people are connecting, don't know what to say

[soldiarity]

WHO: REINER BRAUN and YOU
WHERE: Nonah. Maurtia Falls. Gettin' around.
WHEN: August 1st - 3rd.
WHAT: Reiner wants to enjoy his birthday.
WARNINGS: But why would anything nice ever happen? (that is, TBA if needed.)



( credit. )

1. ( RUNNING, nonah | friday (morning) | OPEN ★ during or after running )

[ The morning of the 1st, Reiner is up early for no particular reason; it isn't a kick or an elbow to the side from Bertholdt that wakes him today, but he's out of bed and in the kitchen by barely 6 AM.

He puts out a plate for the cupcakes he made with Aracely for Bertholdt and Annie -- just two, one for each of them since he surrendered his own to give to Sasha for her birthday -- with a post-it note beside each to label who it was for, then decides to go for a run and pick up some breakfast for everyone before anyone else wakes up. Bagels and coffee, maybe, or breakfast sandwiches... the specifics aren't too important, he's awake and has energy, so running is the priority; he can plan a route spanning blocks and that cuts through a park even if he detours for food, the nice thing about living in a city. He can get dressed, put on his shoes, and go without having to go for miles (as he sometimes does) by combining tasks.

It's a nice day, and he's not even out of breath by the time he's waiting in line for sandwiches, nor will he be when he'll return home an hour later with breakfast in tow. ]

2. ( DRINKING, maurtia falls | friday (evening) | OPEN ☆ at bar or around the city)

[ Although Reiner was more than happy to accept an invite for drinks -- illegal, maybe, but it seems that's the only way they'll be able to drink around here as it is -- what he's even more excited about the trip up to Maurtia Falls is riding the bullet train to get there (Nonah's monorail may have been destroyed, but the train is still as active and infamous as it was at the World's Fair it was unveiled at). Once actually in Maurtia Falls, a little time is spent getting a feel for the area before Reiner looks up the bar they're going to, although most of that time is spent by the canal, admiring it.

When the sun begins going down it's bar time; Reiner sits at the counter and stares in confused indecision at the menu, which is way more varied than what he's used to (what he's used to: "Just One Kind of Beer"). The pressure's on. ]

3. ( ANYWAY YOU WANT IT, anywhere | any time | OPEN )

[ Wildcard prompt! Wherever and whatever doesn't fit into the above two scenarios. ]

Comments

1

[lyingheart]

[ Annie has been staring at that cupcake since she got up, right as Reiner left. The ever present post-it notes they all use are in evidence, and that's her name, right there, clearly.

Why in the world it is there?

She leaves that question alone, bundling up and hitting the pavement. She heads toward trees, any trees, taking her own morning run on her own. She'll ask Bertholdt if he knows what's going on with Reiner (Annie, Annie, the things you don't see) when she returns.

Only it's Reiner that she sees back at the house, pulling off her shoes and starting to shrug out of her ever-present hoodie. She feels a little warm, and here, at least, she's not as opposed to taking off one of her layers... not by now.

She pads into the kitchen, hoodie folded over an arm, and looks over to Reiner. ]

What's with that?

[ She asks, indicating the cupcake with a roll of her hand. ]

[soldiarity]

Oh, hey Annie.

[ Reiner hears her come over as he's pouring himself some water, the bags containing the food he brought back still sitting unpacked on the counter so they'll stay warm.

Sipping from his glass, he walks over and looks from the plate in question back to her. ]

What, you didn't eat it yet? I made them for you guys. Uh-- it's only the first time I've tried, they might not be any good. [ It doesn't occur to him yet to mention any occasion to explain why. ] You can save it for later too, if you'd rather do that. Just try it at least, okay?

[lyingheart]

[ She's only ever called Reiner a friend in front of a bunch of civilian teenagers who were half out of their minds with panic. There's no reason she can think of for him to be baking for the both of them except by accidental proxy... or with Reiner, she supposes it might be genuine.

He's that sort of person in his better moods. ]

Okay... but why? Why this?

[ Gestures again. It just... where did it come from? Why today? When did he start baking? What is in the bags on the counter? Too many mysteries this early in the morning. ]

[soldiarity]

Well...

[ He frowns a little, rubbing the back of his neck as he walks over to the bags of food -- finally -- to begin unpacking them, setting aside two wrapped sandwiches and holding the one meant to be his in one hand. Still, he doesn't unwrap it immediately, and continues a touch sheepishly: ]

It's the 1st of August, I thought we should try to have a good time today. That's not so bad, is it?

[ Leave it to Annie to be the strange buzzkill. ]

[lyingheart]

No, it isn't...

[ She doesn't even mean to be a buzzkill. She's not used to random acts of kindness (TM), let alone anything like this. Home made goods? ]

But why today of all days in particular?

[soldiarity]

[ He stares at her for a moment, eyebrows furrowed thoughtfully, before it occurs to him. ]

You know it's my birthday, right? [ He's more surprised than offended (or anything like that), but as he asks it occurs to him that maybe not everyone tried to keep track of things like that for everyone the way he did. ] I just thought we could have a nice time for one day. We need to try enjoying it here sooner or later.

3.

[ofloveandbeauty]

[She had done this before, the whole dying and coming back routine.

Yet she is still shaken up, she hadn't known what was going to happen and walking up in a morgue had been a surprise the say the least. She remembered dying in Reiner's arms, how he had wanted to save her. Though the other senshi and Artemis were so far away, she hadn't been alone. But there were other questions she had and she knew they had to talk.

She had texted him that she would meet him in Nonah, where he lived when they could talk alone. When she knocked on his door, it was without her usual excited expression. In fact she looked a bit tired as she waited for him to answer.]

[soldiarity]

[ Reiner had stared at Minako's text for a long time without knowing how to respond, not only unsettled by hearing from a friend he'd seen die (much as he'd felt when he'd seen Mike Zacharias again) but wondering, also, if she wanted to talk to him just to thank him or if there was something else on her mind.

It could be anything, really; Reiner has been tense and distantly uneasy ever since they had all made it back from the "summer camp," not weighed down with trauma but by the sense of a guillotine blade hanging somewhere high over his head. It's nothing to do with Minako necessarily, but her text draws back those memories regardless. His expression is, thus, drawn when he opens the door, although it becomes more friendly -- uneasy, concerned, but friendly -- when he sees her. ]

Hey, Minako. I'm glad you're... is everything all right?

[ofloveandbeauty]

I'm alright now. [Minako knew that Reiner wasn't used to this, even if this wasn't the first time she had come back from the dead. Her and her friends had become accustomed to such things so she wasn't sure what to say. She at least attempts a smile when he answers the door but it doesn't quite reach her eyes.]

Can I come in? [She asked as she stepped closer, looking at him for a moment before wrapping her arms around him in a hug. As awkward as it was, she had just acted on impulse, hoping that he didn't mind.]

[soldiarity]

[ Staring at her, Reiner's grip on the door tightens very slightly, his eyebrows furrowing for a moment before he nods his head, opening the door wider to let her by. ]

Good thing. I'm really glad to see you... [ It's not a lie, of course, despite however conflicted he feels right at the moment about related -- but not to her, specifically -- circumstances. He tenses in surprise when she hugs him, but doesn't move away; he rests his hand on her back, allowing her the moments she needs to be held like that. ] Do you want something to eat or drink?

[ofloveandbeauty]

I'm good but thanks. [She said as she stepped back, letting him go and entered when he held the door open for her. Minako looked around, she hadn't ever been over to Reiner's place but there was too much on her mind for her to enjoy this moment. She turned to look at him, not quite sure where to begin but she sat down on the couch, taking a deep breath.]

I wanted to say thank you for saving me. It meant a lot to me that you would do that.

2

[attractedtodarkness]

[Violet is back at work the day after everyone was rescued from the little summer games event. She needed a distraction and this was it - Maurtia Falls and its people who don't care about what or who she is.

She brightens up when she spots Reiner and walks over to him and deadpans the usual introduction.]

Welcome to Devil's Nest. What do you want?

[soldiarity]

I don't know what I want...

[ His attention is still transfixed in the depths of the menu, trying to puzzle out what the different vocabulary means.

Finally after a few more moments he looks up at Violet, head tilted, and points to a random item. ]

Is this one any good?

[attractedtodarkness]

[Violet leans over to look.]

I can give you a recommendation if you trust my taste. Can't promise it won't be the most expensive item on the menu though.

[she's teasing, mostly.]

[soldiarity]

Expensive is fine. It's my birthday today, I expected to spend some money. Why not live a little, right?

[ He leans over as well, still unable to make any sense out of the extensive -- but certainly impressive -- menu. ]

What's your favorite?

[attractedtodarkness]

Really. [huh. Maybe doing something nice for someone she actually likes will help her feel better]

In that case, your first drink's on me. [she glances the menu over, making sure what she wants to get him] I'll be right back. [she purposefully avoids his question about her favorite, just so he'll be surprised when the drink arrives]

1; running

[worrior]

[ It's already 6AM and surprise, Reiner's up and awake already. Bertholdt stretches out and takes over the whole bed. A few minutes of basking, then he gets up.

It's his best friend's birthday.

That reminder gives him a slight burst of energy and he washes up, changes and walks out into the kitchen. There are cupcakes, surrounded by their post-its. He peers at them; at the post-it notes to see if there's anything new then at the cupcakes, smiling at Reiner's labour. That's not a real breakfast though and he intends to bring home the bacon, literally.

He leaves a new post-it note - "Getting breakfast" for Annie and Reiner, if he comes back before he does.

Instead, he sees Reiner sooner than expected. Bertholdt, holding a bag of food and a tray of coffee, sees Reiner looking sweatier than him for once. From a distance, he waves and smiles, holding up his bag of food. ]

I got breakfast!

[soldiarity]

Oh--! Great!

[ One of many surprises the day is yet to offer; Reiner pushes his own bag aside, bounding over to Bertholdt but not embracing him (too sweaty for that still). He beams at his friend, grin large and sincerely pleased. ]

You didn't need to do that, Bertholdt. I could have gotten breakfast -- and you saw what I left for you, right? [ He indicates the cupcakes, then wipes his forehead. ] But I should probably take a shower first. Will you wait for me?

[ Not that he wants to leave Bertholdt there, but, well, gross. ]

[worrior]

[ There's something absolutely relieving seeing Reiner like this, happy and sweaty and doing something so mundane. His smile's soft and he reach a hand out, rubs Reiner's shoulder all too casually. Quietly, still lost in that one moment where he realize life could be normal: ]

Yeah, I saw.

[ He picks up his spirit again and pats Reiner's sweaty back, which he honestly doesn't mind since he's been the sweatier person before. ]

But it's your birthday! I wanted to get you something to start the day off. We can have the cupcakes too.

[soldiarity]

[ Casual as it may be, Reiner pays attention to that brief touch against his shoulder, letting himself relax into it.

His smile grows, turning on Bertholdt warmly, and he rubs Bertholdt's shoulder back. ]

I'll let you take care of me just this once, then. [ With a laugh: ] So what's for breakfast?

2

[glowsferatu]

[ it's the first day of their reopening, and with so much going on at the devil's nest for greed to mind, kanaya's in charge of the bar. she's been keeping up pretty well with the patrons, but one has been lagging considerably, to the point where eventually he's the only one she hasn't served yet.

after a few moments of standing there, waiting as his indecision continues, she realizes she's actually met him before, and has a mild, weak hope that maybe he won't recognize her as well. no one needs to recall their mutual spyhunting shame.

but she can't well avoid him, either. he's a patron and she's the bartender. helping him reach a decision should be her job. ]

Have you got it narrowed down at all?

[soldiarity]

[ He glances up when he hears her voice, and gives her a smile that could either be one of recognition or of general friendliness; Reiner does, after all, have that amiable manner to him almost without having to try. ]

Hey there. Actually it's sort of hard -- I've never had a whole list to choose from. [ He glances from her back to the menu, and points to the subsection with lagers. ] Have you tried any of these?

[glowsferatu]

[ it's always the difficult part of tending bar when you very consciously don't drink. most people know what they want already, and for the rest she usually just picks whatever's popular. it would be easier for her if he had asked about the wine list, she never cared for beer.

she glances back at the list, narrowing her eyes. ] Sam Adams is usually good. I have plenty of customers who swear by it. [ everyone always orders the american one. not just a national pride, but a regional one as well. ] But having a list just gives you a chance to experiment, I'm sure we can find one you'll like.

[soldiarity]

I'll try it, then. I'm not picky -- back home we just have "beer." Y'know?

[ He lets her have the menu, fairly settled in having that decided for the moment. If he doesn't like it he'll just get another one; no big deal. But he's also got a strong stomach and doesn't count on having much of a problem with the choice. ]

Have you worked here a while? Seems like a cool job.

[glowsferatu]

[ she takes a mug and moves down the bar to the right spout, filling it until the foam hits the edge and sets it down in front of him, on a coaster as is proper. nothing wrong going on here, just a bartender who's seventeen serving beer to a patron who's sixteen. what could be more right about that? ]

I've been here since we first opened in May! Not always at the bar, Greed generally prefers doing this himself. But with everything that comes with reopening, he's been a bit busy today.

All the same, I'm enjoying myself well enough, and being paid well. [ and casually breaking who knows how many laws. anything goes for the sake of rose's tuition. ]