16761/AND THE ROCKET'S RED GLARE... THE DISCOUNT HAM-BUR-GERrr...

AND THE ROCKET'S RED GLARE... THE DISCOUNT HAM-BUR-GERrr...
Date of Scene:	04 July 2025
Location:	Darlington Park, Sunnydale
Synopsis:	Harry and Nick demonstrate their che- frugal nature as they wait in a food vendor line for half off prices.
Cast of Characters:	Phantasm (Drago), Harry Dresden

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Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
There are certain points in the year when visiting the park seems like a 'to do' thing. For Darlington Park, one point of the year would have to be the Concert in the Park event held each Independence day.

In a large open space in the park a large stage is dotted with plenty of chairs, stands, podiums, and various large scale orchestral instruments. But despite the instruments on stage, the only music being heard is a recorded performance from earlier, being piped into the speakers as those who attend start gathering their blankets and folding chairs.

There's still a group of tuxed performers on stage, gently wiping down the smaller instruments before setting them into their cases.

Nick is nowhere near there.

While the performer had been very much publicly making an appearance, his appearance was more for the National Anthem near the VEEEEEEEEERRRRYYYY beginning. So now fully changed out to street gear, locks tamed back to be hidden under a ballcap and sunglasses to protect the pale eyes from the sun and fans looking for hints of eyeliner, the 5'10"ish performer waits in line to take advantage of the vendors cutting their food prices in half to eliminate any excess product.

Got to love a bargain.

Harry Dresden has posed:
It's been a while since Harry was actually able to be present for a 4th of July celebration. Might as well go to Sunnydale and see what there is to see. If he sees a vampire misbehaving, well a little extra fireworks might occur at ground level.

Barring any activity like that, Harry stays at the edge of the crowd to watch the display. Significantly lowers the chances of his power over loading something and smoking the display's power boards.

He does smile a little when Nick makes his appearance, recognizing his friend. After the show, he too makes his way to the food area for some cheap dinner. He's been out of town for a while. Money is tight...or he's just cheap. Probably more that one.

He starts to browse the options when he notices Nick,"Discounty dinner. Great minds..."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Hearing the familiar voice, Nick turns his head to look to the speaker. His head tilts up.

And up...

By the time the sunglasses covered eyes reach Harry's the performer's more or less confirmed who was speaking so the response after more or less getting quasi-eye contact is reasonably immediate.

Nick gives a slight smirk, "There may be no such thing as a free drink." Nick muses, glancing back to the menu, "But there is room for the economic magic of Supply, Demand, Pricing, and Inventory costs."

Getting a general sense of what he wants he looks back to Harry. "Enjoy the concert?"

Harry Dresden has posed:
Listening while he browses, Harry nods and replies,"If the supply is right, I'll have enough to feed an over hungry dog and over spoiled cat." He looks at the menu again and adds,"I enjoyed the show. Not usually my crowd, but I don't really like crowds in general. So there is that."

He nods in approval at a few things and starts to think is order out so he can make his order in one try. Stroking his chin he tells the other man,"I hear you have been busy of late. Travelling and touring. Sounds like a lot of work."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"Someday I'd like to meet your dog." Nick comments, "Cats are ok as well."

The mention of crowds earns a nod of understanding. "I can get that. Kind of get mixed results when it comes to crowds."

His head tilts, glancing to the crowd as if reminded of their presence. "Well, save for the quick trip over for this, I've been staying in Paris for the month. So not so much on the traveling...ish. Only two flights this week."

There's a moment's pause as the line does the single person length shuffle as another person gets their order put in. "And it is...But it's better to keep busy then to spend it hiding and doing nothing."

Harry Dresden has posed:
"Mouse..." he comments,"Hey swear he's a dog despite being almost the size of a pony." Shaking his head he laughs softly,"Mister. Like my dog, my cat is over sized. I think I feed them too much."

A nod and he amends,"Meant that you had travelled out of the country for a time." He moves up the line same as Nick. A soft chuckle and he shakes his head,"I don't know. I am glad to be back, doing the detective work with my partner and not wandering the Nevernever hunting for a Denarius. Sometimes doing nothing is appealing."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
That or you just gravitate towards large breeds." Nick comments, looking back to Harry, "Ah. Well, You go where the work is. Film's on location, and I'm oddly very popular in Italy and Ireland music wise so, if I'm already overseas we do tend to lump the nearby locations in with appearances. If anything, today was the fluke when it comes to scheduling. But had to make up for missed dates."

