( open. )
WHO: Gen & OTA TO KENOMA.
WHAT: A Very Special Episode about how good and fun it is to stop smoking.
WHERE: Around the Citadel, Achamoth.
WHEN: Early-to-mid Visoseri, starting early during the Rise to the Challenge event.
WARNINGS: None at the moment!
i. training fields ( closed to LIEM )
[ It's not like he actually enjoys physical activity in any capacity, whether it be fighting or training or labor. The construction work he'd done back home and the training he does here are mostly the same to him -- just a job, a means to an end, and something "productive" he can do to vent his energy and keep himself occupied. Gen can't really imagine what kind of muscleheaded jock actually finds this shit fun or rewarding in its own right.
That said, the taste of a smoke right after a period of strenuous work almost makes it worth it.
Late in the afternoon, after one of the semi-regular group training sessions has wrapped up and the equipment's been mostly put away, with just a few stragglers still hanging behind to chit-chat and do final cool-downs. From where he's walking by, Liem might hear the sound of a soft click, a pause, then a deep sigh of contentment. Sensitive as he is to smells, it won't take him much effort to pinpoint the bitter tang of cigarette smoke; a plume of gray directs the eye to where Gen's leaning against one of the fences surrounding the training field, looking perfectly at home as he takes another deep drag.
And, feeling that glance directed his way, he looks over. Lucky for Liem, he's caught Gen before he could pocket his cigarettes once more, and since he's in a good mood he gives a cant of the head before holding out the pack in his direction. His words come slightly muffled around the cigarette in his mouth: ]
What, you want one?
ii. citadel grounds ( the sickly option )
[ It's a nice sunny afternoon, warm but not too warm, clear skies, etc. And anyone walking through the citadel grounds, might hear the sound of a low groan and a hoarse voice calling to them: ]
-- hey. [ It only takes a glance over to spot where Gen is slumped on a bench under the dappled shade of a tree, looking thoroughly pale and miserable and unwell. But more importantly, he gives a few shallow coughs before mumbling: ] Get this thing off me.
[ 'This thing' being a stray cat that's draped itself over his throat and chest, apparently having the best nap of its life, using him as a bed while it soaks up the sun. In typical cat fashion, of course it's made itself right at home on the place where it's least welcome at the moment. And while Gen really does look like he's having a rough time of it, and would appreciate being freed of that weight on his chest without having to unscrunch himself from the inglorious position he's huddled himself into ...
The cat looks really cute. And comfy. It's even purring a little! Maybe it'd be fine to just let it continue napping there. ]
iii. training fields ( the cranky option )
[ There's sounds of a commotion coming from the training field. Some sort of argument, it sounds like? And while the shouting and the snarling dies down by the time any concerned interlopers show up, one might spot the way several guards hurriedly exit the grounds, looking disgruntled and muttering something begrudging amongst themselves. One is nursing a bleeding nose leaving a trail of red spots on the ground.
And left on the otherwise-empty training circle is one (1) horrible teenager scuffing a hand through his hair, looking thoroughly roughed-up and irate. He's sporting a few scratches and a freshly-welling bruise on his cheek himself, but either hasn't noticed or doesn't care. Instead, the moment anyone even peeks into the training field, he's quick to turn on them with snarl. ]
-- the hell're you looking at.
iv. corridors ( the tired option )
[ Some stupid hour of the night finds the corridors of the Citadel largely quiet and empty. Almost peaceful. But well ... here he is, wide awake and dying for a smoke.
Anyone who glances down the corridor towards the balcony at its very end, illuminated by cold moonlight and framed by the swing of the door left open, might spot Gen where he's practically draped over the railing surrounding that little balcony, staring listlessly out at nothing.
