citylogs | [ OPEN ] July Catch-all!

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[ OPEN ] July Catch-all!

WHO: Midnight (

unreserving) & You (you)
WHAT: Midnight, please calm down, it's only been a week, you can't be this much of a disaster already.
WHERE: Lots of places! Mostly in outdoor or public spaces he hasn't been to yet. If you would like a closed or specific prompt, please PM me or take a peek at my OOC intro so I can get you set up!
WHEN: Pre and post Sylvain's shitpost. Probably mostly pre-event!
WARNINGS: Most definitely alcohol use! Some references to death and terminal illness. Will update as necessary, please see Midnight's content warnings for possible canon-typical content.

a. day (a local gym)

[ Generic workout routine. He does arms and legs on alternating days for about two to three hours there starting at about 7 am, then an hour (or however long he has at the end of the day until, uh, midnight) before showering and going home. He may also steal a practice room and swing around a stick he's found in lieu of his sword... He should probably think about getting a practice sword made, huh.

He's friendly, cleans up after himself, and will spot for anyone, but also feel free to accost him walking in or out of the facilities! But also, if your character needs... well, less of a personal coach and more of a cheerleader, he's there for you. Why'd you ask him for this? I don't know, but he's so there for you at this lateral press, bench, tiny silicone dumbbells, whatever. He is rooting for you! ]

Two more in the set and you're done. Don't think about it, just do it!

b. day (shopping center)

[ Midnight just needs to go clothes shopping. That's it. He'll carry bags for people, he'll help out with menial tasks. Look at this guy, do gooding.

Okay, specifically: ]

Do you think anyone would mind if I procured that?

[ He points at a neon sign, a bright Edison light, a small discoball, a chandelier. Something very bright, flashy, and... probably not intended for sale. ]

I mean, I don't suppose there's a manager, and I wouldn't like to interfere with their marketing, but I quite like it.

[ ... He rolls up his sleeves, drags over a chair, and begins climbing. He's decided he doesn't need an opinion anymore, or just straight up didn't wait for an answer. Look, sometimes a guy just desires a lava lamp. ]

c. evening (town hall)

[ Once the dust settles and everyone is perfectly happy with the distinct lack of helpful information in the help center, Midnight will still arrive there in the evenings, haul out a bunch of books into an empty side room, and flip through them, a plastic bag of assorted drinks at his side. (Mostly alcohol and water.)

Weird nightclub looking vampire here, books open on his lap, spinning a pen between his fingers. Occasionally, if someone walks by his room and doesn't look too busy, he'll get up, go to the door, and gesture to them, an open book in his hand. ]

Hello, love. Do me a favor and write anything you like here.

[ He clicks the pen in his hand and offers it. Man's doing some experimenting! ]

d. night (the park)

[ Remember the stick he has at the gym? He needed to find it at some point. During the evenings, but honestly any time he isn't doing something else throughout the first three or four days, he'll be poking around the park, searching for fallen branches long and straight enough to do the trick. It'll take a while, and he definitely looks like he's lost something! (Or feel free to assume that you've already joined the hunt. Find a bird's nest with no birds! An odd little gravestone! Get stuck up a tree! Help!!!)

If that is overly gung-ho Boy Scout behavior, feel free to catch him a little later in the night, either from 9-10 pm or 1-2 am, sitting at a bench, workout bag sitting at his side, his running shoes neatly tied by their laces and looped around the strap.

He stares out into the darkness. That's... sort of it. It still seems like he's looking for something, but not to the point where he's about to get up and look for it. If one would like to sneak up on him using the cover of darkness, his eyes will slide over and lock on a little more quickly than what should be natural. He sees you.

He grins. (Even if he isn't surprised, he grins.) ]

Hello, darling. Having a pleasant walk?

e. morning (everywhere!)

[ Remember when we said Midnight starts his workout routine at 7 am? He actually starts at 6 am with a jog. He'll be everywhere, just exploring, and he'll use most of the subway systems to make his way back to his gym of choice. He is... not shy at all about his body, so he'll probably pull off his shirt once the sun comes up so he can cool down a bit.

He is truly minding his own business here, but he'll pause his run for anything, even if it's just a short conversation. Or just feel free to wonder why there's a shirtless, sweaty vampire on public transportation at like 7 am. Where does he need to be? Where does anyone need to be??? ]

f. day (city hall, again, late July)

[ 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. ]

g. 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?

h. wildcard

Feel free to make your own starter, or PM for one! Will match prose and bracket text, please start however you like.

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[She did tense when Midnight suddenly spoke nearby, but she quickly looked over, watching him for a moment before she spoke. He was really pale, wasn't he..? And he had said he liked the night time, as per his code name, but she'd also seen him around during the day, which meant... he couldn't be, right?]

Yeah. Thinking.

[It wasn't like she could just ask a question like that, surely that would just be rude. But what if he was dangerous and she wouldn't have known till it was too late if she hadn't seen the bag? But then he wouldn't have put it in the bag and then told her she could grab a drink if it wasn't a big deal?

Her head hurt.]

What are they like?

[She asked partially because she was genuinely curious, partially to give herself time to keep thinking, and partially because maybe he would talk about it one way or another, and she wouldn't have to keep worrying.]

[ The smile lingers. ] A connoisseur like myself, then. I must agree. [ Camille doesn't think Midnight is Daeva, like himself; he's not entirely sure Midnight is kindred in the way Camille is kindred. Perhaps he is, and Camille's senses are simply too addled by the strangeness here. ]

I haven't seen you before, have you been in the City long?

[ Once Midnight reviews the footage later, much later on in the day once he's exhausted himself twice over, the bare minimum he needs to sleep at night, he'll realize that the offense branched out from a desire to know people intensely. Sometimes on a level that others don't necessarily want to share. Selfish again. He doesn't have access to the complexities of the heart, as much as he's good at divining what might be inside. It's a little childish to want what other people might have, especially if they never intended to give it in the first place. Kaveh and Miss Closure have an understanding that only engineers share. It's all right to leave it at that. It belongs to them.

(Never envy. Envy is the enemy. Not again. Not ever again.)

He'll tell Kaveh that next they meet. Not that he imagines that Kaveh noticed anything went wrong at all... He'd just like to know what he thinks. ]

No, not at all. I think we'd both find that a rather unpleasant experience if we tried, but...

[ Midnight casts around, spots a set of switches next to the cash registers. Perfect. He begins walking around displays to reach them. ]

I'll go turn the lights out, first. Wait there, I'll be back.

[ That will leave Kaveh in relative darkness, but that's why he's going. He knows he can make it back without bruised shins, and he'd rather keep an eye on Kaveh while they're together. This city hasn't proven itself to be completely safe, after all. ]

[ the lights dim. it's a fallacy to think it, but the entire store seems to tend toward silence with it. light makes a space; people make a space. kaveh had remembered a home that had been a sanctuary of warmth and light, wherein people didn't need to speak in order to become something living between its walls. darkness, in contrast, brings out all the little needless vicissitudes of life. you didn't get very far looking through it, though mankind have always searched for the brightest way forward regardless. it was why they invented lights. and then, because the world has always been kind for it, it's also why the rtwahists looked towards the stars. midnight disappears in the chiaroscuro of racks and shelves that line the floor of the store. kaveh looks out into the murk, and then, as his eyes begin to adjust, up at the light itself.

the little flashlight he'd picked up clicks in his hand. kaveh points it upwards, tracing the reflection of the chandelier, and begins to climb. the light is still warm to the touch, but rapidly cooling - which is a good thing. midnight has the cloth bag. kaveh patiently waits until midnight has returned, and then, with a tilt of his head, considers the silent fall of his footfalls. ]

Can you find one of the larger screwdrivers? It ought to have the heavier grip.

[ ... Well, she's still looking a bit out of it, but to be fair to Midnight, while people are fairly aware that vampires can be dangerous in his world, it doesn't have the same cultural weight as an urban legend might. Vampires walk among us, just like a woman, a child, a dog on a leash. People tend to react poorly out of ignorance, not because there's anything to fear outside of the normal things humans to do each other, and that's a humanity problem.

The blood was in there because being a normal, everyday vampire isn't a big deal. Midnight's young, liberal, and acts like it. It's the older, conservative vampires who... well. They're stuck in the old, old ways. Midnight doesn't like thinking about them much. ]

It's five of us. My commanding officer, Miss Orchid, then our medic, Spot. My hero. [ He says it with a laugh. A pet name for his favorite medic in the whole world. ] Then our artillerywoman, Miss Catapult, then little Miss Popukar. I love them dearly. They're my whole world.

[ Said without irony. Without the remotest shred of embarrassment. He capital L Loves His Team. Up and down, completely, sincerely adores them. ]

We do tend to fight a bit, but I can't imagine life without them anymore. [ ... He shrugs. ] I mean, I'm living life without them now, but present company aside, I would dearly like to go back and see them.

Less than a week in, for me. Strange place, strange people. A subtle feeling that one is being watched. Flattering, but I would like to know who our admirers are at some point. A mystery is only as compelling as its structure, I've found, and one can only really see the whole shape of it at the end.

[ i.e. The city, the vampire, and the audacity to keep so many people trapped for this long. Honestly... ]

[And it's that thought that's keeping her from saying anything, keeping her from absolutely freaking out and... well, maybe not make a run for it considering how relaxed he seems, but very quickly excuse herself to mull over whether she was in danger.

But perhaps, since angels weren't like the stories in her world, vampires weren't like the stories in his?

As he explains however, she can't help but start to properly listen again, because he sounds so genuine it cuts through the confused fog.]

That makes sense, you sound like you've been through a lot with them. [Damn it, how was she supposed to focus now? Maybe she should just ask, get it over with. If worst came to worst, she'd try to get a hand on him and taser him, then run. That would probably still work on a vampire, right? He might not even be one! It would just be an awkward conversation they could laugh about later!]

Are... they all like you? [Well it was a start.]

[ —Ah.

It's not that he dislikes hearing about young people - quite the opposite, in fact, especially when so many of them are so bright and inquisitive about the world - but there's something about the world 'team' that gives him pause. Maybe there's nothing to it, and this easygoing and charming man is simply part of some interior decorating service.

On other hand...

He doesn't remark right away, though his face softens at the gaggle being described. ]

They sound like quite the handful. But children [ assuming they're all around the same age ] should have the freedom to explore and come to conclusions on their own while they still can, no matter how much it might stress their guardians. It's the least we can do as adults, to pave the way for them so that they can make their own choices instead of having choices thrust upon them.

[ But now he's just getting sentimental (and truthfully a little unreasonable, with how dark the world can be sometimes). Time to move on. ]

What is it your team does?

[ Midnight comes back to find Kaveh already up the chair. He grins. Well, that's about what he expected. He searches within the depths of the bag, his eyes easily focusing at this range, and pulls the largest screwdriver he can manage from its depths. He reaches up and pats the back of Kaveh's hand again, putting the screwdriver within his grasp. ]

Here. Do you need another hand for your light?

[ He'll hold the chair steady, regardless, but he's resigned himself to drifting along in Kaveh's wake. He's happy with that, honestly. Kaveh seems to be here for the process, the joy of discovery. Midnight's quite content with just the endproduct. ]

I confess, I'm still thinking about your adjustments to my experiment and what they entail... Do you know another three people who would help? I know of a couple, perhaps, but I've only just arrived myself. Haven't done much to ingratiate myself to the masses just yet.

[ #Soon. ]

[ He makes an affirmative hum in response. They're his family now. He hadn't thought about being in a family since... Well. It's been a while, and now he has them.

("Had" them. Technically, they're a part of the past now. It's... something he'll have to think about.) ]

Like me? You mean, civilian operators? [ Midnight nods. ] We're all on the same reserve corps, A6. Here, I have a couple pictures...

[ He reaches into a pocket, pulls out a small wallet, and picks out a couple pictures. There's a woman who looks either frazzled or just deadpan sober in every frame she's in, a small girl with a hat on who looks very shy, but has a sweet smile. Those two look normal by Earth standards. The third young woman looks normal enough... except for the pointed ears sticking out of the top of her head? And the last guy is just straight up a hyena. Standing on his back paws, in a coat, with plenty of piercings, but he's definitely just a hyena.

But Midnight, as per usual, is incredibly sincere about the photos. He looks at them like they are, indeed, his whole world. ]

[ Midnight hums in agreement. It's true. He can't begrudge Popukar anything because of it. Most young ones in general as well, if he's being honest. He has such little time left to make sure they have a path forward. He's trying to make every breath count. ]

Hm? We're combat operatives. Reserve Ops A6, of Rhodes Island Pharmeceuticals. Paramilitary.

[ ... He looks back. ]

Can you hit the lights? I think this next part requires detaching this from the wiring.

[ He taps the spotlight. He's expecting a follow-up question, but only because the conversation seems to be proceeding to an elaboration phase, not because he has anything specific to say. (He has many general things to say, of course, but he's never been in the habit of jumping the gun in conversation if can help it.) ]

[the dream, thank you for your support, midnight. he feels a little better though, mostly because a reminder of home and his goals is kind of nice in a situation where he's increasingly unsure of when they're going to get back home, how much time is passing at home, if time is even passing.

spooky stuff. much better to listen to midnight and nod with a little bob of his bangs.]

A soldier... a lot of people from very different lives have been brought here. [it's nice to know someone who is dependable the way a soldier of some army would probably be is here though. though he's mob hoping the fighting aspect of that never comes into play in this weird but so far pretty safe(ish?) city. that he's seen. hm.]

I like the routine too, I didn't realize how nice it would be. [he admits. then...] ...And it is nice to look better.

[this guy gets it.]

[She can't help but frown slightly, since that isn't what she meant, but the confirmation that he was apparently in some sort of military unit brings its own host of concerns.

As does the pictures he pulls out when she sees not only one person who looks like a child, but another with some sort of pierced dog? ears on her head, and the last who...

Yeah, she can't hide her surprise and amazement. Normally, she'd assume something like this has to be faked somehow, or an amazing Halloween costume, but... in the situation they were all in, it was entirely possible this was real.

And he looked so happy...]

Are you.. the oldest? Or the leader, I guess? Or is it one of them?

[She hasn't figured out how to ask about her main concern politely yet, okay]

[ The stability of a routine is nice, especially when one is working on their identity. Heaven knows Midnight needed to learn quickly when he was young, though maybe not quite at Mob's age. ]

There we are. Confidence will get you places, lad. Don't need powers for that.

[ Midnight tilts his head, thinking back... It's a very brave move for a kid this young to branch out from relying on Arts or some such for self-esteem. It's a lot of work, but it'll pay off in the long run.

They'll have to get Mob out of here in a hurry, then. No point in keeping his lady at home waiting. ]

Do you need a hand with anything else? I can spot you, if you like.

Neither. Well, relatively. Miss Orchid is my CO, if you'll remember: commanding officer.

[ He points at the frazzled looking woman again. He grins at the image. ]

She looks after me, most of the time. Out of all of the troublemakers in my squad, I'm, well... perhaps the most outspoken of the bunch.

[ ... Midnight, you're a full grown adult running a fellow full grown adult ragged. Have you no shame? (No. Seriously, he doesn't.) ]

I have only been here a month longer; among the first to arrive, from my understanding. Our admirers seem a bit shy.

[ Camille smiles, light in affect despite the fact most would - and several have - balk at their situation. ] In any case, there is little the City has offered in the way of information; but if there is something you care to know, I will share if I can — provided you have not dug about yourself already.

Oh. Right. [She was losing details with how distracted she was, so when he pointed, she made an effort to look and focus on what he was saying.

Somehow, she wasn't at all surprised that he managed to be the 'outspoken' one, just from what little she'd gleaned on interacting with him.]

[She sighed and leaned back, pressing her hands to her eyes as she tried to decide whether she was going to ask or not, because clearly she was worried, but maybe it was safer not to...?]

Is that blood in the bag? [Is finally blurted out, hands still pressed to her eyes so that she didn't have to see his reaction. Though she was tensed to move if she heard his chair roll.

She's trying to be as collected as she can be about this, but she's afraid she made friends with someone dangerous, especially with the talk of murder she's started seeing on the network.]

