[ OPEN ] July Catch-all!

[unrequite]

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.

Comments

[unrequite]

[ Midnight doesn't like to be snuck up on, unfortunately; even more unfortunate is the lack of vampire senses he usually leans on to make sure people don't sneak up on him. Even more unfortunate is the fact that he'd actually noticed someone up this tree, but had banked on whoever it was minding their own business.

It's actually the kind of sad groan she gives when she lands that prevents a dart of white fire hitting her somewhere above the belt. Assassins dont usually give off the impression of bad knees. When she looks at Midnight, she'll find him already catching the flame back in his hand, putting it out, and shaking his hand to rid it of smoke. ]

Evening. Gave me a startle, there, love. [ Midnight gives a grin. To his credit, he only looks a bit startled. The greeting definitely helped calm his nerves. ] Trying to find something, actually. Enjoying the view up there?

[spectreless]

Sorry for that. That's not a very good first impression, is it?

[ The very end of the the hand movement catches her eye even though the light sputters out quickly. It's hard to discern what that's all about but the fact that he's abruptly aborting the action paints a vague picture.

With that smile intact she clears her throat with a slender hand, the other is lifted in the universal gesture for capitulation. It all makes sense to her because most people could feel skittish at this time. ]

The view was nice but I can't say that I've spotted anything besides various kinds of foliage. What could you possibly be trying to find? Ah—! Not that you owe me any kind of explanation.

[unrequite]

[ Midnight laughs, waves his hand in acceptance of the apology. As long as murder wasn't ever in the cards, he's pretty chill with anyone entering his life, even if it does give him a brief scare in the process. ]

Not to worry, I aim to be an open book. I've been looking for a stick of a certain length and size. The city saw fit to take my own weapon away from me, and I'd like to continue practicing the art while I look for an replacement. You haven't seen one lying around during your foliage-watch, have you?

[spectreless]

Ah, I see. So, like a blade.

[ an amused huff of air escapes. She holds her palms facing each other at shoulders length to demonstrate a hypothetical length. ]

How long would you say?

[ A second later she raises her eyebrows at him and adjusts the space between her hands to be bigger. Longer? He looks capable of flinging around a proper blade's length, at the very least. ]

[unrequite]

Right you are.

[ Midnight grins, watching her hypothesize. ]

A standard size. No daikatana or claymores, not really my style. Here...

[ He points at his leg. ]

Standard size for most blades is about the length of one's leg. Any longer and the sword drags on the floor while sheathed. Not exactly proper technique in any school of swordsmanship that I'm aware of, though I could be wrong.

[ It's pretty basic sizing information for someone starting out, but he's a relative beginner himself, so he's very matter-of-fact about it. ]

[spectreless]

Phenomenal. That does help.

[ She points upwards. ]

How do you feel about climbing? [ and property damage-- ] It's pretty likely that one of the higher branches would fit the bill.

[unrequite]

[ Midnight looks up at the tree... Then begins to remove his coat. Congrats, you have unlocked his passive trait: Huge Stupid Jock. ]

I'm amenable to the task. Let's be off.

[ And he just grabs a low branch and pulls himself up. Even with the city debuff, man's crazy with it. Once he gets a foot on his branch, he looks down, waiting to see if she needs a hand. (He assumes not, seeing as how she got up the tree at some point, but it always pays to be watchful.) ]

It'll be dark soon. Best be quick about it.

[spectreless]

[ Confident that she could: Lenore was mid-movement to give him a boost up and-- oh, he's already up in the tree. Impressive, actually, how that took no convincing. ]

Oh, why the hell not.

[ Her own method is a steadier approach to climbing which culminates with her hooking the crook of her arm around a branch to hoist herself up without relying too much on her legs. Old injury, it looks like. Despite it she continues on climbing the tree on the one side.

She pauses only to lean around the truck to smirk at him. ]

I imagine it doubles the chances for success! Should you fall in your haste I'll still be up here to fetch it for you.

[unrequite]

Quite right. Different strokes are what make the world go round... Or something like that.

[ Midnight sees that difficulty; even without his continued ability to see in the low light, he can tell that her movement is a bit awkward. Did... did she really hurt something in her fall? If she did, she certainly had no complaints about pushing herself for another venture back up. ]

Do call me if you need a hand, though. I've climbed a tree or two, back in the day.

[ He says that with so much unearned pride that it's honestly either exasperating or hilarious. My guy... ]

[spectreless]

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.

[unrequite]

[ 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.

[spectreless]

The one right next to it. See?

[ Good thing she's not looking too closely to the uncanny valley crawl; she'd suddenly be more cautious than she is currently if she was. Presently Lenore is preoccupied with ascending to the next layer up of branches to make a better attempt to point out the correct branch. ]

Lenore, my name is Lenore. It's a pleasure to joining you on your mighty quest this evening Midnight. [ Here's as much of a mini bow as climbing a tree allows. It's more of a incline of the head with a toothy grin. ] Ahem, possibly at midnight at that.

Sorry about the delay, August has been very busy for me!

