[closed]

[hannya]

Who: Majima (hannya) & Matt (ghettobatman)
What: Just two normal dudes doing some day drinking and not sizing each other up at all.
When: Backdated to August
Where: Olympia, around the Marketplace
Warning(s): None!

Majima waits at one of the archways marking the transition between the residential district and the market area, sure to keep to the shade. As much as he'd like to get a job already, it's a better day for drinking than hitting the pavement. Summer seems just a bit harsher on this planet, so fortunately their liquor is that much stronger. Hopefully Matt won't mind stuff on the rocks.

Despite the heat, Majima still puffs on a cigarette. Not even a slight breeze carries the smoke away from him, and the strange new scent of alien tobacco wraps around him like a spell circle. He didn't insist on finding Matt's exact location, but the bustle of the market does make him wonder if he should have. If the Orbiters were so damn good at fixing people, why couldn't they make a blind guy see? Of all the things they've done so far, it hardly seems like the most improbable.

But the guy said he was from New York, so he had to be used to this kind of crowd. Right?

Comments

[ghettobatman]

Absolutely. Matt's lived in New York his whole life, even if he didn't have super senses he would have been able to navigate a crowd like a second sense. And, well, he does have super senses. Majima won't be waiting long before he hears the tell-tale tap of the cane on the ground, and spots a blind man in the vicinity. He doesn't approach Majima, but instead stops semi-nearby, stepping out of the way of incoming foot traffic.

"Majima?"

His voice carries -- he is a lawyer (sometimes) after all, and hopefully that's enough.

As for the alcohol, well, he won't complain. he just needs a drink; it's not like he's ever been picky.

(He's already missing Josie's...)

[hannya]

Majima's head snaps up from attending to his cigarette when he hears his name being called with a teacher's level of clarity. He tosses it aside and steps on the butt as he meets Matt halfway in the street.

"Matt, right?" he asks, brushing the toe of his shoe against Matt's cane to show him he's there. He's still not used to hearing Western names come so easily out of his mouth, but he's pretty sure he got it right.

[ghettobatman]

It's easy enough for Matt to find him -- they've met once but he still remembers his heartbeat. Still, he waits patiently, slowly walking in his general direction, until his cane hits something -- his foot -- and he stops.

"Yes, that's right. I'd say it's nice to see you again, but, well."

He doesn't know this man particularly well, so he's falling back on self-deprecating humor for an ice breaker.

And also, stating the obvious: "So, you have somewhere in mind, I'm assuming."

[hannya]

Majima laughs, but there's a hint of nerves in it-- he's allowed to laugh at that, right? Supposed to, even. He falls in line beside Matt, cutting a taller, more imposing figure to encourage people to walk around.

"You get all the good ones, you know. Only so many cyclops jokes I can make."

He isn't sure he told Matt about his own vision problems, but now seems like a good a time as any.

"But yeah, one of the places I checked for a job. Figure greasin' their palms might help persuade 'em a little. You need a hand?" Literally, in this case, but he doesn't want to presume.

[ghettobatman]

He cants his head at that. "Cyclops jokes?" So he's not the only optically challenged here, so to speak. He'd wondered but it hadn't been the time to ask, back then. But if Majima's bringing it up himself, then, he'll take the opportunity.

"Well, it's good business practice. They'll probably appreciate your enthusiasm -- and you can get a lay of the land, so to speak. At the other man's offer, though, he'll stick out his arm.

"If you don't mind." He wasn't planning on asking if Majima hadn't brought it up, but now that he has, Matt will take it.

[hannya]

"Yep. Far as the left goes, we're both fucked." He links his arm with Matt's and gently tugs to let him know he's about to start walking. Not that Majima is one to talk, but Matt feels surprisingly toned for a blind guy.

"On the plus side, we look like we're runnin' late for some kinda group meeting, so people might clear a sympathy path." It's a lot easier to make the jokes when they're also at his expense.

"Maybe not too much enthusiasm. This shit is strong, remember." The bar isn't a terribly long walk from there, nestled on a street corner surrounded by food carts, all waiting to take advantage of anyone who comes out with any cravings. Majima stops at the entrance, not wanting to guide Matt's movement too much.

"Two steps up, then some parlor doors."

[ghettobatman]

"At least we half match," replies Matt dryly, letting Majima lead him. He's got a pretty solid build for a blind guy, it's true, but he's not going to draw any attention to it unless the other man asks. Not one to take himself too seriously, he chuckles. "We make quite a pair, don't we?"

He hasn't actually been to this part of town yet -- so it's a little overwhelming. He has to force himself to focus on his chaperone, to block out the excessive noise and smells. Luckily, one of the few things he's good at is focusing.

"A suitable amount of enthusiasm," he pauses, tapping the steps with his cane and then ascending. "And we've arrived at our destination."

[hannya]

"One good eye between us, space overlords, foreign world. We could be doin' worse," Majima scoffs. At least they're from the same planet. Probably.

He lets go of Matt's arm and follows him into the bar. Majima sighs with relief as they get out of the heat and pushes a few strands of hair out of his face.

"Thank god for that." Things are much more relaxed inside. It's after the lunch rush, and way too early for the evening crowd. Only a few people dot the tables and stools. Majima takes a seat at the bar and flags down the bartender.

"Over here. Pick your poison." It may not be metaphor in this case.

[ghettobatman]

Most likely. "One working eye is better than none," he added, with the usual bleak humour. It's no Josie's, but Matt can't help but feel a little more at ease once they're inside -- especially since there aren't too many people. Matt feels around for a stool next to Majima's before settling. He asks the bartender to name a few unique drinks, but nothing really peaks his interest, so--

"Well, I'll start with a beer. Seems safe enough."

It'll be whiskey before long, this lush. "How about you? A beer man, or a whiskey man, or...?"