quietplacelogs | Exercise!! Class!! [Open Log with Mingle]

Exercise!! Class!! [Open Log with Mingle]

Featuring: Open to all +

porkbelly

What's happening? Victor and Yuuri have set up a little class in the Verdrel Square for people to do breathing exercises and yoga. It... should be relaxing.
content warnings: excessive lack of drama
notes: Brackets or prose! There will be a mingle prompt included, so feel free to tag each other. All other prompts will be answered by Victor and/or Yuuri, depending.

i. Join us!
The day is particularly sleepy and uneventful. Despite the underlying dread of their circumstances, it can't be denied that the weather is nice. The sun shines, but the air isn't too hot. A meandering breeze rustles the flowers in the garden, but not enough to cause alarm. Most people have their chores to complete and the two ice skaters are no exception. Victor had denied the call of a "Cleaner" and reassigned himself a Teacher along with his Fiance. They would be more useful this way! Victor's never even held a mop, that's a job for less... prissy people.

At the entrance to the park is Yuuri Katsuki, looking both determined and awkward to grab any passerby's attention. Beside and slightly behind him is a chalk sign with some (very carefully!) drawn words and.... let's call it "art";

There's a spare piece of chalk sitting beside the sign, to touch it up. Probably a mistake, given what looks like a hastily erased dick is in the corner. Why do people keep vandalizing this good sign when Yuuri isn't looking?

ii. Class is in session, instructions unclear (Open to Mingle)

If Yuuri has managed to direct you into the park, just past the entrance is their little set up. Located in an open, flat part of the park is a collection of blankets folded over themselves. They're arranged in long rectangles and are in a variety of tacky colors and patterns, some even have cartoon characters distorted by folds and wrinkles. They hadn't been able to find proper yoga mats, so these would have to do! No reason to waste good blankets on the ground...

The spot is framed by blooming rose bushes, it's all very serene. A place to forget you might be eaten up by ghosts if you happen to have allergies and sneeze too loudly. Don't think about it!

At the front of a scattered group of people in a variety of poses is Victor, communicator sat down in the sand. He's showing the group a yoga position, luckily nothing too advanced at first. He's keeping an eye on his screen in case anybody is asking questions, walking between those who do and helping with their posture.

There's not much structure to the class, some people are simply sitting and typing on their devices between each other. Victor honestly doesn't mind, it's more an exercise in trying to relax and distract than to really teach a full lesson. Yuuri and Victor can try that later, when people are more genuinely interested... maybe once they've decipher what "downward dog" is supposed to mean. Victor sure makes it look good.

iii. You get a prize

You did it! You stuck around for the promised prize. Victor approaches with a smile after a few exercises have been done... at least somewhat correctly. Having stayed quiet, you deserve a reward. There's a lack of "good job" gold star stickers around, so Victor found the next best thing.

He produces a soft and vibrantly colored flower, freshly plucked from the garden. If he's not immediately stopped (leveling a glare does not count), the bud is being neatly and cutely tucked into your hair. Victor makes a playful "ta-da" gesture with his hands, clapping silently after.

You tried!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Before inviting anybody to join, Victor and Yuuri need to set the place up! With a pile of ugly blankets set aside, they'll need to fold and arrange them nicely so students don't get grainy sand dug into their hands and knees. Victor also brought along a chalk sign he pillaged from in front of what was probably once a cute cafe. Alas...

Very carefully, he's writing their advertisement. EXERCISE!! yes, two exclamation marks looks good, even if he's smudged it up already. CLASS!! brilliant, this is going well. He switches to the blue chalk for added visual interest. What should fill up more space? He begins carefully drawing a flower, probably the only thing he knows how to draw well.

A long while back, when he was a fresh faced skater on the scene, he used to do very intricate signatures including a blue rose. As he got famous and there was more demand, he had to stop because they simply took too long to do. His earliest fans were the only ones who got to see the rose signature in person. Even super fan Yuuri wouldn't have ever seen one himself.]

[When Yuuri looks up from his very careful alignment of the blankets to see what Victor is doodling, his eyes widen in recognition. While it was true he'd never seen the other draw one in person, as someone who'd devoured every bit of information he could about his idol when he was younger, he certainly remembers it.

He's so excited, he foregoes the device to point wordlessly at the drawing, a small smile on his face.]

[It had been a long while since he last drew one of the roses. He'd also always done them in pen, not chalk, so he's trying to be very light to not screech the board and get them eaten. It doesn't look half bad, given his lack of practice. To him, Yuuri suddenly appears beside him looking ready to burst with excitement, having been so wrapped up in drawing he didn't notice the man approach. He startles just a bit, but seeing Yuuri smile like that... well, he can't help mirroring his enthusiasm.

