savetheearth | [Open] A day in the life

Who: Tachibana and whomever he encounters
When: Thursday the 6th
Where: All over Locke City
What: Tachibana and his refusal to acknowledge the weirdness that is being numbered encountering more weird numbered people.

It was a perfectly normal day, just like any other. Sharon left early for a long shift, leaving him to get Sam ready for kindergarten and Sarah for day care. Dropping the kids off, he stopped for his normal morning coffee before heading to the office. A quiet lunch out, his nose buried in a book before back to the office for the afternoon, then picking the kids up, a side trip to the aquarium for a few hours, then home for mac and cheese dinner, a call to his mother (on the phone this time, he still hadn't gotten around to doing that virus scan yet), tucking the kids in to bed, and then flipping channels while he waited for Sharon to come home.

A totally normal day of his totally normal, quiet life.

...He hoped.

[[OoC: Any time in his day is open for interruption! Just mark the time in the subject!]]

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L's thermos of Athelas water was always nearby these days, and it was very helpful in mellowing him out for work or other enterprises where being less tetchy was, in fact, a boon. He was just finishing a sip of the calming tea when the door jingled and a numbered regular walked in.

L tended to get along with this guy better off the network, simply because the formality of being a customer earned him at least a touch of necessary respect. However, with what L knew about him now, less of it seemed utterly necessary.

"How's your mom?" he asked dryly, his knowledge of the man's coffee order allowing him to bypass the ordering stage entirely.

Tachibana's mouth opened to give his order, only to close as he blinked in confusion. "She's fine..."

Strange way to make small talk...

It wasn't like it was strange to see network people around in the flesh. She'd met some of them. Maybe it was the echo thing that made it weird, this time. She was pretty certain that that guy was an arms dealer, but it wasn't like criminals didn't enjoy their morning coffees, right?

No, he's a lawyer, she told herself. No, that was only what he'd said he was. And her attempt to find out otherwise had failed. She should avoid him, if for no other reason than he didn't believe her about the network and showing up in person wouldn't make it any more believable. On the other hand, the coffee shop wasn't an "Arms Dealers Only" kind of deal and she really had just happened to leave at the same time he did.

"Hi," she said. Just say a greeting and leave, just like as if he were an old co-worker. "'Morning."

"Good morning," he returned pleasantly, not even looking over, making sure the lid to his drink was on tightly.

She became annoyed for some reason. She'd taken so much effort to come off as non-threatening!

No reason she couldn't continue it, though. "Headed for work?"

"Yes," He nodded. "Same as always."

It was utterly casual, with no note of recognition. ...not helped by the fact that he still hadn't even glanced over.

Inga made sure to keep still. Here was a chance to confirm his job, if she would take it. No sudden movements....

"Where to?" she said casually.

L doesn't actually need to hear the man's order, already preparing his usual with all the speed and efficiency two working digits on each hand can afford him.

"I'm glad you were finally able to reach her. You were, weren't you?"

"Wiseman and Eliot. On Center street," Tachibana nodded, looking at his watch. "The bus should be along before too long."

At least he was consistent. She swept her hair off her shoulder with a sigh.

Well, it wasn't like she was out to prove anything. "This is what I meant when I said you could be in danger," she said. "Do you... have a weapon or mace on you or something? Who do you usually talk to at this time of day?"

The man blinked, finally looking over at the woman, expression befuddled. "I'm sorry...?" he asked, eyebrow raising slightly.

"...Have we met before?"

"...Yes..." Tachibana blinked again. "..I'm sorry, who are you?"

And why are you asking about his mother?

"That's friendly. I make your coffee almost every morning and you don't even know who I am," L said, sounding hurt... but anyone who actually knew him would catch the slight darkness in his tone, indicating that he was merely affecting it.

"Why should I?" It was a utterly honest, if befuddled question.

As Tachibana took the kids through the aquarium, it would be very difficult to ignore the very large, very loud bearded man in front of the glass there looking out at one of the exhibits. The fish seem drawn to him, and he's grinning like a loon. "Hello, little fish!"

The fish are waving back. Even a dolphin comes swimming by the tank and does a loop-the-loop of hello before swimming away. It's impressive! Maybe he's just one of the employees.

"Yes," she said. She sipped her coffee, nearly inclined to let him wonder.

"Well, kind of. We've chatted." How many people had told him to be careful? Well, to be honest, maybe everyone he'd talked to when he first logged in should have said it. It would be the responsible thing to do. Still.... "Do I have an easily forgettable face?"

"Because people in the service industry are people, too? Not that I have anything against yuppies, but come on."

"That wasn't ever in question..."

After all, there were a lot of people he encountered that he didn't know who they were. He just... had never asked.

"Nothing like that, I just have a very bad memory for them," he smiled.

"If you've actually figured out what's going on by now, you should probably cast aside your classist life philosophy sooner, rather than later. Just a suggestion."

He set the coffee on the counter top. To his credit, he'd not messed up Tachibana's order.

Indeed, it was...

"Daddy! Daddy look!" Sam exclaimed, tugging on his father's hand. "The fish! They're waving!"

Tachibana blinked. That... was indeed what it looked like.. however... "That's just part of how they swim, Sam. Fish don't understand things like waving," he explained.

...

Silently, Tachibana pulled out his wallet, eyeing the barista with a bit of mild apprehension. "How much?"

Well, and maybe some people's faces looked different on video, too. Still, she stared at him critically. "What do you do when someone recognizes you?"

There's an almost sheepish note to his smile. "Just act as if I know them. Eventually, I figure out who they are. Or if not, it really doesn't matter too much, does it?"

"Oh, SURE they do!" Arthur corrected him with a grin. He couldn't help but overhear. "Fish are MUCH smarter than everyone gives them credit for!" One of the bigger ones will swim right over to Sam and turn a little flip for the boy before giving another wave.

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[Open] A day in the life

Espresso Yourself- Morning

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morning

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At the aquarium, where else?

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Where else indeed :D

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