riverviewlogs | monthly mingle: SAMPREMI

Entry tags:

monthly mingle: SAMPREMI

who: everyone in Riverview!
what: monthly mingle: sampremi
when: The month of March.
where: Anywhere around the city.
warnings: there will likely be nsfw content; please put any necessary warnings in the subject lines

sampremi

In the days leading up to March 1st, residents new and old will notice preparations beginning, a flurry of activity getting the city ready for the upcoming celebration: Sampremi. This is one of Riverview's four yearly celebrations of love, this one focused on sexual love and lust, and sexual relationships that might bloom into more (or not). Traditions associated with Sampremi are a roving street market, raves where residents can seek out some free love and get a little crazy, a massive week-long kink convention, and a tech expo with all-ages and adult options.

a celebration of sexual love and lust

Riverview has always been a place focused on love and building connections in order to foster community, and for a lot of people, sex is part of that, which makes it something worth celebrating! For people who use sex as a way to connect with others, even if only for a short time, or those who use it as a way to connect on a deeper level with the ones they already love, Sampremi is the perfect holiday to get their freak on in a host of new and exciting or comfortable and familiar ways. The holiday features a large kink convention, where various entities in the city can show off their toys, explain their niche kinks, and share their insights with anyone who might be interested, a series of raves that are both all-ages and adult where residents can find someone(s) to share a night (or a week, a few months, or even a life) with. This year, there is a large tech expo where cutting edge tech companies in the city are sharing their newest toys, like improved virtual reality, robotics advances, and many other types of toys - all for work, play, or, in the spirit of the holiday, pleasure. And for those who don't want to connect through sex or who aren't old enough to, there are dances, games, and an entire market full of street food that's meant for sharing, so they can connect in other ways.

● OOC NOTE: Please be sure to warn in subject lines for any threads involving sexual content, drug use or other content that fellow players may wish to avoid, and do not use the prompt mechanics to circumvent consent in your threads, as non-consensual sex is not permitted on the game communities. Items such as aphrodisiacs, VR, or party drugs mentioned in the prompts are intended to facilitate consensual sex, not to encourage sexual assault, or to 'trick' characters into having sex that they would not normally have. ICly, please remember that there is always security to intervene and make sure everyone is safe.

i. color raves

Advertised on flyers and digital screens around the city, made to pop as if they were under blacklight, is a series of what's called "color raves" that are happening in various large empty warehouse spaces around the city. They are called color raves for the bright colorful lights, the preponderance of glowsticks that attendees wave around, and for the brightly colored powder for attendees to play with, some of which is spiked with a mild party drug and some of which is just for fun (with the difference clearly marked, of course). There are three types of color rave - adult, all-ages, and youth raves.

(CW: DRUG USE) At each adult rave and all-ages rave there is one specific room where attendees can enter (after proving themselves 18+), and dance or play tag with brightly colored powder that contains small amounts of a legal party drug commonly available in Riverview, which is absorbed through the skin. Not much more intoxicating than having a few beers, the effects of the drug are a pleasant low-key buzzing euphoria, positive sensitivity to touch, a heightening of desires for intimacy, and a mild lowering of inhibitions. Once a character has been hit with the powder, the color lingers on the skin so other attendees can know who has partaken, but once the powder makes contact with a surface (whether it is skin, clothing, or structural) it deactivates, meaning that partakers can safely dance with non-partakers without sharing the intoxicating effects.

Adult raves will have bouncers at the door to ensure that anyone entering is 18+, and there is no limit to when and where the debauchery happens. Clothing is optional, showing skin is encouraged, and there are a lot of neatly tucked away spaces for attendees to get some time alone with one or more than one person, as well as spaces intended for orgies. The atmosphere is sex-positive and non-judgemental, open to any orientation or preference, with various forms of protection available for free, however, to ensure that everyone plays safe there are sober security teams out en masse at all premises to oversee the events.

All-ages raves are open to anyone who wishes to attend, regardless of age. There are bouncers at the door who will check ID and stamp the hand of anyone who is 18+ with a special ink that shows up under blacklight for easy identification. At all-ages raves, 18+ and underage characters can mingle, but there are specific areas set aside for only 18+ characters where they can get down and dirty either in private or the open.

