The Lunatic Cafe

Enter a big man from an icy San Francisco rainstorm, black hair in tendrils down his back and a raincape pulled taut around his broad shoulders. He doesn't know where he's crossed into; wouldn't much care anyway, from the brooding in his dark eyes. He just wants a hot drink, a few hours' distraction, and maybe some company. His life is full of weirdness anyway.

Lilith. We've been apart three years and here she is still trying to tease me into her latest scheme. Stealing from her father. Gods! Am I really desperate enough to sink that low?

I don't want to be.

I need to stay away from Lilith. Find a lady worth my time. A good cause to distract myself. New friends. Something. But for now...I haven't been in here before, so I'll see how many treats I'm willing to make up for in sit-ups later.

He draws near the counter, pushing the raincape back and putting on a smile to soften his appearance for the cashier. "Um, hullo. Start me with a mocha, please."

As he waits, he searches the menu for signs of chocolate, makes a few mental notes, and then glances curiously around the room.