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Entry tags:
TDM 003
| TDM 003: #BEACHBUMS |
I. BEACH  Welcome arrivals, new and old! The skies on Erku may be perpetually gray, but the weather has taken a sudden turn to summertime heat. Fortunately, soaring temperatures have chased away more of the strange fog that conceals so much of the island, unveiling a charming, sandy cove dotted here and there with rustic love shacks. These shabby little lean-tos are dusty and sparse, but they provide everything one (or two, wink wink) might need for a little relief from the sun. Just don’t wander too far... that fog has memory-loss properties. II. DRINKS  The 'bots are very apologetic about the whole fog incident, and they are trying to get on the new arrivals' good sides by giving out fancy drinks. Of course, they still haven't mastered the art of making things properly, so each drink has a little something... extra.
III. SNACKS  Lo! As you ask, the Augur shall provide. Thanks to the efforts of your organic predecessors in restoring the planet’s Eros energy, edible fishes and seaweeds have returned to the ponds and the shores of Erku. If you fancy yourself savvy to basic survival skills, why not fashion up a fishing rod and catch yourself dinner? Just be careful if you happen to hook one of the octopus creatures from the deeper waters - they can be quite forward with their tentacles! Or, if primitive angling isn’t in your repertoire, you can always trade some credits for a tasty catch from one of the food stalls along the coast. Most stalls are manned by 'bots, but there’s nothing stopping an enterprising arrival from setting up shop. No credits? No problem! The robots have also provided a bit of entertainment, and any volunteers to man the kissing booth, get dunked in the wet t-shirt dunk tank, or grill up some fish - among other opportunities - will find credits automatically loaded onto the payment app of their bracelet devices. The 'bots are recruiting especially hard for participants to work in the gloryhole tent! IV. SPARKLES  As dusk descends, the white sands of the beach suddenly come alive with glittering lights. It’s as if the darkened waters have carried a thousand shining stars from the depths of the sea to the shores of the cove. In actuality, each little twinkle is a bioluminescent plankton or jellyfish! Feel free to wade among them and admire their shine; even the sting of the jellies won’t hurt you... though they do pack a different punch. The tentacles of the jellyfish elicit a powerful aphrodisiac response, which gets the heart racing and the blood pumping for an intimate touch. The effects come on within a matter of minutes, and last for a few hours. Only time will relieve the symptoms, but a partner will help to make it more bearable. N A V I G A T I O N |
no subject
I don't recall you making any indication of it in court. I might have had my guesses, but as you know, you can't make assumptions without any evidence.
[ apollo saying it in the most direct way possible was definitely evidence enough. regardless, apollo is brought against the palm tree, giving klavier some leeway to lean down and set his drink on the sandy floor. (whether it would stay upright was anyone's guess and certainly not any of his concern.)
when he stands up talk to see that totally exasperated expression, klavier is still grinning. he leans his forearm against the palm tree above apollo's head, his other hand at his hip.
and yes, he's uncomfortably close again. at least he knows better than to try anything (for now??) but he is trying to be obvious here. ]
If everything is as you say, there was no plot to bring us both together for the sake of drama. The rock star and the defense attorney who jailed his brother, trapped on an island together... It would be quite the story. Instead, you and I are both simply here, and I have the opportunity to get to know you better outside of the law. Why should I waste it?
no subject
Apollo has encountered spiked food before - his first week or two in Erku left him eating what little rations he was able to get from the robots, most of which were laced with some sort of aphrodisiac. Not only did Apollo become all the more familiar with his hand, he's not entirely sure he didn't develop a Pavlovian response to canned food.]
Fair enough, [he mutters, looking back to Klavier... who is way too close, again. Apollo is standing stiffly in contrast, his head tipped back a bit to get a better look at the taller man, arms crossed over his chest.]
If you meant it, I wouldn't mind, but you're not yourself right now. You never cared that much before, so why would you start now?
[The hell of it was, nothing Klavier said has made his bracelet go tight. But even if he wasn't lying, there was no reason for him to take a sudden interest when Apollo knew full well that he didn't need his fame to have anyone he wanted on this island. No, something was definitely wrong here.]
Did that drink taste weird to you, Prosecutor Gavin?
no subject
[ one can only imagine what their response to food and drink at all is going to be once they get out of here...
for now, regardless of apollo's stiffness and recalcitrance, klavier seems no less amused and enamored by him. even when his eyes slide sidelong to catch a glimpse of the drinks, he can't look away.
