[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

[onlyhomemade]

[Gabriel watches the two curiously and is well aware of the cahoots playing out before him. Unplanned cahoots and a poor attempt to misdirect him from uncomfortable conversation. He'll buy into it and keep his mouth shut though. As William trips over his excuse he'll gently take the plate and pull the rhubarb pie to his side, glad to have a taste for himself. He'll wait though...]

Ned, bring us a slice of apple, a la mode.

[A smile for the pie-maker.]

Please. I'll not be letting the boy leave this establishment without first tasting perfection.

[wordvomit]

It's...fine.

[Ned made an attempt, he did his very best, but frankly, William isn't playing an exceptional Person Who Ordered The Rhubarb Pie and the diner's resident baker has the feeling that Gabriel is just indulging them now. The Pie Maker lets William off the hook with a conciliatory smile, and would pat his shoulder if he wasn't so averse to touch.]

...I'll get the apple.

[A little more bashful - Gabriel waxing poetic about his pastries tends to make him shuffle his feet a bit - Ned hunches his shoulders, ducks his head, and disappears back into the kitchen.]

[whele]

[Perfection hm? William is already keeping the amused look from his face, somewhat impressed. Either the pies are amazing, or Gabriel is trying to schmooze. Probably both. He sure doesn't envy the pie maker though. If Ned is on the other's radar that much it will get ugly at some point.

Oh wait, he's meant to be looking uncomfortable. William peers over at Ned, catching the smile and returning a sheepish one of his own, one that screams "it beats being flattened by an archangel" loud and clear.]

Thank you. Hopefully the jabberwock passes us by, then most things should be fine.

[onlyhomemade]

Even if it does attack us you'll be fine.

[He says with a calm confidence, even if he knows in his heart the Jabberwocky could eat him alive.]

If the beast comes I will protect this diner with my life. I have the other Gabriel on my side as well and with hopes my brother will return to normal. You have nothing to fear.

[He'll sink the tines of his fork into the tip of the Rhubarb pie and pick off the morsel to eat it. He closes his eyes to slowly savor it, letting all that sweet-tartness spread over his tongue. He hums his approval, looking more like he's enjoying sex than he is a simple slice of pie. He goes for another bite after slowly chewing and swallowing.

He'll then look up at William and turn the pie around to push it towards him.]

Are you certain you don't want a taste?

[whele]

[They both know they're in for a world of hurt if the Jabberwocky actually gets to the diner. If everyone is in here, then it really says something about the beast that's headed through Wonderland. William can't help but briefly think back to the blood smeared mirror in his room, a brief pang of sympathy for his fallen mirror version.]

I'll take your word for it then. There's no other choice. [William waits until he's sure no-one is looking, quickly bowing his head and muttering a quiet apology. How difficult is this? He's definitely going to have to rethink the whole not telling Michael thing when Wonderland keeps pulling things like this.]

Oh uh, no thank you. I don't want to ruin the apple one that's on the way...

[William is pretty sure he will never ever understand angels and the things the like. Between archangels, orgies and shit that doesn't come in a tin, William reckons the answers will go unexplained until the end of time.]

[wordvomit]

[The Pie Maker is not a skilled combatant nor a veteran of war - if these are his last hours alive in Wonderland before the Jabberwock arrives, he might as well spend it doing what he loves.

Delivering a slice of apple à la mode is the least he can do to afford the anxious William a vague sense of relief, setting down the plate with a vague nod before wiping his hands off on a towel and disappearing back into the kitchen.]

[onlyhomemade]

[Gabriel slowly turns the plate around and is about to stab another piece off the end of his slice when William gives a scathing remark. He slowly sets the metal tines against the edge of his plate and after a short pause, lays the instrument on the table all together. It's a small sign to William, a show of peace, like laying down ones weapons. He knows the Acolyte would have reason to fear a fork.

His eyes remain cast down for a moment as he seems to be swallowing that blow. It was deserved and he slowly lifts his eyes, reflecting a little pain in them but an expression of understanding.]

I know you don't have much reason to trust me considering all that I've done back home. But here, I realize we are all in this together whether I like it or not. I am an Archangel, and so I know when it is right to be the bigger man and work together. I want to prove that to you and to all of Wonderland by helping as much as I can against our mutual threats.

[He glances up as Ned returns and gives the man a smile, hoping that he'd heard what he'd said just then. He has good intentions, he swears.]

Thank you again, Ned.

[He watches the pie-maker go then turns back to his own slice of pie. He picks up his fork.]

I suppose it is a little too soon to be asking for your trust, Principate. I just would like a chance. As my father gave to you by giving you the Savior.

[He separates another bite from his rhubarb pie and it disappears past his lips with a pleasurable hum.]

Consider this sharing of words and pastries like breaking bread, or a peace offering perhaps?