thenearshore | [closed] Just Eat It, Eat it

Entry tags:

[closed] Just Eat It, Eat it

Who: Mai & Trunks
When: mid to late October
Where: A local popular (family) restaurant spot
What: Mai answers a Prayer For Noms (62) with the help of her ever-faithful Shinki. Because bringing a Saiyan to a restaurant never goes wrong.

[The Prayer itself was one that captured Mai's interest. But the fact that it came from a child...well...]

Poor thing.

[Mai's arms were folded across her chest as she walked along, eyes closing in concentration. It was a small wonder she didn't trip over anything in the process, but her feet remained steady and the path ahead was clear. She recalled the details in her mind's ear. Hearing that precious voice. So confused. So devastated over the loss of his favorite kids' menu item. The one thing that made outings with his parents and older siblings worth it. All taken away, because someone--or, rather, something--was wreaking havoc behind the scenes.]

I've been to this place once before. It's quite large. A lot of the kids from school like it because of the kids' dining section the owners set up a while back. [She turned to Trunks with a half-smile.] Unfortunately, that area seemed to have been struck the hardest.

What do you think?

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[A restaurant?]

I think I'm glad most people don't notice us, or we'd have trouble blending in, given it's in the kid's section. Although if it's caused the loss of a menu-item, maybe we should check the kitchen instead?

[She gave a small chuckle at his initial reaction.]

Too bad. I heard their menu is usually better than the adult's.

[Joking aside...]

I do plan to go there eventually. But the problem is that it's not just the menus. I was hoping to look around and see what else we might have to expect. For all we know, the problem starts long before the food reaches the kitchen.

Ah yes, is this one of those places that believe adult food has to be 'complicated' to be good?

[He's grinning though, and able to joke with her too. Then again, he hasn't yet met food he doesn't like; complicated or not.]

Divide and conquer? One of us stake out the area, the other explores?

[She paused in her step long enough to ponder over the suggestion.]

[Easy enough as it would be to simply go along with Trunks' idea, there were too many factors in play. Namely the hidden ayakashi. She'd proven more than once that she could handle one on her own, even if she couldn't rend it without his help. But hadn't he expressed his dislike of when she did that before?]

[There was also the layout of the place to consider. Which turned out to be a deciding factor.]

Divide, but not too far.

...you know, this is one of those times I wonder why I never think to bring a radio with us. So I can call you, even if you're out of earshot at the time.

[He disliked it, but that didn't mean it wasn't sometimes necessary for her to handle ayakashi without him. She was capable, but it was also his job to be her partner. It was that simple while he also recognized they couldn't stay glued to each other, really.

Nodding with her decision, then scanning the room.]

Only concern I have with that is what if people notice the radios, even if most don't notice us.

[Then he's pointing to the main dining room area.]

I can start over here and check things, if you want to start in the kid's section. You're probably better at calming down people if needed anyways. Then we regroup and hit the kitchen?

Radios can be portable. [She wasn't looking at him as she spoke, absently tapping at her ear in indication while in the process of scanning their immediate surroundings. The signs to the kids section were easy enough to follow, and she was nodding at his suggestion even as she continued her prior train of thought.] A piece in your ear, and the receiver hidden from view. It could work.

[Assuming they wanted to try it during a future prayer.]

Sounds good to me. Meet back in 20?

You got it.

[He wasn't opposed to the idea, if it'd make communication easier. They were most often ignored by people anyways, unless there was a pressing need to 'see' the Goddess and shinki.

A small salute given, and Trunks headed to the main dining-area. Doing a quick loop to get the lay of things first, then another loop around the room more slowly. Careful and examining the silverware, the booths, trying not to disturb anyone eating while also getting a good look at their meals and utensils and seats.]

[20 minutes should have been relatively quick, and yet Mai very nearly lost track of time anyway.]

[The Children's Room was adequately named, with a few members of the wait staff dressed in notably more flexible uniforms--including shorts and t-shirts bearing the restaurant's logo--as they stood in the corners of the room, carefully monitoring the children within.]

[At the moment, there were only eight. Two little girls who couldn't have been more than four--and twins, at that--sitting together at one of the tables, alternating between eating from a shared plate and scribbling on the table itself, although the furniture seemed to be designed for just such a thing. The rest of the children were scattered, one of them sitting on a bouncing chair as he sipped at his cup of milk. Organized chaos in every sense of both words, and so unique that Mai couldn't help but marvel whatever genius had produced such a thing.]

[It was the chaos part that momentarily threw her, however, when it came to assessing anything wrong. Tears could have been the result of nearly anything, including a co-patron looking at somebody the wrong way. Or the right way. Regardless, it wasn't until Mai got a little closer and overhear one of the wait staff attempting to comfort the poor child that she heard the reason for such distress: one of their favorite toys had gone missing.]

[And it hadn't been the first time, either.]

[Two members of the staff were in the back of the room, sorting out the plasticware, muttering something about inventory getting low, not that the managers would care enough to restock before the end of the month. Crayons were the most in-demand, but there was also several specialty bowls and plates that were ending up in all sorts of places they should have.]

