driftfleet | (no subject)

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(no subject)

Who: Everyone!
Broadcast: Sure!
Action: Everywhere!
When: Until the end of the month!

[hey droot flooters! how are those new augment glitches going? how's your crew? what fresh trouble have you been getting into? how are those jobs paying off? whether you're in your ship, on one of the moons, stuck on Marsiva, or hiding out on one of the waystations in-between, your audience wants to know what you're up to!

note: there are an unusual number of shoes on sale in the shops today. the ones on Abeo are pretty ugly.]

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[The rattling earns a glance back. The repulsion eases him. He smiles in relief.]

No, no reason. It was just something I'd heard.

...From who? About what?

[because, call it a hunch, but that didn't sound quite like an innocent inquiry about cephalopods.]

Just a mutual friend. [Stripping free of the jacket, Mattias pulls on another.] It doesn't matter now. You disproved him.

Ah...

[maybe he'll let it go. maybe he'll be content to let that HA HA HA who are we kidding. Robin leans over, plucking up a striped trilby from on top of one of the nearby displays. it is much too large for Mattias, which does not at all stop Robin from suddenly pulling it down over Mattias' head.]

It was Tek, wasn't it? That asshole...

Got it in one. [He pulls the hat off with a frown, dusting off the brim before fixing his own hair. The hat ruined the gel job. Horrible.] He caught me doing research. Said you had an... unnatural fondness for tentacles. Among other things.

[He tries not to think about the rest.]

[well, if he's going to take off the hat, Robin is going to unhelpfully drape an arm over his shoulder and hang there. like an obnoxious pet, or maybe a parasite. his good mood seems to have deflated.]

One, I'm a little wary to ask what kind of research you were doing, and two... Tek is one of the most atrocious, self-absorbed liars I have ever met.

[Mm. The arm he can somehow tolerate.] He said he's known you a long time.

[A statement he regrets after he says it. It sounds petty. Jealous. He frowns at his reflection then forces a smile, beaming at Robin.] But I suppose that's a relief! What with all the other lies he told me.

[He taps his chin.] Something about a frog fetish... ?

Ugh, you're kidding me.

[he is so not interested in frogs. he rolls his eyes, though something about the way Mattias beams gets his mood to soften. not lighten, just... he's got less daggers to throw.]

Yeah, he's known me a long time. That hasn't stopped him from trying to ruin my life at every other opportunity, though.

That sounds more like a rival.

[He shifts, wanting to move yet not wanting to dislodge Robin's arm. He finds a happy medium in trying the hat on again.] Are you sure you're not involved in competition?

Everything's a competition with Tek.

[Robin pats the other man's chest.]

That hat would look handsome if it was about three sizes smaller. The jacket is good.

[which is his cue to slink off, finding a smile again.]

What else about me did he insinuate? [not that he's got any proof there's more--he might as well assume there is until he hears otherwise.]

Away the hat goes. [He mutters, tossing it back on the rack, shrugging off the jacket. Another keeper for the pile. At the question, he shrugs.] Oh, you know.

[He could get back at Tek now. Say more ludicrous things like frog fetishes and other obscurities. Or, he could use it entirely to his benefit. Any direction was better than the truth.] Something about how charming and attractive you were. [Is that unbelievable? That might be unbelievable.] And something about how you lick toes.

[Better.]

[he peers skeptically at Mattias. the first one was a pitfall. Tek might call him attractive, but never "charming". so... with a smirk...]

I would have gone with immature and "licking eyeballs", myself. Neither of which are true.

[he waves his hand, dismissively--] But, fine. Enough about Tek.

Color me skeptical. [He laughs lightly, even disappointed as he is at being caught. Clapping his hands together, he spins on his heel, marching towards the shoes.] But yes. Agreed. Enough about Tek. Weren't you going to buy me boots?

[No, he was going to buy himself boots, Mattias. But whatever! He's leading the charge over to that section anyway, and you can damn well bet he'll be picky about them, ignoring anything that isn't boots or sandals, critiquing the hardiness of the design and then the aesthetic appeal. In the end, he chooses a single pair of calf-high gladiator sandals along with the small variety of outfits he picked out along the way. All of this, he gives to Robin with one last, weak protest.] I really don't need you to do this.

[he manages to buy only one pair for himself, and rather quietly--boots that lace in the front and click when he walks. a slight heel, one he's been trying to replace since two and a half worlds ago. he doesn't hesitate to drop all of Mattias' choices on the counter. he's already buying.]

Yes, but I want to. A new adventure needs some new clothes.

[a cheery smile as his account gets charged--and he hands the bags to Mattias. he's heading towards the doors again. he seems to make a habit of this... just walking away and expecting him to follow.]

Now, where to next?

[Mattias, of course, follows. The bags jostle behind him as he jogs to catch up.]

I'm afraid my only option would have us surrounded by books. [He rearranges the bags as he walks, working until the balance is right.] How about you decide? I trust your taste in excitement.

Have you eaten recently? Are you hungry?

[he walks them out into the street, watches as several well-dressed people (arguing cheerily about the nature of the universe) pass them by. he considers their options, shortly, before he changes his mind.]

Ah, I know. One place first. Follow me.

[it's a short walk! but he leads him through the streets, in the direction of a small park.]

[Mattias furrows his brow but laughs lightly, following closely and watching the sights as they pass.] If you say so.

[Adsum is unlike what he knows and try as he might not to seem touristy, the sight of a grass full of greenery still makes him gasp. Even though he's already seen others like it. At least twice. His mind fills with questions-How do they water it? How much does it take? Where does the water come from? Who oversees it?-and he's tempted to voice a few but holds back. For Robin's sake.] A park?

[He laughs airily, a fond smile gracing his lips.] You keep surprising me.

Good. I'd hate to be predictable, little Nightjar.

[he leads him down a path, further into the park... they pass well-tended trees, fountains, statues and art of all kinds; it doesn't take him long to find a bench along the side of the walkway, which he gestures to.]

Come, sit with me for a while.

[His attention is severely divided, torn between Robin's words and the lushness of their surroundings. Overwhelmed it takes a minute for him to sit down, hovering around the bench and watching a particularly spectacular couple pass.]

I think her clothing was lighting up. Did you see that?

[He's craning his neck out to spot that dress again but, hey. At least he's sitting.]

The long-haired one? That's slick...

[hey, he leans to try and see her too.]

I saw someone earlier with bells woven into their hair. Some of these people are really out there, as far as style goes...

["Slick". Was that slang?]

I don't think you're one to talk. [He gives him a look-over. Yup. Those clothes are still Not Normal.] Although, I suppose it's less impressive than bells. Not that it matters much.

[With no one else to watch, Mattias leans back, one hand fiddling idly with the plant beside him.] You've brought me to a fairly private place. Did you want to talk to me about something in particular?

[he almost poses for him, shifting a little under scrutiny. he likes being looked at, what can he say. still, Mattias caught on, and he told him he'd do it, after all...]

Kind of. I told you I had a present for you.

Here? [The branch he's toying with nearly snaps in his surprise. He eyes Robin with mock-suspicion.]

Should I close my eyes?

[a short laugh--almost a giggle.]

No, no. You just need to be closer.

[he gestures with a finger, the universal conspiratorial "come closer" sign.]

Closer? [He blinks then shrugs, leaning in as if to hear a secret.] Like this?