*A worn out taxi came to a sudden creaking halt in front of the Slurp Bar. A well dressed Gear stepped out of it, his jacket ironed out, his hair combed and curled to perfection. He looked far more well together than he felt, the fact he wasn’t the one driving already put him on edge. It was necessary though, he was not going to survive this meeting sober, and the last thing he wanted to do was wreck Jewels too.*
*He tipped the driver and lit up a cigarette. This was a terrible idea. Meeting any version of himself already felt so uncomfortable and uncanny, it was like his own reflection in the mirror came to life and decided to go on its way and do it’s own thing. This one especially was a hard case, he seemed like he had life all figured out already, living on the top, seemingly reaching out to Gear to pull him up as well. Normally he wouldn’t trust it, especially not another Midas, but he was already at rock bottom and it felt like things couldn’t possibly get any worse. That, and he needed something to get his mind off of the things that went down a few weeks ago. Something or someone he couldn’t find at home. Maybe this guy could provide him with the key to it all.*
*He finished his cigarette far faster than he would have liked, and with no other option he took a few uneasy steps into the bar, glancing over the drunken masses to find his guy. When he eventually did he took a deep breath and walked up to the Outlaw, then sat down on the unoccupied high chair next to him.*
This Midas was halfway through his own cigarette, lost in thoughts of escape routes, contacts, vaults, and a shard when he registered another body walking up behind. Their approach did not ring as a threat, but he nonetheless subconsciously prepared for anything while he took another long drag.
Though when he saw it was Gear who sat next to him, any tension he'd been holding disappeared, and a grin replaced it.
"Hey, yourself." He tapped twice on the bar counter while he turned to face this other version of himself. He already knew this kid was different than the other Midas' he'd heard about, but seeing him in person really drove it home.
Obviously younger to start, Gear carried himself differently. Less apparent bravado in him off rip, less self-assured than any Midas ought to be in his opinion. Though that just might make his plans a little easier.
"Been a couple weekends, I was starting to wonder if you'd actually show." He put out his cigarette when two drinks were placed in front of them, "I hope a Rum and Coke's alright, but if you want something else just yell at my friend here."
Midas tilted his head to the bartender, who offered a silent nod back. There were a fair amount of people in this smaller dive-bar. Several had glanced at Gear as he walked in, but it was unclear if this was because he looked a little "fresh" for this area, because they were aligned with The Outlaw, or both.
"I don't know how much you care for small-talk before business offers, but I like to chat, and I'm a bit curious about you. Rather, curious about what's got you acting so...moody." He said with a light chuckle and a sip to his drink, "Relationship woes?"