( semi-open ) WHITE WHALE HOLY GRAIL

[wheft]

WHO: ishmael and YOU 🫵🫵🫵
WHAT: june catchall + memshares. lots of moby dick references if you widen your eyes a lot.
WHERE: nevada
WHEN: june
WARNINGS: graphic depictions of gore, violence and repeated deaths; emotional and psychological manipulation, gaslighting, aquatic horror, suicidal ideation, tba. see her opt-out for more info.



source | plotting
hmu if you want a starter/specific memory!

Comments

[nutkick]

[ ishmael gets a side-eye, totally not believing that killer of a compliment isn't something women would like to hear, but instead of arguing with her he chooses to use this as an opportunity to learn something new. ]

Then ... what is the best compliment to a woman?

[ there you go, a topic for discussion. ah, a mocktail does sound fancy enough to be a safe option, and denji makes the order. it would be a lie to say he's not lowkey disappointed about not being given the green light to sin a bit, but ishmael did the right thing as a respectable adult. that alone earned her a few points in the 'trust' department. he then rests an elbow on the counter, using his hand to support his head; lips curling up in an easy, tired smile. ]

Share the secret.

[wheft]

[ wow, what a question. though he does seem rather earnest about it, like he legitimately doesn't know what women usually want to hear. it's a good thing that ishmael likes answering questions just as earnestly too.

the bartender arrives with a non-alcoholic pina colada - which is just an overglorified pineapple juice, let's be real. but at least it looks fancy? tastes like it, too. ishmael, for the time being, swirls her glass as she mulls over her own answer. ]

Honestly, I'm not the right person to answer this. I used to be really bad at taking compliments before coming here. But if you really want my opinion anyway...

[ takes a sip here ]

Just point out their strengths, I suppose. Things like "oh, you're really good with a sword!" when you see them practicing, or "you're really funny" when they've made you laugh. People in general like it if you notice the little things about them that stand out to you.

[nutkick]

[ denji is listening, paying attention, 100% attentive to what she has to offer because he knows this will be the real deal since it's coming from an actual woman and not some dumb teen boy in his school. he probably looked a bit silly with that big ass drink in his hand that screams 'party time at the beach, bitches!' while they had this serious conversation. but, whatever.

he takes a sip from the straw as he contemplates her answer. the refreshing taste is appreciated with a pleased hum, smiling afterward. ]

You make it sound like it's easy, but I get what you're saying and it makes sense. I guess I'm a bit surprised complimenting their looks is not on top of the list, though. I thought girls like to hear they're pretty and stuff.

[ again, his source of education is what he sees in the movies, and that is not really the best guide in navigating life. ]

I literally had a girl say 'ewww' to my face before. Kinda fucking sucked.

[wheft]

[ nah, she wouldn't judge him from here. he's just a kid with a mocktail. not everyday people can have that kind of luxury. ]

No, you're right. Some girls would want to be complimented by their looks. I just don't prioritize it myself, is all.

[ she really is serious when she said that personality > looks... but having both would be a really nice bonus to have. she chuckles a bit at denji's remark, putting her drink down for a moment. ]

Oh yeah? Maybe you said something wrong to her. Either that, or she's just too mean. Up to you if you wanna pursue that anyway.

[nutkick]

[ okay, well— dude with scars (ish's boyfriend) had probably said something right to win her over, then. in all honesty, denji gets it, even when a part of him feels obliged to fancy the shallow part of flirting because it's fun, yet he knew he’d be equally smitten if someone took the time and effort to compliment one of his few redeeming qualities. ]

She’s mean. I was innocent. I was trying to list the good things in life so she wouldn’t feel so sad at the time, and 'sex' happened to be one of them. It’s what grossed her out, I guess ...

[ he shrugs. asa is a pretty face but a confusing soul that he’d probably not pursue, but let’s not think about the misery that awaits him back home. speaking of home, this new life and all— here’s a random but honest question. ]

Do you like it here? Or, are you homesick?

[wheft]

[ okay, that got her to laugh. kids really are the darnedest things and all that, though ishmael wouldn't really know. her adolescence was spent studying day after day with little to no interactions with her fellow peers, so this guy is already living his best life... even if it grossed someone out, rip. ]

Well, sex isn't exactly anyone's top priority. It's nice, sure, but I'd even say that it's overrated sometimes.

[ tfw you didn't know that you have a sex drive until coming here........

but anyway! that other question, though. her brows knit together a little as she thinks more on it. ]

That's a loaded question. Um, I wouldn't say that I'm homesick. This place is already an improvement compared to the hellscape back home. [ understatement of the fucking century. ] But... I know I can't stay here forever even if I want to. I still have other things to do back home.

[nutkick]

[ okay, listen— he will be respectful because ish is such a sweetheart and he does appreciate her in many ways, even when it physically hurts him to keep himself from barking the biggest 'doubt!' of his life for calling sex overrated, but ... he kept his mouth shut. the smile on his face, though, speaks for itself. there's no bite behind it, still warm, but yeaaaaah. he's not buying it.

denji returns to his drink, even when he's more content to hear her answer over anything else. it's interesting how she refers to her life back as hellish, giving the impression her words are leading to a revelation that her experience in this city is far more fulfilling and enjoyable, and it ends with a desire to stay here with the new relationship she had made; a fresh start to something better. but, no. ish explains she would rather return to attend to her responsibilities, back to the hellscape. right, it's not like denji is oblivious to that type of person.

and yet- ]

... Why?

[ if she's happier here- ... why does she still need to go back? it's subtle, but denji is somewhat seeking something for himself here. ]

[wheft]

[ he's still a kid, he can think whatever he wants regarding sex. she was there once upon a time, but thanks to a certain someone (TOJI) she kinda needs it now. but denji doesn't need to know all that right now (until a couple weeks later, cries).

as to that question, she replies with a shrug. ]

Because I have a job to do back home. I signed a contract that I can't get out of without getting myself killed if I violate it.

[ contracts are everything in the City. ishmael can still remember nagging to the LILITH staff about it the first time she came here.... ]

In the end, I have to earn my keep as an adult. Taxes don't pay themselves, you know. Which is why kids like you should live your life to the fullest while you're still here.