first notes § a classy diner

[jurisdick]

who: goro & you
where: diner
when: first week of may
rating: pg-13 (probably? will update if necessary)
the story: a detective walks into a diner for some pancakes and....

option 1 - for the employees

[ while this isn't leblanc, per say, it still has a rather comforting feel to it. he isn't sure if it's the decor or the general energy in the diner, but it seems to call to him the same way that the tiny curry and coffeeshop did back in tokyo. it's not insanely crowded but it has enough interesting faces to keep him intrigued. still, that's not to say he's actively seeking conversation. rather, he's brought a book from the library down to the diner to thumb through as he takes a break from investigating the hot mess he's found himself in.

there's a pencil stuck between his teeth, brown fringe covering his eyes as he skims the pages of the book. occasionally, he plucks the pencil out to scribble something down in the margin, and then just like that, the pencil returns dutifully to his mouth.

he hasn't ordered yet, a bit lost in thought over the pages of paradise lost. ]

option 2 - for others

[ now that he has his coffee (it's really a necessity in life), he's taken a break from the pages of the riveting story to glance around the diner. simply surveying the area for any "familiar faces." one leg is crossed against another, dangling off the edge of the stool, toe of his shoe tapping light sounds against the counter in front of him.

as usual, each and every lock of hair is perfectly in place and he's wearing his tan jacket complete with a drab, striped tie. although he enjoys the tranquility, he can't help but catch the gaze of anyone who walks into this diner. namely, you.

there's a bright, undeniably charismatic smile that appears and he lifts a hand politely up in way of greeting. ]

May I ask you a question?

Comments

[eatsyourscience]

I wouldn't say that.

[He knew some pretty interesting detectives at least...]

This place isn't as exciting as I used to think it was, though.

[jurisdick]

Really? The magic wearing off?

[ It's a pun deal with it, Souji. ]

[eatsyourscience]

[FINE.]

It's been a long time. A few years of anything will make it feel less novel.

[jurisdick]

From what I've heard, that type of magic is unimaginable. I can't imagine getting bored of it, even with a few years.

[ gee goro, your complex is showing. ]

[eatsyourscience]

[It's not so much bored as exasperated or frustrated.]

Even so, I hope you don't have to spend years here.

[jurisdick]

Yes that'd be very inconvenient.

[ a thin smile proceeds it.

there's no certainty that time doesn't pass back home. no way to actually be sure. and if december comes and goes... wouldn't it all just be a waste. ]

[eatsyourscience]

I guess it's lucky we won't remember anything when we go.

[Though sometimes he feels like it's more if than when.]

[jurisdick]

Then what's the point?

[ it's a bit ...blunt ]

[eatsyourscience]

[Blunt, but not a bad question. One he's asked himself more than once.]

It depends on you, I guess. Some people don't care about that and just enjoy being here.

[jurisdick]

With no chance at retaining the memories?

[ it doesn't really make sense to him. everything, everything has always had a purpose. food's purpose was survival. school's purpose was refining intellect and creating opportunity for personal advancement. even the connections he had around shibuya, around tokyo, were purposeful.

so why- ]

I suppose some people just don't care.

[eatsyourscience]

No, I don't imagine the people who are dead at home do care.

[Or the people with zombies at home...]

[jurisdick]

[ he stills..... ]

Dead at home?

[eatsyourscience]

[Souji nods confirmation.]

It doesn't happen a lot, but it happens.

[jurisdick]

Is that to mean this place serves as some sort of afterlife? Limbo, perhaps?

[ ... are they all dead. how perplexing. ]

[eatsyourscience]

I think that depends on you, too.

[That feels like a cop out answer, though, so...]

I don't personally think of it that way.

[jurisdick]

Hm.

[ he glances off to the side, puzzling out where each piece fits, and - ]

That's true. It wouldn't make sense for those of us who have no memory of dying.

[eatsyourscience]

It's always a possibility that we died suddenly. But you and your friends are a pretty good example of why that isn't likely.

[jurisdick]

Yes. That'd truly be a paradox, wouldn't it?

[ the plot thickens apparently. ]

Still, the fact that no one has been able to find out any answers....

[eatsyourscience]

That's how a lot of things are here.

[It's something everyone has to get used to.]

[jurisdick]

Have you ever had the chance to meet your captors?

[eatsyourscience]

I've met some of the...residents here.

[He's not sure if that's a good word for them, but he's not really sure what else to call them.]

But I don't think they're why we're here.

[jurisdick]

Really? Do you think there's some otherworldly being playing puppet master, then?

[eatsyourscience]

I think it's Wonderland itself doing this. But I don't think it's sentient.

[jurisdick]

So you don't think there's a God at work, either?

[eatsyourscience]

A God?

[The use of that term surprises him a little, though he's not entirely sure why.]

No. I don't think that at all.