Adult and all-ages raves will have only spiked powder to avoid confusion.

Youth raves are intended only for younger characters under 18, so they can stay up all night and dance like crazy, and meet other young people in the city. The legal drinking age in Riverview Quarantine is 14, and so anyone over 14 can enter and indulge in a few drinks, dancing, and playing tag with a version of the colored powder featured at the adult raves that won't give you anything but a sugar high. There is copious amounts of security on site to ensure that everyone is safe, as well as nurses and off-duty police officers to offer advice or care for anyone who overindulges out of lack of experience. Youth raves will have only sugar powder, brightly colored and sweet to the taste, meant for fun and to play tag with rather than to cause intoxication.

ii. kink convention

For the week of March 4-10 there will be a massive kink convention on the top floor of one of the large exhibition centers downtown, limited to characters 18+. The exhibition is a sexy adult informational convention featuring various kinks and fetishes. Whether you're into leather, latex, lace, or anything else, you'll be able to find the clothes, toys, guides, books, erotica, fiction, and a wide variety of other interesting stuff to explore. While the atmosphere is sex-positive and there are private and public (for the voyeurs and exhibitionists in the room) venues for having sex, it's definitely focused on exploration and information about different stuff to try.

If someone has thought of it and figured it sounded sexy, it can be found here, and with Riverview's high level of tech advancement and widespread acceptance of magic, things can get pretty kinky. Whatever your kink is, there's probably a VR program, sex toy, potion, or spell that can make it happen, and someone who's got the downlow on how to make it great.

iii. tech expo

Riverview prides itself on its technological advancement, and so, running concurrently with the Kink Convention on March 4-10 and on the bottom floor of the same convention center, various cutting-edge tech companies in the city will be sponsoring a Tech Expo. The expo features demonstrations of all of the most advanced technology that's coming into use in the city, ranging from advancements in VR and holotech to robotics and gadgets, you can find the latest and greatest in almost any area of modern technology. Attendees will be able to come with a friend or a date or anything in between to play VR games, enjoy holoprojected escape rooms and puzzles, meet robot pets, try out the most recent music player or that new cell phone that can bend without breaking, and a wide variety of other gadgets.

While most of the tech expo is all-ages and non-sexual, there is a decently-sized adult area where characters must show ID proving they are 18+ in order to enter, where the technology is mostly related to sexual use. This area features advanced sex toys, VR systems intended to explore sex with other people in a virtual environment with no strings attached, sexy video games and holoprograms, and many other sensual technological.

iv. street market

One of the major draws of the festival is the special street food that can only be obtained this time of year. Almost everything you can buy at the Sampremi Festival is meant to be shared - whether it's one piece of meat on two or more sticks or desserts baked with a narrow part in the middle for convenient tearing, everything is built to be shared. The stalls sell everything from cups of soup, sandwiches, roasted or fried meat, deep-fried vegetables and cakes, dumplings, donuts, bagels, turnovers, and anything else you can think of.

Many of the savory dishes are based on the meat of a particular fowl native to the moon Riverview is situated on that has a taste and texture halfway between chicken and duck, cooked to be spicy (ranging from very mild to throat-burning). Many of the desserts are based around a fruit native to the moon that is spherical, red-orange, and has a light sweet taste that is similar to a combination of mango, pineapple, and strawberry. Both ingredients are considered to be aphrodisiacs. Of course, the foods aren't actually aphrodisiacs and any effect is purely placebo, though there are some booths (clearly marked and with someone to check ID) that sell actual aphrodisiac-laced foods and drinks to people who are 18+.

The festival features an entire row of fair games ranging from very high-tech games featuring virtual reality and neon holograms to extremely old-fashioned games with darts and balloons or balls and glasses. The games all have prizes in various shapes and sizes, with the standard stuffed animals, but also with goods and special items donated by any business in the city; ranging from tiny prizes to huge and expensive ones. Due to the nature of the holiday, many of the stalls are set up to cater to winning a prize for your partner(s), and due to the nature of the Quarantine, a lot of them involve aiming or other aspects of pretending to fight.

