Day 42: Twin Pines [Evening]

[rubbermancan]

Luffy was in good spirits by the time evening rolled around. There was nothing like some music to liven up the day! Then again, who'd ever heard of a pirate who didn't like music? It was the main reason he'd been hoping for a musician ever since he'd managed to get a ship of his own. If his musician position hadn't already been filled, Luffy

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[fooledintuition]

[Swapping tables and also waiting on Taura and vK]

If Adachi didn't know better, he'd almost say she had dragged him onto a date. He gave Callisto a bland stare, not buying that grin in the slightest. She was taking her sweet time about just saying what she wanted from him and getting it over with. Did he look like that much of a pushover? "I don't really know your tastes," nor did he care, "so you may not end up liking it." He paused. Was he getting a bit careless with what he was saying again? Time to clarify, then. "But yeah, I guess I can do that."

He shrugged, at least happy that the Institute's coupons were paying for this, and that it wasn't coming out of his own pocket. No way would he order for her on his own dime; then she'd end up making him pay for the entire meal, and probably more. Since this was so-not-a-date, he wasn't obligated to actually get her something she liked; maybe it'd even help him to get away.

Yeah. Right. He wasn't that lucky today.

TV route closed, the only way he could see himself managing to slip away is if he successfully pawned her off on someone else, but they didn't exactly have company at this table. Which, of course, just meant he'd need to find them some company. Adachi took a glance around, trying to find some people that may work before spotting a younger (but holy crap, was she way taller than even he was) woman sitting by herself.

"Oh, I have an idea," he continued after a moment, standing. His more easy-going tone sounded more fake than earlier. "It's always fun to eat with more people around. Why don't we go over there?" Now it was Adachi's turn to grab her arm and try to tug her out of the chair, toward the other table.

"Hi! Do you mind if my friend and I sit here?" Without really waiting for a response, he took a seat and gestured for Callisto to follow him. Sure, it was kinda rude, but he didn't particularly care at the moment.

[ninelivesonce]

Taura heard the conversation -- say argument, and be more accurate -- approaching well before it landed at her table. Relationship troubles? They made a pretty pair, though if anyone treated her like that on a date, it wouldn't be a date for much longer.

"I..." She wasn't sure what she wanted to say. The conversation had lurched between friendly and tense, and the intrusion of a neutral party might break the ice a little. Or it might destabilize what fragile equilibrium food and hot tea had restored.

It also appeared she didn't have much choice, unless she wanted to make a scene. "I don't mind, but I'm not sure about Mister von Karma. We were just finishing." Well, he'd finished before her. Decisively, like he did everything else. She was still picking at the remains of her food. She'd never learned to admit defeat by portion size; she'd never had cause to. It was unfamiliar as being grabbed as a buffer in a crowded restaurant.

"The more the merrier. I'm Taura."

[givemeoblivion]

Look at the man up and grow a pair! Callisto allowed herself to be dragged along only because she was amused by the situation. She was getting somewhere with him. She could see it. Though she wasn't entirely sure what he intended by bringing her over to this table. Perhaps he hoped to get rid of her.

The company was interesting, she could admit that. Not quite as interesting as Adachi, which was saying something since she generally took no interest in anyone male for any other reason than to use them, but still worth her time, perhaps. This place was full of strange personalities. Still, when they sat down she made certain to yang her arm free of his grip and give him a dangerously false smile that said don't you dare do that again.

"I'm Callisto," she greeted the woman. "It's a pleasure."

[perfectrecord]

Well. At least he could give credit to this rustic little diner for one thing: its lavatory was at least clean. That was much more than he could have expected of anything from this miserable town. Still, just walking around in this whole place made him feel as though he had his last shower much longer ago than yesterday.

As he walked back to the table where he and Ms. Taura were sitting, he saw two other people sitting there, a young blond woman and a black-haired man. Instantly, a disapproving frown spread across his face. Why had his dinner partner seen fit to allow two more people to sit with them?!

He regarded their two new "companions" irritably, before sitting back down in his original place (denoted by the empty plate the waitress had yet to take away -- what was she expecting from a Landel's Institute prisoner as a tip, another of those useless vouchers?). He glanced at them again before finally addressing his original dinner mate.

"Ms. Taura. We were almost finished with our dinner here. Surely, these two could have waited until we vacated this table. Or did our dear waitress erroneously seat them here?" His voice was quite restrained; the day had been much too long and trying for him.

[ninelivesonce]

"They", invaded, she didn't say. He hadn't asked why they were there; he'd asked why she hadn't stopped them. Which she, demonstrably, hadn't. She swallowed, and banished all trace of defensiveness from her voice. "I chose diplomacy. Sir."

"Besides, I don't know very many people here." Neither do you, or you wouldn't sound like a Barrayaran who'd never gotten the memo that the Time of Isolation was over. The one the Cetagandans blazed across the sky with bombs and assault craft. "This is Callisto, and this is..." She trailed off, looking at the other newcomer expectantly.

[fooledintuition]

Oh, he certainly caught that look, and gave Callisto an equally fake smile in response. Bitch. He'd deal with her later (if he felt like it), or better yet, not at all. Ever again. If he ever got away, that was.

He was a bit distracted when the older man came up, but the crotchety attitude certainly caught his attention. Fitting, for an old man, although Adachi raised an eyebrow at the show of respect this Taura lady was giving the old man, intrigued. That kind of respect was nice to hear, given how his day had shaped up so far, even if it wasn't directed at him.

Then they got back to introductions, and it was all back to the dorky grin. "Ahaha...s-sorry. I'm Adachi. We're-- oh, wait a sec." He waved over a passing waitress and asked for two plates of their country fried steak, one for himself and one to keep Callisto satisfied. "Anyway, is it probably a safe guess that you're patients?" he continued after a moment, looking between them. "I mean...a small town like this, people tend to know quite a few others."

[givemeoblivion]

Ordering her the same thing he was ordering was a rather safe, but boring move on Adachi's part. Callisto would settle for that for the moment, though. Speaking of boring, however, who was this stuffy old nobleman that had just joined them? He looked like the sort of person who enjoyed bossing other people around, and as such was one of the many types that Callisto enjoyed bringing down several pegs. Or gutting. Both could be equally enjoyable.

She pulled a leg back up beside her as she had at the other table. "Yes, sorry about that. Adachi here wanted to make new friends. I hope that's not a problem." One fingernail was set delicately between her teeth. The former warlord wasn't made for formal diners.

[perfectrecord]

As Taura answered von Karma, he closed his eyes for a moment in contemplation. So she had chosen diplomacy. Reasonable enough. It was, after all, a necessary evil at times in order to attain one's goals. He finally opened his eyes and nodded at her. "Very well, Ms. Taura. They may sit here. After all," he shrewdly peered at each of the newcomers, "they may have some rather interesting stories to tell about their experiences in this town."

"Ms. Callisto. Mr. Adachi. A pleasure to meet the both of you." He tried as best as he could to keep the sardonic tone out of his voice, as he extended his right hand to each of them. "As Ms. Taura may have already mentioned, I am Mr. von Karma. Indeed," his voice now bore its usual sarcasm, "she and I have the unfortunate distinction of being patients in 'Dr.' Landel's hellhole. I presume the same is true of you two?"

He glanced at the young blonde woman, who was giving him a rather canny look. Distrustful. For that matter, so was this Adachi, who had been exchanging obviously affected expressions with her. He smirked at her as he responded, "No, Ms. Callisto. That should be no problem at all." No problem for von Karma, that was; he had no intention of befriending anyone.

[ninelivesonce]

There were undercurrents here she didn't understand. Maybe no-one did, if they were all unfamiliar with each other. Or maybe she hadn't walked into a restaurant so much as an armed standoff. With wits as the weapon du jour. She grabbed at the one thing she could respond to -- the face Callisto had pulled when Adachi had ordered.

"The steak is really good. Tastes real, and everything is fresh."