logsinthenight | we jumpin! we poppin! we joppin!

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we jumpin! we poppin! we joppin!

characters: Sora, Mewtwo, Link, Carmilla, and you!
location: Various locations around Beacon and the Landmark hotel!
date/time: January 10, then 13-20-ish! Activity for the end of the blizzard, the yarn bomb, and a tiiiny bit through the Lights Off event (Sora will NOT be affected by the lantern effects in this post unless specifically requested! It's going to be one day of the illusion of normalcy :))
content: Sora continues to make friends! Get his hands dirty! Settle in at the Landmark! Stay busy so he doesn't think about things! (Will match tag format!)
warnings: Moderately low self-esteem and identity stuff, but nothing above a pg-13 rating!

[ A ]: Armory; Closed to Mewtwo

The soldier told him to leave the giant psychic cat alone, so he's going to! Seriously! He doesn't want to infringe on their space, especially if it's been through the same kind of life that the soldier has, so he's been dutifully going to the armory, going right down the steps, moving through the knife forms that the soldier had taught him followed by some unaided magic practice (because there's no telling if his cybernetics will always be there to help him aim), then leaving again without searching too much of the area. The routine has been good for him, helped him keep his mind off things.

But. He does hang back every so often to see if a giant fluffy tail suddenly whisks out of view. Or if an ear pops out from behind a display. Okay, so he doesn't want to disturb the cat, but he does still want to see if it would be open to being friends. He and the soldier started clicking pretty quickly, after all. He doesn't see why or how being a cat in a similar situation would make much of a difference.

So there he is, in the basement of the armory, going through the motions of the knife forms slowly, then quickly. He keeps messing it up, having to go back to the beginning of the drill. It's a bit annoying how he can't pick up things as easily as... others can, but he's doing his best. He's also not paying much attention to whoever might be around him, large cat or otherwise.

[ B ]: Miner's Castle #3, Bathroom; Closed to Link

After the meal on the 10th, he excuses himself to go use the bathroom. (Seriously, the soldier gets the bathroom all to themselves? To be honest, he has half a mind to make them share with him if only so their karma balances itself out.)

He opens up the bathroom door, all ready to go, when he stops dead. Uh. Those are certainly a lot of blankets in the tub. Did they adopt a pet? Wait, there aren't any animals in Beacon, are there? Is there someone else camping out here, besides Duster on the couch? Man, they really have a thing for strays, don't they?

Sora will furtively move forward, not wanting to disturb what's in the tub. Or who's in the tub. His bladder is forgotten by now; he just wants to know who this is.

[ C ]: Moving between Beacon's public library and the Landmark; Open

The walk between Beacon and the Landmark takes a few hours, but he figures that he's gotta walk it sometime if he's going to get moved into his new digs. So that's what he's doing! This is one of two trips he's taking between the two locations; on one, he's carrying a cot over his shoulder and a backpack, and during the second he's carrying just a backpack. Not much to carry if he's only been here a couple of weeks or so.

He already thinks he might regret the distance from so many of his new friends - the separation from Hana, the Librarian, and the inhabitants of Miner's Castle #3 is going to be the worst, he can already tell - but the promise of being able to become neighbors with some new friends, Rhys and Carmilla included, isn't a terrible exchange. You can't be too far from your friends if they're always in your heart, after all.

One will notice that he's not taking a bike during either of his trips. This is because he does not know that they exist. Oops.

It's a pretty long walk. It might be better with some company? Or at the very least, if there are two people on the road at the same time, it's kind of awkward to not at least say hello. Sora, at least, is very good at saying hello.

[ D ]: The Landmark; Closed to Carmilla, somewhat open

He wasn't sure who is living in the penthouse suite, but they went gone ahead and ordered chintzy decorations for their door - little balloons twisted into bats hovering over the copious lack of a welcome mat. He isn't really sure if they're supposed to like, have an aesthetic? But after he figures out that Carmilla's living there, he's decided that they're cute, no matter what their intended aesthetic was supposed to be.

So. He can fly, and he can jump up really high and float where he's hovering, and the concierge very kindly let him borrow a permanent marker as long as he promises to give it back (he will!). So there he is, hovering by the door of the penthouse suite, drawing a little fangy smile onto each and every balloon. Is this sabotage? Vandalism? Defacement of private property? Yes. Sora is living life on the edge.

[ E ]: The Invincible's Tavern; Open

Sora's got two things lined up in front of him as he sits at the bar at the tavern, ocarina up to his mouth as he busts out those spirit-communication blues; one is a line of orange slices on a plate with a few whole oranges sitting next to them for good measure, and the other is his tablet, open to the spirit communication guide Daylight posted a week ago.

He seems to be wanting to communicate something specific, in the spirits' language, to them, but every time he tries he gets the equivalent of sniffed at and ignored. After a moment, he puts down the ocarina and puts his chin down on the counter. He sighs deeply. He is SO put out.

"C'mon. It was one glass." Ignored. The spirits go on doing what they do; mixing drinks for other people. Mixing drinks for the people around him, actually. He turns to the nearest person in the room, looking distraught. "Am I doing something wrong? I don't know if it's the ocarina or if it's me."

[ F ]: The Invincible's kitchen; Open

This one's a pretty simple task, but there are a looot of moving parts to cabbage rolls, apparently, and Sora would like to get all of them right. He might be taking up an appreciable amount of kitchen space as he boils heads of cabbage and combines the filling. (The recipe is kosher! Always thinking of you, Midge Maisel.)

He either needs to get past you for something in the pantry - that is a whole seven or eight spices on this recipe, he's forgotten one for sure - or he is very, very obviously struggling with the "rolling up the rolls" step of the instructions. He's made twice as many leaves as the recipe requires because he knew that this step would be, hm, difficult! But he's bombed three of them so far and he's starting to look a bit frustrated. He thought he knew his own strength, but apparently not!

"Hey, are you any good at like..." He scrunches up his nose and makes a rolling gesture with his hands. "Rolling? Things? Can you help me?" Please tell him you have sushi roll experience or something. He is bamboozled.

[ G ]: Yarn Bombed locations; Open

Sora's been out all day, dashing around here and there to look for something extremely specific! He's been up trees and on top of buildings, basically a cartoon as he crawls all over the yarnbombed place to look for something, uh, extremely specific? He's already got a couple of things under his elbows - a few scarves, a hat, and a sweater - but there is one last thing that he needs. One last thing!

If you're here just to spectate, spectate away, If it's the end of the day, though, apparently you have it. Whatever it is is pink and blue, and Sora needs it. Sora will come up, full of hope, and say, without any preamble, "Hi! So, is there any way I could trade you for that?"

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You can't just move away and not have your friendly neighborhood stalker notice, Sora. They're kind of disappointed he didn't actually ask for help to carry the cot. But since he didn't, and they had to find out by catching him on his way back from the first tip, the Soldier just waits and falls in beside Sora as he's leaving the library for his second trip. They have a bundle of their own tucked under one arm.

They don't actually say anything, just settle in to walk beside him as if this was the plan all along. Actually, they just wordlessly offer Sora their bag of travel snacks (dried apricots and nuts, mostly, with some cereal mixed in) to dip into after a couple steps.

Jiminy cricket. (Sorry, Jiminy). Sora is too preoccupied to notice the soldier next to him, lost in thought from the monotony of the walk. He actually reaches down to take a handful of travel snacks, because they're there, and that's what you do, before noticing that they're there, and in a bag, and in a bag held by an arm, and that arm is connected to a person, and... Sora jumps indeed, kind of bashing himself in the face with his little handful of cereal when he registers the soldier next to him like they've always been there. Whoa. Stealth.

Yeah, he's just going to be wide-eyed for a moment before... popping the handful in his mouth. Hey, he's still growing, and that's delicious. "Hey. I, uh... Sorry, how long have you been there?"

Seriously, kid. Seriously. They have got to drill some proper opsec into you. Not even the Soldier can be completely silent on snow. Snow crunches! (Though they're probably closer to being able to do so than most people.)

"Long enough to tell you weren't paying attention to anything. Not smart, kid." They don't sound too annoyed, though. More like kind of fond and resigned, all rolled up into one. This is why people like Sora get nosy parkers like the Soldier to watch their backs: because they clear need it.

The most he's ever done along those lines is some hasty drilling for Vermedi attacks back on New Jersey or trade watch at night with Donald and Goofy, and Goofy is anything but a harsh taskmaster. It doesn't help that when something's on his mind, it tends to take up a lot of hard drive space - no compartmentalization for him.

Sora rubs the back of his gloved hand against his nose and breathes in deeply. It's still so cold that he can feel the lining of his nose freeze up a little. "I've always sorta... left that up to other people." Sigh. Okay, yeah, he sees their point. He frowns a little. "I can do better than that, though." Hopefully. "Anyway, what's up?"

Maes had a dark blue and grey hat on his head, a blue scarf with happy yellow ducks on it, and a pile of riotous rainbow colors in his arms.

Now that he knew the Night Market was a thing, Maes was often keeping his eyes out for interesting items that could potentially be worthy of trade. Today when he had woken up and seen the hats, scarves, mittens, and lord knew what else draped over every surface he had realized this was certainly a prime opportunity.

He paused in his collecting, looking over to see a familiar face, "Oh. Hello Sora." Maes looked down at his pile, "One of these of interest to you? Which one?"

Which in most situations, would probably be fine; he could, in fact, leave it up to the Soldier. But in this case, they can't be there literally 24/7 to protect him, so. Learning to pay attention to his surroundings is going to have to be a thing. The Soldier starts putting together a plan to teach him that.

In the meantime, answer the question: "You're moving finally," they say. "I'm helping."

"Hey, Mr. Hughes! Good to see you. I want that!" And Sora will dramatically point at one of the scarves Maes has in his armful of knitwear - it's very pretty, hot pink and blue, patterned with stars. It matches the hat he has on his head, although his has bunny ears on it. A bit of a design clash, but he knew it was perfect when he saw it.

"What can I trade you for that? I've got a bunch too. Maybe you can make a matching set?" Sora has indeed been collecting gifts all day, but he'll extend them out to Maes for his perusal. "The hat is the only thing you can't take. That's gonna be a present!"

Sora sometimes has mixed feelings about other people making choices for him, but in this case, he's pretty motivated to start thinking and watching for his own back. He's going to latch onto those lessons, no question.

Sora grins. "I am, and you are. But, uh, this is actually the last trip. Not much to move." He walks a few steps. "Keep me company, though? It's a long walk." Sora's very serious about the helping part too. Seriously, his mind can go haywire if it spends too much time alone.

He's entirely within his rights to say no, and the Soldier will respect that (and keep a closer eye on him, themselves) but it's always good to have a plan, anyway. So planning it is.

"This is for you," they clarify, shifting the bundle under their arm, which appears to be a blanket with some stuff wrapped in it, though it's all wrapped so well that Sora can't tell what it is. "So I am still helping. But yes, I'll walk with you either way."

Oh? Oho? Sora is going to nab another handful of the snacks while craning around to take a look at the sack under their arm. A present? Sora is a pure hearted child, but he is a child who loves presents and still doesn't really understand the purpose of patience if it doesn't involve waiting for someone else. Instant gratification, baby.

"For me? Is it a surprise? It's not my birthday for." He pauses... pops the trail mix in his mouth and crunches while he counts on his fingers. "Either two months or eight months, depending on how time works."

"It's a house-warming gift," the Soldier says, looking amused at his reaction. "I'll show you when we get to the hotel. It's probably not that exciting."

They follow that up by pouring some of the trail mix into their mouth, then putting the snack away for now. Gotta make it last.

"Gifts, huh..." Too bad he doesn't remember meeting Santa - he'd have some pretty choice thoughts on gift giving and whatnot. Still... "If it comes from you, I'm already pretty excited about it."

He's going to try to put away thoughts about the present for the time being - it becomes easier when the soldier puts away the snacks. Aw, they were really good!

"Did you see Jason's post on the network?" He's pretty sure that they have, and that they have a shared interest in public safety. "The one about patrols. Is that the same thing you were doing when you found me a week ago?"

"I patrol every day," they say. "And I spoke to Jason about it right after Christmas. Coordinating. He said he was going to ask everyone." They're just relieved because it means they don't have to do it themselves. Taking the initiative to bring the idea to Jason was hard enough. "It's a good idea. Cover the area more efficiently, fewer gaps in security and no one overlapping routes at the same time."

Hmm... Sora sort of figured that they'd be interested, but he didn't expect this kind of elaboration. "I guess I know why you didn't want to do it... but I was also surprised just now. I was like, 'but they'd be good at it?', but then I was like, 'what if it were me, with all my headstuff, trying to organize this?', and then things just made sense."

"I told Jason I wanted to sign up." Sora looks into the few stars in the night sky. It's nice to see them again after all that snow. "I guess that means I do have to start paying more attention, huh?"

Link is half asleep in the tub, curled up into a ball to preserve warmth. He's barefoot and wearing only brown doeskin breeches and a white shirt. The armor and green tunic is draped over the side of the tub.

At first he doesn't hear Sora approach, as he's lapsing into and out of sleep. Are the footsteps the sounds of his friend Ilia walking towards him? Is it his dream spilling into reality or reality spilling into dream?

Once Sora is close he does finally lift his head and blink.

"Hm?"

Oh, he knows this man.

With a yawn, he rubs at his eyes and sits up slightly.

"Sorry. Did you need to use the bathroom? I won't look."

And he scratches at the back of his neck.

"I'm not good with a lot of people at once. Or taking initiative with people who have authority." If it's something that needs doing, they can just slip into the role of keeping track of people and encouraging them in needed directions, like during the sieges... but if things are peaceful and nobody is in immediate danger? Nope.

They look sidelong as Sora, a little surprised by the offer-- but then realizing it's dumb to be surprised. Of course Sora wants to help. "Yes, you will. I can try to help if you need it."

Whoa! Sora blinks as Link arises from the bathtub - oh, he was wondering where he'd gotten to! He'll grin, sitting on the floor. (Hey, it's a bathroom, but he trusts that the soldier and Aziraphale are working together to keep the place clean. As far as he's concerned, it is a very sittable surface.)

"I can wait. Hi, Link. Long time no see." He scratches the back of his head. Hey, fellow scratch-emoters. "Sorry to lose track of you after the first day. Things got sort of busy, and I didn't know where you went after that."

He looks up and around. It's a pretty nice bathroom, but he'd sort of assumed that the soldier actually used the bathroom too? It's his first time here, though. He probably shouldn't assume so much.

"How long have you been here?"

People with authority. Sora is suddenly reminded of how the soldier changed body language with Aziraphale... He didn't really think much of it at the time, chalked it up to being comfortable around a friend, but was there more to it? (And if so, where does he stand with the soldier?) (To be honest, he thinks about it for about two seconds and then drops it. He figures that if it's important, it'll come up later.)

"I feel like you do a lot for me already... Maybe if we can work it into the knife lessons?" Sora turns to the soldier, galvanized. "By the way, I'm gonna keep coming back twice a week for those! I have a lot of friends to visit in Beacon anyway, it's not like I'm too far." It's just a long walk! Sora knows he can handle a long walk, rain or... not shine. Moonshine. Whatever the weather.

Friends aren't authority, Sora, you're fine. Friends are their own special category. "No, it's not too far. I can probably add this place to one of my daily patrols." It'll take up more time. Maybe enough time to drop to one patrol a day.

... maybe. Depends on how that feels, if it's good enough to make them feel like they're keeping Beacon safe enough. Keeping themselves safe enough.

"Lessons in paying attention will include homework," they warn with half a smile.

Somnus has yet to sit down, nor does he have any intention of doing so. He's just here to roam, but any possibility of bailing in the next minute is tossed out the window when he's addressed. Looking over his shoulder, he glances from Sora to the spirits.

"You mentioned a glass. What happened?"

"Not long," he replies with a sleepy grin.

"I was in a tree when the storm started."

If not for what he suspects was indeed divine intervention he'd still be there.

"Actually, that's where I've been for a while. Various trees. I never did settle down anywhere so that's probably why I was so easy to lose track of... Sorry if I worried you."

Sora shakes his head! "If I can catch up to you fast enough, I can add downtown to my patrol, and that means we'll be off in time to catch dinner or something." See? Teamwork, teamwork!

But his face will drop with the sound of that. Homework? Nooo. "I already practice! C'mon!" He grumbles, sticking his hands in his pockets. "I graduated two whole years ago - Skyler did - he didn't want to go to college and neither did I. Homework was the worst part!"

Okay, he was the one who asked for help - begged for an opinion, really - but at least he has the self-awareness to immediately look bashful. "I... sorta cracked it. With my hand." He demonstrates, cupping his hand around an invisible glass. "Like that. Squeezed it too hard. I don't think it can hold anything anymore. I said I was sorry," he says, directed to the bartender spirits, who still refuse to give him even the barest hint of attention.

He sighs, putting his hand on his cheek and using his other hand to nudge the plate of orange slices at them. It's studiously ignored. "I guess some other things were happening, but I thought that was the worst part."

Sora blanches, completely distraught. This sounds like a terrifying prospect to him!

He leans in, chin resting on the wall of the tub. "You were in the trees? In the forest? Is that okay? Did you stay near Beacon at least? Bro, you gotta be careful!"

The Soldier actually... laughs. It's not mean-spirited, not meant to mock, but that is just so teenager-y, from the tone to the expression, that they can't help themselves. "Kid. It's not like school homework. No math, I promise. Just practice in observing."

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