Originally, the part of the street festival that involved an actual market, with stalls and booths set up with goods, was aimed primarily at romantic trinkets like flowers or jewelry, gifts intended to be purchased for a loved one. As time has gone by, however, this aspect of the market has increased, with many businesses participating, though the emphasis is still on small businesses and anything relating to local culture rather than booths for any of the larger more corporate businesses. There is still plenty of jewelry to be found, for sure, mostly handmade and artisan, but the scope of the Market has widened immeasurably. The Sampremi Market is an excellent place to find specialty foods, clothing, jewelry, art, or other goods that were originally native to cultures on other planets in this reality, or other realities altogether. Many residents in the city use the market to share their unique cultural goods and traditional dress with others.

v. roommates or wildcard

Feel free to use this prompt to meet new roommates, for the purpose of getting to know each other, or hit up the mod-posted prompt to create a Communal Housing floor mingle. Or, if you have an idea for a prompt that isn't in this list, set during Sampremi, feel free to write it up!

visual inspiration

click on thumbnails for larger view

Credit: image i: saber XU; image ii: Jose Borges; image iii: Nicolas Sitbon; image iv: Andreas Rocha

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[This is John's first kink convention, and he's browsed through it once already with Poe. Now he's back by himself, taking his time, feeling a little less shy than the first time. John isn't hanging around demonstrations, and he certainly isn't participating, but at least he's making eye-contact and asking questions now.

John's standing with his head down in the bondage section, testing the strength of black shibari ropes when he accidentally elbows someone and nearly jumps out of his skin.]

Sorry-

[John looks up, apologetic, directly into the eyes of Jim Kirk.

Abort. ABORT.]

Edited 2018-03-04 02:45 (UTC)

[ Jim's vastly more at ease than a lot of the people here, but then he's never been particularly shy about this kind of thing. He hardly thinks that sexual preferences should be something that anyone should be ashamed of, and kinks are certainly nothing to be even remotely embarrassed about.

Of course that he still finds something intensely amusing about running into John of all people, inspecting a fine piece of black rope. His eyes fall to the item on his hands, then flicker back up to John's face, struggling not to let his smile turn into a full blown smirk.

He just narrowly manages with a vague twitch at the corner of his lips. He shifts his weight from one foot to the other, head tilting just so, setting aside the spreader bar in his hands, focus turned solely to the other man. ]

John! Fancy seeing you around here. [ An eyebrow raises, and he tips his chin. ] Found something you like, have you?

Jim.

[John's first instinct is to hold the rope behind his back, like a kid hiding a slingshot, but it's too late, Jim's already caught him rope-handed.

Jim barely has to speak before John's already embarassed. He can see that look in his eyes, knows it too well from working with him. Hard teasing incoming.

His immediate defense is to try and play it cool.]

Good rope is always useful to have around.

Never know when you might need it for... rappelling.

[Nailed it.]

[ It's precisely because John gets so easily flustered that Jim gets even more of a kick out of this. He only seems to be all the more pleased with himself at the half-assed excuse that John comes up with. ]

Oh, I don't think these are the ropes you're looking for, then.

[ He reaches out and runs his fingers through the fibers. Too smooth to offer the needed friction when rappelling.

Definitely ideal for a very different kind of friction, though. ]

Come on, John. There's nothing for you to be embarrassed about, we're all adults here!

[ Even if some might get too much of a kick out of making others' lives hell. But John will live. He tips his head a little, nodding at the rope. ]

So... are you into this stuff? [ Before John can answer— ] I am. I gotta say, I've always been a fan of ropes. More than cuffs or other types of restraints, honestly.

[Of course Jim calls him out. He can't not. John's on the verge of putting the ropes back and excusing himself to anywhere but the bondage section of a sex expo with Jim Kirk, when Jim candidly admits he's into this stuff, too.

John's into it, sure, but that doesn't mean he has any idea what he's doing, and he wasn't about to ask a stranger for help.

He licks his lower lip and worries it between his teeth, glancing in both directions to make sure there isn't anyone else who could make this even more awkward within earshot.

Of course, he tries to act casual, too. More for anyone else that's watching than Jim. He's already screwed on that front.]