If you meant it, I wouldn't mind. that would be something interesting to remember later. for now, whatever spell that drink's put him under, he's only falling deeper into it. he's not lying at all, and apollo not entirely refusing or rebuking him is giving him hope he's reluctant to let go of. apollo's points make sense, but he's not seeing it. ]
Who am I, then? I was hardly given a moment alone with you until now. You think I have no reason to take an interest in you?
[ when he mentions the drink, he looks surprised, his smile fading only slightly as he glances at what he left on the floor. ]
My drink? [ he only regards it for a moment, tonguing his teeth and remembering the taste. he looks back to apollo. ]
Perhaps too sweet for my liking, but I didn't notice anything particularly strange about it. Would you like to try it?
no subject
[Even if Apollo's theory happens to be wrong, he's not about to take any chances with it. He's almost tempted to go knock the bottle over, but while Klavier's attention is on him, it's not as much of an issue. He could accept being a little less formal if it helped keep the prosecutor from poisoning himself any further.]
Normally you're the guy that calls me Forehead, and now you're the guy that cares if I'm dating someone. Do you really not see the difference here? [But even Apollo knows he's dancing around the question. It's just embarrassing to say out loud when it should just be plainly obvious. Why did that stupid drink have to go and make Klavier lose all common sense?]
... Look, I know I'm not in your league. Not even close. You wouldn't be doing this if you weren't under the influence of... something. [Apollo's arms tighten over his chest, his gaze straying to a spot past Klavier's shoulder instead of meeting his eyes. He just doesn't know what to do other than talk some sense into him - not to mention that Apollo has no idea if letting him roam around in this state was a good idea. Assuming he could shake him off at all, that is.] Whatever it is, it'll wear off eventually.
no subject
apollo has his powers of perception, but being this close, it isn't difficult for klavier to notice apollo turtling into himself and not meeting his eyes. it's cute, again, but klavier slowly loses his smile. ]
I'm not so sure of that. [ he should be... since apollo is definitely right... ] This unbidden lack of self-confidence isn't a flattering look on you. Your talk of being 'in my league'... I've been to many places, Herr Justice, but none so intriguing as the prosecutor's lectern across from you and your Fräulein. With all my years of experience, you have always had something that I lacked from the beginning. That alone is cause enough for envy.
[ which apollo should see also isn't a lie, and he should know what that 'something' is too. ]
If you mean appearances... While my look is quite different from yours, you know that you sell yourself short. You are young and handsome, despite any questionable hairstyle choices. Your glaring forehead included.
[ even if he likes apollo, he still has to take a dig at his hair. it's like a reflex. he smiles again. ]
A world of people, yet you've taken center stage in my eyes. There is a song that could be written about you yet. Maybe dozens of them. I doubt a feeling like this could be something shaken off so easily, ja?
no subject
Th-Thanks. I still don't think there's anything that envious about me, but I can tell you're sincere.
[Sincere for the moment, at least. Apollo's still pretty sure that Klavier won't keep feeling this way, he's just not sure if it'll wear off in minutes or in hours. Knowing that is what's tempering Apollo's reaction to all of these compliments. Even if he meant a few of them once he snapped out of it, he wouldn't mean it like this.]
Do me a favor and don't start writing any songs just yet. You wanted to see the city, right? We should go do that. [And if he could get Klavier walking, they wouldn't be in close enough to be breathing the same air. All Apollo wanted at this point was to make this situation a little less awkward.]
no subject
You're blushing. Forgive me, but allow me to enjoy the expression on your face a moment longer. The city will always be there. We can take our time.
[ klavier definitely doesn't want to move. he adjusts his arm propped on the palm tree above apollo, pointedly stealing a glance at his mouth. it would be insanely easy... ]
There is much about you that is enviable and alluring, whether or not you recognize it. Surely there is a way I could convince you of that, if you won't allow me my songs.
no subject
He doesn't even need to see Klavier's gaze straying to know that this was probably going in a bad direction. So that's why Apollo puts his hands on Klavier's shoulders - not for the contact, but to make an attempt to push him further away. The prosecutor might be taller, but braced against the palm tree, Apollo can put his full strength into it.]
Hold it, Romeo. You don't need to convince me of anything. It's not like I've been totally unsuccessful here. [And that was all he was willing to stay on that particular matter.] Just... wait for now, okay? If you really want to prove it to me, you'll wait.
