(no subject)

[warandpeace]

Who: Kazuhira Miller | Various
When: Through June
Where: Kauto Mostly
What: Posts in starters, OTA and Closed
Warnings: Warnings attached to threads

Starters In Comments

Comments

[warandpeace]

PAX HAMBURGANA | OTA | NO WARNINGS.

[Kaz has reduced the hours his strange Japanese/Central American/North American Diner during the food shortage. But rest assured, during the cold snap Pax Hamburgana is still warm. It's always open to anyone. It's open less, but during that time he's doing his best to work twice as hard.]

[It also means he's having to buy extra materials from Ingress discovered planets. Or rather, pay people that bring him things.]

[He has a list of items he needs. He's willing to pay anyone that brings something in. He's doing his best to conserve food. And in the few minutes of downtime, he drops into a booth and does financing (or by some miracle plays his old Spanish style acoustic guitar) until the next customer escapes the surprise chill.]

[He's going to have to find more to do with that out of work time.]

[waspling]

[Lisbeth doesn't cook.

And now everywhere is closed and those places that are open are being dicks and despite her anorexic looking figure she's not at all anorexic and she's starving. What she wouldn't give for a frozen Billy's Pan Pizza to microwave, she thinks with a heavy frown on her face. It's freezing cold and Pax Hamburgana looks like a refuge with its lights on.

As she approaches, Lisbeth notices no one else is inside except for a lone man playing a guitar. She gets a strange sensation like this diner is out of place and time and she's not in reality anymore, but then she rolls her eyes at herself because this is an alien planet and might as well not be in reality at all. It was a stupid thought to have.

She opens the door and hurries inside, as if doing so would prevent a few shreds of shivering air from escaping itself to join her in here. She pulls down the hood of her black hoodie, and quickly stuffs both hands back into the pockets of her leather jacket.]

Does this place have pizza?

[Not that she has anything against hamburgers, as evidence as common fair here given the name, but she's really craving pizza right now. Lisbeth doesn't mind interrupting his guitar playing. He's good at it but she's hungry and not very concerned with good etiquette.]

[warandpeace]

[Kaz puts down his guitar when she comes in, brows furrowing a bit over his glasses as cranes to see who's coming in.]

[Luckily he's from an era where here general aesthetic was shared by a lot of punks rockers. But it's more the consistently dark funeral level clothing that gives him pause.]

[Guess who's never seen an industrial goth before?]

[But other than a curious tip of his head there's no commentary (and silently thinks she's probably a "normal Earth" human being that she wants pizza) and he rises up out of his seat.]

Menus are over here... [He goes to grab one for her.] No pizza, I'm afraid.

[waspling]

[She still has that big frown on her face but silently accepts that she won't get any pizza tonight. That's alright, really, she thinks as she glances at the menu for half a second and then hands it back. Lisbeth removes her leather jacket and sets it on the counter barstool next to the stool she takes up for herself.]

I'll take a Monster Burger, bean burrito, and cheese fries.

[Now that she's settled and has the promise of hot, greasy food, she's feeling much better. The pizza is all but forgotten.]

And a cappuccino.

[She starts taking out a dented and abused golden cigarette case.]

Do you mind?

[gentlemenpreferblondes]

[The mood around both Kauto and Chioni hasn't exactly been cheerful lately. Savrii acting more suspicious of them, storm and weather taking turn for the worse, Shepard being taken away. And on top of all that there's J's own personal mess, which is right now mostly showing with a light wallet. Which is one reason why she's here.

Seeing that J's own cooking abilities is limited mostly to opening cans and boiling things in the water, she prefers eating out. But thanks to being little too careless lately she doesn't have enough money to visit the restaurants she usually prefers and none of her 'patrons' have had much time for her, she has to go for something more... down to earth, let's say. And besides, who doesn't like burgers?]

Oh, well! If it isn't Mr. Handsome! [J calls out cheerfully as she enters the shop, seeing Kaz working.] Changing from military to culinary mastermind? Not bad.

