listen to me Adonis, one of these days you’re going to meet a girl you can’t handle and I am just going to sit back and watch the show.” She smiled her tone on the verge of laughter.