[ The band, if one could even call it that - a single old bearded man with a cello and another with a violin, with a woman wearing thick framed glasses reciting poetry from the piano rather than singing lyrics - was doing little to drown out the sounds of the heavy rain and booming thunder from outside, but at least it was something. Oswald could at least force himself to concentrate on it, though every time the thunder roared he flinched, nearly spilling his black coffee over his fingers exposed from torn gloves.
It was irrational, and Oswald told himself to just keep reminding himself of that fact. It was just weather, he was inside the club with a half decent cup of coffee and half decent live music to listen to, the booth he'd chosen was one off to the side and not immediately surrounded by other patrons. The server recommended their fresh apple pie, which he had to decline but at least she was polite about it.
Still, the storm outside was getting to be louder than the music, at least to his own ears. It was with a grimace and a hopefully inaudible groan under his breath that Oswald set his mug down, leaning forward to rest his head in his hands. Just breathe, he reminded himself. It would have to go away soon. ]
[Takeshi hadn't been in this part of town before. He'd taken a wrong turn on the way back to where he was staying and now he was stuck somewhere foreign to him in the pouring rain. As lightning flashed, he ducked into a doorway with a light on-- a cafe. At least he could stop here for a while until the worst of the rain passed. He had only a few dollars on him, enough for a cup of tea.
It seems there's music playing tonight. Takeshi wasn't one for music, so he couldn't judge if they were any good. They must be good enough to draw a crowd, because there was hardly anywhere to sit, except for one booth in the back with a lone man sitting there. Well, he wouldn't mind some company, Takeshi hoped as he approached with his tea.]
[ The storm doesn't seem to be slowing down or going away anytime soon, and Oswald wonders just how late the cafe is open until. Maybe it's one of those twenty-four hour places. Maybe they won't mind him staying until the worst of it is over. He couldn't be the only one, after all. Sure, some people are here for the coffee, the mediocre music, but any port in a storm right? And the more Oswald reassures himself of that much, the easier it is to breathe, at least.
Despite all that, he wasn't expecting someone in a similar situation to actually come up and ask to sit with him. Lost in his thoughts and irrational fears as he was, Oswald didn't notice the stranger until he spoke, and he jumped a bit in his seat in surprise. ]
Oh-- [ when did it get so crowded in here? Though- gosh, he probably looks like a fright. Running a hand through his hair, Oswald shrugs. ] Sure, I suppose, if you'd like. I'm sure I could find somewhere else. [ this man might have friends joining him, after all. ]
Not necessary. [Takeshi sits, cringing slightly at the wet mess he leaves behind. He sips his tea, listening to the music without craning his neck around to see the band.
Just then, a particularly bright flash of lightning strikes and the power goes out, a collective groan issuing from the other patrons.]
[ At first, Oswald was starting to think it would be okay. Maybe having someone else for his focus to switch to would help ease his apprehension. But that's when the lightning strikes, one of the nearest, loudest booms of thunder since the storm started and he jumps, suddenly thankful he wasn't holding his coffee mug then.
But it's too much, his heart is racing and his palms are sweaty, and he lowers his head to his arms on the table. He's probably making the stranger uncomfortable, but panic is making it too difficult to be apologetic. ]
[ He was right, he'd given the stranger cause for concern. But Oswald was thinking the man would be made uncomfortable and leave, not actually ask how he is.
Lifting his head, Oswald nods, though not very confidently. ] I'll be-- I'm fine. [ a hand runs through his hair as he takes a deep breath. ] I ... apologize. It's nothing. I don't mean to disturb you.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
no subject
It was irrational, and Oswald told himself to just keep reminding himself of that fact. It was just weather, he was inside the club with a half decent cup of coffee and half decent live music to listen to, the booth he'd chosen was one off to the side and not immediately surrounded by other patrons. The server recommended their fresh apple pie, which he had to decline but at least she was polite about it.
Still, the storm outside was getting to be louder than the music, at least to his own ears. It was with a grimace and a hopefully inaudible groan under his breath that Oswald set his mug down, leaning forward to rest his head in his hands. Just breathe, he reminded himself. It would have to go away soon. ]
no subject
It seems there's music playing tonight. Takeshi wasn't one for music, so he couldn't judge if they were any good. They must be good enough to draw a crowd, because there was hardly anywhere to sit, except for one booth in the back with a lone man sitting there. Well, he wouldn't mind some company, Takeshi hoped as he approached with his tea.]
May I sit here? There's nowhere else.
no subject
Despite all that, he wasn't expecting someone in a similar situation to actually come up and ask to sit with him. Lost in his thoughts and irrational fears as he was, Oswald didn't notice the stranger until he spoke, and he jumped a bit in his seat in surprise. ]
Oh-- [ when did it get so crowded in here? Though- gosh, he probably looks like a fright. Running a hand through his hair, Oswald shrugs. ] Sure, I suppose, if you'd like. I'm sure I could find somewhere else. [ this man might have friends joining him, after all. ]
no subject
Just then, a particularly bright flash of lightning strikes and the power goes out, a collective groan issuing from the other patrons.]
no subject
But it's too much, his heart is racing and his palms are sweaty, and he lowers his head to his arms on the table. He's probably making the stranger uncomfortable, but panic is making it too difficult to be apologetic. ]
no subject
Are you alright? [He's heard of children being afraid of the dark, but this guy seems a little old for that.]
no subject
Lifting his head, Oswald nods, though not very confidently. ] I'll be-- I'm fine. [ a hand runs through his hair as he takes a deep breath. ] I ... apologize. It's nothing. I don't mean to disturb you.