2024.11.14 - Diner Discussion

This log follows the story from: 2024.11.14 - Abominations Unleashed: Truck Stop Aftermath
The story continues in: 2024.11.19 - Pool Hall Downtime

Those who encountered the Abominations at the truck stop discuss options.

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is working his way through a truly huge platter of onions rings, dipping them in hot sauce and munching as he tries to read what appears to be an old and hand-written book. Trying to keep from getting grease on it, he's eating with one hand and turning pages with the other. The young man's biker jacket is on the seat of booth he's occupying, between Tyson and the window. That booth as far from the door as one can get, but given the layout, he's still quite visible through the windows from outside. He looks intent, even confused, as though the book is not exactly giving up any usual information or entertainment.

Tyson is working his way through a truly huge platter of onions rings, dipping them in hot sauce and munching as he tries to read what appears to be an old and hand-written book. Trying to keep from getting grease on it, he's eating with one hand and turning pages with the other. The young man's biker jacket is on the seat of booth he's occupying, between Tyson and the window. That booth as far from the door as one can get, but given the layout, he's still quite visible through the windows from outside. He looks intent, even confused, as though the book is not exactly giving up any usual information or entertainment.

Another day in the life of Ryki and he's once again encountered a problem with rideshare. This time, the app somehow glitched (technology today, right?) and he somehow had an address in there two blocks off from his target. As he's walking along the street, he glances to his left and spots Tyson through the window. Tilting his head to the side, he shrugs faintly and changes course, deviating into the diner instead of going past it. Sticking his phone in his pocket, he pauses to check himself out in one of the windows. He's dressed more casually today than the last time they ran into each other, a red tank top and cargo shorts. Stepping inside, he peers around and spots Tyson at one end and begins making his way over.

As Ryki's making his way over, Tyson suddenly isn't alone in the booth anymore. Suddenly, Simon -- sitting across from him, that is. He regards the onion rings with at least mild interest, then the book with clearly greater interest. "What are you studying?" he asks abruptly, and a beat later he adds, "Ryki's on his way here. I've ensured he arrived without incident." Another pause, and he explains, "I feared he might attempt to do battle with another cleaning implement. The thought distressed me considerably."

Jessie steps into the diner, eyes widening as he spots some of the people he'd battled alongside a couple of days ago. he cross the diner, toward the booth where Tyson, Simon, and Rykard are all at. "Hello," he says, as he approaches. "Room for mee?" He asks, with a smile. "Wasn't quite expecting to run into yoou all, but I won't complain." Having caught waht Simon was saying on the way over, he can't help but chuckle. "He was pretty affective the the mop," he points out, with some amusement.

Nicholas Vale arrives from: Main Street.

Tyson literally jumps as Simon appears opposite him and he has to scramble to keep from spilling his soda. "Jesus, dude! Where did you come from?!" He looks confused, because obviously 'just there' is not in his usual list of ways people show up. Then again, maybe it should be. Magic people in town and all that. His eyes narrow a little as he says, quietly, "Hey! Shadow guy!" And then, seeing Ryki, he adds, "And mop boy!" Jessie gets a faintly confused look as Tyson mostly remembers him in his more wolfed out version and thus can't quite place him at first. His tone is wry as he adds, "Might as well sit down." He puts the book away, sighing as he responds to Simon, "Something I am not getting. Old people talked in circles."

As Ryki realizes Simon is at the table now, he blinks a bit. "I... don't recall seeing you through the window. Huh. Oh well, the more the merrier." He reaches the table at the same time as Jessie, giving the other man a nod. "Hope you don't mind us crowding you, Tyson," he says with a smile to the other blonde. "Oh, yeah, a few of us hung out at the truck stop after the, uh... incident. So we got to know one another a bit. Dale mentioned your name."

Pressing a hand to his own chest, Ryki smiles and says, "I'm Ryki. Rykard, technically, but not even my parents call me that. Sometimes my grandmother when she's really pissed." He pauses for a beat. "I'd really rather not be called 'mop boy' forever, so Ryki is fine." As he takes a seat next to Simon, he glances at the book as it's quickly stashed, but doesn't ask.