[warandpeace]

[Luckily the world is as it always is for Miller. If the world isn't suspicious of him, he's suspicious of it. Temperature is only inconvenient in how it affects the moods and resources of other people and not for him.]

[When she comes in he leans away from the drink machine he's been fussing with (changing bottles inside of it and switching out spouts) and looks to see who it is.]

Always happy to see my favorite songstress. [He wipes his hands down on his deep red apron before approaching the counter.] I've been cooking and running businesses since before my voice changed. It's an easy habit to fall back into. [He holds out a menu for her.]

[gentlemenpreferblondes]

As usual, your words flatter me. [She winks her eye and sits on the chair near to the counter, taking the menu from him.] Although, when you say favorite it almost sound like I got competition. Is there someone else I should know about? [She's mostly teasing him while skimming through the menu. Baiting for more attention and compliments. Whether there's anyone else in his mind doesn't truly move her that much.]

The Japanese burger should scratch the itch I have, darling. Make me one of your specials.

[frostedplum]

Mei's been in once late at night while Nyx was working, and she told him then that she would definitely be coming more often. The food shortages do have her wondering if the diner will be closed, but she's happy to see she's wrong and the light pouring out through the window is a welcome sight.

Unlike most people, Mei is used to the cold. She's spent a lot of time in the various mountain ranges of Earth, and of course there was Antarctica. So when she walks in, she's wearing the heavy parka she arrived in, and only her red ears and nose betray that she feels any cold at all.

"Kazuhira!" she greets excitedly, eyes focusing on his guitar. "I finally get to see you with your guitar!"

[warandpeace]

Mei was one of those people with a voice that draws attention (or so Kazuhira thought, in the way that he often thought about how people could present themselves in front of groups). One of those people that could lighten a room without meaning to specifically. He didn't know if that would carry over into any other formal presentation, but it certainly hit all the right buttons to make him feel a little less solemn when she came in.

He smiled, tight-lipped, and lifted the guitar in his hands. "Not a lot of traffic today. People aren't used to it being so cold. Looks like you know what you're doing, though." He got up from the seat to go and grab a menu for her, and get a glass of water. Better to take care of business before putting on any shows.

"Any ideas about what's going on?"

Because if anyone was to have some good insight on this mess, it would have to be her. From what she told him she'd been keenly aware of the weather since she'd come here (or been brought her or whatever the Ingress had done with them).

[frostedplum]

"Oh, yes," she says on the edge of a giggle. "I'm very used to extreme temperatures." Mei would be a pretty poor climatologist if she didn't prepare for anything and know how to keep herself warm.

Taking a seat in the booth, she unbuckles her parka's belt and unzips the front, but leaves it on. There will be bursts of cold air should anyone else come in.

"Yes and no." A tiny crease appears between her eyes, easily visible because her glasses are slipping down her nose again. "I've theorized that it is fluctuations with the Ingress that's causing these temperatures, but I don't know why these fluctuations are occurring. Ingress engineering is outside my area of expertise." She nudges up her glasses. "But I'll keep studying what I can in the hopes I can learn more."

[liberaltus]

[For his part this cold snap has turned Dorian into a recluse, not that it was all bad, he had a rather attractive house to squirrel himself away in with hot running water. Still, one could feel a bit caged in when stuck inside all of the time, but leaving his house, of course, means that he's bedecked in armor from head to toe coupled with an obnoxiously long and heavy fur cloak. He's still cold, by the way, and he almost regrets setting foot out the door except for the fact tat he hasn't seen Kazuhira in quite some time.

And he's yet to have the opportunity to visit his diner as well, though the mage has been meaning to -- he reckons it's a good time. A very good time, since he managed to walk in on a guitar solo, again, something he's been meaning to ask the man to do but the opportunity has merely slipped by him. Fortunately Dorian can slide in quickly and silently enough so that he doesn't disturb Kazuhira's engaging performance, at least for the time being. Perhaps he could play music in his down time, Dorian would actually pay him to play in his apothecary, it would add to the ambiance. A thought for another time, for now he was just going to enjoy it while it lasted.]