[ Questions are his food, and Midnight would certainly not be the first person to find the enthusiasm he has for them strange or troublesome. Seimei has a knack for finding himself in places he definitely shouldn't be--but maybe that's why he's in the city to begin with. Maybe whatever brought them just knew what they caught. He doesn't seem to notice any problems, though. The answer Midnight gives him is exciting. ]

Ah, you're right! There's no reason why we can't record our own words for this place. Maybe the city just needs a fresh start.

[ And maybe the words will disappear too, but the experiment alone is worth the effort. ]

Will you tell me if you find some good poems and stories? People here must have some good ones, and if they are willing to share them I'd love to read them as well.

Oh, I don't do too much to understand things from the start. Certainly, eventually, I'll get the hang of the city, but I'm content to let introductions arrive as they will. Although...

[ Midnight pauses, eyes lowered in thought before he makes eyecontact again. ]

Not much fanfare is made out of the sheer lack of entertainment here. Cries of tedium, certainly, but no fresh thoughts about how that might be the point. Perhaps that was my first thought. After food and shelter, what is considered essential?

It is.

[ Said completely comfortably. Then he blinks. Huh. For once, he's surprised that he hasn't thought about himself in terms of what makes him different. Everyone here is rather different in their own ways, some more visibly than others. Well... Rhodes Island was the same. He's been among diversity for nearly a whole year now... It was surprisingly easy to take it all for granted. Or maybe he's just a victim of his own mindfulness. Par for the course. ]

Ah... I'm the first vampire you've ever met, aren't I? Apologies, I just don't think much of it myself. It must have given you quite the startle. Are you all right?

[ He's asking this with even, calm curiosity, with a little bit of concern. With the ease of someone who's started this conversation this way a lot. ]

[ Midnight hums approvingly. He's in the habit of making the best of where he lands anyway. He doesn't mind sharing that energy. He has plenty! ]

Oh, sure. I do hope that, if the city insists on forcible abductions, it has the taste to snatch a few individuals with a writerly bent to them... I love a good story.

[ He reaches into his pocket, pulls out his own planner, and flips to a blank page, using the large book in his hand as a stable writing service. ]

How can I reach you? Do you use the network?

As have I! So it should be quite alright. I do, however, appreciate your chivalry.

[ Honestly, what a guy. The confidence over something so mundane is endearing, really. Using a wave and point upwards she tries to redirect his attention. Honestly, in the dark it's not easy to tell which exact branch is being pointed out from the shadowy canopy. ]

Have any thoughts on that one? Granted, you may have to strip it of all the smaller twigs first.

It's rather dull, yes. [ Camille considers it for a moment, finger to his lips. ] There was something of a welcoming 'party' a couple of weeks ago, so perhaps our hosts are attempting to provide. We shall see if they offer something else.

[ He gestures, the movement almost dismissive. ] Judging by the network, the lack of purpose seems to be wearing on people.

[ Midnight is fortunately close enough that he can see both his dear stranger and at least 8 branches she could be talking about, but he dutifully walk-crawls the treetop walk-crawl in the correct general direction. (It's very smooth. Perhaps a little animal. Vampires may not be arboreal, but predator genetics are predator genetics. Fortunately, he just looks like a very graceful monkey, and he's about as harmless.) ]

This one? Also, what should I call you? Call me Midnight.

Yeah.

[Just.. give her a moment, as she breathes, slowly, in and out a few times, trying to stop her mind from anxiously spinning out and jumping to conclusions. After those, she shifts one of her hands to crack an eye open and peer at him, seeing that he was still sitting there, that he hadn't moved, and he didn't look upset or angry, and she slowly nodded.]

Vampires were always just stories, but there were people who did take blood from others, where I'm from. Both get conflated, and it just... reminded me of that. [An explanation for the panic, at least. Even though he probably didn't need one, all things considered.] Sorry.

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Page 7 of 12

[ OPEN ] July Catch-all!

-blasts entry of the gladiators in the distance-

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real talk that's so sweet though omgggggg ;A;

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that's not even bending canon, he just says things like that... babyman...

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SUCH a good bean

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/it's always nice when a character's reaction to something makes me figure out more of the story lol