[ OPEN ] August Catch-all (sort of)

[unrequite]

WHO: Midnight (unreserving) & everyone who even breathes where he can hear it. (And people who don't. Robots welcome!)
WHAT: ice... cream... social...........
WHERE: ice geem (but also recycling some open prompts from my last open post hiyah)
WHEN: Backdated to the beginning of August/end of July.
WARNINGS: Almost certainly mentions of alcohol, please see his trigger warnings for canon typical content!

a. afternoon (ice cream parlor); i chose these flavors at random, please feel free to change them!

[ Midnight's jumped the counter, found a container full of those tiny pink sample spoons, and is currently sampling a little of everything because he is, at heart, a bit of a chaos being and someone who doesn't actually want that much ice cream. He is currently looking at little blobs of strawberry and caramel ribbon on two different tiny spoons. It's a bit comical, to be honest. ]

Strawberry and caramel don't usually go together, do they?

[ He takes another look, shrugs, and downs both. ]

b. evening (ice cream parlor, take two)

[ The ice cream is a novelty, in the end; the promise of a jukebox playing actual music is much more compelling than anything he's encountered here so far, good company aside. He's lugged in an electric guitar and a small portable amp, plugged in, and is currently jamming with whatever's playing, sitting at a table with one foot resting on the amp. It's not completely perfect or professional, but he's got a good ear for catching chords, the results are surprisingly melodic, and he is clearly having a great time.

Feel free to assume he's playing along to your song, whatever it is! Otherwise, he's going to be playing back up for a song that sounds very close to a Siracusan song from back home that he quite likes! Applaud, criticize, tell him to take that shit outside. He is literally the guy on the college commons playing the guitar, no one likes that guy!!!! ]

c. day (city hall)

[ Midnight has a seat he's pulled up to the information kiosk, but he doesn't use it all that often. He only sits to add to a growing list in a book he keeps on his person. If one would peek over his shoulder, the list is composed of questions, some pertinent, some less so. Please feel free to make one up, but the first on the list is definitely "Are you single?", which should tell you how seriously he's taking this endeavor. ]

d. evening (shopping district)

[ Not much to this prompt either, he's just poking around. Poking around at the restaurants and bars in the area, his planner occasionally out as he takes notes on... something or other. He tries to choose establishments that see less traffic, so it's very likely that wherever he finds someone, they're the only two in the building. ]

Sorry to interrupt your meal. Mind if I ask you a few questions?

e. wildcard

Feel free to make your own starter, or PM for one! Will match prose and bracket text, please start however you like. If you need some inspiration, here is his July catch-all!

Comments

d!

[bemist]

[ As ever, Gebura is a bit of a lone wolf. Which may not be what she actually prefers, but either way, she's kind of poking at her food at the bar counter and a little lost in thought when That Voice pipes up.

... Considering she'd bodily flung him into a ballpit before, she at least takes a moment to consider her response to him, opening her mouth with narrowed eyes... before she closes it with a sigh, swallowing whatever that initial response had been. ]

What is it?

[unrequite]

[ Midnight would get flung a thousand times for the sight of Miss Gebura's back as she coldheartedly walks off and away from the premises. Gorgeous. Stunning. Heartbreaking. Quite possibly also backbreaking.

Here, he grins instead, sliding a chair over and seating himself. This shouldn't take long, or at the very least, the questions are innocuous enough that they should elicit very simple, innocuous answers. ]

Let's see... Well, I certainly can't phrase this first question as I wrote it. "Come here often?"

[ Or not. He laughs. Look, if he's going to make a little tee-hee funny goof, he'll catch it in the teeth and call it a day, no harm done. ]

No, no, I'd like to ask how often you patronize this restaurant.

[bemist]

[ again, her typical flat stare before she reaches for her glass of beer and drains half of it in one go. She is not anywhere near drunk enough to have the patience for thin pick-up lines. ]

Probably once or twice a week.

[ She doesn't tend to have favorite haunts beyond her own apartment space, because there's still always the chance she'll end up in a headache-inducing encounter no matter where she goes or what time it is. ]

[unrequite]

[ Midnight folds a leg up, smooths his open planner on his thigh, and begins to record her answers neatly. He's clearly a capable multitasker, able to keep track of her answers and his writing at the same time. ]

I see... Would you say you come here at the same times of day? This seems to be a dinner establishment, but would you come here for lunch as well?

[ ... Honestly, this has a manager taking a customer satisfaction poll vibe than it does a sketchy looking clubrat taking notes for his own nefarious ends. ]

[bemist]

[ ... This feels a little surreal, honestly. ]

Only in the evening. If I'm grabbing lunch, I carry it around with me.

... Why?

d

[nutkick]

[ the place is empty only because normal folks won't be feasting on fatty, greasy food at this late hour but denji doesn't care. the stomach craves whatever it wants and he will not protest; eating might be the only form of entertainment in this lame city. he's downing the second burger by now, at least he was polite enough to wipe his mouth clean with a napkin before addressing the stranger-

okay, he can tell from the first glance he's dealing with someone who's not human. ]

... why?

[ suspicious, rightfully so. ]

[unrequite]

[ Midnight grins toothily. If one is particularly on guard, they might note his particularly sharp fangs, but the smile itself is rather innocuous, or at the very least there's honestly nothing behind it. Just Midnight being Midnight. ]

I'm doing a survey of local eating establishments for a little project of mine. Unless the question is why I'm asking you, in which case I'd answer... Well, because you're here, no?

[nutkick]

[ actually, it's those ears, but the fangs are just a solid confirmation of his super smart observation. whatever, he shouldn't judge, and he's not— just wary of this stranger. once he hears midnight's answer, denji blinks; staring. this is an odd hobby to pick, but seemingly harmless. guess everyone should keep themselves busy in this city in one way or another, huh?

he shrugs. ]

... Sure, hit me up.

[unrequite]

[ Hey, at least the kid has a survival instinct. Midnight's is... lacking-ish.

Anyway, he takes the shrug at face value, tugs a chair over, and sits himself down, smoothing his planner against the table and beginning to write. For someone who looks like either the best kind of person you'd meet at a nightclub or a minor villain, he's rather businesslike about this. ]

Thanks. Now... How often do you come to this restaurant? For lunch, dinner, both?

[nutkick]

[ he waits as the other settle in and bring out his little planner, staring while idly munching on a crispy fry. it's not really a matter of survival instinct, it's more of denji being curious if he'd ever meet a devil around here and midnight comes reeeeeally close. hmm 🕵️ ]

Uh, everyday? Mainly for lunch. They offer some fine burgers here. They cook it the way I like it too. [ which is weird, but let's not think about that too much. ] It's not my favorite food, though.

I'm more into steak.

a, evening

[gradenine]

[ roland has been avoiding the ice cream place since he first stepped into it, honestly. the pastel interior clashes badly with his monochromic aesthetic, the ice creams are most likely tainted - and those aren't even the bad parts.

it's the music every time he dares to take a peek. it's always a somber piano melody, and roland would clench his fists and book it because he knows exactly why it's playing that song. it reminded him of that incident, and he's got to do everything he can not to go on a frenzy about it again. opening up old wounds like that is just plain ol' mean, you know?

but this time, the ice cream place isn't playing that haunting melody. instead it's playing a rock version of this bop, and roland can't help but look in to see who's been playing that sick beat. once he sees that it's midnight, he pulls up a chair and watches him before, then claps for the guy once he's done. ]

I didn't know you play.

quietly, shamefully, changes the lettering on this option........

[unrequite]

[ Midnight finishes a lick, then sits up enough to bow with little hand flourish. Thank you, thank you, why yes, he IS a gift. ]

I learned for a few clients of mine who wanted a concert for an event they were putting on. Had to get good enough pretty quickly, but it was serviceable enough for their purposes. Didn't stop practicing after that.

[ He does think he's more serviceable than good at the guitar, but he's clearly in his element, in that most of what he does in life is his element. Really, this guy aggressively enjoys life.

He turns his attention to Roland and raises his eyebrows, tilting the instrument to him. ]

Would you like to try?

i gotchu....

[gradenine]

[ the guy looks like he's enjoying it though, and that's what matters in the end. at the offer, roland just waves his hand in a hurry. ]

Nah, it ain't my thing. I did use to live in what they called the Streets of Music back then, so it's kinda nostalgic to hear.

[ his smile is wistful as he says it, gesturing midnight to take a seat. ]

But your talent fits a bar than an ice cream place, you know that?

[unrequite]

[ Midnight shrugs easily and takes the instrument back, strumming out the chorus again. He heard G major, E minor, A minor... can't be sure, though. He'll have to practice. ]

I'm flattered, thank you. I've had a couple offers from bars and smaller bands, but I only ever filled in whenever someone was sick, or if someone's live music plans fell through. It's not something I ever planned to excel in, if you understand me.

[ He looks up from his guitar, grins, and points at the wistful smile. ]

There we are. Mission accomplished. Excellence not required.

[ ... So, if it's not obvious, Midnight's a "put a smile on every face" kind of guy. ]

[gradenine]

[ roland watches his fingers pluck at random strings, the melody unfamiliar this time. even if he had lived in the streets of music back then, there's no way he could pick an instrument. there are bills to be paid, his own life to be saved on a regular basis, and so on. ]

Nah, I get it. It's like a hobby of yours, yeah? And you don't wanna make it into a career or something like that.

[ he mirrors midnight's smile just now as he reaches behind him to pull out a random popsicle. here, hope he likes grape. ]

It's how I feel about cooking. I like food, but I don't wanna be a chef anyway. Doesn't pay as much compared to being a Fixer.

d. robots you say?

[numerouno]

[Scaramouche finds himself sitting at a fairly nondescript bar somewhere in the middle of town, a glass of something or other in his hand and his long, long legs folded to one side. He's so bored he's started to eye off the basket of breadsticks on the counter, wondering if they've gone stale and whether he should try one.

How did it come to this?

He hasn't even taken a sip, his attention shifted to the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the street, when whoever just entered decides to strike up a conversation. He spins on the stool to face him and his glowing optics widen a touch. This guy's get-up is something else. After a second of silence, he answers.]

What do you wanna know?

beep boop (this means welcome in robot probably)

[unrequite]

[ Midnight's encountered several robots and drones on the landship before, but this is the first one he's met at this level of self-expression. How delightful. He grins, pulls up a stool, hops up, smooths his planner on the bar, and begins taking notes. ]

Quite a bit, but I'm sticking to business for now. I'm doing a survey of restaurants and patron habits in this area. How often would you say you come to this establishment?

[numerouno]

[The man distracts himself with pen and paper. It's a barely perceptible shift of the eyes; Scaramouche returns his gaze to his face in less than a beat. He just couldn't resist the chance to glance down at the stranger's attire, take it all in.

Because he doesn't feel like brushing him off, he replies frankly:]

I dunno, once or twice? A bar's a bar, they all look the same here.

[Some bars in 'The City' are fancier than others--this one among the fanciest of them--but a fancy lifeless bar is still lifeless. Where's the music? The atmosphere? The bartender? Can it be called a bar when everything is self-serve?]

[unrequite]

[ Midnight snorts. ]

They do. Frightful. It not a crime to want for personality, and yet...

[ Midnight sighs, shakes his head, and returns to writing. ]

So it's safe to say that no specific eating or drinking establishment here appeals to you to the point where you'd consider yourself a regular customer. What would you say is missing from the experience? Something concrete and specific, if you would.

[numerouno]

[Scaramouche has been visiting more bars in The City than he cares to admit. Not for the juice, but because of that strange feeling, that thirst, or-- whatever it is that's left him parched since he got here. He's still getting used to it.

He looks at the mirror behind the bar, then at the well-turned-out guy again.]

The bartender?

[Badum-tss.]

[fussiest]

[ from here. ]

[ kaveh, in contrast, walks in at a pace that their elderly, half-blind neighbour in sumeru city once called 'as if he were late to tomorrow'. this is because he is five minutes late and without starbucks. he is, however, dragging along with him a rather lumpy-seeming tote bag with the same decals and design as the one from that hardware store all those weeks ago, and he's holding up a hand that looks vaguely apologetic and vaguely like he's waving down some kind of wayward chicken.

beneath his arm: a sketchbook. he adjusts it as he slides to a stop in front of midnight. perhaps it helps that the careful elevator crawl of a glance he sends midnight is only partially judgmental. ]

Well, there's you. [ kaveh announces, and then, because he's kaveh, manages to look a little chagrined anyway. ] Sorry for being late. I was testing varnishes for a bow, and realised that it really is inconvenient in a city with such limited resources. I miss having a street market. How many stores must I go through just to find beeswax? It's inconceivable.

[unrequite]

There's me. [ Midnight smiles to see Kaveh, rushed as he is right now, carrying what seems like half a workshop with him. Hello, hello. ]

Perhaps we can drop by a hobby store later... I wouldn't know where to procure such things, but that seems like a likely place to start as any. Unless you've a dire need for arms?

[ Nonetheless, after wordlessly gesturing an offer to take a bag from Kaveh, he'll begin walking the path to the first venue. It's between town hall and the park, so it's not too far off, but there are another couple places that are a bit farther afield... Maybe they should take a train instead? Much to consider. ]

[fussiest]

[ midnight gestures. kaveh brightens. with uncharacteristic alacrity, he rapidly unloads his tote onto midnight's waiting arm. the reason is apparent: ]

Bring the tote bag back when you've unloaded it wherever you're living right now. You can give it back to me whenever we meet again. [ because the contents of the tote bag belongs to midnight now, it seems. a quick glance inside shows the following: three cans of beer of dubious quality (fruity in nature), four miniature electrical boxes pilfered from somewhere, a stationary set in a silver, polished box, and a set of thick draft paper. ] What's a hobby shop? How would anyone determine what qualifies as a hobby and what does?

[unrequite]

Yessir.

[ ... Well, all right, if Kaveh's going to unload like that, Midnight will do his part to lighten his new load. Cue his hand slipping into the bag to grab one of those beers at random. Day drinking, ahoy! ]

Hobbies are extra occupations that aren't essential to one's daily life. If one does not have the time or wherewithal for a hobby, they're officially classed as surviving, as far as I'm concerned. Or perhaps their profession does them the same service.

b for good vibes before the mall >:P

[codenametesla]

[Frankly, the jukebox and actual SOUND in this city is one of the main draws bringing Althea back again and again. Even she gets tired of ice cream if she eats it too much, though it can be great for her metabolism needs.

Which was the reason she stopped in, bringing something like a poke bowl in a takeout container and a bottled drink, in the hopes of getting to listen to music while eating and maybe grab ice cream for dessert. She does hesitate for a moment, on seeing Midnight there, not sure if sitting and listening would be rude somehow, or if he would rather her not be there, but eventually decides that he's playing in a public space so it should be fine? Probably?

She'll give a little wave, if he looks up, but doesn't say anything till he stops so that she isn't interrupting him, instead sitting at a nearby table and arraying her food around her.

She will applaud though, once the song ends. It would be rude not to!]