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Ryan "Espejo" Vasquez ([info]espejo_lluvia) wrote in [info]spinningcompass,
@ 2024-02-11 00:05:00

Previous Entry  Add to memories!  Tell a Friend!  Next Entry
Entry tags:aoba seragaki, espejo

Who: Aoba and Espejo
Where: Wheel 1, shopping area.
What: Espie helps a newbie out.
When: Not long after this
Rating: TBD
Open: No.
Status: Ongoing.

Espejo pocketed his phone and grabbed his bag, darting out the door as quick as he could. While it might have been a good idea to take some time, Espie had heard the urgency in the other mans voice and decided it was worth rushing a little bit. Not to mention the amount of distance Espie was going to have to cover to get to Aoba. The station was deceptively massive and Espejo had explored a lot of it over his time there. So much so that he knew how to get to the old abandoned shopping area. Before he had set up the skate park, he had skated around a variety of spots in wheel 1, including some of the old shopping malls and courts. At least he didn't have to walk too far, despite the distance. Espie knew how to teleport.

He knew that Aobe was over in wheel 1 while he was on wheel 2. He started off running, thinking about the shopping areas on wheel 1. The abandoned ones that hadn't yet been revived. Seeing the place in his mind, he stepped forward and in the blink of an eye, was gone. He stepped out of thin air, a pocket of darkness opening behind him, outlined in a soft glowing baby blue. His foot came to land softly on the ground as he looked around. There was no one. It was completely silent. He shouted out "Hello?!" but there was no reply. Shaking his head, he imagined another spot on the same wheel. Running forward, he stepped into the air and vanished once more, re-emerging in another part of wheel 1.

Adjusting his bag on his shoulder, he called out again. "Hello? It's me, Espie!". As soon as he had called out, he saw a blue haired figure standing not too far away. Sure enough, there was the fountain that he had mentioned too. Smiling from ear to ear, he walked over.

Espie was fairly tall, standing at six feet. He wore a loose fitting black and shite hoodie with ripped black skinny jeans and white skate shoes. His hair was curly and swept to the side over a freshly shaved down undercut. He waved, hoping not to frighten the new arrival.


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[info]espejo_lluvia
2024-02-11 03:28 pm UTC (link)
Espie wasn't entirely sure if he heard the dog talk or not. Maybe it was his imagination. Then again, he had seen enough talking animals on the station, so it wouldn't be too unusual if it had? Right? There was so much he needed to tell Aoba about the station but not all at once. That would be way too overwhelming. He could remember how hard things were for him when he had first arrived and how thankful he was to have met so many kind and caring people who looked out for him. And Espejo would be a kind, caring lookout for newbies too.

"Me?" he asked, pointing to himself. "Noooo. Not really" he replied. He had been trained as a mutant a while ago. Trained to use some of his powers. The rest he had taught himself how to use over time.

"Oh. So I kinda teleported here. It's a thing I can do. But we can totally walk to the residential area so you won't have to worry about that. I just wanted to find you as quickly as I could" he explained. "So, are you okay? You're not hurt or anything are you?" he asked. "I have some water with me, if you're thirsty. And if you want food, we can find you some. And if you have any questions, just ask away" he said, making sure to keep his tone calm and soft. "I know it's kinda scary waking up here but honestly, it's kinda fun here" he smiled.

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[info]notsoslyblue
2024-02-11 08:14 pm UTC (link)
Aoba’s eyes went a little wide at the word ‘teleported’ and before he could repress it he made a small, surprised sound and echoed the term aloud. He had thought that what he could do was shocking yet it was nothing so impressive as that! The closest thing he had ever encountered to teleportation was how Usui’s digital form appeared in the streets to preside over Rhyme matches. But the fighting game involved only neural links--- it didn’t physically move anyone. How had such an ability come to be a reality, he wondered, and felt a surge of worry that something terrible had occurred in Espejo’s past. His mind naturally turned to scientific experiments. But whatever experiences had coalesced into obtaining that power didn’t seem to be troubling his companion, at least outwardly. And that was a relief. Aoba was an empathetic person by nature and did not want bad things for someone who was showing himself to be so kind.

The soothing tone of Espejo’s pleasant voice applied an iron to Aoba’s anxiety, warming and relaxing the wrinkles in his frazzled temperament. Visibly the shoulders which had been tense dropped and his face softened further. He sensed the gentle care was intentional and was resoundingly grateful for the consideration of his feelings. While he could handle enthusiasm (he was fond of Clear, after all) Aoba would have been a bit taken aback if he was greeted with force when he was still struggling to acclimate to the idea of being… presumably in space. With strangers who could be extraterrestrial for all he knew. He had been frightened enough during his captivity by Scratch and the warehouse they had taken him to had been in his own town with people he sort of understood. There was so much to take in now and he had not even left the area yet!

Those pertinent questions had him taking stock of his current state. He didn’t think he should reveal the shameful first moments in which he had panicked so much that one of his headaches had started to pound in his skull. Thankfully that pain was lessening. It had been a while since Aoba woke because he had taken some time to have a small breakdown before trying to contact anyone. Thus his body was sending him distress signals. Despite this, he nodded in answer to the first question about his welfare.
“I don’t think I’m hurt at all. But water and food are both things I should have, if I can.” He hoped he didn’t smell of the fear-sweat that had left him thirsty. “Do you have everything you need here? You said people are like a big family so I don’t know how much there is. Are other areas more… ah… abundant?”

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[info]espejo_lluvia
2024-02-11 08:46 pm UTC (link)
"Yeah, we have pretty much everything we need here" Espejo said, taking his bag off his shoulder. "I don't really understand it either but this place gets resupplied pretty regularly. There's other ways we are able to get stuff here too but I'll save that for another time. For now we've got to get you a place to stay!" he said with a big smile. "Oh yeah, your stuff should appear in your room after you've slept too. Don't ask me how" he shrugged. " I just know I woke up once day and I had some of my stuff from back home there in the living room. Kinda helped me settle in a bit more here"

He unzipped the top of his bag and reached in to grab a fresh bottle of water, offering it to Aoba. "Let's go and get something to eat. I'm actually pretty hungry too" he grinned. "We can go check out one of the nearby food courts, or we can just head to the apartments. I've got instant soup noodles in my apartment and a couple of different kinds of soup. Spicy seafood, and miso soup. It's kinda my favourite" he added.

When they were able to visit any place that had a Chinese or Japanese restaurant there, Espejo took the chance to visit as often as possible before the door closed. Last time he had stocked up on whatever he could for his own apartment.

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[info]notsoslyblue
2024-02-11 11:08 pm UTC (link)
Aoba found it impossible not to smile when Espejo grinned like that. He was… really very cute, physically and verbally. As soon as the thought came Aoba hastily brushed it away in favor of a less endeared pondering. He was not sure that a fully grown man would appreciate being called ‘cute’. Instead he tried to focus on the words. It was a relief to hear that he would be given a comfortable place to stay and his own things to make it a home even so far from his own. Aoba did not own much, given his grandmother ruled the house with an iron fist and he made a low wage, but what he did have was precious. If nothing else he longed for his treasured pink headphones to help him lose himself in a lulling sea of sound that carried him away from worries.

He accepted the bottle with one hand and then set Ren down on the ground so that he had both hands free. The Allmate said nothing but stood close by, head tilted up to look at his human with more keen attentiveness than real animals usually displayed. After a brief fumble because his fingers were still slightly damp Aoba opened the water to take an eager sip. He was relieved to find it was ordinary water indistinguishable to anything back in Midorijima. Perhaps even a little fresher than what emerged from his home’s tap. After he was finished refreshing himself he blew out a satisfied sigh and seemed a little more energized.

“I’d like to see the apartments and have the food you offered. Miso soup sounds amazing. It’s a staple where I come from and I think something from home would be welcome right now.”
Aoba felt he would miss his Baa-chan’s excellent meals but was accustomed to simple fare during the work day as his own cooking was only passably edible. Even cheap instant noodles would be a comfort in this new environment. He was surprised that familiar foods were available to him, having expected exotic cuisine. Was this space station as foreign as he had assumed? He could only find out with time.

“Thank you for the water. If you're ready to leave we are too. Right, Ren?”
He looked down at the robotic dog for confirmation. Though Ren's jaw did not move a deep, slightly mechanical voice issued from within.
"Yes." He responded, cool and calm as usual.
Aoba returned his gaze to Espejo and smiled wide enough for dimples to appear in his cheeks. It surprised him that he could do that in these circumstances but he was feeling much more amenable than he had before. It was going to be hard, he knew, but at least he was not cast adrift among the stars with no one and nothing. It was going to be alright.

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[info]espejo_lluvia
2024-02-11 11:53 pm UTC (link)
Seeing the Allmate made Espejo realise how much he missed having a pet around. A cat in particular. Maybe he'd be able to get one, one day. The station had a way with making random things happen.

Aoba was interesting too. Espejo liked the blue hair. And his general aesthetic. He was pretty cute too. He appreciated it when other guys wore anything pink or pastel unapologetically. He often dyed his own hair pink. Which reminded him, he needed to do something new with his hair. Maybe go from blonde back to pink? His mind was wandering. He clicked his fingers together and lightly bashed the heels of his palms together as a means to get himself to focus.

"All right, apartments it is!" Espie replied enthusiastically. He turned on his heel and started to walk backwards. "So it's kind of a long walk. If you're okay with that. Or I can teleport us back" he said as he started to walk, making sure the other man kept step with him. "If we're walking, we need to get an elevator to the next wheel, and then it's not too long a walk? I guess? I usually longboard around the station" he rambled, turning on his heel again so he was walking normally.

"So does your companion have a name?" he asked. "And where are you guys from?" he added. "If I'm asking too many questions you can just tell me"

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[info]notsoslyblue
2024-02-12 01:35 am UTC (link)
Ah, so there was the enthusiasm he had felt came naturally to his new friend. Aoba was calm now so it wasn’t alarming and was in fact a welcome distraction from any lingering discomfort. Though he almost exclaimed in worry that Espejo was going to trip and fall walking backward. He stifled the impulse as the other man seemed like one in good command of his body.
"I don’t mind the questions.” Aoba reassured. It seemed fair that they were equally curious about one another. “This is Ren. He's my Allmate. Ah, I’m not sure you are familiar with Allmates. They’re usually assistants that can access the network and manage things for you, or fight for you in the game Rhyme. But Ren is more than that— he’s my best friend."
He cast an affectionate glance at the small figure trotting beside him.

“If you don’t mind we can walk today. I'm used to it since other means of transportation are unreliable in my hometown. You longboard? Do you mean one of those extra large hoverboards? I’ve seen those a few times.” It seemed cool, though perhaps it was more a nuisance back home. Aoba swept his eyes over the other man, noting the gauged ears and tattoos. While he had none himself they were very common, even encouraged as it was dangerous to be a young No Mark, among his own people. Espejo looked like he would get along with some of Aoba’s friends. Mizuki would have taken to his energy immediately and been vying to ink him soon after. A pang of longing hit him at the thought of his dear friend being potentially lost to him. It passed quickly, thankfully.

“We live on Midorijima. It’s a small island off the coast of mainland Japan. But it is now ‘owned’ by the Toue Corporation rather than the government. I live in the Old Residential District. Most people do because the north of the island is a giant resort called Platinum Jail that caters exclusively to the wealthy.”
It was obvious from the way a flash of distaste crossed Aoba’s face that he hated Toue and Platinum Jail. But he pushed the anger down and relaxed his fists, electing to slide his hands into his pockets to give his brain signals that he was without a care.
“Where I live is a bit cramped, dirty, and aging but I was never expecting to go anywhere else. I hope that I can find someplace that makes me happy here.”
None of this was said mournfully. Just simple forthright honesty. The corner of his mouth curled up again as he looked at Espejo. A big family, huh? That was promising.

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[info]espejo_lluvia
2024-02-12 01:54 am UTC (link)
Espejo looked down at Ren and gave the small dog shaped Allmate a little wave. "Well hello there, Ren" he said, smiling before returning his attention to Aoba.

"Oh, I wish I had a hoverboard! That would be amaaaaazing. It's just a long board with wheels. You can do tricks on it or just vibe and dance on it. I like to listen to music and just kinda vibe on it, move with the board" he explained, motioning with his hands as he talked.

He listened to the other mans answer, glad that he felt able to enough to give detailed answers. From the sounds of things, he was from another version of Earth. There were a lot of versions of Earth. The whole multiverse thing still blew Espejo's mind when he tried to really think about it. Maybe because it was just so incomprehensibly big.

"Platinum jail?" he said, scoffing. "Sounds like fancy prison for jerks" he said, recognising the way that Aoba talked about that place and reciprocating in his own way. "We'll find you a nice apartment, and you can decorate it and have fun with it. I had way too much fun decorating my place when I got here. I'm sure you'll have fun too" he said, returning that smile.

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[info]notsoslyblue
2024-02-12 08:56 pm UTC (link)
While making a considering noise Aoba tried to imagine having the space to ride a long board on the ground. It would never work in the busy streets and warren of alleys around his home. For one thing Ribsteez territories divided the town into sections that had their own rules and temperaments. Maybe it would be possible in the derelict north quarter, though that would be dangerous for reasons entirely separate from one’s skill on a board. He was keenly curious to see how the sport worked here. He still had a minute understanding of the landscape and culture of the station.
“Just riding around with music sounds relaxing.” Aoba replied. “It might be more my style than taking damage playing Rhyme or Rib brawls.”
Having come from a world in which these were central to his daily life he once again forgot that he was likely speaking gibberish to his companion.

Nothing further was said of Platinum Jail as Aoba knew lingering on it would put him in a foul mood. But he was grateful for the derisive comment mirroring his sentiment--- some people would have been envious of those who lived for pleasure only. The rich were invited from the mainland to experience the place... and reportedly even further afield. But apparently this new friend of his did not covet wealth and constant mindless leisure. They seemed to be like-minded in some things which led Aoba to feel oddly comfortable in Espejo's company. He should talk to Ren about what the insightful Allmate thought later. For now, they still needed to procure him an apartment.

Picturing his own bedroom Aoba nodded in agreement to the assumption he would enjoy decorating. He was willing to experiment and possibly upgrade some of his dated belongings. Hopefully there were things in his preferred vivid colors.
“Yes, it could be a lot of fun! But I hope that my computer and headphones appear tomorrow. I can live without my posters and stereo but I need the desktop for Ren and music for my sanity.” He mused, smile tilted up wryly at the last part to show he was making light of it.
His hand slid out of his pocket to unconsciously reach for the familiar weight of his headphones. Finding nothing but the fall of his long hair he lightly touched a lock while taking care not to tug on the sensitive strands. The absence reminded him of something important.
"How does money work here? Will I have to get a job to afford things or are they just available?"

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[info]espejo_lluvia
2024-02-12 10:01 pm UTC (link)
"I know, right?" he replied in response to Aoba's comment about needing his music for the sake of his sanity. "I'm not sure what I'd do if I couldn't get my music here. I'd have to borrow from someone around here and then there's a chance I wouldn't be able to find the same music. Nah that would be terrible" he said, pausing a moment. He didn't want to make his new friend panic.

"I'm sure they'll turn up" Espejo replied with a firm nod. "If it's important to you, it's got a higher chance of showing up. At least that's what I've seen so far" he added.

"Um as for money? There is no money. It's more like a trade system? Kinda like, if someone can provide something you need, you can maybe do them a favour later, or trade something. Kinda depends on the person but there's no actual money here. Sometimes we get to go to places that do need money and usually there's someone here who can help us all with that" he added.

They approached the elevator and Espejo pressed the buttons to get to his floor on wheel 2. Biting his lip, he shifted his weight from the balls of his feet to his heels and back again.

"I gotta say, you're handling all this way better than I did when I got here. I was freaking out" he said, smiling softly. "I think you'll get on just fine here" he nodded.

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[info]notsoslyblue
2024-02-15 01:15 am UTC (link)
Aoba craved to ask more about the music that mattered so much to Espejo and parted his lips to do so. He knew how the art form could be salvation from all the pains and evils of the world; anyone who recognized this was a kindred spirit. But then he stopped and with some effort held his curiosity in. It seemed likely they would have ample time to share their interests with one another if this was home now. (He tried to avoid the devastating conclusion that he might never see his loved ones again.) It felt good to talk about softer things but he decided that currently it was important to orient himself in the ways of the station before he got distracted by a welcome discussion of their shared passion. Maybe they could talk about it over the promised food. That sounded wonderful.

He tried to focus on the new information being given to him instead. The description of how the barter system worked made sense. Noiz would have thrived here--- it sounded exactly like his kind of place. Aoba was unsure how he would fare. It was good he didn't need to find himself an occupation, he supposed, as he had few skills. He had only ever worked one job for a family friend. As for trading for favors... Perhaps his greatest asset, should there ever be need for it, was that he was wildly successful at talking people into things. Though he was more reluctant to do so now that he understood he had been injecting a minute amount of Scrap into his voice to accomplish that. He had forgotten just how recently his world had been turned on its head the FIRST time.

It reassured Aoba that someone who had lived here longer thought he would be alright. He had felt the calm and positive state he had built bow a little beneath the knowledge that was accumulating but it held. He was usually like this--- so long as no one was in immediate active danger he could adapt to stressful situations.
“I am still scared of what this means but… I’ve been in much worse situations.”
No one was hurting him, his mind had quieted, he was apparently very far from Toue, Ren was by his side… Things could have been significantly more dangerous than they were at the moment. Aoba hesitated before he added quietly, “I was terrified at first. But you’ve helped me feel better about everything.”

Suddenly shy with the admission and the smile directed at him, he busied himself scooping Ren up. Aoba tried to keep his easily stained cheeks from betraying his emotions. Silly to be reacting so but he was often embarrassed by sentiment. ’Idiot,’ he chided himself. ‘it’s not weird so don’t be weird.’ His Allmate misunderstood the purpose of the seizure.
“I am able to walk.” Ren informed, not protesting but merely helpfully stating the fact.
“No, you’re staying with me, okay?” Aoba replied, hugging the furry lump close to his chest.
“Understood.”
Feeling now less bashful he turned his attention back to Espejo and asked, "Will you tell me your story sometime?"

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[info]espejo_lluvia
2024-02-15 02:42 am UTC (link)
"I'd be happy to" Espejo replied when asked about his story. He nodded and pressed one more button to let the elevator know they were ready. As soon as he did, the doors closed and it started to move.

It took a few minutes to get where they wanted to, but it did so smoothly and quickly. The doors, revealing his floor. There was a rounded corridor with a few long corridors branching off from it all the way around the outside of the central elevator column. Espejo stepped off the elevator first, leading his new found friend to his corridor.

"It's not much longer and soon you can relax and I'll fix you up some food" he said with an enthused nod.

A few more minutes later and they were at Espejo's apartment. Espie unlocked the door with his phone device, and the door slid back to reveal a comfortable looking apartment. First room they walked into was the living room and kitchen area. Off to the left side was a small kitchen area. The rest of the room was taken up by a living room with a coffee table, a setee and a couch, and a flat screen television. However the most striking feature of the room was probably the decoration. When Espejo had arrived, he had started work on painting and drawing on all the walls. He had drawn silly random patterns all over the living room walls. Some looked like clouds, flowers and hearts, some were just random shapes and patterns. Some parts had been coloured in with different colours of paint too, but not all of it had been filled in yet. A pink, black and white tie dye hoodie lay draped over the dark green couch, and a well used long board was propped up against the wall. A video games console sat underneath the tv, two controllers connected via cables laid out on the nearby coffee table.

Between the kitchen and the living room was a round dining table with four chairs around it. Off to the right side there were two doors, each leading to a bedroom.

"Make yourself at home" Espejo said, putting his bag to the side. He took his shoes off next and put them over to the side of the door. "So you want some noodles? Soup? Both?" he asked.

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[info]notsoslyblue
2024-02-15 10:36 pm UTC (link)
The apartment’s lived-in interior was a relief after the corridors the likes of which did not exist in the area Aoba lived in. Midorijima’s only isolated town had not been updated to keep time with the world that this station resembled. It lingered, characterized by a strange amalgamation of old clunky tech that had been patched to be compatible with the digital age and advanced inventions like Allmates and Rhyme. This was more to Aoba’s liking. It did not present some of the uniquely Japanese décor every home he knew did but that was expected and not a disappointment. He was immediately curious about every corner of this place, so new to him and crafted to fit its occupant.

“Sorry for disturbing you.” Aoba murmured the traditional phrase as he entered.
After the door was shut and they were properly inside the apartment he toed off his calf-length boots and placed them neatly beside Espejo’s shoes, leaving his feet padded only by socks and soft leg warmers. Though he still wore his jacket he was truly settling in now, wasn’t he? It felt good to relax as one only did in a home. Something about the sight of the living room’s signs of personality released tension in him. It didn’t smell as sterile as it had outside, maybe, nor echo in the same way. He was looking forward to spending some time here and sharing a meal.
“If it isn’t too much trouble could we have both? My body thinks it has missed a meal. Normally Baa-chan would…” He trailed off with the thought of his grandmother. Shaking himself free he continued, “I am very hungry.”

But he was distracted from his stomach as he looked around again. Stepping further in, Aoba drifted toward a wall as if magnetically pulled by the illustrations. They were more appealing than the various Ribsteez tags that were painted across every surface of the Old Residential District. After shifting Ren to the crook of his right arm he reached out with his left hand to trace the shape of a flower with reverent fingertips. It was a simple picture but beautiful for its bright liveliness and purity. There was no violence inherent in any of these designs. They were made with some other emotion. It reminded him of how cheerful and kind his new friend was.
“Amazing.” He praised, smiling at the image.

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[info]espejo_lluvia
2024-02-16 01:24 am UTC (link)
"Both works for me" Espejo replied, walking over to the sink to start washing his hands. "Miso soup, with some ramen coming right up. I try to make it as good as I can but don't expect much in the way of quality" he said, chuckling a little as he dried his hands.

He reached into the top cupboard and grabbed a couple of packets of ramen, followed by the rest of the bits and bobs he needed. Eggs, nori sheets, spring onions, seasoning, pots and plates. Everything had been laid out ready. He even put all the ingredients he would need into their own little bowls and containers ready to just add as he went. Next thing there were pots on the stove and things boiling away.

He turned to see Aoba looking at the drawings on the wall. "Do you like it?" he asked. "I did it when I got here. I thought it would help me feel more at home and it kinda worked. The people here helped with that more" he nodded. "I forgot to ask, do you eat meat? Are you allergic to anything? I should have asked before I started" he said, turning only to stir the gently simmering pots of food.

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[info]notsoslyblue
2024-02-16 07:28 pm UTC (link)
Aoba laughed gently at the warning about the food’s quality as it made him think of his own lack of skill. He had faith this would be a better meal than what he would have created. Glancing over he noticed it looked as if there would be more than the bare essentials, too, and that was a hearty start. The familiar sounds of a kitchen being used were so soothing and familiar like home. Though it distinctly lacked his grandmother’s grumbling and sighing. He was not certain whether that was an improvement or not. Regardless, he decided that Espejo was good company and was glad they had met.
“Yes, I eat meat. I dislike drinking milk but have no allergies that I know of. You won’t poison me!” Aoba reassured.

His gaze was drawn back to the wall and he explored another outline as if it was more than a flat drawing. The one he touched next had not been colored in and was smooth beneath his hand. It was probably a bit strange for him to be groping at them this way but tactile experiences were one of the best ways to connect to something for him. Aoba had been in tattoo studios with art on their walls but they were different than these expressions. Almost as if Espejo had tattooed his home, inking himself into it as one brought new shapes into their skin beneath the needle. It seemed to fit the man.
“I like it very much.”, Aoba replied to the earlier question. “You seem to enjoy art.”

No doubt because he noted the warm mood settling over his human’s mind and body, Ren’s plumed tail began to wag with a soft rhythmic rustle of fur against cloth. He said nothing but looked up to observe Aoba with limpid dark eyes. Grounded by the movement thumping against his side, the blue-haired man blinked away the transfixed state and slowly dropped his hand. It would not do to become too preoccupied when he still had so much to learn. Attention redirected, he turned toward the other man and approached the kitchen area so they were not as distant from one another for conversation.
“You said that drawing helped but the people did more? What are the others like?” Aoba asked curiously, trying to imagine what assortment had been brought here.

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[info]espejo_lluvia
2024-02-16 11:50 pm UTC (link)
"Okay, phew" Espejo replied in response to the comment about food allergies. He took some pork out from the fridge next before adding it into a pan to fry off. He planned on using it as topping for the ramen. He just hoped he didn't burn something.

"Um, I mean I haven't met everyone yet but there's a lot of people here" Espejo started. "But the people I have met are good people. I've got a few friends here. And sometimes I work shifts at one of the bars too, which means I get to meet more people. It's pretty fun but it's quiet most nights" he shrugged. "I'll introduce you to some folks I know if you want?" he offered.