Simon starts to shake his head and disagree with the "Jesus" line, but he doesn't get the chance. Oh, well. It's highly unlikely anyone actually mistook him for a post-Abrahamic deity. "He's been very clear that his combat repertoire extends beyond mops," Simon offers helpfully. "Also, I'm used to being called 'X,' but I'm told that's an unusual thing to be called, so you may prefer my proper name, which is Simon. Hello, Fire Boy." Finding that he has the opportunity, he also adds, "I came from under the table." Jessie is greet with a respectful nod. Because werewolves are highly respectable creatures, even if this one doesn't have a cool motorcycle as far as Simon knows.

"Jessie," jessie says, smiling to Tyson and Rykard,msliding into the booth. "I was there as well." He does grin just a touch at Simon's respectful nod. "Hopefully nothing will attack the diner, at least," he says, with a chuckle. "Though we did make due with what we had last time, at least. How're you all?" He asks.

There's no sound of a motorcycle heralding Nic's arrival this time, no dramatic opening of the diner doors for him to make an entrance. There is however, the swinging of a pair of saloon doors open leading into the kitchen and Nic walks out with a tray in hand, balancing four drink cups, four lunch plates, three side dishes, and several small condiment bowls. He doesn't seem to have any trouble with it as he carries it to a table by the windows where a family of four are seated, an older man and woman, and two kids who must be twins, the little girls looking exactly alike and even seeming to finish each others' sentences. There's a Quick Look of acknowledgement towards the familiar faces from last night as he makes sure the family has what they need. One of the girls grins up at him and then looks to her mom, "He got it all right, momma! Even my sandwich toppings!" Nic just nods at her as the father offers a grumble and passes over a couple of dollar bills to the girls and a sharp look Nic's direction.

"Nothing attacks while I'm working," he says to Jessie when he finally arrives at their table. He glances at each of them and then asks Jessie, "You all plan to meet today?" As he rests the tray under one arm, he looks towards Simon and Tyson, "Made it home okay, huh? Found a camp, man?" the last question directed towards Simon. Finally, he casts a glance towards Rykard, "Hope the ride wasn't too fast for you last night?"

Tyson takes in the names and gives Simon a genuine 'what the hell?' look at his answer about coming from under the table, but also a bit of a grin. He shakes his head in amusement. "And I'm good. Honestly, I'd been needing to blow off some steam. That was nice. I mean, not nice, because," He lowers his voice to a whisper and says, "Hell-bat things." He shrugs and adds in a more normal tone, "But stress relieving." Nic popping out witha tray gets a surprised look but everybody needs a job somewhere, right? He gives the other young man a 'yo!' nod and smile. "Nope, I was giving myself a migraine and people just showed up! And I made it back to the boat with no problems, thanks." He looks Nic up and down, "Um, everybody okay?"

Ryki gives Simon a warm glance. "Thank you for the support. I think? The mop is just what was handy. I'm trained in combat with a staff. Although normally the things I whack are not acidic, so, there's also that." He glances at Jessie, taking in the other's appearance for a moment now that he has a chance to. The day before, it was a quick wave followed by a whole lot of fur. And that's about when the doors to the back open and out comes Nic, fully laden down with food. "Oh. Didn't expect him from that direction, but I suppose it'll do."

As the other werewolf finishes delivering the order and wanders back, Ryki offers him a bit of a smirk. "Yeah, the ride was fine. I appreciate the lift. And look, now I'm wearing red. Fancy that." Turning his attention back to Tyson, Ryki adds, "Yeah, I uh... if that's your idea of relieving stress I must admit to being slightly concerned. I like a good workout, so I suppose I can see the parallel, but..."

"I was following Ryki," Simon explains helpfully, scooting down to make room for Jessie at the table. "He seems like the most obvious one the abominations would target, so I wanted to be sure he wasn't picked off like a sickly, straggling herd animal." Because...that's flattering. He also helpfully answers, "And yes, I found a nice place to camp. Did you know this city has an extensive underground? I'm camped down there." He does look a bit indignant, though, at the term "hell-bat." He gives Tyson a look that, on someone less youthful, would definitely be scolding, and says, "Those THINGS do not come from hell. They're abominations. Hell dimensions are usually populated by perfectly self-respecting demons." A beat, and he backs down slightly, conceding, "Possibly...child-eating, in some cases, but...self-respecting." He could have said that a little quieter, all things considered, what with the children a few booths over, but you can't have everything. If Tyson blowing things up to relax bothers him, he gives no sign.

