[In the weeks they've gotten to know one another, he's never met Stella outside of his Daredevil costume. It was a slow process to reach this point. To move past just removing his helmet. People at Josie's knew his real name. Josie's though was also their homebase for the resistance army that Matt was gathering and leading. Stella could be a valuable ally in that. He could have mentioned it as Daredevil, brought her first to one of those meetings, but it felt wrong after she's been so open with him.
She's told him about her powers, that she's effectively immortal. All he's done for her is shown his face and said that he's got okay senses.
So while he feels nervous and wary, he does show up outside Josie's wearing one of his blue law office suits, his glasses on and his cane out. His head tilts when he can sense her approach. He straightens up and smiles.]
[She has made an effort to not push too hard into getting him to tell her more about himself, rather waiting it out for him to tell her when he’s ready.
Of course when she sees him waiting outside she grins wide, he did mention suits, and that does seem to be the case]
[He doesn't know precisely what she's wearing, but he can tell the fabric by the sound it makes against her skin as she moves. He knows the scent of her, how her heart beats. He holds a hand out for her to guide to her arm so that he can take it. When she does, he leans in to kiss her cheek hello. It lands a bit higher than her cheek, but the intention is there.]
Hi. Well, I figured I'd have some lofty standards to live up to, since I'm sure you always look good. Plus, I just came from my law office. My partner would frown on it if I went to work in sweats. [A beat.] I guess we did things a little backwards, but hi, Stella. I'm Matt.
Probably not, but I won't pretend there aren't some days when I really wish I could. Sometimes I get away with wearing jeans at the office if it's on the weekends.
And it's very nice to meet you, too.
[He lets her lead them inside, one hand holding onto the crook of her arm. His walking stick is held out in front of him. Immediately inside the familiar scents and sounds hit him. Music and laughter, glasses clinking and food being eaten. The place is lived in and homey, a true neighborhood bar. Josie behind the counter yells out a hello to him.]
I'll let you pick either sitting at the bar or grabbing a booth. Ladies choice.
Very understandable, I sometimes wish I could wear sweats like my students do. But at least jeans are fine for me.
[the place is alive in a very nice way. The crowd is diverse and people seem to be having a good time. New Yorkers may have been given a curfew, but damn if they weren’t going to still enjoy every moment]
I am envious of your weekday jean wearing. You'll have to text me how nice it is so I can live vicariously through you when you do it.
[He happily lets her lead them to a booth. He folds up his walking stick and sets it to the side on the table, folding his hands. His head is tilted in her direction, a sincere smile on his face.]
Well, I'll do everything I can to make your full attention feel worth the while, Ms. Rowe. How about we start with how our days went?
Good, I appreciate your indulgence in my vicarious living.
[He smiles at the touch, turning his hand so it's palm up under hers.]
That sounds like a great day to me. I spent the morning doing depositions, then had a meeting at a bank, then rehearsed an upcoming cross-exam with my partner.
It gives you a very unique perspective and advantage, I'll grant you that. Though translating involves more than just being an eyewitness, so there's still room for talent and skill. Was it harder or easier to translate the parts that included you?
[Matt orders a regular whiskey, smiling and chatting with the waitress for a minute or two. He's friendly and kind with everyone, getting her opinion on what they should order tonight and asking about her mother who he knows has been sick. After a brief talk she moves away to put in their order. He's also gone ahead and gotten some tempura and wings as an appetizer for them, and anything Stella might have wanted in addition to that.]
[Stella loves watching Matt and how genuine and kind he is. It always adds layers to your perception of a person when you see them with others.
Stella is also a ridiculously kind person, though she doesn’t have the knowledge of their server that Matt does. ]
Harder, I really have to resist the temptation to make me look more impressive. It feels so silly after all this time to want a little more flattery on my name.
I guess we all want to be acknowledged for who we are and the things we've done.
[There's a look of quiet understanding on his face despite his unfocused eyes. It's easy somehow to find connection and common ground with Stella. Matt didn't enter law for praise and accolades, but he won't deny it feels good when people tell him he did a good job and that he's a great lawyer.]
My dad was pretty known in the Kitchen. He was a local boxer. Even at that level, which was pretty small, there were stories told about him. I always wanted to correct them when they were wrong, and to make him seem bigger and better like he was to me. He'd just say 'Matty, people are gonna talk shit.' Pardon my French.
I think it matters, though. That there's truth in stories. Maybe not always all the facts have to be followed perfectly, but that the spirit is there.
Who doesn’t like being appreciated at least a little bit?
[She’s not the kind of person with a large ego, but a goddess does want a few prayers in her name from time to time.]
That’s mostly where I am about it, if I’m talked about I at least want a little truth in it. Though I am not, and have never really been, the most talked about Muse. So I had that as well, existing in the shadow of my more often talked about sisters.
There I can't relate. It was just my dad and I until he passed away. No siblings. Though maybe being less known also gave you a little more freedom? I don't know if that's the case, and I'm sorry you felt overlooked. Just trying to find a positive out of it.
[Their drinks and appetizers came soon afterwards. Matt thanked the waitress and let Stella pick what she wants first before he dives into eat.]
