[Cane back at his side again, a little bit of "chill" now having been given to the other, V continues their walk. He's apparently here to offer focus, when the other young man derails himself into next week.]
Your birthday?
[Ah. A pause.]
A happy birthday to you, then. How old are you now?
[Ignoring the fact that Prompto is abiding by this world's calendar, despite not lining up with the one back home(??), V is curious.]
[(how sad that it's the first happy birthday he gets all day)]
Thanks! [and for that, prompto's smiling, all enthusiasm and genuine cheer] I'm twenty-one now. I know it's hard to believe that I am, in fact, an adult, but this is now a truth that we must all live with.
[the city is littered with halloween decorations, people walking by with costumes like it's normal, even during the daytime. he turns right, towards a curved path lined up with houses that double as stores.]
It's close to Halloween here, which is pretty cool.
[Not that this detracts from his happy birthday wishes, unknowing that he's the first to bless Prompto with one.]
And being so close to Halloween means that it's the perfect excuse for you to party and drink, isn't that right? [He says it with a knowing grin, which is ironic given V's propensity to... do the opposite.] The holiday runs very long in this world.
[prompto finds himself unbothered by the words, so it's all good.]
Ten days worth of spooky content, I'm not complaining.
[the path here is more of old cobblestone bricks, paved over with an attempt at cement, the older foundations of dry sand a forgotten thing once they got to be filled in with something that would keep the city more steady. in smaller alleyways like this, it paints a more quaint picture of the city—it might also be that they're heading down towards the opening of bloem district, with its many flowers, potted plants, and trees that glow with vibrant colors.]
[pumpkins and candles decorate the windowsills and spaces in between, too. this is probably prompto's favorite part of the city, shaded away from the bright neon lights by houses so old with triangular peaks, it's worth wondering how they didn't succumb to being built over.]
There's a party tomorrow that this guy is throwing for me and another friend. Our birthdays are real close by, so... Do you wanna drop in?
The novelty of the holiday is hard to ignore. It’s one that… stimulates the imagination more than the rest.
[Even as he speaks, he notices how the path seems to slowly transform into something that mixes the past with modernity, or at least an attempt to keep that past from crumbling apart. The little alleyway feels slightly uneven under his step, and even more so when his cane — sometimes clicking against the pavement as they walk — catches against smoothed-over crevices, worn down by time and effort.
In the distance, at the exit of their funneled walk, he thinks he can see the shuddering of tree branches casting a green swath of color against the sky. V’s eyes gravitate towards it, finding the contrast of nature in this mega-metropolitan future somewhat fascinating. Jack-o’-lanterns smile at them as they ease past.]
I’m not usually one for parties. [To say the least, ever the introvert. One-on-one conversations are easy enough, but V finds the attention of strangers, pulling in every direction, utterly exhausting.] I don’t think I’d be very exciting nor very celebratory.
[he stops at the mouth of the alleyway, checks around for hoverbikes, and then walks out into the district proper. the street opens up wider, an actual effort in keeping the place like a sort of modern park an attempt to marry both architecture with nature; a canal streams water under the concrete and steel bridges that hover over it, leaves for the most part swimming on the surface. vines and greenery drop from walls, trees brimming with leaves creating a canopy for most of the walking surface.]
[yeah, definitely prompto's favorite district.]
Not usually, but you could go! Get to meet people and, [steps onto a bench, arms spread to keep his balance, and jumps off on the other end] oh, free food. I heard there's gonna be meat!
[It isn't what he expected, but it's a nice surprise. A marriage of both archecture and greenery, applied in a way that allows the beauty of nature itself to shine on its own. Nothing too finely manicured, nothing too overt with the cultivating touch of man to make it appear clinically perfect.
It's a district that V could come to like, too, after a time.
However, when they reach that bench, V steps around it. Like an adult.]
[prompto pauses mid action in lifting his arms, feeling bad about being the deliverer of bad meat-related news... and then he just lifts them up over and behind his head, waiting for v to catch up before keeping on with this casual, slow stroll.]
Yeah, meat is really hard to get by. This place's a mess in terms of resources, so it's all either very expensive or scarce. Instead of meat, people are using bugs as replacement, or like tofu and stuff. [he's very observant, 'and stuff.'] It's not terrible, but coming from a place where meat was an easy thing to put on the table makes the switch a little more — shocking? Yeah.
[He catches up with a few long strides, cane clicking against the pavement all the while.]
Bugs. A protein supplement.
[He says it casually, but the look on his face reveals his skepticism. It isn't surprising, this far into the future; it wasn't as if mankind took much care of the planet back home, and that a few centuries more they'd be relying on insects for food?
It makes sense, but that doesn't mean he looks forward to it.]
[soon as v catches up, prompto turns on his heels and shrugs.] Bugs are disgusting, but I guess I'm slowly seeing their appeal. So long as they're not trying to get on my face or wriggling about, though.
[something of a full-body shudder, arms pulling down and landing back at his sides. he's kind of walking sideways, keeping on with looking at v as he talks, hands being used animatedly.]
There's no chickens in Eos, so it was wild. Tasted like cockatrice thighs. Oh! This is the Bloem District by the way, there's a thrift store just across from here down that alleyway.
[why is he always so enthused] There's something of a movement to make the city more green and to try to bring back some of the comforts the plants and vegetation bring, cuz... well, everything else is pretty much metal and concrete and plastic. [he keeps on leading the way.] So this district in particular is pretty much all things flowers and plants—
[he points about, at the buildings that have allowed themselves to be taken over by vines and the like]
[Eyes follow that gaze, trailing up to the building lined with vines. Where potted flowers dotted here and there sway in the breeze, bright against the green.
And V begins, as he continues his walk-]
'As I wander'd the forest, The green leaves among, I heard a wild flower Singing a song.
I slept in the Earth In the silent night, I murmur'd my fears And I felt delight.
In the morning I went As rosy as morn, To seek for new joy; But O! met with scorn.'
[A smile, wan but sincere.]
What a life it must be, to be but a wildflower in a city like this. Prized for simply being what it is.
[prompto's silent a while even after v finishes speaking, a feeling running amok within him, unable to quite put down what it is. so—instead!—he smiles and keeps on keeping on.]
Right? I bet.
[he has no idea what to say... just that it was really something hearing v just now.]
The apartment's actually a block away from here, so you'll always end up coming through most days. [it's one of the many reasons why he decided on his current apartment; keep him close to the place he likes the most] You'll find your footing easily enough on where to go!
[they approach a side street with several stores, and prompto heads on forward a bit, and waits for v at the door. he points inside.]
's the clothes store. We'll just have a quick look and pick a few things, okay?
[A quiet spin of his cane, pleased that his memory has not been altered by whatever changes he’s been imbued with in this world. Some things, perhaps, are ingrained deep into one’s core — poetry, an old companion of his since childhood, would certainly qualify.]
Good to know that my usual walk will always be the scenic route.
[A sound of amusement.]
Yes, let’s. The clothes that I was… given recently are rather lacking. [Though beggar’s shouldn’t be choosers. Better than the scrubs any day of the week.] Not much in the way of fashion.
[in they go, then, prompto animatedly showing his resignation by moving his arms about and shrugging—racks of clothing around them denoting different price points and sale discounts on colorful, animated screens.]
Yeah, they're not the best. They're donations so people always just give whatever they think is lame anyway.
[clearly, they're heading for where the colors run darker and prompto's just going to stand on the side making idle commentary.]
Just have a look, I guess? Couple of shirts, couple of pants, whatever.
[engages in an online game so he's not hovering over v's choosing stuff too much. he'll carry stuff if the other gets a little too purchase-friendly.]
[He follows and continues following until brought over to the clothing rack lined with various tops, neatly arranged in a row. Prompto is right to have led him towards the darker colors, as V would’ve meandered this way eventually. He doesn’t have a reply for the other young man, not quite yet, only allowing himself to indulge in why he was brought here — to find suitable clothes.
His tastes as V, as compared to his other self, might run along similar lines at times, but they mostly diverge in regards to a preference towards the color black. A few shirts — plain but comfortable-looking — are easily plucked out among the choices. Some of the bolder colors, dark or not, are skipped over, with the exception of sometimes blue. He doesn’t ever seem to give red hues a second glance.
A cane hooked under an arm allows for easy shopping. Prompto doesn’t have to wait long until V walks towards him, a handful of shirts and a couple of dark pants and jeans draped over an arm.]
[at v's approach and consequent question, prompto grins and raises his hand to make show of a set of leather cuffs—black material twined into designs, dark beads one layer; black with metallic circles, intricate skull badges around the center—all part of his aesthetic.]
I got what I wanted.
[exiting from every distracting application on his implant, he busies himself with looking through v's selection of clothes (an innocent habit of getting his nose in other people's business, if nothing else) and keeping a mental count of them.]
At least you're consistent. [blacks and blues. he gives a pat to the top of the clothes on v's arm] Y'wanna check out shoes real quick or you good?
[He eyes the leather cuffs at first, noting that there seems to be a trend with Prompto's style -- not that V takes any issue with it. In fact, it runs rather close to what he might wear on any given day, but he saves that comment for some other time, even while Prompto noses through his choices.
