15141/Delayed Diner Dining

Delayed Diner Dining
Date of Scene:	26 May 2023
Location:	Fred's Diner - Mutant Town
Synopsis:	Nick follows through on his promise to take Askante to Fred's Diner. Lucifer joins in. There is talk of careers, forbidden books, and FEEEEELINGS
Cast of Characters:	Phantasm (Drago), Askante, Lucifer

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Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
It's a funny thing about offers to go somewhere with someone in the future. It involves making sure schedules match. When Askante was available, Nick was dealing with...brooding moments, trying to save a film project, or dealing with weird stuff in dreams When Nick was available, Askante was busy, doing...stuff. Nick didn't really get details. Sometimes it's best not to ask. But tonight, the schedules have aligned and Nick is keeping his promise from earlier.

There's currently not many people in the diner. Save for the cook and the server currently at the register, it is pretty much dead inside. With the lack of people, the light from the ceiling travels unobstructed to the chrome detailings of the furniture and walls, making for quite a bit of shine inside.

Yes, this seems like the most ideal time.

Upon reaching the diner, Nick opens the door, holding it for who follows.

Askante has posed:
It's probably rather weird to be followed by a seven foot tall scaley monster, that almost nobody looks twice at. But that's the case; it showed up at the subway station, looking around with all the care and attention of a being that really has just been running rough almost all of its existence. Such nice places as chrome finished /diners/ are not on its dance card, most of the time. Ever. At all, in fact; dumpster diving and hot dog/street meat carts are its style. It did disgust the god of Mischief once, with its obsession with eating what others leave behind.

And so it follows, hat in hand, like old school manners dictate, lacking a gun to wander into this 'ere saloon, but otherwise walking out of a picture book from the 1800's. "It's very kind of you to keep your promise. This is... very clean," is the comment at first, followed by a rather nervous "...and it does not all smell mixed up or of grease."

Lucifer has posed:
Don't youjust love when trying to make plans seems to be when life just happens to also go tits up? Whether it be normal scheduling issues or...other wordly beings...things just never go as you want them to. Until finally things all come together and here they are at the diner to have a meal together. Lucifer has joined Nick and Askante - because he wanted to be there for any just in cases. The third one to enter the establishment, but he's been here before, and sometimes winds up meeting Nick here - but never Askante.

He takes note of how there's not a lot of traffic in the diner at all right now. This might end up being a good thing, though even just the cook and server being there has him wondering how they'll react to Askante's presence. It has a way of being observed, and never the same way twice. A glance to Askante as it comments on the chosen place. "It does have a certain clean appeal, yes... I would say this is a step up from your usual meal choices, but certainly by only so much...fine dining will likely come later down the line." He smirks and then glances to Nick. "How have you been?"

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Considering the height of the friends that still remember who he is, Nick is getting used to be the shortest person in the group. By that point is there really that much difference between 6'5" and 7'?

There is?

Well Nick still is short.

As Askante thanks him, he smiles to her, "Well, I did promise and I'm sorry we couldn't have done this sooner." He glances around for a moment and then looks over to Askante. "Well, the lack of grease smell is probably because they finally replaced the grill with a functioning one." He gestures to the bar area and then to the booths. "Where would you like for us to sit?"

Lucifer's question doesn't go ignored, "I've been doing fine. Getting in practice, trying to assure some producers that I'm not going to vanish on them if they put a project back in motion, getting in some session work at the recording studio, and a few other things."

Askante has posed:
"That was one of the good things about the dark age of before. It's very hard to break fire, but getting it started..." it smiles wanly at that. Many a cold cluster of neanderthals and others were witnessed when it just wouldn't catch. "But it is always nice to have a bonded word kept." It glances to Lucifer, ducks its head a little in a hunch and gazes steadily at the cook and counter clerk. When neither of them has an epic freak out, it waves, which just goes down a bit weirdly -- the counter clerk at least waves back and tries on a smile. Then it's being asked things. Eek.

"I don't know? Which is better? THe booths look cosy, like my nest?"

That might be the answer then, as hesitant at first, it then scurries into the middle back of the darkest booth (which is really not all that dark) to sit and just... stare at all the shiny cleanliness, which is honestly rather relative. Now it's shorter than everyone! Hah. That has something to do with the ability to fold, with extra vertibrae and such.

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer is just about to suggest that the booth would likely be more amicable but then Askante is scurrying to the booth after claiming it looks like its nest. This brings a smirk to the Devil's face as he slides over to the counter and grabs three menus and three sets of napkin-wrapped silverware from the server who is likely just sort of looking at them in awe. "I promise, we don't bite." Saying this to her before he then follows over to the seat picked by the Tangible Emotion.