[To say nothing of the time somebody switched the condiments, and one poor child very nearly ended up ingesting hot sauce instead of ketchup. That would have been quite the endeavor to explain to an irate mother....]

[By the time Mai returned to the assigned meeting place, just over 20 minutes later, she was frowning deeply.]

[The frown on her face is telling, as is the fact that she was on the later end of that 20 minutes. Not that Trunks was 'relaxed', but it was a subtle shift from casual to actively alert when they met up again. Aware and alert to their surroundings now in a way he hadn't been before except for when he was searching his areas.]

My area's clean--nothing but the usual troubles associated with a restaurant. You've got something more I take it?

[A nod.]

It's not easy to tell at first. The room looks a mess, but it's supposed to look a mess. But apparently, some of the children's toys are being stolen. Along with the special utensils they have for the kids. They're also messing with the ingredients in the food, and it's a small miracle someone's allergies haven't been set off by any of this yet.

[Listening attentively, and quiet for a moment with his arms folded, one hand up under his chin in thought.]

I have to wonder why they're messing with the ingredients. The first two things could just be jealousy or greediness on an ayakashi's part.

What's our plan?

[She pressed her lips together in a thin line. Clearly not happy about what she had to say next--]

We wait for it to strike again.

[--but knowing there was little else they could do in the meantime.]

Now that we have a good idea what they're targeting, we know where to keep a lookout. The second something starts going amiss again, we can try to run it out to a less populated area and take it down. [In theory, it sounded pretty straightforward. However...] I'm just not sure how to do that without alarming any of the children.

They're far more perceptive than adults often give them credit for. I'm not entirely unconvinced they can't see and hear me sometimes, even if I'm meant to be hidden from view.

[She wasn't wrong, as children sometimes seemed to be aware of him too. A soft noise of thought, before he offered a suggestion.]

If we don't want to alarm them, why not just tell them hey--we're here to help? There's a good chance, given children often ARE more perceptive than most people think, that they know something's up. It might be reassuring to know their prayers are being answered, right?

[She smiled faintly at that.]

I'm not worried about them seeing us, Trunks.

I'm more worried about them seeing what we have to do. And who we'll be fighting against.

[Of course she was, and she was right. He had a faint smile in answer to her own.]

Right... Stake-out for now then, and as much as we want to keep it contained--maybe I play distraction/target. Either by keeping the ayakashi here while you draw the kids away, or I draw the ayakashi outside and away.

The latter one, for sure.

[Though, all seriousness aside, it was clear she was doing her best to contain a hint of amusement in her eyes.]

Although, for the record, i'm sure you would be just as good at distracting the children.

[The two Trunks remained separate in her mind, yes, but there were moments where she could almost overlap them. And their current predicament reminder her of Trunks' ability to ease little Maki's tears. Taking on such a brotherly role towards her and Haru, even in the face of so much horror around them.]

[Oh no, no no no, he is picking up that amusement, even if he's not entirely sure why it's there. It brings an answering smile, tiny and a bit shy, but genuine.]

I appreciate the compliment, and the thought. We can test it some other time, preferably when we don't have to worry about ayakashi.

[For now though, stake-out. Which...honestly didn't mean they couldn't start forming a rapport with any kids who saw them. Letting his gaze meander over things, that smile grew some. His eyes flicked back to Mai, and there is now mischief on that smile.]

Until we have to fight though.......dibs on the crayons!

[Because someone will indeed head straight for one of the tables, and start watching the children drawing. He might even draw with them. On the table. ~~Good thing the tables are meant for that here.]~~

[...]

[...what...just happened?]

[The moment was so spontaneously absurd that Trunks left Mai standing in the doorway for a long moment, blinking in bewilderment. And not breaking from her state until he was already at the table and drawing alongside a few children. Only then did she smile. Resisting the urge to chuckle, even, as she stepped forward to join them.]

[No sooner did she sit down, then one of the younger girls looked up. And directly at the two of them. She tilted her head in consideration for a moment before smiling and pointing...]

Pretty!

[...at Trunks.]

[What just happened, Mai, was him indulging in a moment of childishness. Especially since he's sitting with them, and happily drawing small additions to what they're working on. A boat, a car, a dinosaur... A flamingo that breathes fire--one of the others notices that and is giggling. Trunks just has a soft smile on his face at that, as it's a bit of an in joke, that Flamingo.

Whether he heard the little girl's comment or not, he is not telling. Mostly because one of the other kids has now drawn a giant flying fish, shooting water bubbles at the flamingo that breathes fire. Trunks is letting himself watch, as the little boy and his sister comment on the scene, debating whether to give the fish horns or not.]

[Trunks might not have heard it.]

[But Mai did.]

[And recognized the comment for what it was. Enough that she ended up hiding a fit of giggles behind one hand as she focused on her own drawing. In her case, two lovely human stick figures, one wearing a green cap, and a little cat figure between them.]

[The giggles had Trunks' attention flicking to her briefly, head-tilting curiously. But she didn't seem inclined to share, so he went back to his drawing with the kids. Adding some more 'monsters' to the scene, as the little boy added a giant robot, and the girl next to him added a fairy princess.

