[Open Thread] - Coffee Shops and the People Who Go to Them

[im2sexy4mysnark]

The Sanctuary is not the only place Altalita Bastion haunts. In fact, she has several in the Nexus that she regularly passes through.

One such place is the True and Brew Coffee Shop in the Nexus. Inside the AVF, and far enough away from any of the fighting, that it wouldn't be much of a bother. It's also far enough away from her Nexus Shop to, you know, be somewhere different.

And so, she sits in the outside Café, with a hot cup of slightly spiked Joe, with her white and pink iFate laptop out and checking various daily events throughout several worlds and the Nexus itself. She's wearing another one of her sort of elaborate outfits, although today involves pants and high boots, and a loose top with her preferred billowy sleeves. Her hair is up in a high ponytail with several strands of it over her shoulders, and several beads to hold it this way.

Of course, knowing how much of a social butterfly our dear Ms. Bastion is, she likely not to mind any sort of company!

((Open post! Anyone can meet her, and individual threads are treated as separate events so we have no clashes between folks, two people can meet her at the same time, and not meet each other through virtue of Weird Nexus Time!))

Comments

[im2sexy4mysnark.livejournal.com]

"I'm doing relatively alright, although it's been a fairly slow day so far, how about yourself, Metody?" She beams at him, leaning back in her seat with her Raktajino, as Time Has No Meaning.

[metody-green.livejournal.com]

He smiles back, eyes curiously flicking to her drink.

"I am well enough. Wondering what the Hellions will do next - it sounds as if their command refuses to believe it's not a good idea to keep prodding at the Nexus."

[im2sexy4mysnark.livejournal.com]

"It's a Raktajino," She answers his unspoken question, "Klingon Coffee, nice kick to it, and works well when you spike it just the right amount of the right wine." She beams.

"That is something to wonder--and what makes them so absolutely desperate to want to stay when they're going to lose this fight?" She sighs, "It's pure idiocy."

[metody-green.livejournal.com]

"Is that the stuff made with prune juice?"

Oh, crap, his nerdhood is showing!

"Because the people who've decided aren't the ones who are doing the actual loosing. They're expending resources. And honor drives the rest of them to follow their commands, one after another, in a straight line into a reeking slaughter pit. And pride, I suspect, adds to that relentless pull towards death. When you define yourself as a soldier and conqueror, who are you now if you've lost?"

[im2sexy4mysnark.livejournal.com]

"So far as I know, it isn't--doesn't taste a thing like prune juice, in fact. I think it's made from some sort of unique bean on Qo'noS or something." She makes a vague gesture with her free hand.

"It's difficult to say, given I'm hardly an example of either of those," Except possibly a conquerer in bed-- "But any commander worth anything would withdraw from a situation like this, especially if his resources are as limited as they claim."

She does gesture for him to join her, if they're going to talk, as well.

[metody-green.livejournal.com]

"Oh. I know there's one that's fermented prune juice. I think. I should rewatch my old videos - man, I loved those shows." Maybe he's thinking of a Vulcan drink. It's been a while.

"I think that might depend on just what they're fighting for. It can be very hard to abandon pride. Also, those at the top might not quite believe or understand what they're dealing with here."

He sits. He likes talking to Atalita. She makes him feel better.

[im2sexy4mysnark.livejournal.com]

"True, pride might have a bit to do with it." She herself is a prideful individual, Flowerclock taught her that, if nothing else (even if she knew anyway).

"Mm, also a thought. Their 'Khans' as they were called, likely aren't directing this battle on the front--it'd probably be a lot easier to convince them to pull out if they were." A small sigh of frustration, "I greatly wish they'd hurry up and get the idea, however. It's not good for anything to have jumpy nutcases in several story tall mechs." Especially ones that like to shoot civilians. Nghf.

She tends to have that effect on people! In various ways.

[metody-green.livejournal.com]

"I wish there were a way to make them see." He settles into the chair like a sigh, legs stretching out in front of him, arms on the table. He looks bleak.

"They asked us if we thought our deaths would be worth anything. I wonder if they think theirs were worth it. There's so much - " He lifts a heavy hand and waves, motion a little quick with agitation. " - they could just come in and take what they'd need and who would know? Who would notice? Instead they try to cage and restrict and thieve - "

[im2sexy4mysnark.livejournal.com]

"And control." She states thoughtfully, she leans back again, recrossing her legs, "Part of it, from what I can tell of their announcements is that the fact that they deem us dishonorable," The way she says it makes it very clear she disapproves of their use of the word. Words Are Important, "Means that they should come in, take control, and force us to live by their code of honor. At least, that seems to be part of the logic behind it."

