sticksandbones | We know where we're going, but we don't know where we've been

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We know where we're going, but we don't know where we've been | OPEN

Who: Ryan Akagi and You!
What: Newbie Catch-all
When: February
Where: Mostly the inn unless we wildcard something
Warnings: None, will add if that changes.

A. The New Music Man (Lobby, any time)
[Ryan doesn't love being stuck in another weird dimension again, but this place has two great perks over the Wormhole Judgement Line. The first is that he gets to wear his own clothes instead of that stupid prison jumpsuit, but the second is even more important to him - he showed up with his guitar and got to keep it from the start.

He can often be found in the lobby playing and practicing, even though he doesn't have an amp or even any way to plug an amp in. He's claimed the comfiest chair he can find and sprawled himself out horizontally over the arms, playing whatever comes to mind in odd, soft twangs. He practices this way a lot, so it isn't much of a hindrance or anything.

When someone comes over to listen or investigate, Ryan will eventually look up - he doesn't mind being disturbed and happily chats up anyone who chats with him.]

Oh! Hey! Got any requests?

B. That Unsettling Tree (Lobby, whenever)
[It was good to be able to get outside after that whole deadly blizzard thing that was going on when he first arrived, but the good didn't last long. It's just constantly nighttime now, all the time, and being anywhere near that weird tree and its...roots? Webs? Whatever, being anywhere near it just makes Ryan sad and lonely in a way he can't fully articulate. He's felt it before though; he's sure he has.

Sometimes you'll catch him peeking out the window, trying to make any sense out of all of this. If you join him, he'll pick your brain - assuming that you've been here longer than he has.]

So...is it just always creepy here, or what?

C. Something Borrowed and Blue (Ryan and Min's room, 2/14, Closed to Min-Gi)
[Ryan has no idea what's come over him, but he's sure he lost something.

What did he lose? No idea! But it was super important and he knows it was here. It was right here, somewhere! He tears apart every inch of his side of the room (and maybe a little of Min-Gi's side too, but he tries to be more careful. Even the mattress gets flipped off the bed, and furniture is moved around. Stuff gets dropped on the floor, and Ryan can feel himself stress more and more about it, as though this mystery item is the end of the world.

Then, he sees a glint of something shiny underneath the bed, stuck in the floorboards, and he knows that has to be it. He pushes the bed aside at a weird angle, picks it up, and feels instant relief that doesn't fully feel like his own. But it's fine now, because he can still give this to...

...to...to M--?

His thought trails off and the emotion attached to it dissipates. When he looks down, there's a ring in his hand. It's a simple band, with a blue stone, and-- something engraved in it? Ryan squints and looks closer.]

...My Star?

[Huh. Weird pet name, but it's kind of cute? He tries it on out of curiosity, but it's a little bit too big. It's at that moment though that he hears someone opening the door, and realizes with a start that Min-Gi is going to walk in on their room looking like a crime scene with Ryan sitting in the middle of it.]

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[Min-Gi is quiet when he gets back to the inn, hand itching by his side as he tries to ignore the weight of the ring he'd found in his pocket. He shouldn't have taken it, no matter how right it had felt in that moment. Someone's probably looking for it.

But the idea of letting it go now... somehow that's even scarier than keeping it.

Fortunately (?) Ryan can always be counted on for a distraction, and walking into their room pushes all other thoughts from his mind in an instant. His eyes widen, then he quickly steps the rest of the way in and slams the door shut behind him. The rooms are apparently free here, but will that still be true after Ryan's trashed one of them?]

What did you do?

[Ryan stuffs the ring he found in his pocket and immediately gets up to start righting the mattress.]

N-Nothing! I didn't do anything!

[This is possibly the least true thing Ryan has ever said. They both know it but it still slips out as a nervous response.]

I was just looking for something, okay? I'll put it all back!

[With a lot of effort, Ryan tugs the mattress back onto the bed. It's kind of crooked, but he still looks at Min-Gi as though he expects a gold star for putting one whole thing back.]

Didn't you?

[Min fixes him with an incredulous look, arm slightly extended to point out... what exactly? He doesn't even know where to begin. He seems frozen in place as Ryan does all the work to drag the mattress back to its rightful place, but that look back at him seems to spur him into some kind of action.

He steps further into the room, closer to the bed, and...

Straightens it. Obviously the number one priority right now.]

What were you thinking? What if someone else sees this? I don't want to get kicked out!

