interstellar5555 | i love you baby baby

Who:~~Aino Minako~~ Waitress Diana and her patrons at Brad's Diner (aka YOU)
What: Serving up milkshakes, greasy sandwiches, and love advice!
When: February 14th, mid-afternoon
Where: Brad's Diner
Warnings: Flirting possible. It's Minako. Otherwise none so far!

Those who have visited local grease shack Brad's Diner in the past may be surprised to see the radically changed decor for today. The booths were already lined in red cushions, but now there are additions of heart balloons, shining ribbons, and red and white candles on each table.

The festive atmosphere hits you right in the face when your server arrives! Her name tag reads 'Di', the I dotted with a heart. But that's usual. More unusually, she's sporting a pink mini-dress and red apron, and there's a long red ribbon laced through her usual braid. She winks at everyone coming through the dtheoor, presenting them each a small chocolate.

"Welcome to Brad's, home of the chocolate strawberry milkshake! Everything's half-price for singles today, and couples all receive a free cake! But if you'd rather flip it around that's fine by me too! It's Valentines, all about showing you some love! I'm Di and I'll be taking care of you today, cuties."

She then bounces to lead her customers to their seats. Even the regular table seats are well cushioned with fluffy pillows, so there's not a bad seat to be had in the house! She's also piled a lot of big balloon decorations between the tables, hopefully making it easy for musicians to go incognitio just as Rei asked. With luck, they can make this a warm and welcoming place for any and all.

[ooc: this is a free for all! Lemme know in the subject line if you want to interact with 'Di', or feel free to just take in the tacky decorations on a diner date of your own.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Her head."

Rei nods and takes a little breath, looking around the restaurant to make sure nobody is paying them any mind.

"Brainwashing. I'm sure of it."

"Huh. Sounds rough."

Then again who knows, maybe they did the same to her. It's not something she can pinpoint though.

"After a few days it all sort of blends together to be honest. I'm pretty sure everyone was punished in their own way."

"Certainly."

It is rough, and Luce has been run ragged. Though...there's another question on her mind.

"Did you free your ghosts?"

"Barely. That's what got us in so much trouble, I think. I mean not that us breaking in and breaking them out won us awards either."

"Undoubtedly. Which means it's a good thing you did."

Rei was very, very serious about that.

"Thank you for that."

She pauses at that, straw in her mouth and arms folded along the edge of the tabletop.

"... I think that's the first time anyone has said that."

"Mother. Luce. She explained what you were trying to do. I, at least, recognize that as deserving thanks."

There's not a dram of sarcasm, and only sincerity there.

"I'm glad for her sake then. Mostly people have been calling it a pretty stupid move."

Most people being Squalo.

"Do they not understand something big is at stake here?"

Like, souls?

"I doubt it. I mean on the outside it looks really dumb so I can't exactly blame them. Still, it showed me what I do and don't have control over."

And yeah, maybe she did it to help the ghost out. Partially. A little.

"You guys...haven't talked much about it, have you?"

The incidents, she means, not necessarily the kidnappings.

"Like, what's really going on."

"Hell no. For a while I was almost too scared to mutter the label's name. Forget talking about it."

"Yeah. That's...what happened to her."

She's still being run ragged at that.

"At least you're alright."

"I bet. If it's anything like what happened with me? She may want to talk about it now but forget earlier."

At that the violinist shrugs.

"I got off a lot easier than others. I also couldn't do as much when it came to fighting so maybe that was why."

"Well we sort of got enough out of her."

Rei rubs her temple a little bit, tired, stressed.

"Honestly though, I'm starting to wonder. I mean, I've definitely dreamed of fighting."

"I hear you. I'm a lot more competent in my dreams."

Though... she pauses there, reaching for the silverware always left on tables like this. She picks up the knife, testing it's weight almost instinctively before she starts letting it flip through her fingers.

"Weirdly enough, I'm starting to get a lot better now. Figures it would be after everything."

Impressed, Rei nods, casting a glance around and making sure they aren't being watched too closely.

"There'll be more though. There's always more."

"You think so?"

Now she cocks a brow at Rei. "Those must be some dreams you're having then."

"They are. Mostly...war, fighting."

She doesn't have to say it, the look in her eye should show Mai that she is in fact afraid of that. But at the same time...

"I just feel that lots of bad stuff is coming. And we're caught in it."

That seems to stick to Mai a little, the look and the words both. She falls silent, giving the slight melting remains of her milkshake a heavy look. When she finally replies it's in a somber tone.

"This is definitely going to get worse before it gets better, if people keep up fighting anyhow."

"It is. But when it's over, we'll be better for it."

Or dead. But you don't say that.

"You think so, huh. We could wind up worse."

"Have a little faith," Rei says with a half smile, finishing the last of her shake. Rising, she makes to leave.

"And sorry to cut and run, but I'm meeting Yosuke for dinner and need to get ready. We should play together sometime, soon."

Mai waves a hand at the apology, giving a slightly rueful smile. "I wouldn't mind, it's been a while since I've played with another violinist. Give me a text sometime and we'll set up the details."

i love you baby baby

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject