Whenever you need me Whenever you want me

[heliophilic]

WHO: M & OPEN
WHERE: Maurtia Falls, De Chima, Heropa, Nonah
WHEN: All over in May
WHAT: M being M
WARNINGS: M might say something inappropriate? Will update as needed.

Option 1 - Maurtia Falls

[Maurtia Falls has a reputation for rough neighborhoods, but as is the case anywhere, some are rougher than others. In one such neighborhood, all seems well at first glance. The streets are all but empty--sure there’s a few people milling about here and there, and a few cars driving past in the street, but that’s typical of any city anywhere. Except upon further inspection, something appears to have moved in the shadows. Or did it? As quickly as the motion comes, it’s gone again. Perhaps it’s simply a trick of the streetlamps, some are flickering after all. Only there it is again, slightly farther down the road. The light is definitely reflecting off of something. Finally the source of the motion walks under one of the brighter streetlamps on the street: there’s a large man in a black trenchcoat with his head down and his shoulders hunched. He’s definitely attempting to hide something under that coat of his.

In what’s probably the worst timing ever, an elderly woman steps on to her porch, and the man’s head whips around to look at her.]

Hey--!

[He reaches for something in his coat…]

Option 2 - De Chima

[All M wanted was a couple boxes of those cookies Dick and Cisco seemed to like, and a tube of toothpaste. But no, apparently that was too much to ask for, as no sooner did he put his hand on the toothpaste box did the doors to the mini-mart he was patronizing burst open and three masked gunmen entered, guns drawn.

“Everyone down on the ground and you won’t get hurt!”

While the other patrons scramble to the floor, M simply lifts his hand off the toothpaste and turns to face suckers 1, 2, and 3.

Who is he to turn down such a beautiful gift?

Of course, to everyone else he probably seems crazy...]

Option 3 - Heropa

[Midnighter loves food. This is something he’s made abundantly clear from the day he arrived, and it didn’t take long for the locals to notice. They also noticed that M tends to frequent small, hole-in-the-wall type places, places slightly off the beaten path that aren’t stereotypically popular or serve food that would be considered trendy. Curious foodies began to try some of Midnighter’s "hidden gems," as they’d come to be known, and soon the hashtag #MsGems was filled with people either reporting on or trying places M would frequent.

And all that ultimately led to today. A street in Heropa has been closed off, lined by food vendors, filled with pedestrians ready to get their snack on, and across the center of the street a banner proclaims "Hidden Gems of Heropa Food Festival." A few angsty-looking teens milling about in black crescent moon t-shirts perk up as a giant orange Door appears in the middle of the street, and the accidental man of the hour steps through dressed in his work clothes. M hadn’t intended to create a food festival of some of his favorite places, but since it exists he certainly isn’t about to miss out on it.

M can be found talking to people thanking him for introducing them to their favorite new place, or to the vendors for helping to boost their visibility, or chowing down on a whole variety of foods, or perhaps he sees you and offers to buy you something from one of the vendors. Your choice, his treat.]

Option 4 - Nonah

[Not everything in M’s life is excitement. Some days he just likes to settle down and read a good book, like he is in one of Nonah’s larger parks. Of course, the book in question is one of those crazy conspiracy theory books about how imPorts have been sent by aliens to destroy Earth to make it easier for the aliens to conquer, one with a bright and “terrifying” cover proclaiming such, but to each their own on their definition of good.]

Option 5 - Wildcard

(OOC: Feel free to come up with a starter of your own--I’ll follow your lead. If you’d prefer for me to create a custom starter, either PM me or hit me up on plurk at redconfession.)

Comments

3

[pobrecisco]

[ Despite living in Heropa, Cisco hadn't heard of any food festivals going on. So he's nearly as surprised as M when he turns a corner to the place he was supposed to be meeting him to find a line and a crowd of M's fans. A few people notice his arrival and it generates way more attention than he actually wants, so he's more than happy to see M's door open and draw all their attention away. He's smirking when M makes his way over to him, though. ]

I can't believe they're throwing a food festival in your honor.

[heliophilic]

[Though M tries to make a beeline to his boyfriend, it does take a few detours as he says quick hellos to a few fans and vendors, but finally he's there in front of Cisco and he leans in for a kiss.]

Let's not get carried away. This is a celebration of the restaurants, not me.

[pobrecisco]

[ There's some color commentary from a few of M's fans that are close enough to spot their liplock that Cisco is doing his damned best to ignore. The woes of semi-celebrity status are ones Cisco never in a million years would've thought he'd have to deal with! ]

I totally believe that. Did you know this was going on?

[heliophilic]

[Without breaking the kiss, M pulls out three small knives and hurls them in the direction of the loudest commentators, missing them so closely strands of their hair fall to the ground. Of course, the idiots are too excited about their free "collectible" to get the real message.]

I got a call from one of the vendors earlier today. Apparently they had all assumed someone else had already called me.

3

[princeofrats]

[ It isn't hard to pick out Mouse at the edge of the crowd. It isn't just the shirtlessness and the bandana mouse-ears that make him stand out; the cluster of rats perched on his shoulders are keeping people at bay, and right now, he has the most personal space out of anyone in the festival. ]

Mohawk-guy! I didn't know you could teleport! Is it your birthday? Is this a party?

[heliophilic]

Hey, kid.

[M heads directly to Mouse. Mainly because he's talking to him, but also to hopefully alleviate some of everyone else's fears about his rat buddies.]

You friends are going to be on their best behavior today, right?

[Nods in greeting to said friends, the rats.]

I don't. My apartment's got teleport Doors. Similar, but different. As for this, this isn't about me. I don't even have a birthday.

[Well, he's sure he does, but he has no idea what it is.]

[princeofrats]

Of course they will! They just like being on me. They won't eat anything, they'd pinkie-promise if their paws were big enough.

[ Mouse is obviously pretty used to this kind of reaction from people. He knows that rats tend to wig people out, even if he doesn't really understand why, so he just shrugs it off when the crowd shifts around him. ]

... You don't have one? Did you forget it? I don't remember mine, either. You can pick a new one, if you want. I do that sometimes, it's a good excuse to get cake.

[heliophilic]

Glad to hear it.

[It isn't that M thinks the rats are going to try something, but rather he knows the people in earshot need the reassurance.]

I did forget it. I've forgotten everything from before I was Midnighter. How'd you forget yours?

[He's considered it, just picking a day. Moreso lately than ever before, now that he has friends and something even resembling a life. Still, it doesn't bother him too badly.]

4

[tardily]

[ Barry likes Nonah, it's a nice place for him to go to time to time and well, it's less of a run than Texas is so if he wants to relax, Nonah works. Today is one of those days when Barry decides that a Nonah break is a good idea.

When he comes across M he's not entirely sure if it's a good thing or a bad thing that he's done this. When he looks at the book M's reading— well the answer becomes even less clear. It does however make him want to talk about said book with M, because what in the world are your reading choices, M. ]

Wouldn't that only make sense for the— actual aliens who are imports?

[ Normal conversation attempts with Barry Allen, everyone. ]

[heliophilic]

[M smiles at the question, and lays the book face down in his lap, using his thigh to hold his page.]

Ah, but there is the true genius of their plans you see. We have no idea that we're helping the great alien scourge.

[It's clear by the expression on his face he isn't taking this book seriously at all.]

I'm more stunned they went "alien" and not "the reds."

[tardily]

But if they used the Reds, then the Russians would have something to point to and say those Americans see, they're plotting against us.

[ That last bit is said in the worst Russian accent known to mankind. Sorry you had to deal with that M. Barry motions to the empty spot next to M. ]

You mind if I sit? I know I'm no Cisco, obviously, but I might be curious enough about the book to want to stick around.

[heliophilic]

Barry--it's Barry, right?--they kidnapped Cisco and the other imPorts back in January, then invaded the Porter cities in February. I think we're past the plotting stage of the red scare.

[M switches to a Russian accent, far more accurate that Barry's could hope to be.]

Your fake Russian is horrible.

[Still, he pats the seat beside him and makes room for another on the bench.]

Don't worry, I won't hold the fact you aren't Cisco against you.

Much.

There are no strings on me, I make my own starters.

[causational]

[Its a relief that M is willing to come to the gym with him. As much as he needs a drink, it's probably more important now to get out whatever emotions are twisting up his gut out with a bit of aggression. It's tough to even really pin what he's feeling right now, and he suspects that maybe talking it out while he's distracted, endorphins pumping through his system, he'll figure out what's bugging him the most and what he's actually feeling about it.

M always gets places first, but Eddie isn't far behind, dressed in a tank top and a pair of long shorts, strapping the training gloves onto his hands.]

Hey, M.

[He's smiling, but it's strained around the edges, and it's obvious he's off-kilter.]

Thanks for being willing to meet up.

Okay Pinocchio. Don't get your nose stuck in a hole on the floor.

[heliophilic]

[It's not his fault that thanks to his Doors, he can go anywhere he want with a thought. M's sitting on a small bench, dressed similarly to Eddie (though in his case he opted for a form-fitting t-shirt), the gloves to his work clothes resting on his lap. Upon seeing Eddie, he tucks them both neatly under an arm and walks over.]

Like I said before, I'll always make time for you, Eddie Eddie.

[M isn't used to seeing Eddie like this. Even if he couldn't see microexpressions, it would still be clear as day something's wrong.]

So am I getting the story now or do I have to wait until you start punching things first?

[causational]

[M looks as good as always, a particular reoccurring thought that Eddie has to put out of his mind pretty much every time they hang out. Thankfully, it's easier than usual this time, because he's got other things to focus on, dwell on.

The slightly strained smile stays in place even as M reassures him he'll always have time for him, and starts asking about what's going on. Eddie's stomach clenches and he stays quiet because he doesn't know how to respond more than because he doesn't want to.

Instead, he squares off at the bag, and lashes out at it. His strikes are as fast, precise, and powerful as usual. His attention is focused for a few moments, at least until he starts to feel the initial burn in his arms and shoulders.]

So you...saw that entry right? [He speaks between punches, mostly a series of jabs, because this is more to get out his feelings than to actually train.] Well. I told you he's my descendant. He's also the reason I'm dead.

[Another sharp jab at the bag, and he doesn't look at M.]

[heliophilic]

[When Eddie doesn't say anything right away, M doesn't force the issue, instead stepping back and out of the way so Eddie can work the bag freely. His spot affords him a nice few of Eddie's shoulders, and the way they pull taut with every punch... It was truly excellent form.]

I did. [He slides around both Eddie and the bag to hold it still. No sooner does he get a grip on the leather does Eddie drop that bombshell on him. He knew that Eddie had died--they'd danced around that conversation before, but he hadn't heard any of the details, and he hadn't planned on asking. Only now, given Eddie's current state of mind, it seemed important to finally ask.

He plants his feet firmly and makes sure his grip on the bag is secure.]

What happened? Did he kill you?

2

[sidecars]

[ Midnighter isn't the only one still standing on his feet when these maroons start making their demands. Bucky is in the back heading for the register with a small basket of junk food and a foul disposition now that his plans are being ruined. ]

You guys are the one's about to get hurt if you make me wait to pay any longer! [ It's right then when he notices MB on the other side of this predicament, and all thought of the stick up is forgotten. ] Oh hey! Talk about a co-ink! What're you buyin'?

[heliophilic]

Well I was about to buy some toothpaste and those cookies Dickie likes, but now I've heard a rumor there's a holdup.

[Speaking of the robbers, they're now yelling at both Bucky and M to stop talking to each other and get down on the ground.]

[sidecars]

[ Out of all the words that pique Bucky's attention, it's Dick's name. ]

Wait, what cookies does he like? [ He takes a step and gives one of the robbers blocking his way the stink eye. ] God, excuse you, pal. Which one's are they?

[ That's when the criminals have finally had enough. "That does it!" one of them says. "You've got five seconds to get down on the ground before we start shooting!" ]

Alright, alright! Hang on! I just wanna see what kinda cookies they are first...

3

[damselunimpressed]

[ After living in Spain for a large portion of her life, Maria has found a love for all things food as well. But there are limits. Walking down the smorgasbord of vendors, there are several samples she must wave off with an apology.

But when a familiar face comes over to her, she smiles up at him readily. ]

If it isn't my favorite luchador... I almost didn't recognize you with your shirt on.

[heliophilic]

Most people would have mentioned the mask... glad to see where your mind's at, Maria.

Enjoying yourself?

[damselunimpressed]

Well [ She tosses her long hair behind her ] a lady has her priorities.

It reminds me of home, seeing everyone out at market. Although I'm having a hard time finding anything without meat in it...

3

[performance]

[ Dick wasn't about to miss out on the food festival, either. In fact, he's shown up in his own black crescent moon shirt, underneath a stylish black leather jacket, because 1) he wants to fit in and 2) it's really, really funny. Also he actually likes the guy, or something.

He ambushes M from around the side of one of the booths with a huge grin on his face. Little Dickie is easily the cheeriest-looking fan here. ]

So how's it feel being popular?

[heliophilic]

[The beauty of his fight computer is that he never has to worry about truly being snuck up on. The exact identity of the potential ambusher may be an unknown, but it will (usually) ensure no one gets the better of him. As was the case with Dick popping out from the side of a booth.]

Like you wouldn't know.

[M's eyes never leave Dick's whole ensemble. What... why is he wearing that? He hopes Dick knows how ridiculous he looks right now.]

[performance]

[ M's computer brain only makes getting the drop on him more of a challenge. So he hasn't yet — he might someday, right? Anyway, that's not the point. Dick notices him staring, and grins wider. ]

I may have enjoyed the benefits of celebrity from time to time, [ he says, with an airy wave of his hand, ] but I've never had my own food fair.