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

[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.