The scene was getting crowded though, so Trunks carefully extricated himself from that table, and moved to a new one. Passing Mai on the way, and grinning at her stick figures.]

Too bad we can't take it home, hang it up in the Temple, huh?

[Before he'll retake his seat though, he's doing a slow-walk around the kid's area. Eyes open, as a waiter just brought some food out to one of the tables. Nothing yet, although another waiter is on the way with a tray and more food...]

[...which was carried all the way over to the most crowded table before Mai noticed the slight wobble.]

[She reacted on instinct, and was up and pulling the kids out of the way just as the entire tray toppled, sending heavy dishes and hot food raining down all over the area where they had been sitting just moments prior.]

[Mai has the kids--and the waiter had enough training to step back from the hot-mess. His own attention had him turning and studying things--that wobble, the scene, his eyes darting. Was that normal clumsiness or an ayakashi?

Maybe both, as there had been...something? One of the other staff has come over too, to help start cleaning up and to ask what happened. There's a murmur of 'thought I saw something' from the first, and that has Trunks' full attention. Letting Mai do what she does best, he's winding his way closer and studying the overturned tray and dishes and utensils.

Kneeling close, focused (and glad that the waitstaff aren't really aware or paying attention to him). Especially when he spots a shadowy...thing. Tiny, but quick--and it's movement is the only reason he spotted it. Fortunately he's been practicing and training, so his reflexes are also good. A quick Borderline, and the small ayakashi--it looked like a worm with hands--has smacked into the border.]

Found it!

[She glanced to him out of the corner of her eye, giving a sharp nod in understanding. Then, trusting him to immediately deal with the ayakashi according to plan, she turned her attention back to the room. To the small children who weren't sure whether or not to be afraid or excited or laugh at the mess that they didn't make! ]

[And, of course, to the adults, whose panic would be even worse.]

I thought that floor looked a little uneven.

It's a good thing nobody got hurt!

[It wasn't clear whether all of them could hear her. Certainly some of the kids could; the younger ones, who weren't sure how to react to this. But were glad when it seemed someone was taking a reassuring role--a grown-up role. Mai's words also affected the adults, helping them be calmer. Starting to move children away from the spilled area, offering more crayons and promising to bring replacements out soon. Adults murmuring about getting the wet floor sign, and so on.

Trunks trusted Mai to deal with her part according to the plan too, as he advanced on the small ayakashi. It zigged after rebounding into his Borderline, trying to get another way around and heading for one of the overturned bowls.]

Oh no you don't!

[It's hissed, Trunks not thinking--just darting his hand out. Ignoring the sting of Blight-pain as he manages to grab and hold the ayakashi-worm before it can escape into the large bowl.]

Got it, heading outside!

[It stung, but it wasn't going to make him lose his grip.]

[A quick nod.]

[Understood. I'll be there in a moment.]

[Getting up and dashing out of the room right then would have been too conspicuous. Too potentially panic-inducing. So she tried a more subtle approach, slowly moving around the room. Aiding in a few pickups. Coming to the aid of one child who looked a little too forlornly at the food spilled everywhere. Making her rounds until opportunity presented itself where she could slip out.]

[From there, she broke into a run after the direction she saw Trunks head.]

[Trunks was managing to ignore the continued stinging while keeping a tight grasp on the worm-like ayakashi, and hadn't gone far. Just far enough out and around the street to be away from the Restaurant. Also keeping an eye out, and when catching Mai leaving--he waved his free-hand.]

Over here! It's a quick, agile, and tiny one, so be prepared.

[He wouldn't have to wait all that long; she was quick on her feet, hearing his assessment even before she reached him.]

Try to corner or capture it if you can!

Already have it.

[He is quite literally just waiting for Mai to join him.]

I wanted to warn you, before we try and Rend it.

...huh.

[Sure enough, as she caught up with him, she realized he had, in fact, captured the little guy. Who seemed pretty annoyed and occasionally wanting to test the barrier around him before hesitating. Realizing it might be a bad idea.]

You work fast. [Stating the obvious, perhaps, but in such a way that it was meant to be taken as a compliment.] Alright, then. Before he starts getting any new ideas...

[Positioning herself so that she was close to the ayakashi, facing it directly, she extended a hand and initiated the transformation.]

Easier to grab it when I first saw it, and just ignore the sting.

[Because it's tiny and little enough that he didn't want to chance losing it. Some quick borderlines to help fence it in, before he's dropping the ayakashi when Mai takes up her position and extends her hand.

The transformation from shinki to vessel-form is always strange, in that Trunks is...not aware, but there is the sense of 'him' in the sword and scabbard all the same. An awareness of the air around Mai, that increases when she draws the blade.]

[Mai had managed to time the duration of Trunks' transformation practically down to the nanosecond.]

[...okay, maybe she wasn't that precise--her godly brain still had its limits--but she was fairly confident in her ability to assess the precise moment to not only tense her grip around the hilt of his weaponized form, but to strike. A split-second's window of ideal opportunity between resource and the ayakashi's inevitable release from the border.]

[There was no point in dragging things out. Her movements were swift and deliberate, slashing down hard on the creature with a single blow.]

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[closed] Just Eat It, Eat it

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