"Hey Man..."

He placed a hand on the young man's shoulder, smiling his most charming smile.

"Hello there--do you have any money? I don't mean to be intrusive, but I've been here for an hour and I haven't seen you order anything."

"I'm not hungry!" the teenager snapped. He crossed his arms over his chest. He was maybe 18, probably younger judging by his round baby face. Despite being dressed very formally, he had long hair in a ponytail. It looked well taken care of, despite the oddity.

He touched the rosary around his neck.

"I have money, just...not...much," he grumbled defensively.

He sat down across from him and slicked back his hair.

''Well, what're you hungry for? It's my treat--I was raised as a proper Catholic, I don't mind playing good Samaritan."

"Oh...you're Catholic?" he looked far less hostile now. "Well...I wouldn't mind a really big burger with everything on it."

He looked out the window, grimacing when his stomach growled. Food sounded really good now that he thought about it.

He waved over a waitress, winking at her.

"Excuse me ma'am, this young man would like a burger with everything on it. I'm sure it'll make him even happier that a lovely lady like yourself is his server."

She smiled back as she wrote down their order, and hurried to the kitchen; Priestly returned his attention to the youth in front of him.

"The name's Priestly," he said, extending his hand across the table. "You mind telling me your name, young man?"

"Priestly?" he raised an eyebrow, even as he shook the man's hand. Though, to be fair, he had taken to calling himself his old childhood nickname; Mars. It made him feel less connected to his own issues, in a way. He preferred to not think about it when he didn't have to.

"I, uh, go by Mars," he replied, wiping his hands on his pants. They were clammy and gross. "I'm...travelling. Sort of."

"Sort of?" he asked, raising a brow. "But you're either traveling or you're not, right? So we'll say you're a traveler--that means we have two things in common. Two Catholics on the road. Pleasure to meet you, Mars."

Though he hadn't stopped smiling since he had sat down, his face wasn't the least bit insincere.

"You traveling with anyone, Mars? I don't mean to be rude, but you seem rather young to be traveling on the road, especially without money. Do you have anyone to look out for you besides the Virgin Mary?" He nodded at Mars's rosary.

"Well, you aren't...wrong," he admitted, not meeting his eyes. "I dropped out of school for this. It's really, really important. But...it's none of your business and...not very polite conversation material."

He took a deep breath.

"I've been taking off jobs for money, and saving as much as I can, but traveling is expensive...I can't stop, though," he swallowed, looking out the window at a stray cat. "A-anyway, why are you traveling?"

'Oh, I'm just sight-seeing. You could say I'm on a road trip, of sorts. I like traveling. I go where the wind takes me and meet new people in interesting places."

He gazed out the window as well, as though there was something very interesting about the parking lot.

'Do you know where you're headed next? Maybe we're headed the same way."

"I...I'm not sure, actually," he replied, fiddling with his rosary. "I haven't finished chasing down my leads in this city. It looks like I'll be heading to Vegas soon, but...it could be anywhere."

He sighed, but grinned widely when he saw the burger. It was as if his thoughtfulness was gone for the moment, so he could eat. He was so much more hungry than he thought. He finished in a matter of minutes.

Mars smiled, just a little. "Thank you, Mr. Priestly."

"No problem. Are you still hungry?" He waved for the waitress again without waiting for an answer. "What would you like? Can't head to Vegas on an empty stomach, you know."

"No...it's fine, really, I should go sleep...I have...work to do tomorrow," he stood up. "Thank you for the meal, Mr. Priestly. Hopefully my search pans out soon."

He moved to leave.

"I insist," he said, grabbing Mars by the wrist. "Order some dessert."

"I can't eat junk food," he insisted, pulling his wrist away. Mr. Priestly was strange. He hoped he wasn't being lured into something...weird. "I have to get in shape."

Though he said that, he appeared to be in good shape.

"And how often do strangers order full meals for you?" he asked, smirking slightly. "Come now, even the Lord took a day of rest--I insist you indulge in one slice.

"This young man will have one slice of your huckleberry pie, with whipped cream," he said firmly to the waitress. She glanced at Mars questioningly, but scribbled down the order anyway.

Mars frowned and sat back down, awkwardly folding his hands in his lap. What did this man want with him? Things had officially turned from semi weird to extremely creepy territory.

"So..." he said, suddenly interested in knowing more about the man. "Do you drive?"

He nodded, chuckling.

"I take it you don't? I can only imagine how difficult it is to get from place to place without a car. However have you been getting along?"

"Bus," he replied, glad when his pie came. He was almost suspicious of it being drugged, but decided that was silly. He took big bites, hoping he would be free to leave soon. When he finished, he stood up quickly. "Thanks, Mr. Priestly, but, uhm, well I gotta go work off these calories..."

"You have a place to sleep tonight?" he asked, standing up with him. "I can give you a lift--I'm headed to a motel for the night, myself."

He pulled on his leather jacket and glanced at the parking lot again. "My car's the black Elantra. The backseat's kind of crowded, but I've got plenty of room to spare up front."

"What motel?" he asked, prepared to lie if he had to.

"I'm not actually sure--probably the first one I come to. I think there's a Motel 6 not too far from here, and that should be fine for me."

"Sorry, not the one I'm staying at, I'll walk," he said quickly, heading for the door.

"Well, where are you staying? Is it close?" he asked, following him to the door and taking out his keys. "I can give you a ride, really."

"What the hell is your problem!?" he shouted, once they were outside. "First, you buy me dinner, and now you want me to get in your car? Do you think I'm stupid or something?"

Mars was ready to fight, though he knew that was stupid. He'd rather not fight, but he was still sort of hoping he got the opportunity to.

He tilted his head to the side and he stared at Mars for a moment. Then his eyes widened.

"No, it's not like that at all! I'm merely trying to fulfill my Christian duty and be of help to others--I didn't mean to make it seem like--I'm not here to--" He frowned deeply, staring at the ground.

"...If it makes you that uncomfortable, perhaps you really should take the bus. I apologize."