![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
goteachother) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
theairlock2017-06-04 08:21 pm
At last, my love has come along~
After everything that's happened, especially the shock from the giddy joy of Thursday night to everything that happened on Friday, Queenie is more determined than ever to make sure everyone can find some joy in this place. Which finds her determined and busy most of Saturday evening, after crying herself out, and all day Sunday. Anyone that tries to stop her or insist maybe there's something else she should or could be doing will be told that she's got something in mind, it's going to be fun and no one should worry about her, thank you very much.
One of the small tables from the dining room is missing, along with it's chairs. They have now taken up residence in a quiet corner of the garden. She's taken one of the pink sheets from the 2nd floor rest area and made it into a tablecloth, set out candlesticks, and relocated a rose or two into the area. Jars and additional glasses from the kitchen are scattered around, glowing a soft, delicate blue light from dancing flames that give off heat but do not burn.
Every day this week a different couple will find memo mice seeking them out.
The food will be served by magic and Queenie will do her best to keep as much distance as possible, giving everyone their privacy. While the main dishes will vary there will be two things consistent, night to night. Excellent wine from the bar upstairs and a rich, decadent chocolate mousse topped with hand whipped cream and glazed strawberries.
no subject
How do you know that's not going to happen soon.Roland takes a moment to absorb what was just said to him, stares, blinks once, and then holds up a hand to protest, but then thinks better of it, putting it back down. ]
... I... actually don't know if I'd be the best choice, to be honest. Why do you have so much faith in me?
no subject
It'd be a dream date if that's what happens.]Yer a dependable guy, Roland-san! Ya understand people. Ya can sympathize wit' people. But yer strong too, and ya got what people like ta call "strong moral fiber," even bein' a killer. It means yer damn cool and people love that shit. Makes 'em feel like ya know what yer doin', even if ya don't. All that's good stuff ta have if yer gonna be a leader.
I mean, shit, I'm a leader back home, but it's a different kind. My guys are all dumb fuckin' losers who couldn't make it into the other clans fer one stupid reason or another. They fall in line for a strong guy like me or I kick their asses the hell outta the yakuza. [ he says this fondly, I promise. He loves his men. ] But the losers we got here... they're good folks. Most of 'em, anyway. People like that need ta see more than fear and power ta follow ya.
no subject
If it's not obvious, Roland is a man who has little to no belief in his own ability. ]
... That's just because I had to, though. Greg would... have been a much better leader than me.
[ He looks away for a moment, and he wonders... if Greg had been in this situation... what would he have done differently? How would he have rallied people? Could he have prevented things? ]
It's just--a little weird to me. That anyone would think I have any of those qualities. I'm not exactly the kind of man most people give a glowing review for. The kid I take care of... he calls me a loser.
no subject
Dunno who yer buddy Greg is, but yer the one we're stuck with, pal. Don't worry, yer doin' good.
[ He can tell enough by the context that he's probably not around, in any case, so he'll just keep moving right along. ]
Eh, he prolly means that like a compliment! When I was little, I usedta say my Uncle B was a fuckin' asshole, but I love that old dude like my own damn dad and I'd die fer him in a fuckin' heartbeat. 's just how kids are. Ain't good with feelin's.
no subject
... The teenager I'm taking care of--he was kind of shoved into my lap when my friend Greg died. He led our people before I ever did. I only really became leader because there wasn't anyone else to step up. He passed that mantle on to me. That man knew what he was doing... I sort of never did, really. It's why I drank so heavily for so long. I didn't want to deal with being in that position.
[ A beat. ]
People keep telling me I'm brave, or something, but it was necessity. I've had a lot of weird reactions to how things simply... are, where I'm from. Queenie hugged me.
[ A small smile at the thought of that; she's sweet. ]
What I don't understand is why people think my life is so tragic. It's not. It's just... life. Life's unfair. But I don't want you to be under the illusion I'm someone who knows what he's doing, or anything like that. To be honest, I don't. I'm just doing what I think is right.
no subject
Well, yer right about one thing for sure: life ain't fair fer shit. Queenie-chan... she's a real nice girl, she sees the best and the worst in people, and it eats her up inside every time somebody goes with the worst they got. People like her, they get hurt. They're too fuckin' hopeful, and she's fuckin' incredible fer bein' able ta stay that way this long if ya ask me. It ain't bad, but it ain't smart, either. It's fuckin' stupid.
[ He doesn't mean it like an insult, though. In fact, he smiles. He likes Queenie quite a lot. She's also far too sweet for her own good, but that's why he likes her. ]
Bein' smart's no fuckin' fun, though. I'm a goddamn dumbass compared ta some folks, but I know what I'm about. Long as I go down fightin' fer what I believe in, I could die tomorrow and I'd be fuckin' fine with that. Dunno about you, Roland-san, but fer me that's what it's all about.
[ He is, after all, a simple man with simple needs. But Roland didn't just want to hear about him. ]
I ain't gonna tell ya yer some leader because ya earned it or some shit. Sounds like ya didn't have much choice in that. But it was yer fuckin' choice ta take responsibility and get off yer ass, helpin' people and takin' care of those kids ya told me about. Maybe ya think ya ain't brave 'cause ya see it as somethin' anybody woulda done, but that ain't the case. Ya coulda just done shit, but ya didn't.
See, people like you, even people like Queenie -- ya get shit on by the world and keep standin' up cause ya feel like ya gotta keep going. Whether it's fer yer family, yer friends, whatever the fuck. Maybe yer right and it ain't brave ta keep tryin' over and over again. Life ain't fair. Right and wrong? That's bullshit.
But all that perservein' ya know what it is? If ya ask me, it's fuckin' stupid. [ He smiles. ] And me, I'm fine with bein' fuckin' stupid. I'll take a dozen fuckin' dumbasses over a smartass that thinks he's better than us.
no subject
And he does agree. Queenie is too innocent for her own good. When he says that, he gets a light nod and a snort. But the rest--maybe he's right. Maybe they're just two idiots doing what needs to be done. ]
... No, I'm the same way. I told the Embryon that if I wasn't any use to them... they could kill me. I wanted their trust. I wanted... to make up for how they'd been treated. Like feral animals, and not people, just because they could turn into demons.
[ A pause. He has to think about this next bit. ]
I'm... just a writer, when it comes down to it. I really don't think I'm fit for what's happening, but Greg asked me to lead the Lokapala. So I am. I'm leading them as best as I can manage. I'm trying to keep our people safe, to keep them out of being turned into processed food like a god damn fish. ... I wish I could say I'd stayed sober. I wanted to, but this place... I don't think I'm strong enough to make it without a drink.
[ A small laugh, and he shakes his head. ]
... You're right, though. Maybe all of that is okay. ... I think when it comes down to it, what I'm worried about is disappointing people. I... feel you could do a lot better than me, Nishitani. I'm not exactly the most confident man in himself, and my morals are shaky at best. But if you can put that aside, I'm willing to try.
no subject
Finally, when Roland finishes off and says he'd like to try, Nishitani breaks into a grin. ]
Better than you? When ya can kick my ass? No fuckin' way.
[ He chuckles. Guess what you're getting yanked forward by your lapels, Roland. Nishitani leans towards him over the table, pulling himself closer so they're nearly nose to nose. ]
Only thing disappointin' me so far is that we ain't kissed yet.
[ He is going to lean the rest of the way and fix that problem right now, thank you very much. So enjoy your kiss, there's probably already tongue involved, I'm not sorry. ]
no subject
Okay how do you deal with this.
Roland is not the best at this but you know what he will try to return that kiss. Even if it's a little awkward! You only live until you die, right. He doesn't seem to mind anything Nishitani is doing, he was just startled by it. Mostly.
... I feel a little bad for anyone that might be watching this, though. ]
no subject
He chuckles right against his lips and grins when he starts to respond. Truth be told he gets a kick out of startling people, so that's exactly the reaction he was going for. It's not the world's most romantic first kiss but he wouldn't have it any other way. He's. I mean, this is what you're signing up for, Roland. It's not too late to turn back now?
jk, yes it is.
Nishitani finally breaks away after a couple more seconds of that. He doesn't really have the patience to be half-draped over a table like this, no matter how hot Roland is. He's not some kid anymore, this is super uncomfortable. But he has persevered for you, Roland. ]
Shit, been wantin' ta do that fer weeks, ya got no idea!
no subject
... As much as I feel bad for all the trouble she went to, this isn't the most... comfortable place.
[ He might be a little red though because jesus christ, Nishitani, you go hard. ]
I mean, I'm sure she'd be a lot happier if it was... more than just a date, right?
no subject
Yer a guy who knows what he fuckin' wants, ain'tcha?
[ Guess what, Nishitani is going to get up and grab for Roland's hand, hoping to coax him away from the table. ]
Whaddya say we take this party somewhere a lil' more private, eh? I'm sure Queenie-chan won't mind.
[ She's probably cheering them on if she's watching tbh. ]
no subject
[ What "probably", she likely IS.
... Still, a more private place sounds nice. He takes a moment to consider-- ]
Well, we share a room. That'd work fine, wouldn't it?
no subject
[ Nishitani just keeps grinning. If he's looking to let go, that's right up Nishitani's alley. ]
Let's you an' me get outta here, then! Sure as hell ain't gonna get interrupted there, eh?
[ At least there's no "your place, or mine?" ]