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.]

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[Computers. Creating artificial intelligence on par with Aurora. Birds. The usual.

Of course, with Harold being as private as he is, Accelerator just shrugs instead. His eyes remain on the screen as he takes out a few more enemies, finding this game a bit more comfortable than skee ball.]

.... They're diametrically opposed on a lot of things, I think. They're very different people.

[He took Accelerator's lead when it came to the game, using his character to bring up the rear, matching an opposite stance. He took high when the kid took low and vice versa. He was no where near as coordinated as the teen, but he could keep up just enough to not die and he took down some of the enemy soldiers.]

Oh yeah? Those types somehow find a middle ground from my experience. You sound like you know them pretty well, huh?

[They aren't doing too terribly at the game. Accelerator grabs a machine gun power-up at one point which is completely ridiculous, but the whole game is kind of ridiculous, and gradually he's getting more and more into it.

He doesn't glance away from the screen at the question, though he does grit his teeth a bit. The conversation is edging towards the implication that he's friends with Harold and John, which - nope. Nope. He is fervently not friends with anyone.]

...... I don't know about that. [He knows more than most people since he read both of their files, but is having background information on someone the same as actually knowing them?] I just talk to them sometimes. That's all.

[Vander wasn't nearly as competent at the game, and he didn't know what the power ups even were at this stage. He thankfully wouldn't embarrass them even if his character was hit with a bullet or two because he didn't get out of the way in time.

He can tell the kid was more relaxed with this kind of game, and he aimed to keep them to these kind of console ones. See, basically having fun already.]

And thankfully getting to know people usually involves talking to them. Maybe don't like or are not used to getting to know people, huh?

[He doesn't mind that Vander isn't as good at this game compared to skee ball. It's kind of like another challenge - make sure player 2 stays alive on top of not dying himself. He makes a point of falling back when he needs to, to provide additional firepower for that.]

Tche. They're both private people. It's possible to talk to someone and never really know them.

[For him, this had never been about winning or losing. They could play this single game over and over, and he wouldn't mind in the least. It was about forging connection for him; he was a social person by nature so not having personal connection would be a struggle, especially with all that he had lost very recently.

Kids were easy to get lost in, be the adult of the room but still have a good time. So he played, noting the way that Accelerator occasionally protected and supported his less smooth control of his character.]

It's true. That sounds very isolating. Humanity is at its best when its social. [And at its worst, but he didn't add that.]

[At the very least, Accelerator is feeling a little less prickly towards playing games. This is kind of sort of verging on being fun. Mostly he supposes it's what doing something normal and mundane feels like, which isn't typical for him. That would normally bring up a whole lot of overthinking and conflicting feelings, but he's keeping his attention on the game and their conversation to avoid all of that.

With some effort they're getting past the first few minibosses to the first real boss, an airplane with enemies that have rocket launchers. They have evade the rockets while firing back on top of a moving train.]

Does that mean you've been talking to a lot of the people here?

[He is getting the impression Vander is a very sociable guy.]

[A momentary distraction for the kid, he had no doubt. This was all about filling the time with something that could be considered enjoyable and he had the benefit of potentially building connections. After all, the kid hardly pulled verbal punches, and he appreciated that.

He took one hit too many against the boss and his character died. Thankfully, he had another life to respawn with, but the game was increasing in difficulty as they continued.]

I'm making the effort. I like people, but being trapped inside hasn't been great for social connections. I figure I'll ask for a job somewhere and build from there.

[When Vander's character loses a life Accelerator visibly scowls and clicks his tongue. He doesn't say anything, but he also makes a point of having his own character stick closer to him after that, playing even more defensively than before.

It isn't that he's annoyed Vander is as good at this as he is, it's that he should've been able to kill that boss first. Really, it's just a bunch of dumb pixels using basic algorithms to determine behaviour, he should've anticipated its movement and firing strategy.]

... What did you do for work back home?

[Not that they use money around here, but having a job to fill the time in between missions is probably good for one's mental health, or something.]

[He noted that Accelerator hung back with him more, and he smiled a little at the corner of his lips and he hunched down further to continue to play the game. He honestly had no idea what to expect as it continued on, but they were working well together. He covered where he could as promised.

He cared not at all for the annoyance either. It was such a teen thing to do. Mylo scowled whenever some game didn't go his way too then would complain loudly. Accelerator simply was scowling and quiet, typical teen.]

I was a bartender mostly. I owned my own place, similar to something like this. Well, the upper floor anyway.

[Vander was still weirded out about the lack of money or needing resources. It was so out of place, and it was off-putting. He desperately needed to fill the time though.]

[With more teamwork they're taking down the first boss, though Accelerator's scowl remains. He doesn't notice Vander's slight grin, focusing too much on the game and not letting him die again.]

There's a second bar around here. [He doesn't remember what it's called, just that it exists. He's never been in it.] You can also spend points you accumulate on buildings, that's what I did for the shooting range. So you've got options.

[Between shooting and moving up and down the screen to cover with Accelerator, he passed the occasional side-eye to the kid. He could tell that the kid was working hard to protect him, pick up where his skills fell short.]

So a third won't be necessary. It wouldn't feel right bringing it here. [He wasn't interested in experiencing a hostile take over. It was best he branch out, explore his options.] How long can we stay at the apartments?

[Being the surly teen that he is, Accelerator refuses to make any remarks on the change in his play style. God forbid he acknowledges wanting to help out a teammate.]

I haven't been kicked out yet, so I don't think there's a time limit. People just move out when they want to.

[And a lot of people left as soon as they were able to request a familiar building from home. He hasn't had a desire to do that, the basic apartments work just fine for him.]

[His finger pounded lightly on the button, joystick moving more in his palm as he noted Accelerator continued to alter gameplay to keep him along for the ride. None of his kids would be quite so accommodating.]

Ah good. I can't see myself moving out as things stand.

[There was a certain anonymity in that place, floors and floors of nondescript apartments. He couldn't bring the Drop in, not to have it empty, not to remember, not to have it taken from him. He'd rather bide his time.]

[It's probably a good thing he's playing more cautiously, since they're hitting a spot with a ton of enemies coming at them. Bullets are flying everywhere, and despite his best efforts - whoops, he's down.

He clicks his tongue in irritation.]

Then I guess we're gonna be neighbours for the foreseeable future.

[Until one of them leaves, anyways.]

[In a surely inspiring change of fortune, Vander somehow moved to cover Accelerator until the character could respawn, his fingers tapping rapidly on the buttons and moving around the screen to prevent them from being overwhelmed with enemies. Of course, as soon as Accelerator was seemingly ready to jump back in the fight, his character died.

Oops! He was still smiling despite it all, nudging Accelerator with an elbow by benefit of his arms being rather long. This was fun.]

Seems like it. I doubt we're on the same floor, but if you want visit me, I wouldn't mind. I know how to cook if that would sweeten the deal?

[Oh, huh. Despite literally everything Vander has said and done so far, Accelerator still blinks in surprise when he moves to cover him as he respawns. He wasn't expecting him to help him out. His gaze hangs on the screen, even after the friendly nudge, and he mumbles awkwardly.]

...................... Thanks.

[Once his character is back he's very quick to start firing on enemies again, trying to focus on that. It's hard to, since Vander is continuing to be (in his opinion) way too nice.]

You don't need to offer that. The convenience store here has a lot of premade stuff.

[Because he can't bring himself to care enough to actually try to cook.]

[It was his turn to wait the few seconds to respawn his character, and now he was on his last life it seemed. He was tickled with how much progress they had made, since he was very rusty with these games and normally they weren't this complex in his city.

He remained hunched over the controls watching the screen and was back to tapping the buttons and moving the joystick with increasing confidence. He made a point of keeping himself relaxed next to Accelerator.]

That sounds sad. Right, it's decided. You drop by my apartment at six and I'll provide dinner. You can even just pick it up and go if you want. [The first few times... then Vander would reel the boy into staying.]

[Wait, what?

Accelerator does an excellent job of keeping himself from sputtering at that response, but only because he's experienced it before from his (formerly) legal guardian. Of course, instead of that he finally pulls his eyes away from the screen to glare furiously at Vander.]

What the hell?? Are you even fucking listening to me?

[The answer to that is 'yes, obviously.' Yomikawa pulled this same thing at him all the time back home when he was complaining or trying to act like an adult, acting as if she didn't hear him and adulting at him regardless of his anger. It's why he reaches up to pinch the bridge of his nose.]

I swear, adults never --

[It's a really dumb idea to stop playing the game when they're in the middle of it. His character stops firing, the enemies don't, and he gets hit by some bullets.

AAAAAAAaaaaaaand he's dead again. There are some blaring sound effects from the game as they get a game over, since that was his last life.]

I was, actually. You said I didn't need to offer, but it wasn't a need. It was a want to offer.

[He made a point of making the difference clear, and he had no doubt that the kid would eventually (if not already) would take him up on the offer. He had seen the premade food, and none of it looked appetizing. He certainly wouldn't eat it, and he had already stocked up his apartment with food for cooking.

Eating alone was uncomfortable, not that he hadn't done it before in the past. When one owned a business and kids were tearing up the outside, sometimes a quick bite to eat alone was the only course.

Here in this place he found it simply isolating.

And oh, they died and the game ended. Vander was still smiling even as he pushed himself to stand and made a point to dust his hands off despite them definitely not being dirty. That remained a job well done as far as he was concerned.]

That was some good teamwork! Thanks for the game, champ. [A beat.] So yeah, around six is fine. I hope you don't mind seafood.

Edited 2025-01-18 20:08 (UTC)

[Accelerator's attention briefly gets yanked back over to the arcade game as he watches the GAME OVER screen play, his eyes widening. Between that, Vander getting him with semantics and an irritating nickname his anger, which he normally keeps a good lid on, is causing him to kick the game with the toe of his boot.

It doesn't do anything except make him wince. Without his ability, his physical strength is pitiful.]

Goddamnit.

[Anyone would have assumed that Vander would be the one to cause a game over, but here they are. He screwed them over, he's been invited over for dinner, and he's been called 'champ.'

Accelerator tries to sort through his emotions outside of wanting to break something.

He doesn't tell Vander he isn't going to show up. He'd love to do that, but this is the sort of thing Last Order would want him doing. During their first meal she had said eating with other people is better than eating alone, and... she isn't wrong. He had eaten numerous meals on his own over the years, and a few with other people, and the latter were always better.

Maybe it has something to do with loneliness, he doesn't know and he doesn't want to think about it.

The game doesn't really matter, even though it hadn't been totally unfun and he's a little disappointed he screwed up. He grits his teeth and turns his glare back to Vander.]

Don't call me that.

[Vander didn't comment about the kid's frustration, expecting it was a combination of factors. Based on their first meeting and now this one, it seemed to him that Accelerator was still learning to moderate that temper of his. For his part, he felt no reason to correct the kid. A bruised toe was potentially enough of a correction already.

He also wouldn't be offended if Accelerator decided to not make an appearance despite his offer. Teenagers were mercurial at best, and they did happen to barely know one another, though the kid had been rather open with him on some matters. Still, if Accelerator did not show up, he would simply try again at a later date and time.

At the snapped words and glare, Vander just smiled and reached out to ruffle the kid's hair again.] Sure thing. Come on, let's find another game. We did well at that one, but I expect there are others that would be entertaining.

[His head feels like a bit of a mess, the urge break things melting together with his embarrassment of letting his emotions get the better of him. Vander isn't being derisive or telling him off - a better reaction than most adults in his life - but he still feels angry with himself. It's a fun cycle of misery.

Grabbing his crutch, he straightens up and once again tries to wave Vander's hand off before trying to fix his hair.]

... You pick the next one.

[He'll just have to get this build-up of emotion out in the next game.]

[He nodded his head, though he was keenly aware of the angry twist of the kid's lips and his fuming expression. He doubted it was because they had lost and if it was, well, he considered it little more than a learning experience. At least the boy didn't explode next to him or reach for that collar.

He patted the kid on the shoulder as he passed by him to look for their next gaming conquest.] This way then.

[He made a point passing by a few games before stopping in front of a cooperative game called Galaga. It looked like the same set up as the last game but older, and he hummed before gesturing at Accelerator.]

What do you think? It's a space shooter type game...?

[The shoulder pat is tolerated, though Accelerator still glowers a bit at the contact. He isn't used to it, not from people who aren't Last Order. It's better than getting his hair messed up, anyways.

Following after Vander, he tries to shove those feelings down, glancing around at the games they pass by. It's all very retro and noisy, and he blinks when Vander stops.]

Shit, this looks ancient, even by the standards of this bar.

[Still, he's stepping up to it to watch the demo automatically playing on repeat. He's too young to recognize Galaga, though the space theme is kind of neat.]

Putting the fun in functional (Closed)

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