Nick grows quiet as he listens to Harry's argument for the appeal of nothingness.

"...hmm. I guess it's not bad when you're the one making the choice to do nothing. Don't get me wrong. I like reading. I like sketching. I like writing but-"

He frowns, brows above the sunglasses seemingly lining up with the frames in a thoughtful expression. It's only 30 of them you have to worry about, not all, right?"

Harry Dresden has posed:
"At the end of the day they both chose me." he admits,"Especially Mouse. I returned all the litter when I found them, he hid and came home with me. So I have my own Fu dog." Harry explains.

"As for the coins. There are 30 coins of the Blackened Denarius yes. The problem is every time the the Kights of the Cross, myself, or another agent returns them to the Vatican they end up being lost, stolen, or what have you."

He shrugs and moves when the line does again,"So 30 coins, but if they keep getting out again there might as well be five hundred." he admits.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"If this wasn't Sunnydale, there might have ben more care to bring this conversation to a whisper. But it is and conversational tone should be sufficient. "Ok so the coins are like specifically locked onto a set entity. They couldn't be, uh reassigned to others that might otherwise fit the bill?"

Another shuffle step forward has Nick idly reaching a hand into his pocket. The hand slides out a little after. "I'm sure someone will yell at me about this later but, is the Vatican the best place to be storing them? Do they have to be on this plane?"

Harry Dresden has posed:
"Each coin is one from the purse given to Judas for his betrayal of Jesus according to the stories." he replies,"Each one is cursed by a fallen angel or demon. If you take one to hand the demon or fallen enters the person and slowly destroys them from within."

A soft laugh and shake of his head,"I have started to think the same. I don't know if they can be moved off this plane or not. That present another problem. Security wherever we do put them."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"Ok so no revolving cast of characters beyond the thirty then." Nick comments, giving a nod of affirmation. "That's good...ish."

The evil you know, yada yada.

"I suppose even if it was the case each one would have its flaws. But considering the nature of the object, The current spot isn't exactly Switzerland when it comes to the conflict it represents. And there's always a chance of someone there not really being on the side of the an-"

Nick cuts himself off, shaking his head, '...Sorry. Bad choice of phrase. Have you considered reaching out to Strange or Fate on alternatives?"

Harry Dresden has posed:
"Last I knew, they had posession of a dozen. I know the existence of three that are presently active. One that isn't. That said we haven't been able to get them back regardless." he explains.

"Nothing neutral at all. Not sure it is entirely good either. Hence the lack of security. Granted the Catholic church has it's own demons as well." Harry muses,"I hav friends that swear by it, but still."

A laugh and he shakes his head,"Not all angels are all that great either. Some of them can be real assholes given the opportunity."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Harry's last observation gets a laugh. Not a chuckle but the burst of sound that includes the oft letters of 'h' and 'a' to be capitalized. One that can only be triggered upon the sound of ultimate truth hitting the ears.

"Yes...I'm aware of that." Nick allows, teeth showing in a grin. "And often not the ones you'd initially expect. But- there are good ones where their presence is still a comfort."

Nick's hand goes back into his pocket to pull out a coin and a few paper bills.

"I guess the easiest way to process them is to think of them as one big family. Dysfunctional relationships included. But they're trying. Like we all are."

As his turn comes up Nick turns his attention to the vendor, ordering his chicken sandwich, fries, and drink. Once money is exchanged, he takes his ticket and shuffles over to the side where those waiting for their order are currently collected.

Harry Dresden has posed:
"I'll take your word for it." he replies in regards to the angels,"Flawed is an understatement. I suppose you are right. They just have more power and it makes them look worse."

Once Nick gets his order, Harry places his. More sandwiches, fries, and one drink. A few burgers too so Mouse is probably going to get some good eats tonight. He steps to the side and waits as well. Once food is collected, he says his good-byes and then makes his way home to feed the animals and maybe touch base with his girlfriend.