This really would be a nice place to smoke and relax. But instead, here he is with his nerves rubbed raw by withdrawal, practically shivering from the way he can't quite calm down. Even the slightest noise coming from the corridor has him jerking around to glance over like a spooked dog ready to attack. Sorry not sorry if you were just trying to get to your room and instead find yourself being stared down by this incredibly tired but frazzled-looking youth. ]
v. wildcard
[ I'm open to just about anything! Please feel free to hit me with whatever, but otherwise I'm around at
databomb, inktrashing#5307 on Discord, or right here on the event plotting post if you'd like to plot things first or want me to shotgun some ideas at you to see if anything piques your fancy! ]
WHAT: A Very Special Episode about how good and fun it is to stop smoking.
WHERE: Around the Citadel, Achamoth.
WHEN: Early-to-mid Visoseri, starting early during the Rise to the Challenge event.
WARNINGS: None at the moment!
i. training fields ( closed to LIEM )
[ It's not like he actually enjoys physical activity in any capacity, whether it be fighting or training or labor. The construction work he'd done back home and the training he does here are mostly the same to him -- just a job, a means to an end, and something "productive" he can do to vent his energy and keep himself occupied. Gen can't really imagine what kind of muscleheaded jock actually finds this shit fun or rewarding in its own right.
That said, the taste of a smoke right after a period of strenuous work almost makes it worth it.
Late in the afternoon, after one of the semi-regular group training sessions has wrapped up and the equipment's been mostly put away, with just a few stragglers still hanging behind to chit-chat and do final cool-downs. From where he's walking by, Liem might hear the sound of a soft click, a pause, then a deep sigh of contentment. Sensitive as he is to smells, it won't take him much effort to pinpoint the bitter tang of cigarette smoke; a plume of gray directs the eye to where Gen's leaning against one of the fences surrounding the training field, looking perfectly at home as he takes another deep drag.
And, feeling that glance directed his way, he looks over. Lucky for Liem, he's caught Gen before he could pocket his cigarettes once more, and since he's in a good mood he gives a cant of the head before holding out the pack in his direction. His words come slightly muffled around the cigarette in his mouth: ]
What, you want one?
ii. citadel grounds ( the sickly option )
[ It's a nice sunny afternoon, warm but not too warm, clear skies, etc. And anyone walking through the citadel grounds, might hear the sound of a low groan and a hoarse voice calling to them: ]
-- hey. [ It only takes a glance over to spot where Gen is slumped on a bench under the dappled shade of a tree, looking thoroughly pale and miserable and unwell. But more importantly, he gives a few shallow coughs before mumbling: ] Get this thing off me.
[ 'This thing' being a stray cat that's draped itself over his throat and chest, apparently having the best nap of its life, using him as a bed while it soaks up the sun. In typical cat fashion, of course it's made itself right at home on the place where it's least welcome at the moment. And while Gen really does look like he's having a rough time of it, and would appreciate being freed of that weight on his chest without having to unscrunch himself from the inglorious position he's huddled himself into ...
The cat looks really cute. And comfy. It's even purring a little! Maybe it'd be fine to just let it continue napping there. ]
iii. training fields ( the cranky option )
[ There's sounds of a commotion coming from the training field. Some sort of argument, it sounds like? And while the shouting and the snarling dies down by the time any concerned interlopers show up, one might spot the way several guards hurriedly exit the grounds, looking disgruntled and muttering something begrudging amongst themselves. One is nursing a bleeding nose leaving a trail of red spots on the ground.
And left on the otherwise-empty training circle is one (1) horrible teenager scuffing a hand through his hair, looking thoroughly roughed-up and irate. He's sporting a few scratches and a freshly-welling bruise on his cheek himself, but either hasn't noticed or doesn't care. Instead, the moment anyone even peeks into the training field, he's quick to turn on them with snarl. ]
-- the hell're you looking at.
iv. corridors ( the tired option )
[ Some stupid hour of the night finds the corridors of the Citadel largely quiet and empty. Almost peaceful. But well ... here he is, wide awake and dying for a smoke.
Anyone who glances down the corridor towards the balcony at its very end, illuminated by cold moonlight and framed by the swing of the door left open, might spot Gen where he's practically draped over the railing surrounding that little balcony, staring listlessly out at nothing.
This really would be a nice place to smoke and relax. But instead, here he is with his nerves rubbed raw by withdrawal, practically shivering from the way he can't quite calm down. Even the slightest noise coming from the corridor has him jerking around to glance over like a spooked dog ready to attack. Sorry not sorry if you were just trying to get to your room and instead find yourself being stared down by this incredibly tired but frazzled-looking youth. ]
v. wildcard
[ I'm open to just about anything! Please feel free to hit me with whatever, but otherwise I'm around at

no subject
There's a long moment where Gen simply stares at Liem past the thin cloud of smoke he lets slip from his lips.
Then he moves without warning, tossing his remaining cigarette on the ground before him and stepping forth to grind it out underfoot. The movement also conveniently brings him to stand uncomfortably close to Liem, almost chest-to-chest, so he can stare directly down at Liem, head at an arrogant cant. ]
You want me to do indulge your theory about spiritual well-being for a whole month in exchange for an apology? What -- five seconds while you say 'sorry, I was wrong?' That's not really fair, is it.
[ Ah, but the fact that he's haggling for his reward is as good as him accepting the challenge, isn't it? Gen makes a point of humming in thought for a moment before continuing at an obnoxious drawl: ]
... three days. I drop smoking for a month, starting right now, and for three days, you have to do whatever I tell you to.
no subject
He doesn't bother to point out that ideally Minegishi should be considering his challenge on its own merits, rather than for the promise of a reward at the end. If that's what it takes to get him to actually take the idea of not smoking seriously, Liem will gladly accept the demand for a little extra incentive.]
Very well—I accept.
[What kinds of things might an ornery teenager decide to ask of him at the end of that month? Surely nothing too outrageous, but it occurs to him that he doesn't actually know Minegishi all that well. To be safe, he adds,]
As long as it it's nothing that would put any of the Kenoma's goals or members at risk.
no subject
What kind of psychopath are you taking me for?
[ He's awful, and he knows he's awful, but he's not that kind of awful. Mostly.
And while a part of him already prickles with discomfort at the thought that he's now committed himself to spending a whole month without smoking ... it'll be fine, right? Withdrawal symptoms can't be that bad. (He tries very hard not to think about the fact that smoking had been so alluring to him in the first place because, in his younger days, that endorphin rush had been the only thing to keep him sane. Had been pivotal in chasing away nightmares and keeping him grounded.)
Gen pushes any concerns away to the far corner of his mind to deal with later, and instead distracts himself with immediate pleasures, like he always does. Which, in this case, mostly consists of making Liem uncomfortable. ]
You've got a deal, then. One month. [ Those languid words are accompanied by a hand grasping at Liem's shoulder. Gen deliberately bears his weight down on that grip as he leans in to drone practically in Liem's ear: ] Hope you're looking forward to what a fun time you're gonna have listening to me.
[ He doesn't wait for a response before giving a low laugh and thumping Liem on the back just a little too hard. As pleasant as always. ]
no subject
Also, for someone who scoffed at the idea of asking anything risky at the end of his month-long stint of no smoking, Minegishi sure seems to enjoy being intimidating. And he certainly knows how to invade personal space. Liem tenses under that grip as the boy leans down to his level, the muscles of his back rigid beneath that (un)friendly thump of his hand.]
If it means that you’ve lasted the full month, I will await it gladly. [The pleasantry sounds stiff.] I wish you every success.
no subject
[ Yes, he knows the tension in Liem's shoulders isn't necessarily from fear. No, that won't stop him from being an insufferable, provocative asshole about it. Gen snickers as he finally pulls back to give Liam some room to breathe, though he doesn't refrain from looming discomfortingly over the other, his gaze the languid, cold, hungry one of a shark. ]
Don't worry. I won't ask anything too bad of you. Not even anything dangerous.
[ He'll just stick to making Liem embarrass himself in front of the others for a bit.
And with that he gives a languid wave of the hand as he wanders off without even a second glance. At least he has something fun to look forward to, now. And it's only a month that he has to abstain from smoking. How hard can it be? ]