sometimes virtue won't get you where you need to get to

[bragnificent]

WHO: REGGIE MANTLE and YOU.
WHERE: Around, mostly Heropa & Maurtia Falls.
WHEN: First week of/throughout February.
WHAT: Catch-all open log! Reggie adjusts to being back after having briefly been Ported out, and also to the new things he's experienced and learned during his time back home.
WARNINGS: Canon typical references to death/murder/attempted murder/stalking, sexual implications, and implications of underage drinking, and drug use/dealing; anything else, will ETA as necessary!


❚❚ SMALL TOWN BLUES (& GOLDS) | DOWNTOWN, HEROPA

[ Heropa, naturally, is almost exactly the same as it was before Reggie left, given that he'd apparently only gone home for a weekend; to him it had been much longer, but it's still not the most difficult adjustment to make, one small town to another. The main difference is that Reggie feels a bit torn now, between the relief of being somewhere where nothing really matters again, and the faint sense of urgency to get back home where he now knows some unfinished business awaits.

But like he usually does, Reggie bounces back almost unnaturally quickly -- so it would appear, at least -- and it helps that he still doesn't have all that much to bounce back from, personally. Sure, a lot has happened, but again like he usually does, Reggie's so far managed to avoid being caught in the direct line of fire for most of it.

He doesn't make a big to-do about his disappearance, or really advertise it much at all, but if anyone noticed his absence or heard about it from Archie, then he won't deny it, either. The lack of fanfare might seem odd to anyone who primarily knows him as an attention-whore, but those who know him a little better than that might remember that Reggie tends to stay more tight-lipped when things are complicated or difficult, unless under duress. Otherwise he's his usual boisterous, charismatic-or-obnoxious (depending) self, frequenting his usual Heropa haunts such as the gym, the pool, or just driving around town showing off his new car, sometimes stopping off at a cafe or even the library. ]

❚❚ SCHOOL OF HARD... JOCKS | HEROPA HIGH, HEROPA

[ School isn't much different, Reggie falling back into the monotony fairly easily especially since he was only gone over a weekend. Granted, readjusting to the lesson plan here was a bit jarring, but he catches on quickly enough for it not to throw him for longer than a day or so.

Around Heropa High Reggie can usually be found in a few regular places aside from class, primarily in the student lounge, sometimes chilling with friends or working on (sometimes struggling with) homework, or in the gym/on the basketball court, practicing his game (usually shirtless); useful knowledge to have, since some students may know him as a reliable person to ask if they're looking to score a fake ID or uppers/relaxers-- or for any other reason someone might need or want to know where Reggie might be found, such as studying, gossiping, ball-playing... or what have you. ]

❚❚ HOT AND DANGEROUS | CLUBBING, MAURTIA FALLS

[ The clubs and bars of Maurtia Falls are some of Reggie's favorite homes-away-from-home while he's been here, and that still has yet to change. Partying is integral to Reggie's identity, especially as (though not limited to) a way to forget / distract himself from his troubles. Healthy coping mechanisms are for suckers, guys! We all know this!

The nice thing about Reggie's power is that he never ends up needing to spend too much on drinks, either; usually at most he'll pay for one or two before proceeding to order only juice and sodas that he then spikes himself, or else he forgoes even the initial cocktails and orders straight from the "designated driver" menu. Drinking, dancing, and maybe even another sort of pick-me-up in the bathroom or parking lot, Reggie's down to do it all, with or without company-- "no hook-ups" is the only stipulation. He does have somebody waiting at home, and he's only trying to have a good time, not mess around. ]

❚❚ WILDC♠RD

[ 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 a starter or feel free to PM / hit me up at reggiemantle to discuss. ]

Comments

✦ BETTY

[bragnificent]

[ Being back at work is probably one of the weirder re-adjustments Reggie has to make since coming back, if only because back home he just works at his dad's car dealership-- not like real work. It's different, having to be completely responsible for his own income and finances without the safety net of family money to fall back on, but in a way Reggie's kind of come to appreciate the routine. Dr. Chilton is a better boss than his dad is, that's for sure.

