Some nights, I stay up cashing in my bad luck

[righthemisphere]

April catch all!

Who: Raleigh Becket, Min-Gi Park, Bolin and you!
What: Sometimes maybe good, sometimes maybe bad.
When: All gosh dang diggity month long.
Where: No.

Content Warnings: TBA



Prompts added as they come. Ping me if you want something. If you know what's up, post your starter in here.

Comments

Min-Gi Park

[dialscientist]

EARLY APRIL

[shiro2hero]

[He knows roughly where Min lives, thanks to Ryan. And, honestly, feels a little guilty it never happened during their meeting at the house. Despite how apprehensive he feels, being out in the darkness, during a month of no sunrise, he wants to make it up to the poor teen. After all, that was the whole point of him coming over to Mouse House...]

[The headlights on the hoverbike cut a swathe through the dark. He doesn't gun the engine like he wants to, not with narrow streets to navigate. Though he does send a message to Min-Gi once he's getting closer to the approximate location.]

Hey, it's Shiro. I have something to show you if you want to come outside real quick?

[... better alert him before the sound of the engine does, anyway.]

[dialscientist]

[The warning is kind of Shiro to send. Min-Gi has been a little twitchy this week what is the lack of sun and sudden reports of wormholes everywhere.

It's been bothering him more and more since his own wormhole experience with Shiro last month. Always looking over his shoulder, always searching for signs out of the corner of his eye.

Always gotta be something, right? If it's not mushrooms or monsters it's portals and blood pockets and deranged carnival rides. Why not, right? Why the fuck not.

Min-Gi is down in his cellar recording studio when he gets the message and pauses his work to bop upstairs and peer through the window. There's definitely someone out there in the street so he slips his shoes on (a nice, new pair of loafers check him out) and unlocks the several deadbolts on the heavy front door.

Oh man.. and there she is. Shiro's sitting on the coolest looking bike he has ever seen and for a second all of Min-Gi's worry is pushed aside to light up like it's Christmas morning.]

Hey- woah, is this it??

[shiro2hero]

[If it's not one thing, it's another. If it's not lethargy and pain, it's endless night. Which has never been anything good, in Shiro's experience. But if there's one thing he can do, it's roll up with a cool distraction from all of that. Or try to, anyway.]

[He brakes fully, settling the bike to idle. Both to keep from wasting juice, and to keep the noise down to manageable levels. And pushes his goggles up with a little grin.]

This is it. I think I owe you a ride?

[dialscientist]

[Is it possible for his eyes to get any bigger? Because they sure try. A ride?? He just wanted to see it- oh man!!!]

Yes! I mean- yeah- yeah that would be awesome. Right now?

[Does he just. Get on? Can he???]

[shiro2hero]

If you have time now, so do I.

[He gestures at the bike. And then offers a pair of goggles to Min-Gi.]

I usually head down to the beach for a longer ride. Less chance of running into anything.

[dialscientist]

I've got time! [Immediate. He takes the goggles as if that will keep Shiro from changing his mind and holds up a finger.]

I just have to get my keys. I'll be right back. Wait just a second, literally be right back.

[And he zooms back inside to do exactly that, scrambling around for his cloak and cursing his lack of jackets before racing back out and locking up. Best surprise ever!!]

[shiro2hero]

I'm not going anywhere!

[Sure, he's amused, but his tone is also endlessly fond. This is precisely the reaction he was hoping for. Min's excitement is wonderful. It's refreshing.]

[And sure enough, no matter how long it takes Min to scramble around inside, gather his things, Shiro will be there waiting for him.]

[dialscientist]

[Alright, goggles, on! No helmet necessary! Min-Gi looks around the bike for a moment with such wonder before climbing on the back and looping his arms around Shiro's waist. Because that's like. How you ride a motorcycle right so. Mmmmmm.. yeah. Yeah, that makes sense.]

[shiro2hero]

You ready?

[He waits until he's sure Min is seated, that he's holding on. Then he glances over his shoulder, grinning.]

We have to take it slow until we're out of the city. But then I'll open it up.

[dialscientist]

Yeah, okay. Whatever you need to do. I can't believe I'm on a hover bike!

[As if he's been on any other kind of bike besides a pedal bike. But still!! This is his sci-fi dream!! God, Shiro you're so cool. So so cool. (Cool and handsome and nice smelling AH NO DON'T START THAT AGAIN FUCK)]

[shiro2hero]

Hang on then!

[He revs the engine back to life. Usually it would be accompanied by a sharp jolt forward. But here, on the narrow streets, it's a much smoother acceleration.]

[They're still going faster than most anything in Trench, though.]

