paixaorpg | This Voracious Caberet [active]

Current Location: Cafe Ereset

Entry tags:

This Voracious Caberet [active]

Character(s): Sara, V, and later Cloud, Spirit and Kit.
Content: Sara is absorbing the possible future of her world, in V's company; the joining trio are looking for something to eat.
Setting: Cafe Ereset
Time: Late evening?
Warnings: ~~That's-a spicy meat-aball.~~ Nadda.

They had moved on, in topic and on land, walking towards the café V had mentioned; the man who never stopped smiling led on. He had attempted conversation once or two, but only to the point of being polite; the inquiry after theatre had been one such effort. Afterwards, he was entirely content to carry on as they were, occasionally glancing over---or so one could assume, although it was difficult to tell with the mask he wore---to see how Sara had settled.

The two had reached the café in silence, without incident. V reached the door first, and held it open. “After you, Mademoiselle. If you care for tea, I would suggest the genmaicha, if you haven’t already tried it---and if it’s still in stock. If not…” A small shrug and a nod. “…if not, I daresay earl grey has rarely, if ever, done anyone ill.” Quite the contrary seemed almost certain: ‘Tea does our fancy aid, Repress those vapours which the head invade, and keeps that palace of the soul serene.’ Who was that… Edmund Waller?

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Sara had walked most of the way in silence, mulling things over in her head...mostly the news about what would happen at home in the coming decades. It had freaked her out, to say the least, to realize that her home would be partially destroyed. Her mind was jarred from her silent confusion when she heard V talking to her about tea.

"I'll have to give it a try." She said, smiling unconvincingly again and walking into the cafe.

"Very well." V brightened visibly despite the mask; body language spoke volumes, although the mood was still subdued---it would have to be, after such news. "I ask that you allow me to treat you to it, and if I may change the subject so abruptly," He had a moment to pause, in which he pulled out a chair to offer the seat to Sara, "I've still one question, unanswered from earlier. Do you care for the theatre?"

Sara was startled by the act of chivalry before her. "Sure..." She said, seating herself in the chair that V had pulled out for her. She thought about his question for a moment.

"I do...but sadly I don't get to go as often as I wish to. Work ate up most of my time when I was at home...but here...do they even have a theatre?"

V sat himself, lacing his hands before him on the tabletop. Black leather gloves, fingertips scuffed, but not scratched. A moment passed of silent regard. "That is most unfortunate..."

A small shrug. "I don't believe there is a proper theatre, but I've begun to believe that it isn't necessary, what with the cast of characters strolling the streets. Look at anybody. Everybody is a hero, a lover, a fool, a villain. Everybody. Everybody has their story to tell. I would like, very much, to hear your story, or what of it you'd care to share with a stranger. If there is any...?"

"There's not much." She said, slouching slightly in her chair. "I'm from Las Vegas, I'm a workaholic, I...well, now, was...a CSI. My life is very very boring." She told him, skipping her painful childhood and skipping most other main events in her life. For a second she thought of being under that car, but quickly snapped out of it, not realizing she was rubbing at the scar hidden under her sleeve.

"I'm boring." She said with a smile.

"The city certainly never sounded boring; the same can be said of your career, although as Parkinson has noted, work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion. I've found this to be true." The masked man listened attentively, patiently, one hand cupping an elbow, and the other thoughtfully stroking the painted goatee. "You're boring, you say." Another brightening in body language. "I don't believe you. You, miss Sara Sidle, are a somebody, and so the standard of what-every-body-is applies, although I shouldn't say 'standard'. None of us are boring. You yourself are a hero, a lover, a fool, a villain, just as interesting as anybody may be."

"You may not believe me, but I am really boring." Sara said with a shrug. "My work was my life, and my life was my work...well, at least for most of my time there." She stated, leaning her head on her hand. She started thinking about home again, knowing that her friends may not be looking for her, considering she was getting ready to leave for good.

...She was still trying to figure out if landing here as a good or bad thing.

There was a soft jangle at the door as Kit entered and held it open for the others; the nautolan was undeniably pleased that they had reached a destination. If asked, he would admit some relief as well, and why not? The evening of a long day drew on, and the idea of a meal had considerable appeal, a meal with bed near behind it, even moreso.

