SEPTEMBER TDM

[recollecters]

TEST DRIVE

SEPTEMBER TEST DRIVE - EVENT AND FOURTH WALL EDITION The city of Recollé... ...or, at least, a good mimicry of the city. It's been a few weeks since you've found yourself in this digitized version of your beloved city. You've found yourself surrounded by NPC versions of your friends and family who aren't a part of the Retrospec project, you've encountered strange and new places, and the viruses continue to appear despite the fight you've put up. On the evening of the 17th, things change again. No matter where you are, Alphas and Betas will hear the sound of loud clacking, something similar to fingers typing frantically on a keyboard. The dial-up sound rings out, echoing off of buildings and in your ears as a bright blue flash of code scrolls before your eyes. Perhaps it doesn't make sense, but your handheld device might help. It beeps to alert you of a new message, screen lighting up as a navigation app appears and seems to stick. It appears to be an ordinary app like Google Maps or Waze, but the destination is pre-installed and your feet begin to move on their own accord. I. - IN-GAME CHARACTERS ONLY If you're strong enough, you might be able to break free of the mysterious hold that's dragging you across the city and out toward the outskirts of Tisse. It's hard to locate the source of the pull, but everyone will find that as they traverse the city they're all heading in one direction. The navigation app cheerfully blurts out instructions as your body operates on auto-pilot, causing you to stumble through the city and the other districts. You'll find yourself colliding into another user, soon walking in front or behind them as everyone around you begins to form one solid line. The human chain forms steadily and…aren't you lucky? You get to hold hands! Single file, everyone. Maybe you lucked out and you're holding hands with a friend. If you're stuck between two strangers, well, maybe that's a little awkward but the chain is impossible to break. You continue to move. Locked hand in hand with every user in the city, you'll have to help each other navigate, avoid obstacles, and make sure you don't lag behind. Viruses linger and will follow this mass of people, snapping at your heels and attempting to devour anything nearby. Can you fight without your hands? It may be time to find out. The night sky is a bit cloudy and your only source of light is the moon and the glow of lights on buildings you pass by in all districts. The walk shouldn't take you long, but as you venture further away from the center of the city the sun begins to rise and obscures your vision a bit. Has time sped up? Or are you simply walking further than you thought? What an interesting question. II-A. - IN-GAME CHARACTERS ONLY The navigation app leads the group through a long, winding journey that ends just beyond the furthest point of Tisse as the day breaks. As the app chimes, the air before you shimmers as a glass-walled building materializes. Unlike the other buildings in the city, it appears to be solid and smooth, lacking the pixelated quality a majority of the city has by now. The human chain breaks and you let go of your neighbor. You're now free to explore this place. Stepping inside, you find rows and rows of glass cases and chambers off to the sides and in stacks. Accommodated with work stations and instruction manuals, you may find yourself drawn to these computers before the empty cases. While the manuals appear old and frayed, there are instructions one can follow to create the person of their dreams. Are you looking for someone athletic? Simply change the input for a higher muscle mass than your average model. What about someone funny? Copy and paste some knock-knock jokes to embed in their code. It's easy to create anything you desire. The book allows for anything, even those who aren't exactly human. As you code and build, the glass cases and chambers begin to fog up, smoke whirling around inside as something begins to grow and take shape. Be careful! You may have a clear vision in mind of what you wish to create, but the programming may have other ideas… …for those who don't wish to experiment for themselves, or those who are strong enough to shake off those urges, there are several other floors to explore. Unlike the cases downstairs, these ones are occupied and filled with finished models pre-labeled "Projected Example" or "Reboot". Perhaps these faces are familiar to you, or they're someone who looks interesting. A lost friend. Someone from your memories. Someone who you feel doesn't belong encased in glass at all. The possibilities seem endless when it comes to who you'll find inside, but as you continue to stare at the case before you…the glass cracks. II-B. - TDM/FOURTH WALL CHARACTERS. Where are you? The last thing you remember was a wavering, dizzy spell that forced your eyes closed as you fell unconscious. Upon awakening the glass walls around you are stifling and thick, white and blue smoke dances around your ankles as you blink away black spots impeding your vision. Trapped inside a glass case held behind glass walls, it becomes clear that you aren't where you're supposed to be. Any items you had on your person are missing and the palm of your hand burns intensely for ten seconds as a black tattoo forms. Branded as either a "Projected Example" or "Reboot", it isn't easy to understand what these terms mean. Perhaps that isn't what's important though. Rather, what's important is breaking your way out of this glass case and figuring out where you are. Shadowed figures can be seen walking the hallways just outside your case, sometimes alone or sometimes with a friend. It's hard to make out any of their features, but you can hear the muffled words being said. It's only when someone is close to your case that you find your strength. The glass begins to