genessia | 2 heroes, 1 marine, 1 pirate, + 1 dhampir walk into a cyborg's bar. That title is the punchline

"Okay, remember what I said before? You don't have to try to keep up or do anything. Just be you. Aizawa and Augustine know you mean a lot to me, but they're friends. I trust them. Gale runs the bar and said he can make something to knock out even a devil fruit user, but let me know if you want to try it, so I can carry you home if needed." A quiet snort, as Smoker remembered getting drunk with Aizawa to give Bakugo a talk that never happened, and instead resulted in Smoker calling Augustine, thinking Shota had worked things through with Faye. Was that really just last summer? Time flies. "I haven't met... Mic yet. I need to get his real name. They're not marines, but their world has similar. Not vigilantes, but heroes for justice."

Smoker closed his eyes. Did he say explicitly anything about blood being the cause of Ace's would-be execution and criminal life? He did with Rip, but he was pretty sure he was a bit vague with the others. And Gale knew nothing of it. "They don't know all of what happened at Marineford, obviously, but they know I wasn't happy about it. Aizawa knows the most. That you're my equal, friend, and some pieces about Garp too."

Nod.

"Everything else is your call, brat. And if it gets to be too much, just punch my shoulder and let me know and I'll get you out, okay?"

That'd be a first. Usually Smoker was the first one dying to get out of social situations. And Aizawa wasn't too far behind... well it was going to be interesting anyway.

[He's not even drunk... but he's stacking shot glasses.]

[And possibly trying to turn them into a card castle.]

[As you do.]

[You know, given that it's his fault "everyone's" here you'd think he'd be more in the thick of it, but it's SMOKER, so really... don't expect that at all.]

[DO expect him all but hiding in a corner, but managing to listen like a bat, and watch everything like a hawk. Perception haki is a wonderful thing, even if he can't tune anything out and that music is gonna last in his skull for months.]

[Hizashi is doing his level best to ration his drinking this trip, because the last couple of times he's gone drinking has been, well. They've been productive and weird in very strange ways. That doesn't mean he's going to avoid drinking at all, if the large mug of beer pressed to his lips is any indication.

When one of their group sits down next to him he puts the drink down and grins, shooting them a fast series of fingerguns and a wink.]

Hey hey hey! What's happening! If you're lookin' for Shouta he's around here somewhere. He'll be back soon!

**OR**

[He might be found dancing. if he's in the mood to do this you can bet he's going to drag anyone he recognizes as part of their little date group into dancing with him, or wave and walk over to initiate conversation instead, especially if they don't seem to be the type to dance.]

Edited 2019-04-18 06:01 (UTC)

[Smoker nods.]

You're... Mic then? His partner? I didn't catch your real name.

[Grabs a seat, and he's got an entire bottle of rum. Part of his "quirk" in a way.] I'm Smoker. That's my real name. Marine name is White Hunter, though from what I gather, that'd be reversed in your world, huh?

[Rubs the back of his neck. One day he will be less awkward. One day.] I guess I should say... thanks for looking after my friend.

[After the mess that was this past week, Gale was kind of happy to be back to business as usual. Or at least, happy as he can be. No more tiny adorable goats out to eat all the paperwork in sight (why isn't everything digital yet? Fayren be damned.) and now it's a night of working at Holy Diver... so long as he doesn't get called out to Nova in an emergency, that is. Of course that meant that he was garbed for the occasion. Not that this day would be without its weirdness, since there was some whacko outside yelling at him about "sullying the sanctity of the church on a holy day" or some shit. He had a bouncer shoo them away pretty quick.

He knew of the coming party (having some pretty mixed feelings about it), so he had one of the large corner booths in Heaven's Gate reserved for them. A few sample drinks were at the table in advance, as well as a pitcher of water to help ward off hangovers tomorrow. There also might have been a Cubone sitting on the table.

(Un?)Fortunately for the coming party, they would show up while Gale is on stage with a few other dancers doing a choreographed poledance routine to a perhaps appropriately titled song. While this routine may not have been a strip routine, it had more than enough gratuitous touching and sensual, seductive movements to make up for it.

Whatever smirk he had plastered on his face was an intricate mask, a facade that he knew one of them could likely see through at the very least. But after that dance routine... do you even want to look at him as he approached?]

Nice of you to join the party, boys.

Present Mic's my hero name, yeah!! You can call me Hizashi though or Yamada -- you know whatever floats your boat! [His grin is brilliant, toothy and wholly genuine. He only sort of stumbles over the title of "partner", doing his level best to hide that behind the grin.]

Yeah Sho and I've known each other since middle school! Best friends and all that. [The new level their relationship had stepped up to is still new and they haven't really discussed how much they're telling other people. There's something kind of vulnerable about pro heroes dating, or whatever it is they're doing.]

Didn't know he'd gone and made so many friends while he's been here, man! I'm the one who should be thanking you, you know? So thank YOU! Instead!

Ace is actually somewhat nervous. He adores Smoker and he had been thrilled to get an invitation to come out to Holy Diver with him and spend some time with Smoker's friends, what was there to be anything but happy about? But nightclub in his mind, especially with the mentions of drinks, really didn't equate to this. He's used to little taverns and bars, with quiet music and full lighting and aside from the occasional rough customers they weren't shocking in the least. Hell, he and Luffy hung out at Makino's bar sometimes when they were kids. This is closer to the casinos, but still, it's pretty wild and over the top and he's a little out of his element.

But that doesn't mean that he's not excited anyway. "I'm good, you don't have to worry so much. Besides, I'm still kinda shocked that you'd wanna go out at all." He's absolutely set on trying out a drink that would affect him that strongly, but not at first. He's not in a rush. And he wants to experience this place in all it's crazy glory first.

[So kind of like Smoker and Hina... But in reverse. Where they were troublemakers in the academy together, but grew apart and got everything out of the way early in life. Though sometimes Smoker wonders what Hina would make of it all... But bad enough Kuzan's there to call him out daily over breakfast.]

Ah.... no. [Also he's so... Well Smoker gets some of the jokes made by the bird and about noisy people now. It's certainly not what Smoker would have expected. Granted, he knew it wouldn't be like Kuzan, but still.] He more... looked after me. Made sure I didn't make poor drinking decisions alone. It's a long story.

[Waves a hand.] Really, I'm just an asshole, so I could give him some insights in how to deal with explosive brats.
I kind of was one myself, in the academy. But luckily I had friends who wouldn't let me die no matter what.

Sounds like you probably helped each other out. Kinda glad to hear it, so I still need to thank you. Sho's not the friendliest, most of the time. So it's good he's made some friends here, considering how long he says he's been stuck in this place.

[He sips at his drink, leaning on the counter with one arm and using that to prop his head up.] Sounds like Bakugo's been a bit of trouble. Shouta's a great teacher, but anyone would need advice with the group he's got this time around. They're a real handful.

I can barely keep them interested in English! [he laughs at his own lame joke. Compared to most of the hero course, english classes are mundane and boring.]

Smoker snorts at that. "Usually your tomcat ass would show up at 3 in the morning, and I'd take you out for ramen, since nothing else was open, and I didn't know back then how well stocked to keep everything, but yeah. It's nice to be sort of scheduled. I've been drinking with Aizawa before. Closest I can describe him as is like me. Except his quirk-- that's like devil fruits in his world -- is like seastone, nullification. And he uses his scarf like I use my smoke." A lewd smirk to remind Ace of what Smoker could do with that. "In fighting," he specified.

"Augustine...." a head shake, "You'll just have to meet him. Words don't do him justice. But he's a museum curator, and really into the finer things. Which means a rough marine dog doesn't fit, right? Yeah. Rip thought that too, I guess I grew on her. And I already told you about Gale.

Smoker rolled his shoulders. "Whatever, you'll be fine." It was Portgas, after all. The brat could befriend the most random of pirate crews and keep their loyalty to the point of anything. Smoker was probably more nervous. He's not really a people person. But it's good. He's looking forward to it.

[Ace is reeling mentally from the general atmosphere of the nightclub, it's worlds wilder and more exciting than the entertainment from his home world was as a rule. It's not that they didn't have their share of crazy fun, but the sort of places that would go this far Ace just didn't go to. And it's not that he disproves, that's not it at all, but it's just a lot to take in. The music is amazing and strange to him, the club itself is decadent and sleek and it seems wrong somehow it a way that's appealing. And so far, he's glad he came.

The dancers are just a little much though, he hadn't expected that at all, and he's just not going to make eye-contact. Or really look at all. Damn, those drinks on the table are super interesting all of the sudden, and he has no idea about what that weird animal is but it's a great focus away from things until he figures out how to get himself calm enough to not be red in the face. But then Gale speaks and dammit, he has to force some sort of response. ] Yeah... It's a hell of a party.

Edited 2019-04-18 07:57 (UTC)

Yeah. I've been here four years. It's weird however come and go gets decided. It's not haphazard enough to be coincidental and yet... no deliberate pattern either.

Bakugo's not so bad really. He became an EMT and now he's a deputy. Aizawa's too hard on himself. Bakugo too. They expect a lot from themselves, but this world's different. Everyone who comes here was the best in their world, or nearly so. It's a completely different playing field.

[But he grins at the joke, actually relaxing at it. Okay, Shota, he gets it now.] Your world has a way better sense of justice than mine.

How are you adjusting to being here?

[Face palm.]

[Yes, he can see through it, no, he doesn't want to make eye contact.]

[Okay, he can joke, ready? Ready??] Guardian, owner, bartender, and dancer. Is there anything you can't do?

[After a couple of drinks Ace has calmed down considerably, and he's interested in harassing people and maybe making a friend or two. Smoker likes at least some of the people here, so he's going to do his best to try and play nicely. So he sits down, sets the bottle he's working on down on the table, and grins when he gets that greeting.

