quietplacelogs | Tried to nurse it behind my mom’s back. [Open]

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the dark tower: jake chambers

Tried to nurse it behind my mom’s back. [Open]

Featuring: Majima (

justbeingknife) and you!
What's happening: Finding old gyms, moving house, let's get drunk on the minibar
Day/s: Throughout March
Content warning: Salty language, drinking, Majima being himself

I feel alive for the first time

[ Ever since they'd found those old boxes of footage, Majima had been wandering further and further out in his explorations, both to get a better handle on the town and because he wasn't so sure their last hit had simply been dumb luck. Sure, coincidences happened, but --

There was a tall building with a white stone facade up ahead, its entrance slightly ajar. Oiling the hinges and pushing the door open revealed a wood-floored room illuminated only by a row of high windows along the back side. PISCINE BOULLINGRIN, read the sign.

It, like its neighbors, looked long-abandoned. But the row of mirrors inside and the markings along the floor suggested that the first room had once been some kind of studio.

ooc: Feel free to stop by and have Majima ask if your character would like to explore the abandoned gym, or find him a little later on rummaging through equipment closets, searching the rooms, or starting some cleanup! This is a general placeholder for any gym-related shenanigans. ]

Each sip hits my lips like a landmine

Uh... thanks.

[ signed Majima as a native carried a bar stool through the doorway and into the house. The man waved enthusiastically at him before leaving once more -- possibly to bump into anyone standing outside.

Should anyone drop by, they'd find that the walk-in basement of Majima's new house was currently filled with random junk Majima hadn't asked for (but appreciated, don't get him wrong): a pair of tonfa, shoes, a 50-pound bag of sand, a dart board... and then there were the boxes of bottled alcohol. These were clustered around the dark wood counter of the mini bar, which to the old owner's credit was beautifully appointed.

Majima shrugged, and plucked the first of the bottles out of its carrying crate -- single malt Scotch, amber in the afternoon light. ]

Guess I'm gonna need a sign.

On the 7th day, it was said God rest/But on the 8th day he made the DVX

[ Later on in the month, with everything squared away, Majima could be found at odd hours behind the bar, cleaning glasses or reading about bartending technique.

Someone who knew him well might think he looked a little more tired than usual, but any new faces? They'd get a smile and a bow from the man at the counter. ]

What'll it be?

Wildcard

[ U know what to do. Additional prompts to follow, maybe. Feel free to hit me up on Tetradecimal or tetra | majima #2434 on discord ]

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[ If Majima was surprised to see Akechi, he didn't show it in his expression -- he seemed a little more thrown by the request, if anything. ]

Amazake? Sure, if ya don't mind drinking one out of a bottle.

Mostly, I figured I'd just trade for ingredients and equipment to make drinks. Fruits are a big one, liqueurs and such. Lookin' for a cold press, too. But I'm open to other options.

[Oh... his reaction is a bit slow, still feeling a bit off-kilter about talking to this man.]

I've already eaten the fruit I was given today, and I definitely don't have a cold press.

[He purses his lips briefly, brow furrowing a little. He doesn't really have... anything to offer. All of what he's accrued was mostly personal items, which he wouldn't trade away even if they had value to others.

After a bit more thinking:]

I have sand?

[... I mean, it's worth a shot.]

Works for me. You can bring it by later.

[ In the meantime, Akechi would get his amazake, poured neatly into a nice teacup Majima had found. Better than right out of the bottle liKE AN ANIMAL, right? ]

Ain't seen you around in a while. How you been?

[ Majima, frankly, was not going to judge someone by what they'd done under the influence of that red liquid, which should have come with a warning label t b q h ]

[Really? Well... there is only so much people can offer, around here. Make due with what you can get.]

How much? I was recently given quite a few bags' worth.

[And there's his Amazake. He nods his thanks, fingers encircling the handle, though he hesitates to drink it right away, for some reason. He almost feels guilty for this...?

Ah... as for how he's doing...]

Well enough, I suppose. [...hah, right, that's why he's in a bar ordering alcohol. Because he's doing "well enough". Maybe Majima won't call him out on it, especially when he'd explicitly spoken of needing drugs or alcohol just to properly relax...] Exactly how did you acquire the means to make this establishment, anyway?

Couple pounds should cover you, unless you're plannin' on going on some kinda bender.

[ Majima raised an eyebrow at Akechi as he said this; you weren't that bad off, were you? ]

Ain't sure about the reasoning, but the locals showed me to the house and gave me all this booze. You'd think they'd spread it around a little more, but... hell, why complain?

Someone asked me if I was gonna make this my job, but I think I'm gonna keep it as a hobby right now.

[Excuse you??? He looks mildly offended at the insinuation, nose scrunching up a little distastefully.]

Two pounds it is.

[Just to make it clear he has no intention of going on a "bender"!! As if it somehow underlines his point, he brings his cup up and takes a sip.

Once he's done being disgruntled...]

The locals work in mysterious ways. I've still yet to understand how some of my belongings from home have just... shown up or were given to me.

[...he still doesn't trust them btw.]

I'm not sure if it's more or less baffling than how they came to acquire Amazake.

Without so much as yer name on it? Yeah, me too.

