Lieutenant Ari Tayrey (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
astrogator) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
come_sailaway2022-11-23 06:04 pm
astrogator) wrote in come_sailaway2022-11-23 06:04 pm
To infinity...and beyond? (Semi-open)
Who: Ari Tayrey + willing CR + anyone else who wants in
What: Mini-plot: an expedition to determine what kind of infinite this store really is
When: 25-29??? November
Where: The Infinite Tommy Bahama
Warnings: None yet
Notes: First prompt is a text message sent to Ari's friendly-ish CR - replies are welcome even from people who don't want to take part! Other prompts are open but please note that participating characters will potentially be in the store for up to 4/5 days. Party post rules are fine, start your own toplevels and tag people other than Ari if you like. ((I checked with our lovely mod about what would happen if they tried this!))
1. Texting
I have a plan. I want to see just how infinite this Tommy Bahama is. Multi-day expedition for data collection? It could be informative. Maybe fun, too. Interested in coming along?
- Tayrey
2. Preparing
Even people who don't know Ari well may notice that something is up. It's not often that people walk into Tommy Bahama wearing backpacks full of supplies. There's some last-minute preparation going on here, as well as a last-minute opportunity to join the expedition. Expect Ari to want to check and make sure everyone has all the essentials with them. She's used to preparing for trips to uninhabited and potentially hostile planets, and it shows. Don't mind the fussing. She wouldn't do it if she didn't care.
3. Exploring
Despite all the promises, the expedition is - well, boring might be an accurate description, unless you're really invested in the outcome. There's a lot of walking past the same racks of clothes, over and over and over. Infinite length doesn't mean infinite variety.
Ari's fascinated, and she'll be chattering about loop programming to anyone who will listen, and attempting to measure the distance between one rack of garishly-patterned bikinis and the next iteration of that very same rack. She'll encourage tests, too - what happens if you completely destroy one of the displays? Is the destruction repeated? (Spoiler alert: no, it's not that kind of loop, but let's try it a few times anyway and make sure?)
Maybe you give up and head back after a few hours. Maybe you have a run-in with the Bahamanal. Maybe you join in with Ari's ridiculous spacer song singalong - she is in a good mood. It's Tommy Bahama, anything could happen.
4. Relaxing
Ari pushes the pace on the first day, because it comes naturally to do so, and possibly, subconsciously, to weed out anyone who isn't serious about this and is going to cause them problems once they're a long way in. Eventually, though, it's time to stop for the night. There's not a campfire, but it's a fine social occasion just the same. Ari's brought some Serena Eterna branded playing cards, and she's up for a little gambling. Maybe you have some other entertainment ideas. Don't stay up too long, though - see if you can't make a nice nest of clothes to bed down in. There's plenty of walking to do tomorrow.
5. Emerging
Plenty of data has been collected about the repeating displays, but there's no end in sight to this store. Is it really infinite? If there's a way to answer that question, this expedition won't do it. It's over two days in when the group realises that they're over halfway through the supplies they brought. Time to turn around, whether that leaves you disappointed or delighted.
Unfortunately, there are no tricks of perception or proportion here. It'll take just as long to walk out as it did to walk in. Look on the bright side, at least you're carrying less weight? Finally, on the fifth day, the intrepid explorers who stayed the distance catch sight of the store entrance up ahead. Who saw it first?
6. Wildcard
Anything else you want to do! (Just let me know if I need to add warnings to the header :) )
What: Mini-plot: an expedition to determine what kind of infinite this store really is
When: 25-29??? November
Where: The Infinite Tommy Bahama
Warnings: None yet
Notes: First prompt is a text message sent to Ari's friendly-ish CR - replies are welcome even from people who don't want to take part! Other prompts are open but please note that participating characters will potentially be in the store for up to 4/5 days. Party post rules are fine, start your own toplevels and tag people other than Ari if you like. ((I checked with our lovely mod about what would happen if they tried this!))
1. Texting
I have a plan. I want to see just how infinite this Tommy Bahama is. Multi-day expedition for data collection? It could be informative. Maybe fun, too. Interested in coming along?
- Tayrey
2. Preparing
Even people who don't know Ari well may notice that something is up. It's not often that people walk into Tommy Bahama wearing backpacks full of supplies. There's some last-minute preparation going on here, as well as a last-minute opportunity to join the expedition. Expect Ari to want to check and make sure everyone has all the essentials with them. She's used to preparing for trips to uninhabited and potentially hostile planets, and it shows. Don't mind the fussing. She wouldn't do it if she didn't care.
3. Exploring
Despite all the promises, the expedition is - well, boring might be an accurate description, unless you're really invested in the outcome. There's a lot of walking past the same racks of clothes, over and over and over. Infinite length doesn't mean infinite variety.
Ari's fascinated, and she'll be chattering about loop programming to anyone who will listen, and attempting to measure the distance between one rack of garishly-patterned bikinis and the next iteration of that very same rack. She'll encourage tests, too - what happens if you completely destroy one of the displays? Is the destruction repeated? (Spoiler alert: no, it's not that kind of loop, but let's try it a few times anyway and make sure?)
Maybe you give up and head back after a few hours. Maybe you have a run-in with the Bahamanal. Maybe you join in with Ari's ridiculous spacer song singalong - she is in a good mood. It's Tommy Bahama, anything could happen.
4. Relaxing
Ari pushes the pace on the first day, because it comes naturally to do so, and possibly, subconsciously, to weed out anyone who isn't serious about this and is going to cause them problems once they're a long way in. Eventually, though, it's time to stop for the night. There's not a campfire, but it's a fine social occasion just the same. Ari's brought some Serena Eterna branded playing cards, and she's up for a little gambling. Maybe you have some other entertainment ideas. Don't stay up too long, though - see if you can't make a nice nest of clothes to bed down in. There's plenty of walking to do tomorrow.
5. Emerging
Plenty of data has been collected about the repeating displays, but there's no end in sight to this store. Is it really infinite? If there's a way to answer that question, this expedition won't do it. It's over two days in when the group realises that they're over halfway through the supplies they brought. Time to turn around, whether that leaves you disappointed or delighted.
Unfortunately, there are no tricks of perception or proportion here. It'll take just as long to walk out as it did to walk in. Look on the bright side, at least you're carrying less weight? Finally, on the fifth day, the intrepid explorers who stayed the distance catch sight of the store entrance up ahead. Who saw it first?
6. Wildcard
Anything else you want to do! (Just let me know if I need to add warnings to the header :) )
no subject
He tries to hide the sniffle, wiping at his eyes furiously. Whatever he did to deserve Nobunaga, he doesn't know, but...he's glad he did. But he's focusing on the words as well. The stuff about Kennyo and his cult. "Were you not always called that or was it just that Kennyo didn't call you that?" It sounds stupid that cultists were so stupid and easily stuck in their shit, but Klaus knows from experience that that's the way it works.
The smack to their ass is surprising in this moment, but it jostles them out of their negative thought process.
Klaus doesn't know how they can possibly love someone even more when it seems fucking impossible at this point, but somehow, Nobunaga always knows what to say to make his heart feel even more happy. Even more full. "You're so weird and so hot at the same time." Just to get him back, he's gonna bite his ear.
"No. I don't really think I want to deal with a cult again. I just kind of want to...I don't know, actually. I have no idea what I'd do, what I want to do. I'm not really the spiritual leader type. Not even for good. I'm just...I dunno. I've never had to think about what I'd be good at before and I'm not sure I'll ever know. Not sure there's actually anything."
no subject
Let's see... "To be born into the 6th heaven -- one must be bored with this mortal realm and wish to leave! They get born high nobility, like Buddha, and become overconfident in their power. They want to leave." It's important because he did. He was such a weirdo in Japan for that. The only one. A small frown. "As much as -- I have always been the most stubborn, the most prideful, the most arrogant, and the most insolent -- these are the characteristics that define the Demon King of 6th Heaven, even my tutors would not have called me that when I was young for fear of setting my path in stone like that. It is... the same as Western Satan. Number 666, the ultimate sin of pride, and so forth. When Buddha ascended to the 6th heaven, instead of trying to stop him or send him back down, the Demon King of 6th heaven urged him to continue ascending. Because the Demon King of 6th Heaven wants to be the best, always, and cannot stand letting someone else be as strong in his domain. The Buddhists believe: any noble has the capacity to be a demon king, but this is why they should just be obedient. Instead of enjoying their position of wealth and power, they should just become austere monks like Kennyo. He was noble born too."
A nod! "And so long as they are obedient boring austere little monks, then they can ascend to nirvana. Obviously... I am the opposite of this. Not only did I have no intentions of letting the monks and Ikko Ikki control me, but I was trying to make sure the rest of Japan became productive, and produced luxury enough to trade overseas so anyone could have as much candy as they wanted. The opposite of what the cultists wanted. They wanted no one to eat candy, much better to starve, or at least be like Buddha: and live off of one cup of rice and tea a day." An eyeroll. "So them calling me the Demon King of 6th Heaven, also meant that they would rather die than surrender. That they believed I was meant to kill them, by fate, so that they could ascend to the next tier, just like Buddha was urged to ascend by the Demon King of 6th Heaven."
A huff!
And then he just whines at the ear nom! "Klaus... I can't think when you do that..." POUT!
Nobunaga furrows his brow, trying to think in spite of the ear nom! "You are good at many things, my silly flying tiger. Nevertheless... I will let you stay zen." Because even trying to give Klaus direction of any kind, even for the inner sense of accomplishment and production like he did for everyone still might be too much like a weapon, or too much like seeing how it fit his own ambitions. So Nobunaga never will now. Klaus is just zen.
no subject
They lift up just a little, using levitation again to kiss the top of his head. “It sounds like you went through a lot and I am sorry the cult couldn’t see that your dream was for all of them, too.”
Klaus affects an innocent look at the complaint. “Well, you were clearly trying to affect my thought processes by talking about choking me, so I had to do something.
“There’s not much point in figuring it out, I guess. There’s just the ship. If we never escape, then it’s just…all pointless. I’m…well, probably worried about me back home. He’s gonna have a lot of shit to figure out and we haven’t learned coping skills or like how to not die well. Maybe sobriety will stick this time. I don’t know.”
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"Klaus... why are you worried about that version of you?" a head tilt. "That version has your brothers. Surely they will figure it out together. This version of you has me. You don't need to think about things for that version to do. That version has more than enough to deal with the world resetting, does he not? I meant this version. This is the only version I care about. I want this version of you to be your happiest possible." Another irritated huff. "But I must be doing a bad job of it. I wanted you to know you're not that terrible, and I made you sad and I don't understand how." He's trying not to be growly about it, but he's definitely an angry kitten all bristly and fur on end.
no subject
Take that!
“I’m always gonna be worried about that version of me. We’ve been through a lot. Who knows what is gonna happen and you know my family and I aren’t very good at like…functional family dynamics. There’s a chance we’ll fuck each other over and…” Well, who even knows what will happen?
As for the rest… “Sometimes I just get sad when people think highly of me and want good things for me cause I don’t know how to want good things for myself. I’m not used to people giving a shit and it makes me happy and sad at the same time and sometimes I’m just a traumatized idiot in my trauma and I’m not sure I’m sorry for my emotions or how I feel.” They press their face against Nobunaga’s neck. “Stop being so angry about it. I’m fine. Mostly. I’m just…you know…a mess.”
no subject
"That's the thing about your siblings, even when you fuck up, you remain siblings and work it out. I did not." Nobunaga rests his chin on Klaus' shoulder. "Nobuyuki was the last person I ever trusted. If he told me of a threat on the field, I'd believe him, no proof required. Now I trust no one, and require proof of everything. But he was sending assassins to my bed at night. I couldn't hold back, so I couldn't keep them alive to ask their employer. I am stronger now. But I may not have believed them even with proof at first."
He grits his teeth. It was an umbrella topic on Nobunaga's end way back when. But he wants Klaus to understand now, its important.
