01. Finding the lay of the land [Action]

[sayslittle]

A. Call this a bar? [Jack's Bar & Karaoke, Genessia City]
[Rude might not know where he is or what's going on beyond what the hologram had told him but if this is like any city in the world he knows, he has a fair idea of where he might go to find out. His funds might be strictly limited until he can adjust well enough to determine where he wants to seek employment, but he has ways around that, too.

Which is what initially draws him to Jack's Bar. Clue's in the name, seems like a sure bet...except for the part where Karaoke is in the title too. Not really his scene, and probably not quiet enough for his needs, and yet he isn't quite moving from the spot he's found himself fixed to. After all, this might be the only place around here he can find a decent drink and while he has to do what he has to do, the temptation to bury all the uncertainty he's not showing or really admitting to under just one drink is pretty high.

His indecision wouldn't normally be an issue. Except he's parked himself in front of the door, and he's a little too big for most people to squeeze past, too. Even for those inclined to try, he radiates a natural bodyguard aura that suggests he might react to people in his space before he thinks about why they're there.]

B. Next best thing [Library, Genessia City]

[Once he's past the bar quandary, Rude decides that if he can't sit and lurk and drink in knowledge from other people, he'll follow his map to a place where he can sit and lurk and drink in knowledge from books instead. It means edited versions of what he really wants to know but it's the best start he has.

He takes his time in perusing the shelves, seeking out more factual sections - history seems to be his main aim, but he can't help but grab other topics of interest. He's not really paying much attention to the people around him but if he does happen to notice someone close enough who's struggling to reach something, he might take it on himself to silently pass them what they were stretching for without pausing in his own intentions even for long enough to suggest he expects to be thanked. Losing the distraction is thanks enough to him.

Soon enough, he has a decent stack of books to start on and has found a corner to settle into, away from most distractions but still close enough to others that he might glean potentially interesting snippets even here. He's taking his time in leafing through each volume, though he doesn't seem to be focusing on any one in particular yet. Instead, he's starting to form two piles based on actual usefulness of the book in question before he starts to read anything in earnest.

Throughout, the shades he wears stay put. Somehow, that doesn't seem to be slowing him down any.]

C. Wildcard [Genessia City]
[Neither of these work? Feel free to bump into him somewhere else. He'll be keeping his focus on Genessia City for now, but he'll be poking about as much as he can manage and just finding his bearings.]

Comments

Library!

[sonicosuper]

*In the non-fiction section, slightly further down the aisle from Rude, is a pink-haired girl who is clearly not tall enough to reach the book that she wants. After reaching on her tip toes for the book several times, Sonico gives up and tilts her head this way and that, trying to assess the situation.

Apparently, she has decided that the best way to reach the book she wants is to climb the shelf. She doesn't intend on going too far, but she steps her feet up onto the first rung of the shelf, biting her lip as she and the books wobble, one hand stretching up as far as it can, but still falling short*

[sayslittle]

[Rude initially doesn't pay much mind to the pink-haired girl at the edge of his peripheral vision. He's aware that she's there in the way he's never quite not aware when there are people around him but there's nothing to nudge him into paying any more than the faintest surface-level of attention.

Until she moves to climb the shelves. That gets his attention, and he finds he's tuned into her a little more. He knows this could backfire, but he might be a little familiar with short women determined to get what they want anyway because he doesn't intervene at first. See where her own initiative gets her first because it's not really his place to intervene anyway.

But then she still can't reach and if she stretches any further either she or the shelf or both is likely to come crashing down and that's going to be more of a disruption than helping out.]

Which one?

[He might speak only two words, but he crams a heck of a lot into them, and into what he doesn't say. He doesn't ask if she wants help because if he asked a certain blonde Turk if she needed help he'd get a no regardless of the true answer. Better not to give that option and skip to an actually useful question.]

[sonicosuper]

*Okay, well this is a bonus. Sonico had certainly noticed that there was a tall man nearby who would be able to reach her book with ease, but she really hadn't wanted to bother him. Now that's technically offering, though, she doesn't mind so much. Besides, one of her feet is starting to slip*

That one.

*It's a bit hard to tell which because the one she's pointing at is a very slim book packed closely beside some other skinny books*

The..blue one. The sort of dark blue one.

*Because yes, they are skinny enough not to have the titles on their spines, and they're all some kind of variation of blue or grey*

I think. It's hard to tell...

*Sonico looks up into the man's face with a sheepish smile because he's offering help and she knows she's not exactly making things easy for him*

[sayslittle]

[As descriptions go, "sort of dark blue" in a shelf full of slim books of shades of grey and blue isn't the best and Rude is pretty sure they both know it. But he can tell she's struggling to hang on and holding out to narrow down the choices could be dangerous.

So instead, he'll take the whole block of similarly-coloured skinny books and move them all to a nearby table. She'll be able to look through them better but beyond that, she'll have to come away from clambering the shelves at least for now.

He doesn't say anything. But he does spare her a grunt that seeks to convey that he doesn't mind that much, even if he does have his own stuff to get on with.]

[sonicosuper]

*To say that she was relieved when he removed the books from the shelf was an understatement, because as soon as he did so her foot did slip back onto the floor causing Sonico to tip back and land awkwardly on her ankle. It would be rude to complain though, so she just winces slightly before smiling at him*

Thank you so much! You are a life saver!

*Sonico moves over to the table and glances over the selection of books. It's easy enough to choose the one she wants, but then there are other titles now that catch her eye. The first she picks up is entitled Tokyo's Giant Squid, and the other is called Research on a Legend. She tucks the books happily under her arm and scoops the others into a small pile so - Ah, now there is the issue of getting them back on the shelf where they came from. She glances back over to the man and wonders if she can bother him again...*

a

[herbarium]

[ although bars weren’t exactly her scene either, shiemi did enjoy karaoke! it was a good confidence boost for her, even though she wasn’t exactly a beautiful singer, she did have fun with it and it seemed everyone else did as well.

but getting through the door was another thing entirely. a very big, well dressed man stood in front of it. shiemi considers trying to squeeze past him… but that would be really rude! she stands a few feet in front of him, before tilting her head and smiling warmly as usual. ]

A-Ah… good afternoon! Are you going inside too?

[sayslittle]

[The voice rouses him from his thoughts well enough. Apparently this place holds appeal for some, even if he is far from the target audience. And he has managed to end up in the way, not by intention but he knows he really should have been more careful.

He'll step aside, at least, while he considers the question. Truthfully, he's not sure he knows the answer himself but that might sound weird and make him loitering nearby even weirder so he needs something a little better. Fortunately, getting a good look at the girl who'd spoken to him gives him a temporary dodge.]

You come here a lot?

[It's a possible in to getting answers that would allow him to give an answer in turn, but it's also a little surprised that this would be her scene. He's no stranger to teenagers drinking, but this one doesn't seem the type to him. For all he knows he shouldn't underestimate someone based on appearance alone.]

[herbarium]

[ she’s a bit startled by how sudden and blunt his question was, but of course she is going to answer it. shiemi shakes her head, but moves moved closer so it would actually look as of the two of them were holding a conversation instead of occasionally saying things in the distance. she bows her head politely before speaking: ]

When I’m not busy, yep! But not a lot though, just for the karaoke.

[ she pauses, leaning forward curiously and tilting her head. ]

Why? Are you… new here?

[sayslittle]

[Well, that makes a little more sense, he supposes. More sense than her moving closer, when he's aware he doesn't cut the most welcoming figure even when he isn't only vocalising a tenth of the conversation that's flowing in his head. But she doesn't seem intimidated so he'll take that for what it is.

Perhaps it's that which lends him towards being more honest than he ordinarily might be in answering a question that could leave him vulnerable. Or as vulnerable as he ever tends to get, at least. And so he nods, elaborating a little on the reasons behind his question.]

Wondering what kind of place it is. Like to know what to expect.

[He can handle the unknown, but he's much better when he knows exactly what he's walking into.]

[Action, A]

[fireinthebed]

[Investigating all of the bars had been his motive in these cities, to find the one he'd haunt the most while he was stuck in this damn place. This newest one had caught his attention due to the karaoke aspect of it, mainly just to see how bad the talent with it goes.

But he's trying to get into the door only to be met with a giant body that he hasn't quite put together who it goes with. Mainly because he didn't expect for him to show up here, so therefore Reno is going to be a dick about things, as is his usual course of action.]

Hey! Get the fuck out of the doorway, some of us are trying to get inside! [He snaps and that voice and attitude should be super familiar, really.]

[sayslittle]

[The body blocking the doorway doesn't move immediately, mostly because Rude is taking a moment to process the fact that he's just heard a familiar voice. Stands to reason they'd both be here, though why they saw fit to send them separately, Rude isn't sure.