spider crack under the pressure of your hand, allowing you to push and punch as much as necessary to break free. There's no shame in needing assistance, of course. Some cases are thicker than others, and as the glass begins to crack it becomes easier to be heard by those outside of your case. How will you escape? Who will you find on the other side of the glass? It's a mystery and one that will not be answered until you free yourself of your enclosure. Breaking free is easy if you try and it gives you a full range of motion. The glass won't harm you, but sparkles adorn your skin as the sunlight shines through the windows around you. You're free to explore the floors of the building and check out the other glass cases nearby. Perhaps you'll even lend a hand and help others who are trapped. How did you all get here? That's yet another mystery that doesn't seem to have an answer, but more importantly…how do you get out of the building? This place is huge. III. - OTA Lucky for you, this building seems to be a safe haven from the crazy world outside. Though several stories tall and filled with cases and equipment as far as the eye can see, nothing strange seems to be happening and navigating the building is almost a pleasant experience. The glass walls allow for plenty of late-summer sunshine to filter in, giving you and everyone you're with a path to follow. This path, however, won't lead you to the front door. The front exit no longer exists and any attempts to reroute to it will send citizens on their way through the halls of the building again. Several doors and laboratories are found on the journey though you may not enter. Labeled areas such as "memory restoration", "accounting", "legal" and "resources", these areas are scattered and just beyond your reach. As you venture through the building and exit out the back door, the sound of music hits you full-force. Bright lights, thick grass and the sounds of children laughing await you. The grounds are vast and empty of other people. While the area is large and sprawling, it's evident that several iconic pieces of this area are missing. A large sign hangs overhead, greeting you and welcoming you to Rainbowland. Complete with a carousel, children's rides such as spinning tea cups, bumper cars, the hurricane and the octopus, and a midway full of games, this amusement park looks like the perfect place to spend an afternoon. Along with the usual set-up, Rainbowland is host to a special event for the next week. Scattered throughout the grounds are banners and stalls proudly proclaiming "WELCOME TO RETROSPEC." Carnival food of all kinds can be found at these stalls with the Retrospec logo plastered on the side. Eat these foods at your own risk! Sweets will grant consumers super-speed, meats such as hot dogs and burgers kick in a boost of super-strength, fried foods will cause a consumer to move in slow motion and drinks may cause temporary invisibility. Weird, right? The midway has a few strange surprises as well. While most games are easy to play (and free at that, why isn't anyone around to take tickets from park visitors?), there are certain games set up by Retrospec themselves that have equally strange prizes. Stuffed animals of a variety of creatures from other worlds line the shelves (some you may or may not recognize), along with glass dolls of you and people you know. The likeness of these prizes is a little too spot-on; dolls will spout a common catch-phrase and stuffed animals will feel as though they are breathing. Finally, in addition to the Rainbowland rides, Retrospec has provided a wooden roller coaster and a large ferris wheel, both branded with their logo. For those who wish to feel the rush, the roller coaster reaches speeds of up to 60 miles per hour and comes with several hills and one full upside-down loop. Riders, however, will experience brief hallucinations after this loop; as the loop completes they'll find themselves seeing visions of a dark, underground river. The hallucination seems within reach almost as if the cart they're in will dive straight into the water. The ride ends with all riders unharmed, however. As for the ferris wheel? It's just a ferris wheel, several stories high with bright blue, encased cars to give riders a bird's eye view of the entire city and protect them inside. As you reach the top, the car will come to a gentle stop and the view from the window will change. Instead of the beloved city of Recollé, the landscape below is different. Perhaps it's a landscape you recognize, or it's an area of a battle-ridden world. Perhaps you see your friend's high school that they've seen in their memories or islands from another life. Every view is different, but by the time you reach the ground again you're back in Recollé. It's a carnival and it's fun, but several things that don't belong to Rainbowland seem off. Those with a keen eye and who have been around for a while may come to realize one important factor; the symbol is drawn inaccurately. The Retrospec symbol is missing a few loops and the particular shade of blue used is too dark to match. A counterfeit Retrospec...is it possible? Maybe it's best just to stick with what Rainbowland itself has to offer. IV. - OTA So maybe carnivals aren't your thing. No matter! You can leave Rainbowland whenever you'd like and make your way back to the city. On the other hand the city and areas around it may not be as you remember it. "Projected Examples" might not recognize this place at all, but "Reboot" will recognize that the pixelation of buildings, the NPC status of people they may know and the glitches that occur aren't normal by any standards. Exploring the city will allow all visitors to ride the trains and visit the various locations Alphas and Betas have access to, create and travel through the digital scape of half-constructed concepts, and they'll find they're