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prismaticrap2020-01-08 09:18 am
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▶ TDM .011
You awaken amidst the darkness with only a faint light to greet you. Your body is hemmed in by shards of crystals, gently sparkling and possibly pricking your skin. The surrounding landscape is dyed in the pinks and purples of the dusk filled with crystals protruding from the ground, some as large as a skyscraper. After an hour or two of wandering through the crystal wilderness, a group of people find you worse for wear. They are the gallant Moon Knights from the planet of Prismatica. Because of the strange phenomena during the past months when scientists observed the sudden appearance of rainbow crystals in the sky, the government has been feverishly combing through the moon for more Moonblessed to be rescued. You’ll eventually be brought into Iris’s moon government center.
You all may have your usual inquiries — Where are we? Who are you? What's going on? — and the Prismals are almost too eager to answer. They tell you about their world and about the first appearance of the Moonblessed as the medical staff give you an examination to make sure you’re not carrying any viruses or biological hazards. If you react violently, you may be restrained and nerfed with a specialized neurotransmitting gun that releases a numbing agent through the top of your spine. Once the examinations are over, you’re informed that you will be provided accommodations on their planet during your stay. You will then be escorted to the docks, and led onto a large transport vessel that makes frequent trips back and forth between the Iris moon and the planet. Faces onboard vary from both old and new Moonblessed as well as the local Prismals.
The next destination: Prismatica.
▶ There and Back Again
Iris Moon, Government Center (Arrival) and Planet Prismatica, City of Lunatia | top
Welcome to Prismatica’s hub, Lunatia, the city of your dreams! A bustling metropolis lush with bright lights, vibrant colors, luxuriant plant life, and all the conveniences of technology absent from your own world… It seems like paradise to all the uninitiated. After a quick tour of the city, new arrivals can find themselves getting cozy in their new homes.

▶ God Save Us from the Queen
Level 1, PrismaPlace and Level 2, Greatmoon Groves | top
The first month of the year is packed with two of the most important winter events this season: Queen Elara’s birthday and the League Match Action Online (LmaO) PVP semi-finals. It just so happens that the Queen of Lunatia is also a huge LmaO fan. Coincidence? Definitely not! LmaO players and royal family fans alike can meet her at PrismaPlace, where she will be appearing in cosplay of her favorite hero, Ah-Kari, while holding a body pillow of Commander GareBear. You, too, can get an autograph or selfie with the birthday girl if you’re willing to fall in line! Her bodyguards will also be in LmaO cosplay, keeping the crowd under control during the long wait.
Queen Elara
Good day to you all! This may come as a surprise to our guests the Moonblessed, but I am a normal person despite my exalted position. Please do not think of me today as Queen Elara. Instead... my name is Ah-Kari, sorceress of the crystal! With my soul fan blades, through the darkness, I shall slice all who dare hurt my commander in twain!
But when she is not meeting and greeting...
... she will be furiously grinding her character and training her skills in LmaO in the hopes of qualifying for the finals. Spectators will see her bring her own team full of hapless palace attendants who are there to either serve as her practice match partners or provide support to the one-woman army that is Queen Elara.
PrismaPlace is packed with giant crowds, many of them also in cosplay. While the semi-finals are taking place, new and old LmaO players alike can participate in the game’s current campaign: players who form teams get an improved chance of spawning unique monsters as well as winning rare items and skins in those prized lootboxes! Teams can also try to clear the event’s story together, featuring an aerial battle fought on griffin-back, which is heavily inspired by the popular Lunatian epic, The Battle of Abraxas, a colorful and complex story about the conflict between two families fighting over the fictional land of griffins, Abraxas.

▶ Say Cheese
Level 3, Caihong | top
Meanwhile, Caihong is in the midst of Remooning festivities in celebration of the new year, and merriment usually lasts a fortnight, filled with fireworks in the sky. Upon entering the district, beautiful Prismals with rat ears and tails greet you with a Happy Remooning and eagerly tug you along to join in.
Those welcomed will receive a pack of multi-colored sparklers, mooncakes topped with cheese, and a glowing drink called Champagne Supernova, poured in a thin glass in your hand. If you are over eighteen, the rat Prismals will ask if you prefer your drink with a kick. If you say yes, then they will add flavorful ice that causes extreme intoxication and might leave you to be susceptible to all levels of suggestion. Saying no (or if you’re under 18) will simply leave it as a sweet drink.
▶ Questions
If you have any questions regarding this test drive meme, please ask them in the Questions thread below.
