Tuesday April 6th - Lunch at the Mall / Chinese Buffet

It's the food court: lots of small "restaraunts", places to get everything from burgers to BBQ, staffed by the latest crop of teenagers and adult slackers, the food court is filled with people, coming and going, grabbing food and drink, meeting, or just hanging out so they don't really look like they're loitering.

Sitting at a prominently visible table, almost like he's on display himself, sits Lucas. Dressed upscale casual, with loafers, dark jeans faded to a degree that screams he bought them that way, and a light colored button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up, he lounges as he picks at the variety of food in front of him. A large cup of some darkish liquid sits in front of him. A dark colored blazer (draped over the back of the chair) completes the outfit, making him the poster boy for a corporate casual friday.
He seems to be looking around him attentively, and smiles at who-ever's eyes he meets.

Intelligence + Investigation: 1 success to paying attention

"Sara, a pleasure. I'm glad you decided to make it."
Lucas continues to eat steadily, pausing every so often to wipe his hands on a napkin or take a drink of what close up, appears to be iced tea.

walks into the food court, wearing blue jeans, white t-shirt and sunglasses. Looks around seeing Lucas and Sara. Heads over to one of the many options and comes over to the table with a salad and water.

So, how is everyone so today? starts eating

"Oh, been better been worse. Places to see, people to do, you know how it is. How're you?"

finish the food in his mouth and takes a sip of water

I would have to agree with you on that one.

"You think anyone else is going to show up?"

Well hope at least Tim shows up. He has that letter I am interested in reading.

turns towards Sara

It's good to see you here Sara, wasn't sure if you believed in all this enough to join in the fun.

Celina moves through the mall, scarred leather jacket covering a black button down shirt over jeans. Her high heeled boots softly click on the linoleum as she approaches the group. She moves her shades from her face and puts them on top of her head.

"Afternoon."

Lucas sits quietly while Sara talks, then smiles. "Personally, I've never found anyone whose formative teenage years were improved by having a piece, but then again, I'm one of those guys who'd end up somebody's special friend in the big house."
Lucas briefly considers something, then shrugs dismissively. "Anyone know if G.I. Joe is putting in an appearance? I'd hate to consider that he's gone AWOL, and we'll have to hunt him down as tase him or something. Oh, and we should probably exchange phone numbers or something, so we don't have to wait for the next seance to coordinate anything, like crazy neighbors, prophetic letters, or whose turn it is to buy the beer and weed for these Scooby meetings."
Reaching into his pants pocket, Lucas pulls out a flip-phone, and opens it up. "Whose first?"

"Oh, I agree, but unless you've been through this before, it's just curious that you've used one sufficiently to be trained, and have one, that's all. I don't know how to use one, so I can appreciate having someone around who does. If it's someone your average thug isn't expecting, even better."
Lucas taps at the phone briefly, then holds it up, and in quick succession, takes head shots of everyone present. "And I'm XXX-XXX-XXXX."

"Hey, if they don't meet quota on those cookies, I hear there are some stiff penalties. Girl-Scout on Girl-Scout violence is grossly underreported, especially during the cookie season."

Afternoon Murphy pulls out a chair and motions her to sit

I too don't know how to use a gun, but I have taken some boxing lessons. So if I need to defend myself I am at least able in some fashion.

pulls out a phone and starts tapping away inputting the numbers already shared

You can reach me at xxx-xxx-xxxx

Walks into the food court and wanders over to the table. Dressed in blue jeans, a black t-shirt and combat boots, he walks over to the table and stis down.

"Sorry I couldn't get here sooner. What did I miss?"

"We're chatting, exchanging phone numbers, discussing the conviction rate of girl scout related violence. Now that we're all here, do we want to go some place a little less public? I'll pick up the tab."

" Any place is fine with me. And we can go to get your belongings anytime you want. "

Murphy sits when the chair is offered. She smiles at him, and it reaches her eyes.

Once again, she seems content listening.

"Getting my stuff back would be nice." she adds, "And more private doesn't sound like a bad idea. I think talking about all this and figuring out exactly what the hell is going on is a good idea."