Ace is definitely warming up a little more now.] Shouta? I dunno who he is, sorry. Guess you're stuck with me until he gets back.

"Just ramen huh? I was a cheap date back then." Ace leans against Smoker a little as he looks around, trying to get a feel for the place, while listening to him talk. He definitely goes a little red for a moment at the smirk in combination with the mention of smoke, did he really have to do that to him when he's out of his element? It's Smoker, so yes, he did. And Ace isn't really surprised at all. He laughs in response, rolling his eyes. He likes the teasing, but this place is making it a little hard for him to throw it back as easily as he usually does.

"It's crazy here. We didn't have music that sounded like this back home. It's amazing."

He listens a little more, taking in what Smoker says about Augustine, he needs to meet him. But he already has a feeling that he won't like him. Any fancier than Izo and Ace doesn't feel all that comfortable with a person. But he'll be good, he doesn't want to insult Smoker's friends, not in front of him at least. And he's capable of being charming and playing nicely when it counts.

Edited 2019-04-18 07:26 (UTC)

Talk about an intro...

[Augustine let's out an uneasy laugh once Gale makes his approach. Honestly, he can barely look the man in his eyes after that "simulating" performance. This isn't his first time venturing into Holy Diver but this is the first time he ever stayed this long. Augustine feels painfully out of place here, more so than usual since his love for all things pink is showing. He doesn't know what think about Gale but as usual, he thinks the man has an impeccable sense of style.]

I'm quite impressed but I fear I'll have to pray to wash the sin away. [He's joking of course. The Church lost its appeal to him decades ago.] Gale Reinhardt, I presume.

Goodness, I swear we've spoken before.

A blink. He'd forgotten about that. "Yeah, good ears Portgas." An impressed nod. "There's all kinds of muisc here. Most of it's not my thing. Just jazz." He managed not to wince, it was something he and Faye were going to do. And he actually gave Portgas a grin. "One of the best things about this place. Music, movies, books, stuff that you'd never see back in our world."

Blond hair...?

[Augustine can't help but gawk once he catches a glimpse of this absurd looking fellow. The parrot that accompanied Aizawa earlier spoke of the hero having a fondness for blonds but Augustine didn't quite expect this. He stares at this silly looking man with a look of mild amusement.

Is this really the man that Aizawa allegedly likes? Oh wow. Augustine can't stop giggling.]

O-Of course.

A.

[Drinks with a group he can tolerate. Okay sure, he can do that. Aizawa shows up sometime with Mic (aka Hizashi the other blond). This time he looks a little decent with his hair tied back, less hobo. Thank God the parrot thing is over. He's also watching how much he drinks after.. events. His goal is to be sober by the end of the night. For now, he's the quiet guy at one part of the table, sipping his drink, listening to conversations.]

B.

[Sooner or later he was about to fall into that drunken state yet looks indifferent. Possibly the only people who can pick up he's drunk are Mic and Smoker. That or.. until he calls someone out.]

Hey Smoker, what are you trying to do up there?

[Aizawa may or may had not mistaken a dancer, a pole, or some object on stage as someone. Where's the peanuts....]

[Guess who's trying to avoid dancing and failed? This guy. Eventually, Shouta is dragged by the hand to follow Hizashi to the dance floor, almost dreading, almost.]

Is this necessary?

[What song is even playing?]

What are you, Tashigi?! I'm over here!

I can't even tell you to put your glasses on, stupid!

"Yeah? What's jazz like?" Ace will find it dull, but that's alright. The differences in musical taste make things interesting, and give him something else to inflict on Smoker. "There's a lot going on here. I feel like I'm never gonna run out of stuff to do.

"Smooth like a good rum, deep tones, not so--" a vague gesture, "Throbbing." It's not his fault his own men give him migraines. And whatever took off half his head nearly didn't exactly help.

A quiet snort of amusment at that. "Yeah, I'd be surprised if you did. You can usually make your own entertainment half of the time, as I seem to recall..."

"Throbbing isn't a bad thing." Ace moves a little, he doesn't know how to dance really, but he's definitely quick at picking up how to make his hips work to the music. He might just have a talent for it, it's a surprisingly pretty set of motions, and the low slung shorts do not hurt the issue. "I like keeping busy. I get bored fast, so if I don't make my own fun who's gonna do it for me?"

[While Ace had been pretty uncomfortable at first, the nervousness hadn't lasted after a couple of drinks. And when he spots someone who's quiet, trying to just do his thing in peace? That summons him like a damn siren's song. And he leans over to get a good look at him, with no shame and minimal boundaries.

Who is he? No clue. But if he's here, he's one of the people Smoker talked about. He just can't guess at which one.] So which one are you? I've got all the names mixed up.

2 heroes, 1 marine, 1 pirate, + 1 dhampir walk into a cyborg's bar. That title is the punchline

Smoker + Ace (closed for now)

Smoker Catch-All

Hizashi Yamada (Present Mic) [OTA]

Part 1!

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

I.

no subject

2.

B

no subject

no subject

no subject

A