katherine in streets ( katherine | open )

[wedlocks]

(( Choose a scenario below or write your own! I'm flexible o7
She's new, so please bear with me. Apologies in advance for the slow. ))


a. rain & coffee

[What a relentless downpour.

Sure, she was expecting rain, but this hadn't exactly been what she was hoping for when she dragged Vincent out today. It came on so suddenly, too... but there's still so much to do. They can't afford to lose any days, especially with the both of them working so much lately to pay for it.

Their wedding...

Katherine sighs, shielding her face (and glasses) with her hand as she presses forward in a dash. She knows there's a coffee shop up ahead -- maybe they can at least wait out the storm there...? Something sweet...

...]

Vincent. Hey, be sure to keep up...

[She shouts sternly over the rain, glancing back for just a moment. Hearing no response and not seeing that familiar goofy face, though, she slows -- her expression hardening.

But it's too late.]

Vince --?

[Wham.

She slams right into someone in front of her. Her glasses loosen and nearly fall off her face, and she hears the clattering of that person's belongings all over the pavement.

Damn it.]



b. night circus (cloud maze)

[Okay... so there's a circus in town tonight. And for some reason, Katherine isn't questioning whether she's too old for this (she definitely is). She wanders around what is apparently a maze made of clouds, which makes he feel extra childish, but... isn't that just fine?

Isn't this supposed to be fun?

Something nags at the back of her mind: like why hasn't she heard about this place on the news? Why is it only here now that the sun's gone down... and why didn't she notice anyone setting up at all?

If someone looks like they could possibly be an employee of the circus, she may approach. Otherwise, she'll wander blissfully by herself, trying not to fall...

And anyone near by may catch an occasional rare smile of hers.]



c. zombies?

[First it was all over the news. Something about a deadly virus. Of course, Katherine didn't want to believe it herself -- she was far too busy to get involved. Isolated incidents becoming more frequent, they said. She questioned the newscasters' sanity for reporting such a thing. She questioned her own sanity.

But then it happened.

The smell of blood and exposed flesh, when she so happens to stop at the store for a gallon of water -- preparing for this so called "emergency" coming. The hungry snarl that gets louder as she approaches the check out counter. The feeling of foreboding when she realizes it's entirely too quiet, and she hasn't seen a single other customer.

...Nor anyone on the street.

The cashier turns, revealing the ugliest face she's ever seen in recent memory. Katherine's eyes widen in fear and disgust, as the thing opens its mouth, looking far too interested in her. If it was once human, it isn't anymore.

She screams. The only thing she can think to do, despite the fact it's likely to make it worse.

She remembers she has a knife for protection -- she reaches for it in the purse at her side, but it's too late. Her legs have already made the decision for her, and she starts to back away.

She's running, and the sound of the store bell rings in her ears as she bolts out the door.]

Comments

[wedlocks]

[That's a good idea, though Katherine doesn't generally make a habit of hanging too long around strangers outside of work. She's headed to Chrono Rabbit anyway though -- their favorite cafe, which she assumes is the one he means -- and she certainly can't deny he's being considerate.

... So she agrees after a pause.]

Sure... but, please don't go out of your way or anything.

He can't have gone far.

[In fact, he's probably trying to call me now. Her hand hovers over her purse, where her phone sits comfortable and dry -- but she knows better than to check it immediately.]

[inlets]

[Where's Takeo when Tao needs him? Those binocular eyes of his could find this person in a fraction of a second.

Speaking of, he sees the way the woman's hand hovers almost purposefully over her purse.

Tao rubs the back of his head, flashing a good-natured smile. He's got the time, so he'll help. To encourage moving somewhere drier, he points a shoulder in the direction of the café.]

We should find him in no time, then. It's possible he might have gone to the shop, too. Maybe you'll see him there.

[wedlocks]

[He doesn't have to tell Katherine twice. Eager to stay on the move and dry off in the very near future, she's ready to follow him to their shared destination, despite not really knowing his name or who he is.

Of course, it doesn't hurt that he's in control of the umbrella, either...]

It's possible. [...Though despite what she says, she sounds doubtful. There's no way he could have passed her without her noticing, even in the rain; but she isn't exactly eager to contradict him at the moment.

The Chrono Rabbit would be a good place for them to meet, anyway.]

Have you been there before?

[inlets]

[When she asks, Tao hangs his head in thought again, careful to keep the umbrella poised over the both of them.

He hasn't gone till now, so he doesn't know what the shop is like. But it should be relaxing, right? At least, it should be the ideal place to meet up in a weather as moody as this one.]

I've passed by before, but this would be my first time going in . . .

[wedlocks]

[Katherine and Vincent are regulars, incidentally, so the answer isn't a total surprise. She gives a quiet nod in acknowledgement, her mouth parting slightly.

"Ah..."]

Well, they've got a bit of everything, so it should be easy to find something you like.

[A pause. More importantly --]

... They'll have towels, too, on a day like today.

[inlets]

[Tao perks up at the last remark. Better towels than the finger point back out the door on entering.]

Really? That's considerate of them.

[He assumes a steady and swift pace, but not too fast where it would be hazardous in the downpour.]

Let's go there quickly so you can dry off, Miss.

[wedlocks]

You, too.

[Just in case he's forgotten that, you know, he's wet also.

Katherine continues, matching his pace with relative easy, and after just a few minutes -- which is a few minutes longer than she'd been expecting to be in his company, granted -- they arrive at the door.]

Here. [She'll even hold it open for him.]

[inlets]

Thank you.

[The gratitude comes in a singsong tone as Tao strides in. But he doesn't forget; as soon as they're both inside, where it's dry and warm, he turns around to close the door.

After that, he shuts the umbrella.]

Phew. Finally in!

[wedlocks]

[Katherine breathes a sigh of relief as she slips in behind him; and almost as soon as she starts to look around, a couple of waitresses bring towels for them while they wait to be seated. Having a meal with a stranger isn't something she likes to make a habit of either, unless it's a client, but -- well, she's come this far.

It can't hurt, as long as she's cautious, which she always is. So she'll take the towel provided and start with her face and hair. And glasses, of course.]

Phew... Yes, we are.

[...Well, now that she's not rushing to get out of the rain:]

Hey, I don't think I caught your name.