He went back to stirring pots and adding ingredients, adjusting temperatures as he went. "So what kind of stuff do you like doing? What are you interested in?" he asked. "Oh shit... music..." he said, putting the spoon he was using to stir the soup off to the side. He walked over to the tablet computer and picked it up, before tapping the screen a few times before selecting some Metalcore music.

"Um feel free to change it if you want. Anyway, sorry about that" he said, going back over to keep an eye on the food.

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[info]notsoslyblue
2024-02-17 02:43 am UTC (link)
As the music began to filter through the speakers Aoba shut his eyes, hummed thoughtfully, and allowed it to charge into his head and down his spine. It was a familiar and welcome sensation. For a few moments he just took it into himself and let the sound penetrate. He knew that as the song built in intensity his hair would tingle and heartbeat mellow. Inevitably Aoba always felt best when listening to music. The offer to change it was not taken; Metalcore wasn’t something alien to him even if he didn’t listen to it as often as other types. In his life Aoba had never been confined by the boundaries of genre in his tastes and liked many things. He was always open to more, too, and could appreciate the masterful creation of a piece no matter its style. Maybe most people did not feel that way, which was perfectly understandable, but it had always been his particular disposition.
“This is good.” He decided, then opened his eyes and returned to the conversation.

“Music is my biggest and favorite interest. We don't have much of a live music scene on Midorijima but I collect cds for my old school sound system and my headphones are full of songs. I also game when I can. Not Rhyme but the games you can play on a device without a neural link. I guess I enjoy tinkering with robotics and mechanical things, too.”
“I am kept in good condition.” Ren agreed as he padded over to sit at Aoba’s feet.
One sock-covered foot gently nudged the Allmate as if affectionately poking at inner workings that had been repaired so many times by Aoba’s own hands. The man continued with a wry smile, “I was a wild teenager but I think I’m boring now.”
It was a little embarrassing to admit such to his new friend. He would have liked to be more impressive or adventurous but honestly his life was recently too chaotic for his comfort. Aoba just wanted a quiet existence as a normal person, not Toue’s next experiment or the seemingly feral creature he had been before.

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[info]espejo_lluvia
2024-02-17 03:07 am UTC (link)
Espejo was glad that his new found friend seemed to like the music. He knew it wasn't everyones taste but he loved the blend of heavy and melodic. The clean vocals and the screaming with the heavy guitars. He liked his music soft or heavy and sometimes both. He continued to stir and work on their meal, knowing he was getting close to it being ready to serve up.

"That's so cool!" Espejo replied with enthusiasm. "I'm really into music too and I love playing games. I've got a console over there and some games" he added, pointing over at the console under the television.

"And hey, I dunno if this means much but you don't seem boring to me" he said, smiling softly before he turned his attention back to the food. He started to turn hobs off, preparing everything. First the soup, step by step. Miso paste, dashi stock, green onions, some tofu. Next he prepared the noodles, draining them off and putting them in a bowl. He added some of the noodle broth he had made, along with some fried pork, green onions, nori and half a boiled egg. Next he scattered some sesame seeds over the top and put everything on a tray to make it easier. He then placed soup spoons and chopsticks on the tray with chopstick rests, and two bottles of mixed fruit juice from the fridge. Next he brought it over to the round dining table and placed it there.

"Okay, foods up!" he called over to Aoba.

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[info]notsoslyblue
2024-02-18 11:38 pm UTC (link)
Aoba made a note in his mind to continue their talk of music and games once they had tucked into their food. He didn't want to be a distraction in the process of cooking. It was surprisingly exciting to share with someone who liked the same things as he did. At least, the things he enjoyed at this point in his life. Fighting, drugs, Rhyme, getting up to no good… all past-times well behind him. Now he preferred these lighter delights and that set him apart. He loved his friends dearly but they had their own lives, pursuits, and preoccupation with their respective teams--- he was never lonely but did at times feel as if he was still a child tagging along behind older boys. Espejo was so bright and fun that he felt himself perk up in return.

But first, they should eat. With anticipation he approached the table and marveled as the tray was set on its surface.
“Wooow, it looks so good!” Aoba praised enthusiastically.
The dishes seemed no different than anything he would receive at home and smelled tantalizing. His belly announced its desire to consume the food with a loud rumble that caused Aoba’s cheeks to heat with shame. One hand lightly touched his active stomach and he chuckled awkwardly. Really, his body was being dramatic because he remembered eating dinner the night before. Baa-chan would have scolded him for being greedy like a teenaged boy at his present age.

Before selecting a seat Aoba bent to quietly tell his furry companion that he was intending to put the Allmate in sleep mode. Though it was true that Ren was Aoba’s best friend the former spent a lot of time dozing while the life of regular humans unfolded. Currently, Aoba was busy doing ‘people things’ so with a peaceful affirmative response Ren curled up beside one of the chairs and became still. That task done, Aoba sat himself down and turned a soft smile on his new friend.
“I didn’t expect this at all when I heard I had been brought to a space station. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to settle in. Thank you.”