I'm not big on cuffs. Feels too much like work.

[And has too many negative connotations. Both he and his partner have been restrained and tortured before. If they're going to do this, he wants it to be a different beast entirely.]

I, uh, don't want it to hurt. Is this the right stuff for... that? [He points a finger in the direction of a mannequin tied in the shibari rope style.]

Edited 2018-03-14 20:55 (UTC)

[ It can't even come as that much of a surprise for John that he's into this sort of stuff. Actually, there are very few kinks Jim wouldn't give a try, at the very least, but bondage and restraints are definitely one of his favorites.

He nods at John's first comment, entirely devoid of teasing. His smile also eases just so. ]

It depends on the cuffs, but I can get that. Leather cuffs work best— the metal ones are too uncomfortable. Not even the fun kind of pain, honestly.

[ Either way, to each their own. Jim can understand the dislike for cuffs as a method of restraint, and ropes lend themselves to more imaginative uses, not just binding ankles and wrists.

He hums as he glances at the mannequin, then back to the rope in John's hand. ] As far as fiber goes, yes, it works. You'd want something smoother if pain isn't what you're aiming for. You might want to get something a little less thick, though. Makes for much nicer patterns, and they're more versatile, easier to manipulate. [ He glances around. ] Oh, hold on...

[ He walks down the hallway, looks through a few shelves in the distance, then comes back with a book in his hands, which he promptly starts leafing through it. ]

Look, like this one. [ He shows John a picture of a man tied in a complex pattern going up his back, keeping his arms bound straight along his back, going so far as tying around his thighs and neck. ] If you use something too thick for this, it's gonna be a problem in terms of comfort, and complexity. Not to mention that you have to make sure it's not gonna get in the way of blood flow, to the arms and especially the legs.

[ Handing John the book— ] There. Could come in handy, if you're ever looking for some ideas. If you don't mind me asking... have you done that sort of stuff before?

Let me guess, you're a pro.

[He really shouldn't be surprised. Is there anything Jim Kirk isn't good at?

John is hesitant to eye the book while Jim's watching, but then there's that picture, and he can't quite contain his interest.

The ropework is beautiful in its complexity. Close to art. His eyes scan the figure from top to bottom, taking apart the knots in his mind. For all that John acts sloppy, he has a tactician's mind and an eye for detail.

What Jim's saying makes sense, much more than any of the advertising materials being handed out by girls and boys in rope corsets. Practicality is more important than sensuality in John's mind. Safety and comfort always first and foremost.

He thumbs to the next page, of a man suspended in mid-air by rope, and his eyes widen before glancing back up to Jim.]

Huh? No. Not like this. I've tied people up, yeah, but for business. Not... pleasure. And mostly with zipties.

Well, I wouldn't say I'm a pro. But I've... dabbled. A lot. I had quite the collection back home. And a few things here too, but I'm— [ He thinks of the best way to put it. ] Looking to revamp it.

[ With Bones being gone, he's not particularly interested in using the same items with Victor. It's probably odd, but those things are personal, intimate. It just feels kinda weird to him. ]

Mm... I see. [ He hums, deep in thought for a moment. ] Well, you should start with something more basic, then. Suspension, for instance— it looks fascinating, but it's not exactly low on difficulty level. How about...

[ He reaches for the book and flicks through the pages, to one of the earlier chapters. ] You should start with something simpler. Wrists and forearms, or just chest. Isolated parts rather than trying to connect several points in the body. Gets trickier with legs, for instance, especially when you're kneeling. Or— he's kneeling.

[ SHRUG??? Like zero judgment man, he just has no clue who the fuck even tops. ]

That's a good book. I browsed through it earlier. There's a lot of info on it, and instructions too, from basic to advanced. Plenty of patterns to pick from. Great help for a beginner.

Sometimes it's good to switch things up.

[He offers Jim a half-smile. John knows where Jim's coming from. He was married, after all, and there are some things, like a particular flavour of lube, or certain rabbit-like toys, he'll never be able to look at the same way again. The last person John wants to be thinking about in the bedroom with his new lover is his ex-wife.]

And I've got a few ideas.