But for now, it's time to head over to where they keep the shoes sorted. He motions vaguely at his companion to follow.
Fast forward a few minutes, and V is plucking out a certain pair from the rack, holding them up by their black straps.]
[at least he's honest about how he doesn't actually like open-toed shoes. there's something weird about them.]
[hooking a finger over one of the straps, he turns one of the sandals over and checks the price.] Thirty-eight credits... [they're pretty expensive for shoes that don't actually cover the whole foot, but. to each other own. he shrugs and takes his hand back.] You wanna try them on? You could technically wear them and pay for them. They just need the bar code.
[taps at the side of the shoes, where a sticker presses to the faux leather material]
Boots are fine, I suppose. [He drops his hand, then begins to crouch to the ground in order to take Prompto's suggestion to heart; time to try them on.
But not without pushing his cane into the other's hands, so that he can free up his own to get these awesome jandals strapped to his feet.]
Hold this.
[Once they're on, the sticker is easily peeled off, and V moves on his heels a little.]
Comfortable. Isn't that what matters most?
[LOOK AT HIS TOES!!! His Morningstar-given shoes, an old pair of sneakers, sit on the floor next to him.]
[he takes the cane, helps out with the clothes, and takes a few steps back as he watches v simply minding his best interests and putting on the sandals. prompto snorts and just shrugs his shoulders, as if giving up whatever stance he had against the shoes in the first place, and grinning.]
Dude, you're so weird.
[it's the kind of revelation prompto can't help making over and over.]
But, whatever makes you happy, I guess.
[he passes v his cane back, leaning down to pick up the sneakers from the floor by their tied laces. he'll carry your shit--en route to the register, where he dumps the clothes on and motions for v to slap the sticker onto his old shoes (which he'll probably never wear again).] I'll keep an eye out for places with sandals, I guess.
[to the person at the register] Hi! We'll take all of these. [the wristbands he picked out are also on the pile] He's got the shoes on, but here's the bar code for it, thanks.
[pleasantries, pleasantries, prompto leaning into the counter as they get rung up. what are the chances of prompto paying for everything? very high. he'll just say he got distracted and didn't think about it. he's just a very giving kind of person.]
[suddenly, v will get a message on his implant. prompto's conversing with the guy across the counter ringing up the total, but he has mastered the art of texting and talking; it's called multitasking, baby.]
[Bad username or site: prom @ argentum] oh i nearly forgot now that you have your id and all i can send you what gaby sent to us at the safehouse here you go:
[Weird, just because he likes the sandals? There are a myriad of other things that are weirder than that, all of which can be applied to V, but he'll not argue the point. It's not as if Prompto is banning his choice altogether.
And V, who is also less used to multitasking to this degree, is very much distracted when the message crops into his vision. Suddenly, he's met with a very important tidbit of information, completely shattering his focus on whatever was happening at the checkout counter.
As a result, he'll he won't get a chance to argue the fact that he can pay for his own clothes. A shadow passes through his features.]
This is-
[A blink, and then.]
[Bad username or site: vee @ blake] The tone of this message seems sincere. Whoever this may be, they're genuinely grateful.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Your birthday?
[Ah. A pause.]
A happy birthday to you, then. How old are you now?
[Ignoring the fact that Prompto is abiding by this world's calendar, despite not lining up with the one back home(??), V is curious.]
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[(how sad that it's the first happy birthday he gets all day)]
Thanks! [and for that, prompto's smiling, all enthusiasm and genuine cheer] I'm twenty-one now. I know it's hard to believe that I am, in fact, an adult, but this is now a truth that we must all live with.
[the city is littered with halloween decorations, people walking by with costumes like it's normal, even during the daytime. he turns right, towards a curved path lined up with houses that double as stores.]
It's close to Halloween here, which is pretty cool.
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[Not that this detracts from his happy birthday wishes, unknowing that he's the first to bless Prompto with one.]
And being so close to Halloween means that it's the perfect excuse for you to party and drink, isn't that right? [He says it with a knowing grin, which is ironic given V's propensity to... do the opposite.] The holiday runs very long in this world.
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Ten days worth of spooky content, I'm not complaining.
[the path here is more of old cobblestone bricks, paved over with an attempt at cement, the older foundations of dry sand a forgotten thing once they got to be filled in with something that would keep the city more steady. in smaller alleyways like this, it paints a more quaint picture of the city—it might also be that they're heading down towards the opening of bloem district, with its many flowers, potted plants, and trees that glow with vibrant colors.]