[Where else could they go? Their options are limited right now.]

[Ah, of course. The biggest problem here. The crooked mattress.]

Min...we're not going to get kicked out. Nobody's going around doing sudden room checks, man.

[That being said! It does still need to be fixed, so Ryan's at least picking stuff up while he has this conversation. The ring is secure in his pocket, and it's weirdly comforting to know it's there.]

Look, I'm sorry. I should've said that part first. I was totally going to clean it up. It just...got out of hand? And then you got back?

How do you know? We just got here.

[It's unlikely, but it doesn't feel like an unreasonable concern. Though Min-Gi would likely feel almost as stressed at this much mess with or without that worry hanging over him.

Still, it helps that he's apologizing. He knows Ryan wouldn't do this maliciously. He isn't thrilled, but he nods, sucking in a breath as he surveys the damage with a more level head. It doesn't look like anything's broken. Just severely disorganized.

It's okay. They can fix this. With the bed back in place, next it makes sense to finish making it. He silently picks up the pillows, arranging each one neatly at the top of the bed before moving onto the sheets.]

What were you even looking for? We don't have anything...

[He is trying to be rational. Even so, the remnants of his frustration can still be heard in his voice.]

[Ryan can hear it for sure. But he also hears Min-Gi trying, and in his defense none of this makes any sense. Honestly Ryan would be pretty mad too if he came in here and it looked like they were robbed.

He's quiet for a moment, seemingly fixated on pushing a dresser back into place just right. Min will know better though - he's stalling.]

...This is going to sound super weird, but I don't know how to explain it?

[That's the part that's weird. Normally he would just, you know, tell Min-Gi what he was looking for. He doesn't have any big secrets.]

It just...felt like there was something I really had to look for all of a sudden! And, uh. Well...

[The words don't want to come out of his mouth, so. He rummages in his pocket and pulls out the ring he found, and holds it up with two fingers for Min-Gi to see.]

I totally don't know where it came from, but this was under the bed. Bizarre, right? Maybe someone else was here before us, or something?

[Min huffs audibly as he puts the sheets back on the bed, an unspoken way of letting Ryan know he knows what he's doing. He spends the time Ryan's stalling making their bed look disconcertingly neat rather than outright calling him out though, waiting until he decides to give him an answer.

He seems appeased when Ryan starts to explain, but his demeanour quickly changes. He takes a step back, jumping when the back of his legs connect to the bed.]

I don't--

[His hand twitches, drifting up to cover the pocket the ring he'd found is resting in.]

That doesn't make sense. How would it even get here?

[The similarity to the ring he'd found outside isn't lost on him even without looking closer. He has to tell Ryan about it, but for some reason the prospect is distinctly uncomfortable.]

[Ryan has a tendency to act before he thinks, so now that he's holding up the ring it hits him that something feels off. Maybe it just...feels weird to show someone a ring this way. Maybe he should have done something differently.

He shrugs though, and tucks the ring back in his pocket.]

It was under the bed? Someone could have like, dropped it and it rolled under there, or something. Before we were staying here, I mean.

[That feels like an unsatisfying answer though. It doesn't explain why he was suddenly compelled to go looking for it as though he knew it was there, but he doesn't have an explanation. It's just...what happened. And now Ryan has a ring that someone else probably lost, that he feels weirdly attached to for some reason.]

Edited 2025-02-16 01:31 (UTC)

[Now he's seen the ring, Min-Gi doesn't need a full explanation from Ryan. He's not sure he'd even want to. The story is different, but even if Min hadn't been actively looking for something he'd been so compelled to pick the ring up once he'd spotted it. The things he'd felt made no sense at all.]

I don't know. Maybe someone put it there. Or... something?

[It's difficult to explain why he feels so nervous, so he braces himself, reaching into his pocket. Maybe it's easier show Ryan rather than tell. He holds out his shaking hand, unfolding it to reveal the ring resting in his palm. It isn't exactly like the one Ryan had found. This one is gold with a red stone embedded in the band. On a closer inspection it's maybe designed for a smaller hand than the silver ring.

The differences don't matter though. It's too much of a coincidence that they both found one. Especially with them both being so inexplicably drawn to something neither of them have ever seen in their lives.]

I found this when I was out. It was like I didn't any choice but to pick it up. Like I was meant to give it to someone...?

[Which is stupid, no matter how much the thought had felt like his own.]