[There's a glint in John's eyes when says it, a sharpness, not unlike when he handles a brand new weapon, which might tell Jim exactly who is tying who up.

Sure, he could start with the basics, but Jim should know better than most that John doesn't do anything halfway. He's safe when he has to be, to protect what's important to him, but if there's an opportunity to challenge himself? He'll take it.

The man has a photo with Evil Knieval by his bedside.

John won't jump right into suspension, but he's got a few ideas that aren't exactly in the front of the book. A fantasy he's been developing in his mind over the past day or so he's eager to try and bring to reality. His partner, in all of his strength, tied up and helpless, reliant on John for everything. His pleasure, protection, and release.

He tucks the book under his arm, looking up over the wall of ropes arranged by colour and fibre. He touches a bundle of twisted black silk, soft to the touch, with just a little slip to them. More elegant than what he'd been looking at earlier, taking into account Jim's suggestion of a thinner rope for more complex work.]

How about this one?

[ He shoots John a Look, lips quirking a little, both amused and knowing. But look, he's not prying!! Just taking in whatever details John feels comfortable sharing. There won't be any teasing either, not when it comes to this.

Plus, he does genuinely want to help John, and seen as he's evidently open to suggestions, he's sure as hell not going to ruin this moment of sharing and open discussion by teasing him. ]

Hmm. Alright then, as long as you kids are careful.

[ Reckless and crazy as he and Poe might be, though, Jim has a feeling they wouldn't risk hurting each other. Well, not in a bad way anyway.

He looks up to the rope John reaches for, brow raising as he nods. ] Yeah, actually. Great choice. Plus— it's really pretty.

[ He takes it in his hands, pondering. Damn, it's really nice. And he never did use black silk ropes with Bones...

(How weird would it be if they got exactly the same rope, though.) ]

Alright, dad.

[And that's as close as John Sheppard will get to calling Jim daddy. Probably. Maybe. Who really knows in a place like Riverview. They could get turned into ducks and John wouldn't be all that surprised. He's seen episodes of South Park more grounded in reality.]

Yeah, it's got a shine to it. The other stuff looks a little cheap in comparison.

[John raises a brow at Jim coveting the rope. He really didn't think they'd have the same taste. Jim is so much more flashy, he's practically blinding. Somehow, he was expecting him to be into something a lot more.... Jim. Gold, maybe.

Then it hits him.]

So you've gotten back into the saddle, huh? Good for you.

Edited 2018-03-20 01:00 (UTC)

[ If John ever called him daddy he would literally never ever live it down. Besides, isn't John older than he is? If anything Jim would be the one calling him daddy. Teasingly, of course. Just to see if he could get John to fluster or... choke on his morning coffee. Something. ]

True. It's really very classy, huh. Must look really pretty on pale skin, too.

[ He's definitely thinking about someone specific there, that much is obvious.

Also for what it's worth, Jim's taste is very eclectic. He likes the black rope, the plain collars, the simple riding crops— but he also owns a complete set (including cuffs, collar and leash, gag, blindfold, crop, feathers and a vibrator) all in pink. So. ]

Hm? [ His attention shifts away from the rope, and he looks almost coy for a moment. ] Oh. Yeah, I... I'm seeing someone, actually. Like— dating.

[John's thinking more olive than pale. The gleam of black against Poe's bronze skin, like tactical webbing. He smiles, imagining a smear of greasepaint across Poe's nose. They can share a moment of mutual daydreaming about their respective partners.

At Jim's change in demeanour, John's interest piques. Honestly, it's more surprising Jim hasn't said anything about it until now, he's not exactly the most subtle of men. That said, it's already hard to bounce back after a serious relationship. Painful. Sometimes you don't want people to know unless it's a sure thing, so you don't have to deal with the added salt in the wound of 'what happened to so-and-so' if it falls through.

John sidles closer to Jim with a sly smile. Now it's his turn to be put on the spot.]

Dating. So, who is it? Anyone I know?

Edited 2018-03-20 02:09 (UTC)

[ It's something like that. Well, more like a mix of not wanting to tell anyone before he was sure it was serious, and feeling a little bit guilty that he got over Bones so fast. Even if realistically speaking he knows he hasn't quite gotten over Bones just yet, not completely.

