Day 63: The Twin Pine Restaurant

[hairraising]

With Eugene in need of some time to just rest up and let more of the drug get out of his system, Rapunzel had to wonder what she was going to do for lunch. It would be too loud and crowded in that Tasty Burger place, but she doubted he had the energy to sit down to a full meal with her either. In the end, they compromised. Eugene came with her to the Twin Pine Restaurant, but opted not to eat just yet. There would be other opportunities for him to get food later, when he was more ready for it.

So Eugene sat in a comfy chair near the front while Rapunzel found her way into the main seating area of the restaurant. To be honest, she had other reasons for wanting to sit down by herself for a bit. This was the place she had met Facilier the week before, and with any luck, she hoped he would show up to have lunch with her again. She hadn't seen him since the night they had talked to Harrington. Moreover, as much as she wanted to show off her boyfriend (could she actually call him that now?) to people as soon as possible, she doubted either Eugene or Facilier would be up for awkward drugged-up conversation during a meal.

She sat down at a booth, picking up the menu as she had the week before. What to try that she hadn't tried last time, she wondered as her eyes scanned down the page.

[Facilier]

Comments

[tryingtogetahead]

Riding the bus to town was not something she looked forward to, even with it being a break from the monotony of the institute's routing. There was nothing to really do in town other than look around.

And eat.

That much she remembered from the last time. Real food had been here during the withholding the military had inflicted. Or real enough. Fast food had been the word, she recalled. Burgers and fries and stuff. As real and welcome as it had been the last visit, Celty wasn't particularly looking forward to having any this time around. For that reason alone she'd ended up at the other of the two eateries in town - The Twin Pines.

Coupon in hand, she carefully made her way into the place and looked around until she found a server. What will this get me? she asked, holding up the coupon for the server to see. It might have helped more had she asked the question aloud.

[free]

[diamondstorm]

After the last time she had been in this town, and was given full view of the grease-ridden piles of meat called food, Renamon tended away from Tasty Burger. Instead, she shifted towards the other food location, and realized she hadn't been in it enough to recall easily. She sat, glancing over the menu idly. At least this place had more choices.

Despite looking at the menu, Renamon's eyes were still, thinking beyond it. Last night had stopped right before they made progress, and she was unsure about moving full-force into a location she had no knowledge of, after Nigredo's vague warning. She would do it regardless; there would be no progress otherwise, but it was worrisome. Especially with three others under her charge to consider.

[ Brook! ]

[doctor_voodoo]

After enjoying a little pick-me-up at the Crossroader's Bar that morning with remaining money to spare, Facilier was in the most complaisant mood anyone trapped in a staged town setting could be. The allowance he received from the staff was far better compared to the mere peanuts the former military regime threw at him the week before. If only Facilier could feel the actual cash in his hands, not be forced under credit by the same plastic card he was given before. Oh well... It was better than nothing.

Strolling his way out of the bar and onto the sidewalk, Facilier tucked his head deeper into his scarf and quietly sighed to himself. Even if the late morning sky was clear, the cold air still bit and nibbled away at his hands and face. He didn't think he could ever get used to this chillier New Jersey weather...

So when he came across the Twin Pine Restaurant, Facilier did not hesitate to go inside. He would leave his plans of scouting out any potential suckers for later; right now a warm lunch inside a less chilly place would suffice.

As soon as Facilier stepped in through the door, he was greeted by the sight of a rather dopey-looking young man sitting by himself near the entrance. Facilier's eyebrow instantly perked up into a crooked arch, his lips curled with subtle disgust. Now just what was wrong with this fellow? Facilier did not recognize him, assuming he was either a new addition to Landel's prisoner population, or Doyleton's equivalent of the Village Idiot...

Pointing his nose away from the stranger, Facilier moved to the usual spot where a waitress would have him seated, but paused when he spotted a familiar head of golden hair--

"Ah, Rapunzel!" Facilier greeted the girl as he approached her table. "Long time no see! Mind if I join y'all for lunch?"