"Even Oichi, I sent her away with my best general: one of my father's best friends and soldiers, who helped raise us both even after he died. I cannot even send her a letter, this way no one can ever try to use her to hurt me. Only Hideyoshi knows where she is or how to reach her."
A huff, and he just hugs Klaus so tightly!
"You have nothing to apologize for, my love. But I will not stop being angry. Your past is your past, your future is with me. Maybe someday you will find out what happens with other you, but for now..." Nobunaga gently kisses Klaus' head! "You said my generals are like your siblings. So just have faith in them to be competent in spite of everything. And focus on this you. That other you will work it out. This you is with me, in my lap. And you don't have to do or be anything you don't want to, but--" his eyebrows draw to an angry point. "You are good at many things. You get scared that you might fail. So I will tell you this: it is good to fail. You cannot do fun things without it. So what if you fall? Get back up and climb even higher."
Another gentle kiss, and in direct contrast Nobunaga keeps the hug extremely tight. "You are so strong, the more you die, the more invincible you become." A gentle finger over Klaus' lips! "I am not saying you should die, or that it didn't suck, or that Reginald shouldn't be punched or worse for it." He drops the finger. "I am saying, no one could have predicted the floor collapse, and now you learn levitation. And better? You are making it fun. Just have fun, my silly flying tiger. And I will always get angry when you treat yourself as useless. Just as you and Crichton get sad about my past. Besides, I'm not allowed to tell you what to do with your strengths, so do not waste them."
no subject
There's a very long pause where Klaus tries not to laugh at the shit that has happened with his siblings. Like...Allison killed a man. They've done some shitty things to one another. Never killed each other, but...right. Not about him right now. "You trust me." That seems accurate to him. Nobunaga hasn't ever untrusted him. They've been around him in very vulnerable moments and been trusted not to murder him.
"All of that is very sad. That you feel like you can't trust people that you can't have your siblings for fear that something terrible would happen to her. And I'm sure that you're not wrong. It doesn't make the fact that you've lived with that any less sad because it's hard to lose people you care about, to make yourself hardened to them. And I know you want to cling to your evil Demon King persona, but I know it's not all true and so I can't stop loving you so much because of that. I want you to be happy and I wish that I could make it better, but it's a shitty situation with shitty choices."
They're just gonna hug back just as tightly.
There's a hot flush in response to the words. "I can't help being worried. Like I can't help being worried for the child version of me whenever I see him. He's got so many bad things coming for him. I can't help it." Even if that version of him will never be this version of him. "I just worry about us. Is all. My siblings and I, I mean. Not...you and me." He reaches out, touching lightly at the sides of Nobunaga's face. "Well, I've fucked up a lot in my life. I think it's natural to be worried about it." But they can accept what he's trying to say here...which is not to let being afraid of failing keep him from trying. Even if it all seems so fucking hopeless.
It feels like so fucking much at once. Just a lot of feelings. "I love you." It's the only thing he knows the say in response. Because that's just...fair. It's fair to be upset with him for being shitty to himself and thinking so less of himself. Especially if he gets angry in response to the way Nobunaga responds to his own sad past. "You always make me love you more. I don't know how." The kiss they give him is somewhere between gentle and hard, a little of both.
no subject
Nobunaga would greatly prefer Klaus added into the sad story hour with his siblings assassinations and the rest, but yes. His point is that they can still move forward and fix it together, whereas Nobunaga can't/won't, and that the Hargreaves haven't reached that uncrossable line yet. Probably. But he's flustered for a moment. Does he trust Klaus?
Probably? He didn't want anyone else killing him so... "I take advantage of you trusting me, and made you kill me even though you hate it," Nobunaga points out oh so bluntly. Does he trust Klaus? When Klaus protects his sleep, it's not because Nobunaga is responsible for seeing their mutual ambition through, or saving the country, or dragging them out of Hell, it's in spite of those things, and because Klaus wants to. "Yeah," a nod, "I trust you."
