( open. )

[epiprocta]

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! ]

Comments

[epiprocta]

[ Kaeya withdraws that pack of cigarettes, and Gen immediately shoots him a death glare.

The sheer hatred radiating from his gaze is almost hot enough to prickle at the skin; if looks could kill, Kaeya would surely be bleeding for not. But alas, they cannot, and all Gen can do is make his hatred known in silence for a moment before he grits, ]

Don't need'em.

[ In truth, he's desperate for a smoke. Looking at the pack makes his fingers itch, makes his gut churn with the ravenous desire for a familiar hit of endorphins, and Gen's next breath escapes in a hard huff. Kaeya might notice the way he's gripping into his sleeves hard enough to crinkle the fabric, needing a moment to ground himself with that violence before he speaks again. ]

You think I'm that weak? I can take a little bullshit just fine.

[ 'Rip to you, but I'm built different,' he says in so many words even while he's clearly dying inside. Unfortunately, his pride clearly takes precedence before his own wellbeing -- he can't afford to seem weak. Especially not in front of someone like Kaeya, who he barely trusts at all. ]

[subsist]

[ if kaeya were a lesser man, then the death glare he's receiving from gen right now would have made him balked by now. luckily, he's seen that look enough times on others that it barely bothers him. it also doesn't help that whatever vitriol the other aion is trying to exude is severely tempered down by the exhaustion and weariness that comes with withdrawal, so the intended effect... isn't quite there.

he isn't going to bother point that out. the cat, however, isn't happy at all. it hisses loudly in kaeya's arms. ]

You sure? [ he waves the pack around. ] It's wasted on me, so I was thinking of just throwing it away, so if you'd rather not have it...

[ last chance, gen! ]

I suppose I can always smoke one on your behalf.

[epiprocta]

[ He ignores the cat. Gen doesn't even mind dealing with animals on good days, might even dispense some pets to the stray dogs and cats he runs into while loitering outside late at night if he's in a good mood. But right now, the entirety of his focus is on Kaeya's smug, utterly-insufferable face, which is practically begging for a fist in it.

Even if his gaze does briefly flickers towards that cigarette pack being flaunted in his face, it fixes back on Kaeya's face almost immediately afterward.

And while Gen's quiet at first, he finally does answer. ]

... fine.

[ Bootsoles scuff against the flooring beneath them as he pushes away from the railing and languidly steps over to where Kaeya is, hand held out. ]

Gimme one.

[subsist]

[ it's an insufferable face that looked as if he was waiting for that fist to come, and when it doesn't, he can't resist raising an eyebrow. gen is suffering that badly, huh? no energy to even be a little bit mad at kaeya's obvious goading, but thankfully, he isn't all that interested in continuing to prod at someone who isn't having a good time.

maybe if he didn't have an annoyed cat with him, he might have been more inclined to keep poking the hornet's nest. he'll leave it for next time.

carefully, he places his feline friend on the railings, allowing it to settle on its haunches while it eyes gen warily. this frees up his hands to tap a single stick out of the box that he passes over to gen almost immediately. no funny business. no tricks. he even snaps his fingers to bring a small flame to life.

a small offering, if the other is willing to take it. ]

All yours.

[epiprocta]

[ Gen accepts that single cigarette without complaint. And while his gaze is immediately drawn towards the flame that springs from Kaeya's fingers, it doesn't linger there for long. Instead, as Gen leans in with a sigh as if to light his newly-gifted cigarette, his gaze drifts upwards towards the pack still in Kaeya's hand.

Which he promptly makes a snatch for as soon as he's close enough.

There's zero warning before he makes that move, and his speed is bolstered by both anger and the hours he's spent diligently training as of late. And while a small part of him is surprised that he actually succeeds in that venture -- should a supposed knight really let himself be taken by surprise so easily? -- he also doesn't allow himself to hesitate.

In one vicious move, he rips the pack from Kaeya's grasp, turns on heel, then chucks it as far off the balcony as he can. ]

[subsist]

[ once the cigarette is lit, kaeya snuffs out the flame almost immediately after. he'd realized that gen was considering something as soon as those eyes stopped focusing on the flame that came to life from his fingers, lips curving into a small smirk. gen's reflexes are improving, much quicker compared to that one punch he delivered back at venera, but it's mostly because kaeya is curious to see what he would do.

was it another punch? another form of assault? the possibilities are endless.

the look of surprise on his face is almost convincing when the pack is snatched right out of his grasp, his feline friend hissing loudly at gen's approach. he watches with an amused expression as gen throws it as far as he could, and he brings both hands to a slow clap. ]

Bravo. You're very committed to quitting. [ he gestures in the general direction the pack was thrown at. ] And you've saved me the trouble of throwing it myself.

[ thank you, he doesn't need to say, but it wouldn't have been all that sincere anyway.

he approaches to pick up the cat again, stroking its back to soothe its anger. ]

There, there. Did the mean Aion scare you?

[epiprocta]

[ The lit cigarette's dropped on the ground so he can grind it out under his boot as he steps forward. Gen closes the distance between himself and Kaeya with one, two quick steps before reaching forth and grabbing at Kaeya's hair. His fingers tangle into those long, silky strands without an ounce of hesitation, and Gen yanks back roughly to force Kaeya to look at him. ]

You think you're real cute, don't you.

[ He can hear the cat hissing at him in displease but ignores it; he's standing at Kaeya's side anyway, out of convenient clawing range of the animal, and his business isn't with it in the first place. Gen's focus is entirely on Kaeya, nailing a bitter, exhausted, hateful stare at his face. ]

What're you even getting out of this? Out of trying to mess with me.

[ His grip tightens marginally, just enough to start prickling at the scalp just a touch. Not actively painful just yet, but threatening pain in the near future. ]

You also some sort of masochist who gets off on this shit?

[subsist]

[ just as gen's grip tightens, he might begin to feel hints of frostbite creeping from the tips of his fingers. it's a warning all the same, but kaeya isn't all that interested in picking a fight when he has a cute feline to worry about. the bitter look on gen's face hardly draws out a reaction from him. ]

Now where did you get that idea?

[ gen's lucky he isn't within clawing range. the cat isn't too happy right now, but kaeya tries to calm it down the entire time. ]

I was only offering fair advice. Withdrawal is a nasty thing.

[ of course he would know, but he doubts gen is even interested in that. ]

But, if you have a handle on things, then I'll be on my way.

[epiprocta]

[ The cold bite of frost seeps into his fingers, a needling pain prickling at his skin, and Gen's first instinct is to tighten his grip. To further punish Kaeya for trying him at all. That consideration is made clear in the clench of his draw, the tight focus of his gaze, the way his brow lowers into a hard glare.

-- but it's a sharp hiss from the cat that snaps him back to his senses.

It's only a split second afterward that Gen clicks his tongue and releases his grip, withdrawing his hand to stuff back into his pocket as he dismissively looks away. ]

Like you actually give a shit. I told you to butt out of my business the first time.

[ And while some tiny part of him wonders if maybe, maybe his withdrawal symptoms had made him react too harshly ... whatever. He doesn't want to entertain that thought any longer than necessary. Doesn't want to consider the possibility that he's being affected that badly by this stupid dare he'd taken on.

Kaeya will be saved the trouble of having to make an exit. Because Gen turns away first to slink off out of the balcony and back into the darkness of the hallways, leaving Kaeya alone in the crisp evening air to soothe the cat. At least he got to make a new friend out of this annoying encounter? ]