[ Majima paused a moment more, then sighed. ]

So I guess we should talk about the elephant in the room. I ain't gonna mention what ya said to me to anyone, and I ain't gonna hold it over yer head, either. Figure everyone was kinda loopy off whatever that drink was.

You ever wanna talk about it, though, you can stop by.

[He instinctively tenses when he reads those words, trying to make sure his eyes don't give too much away. It... isn't like he hasn't shared that information with an acquaintance before, just out of the blue.

No, he suspects it's more a matter of... the physical affection. All those hints of how needy he was, how desperate for affection, how he craved it. But then, maybe it was covered up by the nature of the drink. Even if he had said some damning things...

He takes another measured sip to contemplate his response, setting the teacup down delicately.]

I appreciate that. And the offer as well. Though my story tends to be something of a drag, so it's something I prefer not to recount too much.

[Even if it constantly haunts his subconscious.]

I'm more interested in yours. You said you're the manager of a cabaret, correct? I wasn't aware the profession held such an element of danger.

[He gestures loosely at Majima's face.]

What, that supposed to be a dig?

[ Majima didn't look too offended either way. He was used to people being beyond rude about his face... and frankly, he regretted none of the circumstances that had led to the injury. ]

That's right. I managed the Cabaret Grand in Sotenbori. Guess I technically still do. I also run a cabaret club called Club Sunshine in between.

That part's easier, 'cause it's Youda-han who takes care of the day-to-day operations. I only stepped in to help 'em beat back some nasty competition they been running into lately.

[He can't help but supress a little smile, a hint of mischievousness twinkling in his eye. He hadn't meant it to be a "dig", no, but... he may have been intentionally a little vague in his gesture, just to see what sort of reaction it'd get.

A point to him for not getting riled up due to a perceived insult.]

Perhaps I should have been more clear.

[He briefly lets go of the cup to bring his hand up, tapping on his cheek underneath his eye, before he hooks a finger around the handle of the cup again.]

Beat them back? Figuratively, I presume.

[...okay, he might be teasing a bit.]

[ Akechi was fair game: confirmed. ]

Figuratively and literally. They were pretty sore losers. Always ended up sendin' their goons in when they couldn't win fair and square.

[ Majima would leave it to Akechi to wonder about his methods. ]

Now that they're outta business, figure Sotenbori's club scene oughta get back to normal.

Did you sue them for damages?

[...siiiiiip.]

Nah, I figured that'd be insult on top of injury with that hospital bill I sent 'em back with.

[ Majima went ahead and poured himself a whiskey.

Sip, indeed. ]

For taking your eye, I'd say it'd be well-deserved.

[Little known fact in Reims: Akechi is vindictive as hell.]

Huh?

[ That threw Majima for a bit of a loop before he let out a little puff of air -- not quite laugh. ]

Nah, the Five Stars ain't have nothing to do with my eye. This's what you'd call an old injury.

What did you think I was referring to?

[No, Majima, he wasn't actually digging on you.]

So what's the tale behind that?

Ya asked about my cabaret work. So that's what I answered.

I'm kinda surprised at ya, Akechi-kun. You seem like someone who'd understand delicate sensibilities.

[ In this case, Majima went out of his way to use the English version of delicate. He wasn't particularly sensitive about his eye, but he also wasn't going to dish on it to a virtual stranger. Why would he? He hadn't even told his closest friends here.

He'd simply picked the option most likely to ease the conversation along: politely ignoring the insinuated question in favor of answering the one presented on its face. ]

[Oh, so he was being deliberately evasive.

He takes a sip of his cup for a moment, then sets it down.]

Alright, I'll stop pressing. I was only curious.

[Curiouser more that Majima seems so sensitive about it. Weren't battle scars often a point of pride? Hm. In either case, he should probably avoid asking about Majima's past, at least for the moment.

As his eyes travel around the bar, they land on the dartboard and light up a bit in realization, before he looks to Majima.]

Do you have darts for that board?

Sure do.

[ He removed a small case from a drawer under the bar, then slid it across the counter. ]

Gonna play solo?

[His eyes glitter with delight at the case, and he eagerly moves to open it up, picking up a dart and admiring it.

With his left hand, he signs:]

Are you feeling up to a match?

Hell yeah, I'm up for a match.

[ In fact, the black-feathered set was Majima's. ]

Count-up? 501?

Count-up. It's been awhile, so I need to warm up first.

Do take mercy on me and blame it on the alcohol if I'm not quite up to snuff.

[akechi, you've had like, half a tea cup of amazake,]

Alright, then. I'll start off.

[ What would Majima's idea of a casual game look like...

He stepped up, dart in hand, a serious expression on his face. One hit to the outer bullseye, two to the inner -- then he stepped over to retrieve his darts for Akechi's turn. ]

125 on the first try. Are you a professional?

[Once Majima is out of the way, he takes his borrowed darts and comes up to the line. The other man might notice that he's throwing with his left hand, and he hits the outer bullseye twice, and, to his dismay, the 19th sector. He gives a soft click of disapproval with his tongue, going to retrieve the darts.]

[ Majima smiled at him. ]

'fraid not. But I did used to play challenges a lot. Bunch of fellas used to pester me to do this drunk.

[ Two outer bullseyes and one inner this time, with a steady hand. ]

You a lefty?

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