synflux | [ closed ] why don’t grains use social media?

[ Jinwoo can't explain why he agrees to meet for breakfast. He's not usually the type to hangout with someone he barely knows, preferring to stick to himself for the most part, but something about Vash draws him in. It's hard to say what it is. Maybe it doesn't really matter in the end.

When Vash brightens up once he spots him, Jinwoo returns his smile with an easy one. ]

Sure. As long as it's not made of keys.

[ He shouldn't tease. Different worlds mean different circumstances, but still. He gestures for Vash to lead the way. ]

The place you were talking about isn't far from here, right?

( He huffs out a laugh at the first part, expression going a little abashed before he nods. )

Yeah, not far. A couple of blocks. The coffee's real good and it feels like a couple of cups kind of morning for sure. ( He needs it. But even with that pressing desire he's still all friendly bright smiles and open curiosity, leading Jinwoo down the quiet streets. )

How was your shift? You said you had one, right? Wait, what do you do, I never asked!

[ He shoves his hands in his pockets, keeping them nice and warm while they waltz outside. The morning comes with crisp air, nice and cool. ]

I could use some really good coffee right now. [ He nods, pleased with the idea. Pie and coffee sounds good to him. ] Since I work for the local police at night, as a detective.

My shift wasn't bad, but it took a while since I was tasked with tailing after a petty thief. He was pretty slippery.

[ But he was caught in the end, so that's all that matters! ]

How about you? You said you had things to do too, right?

A detective? ( Was that yelped? No. Okay, maybe a little. Vash and law enforcement probably have history. ) Heh. That's very cool. And you're probably good at it with all the monster hunting you do. Following tracks is a little like following patterns, right? And you got your guy! So that's good. Have you had any interesting cases?

( A hum. )

I was doing deliveries last night. I have a few odd jobs going. A looot of shift work. Mostly so I can keep the kids in the orphanage happy with treats. That's where you'll find me most days.

( A pep in his step when he thinks about the kids, more bouncy again. ) It's worth it to see them happy though.

[ ...? That reaction makes Jinwoo wonder what happened between him and law enforcement, but he supposes that it doesn't matter right now. ]

I'm not too bad at it, but they haven't assigned me to any of the more interesting cases yet. I'm still a new recruit, so I guess I have to build up a reputation.

[ Not a big deal to him. Plus, the people he's met so far have been very accommodating, but he wonders how long that will last. At least he can enjoy the mundane tasks f or now. ]

—ah. So that's what you meant by kid stuff. You seem like the type of guy who'd get along with them very well. [ Sunshine and all. ] I'm glad they have someone like you looking out for them.

[ The world can use more kindness like that. ]

Oh right, I guess there's a process involved. But hey maybe you'll get something fun. Do you have a badge? A partner? Do you get to write things down in a little notebook?

( Possibly he has read a lot of dime novels on the topic. He gets bored. )

Oh, yeah! My buddy Wolfwood found out there were a lot of homeless kids around and he set the whole thing up. But uh, he's gone now. ( Momentary dip in his mood, but he rallies. ) So I'm looking after it. It's what he would have wanted, it's important to him. And the kids are great. They're getting better and better. Really settling in.

[ All the questions make Jinwoo laugh quietly. ]

Haha... I think you've watched too many movies. But you'll be the first to know if I get a partner. I do have a badge though.

[ Which he pulls out from his jacket's pocket, shiny and gold. ]

But that's good to hear. Most people would have left them to fend for themselves, especially considering how everyone else is also struggling. [ Sometimes, you only have enough energy to take care of yourself. ] If you want, I can ask my other job if you can bring them over to the cafe so they can play with the cats for a day.

Books, mostly. But you're probably right. I have read too many terrible novels.

( Though it is time to ooh and aw over the badge, appropriately impressed. He might have had a few run ins with law enforcement in his lifetime but Jinwoo is a good guy, he can already tell that much. But first, the most cosmically funny double-take in existence, Vash almost tripping over himself to look Jinwoo's way. )

Cat cafe?! What? Hello? ( Can cats run a cafe? Or do they go in and buy kibble? Inquiring minds want to know! ) Tell me more about the second, much better job!