[dialscientist]

[Ahhhhhhhhh

He holds on respectfully, watching the city pass by. Man, he has got to get himself one of these things. Is that possible? Can that happen? Who does he need to talk to.

Once they make it to the beach and open the throttle he'll be crowing with wild victory and glee. Not much opportunity to talk but they don't need to. The wind in his hair and the fact they're flying is more than enough. What would they do but enjoy the ride, anyway. He can't wait to tell Ryan.]

Early April

[chickenchoicejudy]

[Ever since March ended, Ryan's been on cloud nine. His paleblood effects from the previous month are finally gone, and on top of that he's been full of energy. He's heard whispers over the network that the moon being out day and night is a bad sign, but it's hard to think about it that way when the moonlight is charging him up like a battery. He's literally got a glow about him, his veins a milky white every time he's outside.

Even better than that, there don't seem to be new effects for blood types, beyond the endless night anyway. Compared to March, April is a breeze. March horrors bring April...flowers? ...Eh, he'll work on it.

For now, he's dragged Min-Gi out to Willful Machine, fully intent on trying to get Min some more clothes now that he's Of Sound Mind to actually help and such. He didn't go too extravagant himself, but his choice of sheer white shirt is a little risqué by local standards, since it only draws more attention to the skin underneath (especially with his paleblood glow).

Most of his focus has been on Min-Gi and going to stores that might ease him into local fashion more than his own haunts will, but he's still managed to wind up with a bag of his own. In his defense, it looked extremely comfortable.]

Dude, it's so good to be out doing stuff again. I missed this.

[Casually, with his free hand, he'll try to link arms with Min as they go down the street. It isn't really a date exactly but it's still fun hanging out with him and being able to see his face and get him to try on funky clothes and see what feels good.]

[dialscientist]

Yeah man, me too.

[He gives Ryan his elbow but doesn't take his hand out of his pocket to lace fingers. It's kinda true, he has missed being out with Ryan but it isn't like he's been dying to go out shopping. He's been so worked up over leaving Ryan alone it's been a mission just to force himself to go to work. Still, he's dressed nicely and doing his best to casually stroll through the crowd.

But this.. Ryan being happy and not being half aura blind.. this is better. Way better.

Gives him a lot more focus to worry about other things. Like wormholes. Which is now, apparently, an issue.

It's actually been an issue for Min since last month but he hasn't mentioned it. What would have been the point? He doesn't have any answers.]

So what were we looking for again?

[Does he keep glancing over his shoulder? Maybe.]

[chickenchoicejudy]

Eh, nothing specific - just some more clothes for you. It's getting warmer, and since I know you don't like dealing with money here I figured I'd give you a hand.

[It's oddly domestic of Ryan, as though they're already married and living together. He's daydreamed about that countless times over the years, and he's gotten little tastes of it here and there.

Except something feels...off. He can feel a low hum of worry in Min now that they're touching, and he seems kind of...cagey?]

Hm?

[When Min looks behind them, Ryan does too. When he doesn't see anything there, he frowns a little.]

Are...you okay?

[dialscientist]

[Cagey is a good word for it. That's exactly how he feels. Cagey.

Like everything is starting to really close in on him now. But that's just life, right? That's just life here.]

Right, no I'm good. It's just weird seeing the streets so busy in the dark.

[God damn liar. But he doesn't want to worry Ryan, who had it so rough last month.

A little beep in the back of his head. The soft whirring of a fan. Closing off and buckling down and tightening up. It's fine. It's fine, he's doing what he needs to do. They should be laying low with wormholes around but Ryan wants to shop and so they'll shop. It's fine. Stop being such a pussy, Min.

He tongues his teeth, canines sharp against his tongue.

As if to make the point to himself he stops and looks in the window of a store, dark stone with almost nothing on display except for a single outfit on a mannequin.]

This would look good on you.

[chickenchoicejudy]

[The problem is that Ryan is difficult to lie to. He doesn't know exactly what's off, but he can tell that whatever's bothering Min is something he's just brushing off. He says he's good, but...the feelings Ryan is sensing in him aren't going away. And they don't really match up with the reason Min gives.

But, he reluctantly lets it go. For now.]

Oh. I...guess I'm just used to it. Parts of Cellar Door are busy like this this all night long, and that's when I'm up so. I just got used to it, I guess.

[He's babbling a little, but going along with Min's reasoning anyway. Maybe he's just overthinking this?

Min points out an outfit in a window and Ryan excitedly shakes Min's arm.]

That's so rad. Look at it! I can't tell if that's a vest or-- [Or a dress, but. He's not there yet with Min, exactly. He's...working on it.] --and those boots!

[The whole thing is so cool, and he's here for all of it. But he hasn't forgotten the Actual Mission here, so he looks at Min and grins.]

Bet they've got cool stuff for you too. Wanna go in?

[dialscientist]

[He gives a thin smile, grateful Ryan isn't pushing him to talk about something he doesn't want to and nods, gesturing towards the door.

It isn't that he doesn't want any new clothes, he does, it's just that everything around here seems to fit Ryan's style so much better. Not to mention the ten other things they should be doing instead of this.

But yeah, maybe they'll have something a little less..free form. A nice pair of slacks and a jacket would be welcomed for sure. Some basics. Spring layers. Maybe some accessories. Min-Gi likes fashion.

Inside seems to be a mix of the usual Trench aesthetic and music festival. He sees tunic..vest..things. He sees boots. He sees slacks and shirts and a small display of leather jackets in the back where the more premium items are.

Which tracks. Cows are so hard to keep alive here. Beef is hard to get, of course leather is extra expensive.

Hm. Okay. He can work with this if the price is right. But oh he wants that one of those jackets.]

This is a nice place.

[chickenchoicejudy]

[Ryan isn't listening, because he's staring directly at the premium section where all of the leather jackets are. The wheels are turning in his head and he grins at Min.]

Dude. Those jackets would look so cool on you. C'mon!

[He's so excited that he's going to tug Min right past all of the more reasonably priced things and straight over to the leather jackets in question. He then immediately makes a beeline for the rack, looking for one that'll be around the right size, probably. After a moment of inner debate, he holds one out to Min.]

Try it on!

[dialscientist]

[There are several different options but Ryan 1) knows Min-Gi's tastes and 2) of course he naturally gravitates to the most expensive and thus nicest jacket available. And yeah, it's beautiful. Calf leather (cow or monster, no one knows), soft but durable, with a beautiful inky sheen. It's been treated with darkblood and shimmers under the touch. Structured but fashion, and simple whilst being reminiscent of home. It's very, very cool.

He shrugs off his cloak, taken by the shopkeeper immediately now that he's figured out they're sleepers, and slips on the leathers. It's exactly his size.

Sir, here, the man says and guides Min-Gi to stand on a small platform before he pulls a thick cord, opening plush curtains to reveal an ornate tri-fold mirror. Maybe it's the vibe of the store, but he feels very fancy all of a sudden.]

Wow..

[Min-Gi smooths his hands down the front and turns a little, this way and that, before looking at Ryan through the glass. He really, really likes it.]

What do you think?

[chickenchoicejudy]

[Ryan's used to the extra attention from shopkeepers now, having been here a few months longer, so it doesn't come as a surprise to him. He's also been known to bend that to his advantage now and then, less to get discounts and more because it just makes him feel like a real rockstar.

A couple of the other jackets catch Ryan's eye as something that would look cool on himself, but right now it's all about Min. He loves watching Min look at himself and feeling an emotion bloom in Min that Ryan feels all the time.]

I think you look amazing.

[He motions for Min to turn around all the way and playfully whistles. Look at him. Look at his hot as fuck boyfriend.]

I also think you need that jacket. It's so gnarly. You're like, the coolest guy in the room right now!

[dialscientist]

[If he were feeling a little bit more like himself he would blush and wave off Ryan's words, even though it's accurate to how he feels wearing it.

Instead, he studies himself critically for a moment and then shrugs the jacket off. His shoulders feel cold without it. That's unpleasant.]

It's nice but I don't know if I need it. How much?

[The shopkeeper looks them over and shrugs a little.]

What have you got, Sleeper?

[Instantly the joy of shopping is sucked out of the room and Min-Gi no longer wants it. He hates this part. He hates it.]

[chickenchoicejudy]

[Ryan pouts at him. He was doing pretty well up until this point too!]

Dude, come on. It's not about whether you need it or not. If you only ever bought stuff you need, you'd have one outfit to wear every single day like a cartoon character.

[He can feel the change in Min though, and immediately takes over on the jacket negotiations, sliding right up into Min's conversation with the shopkeeper.]

Depends - what kinda things do you usually trade for these?

[Some might call this foolish, but it's honestly the easiest tactic. He's not gonna offer the guy pebbles if he's looking for bloodstones, after all. And maybe if what he wants is reasonable, they don't have to haggle anyway.]

[dialscientist]

[Min puffs his breath and holds his hands up. Ryan has a point and he gives in. He should have clothes. That is a thing people need. Okay, fine. But he doesn't want to listen, and as Ryan and the shopkeeper haggle he slips away to inspect...whatever is farthest away. earrings, as it turns out.]