etrayalogs | Putting the fun in functional (Closed)

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Putting the fun in functional (Closed)

WHO: Accelerator & Vander
WHEN: January 4
WHERE: Arcade
WHAT: Vander owes Accelerator some fun, and Accelerator doesn't agree with him.
NOTES\WARNINGS: It's all positively heartwarming aside from Accelerator cussing

[Vander had now been here long enough to accomplish his two big goals: he didn't die from Shimmer withdrawal but was still dealing with some of the itch picking at him, and he had walked around the place enough times to know he could not be inactive. He appreciated being alive, but this place was nothing like home and the fact everything was free was not a concept he could wrap his mind around.

So, he required a distraction. That came when he discovered the arcade, which was and wasn't like the one that his kids used to play in. That in and of itself made being in it painful, but he was all for compartmentalizing his grief at this point. He supposed he'd fill the void briefly with another kid.]

I found some technology I need help navigating, and you helped me before. Care to lend an old guy a hand again? And I owe you fun. Meet me outside of this brightly lit up place [Insert address] at [Insert date/time]. -V.

[He didn't leave that much time, simply what he thought was reasonable for him to be able to walk from certain points in this place. He waited around outside, in clothing that actually fit him and was smoking a cigarette since he wasn't able to find the kind of pipe he liked. He stood in the shadow of the building, not used to the brightness even after a few days.

Still, hopefully the kid would show.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Accelerator doesn't get that many messages. He knows people, and he talks to people, but he doesn't really consider himself one for casual conversation. He's more used to people messaging him for something.

Like this! He reads the message over, raising an eyebrow. The location is familiar to him, making him a bit skeptical, but if Vander is legitimately asking for help with technology he'd be a huge asshole not to show up. After all, it's better to encourage old people learning new technology than have to suffer through them complaining about it, and with his background he's a natural choice to explain this stuff.

On top of all that, he's curious to see how Vander is doing. The last time they talked the guy had looked awful, and Accelerator was sure he was going to die from that drug overdose without medical intervention. So even though he's reluctant, he heads on out to the bar arcade. Barcade? Whatever.

He arrives a little after the set time, having walked all the way over there normally instead of using his power. Dressed for the winter weather, he glances around a bit before noticing Vander and doing a doubletake at his appearance.]

Shit, you look halfway normal. [He did not expect that!] Did you die, or did you survive the withdrawal?

[Snow was not unusual, but he couldn't say that he was used to it being quite so white. It never lasted in his city that way, always churned up and brown by the time it finished falling. This was a novelty if it wasn't part of the whole package which was entirely confusing environment. It felt like he was visiting an entirely different part of the world, which he likely was since he had never technically left the undercity.

He looked up from this strange technology, which was far more advanced than anything they had and spotted Accelerator. He tucked it away, though he would probably require some instruction on how to actually use it. He had figured out how to check the network and text reply, but it was painful and awkward looking. Key pads were not designed for his big fingers.

He was absolutely not dressed for winter, but he had clothing that fit. His brown jacket was good enough but light for spring or summer. He didn't mind as it wasn't that cold.]

If that's your way of calling me old, you could just use the word. [He won't be offended.] I survived, spend at least twenty-four hours wishing I wouldn't, but it's over now.

[He kind of wonders if Vander is cold given he isn't dressed for the weather, but given what the guy went through maybe he's just built different. Who knows.]

I didn't expect you to. [He's going to be honest about that.] You looked like dogshit.

[So hey, congratulations to Vander for having the willpower to get through that. He can't imagine many people would have been able to and come out in one piece.

Accelerator turns his gaze to the building, frowning a little.]

What did you need help with?

Ah well, I've been told that I'm too dumb to know when to die.

[It was probably supposed to be an insult, but Vander had taken it as a compliment of his resiliency. He might not be as smart of his once partner, but he had been gifted with a good head on his shoulders thankfully. If one considered the hazards of where he had grown up, it was doubly a compliment as most kids didn't make it to adulthood back then.

He gestured a little at the device in his ear, but that wasn't what he was interested in. He owed the kid for before, and that's what he was far more intent on delivering on rather than asking for actual help.]

First I owe you for before. Then we can talk what I need. Come on.

[He stepped into the bar, which felt a little like home before he headed to the stairs that lead down to the arcade portion. He did not wait for Accelerator to follow, expecting it would be a waste of the kid's time to come all this way and then about-face on him.]

[Well, he can't argue with that logic. Despite coming from a city full of supergeniuses, he knows a couple of idiots who would fit that descriptor pretty well. Sometimes people are just so idiotic and stubborn that it's enough to evade even dying - he's seen it firsthand, so he doesn't have some smarmy, skeptical comeback about it.

He directs his gaze to the earpiece, not surprised about that. It's really basic technology to him, and apparently that isn't the norm in many other universes. There had been a few messages in response to Harold's survey about expanding its functions that expressed confusion, so Accelerator just shrugs and follows Vander inside and down the stairs.

There aren't enough people in Etraya to keep an arcade crowded, but the lights and noise are still loud enough that he scowls in irritation. This is one of those times he's really missing being able to have his reflection up 24/7, if he did he could reflect some of this nonsense away from himself.]

If you want to order food they'll serve you upstairs.

[He's assuming they've come in here for food, anyways.]

[This arcade was bigger, louder and far more robust than what he was used to, and the one that was powered by chem-tech was often abandoned and left to disrepair. Jinx had taken well to the technology and fixed the machines as a little girl, but this power source was something he was only starting to get used to as commonplace.

He looked around to survey the other purveyors to assess how much of threat they may be, before he turned his attention back to Accelerator. He shrugged his big shoulders at the mention of food; he was not used to it being free yet so he was cautious about how much he considered taking. Besides, he was also in need of a place to bulk up for the upcoming missions.]

Not hungry myself, but if you want something, by all means.

[He didn't think the kid was here for food either so he gestured for them to move down the long line of choices until they found one of those distance throwing games where each hole had a different point count and surrounded by rings.]

You play games, hmm? I used to as a kid, but nothing like this. Come on, you'll entertain an old man, yes?

[This is exactly the kind of place a normal kid would enjoy. The games are a little old, but the lights and noise and the fact that all of the games are free would be more than enough to cause some good hits of dopamine going.

Accelerator just looks uncomfortable. With the high number of children in Academy City arcades are plentiful, and he always made a point of avoiding them. He never had friends so playing with other people was out, and more often than not if he was in the vicinity of them some idiots or gang members would recognize him as the #1 and pick a fight for clout. The latter isn't a concern here, but years of experience with that makes him want to turn and march out of here.

...... Worst of all, he knows Last Order would love this place. She enjoys video games and, thankfully, the rest of the Sisters do, so he's never had to indulge her when it comes to multiplayer games. Worst and the other clones always functioned as playmates for her, instead.

Before he realizes it a familiar sense of homesickness is rising up in him, and he's uncomfortably silent for several long moments. He's still following Vander, but it's because he's caught up in his own head and his feet are moving automatically.]

.............................................

[It's another few seconds after they stop that he speaks up.]

........ I've never bothered with this kind of stuff. It's really childish.

[Vander didn't know this kid very well, but he had long ago learned to read people's body languages. It did not go beyond his notice that Accelerator followed but was eerily silent and there was a tension across that slim body that told him that the kid was deeply uncomfortable to be here.

He couldn't know the whys or whens or whats, but when he stopped walked, he leaned on the edge of the machine cage and crossed his arms over his chest and watched the kid quietly for a long moment. His expression was sympathetic and understanding, never patronizing. He knew what it was like to be in uncomfortable places lost in old memories or traumas or whatever else.

He slowly reached out so that Accelerator could move out of the way if the kid wanted to. If not, he gently set his big hand on the top of Accelerator's hair and lightly rubbed his palm.]

It is. That's the point: childish. If this makes you uncomfortable, we can go upstairs. I'm not here to force you to do any thing that makes you upset. [His understanding tone shifted to teasing and boisterous, all smiles.] Just know that I'd kick your ass, and that can be your take away. [An immediate shift back to understanding then.] Your call, kid. We can play a little, or we can go. I'll still owe you some fun. I gave my word.

[Accelerator is, at most, expecting a shoulder pat or something equally impersonal. People don't touch him (except for Last Order), so a hair ruffle isn't within his scope of typical physical interactions with other people.

But nope. That hand lands on his head, messing up his hair, and Accelerator looks like he wants to murder Vander for doing it. It's a step up from his previously unnerved demeanour, at least. After a moment he reaches up to try and wave his hand away.]

I'm not upset.

[He's spitting that out way too fast, because the thought of anyone thinking he's remotely capable of being upset is offensive. He's Accelerator, the #1 Level 5, the Board Chairman of the most advanced city in his universe, he doesn't get upset.

(More importantly: admitting he's upset would be admitting weakness and vulnerability, and he can't bring himself to do that.)

Ugh, it's only arcade games. These aren't things he should get worked up over, and it's not like Vander knew about his stupid baggage. He's just trying to be nice, and since leaving would mean making it clear he's got some emotional issues with them, he sees one clear option that's left.]

If you really want to play this shit, then fine. You can eat your words about kicking my ass.

[That murderous look only broadened his smile, seemingly unaffected despite the fact that this kid had claimed to be able to perform fantastical feats of the mind. His hand ruffled a touch longer than that hand pushing it away tried for, but he did withdraw and returned his arms to being across his chest.]

Well, you look upset, but you know yourself better than I do.

[All signs currently pointed towards upset, and while he wasn't moving to ruffle feathers, he also knew treating offended kids like kids undermined their emotions. He didn't pull his punches with the truth either because that had never been his nature, and he wasn't about to start now.

He jabbed a thumb to the game that seemed fun but not too fun, requiring skill and also potentially getting a chuckle or two if he could maneuver his way into getting the kid to lighten up a bit. Maybe he should just stick with books, but nope, here they were.]

Oh, that's the teen spirit. Alright, do you want to go first to show me what kind of ass whopping I'm up against then?

[At seeing that his attempt at aggression isn't causing Vander to even flinch Accelerator cools down a bit. Still glaring, just nowhere near as murderous as before. There isn't really any point if he isn't going to get a reaction, he's only going to look like he's having a temper tantrum, and he doesn't want to appear immature on top of upset.

God, this is like with Yomikawa. She was always totally unaffected by his threats and his status, and insisted on treating him like a normal kid. This is honestly something she'd encourage if she was here; he can picture her laughing at all of this and clapping Vander on the back....]

.....

[... Whatever. He'll get through this, playing some dumb arcade games isn't the worst thing in the world.

He clicks his tongue, picking up one of the balls.]

Fine.

[Accelerator surveys the game with narrowed eyes. Skeeball. It seems simple enough, roll or throw the balls into the holes, with certain holes offering more points.

He reaches up to hit the switch on his choker, and using his ability basically flicks the ball straight into the hole worth 50 points.

It's cheating. It's absolutely, one hundred percent cheating. Sure, back home espers used their abilities in games and sports. There's even an internationally-known sports festival the city holds yearly. But Level 5s are the sole exception - because of their overwhelming strength there was a rule set up where the Level 5s aren't allowed to use their powers to keep the games fair.

Accelerator never took part in the Daihaseisai. He wasn't allowed to.]

[Vander had his pride like everyone else, but he put it aside for this sort of activities. Part of having fun was being able to laugh at himself, and he suspected this kid was going to play to win in order to refute his previous 'upset' comment, which was fine by him. He planned on having fun either way, winning or losing, and that's what happened to be important to him.

After all, if he didn't try to have fun, he'd probably be at the bottom of his mug right about now.

He noted Accelerator touched that collar, same as when first encountering him in the hallway. He expected it unleashed this power that the kid said he was capable of, but he wasn't in this to be delving too much into other people's secrets right now. If he could convince the kid to play different game, he had no doubt he would learn the tells.

He still issues an appreciative whistle at the perfect throw, expression impressed and gamely.] Nice throw, kid. Keep that up and you'll have me beat in no time. Maybe you'll set a perfect high score.

[He's very quick to switch the choker back to normal mode when he's done, the light changing back from red to green. It's silly wasting the battery on this, he knows, but he isn't athletically inclined. As long as he's conservative about it, then it's fine.

Accelerator pointedly looks away at the compliment, shrugging. Positive reinforcement makes his skin crawl, and he doesn't think he deserves it for doing something so simple.]

I'm the strongest esper that exists back home, so it wouldn't be a big deal if I did.

[Since he isn't a competitive person, he doesn't care too much about high scores. He just doesn't want to look completely lame (no teenager does).]

Let's see how you do.

[He looked at the score that was blinking on the screen, and he stabbed a thumb at it as he turned his gaze then to Accelerator. He noted that the collar had been deactivated again, and while maybe some would consider it cheating, he was only amused. Most people enjoyed winning overall.]

But it is a big deal. Accomplishments are worth being celebrated.

[He pushed off where he was leaning on the side of the machine and moved to step in front of it. He reset the game and the score board flashed to zero as he picked up the first ball. The timer went down, and he tossed the ball but his advantage was his height and reach, so he didn't perform badly. Of course, no perfect score, but he had a good time.]

Well, not half bad for my first try. Want another go?

[Accelerator's response is to purse his lips. There were times when he was younger when he received praise, but it was always out of a sense of fear from the scientists doing research on him. It was never sincere, and he learned very quickly that it didn't mean anything.

He recognizes this situation isn't like those other ones. Vander is just being nice, and it's weird. He doesn't deserve this praise, that keeps stabbing into his head over and over again, even as he watches Vander take a turn at the game. Of course, he's a perfectly normal human, so he's actually relying on skill and his own strength and not cheating. Accelerator thinks he does really good for not being able to rely on some superpower.

He hesitates at the question, then reaches for another ball.]

....................... [This is dumb, what is he even doing.] Is it an accomplishment if I'm not even trying?

[As much as he didn't want to make anyone uncomfortable, there were certain situations where he would. He had been an uncle to kids first then their parent, and his job had always been to protect and create functional adults for when he was gone. He was certain he had accomplished that, but the muscle memory for how to do that was all still intact.

Kids who weren't provided that kind of good experience needed it more than anyone else he had found. Little feral beasts that was suspicious and angry at everyone. Accelerator wasn't that, but it was clear to him that kid had been done a considerable disservice.

He dusted his hands off and then returned to leaning on the side of the support bars. It seemed that they might at least get another game each.]

Depends. Are you having any fun yet?

[Sighing heavily, he drags a hand through his hair. He knows Vander is only trying to be nice and do the Yomikawa thing of treating him like a child since he is a child, he's just... bad at being one. You don't get to where he is without being forced to grow up really, really fast.]

... Not really. But I've never played a lot of arcade games in my life.

[He's sure Vander's already picked up on that, but being honest is better, right? He's mostly fine with talking about himself, it's kind of a pain but being cagey doesn't help anyone.]

What about you? This kind of thing fun for you?

[So practice was all that told him. It would require time, effort and exploration to find the kind of game that Accelerator enjoyed, but this was also a small step to breaking down the kid's walls to feeling like he could have fun, that it was allowed. Adults had fun after all, so it was less about the fun and more about barriers to it.]

So we'll find one that you enjoy at some point. Repeat exposure helps. Not all of us can be amazing at games the first go around.

[He knew the type. The same wounds, different pathway to getting there. He had grown up fast too, though he doubted their circumstances had been similar in any way. He was a poor street kid who ran circles around Piltover's finest, causing trouble, forming gangs, thieving, making deals.]

It reminds me of playing with my kids. We'd do this sometimes when they were younger, but they've mostly outgrown having their dad compete with them in games anymore. I'm too old and 'uncool'.

[They'd never said it, and he was busy with the Last Drop and holding the Lanes together. It wasn't that he was absent, but he recognized he had time constraints.]

[A dubious look crosses Accelerator's features. Maybe he's too much of a killjoy to be able to find a game he actually likes. If that's the case, then he's only being a big waste of Vander's time and effort.

... Even though that isn't a guarantee, he still feels guilty. Even moreso when he brings up his kids. That sounds like normal kid behaviour, hanging out with your dad playing video games until you grow out of it and deem it uncool.

He frowns, glancing around at the other game machines, refraining from making any smarmy teenage comments about whether Vander is indeed too old or uncool.

(He doen't think he is.)]

.... And you don't think this isn't just a huge fucking waste of time?

[Vander was easy going enough that he was going to make the most of the situation regardless of if he could convince Accelerator to have fun. He was gamely about the venture that it didn't particularly matter to him what they did. Even if they stood around talking from here on out, he could consider it a success.

After all, the kid hadn't popped his head, and surely that was a matter to celebrate on some level, right? If he had to put up with sullen snotty teenage behaviour, it was still rather entertaining.]

How is this any more of a waste of time than reading a book? You're filling the time and maybe learning a skill or two along the way.

[It doesn't feel like a waste of time for him, but that's because most of his time in Etraya is spent either reading or sleeping, or doing what little paperwork he can for Academy City on his laptop. In other words, outside of missions he doesn't have any important business to deal with, so he has a lot of free time to do nonsense like muck around with arcade games, even if it isn't his style.

In Accelerator's mind, that is not the case with Vander, and he stares at him levelly.]

I mean for you, not me.

[Vander could be doing a dozen things that are a better use of his time than hanging around with a skinny, bad-tempered teenager.]

[Vander was looking for activities and people to fill his time, to build up a baseline of allies for when the inevitable infight began again in the group from his world. He knew it was a matter of time, and he knew that he was the only one who had no particular lines of alliances except one and he couldn't tell which way she would fall when it came to him.

So history, experience and his own personal preference urged him to get out and about, be social and see what this place had to offer. If he was going to have to be a team-player, he would make the most of the opportunity now that he wasn't riding a high that urged him to murder everyone and break everything.

He picked up one of the balls from the catchbasin of the machine front and flipped it underhand in the air, catching it. He repeated the gesture a few times.]

I don't consider being a man of my word a waste of time, no. Besides, you're interesting, and you remind me a little of home.

[Most teenagers where he had grown up were skinny, bad-tempered people. Life hadn't given them much choice.]

[His home must be really shitty if he reminds him of it. Accelerator refrains from saying that out lout, scowling and looking away instead. Vander is way too nice.]

..........

[Clicking his tongue, he turns to start walking over to some of the video game cabinets.]

Let's try one of the games over there.

[Maybe they'll have more luck with something that requires him to be less physically inclined (and therefore requiring the use of his ability). Most of the cabinets are too old for him to recognize but Accelerator can tell there are quite a few different types, and eventually he stops at one that says "Metal Slug."]

[Accelerator was the epitome of a teenager. Sullen silences were all part and parcel of dealing with one, and he had learned to read between the lines some of the time.

He pushed off of leaning on the support bar and followed the kid over to another game. He wasn't surprised that they were going to play a less physical game, and while he wasn't great at these types of games, he didn't mind in the least. This was Powder and Claggor's kind of games, but he had engaged with them on a few occasions.]

Sure, which one looks interesting? [He looked at the game and stepped into the player 2 position.] I might embarrass us both on this one. Let's give it a shot!

[Giving a small nod at Metal Slug, Accelerator moves over to the player 1 position. The game requires two hands to play, one for the joystick and the other for the buttons, so he has to let go of his crutch and lean against the cabinet. Not the most comfortable, but he'll survive. There's no point in using his ability for this, so he leaves it as-is and hits start.]

You're lucky I don't embarrass easily.

[Not compared to a lot of teenagers, anyways. He doesn't care how well they do at the game, he's just aiming to play it and hope that it's fun.

The game starts up. It's in some kind of war zone from the setting, and their characters have guns to shoot down enemy soldiers. Accelerator moves his character back and forth a bit, jumping and test firing to see what the game's input latency between the controls and the screen are.]

Seems straightforward enough.

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