[ Jinwoo was poised to catch Vash just in case he actually tripped and fell, but when it looks like he isn't needed, he relaxes again. ]

Yeah, during the day, I work with cats. [ Haha. ] Or rather, I take care of them. It's a cafe where you can eat and have coffee, and then you can play with cats afterwards.

[ His head tilts with a smile. ]

We can go there for breakfast next time.

( Sorry, sorry, but this is life-altering for Vash. )

Man. ( It is his deepest desire to win over something fluffy. So far no dice, he's too loud and prone to sudden movement. ) This key lime pie better be good, because if I'd have known I could have hung out with cats I'd have been going there instead. Though I guess breakfast at your work place is not as fun for you.

( Another corner turn, and then he's pointing down the street to the diner, little fluorescent light flashing. ) Here we are! No cats, but there's a guy who works there who's nose twitches a little like he's a mouse, so maybe he counts as something?

Nah, it would have been fine. The cats are a good distraction, and the food isn't that bad.

[ Even if he has to be the one in the kitchen making their breakfast, it would have been fine. Jinwoo always liked spoiling people in this manner since he doesn't get to do it often.

He follows after Vash once they spot the diner, opting to be the one to open the door just to let the other man go first. It's cozy and warm inside with a few regulars milling about. The one behind the counter greets them with a smile before saying they're welcome to take a seat anywhere. His nose twitches just then, just like a mouse as Vash said. ]

... You weren't kidding about that. [ He says, quietly. ] Is that table by the window good for you?

[ He jerks his head towards it. It's not the best spot, but at least it gives them a nice view of the rest of the diner. To enjoy its energy even if it's mostly quiet and sleepy given the time of day. ]

Yeah!

( It's got good vantage points at least, so Vash doesn't mind sinking into a seat, grabbing the plastic covered menus and sliding one across the table to Jinwoo. It doesn't take a waitress very long to come and ask if they want a drink while they're looking, Vash groaning out a semi-desperate coffee in a way that makes her laugh. She takes both their orders easy, tells them to take their time deciding, which means he's spreading the plastic out before them to drag a metal fingertip over the options. )

The problem is I want everything. Eggs. Pancakes. Bacon. The pie. I really should start just ticking stuff off.

[ Jinwoo asks for coffee too, with cream and sugar. He watches her leave before he pays attention to the menu that Vash slid his way, looking down at their options. This is basically like a typical diner which he hasn't visited much back in Seoul, but he can see why people would like coming here.

Vash firing off all the things he wants to eat brings a small smile to Jinwoo's face. A rare sight, because it's more genuine than the smug ones he likes to wear. ]

Why not? It's the first meal of the day, so you can indulge a little. I'll have everything you're having too.

[ Since eggs, pancakes, bacon, and pie all sound great to him. ]

I might get some hashbrowns too though.

[ This sounds like a Denny's menu item. ]

Hey, a hash brown! I don't think I've had one of those before.

( And so when the waitress comes over, Vash very dutifully tells her their orders adding toast and double checking if Jinwoo wants that too. He's bright when he talks to her, smiley, asks her about her day as she writes things down, effortlessly personable. His coffee he wraps both flesh and metal hand around immediately, but then remembers that sugar exists.

Please standby while he puts an ungodly number of sachets in. Like, more than a living thing should probably consume. It's fine, he's fine. ) I really like places like this. Back home I'd try to hit up a diner whenever I saw one. Usually they'd be in the family, you know? So the people were interesting and they had stories to tell. The same with taverns. I like anywhere people can go for food and drink. It's comforting.

[ Is it really fine?

Jinwoo watches as Vash's coffee becomes more sugar than caffeine, wondering if that won't somehow make him sick with how sugary sweet it is. He tries not to judge, really, because he's got something of a sweet tooth too, but&mdashs; even that's a bit much for him. Not that he'll say anything. Vash is allowed to live his best life, truly. ]

... You must have heard all sorts of stories by now, then.

[ Jinwoo isn't one to frequent such places, if only because he's rarely had the chance to enjoy simple moments like that. Too busy putting his life on the line even when he'd gotten stronger. In a way, he's almost envious. ]

Any favourites?

( It hasn't killed him yet!

Even so he lifts his coffee, takes a sip and pulls a face. Then another sugar packet gets upended into it. Apparently satisfied with that he taps jovially on his mug, offering a little smile Jinwoo's way. )

Oh, plenty! So many it would be hard to choose. Though I guess my favourite was a place run by an ex-bounty hunter? She made these really risqué looking pancakes, which were really funny. She let me spend a few months working for her. Oh, and then there were a family who made their diner out of the shell of one of the crashed ships. They just cut a hole in the side and would give you sandwiches out of the hatch. They all had super specific scientific names.

[ While he sips at his coffee, he contents himself with listening to Vash talk. The guy does seem like the type to hold onto a bunch of stories, and given what was just shared, he's sure that Vash has more up his sleeves.

And it leaves Jinwoo with a lot of questions. ]

How can pancakes with risqué? [ Seriously asking the most important questions here. ] And are the scientists the ones with the super specific names? Or was it the sandwiches?

[ Hah. ]

You've met a lot of interesting people. Your life must never have a dull moment.

[ Which can both be a good thing or a bad thing. ]

They were shaped like intimate parts. ( Is he still kind of giggling like a child about it all these years later? Yes. ) Oh, the sandwiches. I think the scientist was called Carl.

( He grins a little, nodding. )

I have. But I've been around a long time. So it makes sense that I've met a whole bunch of people. I like meeting people either way, so here's been pretty fun on that count. What about you? Do your travels take you to meet new people?

[ Sorry, his mouth nearly misses the edge of his coffee cup when Vash tells him about the sandwiches. ]

What? Really? [ The smile on Vash's face tells him that the guy isn't joking about it. What an interesting business venture. ] Guess if it worked for them...

[ He can't judge. ]

And you could say that. I've met plenty of people all over the world, but it's only because they know I'm strong. It hasn't really been all that fun. [ ... ] I guess I haven't had the time to really get to know any of them.

[ He finds himself staring at this coffee mug, thinking. When was the last time he tried listening to someone's story? He's only ever had one objective in mind that everything else fell off to the wayside. ]

I'm not really a people person, believe it or not.

Really?

( Jinwoo seems to manage pretty fine to Vash, but then he doesn't think he's one to judge. He's met plenty of introverted people in his life who can hold a good conversation whenever you get them going. He's used to trying to figure out how, so to not here surprises him. )

Nobody talks to you after you help them? Buy you a drink even?

( Technically he gets it. More often than not he gets immediately run out of town, the blame for whatever has happened placed without a care on his shoulders. But he doesn't like to think of someone else getting the same treatment. )

I guess there's one or two that do, but majority try to get to know me just to see what I can do for them.

[ It's something he hasn't really thought about all that much, but now that he has the opportunity, it's almost... hilariously depressing how few friends he's actually made since becoming strong. Ah, well. He doesn't think it's that big of a deal in the end. ]

That's probably just how it is when you're strong.

Yeah.

( It's a little sad. Part of him can understand it though. Vash makes acquaintances easily, he blows too quickly through places for it to be anything but that. Before he came here he really only had the three - and the reporters had tracked him down for a very specific reason, even if Vash had won them over by the end. Wolfwood too is only by his side because of his brother. But he thinks, hopes, that the affection they share became real by the end. So Jinwoo's comment makes sense. )

It won't be like that here. ( Resolute. He'll be the man's friend. ) People are friendly. I think it helps that we're all from the same sort of background. We know what it's like?

[ The sincerity in Vash's words is difficult to miss. At least there are still good people in the world, just like this guy, that makes it easier for Jinwoo to believe again. A smile rests on his lips. ]

That's true. The ones I've met here haven't been so bad, so I guess we'll see.

[ A few beats later, their food finally arrives. It's a decent spread with a good mix of sweet and savoury. Jinwoo has no idea where to start at this point given the options. ]

... You know, I didn't think the portions were going to be this much.

They'll give you a takeout box if you can't eat it all!

( Immediately he starts to tuck in, the promise of good food enough to move him, metal fingers clicking against the cutlery. ) Sometimes I take a bunch of the pie back to the kids in the orphanage. They like a treat for good behaviour.