▶ As a reminder, test drive memes are for new characters only. However, current players are more than welcome to use these prompts for their own posts in the IC communities, personal inboxes, catch-all posts, etc.!
▶ As our test drive memes are game canon, feel free to keep any threads that happen here as canon for your character should they be accepted.
Iris Moon, Government Center (Arrival) and Planet Prismatica, City of Lunatia | top
Welcome to Prismatica’s hub, Lunatia, the city of your dreams! A bustling metropolis lush with bright lights, vibrant colors, luxuriant plant life, and all the conveniences of technology absent from your own world… It seems like paradise to all the uninitiated. After a quick tour of the city, new arrivals can find themselves getting cozy in their new homes.
A Settle in your new home at Level 2 to find new roommates and say hello to your neighbors! City officials will give you directions to the designated districts across Level 2 and instruct you to pick out a unit. Each apartment complex has a different aesthetic, some may look cozy, some stylish, and some bizarre. The free accommodations have a basic living space that can only fit two or three people at most in one unit.
Starter Chromaspace furnishings are provided which can be controlled with the touch of a built-in panel. Examples are color-changing curtains, transforming sofa beds, cabinets turning into tables, etc. Customizing your apartment or moving out will have to wait until you earn more chroma. Until then, why don’t you check out your new neighborhood or explore the city levels? Maybe your new roommates or neighbors can give you a “hand” with allowance for dinner.
B As a Remooning gift from the Lunar Scientia Headquarters, the dedicated team from the Amphoria Room has released their latest perfected technology: Amphoria Pods. These VR Pods, which can fit up to four people at a time, have been set up in the gaming hub within Level 1’s PrismaPlace. They allow users to upload sceneries of their world in order to create a realistic holographic landscape of their homes that others can access and play around with, granting everyone the means to relive past memories with their loved ones as well as interact with the bestiary of other worlds. The pods also use the same technology that enhanced the popular virtual game, League Match Action Online (LmaO), which means you’re liable to feel the chill of cold environments, the burning heat from boiling water, the hard slap of your ex-lover, or the biting sting of a stray wasp. All who use the Amphoria Pods for the first time this year will also receive a small amount of Chroma in case things get too real.

▶ God Save Us from the Queen
Level 1, PrismaPlace and Level 2, Greatmoon Groves | top
The first month of the year is packed with two of the most important winter events this season: Queen Elara’s birthday and the League Match Action Online (LmaO) PVP semi-finals. It just so happens that the Queen of Lunatia is also a huge LmaO fan. Coincidence? Definitely not! LmaO players and royal family fans alike can meet her at PrismaPlace, where she will be appearing in cosplay of her favorite hero, Ah-Kari, while holding a body pillow of Commander GareBear. You, too, can get an autograph or selfie with the birthday girl if you’re willing to fall in line! Her bodyguards will also be in LmaO cosplay, keeping the crowd under control during the long wait.

Good day to you all! This may come as a surprise to our guests the Moonblessed, but I am a normal person despite my exalted position. Please do not think of me today as Queen Elara. Instead... my name is Ah-Kari, sorceress of the crystal! With my soul fan blades, through the darkness, I shall slice all who dare hurt my commander in twain!
But when she is not meeting and greeting...
Queen Elara
My comrades, we're going to make history today. We're going for a new record. Perhaps the highest kill counts or the fastest clear for this map — it matters not. We’ve practiced day and night for this tournament, so let us show everyone that we’re not to be taken lightly! Also, the livestream is going in the royal archive, so make your successors proud!!
My comrades, we're going to make history today. We're going for a new record. Perhaps the highest kill counts or the fastest clear for this map — it matters not. We’ve practiced day and night for this tournament, so let us show everyone that we’re not to be taken lightly! Also, the livestream is going in the royal archive, so make your successors proud!!
... she will be furiously grinding her character and training her skills in LmaO in the hopes of qualifying for the finals. Spectators will see her bring her own team full of hapless palace attendants who are there to either serve as her practice match partners or provide support to the one-woman army that is Queen Elara.
PrismaPlace is packed with giant crowds, many of them also in cosplay. While the semi-finals are taking place, new and old LmaO players alike can participate in the game’s current campaign: players who form teams get an improved chance of spawning unique monsters as well as winning rare items and skins in those prized lootboxes! Teams can also try to clear the event’s story together, featuring an aerial battle fought on griffin-back, which is heavily inspired by the popular Lunatian epic, The Battle of Abraxas, a colorful and complex story about the conflict between two families fighting over the fictional land of griffins, Abraxas.
A Progression in the event requires acquiring a griffin mount and getting it ready for battle. You can lure a wild one to yourself with a special veggie pie on a fishing pole. Should the griffin reject the lure, your character will be caught in a wind gaol and can only break out with the help of other players. Should you succeed, raising the griffin is a tedious task that involves players training alongside their respective griffins, running laps with them, taking them to hunt monsters, and feeding them properly. Depending on their diet, the food you give them will affect the color of its plumage and their battle stats.
Or you can skip the hard work and simply moonlace with your teammates through all the progression bars and required materials to save time. Once finished, you’ll be able to battle one another through the thunderous aerial domain of Abraxas. Clearing the event will net you an event-exclusive skin inspired by the royal family’s shining celestial robes and a weapon skin of a body pillow with your favorite character, so do your best!
B In celebration of Queen Elara’s birthday, the office of the royal household is hosting a modest tea party in the Greatmoon Groves. Swiffy bots that are normally programmed to remind visitors to keep the groves clean are now playing a birthday jingle on repeat. For people who prefer to be away from the blinding neon lights and the thumping techno music of PrismaPlace, this is the ideal escape. Unlimited tea and cookies are being served!
The tea is a soft-colored lilac concoction made from Ehrysian tea leaves that are known to cause a huge spike of alertness and is popular to Moon Knights and office workers with long night shifts as well as gamers for those all-night grinding sessions. The assorted cookies have either Ah-Kari or Commander GareBear printed on them. In case it isn't obvious yet, both are the birthday girl’s favorite LmaO characters.
Any Moonblessed looking for extra income is welcome to be royal attendants for the day; the hours are paid by Demichroma. They must be properly dressed up as maids or butlers (outfits provided by the royal household) as they serve tables.

▶ Say Cheese
Level 3, Caihong | top
Meanwhile, Caihong is in the midst of Remooning festivities in celebration of the new year, and merriment usually lasts a fortnight, filled with fireworks in the sky. Upon entering the district, beautiful Prismals with rat ears and tails greet you with a Happy Remooning and eagerly tug you along to join in.
Those welcomed will receive a pack of multi-colored sparklers, mooncakes topped with cheese, and a glowing drink called Champagne Supernova, poured in a thin glass in your hand. If you are over eighteen, the rat Prismals will ask if you prefer your drink with a kick. If you say yes, then they will add flavorful ice that causes extreme intoxication and might leave you to be susceptible to all levels of suggestion. Saying no (or if you’re under 18) will simply leave it as a sweet drink.
A One of the party games being played by the locals is called Lucky Tail, which is basically pinning the tail on the holographic rat stand-in — with a twist, it must be played with a partner! Another participant will blindfold you, spin you around, then push you forward. The stand-in is located at the end of unsteady elevated platforms forming a maze, filled to the brim with distracting objects underneath. They’re long, they’re thick, and they’re vibrating furiously in an attempt to knock you off the platforms.
Your partner must guide you by voice to successfully navigate through the maze! The game is rigged with various mechanisms, so stepping on specific platforms will activate a number of traps against you or your partner: machines that may tickle, drop colorful slime, or cause the platform to repetitively spin, and who knows what else?
Should you manage to get through the obstacle course and pin the tail successfully, you and your partner will win copious amounts of Demichroma, courtesy of Buwan from Buwan’s Stop.
B Another attraction is a fun magic glamour booth known for its face or body swap features. The booth staff, clad in their festive rat paraphernalia, will encourage you and your friends to take aesthetic shots using an illusion generator. The effects last an hour. Photographed images can be instantly uploaded and shared in Prismagram. New year, new you! Why not take the chance to celebrate this momentous occasion in a unique fashion? It’s all in good humor.
There are two buttons to press: (A) CUSTOM or (B) RANDOM. Pressing A will allow participants to customize their desired effects. Pressing B will cause the illusion magic to randomly rearrange participants in questionable positions, new outfits (or lack thereof), and you may even come out of the booth looking like your best friend or your worst rival. The possibilities are endless!
▶ Questions
If you have any questions regarding this test drive meme, please ask them in the Questions thread below.
▶ As a reminder, test drive memes are for new characters only. However, current players are more than welcome to use these prompts for their own posts in the IC communities, personal inboxes, catch-all posts, etc.!