But he'll let Reno sweat just that little bit longer and then, just at the edge when he knows the redhead will lash out if he doesn't do something, he turns with a wry little expression.]

Thought you had better taste.

[Because nothing says "I'm glad you're here" than casual mockery of Reno being more eager to test this place than he is.]

[fireinthebed]

[Oh boy, that's always the wrong path to go unless you're someone that can get away with it. And Rude is absolutely one that can get away with doing as such. Just as he's about to throw a punch he pauses as he hears the voice and the face as he turns.

That fist immediately lowers back to his side, unclenching even if he's growling a little bit still.]

Look, gotta fuckin' figure out who has the best booze 'round this place. That's all. [But he's motioning for him to get out of the doorway and out onto the street.]

When the fuck did you get here?

[sayslittle]

Good. Thought for a moment you were going to display your talents.

[More teasing, because that's usually a good way to get Reno out of the knots he twists himself into and if it doesn't work, that's Rude's cue that something bigger's going on. Still, he'll follow Reno because Reno looks like he knows where he's going which is telling enough that he won't even tease about it.

Yet.

The question draws a shrug; he has a vague idea but he knows Reno doesn't care for specifics.]

Not long. You?

[Wildcard]

[brokeyourarm]

[With all of the action around this place, Eighteen had done her best to keep her head down and keep tabs on the one big threat of their planet while simultaneously keeping up the illusion that she could still function day to day as if it were nothing at all.

But she groaned softly to herself as she stepped outside of the Kame Dojo, arms crossed over her chest as she leaned against a tree nearest the entranceway to the small building. The children and her husband were inside training as usual, none of them particularly near her level of training for her to deal with for now.

Though the passing form causes her to raise a brow in question, knowing she hadn't seen him around this place before and certainly didn't look like any of the natives that wandered this city.]

Hey! You lost? [She calls, pushing herself off of the tree to head over, though with no particular haste.]

You just scream new, you know.

[sayslittle]

[Rude hadn't thought he'd been projecting his newness with any particular clarity. Maybe there's something in the way he's trying to get his bearings, maybe he doesn't blend in as well here yet as he does back home. Whatever the case, he's thinking nothing of it until someone's calling to him and he pauses in his stride, already considering where this might be going.

It's subtle, but there's a tension in the way he holds himself, prepared for trouble even as he intends to keep things civil unless he has cause not to.]

And if I am?

[New? Lost? He's not specifying. He doesn't think he's the latter but he's not sure it's a question and not a threat so caution prevails for now.]

[brokeyourarm]

[Eh, it's less projecting it and more that she keeps track of every single person she sees, just from the fact of being a cyborg. She snorts softly to herself, figuring that he'd be tense about all of it, she sure as had been when she first got here.

Not that she's ever not on her guard around people she doesn't know, given she's moving over to him and her posture very clearly indicating she'll fight back if he wants to cause some sort of problem. One hand moves to push some hair behind her left ear, other than that seeming particularly calm given the situation.]

Thought I might offer a bit of help, that's all. Nothing to do today as the students are working with Krillin and none of them are at the level to train with me yet. [She motions back towards the dojo.]

It's hard to get your bearings in a new city, after all. Or, well, for humans. [She's letting that lie there for a moment, figuring that he's probably organic given what she can tell of him.]

[sayslittle]

[He knows that stance. He's worked with and against enough women in his time to know the signs even in a frame less obviously solid than his own. They're sounding each other out, he knows, neither wanting to concede ground even with curiosity hovering between them.

Or whatever it is driving her. Curiosity still stands for him, more so in light of her last remark and that helps to colour certain other comments she's made. Of course, curiosity isn't quite enough to shake his disapproval at the notion that he might not be able to handle himself even if that's not what she means to insinuate.]

I'll manage. Not as hard as you're making out.

[He's used to cities, after all, even if on the surface this one is very different to the one he grew up in. He doesn't know this place as intimately yet but give him time and he'll know the routes that matter, and several that only matter in an emergency.

That's also as close as he'll come to mentioning that he's not lost so much as he is exploring, which is a distinct thing as far as he's concerned.]

