riverviewlogs | Tired of this human duet...

Entry tags:

Tired of this human duet...

who: Jamie Dodger and YOU! (run.)
what: General catch-all with an open prompt that can be used for mingling.
when: June 25th through the end of July.
where: All over the place.
warnings: Dodger. ~~Lots of swearing, drug use, sex and violence.~~

--

Lampyr is Here for You.

If anyone missed his commercial, or simply didn't want to respond to it, they may instead find his second marketing scheme. Around the city, usually hidden in alleyways, you may find a small display similar to sample trays in grocery stores. Each has a sign that says "DRINK ME" in a bright neon color, which matches the covered trays of drinks below it. Sketchy? Absolutely, but curiosity may take the better of you... or maybe you read the inscription on the table siting the tempting results of the liquid.

RED - ENRAGED LAMPYR: Feel as strong as an ox! Filled with bravery and fighting spirit! Defeat your foes without giving them a chance!
ORANGE - HONEST LAMPYR: Open up your inner emotions! Come to terms with startling truths! Share with others to learn their deepest secrets!
YELLOW - FEARFUL LAMPYR: Enhance your adrenaline! Give yourself goosebumps or share with enemies for a frightful surprise! Raise the stakes of night-time hide-and-seek!
GREEN - ENVIOUS LAMPYR: Test your social safety! Learn the intentions of others! Share with friends and lovers to learn their honest opinion of you!
BLUE - GRIEVING LAMPYR: Strengthen your bonds! Open the depths of your feelings! Instigate attachment with others!
PURPLE - AFFECTIONATE LAMPYR: Let go of your reservations! Accustom yourself with touch and social comfort! Become cuddly!

Each display also features a very crude drawing of a firefly showing the appropriate emotion, although it looks like a kindergartener drew it. One of these days Dodger will have to hire an artist. While your character will not see Dodger initially, he is watching from a nearby hiding place and will come to observe and mess with them if they take a sample, to see the effects of the drink.

The drink tastes spicy, savory, sour, bitter, sweet and minty respectively, although not particularly good regardless. They all have an aftertaste like cough syrup. Obviously the effects don't exactly match up with the claims; they simply give you a very strong form of that emotion, which may lead to side effects. Bloodlust, impulsive truths, paranoid hallucinations, a compulsive need to check your importance to others, uncontrollable crying, or a lovedrunk, affectionate stupor are respectively the most common side effects. Though the effects are strong, they are significantly lessened within an hour (when they stop entirely is up to the player) and the character will never do anything they are morally against.

While Dodger will generally try to speak to anyone who has inadvertently become a test subject, feel free to make open top-levels for others to come across your character in an affected state. Please assume that Dodger is watching them during their exchange, though, and any information passed between them is now known by him.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Dodger no. Shigeru didn't mean it like that but now that he's had a chance to think about what he wrote his face is all sorts of red. Oh my god, why does he do this to himself?!

But his expression does take a turn into something more surprised. ]

Oh! Yes! That isn't a bad idea.

[ That would...make matters so much easier for him, ah. But he might look down at his phone before nodding. ]

We can...give it a shot then as well. Thank you...for working so hard to help me.

Good. Yeah. Sure.

[He hesitates a moment, before gently moving to take Shigeru's hand.]

You think you could, uh... handle this for a little bit? I won't force it, I just... y'know. It's.. nice.

[His face is still red, and he's far from relaxed, but... he's not sure he'll really be able to relax, trying as hard as he is to make this worth Shigeru's time.]

[ Oh. Well he doesn't mind it, really, Dodger is at least someone he's had the most contact with since arriving here. Despite their...obvious rocky start, he is at least more comfortable with Dodger touching him than most people here. It's a strange thing to say and even think but it was the truth. So Shigeru will smile and nod before giving Dodger's hand a gentle squeeze. He's fine with this his anxiety is surprisingly low, probably because of the atmosphere in that they're both awkward and nervous over the same thing. ]

It is nice. I never really...did something like this with anyone before.

I could've guessed that.

[He laughs softly, reassured by the gentle squeeze. It's the first time Shigeru's reciprocated, not just put up with it, and that's a huge step. It almost makes him more nervous, about possibly messing this up after coming so far.]

It's been... god, nine years for me. Even with my old girlfriend... we just never had the time to go out.

[The smile drops off his face as he remembers that girl.]

She used to get all nervous about getting her makeup right... by the time she thought she looked pretty enough for me we'd be an hour late to whatever we were doing. Started just giving her the wrong times so she'd be ready in time. When we moved in together she stopped fussing about it and... something about that just pissed me off.

[ Shigeru listens, of course, he is a very good listener given his situation. He watches Dodger's expression as he talks about her. ]

Even if it...didn't work out, I'm sure she did it with good intentions. She probably just wanted to impress you and that's why it took so long.

