nothing is as good as it was back home

[panzerlied]

WHO: Klaus and you
WHERE: Around the city.
WHEN: Monday (6/10), all day.
WARNINGS: None.
SUMMARY: Klaus goes for a run and then coffee.
FORMAT: Quick to start, will match.

1.

[ As usual, Klaus gets up ridiculously early - by 6 am, he's already warming up in front of the MAC.

After half an hour or so, he can be found running around the block while reading a newspaper and holding more under his arm; he's so concentrated in what's he's doing that he nearly runs into other people on a couple of occasions, which he barely acknowledges with a "Be more careful!". ]

2.

[ Having used the past two weeks to take care of more urgent matters, Klaus has decided to put his free time to good use and familiarize himself with the city. Likewise, he has also decided that he might as well try to regain some sense of normalcy, which for him included finding good coffee and good cigarettes.

Unfortunately, despite his best efforts, so far he has failed to find either.

So, for the evening, Klaus can be found going through coffee shops, doing pretty much the same thing in every one - getting a cup, tasting it, and then giving it away to the nearest person who will take it. ]

Comments

morning

[quiteliterally]

[Chris is running the opposite way, so caught up in Cansei de Ser Sexy that he doesn't notice the other man either. The force of knocking into Klaus sends him sprawling across the sidewalk, though his smile never falters. Instead of acknowledging the fall, he merely gets himself to his feet and removes his other earbud--one had fallen out when he hit the ground. Chris points at the other man, his grin widening steadily.]

I thought I was the only one who did that. No reason why personal fitness has to be mutually exclusive from keeping yourself updated in current events, am I right?

I like to watch the news when I run at the gym, I find it invigorating.

[panzerlied]

[ Expecting some kind of angry response, Klaus had been ready for an argument as soon as they ran into each other. However, he wasn't expecting friendliness, so he has a slightly confused expression when he speaks.]

It's a good way to make the most of one's time. Sitting still while reading the paper feels like a waste.

[ After a second, his expression changes back to being serious and he raises an eyebrow. ]

Are you alright?

[quiteliterally]

Fine, don't worry about it. [He's waving a hand even though there's a visible scrape on his cheek. It doesn't seem to bother him.]

Sitting still while doing almost anything feels like a waste, and usually is, because you aren't moving. A body in motion is the most productive body one can have.

[panzerlied]

[ Klaus nods - other than the scrape on the cheek, he looks fine, and he said not to worry. ]

Good of you to think like that. The best thing that someone can be is productive, body and mind.

[ He discreetly rearranges the newspapers so he's holding the bunch with both hands in front of him rather than under one arm. ] I'm Major Eberbach, it's a pleasure to meet you. [ Did he just change the newspapers' position so he wouldn't have to offer his hand? Yes, he did. ]

[quiteliterally]

It's my pleasure. Truly. [Chris holds out a hand anyway, seemingly undeterred by Klaus' deliberate movement. Or maybe he just doesn't notice.] Chris Traeger, Indiana state budget auditor. ...Which branch of the military do you serve in, sir?

#2

[idontdoyay]

I don't know you. And you just put your mouth on that. [Lily looks offended and weirded out by the stranger offering her coffee he's just sipped while she watched. But then she asks,] What is it?

[panzerlied]

It's coffee.

[ He rolls his eyes like it's a completely normal conversation and she's somehow wrong for finding it weird. ]

I paid for it, but I didn't like it. And I can't just throw a drink away.

[idontdoyay]

Only you can because this is New York, the city of waste. [But she's actually smiling a bit. Perhaps not genuinely, but still. It's a step up.] And I meant what kind of coffee, dumbass. [said lightly, almost affectionate--] Espresso, Latte, Capuccino, Macchiato, Frapucchino? Come on, work with me here.

[panzerlied]

I'm not going to start doing it just because I'm in America!

[ Klaus, on the other hand, is frowning. He doesn't get called a dumbass everyday. ]

It's a Long Black.

[idontdoyay]

Well... [She considers for a moment, then holds out her hand.] I guess it would be a waste of perfectly good coffee. Though, let the record reflect that I prefer mine as expensive as possible and I totally could afford my own $12 latte.

I'm doing this to help you, not me.

...You don't have any diseases, do you? [She doesn't wait for an answer, she's already sipping.]

[panzerlied]

[ He answers anyway because for all her complaining, she did take a sip. ]

Of course not! I wouldn't be giving it away if I had a disease of some sort. What kind of sick person does that? [ He crosses his arms. Despite the fact that he has never tasted said latte, his tone is mildly reprimanding. ] What you usually get better be excellent for that price.

[idontdoyay]

[That gets a grin, and she shrugs one shoulder.] It usually isn't, but it's pricey being pretentious in the City.

Though the allowance we get here is pretty pathetic. I should probably look into.... like, supplementing my income, somehow.

Why didn't you like this? It's not half bad. And I know you're not from here and all, but lepers totally don't mind giving you leprosy here, just for the hell of it.

[panzerlied]

You use the allowance to buy high-end coffee. [ He pinches the bridge of his noise. ] Yes, you should get a job. Or at least demand your money's worth for the things you buy.

Anyway, it sure as hell doesn't taste as something that I could drink everyday --

[ After the leprosy comment, he stares at her for a good two or three seconds. ]

And you go around accepting coffee from strangers?

[idontdoyay]

...You don't know anything about capitalism, do you? Besides, you don't look like a leper.

evening

[retropolis]

[ Nelson's on his way home from work though, since it's still barely dark out (one of the nice things about summer's slow approach) he takes his time, stopping by a coffee shop to get a cup he can sip on his way home.

Needless to say it's surprising when he's abruptly handed a cup by a handsome stranger. ]

Uh -- thank you, what's this for?

[panzerlied]

To drink. [ A beat. ] I'm giving it away because I didn't like the taste, but I can't bring myself to throw it away.

[ He stares at Nelson for a second - it takes him a moment to recognize him, and another to actually remember his name. ]

Nelson, isn't it?

[retropolis]

Oh. You drank some?

[ Nelson frowns, peering into the cup, but unable to throw it away himself he continues to hold it. He looks up again, nodding his head. ]

Yes, that's me. [ He offers his hand, then tilts his head slightly to place Klaus -- it doesn't take long, though, that voice is unmistakable. ] Major Klaus, right?

[panzerlied]

I tasted it, of course I drank some.

[ Normally, he wouldn't have shaken Nelson's hand, but he's happy enough with the fact that Nelson actually called him Major Klaus to do so. Still, it's a very firm, very quick shake. ]

It's a pleasue to meet you in person.

[retropolis]

Um -- well, if it was just a sip I suppose there's no harm done.

[ Though he still frowns a little, looking warily at the cup before he takes an equally wary sip. It tastes fine to him, at least. The handshake gets more of a smile out of him. ]

Likewise, I always like putting a face to a name. I hope you've settled in all right. No big trouble, I take it?

[panzerlied]

[ Klaus returns the smile - it's more for the fact that he got rid of the cup of coffee without having to throw it away, but what Nelson doesn't know won't hurt him. ]

I have taken care of most things, but I'm still trying to figure out -- [ saying it out loud still sounds ridiculous to him] what of kind powers I have, and I'm still looking for a job. I have too much time for my liking without one.

[retropolis]

I know what you mean. I think something to do with yourself around here does more good than harm -- no point in letting yourself dwell longer than you have to.

[ Hesitantly he takes another sip of coffee. ]

What sort of job are you looking for?

[panzerlied]

I'm not deluding myself into thinking that I can simply walk to the nearest intelligence office and demand a job. [ He puts a hand in his pocket, taking out a cigarette pack and a lighter. ] One that will keep me busy. When I say that I have too much time I mean it, my average work weeks used to be somewhere around sixty hours.

[retropolis]

[ Nelson nods, eyebrows raised a little thoughtfully. He shrugs one shoulder. ]

Well, if security is something that would ever interest you, you should let me know. I do hiring for that sort of thing, but it isn't for everyone, of course. Either way, I know just how hard it can be having extra time on your hands. [ With a sigh: ] We all have to start up again from nothing.

[panzerlied]

[ Suddenly, all the times he ever ended up causing trouble for security people while on a mission come back to him. Good thing he doesn't believe in karma. ] I appreciate the offer. Where do you work? [ He's about to light a cigarette, but stops midway. ] You don't mind, do you?

[retropolis]

Oh no, go right ahead. I'd even ask to borrow one if I didn't have my hands full. [ He indicates the coffee cup with a raise of his hand and a slight smile. ] City Hall. Very stable, I'm sure you can imagine.

[panzerlied]

I'm interested. [ He lights the cigarette and puts the pack away. ] I assume there is some kind of process? An interview or something similar?

[retropolis]

An interview, yes. We could set up a meeting, you just come by my office sometime on a weekday.

[ He smiles a little more broadly. ]

If that's all right. It's relatively straightforward as far as interviews go, if that's any reassurance to you.

evening

[invoking]

[ Gil stopped in on his way to the subway, wanting a quick cup of coffee. Before he can even make his way to the counter, someone's handing him their cup -- it looks like they've already taken a sip -- and he stands there bewildered. ]

... Excuse me?

[panzerlied]

I'm giving it away so it doesn't go to waste. [ As if expecting a question or some kind of comment, he adds immediately: ] There is nothing wrong with it, but I don't like it enough to drink it myself.

[invoking]

[ Gil looks down a the cup again. ]

... Thank you, but I can't accept this.

[panzerlied]

[ He looks at the cup as well, then at Gil. ]

Why not?

[invoking]

[ He's astonished he gets asked that question. He quirks an eyebrow at first before both furrow at him. ]

You drank from it. You can't go around handing something you've put your mouth on to others.

[panzerlied]

You can't if you are sick or have poor hygiene, but my mouth is probably cleaner than the cup itself.

[ He holds out the cup insistently. ]

[invoking]

Your germs are on it! [ He takes a step back. ] I don't want it.