[warandpeace]

[Kaz doesn't notice at first because he's attempting a song he's not tried in some time. It's not one of the Spanish songs that he played in the Carribean, but rather something more contemporary (by his perspective anyway).]

[Unfortunately, he does notice, though, and the song stops mid-chord.]

[Dorian's ability to throw Kaz for a complete loop should be envied by many. Even with aliens frequently coming in and out of his establishment, in strolls Dorian looking like some princely warrior out to hunt dragons and suddenly Kazuhira feels like he needs to present him with a hamburger on a golden platter. He puts aside the instrument to get up and go get Dorian a glass of water.] I see you're ready to take on the cold and leave it broken and bleeding.

[liberaltus]

[Well, at least Dorian was able to slide into a chair and, one foot propped up on his opposite thigh, his hands steepled on the table in front of him as he listened for a minute more before Kazuhira twanged to a stop.

A shame though, it was really good.

Ah, Kazuhira, that would be the Tevinter nobility you are picking up on, he tends to ooze that upright, upper class, rich man's demeanor out of every pore. Even if he's not wealthy and, at the moment, one would have a difficult time classifying him as nobility. That doesn't mean he's not living comfortably enough...well except for the sudden cold front...and he certainly wouldn't make Kazuhira present him with a hamburger on a golden platter. Granted it would be amusing.

The water would suffice.] I wish, but apparently it has no intention of heeding me. I might have gone for the elven practice of dancing naked in the moonlight, but I settled for cold feet over freezing to death.

[Dorian is particular sensitive to the cold, if you haven't noticed.]

[a_shadow]

[ Tex and her boyfriend don't often like to cook, as it turns out.

Having their own place is nice, of course, but the fact of the matter is that Tex is not a vegetarian by any stretch, and her boyfriend is. This leaves her sometimes fending for herself for meals, especially when she doesn't feel like cooking. Which is often. So on nights like this, when she's arriving at home late, after Daniel would already have his dinner made or purchased, she likes to stop somewhere like this to grab a bite of something substantial.

Tex comes in wearing her armor and strips off her helmet, tucking it under her arm. She notices the proprietor immediately and recognizes who he is. ]

Well. Miller. I didn't know you had a restaurant.

[warandpeace]

[This will probably be Kaz's last attempt at the restaurant business. But at least for now he can put the culinary skills that he has to good use.]

[Second person today to come in with dramatic armor. The amazing disconnect between fantastical warriors coming in for mochi or ice cream is becoming more and more acceptible, and even that's confusing for him.]

[He's stacking glasses when she comes in, turns around, stares, and then nods.] Nice work-out gear. [A sort of almost joke before he pours her the mandatory greeting water.] Yeah. I bought it as soon as I got here. I'm able to cook, I don't really have any place in security right now, and I'm good at waiting. So I can wait and earn money, I guess.

[He puts a menu down on the bar.]

[a_shadow]

[ Tex doesn't bother to look at it. ]

Give me a double cheeseburger, with lots of mustard. And, uh...

[ Now she gives the menu a glance. ]

...a chocolate shake.

[ She sets her helmet on the bar and takes a sip of her water before being seated. ]

Nothing in security, huh?

[deal_me_in]

[Poking around an Earth that isn't one he knew wasn't all he thought it would be. He hadn't been sure where he'd place it within the rough timeline he could recall, but by now he's come to accept the possibility of other Earths. Because his couldn't have ever been that crazy.

Returning to Thisavrou and Kauto is very much like the vacation he'd at first made it out to be. It's all still very weird for him, not getting reports from his Ghost, not hearing Zavala or Ikora calling him back to the Tower for Official Business. Vacation. Except so far he's not been able to shoot anything more than some stray clownbee and not grown an engram richer. Worst vacation ever.