Seeing the pointing, he'll look back to the flower, then to Yuuri, shrugging. He often forgets what a big, nerdy fan Yuuri is of his own fiance.]

[There's a tiny frown as Yuuri shakes his head vigorously. Victor can't understand. There are so many memories of being huddled over his computer, reading people on message boards sharing rare scans of that very rose. It's connected to feelings of envy and a desperate longing... this is all very hard to put into words, let alone head and hand gestures.

He looks closely at the picture, wanting to ghost his hands over it but knowing that would probably ruin it. He smiles again, looking up at his coach. Even though they're together now, it doesn't mean the very simple drawing doesn't still hold some power.]

[Seeing the enthusiastic head shaking, Victor assumes he's being told to stop. A quiet chuckle and he'll pass the chalk board to Yuuri, assuming he wanted a go at it. Such a fussy look on his face! He doesn't even consider the man just wants to sit and admire the hastily, dust drawn rose.

They're going to be married one day, but they still have plenty to learn about one another. Victor loves that prospect, coming to know the little intricacies of Yuuri.]

[At this point Yuuri gives up, taking another moment to admire the drawing before putting the chalkboard under the crook of his arm. He leans in to press his head against Victor's, looking deeply into his eyes and savoring some contact. It grounds him. Reminds him he's not alone. Once upon a time he wasn't used to needing physical contact like this, but nowadays it feels like he'd feel lost without it.]

[Victor is ready to busy himself with another task, picking flowers for the prizes, but Yuuri distracts him. The man's forehead is suddenly pressed to his and Victor blinks, surprised, before melting against it. It's only a little nudge of contact, but it means more between them. It was how they encouraged and challenged each other before a performance, a gesture of confidence. Nothing is better than seeing Yuuri looking determined. They'll make it, together, no matter what nonsense this place throws at them. So long as he has Yuuri, it'll all be fine.

This is the perfect time to steal a kiss, of course!]

[It's hard to hold back a giggle at the kiss, Yuuri returning it before giving a little nod and letting Victor attend to his task while he goes to see if he can gather up anyone to join them.

He's not very confident about people in their current situation wanting to practice this kind of exercise, but when they asked him to teach it was the subject he had the most experience with. They certainly didn't need to be taught how to stay up all night raiding on an MMO or putting away a lot of katsudon.]

i. Join us!
[Is someone trying to flag down people who pass by? But why? Does he need help? It's kind of rude for so many people to be ignoring him if that's the case, isn't it?

It's only once Carpet approaches Yuuri that he notices the sign at all. "Exercise class"? Why would anyone need a class to teach them how to exercise? He knows how to ~~have THE ZOOMIES~~ burn off excess energy just fine without ever being taught!]

ii. Class is in session, instructions unclear
[Carpet is one of the (possibly few?) attentive students during the lesson, trying his best to imitate yoga positions even in spite of having such a wildly different body shape. He's doing his best to just do it with his body, and not rely on being able to hover and effortlessly hold a position--so naturally, given the lack of structure and strength in his tassels, he's probably falling over a lot. Good thing cloth hitting cloth is quiet!

Anyone want to come help him, laugh at him, or distract him?]

iii. You get a prize
[A promised prize, huh? Carpet had been more curious about the class itself, but there's no reason not to stick around and see what the prize was. Rather than glaring (could you glare without eyes?) or trying to stop him, Carpet mimes clapping as he sees the blossom himself--what a cute idea! It's so pretty, too~]

[Needless to say, when Yuuri sees the sentient carpet, suddenly that odd post he'd seen on the network clicks into place. He'd assumed it was a person with a very weird name and... this is much, much weirder.

But. It seems... friendly? He gives a polite but awkward smile its way. He's not sure it'd be interested in what he's offering, seeming to move pretty quietly on its own.]

[Carpet moves soundlessly, it's true--no feet to make footsteps, no heavy breathing to be heard, nothing to kick or trip over or bump into up in the open air..... The class is effectively pointless for him. Even so, he's curious enough to give Yuuri an energetic wave, typing a quick message to offer him. It's only right, considering how many people are blowing him off and walking past without even a glance!]

Do you need any help?

[Oh. Yuuri supposes being able to communicate in text isn't that surprising considering... but he hadn't considered it. He thinks carefully before responding:]

I'm not sure what can really be done. I guess people here have more important things to think about than exercise. But it's what I know.

But don't humans need exercise like they need food and sleep?

[In this world, where people spend their entire lives in silent terror just trying to survive, what could be more important than attending to a basic need? Shouldn't everyone be even more interested in what this man is trying to teach them?]

That's true ... but I guess they probably feel like they get enough with the work they do everyday. It's a hard life here.

Edited 2018-01-31 04:46 (UTC)

Is it really so much harder than anywhere else besides the silence?

[Carpet scratches his head thoughtfully at that. Chamberpots and outhouses are normal. Fishing, hunting, farming, making clothes, construction, town guards..... all normal. The constant fear is probably draining, yes..... but it's not exercise, is it? Count him as someone completely unused to modern conveniences making everyday tasks quicker and easier.]

For me it seems that way. The place I'm from things are more modern. It's a real adjustment from what I'm used to.

I hope you get used to it soon! What is it like where you're from?

[The carpet is a strange and intriguing presence at the lesson. Victor stood in a stretch far longer than anybody else could, just staring at the.... object? Creature? Both seem offensive, but he doesn't know what to think of a carpet moving and acting on it's own, let alone with personality. As a dancer and an ice skater, Victor is more attuned to reading emotion and intent through body language alone than most are. He can tell as the lessons goes on the carpet is just... trying it's darn best. There's something oddly endearing about it.

So, like anybody else there, Victor approaches and gives the carpet a flower, tucking it neatly in a tassle, not knowing where else it might stay. The mimic of his clap gets an even broader smile from Victor, who makes a heart shape with his hands in response. A job well done, he appreciates seeing effort, human or otherwise.]

[Carpet mimics the heart shape as well, bouncing happily in place; imitation is an only natural way to learn, for someone who's never actually attended any sort of class before this. After all, who would consider it worth their time or effort to teach a creature, an object like him? Just about everything he's learned in his life, he's learned through observation

Victor's keen eye might notice one tassel braiding itself a little, just a few twists to keep the flower properly secured while he picks his device back up to type.]

You're really good at this! Do you do it at home too?

[They type! Victor's eyes goes wide to watch the carpet click away on their device. He looks at his own and there the message is. He blinks and looks between the screen and the moving object a few times before typing back enthusiastically. It takes a lot of self control for him to not yelp or exclaim the words instead of type them.]

WOW! Thank you, I do, I'm an athlete. UH, you're amazing??? I've never seen anything like you! Are you from a fairy tale or something?

[that's all he can think of, flying carpets are only a thing that would be in a cartoon or a picture book. With super heroes and people from outspace around, it's not impossible, no way.]

[Carpet bounces a little in place, swaying energetically--why yes, he is doing a little happy dance. He's pleased by the compliment,a nd Victor's barely restrained enthusiasm is infectious, so why not?]

Thank you! I'm from Agrabah, it's a big kingdom in the middle of the desert! Where are you from? What kind of athletics do you do?

[The little happy dance is noted and Victor has to stifle a pleased chuckle to see it. How charming! This place could stand to gain some whimsy, maybe in the place the dread and terror. That's probably too much to hope for....]

That DOES sound like a fairytale! Amazing! There really can be anybody here.

There's no kingdoms where I'm from, which is a country called Russia. It's in the far north, more like a desert of ice than sand, but it's green and nice in the summers.

A desert of ice sounds pretty! I wonder if I've been near Russia? Aladdin and I got blasted to a place where the air was full of ice and you couldn't even see the ground!

[It's called a blizzard, Carpet.]

[Victor can catch on that much, he's seen many the snow storm. He's trudged through a few to get practice in, even when he shouldn't have.]

That might have been it! We get icy storms pretty often, they're called blizzards. You don't want to get stuck out in one, that's for sure. Do the heat or cold ever bother you?

They don't bother me but I did get frozen solid when we landed there! Aladdin had to break the ice off. Once he got me loose I saved him and Abu from the blizzard.

[Totally exciting adventures! Not a near death experience whatsoever, nope~]

Harrowing, indeed! Are those kinds of adventures common for you?

[Definitely from a fairy tale, Victor is convinced]

Not all masters like having adventures but when they do they're pretty common!

[Totally from a fairy tale. B|bb Getting blasted into a frozen wasteland is just another day in the life~]

[that's not something he really understands, so he's hoping it's not some sore spot to ask about, the carpet didn't seem like anything but whimsy and fun, so]

What do you mean by masters?

[He doesn't look bothered by the question. If anything, Carpet looks a little confused as he tilts his head at Victor; it's like asking a desert dweller to explain sand.]

Masters are masters? They own me and tell me what to do. I don't have one right now.

[that sounds terrible to Victor, but he's also a person and has never met a living object before. Clearly, they have different standards.]

And you like having a master? Or is that a bad thing?

[Clearly they do! It's not slavery if it's a thing instead of a human, right?]

It depends? Some masters are good people and some are bad people.

[Victor finds this thought experiment very uncomfortable, but he'll still engage. The carpet seems nice, human enough in personality that having a Master does strike a wrong chord with him, but who is he to tell this other living thing they're something off about that kind of circumstance. Especially if he didn't have a master in these parts.]

Well, I hope you don't end up with anybody bad again. Do you decide your Master? [that... might be okay, right? That's more like a job or a relationship, however strange Victor might see it]

[Well, he could tell him if he wanted to? And have to suffer through the possibly even more uncomfortable acknowledgment that Carpet is from a time period where slavery is almost certainly still alive and well. Modern sensibilities and social norms just plain don't apply here.]

I hope not too! I don't decide my masters. But now I could run away if they're bad?

[Now he can, because..... well, because he has enough free will, independent thought, and sense of self to do so, and that wasn't always the case. To say nothing of the fact that now he doesn't have to worry about being separated from Genie anymore..... even if he were capable of thinking to flee, if he couldn't take the lamp with him, there was no way he was going to just abandon Genie to serve someone like that alone. He didn't want to lose his oldest and closest friend!]

[Victor is drastically under prepared for that kind of conversation. He's an ice skater, he'd have slept through any college classes on cultural ethics.]

Well, if anybody is unkind to you here, we'll tell them off. Master or not! [what Victor is good at is throwing shade on social media. He can write a pretty good mean tweet.]

Okay!

[Count that as one thing Victor can take care of for him--Carpet is probably too Disney to tell anyone off properly. How do you throw shade unless you're shielding someone from the sun?]

[ Seeing as there was a sad lack of things to do here, this had caught his attention.

As things progressed, he'd seemingly kept up rather well with a fairly high level of flexibility in his body to keep up with each of the different positions. His posture was near perfect each time, adapting to how the others were doing it and seeming rather calm as he did this.

Sure enough, the end came around and Karma straightened up and there was someone coming up to him. It took a second for him to realize that it was the pale-haired guy who was one of his housemates, though he hadn't exactly 'spoken' to him indepth. Raising an eyebrow at the flower, the look on his face spoke volumes of what he wanted to ask but couldn't.

Only after the flower's put in place, does an amused smile form and he gestures to the flower before typing out a message for the other. ]

Suits me, doesn't it? I take it this is something of a participation prize. Am I wrong?

Certainly! And yes, simple and lovely, I think it a fine reward.

[Victor has a casual smile on, glad a few people seem to have enjoyed the class. The feeling of movement and control is empowering! Not to mention relaxing and good for you, he'll have to get some better clothes, soon. One piece jumpsuits don't lend themselves all that well to deep stretches. Victor had rolled up the sleeves and both pant legs, but it only did so much to help.]

Did you enjoy the class? It will be better once Yuuri and I can arrange a building... with good soundproofing we could actually whisper real instruction instead of "see and do".

[ In the big picture, Karma had never entirely been much of a flowers or nature kind of person but he didn't outright hate or dislike them either. Probably why he didn't mind the one that had been put into his hair moments before this, a hand reaching up to gently brush against it briefly.

He's not a big fan of the jumpsuits either. Hopefully he'll be able to get his clothes back in some form in due time. ]

For what we have here in this place? It works for me.

[ Moving to roll down the sleeves of his jumpsuit with a barely visible frown in place, he seemed to consider something in Victor's message before responding. ]

Yeah. It wasn't too bad, everything considered. When you two can manage that, i'll definitely drop by for a second class.

I hope to see you there! I'm not sure how long it would take to convince the locals, but maybe we can prove ourselves useful with a few more classes. I saw some show up and follow along, it's a start.

OH I'm Victor, by the way, nice to meet you!

[ Trying to keep completely quiet seemed almost more like a chore than he'd initially expected, figuring that out amidst catching himself before actually letting off a chuckle or going to habitually say something normally and stopping himself short. ]

Definitely a start. I think it's something they could get used to doing.

Likewise. Name's Karma.

[ A pause followed to which he made a vague indication in Yuuri's direction, making it just clear enough it was him he'd be referring to. ]

You two seem like you know each other. Seem pretty close. Come from the same world or what? Color me curious.

That's Yuuri, we're engaged! [he types fervently before pushing his hands forward. There's a glittering golden ring on his finger and he couldn't look more pleased or proud. Let him show off and he's going to, obviously very happy about his circumstance as far as that tidbit goes]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Exercise!! Class!! [Open Log with Mingle]

For Yuuri

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

/gently treats this like a mini-mingle

i

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

iii

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

III

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject