Open/Closed Prompts

[perfectdistance]

Who ⬤ Nero and you
What ⬤ Open and closed starters
When ⬤ September
Where ⬤ Various
Content Warnings ⬤ Sex in at least one thread


I. Substory #3 Drifter Grifter

[He looks tiredly at the list of crimes of this grifter and for a moment he wonders if Bradley's out there stealing again? He's probably stealing, but is this specifically Bradley or just some idiot he doesn't have to care about?]

Okay, so what did this guy look like? Did he even have any information or was he just dining and dashing?

[Are there, for some reason, giant windows in your bathrooms? How is this guy getting out so easily?]

II. City of Rain, before hours
[Now more than Ever Nero's grateful to have his shop. An oasis of calm in the middle of the din of Jigokuchou. Of course, the quiet rule doesn't come into effect until the shop actually opens. Sometimes it is nice to be able to talk to his employees without having to write everything down on paper.

He has been cooking a little earlier than usual, but that might be because of the new hire. Bradley? Just somebody from home. At least it's very normal for Nero not to say much about himself.

He does send out a text to everyone who works there.]

Breakfast on Friday at 10 if you want to come early.

Tell me what you want.

III. Wildcard
[Give me another prompt or contact me via discord or PM.]

Comments

[divisors]

Thank you.

[And he's pulling it towards himself again. This time, there's no hesitation. He simply digs in to eat it once more. The taste is still...vivid. Still good. Again, its finished in a moment, again the napkin comes up. He murmurs, quietly.]

Funny how...the simplest things really are...more monumental than they seem.

[perfectdistance]

[The small things in life, a good breakfast, the morning sun. The ability to sleep in every once in a while.

They're a reminder of what life is.]

Sounds like you enjoyed your meal. [A little fond.]

[divisors]

I-I said it was fine.

[An almost instant reaction, like he's been caught with his hand in the jar. His ears burn a little.]

[perfectdistance]

[Hahaa, cute.]

If ya say so.

[divisors]

Ugh.

[>8I]

Do you have things to drink, too?

[perfectdistance]

I have apple, grape, and orange juice, fruit teas, wines, and water.

[divisors]

Wine would be too early for the morning...just get me cup of tea.

[perfectdistance]

[It's not too early if you're an alcoholic. Or Bradley.

He will make a cup of peach tea.]

[divisors]

[He nods as he slides it to himself, waiting for a moment for it to cool enough to sip on.]

...What do you usually make for your own breakfast?

[perfectdistance]

Toast and jam, eggs, and sausage.

[A delicious start to a day.]

[divisors]

Oh, not too far off from what I went with...

How do you like your eggs done?

[perfectdistance]

Depends on the day. Scrambled or poached are pretty good.

[divisors]

[A light nod, and then a sip of the tea. It's light, and soothing. Like summer.]

....When made you want to get into cooking?

[perfectdistance]

Where I grew up there wasn't a lot of good food. [Whatever food grew in the north wasn't the most delicious, or the easiest to work with.] Made me want to do as much as I could with what I had.

i meant WHAT not when. god

[divisors]

In adversity grows strength.

[That's typically how it is.]

Are you happy? Doing what you do now?

[perfectdistance]

[I got you!]

Yeah. I like cooking for people.

[Nobody has to be close to him, or rely on him for anything important. This is perfect, thank you.]

[divisors]

...

[Awkwardly trying to find out what to say to that. People finding what works for them...]

Good for you.

[perfectdistance]

[Nero just accepts it. There's satisfaction in finding a spot in the world he can fill.]

Thanks.

[Nero will continue prepping for the beginning of actual service.]

[divisors]

[He actually lingers as Nero moves on. Not saying anything, but he sips at his tea in silence, pulling out a pen to start writing on the napkin next to him.]

[Just numbers upon numbers. Equations upon equations. He's lost in thought as he pores over it, before raising his head to look over at Nero.]

What's your name, again?

[perfectdistance]

Nero.

[It's on the app, an on some of the internal rosters. It's not as though that name means too much to anybody here. He assumes.]

[divisors]

The name of a grand emperor of Rome, who supposedly played the violin as his great city burned.

[He says it matter-of-factly.]

A big name for a quiet chef.

[perfectdistance]

[Hey what the fuck is "Rome". An emperor?]

...? This is the first time I've heard about a Rome.

[divisors]

Oh? I suppose people come from worlds that are far from Earth...but it used to be the capital of a grand empire. That empire no longer exists.

[perfectdistance]

Huh... Weird to share a name with somebody like that.

[It would be nice! To be normal! To be a local restaurant npc!]

[divisors]

I suppose so. Ah, but there are worse people to share the same name with. At least its memorable.

[A lift of his cup, like a toast.]

Emperor Nero of the neat little cafe.