Oops! [Veralidaine]

"Is there anything else I can get for you, miss?"

The waiter's smile was nice enough, but his eyes gave him away. He'd been giving her that look since she sat down at the table. Zoe couldn't imagine why. She'd showered at the shelter last night and the clothes she wore now were freshly stolen from a store downtown. She supposed the style was a little too casual for the joint, but they'd let her in so Zoe didn't see what right this guy had to judge. It had been some time since Zoe had allowed herself to relax a bit and just enjoy the things her abilities could get her. Like new clothes and, as soon as she got out of here, a free meal. So she smiled at the middle aged man who was still waiting tables, her own eyes reflecting an equal dislike.

"Just the check." she said, lifting her napkin to wipe at the corners of her lips. "And directions to the bathroom." she added, lifting her wine glass to finish off the contents.

The waiter told her where to go, then quickly when to print her check, eager to get her out of his section. Zoe stood, just slightly wobbly from the two glasses she'd had with her steak and shrimp meal, and made her way back to the restrooms. Once inside, she checked to make sure no one else was in there before stepping into a stall. Zoe closed the stall door and leaned against it for a moment, breathing deeply. She'd have to make two jumps to get back to the building she was calling home for now, but she'd planned her evening well enough. She'd have to rest after the first jump, and so she had chosen the restaurant for more than just the food. She would need a safe place while she recovered, and so she picked a restaurant that was close enough to Lincoln Park. She had a few areas there that she knew she could hang around in without being bothered. And the park was close enough to her current home to make it in just one more jump.

Zoe took one deep breath in, visualizing the place she wanted to jump to. It was a little grove of trees, just off a main pathway but sheltered enough to be private. It being after dark, the park would be mostly deserted. As she exhaled, Zoe pushed her mind toward that place and when her lungs were empty, she pushed her body as well. And just like that, she was gone from the restaurant. Some five or ten minutes later, a female employee would check the restroom for the young woman who appeared to have dined and dashed. The waiter who'd served the woman would get a verbal beating from his boss, but otherwise, life would go on as normal.

She appeared int he clearing gasping for breath. Immediately, Zoe sank to her knees and steadied herself with her hands on the ground. The grass was damped and quickly soaked the knees of her jeans, but she needed a moment. Her heart was racing as if she'd run a mile at top speed and all her muscles ached. Breathe she told herself, and focused on a steady rhythm; in and out, in and out.

A sudden movement nearby caused Zoe to jump to her feet, eyes searching for the source.