( semi-open ) though it may hurt today

[gradenine]

WHO: Roland (gradenine) & some of you guys
WHAT: July catchall + event
WHERE: Vaults, then some formalwear shop (get in losers we're going shopping)
WHEN: The rest of July
WARNINGS: Major Ruina and Leviathan spoilers in the first prompt. Death, murder, the usual Project Moon warnings apply, probably. Please refer to his opt-out for more info.




art credit | plotting comment | event log
hmu if you want a starter!

Comments

[gradenine]

Mmm, I suppose. Age doesn't really matter in the grand scheme and yet we still celebrate birthdays. And that tie might not look old on somebody who can pull it off either.

[ whether junpei can pull it off though, is another matter. ]

But nah, I wouldn't say it's the same. Uniforms like the ones you wear for school and the one I'm wearing right now are for everyday use. I'm talkin' about the special kind of suits that you wear for formal parties and other special occasions. Maybe someone like you wanted to feel fancy and had tried asking a girl out in one, for example.

[ like most kids from normal worlds would've done in their formative years, roland muses. it's wild to think about sometimes. ]

[appendages]

[ why was that also such a painfully ... older thing to say. yoshida doesn't exactly think this, but when the other man speaks, he almost feels like he's talking to kishibe or something and that kind of sticks with him. maybe all old-timers had the same vibes? ] They say don't knock it til you try it.

[ he says this as if he's made some grand joke....

but, as quickly as it comes, he dissolves back to the next subject, whatever small inkling of humor he may have had in those words dying done just as quickly as it came. ] The last time I had dinner, I paid...

I would argue they were only there for the food. [ but, it's not like he's going to discount an attempt at advice, even if it felt far from applicable from the life he's inevitably led thus far. ] Are you going to suggest something for me?

[gradenine]

[ he's only thirty-three, give him some slack... ]

For food? It'd better be worth it, either way.

[ roland likes food, so he can't blame yoshida's peers for being lured in for free stuff. it's the easiest bribe in the world. ]

And yeah, if you want. Since you're already here and all. You never know if you're gonna need to look formal someday. You got a name?

[appendages]

Should I take you out, too? [ he figures there was probably some merit in getting closer with the people here. though, he's not exactly sure of the intricate how's and why's yet. he supposed that would open up to him in time. that said— ] I could at least get you a free coffee.

[ in his mind, it's worked on asa, so obviously it's a tried and true method here.

but, he nods along. ] Yoshida. [ he crosses his arms over his chest. ] You?

[gradenine]

Technically, all coffees here are free. [ he could always get them from monts too, his chesed replacement. ] But sure, I can't say no to that offer.

[ he grins. ]

Name's Roland. For you, Yoshida... You probably want something with more color. I'm no good at picking out clothes in general, but...

[ he scours a nearby rack full of suits that should be in yoshida's size, before pulling out this ensemble. ]

Here we go. Not gonna lie, I'm just picking shit at random. But maybe if you pair this with a black undershirt, it might look good on you...?

[ help, he can't help but feel awkward for once. it's an entirely unfamiliar feeling from the awkwardness he's used to. ]

[appendages]

I'd like to treat you to something better, but I suppose we're limited here. [ using the word "limited" when everything was free here seemed... inaccurate, but who really cares. ] Who knew everything being free would be such a pain.

[ but, he looks over the suit, before giving a small hum of consideration. ]

You think purple is my color? [ if there is any awkwardness, yoshida doesn't seem to notice, and so does little to alleviate the actual tension. instead, he decides to up the stakes. ] Sure. [ a thoughtful pause. ] Whatever you choose, I'll wear the next time I go out.

[ he crosses his arms over his chest for good measure. ]

[gradenine]

Nah, you don't have to pressure yourself. Let's just grab a coffee next time we meet, yeah? I even know someone here who makes 'em herself, so I could lead you to her if you want.

[ hope monts appreciates the free advertisement he's been doing... ]

You got a point, though. Most people think that free shit is going to be a breeze from here on out, but I don't really trust like that. It just makes things way too easy around here.

[ and that is why he cooks his own meals instead of eating out all the time. roland watches him cross his arms and lets out a light laugh. ]

I'm just guessing. I'm in no way an expert, but it's a good start, right? [ ... ] Oh, but you don't have to wear that for coffee. Come on, that'd be weird.

[appendages]

Makes it herself? [ his brows seem to quirk as if he was wondering why go through the motions, but when roland further expounds, he supposed the logic checked out. to be honest, for a second, he thought it may have just been some odd hyperfixation for people. perhaps, a way to defocus from their situation, or find a sense of normalcy in their warped situation.

but, really, was anything really ever that simple?

regardless, he doesn't necessarily add or detract anything to the conversation aside from: ] Sure. [ he is curious if there's any acute difference to the taste or its effects on their bodies, after all. ] Some mornings you just want to wake up and drink coffee made by hand. [ he reiterates like how he wakes up some mornings and wants to see fish.... ]

So you aren't going to wear a suit either?

[gradenine]

Yeah, her name's Monts. She works as a barista. Good for her, given how there's practically nothing to do around here.

[ in truth, there's probably nothing wrong with the food in this city -- except maybe the select ice creams that makes you feel something. but there really is nothing like consuming homemade food, at the end of the day.

well, at least the kid seems easy enough to talk to and potentially hang out with. it's a little strange, honestly, and not necessarily in a bad way either. ]

I'm always gonna wear a suit regardless. [ he laughs. HE HAS NOTHING BUT SUITS IN HIS WARDROBE except the stupid shirt don got him. ] Just come as you are. You're still a kid, so you may as well take advantage of that before adulthood forces you to be otherwise.

[ nice peptalk, roland ]

[appendages]

They say humans need a certain amount of stimulation in their lives. As easy as it would be to live a solitary life, in practice it appears like many find it relatively difficult to pursue. [ he can think of a few people who fit this bill on the top of his head.

but, he leaves it at that. it's neither good nor bad, as long as it doesn't get in the way of his mission. but, at the suit comment, he has to wonder why the fixation? ] You must enjoy work to constantly be reminded of it.

[ ... ] Doesn't adulthood come with its own advantages?

[gradenine]

Precisely. And since it's easy to isolate yourself in a place like this, you gotta take it upon yourself to get out there and mingle with the others.

[ at the question about work though, roland does a little weighing motion with his hands. ]

I wouldn't say that I like my work, though. Rather, I don't really have much of a choice.

[ he's a fixer 'cause it's the most lucrative job there is in a hypercapitalistic world; he's a librarian bc he's trapped in the eponymous library. so much for free will. ]

I suppose there are advantages to adulthood, but most kids where I'm from are forced to grow up 'cause of their environment instead of enjoying their youth. And I don't wanna sound like an old guy, but you should do the latter more while you're still here.

[appendages]

[ oh...

that's not ominous at all. he supposes maybe a lot of even salarymen feel pigeonholed into their roles as being the sole provider to a household, unable to change jobs, and navigating through overtime and other equally inconvenient details any job carries. but, perhaps because of his own history of being a devil hunter, he can't help but think it may be deeper than that. though, it's not like thinking so would really add or detract from the convo. ]

No choice? That's a funny way to word it. [ aka, tell him more...

but, at his words, yoshida gives a casual sort of smile. almost as if to silently say that such a thing couldn't really be applicable to him, but sure. he'll go along with it. ] Next you'll be scolding me for not studying for my finals. [ because... he's so hilarious (he's not). ] But, I think a lot of kids grow up under similar circumstances, but you never know. Maybe they can end up living more of a "normal" life than you expect.

"Normal" is best, right? [ saves this convo to justify himself to denji later. ]