▶ As our test drive memes are game canon, feel free to keep any threads that happen here as canon for your character should they be accepted.
no subject
Weird, huh? But a nice kind I think. Anyway—[ here he lightly curls fingers around Howard Link's hand, noting the marking but determining there are more important things to let his mind wonder about. Like if Link's going to allow his hand to be somewhat more actively held, when he's not used to these things. As it is, he also looks up and toward the crosswalk symbol, noting the light has gone blue and the crossing song has started warbling. ]—I know they run down all the things this means, but we need Chroma like... some kind of dietary requirement. Not like water, but like something that if we don't eat enough of makes us unwell from the lack. Come on—
[ For him, framing it as a health concern is easiest. It's how he thinks of it, using his own history as a lifetime invalid before he was mostly murdered and took on a living sword to inform him on such things. He knows all about bodies and requirements to thrive, and what happens when you don't have those necessary elements.
He's not going to fight to keep hold of Link's hand, but he's definitely the kind of person who thoughtlessly (and thoughtfully) pushes boundaries, so he will try to tug and get Link moving across the broad street, still heading them toward the nearest train station. Nice fast way into the Groves from here. ]
The train's not usually crowded this time of day.
no subject
It's certainly... Strange, yes.
[He looks down to where they're touching, brow furrowed slightly as if he's trying to decide just how he feels about the contact. It certainly isn't unpleasant, but he still can't help but feel a little childish and extremely out of his depth. Such a display would certainly earn more than a few curious looks back home.
But Link isn't able to dwell on that for much longer before Shino is tightening his fingers and tugging him along, the feeling of being a child only reinforced as he's lead across the street. He attempts to ignore that and refocus though, endeavoring to take careful note of the information instead. Of course he had gathered some of it from the Prismals upon arriving- trying to give himself every possible advantage to grasp his situation- but there is something to be said for hearing things from the perspective of a fellow outsider. And focusing on anything that resembles work of some kind helps.]
So following that if one were to go without Chroma for long enough they could eventually die? [Not that he intends to try, but he does want to understand the possible severity of the requirement. And he also is curious about just how much casual contact he'll need to be making.]
Is just this much enough to sustain someone for a while? [He lifts up their joined hands.]
no subject
Here, no one cares either way, but he's predisposed toward the ease, even if he's now not quite as cursed as usual. ]
Mm, you do, but...
[ He trails off, brow furrowing while he frowns, searching for better words than the lack of them that first come to mind. ]
Dying here means being encased in crystal. It basically grows out of you or something, covers you all up, and you're stuck like that. No one's really gotten to study much of it, but the few accounts say that when there's enough chroma restored to someone in a crystal-death stasis, the crystal breaks like how we woke up on the moon, and you're alive.
[ He doesn't trust it, not because he thinks it isn't true: he has no reason to believe otherwise. But people coming back okay? Even his lack of staying dead has a consequence, and it's one that unsettles him even as he'd been so stupidly casual about having been shot in the throat and bled out months and months ago. Little wonder Sousuke had slapped him across the face.
His eyes fall back to their clasped hands as he continues to lead them forward on autopilot. ]
This? Maybe a few days, if you're not active. Or under Cordis moon. Or don't have any abilities that wouldn't be considered normal to this world, I guess. It's a headache keeping track of everything that burns extra chroma. Running around burns chroma faster than walking, for example...
[ Everyone's needs are different because there's so many things impacting what does or doesn't cause a body to burn through its chroma reserves, but the simplicity of stating things that way doesn't occur to him. Instead, Link gets his haphazard ramble as he tries to think through his own experiences and what he's told. He's not the best case of "normal," needing more chroma to simply exist day to day. (Thanks, Murasame.) ]
no subject
So following that logic then it would seem that we were possibly in one of these stasis-like states upon arrival? That's hardly a comforting thought.
[His brow furrows a little more sternly as he mulls that over. As someone who has both known plenty of people who managed to escape death or seemingly come back from death and been brought back from the brink himself he would be inclined to share Shino's skepticism. Such things never happen without great cost and, more often than not, without changing the person in question in some way. Of course it's possible that- if what he says is true- then that would also mean they were actually dead upon arrival, which is a reality that Link is not really mentally ready to consider right now.]
I see, so one has to monitor even their basic energy usage to get by. That seems like it would be incredibly restrictive and dangerous.
