maskormenacelogs | I'm the kind of guy who laughs at a funeral

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I'm the kind of guy who laughs at a funeral

WHO: REGGIE MANTLE and YOU.
WHERE: Around, mostly Heropa & Maurtia Falls.
WHEN: July 5th - July 11th.
WHAT: Catch-all open log! Reggie goes about his business during the week of a troubling anniversary.
WARNINGS: Canon typical references to death/murder, and implications of underage drinking; anything else, will ETA as necessary!

1. MODEL BEHAVIOR ( HEROPA )

Since being rehired by Dr. Chilton, Reggie naturally has been in the process of transitioning away from his originally assigned job-- or at least, he had been. Working retail was never really Reggie's style in the first place, although he hadn't actually minded the Jock Bloc too much; it was a fairly casual environment, and he'd gotten along well with his very attractive coworkers and (mostly) attractive customers. Still, working retail really is not his scene, nor is working two jobs (let alone working at all), but rather than quit entirely he's been asked instead to stay on as a model in some of their advertising.

Which, duh, yes. Agreeing to something so simple, well-paying, and that involves getting his picture taken for even somewhat lowtier notoriety is pretty much a no-brainer. And it only takes a few hours on only a few days, which is easy to accomplish once he's back in Heropa after work.

Done shooting for the day even before it starts getting too dark, Reggie -- still dressed in the casual athletic wear this ad's promoting, and probably the only not all black outfit he'll be wearing all week -- is enjoying the rest of his free late afternoon/evening, chilling on a bench or curb with an iced coffee or smoothie and a slice of pizza, recording things around him for his instagram (or just the fun of it), or taking selfies. Come say hello! Or at least try not to do anything too embarrassing while he's got his phone out.

2. BROS ~~BEFORE~~ BEIN'-- ( MAURTIA FALLS )

Working for Chilton means better pay and more regular hours -- both positives, even to someone like Reggie who doesn't care much for working in the first place -- and it means during the week he gets to enjoy the (slightly) cooler weather and (definitely) more exciting atmosphere of Maurtia Falls, usually dressed for success in accordance with his work dress-code.

This week, of course, all his outfits are black-- black jeans, black slacks, black tees, blazers, button-downs, everything, but it isn't necessarily an odd look unless it's a particularly hot day; he knows how to pull it off naturally. But this week also he's especially out to make sure he has good time, keep his mind occupied, life his best life (etc.) so what else could that mean but try to make the most of his time spent up in the City of Sin? Time to avoid thinking about dead friends or almost giving his living one a BJ while wasted at their party by getting sloppy in some of the trashier night clubs Maurtia Falls has to offer? Exactly.

Though only for a couple hours. He might also be found stumbling out of one getting ready to head home, hair probably mussed and shirt probably unbuttoned from making sure those couple hours were packed full of pleasure. Fun and some company to share it with, that's really all he's looking for! Probably.

3. THE SEASON 💯🏈 IS NEVER OVER 💪💦🔥 ( (MOSTLY) HEROPA )

Working out in summer really sucks. Working out in summer in Florida really sucks. It's bad enough Reggie is in the habit of getting drunk so frequently, but the suffocating heat makes it a lot harder for him to destress and repress by way of exercising... which has only meant he's been drinking a lot more to compensate, but still, he refuses to give up.

The easiest solution is to swim in the pool and attend an air-conditioned gym, the former which he does when he feels like it, the latter which he's been making a habit of going three times a week to lift weights and use the machines. When he's not doing either of those he's out trying to run, ideally before or after the sun has already set to avoid the worst of the heat, but that isn't always the case. Between the heat, the drinking, and the fact it's actually impossible to outrun thinking about Jason Blossom, his runs are the only part of Reggie's work-out that go consistently unsuccessful, usually leaving him laying exhausted and out of breath in the grass at best, or hunched over a garbage can trying not to gag at worst.

Stop grinding?? 😂 the grind never stops 💯 no breaks 🏃🏽 we stay dream chasing 💪

4. @ ME NEXT TIME ( HEROPA )

Obviously another relatively easy place to find Reggie, if someone were so inclined, is in his own home now that his and Archie's address is fairly known at least amongst those who were at their party, although this week he's been out of the apartment more than inside it as much as he can help it. This is a particularly weird week that Reggie's making a special effort to busy himself during, but that's not to say he isn't still at home by evening or throughout the day on weekends.

