sticksandbones | I stole a ride on a passing star, not knowing where I was going

Entry tags:

infinity train: min-gi park

I stole a ride on a passing star, not knowing where I was going

Who: Min-Gi Park (

outofsynth) & OPEN
What: Catchall
When: Mid-February
Where: Various Locations
Warnings: N/A

THE WELL

[It's still too cold to spend too much time outside, but with the blizzard gone it seems like a good idea to try and get a better grasp of their surroundings. Min finds himself by the well, looking up at the statues. They're impressive, if maybe a little daunting. He shudders involuntarily looking up at them, not entirely because of the cold.]

Who were they...?

[He assumes past tense. Maybe mythological? The engravings leave him with that impression, but he still knows hardly anything about this place. For all he knows they could still be somewhere around here.]

GENERAL STORE

[The backroom of the store is deceptively well stocked. Min-Gi's trying not to spend too much time there. There's no way he can get anything at this point, but it's still useful to know what his options are. For the most part he seems focused on winter clothes. Mostly in his own size, but one coat he keeps going back to is definitely a few sizes too small.

In the end everything goes back on the shelf with a resigned sigh, and a glance to make sure the shopkeeper isn't getting too annoyed with how much time he's spending here. It probably makes him look more suspicious than he is.]

I know he's supposed to accept trades, but how do we get stuff to trade in the first place?

[Somehow he doubts the modest amount of dollars he has on him will be much help here. Neither the American or Canadian variety.]

[ooc: I may or may not add in extra prompts when I get more time. You can find me on plurk at

thlayli, or PM me if you have ideas for other threads!]

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[min-gi's company in the shop -- for a visit time not quite as long as his, but still an awkwardly long one -- is a behemoth of a man who keeps his head down. by the time min-gi says something (to him or to the air, livio isn't sure, but it's rude to just ignore either way) he has an armful of vintage children's toys and looks a little embarrassed about it.]

Oh -- uh, there are shells along the river that're sorta like currency, if y'don't have much to yer name yet...

[his gaze locks on the winter gear min-gi had just put back on the shelf.]

If y'need a coat, though, I got a few shells to spare. [they were actually really scarce in the past couple months of extra-frozen-hell-winter, but the new arrival doesn't need to know that.] Trust me, y'don't wanna play around with the cold, here.

[It's hard to tell who looks more embarrassed in that moment. Min for looking like he's asking for a handout, or Livio at being addressed with his arms full of toys.

Min-Gi's eyes widen at the offer, waving it off quickly. He doesn't want to take money (?) from someone he's just met, especially since he's realistically looking at getting two coats.]

That's okay. I'm sure I can find shells for him if that's all he wants. I have a friend who'll come with me.

[ah, the age-old panic between trying to not be rude or pushy, and feeling obligated to help.]

Are y'sure? If it matters that much to you, y'could pay me back, later. [says man with zero intention of accepting repayment --]

[It's a difficult position. It would be better if they just went and collected shells for themselves, but neither of them are especially well set for spending too much time out in the cold.

Then there's the fact that Min is not from a world where these offers come without strings attached.]

Like with interest?

[He doesn't think loan sharks usually carry around toys, but he's no expert. As far as he knows he's never met one in the first place.]

[there's a moment where he just... blinks at min-gi, dumbstruck. then he sputters and almost drops his armful.]

No, no! It ain't like that! Just -- uh -- I know some folks don't like handouts, so if it's easier on yer mind to make it... not that... aw, jeez. I'm sorry, I'm actin' a fool, huh?

[Oh. No. It really does look like he's sincerely trying to be nice and instead of being grateful Min-Gi's offending him.]

No, no! It's really nice of you. I just... I don't want to put you out. Especially if it's not even that bad to get money.

[Uh.]

Shells?

[welcome to the anxiety-off.]

Normally I'd agree, but... yer new, yeah? There's a lotta danger to get used to here. Better to be prepared. And -- anyway, Mr. Heimr gave me my coat for free last winter. This'd be like payin' it forward, y'see?

[He nods carefully, admitting he's new but still certain about accepting anything. Paying it forward does sound better, but it still feels weird.]

How dangerous is the river? Do you think it would take too long to get enough shells without a better one?

[His current coat isn't that bad. Just. Not designed for extended periods in the cold.]

I think it's actually a lil better off than the rest o' the Grove right now, but what with the dark 'n the cold... [ah, he just needs to find his big boy words.] I'll leave it up to you, but please don't feel like you'd be puttin' me out or anything.

[They both do. Maybe he should just explain (part of) his problem with taking a stranger's money.]

It's not just that. My friend isn't exactly dressed for this either. Which isn't me asking for two coats. [He's very quick to clarify that point.] It just looks like I'll be going there if I accept your help or not.

[what min said: i'm not asking. what livio heard: more people need help.

he restrains himself, though. it helps that his hands are occupied.]

You got a friend here? Well -- that's good! [he won't press the issue anymore, but still...] Well, just keep in mind y'got more friends here'n you think! We try to look out for each other, so if y'do end up needin' anything, y'can always ask for help.

Yeah. From back home. It sucks he's stuck here too, but it beats being alone.

[Uh. That's probably kind of rude considering how generous this guy's trying to be.]

Not that I'm alone. It's just different when you know someone, you know?

[don't worry, min, he isn't offended whatsoever.]

Yeah, I know what y'mean. My partners're from -- well -- pretty much from home -- [it's complicated] -- 'n yeah, it makes things a lil easier, to have folks y'can relate to a lil more.

Oh, shoot -- name's Livio. Sorry for m'rudeness, I'm, uh -- not all put together sometimes! [nervous laughter. please don't hate him. or do, just make it quick.]

Oh, you have your partners here? I guess that's kinda like us. It's nice to have the kind of bond with someone that even a whole other dimension can't keep apart.

[It. Definitely doesn't occur to him that "partners" (plural) could be intended romantically.]

I'm Min-Gi. I'd shake, but...

[He gestures at the toys that are currently occupying his arm space. Don't want to make him drop them!]

Yeah, exactly!

[this is the second time he tries to react instinctively and almost drops said armful. almost.]

Ah -- I get it, don't worry about it! Nice t'meet ya, Mr. Min-Gi!

[It's nice to meet someone with the same kind of experience. On the Train they'd been seen as a kind of oddity for having arrived together, but that doesn't seem to be the case in the Grove.]

Min-Gi's fine. You don't have to call me Mr.

Ah, right -- sorry, force'a habit!

[well. he'd best get these toys paid for before he really does drop them all over the shop.]

I'll see ya around, then? Don't forget t'holler if y'need anything!

[Min-Gi hadn't been expecting the offer to be quite so immediate, but maybe it won't be as bad as he thinks.

He falters a little when he reaches the main room. There's only one man who matches the description he'd been given, and if that's Will he missed out one pretty big detail that seems relevant given the topic of their conversation.

That's fine though. Probably. The guy doesn't seem to be holding a grudge. After taking a deep breath he awkwardly takes the seat opposite, determinedly making eye contact and not looking at his ears at all. Nope.]

Will...?

Min-Gi, yeah?

[He certainly doesn't sound mad, offering his hand for a bro-y mix of shake and clasp, tail wagging]

Sorry for bringin' on all that drama!

Right.

[Min never did master the whole bro thing. All Will gets in return is a regular old handshake, and a distracted one at that. It's impossible not to look at that tail, no matter how hard he tries not to.]

It's fine. I guess it's better I figure things out now.

[Although now he has more questions. Does this guy think of himself as human? Or was everything a joke to him from the start?]

[Yeah he notices- he's used to it from Clive already so it's more amusing than anything]

Yeah, yeah. It's a lot to take in- I've only been here a month and I'm still half convinced I'm having a coma dream. You drink? If not they got some good hot drinks too.

[Sorry Min, he's a chatterer]

I know that feeling.

[Maybe he's being more subtle than he thinks? Either way, Will's lack of comment on his staring helps him relax a bit.]

I drink. The wine cellar's actually got some pretty good stuff.

Oh, I haven't tried the wine. Wonder if it's been there ever since this place was first founded...

I'm not sure. I still don't totally get how it works here.

[If nothing else it doesn't seem like the food can have been here for that long, but maybe the wine cellar's different?]

'Weird' is how it works. But if you're curious 'bout anything specific I can tell ya what I've figured out.

[He sees Tingyun near by and gestures tipping back a drink. Now he wants to try it. He suspects she's gonna make him do extra work later for it, but that's fine]

['Weird' isn't much on an explanation, but since it would be rude to say as much to someone he just met he settles for fixing Will with an unconvinced expression.]

Honestly, it would be good to get any kind of answers at this point. There's a lot we haven't figured out.

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I stole a ride on a passing star, not knowing where I was going

store o/

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my apolocheese, work kicked brain's ass for a bit

It's all good! Work be like that sometimes...

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For Will

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