Hallbjorn paused with his wrists propped on the steering wheel of the truck. He stared ahead. The turmoil he felt inside did not show on his face, hidden and without the help of sunglasses. The blond man had forgotten to put them on - they say on the dash where he'd left them when getting a change of clothing earlier. There was an impulse to tell Kara that he was repulsed by her and to say other cruel and hurtful things to create an impassable gulf between them. To inflict wounds that would never heal. But at the same time he felt poignantly a desire to comfort and reassure her. He could imagine with a vividness that shocked him taking her into his arms, cradling her head to his chest, and telling her that what she was was perfection.<br/><br/>"In the Lore, every being has a mate that is destined for them. Their match, the soul to complement their own, the heart that will love them without regard for past and species. Sometimes it takes centuries to meet that one person, but there is someone out there for everyone. Even vampires." He turned his blue eyes to hers with a schooled, passive expression. "I am not repulsed by what you are, female. I have a brother who is a vampire. And besides . . ." He looked away and opened the driver side door.<br/><br/>"I have spilled too much blood - for gold - to judge anyone else or for it to matter what I think." He said with his back to her as he exited the vehicle.<br/><br/>The steakhouse seemed busy. There were many other vehicles in the parking lot and the pair had to park far from the door. Inside it seemed like there would be no room for them; they entered at the heels of a couple leaving after being told there was no way they could have a table within the next two hours. Rather than be discouraged, Hallbjorn walked up and waved a hand at being told that the place was absolutely full.<br/><br/>"We're getting a nice table." Hallbjorn said, withdrawing a money clip from his back pocket. The thing was simple, but it was made of solid gold. He freed several hundred dollar bills, and put five of them down on the lectern that the maitre d' was at. The man cleared his throat, and saw how much money that Hallbjorn still had.<br/><br/>"Ah, well, of course you are sir. Please just give me a moment." The maitre d' whisked off urgently, and then came back a few minutes later to lead the two to a nice table. The lights were dimmed in the steakhouse because it was so full, and tall candles were set on the table to provide light and to create atmosphere. At their table, Hallbjorn gestured for Kara to take her seat, and then pushed it in for her. The two of them had attracted some attention from the other patrons - murmurs of jealousy from the other men at Hallbjorn throwing around money, and glances from other women at the handsome Berserker. Some of those gazes were<em>very</em>lingering - especially from women who had a view from behind and could stare openly at his ass. A pair of women rose to powder their noses, casting jealous glances at Kara and commiserating with each about how lucky the young blonde was.<br/><br/>Menus were set forth, and the maitre d' left them to order. Hallbjorn sipped from a glass of ice water.<br/><br/>The blond man sat with his head cradles in one hand, elbow propped on the arm of his chair as he perused the menu. When it was time to order, the tall man had ordered surf and turf for himself, asking for a larger portion. Knowing that Hallbjorn had money, the maitre d' accepted without bothering to confirm the price, and was extremely gracious with Kara when he took her order.<br/><br/>"If you look over four tables to the left - be subtle -  there is a redheaded man and a brunette woman. They are werewolves." Hallbjorn said softly to Kara. And surely enough there was a couple matching Hallbjorn's description. The male was tall - not so tall as Hallbjorn, about six and half feet tall - with fiery red hair and the fiery disposition of a true Highlander. He laughed at something his partner said, and he looked for all the world that she was his world. The woman with him was a tall, voluptuous woman who had the same hearty Scots disposition about her. Both of them were eating steaks and drinking beer together - a stark contrast to Hallbjorn's sober, reserved company. But perhaps what was also remarkable was how normal the two of them were - if Hallbjorn had not pointed them out, they could have been just any normal, good-looking couple.