A

[meowsculinity]

[ savir has frequented jack's bar nearly every night since his arrival a few weeks ago. the drinks are good, the singing is... questionable, but he always appreciates the lively atmosphere.

tonight, however, it seems he will have a difficult time getting through the door to start his five hour long binge drinking session. a man — a worthy contender biggest fucker around — standing in his way. savir, with his six-foot-seven, well-muscled frame, cannot even think about trying to squeeze past him. so he is left with only one choice — ]

Excuse me, sir. Might there be a reason you are blocking the doorway? I hope that it is not so crowded that you have been shoved all the way back here.

[sayslittle]

[Even when he's apparently distracted, Rude's instincts aren't so dull that he isn't quite aware that there is someone bigger than he is within his immediate vicinity. Especially when there being someone or something bigger than he is usually means trouble.

But the question is polite, at least. Doesn't drop Rude's guard completely, but it lends a degree less tension to the way he steps aside as though remembering himself, not seeking to cause unnecessary contention while other options remain. He shakes his head at the mention of the crowds, though it's not so definitive an answer as it might first suggest.]

Wouldn't know. Trying to decide if it's worth sounding out.

[Which doesn't explain why he was stood in front of the door but perhaps the lack of answer will indicate that it hadn't been an intentional act.]

[meowsculinity]

Ah. [ savir steps into the bar proper, making sure he isn't blocking the door as he continues this particular conversation. ] I suppose it depends on what you are looking for here, hm? I can attest to the quality of the drinks, as well as the company of the regulars. It can be rather loud at times, though, and the talent is... interesting. [ to say the least for all the drunk singing.

he motions toward the bar, his tail swinging behind him, ears twitching. ] Why not test the waters a bit closer to the bar? Standing here will not do much for you.

[sayslittle]

That's what concerns me.

[He doesn't directly specify what, but there's a flicker of disapproval across his expression at the mention of the bar being loud. All bars can be loud in some respects but Rude tends towards preferring places where it's conversation filling the air and not music or...whatever will pass for music where they're not selective with the singers.

He doesn't move, initially, as the...interestingly-featured man passes him. He's probably already making clearer than he'd like that he's new so he's hesitant to get into his reasons for lurking a little further from the bar. But there should be ways around that, he thinks, and it'll pay to stay sober around here anyway even if one drink would be unlikely to drop him.]

Suppose it wouldn't hurt.

[Though even with that in mind, he's selective in finding a space he approves of. Somewhere he can see the door, where he can't be caught out by movement from a part of the room he hasn't been able to monitor. He's not expecting to be accompanied, but he doesn't make any indication that he expects to be left alone, either - it's simply a matter of habit to secure the best position he's able to for not knowing the bar particularly well.]

A. Call this a bar? [Jack's Bar & Karaoke, Genessia City]

[rockcollector]

[A cigarette is pressed between Terrance's lips as he inhales the last sweet wisps of smoke. As he exhales he turns to see the large, lumbering man, standing in the doorway.]

Hey, mate. You don't make a very convincing door.

[His tone is short though he's trying not to let his annoyance seep through. He'd been working all day on Tony's stupid project. He has maybe a hour before he'll have to head back to work and continue to mind grueling tasks he'd been given.]

[sayslittle]

[The smoke reaches Rude's attention before the person responsible for it does. Even now, he's tuned into his surroundings, taking notice of what's around him but what he chooses to acknowledge depends on what requires him to acknowledge it.

Smoke promises many interesting things. But it's also often a mundane thing and Rude's not distracting himself for that.

A voice, though, is a different thing and enough for Rude to step aside because he's not actually guarding this door as his appearance might suggest.]

Wasn't trying to.

[It's the only response he gives, because he doesn't much feel like justifying himself beyond that to someone who likely won't care to begin with.]

[rockcollector]

[Terrance flicks the last bits of paper to the curb before taking a step forward. He looks up at the man and realizes that he most likely looks laughable next to someone so muscular. Terrance will always be a scholar and scientist first.]

What are you trying to do mate?

[His accent thickens and he quickly clears his throat.]

[sayslittle]

Just getting my bearings.

[It's not entirely a lie, despite that he's not actively looking at the map or pamphlet or anything that suggests he's comparing where he is to what documentation would tell him. But he is going to need to know his surroundings, even if it's entirely likely he'll end up staying right where he is for now.

Well. Not right where he is. If he's sticking around, it'll at least be inside with drink in hand. But that's still an if for the time being, no matter that he's not going to be able to learn much more about what the place will be like from where he is.]