It's not the healthiest or best-made food here, but there's something about it that I still like. Might be the nostalgia. And the drinks are great.
Oh, Matt. [she gives his hand a little squeeze at realising that he was an orphan, and still as kind as wonderful as he is] I had fewer expectations, and that did give me freedom.
[The food comes and she thanks the waitress as well. She digs in to a wing]
I think we both eat healthy enough the rest of the time to manage this.
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[A beat.]
Have you ever been to Josie's out in the Kitchen?
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I’ll see you there
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She's told him about her powers, that she's effectively immortal. All he's done for her is shown his face and said that he's got okay senses.
So while he feels nervous and wary, he does show up outside Josie's wearing one of his blue law office suits, his glasses on and his cane out. His head tilts when he can sense her approach. He straightens up and smiles.]
Stella?
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Of course when she sees him waiting outside she grins wide, he did mention suits, and that does seem to be the case]
Hi. You clean up rather nicely.
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Hi. Well, I figured I'd have some lofty standards to live up to, since I'm sure you always look good. Plus, I just came from my law office. My partner would frown on it if I went to work in sweats. [A beat.] I guess we did things a little backwards, but hi, Stella. I'm Matt.
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She’s flattered, she half expected to have met him in the alley next to the place so he could wear the other suit]
Probably wouldn’t be very professional, huh? [her smile grows wider] Matt. It is very nice to finally meet you.
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And it's very nice to meet you, too.
[He lets her lead them inside, one hand holding onto the crook of her arm. His walking stick is held out in front of him. Immediately inside the familiar scents and sounds hit him. Music and laughter, glasses clinking and food being eaten. The place is lived in and homey, a true neighborhood bar. Josie behind the counter yells out a hello to him.]
I'll let you pick either sitting at the bar or grabbing a booth. Ladies choice.
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[the place is alive in a very nice way. The crowd is diverse and people seem to be having a good time. New Yorkers may have been given a curfew, but damn if they weren’t going to still enjoy every moment]
Booth. I’m stealing you away for myself.
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[He happily lets her lead them to a booth. He folds up his walking stick and sets it to the side on the table, folding his hands. His head is tilted in her direction, a sincere smile on his face.]
Well, I'll do everything I can to make your full attention feel worth the while, Ms. Rowe. How about we start with how our days went?
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[she reaches to rest one hand on his]
I had a rather nice day, it was my poetry class this morning and my Greek classics class. What about you, Mr. Matthew.
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[He smiles at the touch, turning his hand so it's palm up under hers.]
That sounds like a great day to me. I spent the morning doing depositions, then had a meeting at a bank, then rehearsed an upcoming cross-exam with my partner.
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[The little bit of affection feels so natural, even if it also makes her a little giddy]
That is quite a lot of law words that I only vaguely know from Law and Order.
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Just know it was a long day, a sometimes frustrating day, but not ultimately a bad day. Did you eat more than a banana today?
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[it’s her turn to laugh]
I did, thank you for checking. Did you eat more than breakfast?
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I... will be eating more than breakfast by having dinner and drinks with a lovely lady.
[He smiles sweetly, saved when a waitress comes to take their order.]
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[She’s mentioned in some of them. And was there when they were written.
It’s a shame that he can’t see how hard her eyes roll at his lack of food. Stella orders herself a whiskey sour.]
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[Matt orders a regular whiskey, smiling and chatting with the waitress for a minute or two. He's friendly and kind with everyone, getting her opinion on what they should order tonight and asking about her mother who he knows has been sick. After a brief talk she moves away to put in their order. He's also gone ahead and gotten some tempura and wings as an appetizer for them, and anything Stella might have wanted in addition to that.]
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Stella is also a ridiculously kind person, though she doesn’t have the knowledge of their server that Matt does. ]
Harder, I really have to resist the temptation to make me look more impressive. It feels so silly after all this time to want a little more flattery on my name.
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[There's a look of quiet understanding on his face despite his unfocused eyes. It's easy somehow to find connection and common ground with Stella. Matt didn't enter law for praise and accolades, but he won't deny it feels good when people tell him he did a good job and that he's a great lawyer.]
My dad was pretty known in the Kitchen. He was a local boxer. Even at that level, which was pretty small, there were stories told about him. I always wanted to correct them when they were wrong, and to make him seem bigger and better like he was to me. He'd just say 'Matty, people are gonna talk shit.' Pardon my French.
I think it matters, though. That there's truth in stories. Maybe not always all the facts have to be followed perfectly, but that the spirit is there.
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[She’s not the kind of person with a large ego, but a goddess does want a few prayers in her name from time to time.]
That’s mostly where I am about it, if I’m talked about I at least want a little truth in it. Though I am not, and have never really been, the most talked about Muse. So I had that as well, existing in the shadow of my more often talked about sisters.
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[Their drinks and appetizers came soon afterwards. Matt thanked the waitress and let Stella pick what she wants first before he dives into eat.]
It's not the healthiest or best-made food here, but there's something about it that I still like. Might be the nostalgia. And the drinks are great.
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[The food comes and she thanks the waitress as well. She digs in to a wing]
I think we both eat healthy enough the rest of the time to manage this.
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