Maybe he never will. Part of him will always love Bones to some degree, even if not in the same way. He'll always be Jim's best friend, even if he's not here anymore. ]

No— I mean, I don't know. Although you'd know his name from literature, cinema... so on.

[ He clears his throat a little, and hopes John will spare him too much teasing over it. ]

His name's Victor. Frankenstein.

[ YES HE KNOWS he's a huge nerd and he's dating Dr. Frankenstein. LEAVE HIM BE. ]

Anyway, he works at the hospital. [ Clearly he has a type. ] He's talked about coming by the guard to visit me sometime, so you'll probably get to know him soon enough.

You're dating Victor Frankenstein.

[There's a lot John can say to that, it's *Victor Frankenstein*, but... He's just happy to hear Jim is seeing someone, anyone, and isn't alone. Losing Bones was hard on him. John knows it isn't easy to move on, especially without any real closure.]

Figures you'd go for a celebrity. Just make sure he isn't married.

[Badum tch. That's John's one bad Frankenstein joke, and he'll leave it at that. For now.]

I'd like to meet him. You know, to give him the talk.

Yes. I am.

[ Well, one version of Victor Frankenstein, anyway. And of course that of all things for John to focus on, he'd go with something like that. Better than to go with the teensy detail about Victor's experiences with bringing people back from the dead. ]

He's not! He's not. [ He snorts and shakes his head. No point in sharing too many details about Victor's past love life anyway (or lack thereof, as it so happens). ]

You're not giving him any sort of talk. [ Pointing a finger right in John's face. ] There's been enough third-degree going on as it is.

[ More with Jim being questioned, but he can't really fault Lucy for caring about Victor's happiness, or wanting to make sure Jim isn't going to hurt him. ]

C'mon. Please? I've always wanted to give the shotgun talk.

I never get to use my shotgun.

[He's just teasing. Mostly. John can't help being overprotective. He knows Jim's sensitive, that he's struggled recently, has been hurt, is still hurting on some level, and he doesn't want to have to pick him up from that place again. A man as good as Jim doesn't deserve to be left so low.

That said, he doesn't think Jim is stupid, either. He's a grown man, and he's capable of making his own choices. Just because John made some stupid plays while on the rebound doesn't mean Jim will, and if he does? It probably won't kill him. Maybe just the other guy, if John finds out who it was.

He reaches out and gives Jim's cheek a light pinch.]

I'm happy for you, buddy. Really.

As long as no actual shotguns are involved. Just put it away, John.

[ He knows John doesn't really mean it, of course. And he's not the least bit worried about introducing Victor to him, either. John can be a little rough around the edges at times, or come off as reckless and a bit rude, but it's all for show. It's not like Victor's the smoothest of people, either. Jim still has a feeling they'd get along fairly well.

And if not, well... Jim would just have to find some way to make them. Because they're both important to him, and he's not willing to give up either of them, not for any reason. ]

Stop that. [ He turns his head to the side, away from that pinch. There's a faint fluster on his face, but it's quickly gone as he looks a little more seriously at John. ] You don't think it's... I don't know, too soon? I mean, I told Victor about Bones, and he says he doesn't mind, but... I don't know.

[ He sighs, an unusual trace of uncertainty to his expression. ] He's not just some rebound. I don't think he is, anyway. But I don't know how these things work. Feels like it should've been longer before I got... serious with someone else.

[ Saying that it feels like he's cheating on Bones is a bit of a stretch, but on a rare occasion or two, he has wondered if that's what he's feeling, when he thinks about Bones. Guilt. ]

There's no right or wrong way to go about this kind of thing.

[John's hand goes from Jim's cheek to his shoulder. They've been working together a while now. Enough that he's actually comfortable being physical with him. Jim's not just a comrade, he's a friend. John isn't the best at expressing himself, at talking, and reaching out to people has always been something he struggles with, but for Jim? It doesn't feel like such a stretch.

He gives him a light squeeze, his own expression more serious, but not somber. He really is happy for Jim, and wants to see him happy, too. Whatever and however that happiness looks like. Even if it's with goddamn Frankenstein.]