"Of course, the obvious thing would be to come in, take what they need, and go--maybe set up their own little observational base camp for supply lines or something." She gives off a small, frustrated sigh, and shakes her head, "But they have to enlighten the unenlightened, so to speak."

[metody-green.livejournal.com]

"I really hate cultural imperialism. I have no doubt that everyone thinks that their own way is the best way, but that gives them no right to inflict such things on others. You just - you can't do that. It's wrong. You can't force people to be enlightened, no matter how stupid they are."

[im2sexy4mysnark.livejournal.com]

"Indeed, and all it does is end in bloodshed." She sighs.

"How are you doing otherwise?" She gives a glance to the French textbook he was carrying. "Learning French? Dare I ask why?" A sly grin, as she leans forward to rest her chin on the palm of her hand.

[metody-green.livejournal.com]

He runs his hands over his face, glad for this new topic.

"Mr. Hermes gave me a job. In France. So I am learning French. I hope."

[im2sexy4mysnark.livejournal.com]

It's part of the reason she changed the topic, they both needed a subject change.

"Ah, Hermes." Her grin turns a bit more broad, rather than sly, "I'd think he's a nice fellow to work for. And that's quite a change from where you used to work--any clue what you'll be doing for him, yet?"

Somewhere in the back of her mind is an [mmm. Hermes.] moment, but it's impossible to see unless one knows her extraordinarily well.

[metody-green.livejournal.com]

"I shall be a mail room clerk. But I shall be a mail room clerk in France. I hope their Louvre is like our Louvre - it'd be shattering to get there and discover its got nothing but pictures of big-eyed children." He smiles.

[im2sexy4mysnark.livejournal.com]

"Some things are generally universal, the Lourve is usually the Lourve regardless of where you go--although there's the occasional time where you'll run into a reality where it's architecturally reversed." Vague... gesture with one hand to somehow emphasize this.

"But ah, Paris," She says it 'par-ree', "Somewhere I haven't been in ages, perhaps I ought to go back at some point. It's a lovely city."

[metody-green.livejournal.com]

"I'm glad to hear that. I figure if nothing else, I'll have a wonderful time just walking around looking at buildings. I love looking at architecture. And this will be really great architecture."

He actually grins. "You can come visit me in my garret when I've settled in? I promise you the finest substandard wine and pasta."

[im2sexy4mysnark.livejournal.com]

Altalita nods, "Indeed, it's all wonderful to sightsee, especially if you've never been."

And that earns an amused chuckle, "We shall see on that, Mr. Green." He gets a bit of a flirtatious wink from our dear Ms. Bastion. "Although I might show you a few of the more finer restaurants while I'm there."

[metody-green.livejournal.com]

"I'm looking forward to it. I think I could loose myself in the art there forever."

He chuckles, then reddens at the wink. Unfair, Lita, flirting with him!

[im2sexy4mysnark.livejournal.com]

But that's why she flirts! The reactions, man! The reactions! It's fun.

Altalita beams at the blush, "I've never really had any sort of artistic talent like that, myself, so it's always fascinating to see how others with it go."

"It's certainly different from Tokyo, I'll give it that much."

[metody-green.livejournal.com]

The beaming only makes him redden more. He ducks his head. "I have a little talent, but only at sculpture and scientific drawing. As soon as I have to draw something moving - it just doesn't work. I really envy artists."

"Do you spend a lot of time in Tokyo?"

[im2sexy4mysnark.livejournal.com]

"I live there." She beams, "It's a fascinating place, always so busy, and a bit crowded, but it's certainly home to me."

[metody-green.livejournal.com]

"I've heard its a beautiful place. Very crowded, but absolutely amazing. And with more people than I've ever seen, all in one city, usually all going to the same place you are."

He looks a bit enchanted by the idea. And nevermind his thing about crowds.

[im2sexy4mysnark.livejournal.com]

"Indeed, you're never alone in that city at any rate." She sips her drink, leaning back. "It's fascinating to see what all types of people there are, where they're going, and what they might be planning for the day."

A beat, "I suppose that's one of the reasons I find the Nexus so fascinating. All the different sorts." She grins, amused by this revelation. Although it's one thing she knew already. Like many things.

[metody-green.livejournal.com]

"Oh, yes. That's why I love it here so much. I'd be back for the food anyway, but the people - gosh, they're so great. Most of them, at least. But there's always going to be unlikeable people in any group, and they are the minority anyway." He grins back at her, then sips his coffee.

[im2sexy4mysnark.livejournal.com]

"The food," She holds up her slightly-spiked Raktajino, "And the drinks, for me."

"But, it's mostly the people that bring me back as well. One can't be a social butterfly" see what she did there? "of my magnitude without coming to a place like this." She beams.