[unrequite]

Are you sure you won't be up past your bedtime?

[ He's just teasing, even if she IS a child from his point of view. She seems the sort to take these things in stride, something he values in others.

Anyway, he starts shaking limbs in the general direction she's pointing in. ]

Here? Here?

[ At this point, it doesn't matter where the branch is, this IS a comedy sketch. ]

Np! It has been for me too!!

[spectreless]

[ Deadpan— ]

How right you are. We'd best give up now lest the more reasonable members of society realize there's a pair of night owls in their midst.

[ Having said this Lenore immediately scales a little more up the precarious upper branches of the tree. With the quiet understanding that this is a comedy sketch she raps her knuckles against the truck where one branch juts out. ]

Which do you mean now? Where are you pointing?

[unrequite]

Not pointing, I'm shaking. Isn't it still light enough to see — this —

[ He leans on a few branches, making at least four shake at the same time. They will get nowhere like this. They are truly waiting for Godot. ]

Anyway, as far as I'm concerned, if you're not old enough to drink, you've still a need to be in bed by nine. Unless you've just one of those eternally youthful faces, of course. I've assumed wrong before.

[ Lenore looks like an infant to Midnight. A child!! (He's being a bully, now! He thinks he's hilarious.) ]

1/2

[spectreless]

Oh, I see. [ Literally sees the movement this time. ] Why yes, it's at least one of the six branches you've just shaken.

[ Now where did those two extra branches come from in that count? Like, who knows man. ]

2/2

[spectreless]

Pardon? You think I'm what? Too young to drink?

[ Sir. Enjoy this disbelieving squint. This might just be the first time she's been minor coded by someone else's perception. ]

[unrequite]

[ Midnight's having a fantastic time using this tree as his own personal jungle gym, evidenced by the way he stops on a branch and plops his ass down on it like he's taking five after a round of basketball, splayed out on the surrounding branches for balance. He looks down at Lenore, squinting in the falling dark. ]

Well, there's a first for everything, but I'd be lying if I said I thought you were anywhere near mid-age with regards to your species' maturity cycle. Unless you aren't human at all?

[ Midnight sort of assumes everyone is as long as there's no compelling proof in the contrary. ]

[spectreless]

I'm also not that old you understand. There is a perfectly suitable middle ground and I'm within the confines of it.

[ The sudden thought of anyone present not being human with the leonine manner of lounging and look down upon her makes the hairs on the back of her neck stand. Lenore does a great job not visibly reacting. ]

Now, more importantly, that is peculiar wording. Before I answer should I take it to mean that you yourself are not human?

[unrequite]

[ Midnight leans in, tilting his head... Which, considering his grace, is a much more intimidating motion than he can manage to keep under wraps. He can't really help it, though. Biology and an expired desire to be liked does that to a guy. ]

I am. But I've learned that my definition differs drastically from that of the current quo. [ A beat. ] There's only one type of human where you're from, isn't there?

[spectreless]

Well, yes, as far as I can remember human beings all fall into the same category.

[ Casually she snaps a small pointy branch off to jab him with should he suddenly get hostile. It doesn't necessarily seem as if he will but one never knows and Lenore will be damned if she doesn't go down swinging. ]

Then again I've recently come to learn there is a multitude of different spectre types once one has passed on. So I could easily be mistaken.

[unrequite]

[ Midnight raises his own eyebrows in return. Honest surprise, here. ]

Well, then we've both admitted to a lack of omniscience with regards to settled facts of life. Life after death, huh...

[ Midnight shakes his head. That... that doesn't exist in his world. Not really. Not in a way that matters. More to the point: ]

You believe you're in some sort of danger, don't you? [ ... Midnight nods. ] I'm sorry I've made you feel that way. I live in a world where humankind has several species and subspecies to it. I suppose a wider range of physical traits to those I speak to on a daily basis is something I've taken for granted.

[spectreless]

...It's nothing personal, you understand. Although you happened to catch me off-guard you seem an agreeable enough fellow.

[ Fact of the matter is that he does sound genuine and she is a sucker for that sometimes. The stick stays but her body language relaxes considerably. ]

Several species and subspecies you said. How does that work?

[unrequite]

Caution is rarely personal. I understand.

[ Midnight laughs. He does understand. Life can be dangerous. ]

Well, humans exist in all shapes and forms. Some are descended from different beastlike roots. There are those who are cat-like, Felines, and the ones descended from hounds are called Perro. We call those with finbeast features Aegir, after the name of their nation deep in the ocean, and those with fowlbeast feathers are Liberi. All human, but of different species. Does that make sense?

[ He's trying out a lot of different explanations, and this is the wordiest one. Hope she doesn't get overwhelmed! ]

[spectreless]

[ It's wordy but not terrible. It's really the earnesty in the explanation that has her listening as intently as she is more than anything. ]

It does. I don't understand some of the terminology but I think I can make sense of most of it.

[ A nod. She wouldn't lie about understanding most of it either. No point in that. ]

What are you then? ...If it's not terribly rude to ask.