[It sounds something similar to the concept of Ki or utilizing the Atuuda but even more stringent, something that ties into one's life force for nearly everything. If this "Chroma" will be drained even though basic movement then he'll have to be careful to ensure that he regularly has enough conserved to use his techniques should danger arise. This information adds a new level of difficulty to living here and it makes unease build in his gut.]
no subject
So is it that you're usually super active, or you're concerned about using more than average gifts?
[ He asks, glancing at him sideways, curious but not planning to press further. People share or they don't. It's no one's obligation. His smile is easy and amused, quick to follow, along with what's either a reassuring squeeze or an incidental one as he sidesteps a gaggle of Lunatian teens that push past, laughing over some joke known only to them. ]
It's not as scary as all that, really. Look, you're already doing this much, and you can choose to never do anything other than this, you know? I'm happy to help whenever. It's helping me out too.
[ He tugs his comm out of an inner layer pocket, pulling it out to place it over the turnstile reader once they're by it, running it twice so bring Link through too. It's a lapse in explanations he just doesn't think about, too used to it these days to remember this was a bizarre series of motions the first dozen times he'd done it. ]
Anyway, I don't know if we were in stasis, but the Lunary Science people only saw one big meteor shower, and Moonblessed started hatching on Iris after that. Who knows? We could have all been brought back then, or only seconds before we wake up. It doesn't make a difference. We're here now, and we don't choose when we leave.
[ Which is what he hates most even months later. He can't rush back to his friends and family. He came make any forward movement that feels significant on that at all. ]
no subject
But he shakes his head at the question.]
I'm not scared, it's more the fact that I'm concerned about having enough to sustain myself should I need to fight or offer support.
[He doesn't really see a reason to conceal the fact that he can fight... He just hopes that it won't become necessary to utilize the Atuuda while he's here.
Link watches Shino swipe his device, taking note of the action for later. It doesn't take much information for him to put together that it's acting like a sort of ticket to allow admission onto the trains and that's really all he needs to know for now.]
While I understand that it might not make a difference from the perspective of changing how things are right now, but it's still important to understand as many aspects of the situation as possible. So I do appreciate you offering what you can, although do you think the scientists would be amenable to sharing more if I asked?
[Of course that sort of thinking is mostly due to his job and upbringing. It's been drilled into him regularly to constantly be assessing and adapting to his surroundings, so he doesn't intend to let those instincts go lax just because he's been spirited away to a new place. If anything this seems like the time where he needs to push himself harder than ever.]
no subject
Not that it's all that long a train ride, but the principle of the matter remains: he wants that option. ]
Look, it's not that they won't share, but most of what they seem to know is what we know. Sure, probably someone super important knows more, or has theories other than the ones the regular guys share, or maybe they don't. I don't get the impression anyone here is being particularly evil in the shadows while wearing a pleasant expression under the light.
[ He props a foot up at the junction of the seat in front of them and the wall of the train, glancing outside before looking back at Link. Sitting he feels shorter, but half of that is because he's started slouching, making himself comfortable but purposefully eschewing proper body posture in the process. He holds their hands up again, propping his elbow on the armrest, examining their fingers before flicking his eyes up to take in Link's face. Back to the thing he hadn't been able to find words for quite yet. ]
Fighting, supporting, this is exactly the stuff that can help them, too. If you're really needing the boost, it's, uh. Well, hugs are way more effective, and faster. If someone's really hurting, as stupid as it sounds, kisses make it better. Here I thought that was always just what people said when you skinned your knee and you wanted them not to think about the sting anymore.
[ Kissing skinned knees after cleaning them, or something like that. It is probably what Shino would do in that situation, with a little girl; a little boy he'd likely just troll into coming around to a better response if they'd been something of a jerk in his presence before. ]
no subject
I find it surprising that somewhere with such advanced technology wouldn't have any theories for what could have brought us, and I'm cautious about relying on first impressions alone. I can't deny that on a base level they've seemed forthcoming, though.
[Link frowns just a little at the way Shino slouches and props up a foot, barely restraining the impulse to reprimand him. But he resists the temptation to nag for now, instead focusing on the other man's words.]
... I would be more comfortable utilizing the methods that I'm accustomed to as opposed to overstepping anyone's comfort levels. [Or his own.]
/falls in again later
Mm. Don't get stingy on the handholding. Things get... things get intense without warning. If you ever do need more, just... suck up a hug or something.
