If that were true, I would be at a terrible disadvantage.
[Because you talk too much.
At any rate, the game becomes quite competitive — or maybe it's mostly Fenris, who knows. The points go high, low, then high again, as they each have their mishaps as well as their incredible shots. Eventually, once the game has been going for a while, Fenris has a thought as he checks the scoreboard. It's his turn and he's poised and ready to toss the ball, but instead he turns back to Wade with a quirk of his brow.]
...How do we know when there is a victor to this game?
[Wade's nothing if not competitive himself-- he'll be damned if he's gonna let this pointy-eared upstart block his shine-- but there's a secret part of him that feels he wouldn't feel all that put out if he did lose. Fenris's face remains as neutral as ever to the untrained eye, but there's something different about his demeanor now, a fire in his eyes that wasn't there before. It makes the game much less a power struggle and more of a friendly-- yet still rivalrous-- affair.
Wade's riding high on yet another 100 point sink, and so he doesn't really register Fenris's question until the man stops and looks at him. Flicking his eyes up to the scoreboard, Wade sees the utterly absurd number flash across the screen-- 1130-- seconds before the timer runs out with a cheerful jingle of sound. As he watches the tickets pour out of the receptacle, Wade buries his head in one hand, shoulders shaking with silent laughter.]
[Fenris' gaze falls to the tickets shooting out of the slots as well, then to Wade as he watches the other nearly fall apart. His brows shoot up, attention flickering back to the screen—]
What!
[But he was winning! Wasn't he? The elf heaves a heavy sigh before cradling his head in his hand.]
Isn't this supposed to be a game you're familiar with?
[The judging stare he levels at Wade would probably be harsher if he didn't maybe possible look somewhat kind of amused.]
[Wade's too immersed in the hilarity of the moment to really register Fenris's annoyed disbelief. The irony of such an anticlimactic outcome is just too perfect, like the lead-up to a punchline in a sitcom. When he finally gets control of himself enough to speak again, it's in a voice still choked with laughter.]
It's not my fault! You got all competitive right at the start-- got me too focused on stylin' all over your ass.
[He huffs out another chuckle and shakes his head, shrugging his shoulders.]
Ah, well. Guess we'll just have to call this a draw.
[Fenris scoffs — how dare Wade put the blame on him! Bastard.]
For now.
[He doesn't even catch the implication he puts forth that there's going to be a next time for him to kick Wade's ass. He just knows that he can't let this "draw" stand for long...
One more huff before he gestures at the tickets dangling from the slot.]
[Wade raises his arms in an exaggerated and comical shrug, sporting a grin that would put Alfred E. Newman to shame. He's kind of surprised to find that he's not really all that put out by the outcome-- as fiercely competitive as they both were, it really was the perfect way to end their first real game of Skee-Ball together. The real win, of course, was getting Fenris to drop that dour demeanor, even if only for a moment.
He walks over to the ticket receptacle, tearing them away with a swift jerk of his hand. There's a large amount there, and he nods with approval before making his way over to Fenris.]
These bad boys right here are the real reason we're here. You rack up enough of these, you can trade 'em in for some pretty snazzy prizes.
[Admittedly, Fenris hasn't felt this loose in...a very long time, but it's not as if he's acknowledging it either. Easy to tell himself that he is stubborn and competitive and absolutely could not allow himself to be bested by this silly man.
He regards the tickets, wondering why little pieces of paper would ever earn them prizes, but remembers that nothing about this world makes sense to him anyway and so he won't dwell on it any longer.]
These prizes wouldn't happen to be sharp and deadly, would they?
[Wade's busy sifting the large amounts of tickets through his fingers, silently counting them under his breath. Definitely quite the impressive haul, which he supposes is good enough reward for being a dumbass and forgetting to make it a co-op. He looks up at Fenris's question, his brow furrowed as if giving it some considerable thought.]
Well I mean it might be deadly for, like... a baby, but...
[What a same. He would like some weapons, thank you very much, New Amsterdam. A dart will only get him so far — though he appreciates the fact that he has it, at least.]
So, too dangerous for you to handle, then. Understood.
[Said with a trace of a smirk as he glances about for where they may acquire these "prizes", as if ending the conversation on that little note. As if he could ever control a conversation with Wade, he talks too much.]
[The retort is so unexpected it takes a good few seconds for Wade to process what Fenris has just said, but when it finally registers Wade lets loose with a loud, surprised shout of laughter.]
You motherfucker did you just make a joke at my expense?!
[Don't mistake his offended tone for being genuine, Fenris. He's not-so-secretly delighted.]
