maskormenacelogs | [closed] and I love to live so pleasantly

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[closed] and I love to live so pleasantly

WHO: Joseph Joestar (

trickstar) and Caesar Zepelli (

glampop)
WHERE: a cute breakfast place near where they live
WHEN: November 15th, morningish
WHAT: Just two bros having a meal, nothing big
WARNINGS: Nothing at present

[Caesar and Joseph don't really go out for breakfast. Going out for breakfast isn't something a guy can just do; you can't roll out of bed and head out to the Eggceptional Café, you have to make the plan in advance. Everyone has to be up by nine'o'clock, dressed, shaved, cologned if they haven't showered. The group, or the pair of dudes in this case, also needs to know where they're going. Half-conscious and hungry are not ideal conditions for picking a breakfast joint.

So, they don’t go out for breakfast and the household goes through a lot of store bought eggs and bacon.

The day they do go out for breakfast, a Saturday that Caesar has off for once, isn't special. No one is having a birthday, they haven't had a fight they need to move past, and to Caesar's knowledge, they share plenty of days off so that's no rare occurrence either.

The day they do go out for breakfast, they also do it all wrong, and yet painlessly. Somehow, in tandem, they wake up. They get dressed, they fix their appearances to be street ready, and they pick a place called Blueberry Hill without over thinking it. The only parameters either of them cares about are whether it's within walking distance (Joseph) and if it has steady reviews on Yelp (Caesar).

Caesar is enamored with Yelp and Google and the internet. He's going to sign up for one of those beginner computer classes aimed at senior citizens sometime soon. The local library has a couple.

They get to Blueberry Hill and the décor is chintzy as one might imagine. Little chefs made of wood and porcelain parade around the interior on mismatched shelves, even smaller metal chickens acting as a divider here and there. The waitress' half-apron is blue with the restaurant's name stitched in white cursive in one corner.

It's nice. This is nice, Caesar thinks. Unannounced breakfasts are a thing that should happen more often.

Once they're seated and left alone, he unfolds his menu and finds his gaze drifting to the words Hawaiian-Style French Toast.]

It'll be my treat today, but don't go overboard.

[Idle words. Simple fact that between the two of them, Caesar has a more stable income. Model salary versus waiter's check, nothing personal.]

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[Joseph will go overboard. If Caesar's buying, he's getting enough food to last him all day. The brunette looks up from his menu to give Caesar a glance and then his eyes dart back down to the menu. He's got at least four different items he's ordering, and then maybe another two more for after.]

Ahhh, your modelling job is going that well, huh? Must be nice to be able to just lie around in clothes and get paid so much.

[Jealous. He's jealous.]

It's more than that. Some men may simply let the camera keep shooting, but the best models--

[he totally made a bet with some guy a while ago that he would become the best model to ever exist, and he's glad he hasn't seen him around lately because that's definitely a work in progress]

-- need to work much harder than you'd think! Can you hold a pose for several hours, Jojo, or just a few minutes?

[Not that he's attacking Joseph's ability to pose in general. No. Boy's got that on lock, but it's a pretty swift action for him, isn't it?

The Hawaiian-style french toast has pineapple-flavored syrup. That's impressive.]

[Hawaiian-style french toast is good and all, but the stuffed french toast looks good too. And the ten-stack of the pancakes. And the strawberry-banana pancakes. And what's that one with the neon blue syrup? Just you wait until that waitress comes by, Caesar. Your wallet is going to regret it.]

I have to be on my feet all day, being nice to people. You don't understand, Caesar. It's so hard.

Edited 2014-11-16 03:42 (UTC)

[If Joseph's order takes more than twenty words, Caesar is likely to cut him off with more than a stern look. See, there's not that much space under the table, and his boots are thick along the toe and bottom. Sure would be terrible if someone's shin were to get kicked, eh?

A bored look coupled with a bored aura and the slightest, most underwhelmed lowering of his menu.]

Then find a better job.

[Duh. That's the easiest suggestion he could think of. Don't like it? Don't want to go all the way with it? Find something more suitable to your talents.

Like selling hotdogs at a roadstand. That's very Jojo.]

Oh yeah, I'll just go out there and find a job. You don't even know what I went through to get this one!

[And, at that, the waitress finally comes over.]

Ah, hi. I'll have the "Who Cakes" and the "Rainbow Stack" and a side of bacon with sunny-side up eggs, and coffee. Three sugars.

[Twenty words, exactly. It's almost like he read your mind, Caesar.]

[Eighteen-- nineteen-- not that anyone is counting, but someone scrapped by. As the two childish dishes are announced, Caesar looks them up on the menu, eying the glossy pictures of what looks like cotton candy vomit and, well, actually, the rainbow stack looks good.]

If you end up--

[he was going to say throwing up everywhere and yowling but there's a lady in their midsts. He ends the warning with a stiff shake of his head, then turns his attention to the pretty miss.

'Miss' may not be the word, the woman's chasing after forty, but Caesar likes any female presence. Gives him something to feed off of that isn't Joseph's Jojo-ness.]

Excuse my friend, he's not used to speaking with any class. He must have meant to say 'please' and forgotten.

[Male server? Caesar would be barking out his order more crassly with few niceties. Joseph would know from the times Caesar's come to 'visit' him at work.]

May I have the Hawaiian French Toast, myself?

[It comes with chunks of what is vaguely referred to as exotic fruit. He was won over.]

And a side of bacon and coffee for me as well. Thank you.

You forgot to say please too, [Joseph adds on, then announces loudly to the waitress as she leaves-] Please and thank you from both of us!

[Just had to show Caesar up one more time. Because he's an ass.]

I haven't seen a lot of you lately. Are you doing okay?

[It's a little weird to go from seeing Caesar almost 24-7 for weeks and then suddenly... not.]

[His please was already implied. Joseph's attempt to take control over the Politeness Train is childish, at best, but you know what, take the wheel. Caesar likes to see him put his best foot forward (even if it is two minutes too late).

The shift in conversation, once they're alone again, socks him in the chest. How has he been doing?

About as well as can be expected. He's put most of his thought and attention into his work or his new interest in the internet. Training's taken a backseat when it really shouldn't, because-- because of things he hasn't told Jojo yet.

Soon! He reminds himself. Soon.]

I'm fine. What about you? Is your job really that bad or are you complaining for no reason?

I guess it could be worse. I could be doing something with garbage or whatever. It's still just not something I thought i'd be doing with my life, y'know?

[Well, being an entitled rich kid kind of does that to you.]

I never thought I'd miss training, but I kind of do. At least it feels like I'm getting something done. ...Hey- let's do it!

[...He means start training again, of course.]

Do what?

[Forgive him for not being in complete mindsync, it's been a while since he had to be capable of guessing at every little thing Joseph could throw at him.

Truthfully, he was contemplating what Joseph just said. He's right. Waiting tables doesn't work for him. He's charming, in a bizarre way, but he's not the guy that busses dishes, he's the one that saves the world. Are they lesser heroes when surrounded by others, or are they not reaching their full potential because they've become complacent?

Is breakfast ever really breakfast?]

[Joseph's thought about all these things as well, of course. He's thought about how life is pretty normal for him here, all things considering. At least, compared to that month if training and impending vampire fights. And he also thinks... He likes it. He likes normal life. Being a 'hero' isn't really his thing if it means so much hard work and potential loss. Grandma Erina tried to let him live a normal life, but weirdness just always came his way anyway.

He remembers what Strazio had said to him. Had told him that he couldn't escape his own fate. Maybe that really is true, that no matter what he does, no matter how boring a life he tries to live, something is going to happen to him. And it would hurt even worse if it was something he could have prevented if he had prepared himself...]

Let's train again. -And don't start laughing! I mean it!

I wasn't going to laugh.

[He's ashamed that he didn't think to ask himself. After all Lisa Lisa had done to build him up from a street boy to a warrior, how has he repaid her? He poses in front of a camera and comes home to pass out on the couch while eating puffed cheese snacks. Privately, he's been letting his death get the best of him.

What is he, a mouse or a corpse?

If Joseph, of all people, is asking him to train, he's going to get right on board. Choo choo.]

We'll begin today, after breakfast.

...Woah, wait.

Today? So soon?? Uh- I meant like... in a week!

[IT SEEMS TALKING ABOUT TRAINING AND ACTUALLY DOING IT ARE TWO VERY DIFFERENT THINGS...]

I mean, working out after eating isn't good for you, right? And I've kind of got a totally booked day ahead, so today wasn't gonna work for me anyway...

[Full day of going to an arcade and playing video games and probably eating ice cream and maybe also playing with dogs...]

You've had weeks to lose what little got through that thick-skull of yours. You asked me to train with you, but without our master here, it's my job to make sure you are taught the way she'd want it. There's no room for discussion, Joestar, accept it.

[sips his coffee like the classy bitch-monster he is.]

If you don't want to get sick, don't eat it all at once.

[He had months to lose it, actually... Yeah like, two weeks in, that shit was gone.]

Hey-! I asked for us to train, so I should be the master!!

[SEE HERE, ZEPPELI!!]

Oh? If you surpass me completely, I'd be happy to call you master, but as things stand, I know I'm much better than you. Know your place.

[Points at the younger man with one four-pronged fork as he speaks. It's an idle little twitch of the utensil rather than any dramatic lunge. Not even worth the effort to stand up and declare himself the superior fighter.]

... Alright.

[It's a good thing you're so bossy, Caesar. He wouldn't listen, otherwise.]

But I'm holding you to that! When I surpass you, I'm the Master. Got it? And I'm not calling you "Master Caesar" either! Just Caesar!

Edited 2014-11-25 06:12 (UTC)

When-- that's big of you to say! I look forward to seeing you be serious about your training. You won't ever get me to say it if you don't put your all into your studies. Are you so sure of yourself now?

[He doesn't mind being called 'Caesar' alone; he doesn't claim the title of master when it comes to Ripple. That'll take a few more years.

Giving Joseph something to strive for, however, is a kindness he's doling out for his own satisfaction. He prefers to see him at his best.]

I'm sure that I'll take out any challenge you could think of!

[Meaning yeah, he's sure of himself. It's not even him thinking of himself as "better at Ripple" or anything. He just wanted to prove he can do whatever it is Caesar thinks he can't.

Finally, the food arrives. Joseph's plates look like absolute fucking disaster- he's going to need to do a lot of exercise to use up all that sugar he's about to eat. Maybe it's a good thing they're starting training so soon...]

You--

[Joseph will never know what challenge he was about to receive. They have their food now, and Caesar's worked up an appetite tolerating his bestie's presence for this long. He thanks the waitress in Italian, ever so charmingly, then starts to cut up his food. The bites are large, but not so much he'll look a slob when he pushes one into his mouth.

Mm, this-- this was not a bad choice.

Looks over at the dessert buffet his partner ordered.

Gross. Sniffs and turns up his nose a little. This chump really thinks he'll win?]

Edited (wrong iiiicon) 2014-11-27 05:56 (UTC)

[Look at him however you want, asswipe. He's gladly enjoying his meal on Caesar's budget- and being a little loud about it too. Thankfully, not with mouth sounds- but with silverware. Have you ever heard silverware clang so much on such simple things? He honestly doesn't even know he's doing it, either...]

That's enough.

[He lasted forty-five agonizing seconds before leaning over the table, reaching so that he could grab for Joseph's wrist. The squeeze he delivers is tight, a warning, and if he could-- in good conscious-- cause Jojo actual pain, he might! He could!

He doesn't. Squeeze. Lets go.]

Don't shovel it down like a pig.

... Huh?

[He really, in good consciousness, didn't know he was even doing it. Joseph stops when Caesar pulls at his wrist, and looks down at his food. Ummm...

Okay, maybe he was going a little fast? He should slow down then.]

Oh. Okay.

[And yeah, he does. He's quiet, and careful when eating now. Look, he can listen when it's said to him in a clear way!!]

You're already learning how to listen. That's a good start.

[What a fine student you'll be. Never the sensei, always the karate kid. Caesar will go back to eating his own food at a far more human pace. Civilized.]

[Except now he's pissed off Joseph by pointing out how good he's being. Don't you know the worst thing you can do for a kid who's behaving is to point out their good behavior? Pointing at Caesar with his fork and TALKING WITH HIS MOUTH FULL.]

I know how to listen, and I know how to have table manners! But now I'm just not going to use 'em, because you're acting like I'm a kid!

That's just like what a kid would say.

[To show off the contrast between the two of them, Caesar keeps his tone low and starts to cut up all of his french toast into perfect squares. Look at how finely tuned his motions are! Look at how he, like a real man, is dainty with his meal! He's no ragamuffin like Joseph. Definitely the guardian between the two.]

[He could be less ragamuffin- really. He's had Erina to teach him proper dining, and whenever he eats with her, he uses those table manners. However, unlike Jonathan, he very much has an "off switch" for his manners, and turns them off. Frequently.]

...Whatever. I already know that if I act the way I should, you tease me, and if I act the way I want to, you make fun of me. There's no winning, so I'm just going to act the way I want to.

[Shovels more food into his mouth.]

[Stop. ~~Hammer time.~~

Stops. He stops. That thing where you go no more? Caesar does that. He'd be the first to tell Joseph to shove off if he was being solely a brat without a point, but the words pierce. Has he been harsh on him since his arrival? Caesar knows he's not the sort to yield very often. Without knowing it, he could have been inching Jojo toward a breaking point.

He coughs, small.]

I-- you should probably act the way you want to. Within reason.

[Gruff with a sprinkling of apologetic? Humility?]

[Breaking point? Hardly. He's just pouty. But... it's nice that Caesar cares so much. Makes him feel like being less of an asshole, for a brief amount of time. Joseph looks up from his food, blinking and then breaks into a small grin.]

Within reason? I'm always reasonable!

You're reasonable a reasonable amount!

[He likes the grin a lot better than a sulk or pout. Seeing Joseph brighten up is enough to make his meal stop tasting like ground up worms in his mouth. Looks like they found their equilibrium again.]

I'm also unreasonable within a reasonable amount.

[Yes, equilibrium found. Apparently, it's found only when Caesar degrades himself into being silly too. You're too serious, man. Loosen up.]

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[closed] and I love to live so pleasantly

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he looked cuter in the other icon

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