[ There are reasons he's wary; despite having not had much influence by the ghosts or ghostening of a few months back, most the rest of events have pulled some less than desirable results out of Shino. Dollification was a horror of its own that hadn't been solved through moonlacing, but fighting the queen wouldn't have been as bad if he hadn't rushed in and ended up all but dead and dealing with those consequences. Chroma on top of his own demon's needs makes it worse in those moments, with no one to blame but himself.
Sousuke would remind him of that if he were here. So would Hamaji, even that guy, Satomi, and they'd all be right.
He misses them so intensely at times, he almost can't breathe. Clearing his throat, he glances out the window, marking what he sees as the train brings them up to the second level of the city. ]
Most people like us want to see each other live, not have to watch them die. Even if you come back, it's not okay.
[ Things he's been slapped for on another world, and is owed a slap for on this one from people who he hasn't seen even in illusions for too long now. He's not really aware that at various points, he's allowed his grip to tighten on Link's hand, but to Link, it's likely an obvious meter to track whatever emotional swings are going through Shino's heart. His face isn't quite as transparent as that hand, but his eyes just about are, staring out the window as they are right then. ]
Hey, Howard Link—which one's your surname?
/catches
"Intense". Well I can't claim to know what sort of life you've led, but I'm quite accustomed to things being "intense" almost constantly where I'm from. Your advice is noted, though.
[Perhaps it comes off as a little condescending but he doesn't mean it that way. Even when life was relatively "quiet" in the Order- even back when he was stationed at Central- there was always the knowledge that a deadly mission was a possibility at almost any moment. It was something he had acknowledged and accepted in becoming a Crow in the first place, although he did come to understand the true weight of that the older he's gotten. He's been trained to adapt and succeed against all manner of obstacle, so even though this alien world certainly was never touched upon he is still determined to overcome this and see his duty through to the end.
The way Shino's grip tightens doesn't go unnoticed, but he has enough tact not to bring any attention to it. Whatever the other younger man is reminiscing on isn't his business.]
I certainly have no intention of dying.
[Not almost for a second time, at the very least. While he would put his life on the line for his duty and ideals without a second thought he's never been reckless either; he has no interest in going down without a fight when his time eventually comes.]
Ah- Link. You can call me that if it's easier for you.
[Most people do, to the point that hearing someone use his full name is a little odd.]
i'm so sorry, time has been my nemesis
[ He returns, not even blinking. ]
I only bother with family names when someone's annoying me. [ A brief pause, and he adds: ] Or trying to hurt people I care about.
[ The formality for him is a pointed distancing, which is truly at odds culturally for what he should do... but he's been rude for much of a lifetime, and he's only more polite to women because his sister has ensured he's respectful enough to be.
Unless you're a woman who's tried to hurt him or someone he cares about. No point being polite with people who wanted to hurt his important people. Or himself. Probably.
He blinks, registering the scenery they're passing, then nods his head to the center aisle. ]
Our stop's next.
[ Point being, they can either get up before the train slows, or be on their way up once it does slow. A few people are shuffling toward the nearest set of doors, but the train's not full, and not so busy even with the festivities going on between Levels Three and Two. ]
it's no problem, that's a mood
... I see.
[It's rather the opposite of what Link is used to, who has almost always been called by only his last name and always does the same in return. The only exceptions are when he uses someone's full name, generally just in moments of irritation like a parent might when scolding their child. It's a habit born moreso from upbringing than simple politeness, although that's also a part of it. As a Crow and Inspector it was important to keep an emotional distance between emotions and work, and Link has always prided himself in doing well in that regard.
... At least, until more recently.
But he doesn't dwell on that, his focus thankfully being drawn by Shino speaking up again as the train slows. Eager to move on past his own awkwardness the blonde nods and gets to his feet.]
Very well, let's go.
LMAO ITS MY CONSTANT MOOD bury me here
This way, come on!
[ It's clear by the way he tries to speed up that Shino is far more enthused now that they're here. He fumbles his comm out again to pass it over the turnstile as they leave, throwing a grin up at Howard once they're out of the station. ]
Too bad this wasn't out at the beach, then no one would notice the whole topless thing!
[ Thanks for bringing up the illusion again, Shino, but he does mean that: it was a shoddy attempt at comfort, all things considered, but there's no edge or sarcasm inside of his words. Just the driven nature of continuing to lead the way and narrate some of where they're passing, until they're at the park in question, with all its tables and chairs and bots and people in uniforms serving tea and cookies. So many, many cookies. So much tea!
His stomach rumbles at the sight, and he swallows the surge of saliva in his mouth. ]
I'm so ready for this. Are you ready for this?