Around 5PM Reggie's gathering his things in preparation to leave, when he notices a familiar blonde finishing up with her therapy session. He exhales slowly, slinging his bag over his shoulder, then begrudgingly addresses her: ]

Hey, Cooper. You need a ride home?

[perfectible]

[ Betty's life has been a dramafest lately at the Meadows, so she missed the whole "Reggie went home" memo. Maybe that makes her a bad friend but then again, she and Reggie are barely friends. So...

It's not surprising to see Reggie when she steps out of the office, he was there when she got here. But when he offers her a ride home, she is a little surprised.]

Oh, actually... that would be great. If you don't mind.

[bragnificent]

It's no problem, I gotta drive home anyway.

[ Reggie shrugs casually to minimize the offer as something equally casual, pulling on his leather jacket and fishing his car keys out of the pocket. As far as he can remember, Betty's been living in De Chima, which is more or less halfway between here and his and Archie's place in Heropa-- so, on the way, and with the Porter technology he figures that should keep any awkwardness to a minimum. They are barely friends, and while he's not so big of a jerk he's going to leave her here to find her own way home when they're leaving at the same time and going in the same direction anyway...

Well, he has no idea what the two of them would actually talk about if they spent any more time than that alone together. Or maybe he does have a couple ideas, but is not especially eager to discuss any of them with her, or anyone. Reggie may be quite a talker, but he's not a great Talker™.

He sighs, stepping outside and brushing his hand through his hair. ]

De Chima, right? Ronan's farm?

[perfectible]

Thanks.

[ She moves to follow him, to let him lead the way. Normally, she likes to walk home after therapy. Or well, walk until she can Port closer to the farm. It helps her clear her mind, calm her down before she has to face the drama that's lately encompassed her new home.

Of course, she's thinking about how she isn't sure what they talk about and hopes he has a radio to fill the silence with music or something.]

Yeah. The Meadows.

[bragnificent]

[ The car unlocks with a muted breep breep as the two of them approach, illuminated by the headlights beaming into life. Reggie doesn't open the passenger-side door for her, but he waits for her to get in first before he slides himself into the driver's seat.

He does consider turning on the radio for a moment or two, but for now only starts the engine. ]

So. You cured yet?

[perfectible]

This looks like your car from home. [ She can't help but comment, considering cars are her thing here. She moves to get into the car herself, she doesn't need no man opening a door for her! Of course, his question makes her half-scoff, half-laugh.]

It's not really as easy as that, Reggie. [ She looks at him, brow furrowed.] Haven't you been working there a while?

[bragnificent]

Like it? Friend of mine got me the hook-up. [ Reggie shoots a grin Betty's way before he turns his attention back to the road. ] Course she's not exactly new like my car from home, but you can barely tell, I think.

[ It helps that he's done a little work on her since he got the car, too; Reggie may not be nearly as savvy in the art of car mechanics as Betty is, but he knows a little about working on cars from helping at his dad's dealership. And especially about tricking them out.

He glances back over to her for a moment, then shrugs his shoulders. ]

Since I've been here, just about. [ A pause, and then, serious question: ] Why not?

✦ KAVINSKY

[bragnificent]

[ Valentine's Day is an annoyingly intimidating holiday.

At least it is once you're actually dating someone; Reggie never found it particularly challenging when he was single and eagerly mingling, or even involved with someone in a very casual, low risk sort of way. This, though? Reggie's not too sure how he found himself mixed up in what's really been feeling like a serious relationship, made all the more serious for the fact it's with one of his best friends.

So the fact that some effort is necessary here goes without saying.

The only people Reggie knows that know about him and Archie are Magnus and Ronan, neither of whom strike him as the right people to talk to about this sort of thing (for radically different reasons, respectively), so it's almost on a whim that he ends up out shopping for a gift with Kavinsky. The two of them have kind of a strange relationship, but for the most part it's been a chill one, too-- and after Kavinsky helped Reggie get his car, Reggie figured maybe he'll be good at this. ]

There's not like a rulebook for this sort of thing, is there? Like, four months means you're supposed to get jewelry or some shit?

[ He hopes not. That would be awkward. ]

[pillz]

If you got money, you do jewelry soon as one month, [kavinsky says with all the authority of a child raised by actual (or at least probable) (thanks maggie stiefvater) bulgarian mobsters. then he pauses, staring at the nearest display window. then turning his head to look at reggie.] And if it's a woman. But I dunno when it comes to guys.

[another beat. he shakes his head.]

There wasn't a rulebook back home, [he says.] But I guess you know that as well as me. [there's a brittle half a smile at that. he and reggie came from similar worlds, he's given to understand. same kind of cars, same kind of beer. same kind of social politics, when it comes to men not being all too vulnerable, and gay people having to eke their code out in the margins.] He's a jock, right? Maybe you should buy him like. A activity. [he stops, turns. glances across the courtyard for anything likely.] Tickets or something.

[bragnificent]

[ Useless information to Reggie right now, but he still files it away for potential relevancy later, in case one day he does end up dating a girl for a month or longer. But for now he pushes it away, smirking slightly humorlessly in Kavinsky's direction. ]

Dunno if I do. I don't really date a lot-- not, y'know, like, seriously. [ His brows knit slowly, expression clouding over briefly as if he's troubled by the word "seriously." Then he moves on: ] And don't get me wrong, I'd love to go to a game for V-Day, but is that... I dunno, "romantic" enough?

[ Air-quotes and all, because "romance" is as difficult for Reggie to wrap his mind around sincerely as "dating seriously" has been, even if it's also surprisingly easy and natural half the time. The other half...? It really can feel as if there's some rule book Reggie's missed out on, somehow.

He shrugs, sighing as he looks through a display window before shaking his head idly. ]

What're you getting?

[pillz]

You could get him tickets and something else, [kavinsky suggests, in that fumbly, awkward, practical way that people do when they don't really know the right answer to something so a bigger answer, with more things in it, seems to make sense. after all, the more options to provide, surely the greater the chance that one of them will be the right one.

surely. he adds,] Jewelry for guys is usually some kind of a nice watch. You could do that.

Me, uh. [and now, uncharacteristically, something seems to happen with kavinsky's ears, which change color very slightly, darkening under the gelled spikes of his hair.] I'm mostly here for ideas, 'cause you know, I can fucking dream anything. But I'm trying to figure out if it'd be more romantic if I bought something the normal way, instead of pulling it out of my head. Even if it was like. [what are the words people use?] Mundane, 'stead of magical. Took Murphy to space the other month-- he hated it, but he went with me. So I was thinking about getting him--

--a globe, or something. [it comes out in a creaky kind of a rush. kavinsky is ten shades of psychopath these days, but he still has some room for embarrassment, as he stares fixedly through the nearest window at some manikins wearing khakis.]

[bragnificent]

Tickets and something... yeah, that could work, actually. I mean, I dunno about a watch, but I think you still might be onto something.

[ A watch, to Reggie, is a little more of a "dad" gift than a "date" gift; he doesn't know what he would think if someone he was banging gave him a watch, but on the other hand, who doesn't like getting expensive bling? Because Reggie likes that, for! Sure!

For Archie, though... what would Archie like? Something dopey, no doubt, though maybe also something like the gift of tickets in that it might not be something obviously romantic, either. As long as there's sincere sentiment of some kind attached, there's probably a lot more flexibility to this whole gift thing than either Reggie or Kavinsky have really considered yet at this early stage in the process.

Reggie glances over, eyebrow raising slightly when he notices the unusual discoloration of Kavinsky; it's tempting to point it out, but Reggie resists only because he can't be sure something similar won't happen to him. They are both in somewhat uncharted territory, after all. ]

They say it's the thought that counts, right? [ Reggie smirks faintly, both eyebrows raising then, and continues: ] Does it really matter where it comes from if it's something he would like? Cuz if it's between your head or a store, I feel like the only point in buying something would be for the price tag.

[ He rubs his fingers together in the universal pantomime for "cash money." ]

Telescope?

[pillz]

He'd laugh his ass off, [kavinsky says, his voice in a slightly uncharacteristic, grinding tone, amused and awkward about the thought. telescope! that would not only be space-related but also nerdy. wouldn't it? a globe would be decorative, they could plot vacations around it. a telescope...] ...probably. He'd probably laugh his ass off, [kavinsky corrects himself, but thinking now. maybe?

it'd be a way of keeping an eye on the moon, if ronan ever went up. it'd be a way of peeping on a naked boyfriend from across the street, maybe. it could be funny.]

Probably, [he says, sounding more doubtful by the minute. yeah. if he used magic to make the telescope, maybe it could also show him some other shit. maybe... maybe...] Huh. You're pretty good at this, Mantle. [he snaps back to the present, and shows the other boy a lopsided grin that looks nearly out of place against the good boy backdrop of buttondown and tidy trousers.] I ever tell you what the other you's superpower was? Maybe you'dve made better use of it than he did, shit.

Maurtia Falls

[burger_king]

[ Jughead isn't out to club. No, he was just scoping out the neighborhood and ended up a lot further from his assigned home than he anticipated, which is why he's making his way through the nightlife streets much later than planned. Shoulders squared and leather jacket worn like armour, he ducks his head as he makes an attempt to weave through the crowd waiting outside one of the clubs - an attempt that comes to an abrupt halt when he bumps into a pile of muscle. ]

Sorry.

[bragnificent]

Dude, watch it, you almost made me spill my--

[ Although Reggie's tone is more annoyed than outright unfriendly, his expression goes through a jarring progression once he turns around, brushing his bangs out of his face to look at whoever just jostled him. Recognition registers slowly, Reggie staring at Jughead blankly at first, then with confusion, then surprise -- he falls back a step, as if stung by a bee -- and then finally, anger. ]

No. [ At first that's all he manages, taking a long swig from the drink in his hand before continuing. ] You can't--

[ Reggie's whole arm tenses as if he's about to smash his glass against Jughead's face or something, but instead all Reggie does is empty it with one final long swig before he looks Jughead over, as if trying to determine if he's a hallucination or not. ]

When the hell did you get here?

[burger_king]

[ Betty told him Reggie was around but that doesn't really prepare him for coming face to face with the last - second, third to last person he wanted to see. With so much shit going on back home, it's difficult to keep track of who you hate the most with every bone in your body. Reggie ranks high, regardless, though that reaction is doing some to temper Jughead's own repulsion. ]

Does it matter? [ He smirks, eyes darting momentarily to that glass just in case Reggie changes his mind. ] I'm here now.

[bragnificent]

[ The possibility of this happening was always, of course, somewhere on the horizon of Reggie's mind -- how could it not be after first Cheryl and Ronnie, and now Betty? -- but as usual, Reggie prefers to think about Jughead as little as possible when he can help it.

Too bad now, because were that not the case six months of living with Archie (and then some) might have at least warmed Reggie up to the abstract idea of hanging out with Jughead sometimes, even if they only ever ended up tolerating each other at best. But Reggie just doesn't like to operate that way. ]

No one likes a smart-ass, Jones. Anyone ever tell you that?

[ He holds up a finger in the universal gesture for give me one second, searching the area for a waiter with a tray and then proceeding to grab one of the full drinks off of said tray when one finally passes close by. Even though as far as he knows, the last time the two of them saw each other was at the hospital after Fred Andrews got shot, Reggie still feels like more booze is his best bet to keep things "civil" -- civil, in their case, generally meaning "anything short of a fist fight."

But then, as he's drinking, Reggie notices Jughead's jacket and does an alarmed circle around him to get a look at the back. As soon as he swallows, he gets in close and hisses: ]

You've gotta be kidding me-- you're really a freaking Serpent now?

[burger_king]

[ Part of him wants to just turn and leave, continue on his way home but that would accomplish nothing but push off the inevitable at best. So he stays, eyes locked on Reggie and shoulders squared, so glad that he's got the leather jacket on, low-key relieved that he kept the switchblade in his pocket. Not that he's going to do anything, but... y'know. Just in case. You never know. ]

Uh, yeah. That's not exactly news, Reggie. How far behind the times are you?

[ Jughead turns, not wanting to keep his back to Reggie for too long. ]

[bragnificent]

[ "You never know" indeed-- not that Reggie carries a switchblade around, himself, but given the size difference between the two of them, the playing field is almost more level this way. If if ever came to that, obviously. Which is not to say it will.

Reggie's eyebrows knit, but this time more out of confusion than anything else. ]

Well how the hell am I supposed to know a thing like that, Jughead? Huh? You think I go online and check your Facebook? I've barely so much as thought of you since you transferred over to Southside.

[ Weirdly, Reggie's annoyance remains tilted more towards feeling confused now, about not knowing what exactly Jughead's talking about, than at Jughead himself; Reggie grabs him by the arm to drag him toward a less crowded part of the club. ]

Okay. Talk.

Heropa Public Library

[fridgeflower]

[ The library is just about the last place Laurie would've expected to run into Reggie Mantle the Younger, but... There he is. Maybe this version's a little more on his going-to-school game, for whatever reason. (She doubts it's a genuine interest in academics, but maybe that's mean and unfair to say. Different world, different boy.)

She's sitting at one of the study tables, notes spread out and laptop open, when she spots him a few rows down. She moves to catch him as he passes while simultaneously regretting it. What's she even got to say, right? What's the point in just trying to be friendly? ]

Hey. Reggie. [ She even smiles and waves briefly. ] What brings you to the book house?

[bragnificent]

Yeah, yeah-- [ A bit of an automated response before Reggie actually looks up from the books he's browsing, at which point it's: ] Oh, hey.

[ They haven't spoken a whole lot, in part because Reggie's got Laurie earmarked as one of those people here who "knew" this "other him" (a concept that continues to disturb him in some indefinable way, so he has yet to really allow himself to confront what it might actually mean), but he has been meaning to talk to her, actually.

Well, at least he's been considering it, ever since she sent him a box of "his" old stuff-- a leather jacket that doesn't really fit, a switch blade, and few other things.

He holds up the book in his hand, one eyebrow arched slightly. ]

Studying. Though to be honest, I'm not really sure why I'm still bothering. Seems kind of like a dead-end. [ School means something different here, at least to him. ] But that's why you're here too, isn't it?

[fridgeflower]

How could you tell? [ See? Jokes. This is still a little weird, but it's not that weird, especially for this place. She shrugs, gesturing to the spread of papers in front of her. ] I've got a pretty hefty essay due in a bit, and I needed a change of scenery. Home's kind of... Well. You can't be cooped up in one place your whole life, right?

You're probably pretty settled by now. Are you... How are you doing?

[ Are Reggie's remaining school habits any indicator of his life overall? Is he less... What was Reggie, even? Opportunistic? Mean? Messed up?

Sasha had liked him. Obviously. Especially now, she can't seem to overlook that fact. ]

[bragnificent]

Well, I figured it either had to be studying or like, maybe you still think we're living in the early 90s or something. You definitely wouldn't be the first girl I've met here who's decades behind everything.

[ Jokes! Reggie's typically have a somewhat mean-spirited veneer to them, but that one he soft-balled a bit. ]

Anyway-- [ He shrugs, brushing his hand through his hair idly. ] Yeah, I think that's generally the idea. Like, I'm someone who gets out all the time, but nothing else really beats not being cooped up in some nothing small town anymore. So, I'm actually doing pretty great.

[ He has mixed feelings on that, actually -- how he feels about this place, about being here, unresolved feelings he harbors from back home or thanks to this place, but he has no problem with simplifying his feelings to relatively shallow basics when it comes time for him to ever actually articulate them to someone else. ]

And you've kind of like been here for a while, haven't you?

[fridgeflower]

I have, yeah. It'll be four years in April. [ Time flies when you're recovering from the devastation of your own death. ]

But I'm glad you're well, all things considered. You've been here... It hasn't even been a year, right?

[bragnificent]

Damn. How weird is that? [ Which is a sincere enough question, although it can certainly be interpreted rhetorically if she wanted. He goes on: ] And yeah, a little over six months, I guess. Although I dunno if it's really felt like that long.

[ Time kind of seems to fly here, especially compared to back home in Riverdale, where it can really... seem to drag, strangely, even if technically there's no actual difference between how time passes here or there.

That is: second to second, minute to minute, hour to hour and so on, since obviously there are some time(line) incongruities between both worlds. ]

I also don't know why I wouldn't be doing fine, though... I basically always am. [ He pauses, then brushes his bangs from his face. ] Oh, hey-- by the way, did you like, send me something over Christmas?