The diner is something he's happened upon by accident. Being yet fairly new to the area, everything is pretty much an accidental discovery. The Exo stands in front of it, arms akimbo as he looks the place over. Beside him, hovering just about the level of his head is some floating object made up of triangular panels, colored red and white.

After a good two minutes, Cayde finally glances at his Ghost, who turns to look at him right back.]

So. I'm curious. You?

[With a grin, he moves to enter, the Ghost slipping through the door after him.]

I am sorry, like half my icons have lens flares because Kojima rolled around in them

[warandpeace]

[Kaz may not shoot that much anymore back home. Lacking one arm made the field off limits for him. And here? Well, as Cayde has learned there's not much need. Outside of brief mercenary jobs, but there's no sense of fulfillment. When Kaz speaks into a radio, he doesn't feel the sense of victory that he felt after trashing an opposing side. He doesn't train soldiers anymore, and that leaves him feeling empty rather than watching them with pride.]

[But at least he can use his new right hand for playing a guitar.]

[Kaz is strumming away when Cayde enters, glancing up with the jangle of the doors' bells. He sets the instrument aside and gets up, but... hesitates... before going to pick up a menu.] Would you like some water? [Does he have a stomach?]

[Its a classic diner car sort of place. How the hell one comes by a trolley car here, he has no clue. He'll just blame the Ingress. But it works for what he's doing.]

Ahahaha

[deal_me_in]

[Trolley cars were another relic from a past long forgotten, and you sure didn't see any rusted chassis of those around Old Russia. Setting foot inside the diner itself is like stepping through time.

The Ghost takes a moment to study the bells at the door once they've entered, Cayde looking around the place, nodding to himself in approval before his optics pause upon Kaz.]

Oh hey, live entertainment!

[He's a little disappointed when the man ceases to play. Music is practically a luxury back home, and it's not like there were traveling performers that came by the Tower. ...only fresh-faced Guardians that liked to tromp all over your table.

Wandering over to take the menu, Cayde lets out something halfway between a snort and a laugh.
Water. That's the last thing he's even considered in coming to a diner.]

I was thinkin' something more... -oh! You've got... Wow. I'm a little confused on the assortment here- but I'm not complaining! Hey look, Ghost! They got ramen!

[warandpeace]

kauto rg. one | venom snake | violence.

[When Kaz picked the location for his restaurant, he had two reasons to pick where he did. One, it was comparatively a cheap area, and two, he grew up in a slum.]

[He's not been afraid to walk home alone even at the worst of times. When he was ten he strolled with groceries through the seediest and most grimy parts of Yokosuka carrying groceries so he could take care of his mother. He'd stop and talk to shady prostitutes and ask them if they wanted him to deliver any messages to their old friend. He'd argue with other adult vendors that his mother's little shop of cigarettes and knickknacks and magazines wasn't in their way and they could go to hell if they thought otherwise. He strolled home with black eyes left by children who hated his foreigner face.]

[He stood up for himself just fine. He was a tough kid. And as an adult, that brash confidence has lingered. It's not been misplaced for the most part; he's not felt uneasy despite anti-"immigrant" sentiments. Even as the aggression in those attitudes escalate.]

[That's not how things go tonight.]

[Kazuhira Miller, this brash, mouthy example of military aggression and ambition and human failty, has not had the best walk home. He crawls into a space beside of stone and concrete stairs, hiding behind a garbage can after dragging himself. His leg prosthetic off. His real ankle badly swollen and impossible to put weight on. Again, everything is hurting, his glasses are gone, he's covered in bruises and a couple of angry deep wounds that he's done his best to muffle, and he's fumbling with wet fingers to activate his tab.]

[No video. He knows V will see him eventually. He doesn't want him to be more upset than strictly necessary. Just sound for now. Kaz has done his best to maintain a level voice to guide him.]

[So he'll try it again.]

Boss?

[The strain in his voice is palpable.]

Boss, come on... Pick up. [As if it's a phone.]

