The Bear and Crown Pub

[Aurora]

A light nod, “Ah, that could be. Either way, can’t wait to try it!” she was always adventurous with food. “If there is one, and you find it, let me know and we’ll go! Or if I find it, I’ll give you a call! Trying new food is one of those things I love to do.” Well, she liked to try pretty much anything at least once. “If you want to try making it, I can help buy the ingredients and provide the beer.” That was all she could contribute to cooking.

“I don’t really have much on that, I usually go with takeout and pub food myself. Sushi if I feel like it, kind of a whatever is quick and easy to get.” Her loft was filled with takeout menus. "But Sacramento is filled with all kinds of different restaurants, a little bit of something for everyone.” It was hard to not find something you would like.

“I can’t help with those, I have no rhythm. But I know there is always something going on in the parks on the weekend. Either a farmers market, to a flea market and even artist walks and everything in-between. So I would recommend checking them out.”

[Thirteen]

"Depends on how easy it is for me to find sheep lung and other offal. Maybe a local butcher will have them. I have the recipe. My Mum never liked it, but Dad did and she learned to make it for him. Still, we didn't have it often," the redhead chuckled.

Eyes on Mateus, she gave his issue a moment of thought, "I'm sure there's restaurants that will suit your needs. Big American cities like this usually do. I've seen Chinese, Korean, Mexican, Indian, Italian, Greek. Probably others I'm forgettin'." She took out her phone and did a quick search while chewing on some of her fried fish. "Eh, here we go. There's a Portuguese food truck downtown. Portu-Goal Street Food, it's called. Those trucks always seem to have silly names."

She nodded in agreement with the riveting blonde. "Aye, like my friend says, Sacramento's always got some sort of event happenin'. Street festivals, conventions, holiday celebrations, flea markets. Internet's your friend for findin' that stuff."

[Mateus]

Mateus listens to both the women. "Portu-Goal sounds like something I would actually enjoy! Hidden meanings and word-twistings are fun to me. Thank you dear miss."
When the beautiful blonde mentions the park his eyes light up. "Ohh... that way I could try my hand till I find the artistic expression or activity that I prefer. Thank you too, miss. I have tried my hand on this and that. Graffiti, painting, a-capela singing etc. Doing those outdoors sounds fun now that the weather is getting so much better. "
Addressing both of them Mateus asks "What do you do in your spare time, if I may ask?"

[Aurora]

“Oh, a butcher definitely. But I’m also not sure on the laws on them selling them. Could also check with local farms. I’m sure some butcher their own animals and might be willing to sell those organs on the down-low.” Shrugging. “I mean, I can see why someone might not like it, probably an acquired taste. But also one of those things I think should be tried before it should be judged.” Does lung sound yummy? Not really. But she’d never had lung before and she doesn’t want to judge it without at least trying it.

“See, I totally forgot about the food trucks! There are soo many of those out once the weather gets nicer. Especially when they have something going on downtown, then there is like, an army of food trucks out.” Nodding.

A nod to the man, “Sacramento has a huge art scene, so you’ll have a lot to choose from.” That was a good thing about the city if you were looking for something to do.

“Spare time? What’s that?” she jokes. “Afraid I'm not too exciting, studying or training.” she's not telling some random guy what she does in her free time. The vet was some random ass guy as well. And look at what he turned out to be.

[Thirteen]

"It can be an acquired taste, true. I'm glad you've got an open mind about it. I've read some Americans think haggis is some kind of animal native to Scotland," she chuckled.

Thirteen gave Mateus a nod as he thanked her. She put her phone away and picked up her beer to take another sip.

"I'd say spare time is a myth," She was a very busy person, "but here I am gettin' drinks with a friend. So I suppose it happens occasionally." A pat answer, as she didn't really reveal anything about her hobbies. "Downtown is a short walk from here, so you should be able to find the truck without much trouble. They always seem designed to stand out. The silly names are probably part of that."

[Mateus]

Mateus nods at both answers as they both more than hint about the lack of spare time, something he has heard as a stereotype about Americans back home. "Ah, in my opinion spare time is therapeutic. In Portugal, we have paid vacations - we are obliged to go to take days off and the employer would nudge us about it if we acrue too many. Of course studying and training are indeed great uses for one's spare time. I applaud you miss for your discipline. "
Moving back to the subject of the art scene. "Ah, I am glad. What about libraries and book-clubs? I expect those exist everywhere too - Sacramento is a large city - but if you have something in mind like a bookstore that organizes such events that you would recommend. I do like reading too. I try to read books that pose philosophical questions about society and humanity or present a place or era I know little about or have depth but often I indulge in reading a light novel from little-known authors. There are gems that can be found there too and some times you just want to relax before bed."