"Sure...phone numbers, from the last two to arrive? And I'm thinking a China Buffet, or something all you can eat. I've got an SUV right now, if people need a ride."

Murphy rattles off a number.

"A buffet sounds great. I really don't know the area. Is there one close?"

enters Murphy's number and repeats own number for Tim and Murphy

I just moved here the other day so don't know the area too well, and will need that ride when we figure out where we are headed.

"The car's got GPS, and worse comes to worst, I can stop and ask for directions. Not very manly, I know, but I do enjoy a plateful of chinese food."
Lucas enters numbers as they're given, and turns to Sara, "You want a ride, or have you got wheels of your own?"

Lucas takes 30 seconds to stuff the remainder of his food in his mouth, chew and swallow.
"All right, we're outta here."
Glancing at Murphy and Tim, he asks, "So, what're the two of you driving? If I'm leading the caravan, I wouldn't want to lose you...since Bugs is with me, and the Girl Scout is working on her Harley badge."

leans forward in his chair as if angry about being refereed to as Bugs then leans back and shrugs

What's up doc?

Inputs the phone numbers, and looks at Lucas,
"What's yours? Must have shared it before I got here. I also have wheels out front, so I am good, thank you though"

"Big dark colored SUV...distinguishable by the two dangerously good looking men who will soon be in it. Why don't we meet up by the entrance over here?"

"Sounds good to me, I will be back in a few"

"Well, then, that's that."
Lucas turns, and begins walking away. He proceeds to his car (assuming that Al follows), gets in, and pulls up by the entrance. When everyone has gathered, he used the GPS to find the closest China Buffet, and off they go.

Pulls his KIA Forte up behind the SUV and flashes his lights.

leans towards Lucas

I find it strange that soldier boy is driving a brand of car that also stands for Killed In Action

sits properly in the seat again

With the assumption that everyone follows, Lucas hits a couple of buttons on the SUV, makes a selection, and begins to drive. After driving for a few minutes, he pulls into a strip mall where there is a China Buffet.
Lucas goes in, pays for everyone's food, gets himself a heaping plate of Chinese food, and settles at a table in a corner, where it is unlikely they'll be overheard. He begins eating while waiting for everyone else to get their food and sit down.

A number of women at the buffet, made up of wives and lonely older or obese women begin staring over towards Lucas and Alessio. On the other hand, the husbands of the attached women - some whose wives are quite attractive in thier own right are annoyed by this fact.

Lucas' cell phone rings after he picks up a plate of food.

Walks in, selects a small plate of chicken and veggies, and joins Lucas at the table.

Lucas smiles at the women warmly. He makes eye contact, and otherwise flirts without saying anything, trying to make each woman feel special.

Manipulation + Persuasion +Spec + Striking Looks: 3 successes at having "and our eyes met across a crowded room" moment with the women present

A few men take notice of the flirting a begin to look fairly sour. The women hide thier faces in embarrassment for having stared a little too long. Lucas' phone continues to buzz.

Murphy follows in her own car.

When they arrive, she gets a plate of General Tso's with brown rice.

She rolls her eyes at Lucas's antics while she digs into her food.

"Is there some place anyone would like to start in specific?"

Lucas pulls the phone out, and answers it.

Note: I will be dealing with a few people privately. Do what you need to in this post. In the future, I'll dole out the dates. If people wish to go off an investigate things, tell me what you are doing and we can assign a date to it. Thanks!

Lucas answers the phone and it hangs up on him.

"Is it simply an inferiority complex that creates the never-ending sarcastic comments filled with derision, or are you simply determined to face the thing that prophecy says is going to roll and smoke you like a cheap cigar all by yourself?"
Lucas spends a minute paying attention to his food before continuing.
"So, when we're done here, why doesn't everyone who's willing go get their stuff, and we can discuss how we can help each other with this guarding thing, or whatever else comes up. I'm just ridiculously rich now, so I'm going to continue with my people skills, and see about making friends and influencing people. There's no reason, with all the crap going on, that we can't help each other out, mundanely, or with whatever crazy magic crap is going on."
"Everyone else's thoughts?"

Sounds good to me.

"So, Alessio, you're a people person...actor that acts, or more of a model/actor?"