"Well I think it's good you're trying to get started up on your career again. I still need to call your manager and book you for a weekend at Lux." Offering this to Nick while setting menus down along with the silverware. "And Askante? How has it been going with the late night radio thing? I still need to manage to catch a show of yours..."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick smiles to mention of the cozy factor. "Booth it is then." He waits until Askante picks the booth they prefer before he follows. He slides into the booth opposite Askante, allowing for the tallest of the three her own space to stretch out, bounce in the seat, whatever she wants over there.

"Order whatever you want. My treat." Nick speaks up, establishing that just in case someone else had any other ideas. He opens his menu to glance to the specials listing. Pale eyes glance up from the menu as Lucifer mentions how goo it is to get started up again. "Glad you agree. I figure I can either just hide in my apartment on the off chance that there's a repeat of the shelter incident or I can just go on with life and deal with it if it comes instead." He looks back to the menu, "I'd say that life is too short for hiding but...yeah."

Askante has posed:
People see what they want to see: And who knows what the servier is seeing. Nick apparently has settled on 'this androgyne is feminine' and it isn't about to protest. "Anything I want?" the words are repeated with a tone of wonder and with the presentation of the menus, it all but stares at the list of eats, which will be made -for them- right now, to order. Aaaaaaaand with rounded eyes, it short-circuits just a bit with a lengthy argument of 'ooh this, no, no, no. But that looks... **gasp**' -- dragging itself back to reality it whine-chirrrs softly. "Everything looks good! I have never had a New York striploin..." it hasn't really ever had anything that was 'fancy' "...is peppercorn mushroom gravy a good thing?"

Whilst waiting on that answer, it looks between devil and actor/singer "The people that run the podcast say that it is going well -- they measure um... something on the invisible web that connects all the computer machines, called traffic, which I think is odd. Traffic you can usually touch..." it shrugs "...anyway, the hour I do, it seems is getting more traffic. It seems to help, for them to just talk. It is odd. But I also got help from a witch and sent a radio to Hope, so she can listen to all the sound and the music."

Another small pause. "I also found a fight club. Very strange that gladiator battle is back. May I have a milkshake? And are you going to be in the moving pictures again, Nick?"

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer hums and hmmns over the menu for a moment and then glances at the stripsteak that Askante mentions. "I think you'd like peppercorn mushroom gravy. It will taste like slightly spicy earth...which I know sounds odd but it's good in my opinion." He offers this much and then gives a wince and pulls out his phone. <<Hey Sin. At the Diner with Nick and Askante. Do you want me to bring you home anything? ~Luci>> With that done, he looks back at the menu and then nods his head, perhaps having made his descision.

A few more breaths pass before the server finally comes up to them. "Hey y'all. I'm Charlene and I'll be your server this evenin'. Can I get you all anything to drink to start off?"

"Coffee for me, thank you. We will likely need a few extra moments on food choices..." Lucifer at least puts that out there before going back to the menu just in case he sees something he wants more than his current decision.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Hearing Askante having trouble picking from the menu. Nick chuckles, "Sounds like we'll just have to come back here so you have a chance to try more. No point getting a stomachache trying to eat everything in one go. And yes, you can have a milkshake."

The mention of the movie causes for the smile to falter for a bit, "Well, we're going to see. I got some bridges to mend first."

Nick looks over to Charlene. "Water for me, please." He replies.

Askante has posed:
"Milkshake - Chocolate please, because it is addictive and I might be addicted." Askante smiles at the server, which doesn't phase her. She probably isn't seeing the teeth. "I think I will have the striploin then, with the gravy and... um... salad. I like salad. It tastes fresh, like rain." "How would you like your steak, hon?" "Um. Cooked?" "Well, sure. How well?" **blank stare** "I'll get the cook to do his special."

<<Oh, now you're asking. I don't think so. But thank you for thinking.>> - the text rolls back in quick order.

"Do you need help mending bridges? I'm good at carpentry, joinery and planing."

Lucifer has posed:
"Oh, we've decided then. Okay." Lucifer says this with a chuckle and looks to the server. "I'll have a bacon cheeseburger, please cook the meat medium rare, and I would actually like mashed potatoes and cream gravy on the side of that." He offers. "Also, in about twenty minutes and on a separate ticket - can you please get me an order of fish and fries. The fries twice cooked. With a side of malt vinegar and lemon." He looks to his phone, rolls his eyes, and decidedly sticks with ordering Sinister something anyway.

"Alright, sure thing darlin'." She looks to Nick then. "You know what you're gonna have, sugar?"

Though there's a glance over to Askante and he chuckles before clearing his throat. "Rebuilding bridges, in this regard, is a figure of speech. Which goes along with another figure of speech called burning bridges. It means Nick's got some people in his life he's likely made rather upset and he needs to amend things with them." There. The long of the short of things.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
As they appear to be ordering the food now, Nick adds in the food order. "The grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup please. Chips for the side." He folds the menu closed and holds it out for the server to have an easier time collecting it.

The musician cocks his head to the side as he listens to Lucifer's explanation before giving a nod. "Some stuff happened to where I had to make my scarce for awhile. And that messed with some plans others had. Which messed with other people's plans, and well. It was a ripple effect."

Askante has posed:
"Ohhh, sometimes those elude me." Drinks are soon brought, because they don't take long, along with some pieces of bread as an appetizer, just because it's -that- quiet. FREE BREAD! "Sometimes, things are complicated, as I understand." It takes a piece of bread, holds it up to the ceiling a moment, then rather purposefully breaks it in half with a nod. Half is let be and it nibbles on the other piece.

Quite likely Sinister isn't going to complain on getting fish and chips.

"Has the Dreamcatcher helped?" It asks Nick.

Lucifer has posed:
The man who can be so very British at times better not complain on getting fish and chips. With the -correct- accompanyments. Because Lucifer has /learned/.

Damn it all.

"Well if these bridges cannot be amended maybe that's a sign for you to persue other things on this career path of yours. Surely this is not the end all for you, of course." He comments this while reaching for some bread and then eyes his own piece for a moment. "I should go and visit Hope myself, I think. Maybe she and I can listen to one of your podcasts together, Askante."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick nods. "Things should be mendable... And while I might be able to live without having this project greenlit. There are others who were counting on the work it could have produced." The musician frowns momentarily. Just managing a small smile to the server as his water is set down before him. "Thank you."

Once the server moves off, he glances to the glass. "It's not the first problem encountered, nor will it be the last. But yes. There are other options."

Nick glances up from his glass, looking over to Askante, "...Well, it is hanging in my apartment. But, I don't quite dream like others. So I probably won't know until I overdo it on the abilities."

Askante has posed:
Askante gathers the milkshake to itself as the conversation humms, listening and with an eye on Nick as he speaks. But then there is the straw and almost reverently, it sips on the brain-freeze inducing chocolate goodness. And freezes in place. "Mmmnuhhh-huh!" a shudder, then a radiant sunshine smile and it's sucking on the straw like it's trying out to be a vacuum cleaner in its spare time - the curse of extra thickness when the shake is fresh.

It sucks on its teeth after, to clean out the excess and nods. "You might end up in a dancing celebration if you do, she is likely to be enjoying it thoroughly. She has not had music except in her own mind, for a very long time. I hope it does not make her sad though... that would be quite a dreary thing." It thinks for a moment. "Do people regularly change their jobs then? Once, it seemed only a few did that."

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer is going to decidedly let Nick answer the question about jobs and changing them. Things work a bit differently for actors and musicians. Or Devils who got bored. Instead, he looks at the piping hot cup of coffee he's been served and lifts it to take a solid drink. It shouldn't surprise anyone that he can drink a cup of coffee freshly brewed and piping hot.

"I promise I will check on Hope when I am home and make sure she is doing well. Both from enjoying the music, and listening to you, and overall just living in her..." He pauses. Sips. "Confined space." A glance given to Nick as he sets his cup down. "I think you saw it, or noticed it at least. Once. In my Penthouse. Pandora's Box? It's the real thing, you know. I obtained it...unfortunately after it had been opened by Epimetheus. Unless you believe the other story that she opened it herself. Either way..."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick pauses, "Well, when it comes to entertainment, for most people if you're not tied to some form of project in the works, actively working on a gig, or locked in under a contract with a production company or agency, you're effectively unemployed. In that regard that I'm still getting money from the sales of my backlog of music as well as Silver Round's. Plus, I do have a tie in with Shaw Records and Shaw Studios."

When Lucifer mentions checking on Hope when he gets home, he looks over to the devil. When he brings up Pandora's box, he gives a thoughtful look, trying to recall from the time he was there by himself for a period. He had spent most of it hanging out near the bar and piano because... Well it was a nice piano.

"I'm not sure I saw anything like that." Nick comments, "Other than looking at book titles, that's about all the looking I did. I don't remember a box."

Askante has posed:
"It isn't very large. And it isn't fancy -- like the cup that a carpenter used, which was made of clay and the other one he used was wood." Askante shrugs, smiles again and nestles with its milkshake. It probably shouldn't sit on the bench indian style, but it does, with tail curled up around its thigh and over its ankles. "It sounds as though the job you do would be stressful, because you never know when you might not be needed any more. Is that the truth of such a career? If so, what does it bring to you? entertainers used to stroll about once, or they were employed in an establishment..." it asks.