[alterplex]

[ Unrest is the great constant in every permutation of every universe, that familiar binary of ingroup and outgroup written into the DNA of every sentient creature regardless of time and space. Venom is used to it, of course— displace him in Bumfuck Nowhere, Afghanistan, and he still had to deal with the raging offshoots of the Cold War— so their current political climate planetside hasn't fazed him much beyond his strengthened arsenal when he conceals and carries.

This incoming call is a gamechanger.

He's tucked in the safety of their shared apartment when his TAB goes off, mid-situp with DD sitting on his feet. The name that appears on the screen doesn't alarm him— Kaz usually calls before heading home— but the voice on the other end when Venom finally picks up does. ]

—Kaz?

[ He jolts upwards, prompting DD to sit up and trot to the side. ]

Kaz, I hear you. What's going on?

[warandpeace]

[There's no way of seeing it, but Kaz closes his eyes and holds his TAB to his chest for a moment. Not that he doubted Snake would answer at some point; he's always been reliable. But for a moment he was worried he would catch that one day that V had silenced his TAB. That he'd be out here smelling his own blood for-]

[-He's not sure he'll be able to keep his head in the game for more than a twenty minutes. A half hour.]

[Kaz's adam's apple bobs as he swallows down rising feelings of anxiousness.]

I'm not really sure. [That does sound dubious.] I got a little lost and I can't walk right now, so I'm going to have guide you. I remember some landmarks, I think I can lead you that way.

[The next sigh is audible, along with muffled noises of the TAB resting against fabric again as he stops to consider. He knows he probably won't listen to him. But he's going to try.] Call someone to meet you so you don't go alone.

[warandpeace]

region one apt 01 | nyx ulric (and possibly venom snake) | discussion of violence.

[Kaz is mostly healed now, but he's still under obligation to have bed rest until the wounds are fully mended. Thanks to whatever that concoction from the Moira long ago was. He actually has some more healing potions that Dorian gifted him with, but to be honest? Things are strange enough.]

[For now, Miller grunts his way off the couch when he hears a knock at the door. And generally he feels absolutely ridiculous. His face feels naked. He's wearing sweatpants that are a little too loose around the hips because they belong to Ahab, but thankfully they're covered by a bathrobe he's been waddling around in. This man who has shown up at work every single day well dressed and presentable, looking slobbish and achey and a little bit ashamed for it.]

[Mama's started to stick to him like glue because she knows he's uncomfortable, and while she's just worried she's managing to be directly underfoot. So before he answers a ring, Nyx is treated to a curt-] Doite! Mama! [-from the other side of the door. Possibly one day this man will actually change the automated message people are greeted with rather than the computerized standard setting. Maybe.]

[nyxus]

[Nyx hasn't a clue what he's just heard, the words make no sense to him out of any context, and so his eyes widen slightly as he patiently waits for the door to be answered. When it does open, he immediately smirks at the sight which is revealed to him on the other side of that door.

He's never seen Miller look so casual and it's so bizarre it's almost alarming! Nyx can't help a small laugh at the sight, and he finds himself weirdly fixated on Miller's eyes which he's pretty damn sure he's never even seen before. He's never been to his boss's private home either, and this is all quite personal and intimate and Nyx feels rather out of place.

But he's nothing if not courageous and so he greets with a chipper enough:]

Heya, Boss! You look like shit! Let me in, I have goodies.

[Nyx holds up the two bags he's carrying.]

[alterplex]

[ And somewhere a few feet away, Venom is doing single-leg raise push-ups on the floor (not to rub anything in Kaz's face— he just needs to stay in shape) as his wolfdog sprints to the door to make sure that whoever is there seems reliable enough to be let in.

So. This is what's greeting Nyx today: a surly-looking XO and his overprotective dog, along with a wolfdog that has an eyepatch over one eye. Because of course he does.

(Welcome to the Thunderdome.)

If that isn't chaotic enough, Nyx can probably hear Venom in the background calling for his dog— "DD!"— while moving to clear the table of what is unmistakably disassembled firearms.

This is Nyx's chance to walk away from all of this, really..................... ]