I waited... years after the divorce. In the end, it didn't make a damn difference. Never got any easier. You've got to move on. Whether it's sooner or later is up to you, and what you want and need.

And maybe you need someone right now. If people talk? Screw 'em.

Edited 2018-03-24 17:28 (UTC)

[ Jim's weight shifts, a little uncomfortable for a moment, nodding. The touch is actually a big comfort right now, and the words only come to reinforce something he already knows deep down.

There's no right way to handle this. Jim knows that. He's had a vaguely similar conversation not that long ago with Cassian, so these are all words he's said himself, just being used on him instead. His lips quirk a little, as he tries to sketch a more reassured smile. ]

That sounds like something I'd say.

[ Like he's ever cared about what other people think about him. And John's right. No reason to start caring now. ]

Thanks. That helps, actually. [ He settles a hand on John's forearm and squeezes a little. ] You're a good friend, John. I needed hearing that.

Maybe you've been rubbing off on me. Gotta be careful about that. Next thing I know I'll be blinding people with my teeth, ignoring peoples personal space, and walking old ladies across the road.

[John lets his hand fall away, naturally, and feels a little better about himself than he did waking up this morning.

Jim brings out the same side of him Teyla does. The kinder, softer half of himself that's gotten buried over the years, beneath the scars and rubble. John wants to be a good friend, he really does. It's just that sometimes he doesn't think he has it in him, anymore.]

Introduce me to the guy, someday. I want to meet him.

[ Jim lets out a soft laugh at that, shaking his head a little. ] When have you ever seen me walk old ladies across the road?

[ He totally would though, let's be real. Even carry them in his arms if he had to. And they'd probably just feign fainting and dizziness to get him to do it too, the frisky old ladies. ]

Of course! He's mentioned wanting to meet my friends, anyway. Since I've met his best friend and his, uh... sort of— daughter. [ He should've mentioned that first, right? Right. ] Adoptive daughter, for the record.

[ Who totally thinks Jim is evil stepdad material or something because he definitely did not cause a good first impression. He's not used to that. ]

But yeah, anyway— I was thinking of doing a little get-together sometime, just a couple of my closest friends. And you're probably the closest friend I have here now, so... [ He shrugs. ] I want you there. No excuses.

Daughter? Wow.

[What else can he say to that? Jim's probably great with kids too. John feels a twist of something, and it throws him off for a moment. Distracts him. There's nothing wrong with Jim's guy having a daughter. John dated a woman with two kids, in college, before he was mature enough to really appreciate the experience.

Then John recognizes the feeling. Envy. Almost as soon as he knows what it is, he cuts off from it. Locks that particular desire somewhere deep, and dark, because this isn't about John, and what he wants. Jim is his friend, and he needs to be happy for him.

Especially after Jim drops that next doozy on him, about John being his closest friend. He blinks, eyes wide, somewhere between flattered and flustered. He rubs the back of his neck, glancing away, nodding his head.]

Sounds good. I'll be there. No excuses.

Just try and keep me and my shotgun away.

Yes. I mean, it's... not really? It's complicated. Her caretaker left the Quarantine so Victor's her guardian now.

[ But Lucy is attached to him evidently, and she calls him 'papa', and Victor says she's his daughter. And Jim of all people knows all too well how families aren't always connected by blood, and how blood often means precious little when there's no heart, no sentiment, no presence.

He honestly doesn't know if he's good with kids in general. He manages, but Lucy's a special kid. She's exceptionally brilliant, and she's naturally (and understandably) suspicious. It doesn't help that Jim's first impression wasn't the best either. But they're working on it. ]

Good. And your shotgun won't be allowed past the door, fair warning. Best to just leave it home.

That... sounds complicated. Also sounds like you've found a decent guy, if he was willing to do that. Maybe I will leave the shotgun at home.

[A cheeky smirk. He hopes this works out for Jim, he really does.

He nudges Jim's boot with his boot. Fondly. That's John's version of a hug.]

If you two ever need a babysitter, y'know, to go out on a hot date, let me know. I love kids.

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winscenario - 2018-04-15 17:25 (UTC) - Expand

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