even more susceptible to being attacked by bug-like viruses. These viruses will follow newcomers, snapping and biting to try and devour them. Defeating one will generate two more, and while they aren't as prominent in the digital scape you may find yourself with your hands full. There is no way to reach the outside regions of Pesgare, Respatrum, Bosuma and Magatus at this time, but there's plenty in the city to keep you on your toes. Visitors may have to find lodging for the next few weeks whether that's with friends or strangers, but at least all of the buildings remain standing. And if that doesn't keep you busy enough, the NPC citizens of Recollé are happy to provide you with jobs. If you choose to speak to any of these people, they'll go off of their pre-assigned dialogue and provide you with a small quest. "Find ten bananas and deliver them to someone with red hair." "Pet every dog that you see." "Catch three fish from the ocean and sell them to a neighbor." Some of these quests may not even make sense, but they'll be assigned nevertheless. Upon completion of each quest taken on, a triumphant sound will play from overhead and a banner will appear displaying your new title. Deliver those bananas? "Gone Bananas" will flash over your head. How about those fish? "So Long and Thanks For..." will linger for a while. Too bad no one told you those banners won't go away. When you're alone the title will be hidden, but as you speak to more people in the city the banner reappears, hovering over your head for the entire length of the conversation. The titles will change as you complete new tasks, but it appears as though they're permanent now. Congratulations! BONUS. - OTA Everyone will be equip with a handheld device much like a cell phone but downgraded. Containing only a drawing application, the game of Snake, the Retrospec app and the navigation app to lead you back to that glass building, it's...pretty useless. Technology in the city is hit and miss in its pixelated state, but perhaps it's better to ask the Retrospec network what the next step is. While Alphas and Betas are still posting as their A/B IDs, "Projected Examples" and "Reboots" will find that all posts and comments are tagged as their status and their name. Examples and Reboots will also find that a "Welcome to Retrospec" guide pops up, giving them only a brief moment to read the guidelines before a bright flash appears, snapping their photo for their profile and connecting them to someone new on the network. Whether you're sending or receiving messages, a string of colored text, numbers and code will leave or enter your device. These devices also need to be charged constantly, so be careful when taking them out of the house! You'd hate to get cut off at the worst possible moment, wouldn't you? Welcome to the recolle test drive meme, fourth wall event, and September event part two! Please review these instructions for this particular event! As we are combining a few different options here, we want to ensure players know what options are available. Thank you! All characters who are TDMing will be begin in-game AU'd as Recollé residents. You may use any of the above prompts for ideas or make up your own depicting your Recollé AU! Prompts do not have to be set in the districts listed above. You can review our list of locations for what's available. Please note that TDM threads can be used as samples, can be kept as game canon, and can also be used for bonus points for future item regains. Share a few minor details of your AU, tag around, and have fun! Since this is a special event, the TDM is tied with a fourth wall event as well! For players who are fourth-walling characters (canon versions, different canon AUs, CRAU, versions from other games, etc), please label your top-level as "Projected Example." Players who are TDMing to app will fall under "Reboot" and we ask that you label your top-level as such! And finally, characters in-game are not required to label their top-levels with anything. This way, it's easier for your gamemates to know who's TDMing, who's just playing around, and who's already in-game. For Prompt III, any characters who choose to ride the ferris wheel will be able to see the landscape of any canonical world once they're at the top. It doesn't matter if they would recognize it or not, but the image will be brief until the car moves again! Likewise, stuffed animals won from the Retrospec midway games can be creatures your character would recognize from their memories or from other canons they may or may not recognize. Use your best judgment! Prompt IV may be used to create new scenarios and threads based on the prompts from Part One of September's Event! Please feel free to read the prompts in event log one and create your own scenarios for your top-levels. Additionally, you are free to make up your own silly/serious fetch-quests and titles that would be rewarded to your characters. While normally we do not allow this, please remember that current players may earn one freebie by threading with someone who is TDMing! This thread must contain 5 consecutive comments from you to be eligible. In addition, all players may use any threads accrued in this event for bonus points. As a special note, we will also allow current players to use a thread from this Fourth Wall/TDM/Event for their AC proofs! As this ties into a game-event, we are making an exception. However, your other proof(s) (at least ten comments) must come from sources outside of this log. Likewise, as this is an event log instead of just a standard TDM, you may use this log to trigger regains as normal. Please note: you will need a reserve to apply, and current characters must have full AC posted at the time of their reservation. Your September TDM directory is here, and your AU workshop is here! Our mod questions thread for this TDM is over here!