[ Something about Wade's horrendously loud bout of laughter tickles at Fenris' funny bone, causing his smirk to strain in an attempt to prevent a dreaded smile from forming. By the time he returns his gaze to Wade he has it mostly under control. And he can't resist the quirk of his brow. ]
[It's like coming upon a fawn in the woods, that smile. A quick hint of something rare and precious and adorable before it slips back into the shadows from whence it came. It causes Wade's already heightened mood to soar ever higher, and he points his finger mock-accusingly at the elf.]
You look like a fuckin' sharpshooter, that's what you look like. I see your game now-- lull people into a false sense of security with your little edgelord act, and then immediately snipe 'em with a laser-accurate joke outta nowhere. You ain't as slick as you think you are, pally.
[Wade flashes him an appreciative grin before turning his direction to the prizes in the display case.]
See anything you like? Got my eye on that ring down there, myself.
[He taps an area of the case, beneath which a small black ring is nestled.]
[ Fenris snorts, making a note to himself to ask Wade what a — what, a lord of edge, is exactly? For now, though, he examines the so-called prizes available to them. A lot of them were downright silly, but he supposes it's expected, seeing as this place seems largely catered towards children. Like Wade.
The ring looks...intriguing? Fenris isn't much for rings, though — the markings on his fingers are especially sensitive.]
Strange.
[ He doesn't say it to anything in particular. There are just so many weird things. The small doll with the crazy hair, the fake mustache — something does inevitably stand out to him, though. A bright blue, glowing tube with a cord weaved through a plastic ring on top. Maybe it's because of the irony, or the fact that it's the only thing here that seems familiar, but he can't help but want it.
[For a second, Wade thinks he's pointing at the troll doll, and is about to eagerly weave up some bullshit about how they're magic totems used to ward off the nightmares of children-- but he deflates a little after noticing what Fenris is actually pointing at.]
The glowstick? Surprised they make those anymore-- they were more of a 90s thing. You used to see 'em being sold in state fairs and carnivals and stuff. I think they still use industrial ones for, like... mining excursions or whatever.
There's some kinda liquid in there that makes it glow-- not really sure how it works. I only know you're not supposed to drink it. N-not from personal experience, of course.
Mining excursions, [ he mumbles thoughtfully, immediately making the connection to the lyrium being carefully mined, lighting up the darkest caves with its luminous glow. There are so many shades of irony to everything Wade just said that it would take way too long to explain — not that he wants to — the pull of familiarity to this novelty item. Not exactly the most positive connotations. Just familiar.
He gives a small nod of his head.]
I want that one. [ He spares Wade a glance. ] No drinking.
I DIDN'T EVEN SAY IT WAS M-- y'know what? Whatever.
[Wade hands the tickets over to the vendor, who ducks briefly behind the counter and reappears with the prizes. Plucking the ring from the vendor's hand, Wade slips the ring on his finger, smiling with delight and satisfaction when the stone set in it immediately turns a deep shade of purple.]
Oh sweet, it does work!
[He briefly looks up from admiring his prize at the glowstick the man is still holding out in his other hand.]
Looks like that comes as a necklace, Fen. That's good-- a lot harder to lose that way.
Fenris peers at the ring turning purple, having to remind himself that it's probably not infused with some kind of magic or curse, before his gaze returns to the glowstick being held out to him, hanging from a leather cord and swinging side to side like a pendulum.
He takes it into his hand and gives it a once-over, turning it over and watching the bubble inside race from one end of the stick to the other. After a moment he wordlessly puts it on. The glow of the blue liquid really does look an awful lot like Lyrium. Except there's something infinitely more comforting about it that he can't quite place. ]
[It does, actually-- that's not just rhetoric. The gentle glow from the necklace lights up Fenris's face in a way that is both ethereal and appealing, causing his hair to glimmer with pretty highlights and adding a rather fetching contrast to his olive skin. Wade suddenly stretches, opening his mouth in a jaw-cracking yawn.]
Man, y'know what? Now that all the fun's over I just realized I'm starving. What say we see if there're any food stalls nearby? My treat.
[ It's hard to tell if the reflective tone in his words was actually sarcasm or not. There's not much chance to reflect on it either way. Fenris also realizes that...he's hungry. That's saying a lot, honestly.
He still pauses before giving his answer. This night ended up way different than he anticipated. ]
[Wade only affords Fenris a quick smile before he's striding off again, mostly to hide the delight he feels at Fenris actually accepting his invitation. He figured that the silver-haired curmudgeon would have filled his social tolerance by now, but apparently the old adage about the way to a man's heart being through his stomach applied to elves as well.
There's a chill in the air as he exits the arcade, though that seems impossible considering the city's under a giant dome. Maybe there was some mechanism designed to simulate weather? Best not to think about it too much-- things are already creepily Matrix-y enough as it is.
He can't hear Fenris's footfalls behind him, but he fights the urge to look back. Don't want to give Fenris the impression that he's needy or anything. A few lefts and a right later, Wade finds himself on a nondescript little street where a lonely food stall has been set up. He grins in relief.]
Good. I was worried this guy might've moved or something. You ever have ramen before, Fen?
[ At the very least, Fenris does indeed stay behind Wade despite the silence of his footfalls. He doesn't feel very comfortable until the crowds of people grow smaller, and he finds himself grateful that the place Wade picks is a lonely food stall.
He doesn't mean to hesitate, but it's an annoying response to a question that took him off guard. Stupid. ]
[Wade finds himself being selfishly disappointed that Fenris has had this experience already, but it's tempered somewhat by morbid curiosity. That's... a rather strong reaction to an innocuous question, after all.]
Bad experience? We can always go somewhere else if you're not into noodles.
[And for a moment, Wade wrestles with the urge to dig further. It seems like there's a story there, one that goes beyond simple dislike for spicy foods. Maybe someone had made him eat fish despite knowing his dislike of them? Douchey thing to do, if that were the case.
Regardless, Wade decides to let it go. No sense in probing for something that might not be important in the long run. He slips onto one of the stools in one fluid motion, indicating with his head that Fenris should follow suit.]
Well, don't worry. I may have wanted you to try gross nutrition cubes once upon a time, but I draw the line at overly spicy things. Getting you to try 'em, I mean. Personally, I'm all for it.
[He turns his head to address the man attending the food stall.]
You hear that, my good man? Get me somethin' that I'll practically have to sign a waiver for.
[ Fenris isn't used to the prodding being let up when he expresses discomfort about a subject. If anything, his discomfort encourages the prodding to persist.
He hesitates a moment, still surprised, before he takes a seat on the next stool. He goes into a deep thought when Wade mentions the "nutrition cubes" again, trying to dredge up...anything.
For some reason, an encampment flashes in his mind. Did Wade say something about that?
He sighs in frustration, completely at odds with what he says when he addresses the man as well. ]
Just give me a plain one.
[ Without thinking, he glances over at Wade, brows furrowed in thought. ]
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thebluewraith) wrote2010-04-10 03:45 pm![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
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no subject
[Because you talk too much.
At any rate, the game becomes quite competitive — or maybe it's mostly Fenris, who knows. The points go high, low, then high again, as they each have their mishaps as well as their incredible shots. Eventually, once the game has been going for a while, Fenris has a thought as he checks the scoreboard. It's his turn and he's poised and ready to toss the ball, but instead he turns back to Wade with a quirk of his brow.]
...How do we know when there is a victor to this game?
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Wade's riding high on yet another 100 point sink, and so he doesn't really register Fenris's question until the man stops and looks at him. Flicking his eyes up to the scoreboard, Wade sees the utterly absurd number flash across the screen-- 1130-- seconds before the timer runs out with a cheerful jingle of sound. As he watches the tickets pour out of the receptacle, Wade buries his head in one hand, shoulders shaking with silent laughter.]
We fucking forgot to make it two-player...
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What!
[But he was winning! Wasn't he? The elf heaves a heavy sigh before cradling his head in his hand.]
Isn't this supposed to be a game you're familiar with?
[The judging stare he levels at Wade would probably be harsher if he didn't maybe possible look somewhat kind of amused.]
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It's not my fault! You got all competitive right at the start-- got me too focused on stylin' all over your ass.
[He huffs out another chuckle and shakes his head, shrugging his shoulders.]
Ah, well. Guess we'll just have to call this a draw.
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For now.
[He doesn't even catch the implication he puts forth that there's going to be a next time for him to kick Wade's ass. He just knows that he can't let this "draw" stand for long...
One more huff before he gestures at the tickets dangling from the slot.]
What are these things supposed to be anyway?
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He walks over to the ticket receptacle, tearing them away with a swift jerk of his hand. There's a large amount there, and he nods with approval before making his way over to Fenris.]
These bad boys right here are the real reason we're here. You rack up enough of these, you can trade 'em in for some pretty snazzy prizes.
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He regards the tickets, wondering why little pieces of paper would ever earn them prizes, but remembers that nothing about this world makes sense to him anyway and so he won't dwell on it any longer.]
These prizes wouldn't happen to be sharp and deadly, would they?
[Daggers are legitimate prizes shut up.]
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Well I mean it might be deadly for, like... a baby, but...
[He shrugs.]
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So, too dangerous for you to handle, then. Understood.
[Said with a trace of a smirk as he glances about for where they may acquire these "prizes", as if ending the conversation on that little note.
As if he could ever control a conversation with Wade, he talks too much.]no subject
You motherfucker did you just make a joke at my expense?!
[Don't mistake his offended tone for being genuine, Fenris. He's not-so-secretly delighted.]
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Do I look like I make jokes?
