{A closed starter for @telepathjc.}
The metropolitan area of Zürich was beautiful in and of itself, but it really came to life in the evenings. The bustling streets hummed with the din of pedestrians and vehicles and reminded Kilgrave much of the streets of New York. Nameless strangers filed past him as he sat at a little corner cafe, watching the passersby with a distracted sort of interest. A mostly finished plate of food sat on the table in front of him and he nursed the last few sips of a cup of coffee. A chill hung on the air; late winter still clinging desperately to life as the months marched ceaselessly towards spring.
He stood with some measure of grace from his seat as he drained the last of his cup, paying no mind to the waiter who stared listlessly out of the shop window at him. There was a look of mild confusion on the other’s face, as though he couldn’t comprehend something about the well-dressed man who’d cheerfully explained to him that he wanted to let him dine for free tonight. After all, of course he wanted to let the man dine for free that night, but he still couldn’t figure out why, not when every synapse in his mind was going off to the contrary. Thankfully for himself, it wasn’t something Kilgrave had any intention of dealing with and he shouldered his way back into a dark purple overcoat as he stood to leave.
He was distracted by something as he stepped out onto the street-- a pretty face, fitting his coat more appropriately over his frame, the dazzling sky as the sun set; it could have been anything-- and it was in this star-crossed moment that it happened. He ran smack into someone. He jostled backward, an arrogant sneer already forming on his face, as the collision shook him from his distracted reverie. Dark brown eyes narrowed at the offending person who had the audacity to interrupt his evening and he spoke without thought or care.
“Idiot! Watch where you’re going!”
The words left his mouth before he could think about what he was saying and by then, it was far too late. His powers would have taken effect immediately, creeping into her mind like an insect as it wound its way around her, forcing her to follow his command without hesitation. His sneer darkened-- mostly at himself as he realized his mistake-- and he backed up a step, forcing his features into a more neutral expression as he waited for this stranger to come back to their senses afterwards.