[Aurora]

Shrugging, “The way I see it, we only live once and should try things at least once. I’ll either like it, or I won’t. But at least I gave it a chance, right? I just don’t like it when people refuse to try something because of what’s in it, like, yeah, it’ not the most appetizing thing, but you never know how it will taste.” Then a laugh, “No! Really?! Come on now, that’s just embarrassing.” Shaking her head before smiling at the waitress as her food and beer arrived, “Thank you so much!” raising her glass to Thirteen and taking a sip. “Oh, now that is a good beer.”

Then a nod, “It certainly is. Though I was able to move my training around and think my trainer was happy for an extra day off.” Though she did train mostly by herself unless it was a suspension.

“Ah, well, I’m self-employed, so I’m a bit hard on myself with time off.” Shrugging.

“The local colleges have libraries that they do let the public use. Most other libraries require library cards and all that. But you’ll find them welcoming and filled with all kinds of useful information, well, depending on what you’re looking for of course. But the university has a vast collection, I enjoy using it quite often. There are also a lot of used book stores if that’s your thing. As far as book clubs? Uh, not sure, what kind of book club? Like ones that get together to talk about a book they all read? Like Operas book club?” she knew some people called certain Orders or even the Awakened community a book club.

[Thirteen]

"I think it tastes just fine, but I may be biased. It's also best served with a glass of whiskey, so maybe that helps?" The redhead chuckled. "I can't confirm it firsthand, but I saw a poll once. Something like 30% of Americans who visited Scotland believe that. And 25% thought they could catch one!" An innocent shrug. "It's funny, regardless." It was, in fact, a real BBC poll.

She took a sip of her own beer, nodding in agreement with Madison, "They got some good stuff on tap."

The Acanthus looked back to Mateus, "Sacramento does have a good public library. I make use of it sometimes. Great place if you need to research old news stories. You should keep your eye open for book fairs, too. Great place to find unusual books. We just went to one, recently." She sprinkled some more vinegar onto her fish. "Ah, right, book clubs. Aren't they just an excuse for suburban housewives to get together and drink wine?" Did anyone really need an excuse for that, though?

"I'm also self-employed. I just got too much that needs doin' and no one is gonna do it for me." Another shrug, this one more resigned. "I do try to make room for things I enjoy. It's a struggle."

[Mateus]

Letting the discussion about employment fade in light of, for him at least, a much more opportune discussion about books and more importantly: uni libraries.
"Oh... the Uni here allows the public to use their libraries? I do expect it to have a vast collection. Yes, I would start there." Then another morsel that makes him smile and his eyes shine "ah! Old news stories and unusual books! That sounds very interesting. I have never done that before but believe a good way to find out about a new place is actually to read old news stories. "
Addressing both women he said "Book-clubs I meant more the... chilling with a cup of wine and talking about books type - the suburban housewife type I guess. " he said with a chuckle, raising his shoulders apologetically. "Or well, a group that meets mostly-casually. They can be quite sophisticated or relaxed depending on the book, the mood and the group. It is a good way to meet people and see how others think, I would guess. I did enjoy book-clubs back in Portugal. "

[Aurora]

Laughing, “Then should I bring the whiskey?” it was probably all she could offer. “I’ve had what some would consider odd or disgusting food all over the US in my travels. Some were actually gross, some weren’t that bad, so I think it’s just a state of mind for some people. You hear someone say it was the most disgusting thing and that gets in your head.” Shrugging before shaking her head, “No wonder people think Americans are stupid.” Sighing.

“I’m impressed, so far I’m coming back for the beer.” This was a girl who liked her beer.

Nodding, “That was a great book fair, very large selection, and got a few good books for my personal collection. I like the book fairs and second hand stores, good place to find some good used books that you won’t find elsewhere at nice prices.” Cutting into her Scotch Eggs, she eyes them for a second before biting into one, chewing, then nodding, “I think those are the Opera ones, where they read what Opera tells them to. Then feel like they’ve done something special. But also, nothing wrong with that if that’s your thing.” Just to clear that up. Pointing to the Scotch Eggs, “These? Amazing.” Picking up another piece.

“I only have things if people hire me to do things.” Laughing, “But yeah, I get that.” Nodding to Thirteen.

Nodding, “Sac State allows for a Community Card that lets you use the library there. It’s limited, of course, but it lets you use it. I’ve found it to be quite useful over the years and worth having.” But she also has her own library, but it was more…specialized.