The aroma of grilling steak on the grid-iron promises to be quite delicious when it gets there, as is that tantalizing aroma of grilled cheese.

Lucifer has posed:
"Simple. Greek in it's offering. I had thought you saw it, but I was apparently wrong." Lucifer's eyes sparkle a bit as he brings his coffee back to his lips for another drink. "There are many things in and upon my shelves that I likely should not have. And things that I very likely most definitely should not have in a vault I keep." There's a shrug then. "I'm quite the collector of curious objects. Some tainted with history. Others...well...likely more attached to all things supernatural. Most of my collection has come by favors over the years." He pauses, sips again. "Some I acquired with a more forceful nature."

The food all arrives shortly after, everyone getting their dishes settled in front of them. A delightful tantalizing assault on the senses for all their dishes are inherently different. Lucifer mixes his mashed potatoes for a moment, paused for a thought. "You can bring the fish and chips whenever you like from this point. They'll be fine once taken home with me." He offers to the waitress just before she toddles off again.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"Well, what jobs aren't stressful at some point?" Nick asks, indirectly confirming Askante's assessment, "If it was all pleasantness, it wouldn't be a job. And... well, to no longer be wanted is a concern. But, I've had a lot of time to be familiar with that feeling so-" He gives a shrug. "In the end, it's less about the money it brings than it is about how it makes me and others feel. It helps me. It helps others. So why not work to get better at it?"

Lucifer's description of the collection earns the angel a nod. "So some of the titles I guess are ones I should not be trying to look through." The musician surmises from the explanation to Lucifer's collection. I think Strange had books like that. School probably does too."

Nick pauses, growing quiet as he tilts his head, eyes closing for a few moments. the eyes open and he starts moving, grabbing up a slice of the grilled cheese sandwich to dip the tip of it into the tomato soup.

Askante has posed:
Odd behaviours are a dime a dozen for Askante. "Sorry," it says to Lucifer as it deliberately spills a bit of salt into a palm and tosses it over its shoulder. You know, in the eye of the devil -- as the meal is brought. It then arranges its cutlery just so, pauses for a moment, then tucks in with gleeful abandon; just watching that is like watching a starving pauper at a King's feast and it's only a new york striploin. The noises it makes! Happy chirrs and a kind of purring noise swiftly become the normal though.

Between mouthfuls: "I think if a job is stressing you out, it probably isn't a job any more. But that's just a lot of years talking, I think. Some did things because it was all they knew how to do, others did things because it was a passion. They were the happiest. Some did things just because they were very good at it and took pride in that."

But it nods a few times anyway. "Happiness is an elusive creature. It deserves to be persued, as so frequently it eludes the hunter." And because it wasn't about to pass THAT one up: "Why have you had a lot of practice at feeling unwanted?"

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer shrugs. "For as many as you may not want to look through, there are double that of texts I would allow your eyes to see. It's not all restricted material, and like I said, I keep the majority of that away from curious minds." This said as he sips coffee and then proceeds to slowly consume his meal.

He'll mostly remain silent so Askante and Nick can talk. Apparently - and delightfully so - he actually wasn't needed to be here and perhaps translate things between the two of them. They seem to be conversing quite well.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"I wouldn't mind reading what you have that you think it'd be okay for me to see." Nick responds, "...Should I have to wait in your penthouse again that is."

Nick bites into the soup soaked corner of sandwich, taking his time to chew it. Be it a delaying tactic or just the basic follow through to him having already dipped the sandwich in the soup is up for interpretation, but the end result is Askante's followup question not being answered.

Immediately.

Chew. Chew.

...

"My childhood had some complications." If Askante was expecting more detail than that, they were to be disappointed as Nick goes back to consuming his soup and sandwich with a combination of dipping, biting, and spoonfuls.

Askante has posed:
Well, Lucifer might have thought too soon, because Askante looks at him for a translation. Complications? It blinks both eyelids and finishes off its steak, fat and all, mixed in with the chocolate shake and an ENORMOUS sense of satisfaction. It smiles blissfully and beatifically -- then, it fades to a growing sense of 'pending'.

"Thank you for this gift. It was not one I expected and I shall ask things again in the fullness. Perhaps I will share my books and writings sometime, but they are none so fancy. Still, there are tricks and tips that work and charms that can keep the wolf at bay..." It unfolds itself then. "But I must go. Duty is calling. I can feel it in the ethers..." it bows its head, then thrusts an arm out in a strange way, twists it this way and that, then rips a hole in the very fabric of creation and dives through. Gone. What!