A moment for orientation, and a moment more to sample the air---coffee, pastries, something frying---before the Jedi grinned, gesturing about the room. "Where would you like to sit? This should be nice, to have a seat and something to eat..."

Following in the footsteps of his tall companion, Cloud lifted his head at the scent of good coffee and baked bread and stopped when Kit opened the door. Feeling his stomach rumble and complain at him for stopping, he flushed and entered the humble store, turning his head this way and that to scan the room for hostile or potentially hostile people before he guiltily allowed himself to look at the display across them. The trooper had little in him at the moment, and finding himself in a place where he could relieve the clenching pain was welcome.

Turning to look up at Kit - and having to nearly bend his head completely backwards to do so, he scanned the room again for free seating and frowned. "... It's full."

Spirit had stopped when Cloud had, and continued staring into the café even after the soldier had entered. At least the 'plants' of Paixao, for all their shining falseness, resembled something familiar and homey to him - this place was even more alien, in sight, smell, and sound. Still, he had to admit it did have a certain logic, after he'd stared at it long enough...

Cloud's words broke the stallion's confused trance, and he finally entered the building, the door only barely wide enough for him. The other two wanted to find somewhere to sit, and the two-leggeds seemed to be using certain structures for it; Spirit spotted three with no bodies in them and pointed with a head motion at V and Sera's table.

"Dersh a foo spots o'er der," he said, the golden dandelion still in his teeth.

"I don't believe you; any person, as a person, is interesting in my understanding of the world as it is, no matter how boring you may profess to be." He might've said something more, but broke off to stop and speak to a standard blonde waitress walking by, requesting the tea he'd mentioned earlier---for Sara, since she'd agreed to try it; nothing else, nothing for himself. V turned to look towards the door, chuckling as he turned back, to settle more comfortably in his seat. "I do believe even such as they may say they are boring... And I shall say, myself, that my work was my life as well."

"Ok then, we'll agree to disagree? I think I'm boring, you think I'm interesting." Sara said, shaking her head. She really was just your typical American workaholic, who spent way to much time in the office, or in her case the labs. Coming out of her thoughts, she caught the direction V seemed to be looking in, and saw the interesting collection of people standing near the front door.

"...Now there's something you don't see every day..." She said.

The nautolan nodded, in agreement to both, but looked down to Cloud, smiled and shrugged, unblinking. "We'll have to share, best we can." The cafe was full, but it wasn't as crowded as some cantinas on Coruscant could be and certainly had been. The seats Spirit indicated were suitable, as was the company; although there seemed to be some lingering upset about the woman, the man was in a fine mood, and Kit was content that their company was inoffensive---the trio was interested in appetizers, rather than antagonizing anyone.

It couldn't hurt to ask.

He moved on to approach, nodding to the table's occupants, smiling again and speaking over the static of other conversations as politely as possible. "I'm sorry to intrude or interrupt, but are these seats free? Considering the crowd, if you wouldn't mind...?"

Offering to hold Spirit's dandelion so he could speak clearly, Cloud smiled at the stallion and tried to repress the urge to stroke his mane. It would be so rude, really, to do so.

Looking at the pretty brunette and her masked companion - his growing lack of surprise was beginning to say something, really - he nodded and followed after his taller companion, unwilling to say much of anything. After being in the military for a while, his tolerance to share tables with his fellow troopers raised to normal levels but that didn't mean he didn't appreciate privacy.

But sitting in a cafe, he swallowed and smiled shyly, nodding to both in greeting, was definitely different than the mess.

Spirit smiled back at Cloud and took him up on the silent offer, dropping the by now slightly damp dandelion into his hand before following after Kit as well.

A closer look at the pair already at the table made him prick his ears - he thought the woman looked vaguely familiar, and he definitely recognized the man with the white, unmoving face. Still, he stayed silent for the time being; apparently it was polite to ask before settling near anyone, and Kit was already handling that.

"I have no complaints, if my companion would agree with me." V nodded in response, looking over the trio with interest and tilting his head at Spirit. "And you, a familiar face! Though there is no door at which you stand and knock, it should be very far from me to turn you away! I must admit to expecting introductions, although I will not neglect my portion. This is," he turned towards his original company, briefly, nodding and raising a hand in indication, "a miss Sara Sidle, who I would pray has no protest, and I, myself, am answering to 'V'."