[Apollo is starting to feel like he's taking advantage of Klavier's altered state of mind with that one, but what else is he supposed to do? It'd be far worse if he let Klavier go forward with anything he wouldn't have done while sober. Letting him talk was a lot more harmless in comparison.]
no subject
klavier is arguably heftier than apollo, but he's pushed back into his heels regardless, his arms dropping beside him. at first he's still smiling, like he had half-expected apollo to shove, but then apollo says something he didn't want to hear. his smile drops away briefly, and then he closes his eyes and shakes his head, seemingly defeated. ]
Ach! If you insist, though I'm certain it won't make a difference. And as much as I resent it, it's to be expected that other people here would chase after you. It only proves my point further.
[ he isn't hovering over apollo anymore, but he does lean down to meet him at eye level again, smiling with arms akimbo, still obviously totally charmed. ]
How long will I be waiting then? If I still feel the same, you wouldn't deny me?
no subject
You might be certain, but waiting is an easy way to show you're sincere, right? Let's give it a day. If you still feel like this tomorrow, I'll take your feelings seriously. Promise.
[Able to relax more now that Klavier's finally backed off, Apollo readjusts his shirt and tries for the umpteenth time that day to push his ungelled hair back into place. He's confident that he's going to win this waiting game - a day was surely plenty of time for Klavier to get the effects of that drink out of his system.
And if by some slight chance that Apollo was wrong... they'd need to have a serious conversation, for starters. He didn't want to consider that possibility any further right now.]
no subject
You can't really be expecting me to wait a full day for nothing to change. [ that's like agony!! ] You've made me consider, Herr Justice... What exactly is your opinion of me?
[ romantically, of course, since it's kind of a bummer that apollo doesn't seem to be as desperate for him as he feels for apollo. ]
no subject
[Now that Apollo's satisfied with his appearance, he does briefly hesitate before answering. It almost seems stupid to say it after Klavier had so many compliments for him, but Apollo doesn't see the harm in being honest.]
I never thought of you as being available. It was mostly the thing with not being in your league, and facing you in court just seemed like another reason it was off the table. It wasn't personal! You're still a show-off, but you're a great guy, and I know you really care about the law. I guess now that I moved you're not really a coworker anymore, huh...?
[Apollo scratches the back of his head, considering that momentarily, until he takes another look at Klavier and realizes he picked up that spiked drink. Apollo freezes, before declaring a little too loudly,]
Pros- I mean, Klavier! I, uh, I am pretty thirsty after all. Could I have that bottle...?
no subject
more importantly, apollo's answer seems sincere enough, even if it hadn't necessarily been accolades about his appearance or personality the way his praise of apollo had been. klavier even seems stunned, his eyes going wide as he processes what he's heard and the sudden, hard pounding in his heart.
they grow narrow once he remembers apollo's situation. when had he moved? klavier and the wright anything agency weren't exceptionally close, but he had at least thought they had something friendlier than a working relationship. had he not been worth even a notification of it, or could it have been his own fault? how was he blind to apollo for so long?
he's brought out of his thoughts, first when apollo says his name and then when his drink is mentioned. klavier feels the butterflies rising in his stomach, and another smile quirks on his mouth as he offers apollo the drink. ]
Danke. Here you are. ...Apollo.
[ and, if apollo doesn't do something like chuck the bottle far over the ocean, he adds: ]
Your reasoning sounds circumstantial. Without all of these conditions, you might have considered me. Is that right?
no subject
I wouldn't say our jobs are circumstantial. Even if we hadn't met at a crime scene, you'd still be the rock star prosecutor and I'm still... me. [Apollo had barely even gotten himself a job right before he met Klavier. It's not at all an impressive comparison.] If we weren't lawyers, there's a good chance I would've never met you in the first place.
[Apollo then twists the cap off of the drink bottle, giving it a sniff just out of curiosity. It doesn't smell like it's been spiked with anything, but he's not going to take any chances. Apollo opts to instead hold the bottle out to his side, at arm's length, turning it over to dump the contents in the sand. That wasn't as satisfying as throwing it would've been, but he still felt a lot better.]
No more of this stuff. Sticking to water is far safer.
no subject
Ach. No room for romance with you, is there? [ but klavier is smiling back at him like it hasn't changed his affections at all. because it happens.
that's the only response he can get out before he apollo dumps the drink out onto the sand. klavier's smile drops away briefly, looking at the creamy-pink puddle in a small divot on the sandy floor, and he raises his eyes back to apollo.
and he's smiling again, reaching to take the bottle from apollo's fingers. (and yes, he's letting them brush with his, like a every good shoujo.) ]
I unfortunately have to remind you that these drinks are easily available all over this beach. Seems like quite a waste to do this. Still, if it would make you happier, Dear Forehead, I'll drink water then.
[ definitely NOT what normal klavier would have said, but, again, he's hopeless right now. ]