ic Pizza Party (IC)

[Lone_Star]

GM

Saturday Afternoon in November 2024

Outside Pizano's Pizzaria, Grenville

 

Owen was the first to the pizza shop, and he sat nervously on the curb. Despite his roommate, his sister, and Gookgak not having a phone, he was able to arrange a time to get pizza with them. Joining them was Luke, also known as Nightscale, a Claremont graduate he met recently. Owen was dressed in a solid color maroon T-shirt and jeans, and his new Converse sneakers tapped a relentless rhythm against the pavement as he bounced his knee. He was a bit nervous, not just about being out in the city for the first time, but hanging with his new friends. 

 

His first few months at Claremont had been a whirlwind of classes, training, and meeting new people. This was really the first chance he had to get out into the city and not worry about what was coming up with his classes, and he couldn't help but keep his head on a swivel as he took in the new sights and sounds. Speaking of new sights, Owen had to constantly remind himself that Riel and his twin weren't from this dimension, and nor was Gookgak. Maybe Luke would be able to balance the group out...

 

The restaurant they were meeting at was a small, family-owned pizza shop called Pizano's. Owen had never been there, of course, but their online ratings were stellar. The shop had seating for around 50, with a red-and-white checkered tile floor and photographs on the wall of celebrities that had eaten there. The prices were reasonable too, something that Owen was definitely aware of. I'll really need to get a job soon...

[EternalPhoenix]

Serendipity and Stormchild

 

Neither Riel nor Kadene were dressed any differently than normal. Swashbucklingly piratical and femininely piratical, respectively. It wasn't that they only had a few outfits. Well, not after a few months in Freedom City. (Was every new article paid for? Haha, nope.) It was that they each had their own distinctive sense of style. That, and it was a piece of home they could hang onto in these strange waters. Of course they had their swords. Honestly, it would be less strange to see either walking around naked than unarmed. 

 

School was another matter. There weren't arguments, per se. But the twins were at times prone to, uh, only going to the classes they felt like going to. Their grades were not reflective of their intelligence levels or actual knowledge bases. It wasn't that they outright broke rules. It's more...they did everything they could to evade them and escape consequences. Agents of chaos, not malice. Well, at least school was never boring with them around. 

 

Anyway, pizza. William, the Luckstorm Quartermaster, has "procured" some here and there over the last few months. But there was a distinct difference between pirate 'za eaten on the run or at sea, and a proper sit down dining experience. The twins approached from the nearest alley, where Kadene had flown both. Riel, in the lead as was his privilege as Captain, waved at his seated roommate. "Hail, Friend Owen. I hope you've brought coin. We've certainly brought our appetites." Were they both grinning? You bet.

[FlyingFresh]

Gookgak

 

The next pulse of vehicle traffic to stream in front of Pizano's comes with a cacophony of honks and curses. Pulling out of the right lane to the curb, Gookgak exits traffic on a wolf the size of a draft horse with evil red eyes.

 

"You all drive like forest gnomes! Oh yeah? Same to you lady, but double!" Gookgak makes one final rude gesture to the departing vehicles and turns to his friends.

 

"Hey guys. What's up?" The little gobbelyn hops down from his mount onto the sidewalk. 

 

"By the Talons of Gor, I will feast on maroon Saab lady's entrails ere a fortnight we pass!" Gookgak's summoned warg, Smaurg, adds helpfully to the conversation in a deep, rumbling voice of doom.

 

"Well, pizza first, right Owen? No dessert until you finish your dinner!" Gookgak blows his nose loudly on the sidewalk.

 

"Oh hey look! A manhole! Maybe we can go exploring after we eat. Freedom City has the best sewers! So many mutant crocodiles!"

[Lone_Star]

On 11/18/2024 at 4:45 AM, EternalPhoenix said:

Serendipity and Stormchild

 

Neither Riel nor Kadene were dressed any differently than normal. Swashbucklingly piratical and femininely piratical, respectively. It wasn't that they only had a few outfits. Well, not after a few months in Freedom City. (Was every new article paid for? Haha, nope.) It was that they each had their own distinctive sense of style. That, and it was a piece of home they could hang onto in these strange waters. Of course they had their swords. Honestly, it would be stranger to see either walking around naked than unarmed. 

 

School was another matter. There weren't arguments, per se. But the twins were at times prone to, uh, only going to the classes they felt like going to. Their grades were not reflective of their intelligence levels or actual knowledge bases. It wasn't that they outright broke rules. It's more...they did everything they could to evade them and escape consequences. Agents of chaos, not malice. Well, at least school was never boring with them around. 

 

Anyway, pizza. William, the Luckstorm Quartermaster, has "procured" some here and there over the last few months. But there was a distinct difference between pirate 'za eaten on the run or at sea, and a proper sit down dining experience. The twins approached from the nearest alley, where Kadene had flown both. Riel, in the lead as was his privilege as Captain, waved at his seated roommate. "Hail, Friend Owen. I hope you've brought coin. We've certainly brought our appetites." Were they both grinning? You bet.

 

Prime Mover

 

At this point, Owen was not remotely surprised to see the twins wearing their typical pirate garb, armed with swords. He was glad to see them, yes, but he worried about how well they were fitting in at school. After all, Riel was his roommate, and as much as he tried, the young pirates just weren't really understanding Earth culture. He tried to reign that in, telling himself that they weren't from around here, but hopefully this hangout would help them. Owen took a second, furtive glance at Kadene, noticing how well she pulled off the pirate look. She was pretty, but was his roommate's sister. His armed roommate's sister.  

 

"Hey Riel, Kadene. Thanks fer coming. Yeah, I got everyone covered today. Heard this place was real good, so hope you two enjoy it. Apparently Freedom City has some pretty amazing pizza, don'tcha know. Hope the drive weren't too bad, or, well...not sure if yah took the ship." 

 

On 11/18/2024 at 11:49 AM, FlyingFresh said:

Gookgak

 

The next pulse of vehicle traffic to stream in front of Pizano's comes with a cacophony of honks and curses. Pulling out of the right lane to the curb, Gookgak exits traffic on a wolf the size of a draft horse with evil red eyes.

 

"You all drive like forest gnomes! Oh yeah? Same to you lady, but double!" Gookgak makes one final rude gesture to the departing vehicles and turns to his friends.

 

"Hey guys. What's up?" The little gobbelyn hops down from his mount onto the sidewalk. 

 

"By the Talons of Gor, I will feast on maroon Saab lady's entrails ere a fortnight we pass!" Gookgak's summoned warg, Smaurg, adds helpfully to the conversation in a deep, rumbling voice of doom.

 

"Well, pizza first, right Owen? No dessert until you finish your dinner!" Gookgak blows his nose loudly on the sidewalk.

 

"Oh hey look! A manhole! Maybe we can go exploring after we eat. Freedom City has the best sewers! So many mutant crocodiles!"

 

Owen sighed, but he wasn't surprised at this entrance either. "Hey, Gookgak. You work up an appetite riding here?"

 

There would be no teaching Gookgak how to behave in polite society, that was for sure. But he liked the little gobbelyn, and was glad to invite him along, even if it probably meant they would all be banned on a lifetime basis from Pizano's. 

 

"Y'know, I tink I'd rather not go in the sewer. That's not really a thing humans do, mostly 'cuz it's unsanitary and unsafe down there. Have you had pizza before, Gookgak?" he asked, quite eager to change the subject. "We're just waitin' on Luke now, but he should be here shortly." 

Edited November 23 by Lone_Star
Additional accent needed, don'tcha know

[Nerdzul]

Diego was late, although he would have loved to say that it was by choice, one must be fashionably late after all, the truth was that he felt a little on edge. Not that he was ever gonna admit it of course, but this was his first time getting a pizza with his classmates, or actually having classmates, like ever... In fact, it was his actual first time having friends that were not his twin brothers and even while far from something unwanted, he definitely had yet to grow accustomed to it. 

 

In fact, he had actually arrived before everyone else, but instead of going inside, he had just parked his motorcycle in a back alley nearby and waited for everyone else to arrive. He had allowed his senses meld with Pizano's Pizzaria, his mind sinking into the building, so that he could become aware of anyone that arrived and have a 'taste' of delicious pizza while he waited, at least in spirit, while his real self kept shifting the balance on his feet from a back alley nearby.

 

Forza Diego... (Come on Diego) 

 

It was only when everyone got there that he gathered the courage to waltz inside, he let the engine of his bike roar a little, like if he had just arrived and walked in with a confident pace, clad in a pair of ruined blue jeans, sneakers, leather jacket and t-shirt.

 

He chuckled as he got the tail end of the conversation between his classmates conversation. "Definitely not gonna explore any of those Gook..." He grinned. "And not for the mutant crocodiles... You know..." One day he had decided he was gonna teach his goblin roommate about double entendres... With time though, right now it was funny enough as it was.

 

"What's up people?" 

 

OOC - I thought that having Diego join in would work better than Luke if it's fine for you.

[Lone_Star]

GM

 

Owen greeted his new friend, and the four of them went inside Pizano's. The pictures he found on Google described the place perfectly. The homey atmosphere, checkered tablecloths, the celebrity photos, and the overall welcoming atmosphere, as well as the tantalizing smell of fresh pizza that assailed their senses as they entered. The few customers that were eating gave the four of them an odd look, especially the pirate and gobbelyn. But Owen strode confidently to the counter, and pointed to the menu above the counter. An older gentleman in the back, presumably the owner, was tossing dough into the air, spinning and catching it with the ease of an expert. 

 

The menu was relatively simple. There was a small list of specialty pizzas: meat lover's pizza, "the works", margherita, triple cheese, and chicken alfredo, nothing unconventional. Another section of the menu showed the prices for a build-your-own pizza with a list of toppings. But the thing that caught their eye was a full-color photo of a "Freedom City Special": a massive square pizza with four sections, each with their own toppings. 

 

As the young men were looking over the menu, the older man in the back came up to the front. He did not bat an eye at them, but simply asked: "Help you boys with something?" 

[FlyingFresh]

Gookgak

 

The little gobbelyn eagerly padded in, already drooling in response to the delicious smells. "Great Borgoana! This place smells amazing! I want to eat everything here."

 

Smaurg hunches down to squeeze his massive frame through the door into the pizzeria. He looks around the room at the clientele and adds in his own rumbling bass, dripping with menace: "I couldn't agree more. Red decor. Easily cleanable floors. Truly, this is the ideal . . . eating establishment."

[EternalPhoenix]

Serendipity and Stormchild

 

Riel and Kadene had frozen for a few moments. Emotions played across their faces. Scent and vision held them hostage ever so briefly. It wasn't home. No place like this existed in Aquivan. The vibe of it, though...the two soaked it in like a sponge. Smiling, not grinning. A subtle difference, perhaps, but a real one. Riel nodded at his sister, then found a seat to lounge in, feet up on the table. 

 

Kadene squeezed next to Owen in her usual unself-conscious fashion. "Your finest pizza, good sir. We're young, we're hungry, and Prince Charming here-" She elbowed Owen playfully. Had she seen him looking? Oh, yes. "-has brought hopefully plenty of coin."

[Lone_Star]

On 11/27/2024 at 11:23 AM, FlyingFresh said:

Gookgak

 

The little gobbelyn eagerly padded in, already drooling in response to the delicious smells. "Great Borgoana! This place smells amazing! I want to eat everything here."

 

Smaurg hunches down to squeeze his massive frame through the door into the pizzeria. He looks around the room at the clientele and adds in his own rumbling bass, dripping with menace: "I couldn't agree more. Red decor. Easily cleanable floors. Truly, this is the ideal . . . eating establishment."

 

Prime Mover

 

Owen shuddered a little as the dragon described the store in a way he never wanted to think of any restaurant, but...sure. Let's go with it. A dragon? Sure, why not.

 

"Yeah, it really does! What kinda pizza do you guys want? I'll take the chicken alfredo pizza, please," he told the man behind the counter. 

 

14 hours ago, EternalPhoenix said:

Serendipity and Stormchild

 

Riel and Kadene had frozen for a few moments. Emotions played across their faces. Scent and vision held them hostage ever so briefly. It wasn't home. No place like this existed in Aquivan. The vibe of it, though...the two soaked it in like a sponge. Smiling, not grinning. A subtle difference, perhaps, but a real one. Riel nodded at his sister, then found a seat to lounge in, feet up on the table. 

 

Kadene squeezed next to Owen in her usual unself-conscious fashion. "Your finest pizza, good sir. We're young, we're hungry, and Prince Charming here-" She elbowed Owen playfully. Had she seen him looking? Oh, yes. "-has brought hopefully plenty of coin."

 

Owen blushed from head to toe as Kadene moved very close to him. "Uh, yeah. What she said. Why don't I get you and Riel a half Supreme, half pepperoni and sausage? That way you can try everything. An' sure, I've got you covered, no problem." He tried to regain his composure. Holy moly, I'm gonna look like a fool in front of my roommate! Better play it cool...

[Lone_Star]

GM

 

The overhead fan spun lazily as the five of them enjoyed their hot, delicious pizza. Gookgak and Diego had to leave early, school assignments pending, but they enjoyed the conversation as well as the delicious food and unlimited refills of soda. A few other customers trickled in, and seemed to be avoiding eye contact with the five of them. The old man behind the counter kept staring at them, but didn't say anything to the motley crew of teens. After all, it was Freedom City: weirdness was to be expected. But for the teens, it was a lazy Saturday afternoon, one to be relished with the amount of classwork and training they had to do at the Academy. 

 

Diego and Gookgak said their farewells, leaving Owen, Riel, and Kadene sitting at the table. Owen took a sip of his cream soda and dabbed a bit of marinara off his chin, and sat back with a sigh. Even he had to admit it was good to relax, though he enjoyed the training and didn't really mind the schoolwork that much, but he wished there wasn't so much math. He looked at the two pirates across the table from him, and searched for a good way to continue the conversation. 

 

"So, you two settlin' in okay? To Earth an' all?" 

[EternalPhoenix]

Serendipity and Stormchild

 

Riel, as it turned out, was not the biggest eater. To be clear, he was still a teenager with a teenager's appetite. However, it was Kadene who could really pack it away. It was kind of awe inspiring, actually. She'd noticed a stare or two, surprisingly blushed slightly in embarrassment, and muttered something about the energy fueling her powers having to come from somewhere. Anyone who'd seen her summon wind, lightning, and hail would probably just nod their head in understanding. 

 

But all good things must come to an end. Diego and Gookgak said their goodbyes are departed. Kadene wasn't asleep, but she was definitely deep in the bliss of having eaten her fill. So it was Riel who had to answer Owen's question. He'd gone with iced tea, having acquired a dislike of soda very early on. "Friend Owen, I don't understand what you mean." His grin wasn't present, but he was also enjoying the after meal feeling. If not to the same degree as his sister. "There's no 'settling in' to do. This is not our world, and we are not staying in it. As soon as AEGIS or one of your Science Companies works out how to send us back, we are leaving."

[Lone_Star]

Prime Mover

 

Owen didn't mind that Kadene was a big eater, in fact, he found it rather refreshing to know a young lady that wasn't afraid to eat what she wanted. He gently reassured her that it was perfectly okay. Owen could put it away himself: growing up on a farm meant that when it was time to eat, you were good and hungry and ate everything on your plate. While Owen wasn't overweight, he was a bigger guy and wasn't ashamed of it. 

 

He couldn't hide his disappointment to Riel's answer. He had really enjoyed getting to know the two of them, and though their ways were still strange to him, he was hoping to become closer friends with the twins. He glanced at Kadene, and blushed a little. "Well, I understand that. You want to get back to where you're from, to a society you're used to. That's okay."

 

Owen scratched the back of his head, searching for the right words. "I know I haven't been the easiest to get along with, what with Earth's pretty strict rules and whatnot. But just know that you two are my kinda people, and for the time you're here, I'm happy to call you my friends." He raised his glass of cream soda to toast them. "To the Luckstorm Pirates!" 

[EternalPhoenix]

Serendipity and Stormchild

 

"To the Luckstorm!" Riel and Kadene both joined in the toast with enthusiasm. Kadene actually had plain water. Riel, on the other hand, wasn't finished speaking. "Owen, my friend, you don't understand. We didn't set sail only for freedom and adventure." He paused, and looked at his sister, who nodded her agreement. He leaned in and spoke solemnly, with actual reverence in his voice.

 

"There was a man. A pirate Captain. The greatest to ever sail. He became more than a mere Captain. He was an Admiral, a Lord, a King. He sailed everywhere, saw everything the world had to offer. Fame, money, power, he had it all. The Marines did eventually catch him. How, none knows. But on the day of his execution, right before he died, he proclaimed for all to hear that he'd left all of his treasure on a certain unmapped island east of India and west of the New World. The person who finds will claim his crown." Riel sighed, and looked slightly defeated. 

 

It was Kadene who continued. "Or rather, the Captain, ship, and crew who can find it. Those seas are the most dangerous in the world. Safe harbors and places to resupply are rare. Fierce storms ravage them without warning. And the natives are almost all hostile to foreigners. In 20 years many have tried. All have failed. Many now believe he lied."

 

Riel slapped his hand on the table, suddenly energetic again. "I don't. And when we go home, the Luckstorm Pirates will succeed the Golden Pearl Pirates. The world will know the name Riel Estime as the freest man in the world and King of the Pirates."

 

Kadene nodded her agreement, grinning with enthusiasm. "With Kadene Estime as his right hand, aye sir." She sobered. "So you see, Owen, while we're stuck here our journey can't continue. And it's as you said, too. Strict rules here, and the power to back them up in this city alone astounds the mind. The name's ironic. Not a whole lot of freedom in this city, as we see it. You can see why we want out." She shrugged. "It's not that we don't like you or don't want to be friends."

 

Riel took over, his grin familiar and reassuring. "Quite the opposite. It's important to make the best of things. But our stay in your world is temporary. Chin up, though. We're not leaving tomorrow, and I doubt it will be next week. I have my hopes about next month, but we'll see."

[Lone_Star]

Prime Mover

 

Owen grew up with pirate stories such as Treasure Island and Captain Singleton, so listening to Riel's tale of a pirate king was truly a unique experience. 

 

"Wow, sounds like a lofty goal. But if there's anyone that can do it, I know it's you two." He admired their ambition, for sure. No one was quite as willful or adventurous as the Luckstorm Pirates! 

 

He nodded at Kadene's commentary on the city, and the irony of its name. It did make sense, and although he truly believed that laws were put in place to make sure everyone was safe and happy, someone coming from a world of true freedom would find that quite chafing. Although it sounded a lot like anarchy to him... "So you don't have any rules on your world? Not even a...pirate's code or somethin' like that?" 

 

He was disappointed to hear that their journey here was temporary, but he smiled a bit at Riel. Nothing was permanent in this life, and you might as well make the most out what you have. Hmm. "Well, let's make the most out of the time you two have here. Who knows, maybe you'll even help me live a little."