Sara nodded as she was introduced, looking over at the group again, analyzing them on instinct. It was an interesting band of characters, looking like they had come out of a novel or a movie.

"Please, have a seat." She said with a smile, trying to push away all other emotions so she wouldn't appear troubled to the new people.

"Thank you; it's a pleasure." Kit nodded, offering the table's original occupants a sunnier smile, (despite what he was picking up from the woman) one of open appreciation, instead of a simple polite approach. "My friends, Cloud Strife and Spirit Who Could Not Be Broken." Another nod. "Kit Fisto, Jedi, offering whatever aid I may." He sat next to Sara, considering the crowd. He was pleased; the party was peaceable, (despite the jangle of nerves; he couldn't quite ignore it) and nothing struck him as overly strange, outside of the situation. That, now that was surreal... and something which called for comment.

"Have you been here very long?"

"Thank you," he murmured, almost too inaudible to be heard, feeling small in his company. He settled down into a chair, leaving the dandelion on his lap as he stared down at it, feeling awkward. He was very hungry, but his appetite didn't seem to want to come out, for which he was grateful. It was rather awkward, to be honest, and he fiddled with his gloves before taking them off.

It was proper, after all, when in a cultured place that wasn't the mess. "It's nice to meet you."

Spirit nodded, smiling, both at Sera's invitation and as Kit mentioned his name. With the seats unsuited for horses on several levels, he simply stood behind one pushed-in chair and shifted his weight off his left hindleg. He nodded once more to Cloud's greeting. "I think I've seen you both on the journals," he said, giving V a conspiratorial grin.

The stallion was still very aware of his alien surroundings, trying to figure out what rules might govern the place. Some people had food, some didn't... and Spirit couldn't figure out the difference between the haves and have-nots. He didn't see any shame in asking. "So... how are we supposed to get food in front of us?"

"I've been here for months, I'm afraid, but I've adjusted... I must say, it's my pleasure to meet the lot of you as well, and especially to meet in person." Spirit's grin could not have gone unnoticed---V turned slightly, regarding the stallion with a sly, sideways glance which spoke of a wink under the mask. "You'll have to ask our waitress when she returns with the tea; as it is..." He straightened a little, peering, "I do believe the miss will be to this table shortly."

[OOC: Sorry for the huge lag, guys---apparently my notifications fail. :<]

"I haven't been here very long...I just arrived outside the gate that's closest to here." Sara said, "Oh, wait, Spirit, is that what your name is?" Sara asked, looking at the stallion. "I remember talking to you one time...I had just arrived, and received the journal." She said, smiling slightly at the waitress who had just arrived with the teat and to take orders from the others who had just arrived.

Kit's spirit rose as the waitress approached; he had been content before, but he had been busy throughout a crazy, chaotic day, and looked forward to a meal in calm and good company. "Let's see, let's see, going to have to choose something...I know what I'd like." He'd known well before they'd walked in. "And I'm willing to order some soup and share it, Spirit, if you're still curious. I make no suggestion, other than mixed greens...still, there's got to be something available suited to you."

Scanning the menu that was placed in front of him, he looked up at Kit's offer, glancing between him and Spirit. "If you don't think the soup is enough," he spoke up, trying to be helpful. "There are salads. You can ask for the simple ones."

But he still had no idea what to eat.

Mixed greens or salads... he could see some kind of green, leafy plant on an open menu. It looked reasonable enough, and the soup did still sound intriguingly exotic, but it was Spirit's thought that it couldn't hurt to ask the waitress outright for his normal fare. "What about grasses?"

"We do have wheatgrass."

Spirit grinned triumphantly. "That's perfect."

The waitress gave him an assessing look. "Might I suggest a double order? I don't know if the single would be enough for someone your size."

Though he'd never seen a restaurant before, let alone ordered in one, the concept of getting double the food carried over well enough, and Spirit nodded. "Works for me," he said, before grinning still more broadly at Kit. "And so does sharing some soup."

V raised a hand to wave away the waitress's attention when she turned to him again, curious; he really would rather return for take-out later, and eat in peace and privacy. It had been observed that one, in general, would be judged more from appearances than from reality. A meal would mean removing his chosen features, and falsifying them by doing so---a man could only have one true face, after all.

Sara shook her head as the waitress came by. She wasn't hungry. She probably should have been, but all the stress of late had killed her appetite. Sipping on the tea that V had ordered for her, she took in her companions, an interesting collection of people and creatures.

Deciding not to make a comment, which was abnormal for her, she just sat back to observe.

It seemed Cloud wasn't quite ready to state his choice, and so Kit spoke up, smiling at the waitress as she finished the jot note and looked back to the table. "The vegetable soup, for the two of us, please, and I'd like a double order of the fish, though---and I know how it sounds---if you would hold the chips and bring it out unbattered, uncooked, and as close to whole as it comes, I would be very much obliged." By this time, the freshness of the fish made little difference; the Jedi managed to keep his stomach silent, but just barely, considering the benefit of his order: the main portion of his meal would, at least, arrive quickly.

He bit his lip as he perused the menu, worrying about what he would order. Quite a lot of it appealed to him, most of it, actually, and while he was quite hungry, he didn't know which one to pick. And he really didn't want to come off as a slob...

"I'd like to take vegetable soup and a club sandwich, please." Cloud closed the menu, picking what he hoped was suitable for company and squirmed in his seat, staring at the tablecloth.

_{[[OOC: I'm really, really sorry that I didn't reply to this log for so long. ;_; I'm so, so sorry!]]}

Spirit followed the waitress' movement as she finished writing down the orders, collected the menus, and left. When she'd gone out of his sight, he had another look at his surroundings, even lowering his head to look under the table. He had a chew at the tablecloth, found it unsatisfactory, and raised his head again.

"Interesting way to get food," he said, not without a little bafflement in his voice. Two-leggeds really were a strange bunch.

"It's reasonably convenient, if a bit nonsensical, considering the bizarre economy of this city, and mystery behind it all." V propped his chin in one hand, continuing---he could at least provide interesting conversation while they were all waiting. "While there are no plants about in the city, for example, foodstuffs must come from somewhere; if one asks after the source, the natives get flustered and defensive, or claim ignorance outright. Intriguing, if you ask me."

Sara listened to V's thoughts on the matter, and continued to think. She was probably coming off as antisocial to the people at the table, but her thoughts were elsewhere for the moment. Sipping on her tea still, she took in her surroundings still, filing away what V had said about the people of this strange city.

Kit smiled at Spirit, offering the stallion a small c'est-la-vie shrug. "I can understand where you're coming from.... And I will admit, that I often prefer to fish for myself, although it isn't often I have the opportunity." Although the opportunity wasn't present, it seemed the fish would arrive soon---what with the waitress gradually approaching again, pausing at tables in her path to drop off drinks and collect empty glasses.

That waitress reached the party before long, passing a plate to Kit and being thanked in turn before smiling at the others. The moment was brief, "Your orders will be out shortly," being the only thing said before she faded back into the bustle.

Kit smiled, himself, both because he was polite and pleased---the plate held exactly what he'd asked for; two fish, their heads and tails off, but otherwise intact.

Cloud watched the waitress go before speaking, turning his head to look back at V with a worried tilt to his frown. "Then... they don't talk at all about that? But... where does all the food come from? The maps didn't show anything."

He frowned, playing with a napkin thoughtfully. Midgar didn't grow it's own food either, and while Paixao was far from the metal monstrosity that was Midgar, it still didn't grow real, genuine plants.

He thanked the waitress when his food arrived, tapping a finger against the bread. "Then maybe they get their food elsewhere?"

Spirit was ravenous - he hadn't eaten for several hours, something unusual for the grazer. He'd grabbed a mouthful of grass almost before the waitress had set his plate down, and Cloud's thanks were the main reason he gave his own mumbled 'thank you'.

"Mm. But..." and he swallowed. "-Wow, this stuff is really fresh." He cocked his head at the plate. "If they're bringing it from somewhere else, I'd think it'd be dried out."

He paused briefly, then lowered his head again, adding, "Not that I'm complaining," while nose-deep in wheatgrass.

[OOC: Holy crap apparently this log got lost somewhere in the last month of school. D: I'm really sorry guys!]

"They don't, and if you encourage them to, or attempt to talk about it yourself, those efforts come to naught, unless it so happens you should be speaking with other outsiders, as you and I are." V steepled his fingers, leaning forward just slightly. "It's possible it's imported, yes, but if that's the case, why would there be no word of it? Suspicious...but I suppose I've seen much worse."

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This Voracious Caberet [active]

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