bottombitch | IC Contact @ Riverview

I'm not opposed to it, but I take it from your answer that karaoke wasn't your original idea.

[ Karaoke could be fun, even moreso with a group. Maybe if he dragged Noiz along... or Mugi! And there was that blond boy he met and turns out to be some kind of celebrity around here. Oh! What if his alien friend sings?

Aoba... focus. ]

So! Sweet and savory. Singing and dancing.

Just what kind of thing involves all these things, Karamatsu-kun? The suspense is killing me!

Edited 2017-07-13 01:38 (UTC)

It is a surprise. Do you honestly think i would tell you?

[ This is unexpected, but kind of fun too. Outside of the incident with the flying monsters, he hasn't really run into many dangers in Quarantine, so something like this seems very benign. ~~Don't ruin this for him~~ ]

A surprise?

Can you at least tell me where to meet you? And when?

_{[ crap, he didn't think this far ahead! neither did I. ]}
It may or may not be open mic night at the coffee shop.. which may or may not be where our souls meet in person!
_{[ he's so good at this.. ]}

[ Aoba excitedly texts back. This is definitely one of those hipster things he's really never done before, but it sounds like a fun experience. HOW LITTLE HE KNOWS... ]

Open mic night? Does this mean you'll perform? That's great!

Send me the details, I'll meet you there! [ Famous last words... ]

Asking the performer who plays a key role on this stage call life if he is going to perform or not is a silly question.

I will be waiting outside and i will escort you in.
_{[ There you have it, he sends the directions. ]}

[ Aoba offers so response, simply stares at his comm device for a long moment before smiling to himself in an embarrassed way and tucking it right back into his pocket. Karamatsu-kun, just what kind of person are you like face-to-face? He sounds like quite a character...

Aoba arrives a few minutes early out of habit, and (also out of habit) walks all the way there. He's used to hoofing it across Midorijima and even in Germany he found long rides in the car such a new and wonderful experience that he just naturally tended to walk everywhere. The hot and humid weather of the season has him wearing lighter attire - light pink capri pants with a deeper blue studded belt, but he's swapped out those boots and leg-warmers for lighter sneakers and ankle socks, ditched his unseasonably warm jacket and long sleeved shirt in favor of a light t-shirt with a pink logo of what appears to be a stylized brain with electric bolts surrounding it. The heat isn't keeping him from wearing fingerless gloves, but these are white and the knuckles are plated. Most of his attire is, like his namesake, sky blue, with pink and white accents.

He wasn't really sure what he was supposed to wear to this kind of place, so he just wore what he already had on. With no work assignments for today, it was a good time to waste some time. Truthfully, he was pretty excited to see his new friend. Nervous too, judging from the way he fidgets restlessly with his comm device, pretending to be interested in swiping through Friendr while he casts cautious glances at anyone who seems to approach or look at all familiar. ]

...Will I even recognize him, I wonder?

_{[ As for Karamatsu, he arrives fashionably late and not out of habit.. because going on friend-dates is something that he has never had to opportunity to make a habit out of. His attire isn't entirely obnoxious today; it's this outfit and yes, the guitar is strapped around his shoulder. His shoes are bedazzled with gold buckles, but for the most part, he doesn't look like a train wreck.

Anyway, while Aoba is distracted by his phone, Karamatsu is just going to slide up to him, propping himself against the side of the building, trying to look "cool." ]}

—I'd recognize your blue hairstyle anywhere, Aoba-kun.
_{[ He doesn't even think about the off-chance he would have the wrong person. He pulls off his sunglasses, absolutely glittering in his new friend's direction: ]}

Are you ready for a night of platonic romance?
_{[ stop its too early ]}

[ It's a nerve-wracking wait, with Aoba looking up from his comm device whenever anyone comes close and that's a LOT of people. But then there's relief from his growing anxiety when he finally hears him addressed by name. But he certainly fits his Friendr profile, and the guitar case slung on his back looks promising. ]

Karamatsu-kun, for a minute there I was worried I'd gone to the wrong place.

[ Even though it's become cooler now that the sun's down, what he says makes him sweat a little. He's never heard of a 'platonic romance', what does it even mean?!?! Aoba's smile becomes a little strained. ]

I... don't know what that means, but it's night and I... think I'm ready?

[ help him ]

Heh, though your feet my stumble, taking you places by mistake, if you truly believe that we an be knit at the soul as friends, it does not matter where you go, we will always be together. Nevertheless, I am happy that we have met each other in person finally.
_{[ He's coming off awfully strong, isn't he? ]}

Come on inside. I have never been here before, but I studied the menu to make sure we both could find something we like.
_{[ Then he'll proceed forward, pivoting on his heel as if he's been practicing (he has.) ]}

[ He thinks that was supposed to be a cool line, but there's just! Too many words! What is Aoba supposed to do with all of these words? ]

A-ah, I wouldn't really... [ Put it in quite that way', but his voice fails him and he falls silent, capping it off with a hasty and too light of tone not to be forced: ] ... me too!

[ Said in that halting way of one whose jury might still be out on that verdict, but doesn't have the heart to tell him. Aoba has a pretty open mind, had assumed that some things just don't translate well over text and is only now beginning to see that it's worse than he imagined.

He just spinned, he totally just spinned on his heel. Aoba glances around to see if anyone caught that and realizes several people staring as they pass. He frowns at them but follows after Karamatsu with a bit more 'slink' than he'd like in his posture.

He taps the guitar case on his back with his finger. Let's just... make small talk, shall we? ]

Karamatsu-kun, are you a musician back in your reality?

I am. I am desired by many who may not know it. In due time, my name will be cheered— I will be adored.
_{[ He has a positive outlook about his career, though has no plan as to get there. He can play the guitar decently, but he's tone-deaf and cannot sing very well. His lyrics aren't that bad, but he doesn't know the basic concept of how to correctly compose a song.

Why? Because he has no education. ]}

In fact, I will use this guitar and sing in front of thousands tonight.
_{[ okay there's like 20 people in the entire cafe, but sure. Thousands. ]}

Edited 2017-07-26 16:23 (UTC)

[ Aoba can't help but laugh, it's a confusing way to put it but he thinks he's got the gist. This is just how Karamatsu is, he's learning fast. ]

You have big dreams of becoming a star, don't you?

[ Finding an empty table is pretty easy, so he settles into a chair and starts to lean his chin on his hand but straightens up when Karamatsu indicates the performance has a larger audience than one would expect of some open mic night. Aoba blinks. ]

Eh? Is this being live-streamed or something?

[ Aoba glances around, because y-yeah... this place could fit maybe 35 people, but it's not exactly packed... ]

_{[ Karamatsu kicks a chair by the leg to scoot it away from the table and twirls once, reclining back in the seat and instantly crossing his ankle over his knee.

Distantly, as he looks off into the "horizon," his sunglasses still on even though they are inside a building.
Dramatically: ]}

It is live-streamed into the hearts and souls of his entire city. Tch. They will feel it.

Edited 2017-08-01 02:53 (UTC)

[ Aoba jolts upright in his chair when Karamatsu kicks it, makes it scrape loudly against the floor and then drops down into it with a flourish. Okay, that's. Actually kind of awesome that he pulled off that stunt without injuring anyone (or himself) but Aoba's got both hands gripping the table cloth afterwards. Tense because he really, really doesn't want his first time here to involve getting kicked out for rough housing. ]

A...ah. That's really something... [ Feel it? Like this overbearing sensation of second-hand embarrassment he's feeling right now?

He has no idea how he's supposed to respond to such a ridiculous statement, so he just defaults to that old standby - the non-answer. He tries to smooth the wrinkles he's put into the tablecloth and ignore the stares he's pretty sure they're getting right now. ]

Um. What kind of music do you like?

_{[ It's always best to just stick with the default answer, Aoba. Nice job. Karamatsu turns to Aoba slowly, his fingers curling together. He presses his knuckles to the table, leaning in slightly. You think he's gonna keep it down? Like he's telling a secret? You're wrong. ]}

Music.. that invigorates the soul! Ah!
_{[ there it goes. He leans back, throwing his arms up in the air. ]}
The kind of music that can change the entire world! I do not need music that shows the ugly face of anger, non! I desire the kind of music that inspires people.. that can make a difference! Thoughts that are happy and wholesome; that can cure the sickness of one's heart!

One that praises love and conquers hatred!

_{[ After all of that, he finally simmers down: ]}
But, I do enjoy the sound of American classics, such as Johnny Cash.

Edited 2017-08-02 02:53 (UTC)

[ Even Aoba's capacity to go with the flow and accept the many misfits in his life is being tested this day. Karamatsu is truly a rare individual, but that seems to be the kind of thing Aoba tends to surround himself with anyway. Aoba leans in, brows lifting as he half-expects to hear some conspiratorial whisper but instead flinches when Karamatsu's volume control completely fails. ]

I-inside voice, Kara-kun!

[ He reaches out, trying to grab his sleeve to pull him back into his chair. Please, for the love of god. People are staring.

Finally he does, and Aoba slouches in his chair a bit. Pouting, for the record, at least until he hears a name that... draws a complete blank. He blinks. ]

American classics... Is that like... country music? With harmonica and a banjo?

[ He's been raised in the slums so basically his concept of America is probably some futuristic cowboy, despite the fact he enjoys electronica and a lot of it features English lyrics... ]

JOH-NNY CASH!
_{[He says it again, and louder, as if he couldn't get more embarrassing. Aoba must want to die now.]}

Have you honestly never heard? Do you like music? I will show you some of his work!
_{[by like pulling out his phone and showing, right?]}

[ Tch!! Why must he be so noisy? Aoba resists the urge to kick him from under the table, which... takes an enormous amount of effort. His sinks a little more in his chair, weighing his chances of sneaking out without notice if he simply slips down under the table and crawls out to escape. Sigh, it'd never work.

After a moment, he sits up and scoots his chair closer in the hopes that this might encourage him to pipe down. Or at least he's within easier reach if he doesn't. ]

Okay, okay -- just... here.

[ He unhooks his large (and very pink) headphones from around his neck, being careful not to let it pull on his blue hair. He's modified it to sync with someone's comm device similar to how one might use it to pay for a meal - simply by tapping it against the display on the outside. ]

Let's use this so we don't disturb anyone else, okay? I don't want us to get kicked out.

Heh. Hah!
_{[ Wrong. Karamatsu shifts in his seat and pulls his guitar forward. With a single strum, he'll sing. Right here. Right now. Right at this table. ]}

Love, is a burning thing--
And it makes a fiery ring--
_{[ AOBA PLEASE STOP HIM BEFORE HE CONTINUES. ]}

[ Aoba stares.

It's not the polite, quiet kind of stare someone does when enjoying a performance.

It's a wide-eyed, slack jawed, vein-popping kind that weakens his limbs, making him drop his headphones a good ten seconds before he just slinks down over the table - face first - in a desperate bid in cooling his hot skin against the cooler fabric of the tablecloth and hide himself from the paralyzed smiles of others around them. ]

Why? Why are you singing...?

_{[ Karamatsu stops for a moment when he hears Aoba speak, smiling brightly the entire time and remaining completely oblivious to their surroundings. It's almost as if he blocked everyone out intentionally (he did.) ]}

I am singing.. for you, my friend! Come now, let me entertain you with my passion and spirit!

[ This is it, this is how he dies. Of embarrassment. He's being crushed by it! He puts his hands over his ears, his exasperated groan muffled against the tablecloth. He can feel the stares of other people all around him, boring into him.

There have been many moments when Aoba has questioned his life choices and he just carefully adds this one to the pile. That said, he lifts up his face a moment later to reach out and place a hand over the strings of his guitar and over Karamatsu's mouth, silencing both abruptly. ]

Don't you think you should wait your turn on the stage?

[ There's even a scandalized looking dude seated on a stool, glaring at them both for interrupting his performance. ]

_{[ Karamatsu knows he's attracting attention-- maybe that is the entire point (it is.) He looks at Aoba, blinking owlishly. If he strums, he know it won't really make sound, so he just lifts that hand to hold Aoba's hand, tugging his hand off of his face lightly. He keeps holding his hand, too.

It's a little gay. ]}

Don't be ashamed to let the world see our friendship, Aoba-kun.
_{[ q u i t. that has nothing to do with anything.. ]}

[ Aoba's frown retreats into something that hovers between awkwardness and surprise for each hand that is taken and then... held? Just... hang on, what is he doing? What is he saying?! This is bizarre! ]

W-what does that have to do with anything?

[ Just what is with this vibe all of the sudden? It's kind of - no, it's too embarrassing to be flirty, but it even has the same effect. Aoba tries to twist a hand free just so he can try to push him back down into his chair by the shoulder. ]

Quit it, you're making a scene...!

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glitterpants - 2017-08-16 02:52 (UTC) - Expand

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god this is already embarrassing

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