"I didn't plan anything," Jessie admits to Nic, with a soft laugh. "I just decided to come here for dinner, didn't realize anyone else I'd know was gonna be here. Didn't know you worked here either," he says, with a smile. "Seems like a nice place. I haven't been in town too terribly long." He takes in what the others are saying too, listening curiously.

"Yeah, Dale filled us in about you and the coven," Nic answers simply when he's looked over. The werewolf looking good even in his black apron, over a tight fitting maroon Henley and those tight black denim jeans. He even has his thick soled boots on. There's the briefest flash of a thin line of golden hue around each iris as he returns the gesture, seeming to size Tyson up in his own way. "Only knew one other fire mage." That seems to sum up his thoughts on the subject for the moment, but he does seem to give Tyson a bit of a wary glance as he turns his attention to the others.

Ryki's declaration gets another intense stare from Nic as if he's doing an impression of someone with x-ray glasses. "A complete set?" he asks, the edge of his lips turning up into a wry smirk then adds "I run naked in the woods as a way to relieve stress, so everyone has their thing."

"Someone I was talking to about last night used the name Vilewing when I described them. Guess it's as good a word as any." Then with a bit of an eye raise towards Simon, adds "Don't wanna upset any demons." Following that up, he does nod, "The underground is big. Careful what holes you go poking around in." He offers no further explanation than that at the moment before giving Jessie an upnod.

"Gotta pay the bills. So the landlord keeps telling me. Only work here when they need me. Edna's visiting her niece I think so Joe called and asked me to fill in. Woke me up fucking early too."

Then, turning somewhat purposefully, he scans the table, "This piece of fashion choice," he says looking down at the apron, "ain't just for show. What can I get you?"

Shrugging at Ryki, Ty says, quietly, "Sometimes I just need to ...let it out. You know?" In context, he's probably talking about his magic, but it might be psychological. Or both. Looking back at Simon, Ty snorts at the other young man's description of Ryki and then looks a bit confused again about the explanation of demons and their behavior. He grunts and asks, "What's an abomination? And wait, demons are real?" There was a whole lot to unpack in that explanation. Tyson ate another onion ring as he tried to wrap his head around his cosmology suddenly including not just witches (and werewolves, as of late), but also demons and ...not demons. Nic gets a faintly worried look, with Ty wondering if he's catching a tone of disapproval. His eyes narrow a little at that. But he nods at the line about having to make living. Since he already has his order, he just picks up another onion ring and dips it as he asks the group at large, "Soooooo... are we going to do anything about whoever let loose the, um, vilewings? 'Cause I can't help but feel that like's a little antisocial."

Ryki's head twists to Simon and his jaw drops. "Herd animal!? Really?" He doesn't even process the part about hell and demons at that point, too busy being indignant. He's a bit to stunned to say anything for a bit, finally snapping out of it at Nic's question about his clothing. "Match?" He blinks for a moment, then grins. Half-standing, he reaches down with his hand to tug the waistband of his shorts down just a hair, revealing a red strip. "Usually." He pauses for a moment before adding. "It's a jock. I'm big supporter of athletics." Then he sits back down.

His gaze sweeps the table and he seems to consider something carefully. "Some people like to say coincidences happen. Lucky ones, unlucky ones. Some of us know better. That there were individuals last night gathered in that place, able to make a stand against those creatures. That was design." He pauses for a moment, lost in thought. "Not design of the person, or persons, responsible. Design of the cosmos. It was not the day for death at that place. And so we were there." He gazes at each of them in turn, meaningfully. His gaze lands on Nic and he looks so intense like he's about to say something more before his face relaxes and he just says, "An entire plate of fries and some ketchup to go with it. Oh. And a cherry coke."

"Vilewings," Simon says, trying the word out. He nods. It works. Nic gets a perfectly friendly smile, and Simon affirms, "Angering demons is usually a bad idea, especially if it's an incubus. Did you know you can be cursed with permanent lust? Or with a wasting disease on your--" he's distracted by Ty's comment and blinks, startled. "Well, yes! If they didn't, I wouldn't exist, either." His attention wanders momentarily back to Nic, and he explains apologetically, "I have no legal tender to exchange for food. I ate the rest of my chocolate for breakfast." And, back to Ty, in the same tone he would have used if ordering the onion rings he can't afford, "Oh, we should kill them. Otherwise they'll just remain a public nuisance." The look Ryki gets is guileless, as he says, "Only metaphorically. I realize we aren't a herd. But I still wouldn't wish you to be culled." After Ryki shows off what he's wearing under the jeans, Simon adds, "Especially now that I know you wear sexually provocative undergarments."

Jessie offers to Simon, "I can cover your food, get what you like. It's no problem." He just blinks when Rykard shows off his...sexually provocative undergarments, laughing a bit. "I shouldn't be surprised," he says, with some amusement, before looking back to Nic. "Lemonade please," he says. "And a double burger. Medium. Plenty of fries too. Better make it 2 double burgers." He doesn't need to explain why he decided to order 2, knowing that Nic understands the appetite of a werewolf first hand anyway. "All the fixings," he says, with a grin. He ponders what the others have said as well, seeming thoughtful. "Well, I'd say I don't believe in whatever you just said about...it not being the day for death or whatever," he says to Rykard. "But I new someone else who used to make predictions and see visions of the future, so, I've kinda come around to the idea of fate a little bit."

"I'm gonna do something about it," Nic says rather definitively when Tyson asks his question, glancing down at the shorter blond from where he stands. "That felt like someone was testing....something...." there's a small pause as he forms the next words..."or someone."

Ryki standing and showing the red strip has Nic's eyes flashing just briefly again as he nods his approval, "Red's a good color. I ran track a bit in school...well when I attended it anyway. I know my way around a jock." Whether that's in general or on Ryki he doesn't say but there is a sense he could mean it either way since it takes him a moment to pull his eyes back towards Simon when he speaks.

"You here on a scholarship? Always using big words like 'sexually provocative undergarments' instead of 'sexy jock'. And don't worry about it," he nods to Jessie's offer, "No one goes hungry here. Joe's policy. I'll bring ya some fries and a Vanilla Coke." Whether that is a slight, a tease, or a challenge is left to the audience. Before he turns to Jessie, he adds "And trust me, nothing on me is wasted." The delivery is again matter-of-fact, though comes with an undertone that seems to catch him a bit off guard by the pause that comes after.

With a shake of his head, as if clearing something from his mind, he nods to all of them, a knowing smirk cast Jessie's way, "You'll like Joe's homemade spicy salsa on them." Though he didn't acknowledge any of the orders, he nods and flips the tray from under his arm back to his uplifted hand, flexing a bit in that tight shirt before turning towards the kitchen. "Coming up. Don't talk about me while I'm back there, I'll know." A last glance at Tyson's glass then to the blond, "Top you up?" he asks though doesn't seem to wait for a response. He taps his ear with his other hand and heads off, giving quite a nice view of said jeans from behind before he disappears beyond the double swinging doors once more.

Tyson narrows his eyes at Ryki. "That sounds one chapter away from being a Y.A. novel. And I am NOT volunteering to be tribute." Simon gets another look, somewhere between amused and a little horrified. "I don't want to know how you know what you know." He moves his platter of onion rings more centrally on the table and says, "Way too many for me to finish on my own. Help yourselves. But maybe he should think of a less, um, murdery response?" And then, grinning again, he says, "I think he's saying you're a helpless little lamb, but he still wants to jump you. Personally, I've seen too many action movies to worry about the guy with mop fu. But I don't believe in fate." Nic's words get an approving, firm nod as he says, "Count me in on that, at least. And please, when you guys say 'hot sauce' you mean it."

Simon looks at Jessie in mild surprise, and he's about to thank him, when Nic decides for him, so Simon smiles and says, "I was going to say, Tyson's food looks very interesting, but fries and vanilla Coke will do very well, thank you." Then, at Ty's invitation, he says, "Oh! Thank you." He takes an onion ring, watching Nic go with a thoughtful expression. Turning back to the table, he gestures with the onion ring as he speaks. "I've noticed that you are all very attractive." He takes a bite of the onion ring, chews, swallows, then says, "Yes, I think Ryki would be nice to have sex with. But that's true of all of you." Also very matter-of-fact, Simon. Lifting the onion ring to his lips again, he says, "I'm not sure even most personifications of Fate believe in Fate in the way people usually mean it." He pops the rest of the ring in his mouth, chews.

