IC INBOX

[hippie_ninja]

This is Jesus. Leave a message.

Comments

[hippie_ninja]

I'm glad. It's a hard way to live. Especially when there are people taking advantage.

[braveoff]

Sounds like you're speaking from experience?

[hippie_ninja]

Let's just say keeping the peace can be a full time job.

[braveoff]

You wanna tell me about it? I'd be happy to buy you a drink or a decent meal, if you feel like getting out of the starter housing for awhile.

[hippie_ninja]

I'd like a meal. [Never turn down a meal] Where at?

[braveoff]

Depends what you like. Name it.

[hippie_ninja]

Chicken. [The answer isn't exactly immediate but it doesn't take any thinking, either.] We, ah, haven't had chickens in a long time.

[braveoff]

Okay. I'd send you a pin but it might be easier to teach you how to use those in person... meet me at the elevator?

[hippie_ninja]

I'm headed there now.

> action

[braveoff]

Cool. See you soon.

[ Drake cuts the call, heading out right away so he can get there in case the guards give Jesus any trouble. It's way worse moving around the city as an uncontracted sub.

There's nothing terribly distinctive about Drake -- he's a big guy, tall and muscular, but not exceptionally anything in particular. Still, there's only one person just waiting around when Jesus arrives, and he's got the same casual friendly energy in person, body language relaxed and open. Drake lifts a hand to wave when he spots Jesus, letting the newcomer approach him rather than the other way around. ]

Re: > action

[hippie_ninja]

[ He feels a little naked being out in the world without armor, without even his leather coat. But he leaves the coat at home because he's discovered that being slathered in rotting walker guts doesn't wash out as well as everyone thinks it does. He hadn't noticed until he came here, where people smell like soap and laundry detergent and sweat.

He lifts a hand back, and offers a smile when he's in talking range. ]

Good to see you.

[braveoff]

Yeah, nice to meet you. I think I know just the place, if you can stand a really questionably sexualized menu.

[ This city really loves drowning everything in innuendo. Drake got used to it a long time ago and just thinks it's funny now, but Jesus is new enough it might still be weird. ]

[hippie_ninja]

[He laughs lightly] You mean more than just hotdogs and tacos?

[braveoff]

Oh, so much worse. It's a chicken place -- they went a little overboard with cock jokes.

[hippie_ninja]

[He raises his eyebrows] I've got to see this.

[braveoff]

[ Hold on to that sense of humor, Jesus, you're gonna need it around here. ]

Remember you chose this when it's time to order. Follow me.

[hippie_ninja]

All right, but you should tell me your favorite joke off the menu when we get there.

[braveoff]

[ Drake laughs softly and nods in agreement, leading the way to the restaurant. It's not a long walk, and soon enough he's holding open the door of a fast casual chicken joint with a neon rooster bolted to the front of the building. His expression as Jesus heads in is very much 'I warned you,' but it does smell pretty fantastic inside.

The menu is indeed ridiculous, with dishes and combos named semi-randomly after whatever chicken themed innuendo they thought of. You can choose your preferred parts (helpfully pointed out on a sexy hen pinup on the wall) and preparation. They do seem to offer a wide variety, from the "glistening cock" glazed bbq to fried "bone(r) in" options to "spitroast"ed with fixings. Onion rings are cock rings. The sauces are lubes. It's all extremely blatant and silly. ]

So I think my favorite joke is that you order nuggets in "nugg"sacs, but that isn't actually what I get here.

[hippie_ninja]

[ Jesus is a fairly quiet person but he can't help laughing. Especially at the pinup chick. Drake need not have worried, the ridiculous is a wonderful change of pace. ]

I'm tempted to order based on name, but what's actually good?

[braveoff]

[ Oh good -- they're on the same page, then, and it bodes well for Jesus adjusting to the city in general. It's also just nice to hear somebody laugh. ]

Nothing's ever been bad? If you can't decide based on what sounds good to you name's as good a way to go as anything. I'm a barbecue guy but my partner likes the Korean-style wings best.

You said it's been awhile, right? Go for nostalgia.

[hippie_ninja]

[Nostalgia is a new and novel concept, and he's grinning--biting back a juvenile laugh--when he orders the Nugg'sacs.]

What's your partner like?

[braveoff]

[ Drake orders for himself, along with a few sides for them to split and drinks, then pays. And thoughtfully passes Jesus his cup so the other man can choose something from the fountain against the wall. ]

You know, I don't think I've ever had to describe him. People either just don't ask or they know him already... he's an artist. Ex-military, but even if we were from the same world his war was against aliens way in the future. We had like. Almost nothing in common.

[ His expression is very fond as he talks about the other man, though, even as he shakes his head and sets his cup into the machine. ]

It's kind of a long story.

[hippie_ninja]

[The tone people have when they talk about their loved ones says as much as the words, and he smiles to hear the warmth in Drake's voice.]

What do you have in common now?

[braveoff]

...that's really complicated.

[ He gestures for Jesus to take his turn at the machine, considering if he should start listing things and if so which, but decides it might make more sense if he explained why it's complicated first. ]

This isn't my first time winding up in another universe. About three and a half years ago I woke up on an alien planet and he was the first person I met. We left there together last year and wound up here by accident... and he didn't remember a thing.

[ A little shrug; he's come to terms with it. But that doesn't mean it's ever going to be totally okay. ]

I guess that should be a warning for you, I'm hard to get rid of.

[hippie_ninja]

[He smiles very softly. Consider him warned.]

I can't imagine what that must have been like.

[He's had to kill friends, many of them, who had turned after death and were simply no longer people. No longer the people he had known. But that's not at all like someone simply forgetting who you are, who you were to them.]