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[fessus]

WHO? Midnighter thingpuncher, Noctis fessus, and Hei dipolar
WHAT? A BASE chat becomes a TDM nightmare.
WHEN? Post-shapers, just pre-TDM.
ANYTHING ELSE? Why not.

[ He’s not sure which has a greater potential for disaster: all three of them meeting up in person after the unintentionally volatile events of the shaper infestation or his broiled eel. He props open the oven door after deciding it’s the latter, having purposefully waited for a time that Angel would be in one of her all but comatose states after staying up far too long on the network. At least they have a few things in common. ]

>>TO: @TRENTCOAT, @BURGERKING
Hey Hei, M, I have you both on this. Swing by capsule 14 when you have a sec.

[ There’s a brief pause before the second message comes as obvious enticement. ]

it’s food-related.

Comments

[dipolar]

(receives the text mid-stride back to his bed to take a brief count of the ammunition he's been given for his rifle, slowing. before immediately turning in the opposite direction with an uncomfortable bite in his stomach. food.

doesn't bother replying, knowing full well it's going to be a bit of a crowd with three people in one squat capsule, but he's learned from their repeated assistances that they're both trustworthy people — for now. and hei arrives with his backpack, wondering if he should knock or bark an announcement at the door.)

...

(settles for standing there awkwardly in decision limbo. why is he even here? it's not too late for him to just go and pretend like he never showed.)

[thingpuncher]

[Midnighter is shadowboxing-- yes, with the full pack-- when he gets the notification in the corner of his eye. Noctis, food, whatever. He should tell the kid he doesn't need to eat. He's just wasting resources he'll appreciate more.]

[But it's also been forever since he had dinner with someone.]

[Midnighter shows up outside Noctis' capsule a little after Hei, his pack hanging off one shoulder in a casual lean. He seems unfazed by the weight, perhaps a little purposefully so. He looks over at Hei with a sharp grin.]

So how judgmental are you gonna be? [He sounds excited by the prospect.]

[dipolar]

(hears m a mile away before he speaks to him, turning his head slowly. eyes the posture and the grin, before turning back to the door with a heavy slap of his palm. judgemental, apparently.)

I'll give him the answers I'd give anyone if I hated their food. (very judgemental.)

Where did you come from? More training?

[fessus]

[ The slap of Hei's hand reverberates through metal and sounds so unlike an actual knock that Noctis isn't sure if he should ignore it or not. Well, in the event that someone is fucking around outside and smacking into his door he wants a chance to get irritated anyway, adjusting the straps of his own backpack as he trudges down to open it.

Ah. Both of them.

There's a hint of sweat on his brow from the heat of the oven and he's wearing an impressive frown, slowly giving them each once-overs. ]

... you both know that you can respond to messages, right? Ah, never mind, I'm wasting my breath... Come on. [ So he waves them after him, turning on his heel. The scent of an actually seasoned cooked eel hangs in the air. ]

[thingpuncher]

It's not like there's much else to d- oh, hey, princess.

[That grin is still just as sharp.]

[Inside, Midnighter smells... chemicals and dead cooked fish. But he's not a complete idiot; he knows what it means to Noctis. Even if the kid isn't completely obvious about it, he's... completely obvious about it.]

Damn. Really went all out, huh?

[dipolar]

(eyes dart to noctis who's made his appearance, giving him a once-over. maybe he should give the kid some credit. he's trying to make something eatable for a man who doesn't eat and a man who denied teaching him how to work an oven.

steps in after m and examines the place with a critical eye... messy...) You didn't burn it, at least. Where are we eating?

(a pause, before adding:) "We", hm. Why are you here, M? Are you testing it as well?

[fessus]

Ahh, keep calling me that and I'm going to set your hair on fire. [ He calls airily over his shoulder, but he's climbing the stairs back up to the kitchen and cramped dining area in tacit response to Hei's question, directing them to both shuffle towards the latter while he nabs some dishes.

It's the least cluttered part of the capsule and that alone stands out. It's definitely been intensely spot-cleaned recently and Noctis can only hope neither of them venture into the kitchen deep enough to spot where he's hidden a bag of trash behind a partition. ] I promised him I'd let him have a bite. [ And also he thinks all three of them should probably interact after the disastrous shaper events, but he is not saying that out loud. ]

Geeze, "you didn't burn it at least", give me a break... [ He mutters to himself as he segments out pieces of the dish, only able to hope this isn't horrendous. Smells fine, at least. ]

[thingpuncher]

[That... stings more than it should. It's a fair question, practical, even, but coming from Hei, it kind of catches Midnighter off balance. Why are you here? Because he shouldn't be, he's not like them, he doesn't need to eat, to commune with others and form these petty friendships, that's not what he's made for.]

[Oh, fuck it, whatever.]

[He shrugs, making light.] Because I caught the goddamn things.

[He watches Noctis plate up the food, eating a bite before dumping the rest onto Hei's plate in deference to his fair concerns.] Tastes fine to me. Better than last time. [If that's, you know, what they're going off for baseline comparisons...]

[dipolar]

... Aren't they in a tank? Fair enough.

(these two...

drops his pack to the side and takes his own seat with an awkward scrape in, staring down at the eel with a critical eye. like he said, it isn't burnt and it smells seasoned. whether it's too seasoned or lacking in taste is discovered by taking a forkful and— no, a bigger forkful and— okay, he's leaning over and shovelling the entire portion into his mouth.

chews for a moment, then nods.)

Good, Noctis. It's alright.

(it's a christmas miracle. a glance to m, before his eyes drop to the extra eel, mouth full.)

Eat the damn eel. He made it for the both of us.

[fessus]

[ Noctis does his absolute best to look nonchalant as he refuses a seat, arms folded in the cramped, too-warm space and backpack awkwardly weighing on him as he leans against the wall and watches. Perhaps too intently. Okay, so even if this was to smooth things over he still wants it to be damn good; is that a crime? This is a real attempt on the part of a sheltered, domestically inept royal. ]

Ah, yeah, they're in a tank but we throw them at each other. For fun. It's a sport from some place and the queen gave them to COST as a gift or something... It doesn't matter. [ Just accept it. ]

Thanks, though. You guys can divide it up however; I know he doesn't eat a ton.

[thingpuncher]

[Midnighter is going to protest with words, until he sees Hei fucking devour his food. So instead he just takes the plate his eel is on in one hand, waving it in front of Hei's face, just under his nose.]

He liked it, he's just a sour bastard. Wouldn't've inhaled it otherwise.

[dipolar]

(was his compliment insufficient? hm.)

Don't speak for me, M. He can always improve. (terse as his hand raises to grab the edge of the plate and yank it away, closing his eyes a moment.) That aside, you're welcome. It was a fine second attempt.

(places the eel down in front of himself.)

...

(finds that he has no idea what to say, lips a firm line as he tries to analyze the situation for what it is. how do people make small talk? can it be about anything? should he address the fact that it's odd they've even invited him here, after the things he's done?

takes another bite of eel, speaking around it.)

This capsule is a disaster. The brig looks cleaner.

[fessus]

[ He snorts faintly at Midnighter's comment, thinking to himself that he agrees; Hei's shown him a kinder side even if it's been shrouded in clipped mannerisms.

But...

Well, as much as he's prepared to guard against it, he is a little disheartened by the unfiltered commentary, not expecting his limited skill in this arena to dazzle a strong critic right away but maybe harboring an idle hope. He tells himself to focus on the compliment over the comment chasing an oppressive silence, which is now one that's extending out a little longer. ] Ah... It's a little cleaner up here than usual. [ Give him a second to recover after that overly honest admission. ]

Guess I was focusing on other stuff. So they fed you down there, right? I didn't really get a great look at the place. [ After tossing you in. ]

[thingpuncher]

[Midnighter gives Noctis a sly look-- told you so-- and leans comfortably back on the little couch around the communal table.]

Yeah, Hei, tell us about prison life. [His voice is... humored, incredulous, maybe making fun of Noctis a little. He isn't the most socially adjusted creature, but he knows this isn't entirely normal table conversation.] Where's your gang tattoo?

[dipolar]

It was a standard jail cell. It was hot and dirty. I was the only one down there, I slept on the floor, and I ate a protein block three times a day.

(another bite of eel that cleans his second plate, hugging it close to himself with fingers on the edge, not noticing at all that noctis is struggling with the clashing comments and the fact that he's being made fun of.)

It was nice enough.

(dating site profile: will destroy any mood.)

[fessus]

Oh. Good, sounds like you got plenty. [ Well, the mood's already been set for him. He accepts where he is and who he's with; this train wreck is going to happen with or without his approval. Fuck, this backpack is heavy. ]

Felt kinda' worried that you wouldn't get any sleep. Midnighter was too. [ RATS HIM THE FUCK OUT ]

[thingpuncher]

Yeah, fucking bawling my eyes out, over here. But not denying that he was worried. [He's made that kind of fucking clear, hasn't he? They're allies, comrades, friends, that's what you do.] Seriously- no gang tattoos?

[dipolar]

No, I... slept. (another long pause.) As for tattoos, it's as I said. There wasn't anyone...

(discomfort is what he feels. he's hearing what he thinks are some of the nicest comments he ever has, even if there's humour being slapped on, and he's the last person who deserves anything like that. they worried about him? about him?

he's rooted to the spot with a blank stare down at the table.)

I shouldn't be here.

(no one's... stopping him but himself...)

[fessus]

[ Noctis pins Midnighter with a disparaging look at his word choice; if they were alone then he might harass him further or potentially seek out a billiard ball to throw at him. It'd at least liven the mood a little, which... Hei is working very hard to revive just for the sole purpose of murdering it a second time. ]

--hah? I invited you here; don't get weird about it. I think he just likes tattoos or something. [ Right, assuming that M's commentary is the issue. ] I don't know how to give tattoos anyway; I'm not helping with that...

[thingpuncher]

I was kidding, princess. [He kicks Noctis under the table-- lightly.]

[He turns back to Hei. He has more of an idea of what he's implying from his own experiences-- homeless, adrift, generally fucking alone. Didn't they argue about whether or not one or the other was a real person? His memory of that is still hazy.]

[His insight doesn't mean he knows how to fix it, though.] And you can't get rid of our shitty company. We've come to a mutual agreement while you were in the pound; you've been adopted. [He leans in slightly, faking a whisper,] I'm the dad.

1/2

[dipolar]

Don't get weird about it? How the hell... am I supposed to just sit here and accept this?

(a visible frustration, brow pinching.

god, is this something he's just going to have to accept? it's terrifying. he doesn't want to, he can't make the same mistakes he did in life and fixate on people who could die at any moment, but he doesn't want to be alone — what other options are there? what's he been left with, now that he has nothing?)

I don't want a dad or a tattoo.

2/2

[dipolar]

...

Why don't you both shut up?

[fessus]

... I'm not shitty company... [ So comes the first mutter of protest, immediately ready with a return kick that honestly feels not unlike driving his foot into a wall. So satisfying and so deeply unsatisfying at the same time. ]

And don't just decide that you're the dad, either. [ His hand raises as if he's about to encase it in flame and make good on his earlier threat of hair destruction for the "princess" comment but it falters in midair once Hei speaks again, effectively stealing his attention. ] ... [ Abruptly Noctis moves, suddenly taking a heavy seat next to the dark-haired man and more or less boxing him into the undersized booth, denying him the ability to go for an easy escape. He nods to Midnighter; this is a success. ]

I owed you food. I'm making good. 'Sides, we both wanted to see how you were doing. This works out for me.

[thingpuncher]

[So they sit there, boxing Hei in with the power of raw stubbornness. Midnighter shoots Noctis a look in return of pure unadulterated approval. Nice move. Now he really is going to have to get the kid a better nickname. And maybe a nice knife?]

[It is his birthday.]

[Midnighter reaches over, still not touching Hei, but putting his arm around the back of the booth, both casual and obvious in implication.] Yeah, you'll accept free food. A fucking burden to bear, I know.

[He looks over Hei's head-- not a difficult feat-- and pretends to whisper to Noctis,] Don't worry, he's just cranky because he hasn't finished his dinner.

[dipolar]

(stares as his window of opportunity is blocked by noctis and a giant backpack. then by m and an arm. he's been plotted against and they sit there and nod together like a couple of douche-bags. ... can't say he's entirely displeased, though. at least the conversation is changing up. slowly.

stabs the last corner of eel with a particularly aggressive bite before slouching to chew, letting himself get dragged.)

I'm doing fine. It shouldn't be a concern.

(ah-- he thought of something. that none of them are struggling with.)

How's the training going? It's an alright warm up.