Nobunaga makes an annoyed grumpy noise in his throat. "No, it's not that sad. I had it easier than anyone, and chose these things like you chose your tattoos," all the grumpy and just lightly noms on Klaus' shoulder. "I'm saying it not because it's sad or proof I'm evil, but because you and your siblings haven't reached that point yet. So long as you're alive, together, and have any chance to fix things, then you can and will. It takes extreme effort to truly erase those chances. That is what I mean."
But Nobunaga just holds Klaus protectively close, debating making a Tommy Bahamas mini fort to protect him. "I love you too, baka." And a slightly hysterical laugh into the return kiss. "I don't know what I'm doing either, so I hope I don't accidentally stop." A huff!
no subject
They roll their eyes. "I don't think we need to have a 'who had it worse' conversation. It's not really helpful, is it?" They make a small noise at the shoulder nom. "Yeah. I get it, babe. I do." But he hates that this is how he feels.
"Wow. So rude." But he's still so cute. "You're cute and when we get time alone tonight...I..." They look momentarily uncertain. "I think maybe...umm...you know. Something a little more romantic maybe? The possible wholesomeness of it will be off set by us being in a public place where someone could walk in on us."
no subject
"You had it worse," Nobunaga says easily. Half teasing, half just he doesn't care. Everything sucks and it shouldn't, but they're together and that sucks a lot less.
Stupid Klaus... always making him blush. "Okay. I'll do anything you want. So just make sure you know want it." Otherwise they'll end up doing things they don't actually want, and that would be stupid.
no subject
There's a light swat at his words. "No. You're ridiculous." Because that's how they are choosing to deal with this situation. "We're not fighting about it except for forcing you to stop fighting about it."
Klaus gives him a small smile. "I know what I want. I never ask for anything I don't want. At least sexually. Kind of glad I was pretending lube counted as a medical necessity." He giggles softly. "Also I know us. We're terrible camping buddies."
no subject
A small huff, but he drops it.
A wry grin, and then a small giggle right back quietly kissing Klaus. "Yeah. Except for each other. We're the best for each other." Is that gloating, acknowledgement, or just stupid? Nobunaga doesn't care.
no subject
They smile into the kiss, leaning in closer. "Mm. Yeah. We're pretty good. I'm glad we found each other." He leans in for another kiss. "If there's anything you don't want to do, though...just tell me. It's fine."
no subject
Happy happy beams at Klaus and all the kisses! Then just more laughs! "When, or perhaps if that time ever comes, I'll let you know. I remember our safe word, silly sexy Klaus." Chu! "You must be the only person in all of existence who would think I could ever be forced to do something I don't want to." More giggles! "Usually it is just that I cannot do everything I want, and even then, I take great permissiveness in trying to find ways to do it anyway!" Gentle nibbles to Klaus' jaw, stroking his thumb over Klaus' chin and throat, "As I think you should well know by now." More chuckles!
no subject
Klaus blushes for once. "Well, I don't know! I know you're weird about anything being too wholesome and so I don't want to make it like...something." Even if it does seem ridiculous to tell him that he doesn't need to do stuff. "It's about manners," he murmurs even as he tilts his head to give easier access to both his throat and his jaw. "And I'm good with just about everything...except murder and like...serious injury and like I don't have a degradation kink, so..." Some people liked it when their partners talked to them like they were the scum of the Earth during sex, but Klaus is not one of those people.
Much better with physical roughness and kinder words.
no subject
"It would be like if I tickled you someplace strange. Like your eyeball. Uncomfortable. I do not think you are in danger of it. Everything I think could not be improved upon, you find a way. The things I think are too esoteric you directly apply to sex and I love it." A nod! "The first night I really did mean it that we didn't have to immediately have sex, but once you called my lap the seat of Heaven, to make up for my missing tenshu, I knew I had to try sexual things with you right away. This sort of thing. I do not think you are thinking of my distaste for --" he waves a hand, "Purity the same way. Ah! It is like junk food in the future. Someone who does not like healthy food. Like that." A nod!
no subject
That is the grossest analogy ever. "If you ever try to tickle my eyeball, I'll bite your fingers. Just so you know. Or more likely start a slap fight." There's a subtle smile at that. "I am known for getting people to want me and I do still like to think of your lap that way. The closest I'll get to heaven on this ship."
no subject
But he beams as Klaus calls his mind dirty! "Good!" a laugh.
"Ahhhh..." That's such a cute way to say it. Nobunaga has a random surge of affection and adoration for his partner all over again, fresh as the first two times they met. "Because it's gross and pure. It's like... Painful to sit and watch. They don't touch, just gaze at each other and it's like they're too afraid to do anything with it or lose what they already have. I hate that. Just fuck already! And if it could be 'lost' so easily, then you don't really have it! It's just an illusion, a platitude of peace, a trick so you don't get wild and find true happiness. This sort of thing. It's like they are looking at a cake, and too afraid to touch it, never mind eat it, because they'd rather just fantasize about it, scared that the real thing won't be as good as they idealize. But this is the worst! What if it's even BETTER then? They should just eat and find out!" A huff. "That is what the romance novels are like. Trying to come up with weird ideas rather than actually do things." A nod! "Very wasteful."
Nobunaga laughs, "What if I try to lick it?" That's WORSE, and Nobunaga never ever would, but he has fun grossing out Klaus because he's five.
And just... so happy. So he hugs Klaus tight! "You are my heaven. Wherever you are. I may be addicted to being one with you, but even like this... This is my nirvana."
no subject
"Aw. Maybe they're nervous." It's that UST, that awkward teen movie drama. "SecUnit would like that probably. Except for the looking at one another thing. It doesn't like that." But the not touching. It would like that. There's a long moment before they say, "It hugged me once. It made me turn backwards and face away from it, but it hugged me. Probably cause I was being mean to myself."
Klaus makes a face. "Ew. What if I lick YOUR eye. Gross." sjdkafnskdlaj. He hates this conversation.
"That's the cutest thing anyone's ever said to me. We're that gross couple that just doesn't stop making out at all the group outings, now. But you're so hot and I love you. So I can't help it."
no subject
Clearly the better option.
"The're not nervous. They're hopeless. It's revolting. They're all afraid of how he's even older than I am, and her status as my princess, and his status as my general, and she should hypothetically be married off for political allegiance, and they're too cowardly to do anything about it. Gross."
Nobunaga arches an eyebrow in amusement about the SecUnit hug. "Don't be mean to yourself, that's my job." Tyrant!
And then an evil laugh. "Hot." He doesn't mean that, he's just saying it to fuck with Klaus.
And more laughs. "I've never had group outings before the ship. The closest is being with my army, or at a brothel." He really did just say that. "How are we being gross?" He rubs his nose against Klaus' nose! "Aren't we doing the opposite of gross? Unlike Oichi and Katsuie we are actually making the most of the moment. Everyone should absolutely follow our lead."
He will simmer down after the Arthur thing, he just doesn't know it yet.
no subject
Klaus shrugs. It could probably be worse, but Nobunaga is, as in all things, very dramatic about the weirdest things. But it's fine. Maybe they'll get less awkward about it in time or maybe they won't. Seems weird if you're married. Might as well fuck. Buuut. It's not his life.
"Too late. Already did it."
They scrunch up their nose in distaste. "Not hot."
Klaus is only like mildly phased by the mention of a brothel at this point. What? Like he's never moonlit as a sex worker for the cash? Please. "We can be a liiiiitle overbearing, I guess. If I look at it from someone else's perspective. Not that I hate us for that, but...I don't think everyone's gonna be like us, babe."
no subject
Well they weren't married, until Nobunaga exiled her sort of. It's not something he talks about.
"Well, don't do it again," a huff!
And a laugh. "Sounds like they need to get stronger then."
no subject
Klaus gives him an amused look. “Yes, your highness. I will do my best.”
“Ooooor. We need to be understanding and kind and hold hands, which is even more intimate and will make us stronger! And hotter.”
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"Can't we just be sexier to their faces and make them jealous of our strength?" Hands is intense.
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“I don’t think that would be a great idea. Cause if you’re gonna have an audience, they should probably at least be a willing audience. Like people that wanna see it.”
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