[Nervousness is rolling off of Min-Gi in waves now, and it catches Ryan's attention. But when Min pulls out another ring, his eyes go wide.]

Woah.

[He fishes in his pocket and moves closer, holding out the ring so they can look at them side by side. It's odd - they don't match, but they sort of do, in an opposites sort of way? Similar style, but one is red and gold and the other is silver and blue. Side by side though, they look like they belong together.]

They look like wedding rings...mine even has something written inside it - My Star?

[He looks to Min curiously. Does it sound familiar to him? Because it doesn't ring a bell to Ryan. In fact, he goes so far as to ignore all of the signs that these are tied to them at all. The compulsion to find it, the relief, he stashes it all away.]

Someone probably lost them. And if they were staying here before us it was probably like, a while ago.

[It's weird. Too weird. Min stares at them, side by side. Ryan's probably right about what they are. They really do look like they belong together.]

My Sun...

[That's what the inside of his ring reads. At this point there's no denying they're a set whether they're wedding rings or not.

It still doesn't explain everything, but Min-Gi nods, more than willing to forget all the other weirdness about the way they found them.]

I guess we should listen out for anyone missing rings. Maybe they don't know they left the silver one here.

[And there's no way they'd be able to guess the gold ring is here.]

Yeah - or that the gold one got dropped outside. They're probably looking for them...if they're still here, anyway.

[Something about giving the ring away feels wrong though. He wants to hold onto it, but he admonishes himself for it before any stray feelings can catch up. That's shitty of him. If it's someone else's they'll want it back. He can't just keep it forever and wait for...something.

Doesn't matter. He smiles at Min-Gi!]

We'll just have to hang onto them for now, so they don't get lost again! It would totally suck to be like "Hey, we have your rings!" and then we can't find them either.

Probably.

[That doesn't sound right, but for once Min-Gi doesn't argue. That's just asking to be forced to answer questions he doesn't want to think too hard on.]

We could put them in the dresser? If we wrap them up they shouldn't move about.

[Part of him hopes they don't find the owners, but that's silly. It makes no sense to already feel so attached to something he only just found. They don't belong to them, and whoever does own them is probably missing them of they are still around.]

[It doesn't sound right to Ryan either, but...better than getting rid of them, right? It's so weird to want to keep them, but he does. He really, really does.]

Yeah, totally.

[Is he listening? Unclear from that answer! But Ryan picks his ring back up and turns it over in his hand, looking at it some more.]

My Star and My Sun...they're pretty cute pet names. I wonder who these belonged to?

[Min-Gi laughs nervously, hand clamping shut around the ring. He doesn't want to get rid of it, but thinking too hard about it is definitely making him uncomfortable.]

I don't know. I guess we'll find out if we find anyone missing rings.

[He kind of hopes they don't, but that is so not something he's willing to think about right now. Maybe it's just because of how strange everything has been lately anyway.]

We should put them away. It's going to take a while to put everything back.

[--Oh. Min-Gi's uncomfortable, for some reason. That's enough for Ryan to pull his attention back where he's pretty sure it's supposed to be.]

Yeah. Yeah, you're right. We don't want them to get lost. You said in the dresser, right?

[Ryan sets his on top of the dresser, since Min said something about wrapping them?]

Sorry again for trashing the place. No one's going to come yell at us but if they do you can totally blame me for all of it.

[Which he should, because it was his fault, but that isn't what Ryan means. He means Min-Gi doesn't have to theoretically get kicked out with him over it.]

[It doesn't make sense to be so ill at ease with such innocuous comments, but he is. It's a relief that Ryan seems to drop it without question. He's become a lot better at knowing when Min needs that.]

Maybe. I think as long as it's somewhere safe it doesn't matter where they go.

[The dresser does seem like a good idea though. There isn't much around the rooms, but Min does still have some scraps of paper from the lanterns. That could work. At least temporarily.]

[Ryan nods. That sentiment calms the nagging feeling that it needs to be given to someone. What's even more important is keeping them safe, for whoever they belong to.]

Sounds good, man. We'll hang onto them and then when we hear someone's missing wedding rings, we'll have them right here.

[He gives Min a friendly clap on the shoulder when he says this. See? They figured it out! And everything's going to be fine.]

[For some reason the clap on his shoulder makes him jump. There's no reason for him to be so uncomfortable with it. Ryan's just being friendly, the way he always is. It must be residual weirdness from discovering the rings. Maybe something to do with the strange way they'd been drawn to them. He's sure if they give it a few hours they'll both be feeling more themselves.]

Yeah. I bet they'll be glad when they find out they're safe.

[Min doesn't mention how conflicted the thought of someone claiming them leaves him as he wraps them or, or the flicker of sadness when he can no longer see them. There's no point worrying Ryan with something he isn't sure he could even begin to explain.]

[This is probably true. Ryan is feeling almost the opposite about it all though - he's great at pushing past the weird vibes the rings gave him, but the moment he's alone with his thoughts again it'll be all he can think about.

He doesn't seem too offended by Min jumping at his touch (but he does laugh at him, just a little). Mercifully, he actually changes the subject completely. ...Or almost completely.]

Soooo, did you find anything cool out there other than other people's jewelry?

[He still seems distracted as he places the rings carefully into the drawer and closes it, taking a moment to fully register what Ryan's asking him.]

Oh. Not really. I guess I got pretty distracted.

[Which isn't like him. Not when there are important things he should be doing. Perpetual darkness or not they need to learn more about this place if they want to stand any chance of getting out of here.]

[It really isn't like Min at all. Ryan isn't upset about it though, just concerned for him.]

Hey, Min? Are...you okay?

[For now the rings are out of sight, which means they need to be out of mind, and Ryan is searching Min's face for any signs of something else wrong. He should probably just wait for Min to tell him, but he does let one guess sneak out.]

We don't have to figure everything out all at once. And I got pretty distracted too if that helps?

[It probably doesn't. Ryan tends to get distracted a lot.]

[Ryan does get distracted a lot, but Min knows he's trying so he refrains from pointing that out.]

I'm fine. The rings just...

[He shrugs, delaying answering by surveying the room. Even with the number Ryan had done on it there's surprisingly little left to tidy now the furniture's back in place. That's one upside of having accumulated so little.]

I don't know. I guess I just hoped there'd be more answers out there.

[It's a wonder what putting the mattress back and making a bed can do to a trashed room. They don't have a whole lot between them, so there wasn't much to put away.

Since it's basically done now, Ryan sits down on the edge of the bed, leaving plenty of space for Min to join him.]

There probably are, man. Just because you didn't find them in one shot doesn't mean we won't ever find them.

[Ryan glances up thoughtfully.]

...Maybe we need to find like...this world's Kez? Not literally but, you know-- There's got to be someone around who knows what's up, right? Or maybe someone who's from here?

[It's tempting to pick up the few things that are still scattered across the floor, but he sees the space and knows Ryan left it for him. He only hesitates for a moment before taking the seat next to him.]

Yeah. Maybe. It just sucks that this happened when we were finally starting to get somewhere.

[It doesn't seem fair. They've worked so hard since they got off the train. Neither of them had expected to wind up in some strange new place again, especially somewhere completely new.

The mention of Kez does get a light chuckle out of Min, at least.]

Kez would be just as clueless as we are, but maybe. I guess we should try asking around more. It does seem like most people here are friendlier than they were on the train.

[It does suck. But the fact that they've been through it already and come out the other side is why they're able to talk about it now, before the frustration builds too much.]

Yeah. And like, not that I want a number again, but at least that gave us an idea how we were doing, you know?

[Sure sometimes the only idea they got was "you're doing the worst anyone has ever done" but at least it was something. He brightens when Min confirms everyone's been friendly.]

Dude, we've been here a little bit and no one's tried to murder us! This place is like the Wormhole Friendliness Capital!

[Is that a thing? Probably not, but he's making it a thing.]

[It's not really funny, but he's finally starting to feel lighter with the rings out of sight. They're still on his mind, of course, but it's easier to at least make the attempt to distract themselves with them put away. Min still laughs at the absurdity of Wormhole Friendliness Capital, some of the tension starting to disappear from his shoulders.]

Yeah. It's kinda weird, right? But I guess it's better than immediately having to run from everyone we meet.

[It's just as well since there isn't exactly anywhere to run to here.]

Can you play wonderwall?

[she's joking, but also,]

...Huh. I don't think I know that one? How's it go? Maybe I can figure it out!

[He has no reason to know she's joking, since he predates the song by a little less than a decade, but he's sincerely willing to give it a shot anyway.]

[oh no. her joke has come back for her. but also this might be funny so yolo]

It's like. Uh.

[she attempts to hum the guitar first:]

Just keep doing that. and then it's like. Today. Is gonna be the day. blah blah blah blah blah back to youuuuu.

[Ryan nods along, listening to her lay out the basics. He lifts his guitar and sticks his tongue out a little bit as he puzzles out how the hums correspond to chords. It's not terribly hard, so he's pretty sure he's got it.]

Today~ Is gonna be the day~ blah blah blah blah blah back to you~

[Then, just for fun, he throws in his own line, assuming it just keeps going like that.]

No way~ I couldn't yesterday~ but this time it's really really true~

[He looks mischievously at Shoka - like that?]

[She grins a toothy little grin, because she does oh so appreciate a guy with a good sense of humor.]

I don't believe that anybody... beep boop boop boop boop. About you now,

[Ryan's sense of humor makes him pretty good at first impressions, and it's even more fun when the other person leans into it. The beep boops make him laugh, and he leaves them in when he repeats it.]

I don't believe that anybody~ beep boop boop boop boop~ about you now~
Oh no~ you really didn't know~ that I'm secretly a ro~bot?
Don't go, zero one zero, I love you a whole~ lot
Beep beep beep beeeep boop~ beep boop boop boop boop~ boop boop boop~

[What if he did the whole song like that that? What if that's just how it goes now?]

[Ah, someone is new here, he sees. Mayoi isn't often in the Inn, but he does come by sometimes to bring things to the kitchen. If he makes too much food for he and Mafuyu, he will bring the leftovers over. Sometimes he will bring in tea from his little tea garden.]

[The sight of a musician perks his curiosity, though, so he stands to watch for a little while before speaking up.]

Ah ...do you know any idol music...?

[Ryan tilts his head a little bit at him. Weird way to ask for it, but...]

You mean like...Billy Idol?

[That's the only idol music he knows of, but he definitely knows it.]

[Oh. Perhaps he does not know idol music, then! A pause.]

A-ah, not quite. [He knows who Billy Idol is, yes. Mayoi does know a good bit about music as a whole for you know, hyperfixation reasons.] To be an idol is to be a type of performer on stage who sings and dances and often entertains even beyond that. They are quite popular in Japan, but they are a world wide phenomena, too.

[That makes it click all of a sudden, or at least the mention of them being Japanese does.]

Oh! No, I get what you mean. It's totally different there. Or at least it was last time I saw my cousins...? Anyway I brought like a bunch of albums back with me. A lot of YMO, Junko Ohashi-- oh! And Vodka Collins? Like nobody knows Vodka Collins but they're so good. Way underrated.

[Wait. None of those are idols, at least not in the way Mayoi means. He thinks a little harder on it and...oh. Oh, he knows one.]

Oh! Do you know Pink Lady? S.O.S.! [CLAP CLAP] S.O.S.! [CLAP CLAP]

[ Steph stops by the first time she hears a guitar in the inn. Someone who's name she knows! It's like finding an item in a scavenger hunt. ]

Ryan, right? I'm Steph!

[Ryan looks up and grins, giving her a wave.]

Hey Steph! How's it going?

[He nods to a seat near him. Come hang out! He's got a guitar; it'll be fun!]

[ She sits. ]

Not bad! They've got decent coffee in this place, so I'm basically set. You?

Nice! And yeah, same here. The chairs are comfy and I've got my guitar so everything's as good as it can get here.

[He strums out a clacky, unplugged riff - for emphasis!]

[ It makes her chuckle. ]

Now if only we could get some sunshine, it'd be a pretty nice day, huh?

Right?! I'm totally going to shrivel up like a sad houseplant if we can't get some actual sun soon.

[Even on the train nighttime didn't last forever. His strumming shifts into some simple chords that this conversation made him remember, to get it out of head and to have something to do with his hands. It's very chill background noise, even without a proper amp. ]

I mean, they have magic, right? I'm sure they could come up with something like, those lamps they use for indoor plants?

Oh, right! Like the ones people grow pot with?

[Is that where she was going? If not, oh well. His frame of reference is what it is.]

But yeah they could totally just stick me under one of those like a tanning bed or something.

[ Sadly, that is indeed what she was thinking of. Her frame of reference probably comes from a very different place than his, though... ]

Like a bunch of pet lizards. Just build us a giant magic terrarium. The perfect solution!

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We know where we're going, but we don't know where we've been | OPEN

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