[ He smiles though he can't give a reason as to why she stopped. He wasn't very good with that sort of thing. ]

Do you...miss her?

[He does miss her. That much is clear on his face, the way it cracks for a moment and shows an expression of deep regret. He's the reason she was gone... the only reason, and it had all been because he was a fucked up piece of shit that couldn't handle anything nice without breaking and ruining it...

A moment later he snaps out of it, and he trains his face back into a more detached look, but he's started scratching one of his wrists... hard enough that if it didn't have the gauze around them, he'd likely be scratching through his skin.]

Forget about her. It's not-.. important.

[ Shigeru watches him with a worried look. Normally he wouldn't try to stop him but he knows and has seen what's underneath those bandages so he might just...gently touch the hand Dodger is using to pick at the gause over his wrist. His expression is telling that he's sorry for making him remember it and for bringing it up, but he can't actually type it given how both his hands are occupied.

He knows nervous ticks and he has many of his own, so he can aort of grasp what exactly this whole thing means to him. ]

[Dodger pauses as Shigeru touches his hand, and glances down before managing to stop the scratching. That's right, Shigeru would be one to look out for things like that... and he's already seen what Dodger's hiding with his bandages. He doesn't have to explain how he's feeling about the whole thing at all, does he.

After a moment of hesitation, he stops walking and just shifts to hold both of Shigeru's hands. And after a bit more hesitation, he leans toward to press his forehead against Shigeru's in a soft, affectionate head bump.]

I shouldn't've brought Janet up. I'm not.. ready to talk about her. But I don't want you worrying about me, alright?

[Because he knows he will. Shigeru always seems to worry about him, and it's... endearing.]

[ Shigeru tenses lightly at the head bump, but he looks back up at Dodger with worry in his eyes anyway. He does worry, a lot, about him because he seems to be going through so much and yet never really tells anyone anything. It's not a healthy way to live and yet...it's not his business either.

So he sighs and nods his head before pulling his arms away to free up his hands so he can type something. ]

Okay. But if you ever want to...I'm always hear to lend an ear. I'm sorry for...bringing her up.

You didn't do anything. You're fine, you're... more than fine.

[Dodger presses a kiss to his lips softly before returning to just resting his forehead against Shigeru's, his arms linking around the other's waist.]

Thanks for agreeing to this, I know- I know I'm a lot. Especially.. for you.

[ Oh. Well the kiss is a surprise and Shigeru moves away slightly, blushing as he shakes his head. Dodger's always pushing his boundaries with him that he's almost used to being kissed now, by him at least, he's not sure if he'd react as well if it were someone else. ]

It's okay. You're actually helping me get a bit better with all of...this. I wouldn't even be able to handle being this close to anyone if you hadn't helped me with it. But I...want to get to know you better too, so I can help you as well. I know I'm not...a prime candidate for that but I'm happy to be able to do little things too.

[ And he gives Dodger a warm smile. ]

Are you hungry? We should...go get something to eat.

[Dodger accepts him backing off, and he can't help blushing more as he reads off of Shigeru's phone. Honestly... it still surprises him, after the life he's led, that people exist who are willing to just listen to him.]

I'll keep it in mind.

[With that he releases Shigeru, offering his hand to hold so they can keep walking. Which also frees a hand to go through his phone for that one food-ordering app...]

Anything in particular you wanna eat?

[ He smiles and shakes his head. Although he does pause after a second to type something before he takes Dodger's hand again. ]

I've heard that Italian food is good. Have you ever had that before? It's a cuisine from Earth, right?

What, you've never had pizza?

[What is wrong with Shigeru's life.]

[ Ah. Shigeru and pizza don't exactly mix very well. He might fiddle with his phone before responding to that. He looks embarrassed about it but if anyone understands it's probably Dodger, maybe? ]

It's a bit too messy for me, I guess. And...people have to use their hands a lot to make it, so I just...don't think I can eat that sort of thing right now.

[ It makes him squeamish thinking about it. ]

But I think I'll be able to eat other things, maybe!

[He tips his head as he thinks about it... he guesses that's a fair point - and the reason why he likes pizza is that it's messy, so he can't argue with it.]

If you're worried about that, most italian cuisine is made with hands at one point or another... how about chinese? It's not... romantic, but I can guarantee they don't use their hands for that.

[No he can't, but he can at least guarantee he doesn't know any chinese dishes where hands are necessary. Out of the maybe two things he has a concept of how to make.]

[ It's more hands on than other dishes and Shigeru gets grossed out so easily with that sort of thing.

He'll tilt his head at that and then smile with a nod. ]

Okay! That's sounds good then. I haven't tried Chinese food before. That's also from Earth?

Yeah, it is.

[He makes a mental note of Shigeru continually referring to them as 'earth cuisine'... he has questions. Especially since he'd assumed the kid was a normal, if mutant, Japanese man... who might not have had Chinese takeout before, but would be familiar with actual Chinese food, from China. It begs a lot of questions, many of which he's not sure if it's worth it to ask. He's sort of passed the point where knowing about Shigeru is really as important as knowing how he's doing.

After a few moments he's set the delivery up in his phone, checking off things that he figures taste good, and sets it to be delivered to Shigeru's house.]

By the time we get back to your place, they should be almost there. [He hesitates.] We could, uh. Try out the Lampyr again while we're waiting, or... after we eat. Your choice.

[ He is definitely not any of those things, though he will be surprised to learn that Shigeru is a surname in Japan as well. He just figured every planet had their own people with first and last names, weird or not, so he never really bothered looking into it further.

He gives Dodger a bright smile with a nod. ]

Okay! We can try it out while we wait then. I don't mind either way.

Sounds good.

[With many people, Dodger tends to be silent while traveling, until something catches his attention. Shigeru is treated to small snippets of interest. Things like 'hey, check out that dog' and 'jesus, is anyone really into chicks like that?' as they pass by people. Nothing that leads to a very deep conversation, and his interest is off of it within a minute.

Finally they're on the couch in Shigeru's house, and Dodger draws up another sample of his drug - this time it's a brighter purple hue, closer to indigo in color. Less honesty, more affection, and a slightly larger amount of sadness. And just in case, he draws up about twice as much as he had before before offering the syringe to Shigeru.]

How about you try touching me this time? So, y'know - you can stop right when you get nervous with it.

[ The walk is in general peaceful and new for him. He's obviously never experienced something like this with someone else before and he'll happily nod and smile at Dodger's quips when he gives them.

But his calm demeanor slowly changes as the make their way back to his house and finally once inside he has a vague nervousness about him that's probably easy to see. He'll be rubbing his arm as he listens to Dodger, eyeing the strange concoction again with half curious and half uncertain eyes.

But he'll take it without hesitation and then slowly bring it up against his skin and inject himself without a seconds glance. His eyes will close as he allows the drug to take effect. But he'll do as Dodger suggests his hand shakily reaching out to touch him, though he pauses midway before taking a deep breath and continuing. The increased affection helps him with getting closer but it also makes him more embarrassed as he finally manages to touch Dodger's arm and linger there for at least a minute before he pulls away.

He looks strained when he does that and he's rubbing his gloved hand against his thigh, but for the most part he seems okay?! Even if his face is super red now. ]

...That's it?

[He raises a brow, but... he knows Shigeru's having trouble. Still, it gets his mind racing with possible adjustments to the formula. Maybe less affection, more of the other two, or... maybe there had been too much sadness, and that had thrown him off balance...

But it's more than that, isn't it. Shigeru had been rubbing his arm since they got to the house. He seemed... tense. Maybe just about this, but... it still makes him worry. And after a moment he reaches out to cup Shigeru's cheek and press a kiss to his lips.]

You alright?

[ He might move away slightly when Dodger leans in to kiss him again. He's actually sort of used to the others advances by now that he doesn't look entirely alarmed or put off by it, he might even close his eyes briefly, but that's probably due to the effects of the added affection in the drug. The kiss makes him blush even more but he shakes his head in a yes response. ]

Sorry. I'm just...nervous. I want it to work so badly...but it just doesn't seem to stick. I...I want to try again though, is that okay?

[ He is going to touch Dodger for more than a few seconds! ]

Edited 2017-08-02 00:25 (UTC)

[Dodger nods, staying close so there isn't much space to cross, or much time to chicken out once he makes the effort.]

Miyata, you've got no fucking idea how much I want you to touch me.

[He may think he knows, but... hell, even Dodger has trouble even handling the depth of his interest in the man. It's the intoxicating temptation of something that's always just out of reach, he guesses.]

[ Oh my god Dodger?! Shigeru wasn't expecting him to say something like that. He's never really had anyone say that to him ever so it's obvious that it's a bit flustering for him to hear. But, okay, he's go this! He'll swallow thickly as he lifts his hand again and reach out to touch the other man's cheek. His hand will lightly trace over the faint scarring, but he doesn't mean to do that, it's just a mindless wandering of his hand at that point. Even if...those scars have always worried him and he's always wondered about them but never had the gall to ask. He doesn't know who or what caused them but they look like they hurt and a pain like that was never easy to talk about. But he might pull his hand away after that, unless Dodger stops him from doing so. Dodger can probably feel his hand shaking while he does this but Shigeru looks pretty determined to not give up. ]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject