citylogs | ( semi-open ) though it may hurt today

(The city is different at night. It's unlike any view he's ever really seen before. Pitch-black in places with lights that sparkle and shimmer like stars all around him. For an old spirit like him, it feels as bright as day among them which probably explains why he's sulked off to some empty restaurant with a rooftop patio for solitude. He's hard to miss considering his bright white attire. You could probably spot him from a mile away in the dark.

Of course, no one is working, but the kitchen smells like seafood and some slow, nondescript song plays a relaxing melody no doubt meant to evoke feelings of being by the sea in some quiet little town or something. This would have been a nice little place to take someone out for a quiet date in a bustling city. Maybe it was (if people were ever here). Maybe that's what it's meant to be (now that the city is filling with people).

Leaning against the black iron balcony rail, he looks out at the quiet city below... and then up at the moon. When he senses that he isn't alone anymore, he calls out whimsically,)

Do you think it's real?

(The moon? The city? Something else???)

[bitch you are BOTH freaking out, nothing's real in this bitch!

Sigh. Gregor's at least somewhat used to having his trauma yanked out and paraded around in front of him by now, so he's able to crawl his way on over to Roland and sling an arm around his shoulders. Not tight. Just. There.]

Got you, man. It's okay. We'll figure this out in a minute. [Even if he keeps shooting the discarded flags looks, between his wobbly attempts to be so useful, so helpful, such a good buddy friend pal.

Better to focus on Roland than on the flag. The stupid fucking teenager plastered on it, photoshopped to high hell, grotesque and handsome all in one. What's Roland holding? That's more interesting. What's that? The note's identical to his, but he can't peg what Roland's holding, and he can't ask if brother's freaking out.] Breathe in, hold, out. That's what all the quacks told me.

[Objectively, there's no reason for Junpei to wander into a fancy clothing boutique. He's already found a) more t-shirt 6-packs, and b) a replacement cool leather jacket, so now that he's peaked? Style-wise? Fancy boutiques are useless to him.

So it's probably because he spots Roland that he ambles in here at all, and luckily the lack of employees means he doesn't have to feel out of place in his old jeans. Hey king, how's it going... Having a normal week just like Junpei, for sure...

He stares at the ties. Is this a trick question. A puzzle. To his credit, he really does try to look at each one in earnest and make a good decision, but--]

Uh, this one...?

[The polka dots. Do they make ties in plaid, maybe try one of those?? He frowns lightly, because he has a question, but it feels dumb even before he says anything:]

Aren't three of these just the same black tie?

Purple Tear...?

[ his teary eyes widen at the name. what? but that's-- ]

I-Impossible...

[ it's impossible, because he and the librarians had turned her into a book when she willingly popped up at the library. how did she get out? her dimension-ripping powers? and on top of bringing roland to the library in the first place to kickstart this entire plot...

on one hand, this is enough to make him stop crying for the time being. but on the other, his mind is racing with theories. does that mean anyone can be unbooked, or is it just iori? she seemed like she's always one step ahead, after all, judging from the last time roland and angela had seen her prior to her reception. and the first thing she did when she got out is release some-- ]

Did she release some kinda Abnormality? Where is she now?

Edited 2023-07-21 21:58 (UTC)

[ DON DRIP REAL... the way roland didn't even bat an eye at what don's wearing right now. he's not the type to judge about fashion in general, as common as these shirts are in a chaotic place like their city-- ]

What.

[ that being said, the pieces don picked are a little... ummmmmmm. ]

You think I'm a cat person, Don?

[ NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT it's just... huh. ]

I confess, I do not know thee well enough to say one way or the other, but I know I would be quite delighted to see thee wearing something such as this!

[ because they're adorable!!!!!!! look at them roland!!!!!! then... they can match cats... 🥺 ]

Do thee prefer dogs? I am certain I could find a tie with adorable black doggies on them instead! Or perhaps birds? Lizards? Fish? Worm? Snail? Frog? What sort of animal doth catch thine interest, Sir Roland?

[ she's a step away from asking what animal resonates with his soul. ]

[ ...wow. first off, roland wasn't off the mark when he told daan that he could've been a nest kid in his City; the title of baron sounds rather fancy enough one. but the concept of gods and rituals are lost on roland; there doesn't seem to be a proper religion in the City he's from, and the bigger ones are just money-hungry schemes in disguise.

maybe that's what had gotten daan into that mess. he believed too much, and look where it had gotten him. roland takes a glance at the eyepatch, then down on their respective hands again. ]

...I see.

[ he doesn't bother with an apology. words like that mean nothing to men like them anymore. ]

But you did all you could to bring her back. And even if it didn't go anywhere you had hoped... [ his lips purse together, before handing daan back his handkerchief. ] Well. You probably don't need comforting words like that. But I... understand the pain of being left behind, if it's any consolation.

Edited 2023-07-21 22:56 (UTC)

[ see, the thing is that roland is also used to hanving his trauma yanked out and paraded in front of him! though the difference is that it's within the confines of the library, and with the librarian in question having first-row seats to whatever roland's breaking down over at the moment.

but this time, he is making a fool of himself in front of people he barely know. he wasn't even sure if gregor wanted to talk to him after the bullshit he pulled on the network. and yet here the man is, guiding roland through breathing exercises, and roland is reminded of how he'd taught malkuth to breathe in and out when the patron librarian was getting heated up over their circumstances after l corp collapsed in on itself.

he inhales, then exhales. inhale, exhale. he takes his time until his head's clear enough to make sense of what's going on here, and he looks down on the fabric he's tightly holding on for dear life. ah. ]

These gloves... They belonged to my wife.

[ he swallows. ]

She was killed by a Distortion.

[ ...eh?

now, here's a guy who looks and acts like a nest kid from the get-go. roland doesn't always know how to act around fancy-looking guys that aren't chesed, but at least this one knows what he's talking about? maybe?? who even knows. it's not like most fixers give a shit about fashion in their world, unless their office uniforms are already that fancy like the ones from liu association.

but roland... he's Just A Guy, a fixer from a one-man office. nothing special, in other words. he steps into the light as kaveh instructed watches the blond man give him the most judgmental once-over, mentally sweating at the questions the guy's firing at him. ]

Uhh, nowhere. Don't really have anywhere else to go from here. [ obviously. ] As for the material, I don't really recall. This suit's custom-made for my job, and it has to be durable as possible to endure all the blows I take, y'know?

[ he does not know, roland. the guy has probably never had the need to pick up a sword to fight in his life. ]

I know you do. When you cried out, I-- it felt like what I've held inside for so damned long.

[An anguish he knows too well.

He grips the handkerchief, then tucks it away into his vest. It's selfish, but there's a comfort in knowing someone else does understand the pain, even a little bit.]

Obviously I can do nothing to remove this kind of pain, Roland. But I'm here. I hope that it's... something for you too.

Damn right it's impossible. No one came back from that Library. And yet somehow, she...I don't know.

[He doesn't know anything.]

[He brings up the photo to his forehead, bases of his palms pressing over his eyes, shaking. He doesn't know anything. He's just a pawn in this damn City, after all. He always was.]

I don't...know where she is. [A shaking breath.] I don't even know if that was an Abnormality. Some big large flesh thing with tattered clothing. She released it somehow. Something to do with her plan to get her son back. I don't know.

[I don't know. I don't know. I don't know.]

[ this city is definitely different at night. there's always that feeling of being watched, but it's different compared to the prying eyes of the city roland's lived in, and he's not sure if he preferred this one of that one. it's one of those nights where roland hits up another restaurant to sample their wares - this time another seafood place whose food tastes... so and so, but serviceable. and since this place has a rooftop, then he may as well check it out.

it's that pale boy again. roland can only cast him a flat look as he walks over to tsurumaru, the chilly night air combing through his hair. ]

What's real?

[ great, more cryptic talk. angela would've hated this guy. ]

[ it's surprising to see junpei around here too, but the guy's the only familiar thing around. he himself had probably gone through some Totally Normal Week since the bank vaults opened, so roland's... not even going to pry. maybe. we'll see.

for now, roland puts down the other ties and brings the polka-dotted one to his chest to compare it with the plain black one he's currently wearing. ]

Mm. Maybe if the dots were bigger...

[ hmmm. ]

And look, they're not exactly the same? If you look closely, there are some subtle patterns in these plain black ones. You know, for a change of scenery.

[ ties are serious business, apparently. ]

Anyway, what're you doing here of all places? You looking for a suit, too?

[ it's... weird, hearing that someone empathizes with his plight. losing a loved one is commonplace in the city he's from, and stories like his are a dime a dozen. there's nothing special about death and dying the more you're exposed to it, after all.

he's silent for a while, as he gets himself together and closes his eyes. when he speaks, his voice is low, slightly trembling, and reverent. ]

"...You are like those who never left
the sad fireside corner of my poor black heart."

[ another deep breath, another deep exhale as he opens his eyes and faces daan. ]

Mm. I feel a bit better now. A bit headache-y, but... Thank you, doc. You patched me up just fine.

[ the library, some big large flesh thing with tattered clothing... could it be tomerry? it's the only thing that fit the description. but that's also impossible because he and the other librarians had also defeated the damn thing. no one else could have come out of that library alive, because he himself had killed them with his own two hands--

vergilius seemed like he's farther away the more roland thought more about this, so he wraps his hand around the other man's wrist in a vice grip. he's got... to get himself together... or else vergilius will find out that those kids in that photograph he's holding are all dead because of him.

and they both know very well what will happen if two colors were to fight each other. no one in this vault will be able to survive the aftermath. ]

That bitch. [ pure contempt drips from his voice. ] She'll get her dues one day. You can't let her get away with all this once you get back there, Vergilius. For your kids... It's only fair.

[ angela... ]

Edited 2023-07-22 02:47 (UTC)

Depends on the image you'd like to project. What's the occasion?

[ This is a joke, there is uniformly no occasions in this city that don't involve stilted attempts at imitating humanity and, apparently, some emotional damage. Still, Midnight takes this very seriously, even though his entire wardrobe is black, some green, and pinks at varying levels of loudness. He looks at the ties, thinking. ]

Perhaps the better inquiry is whether you have anyone to impress or not. I'm already impressed, if it makes you feel better.

[It is what it is on this bitch of an Earth. They're stuck together, and he's. He's really not sure how he feels still, about Roland, but it's not hate, not disgust. Just unease, and that's not enough to make him abandon the guy at such a low moment, is it?

So stupid breathing exercises it is, letting his ears stop ringing in turn, right up until Roland lays it all out on the line.]

...Scheiß.

[What else do you say? 'I'm sorry'? That's not fucking helpful right now, and Roland's probably heard enough of that anyway.

Time to sit back on his haunches and simply pull out two cigarettes.] This place is awful, dragging that out for you to relive. Here. [Take the fucking smoke or he'll have to smoke it himself. He'll do it. He'll smoke two at once. Don't push him.]

...Makes sense you were married. You seem like the sort who'd want to settle down one day.

[Is that a poem? He might think to ask later. It's dark, but beautiful. For now, well... Daan picks up the little box and slides it into his pocket, its weight terrible. He'll never have the heart to dispose of it, though.]

I'm glad, Roland. I mean that.

[And he doesn't say it, but honestly Roland being present has helped Daan as well, keeping him grounded. At least enough for the moment.]

Fuck. Let me make you a drink after we get out of here. I think it's time for that, yeah?

Uhhhh.

[ sweats nervously. HE DOES NOT KNOW he doesn't really care about these things? hello??? ]

I mean, it could be worse. I guess cats are okay.

[ help ]

It's about time I wear something that isn't... well. Fixer-casual. You see how other people around here are dressed like they came from the Nests, right? Like they got nothing to worry about as long as they don't cross the fence.

[ how lucky. ]

Ah, Midnight.

[ hey, buddy. he puts the ties down nearby and goes off to pick more swatches - in black and white, of course. ]

No occasion, unless you count that really drab party last month. I was just looking for new outfits to wear, and... well. [ he lets out a sheepish chuckle. ] I can't really tear myself away from the usual suit and tie that I usually use for work.

A... drink?

[ he sniffles, massaging his temples as he gets up on his feet to dust himself off. ugh, he'll need to wash his face and stuff before going out there again. this has been so embarrassing... ]

Okay, I get being a chainsmoker and all that, but bartending too? Something tells me you aren't just a normal doctor.

[ at least he sounds teasing just now. it's fine. we are so fucking back. ]

[ how lucky. ]

In that case, do thee trust me?

[ ................ ]

[ ... ]

With what.

[ this does not bode well um ]

Edited (WAIT FUCK I THOUGHT THIS WAS THE OTHER THREAD LMAO) 2023-07-22 22:40 (UTC)

[ CRYING THE WAY SHE WOULDNT HAVE CARED ANYWAY ]

To pick thee out a Nest-worthy outfit, of course! I shall be free from the confines of limited color, and will build onto thee fashion I have come to know myself!

[ she's taking the stuff she got him already and setting it on top of the counter, then looping back around to hook her arm into his. ]

We shall not cut a figure here, however. I shall attend to thee elsewhere! Tally ho, let us be off!

[ don't think she won't try and drag him, "trust me" fulfilled or not ]

[ ... Well, if it ain't broke. Midnight follows, but slowly, eyeing the other clothing in this store. ]

I won't talk you out of your sartorial habits, but if any one choice out of the bunch is the same as any other in your eyes, I don't see an issue with closing your eyes and choosing one at random.

[ ... ]

May I suggest against the plain black, though? If only because I think you might have one already, and the size of it is already flattering on you.

( semi-open ) though it may hurt today

( july event )

<:J

drip time let's gooo

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o_o

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(。_。)

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I WAS GOING TO TAG YOU BROOOOOO

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wait, i know what the kids say to this, uh (checks notes) git gud?