Anyone dropping by to see either him or Archie might find Reggie crashed out in his room (feel free to wake him up) or lying on the couch, either also crashed out or tossing a football into the air as he pays only half-attention to the TV or radio. He's in a more subdued mood than usual, although not a bad one, per se-- just a more quiet one than people probably already are used to from Reggie, but with company there he'll be back to his usual self in no time.

WILDCARD

Choose your own adventure! In case we've already made plans that won't work with the other prompts, or if you'd just rather make up your own hit me up with any kind of starter! Feel free to PM / hit me up at

reggiemantle to discuss.

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[ Bela stayed extra late at work trying to figure out her business plan for the rest of year. She also used that time to get caught up on some paperwork and a stock take. Boring, but important work.

She's too tired to even contemplate going into one of Maurtia Falls hotspots. Even one drink would probably knock her out. The bars and clubs were on Bela's route home so it was difficult to avoid the noise and the drunken revelers that always seemed to hang out on the streets. Bela had nothing against it of course.

In her haste to get some she crashes with Reggie as he's leaving the club - well, it's more of a light bump against him really - before she staggers back slightly. ]

Jesus! Fuck.

[ She may be somewhat taken aback by this development. Give her a few moments. ]

Hey, watch it--

[ Reggie starts talking before he even looks over at her, still very buzzed and grinning stupidly as he turns his head, brushing his bangs from his face, but his smile slowly evens out to more of a look of confusion.

He looks over his shoulder, then back at her. ]

Oh, uh. You okay? I didn't think I hit you that hard, but I admit I'm not always the best judge of that-- don't know my own strength sometimes.

[ He shrugs haplessly, obviously totally oblivious to what she's upset (or rather, startled) about. ]

I'm fine. [ She's more embarrassed than hurt. ] It was just a light knock that I wasn't expecting. You caught me off guard is all.

[ If he had hurt her, Bela would have given him an earful. It wasn't something that he would enjoy very much. ]

That being said you should try to be more careful when you're coming out of a club. [ Bela warns. ] Inebriated or not.

Who are you, my mom? [ His bangs have fallen back in his face, so this time he blows them out of the way as he gives Bela a slow look over. ] You can be, if you want.

[ Well, that's probably up there among the worst things he's ever said, but he smirks in a way that suggests he's not entirely serious. He can be flirty enough even without being drunk, but casually so-- not that anything he's said should really count as flirting.

Anyway... ]

But relax-- no need to be that jumpy, is there? [ Though it is getting late... ish. So he offers: ] I can walk you home if there is.

Oh, dear Lord. [ She mutters to herself, slightly horrified at what Reggie just said. Partly because it was gross and partly because she's only twenty-five and not even old enough to be his bloody mother.

Bela doesn't rise to that smirk he gives her and counts to ten in her head, silently wishing that she was home right now and stuck with a possibly randy, definitely tipsy teenager. ]

Are you even sober enough to walk me home? I don't want to end up having to look after you. [ Bela relents a little. ] Generous as your offer is, you should get home safely too.

Oh, yeah, totally. I'm barely drunk anyway-- my body metabolizes this stuff like that.

[ Reggie attempts to snap his fingers, but since his fingers fumble the execution because he is quite tipsy, he claps his hands together to convey the point instead.

He knows he has his size going for him to a degree on that front, which is also why he thinks nothing of offering to walk with Bela, either-- he's big enough people easily take him for older, he doesn't get bothered much about it. ]

And I live in Heropa, it'll take me a while to get home anyway. So, no big deal. You live around here, right?

[ Bela does her best not to roll her eyes at him because of how ridiculous he was being. Besides, it's not like she hasn't been tipsy before and acted like she could take on the world. ]

I don't live too far away from here. My home is conveniently located near my place of work, but I couldn't face staying there overnight.

[ Not again. ]

Does Heropa not have any good clubs?

Can't say I blame you. [ He shrugs easily. ] I mean, I know I can't think of a worse type of all-nighter-- no one needs to be working that hard. Which way we going, then?

[ He glances around as if indicating directions, then shrugs again, shaking his head. ]

Probably, but I doubt they're as good. Plus I work up here, so I like to familiarize myself with the area. Just seems, I dunno... more responsible, you know?

We're going right.

[It won't take them very long to get to her place, something which Bela was very glad of. She was tired.]

I think I know what you mean by that. But I can't say I'd be up for commuting from one Porter city to another just for work. Anyway. Where is it that you work then?

Right. Sure, okay.

[ He gets a little turned around, looking one way then the other, but Reggie gets himself pointed in the right direction without too much difficulty; he's fairly good at holding his alcohol by now, which is probably a questionable skill for a sixteen year old... but so be it. ]

I mean, no joke-- it is a major pain in the ass. Like totally. But I got offered a job here that pays pretty good, so I obviously couldn't say no to that. You ever heard of Dr. Chilton?

[ Clubbing is in fact one of the very best ways to not think about dead friends. And tonight, as luck would have it, Persephone is out drinking and grinding all thoughts of decapitation right out of her head. Reggie cleaned up alright, and was better looking than most of the locals. As a result he'd been selected as her not-infrequent grinding partner.

Later in the evening, she's up on the balcony, standing next to a table with some dark, bubbling drink. From across the club, she still manages to hold his gaze and communicate a clear invitation. ]

[ So far, Reggie's luck has been holding this evening quite well; not once has Jason Blossom really crossed his mind at all, and it helps that he's had consistent grinding company throughout the night. That always helps, because no matter the nature of interest, having company gives him something specific to focus on.

And company's always nice.

Reggie drifts over to Persephone's table, of course drawn toward her by that look she gives. ]

Hey there. You miss me already?

[ Since dancing, he means, although the question might of course have another second meaning to her. ]

[riptide, by amazing chance, is sitting on a bench near where reggie collapses onto the grass.

as a human, of course. it would be more of an interesting sight if he was cybertronian. must more of a... flatter sight, too.

he watches reggie collapse, recognising him immediately from the party.

minutes pass. the guy doesn't get up. eventually riptide pads over and nudges him with his foot.]

Hey. Did you die?

[ Without even opening his eyes Reggie makes a slight face at the question, wrinkling his nose and furrowing his eyebrows. He sighs, shaking his head and turning it in the direction the voice came from. ]

Of course not. I'm just taking a break.

[ Exhaling again, Reggie sits up on his elbows and looks over at Riptide finally, recognizing the voice more than he does the face. Looking him over slowly, appraisingly, Reggie then says: ]

Wait, are you that robot guy? Because you look-- [ ... Good?? ] You know, different.

Cybertronain. [he corrects with a little eye roll. people will get it eventually.] Yeah, I'm Riptide. I went to your party. Trashed someone's car on the way back - this transformation thing is really hard when you're drunk!

[he cocks his head.]

I couldn't do this at home, before you ask. This human thing is new to me. Why are you on the ground?

Okay, well-- you might wanna get that shit figured out if you come to any more of our parties, because people are gonna stop wanting to come if their cars keep getting wrecked. Or, I dunno, worse. [ Like, someone getting crushed or something. Who knows. ] Not bad, though. Did you get to pick out what you look like, too?

[ Reggie still doesn't stand, though. Too dizzy for that. ]

I told you, I'm taking a break. It's like practically 100 degrees out, in case you hadn't noticed.

I mean I could also just not drink but pffffffftttt--ahahahahah! That's a laugh!

[let him live, reggie.]

Ah-- no. This form is better than Tailgate's, though. Imagine being thought you're under 21 when you're actually over six million, huh?

Do you even need to drink? I mean... does it actually do anything?

[ Reggie looks Riptide over again, because he doesn't understand why a robot would be that into drinking. Unless-- ]

I guess if when you're like this you're totally human-- then I'd get it. Because sure, booze is awesome. [ Raising his eyebrow: ] Yeah, what's up with that, anyway? Pretty creepy, if you ask me.

Yeah! I'm fully human like this and we had alcohol on my planet.

[or... ship. whatever.]

I dunno. We didn't get to pick what we look like... maybe it's because Tailgate is a bit naive? I dunno. Trust me, he doesn't like it either.

Fully human? Bet that must really piss you off, huh?

[ Reggie smirks, though he doesn't quite have the energy to actually laugh. Ah well-- close enough. He slowly sits up finally, unfolding his legs out in front of him and leaning his weight on his arms behind him. ]

Normally I'd suggest a fake ID, but unless he hits like, a growth spurt, then I think your friend is probably beyond help, to be honest.

You have no idea. I can't connect to the internet with my brain like this!

[how do you people survive, honestly.]

Unlikely. He's a minibot. Anyway, did you want a lift home?

Uhh... why not just do what everyone else does and use a smartphone, bro? Isn't the internet better when you can actually see it?

[ Reggie sits up more, squinting dubiously at Riptide. ]

Do you mean like... me driving you, or...?

I can see it in my head when I do it in Cybertronian mode...

[he frowns like this should be easy to parse.]

No, I mean like me carrying you.

What, like thoughts? Doesn't that get confusing?

[ Whaaaat... although honestly Reggie should just stop asking questions, because he knows better by now already that the answers aren't going to make any more sense.

Then he scoffs, shaking his head and shrugging. ]

Look, I don't need to be carried. I'm fine-- or I will be after I get some water. [ He pauses, then relents: ] You could help me up, though.

Nope.

[he shrugs.]

You don't want to ride a giant robot? Okay, dude. [he holds out his hand.] Bad choice, though. Everyone always loves that.

[With only one part time job and no registration benefits to make up the difference, Utena can't afford a fancy gym membership. If she wants to stay in shape, she has to suck it up and hit the road! The early mornings are rough, but not nearly as rough as dealing with the noonday sun. The silence is nice, at least, and there's something pretty about the sky when there's still hints of pink on the horizon.

What's not so pretty, however, is the guy keeled over the garbage can. Utena stops in her tracks, recognizing him as the guy who hosted that party last month. Huh, the heat must've gotten to him pretty bad.]

Hey, you don't look so good. Are you feeling alright?

[They didn't talk much beyond Utena dropping off some juice, and she's traded her alien costume and swimsuit for some athletic gear. But whether or not he recognizes her doesn't matter. What matters is that she actually has a water bottle. The cash she spent on it could've been saved for something else, but seeing Reggie like this makes her appreciate the purchase.]

Eugh... one second.

[ Sticking to the gym really would have been a better idea; maybe it isn't the most practical monetary investment for Reggie, either, who even despite having two decently paying jobs at the moment never has been very financially responsible, but for someone who works out as much as he does it's still certainly smarter than being out in this heat when he's already running on fumes.

Reggie stays hunched until he can be reasonably sure his gagging isn't about to graduate past dry-heaving, then rubs the back of his hand over his mouth and straightens up, squinting in Utena's direction. ]

... Yeah. It's just this freaking heat, you know? Feels like running through a sauna.

[ Among other problems. He glances at her water bottle, but doesn't ask for any-- just tries to refocus for the moment on just breathing normally. ]

It's more like a swamp if you ask me.

[Wait, this place was built on a swamp, wasn't it? Or near one. At least, that's what she heard. Before she gets the chance to share this Fun Florida Fact, though, she notices Reggie eyeing her water bottle.]

Here - I think you need this more than I do.

[She holds it out for him, waiting for him to take it when he's ready. She doesn't usually share her drink with guys, but she's also not the sort of person to let someone die from heatstroke, either.]

Edited 2017-07-17 19:44 (UTC)

Uh, what's the difference? ... Are swamps even supposed to be this hot?

[ He is far from an expert on swamps, though, whereas saunas he at least has some reasonable experience with.

Reggie wrinkles his nose slightly, as if considering her offer only reluctantly. He's definitely dehydrated, but prideful enough that accepting help can be mildly embarrassing.

Only mildly, though; he accepts the bottle after a few seconds of deliberation and takes a generous drink from it. ]

Thanks. [ Matter-of-factly, so if he was embarrassed, he's over it now. ] Where do I know you from, anyway? Were you at my party?

[Wait, do swamps get this hot? Well, some of them do. Probably. Maybe.]

You can't get dirty and gross in a sauna. A swamp's just moist and-

[Oh hey, topic change]

-don't mention it. And yeah, I was. It was...uh...

[She's smiling, but her face tenses for just a moment, betraying some conflicting feelings. How was the party? Fun? Weird? Crazy? All of the above?]

...pretty unforgettable.

[Nailed it.]

[ Pretty unforgettable... as far as Reggie's concerned that's a good thing, because what teenage party-thrower doesn't want to throw a memorable party? That's the #1 important ingredient to success in most cases; after all, rare is the party that's unforgettably bad.

He takes another generous swig from Utena's water bottle before passing it back, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. ]

Well, I'm not dirty or gross-- just a little overheated, that's all. It almost never gets this hot where I'm from.

[ Case in point, he wets his lips, which are beginning to feel dry again already. ]

So you had fun, right? You should definitely come to our next one, then. It'll probably be twice as awesome at least.

[She takes the water bottle and crosses her arms, her smile turning into more of a smirk]

That depends on who's invited. It was a fun party, sure, but what really makes a party is who's there.

[She keeps her tone light, but her joking and teasing covers up that she just told him a less depressing version of the truth: she only really had a good time because she came with someone she knew. Big, wild parties like that weren't really a thing back at her old school, and even if it was fun in the end, the culture shock hasn't quite worn off yet.]

Pfffft.

[ It's a sharp, dismissive noise; Reggie is one of those people who everyone either loves or hates the company of, so it's fairly easy for him to have a good time without a lot of effort. He doesn't tend to consider that not everyone gets swept up in the general party atmosphere just as much -- or in some cases, more -- than they do their company. Blissful extrovert ignorance. ]

See, I feel like that only proves my point. I mean, the fact you never even got to talk to me is a perfect example of how much you probably missed out on, and not for lack of opportunity. [ But with a shrug and a smirk, he adds: ] Besides, you can bring along whoever you want.

[The list of things Leonard Snart doesn't believe in is long, infinitely longer than listing the handful of things he does believe in, but - suffice to say - knocking on a door and waiting to be let on? It doesn't make the list.

So he ends up simply sitting in the kitchen, waiting for teenage boys to wake up. He figures there's not too much of a hurry, so he sips from the coffee cup he brought and reads the paper he got.

At least he's also provided something for his unwitting hosts, judging by the paper bag still on the floor.]

[ Between the two of them, whether Archie or Reggie will be the first one to wake up is something that can be almost impossible to predict; both of them are often up somewhat early to work out, but both of them also -- Reggie especially -- have been drinking more routinely thanks to Reggie's alcohol power.

Combine that with the fact it's also a weekend and you get Reggie, stumbling out of his room around 10 AM wearing only sweatpants and heading to the kitchen to grab coffee or red bull. He's groggy but not outright hungover, though, so he does notice Len sitting there before he actually to the fridge. ]

Oh, hey.

[ Reggie grins, seeming unperturbed by the fact this man is in their house. He had been invited, after all-- never mind that the party was weeks ago, as if that kind of thing really matters. It's not the weirdest case of home invasion Reggie's experienced since.

He walks over, pulling out the chair next to Len and taking a seat. ]

Glad you finally made it! So what'd you bring us?

[Since Reggie seems to be taking it in stride, Leonard sees no reason to argue.]

You're reacting better than the guy who whipped out his glowing sword when he saw me.

[Turns out that Dooku is a bit touchy about people breaking in. But it's not really Leonard's fault, any good security system is really just an invitation to him.

He gestures to the bag in answer and even picks it up by a handle to hold it out to Reggie.]

I got you burgers. You're growing boys, you need a nutritious breakfast.

Helps with hangovers too.

It's no big deal. [ Reggie shrugs to illustrate the point. ] Tons of people already know where we live anyway-- and it's not like there's much here to rob.

[ Not yet, anyway; given time and more savings Reggie may well transform this place into a materialistic wonderland, but for now a lot of what they own is the furniture that came with the place, or kept in their respective rooms-- and naturally Reggie doesn't give much thought to the possibility someone might break in for any other reasons.

Although he probably should, given the time he woke up to Kavinsky stroking his hair.

Whatever, though; Reggie gladly helps himself to one of the burgers. ]

Thanks. Never hurts to stay ahead of a hangover. [ He unwraps the burger halfway, then adds: ] But "whipped out his glowing sword," that's not like, a euphemism, is it? Because mine doesn't glow, but... I mean, we don't have to rule anything out.

[His eyebrows go up a little, just enough to indicate amusement and not give much of anything else away.] Stay away from anything that makes it glow.

[Sage advice, that. He takes a sip from his coffee, leaning back in the chair.]

It was literally a glowing sword. Handy for duels in the dark, I reckon. [Now there is a bit more than just the hint of a smirk.] That's why my gun glows.

Oh, sure. Except maybe paint or something-- I bet someone could have a lot of fun with that. Non-toxic, obviously.

[ Though that could also be more trouble than it's worth, too; messy as hell, for one thing. Reggie will just put a pin in that idea for later. He chews his burger thoughtfully, then asks: ]

What's even the point of a duel in the dark? I mean you're still gonna know where you both are if your weapons glow, right? [ He takes another bite, chewing slowly. ] So can I see it?

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I'm the kind of guy who laughs at a funeral

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wildcarding it up in here

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