There Once Was Something Here [Fiction Friday, Part 5]

Link To Part 1

Link To Part 4

For Tyson, the atmosphere during the taxi ride was nothing short of painfully static, with the twins bouncing thoughts off each other as though they were in a political debate. Occasionally one of their rapidfire remarks would make its way to Tyson, who would force himself to respond in the most chipper fashion he could muster, all the way imagining places he could be that would be preferable to being trapped in a moving vehicle with two hyperactive 18 year olds. Gaming at home came to mind. But then again, so did being trapped on Skaaro with a fleet of Daleks. Tyson gritted his teeth and resolved to enjoy himself - surely not everyone at this thing could be so...talkative...

The taxi pulled up outside a relatively nice looking restaurant - nothing fancy, but certainly not a student dive like Tyson had been expecting. "Sankaku Tobi..." He read the name on the sign aloud to himself, slowly registering the Japanese in his mind, "Wait - 'Triangle Jump'? We're at a Japanese restaurant called 'Triangle Jump'."

"You can eat sushi right?" Leo seemed genuinely worried that they'd committed a serious social faux-pas by not checking for allergies or taste before selecting an eatery. "Only, your bio didn't say anything about being allergic to anything specific, and it said that you enjoy the Japanese culture which is why we figured that you'd like to come to dinner with us because, because, because..." Tyson could see the young man's mind going into overdrive - he seemed to become stuck in his speech as a result of the potential embarrassment.

"Because all the people here like Japanese culture - at least one aspect of it, anyway." Lachlan, as usual, came to the conversational rescue, although his tone made it obvious that his brother's panic attack had irked him. "And what's more, Leonard, he doesn't have to eat sushi. This place has ramen, yaki-tori, tonkatsu, takoyaki..." Lachlan continued to list the available food, seemingly unaware that Tyson had taken his brother by the shoulders and was staring him directly in the eye.

"This place," he began, an air of confidence filling his voice, "has tonkatsu. Do you know how long it's been since I had good pork cutlet? With the right sauces? And breaded just right?!" At this stage he had genuine enthusiasm trailing every word - it was the most passion he'd shown since he moved in. It was the most passion he'd shown since he learnt that he would be moving away. Leo calmed significantly as Tyson continued his empowered tirade. "Why are we not in that place ordering delicious pork cutlet right this instant?!"

Tyson spun Leo around by the shoulders and wheeled him into 'Sankaku Tobi', with Lachlan training close behind. "Ahh - Lachlan, Leonard...I'm glad to see that you finally made it, and you brought a friend with you!" They were greeted by Japanese girl in her early 20's who showed them to a table already filled with students - all of whom varied widely in age and appearance. "Please, sit, and I will return shortly to take your order." Tyson found her professionally deferring demeanour rapidly bringing back pleasant memories of the time he had spent on student exchange in Japan. He sipped his complementary green tea thoughtfully as he listened to the conversation that was already in progress at the table.

"...and I guess that's why I'm studying theatre...I just like to entertain people, and I have the showbiz bug in me." Everyone at the table nodded, though mostly, Tyson noticed, out of politeness. He wondered how many introductions they had missed, and figured that his makeshift chaperones already knew their guests. The speaker, a black haired, thin girl girl turned to look at Tyson, and made a face with her full, pouting lips. "I'm Angel. This is Simeon..." she pointed to a rather gangly looking boy on her left whose moppish brown hair prevented the upper portion of his face from being seen. She next indicated to the person on her right, a stunningly beautiful blonde girl in her late teens, who had a scar that was just noticeable running down her right cheek, the mystery it brought somehow adding to her beauty "and this is Paloma."

Paloma's stare bored into Tyson as Simeon managed to mumble a "Just call me Sim...", paving the way for the remaining seven individuals to introduce themselves to the three new arrivals. Tyson began to create a mental log of the basics, he figured he could always build on them later if need be - it's how he usually got along with people anyway. His mental log went something along the lines of: "Angel - Theatrical; Simeon - Unkempt; Paloma - Mysterious; Jackon - Atypical Jock; Thomas - Bookish; Bryan - Aloof; Alyssa - Brooding; Illiana - Condescending; Michael - Mute; and Marissa - Bubbly"

Their waitress returned as Leo, Lachlan, and Tyson finished their turns at the introductions. She took their orders, most of which were simple ramen dishes, and noted to the group that students found this place popular due to the cheap selection of ramen varieties they had on offer. "Thank you for ordering," she said as she began to turn away, "My name is Seraphine, and I'll be your waitress tonight..."