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[info]espejo_lluvia
2024-02-19 12:57 am UTC (link)
Espejo watched as the small dog curled up to sleep. He wasn't sure if he should put food out for him or not. Was he a robot? Something else? The voice made the creature sound mechanical. Maybe he'd ask at some point.

He took the bowls off the trays and placed them down in front of Aoba and his own seat at the table, along with the cutlery and drinks, before sitting down himself and setting the tray aside for the time being.

"I'm glad I could help" Espejo replied with a gentle smile. "I was lucky to have a familiar face here when I arrived. So I had something familiar to help me start to adapt to my new surroundings. I thought if nothing here's familiar, I could at least try and make you feel welcome. Make you something to eat. Help you get settled down" he said, picking up his chopsticks.

"Okay! Itadakimasu!" he said enthusiastically, clapping his hands together before he started to eat. Back in his home world, any time he ate out he tended to go for Chinese, Japanese and Thai places. There was a Chinese noodle place not far from where he worked in his world that he loved and went to visit regularly. When he could afford to go to the Japanese place, he'd go. Making the food at home made him miss it all a little less. It had been a long year.

"Does your dog need something to eat?" he asked. "I should have asked before but I wasn't sure".

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[info]notsoslyblue
2024-02-20 03:18 am UTC (link)
Espejo was kind--- genuinely so, rather than merely making a polite pretense. Neither did Aoba get the impression that the other man was coveting something untoward as often happened when people encountered his hypnotic voice. That sweet consideration of his feelings and previously agitated state of mind was stirring something in Aoba’s heart. It felt strange now to remember that just hours before he had been huddled on a storage room floor clutching his head and trying not to hyperventilate. This was no longer a crisis. He didn’t want to cause awkwardness by apologizing or thanking profusely but he felt like a bowl himself filled to the brim with the warm, wholesome broth of gratitude. He smiled with blooming affection and echoed the appreciative reception of their food.

Just after he slurped his first mouthful of noodles the question about feeding Ren had Aoba blinking in surprise and lowering his chopsticks. He chewed quickly, swallowed, and then his mouth formed a little ‘o’ as the question absorbed into his brain. Having never had a pet it was not the sort of thing that would have occurred to him to ask. Though, it was a perfectly fair confusion considering how realistic even obsolete models like his own appeared. They had much to learn from one another.
“Oh ah--- Allmates are robotic so they can’t eat. But that’s very thoughtful, thank you.” Then Aoba shook his head with wry self-deprecation. “I might be bad at taking care of a real animal… I’m used to Allmates who can talk to you like a human and when that fails be plugged in to diagnostics.”
A soft, considering hum welled up in his throat as he pondered that. He tipped his head to one side and regarded the man across from him curiously.
“Are live pets common where you come from? It seems like our worlds might be different.”

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[info]espejo_lluvia
2024-02-20 03:48 am UTC (link)
Espejo felt something too. Pretty quickly. He liked Aoba already. He wanted to get to know him more. Spend more time with him. He was also certain he maybe had a slight crush. Maybe? What would Maryanne say if she told him how he was feeling so quickly? He had to slow down. Not scare his new friend away.

"Oh, that's cool!" Espejo replied with a chuckle. "Um yeah they kind of are. There's not a lot of robotic pets running around. There's one I can think of on this station. Dr Redel owns that one. But most peoples pets own live animals" he nodded. "I miss having cats, honestly. I've been wanting a pet cat for a while now. Or two cats so they don't get lonely when I'm not around" he added, picking up his chopsticks to start eating again.

"Allmates sound really cool though" Espie said after he swallowed another mouthful of noodles. "We've got a lot to learn about each others worlds and where we came from" he nodded. "And as different as some things are, I think we've already found some things that we have in common" he smiled.

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[info]notsoslyblue
2024-02-22 06:53 am UTC (link)
As Espejo told him about the animals Aoba took the opportunity to eat but was raptly attentive. It was probably not the most polite way to consume a meal but he did not want to miss any of this fascinating learning that he was being offered. He had his own things to say, as well.
“Really? Only one fabricated animal in a big space station? Things definitely are different.”
The mental image of his new friend cuddling with cats was too precious. It was always an insight to discover what animal a person would choose as companion. Sometimes it was one you would not expect, others it seemed almost like there could be no other. Aoba wondered what it said about Espie. He looked forward to finding out. Smiling, he shared another snippet of his world:
“There is an actual cat that I think must live somewhere near my house. She had kittens not long ago and I see them sometimes when I’m on the balcony of my bedroom. I’ve wondered what it would be like to hold one.”

‘Holding… yes.’ The thought trailed off before Aoba quickly shut down the thought of their hands brushing when they interacted with the cats. Maybe even grasping each other's fingers. Comparing their worlds and finding commonality was infecting his brain with all manner of bashful hues. Such innocuous words were delivered in a perfectly friendly way so it should not have been tingly, and yet. Aoba was finding Espejo did strange things to him. If he was less of an idiot when it came to his feelings he would have realized that the tickling sensation in his belly and his certainty he would do anything to keep the other man smiling were signs of attraction. Unfortunately, he was dwelling in confused ignorance born of inexperience and an uncharacteristic lack of self-awareness. Baa-chan’s specter seemed to appear before him, pink brows drawn down in disapproval: ‘Aoba. Stop thinking and eat your damned ramen.’

Before applying himself again to his food as instructed by the memory of his grandmother he caught his lip between his teeth and lowered his eyes shyly.
“I’m glad we have those things in common in spite of coming from different worlds. It feels weirdly lucky to have met a friend I get along with so well immediately. They call that fate, right?”
Generally, Aoba believed fate was either accident or engineered. But many shocking, previously unbelievable things were happening around and to him these days. Perhaps destiny was not entirely out of the question. For what, exactly, he did not know. Yet it didn’t feel threatening.
“Ah--- that sounds kind of stupid, doesn’t it?” He hastened to correct, flushing a pink that contrasted with the blue of his hair.

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[info]espejo_lluvia
2024-02-23 03:38 am UTC (link)
Espie thought he had trailed off because he was maybe sad at the idea of not seeing the cats anymore. Which Epsie could understand. He missed the old club he worked at. He missed seeing the people there. He missed feeding the local stray cats and seeing peoples pets when they brought them in. Espejo had always loved being around animals. In a room full of people and pets, he'd go to the pets but he'd also give the people his love and attention. Espejo was an odd duck.

"Fate?" he asked. "I'm not sure about fate. Kinda feels gloomy. Destiny kinda sounds really grand though, right?" he said, putting his chopsticks aside to pick up his soup spoon. "It doesn't sound stupid though" he noted. "Yeah, I think destiny's maybe better. Like we were meant to meet like this. I think so anyway" he added before eating a spoonful of soup.

"After we eat, we'll go and find you an apartment and get you set up. And once you sleep your stuff should arrive and you can get settled in more. We can find you a place nearby here if you want to? That way I won't be far if you need me for anything" he said, hoping he wasn't being too pushy. He was just enthused. Happy to have met Aoba. Excited at the idea of spending more time with him.

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[info]notsoslyblue
2024-03-02 10:07 pm UTC (link)
Aoba hummed thoughtfully when his new friend proposed that ‘destiny’ was a superior word. Thinking on it he could agree. Fate seemed very harsh and finite. Akin to an unavoidable duty or the fall of an executioner’s blade. Destiny, on the other hand, was constellations in the sky or the start of a heroic journey. They had been brought to this new frontier by force rather than choice but maybe there was more to be found than longing for home. He had been promised companionship, after all, and there was a lot to experience outside the island which he had never been allowed to leave. How long he would be on the station he did not know but he could try to make a second home. Aoba was not sure what his destiny was overall but it did feel like he was meant to meet the man sitting opposite him. That felt… right. Yeah. He liked the way Espie’s mind worked.

“It would be convenient to be close. And…” He muttered the next part in a tone that bordered flustered. “I’d like to see you. More.”
Aoba stubbornly insisted to himself that it was not embarrassing or strange to be attached to someone this quickly. Nor was it bad to reveal his feelings with honesty. It was not like he was confessing to romantic intentions. However, it was not a very common occurrence for him to profess desire to spend time more with someone. Aoba was one who was friendly with many people but had only a few friends. Ren, Koujaku, Mizuki. One his ever-present companion and the other two longtime friends who tended to insert themselves into his days. His history had led to being intensely preserving of his heart. Thus, he did not bond with others that easily despite his genial personality. But it seemed impossible to deny himself the pleasure of Espejo’s company. Aoba liked the other man immensely and would not want to part for too long.

Now motivated to finish their food so they could find him a nearby place to call his own, he began to eat with more gusto. The combination of his companion and the familiar food made Aoba feel safer than he had imagined he would under these circumstances. Having his own apartment was a little intimidating considering the fear of being alone that had plagued him since he was a small child. But it would be alright, he told himself. He had Ren and a friend nearby. It was just new--- like learning a skill or visiting a strange corner of Midorijima. He missed Baa-chan and his friends dearly but he could still be optimistic about this new life, right? There really was no other choice but this. More than anything Aoba was grateful to have met someone who could make him feel at home in a strange place. That was enough. He tried not to smile into the bowl of his soup spoon as he thought so.

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[info]espejo_lluvia
2024-03-04 09:55 pm UTC (link)
When Aoba said that he would like to see him more, Espejo smiled, pleased to hear it. Espejo loved meeting new people and making new friends. He had made a pretty decent community in his universe, and they all looked out for one another. It meant something. Maryanne had been a good influence on how he treated others.

But this was a bit different. He felt a spark, a connection almost immediately with Aoba and that fascination, that curiosity made him want to know more about it. To maybe get closer to him one day. Maybe it was all a bit too quick but that's how it was if Espejo was being honest with himself.

"When we're both done we can go apartment hunting then" Espejo replied with a smile and a nod. "And we'll find you some place near. Which should be easy. There's so many empty apartments nearby" he added. "Don't worry, you'll have your own place in no time. Well, you and your friend there" he said before slurping down some of his noodles.

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