There were only a few hours a day when the hotel was quiet—usually right before dinner as everyone was either still at work or invested in some kind of project that kept them away from the lobby and the kitchen. Claire was still impressed with the arrays of dishes and silverware that were kept stocked. Despite the fact there weren't even ten people total that stayed here they could easily host three hundred or more at events themed to every holiday a person could imagine. And several she hadn't been able to figure out. She was honestly a little hesitant of trying to find the back of the linen closet, which seemed to stretch on for miles. Luckily the solid color tablecloths were kept close to the door, so she was able to grab one quickly and head back towards the dining room. This took her past the lobby once more, where Vaggie was sitting in an arm chair, looking dejected and staring down at the rug.

Claire slowed her steps and shifted the folded tablecloths on her arm, "Hey," she called out gently, "I was just about to start putting dinner out. You ok?"

Vaggie looked up, not quite startled, she was always too aware of her surroundings for that, but a little surprised to be addressed, "Yeah," she nodded without much feeling, "Just…not very hungry."

"Well, could you help me set the tables?" Claire baited the trap, holding up the tablecloths, "Usually Niffty does, but I'm making a pie and she's watching it in the oven."

"…the pie is in the oven or Niffty's in the oven with the pie?" Vaggie asked with some confusion.

"That's probably one of those 'better if I don't answer it' questions," Claire replied, inclining her head towards the dining room, "Come on." She turned and continued to the dining room, listening for the sound of footsteps behind her. Vaggie could be pretty stealthy when she wanted to be, but everyone had a tell and hers was the swishing of her hair as she walked.

"Why do you even go through the trouble of setting the table?" Vaggie grumped as she helped Claire set down and straighten the tablecloth. "All anyone ever does is grab things buffet style and head out."

"Why does Charlie keep a hotel open that's full of empty rooms?" Claire handed her two sets of cutlery to set out.

Vaggie set down the spoon then the fork then thought better of it and switched their places, "Charlie's trying to save her people from eternal damnation. What are you trying to save, leftovers from the fridge?"

Claire hunted around in one of the servers for the right style of plates, "There's something lonely about a table that's not set," she held up a dinner and a salad plate to see if they matched, "At least if it is, people have the option of sitting down together if they want to."

Vaggie made a face, "Seems like you're setting yourself up for disappointment."

"Maybe it's not about me," Claire replied, handing over a pile of plates for her to add to the table.

Vaggie frowned thoughtfully, slowly setting the plates down, "…you're doing this is help Charlie," she said finally, looking back to Claire. "You're giving people a space to come to where they might let down their guard and talk while sharing a meal."

"Your tactical insight is on point," Claire gave a nod of approval, putting a bottle of wine and a pair of glasses out, "It isn't just for Charlie, but it's telling your mind went to her."

"I'd do anything for Charlie," Vaggie struggled to find the right words, fist clenching around a butter knife, "I love her. She's my…everything. I need to protect her."

Keeping her tone casual, Claire set down some bread plates, "Was that you trying to protect her earlier?"

The question was met with silence before Vaggie sighed, "I…might have overreacted about the phone thing," she admitted, "I just don't want some asshole hurting her!"

"And you don't want to lose her," Claire added lightly, handing her the last plate.

"…that wasn't—I mean—obviously I—" Vaggie started to defend, but then her shoulders slumped, "…should find her and apologize after this." She set the palte down, defeated, then paused, "Wait, where are the other place settings? You only gave me enough for two."

"Oh," Claire set down two candlesticks in the middle of the table. "That's all that's needed."

From the hallway the recognizable voice of Charlie called out, "Claire?"

Vaggie jumped, looking to the hallway then to Claire accusingly, "This whole thing was a setup?!"

"I'd rather think of it as a gentle but firm shove in the right direction," Claire replied, lighting the candles then shrugging, "But basically, yes."

As Charlie stepped through the door and into the dining room, Vaggie turned nervously to face her. "Oh, hi Vaggie." She twisted her fingers together, looking down at the floor, "I didn't realize—"

"Charlie," Vaggie cut her off, stepping forward and reaching out for her hands, "I—wanted to apologize for earlier. Maybe we could have a seat and talk?" She gestured to the immaculately set table for two, the candlelight reflecting softly off the plates.

Charlie gasped and her eyes shined, "Yes, of course! Did you set all this up for me!?"

"I…had some help," Vaggie glanced over her shoulder, but Claire had already ducked around the corner. "Here, let me get your chair."

Claire waited there another minute until it was clear that romance would be the theme of the evening, and the conversation was flowing. Solving personal problems might not be as satisfying as solving a murder, but it was a nice pick-me-up for the end of the day. Humming to herself, she pushed off the wall and headed towards the kitchen to make sure Niffty didn't burn with the pie.