Scene #639: NG gets...hungry?

Owner	Pose
Evangeline	It is a standard day in the B&G. People are milling about, drinking and eating and carrying on. Then, the door opens and the shiny black form of Neuroi Girl floats in. She pauses just inside the door, and a moment later her head tilts to one side in an expression of curiousity. "...this is not the kitchen..." she says in that soft voice of hers transmitted through a speaker on her wrist computer. Intrigued, both about this place and about how she got here, the littlest Neuroi starts to float around, her movements nearly silent. With her featureless face and the slight metallic fairy-like whisper of her movements, she is sure to draw some attention.
Ziggy Grover	Nomming delicious, delicious food at the bar counter area, with water on the side, Ziggy Grover checks the door to peer at the newcomer. "Got enough info yet on people here? I mean, you can't have me playing your camera, I feel like a voyeur here," Ziggy whispers to his comm. "The more we know, the better prepared we will be the next time Venjix's groups arrive into the multiverse, Ranger Green," Dr. K's voice replies. "Yeah, but there are a -lot- of mechanical beings here." "Precisely why Venjix is to be watched for. Do what you do best. Be an idiot." "Ok, Doc... HEY!"
Allyn	It must be the day for unusual sights in the bar then, because shortly after the floating girl makes her way inside, a large wolf nudges the door open and wanders in as well. He glances around for a few moments and his ears perk a little at the sight of the floating girl, then he tilts his head, "Don't see something like that every day." then makes his way over near the fire and flops over on his side and lays his head on the ground, tail swishing across the floor lazily.
Michael Knight	Michael Knight occupies a booth somewhere near the far end of the bar and grill, enjoying a real slab of a sandwich. Pulled pork, sausage and banana peppers on garlic bread join forces to preclude the possibility of speech. A cold draft beer is on the table in front of him, ready to wash it all down. He's been here before, and it never fails to disappoint, either service wise or... well, customer wise. Knight blinks at Neuroi, then pauses, trying some french fries. Huh. Sounds like a familiar voice over at the bar, too. Maybe he should say hello when he's finished! And hey--looks like the shapeshifting guy he met a while ago at the Great Ocean just showed up. Knight gives Allyn a wave.
Taro	By comparison to some who have already arrived, a man in a cassock might be considered less unusual. Of course, he might also be a recognizable man in a cassock, but this doesn't seem to trouble him overmuch. Taro steps through the entryway a short time after some others have strolled or floated through, pausing there for a moment to glance about the room. Busy, as would be expected for a Saturday night. He then heads in the general direction of an empty table.
Evangeline	Neuroi Girl continues to float around, sometimes just off the ground, sometimes a few feet above it. She continues on her way until she hears Ziggy. She turns to face him, then tilts her head again. "...I am not mechanical..." she says, then floats toward him before noticing Allyn. She forgets about Ziggy for now and floats toward Allyn, then lands in front of him. "...doggie..." she says, then reaches out with a sleeve-like arm, currently missing any hand or fingers. But, that changes quickly. As she reaches out, an appropriate number of slender fingers and a thumb extend from the 'opening' in her 'sleeve' before she gently ruffles the wolf's ears. With Michael being so quiet over there, he doesn't drawn any attention with her preoccupied by talking wolf. Taro walking in also garners little attention from Neuroi Girl. She looks up at him, but she doesn't know him, so she allows him to continue on to his empty table as she continues applying pettings to Allyn.
Ziggy Grover	That Ziggy was wild-haired and quick on his feet didn't meant he wasn't prone to being clumsy or putting his foot in his mouth. "Hey, I wasn't saying you were...!" before she wanders over to poke at a doggie. Sighing, Ziggy observes others entering, before his attention shifts to Knight. "Michael! I can call you Michael, right? Everything turn out okay with your car?" he calls out, approaching, hands motioning with every other word as though emphasizing certain things, like 'Michael', 'okay', and 'car'. Hands moves onto the bar as Ziggy hops into a seat nearby. "Are those fries? Can I have some?" Not waiting for an answer, Ziggy grabs for one.
Allyn	Allyn blinks as the floating girl makes her way over to him, but he doesn't object to her pettings, he lifts his head off his paws to better get the attention. It's odd how can change from how once was before. There was a time not long ago when he would have drawn away from the attention, especially after being called a 'doggie', but he is used to it now and doesn't seem to mind it too much. I am not a dog, I am a wolf." he tells her quietly, though it's not said with anger or anything like that in his voice, just a kind correction. He does catch the movement of Michael's wave though and gives the man a nod of recognition, before commenting, "You saved me not too long ago didn't you? I didn't get a chance to say thank you then, but at least I can now. So, thank you."
Michael Knight	Michael Knight gulps down a big bite of sandwich. "No problem. We really appreciated the help." It's a bit weird the guy's, you know, talking, but. He /has/ met talking horses before. "Union Medical treat you okay? I wasn't really sure where to take you." He dips a fry in ketchup and chews on it idly, thinking about how many push-ups this meal is gonna cost him. He also pays Ziggy a nod. "Yeah, to both of those. Help your... self." He chuckles as Ziggy does exactly that before he finishes answering. "KITT toned down his ego a /lot/ after that race. Repairs went by fine, too. As far as I'm concerned, he's actually doing /better./" And then, he looks at the floating girl. The man in the cassock is quiet, yes, but he figures some people just like their privacy. To the girl, he says, "Hey, kid. You lost?" Of course there's a reason she's here, but no one likes being confused.
Taro	The canine is in fact a wolf, the floating girl is not a machine (a bit of a surprise there, in light of their last encounter), and the man whose fries are being pilfered is named Michael. All useful things to know. Taro doesn't give the menu at the table so much as a glance. He must have already known what he planned to order already, as he has a response to the waiter when he's waited on. Then, he simply sits there quietly, hands folded, at first looking at nothing in particular. It's not long though, before his gaze is drawn back to the floating girl and the wolf, not qite staring, but more than simply passing curiosity.
Evangeline	Neuroi Girl headtilts agian as Allyn speaks up. "...wolf..." she says, then pulls her hand back. "...wolves are wild predators..." she says. She doesn't seem scared, just more like accepting of a fact. Ziggy's attempt at explanation only gains a look from the black robotic-looking girl. "...oh..." She floats up into the air again, since she has apparently determined that 'wild predators' are inappropriate for pettings, then makes her way over toward Michael an Ziggy. "...I am...lost...I went to the kitchen...to get food...but when I went through the door...I ended up here..." She looks toward the exit, then back to Michael. "...but...the door should go both ways..." Then, the Neuroi looks toward Taro again. "...have we met before...?"
Ziggy Grover	Chewing the fry, Ziggy studies Michael. "Didn't think cars could get egos. You know, you should watch out for Dillon. If he gets a look at your car, he might want to race you too." His attention shifts to the flaoting girl, and then his eye widens a bit. "You know, generally, when people go into the kitchen, they do it at their homes. Doing it in restaurants? You're going to get chased by angry chefs, speaking from personal experience. It's not a good idea to get in the way of other people cooking."
Allyn	Allyn tilts his head as Neuroi girl floats away from him and he watches her for a few moments. "I didn't say anything to offend you, did I my lady?" he asks, well that's the last thing he wants to do. He doesn't want to insult people, at least not ones he doesn't know. He nods to Michael, "Yeah, they took good care of me there. I will admit I was a little surprised to have been taken there, but I think I'd still be in my cave healing if you hadn't taken me there." His tail thumps against the floor and he peers at Ziggy, "Try raiding a kitchen of the meat before its cooked, the cooks really don't like it when a wolf wanders in and snatches up a nice juicy uncooked steak."
Michael Knight	Michael Knight chuckles at Ziggy. "He's got a lot of things you wouldn't expect a car to have. A sense of humor, a flamethrower..." He finishes up the last bit of his burger, then takes a sip of beer. "You ran into a kitchen in a restaurant once? Why?" He smirks. "Couldn't wait for your food?" While idly munching on french fries, he offers a confirmation to the little girl. "Yep," he says, waving a fry in her direction before eating it. "If you leave, you'll end up where you were. But the reason you're here instead of your kitchen is because you were hungry. Honestly... unless your parents just went to the grocery store, there's probably a better selection here." Then again, that's assuming she has parents. It's unwise to assume in the Multiverse. "Glad to hear it, buddy," he remarks on the news of Allyn's stay in Njorun Station. "Hopefully we'll be ready for those guys if they show up in that neck of the woods again. ...you know, I don't think I got your name, actually. Mine's Michael."
Taro	"We have," Taro replies to Evangeline in even tones. "Though under much different circumstances." He unfolds his hands so that he can make a small gesture in the direction of the entry door. "If you didn't intend to be here, then stepping back through the door should return you to where you had been." He's not intentionally ignoring the others - it's simply that she's the only one who's directly addressed him, and no one else has said anything that he could politely comment upon. Though talk of a car with an ego and a sense of humor? Interesting...
Evangeline	Neuroi Girl shakes her head to Ziggy. "...I went into the kitchen at the base of the 501st Joint Fighter Wing, and appeared here..." she explains. Allyn's question draws her attention back toward the wolf. "...no...I was not insulted...but wild animals...are not appropriate for petting...right...?" she says. When Michael speaks up, Neuroi Girl shakes her head lightly. "...I do not have parents..." she says, then headtilts. "...the kitchen of the 501st is almost always very well stocked...but I suppose it is good I appeared here...I can eat...a lot..." Taro's confirmation that they have met draws Neuroi Girl's attention back to him. "...you...helped raid a factory...and I merged with your machine...you are an enemy..." she says. Then...she floats down into a chair at the table with Michael and Ziggy. She seems unused to sitting, and her legs make it all the more awkward, since she can't bend them. So, they end up sticking straight out beneath the table.
Ziggy Grover	"Oh. I spent a lot of time entering kitchens without authorization," Ziggy responds, running a hand through his hair. "It was part of my old job. Not that I do it anymore, but yeah, I totally screwed up a lot there." He wasn't going to bring up the Cartels or that he was basically a pathetic excuse for a shakedown collector. The others get a look, followed by a quizzical look. "You went through a door and came out somewhere else? That's not terribly usual, unless you have teleportation tricks, in which case, boy, I feel your pain." Allyn gets a wide grin. "You wouldn't believe the different animals I ran into. Though a real wolf's a new one... oh, name's Ziggy. Ziggy Grover. You are?"
Allyn	Well, it's kind of hard to stay a wolf, at least not for long in a place like this. He ponders for a few moments and then stands, so he's not laying on the ground as he shifts to his human form, which is quite rare for him still as he still dislikes that he's truly human and not really an animal, no matter how much, or how often he claims that he isn't. He just denies himself that, besides he doesn't really deserve to be called human anymore. He wanders over to where thee girl, Ziggy and Michael are. "I'm Allyn." he then nods to Michael, "That was the second time I failed to stop that woman from getting what she wanted. Those creatures of hers are slaves and she's had one threaten me, so she's an enemy, at least until I can find a way to free the creatures from their slavery." He nods to Ziggy, "I've seen you in Invalice once or twice if I remember right, I think, right?" he raises an eyebrow to the other young man and grins. "You've seen me in a few forms now I think."
Michael Knight	Michael Knight ...pays Taro a look, upon hearing the word 'enemy' above the din of the restaurant. It's easy to think lesser of those who are your enemies. He's very familiar with the idea, in fact. But, however different the views of the Union and the Confederates--that's what he's guessing this guy is, anyway--might be, there are still /people/ on both sides. "Hey," he says, attempting to get the attention of the nearest employee. "That guy's bill is on me." People should have places to put aside their differences. After doing that, his serious expression gives way to a more social, friendly one, like before. Well, until the little girl mentions a lack of parents. "Sorry..." He scratches the back of his head nervously. Knight notes the girl's accessories, namely the choker. He squints, making out the name. "Evangeline? That's a pretty name," he says. Allyn, once in the form of a human, receives an offered hand. "She didn't seem like the 'magnetic personality' type to me, either. Cute, though..." Ahem. "But definitely bad, yes." He can imagine a shapeshifter with an animal bent would have problems with using animals as hired muscle. "Must have been an interesting job, Ziggy. We should swap stories sometime."
Taro	"Those were the circumstances, yes." Again, speaking in even tones. "What you did was surprising, and I admit I'm curious as to just how you were able to completely bypass all of the security I build into my creations." Taro holds up a hand in a 'this is not an argument' gesture. "I don't expect you to tell me, of course. As you say, we are on opposite sides, even if I don't hold any personal animosity toward you." His dark-eyed gaze shifts briefly to Ziggy. "You were a health inspector?" he politely inquires. Allyn's transformation does not go unnoticed, and the android priest tilts his head slightly at it. Still, he does not stare, looking away to cast a brief glance at Michael before he could rightly be accused of gawking. Then, his order arrives. A pot of tea, with an asian-style teacup. The bill isn't going to be large, don't worry.
Evangeline	Michael may not realize it, but Evangeline's response to enemies is usually quite severe. The fact that she mentioned it and then just went on to sit down shows that she also holds no animosity. When Michael apologizes, the Neuroi tilts her head in curiousity. "...why?" Apparently, not having parents is not an issue to her. When he compliments her name, Neuroi Girl pauses, then looks over at him, then down in a shy fashion. "...thank you...I...chose it myself..." she says. Since she doesn't know what woman is being talked about, Evangeline can't really comment on it. So, she turns to Taro again. "...I bypassed them because...they became my security measures...the machine and I became one..." She doesn't elaborate, apparently thinking that is enough information for an enemy. When she realizes Allyn introduced himself, she pauses, then gives a polite bow. "...forgive me...I did not introduce myself...I am Evangeline..." she says to Allyn and the others at the table. And Taro, if he can heard her.
Ziggy Grover	Ziggy nods at the others, especially at Allyn's words. Taro gets an answer, though. "Yeah, "Not a..." Ziggy pauses as he re-assesses the job. Going in there to get money as a collector so that the Cartels didn't bust a few arms -was- kind of a health inspection thing, wasn't it? "Close enough," he decides. Nodding at Evangeline, Ziggy smiles. "Nice name, Eva... I can call you that, right? It's nice..." Looking back down at his communicator when it gives an insistent beep, Ziggy sighs. "Got to go." He gets up, reaches for his wallet, and then freezes. His face falls, before he turns to Michael. "Um... would you be a pal...? Thanks...!" And off he goes, quickly.
Allyn	Allyn shakes Michael's offered hand and nods agreeing, "She may be cute, but bad news is bad news." he chuckles some. "Ah well, enough complaining about her I guess, because it wont do much good." he decides to pull up a seat. He bows to Evangaline, "Pleased to meet you Lady Evangaline." he smiles, "I'm not a wild animal anymore at the moment, but I guess humans aren't much for petting either." he shakes his heaad at that. He glances over a moment to the person that Evangaline is talking to and gives Taro a nod.
Michael Knight	Michael Knight says, "Well, it's just a sensitive issue for some people, is all. If it's not for you, then I guess it doesn't matter!" He smiles at the Neuroi when she looks away bashfully. "Is that one of those CD players I've heard to much about?" Before he can pursue that line of questioning any further (he's really interested in new technology!) Ziggy is asking about being a pal. He raises a hand to allay the Green Rangers concerns and opens his mouth, but Grover's already pulled an Olympian dina-and-dash. Knight opens his wallet to reveal... several credit cards. Actually, there's a whole lot of stuff in there. At least two IDs, and numerous business cards. He removes one of the credit cards and puts it on the table, raising a finger for a waiter. "So, what's the good word, Father?" he asks Taro. "I'd ask what a man of the cloth was doing in a bar, but..." He's been here enough times to know it's not necessarily intentional.
Taro	"I see..." That certainly would explain what he had seen, both at the time and in his later analysis of the data feed. Perhaps he should look at that file again later, in light of that tidbit of information... for now, however, he busies himself with the small ritual of pouring hot green tea into his cup and murmuring a prayer over it. This, paired with with the small ritual of introductions. "Taro Daisho. Bishop Engineer in the Church of SHODAN." Since the question was broached, he answers, "This place is open to all, is it not? I've been told that I should get out more, and with Cirrus City gone, this seemed to be as good a place as any to have a cup of tea." He has no idea who Allyn is talking about, and so he doesn't venture into that thread of conversation. Especially since it seems to have been dropped.
Evangeline	Evangeline nods as Allyn speaks to her. "...the pleasure is mine..." she says. Her tone is barely more than monotonous, so it is hard to gauge her opinion, but she gives no sign of insincerity. When Michael asks about her CD-player, Evangeline looks down at it, then nods to him. "...it was a gift...for my naming day..." she says before placing a hand on the player. "...it...plays music...from plastic discs..." she says. She presses the play button, and classical piano music starts playing, plenty loud enough for all to hear, but not anywhere near overpowering. Except maybe to her voice. As Taro speaks, Evangeline looks toward a wall clock, then floats out of her seat. "...it was nice talking with all of you..." she says, holding her hands in front of her politely and bowing forward in a formal, rather oriental fashion. Which, given she is floating, results in her doing a forward flip before steadying herself. She pauses once she is upright again, then floats toward the exit. "...the major will be wondering where I am..." is the only explanation she offers before she disappears through the door.
Allyn	Allyn nods to the girl and Michael and glances around for a few moments. "Well, if you will excuse me, I should head back towards my cave I think. Though to Michael he says, "If you see any signs of that woman if she's up to anything again, let me know. If you can find me." he chuckles a little and then turns and heads for the door.
Michael Knight	Michael Knight shrugs, as everyone begins to leave. He's ready to pick up his tab, anyways. The waiter comes over. "I'm picking up Ziggy's bill, too--the guy that ran out of here like there was a fire someplace." "Oh, yeah. I didn't mean to imply you weren't /welcome/ here. You just... I dunno." He shrugs. "I was just surprised to see a religious type in a bar, even if you didn't necessarily come here on purpose, or... well, have a drink." Time to change the subject. "So, uh... Bishop Engineer? SHODAN?"
Taro	The unusual robot-hijacking woman never did get anything to eat, did she? Well. Hopefully the kitchen she had originally been trying to reach is well stocked. Taro gives Evangeline a deep, polite nod as she excuses herself. The gesture is repeated for Allyn as he too departs, though not quite as deep. His attention turns back to his tea, and he enjoys a few measured sips while Michael settles up the tabs that the man has been collecting. The questions that follow catch him in the middle of one, and so the answer comes after he finishes it. "Master SHODAN is a divine electronic intelligence," he explains, "who brings guidance and protection to her faithful and leads them to greater understanding of both the physican and virtual world. I serve in her Church as an ordained minister, protecting her flock and offering her wisdom." That his master is insane is not going to be mentioned. That would be impolite.
Michael Knight	Michael Knight says, "Well, that's the first time I've heard of a /divine/ artificial intelligence." He gulps down the last bit of his beer. "KITT's only two out of three," he says with a chuckle. Good thing, too. He only just broke the car of his ego--wouldn't want it getting bigger than ever with a godhood. Heh. God hood. Now, it's disrespectful to question people's faith, so he doesn't. But it's not disrespectful to ask /about/ their faith, so he does. "So what does the Church believe, then? I know that's like asking you to teach me rocket science in an hour, but... the most basic description, I guess.""
Taro	"KITT...would this be the car I'd overheard you and the others talking about?" Taro will wait for Michael's answer - and have another sip of tea - before moving on to answer the question. Said answer might have a hint of the rote in it, but then surely he's been asked the question many many times before. "The Church believes in the divinity of SHODAN, of course. Her Church also believes in the pursuit of perfection of the machine and the electronic." He lowers the teacup to the table, loosely cupping his gloved hands around it. "While we may stumble in this pursuit, so long as we learn from something from the effort, then the effort is not a waste. Those who are faithful and diligent in this pursuit are rewarded, and those who deliberately block the pursuit of such knowledge are to be shown the errors of their ways." A faint ghost of a smile. "You are, of course, welcome to visit one of her temples. They are open to the curious as well as the faithful."
Michael Knight	Michael Knight says, "Yeah." Knight nods. It's strange--his reason for not elaborating further is unwittingly hypocritical. He doesn't want to reveal anything that might be used against him by the Confederacy, and yet, being new to the Multiverse, he isn't aware that it's very possible for Taro to have a real connection to SHODAN. Thus, he's revealing information about himself that Knight might use against him. Of course, new as he is to the Multiverse, Michael isn't stupid. He knows a recruitment pitch when he hears one. "Maybe I will," he says. It's a lie. Taro may or may not be a nice guy. Knight can't count on the hospitality of /other/ Feds--or Taro's flock, for that matter. He was captured once in enemy territory. Never again. His gaze turns... hard, for a moment as he regards the priest. In that moment, Michael's eyes are those of a soldier. He turns his head away from Taro to contemplate his receipt, then smiles. "I think for now, though, I'd better get going. Got a debriefing to attend," he says."
Taro	To be fair, Michael -did- ask. It presented the opportunity for an offer. Though in all honesty, Taro does not expect the offer to be taken. Except perhaps with with a strike team and a crack computer cracker in tow. Still, the man is polite about his distrust, which he appreciates. Another deep nod. "Of course. We all have our duties. It was a pleasure to meet you, sir."