Mingle and an Intro: Welcome to the Box!

[gravemanagement]

[ On today, a long-time business has been bought for the day and paid well. Whoever paid it wants people to eat and make merry for some reason. Must be a holiday? Huh, all devices showing the date day it's the new year. It doesn't matter what day it was for you before now, it's not the new year. And you? You are at the Chloe Café at 1:30PM.

Waiters and waitresses will take your order. Really, it's a chill time. Even if you're supposed to be dead? You're alive now, somewhere in Los Angeles, Japanifornia. Welcome and have a good day, because eventually there's gonna be a murder to solve in this big ol' city. ]

Comments

[marlonmajesty]

[ Kachessa Strahl is an up-and-coming defense attorney. Because of course she is. The daughter of some wealthy business entrepreneurs, she's here for some tea. And oh boy, does she have tea. She is, quite possibly, on her fifth cup while she reads the morning paper. ]

[guiltyguitar]

[ Tea? Nah. He likes coffee.

But how can he resist such a beautiful woman in front of him. Lucky place, lucky time, it seems. He pulled up on his bike the same way he does most places. And then he orders a coffee, some milk and sugar. He's carrying a little pile of documents. He's got a lot to go over for this current case. It's going to be a pain in the ass.

Seriously, a hit and run? Who does that anymore. It's not like they had any trouble finding the guy. He slides in to the table next to her. Then smiles.

Now the question is. Does she recognize the rock-star sensation and prosecutor, or is she that unaware? ]

Looks like I'm not the only one hitting the books this morning. Anything in your paper that's interesting, Fräulein?

[marlonmajesty]

[ She immediately looks like she's tasted something sour. ]

Casual flirting will get you nowhere with me. You remind me too much of my ex with that.

[guiltyguitar]

Ouch. Are you sure your shoulders aren't made of ice? I've had warmer receptions at a funeral.

[ Smile smile. He's not deterred. :) ]

Besides. I've heard about you. You're the newbie, aren't you? Congrats.

[marlonmajesty]

[ She is looking increasingly annoyed. ]

Go away. Who I am is none of your business.

[1/2]

[guiltyguitar]

...

[ A small pause. Wow. This one is very grumpy... ]

[2/2]

[guiltyguitar]

... Oh, I think it's a lot my business. I like to keep up to date on who I might end up tangoing with in court.

[ ... He's being a bit more serious this time, even if it's in the same friendly tone with the same smile. ]

Which is to say, I'm interested in what kind of music you're going to make.

[marlonmajesty]

[ Well. Now he finally has her attention. She'll look up for a minute, before looking back down. ]

...Chess.

[guiltyguitar]

[ ... Hmmmm. ]

I'd be careful with that. Pawns are tricksy little guys, ja?

[marlonmajesty]

Every piece can be tricky. It's how you move them about. That's evidence, using it as a counterattack against the evidence that your opponent presents. If their pieces are arranged in a manner that can't be penetrated, then one side of the board falls and loses.

[ Chess!!! She likes chess!!! ]

[contemptiblecourtmaster]

[ Yeah he's cheap, so if it's paid for, you know he's going to take advantage of that.

Something about this feels weird, but whatever. He's going to settle in and find a nice place to sit and go over the various pretrial nonsense. He orders some tea and gets to work.

...

Honestly.

Who in this day and age still uses a fountain pen...? ]

[guiltyguitar]

[ Heh. He likes her, he thinks. ]

I don't view court as a battle. It's like a recital. Everyone's got their own parts to play, and if someone is off during the performance, then it's going to sound bad.

The melody of truth is always the sweetest to hear, anyway. Our job is to make sure Fräulein Justice hands out the right decisions. Don't you think?

[bittertasteofdefeat]

[It's not surprising that Godot would find himself at a café like this one, really. Life's too short for bad coffee, and while he could easily be percolating his own - well, it's just like the spirit of ordering a meal out somewhere, isn't it? Just because you can cook, doesn't necessarily mean that you always want to do so. Far as that goes, the same could be said of enjoying an occasional cup or twelve in a quiet establishment, away from the noise and crowds of the courthouse.

The fact that there was another patron today, however, did not escape his notice.]

Haven't had your fill of the world's troubles at work?

[There's a smirk on his lips as he asks that, canting his head to the side slightly.

The expression is forced, if only because it serves more to communicate intent as an ice-breaker/something of an attempt at bleak gallows humor, rather than an honest inquiry. Fact is, on a daily basis in this line of work, you see and hear a lot of unfortunate things. Everyone has a sob story. Reading the news on top of that, some days, would only serve as another grim reminder of how terrible the state of affairs really was.]

[marlonmajesty]

[ Of course she comes over. And she'll sit down across from him. ]

Hello, Gallerian. Busy?

[contemptiblecourtmaster]

[ He chuckles.

Yes, in a sense, he is indeed busy. The outcome for this case had already been decided days ago, but... well. He still has to do his homework. ]

Aren't I always. What about you? Congratulations, by the way. I heard about you passing the bar recently.

[marlonmajesty]

Rook keeps me busy. As does a certain ex-boyfriend. ...He still thinks we should get back together.

[ She has her tea. ]

[unjustjustice]

...

[ He makes a face. As a father in his own right, he has opinions about Veno. ]

You really, really shouldn't associate with that man. He's nothing but trouble.

[marlonmajesty]

He also is a good father to Rook. He shows up for every holiday he can, and if I'm busy he'll make time to watch him if 'Fina can't.

[ Besides. Everyone is trouble in this town it's fucking LA. ]

[unjustjustice]

Yes, but that hardly makes up for the trouble he brings with him. I swear if I see him in my courtroom again I will personally beat him to death with my gavel.

[ HE'S SO TIRED, CHESSA. SO TIRED. ]

[marlonmajesty]

It's not his fault that apparently he makes a convenient patsy. I know he can be obnoxious, but really.

[unjustjustice]

He really ought to try not being in the worst place at the worst times at every single moment. I swear, it's like he's made a career out of being as inconvenient to the law as possible.

[ A long, drawn-out sigh. ]

And I still am not entirely sure I understand what his line of work actually is.

[marlonmajesty]

I wish I knew, but it pays well so he definitely can pay child support.

[ Listen. She's not gonna judge on lifestyle. ]

[unjustjustice]

... I don't like him.

[ Gallerian is a serious, no-nonsense kind of guy most of the time. Of course he doesn't like him. ]

You should find someone safe to settle with instead of letting him invade your life.

[ You know, like he did, with his relatively loveless marriage. Clearly. ]

He does seem to rather pine after you.

[marlonmajesty]

[ The look she is giving you. ]

I live with Fina, anyway. He's still my friend.

[unjustjustice]

... Mmh.

[ He takes his tea. Takes a drink. It's clear his opinion of Veno is... low. ]

... How is Rook? I imagine it's going to be tough once you're busy in court to work with him.