"Vilewings sounds like an apt name. And better than acid or hell-bats. I guess, since, hell-bats are different altogether?" He looks at Simon for this one. "You seem to know a lot about hell..." He then smirks at Simon. "I don't particularly want to be culled, either. So I appreciate the, uh, interest in my health and well-being. Even if its partly because of my underwear." At least the guy's honest, right?

Jessie gets a bit of an odd look. "It's a gift and a curse at the same time. For many reasons. I have sympathy for your friend." Tyson's declaration that he doesn't believe in fate causes Ryki to arch a brow. "You don't? Well. That's too bad. I'm sure fate has some plans for you. The one interesting thing about fate is the more you nudge it, the more it nudges back. It's a delicate balance."

As Nic walks off to get their orders, he eyes the onion rings. "I'll... just have one while I wait for my fries." And he does. Just have one. "And I don't particularly want to be in a young adult novel, either. Tribute is putting it lightly."

Simon looks at Jessie in mild surprise, and he's about to thank him, when Nic decides for him, so Simon smiles and says, "I was going to say, Tyson's food looks very interesting, but fries and vanilla Coke will do very well, thank you." Then, at Ty's invitation, he says, "Oh! Thank you." He takes an onion ring, watching Nic go with a thoughtful expression. Turning back to the table, he gestures with the onion ring as he speaks. "I've noticed that you are all very attractive." He takes a bite of the onion ring, chews, swallows, then says, "Yes, I think Ryki would be nice to have sex with. But that's true of all of you." Also very matter-of-fact, Simon. Lifting the onion ring to his lips again, he says, "I'm not sure even most personifications of Fate believe in Fate in the way people usually mean it." He pops the rest of the ring in his mouth, chews.

Jessie chuckles when Simon is, once again, so blunt. He also reaches out to take an onion ring and pop it into his mouth. he falls quiet now, listening to the conversation with a soft chuckle. "So," he says, after swallowing. "We know what they are, I guess the next question is...who is calling them? And what should we do about it? The obvious answer is to stop whoever it is, but...how, I suppose, is the question. We need more information, yes."

Nic can be heard delivering orders to Joe, verbally and with perfect recall. He emerges from the swinging doors and sets about filling some glasses with soda.

Tyson tries not to choke on his onion ring at Simon's frank appraisal of the group and takes a long sip of his soda. His expression is deeply amused, though. When he's done, he says, "I still kind of like 'hell-bat' but I'm flexible. And if fate nudges me, I'll punch it in the nuts." Apparently he has a rather straight forward philosophy of life. Jessie gets a firm nod and an emphatic, "Yeah. We need somebody to Sherlock Holmes this shit and then point us at whoever needs a whuppin'. I kind of like this town. I don't want people in it to get carried off and eaten by giant demonic bats. That we're calling Vilewings." He doesn't add 'even though hell-bat sounds better', but it is obvious in his expression and tone.

Ryki smiles at Simon. "It's like you have no filter, in the best way. I love it." Patting Simon on the chest, he adds, "Don't worry. I promise not to get culled before you've had your chance to woo me. Or something to that effect. Maybe you'll get lucky. No guarantees though."

Jessie voicing the concerns they all have earns a nod from Ryki as the blonde adjusts his position to twist and face the others at the table. "I don't know. I think Nic was on the trail but lost it, so that's a dead end. He mentioned it seemed like the source was moving into town rather than away from it. Which is troubling. I was thinking there might be a clue at the truck stop, but I doubt it. Anyone with that kind of power is unlikely to make such a misstep."

Watching Nic move around the diner, Ryki rubs his chin. "I should have ordered something in addition to the fries. All carbs. Oh well, I'll work them off at my next lesson." His gaze goes back to Tyson and says simply, "I truly hope you are correct that fate doesn't have any sway over you. It can be a rather unpleasant force when it wants to be."

Turning back to Simon, he asks "So what do your 'undergarments' look like? Just figure since you're so interested in mine."

"I will return," Simon says, "so I can have those fries. But you're right. We need to find out who's summoning those creatures. I will go and investigate that now." He gives everyone else a nod...and then he slides under the table again. And he's gone.


The story continues in: 2024.11.19 - Pool Hall Downtime