Comments

[idolworship]

( is he doing this on purpose? he does seem the sort, and he does seem like he is, and in the moment wataru errs a little too close miai seems to stiffen, sort of like he'd been - and been badly playing off - in the brief time they'd been holding hands, and he presses back against his seat.

it's both a regret and a relief when wataru pulls back, as well as a bit of a frustration - for him, of all people, to be so easily influenced; tch. if this wataru had to be reincarnated as such, it'd be nice if he weren't so - so pretty. it's the hair, isn't it? that's certainly there is all to it. he's got to find some way to force him to cut it, at some point, and )

To be turned down for a dance before I've even asked for one . . . That's perhaps a first for me. ( keeping it! casual! as if he hadn't just retreated like an antelope to a lion. how doubly ironic. ) Such a shame, though - perhaps another time?

( letting the question flit through the air playful and definitely ambiguous as he considers what Light Question he may be allowed to offer to wataru. hmmm. )

The yes-no restriction is quite difficult, though . . . I can't even ask what your hobbies are in a general sense? ( he waves a hand. ) Well, I'm supposing the answer to that might be "no."

( he follows wataru's gaze out the window, as if it might offer him inspiration. really - it's beautiful, and he's glad he's came with someone else, even if it's wataru. some sights - some things - just aren't meant to be done alone, he thinks, and his gaze lingers there - then lingers for a moment on wataru's profile as his gaze pulls away. )

Do you have hobbies besides acting, then?

[faireleclown]

[ maybe, he thinks, there's a limit to teasing miai, too, just as there is to teasing tori; he'll have to watch the line carefully, wanting to be on good terms with the both of them. apologize if necessary, but he doesn't think it's quite past that, right now. he chuckles at the very correct assertion of his answer and answers miai's actual question without hesitation. ]

D'accord, yes, of course.

[ but that leaves the conversation so quiet on his end, and his lips twitch a little, and

oh. oh he should have known, this is twice as hard for him, given how much he likes the sound of his own voice; he covers his mouth with his hand, glancing at miai from the corner of his eye. ah, well, well. ]

...Aside from acting, I like watching bad movies. [ he can't help it !! he has to talk. ] Very, very bad ones. It's been something of a guilty pleasure of mine for a long while...♪ I like reading too, but that's not as interesting. Pardonnes-moi, I've already broken the rules of my own game, non?

[idolworship]

( he laughs, soft, as wataru continues regardless of his own rule, having no complaint. perhaps it was a good thing he started out with such an easy question rather than anything heavier, like he had a habit of doing ♪ )

Hmm, how terrible, how terrible . . . And here I thought you were more a man of your word. ( joking, joking, relaxing a little. it seems wataru really couldn't help but talk - well, they had that much in common, even if their reasons did differ. ) But I wouldn't worry about it, hm? As the old adage goes, "some rules are meant to be broken."

( not something a supposed man of the cloth should be saying exactly, but regardless, )

Bad movies, though, really? Are they simply educational experiences, or just particularly enjoyable to watch as an actor? Ah, you can just answer the second question if you're going to undertake again the burden of only answering in yes-no's, or continue however you'd like if you'd prefer to waltz.

( linguistically, as wataru had joked. )

[faireleclown]

Did I ever claim to be one?

[ a barely hidden grin, but he shakes his head, ah. it doesn't matter, they can dance; he likes it, anyway. ]

Neither. I started that even before I discovered acting--I just find them fun. Poorly made, poorly acted, poorly written... And they're wonderful to watch with other people as well. ♪ Mon petit oiseau and I do it once a week,

Perhaps... [ he pauses, as if to actually think about it, but it's only for show. ] Perhaps the monsieur would like to join us sometime, for a marathon or two? I'm sure he'd be delighted.

[idolworship]

With yourself and Tori? I'd be be beside myself ♪ I'd been thinking of what excuses to find to catch up with him, even.

( he says this as if he needs excuses with tori, but it's really just fluff. he is quite genuinely enthused to movie night with tori, and, well, wataru . . . it shouldn't be so bad, regardless, since tori will probably be clinging to him, as he always does. he is sort of curious, too, what sort of place wataru lives in - what sort of place wataru is having tori live in, that is. )

I'll admit I'm surprised, though - not by the movies, of course - but that you don't act; it's quite the twist. If anything, you seem to very much have the personality for it . . . but I doubt I'm the first one to say.

( and that's ignoring how he's gone to acting school and teaches elementary drama . . . though it's true neither of those decisively funnels into an acting career. he's on a bio track himself with little interest in pursuing a career, for instance. )

[faireleclown]

All the world's a stage, and we are merely actors on it, non?

[ but that isn't what miai means, and he knows it. he drops his hand from his mouth again, resting his arm back on the back of the seat, and hums. he likes acting; he loves it, given it gives him such a rush; but it isn't so much acting as it is hearing those cheers, the rush of warmth of entertaining someone, praise for a job well-done... ]

I do it from time to time, but it isn't as if I have much free time. Being a teacher isn't as easy as it seems, and I have ballet to instruct besides! [ he gives a small gesture with his fingers, idly. ] I could never leave Tori alone either, non?

[ and there are few other reasons, too, but that's neither here nor there, in truth. ]

[idolworship]

( it's certainly not what he mans, and he can tell wataru avoids the question - perhaps as he'd intended to with his initial yes-no rule. open as wataru seems, he is in some ways like grasping running water. how fascinating. )

You teach ballet? Is it for children, too? My, you're very much a busy bee.

( he rests his head idly against the window, letting the passing scenery shift in his periphery. )

You sound like an overworked single mother - no, Papa? ( papa oiseau, etc ) If you'd ever like, you can leave Tori with me for a time and enjoy yourself. I won't deprive you of your job and pay by stealing him for too long - as much as I'm tempted to - but short of that, I'd never mind having him.

[faireleclown]

I do have a small class of children, but non, it's all ages. So if you were inclined to perhaps the most elegant and beautiful of dances, monsieur, I'd welcome your attendance as well. [ a beat, studying miai, ] Your lovely looks would certainly suit that stage.

[ this is just objective fact, really— ]

I don't know what I'd do with myself though, if I didn't have work nor Tori to attend to. Perhaps go on more dates? But there's hardly anyone that interests me nowadays... [ or, more accurately, that he lets interest him, but anyway, ] I'm wary of what he'd say to you as well, given the opportunity. ♪ "Wataru is so mean! Wataru never lets me stay up past ten!" and such things. "Wataru washes my mouth out with soap when I swear!" and all. Ah, even though I work so hard to keep him on an honest path... ♪

[idolworship]

( miai isn't like, cute or young enough to blush when complimented, but having his looks complimented as lovely by someone who's by far more objectively gorgeous is just a little too flattering, and in that moment makes him a little visibly bashful. just a little.

it's unfair, in fact, for him to subsequently bring up the subject of dating only to immediately negate the possibility - was that on purpose? there's a faint disappointment in the echo of his heart's beat, followed by a more rational consolation that this is what he prefers, actually.

see, like, normally he just hits on people he finds hot - and if they turn him down it's over, and if they're interested for a night then they go and then it's over. regardless, he gets it out of his system. having to just sit on this with no outlet - in part self-inflicted - is weird and uncomfortable, and he's not sure he likes it. he'd always thought of himself as somewhat restrained until now, but he guesses he's actually usually quite self-indulgent...? )

With a mindset like that, it actually sounds like a little dating would do you the most good ♪ A lack of interest means only you haven't met the right people yet.

( a beat, )

And you're joking about the soap, I hope?

( why is this where miai draws the line when undoubtedly rosetis punishes individuals in worse ways? well, )

[faireleclown]

If it's any consolation, the soap works, and it isn't often he gets punished in such a way. ♪

[ so: no, he is not kidding. ]

Ah, it was much more often when he was younger... Connard isn't something a little boy should say, is it? Nor fils du pute, ou salaud! [ a hand on his cheek, with a drawn out sigh. ] But there was a far more interesting sentiment expressed just a few moments ago...♪ You really think it's just because of that, monsieur? Perhaps my disinterest is a choice.

