Summary:A Chance meeting in a small burger place in Brooklyn. Log Info:Storyteller: None |
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The late afternoon of Tuesday rolls around, and over in Brookly people have finished up the last signs of the weekend. Gone the gatherings of bottles around the metro stations, gone the piles of garbage, as the trucks had pulled through in the early morning. Now, this part of the ever strong Brooklin stood clean and proud once again… well, as clean as it notmally was anyway. At some corner, right next to one of the metro stations, a small stand offered flowers, while a small off brand fast food parlor offered sausages, burgers, soda and coffee. Junko did just enter the later, ordering herself some fries and burger while sitting down in what almost felt like a diner.
Scandal has no particular reason at all to be here - she's simply out and about, trying to get a feel for this city now that she's set to call it home for the foreseeable future. That trying to 'learn' it in even a small way is likely to be a lengthy task frankly adds to the appeal. Today, she happens to be in this neck of the woods, and opts to take the risk of trying a local burger-joint.
Clad in black, with leather jacket, tight leggings, and the flexible-yet-stompy option of jungle boots on her feet, she presents a largely monochrome figure - though she removes her shades and offers a polite nod to the nearest staff-member upon entering, moving to post herself in front of the counter so that she can scan the menu's offerings.
The asian girl on the other hand was clad in jeans, a T-shirt of some anime that seemed to feature some kind of animal eared girl and kanji that were written as negatives on grey squares, the english translation "Spice and Wolf" added above in a gothic font. Her own, red hair was taken into a ponytail, a jacket sat next to her as she sat in one of the booths, turning to look at the girl getting in. "Good afternoon," she greets from her seat, smiling over to Scandal.
Scandal glances around, brows arching in surprise. After a moment, she flashes an amused smile. "You do realise that this is New York, don't you?", she asks - her own accent educated, and internationally non-descript. "It's dreadfully rude, not to be rude to strangers."
"Oh, is it? Havn't been in town for like… two or three years." Junko replies, smiling a little as she waves to the menu. "The burgers are decent, if you want to give them a try."
Scandal cracks a grin. "I'll hold you responsible if they're not," she threatens amiably, before looking back to the staff-member. "A cheeseburger, please. And I suppose I can indulge in some fries, too." Looking back to Junko, she gestures to the seating opposite her. "Mind if I join you? I can leave you alone to read, if you prefer."
"Try to find a judge on that." The asian answers, a little giggle on her lips as she waits for her own burger still. "I dunno what would be against you joining. And I ain't got something to read with me."
Scandal moves to fold herself into place, nodding politely before smiling again. "Thank you. It's a long while since I've spent any time in the city, myself. I'm just exploring today - seeing if I find anything interesting, while finding out where my feet take me."
"That sounds like you ought to take a city map with you to mark places you found interesting or places you might dislike. Of course, your cell can do that, can't it?" Junko jokes, searching the pocket of her jaket a couple moments before pulling a small metal box out, opening it to look at the buisiness cards inside, then close it again. "What brought you back to the city?"
It takes Scandal a moment to connect 'cell' with a telephone rather than a place of incarceration. Having done so, she laughs and smiles, then grimaces. "Oh, business of a sort. I'm hoping that it works out, though… that's still rather uncertain. I'm trying to make the best of it: I signed up to attempt a little study, as well. How about yourself?"
"Pretty much on extended vacation between the few times I have to attend a meeting at the main branch, so I am enjoying my time. At times I might visit a class or two," comes Junko's answer, her shoulders shrugging a little. "So kind of a partial opposite of yours?"
"The main branch?", Scandal asks, cocking her head. "You have a post in a corporation?" It might be a stereotype, but she can't help but glance over Junko for signs of significant wealth that could hint at a familial tie to a Big Name in business.
"Just something ceremonial at the family's corporation. Saito Stationary LLC," the asian girl explains, smiling appologetically. "We deal in paiper and writing products. Not really big, but well enough…"
"I know something about family obligations," Scandal says sympathetically. "Honestly, I can understand having rather… mixed feelings about it all. Having other people define our lives for us can be hard to come to terms with. Or to get out from under. Ah! Excuse me a moment." She rises, moving back to the counter to collect her food order, returning with it to the table a few moments later. "It smells good," she confirms with a smile as she settles back into place.
Junko Saito blinks as Scandal gets up, going to get her own food that had stood there a couple minutes. "Eh, yea, sometimes family has obligations, but sometimes it is good to have it. I got the job my father had before he passed away, and it's rather easy on my time, so, I can't complain."
"A job that's easy on your time? *That* sounds good," Scandal says appreciatively, before trying a first bite of her burger - seemingly quite unbothered about it possibly not being at the perfect temperature. "Mmmm. Not bad at all," she concedes after swallowing. "Would it be rude to ask what you actually *do* for them?"
"It's a family tradition. My branch is not eligble to inherit the company, but is tasked to have the position of the company president's Yojimbo. Nowadays, it's just ceremonial, but it's tradition." Junko explains, without mentioning that Yojimbo meant bodyguard. "you're not a fan of family ties, are you?"
Scandal blinks, then lifts a brow. "Huh. I'd, ahh, have thought that might be a rather full-time position. Unless it's a matter of showing up only for the most formal of events." Though not fluent in Japanese, her knowledge of military titles is extensive. As is her exposure to decades of classic cinema. "And… ahh. Well. In my own case, no. I know that they can help many people. Be actively welcome. But what my own father decided to pass on was meant to mould me to suit his ends."
"Well, my father had train me to take over the position for almost my lifetime. Well, it had been a full time position before the second world war and the following destruction of the Zaibatsus. All that remains is to show up at the large meetings at the President's side and show a fierce look for a stipend that is enough to pay the basic bills." Junko smiles a little, then offers a Hand "Junko Saito."
There's a momentary delay as Scandal both chews her latest mouthful and wipes her fingers on the paper napkin. Then: "Scandal. Scandal Savage. And yes: my father has a rather *personal* sense of humour. I only found out what my name meant when I learned English." She shrugs, ruefully apologetic. "But that does sound like rather a nice deal you have there."
"Not as sweet as the Kane and Wayne families have for theirs. I mean, Wanye Enterprises is a huge multi-industry conglomerate, Kane Industries is like its Sister in Law and the heirs of them shouldn't need to work a day in their lives and still be filthy rich." Junko compares shrugging. "But your father surely had a reason besides a bad pun."
"He wanted me to disdain the conventions that others might seek to impose upon me - while wanting to mould me to follow *his* rules and ideas at all times." Scandal shrugs once more. "I was to be his loyal aide, imposing his vision on the world, and ensuring his legacy without regard to what others might think. Instead, I've spent most of my adult life just trying to find my own path. It sounds as if your own situation gives you a fair chance of doing that, for which I'm glad. Though there's also honour in guarding those who deserve it, to be sure."
"So, didn't he make you how you are today, for the better or worse?" Junko notes, shrugging a little. "Dealing with who we are is always a hard thing."
"I very much hope that my mother had my influence, rather than just my father. He's *not* someone who should wield much influence anywhere," Scandal grumbles. "But whenever we come into contact, we clash. So I can at least be sure that he's not fully shaped me to suit him just yet. But… yes. He certainly has had a huge impact upon my life, the skills I acquired, the education I received, and more. *Some* of that I have at times been thankful for."