[OPEN] What’s that you say? Minions from Hell getting you down?

[vampdetective]

Who: Angel & you!
Where: Fourth Floor: Room 010, then the diner.
When: Tuesday, 6/02 & Wednesday, 6/03.
Rating: PG probably. There will at least be discussion of monster guts.
Summary: With Angel’s soul back in place and Cordelia’s visions still painful in their persistence, it’s time to get the gang back together. Grand(-ish) opening of the Wonderland branch of Angel Investigations-- as well as a visit to the diner to find that something important is missing.
The Story:

( Tuesday, 6/02: Fourth Floor, Room 010. )

For the most part, Angel has made a very concentrated effort to keep to himself since regaining his soul. It's been months, now, but he knows that Angelus' actions aren't easily forgiven, if they can be at all-- and yet he knows better than most people that hiding is never the answer, no matter how bad things are, no matter how ashamed a person might be of what they've done. The best thing you can do is to pick yourself up and push forward, and given that select friends from back home have joined him in Wonderland-- some of them more recent than others-- it's time to do what they know best, what he should have done ages ago, although it's Cordelia's presence in particular that's inspired him to pull the operation back together. After all, what are a Champion and his guide to do when trapped together in an alternate dimension?

They go to work, that's what.

He's more of a presence on the fourth floor early in the week than he has been in months, moving between his own room near the stairs to room 010 a little further in, occasionally empty-handed, but more often loaded down with any number of things-- some of it doesn't seem terribly significant, but there are trips where he can be seen lugging a number of sharp weapons down the hallway, most of them looking like they could at least pass for antiques, if Wonderland hadn't provided him with the real deal in the first place.

By the time Tuesday rolls around, he'll be spending most of the morning and early afternoon in room 010, though the door is left open for much of it. At least two hours of that is spent organizing and re-organizing the weapons cabinet set up in one corner, with Angel regularly stepping back to survey it with his arms folded, letting out a series of thoughtful noises before he decides it's not quite right and starting over again.

On at least two occasions, he knocks over a lamp set up by one of the sofas before he gets frustrated with it and leaves its remains in a heap by the door.

By mid-afternoon, the place appears to be finished-- it's been a work in project for awhile, but the room has been altered to resemble the lobby of a certain hotel, although the stairways seem to lead to nowhere other than a short expanse of corridor that ends up serving as a small balcony rather than an actual hallway, and the elevator is non-functioning. Beyond the main room, a replica of the old office is accessible from behind the counter-- it had been his, back in Los Angeles, then Wesley's, then his again, and including it had seemed vital in making the place feel right.

The whole place is an almost perfect replica, even if it's a much smaller scale than the genuine article. It's missing a few bites and pieces, dings and scratches and the remnants of a blood sigil on the floor to really jog the old memory, but even without those details, he's reasonably satisfied. There's only one detail left to be added, and before the afternoon is out, there's a plaque hanging on the door that reads Angel Investigations: Wonderland Offices in bold print.

( Wednesday, 6/03: The Diner. )

It's the first time he's been to the diner since Tohru's disappearance. At first, he's not even aware of the fact that he's gone-- they kept contact just sparsely enough that it wasn't all that unusual for him to go a few days without hearing for her, but once he's been in the diner for ten minutes and she hasn't excused herself from behind the counter to come and sit with him? It clicks that something isn't quite right, and only then does he notice that her scent there is no longer fresh, recent.

He frowns as he pulls his phone out, seated in his usual booth, skimming through the contacts to look for her name-- there's nothing, and he feels his heart sink all the way down to his stomach as the idea of her being gone begins to take hold. Maybe it's just a short trip home, or if she's gone for good, then surely it has to be better than here--

But Tohru had always believed in him, despite everything. Even when things were at their worst, when she had no reason to forgive him, she'd done it anyway. That kind of understanding was hard to come by. He had it in Cordelia, had found it with other members of his created family back home, but it was incredibly rare to find it in someone who hadn't been through hell and high water with him already.

He grimaces, putting his phone away and opting to move to a seat at the counter. It doesn't feel right, sitting in his booth if Tohru's not there to sit across from him, and he folds his hands in front of him once he settles onto one of the empty stools. He's not sure how long he'll stay, but coffee wouldn't be terrible.

(OOC: Prose or action is fine, I'll match you!)

Comments

[vampdetective]

Yeah. That adoptive family of hers.

[They'd sounded like nice people. People he'd been glad she'd found after her mother had passed. He frowns all the same, glancing past Souji to scan the area behind the counter, and it just seems so empty. Wrong.

It shouldn't be that way.]

She'll be happier there, but-- I'll miss her.

[She'd been good for him. Believed in him when he couldn't believe in himself, something he was all too prone to falling into.]

[eatsyourscience]

Me too.

[Souji crosses his arms over his chest, looking at Angel thoughtfully.]

But...you probably can't afford to lose friends here.

[There's nothing disparaging in the same way he says that.]

[vampdetective]

None of us can, but-- you're probably right.

[Him more than most. He knows what Souji means, and even if the young man doesn't intend for it to be disparaging, Angel himself is more than willing to do the job himself. He smiles grimly; there's nothing good or pleasant about it.]

She believed in me. In everyone she met, I think.

[He's sure they can agree on that.]

Tohru sees the best in everyone.

[eatsyourscience]

[Souji nods. Tohru does that, almost to a fault.]

Being like that can leave a person open to getting hurt. But I think it also allows for a lot of opportunities for friendship you might not get otherwise.

[Souji pauses, considering Angel. They aren't anything like close, but Souji wonders if there isn't anything he can do for Angel.]

I'm no Tohru-- [Not by a long shot.] --but you're always welcome here. I'll keep the coffee hot for you.

[vampdetective]

You don't have to be Tohru.

[He appreciates the offer for what it is, however, a warm welcome and what feels like forgiveness, understanding.]

But-- thanks. I know my face isn't always a welcome one, depending on who you ask.

[The situation was complicated, and too many people considered that his way of trying to dodge responsibility. He didn't correct them, most of the time. It seemed like a waste of breath, not that he needed it to begin with.]

[eatsyourscience]

Even she might be able to say the same thing.

[He's certain there are people who despise her personality type.]

But I think it's important to judge you for myself and not just on that incident. And I don't know you well enough to make that call yet.

[The fact that he has a serial killer as a friend at home has a bit of an impact on that view.]

[vampdetective]

As hard as I find that to believe, I know there's always someone out there to disagree with any given opinion.

[However, in Tohru's case, he feels those people would be missing out. He offers Souji a careful smile, small but genuine, followed by a nod of appreciation.]

You're smart. A lot of people don't learn to go against the grain and make their own decisions until much later in life-- some never do.

[eatsyourscience]

It's not always an easy thing to do. [He can't really blame people who never bother.

He straightens up where he's standing, adjusting his apron.]

I'd better get back to work. Let me know if you want a refill on your coffee.

[vampdetective]

You're right, it's not.

[All the more reason to respect those who manage it. He smiles again, and there's a touch of something grim there.]

I'll give you a shout if I need anything. -- thanks.

[Angel can appreciate someone who doesn't mince words. He's not so great with complete sentences, himself-- Angelus was the one who loved the sound of his own voice. He's always liked Souji's verbal efficiency.]

If I come across anyone who seems like they might be interested in helping out up here, I'll send them your way.

[eatsyourscience]

Thanks. [Souji's smile is relieved. It gives away how tired he already feels.] That would be a big help.

[With a slight wave, he turns to go back into the kitchen.]