[ a beat. ]

But you may be right! [ no need to drag anything out in the sun!!! wataru laughs, bright and boisterous, turning to miai. ] Perhaps I haven't met the right people! Ah, I wonder if I'll meet them soon, or perhaps I already have and just hadn't considered the thought... Perhaps even today, monsieur. [ a long beat, watching him,

before he grins again and raises a hand. ] I have met an awful lot of new people today, after all! Would you truly watch Tori for me, should I decide to pursue a few casual dates with them~? ♪

[idolworship]

( oh, wataru is doing this on purpose and he knows it for sure by now, embarrassed as he is by how he and his breath had so briefly stilled like a dear struck by light when wataru had so lovingly paused to gaze at miai for effect.

god, what a jerk - a little genuinely irritating, even - it was just truly unfair he had such flair while doing it; it would be far easier to write him off if wataru didn't have such glamour cast on everything he did. he'd been trying so pointedly to maintain a relatively neutral stance toward him, but,

smiles, )

I did give you my word didn't I, Monsieur? I would be more than happy to occupy him while you're away. ( his hands rest folded so neatly on his lap, polite. ) But it's a shame, I think— for your standards to be so low and myself so above your bar that you fail to acknowledge me . . . I really thought you were better than that.

( a little rude for a supposed jest in return? just maybe. but wataru started it first, so, )

[faireleclown]

[ oh, he's been accused of having low standards!! wataru's eyebrows raise— for some reason, he didn't expect to be bitten. ]

Maybe I should learn from you, lionceau, and be a little more cautious with a cat's caprice. [ ...he relaxes back against the seat, smile gentler. ] Mon petit oiseau is incredibly fond of you, lionceau. I'd hate to break his heart. Though, I wasn't lying, wishing to learn more about you...! Ah, what's a man to do? Perhaps we'll simply meet in secret, and learn from each other like that...☆

[ wataru, ]

[idolworship]

( he feels admittedly relieved wataru didn't grow irate with him, despite the purposefully rude remark, but he does feel satisfied that he said it. a little bit of revenge without consequence . . . nice.

lionceau, though? miai can only assume that's his moniker besides monsieur now, though he can't guess what it means. he'll have to look it up later . . . or discretely ask tori. )

Ah, so you're the sort to prefer secret trysts? How very ripe for scandal.

( playing along somewhat, but he has to take care not to get caught up in wataru's pace - as easy as it is to fall victim. )

Well, it sounds exciting enough, so I suppose I'm not entirely against it. Why don't we do this?: Every week or two, we alternate on choosing a location to take the other; that in itself would be quite informative as to each other's character, I think.

Now, supposing you're entirely too shy for private outings, being disinterested in nature as you are, I'd say it doesn't need to be anywhere particularly romantic or private . . . For example, I could always use an extra hand when buying groceries ♪ ( genuinely though, because sometimes he's fine and sometimes his stamina gives out after lugging around a large jar too many, but anyway, ) I don't mind if Tori comes, either. I can't imagine there's very many things you'd like to know about me that require intimacy, yes?

( playing hard to get in return, while satisfying in this very moment, may come back to bite him eventually. but, for now, he feels pretty decent about it given wataru's been batting around around. )

Well, it's just a suggestion of course . . . You're free to reject or cancel as you'd like ♪ I'm curious about your classes, and I'll always take care to see Tori, but our paths might not naturally cross otherwise, so I consider it best to organize matters with a clean and certain schedule if we're to get anywhere.

[faireleclown]

You're quite efficient, aren't you! I'm impressed. [ and that's genuine, actually. it's a little scary how efficient miai is in planning all of this, thinking it through. wataru hums thoughtfully, looking out the window again... ]

...I think it sounds like wonderful fun. [ and it isn't too serious, and really, miai is right: he doesn't have many, if any, questions pertaining to him that would require a more intimate setting. ] Consider me interested, lionceau! We'll count the amusement park as mine then, and I'll leave the next date in your hands. If you want a hint, I have no shortage of places I love, but the livelier it is, the more I like it...♪

[ ahaha. ]

I've had quite a good time with our first one, after all. [ he smiles at his reflection, small. ] And it isn't even over... Well, since it involves the monsieur I've wanted to meet for so many years, I'd hardly want it to be over so quickly. You really do match up to most of my expectations, I'm quite pleased. ♪

[idolworship]

( mm, okay, this isn't so bad. it's on miai's terms, at least, and there's plenty of give for either of them to wriggle out of things discretely if they should so choose. certainly, it was excessively efficient, but intentionally so - the more of the space between them he railroads and illuminates, the less likely, ideally, he is to lose his way. )

That makes me very much happy to hear, thank you. ( polite, polite, but also, there is a part of him satisfied he doesn't disappoint. ) You do make me curious, though . . . What sort of Miai were you expecting? I can't imagine how little Tori describes me.

( this is in part because he lacks a comprehension of tori's perspective besides the fact that they're close, but it's perhaps for the best that he does. )

[faireleclown]

God himself, of course.

[ of course. ]

For all he preaches and praises you, I expected God! Ou un ange... Mais, ton visage est comme un ange ♪ Même si te n'est rien. Though that's better, anyway. I'm not sure I could handle someone with the level of devotion he seemed to stress.

[ ...mmm, he leans against the window as the ferris wheel pauses. ah, what luck, they're almost to the stop. if only they had the luck to be on the top...♪ ]

I like the monsieur I've met much more than the one Tori's spoke of, at the very least. Even if you think my standards are poor. [ :3a ] You're quite funny, monsieur, j'adore ♪

[idolworship]

( ... a laugh, )

Well, I think there's very few people who'd be unhappy that they're liked. I am, as you might guess, not one of those.

( which is a wordy way of saying he appreciates wataru's assessment of him, but miai expresses it a little backwards because, well,

he's happy to be complimented, and in particular by wataru, but for his lack of devotion to be the cornerstone of his appeal, is - well, he knows it himself; it's just a sin he isn't very fond of facing, and worthy of perhaps a few dozen roses in itself. his gaze lingers out the window, the city so terribly small. )

The world is quite vast, isn't it? Vaster, it seems, than God can control. Even within the Bible, to leave His garden of roses is to no longer be devout. He has always been quite lacking in mercy.

( hmm. yeah. that's about as much as he can say, because it's not an easy topic for him even with friends, and it's something wataru has proven disinterested in hearing. )

Well, perhaps I've never been somebody who's been good at taking the paths I ought. If it's something that brings Tori meaning and joy, then I am satisfied playing God for him. Unless you find quarrel with that?

( finally, he pulls his gaze away, and lets his fingers slip somewhat apart. his tone, at least, seems neutral, rather than combative.

he almost - almost - seems to have a sense of perspective as to why life might be more than just the small garden rosetis has planted, but, well. not entirely. but there is some effort made, though it is a strain. )

[faireleclown]

[ a pretty profile, he thinks, letting his gaze linger until miai's pulls away from the window, and he turn his out again. well, to be sure, he does; he of all people knows an idealized self like that isn't helpful for anyone involved, is dangerous, causes those rash decisions like running to france... but tori is young, still. miai is here, and seems to enjoy tori more as a little brother than just about anything else...

and yet. ]

I'd be liar if I said I didn't! But [ he smiles, a little thin, and it doesn't reach his eyes, exactly, ] as long as mon petit oiseau doesn't get hurt, or inadvertently follow in my footsteps, then perhaps I can let it slide, just a little. Isn't it better to be honest though? Man is not infallible, monsieur, and he'll find that of you as well one day... but if you wish to keep playing, then I won't stop you.

[ he's just. admittedly. worried, for tori, despite his better attempts, but tori has been under his wing for years now; it would be distinctly inhuman not to care for him, regardless of the amount. still, wataru, waves his hand as if to dismiss the topic—he doesn't want to start a fight right now either, honest—and while his mind lingers on the garden, on miai's meandering off of paths...

he's made it clear he's not particularly interested in religion, even if he is interested in miai. ah, a crossroads... but that can wait. ]

Une autre question, lionceau? J'attends ♪

[idolworship]

( really, he had thought wataru's description was mere exaggeration. he knew certainly that tori held great respect for him - but a god, genuinely? but wataru's remarks make it sound as if his assessment had been sincere.

mmm. a matter to ponder, now that tori is here. )

If you prompt me in French, I trust you expect my response will be effectively a guess? It seems you intend to force me to learn it.

( well, a guesstimate, more like. he can assume by wataru's words and manner that he wishes to close the previous subject, and so whatever it is wataru exactly said - as much as miai is learning to pick out sounds - he can only presume is likely meant to move the conversation along. )

Mmmm . . . Let's see . . . Something light is your preference, I presume? Well, how do you feel about animals, then? I imagine my feelings are clear.

[faireleclown]

You do so well in interpreting it though, monsieur! Un autre question— another question. J'attends— I'm waiting. See? You did very well, bon garçon.

[ ...but this is, a bit, stalling, for an answer, because miai's feelings Are pretty clear on them, and wataru's are... a little... he hums, focused on the city. ]

...I am not entirely fond of animals myself, to be frank. I'm not certain if we just don't get along, or if they like me entirely too much and my heart simply disagrees with it, but... [ a small gesture with his fingers. ] I haven't met one I liked quite yet, humans aside, obviously. My apologies, lionceau, I'm sure this must be quite disappointing to hear. ♪ Animals are the best judge of character, after all.

[idolworship]

( frustrating as wataru could be, he can see why children might like him. very few people were averse to praise for small accomplishments like that. (he will, however, actually remember wataru's explanation, along with wataru's previous translations throughout the conversation - if anything, he had a decent memory.) )

Really? That is a shame. I thought it might be fun to have you meet my lion, but perhaps pictures will have to do. ( he says that like it's like, normal, but perhaps he's just a little too used to how leo has been adopted into alex's pride - or the other way around. ) Well, so long as we aren't to be wed, you won't have to worry about his assessment of your character - he'd be the in-law, you understand.

( a jest, a jest. it's a shame, and miai definitely doesn't entirely understand the concept of like, not getting on with animals - even the ones he didn't get on with he still liked very much - but, well. every man has his flaws, miai supposes. )

It simply means no zoos in our outings, and, mmm . . . Well, perhaps it only means you get along with humans better, doesn't it? That in itself isn't a bad sign. It is humans you live and die alongside, after all.

[faireleclown]

[ if he could get along with animals, he would love to, but he has. quite an aversion. truly horrendous. despite this all of his petnames are of animals so like, ]

That's true! ♪ Though... [ ahaha, ahem. ] Did you just say you had a lion...? Un vrai lion? A real one? Really?

[idolworship]

What do you suppose I tamed? Housecats?

( no that's not why wataru's asking and he knows it, but he delights in the reaction all the same. ahh, )

But I do. His name is Alexander, and he's been with me since childhood. ( he fishes out his phone... the way pet owners do... he's gotta, he's gonna show you his cat, he can't Not, ) I intended to send him to live with the zoo here, but, well, you could say there's been some setbacks.

( like the pixel city and the bugs, but anyway,

he leans closer despite himself to turn his phone closer to wataru, swiping through a few images: a picture of alex sitting in a too-small circus box with colorful balls kicked out of it lying all around him; alex watching the lion king on a television; a blurred image of alex mid-swipe as he bats at the television; some orange-haired kid curled up cozy with alex like a bed, etc.

if wataru glances down at the little thumbnail reel at the bottom of the photos, he'll see there are. many more images. many that seem to be variations of the same image but miai's decided to keep all of them. )

If you met him, I'm certain you'd be just charmed - ah, but I won't force fate. ( the inevitable fate of falling in love with alexander!! miai seems genuinely warm about the topic. ) I may not have been so bold as to follow someone to another country, but I am a little bit reckless in myself . . . I apologize if that disappoints you in any way ♪

( he might normally feel bad about that but, he's buzzing about alex so his ability to feel bad is somewhat disabled, )

[faireleclown]

[ wataru softly oohs again, the way he'd done with learning about him being a lion tamer in the first place; he leans closer, tucking errant hair behind his ear as he does so. ooh, ooh, oohlala... a boy who loves his big kitty very much, he really is scoring poorly on this exam, isn't he!! ah, well, as long as he passes, then even a c or a d is acceptable... ]

That disappoints me none, lionceau, I promise you that. Where are you keeping him? I can't imagine there are many places in this city that allow you animals, much less ones as big as Monsieur Alexander here is. [ he's privately racking his brain for anything like that; certainly a whole-ass house, he could manage that, but that on top of paying for whatever it is a lion might need...? no, non, wait, the costs of living must be high regardless... ] ...Furthermore, mon lionceau criminel, isn't this illegal?

[idolworship]

( he presses his fingers to his lips as he turns up his face toward wataru's,, as though it were a secret - and, well, alexander's location may as well be a secret to wataru for the moment, until he gets to know him a little more. details of his private life are whatever but alexander is most important, )

It's perfectly legal if you have a license . . .　♪　( does he, though, and does he meet the minimum outdoor requirements for it, ) But, I wouldn't worry. I value Alexander more than my life, so I wouldn't force him to be anywhere he truly can't stand.

( he pulls back - which is for the best, because he'll probably grow self-conscious again later. )

. . . Ultimately, the circus I was with was a project of Rosetis's, and though it makes no difference to Alexander by whom he's being fed, I didn't like the thought of something happening to him while I was away. He's no sacrificial lamb, certainly, but . . .

( even desperate lambs might cannibalize a lion. he smiles, though. )

Well, I'm certain you'd come to the aid of a dear friend regardless of risk, wouldn't you? Perhaps not a fuzzy friend like mine, but a friend all the same.