but dogs can look up

[dr_conscience]

When; The afternoon into the evening of January 2nd... spanning sundown >:]
Rating; Rated G for Ghouls. Wait no. Let's say PG-13, maybe even R.
Characters; Anyone. EVERYONE. Get up in here!
Summary; A normal evening at one of the City's bars turns into Shaun of the Dead a ghoul attack.
Log;

[ While many of the City's denizens may have been growing gradually more anxious since the new year struck, a certain ominous paranoia closing in around them, life does not stop or even slow down for nerves. And without any tangible evidence of something amiss, it's easy for those who have been more actively occupied to bury themselves, all but missing the early warning signs of whatever may be closing in.

And so it is that one may find oneself out this evening, in the last hours of dusk before darkness falls over the City, unwinding over an after-work drink or grabbing an easy dinner. Of course, if one were to linger too long... | ]


[ Momentarily posting time divided threads, to indicate before and after sundown. Feel free to mingle before dark, or have your characters' ghoulish guests arrive after the sun goes down... ]

Comments

[defies_reason]

[Well, it stands to reason that if he has friends who were older than him before he was born, he may as well have friends from the distant future. Welcome to life in the City, Isaak.]

That's true, but it doesn't make the facts less frustrating.

[candothat]

[Enjoy it, sir.]

You can do things to distract yourself beyond work.

[defies_reason]

Around here, what would you recommend?

[candothat]

I doubt we are distracted by the same things, Isaak.

[defies_reason]

That may be true, but the question stands.

[candothat]

Currently I like to help the doctor with the DeLorean's flight circuits, keep records for my friends who own businesses, run. Ah, stargazing, too.

[defies_reason]

Two of the three sound like work to me.

[His tone is faintly teasing.]

[candothat]

Which ones?

[With absolute innocence.]

[defies_reason]

Oh, I've spent many a pleasant vacation catching up on my bookkeeping.

[He doesn't even crack a smile. Two can play at that game, Chekov.]

[candothat]

You do not seem like a man who enjoys numbers that much, if I may say.

[defies_reason]

Oh, I like them well enough as long as they're in my favour.

[candothat]

Then you are a businessman?

[Isaak looks like a businessman. Fortunately, he seems to have a sense of humor; not everyone who is in business does.]

I love mathematics. It's a universal language.

[defies_reason]

I am at home, at any rate.

[A bit of a joke, because everyone in the City shows up as a nobody, evidently.]

I've never had a knack for maths. I'll have to keep in mind that you like it, if I ever manage to get my capital together.

[candothat]

You can be one here. There are a number of business owners.

[He lights up at the prospect of... doing math.]

Do, please, and if you need financial assistance, I can help with that.

[defies_reason]

[It's a generous offer, especially considering how briefly they've known one another.]

I'll certainly let you know when I'm looking for investors.

[candothat]

[Don't blame it all on Chekov's generous nature. He's not used to having money and he has already decided that Isaak is trustworthy. (Pavel is not in business. There are good reasons for this.)]

Thank you. I would like to invest money in something; it would be different.

[defies_reason]

[For all his faults and illicit dealings, Isaak is at least a man of his word. And far less inclined, here, to stray to the bad side of business; it's no longer the path of least resistance, and the rewards aren't as tempting. All in all, Chekov could do worse. As long as he doesn't object to the particular clientele.]

City Solutions pays well, I take it?

[candothat]

[He's from the magical utopian space!future. Why would he object?]

Yes, but one of my side jobs pays much better.

[defies_reason]

[Lucrative side gigs you say. Isaak raises a brow.]

And which might that be?

[candothat]

Computer work--modifying things. Hacking.

[Planting viruses that corrupt private servers, you know. Nothing huge or wildly illegal.]

[defies_reason]

No wonder you've money to invest.

[And he looks so innocent. Good show, Pavel Andreievich.]

[candothat]

And to think I have been doing these things for free at home.

[Hey, Isaak. How about he tells you about the time he took down the Russian crime syndicate.]

[defies_reason]

[Hey, less competition, he's all for it.]

You're an interesting young man.

[candothat]

I have been called worse. [He lifts his drink--it has magically refilled itself--to Isaak in a mock toast.] Thank you.

[defies_reason]

[The magic of an attentive bartender. He raises is own glass in response.]

I look forward to doing business with you, Pavel Andreievich.