[OPEN, DINER CATCH-ALL] war, children, it's just a shot away

[wordvomit]

Who: EVERYONE (Yes, even Mirrors.)
Where: Eighth Floor Diner
When: 12/18
Rating: PG to PG-13
Summary: With the help of a Japanese schoolgirl, one man overcomes his neurosis and invites literally everyone to the diner.
The Story:

[Ned wasn't optimistic at the beginning - matter of fact, Ned never starts out thinking optimistically about anything, simply as a force of habit. Healthy paranoia, often misconstrued as abject pessimism, is what weighs heavily on the Pie Maker on a daily basis.

Adding actual monsters - ones different from him, who are much larger and fictional and hungry - to the mix only serves to amplify his anxiety.

It comes as something of a relief when Tohru recommends barricading the windows and stockpiling supplies, blankets, an assortment of foodstuffs and some First Aid, all of which are suggestions Ned undertakes with enthusiasm and the assistance of his diner-mates.

Now, with all the tables upturned strategically and the blinds drawn, he's almost elated they had the foresight to work things out early as a new transmission hits the public sphere.

He sends out another message almost immediately, this one Mansion-wide.]

IF ANYONE NEEDS A SAFE PLACE AND YOU CAN'T MAKE IT TO THE CLINIC OR LIBRARY

COME TO THE DINER ON THE EIGHTH FLOOR

WE HAVE FOOD* AND SHELTER IN THE EVENT OF CATASTROPHE

*But please be patient with that, there's only a couple of us working the kitchen.

[The Pie Maker, who loathes close proximity and sometimes gets claustrophobic, almost regrets hitting SEND.

Almost.]






NOTE: This is OPEN MINGLE CATCH-ALL, anyone and everyone can meet up with their friends/family/associates in the diner if they need a safe place to stay and don't want to leap willy-nilly after Her Highness into the Rabbit Hole it's ironic because the diner is called The Rabbit Hole.

Comments

[onsilksheets]

[She knew exactly who had spiked the punch that night, and even now, Bela still found it fairly amusing. However, the roof top party wasn't on her mind at the moment and it probably wouldn't be unless the subject came up. She was more curious about why he had his hands beneath the table - something that wasn't difficult for an observant person to miss.

Bela was trying her best to get out of her emotional slump which had pretty much consumed her over the past few weeks. It wouldn't have happened to Bela back home, she knew that. Coming to Wonderland had changed her somewhat, giving her things she'd never had before. Losing some of those things hurt and Bela was still dealing with the aftermath.]

Yeah. Thanks. [A pause.] William, right? It's nice to see a familiar face.

[whele]

[The culprit had never owned up to it and William would never suspect them. It was the perfect crime. If William could hear the thoughts on a slump he would wholeheartedly agree; being in Wonderland for any given amount of time is always going to be a drag, but by this point he's still missing important people back home. William would even go so far too think he'd be happy to see his own father by this point.

Bela gets a nod when she mentions his name, not at all comfortable in hazarding a guess at hers. William has an idea but who knows how long they'll be in the diner? Pissing people off won't be conductive in the long run.] Couldn't agree more. Hopefully we see other familiar faces before the night is through.

[William pauses, watching as a large paw reaches up from under the table, wholly intent on finding the delicious smelling plate of biscuits. The principate isn't sure if he should be stern or amused, managing a slightly reproachful tone at the cub.] No, those aren't yours.....

[onsilksheets]

I'm Bela. Should have said that before. [All right, so maybe he didn't remember her name. No skin off Bela's nose.]

Depends on how many people need shelter and food I suppose. I-

[She abruptly stops when she sees a paw of all things coming up from beneath the table, her eyes widening a fraction.] I- [Give her a few moments. The fact that William is completely fine with it is another thing she struggles with.]

They're definitely not. [She finds her voice.] Do you have a lion cub or just an exceptionally large cat on your lap at the moment?

[whele]

[In a normal world William would nod and agree; they would most likely see a few more people in the diner. Not everyone was a fighter and there was normally safety in numbers in some situations. Nothing about this is normal anymore though, William too busy trying to move the large paw away from the plate of biscuits, apparently more embarrassed than nervous of large claws.] This is people food....

[The question gets William's attention enough that he pauses in wrestling with the cub long enough to answer. Long enough for the culprit to peer up over the table edge to consider Bela with open curiosity.] I think you'll find that's six and two-threes. Sorry though, he hasn't quite figured out that other people's food isn't his food.

[That and maybe someone spoils the thing.]

[onsilksheets]

[Honestly, it wasn't the strangest thing that Bela had seen in Wonderland, but she still didn't want the animal to get her biscuits. She moves the plate back closer to her, watching them closely as if they were the most precious things in the world.]

Well, he's got a lot of training in front of him. [She replies, looking at the lion cub when he decides to show himself. Oh, but he was cute. Bela found herself a lot more relaxed and not as anxious about a baby lion like she did before.]

Guess he wanted to say hello. But it's all right, I just wasn't expecting to see a lion cub in a dining room. [A half-smile.] He is cute though, I can say that. What's his name?

[whele]

[Talk about an icebreaker. William doesn't know if he should be relieved or disgruntled at the fact the small, fuzzy lion cub has just stolen his thunder. Could be useful down the line, but for ow he'll settle for keeping hold of the squirming cub, trying to make sure he doesn't jump on the table to get at the now far-away biscuits.]

He does. Unfortunately animals here don't age either so I have to wonder just how much training will actually stick when he won't get older. [A shrug. So far the feline is doing okay, but then William can't speak cat to ask.] He's called Zadkiel, after the archangel of mercy and benevolence, but I think everyone just shortens it to Zad these days. And he doesn't bite either, that's one thing he learned very quickly. The only thing he goes for is my toes in the middle of the night. [There is no shame in saying that out loud.] Do you want to hold him?

[onsilksheets]

[Well, she is a cat person. And he is of the feline variety, so it shouldn't be a surprise for Bela to warm towards the animal. That being said, she is quite protective of her biscuits so they'll remain close to her for the time being.]

Zadkiel. [Her knowledge of angels was limited at best, so Bela has never heard of that name before.] Not usually everyone's first choice for a name but then he is yours and if you like it, then that's the main thing.

I think I would want to hold him. If he's okay with being handled by a stranger; I have a cat back home so I know how to treat them. [She ignores the comment about his toes, taking it in her stride.]

Whenever you are ready. [Setting her cup down to one side, Bela gets herself ready and prepared.]

[whele]

He'll be fine, he's used to the attention by now.

[With that simple statement William holds the lion cub up, gently placing he feline on the table and watching. For now Zadkiel is more than happy to flop on his back, exposing a fluffy tummy as he gives his best begging face at Bela.

William has no idea where the cat learned that, but he won't complain. Wanting pettings has to be better than biting, scratching and tearing limbs off. He might just move the plate of biscuits out of the way to one side. Just in case.]

Someone else offered the name, I just thought it sounded good enough to pass. He's at that point where he recognizes that and other words too.

[onsilksheets]

[It was probably one of the cutest things that Bela had ever seen in her life, and she has to take a moment before her hand reaches over to rub the cub's tummy gently, letting him get used to her first.]

A smart little thing then. He really is lovely; I don't know why I was so hesitant before.

[If anything, this experience has brightened her mood and its easy to tell by the smile on Bela's face. After a few more moments of tummy rubbing she scoops up Zadkiel carefully to give him proper attention- scratching behind his ears and beneath his chin.]

Do you have a pet back home, William?

[whele]

Might have something to do with the fact he's still a lion, instinct probably kicks in somewhere.

[William watches as the cub just laps up the attention, shrugging inwardly as he notes just how much more relaxed people are with a bundle of cute fluff in their arms. That will come in useful one day, doubly so if he needs to get info out of someone.]

No, not really. My father has a lion, but it's more a conservation thing and he stays in the enclosure. No-one really has time for pets in my household so it wouldn't be fair on the animal. Do you have pets back home?

[onsilksheets]

Your home must be quite grand to have an enclosure for a lion within it. Where I'm from, animals like that live in the wild or are protected in special parks; a lot of them are in danger of extinction.

[Something that he might be aware of, but Bela wanted to clarify just in case. Their worlds could potentially be very different from each other.]

Just one. A cat. She's a dear little thing and I do miss her from time to time. I'd love to have a cat here, but it's hard to get an animal. I think some people are just more lucky than others.

[whele]

[The smile Bela gets is equal parts polite and shameful. He can't deny he lives in a large home, but pointing out the fact it's one of the largest entire buildings in Vega? Awkward. It's something that William hasn't quite figured out. People in Vega have very little whilst he has it all, yet the Principate isn't going to just give it up. Life is difficult.]

My father says it's to keep the lions from going extinct, though I'm pretty sure he likes the idea of having one. Needless to say I wouldn't be sticking my arm in that enclosure any time soon.

Well, your cat will be fine when you get home at least. And I would say get one here, but then I'm not sure who would look after it when you go back home. I only came across this little guy by accident when someone found him. I think his owner went home too.

[onsilksheets]

[Bela was no stranger to luxury in her life back home, both growing up and now as an adult; she had a vast amount of wealth back home and a lot more stability than most people. But none of that could ever get what she truly wanted - her freedom. Her demise was inevitable and there was nothing that Bela could do about it.]

A lion is said to be the King of the Jungle; maybe your father wants that to reflect upon himself. Or maybe I am looking too much into the symbolism.

Yeah, I wouldn't want to leave a pet alone here, it wouldn't be fair. But I do have friends who may look after it for me if I were to leave. [The animal gets a gentle tummy rub.]

So, what do you do here when you're not looking after this little cutie?