A Strange Meeting - Dominic [geckojesus] / Francis [Anatra]

[Anatra]

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Francis ORCA

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The evening is stretching, the time only being around seven o'clock yet the bar that Francis has went to every so often for the past few years remains open like usual on a friday. Frank wants to have a nice calm drink, perhaps forget briefly that his sons are out in the Peacekeeper Academy performing dangerous missions just like he used to when he was their age. They are going through the same thing as he did, but the world is definitely easier for them. They don't know that though. So it's just as hard, apparently.

He sits at the table in the dimly lit bar that isn't necessarily busy tonight. There's a drink on the coaster, his hand lightly wrapped round it, the brim half a glass from being full. He hasn't been here long, it seems. The small booths that they have in this bar are nice, and feel private. All they are, are tables with a semi-circle of a seat going all around in a moon shape. They have panels to cover the in between of all of the other seats. Of course, there's seats, tables and chairs that aren't like this. The bar accommodates for a lot of Frank's meetings. Social or otherwise. Him and Cecilia, his wife, come here a lot just to unwind. Him and her are not a sentimental couple, but one that knows the other a great deal and can relate to most of what each other says. That is what a long togetherness gets you, regardless of whether you have to lie about that or not. That's the trouble of being an ex-Peacekeeper - no relationships, no children, no ties to anybody. Francis of course, didn't follow that. But nobody needs to know.

He has three sons. Tyler, Tyren and Alex. Tyren and Alex are probably the toughest kind of career out there - the ones with brains. But they aren't necessarily careers anymore, not since the pregames, which were a multitude of rounds in the old arena-like place near the training center. It's an event that is run for the careers to determine who is truly fit to volunteer. It isn't required, but the toughest are known to partake. Tyren and Alex did, Alex lost at the first round and Tyren the second. There was only three, that's how deadly it is. Alex faced the person who went on to win, so that explains his lack of progression in the event. Tyren faced a girl in the first round but still came out victorious. The second round required weapons, and a spear beat a bow that day. Matthew Dunham, a tall strong career to which Francis has not met properly yet, thankfully, was the one who hospitalised Tyren to a state that was upon the brink of death. Tyren suffered from a lot of blood loss. Two huge scars across his neck, each caused by the same weapon. A large scar across his back that completely ruined the tattoo that was once an appealing sight. The vulture that carried all of the districts in its claws is now one with a huge cut through it, distorted slightly. Other cuts, scars and such litter his body because of that stupid day. Stupid, is exactly how Francis sees, seen and will always see it. He allowed Tyren and Alex to do that because he knew that if they were to ever stand a chance in the district they'd have to show their brutality like that. But he didn't think that allowing them to do such a thing would result in almost losing one of the two non-identical twins.

Brooding in a bar isn't what he set out to do, though. But it ends up being exactly what he does, sitting alone in a bar. It's not the best look for somebody, but it is one that he has reason to do. Alex was beat up in the alley outside of here the other day, and Francis wants to catch the person who did it. He knows for a fact who it was, so all that remains is finding them. Maybe he'll see them here.

Or maybe he'll meet someone new.

[geckojesus]

Dominic Umbra

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Every day; Dominic has to tolerate the idiocy of his employees, ignore the constant complaints, the pleas for a raise. It can drain a man of all enthusiasm, so he decided to go where all drained men go. To get a drink.

Dominic arrived at a bar he'd never visited before with the hope of not seeing any familiar faces. He decided before he had left his home; to wear his usual casual attire, after all he was not expecting  to meet anybody he knew. Dominic's daughter Samantha; often called Sammy by the few friends Dominic allowed, was left at home with the guard dog Alec. There was no need for either of them to be here. Dominic planned no trouble tonight and can not risk the girl being corrupted by those distasteful boys she so often admires.

The evening had arrived and the numbers on the streets slowly dwindled. Dominic pushed the old, heavy door and entered the quaint little bar. He scanned the room with his eyes and was pleased to see no familiar face. He was pleased to see so very few faces at all. He slowly walked over to the bar counter, past some chairs with unknown faces. He tapped the counter twice to signal the barkeeper; who's back was turned. 

"Anything, but make it strong" Dominic said to the barkeeper who preceded to pour a drink from a bottle. The truth was Dominic did not drink frequently so had no idea what to order. He took his drink and turned until his back was to the barkeeper. He observed the room once more while drinking the concoction, every sip was followed by a grimace but it was helping him forget the insufferable people he has to work with. He started calculating the stories of the people in the bar, the happy couple, the lonely girl and the enigma sitting in the booth at the back.

[Anatra]

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Francis ORCA

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The light music in the background, playing through crude speakers, sounds something like jazz, or similarly smooth. It's quite a sophisticated little bar, now that Francis has the time to look around it some more. He takes a nice sip of his beer, the bitter taste tingling in his throat like it should. The taste is pleasant to him, when to others it likely isn't. He is a fan of such drinks, the ones that are typically masculine. The likes of which you would expect a father to drink. As he thinks, he wonders whether Tyren and Alex would drink this kind of beverage. Would they? The answer is yes, unknown to him as he hasn't drank with them before. He would like to, but right now they have little opportunity to do so, with the Peacekeeper Academy looming over every week, leaving only a saturday and sunday to spare. Sure, they could have something on the saturdays, but there's more valuable work to do. Better things that require their attention.

Frank checks his surroundings briefly, still wary as to whom enters the bar. He likes to know who is around. Not because he is suspicious, but because he is protective. Not of himself, but others. He knows that Max, he nephew is in the bar too. He's with some friends across the way, quite a distance from the booth. They're not loud, but they're drinking quite a bit. Francis thinks Max is a great kid. Medical Officer, and a supervisor in the company. He could ask for nothing more. He's nineteen, and carries himself with a confidence that Francis knows is from Max's father and Frank's brother, Michael Orca. Smooth, suave. Words of which describe the two well. Always dressing smart. Always a hit with the females, as it happens.

Francis sits back a bit in his chair. Being forty five means that life is definitely slowing down. But he likes to speed himself up. He still goes to the gym, and is completely capable. He's not an old man by any means. He doesn't even look it. He looks like he should be much younger, around his thirties. But that's just the reality of the matter, one that he doesn't care to disapprove of or care about too much at all. His wife, Cecilia is the same age and also looks great for her age. That's because she really cares about how she looks though. She's the typical workaholic mother who does everything for everyone. Everyone being the family, not anybody else. It's a selfish act atop a selfless one.

He fiddles with the coaster in his hand, the beer in the other as he takes occasional sips from it. He notices another man, just now ordering his drink. Francis hasn't seen his face much. Sometimes, as anybody would because of the smallness of the towns here. People grow regular to one and other, and this one has been seen by Francis a little here and there, but not at all frequently. It interests Frank as to who he is. It's not his business, though. He isn't going to randomly call him over to talk, but if he wanted to sit with Francis he wouldn't be at all bothered by it. He'd appreciate the company with somebody.

He doesn't look too much. Staring isn't his thing. Just a brief glance, just in case he was to come over. It's always a possibility.

[geckojesus]

Dominic Umbra

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Dominic only now noticed the light jazz music, setting a calm ambiance. He never particularly liked jazz, preferring classical but tonight could be an exception. In his observations he noticed a small group of people who were smartly dressed; telling jokes and laughing. Especially one boy, young, attractive, probably had daddy hand him everything on a plate. He hated the arrogance of youth, experience will always surpass education and this boy clearly lacked the experience of hardship. Dominic noticed one of the boys fiends look at him; so replied with a sarcastic head tilt before looking away. Dominic realised he Can't stare and start trouble without one of his problem solvers around, be that Alec or a knife.

Dominic swirled his drink before attempting to finish it off. Once he removed the glass; he placed his closed hand sideways to his mouth as a reflex to keep it down. He put the glass down on the counter with force, somehow angry at not being able to drink smoothly. That's when he noticed the enigma's eyes giving a casual sweep of the room. Dominic immediately knew; that man was perceptive. That does not automatically mean smart but it's a start. This time he let the enigma know he has caught his interest.

Dominic orders a glass of water this time. perhaps he will need a clear head for tonight after all. Meeting new people always requires precise thought so he can understand them and the advantages of knowing them. "Enough waiting" he says to the barkeeper before merrily making his way to the booth, glass in hand and walking with swagger. He takes the seat opposite the enigma; places his glass on the table and claps his hands together.

"What's your story?"

[Anatra]

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Francis ORCA

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Francis remains there, still. His usual clothes are being worn today - shirt and tie, but the button is undone. That alone would tell anybody he's not planning on doing any work from now until tomorrow at least. A couple of glances lets him ensure that Max is doing fine, like any protective parent would continue to do. Quicker than Francis could look away, Max, his nephew, catches his gaze and gives him a nod like any nephew would. Frank nods back, a half-smile on his face. Max knows, since he is nineteen, that his uncle doesn't care that he's here, or what he's doing, but that he's safe. He is, for now at least. Nothing is likely to happen to him spare attention from the ladies, which isn't exactly something Francis cares to watch.

But then, something happens which although wasn't expected, it wasn't exactly unpleasant either. Somebody comes to take a seat opposite Francis. It's the man from earlier that was at the bar. He had a small feeling that he would come over, simply because the two shared the briefest moments of eye contact. That alone draws anybody in, usually. Especially if both are on business. Francis isn't, however.

"What's your story?" He says with a clapping of his hands. Francis looks at him, slightly unsure, a little uneasy. Not at all lacking in confidence, though. "What do you want, a life story?" He speaks, an edge of sarcasm to his voice. He lifts his head, looking at him after taking a sip of his drink. He simply raises a brow at the man. Although purposefully done, Francis makes a brief movement that shouldn't look at all out of the ordinary. He wants to test the man's ability to perceive his environment. Frank holds his glass with his left hand, like he has been the whole time, but as he puts it down he wraps his hand a little more so, his wedding ring showing more clearly to the man. It was not an obvious gesture, nor really a gesture at all. But something he could perhaps notice now, more than before.

"I think you, the person coming to me, should start with your name."

[geckojesus]

Dominic Umbra

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Dominic slowly placed his hands on the table still pressed together; he leaned forward slightly while waiting for a reply. He notices the man's expression of unease, is it out of a lack of confidence. Unlikely, any man who wears a suit while sitting in a bar alone clearly has confidence to spare. "What do you want, a life story?" Dominic is taken by surprise, it has been so long since somebody answered him back; regardless of how long it has been he still did not like it, however it did help him piece more of this man's character together. He's confident, not particularly witty but far from slow. He hides his discontent with a slight smile.



The man raises his eyebrow before putting his drink down, Dominic knows he is meant to notice something just by the man's face. I hope he isn't mocking my water; if so; this night will be wasted on a fool. Dominic rarely drinks alcohol; doing so only when a cigar be enough. He looks carefully at the man's drink, only now noticing the ring on show. Family man, confident, subtle, intelligent, assumed wealth and never done business with him before. The list of possible candidates greatly reduces. He looked at that boy before and gave a nod, they know each other. I only know one rich family in the mining business with an abundance of irritating children. I'd wager he's an Orca or at least a cousin of them. Either way I'll wait for his confirmation, I’d look foolish if I’m somehow wrong.



"I think you, the person coming to me, should start with your name." Was that arrogance? He must be smarter than that. A display of authority? If so then he stinks of peacekeeper. I'll give him this one though "Dominic Umbra, Businessman, Farther, procurer of certain wares, not necessarily in that order" he said with an accent distinct from the local area and ended with a trademark grin. Without waiting for a reply he adds "and you are a married, ex? peacekeeper just looking for a drink. I can relate to that" With the same grin plastered on his face he lifts his glass and begins to drink. He put his glass down hard and glares at this man with eyes that show a sudden change in his mood. "I'm just going to guess Orca".