[closed]

[prayercycles]

WHO: Fortunato and various other people
WHERE: All around
WHEN: Throughout September
WHAT: September closed catch-all! If you want to do something here, feel free to send me a message at keterclass.
WARNINGS: Potential Fortunato warnings may apply, will add as needed.


Closed to Chilton (Maurtia Falls Psychiatric Hospital)

[ It's not that Fortunato distrusts all adults; that's oversimplifying it. But the last time he was in the position of getting this much positive attention- a teacher's pet, in that case- that person had maimed him.

He doesn't expect that from Dr. Chilton, of course, but he's somewhat nervous about all of this, then. He doesn't think Chilton's job offer was insincere, particularly after seeing the man at the Swear-In; if anything, he just seemed a bit eccentric, someone who had clearly gotten used to the strangeness of this place after years spent in it.

But he knows how quickly people can turn out to not be what they seem, too.

If he seems excessively poised, that's just how he tends to be- it may make him look more confident than he is, coming here to ask about that job. This could just as easily turn bad. He knocks on the door to Chilton's office slowly; he's not one to push things. ]

Closed to Jaime (a church in Heropa)

[ For once, this is somewhere Fortunato feels mostly comfortable. It's not that he felt particularly deprived being without access to public worship- he knew that was coming for years, after all- but he'd forgotten that it was good to have somewhere where you know exactly what to say. A feeling of safety.

And the regulars are apparently charmed by him, because even the people who haven't figured out he's an imPort yet think it's so nice a sweet young man like him comes to church so often, and most of the times he comes here he gets accosted by old ladies telling him this, letting them chit-chat with him- well, at him- for what onlookers might consider an absurd amount of time. He's mostly been able to avoid making too much of a fuss here despite his imPort status, and despite his eyes, but that doesn't always happen. Today he's in somewhat of a hurry, because his left eye is increasingly fuzzy, and he thinks it might be better to get home as soon as he can.

That said, it's also hard to stop yourself from bumping into others when the church is stuffed with people trying to leave and you're close to half-blind. Before he even realizes it, he's walked straight into someone's side. ]

I- sorry. Sorry.

Comments

[khajidont]

[ Jaime, too, is able to attend Church without much of a fuss. In fact, he chose this Church specifically because they don't make a fuss about that sort of thing - he'd gone to a good four or five churches before settling on one, having grown picky after spending his entire life in the same one.

It's a good place, filled with good people and it's brought him solace over the years in the way nothing else can. He always feels better after the service and he's still in that determined, fuzzily positive space when someone bumps into him. ] No problem! It gets pretty crowded in here after -- hey, I know you.

[ ...but Fortunato doesn't know him. Jaime clears his throat. ]

Well, not know, but I've heard your voice before. Because I'm an imPort, not 'cause I'm a huge creep.

[prayercycles]

[ Well, that's...strange. Not that Jaime's explanation doesn't make any sense, and he prefers it to meeting some random native who recognizes him, but it's still strange. He doesn't recognize this person, for one, and...does he know the voice? He actually isn't sure. There's an easy explanation for that, but he's not going to bring it up immediately.

He takes a moment to straighten himself out- he's obviously the type who knows to dress for church, and he's probably never as obviously a prep school kid (of a sort) than he is in this blazer and button-up. ]

Oh. [ He's going to need a second to figure out how to put this without seeming rude. ] We...have not talked before. Have we?

[khajidont]

[ They sure did. ]

No. Sorry, it was a weird thing to say. Sometimes I put on the network while I'm working - you learn more about what's going on there than just putting on the radio.

[ Poor Fortunato. He looks so awkward about this whole thing and that's coming from someone who frequently feels awkward himself. ]

I guess it just stood out 'cause I don't meet a lot of imPorts who go to Church.

[prayercycles]

[ He hasn't spoken on the Network too often; in fact, unless spoken to, he doesn't talk much at all. Jaime's explanation makes sense, sure, but the man must have an incredible memory to be able to pick up his voice so quickly.

He's not going to pick at that immediately. But it's something to keep in mind, isn't it. ]

Right. [ He's not quite opposed to running into another imPort here, but he hasn't chosen whether he enjoys it or not, yet- this is sudden. ] I- I do not think I recognize you.

[khajidont]

Eh, I don't talk on the network much. I mostly just use it as background noise.

[ That much is, at least, true. He'll talk on occasion but half the time he'll forget entirely, or just listen in and think that he weighed in when he absolutely didn't. It's his social media bad habit but it sure beats picking fights. ]

I'm Jaime. And I've been going to this Church for around three years now, so I was gonna notice a newbie regardless. It's nice to meet you!

[prayercycles]

[ He nods again. He does that often, too, but less as background noise and more as reconnaissance, even if it's become clear he might not need to do that much in terms of studying his fellow imPorts. He won't tell Jaime that. ]

Fortunato Medeiros. [ Jaime seems to already know that, but he still feels he should say it. ]

That...is a long time to be here.

[khajidont]

Yeah, well. [ Jaime shrugs, a smile playing at the corner of his mouth. ] I've been here a long time. Nothing you can do about it.

[ Besides, even if he had the choice to leave... he would. Of course he would! He misses his family, his home, the place where he belongs. That, and he has a Max Lord-shaped problem to reckon with the minute he gets back.

But he wouldn't be wholly happy about it. ]

What that means, though, is that I can vouch for this church. They're good people here. They've never really made a big deal out of me being an imPort, or whatever. We're all here for the same reason.

[ Well, not really. But it makes feel that way, and that's what really matters. ]

[slightlyoffchilt]

Oh, hello -- Fortunato! [Chilton's at the door, opening it widely to greet the young man.] Please, come in. Take a seat, wherever you would like.

[Two options angled in opposition to Chilton's desk: a soft blue sedan and a hard wooden chair. Chilton, with a flourished, closed the door behind Fortunato as he walked over to assume his own seat in that high-backed leather chair of his.]

I'd offer you some Amontillado, but I fear it would be in bad taste.

[He said, softly, with a somewhat sheepish smile. Chilton did in fact remember his interaction and behavior during the prior Swearing-In.]

[prayercycles]

[ He's a well-read student- he went to an elite school, after all- but, thankfully, he misses that reference. It might bring up bad memories if he did.

He takes the wooden chair simply because he assumes that's the right one to take; the sedan seems casual, for friends, almost. He may not recognize the name Amontillado immediately, but he definitely can tell it's a drink. He bristles a bit; he's bad at light conversation, though he knows it's probably the thing to do, here. Particularly considering the last time he saw Chilton. ]

Are- are you doing well?

[slightlyoffchilt]

Oh yes, yes. Especially compared to -- well, you remember as well as I. [Unfortunately so.] I daresay your theory about the masks, suspecting them as the root of my distressed state, was accurate. A deduction nicely done.

[Credit where credit was due. Chilton intertwined his own fingers, his gaze drifting down. He had lied of course; he was not doing well. But not for the reasons pertaining to that Swearing-In. And therefore, in his mind, for reasons irrelevant to Fortunato.

Chilton cleared his throat.]

You've considered my offer?

[prayercycles]

Thank you. [ He says it quietly, and doesn't dwell on it, though. Not that he's ungrateful, but it almost feels strange to be thanked for it- he's familiar enough with strange things, even from before this, that the masks seemed like an obvious source. He suspects Dr. Chilton must be, too- the alcohol really did get to him.

He shifts a bit, but not enough to be very noticeable. He's very poised, sitting up straight with his hands in his lap; it might make him look nervous, and he is somewhat, but this is how he always looks. ]

Yes. I would like to do it. If it is still possible.

[slightlyoffchilt]

I would say the offer still stands, yes. Just a few questions -- are you Registered? [Chilton spared a glance, pen in hand.] Your answer has no impact on my ability to hire you, it's simply for the paperwork. Admittedly, our governmental hosts make it easier for Registered imPorts to find desirable employment, even if strictly speaking you face no detriments otherwise. It's just easier for me.

[He leveled a look.]

But I'll fight for you regardless.

[prayercycles]

...No. Not yet.

[ Primarily because he had reason to be suspicious; registering seemed like an easy way for the government to have more info on him than he'd like, and something directed at those who wanted to go into real crime fighting, for that matter.

But he could live with it, if it's the "normal" thing to do. Maybe it wouldn't catch as much attention as he thought, then. Have the reverse effect. ]

But- I could be. If you need it.

heropa night

[h2no]

[it's dark, though not quite extremely late. nights are starting to close in, in that cold end-of-summer air. it's a nice night, despite the chill-- rush hour is over so there's not a lot of people around on the pavements or on the roads, there's the distant sounds of the busier parts of the city, sure, but nothing that could properly disrupt the calm night air.

riiiight up until a big purple bat swoops down from between some trees and a man - one fortunato might recognise - runs out after it.]

Stop flying, ya stupid--!! [he keeps after crobat, who lands heavily a few yards away from fortunato. there's... a piece of fence stuck on his fangs, which he's trying to get off by hooking on the ground. it's not working. crobat his trilling in annoyance.] Crobat!

[archie isn't pleased with this.]

[prayercycles]

[ Well. This is occurring now. He was coming back after volunteering to clean up after a small event at church, if only for something to do at a place where he's comfortable, and for all the chaos of this place, this is not what he expected to see.

But he's able to process who Archie is quick enough that he can process what Crobat is (someone saying they have a giant bat is hard to forget), and he only steps back a bit once Crobat comes in his direction, initially worried it's coming towards him. It certainly takes him a minute to absorb what he's seeing, but after a moment of standing still and observing the scene, he feels for it a bit; that doesn't look good.

But he's also not sure what to say here. ]

...Uh. [ Is this the sort of thing he can even help with? ] Archie?

[h2no]

[he finally catches up with the bat, putting his hand on its head, between the ears. it's a big of a stretch, because crobat is giant and archie is a shortie, but he does his best.]

Yo, Fortunato, [he says, casually. he's not wrong; request for help INCOMING:] Can you help with somethin' real quick?

[he didn't run screaming from crobat. that's always a good sign.]

[prayercycles]

[ He's not sure how he can help- now that he's gotten used to the sight of it, he's truly processing how big Crobat is. Clearly it needs help, but it looks like it could do a number on someone if they made the wrong move, too.

But he's not very good at saying no to things like this. He approaches cautiously, not getting close enough to potentially be struck. ]

What do you need?

[h2no]

[when fortunato gets a little closer, crobat seems to calm down a bit. it knows how dangerous it comes off as-- it stops moving so much and rocks back it sit a little calmer.]

Can you just-- talk to him? Distract him? He's overfocusing on, uh, the fact I gotta pull that out.

[prayercycles]

[ Hm. Right, talking. The one thing he does not do much and tries to avoid. Doing that. He's not worried about pulling that off at all.

But now it's got to happen. He frowns for a moment, and then takes a good look at Crobat and...can't figure out what this bat would like to hear about. ]

...Hello.

[ Nailed it. ]

closed to ryūji, heropa #003

[prayercycles]

[ You don't need to tell Fortunato to clean up around the house; his own room is perhaps absurdly neat, and he's been picking up after himself since he arrived here, as well. In fact, today he's cleaning the kitchen not because of any particular reason- he doesn't have a ton of hobbies, and it seemed like the right time.

Besides, doing things- or not doing things- that might give his roommates the wrong impression isn't on his list of plans. So he's taken out the cleaning fluid and has been going over the counters and the table, looking for dust.

...Or he was, until he knocked the fluid with his elbow and spilled it all over the table and himself. He doesn't seem to care about his white shirt turning blue as much as he does wiping all this up, but he does look like he could use some help. ]

[imaphantomthief]

[Unlike Fortunato, Ryūji doesn't feel that pressed about keeping things tody around. In fact, his own room usually has clothes strewn around on the floor. He rarely even bothers going into the kitchen, since he gets free hot wings at work anyway.

Today the floors are pretty clean, though, so he can't resist a little sock-sliding. He almost slides right into Fortunato, but he manages to stop short of sliding past into the spilled cleaning liquid by grabbing the guy's arm. His socks still soak it up, though, which almost sends him onto his ass. He flails for a second, but manages to avoid the deep blue puddle for now.]

Aw, man. My socks! What the hell is this stuff?

[prayercycles]

[ At this point, Fortunato finds Ryūji's enthusiastic personality kind of nice- it's not something he's completely used to being around, but it's far better than any alternative. So he doesn't actually have any problem with Ryūji sliding around on the floor...but he doesn't notice it quickly enough to stop him from nearly falling, putting out the arm Ryūji didn't grab so he can help prevent his housemate going down to the floor. ]

I'm- I'm sorry. [ Oh, no, his socks. This isn't something he thinks Ryūji would hold against him, but he's a bit paranoid. ]

Just cleaner. [ He nods toward the bottle. ] I...think it can wash out.

[imaphantomthief]

What, it's soap? I mean, washing out of stuff is basically what it does, right?

[Ryūji for his part is already over the socks. He peels them off and makes a face. Yeah, he'll have to find a place that does laundry soon. He's kinda just been buying a new package every week anyway. That's probably not the best way to spend his wing slave pay anyway.]

Whatcha doing, trying to make a slip n slide? Woah!

[As if the magic words have been spoken, all of the traction seems to leave the floor at once. That, or taking the soap covered socks off didn't actually get rid of very much of the soap. Whatever the case, Ryūji suddenly pitches backwards. He's so busy flailing in surprise that he forgets to let go of Fortunato's arm. If his friend isn't careful, they're both going down.]

[prayercycles]

[ Fortunato would help Ryūji with laundry if asked. He'd like to be a model housemate, after all.

Not that he's thinking about that right now, because he doesn't react quickly enough- he scrambles to grab the side of the table and misses, smacking down next to Ryūji, on his side.

He knocks his head pretty good, but shakes it off- his healing factor means the pain won't stay long, and, well, he's felt worse. So he's clearly much more concerned with Ryūji, who he turns to as he pushes himself up. ] Ryūji? Are- are you alright?

[imaphantomthief]

[Ryūji groans, but he manages a thumbs up. He’s fine. But his tongue really hard, though, so enjoy the rare moment of peace and quiet, Fortunato.

He rolls onto his stomach and tries to get his feet back under him,but all that does is throw him back to the floor on his other side. Ok, comedians should just dump soap on the floor when they want to play pranks, because this must be hilarious when it’s happening to other people.

It’s not that funny when it’s happening to you, though. Ryūji growls in frustration and slides out of his shirt, throwing it on the floor for traction. It’s just big enough not to get lost in the soap puddle, so that he’s able to gingerly get on top of it and carefully get to his feet. He offers Fortunato a grin he doesn’t realize yet is bloody, and a tentative hand up. Careful, dude. Soap is slippery!]