[Video | January 1st, Afternoon]

[z_jay]

Good afternoon, Luceti. Eugene, here, and I hope you're all keeping warm out there. I know many of you are probably still recovering from the solstice celebration earlier this month, or festivities that might preoccupy you during the end of a year and the beginning of the next, but I am in need of a favor from a few of you.

[His smile is hopeful, a little nervous, but not tremendously so. That nervousness does prompt him to lick his lips to wet them, giving a semi-glance offscreen for a moment before continuing.]

I, uh, will need whoever's helping Tasha out with her café to contact me as soon as possible. Nothing's gone wrong, but I think it's a good idea I get to know you all better. I don't think I've met you all just yet. But we can work on fixing that.

Anyway, business is open as usual, if you need a warm drink to keep you from freezing. Drop by, I'd love to have the company! As always, listeners...

[Now his smile is genuine, feeling a little bit of embarrassment since technically the audience was watchers instead of listeners, but old habits die hard.]

Don't do anything crazy, out there. Just kidding-- stay safe.

Comments

[Video]

[wildbluevagner]

[Kurt answers with his usual distinctive German accent.]

So I guess this means you're the new boss, huh? [He says without much mirth. The loss of Natasha stings especially since she was the last mentor figure the X-Men had left.

Unless they count Deadpool.

...Not even Deadpool wants to count Deadpool.]

This is Kurt Wagner, reporting to duty. The most instant server you could hope for.

[Video]

[z_jay]

[Though he wasn't lacking for a mentor, he was lacking a friend, so he understood Kurt's lackluster enthusiasm well enough. And didn't blame him for it one bit. So he sighed with a slight smile, rubbing the back of his head when he replied]

Looks to be that way, not that I wanted this to happen like this, but...

Hi, Kurt. Thanks for reporting in. I'd like to get to know you better on account of we'll be working together. Even some suggestions, if you'd like, about the business. Sort of taking up the wheel here on the fly, as it were.

[Kurt looked young, but if Tasha trusted him, he was likely very reliable]

[Video]

[wildbluevagner]

[He is only about 18-ish by now.]

Sure thing. I'm all for getting to know the new boss!

I don't know if I really know much about the business. But it can't be too tough in a place like this. I mean, we don't have to worry about competition or taxes or anything. Maybe it'll just come down to keeping the place stocked and staffed!

[Video]

[z_jay]

[Which definitely makes Eugene an old fart by comparison, but he's coming to terms with that.]

So tell me why you say you're the most instant server.

[Video]

[wildbluevagner]

I can do you one better. Are you at the coffee place right now?

[Video]

[z_jay]

[A demonstration? His brows rose and he glanced up from the screen, looking around the café. He never knew what he'd come across in Luceti, it was always a gamble. But it kept life interesting in the non-tagic sort of way.]

I'm in the very same. Why?

[Should he be bracing himself?]

[selfhelp]

Checking in as ordered.

[He can't help sounding a little morose about it. It's not the greatest way to start off the new year.]

[z_jay]

[Seeing Billy made him brighten a little bit, a face he did recognize and missed.]

Hey, thanks for checking in. Kind of want to keep this place running in tip-top shape...

[For what it was worth. Tasha would want it that way. Didn't mean that any of them had to pretend they didn't like her absence]

I don't think that any shifts are going to be changing, and I have every intention of keeping this place together. Hope you're doing okay, given the circumstances?

[selfhelp]

Ha... "given the circumstances". Emphasis on that bit.

[Sigh. That's just being negative again. He's trying not to drown in that these days.]

No, I'm okay. It's just a lot at once, you know? And it never stops.

[z_jay]

[Thankfully, Eugene has experience with making the best of bad situations, people suddenly being gone, and having to move on from that. All things considered, that was a perfectly healthy response]

It is a lot. I was shocked with Bucky disappearing but... Tasha, she just seemed so... permanent.

[No need to point out what they both knew, though. He shook his head and smiled ruefully]

It doesn't stop, no. Only thing we can do is not stop, either... keep going, and all that.

[selfhelp]

Yeah. That's the hard part.

[To keep going... well, it's not like the alternative is any better. Or even an option, in this place. Death is just as impermanent as their presence here.]

I guess the real lesson is that nobody's permanent in Luceti. That should be a good thing, but instead it's just... kind of terrifying.

[z_jay]

Reality is much the same.

[It maybe wasn't a helpful offer, but people died suddenly and unexpectedly. It was only after he spoke that he realized maybe he'd missed a point.]

The important thing is to do what she'd like us to-- within reason, of course. But I have the feeling she wouldn't be very happy if we moped around all day. Like I want to. Were you ever trained by her? Man, she would never let you take the easy way out...

[tryit]

Don't forget. That window table closest to the bar? Reserved for Bishop and company.

[She's joking. Really. Mostly?

It's easier than having to deal with the fact that her latest sparring partner has gone home, too. First Clint, then Natasha. She might have known the woman as well, but she had respected her. And had enjoyed the training.]

[z_jay]

[Despite the loss of Bucky, first, then Tasha, Eugene wasn't going to let it get him down outwardly. The show must go on and Tasha would lose respect if he didn't take up the challenge. He does smile, though, recognizing Kate and their conversation at said window table earlier]

Hm, y'know... I guess since I can't help with that other job, now, I think I'll owe it to you.

[tryit]

[Kate smiles back at him. She hasn't necessarily gotten to know Eugene as well as some of Simon's other friends, but they've had some talks here and there. He's nice, if not on the shy side. She has yet to figure out how to befriend him as she has the other Zombie boys.

But that doesn't mean she's given up.]

Don't worry too much about it. Keeping us supplied with a steady source of caffeine is just as important.

[z_jay]

Caffeine and courtesy-- no, that's a terrible slogan. We don't actually need one anyway on account of no competition.

[Still, he knew Jack did quality work, Kate wouldn't be too let down by his absence.]

But, well if you need anything catered, I think we do more than just coffee here. Actually, I'm positive of it.

[tryit]

What about provisions of coffee to the club? I'd been working out a deal with Natasha on that.

[It'd be good business for both of them. Not that they needed to worry about cutting any sort of profit here. But just in case that day ever comes...]

Each of us can advertise on the other's behalf.

[z_jay]

I couldn't pass up an opportunity like that!

[Essentially, he wasn't wanting to cause more of an uproar than Tasha's departure already had. And if business was in the works, he'd be a fool to turn it down. Taking the reigns unexpectedly had been a challenge, but he could handle this.]

...We could use all the help we can get. Thanks, Kate.

[halfnhalf]

Yeah, I'm here. Ready to work.

[Count another person who sounds a little morose; he liked Natasha a lot, and didn't get to know her near as much as he wanted to. What a way to start the new year.]

[z_jay]

[At least they can all agree on missing Natasha. Something to use to rally them under a cause, which he doubted would be necessary, but nevertheless...]

Hey, thanks for checking in. And for helping, because I could really use an extra set of hands. We're just carrying on-- I think she'd want that.

[action]

[untrueheart]

[Rue has something of a standing not!date with Natasha about once a week at the cafe. She comes in for that, taking her usual small table and looking about as uncomfortable with the whole thing as always. But talking to her...it makes her feel and think better about some things.]

[action]

[z_jay]

[In many ways, Eugene knew he would be a poor substitute for Natasha. Namely, he wasn't a vivacious redhead, nor was he as familiar with so many people... but he would do his best. So Rue wasn't sitting there long before Eugene spotted her and made his way over]

Hey, what kind of drink are you looking to have?

[action]

[untrueheart]

Thank you, but I will wait for Natasha.

[Unlike her to be late, but Rue missed one of these meetings herself the last time, due to the Malnosso's meddling.]

[action]

[z_jay]

Hate to bear the news to you but she's not here anymore. Not saying you're not welcome to wait, but you might be waiting unnecessarily.

[It was better not to mince words, in his experience, giving out information clear and concise was his job, after all]

[action]

[untrueheart]

Not here anymore? She stopped working here?