( 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

[unrequite]

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.

I WAS GOING TO TAG YOU BROOOOOO

[gradenine]

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.

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

[unrequite]

[ ... 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.

damn u got me there....

[gradenine]

Good point. But what if I don't vibe with the one I end up choosing? Then I'd just go back to square one.

[ SIGHS, then puts his monochrome ties down in defeat. ]

I can never have too many black ties, though. It's part of my uniform. But in that case, you got any suggestions, big guy?

🫡

[unrequite]

Well, on the bright side, that would cut down your list by one. That's progress.

[ Midnight nods. ]

The white stripes are rather nice, in my opinion. It's a bit of variety. Have you ever thought about going without, though?

[gradenine]

Without a tie?

[ he looks conflicted, like the very thought has never crossed his mind until now. ]

I mean, I guess I could do that? But I'unno, it just ain't the same without the tie. It hardly looks professional, in my opinion.

[unrequite]

[ Midnight looks back at Roland, sizing him up a bit more analytically than usual. ]

Then that once again begs the question of audience. For whom does your professionalism matter? Yourself? Others?

[ Midnight has a clearly obvious answer to this one, seeing as how he is in a constant state of full titty out, but he's curious about what professional endeavors Roland's got in store for himself. ]

[gradenine]

[ roland strokes his chin in deep thought, like he hasn't sat down and considered this before. ]

I guess it's mostly for myself? I'unno. Maybe I'm just making up excuses to hide the fact that I'm horrible when it comes to fashion. I manage a one-man Office, so I don't really have a set uniform, if that makes sense?

[ hopefully. ]

And besides, if I just expose my chest like yours, I may as well paint a target on myself that says "Fucking shoot me". [ shoots midnight a Look. sorry we all don't have sexy chests ok!!! ]

[unrequite]

[ Midnight laughs. It's a short, sharp sound. He clearly finds the idea of target practice funny, but in both senses of the word. ]

If someone is very determined to kill you, love, then what you're wearing won't be any discouragement to them. Might as well wear what you like.

[ Midnight widens his eyes at Roland, raises his eyebrows and grins, and walks between the aisles like he hasn't said something both true and mildly unhinged. ]

Although you're underselling yourself with regards to the way you look, if I understand you correctly. Then again, I think most people do.

[gradenine]

[ hold on, let him just process what midnight just said. but tbh roland's only takeaway from that is: ]

...You think I'm hot?

[ HELLO ]

[unrequite]

Yes.

[ Midnight's busied himself with a table of neatly folded slacks, but he looks at Mr. Roland over his shoulder. ]

Now, do you really doubt that I do, or did you just want me to say it? Because I will.

[gradenine]

I-I... I don't know? It's just...

[ he should be used to this, especially coming from the other guy. but he can't help but be a little flustered anyway. ]

It's been a while since I was called that, actually. Didn't think someone else would be that sincere.

[unrequite]

[ Midnight tuts, unfolding a pair of trousers and examining them. ]

And despite the brave soldiers that came before me, sincerity in tow, here you are, still in the throes of your doubt.

[ Quite the complex to be carrying around. ]

How do I disabuse you of this illusion you have? What do I have available to me but sheer persistence and honesty? Please, do let me know how I can help.

[gradenine]

[ ... ]

By getting me something new to wear...?

[ he's just a simple guy with simple needs, my man. he's flattered, but everyone knows you say all that to anyone with a pulse, or so gebura says. ]

[unrequite]

[ Midnight puts the clothing back on the table, or more like slams it down, because he's laughing far too hard to focus on idle browsing at the moment. Mr. Roland, you are so cute. ]

Is that enough, then? One tie per day for the cultivation of your self-esteem? Please...

[ That's so funny. Geez... Midnight looks at Mr. Roland, sighing out his last laugh. A simple guy with simple needs, indeed. ]

[gradenine]

Yeah! Like, come on. Not even my wife asked for more than that. You just gotta lower your standards a little, is all.

[ HE'S SO EASY TO PLEASE, PLEASE... ]

[unrequite]

You're married?

[ Ah. Well, he doesn't make a habit of hitting on spouses, unless, uh... Well, unless the spouse in question makes it very clear that the relationship is on the downturn. Not uncommon. (Or, uh... Well, he isn't opposed to being a third in a relationship, but that is DEFINITELY offtopic...) ]

Well, I certainly hope she has high standards. She deserves lovely things.

[gradenine]

Yeah, I was. She's... not around anymore.

[ so yeah, don't worry about it. he's already lost his shit over it recently in the vaults, and he's sooo not in the mood to dwell too hard into it right now. waves hand, waves hand. ]

I'd say she has high standards, sure. I mean, just because I'm not the type to stick out doesn't mean I'm no diamond in the rough if you look hard enough, no?

[ does the checkmark under his chin thing like the icon over there LOOK... ]

[unrequite]

Hm. I'm sorry, then.

[ It rarely needs much more than that. He finds that whether the bereaved are forthcoming about the experience or wouldn't like to discuss the matter at all, treating it like a normal part of the discussion is best for everyone. It'll happen if it's important for it to happen, eventually. For now...

Midnight grins. Not the type to stick out, huh? ]

Oh, you're talking to the wrong man if you're looking for an unbiased opinion on that. [ He begins folding the slacks his hands neatly before returning it to the display. ] While it's true that some find it difficult to stand out, I find that personality contributes more to that than any one particular look. Or, well... It's a combination of the two.