[pumpkins and candles decorate the windowsills and spaces in between, too. this is probably prompto's favorite part of the city, shaded away from the bright neon lights by houses so old with triangular peaks, it's worth wondering how they didn't succumb to being built over.]
There's a party tomorrow that this guy is throwing for me and another friend. Our birthdays are real close by, so... Do you wanna drop in?
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[Even as he speaks, he notices how the path seems to slowly transform into something that mixes the past with modernity, or at least an attempt to keep that past from crumbling apart. The little alleyway feels slightly uneven under his step, and even more so when his cane — sometimes clicking against the pavement as they walk — catches against smoothed-over crevices, worn down by time and effort.
In the distance, at the exit of their funneled walk, he thinks he can see the shuddering of tree branches casting a green swath of color against the sky. V’s eyes gravitate towards it, finding the contrast of nature in this mega-metropolitan future somewhat fascinating. Jack-o’-lanterns smile at them as they ease past.]
I’m not usually one for parties. [To say the least, ever the introvert. One-on-one conversations are easy enough, but V finds the attention of strangers, pulling in every direction, utterly exhausting.] I don’t think I’d be very exciting nor very celebratory.
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[yeah, definitely prompto's favorite district.]
Not usually, but you could go! Get to meet people and, [steps onto a bench, arms spread to keep his balance, and jumps off on the other end] oh, free food. I heard there's gonna be meat!
[has anyone told v about the bugs yet]
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It's a district that V could come to like, too, after a time.
However, when they reach that bench, V steps around it. Like an adult.]
Meat?
[No, no one told him yet.]
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Yeah, meat is really hard to get by. This place's a mess in terms of resources, so it's all either very expensive or scarce. Instead of meat, people are using bugs as replacement, or like tofu and stuff. [he's very observant, 'and stuff.'] It's not terrible, but coming from a place where meat was an easy thing to put on the table makes the switch a little more — shocking? Yeah.
The chicken is the best one, by the way.
no subject
Bugs. A protein supplement.
[He says it casually, but the look on his face reveals his skepticism. It isn't surprising, this far into the future; it wasn't as if mankind took much care of the planet back home, and that a few centuries more they'd be relying on insects for food?
It makes sense, but that doesn't mean he looks forward to it.]
So you've had chicken, despite all of that?
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[soon as v catches up, prompto turns on his heels and shrugs.] Bugs are disgusting, but I guess I'm slowly seeing their appeal. So long as they're not trying to get on my face or wriggling about, though.
[something of a full-body shudder, arms pulling down and landing back at his sides. he's kind of walking sideways, keeping on with looking at v as he talks, hands being used animatedly.]
There's no chickens in Eos, so it was wild. Tasted like cockatrice thighs. Oh! This is the Bloem District by the way, there's a thrift store just across from here down that alleyway.
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I'm assuming I won't have much of a choice where the bugs are concerned. I'll have to adapt, as always.
[Cockatrice, though? He's about to ask about that when Prompto changes the subject again.]
...I like this district. Not that I've seen much of the city so far, but I'm assuming the flowers are a theme? ["Bloem", after all.]
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[why is he always so enthused] There's something of a movement to make the city more green and to try to bring back some of the comforts the plants and vegetation bring, cuz... well, everything else is pretty much metal and concrete and plastic. [he keeps on leading the way.] So this district in particular is pretty much all things flowers and plants—
[he points about, at the buildings that have allowed themselves to be taken over by vines and the like]
—as you can see.
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And V begins, as he continues his walk-]
'As I wander'd the forest,
The green leaves among,
I heard a wild flower
Singing a song.
I slept in the Earth
In the silent night,
I murmur'd my fears
And I felt delight.
In the morning I went
As rosy as morn,
To seek for new joy;
But O! met with scorn.'
[A smile, wan but sincere.]
What a life it must be, to be but a wildflower in a city like this. Prized for simply being what it is.
yikes prompto is so gay
Right? I bet.
[he has no idea what to say... just that it was really something hearing v just now.]
The apartment's actually a block away from here, so you'll always end up coming through most days. [it's one of the many reasons why he decided on his current apartment; keep him close to the place he likes the most] You'll find your footing easily enough on where to go!
[they approach a side street with several stores, and prompto heads on forward a bit, and waits for v at the door. he points inside.]
's the clothes store. We'll just have a quick look and pick a few things, okay?
gay crisis #18231283
Good to know that my usual walk will always be the scenic route.
[A sound of amusement.]
Yes, let’s. The clothes that I was… given recently are rather lacking. [Though beggar’s shouldn’t be choosers. Better than the scrubs any day of the week.] Not much in the way of fashion.
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Yeah, they're not the best. They're donations so people always just give whatever they think is lame anyway.
[clearly, they're heading for where the colors run darker and prompto's just going to stand on the side making idle commentary.]
Just have a look, I guess? Couple of shirts, couple of pants, whatever.
[engages in an online game so he's not hovering over v's choosing stuff too much. he'll carry stuff if the other gets a little too purchase-friendly.]
no subject
His tastes as V, as compared to his other self, might run along similar lines at times, but they mostly diverge in regards to a preference towards the color black. A few shirts — plain but comfortable-looking — are easily plucked out among the choices. Some of the bolder colors, dark or not, are skipped over, with the exception of sometimes blue. He doesn’t ever seem to give red hues a second glance.
A cane hooked under an arm allows for easy shopping. Prompto doesn’t have to wait long until V walks towards him, a handful of shirts and a couple of dark pants and jeans draped over an arm.]
This should do for now. Nothing for yourself?
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I got what I wanted.
[exiting from every distracting application on his implant, he busies himself with looking through v's selection of clothes (an innocent habit of getting his nose in other people's business, if nothing else) and keeping a mental count of them.]
At least you're consistent. [blacks and blues. he gives a pat to the top of the clothes on v's arm] Y'wanna check out shoes real quick or you good?
no subject
[He eyes the leather cuffs at first, noting that there seems to be a trend with Prompto's style -- not that V takes any issue with it. In fact, it runs rather close to what he might wear on any given day, but he saves that comment for some other time, even while Prompto noses through his choices.
But for now, it's time to head over to where they keep the shoes sorted. He motions vaguely at his companion to follow.
Fast forward a few minutes, and V is plucking out a certain pair from the rack, holding them up by their black straps.]
I like these.
[He likes these.]
#1 public enemy thread
You like those.
[intoned kind of like a question, very much displaying his disbelief and most likely disappointment?? it seems he got the wrong impression about v.]
[so prompto just kind of ... stares]
I guess they're... comfortable?
[he isn't thrilled]
you love him and his shoes
You don't appear to approve. Not a fan of open-toed shoes?
talk to my lawyer
Not really. Boots and sneakers are more my style.
[at least he's honest about how he doesn't actually like open-toed shoes. there's something weird about them.]
[hooking a finger over one of the straps, he turns one of the sandals over and checks the price.] Thirty-eight credits... [they're pretty expensive for shoes that don't actually cover the whole foot, but. to each other own. he shrugs and takes his hand back.] You wanna try them on? You could technically wear them and pay for them. They just need the bar code.
[taps at the side of the shoes, where a sticker presses to the faux leather material]
no subject
But not without pushing his cane into the other's hands, so that he can free up his own to get these awesome jandals strapped to his feet.]
Hold this.
[Once they're on, the sticker is easily peeled off, and V moves on his heels a little.]
Comfortable. Isn't that what matters most?
[LOOK AT HIS TOES!!! His Morningstar-given shoes, an old pair of sneakers, sit on the floor next to him.]
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Dude, you're so weird.
[it's the kind of revelation prompto can't help making over and over.]
But, whatever makes you happy, I guess.
[he passes v his cane back, leaning down to pick up the sneakers from the floor by their tied laces. he'll carry your shit--en route to the register, where he dumps the clothes on and motions for v to slap the sticker onto his old shoes (which he'll probably never wear again).] I'll keep an eye out for places with sandals, I guess.
[to the person at the register] Hi! We'll take all of these. [the wristbands he picked out are also on the pile] He's got the shoes on, but here's the bar code for it, thanks.
[pleasantries, pleasantries, prompto leaning into the counter as they get rung up. what are the chances of prompto paying for everything? very high. he'll just say he got distracted and didn't think about it. he's just a very giving kind of person.]
[suddenly, v will get a message on his implant. prompto's conversing with the guy across the counter ringing up the total, but he has mastered the art of texting and talking; it's called multitasking, baby.]
[Bad username or site: prom @ argentum]
oh i nearly forgot
now that you have your id and all i can send you what gaby sent to us at the safehouse
here you go:
[and there it be, the copy paste of the text.]
no subject
And V, who is also less used to multitasking to this degree, is very much distracted when the message crops into his vision. Suddenly, he's met with a very important tidbit of information, completely shattering his focus on whatever was happening at the checkout counter.
As a result, he'll he won't get a chance to argue the fact that he can pay for his own clothes. A shadow passes through his features.]
This is-
[A blink, and then.]
[Bad username or site: vee @ blake]
The tone of this message seems sincere. Whoever this may be, they're genuinely grateful.
It's no wonder Gaby seemed so perturbed.
[Odd. A little disconcerting.]
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