deferences | ♪ noctium inbox

[ It's fine, he'll be a bad enough influence before long.

Unfortunately, Shun's own gem is in a vulnerable spot. While he hates it, he hates the constricting feeling of things around his neck more these days. Get choked enough times and that tends to happen. Either way, he brings a hand up to the nape of his neck where it rests briefly as it warms.

Hm. His doesn't glow, not really, or- Maybe he's just so emotionally subdued in general that it does only give a hint. It isn't obvious, at least. ]

I'm fine with whatever. Not really a picky kind of guy.

[clearly, and it'll be glorious, even if shun's already got sizhui wondering about those earlier expletives.

that is... more than enough of a reason to not want his neck covered. in spite of himself, the younger male's attention follows shun's hand, head tilting slightly so he can see better, realization dawning some moments later; it must be where his gem is at. he considers speaking, saying something for reassurance, though second-guesses mentioning it altogether.

instead, sizhui's posture straightens, he adjusts their position and tucks them into a nearby corner, free arm hooking around the sturdy metal pole for extra stability.] Then we'll stay here for the duration of the ride. It shouldn't take too long, after all.

[ Corruption isn't his kink, thankfully. He just finds it funny to see people like Sizhui let loose a little. ]

Suits me just fine. [ Shun, meanwhile, leans back against the window of the car. It helps him hide his gem and lets him look cool. He has to keep his intimidating presence somehow, doesn't he? Not that it seems to be doing much good when he's going to an arcade with the human equivalent of a doe. ]

What's the first thing you're gonna wanna play? Don't tell me you're into those dancing games. [ As if he hadn't tried his hand at them once or twice and got oddly competitive. ]

[good golly, it doesn't have to be anything too crazy now! ‘letting loose’ is a far better way to describe sizhui allowing himself to not be so uptight.

unlucky for shun, he truly doesn't look all that intimidating with someone like sizhui attached to his arm, it's true. he'd apologize although he's done nothing wrong, he can't deny, it feels a lot safer having the man with him, particularly when some people are already staring.

his attention upturns from their feet, eyes blinking slowly, the faintest smile curving his mouth at the edges.] Why, are those the worst? To tell you the truth... I like the big ones with the buttons and sticks. Oh! Or maybe the one with the balls you roll up the platform? [he hums consideringly while trying to conjure up the machine. skeeball, by the way, is what he's thinking.]

[ Stares will be met with silent glares. Granted, glaring seems to be his default when dealing with most strangers. It was all part of being a yakuza; for as much as they wanted to belong, they wanted people to earn the right to be among them, to feel comfortable in their spaces. Shun had been inducted like all the rest. He had been more than ready for the test.

He still has the scars to prove it. ]

They're not the worst just... Kind of kiddy? Silly. The classic arcade games though are good. Skeeball's not bad either. I can teach you how to cheat the machine. [ Actually, now that he considers it: ] Maybe I'll set a high score for pinball too while I'm at it.

[aw, that'd almost be cute if it literally weren't shun's default state. nevertheless, sizhui appreciates the fact whoever's let their eyes wander immediately turns and decides minding their own business is in their better interest. from his peripheral, he considers the man, doing everything within his power to curb his enthusiasm, even though that's proving more difficult than it should when shun's considering actually playing games himself.

doesn't really sound like something a yakuza member would do, but does that matter here? (to be fair, it matters in certain aspects, but definitely not in sizhui's case.) here is where they're starting new lives anyway, there's nothing saying shun can't do whatever he wants as his own boss.]

Well, knowing that now, I suppose I'm obligated to admit: I do sort of enjoy them at times. [a soft ahhh! as shun says the name and of course that's it.] Skeeball, yes, that one is fun too. Cheat the machine, though? Why would we do that? [sorry, shun, he's kind of a nerd.] I'm not sure pinball is one I've tried yet.

[ The keyword there is considering. He might be inclined to join in but it'll take some convincing. Or, maybe, Sizhui's enthusiasm will be more infectious than he realizes and taking part won't seem like such a hassle. It's not like playing games at an arcade would really tarnish his reputation, right? Especially not if he was cheating his way to winning. ]

Well, arcades usually have tickets as currency. Rigging skeeball is the fastest way to get enough to get anything. Otherwise, you're blowing all your money for almost nothing. I just even the playing field is all.

[ A beat. ]

Pinball's pretty fun. I can show you.

[maybe his eagerness will get shun involved, but if anyone tries giving him trouble for doing something he's enjoying, he'll get to experience real quick how sizhui can turn from a happy-go-lucky doe-eyed thing to an absolute murder-machine. (okay, so it's more like a kitten, though seriously, he dares one person to say something that way he can verbally tear them apart.)

oh yes, that's right, those tickets are supposed to ‘buy’ prizes; he hasn't ever gotten anything of substantial worth, unfortunately, so it'd be interesting to win something like that. but is it really winning if you cheat?

‘i just even the playing field is all.’ he hums softly with contemplation, lets the faintest smirk quirk his lips on one side then he nods.] Alright, we can try it out.

And I would very much like to learn pinball, too.

[ Well, hey- Looks like this kid might have it in him to bend the rules a bit after all.

Good to know. ]

Then it's a deal. We play some pinball, rig some skeeball, and go home with a couple of prizes. Anyone you want to give yours to?

[ He's mostly just teasing but it's kind of hard not to. ]

[luckily, he isn't a total square, much to the fortune(?) of everyone else.]

Pinball, skeeball, prizes, [sizhui repeats, his eagerness more glaringly obvious now, given how his eyes have lit up. his expression softens following the question though, cheeks faintly flushed as he downcasts his gaze again. he raises the hand not clutching shun's arm, rubs a pinkened cheek and shakes his head.]

I don't think I know anyone who would want one. So, perhaps I could keep it? [a beat of silence then,] Unless you might want it for some reason?

[ It's to the fortune of Shun, at least. He'll come to appreciate it in time.

But he only sees a 'square' (i.e. someone with a healthy emotional range) when he looks down at Sizhui's beaming face. He's like a kid at Christmas. It's embarrassing. It's also cute? He doesn't know. ]

Nah, you keep it. Or I'll win you one myself if luck isn't your lady tonight.

[in time, yes, but if sizhui's enthusiasm about arcade games is already cute, shun better be ready for it to only get ~~worse~~ better from here! there are so many new things he's learned already, despite not having even explored everywhere yet, and he's always been excited so far.

his features soften briefly, concerned, lips pursed while he hums with contemplation then sizhui remarks,]

Hopefully, my luck won't be too awful... [unsurprisingly, he perks up afterward, gesturing with his free hand toward nothing in particular.] But if so, I'd appreciate that a lot, Shun. It's kind of you to offer!

You got it. Don't have a lot of space at my place so it might as well go somewhere it'd be appreciated.

[ Maybe, just maybe though, he'd take a small trinket if won. Something he could tuck away either in his shabby little shithole of an apartment or pocket when he's out and about. ]

[exactly where sizhui's thoughts go, to be honest.] Surely we could find something for you to take home, too.

[whether it's something as simple as a small bouncy ball, some cute knickknack, or one of the littler plush toys, they'll find an item shun can bring with him.]

♪ noctium inbox

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject