APPLE ORCHARDS AND TORN DREAMS [OPEN]

[cordibus]

Who: Open Log (All)
Where: Around the city (one prompt at the Green Valley school
Summary: Welcome Ceremonies, Dreams, Stirring a shadow hornet's nest. No big deal.
Warnings: N/A

"Are you ready my black lambs? Let's get to work..."

Apple Picking (General Prompt)

As September begins, the apple orchards of Greenfield Valley school are bursting with thousands of apples of various flavors and colors. There's even an experimental breed that's blue!

Those who have been attending the school know that this means a few important things. The first (and most important of course) is that it means that fall vacation is coming in just a few weeks (despite school having started just a few weeks ago), the second is that the school's menu is going to have a high number of apple-themed dishes until winter, and finally, the opening ceremonies.

The opening ceremonies are - well - one would consider them mostly boring for typical schools. And truth be told, Green Valley is not an exception. A single camera posed at the school's main gymnasium, a large podium in the center. For those who can't be physically there, the school's televisions all synchronized to a live broadcast as does the audio feeds. You can't quite escape it. Yet most people don't - after all it's one of the rare times of the year where the principal appears to wish students good fortune.

The person who stands in the front, Ms Michelle Andersen, is the very definition of an ice queen. Her face is perhaps locked forever into an emotionless stare. Bright blonde hair with blue eyes, both contract to her orange and black outfit.

Behind her, three men, the vice principals, who tend to play the good cops to her bad cop routine and insist that most students call them by their first names unless something really bad has happened; Norman (the most average man on campus that no one would know who he was if it wasn't for his name tag), Jeremy (the tallest staff member standing at over 195cm, thin, a bit of a lisp but he always means well), and Felix (possibly the hairiest man on campus as far as the rumors go, muscular, and a black beard that matches his scowling face when he isn't laughing - which is usually all the time. In fact, he's holding back himself from doing so when Ms. Andersen speaks.)

The presentation is short, as the Principal wishes all the students a great year, gives a bit of data on the number of students (they are up 300 new students from last year), the number of important guests that have passed, then as quickly as she was there, she leaves, explaining that there are additional meetings and events she will explain in greatest detail in the upcoming months.

Afterwards the students are treated to the vice principals singing a welcome song (it goes as well as one would expect it to go), telling the students that they are free to pick as many apples as they want as long as they all get eaten, but everyone is limited to two of the new apples and report to the hospital wards if any of them feel anything unusual after eating them. Just in case.

When the ceremonies are done, students and staff can return to their day...although some of the staff can be heard commenting that the Principal seemed even more...cold this year. Of course asking them for details would just cause them to shoo anyone away and pretend they didn't say anything.

[OOC: Players are welcome to speak to themselves or go have some apples. It's a general school mingling prompt! Additionally, it will be possible to email the vice principals during that week should the characters want to talk with them or ask school questions. Typical school stuff.]

Sound the Rebellion

(Special Prompt for the Unawakened, Monday the 4th)
The school's opening ceremonies aside, the Unawakened’s Monday was rather...strange. The night was plagued with restlessness as they heard the voice of someone laughing. Waking up feeling 'odd', although that differed between all of then - some would feel sick, others have a headache, or some just deciding that wearing a piece of clothing they haven't wanted to worn would look great right now. Perhaps they got a few comments from their relatives about how strange they were acting that day, or a worried glance if they felt sick. It might get dismissed with a wave of a hand.

After all, how can you explain that when they sometimes look upwards, they hear the sound of a child laughing and briefly see a symbol above their heads? Or that this somehow feels...fine?

Maybe in their new state of mind, they might not even notice the people that keep following them around...

Better than a GPS

(Awakened prompt, Monday 4th, day and night.)
"Alright Lambs, time to get to work."

Luci's voice echoed in their phone, laughing. Was he doing a peace sign?

"There's only a few but they'll be useful. I want you to find them and see what you can do. Who knows! Maybe you might be better at this than me, although I doubt it heh heh heh…Now remember what I said! You have to get them to fall asleep...but there's no real rules for that!"

For the Awakened, the symbols above the Unawakeneds’ heads will be as clear as day - Luci will even go so far as play little musical tunes when the characters are close by or distract them using electronics. "Come on! Stop wasting time and do something!"

For the Unawakened who have a relative, it will be somewhat easy. It is the others that will be a pain. Maybe that's why Luci asked for help. Or maybe he just wanted to see his 'lambs' struggle. "Get them to bed! It's not that hard! If you have trouble, just show them the program I've put into your phone and toaster! Or knock them with your toaster first if you want, I don't care! Just go in teams when you go after them, got it?"

It's obvious that 'sleeping' as far as Luci is concerned, is when someone is unconscious - he seems to almost want someone to knock an Unawakened out and then drag him into a room and let themselves go to sleep.

Once the task is done, and the place is secure, the characters will have to do the same. While the hypnotic wheel from the program is the easiest way, there's no hard rule about knocking oneself out either.

MINDJACK
Once the characters get inside, they'll be in the person's mind and dreams. Eddan's memories are predominant, and the unawakened will be standing there wandering around. It will be up to the Awakened to peel back the fabric of reality, much like curtains and show them the true memories of their past...

But beware. Shadows lurk here, and transforming will be necessarily. And if a character dies in someone else's dream...they might never wake up. So be careful...

The main mission is to showcase the person a few memories. Give them an idea that something might be amiss...it can be a little or a lot. Just be careful that the more memories, the stronger the shadows become... When both are done and awaken, ten minutes will have passed. Perhaps it will be time for question afterwards.

[OOC:The Unawakened characters need to be isolated for the program to run, and so do the players, so half the 'fun' will be setting up the traps so that the characters will be alone.

Awakened might decide to have someone stand on guard while the others go to sleep with the Unawakened, or just all stupidly go together, or find an area where they won't be disturbed - everything is up to you.

The dreamscape can be anything the Unawakened desires! It could be good memories of their time in Eddan or bad memories, a mixture of both, or just silly dreams. Whatever it is, the Awakened will need to 'peel' those memories away - for example showing them that their mother was someone else in their other life, or even directing the person to a mirror so that they can see their true selves. But for each memory - both good or bad, shadows will start to attack both the Unawakened and Awakened. Be careful and let the mods know if a mission goes REALLY bad.]

Comments

[whitefox]

[Kit said nothing. Not at first. Instead, silently sipping his beer, he continued to observe the other boy's behavior. He was like some sort of stray that had been brought home and, determined to test his new owner's patience, he was chewing up the furniture, eating everything in sight, and stubbornly refusing to accept admonishment.

Fortunately, there hadn't been any defecating on the floor. Kit was thankful for that one distinction between a human stray and an animal. Even he had his limits, after all.

But it was interesting...

From the night they first met until now, Vincent had displayed a consistent need to battle everything and everyone, and it was clear by the grin he wore that he reveled in it. But he wasn't without a softer side. Sharing a soft drink, providing a cigarette, supporting him when he'd fallen and carrying him back to his room...and those things had been all in the same night. Since then, the feeling of camaraderie between them had only seemed to grow. Even moments ago in his bedroom there'd been a glimpse of it, of something less volatile in Vincent. But it seemed to confuse and rattle him whenever it emerged, causing this beast to rear his head again.

...he took another sip, his can of beer running curiously low. Looking at it, and then up at his guest, he made a decision.]

There's more to drink in the fridge. You may as well bring us both a new beer and sit down.

[whitefox]

While the young girl — her name was Maya, he remembered that now — discussed the legitimacy of what she saw with Kurama, she also confessed her feelings for him. Not knowing how best to respond, he'd simply told her that they needed to go home...and he'd walked with her.

She had been unwilling to let go of her confession, however. The topic followed them even as the school disappeared somewhere behind them. Maya wanted to know his feelings, too. Had he realized that she liked him? Did he like her back? These simple questions weighed so heavily on his heart, if she could have only known how seriously he'd taken them...

Instead, all she heard was "Sorry..." He couldn't tell her what she wanted to hear. Doing so would only put her in danger.

He could practically hear her heart break with his rejection, but just as she was turning to leave, Kurama sensed it...that black wave of dread. Whatever Hedoki had planned to send to kill him was already there with them!

...Kit watched the scene with what was almost complete impassivity. It was strange and yet not, feeling as though he agreed with Kurama's actions and the thought process behind them. Under the present circumstances, he didn't really have the luxury of being with anyone and falling in love. Not if he wanted to keep Maya from getting unnecessarily hurt. He thinks, in Kurama's shoes...he would want to do the same. But he doesn't know if he really would.

In the past many of his actions had been selfish. Done because he wanted this or that, or because by doing one thing he could get someone else to do a different thing for him. There was the odd instance of selflessness, of standing up for the weak or downtrodden...but really, he'd acted mostly on desire.

But now he doesn't think he would hesitate. At least not for something like this. So much of his heart, however, remains rooted in that past, and if that's the case, how can he really be anything other than a solitary and selfish creature?

"Your patience—" The rest goes left unsaid, the inky blackness behind them suddenly deciding to move, tendrils of shadow lashing out to wrap around both his and Reimi's ankles. This wasn't part of the memory!

[kokuyoyo]

SO WHEN HAS THE WEDDING HAPPENED, SQUALO

Oblivious or uncaring to how this might come off as, Chikusa considers that and shakes his head slightly. "It would take a while to explain... And I don't want to be bothered by other people." Because that's definitely helping the impression he's giving, right.

[kokuyoyo]

"Well. I never said I was."

It's a bit of an admission, or it probably would be moreso if Kit wasn't already and clearly catching onto everything very quickly. Perhaps there's something to be said for people who are into the occult. Still, if nothing else, Chikusa knows it's a confirmation: that the thing "Ciro" had talked about could really work.

If nothing else, in this specific circumstances.

Even as he continues to talk, Chikusa- and by default, Astaroth as well- continue to look around. Dreams can warp suddenly; he doesn't want to be caught off guard. "What if you could see more piece by piece? Is that not good enough?"

[blacktemper]

[Vincent's figure pauses in the shadow of the fridge at his host's words, just for a moment, before continuing its soft exploration into the innermost contents of the appliance. it feels almost as if he'd chosen to disregard the open invitation, moving instead to satiate his own stubborn blood.

funnily enough, despite seeing them quite openly displayed on a shelf he hadn't had any intention of touching the rest of Kit's alcohol up until now. it's a courtesy easily kept to himself, especially when he reemerges with two cans cradled amongst the rest of his supplies. he pauses only to toss the now finished apple core into the sink before lobbing one of the beers the other boy's way; he's confident even in his diminished state he'll be able to make the catch.

the rest of the food (and his own beer) is gathered up into his arms before he wanders over to the 'living room' of the dorm, depositing most of it onto the coffee table before carelessly dropping onto the couch. his body protests the nonchalant action, but he steadfastly ignores it.]

Thought you were supposed to say please for shit like that.

[failedhandjob]

Damn. She'd barely sensed this shadow, even with her attuned senses, and it had crept up literally behind their back. How much of the featureless scenery behind them was an actual foe? There's no way to know at this point without attacking all of it.

Reimi's hand reaches out to grasp her companion's arm, a reassuring and steadying gesture all in one. Her face is hard again, but her tone remains steady. "Just focus on what you need to, ok? I'll take care of it."

This memory was far from over. There was no way that they could leave it half done, menacing shadows or not. The truth never moved in partial measures.

Orias leans over them for a brief moment, many hands following the path of her master's own. She calls down her Light spell, the energy moving over both of their bodies harmlessly to travel down to the blackness which has ensnared their feet. If she can at least free them of these shackles, their options would open up significantly.

[whitefox]

Feeling as though Ciro may have missed the point (that this was more than a dream) but not wishing to dwell on an otherwise irrelevant topic, Kit chose to address the other boy's followup question instead.

It was a good one, after all. Albeit simply answered, at least for him. He knew what he wanted, and that was to stop being jerked around.

"Would you be satisfied with such a slow method?" he asked. It was like feeding a starving man through a tiny straw, easily more maddening than it was sustaining. What was worse was that the very thing being withheld in this instance was parts of themselves. Or what felt like it, at least. "I would prefer to get to the heart of things."

Something in the darkness around them shook at the mention of the word heart, and the dream began to shift, black velvety walls becoming old brick and the floor worn cobblestone. The light was not much improved, but what little existed was enough to see the massive shape rising up out of the floor...

At once a name came to Kit.

"Genbu..."

He'd been one of the four Saint Beasts, though who the others are he couldn't seem to recall. But what he did remember was fighting that creature, a scene that played out before his and Ciro's eyes in that small tower room. Acrobatic feats of prowess had preserved his life, but 'Kurama' had not gotten through the battle unscathed. Even when he'd thought he'd defeated his opponent, blasting him apart with his rose whip, Genbu had simply pulled himself together again. But it was in all his flitting around that Kurama had finally determined how to beat the demon. When Genbu's limbs scattered, so too did a portion of his brain...and with lightning fast reflexes Kurama had been able to steal the little red organ and render his opponent unable to properly reassemble.

Genbu had pleaded with Kurama, but his pleas had fallen upon deaf ears. With a cool goodbye and one single crack of his whip, the organ had been cleanly sliced in half and the monster destroyed...

...Kit wobbled a little with the memory, but the dark tower walls around them didn't disappear when it had ended. Instead, from a dark doorway behind there was an odd shuffling sound. And the darkness in that direction seemed to be growing. Something was coming, and it wasn't a part of the dream.

[whitefox]

[He wasn't going to...

He did!

Kit had barely a second to react as the can of beer was lobbed in his direction, lowering one can to settle between his legs quickly raising his hands to catch the other. While Vincent's aim had been on point and he'd managed to receive the drink easily enough, it wasn't without a faint wince as the can struck his hands. Even through the bandages, the impact had been a little more than he was comfortable with.

Still...Vincent had obliged. Both in getting him the beer and coming to share the couch. That was a start, he supposed.]

I didn't think you cared about manners.

[Nodding at all the food pilfered from his fridge, Kit fixed his guest with a very pointed stare.]

[whitefox]

Reimi's spell was a success, the Light magic causing the shadows to physically recoil and relinquish their hold on their ankles, but the darkness hadn't left them unscathed. Kit was unable to move as the creature's form became more apparent, physically pulling itself into the dream and crawling like a massive squid across the open street and towards them.

Its size alone was greater than a truck, its many limbs flicking out like whips in different directions. Towards Orias and Reimi both...but also towards Kit.

She had told him to focus on his memory, but like this it was difficult. He wanted to help. To fight somehow. But what could he do? As he was, he was useless to Reimi...

...or was he?

Those tentacles continued to lash out, whip-like and unkind in the lacerations they left behind, but this time as that shadowy appendage shot towards him Kit's hand snapped out and caught hold of it. He had no weapons — but he had his two hands, and if this slowed the beast down long enough to allow Reimi to attack it, or even kept its attention off her, he would bear the brunt of its attack!

[blacktemper]

[Vincent meets the stare without an ounce of shame, going so far as to boldly reach out and pick up another piece of fruit to start munching on as he continued to hold the disapproving look. if it truly bothered him that much, he was right next to him. there was nothing stopping him from attempting to retrieve his groceries.]

Just my own.

[the only ones that really mattered in the long run. or at least, the only ones that mattered for the sake of this conversation. in truth he really couldn't say that he particularly cared how polite other people were, to him or otherwise. his anger would be roused regardless of how courteously his hot button issues were packaged.]

[failedhandjob]

"Hey, don't-!"

Her persona possessed what would seem to be an overabundance of arms, but in moments like these Reimi could only feel relief at the form her inner self had taken. The shadow was bigger than anything she'd ever faced by herself, made all the more daunting with the way its tendrils seemed to simply know exactly where they should be lashing out. It took nearly all of her heightened senses to simply keep up with the beast.

Unfortunately, that was more than enough opportunity for Kit to slip his heroics by undetected until it was too late.

The distraction causes another tentacle to slip through, slicing at her cheek before Orias can catch it. She barely even feels the pain, however, completely consumed with her companion's well being. He might be able to hold the shadow back for now, but he was only human; even with every ounce of determination at his disposal, it wouldn't last.

Even Orias only has so many hands. She's forced to relinquish several of the tentacles in order to free up enough of them to cast some spells - Stone Feet to keep the shadow from overwhelming Kit, and another light spell to coat her persona's hand like an ethereal blade. With a loud cry the being lunges forward, slicing through the tentacle in the other boy's grasp as if it were made of butter. She can hear the shadow screaming with the pain of it, an oddly satisfactory noise.

It's clear that they could only fight the branching pieces of the creature for so long. Leaving her persona to continue dealing with as many tentacles as she could, Reimi summons her grenades once more. How many of these would she have to force the thing to swallow before it gave in? There was only one way to find out.

[whitefox]

[Kit raised no complaint, merely continued to watch the other boy with the same flat-faced curiosity as before. He finished off the beer from his first can before setting it on the table, and then cracked open the second as he settled back against the cushions of the couch. Even then, however, he appeared to be studying Vincent's behavior. Trying, probably in vain, to make heads or tails of any of it.]

In other words, only when it suits you.

[That seemed...true to experience thus far in Kit's dealings with Vincent. The other boy didn't seem to lack manners entirely, but he went to great lengths to make it seem as though he did when other people were looking.

It was the sort of thing a grumpy child might do. It was cute.]

[whitefox]

Despite its size and the advantage its many limbs had provided it, the creature wasn't strong. With Kit slowly recovering from its attack and Reimi's spell to aid him, as well as the ethereal blade of light she wielded, the shadow was forced back. Its remaining limbs curled up with every strike, and with every cry like a rusty hinge, its size appeared to diminish.

Kit was glad. He hadn't been able to do much. In truth, if it hadn't been for Reimi's swift thinking, his decision to act the way he had could have ended very poorly for him. But it seemed that things were turning out for the better. Excepting the cut across her cheek...she had come out relatively unscathed from her match with the shadow. And after two or maybe three of those grenades there was nothing left of it but smoke.

Still not paying much mind to the memory, which seemed to have paused itself behind them, Kit hurried to Reimi's side. If they continued, would the shadows get stronger and larger? He had a feeling that, at least for now, this memory would be the last. He wouldn't risk her well being, whether or not she wanted to press forward.

"Impressive. But how is your cheek...?"

[failedhandjob]

Finally. Reimi lets out a breath of relief as she watches the smoke dissipate, brushing some of the debris the beast had kicked up off her clothes. That had been a close call in some parts, but the end result was uniquely satisfying.

Her injury had completely escaped from her mind after the initial pain, lost in the adrenaline of the fight. When Kit rushes over to inspect the damage, a brief look of bafflement crosses her face. What could have him looking so concerned?

"My cheek..?" A hand rises up to brush her face; when it comes away with the palm covered in blood, realization blooms. "Oh! I'd totally forgotten about that."

It was a good thing that she wasn't an exception to her own healing spells the way Josuke was at home. Her fingers glow lightly as she runs them gently across the length of the cut. When they pull away the injury has already closed up, well on the way to healing. She wonders idly if it would scar, but the thought doesn't linger for long.

"What about you?" Even as she continued speaking, Reimi's glowing hand extended outwards for her companion to take if he needed some healing of his own. "You really need to practice your teamwork, you know that?"

[blacktemper]

[likely in reaction to the obvious way he was being scrutinized, Vincent's feet found their way onto the coffee table as he leaned further into the couch himself. it was nowhere near polite and hardly sanitary that close to food, but those facts only seemed to goad him on rather than act as a deterrent.

truly, he was incredibly adorable.]

That's the only time anything's worth doing.

[no one would force him to action unless he deemed it in his own interests. that was the belief he held to fast and would likely never abandon.]

[singlefaith]

But how does anyone know their memories are real? Didn't they think the same thing as Christina does now not so long ago? And wouldn't they have fought for them just the same as Christina is?

She's not so sure how well this strategy will work -- beyond to make Christina more upset. Ran's eyes dart to Shinichi and away again, the small tightness at the corners of her mouth betraying her hesitation for this plan -- though they'll both see in a moment.

In the meantime, though, Christina has advanced . . . and Ran no longer has anywhere to move, back against Shinichi. Her teeth knife briefly into her cheek. That expression . . . she can't help a twinge of pity for the woman, in spite of what her own memories hold.

It can't be helped. This has to be done.

"We don't know each other," she repeats, trying to force steadiness into her voice. "I know it feels like we do . . . I know that's what you remember. This place . . . it twists our memories and our minds, making us think things that aren't true. We've seen each other before. But only once."

1/2

[secretmakesawoman]

"Of course I know! I lived the-"

Her voice cuts off as Ran begins again. What she's saying makes no sense, but it cuts deep. Her heart twists in her chest as the words turn in her head. Not knowing Ran, her sweet niece? Christina can feel her eyes well up with tears. Her voice grows more desperate as she whispers.

"No, that can't be right. It can't be..."

It feels so wrong. In so many way. Yet as she speaks, Christina can feel something stir inside her. Something that both denies and confirms her claims.

Something Ran said wasn't true.

2/2

[secretmakesawoman]

Christina has no idea how she is so certain of that. She barely registers what she's doing, relying mainly on instinct. Reaching out, she grabs onto Ran's shoulder with one hand, in part for emphasis but also to support herself.

"How... If we don't know each other... Then how do you explain that?"

With the other hand, she points to the messy vanity and the dartboard above it.

[whitefox]

[Kit thought about that, and then nodded.]

I agree.

[Well, he agreed to a point, but it wasn't necessary to tell Vincent that. Either he already surmised as much on his own, or he didn't even care. Maybe both.

But what did that say about them and their interactions? If it was for themselves, what did they really get out of continuing to badger one another and push buttons? He considered that as he took another sip of beer, and concluded that, if nothing else, they found some form of entertainment in one another. Kit didn't keep very many friends, after all. And Vincent didn't seem the type, either. Probably, his bandmates excepted, he didn't really have anyone he could call a friend.

Not that that's what they were, of course.]

Don't get too comfortable. [Another sip, eyes focused on the metal tab atop his can.] I've got a lot of work to do, so you probably shouldn't stay too long.

[blacktemper]

[as usual with Vincent, it was a little bit of both. he chuckles softly, reaching out to painfully open his second beer.]

You're free to try and throw me out whenever you want.

[really, he doesn't know what Kit expected to happen. he'd brought an injured person somewhere comfortable and proceeded to feed and ply him with liquor. why in the hell would he want to move until he was good and ready?

it's not even that terrible of an arrangement, in his opinion. without the energy to pluck at his guitar he couldn't even be particularly obnoxious, all things considered/]

[singlefaith]

Startled, nerves already on edge, Ran barely bites back a yelp at the sudden touch. Though there's only a note of sound in her throat, she can't help the flinch; on instinct, her body twitches sharply as Christina's hand lands, trying to pull back.

"W-What?" Her eyes flick towards the vanity -- towards the pictures and the dartboard. From this distance, it's too hard to see. Twisting away from the touch, she pulls around Christina, stepping in that direction.

The vanity is piled with articles. Photographs. It doesn't take long for Ran to learn that there's a pattern to them -- the articles are Shinichi, predominantly, and of his cases. There's one short announcement of Ran winning the regional karate championship. And the photographs . . . they're of Shinichi, of herself, of Conan, and a couple of Yukiko.

The pictures above on the wall . . . they're ones she's seen before, in the hands of Jodie. Pictures of herself, of Shinichi, labeled with "Angel" and "Cool Guy."

She feels fingers close around her stomach, squeeze hard.

"I don't-- How do you have these?"

Why does she have these?

[whitefox]

Fine.

[This really was his fault, wasn't it?

If he'd just dumped Vincent at Kiran's pawn shop and gone home by himself, he wouldn't have found himself stuck with a guest who refused to leave. Then again, if he'd done that, he'd also be less likely to learn anything more about Vincent. Allowing him to get comfortable and stay, if only for the time being, was a better plan than shaking him off and risking him never coming back around.

Sighing, Kit took another sip of his beer before placing it on the table and standing up. He murmured something about being right back, and then started toward the fridge in the kitchen. After only a moment of peeking inside, he returned to the living area carrying the rest of a twelve pack of beer which was taken with him back to the couch. Slipping comfortably back into his seat, he cast a sideways glance in Vincent's direction and said...]

Work can wait. Let's see who has the stronger stomach.

[blacktemper]

[was he being serious right now..? at first Vincent had assumed that his host was finally fed up with having his fridge slowly picked apart and was going to make him something more substantial; when he returns with the rest of the beer, he can't help but squint his eyes warily.

but it seemed that Kit was indeed presenting the challenge in complete and utter seriousness. a ferocious grin slowly spreads across his face as he meets the other boy's gaze. this was the best possible outcome, and he hadn't even had the decency to expect it.]

You're going to regret that.

[it wasn't as if Vincent had a particularly high tolerance for alcohol; given his small stature and the fact he still hasn't had anything particularly filling to eat, the exact opposite was true. but he was stubborn as hell and more than willing to drink through nausea and a blackout if it meant winning a competition.

this was going to get heated very quickly.]

[whitefox]

I don't think I will.

[Reclaiming his opened can of beer, Kit nestled comfortably back into the cushions, one foot propped on the edge of the seat, his knee hiked towards his chest and arms wrapped around it.

As expected, Vincent had risen to the challenge, always eager to prove himself superior to others, but Kit wondered if the outcome of this little game would match his expectations. It was doubtful either had eaten anything substantial today, but Kit was a healthy person who maintained good levels of hydration. More importantly, he hadn't suffered the same kind of head injuries that Vincent had during their fight. That, coupled with his small stature, meant that it was likely that the alcohol would hit him harder and faster...

Though he was well aware that such 'calculations' didn't take into consideration the possibility of sheer determination to win.]

If we make it through this case, there's one other. Do you drink often?

[blacktemper]

[Vincent scoffs lightly, taking another sip of beer as he goes. it was an endurance test, not a race, but he couldn't help rushing to be the first person to taste alcohol after the duel had been accepted.]

Often enough.

[although to be truthful, it was usually the people around him who were piss-faced drunk. he had no qualms in indulging both in liquor and drugs, but mattered more to him than hedonism was control. as he'd proven himself many times in the past, it was far too easy to take advantage of an intoxicated person. even in his own apartment he didn't hold enough trust to imbibe seriously.]

Or do I need to present my credentials anyway?