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You look like a fuckin' sharpshooter, that's what you look like. I see your game now-- lull people into a false sense of security with your little edgelord act, and then immediately snipe 'em with a laser-accurate joke outta nowhere. You ain't as slick as you think you are, pally.
[Wade flashes him an appreciative grin before turning his direction to the prizes in the display case.]
See anything you like? Got my eye on that ring down there, myself.
[He taps an area of the case, beneath which a small black ring is nestled.]
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Like Wade.The ring looks...intriguing? Fenris isn't much for rings, though — the markings on his fingers are especially sensitive.]
Strange.
[ He doesn't say it to anything in particular. There are just so many weird things. The small doll with the crazy hair, the fake mustache — something does inevitably stand out to him, though. A bright blue, glowing tube with a cord weaved through a plastic ring on top. Maybe it's because of the irony, or the fact that it's the only thing here that seems familiar, but he can't help but want it.
He points. ]
What do you call that?
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The glowstick? Surprised they make those anymore-- they were more of a 90s thing. You used to see 'em being sold in state fairs and carnivals and stuff. I think they still use industrial ones for, like... mining excursions or whatever.
There's some kinda liquid in there that makes it glow-- not really sure how it works. I only know you're not supposed to drink it. N-not from personal experience, of course.
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He gives a small nod of his head.]
I want that one. [ He spares Wade a glance. ] No drinking.
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[Wade hands the tickets over to the vendor, who ducks briefly behind the counter and reappears with the prizes. Plucking the ring from the vendor's hand, Wade slips the ring on his finger, smiling with delight and satisfaction when the stone set in it immediately turns a deep shade of purple.]
Oh sweet, it does work!
[He briefly looks up from admiring his prize at the glowstick the man is still holding out in his other hand.]
Looks like that comes as a necklace, Fen. That's good-- a lot harder to lose that way.
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Fenris peers at the ring turning purple, having to remind himself that it's probably not infused with some kind of magic or curse, before his gaze returns to the glowstick being held out to him, hanging from a leather cord and swinging side to side like a pendulum.
He takes it into his hand and gives it a once-over, turning it over and watching the bubble inside race from one end of the stick to the other. After a moment he wordlessly puts it on. The glow of the blue liquid really does look an awful lot like Lyrium. Except there's something infinitely more comforting about it that he can't quite place. ]
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[It does, actually-- that's not just rhetoric. The gentle glow from the necklace lights up Fenris's face in a way that is both ethereal and appealing, causing his hair to glimmer with pretty highlights and adding a rather fetching contrast to his olive skin. Wade suddenly stretches, opening his mouth in a jaw-cracking yawn.]
Man, y'know what? Now that all the fun's over I just realized I'm starving. What say we see if there're any food stalls nearby? My treat.
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[ It's hard to tell if the reflective tone in his words was actually sarcasm or not. There's not much chance to reflect on it either way. Fenris also realizes that...he's hungry. That's saying a lot, honestly.
He still pauses before giving his answer. This night ended up way different than he anticipated. ]
Sure. Thanks.
[ Or SOMETHING he doesn't know. ]
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There's a chill in the air as he exits the arcade, though that seems impossible considering the city's under a giant dome. Maybe there was some mechanism designed to simulate weather? Best not to think about it too much-- things are already creepily Matrix-y enough as it is.
He can't hear Fenris's footfalls behind him, but he fights the urge to look back. Don't want to give Fenris the impression that he's needy or anything. A few lefts and a right later, Wade finds himself on a nondescript little street where a lonely food stall has been set up. He grins in relief.]
Good. I was worried this guy might've moved or something. You ever have ramen before, Fen?
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He doesn't mean to hesitate, but it's an annoying response to a question that took him off guard. Stupid. ]
Once.
[ Ugh. ]
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Bad experience? We can always go somewhere else if you're not into noodles.
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[ He got the impression that that was part of its charm, though. A gimmick to draw in customers, most likely. ]
It's not important.
[ Not anymore. ]
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Regardless, Wade decides to let it go. No sense in probing for something that might not be important in the long run. He slips onto one of the stools in one fluid motion, indicating with his head that Fenris should follow suit.]
Well, don't worry. I may have wanted you to try gross nutrition cubes once upon a time, but I draw the line at overly spicy things. Getting you to try 'em, I mean. Personally, I'm all for it.
[He turns his head to address the man attending the food stall.]
You hear that, my good man? Get me somethin' that I'll practically have to sign a waiver for.
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He hesitates a moment, still surprised, before he takes a seat on the next stool. He goes into a deep thought when Wade mentions the "nutrition cubes" again, trying to dredge up...anything.
For some reason, an encampment flashes in his mind. Did Wade say something about that?
He sighs in frustration, completely at odds with what he says when he addresses the man as well. ]
Just give me a plain one.
[ Without thinking, he glances over at Wade, brows furrowed in thought. ]
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