( He starts cutting up his pancakes, cheerful. )

Maybe I'll come to your café and see what sweets I can take them too. I have a sweet tooth, it might have rubbed off on them. ( Or they're kids. Vash might simply be too childlike too. ) They definitely deserve some kindness. And cake.

( ooc. sorry i've been so slow. ;; work is just a Mess this month cries )

That's one thing we have in common. You can say I have a sweet tooth too, so I can recommend a few things.

[ The cafe's menu isn't that extensive, since the appeal is that you're meant to hang out with the cats after having a small snack, but there are still some things he prefers to eat whenever he works there. He's pretty sure Vash will like them too, considering how the man tackles the pancakes first instead of the savoury options.

He follows his lead and bites into the pancakes first. ]

Is it a challenge to look after so many kids?

ooc: u r absolutely a-okay there's never a time limit with me, i'll backtag into the sun.

Not really.

( Maybe.

And possibly for someone who isn't so quick on the draw as Vash is. ) A lot of the time it's just being around. They like a familiar face. And I get to play a whole bunch of games with them, so it's hardly a hardship. I like kids. I didn't always get to hang around them back on No Man's Land, but I enjoy seeing what they get up to. They're so much more honest than adults. Easy to understand. Funny too. It feels good. Productive. I'm helping people.

( Making a difference without harming anyone. He's greedy for the ability to be kind, to encourage. The kids help when he wants to abscond away from LILITH's control. )

( ooc. wah thank u ;u; i will also backtag forever so!! )

[ Jinwoo hums in understanding, absently cutting into another bite of the pancake. The way Vash talks about the kids is nice. Honest. There's no hesitation in his words, just a quiet certainty. ]

Kids don't pretend the way adults do. If they like you, they like you. And if they don't, you'll know.

[ His lips curve up slightly, not quite a smile but something close. ]

Sounds like they're lucky to have you around.

[ He's said something along the same lines already, but he means it. Vash might not say it outright, but Jinwoo can hazard a guess: he needs this just as much as the kids do. Maybe more. ]

ooc: i did let the airplane one go bc i felt like that was a nice ending and they can find something new together soon! hope that was okay!!!

You should come by sometime! They'd for sure like to hear about your job. Both of them, actually. We have some ones that really like cats, and there's a gang of girls now who go everywhere with a magnifying glass trying to figure out "mysteries". It's cute. Although apparently I'm usually the culprit.

( He's going to talk with his mouth full, sorry. )

Yumori says I have a guilty face. ( Eyes wide 🥺 ) I mean she did catch me sneaking in a bunch of Christmas stuff and then lying about it, but what was I supposed to do? I'd only just learnt about Santa.

( ooc. yeah, i was thinking it was good for wrap up, so that works for me! 🥺💜 )

[ Vash reminds him a lot of someone, especially right now as the man continues to ramble on. It's a good kind of familiarity at least, his lips curving upwards in a small smile. ]

Sure. I wouldn't mind dropping by. You can let me know what time works, and I'll make room for it. [ His schedule is so erratic at this point, so it's probably better this way. ] It'll also give me a chance to get to know them and see what they like to eat.

[ Then he can ask the cafe staff to set things up. ]

But I can see why she'd say that. You're very expressive, so it's probably hard for you to lie.

[ No pokerface at all... ]

I can lie!

( He says, not very convincingly, so perhaps both Yumori and Jinwoo are right. He's much better at concealing very specific things, but overall there's not a lot of subterfuge going on with Vash the Stampede. )

I just panic, sometimes. She saw me with all the gifts and I told her I had to fight some guy for them! I couldn't think of anything better. Someone needs to like, teach a class about it. How to Fib. We have professors here, maybe I should ask one of them.

... You'd want to learn how to lie better?

[ What an odd desire. Then again, Jinwoo supposes he can see the merit when it comes to telling white lies to kids. A brief pause, and then he jokingly says: ]

Maybe you can ask Silco about it.

[ And then immediately after— ]

That wasn't serious advice, by the way.

( He's going to ask Silco!!! Watch this space!!! )

I mean, sometimes lying is fine, right? Like when Meryl asked me if her hair was sitting all right, only the sand had made it all stick up on one end and then she got mad at me for lying badly. Possibly also because I was the reason for all the sand, but that was extenuating circumstances!

( Bad luck, bounty hunters, take your pick. )

I do think the rest of the world should be a little more honest, but that's a tall order. So I try and tell the truth whenever I can. When Santa doesn't need a hand, anyway.

( But: )

Silco's Brimstone, right? He won an award once.

If you want to learn how to lie better to help Santa out, then I doubt Silco is the best choice for that, but...

[ Silco is going to kill them both, but Jinwoo doesn't feel like taking back what he said. Not entirely. (Maybe he just wants to see what would happen, if Vash is completely serious about this.) ]

It's worth asking him. See what he says.

[ A beat. ]

How did he win an award?

I think something to do with the kaiju? LILITH likes to reward people.

( Vash has never managed it, but then Vash pulls every single punch he makes in favour of disarming rather than outright killing. Kaiju included. )

I think there was some fun shampoo once. And toys! We had fake guns once. It's pretty neat. Hey, maybe you'll get an award. I wonder what they'd pick for you.

... I don't know if I'd want an award for something like that. It sounds like trouble.

[ He also just hates the attention in general, so he'll skip it. ]

Maybe I'll pass the award to someone else, if I get one. Do you want it?

( Vash snorts, shaking his head. )

Nah, I've never been a rewards kind of guy. Usually I try to skip town before any of that stuff, and that's not something I can do here. So I'll stay on the backburner for now. Besides, I think it's mostly for the really heavy-hitters.

( Which Vash could be, if he wasn't having a moral quandary over the elimination of kaiju. )

I mostly stick to protecting the civilians. There's plenty of other heroes.

That's true. It does seem like there are a lot of heavy-hitters around...

[ With ego, too. Or so he's gathered from how the Outsiders talk about each other. ]

I'm more bewildered by how Silco managed to get one.

[ But maybe it's best not to find out? ]

Maybe he's got more to him than meets the eye to him? ( Says Vash, who won't even recognise him when they do meet for the first time, but that's fine. ) And I guess LILITH needs all sorts of people, right? Those heavy-hitters and the wily ones. It probably takes more than you'd think to try and win a war.

( He's not used to thinking on that kind of grand scale. Even if there's an entire gang of bounty hunters after him, Vash is usually pretty fast in narrowing the numbers down. Here is different, cosmic instead of anything else. )

Either way I'm sure they have their reasons for everyone here.

[ It's not like he can deny the truth in Vash's words. After all, he can see the merit in having someone like Silco here too— especially given what they've worked on together before. But he doesn't have to like it.

He can only shrug his shoulders. ]

That's true. Everyone can contribute to the cause in their own way, even someone like Silco. Maybe his role is to teach you how to lie better.

[ He is joking. ]

Wait until I ask him!

( He probably won't. He's not stupid enough to actively insult someone, especially because it's a little cruel. )

And then no one will ever be able to tell when I'm fibbing! I'll get so much better at cards. I'll win so many hands! I'll be rich.

( He will not. )

So your first order of business after learning how to lie is to play cards?

[ To be fair, he can't even fault him for that... Knowing how to bluff is a useful skill while gambling. ]

Be sure to treat me when you win the big prize.

Yeah! See, Wolfwood always says I have a shit poker face, and if he ever comes back I need to be better at it. Then I can win his money and use it to buy him cigarettes, right? Bonus points.

( Fool proof plan. )

[ Jinwoo almost feels bad for this guy called Wolfwood, since Vash seems like the type to remain persistent once he's made up his mind. ]

You can practice with me sometime. I was told I have a pretty good poker face.

( Don't feel bad for him!!! He deserves it. )

Oh, do you play? Maybe we should. We could get a group together. Have a night of it!

[ closed ] why don’t grains use social media?

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ok i double checked and he does not know about the cat cafe yeeeeees.

yess jinwoo only told him abt the detective job hehe

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not me not even sure if vash was in the game when silco won the award, oops

it's okay... timelines are fuzzy :nodding:

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