dualislogs | ya gotta wanna be a battering ram

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ya gotta wanna be a battering ram

WHO: The entire dang city.
WHAT: Dualis Days, a week-long summer celebration.
WHERE: Central Square Park and the rest of the city.
WHEN: June 17-23.
WARNINGS: Terrorist violence, likely some blood and injuries. Please warn in individual threads!

June 17; Central Square Park.

Every year for as far back as anyone can remember, the start of summer is heralded by the week-long festival known as Dualis Days. This celebration officially kicks off at midday in the middle of Central Square Park with a commencement speech by the current mayor. This year marks Marcelina Dubanowski's third term as mayor of Dualis; she is an average-sized, middle-aged human-presenting woman with blonde hair styled in a short bob and a plastic, toothy smile that never seems to turn entirely off.

"Welcome, one and all!" she begins, with the practiced cadence of someone who is quite comfortable with public speaking. She invites all citizens, new and old, to spend the next week indulging in festivities in all districts of the city and getting to know their neighbors a little better. This is a joyous time of celebration, and the crowd responds with enthusiastic applause as the mayor finishes her speech and introduces this year's parade marshall, Peshtigo Tengfei.

Tengfei blows a whistle six times to signal the start of the parade - and this is where the celebration goes sideways.

A loud explosion tears through the air, and it's followed by panicked screams and the sharp screech of microphone feedback. A bomb has gone off at the platform where the mayor was standing, collapsing the wood and tearing it to splinters and dust. Chaos erupts in the gathered crowd, and as the people shift in all directions to get clear of any possible additional bombs, a loud siren cuts through the cacophony, calling attention to the sudden crackle of video feed present on all television screens throughout the city, including those set up in the park to broadcast the mayor's speech for those standing far from the stage. The picture is plain, a black background and bold white block letters filling the screen:

WAKE UP
WAKE UP
DON'T BELIEVE THE LIES

The final image is an anatomical graphic of a human heart, displayed for about three seconds, and then the feed goes black again.

Confused murmurs sweep through the crowd as citizens resume tending to the injured and evacuating the area until official first responders arrive.

June 17-23; aftermath around the city.

Dualis Days continues as scheduled, though Mayor Dubanowski is unable to enjoy the festival, as she is spending the week in the hospital recovering from her injuries. A team of Iterations guard her door - no visitors allowed - but the news media frequently report updates on her condition. Nothing to worry about, folks! Return to your celebrations, and don't mind the increased visible presence of the Hand as Iterations are stationed every few blocks throughout the city. It's only for your protection, after all.

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[Warm brown eyes met by equally warm ones. Nida knows better than to smolder at his boyfriend when he’s working. Doesn’t eye him over in his clothes or apron, doesn’t judge how wrong it is for a hot drink to be that shade of green, doesn’t do much more than smile. Because seeing Billy is always a pleasure and a relief, especially after the day before. Especially after a lot of things. Which, of course, he kept his boyfriend appraised of in pre-bed texts because like hell he was giving up that habit here.]

Now correct me if I’m wrong, young barista, but mocha is a coffee-drink with some sort of chocolate, right? And you guys put mint in it? How is that a thing? Are their tiny free samples? Mint and chocolate and coffee isn’t something I’m familiar with. Like elephant ears. What even are they and can I find elephants so I can have more of those? They are sweet. A plant or something like that?

[Just because Nida is being good and not eyeing him doesn't mean Billy's not gonna turn up the charm an extra 30%, anyway. Sue him, it's good to see Nida smiling, especially with all the horror of the day before. There's clearly stuff going on here they don't know or understand yet, but as long as he's got the people that matter to him close by, they can figure it out.]

There are in fact tiny free samples, and they're delicious. Wanna try?

[He hands Nida one of the little cups, and if his hand lingers just a little longer than is entirely appropriate on Nida's, who's gonna blame him, honestly. He laughs a little at the elephant ears thing, shaking his head.]

Elephant ears are a pastry, no elephants in them. They look like elephant ears, that's why they're called that. I think I told you about elephants a while ago. One of our early phone talks, remember?

[The affection in his voice is impossible to miss.]

[Hey, Nida is doing his best to even be conscious, given he was up all night with other issues. But with Billy, he is happy to fake it. And the caffeine sample will help. He makes sure to brush his fingers against his boyfriend’s as he takes the cup. Seems they both wanted that bit of contact. His eyes even flash briefly to Billy’s lips before taking the cup and throwing it back.]

Seifer buried his in strawberries. So I had to ditch him. Didn’t feel like allergic reactions. But yeah, it’s coming back to me now. But yeah, get me one of those, full size. I didn’t end up sleeping last night. Should have just come back to your room if I wanted to avoid my brothers.

[Yes, just judge him now.]

Ergh, yeah. [Billy wrinkles his nose a little at the mention of the berries. They're delicious, but when the guy you've been kissing is allergic, sacrifices must be made.] But I mean, hey, at least we're some place with actual medical technology, in case you have a close encounter of the berry kind?

[The smile on his face fades just a little at the plural, the mention of Nida's lack of sleep. Yeah, he's glad Jason is here. He's glad Jason isn't dead, and he's here, and Seifer and Nida are getting another chance, but--it's still sobering. If this place can bring the dead back to life...]

You know you're always welcome with me. Any time. Just do me a favor and come in through the door like a human for the time being, until my roommate gets to know you.

I will have to see what this place as for emergency situations. And maybe a daily pill for dogs. Think I can get allergy medication?

[For half a second he seems confused and his eyes cast around as if to look for such a beast. But no, nothing. Something about that is off, and he mostly just pushes it aside without thinking too hard.]

That detective Karen lady says they can bring people back from death here. Makes you wonder what all of the explosion was about in that case. Also? Terrifying. Of course, all of it is still less stressful than spending a night in a clinic and then an all night restaurant with your boss.

[Oh yes, he could really use coffee. A lot of it.]

Squall is here.

Edited 2019-07-12 04:01 (UTC)

Probably. It doesn't seem like it'd be a big deal. Is Seifer thinking of bringing home strays?

[It wouldn't be the first time. And although he'd rather think about lighthearted things like Seifer and a million puppies and Nida's complaints, instead his smile fades as he thinks about the rest of what Nida says instead. The implications aren't great.]

Uh, yeah. I know. I ran into him yesterday, after the explosion. He... wasn't having a good day.

[To put it mildly.]

[Seriously, what was it with people running into Squall, figuring out who he was, and then not warning him? For a second Nida looks ready to say something harsh, to snap at Billy, but then he shakes the impulse off. He didn't do it to Seifer, he won't do it to Billy. He's just... he's just uncomfortable.]

He's my roommate. Nothing like someone whose very voice makes you want to snap to attention sleeping in the next bed. And, Hyne, if you only call that a not good day, I'd hate to see your bad ones, beloved. He still had shrapnel in him when I found him last night. Was up late taking him to get medical attention and feeding him.

[Somewhere along the line, a nurturing instinct had taken over, and Nida had just fussed over his superior officer. And danced around the fact that he hated that subordinate relationship. That was someting he was going to have to deal with.]

I think I'd prefer strays to people that I'm hard-wired to obey.

Your roommate???

[Well, that's...awkward. Really awkward. He doesn't miss that sharp look that passes over Nida's face, either, making him want to cross his arms over his chest, but, well. He's still technically working, he's got a tray full of samples, and he's not so defensive he wants to dump them. Instead, he just shrugs a shoulder, looking away, trying not to be upset about it.]

My bad days usually involve interdimensional parasites trying to take me away to feed off my magic for eternity, or my other mom wiping out half our species, so yeah.

[He shouldn't be harsh. It's a lot to process, there's a lot going on for both of them, and Billy still has it better here. He deflates just a little, shaking his head and sighing.]

Sorry. I'm sorry. I just...I ran into him last night on the street. He knew Seifer was here, but he was surprised when I mentioned you, and he didn't know me at all. It took me forever to talk him into going back to the dorms, and he wouldn't let me help him with his wounds. I went for some first aid supplies and when I came back, he was gone.

I figured Seifer would have told you, already. That's why I didn't say anything.

[Being upset with Billy was so completely wrong, and Nida definitely feels bad about it. He's been so tired today, to the point where he'd forgotten about previous arrangements with Seifer, some putting his foot in his mouth, and he just wants to wilt. Instead he tries to keep himself under control, tries to keep soft.]

I... I'm sorry too. I don't mean to take this out on you. I think I maybe got two hours of sleep because of him. If he'd just listened to you, I could have slept. And all of it heaped up on how badly I fucked up with Jason... we were doing so well here. I was doing so much better here. Yesterday was bad. Squall wanted to know what I was doing back home, what happened in his future. It made me think back to a lot of what happened when I returned to the village and...

[Nida just waves off the thought. They didn't need to rehash his depression or the drinking or a lot of other things. Instead he pulls out his wallet and produces some duos.]

Let me buy you a sweet to apologize. You've definitely had it worse. And Squall should have been nicer. And Seifer definitely should have warned me. I'm already flinching at his voice and my brain just jumps to 'yes sir, no sir, three bags full sir'.

[Can he just pretend Squall wasn't here? Can he just compliment his boyfriend on how good he looks right now and how that apron from his uniform is adorable and how he wants to kiss all along Billy's neck because it should have some mark on it?]

Going to say can we pretend I literally just came over and didn't put a foot in my mouth and I'm a sweet, attentive boyfriend who got sleep and came over here for some sugar and not to mainline caffeine?

[Of course Squall being here would have stirred up memories like that. And god knows Nida's got plenty of bad ones. Billy had seen him after all of that, after he'd come back, and...it hadn't been good. But they're in a better place now. At least, they're in a different place, and they've still got each other, and Seifer and Tommy, and Jason's alive again, and that's enough.

The offer of a sweet and Nida's compliments make Billy smile, though he's still a little worried, a little bummed, and he does his best to shake off the tension and the bad feelings to focus on the present.]

You're sweet. Hey--

[Billy looks around briefly, then sets his tray down on the counter and lifts a finger to beckon Nida closer, pulling him in to steal a quick kiss. There's a smile on his face when he pulls away to pick up his tray again, brushing fingers of one hand lightly over Nida's cheek.]

Everything's fine. We're good. Get a coffee. My shift ends in half an hour, maybe we could steal a nap together before dinner?

[Naps make everything better, right? So do hugs. And they could both use a little positive affirmation, and maybe some talking.]

[Definitely not the sort of sweet Nida had been looking to get, but damn if it wasn't worth it anyway. Leaning in and kissing him like this was like stealing something of value, and he is left grinning when he pulls back. Damn, Billy can just make him smile by pure force of personality. Bless him.]

That sounds lovely, a nap with you. I'll see if I can squeeze it in. I'm due back to Seifer until dinner, though. He's gotten lost in the shuffle since we got here, and unlike your brother, he needs lots of care and oversight. Like Dog or Julia when they found something loose around the house to play with. Except he tends to do a bit worse than chew on the furniture. Brothers, you know?

[But maybe he'll buy dinner for Billy. Take him out and find a nice little hole in the wall restaurant and laugh over things. Be sweet and warm and just them.]

Oh, hey. Did you see any thing from the game stands that you absolutely had to have? I feel like I should win you something, and I know Seifer will love laughing over my hours of failing at it. And I promise, tomorrow is yours. I don't have to be back at work for another few days, so let me treat you to a full fair day, holding hands and being terribly sappy and the envy of every other couple out there. Maybe go for the festival record for longest hand holding. Think I can do one of those scoop rubber ducks out of a stream for a prize thing one-handed?

Like Tommy doesn't. He's just harder to keep track of now that he's got his speed back.

[He wrinkles his nose, but honestly it's affectionate. He loves his brother, honestly, and no matter what's happening here, he feels better knowing both of them have their powers back. At least mostly. He hasn't tried opening any doorways--because he's at least learned how terrible an idea that is--but it does take a little more work these days to cast the basics, and he's not sure if that's because he's out of practice or for other reasons.]

But that's fine, I get it. I can probably get tomorrow off for festival things, the new boss is pretty lenient. You can take all day to win me the most ridiculous stuffed animal we can find.

[And honestly, that'll be nice, too. A normal date. Not that he didn't love their dinner and dancing dates back in the village, just... it'll feel nice to be almost normal for once.]

Just for that, I will take all day, just to be there with you.

[Is there a lot of overly sappy statements from Nida these days? Maybe. He's smitten. Besides, it's a day to just hang out with his boyfriend, and they've lost some of the old methods they had. Can't teach Billy to fight when he doesn't have training weapons for them anymore.]

I'm going to impress you with my lack of game skills.

[It's okay, honestly. It's cute. And after the way Nida was when he came back from his second trip home, well. There's worse things than being overly affectionate and ridiculous.]

Hey, don't be so hard on yourself. I'm sure you'll get the hang of it, with your amazing coordination. It's been literally years since I've played any kind of carnival games, anyway, you'll see just how terrible I am, too.

So, tomorrow?

My coordination is good in some ways, but alas, fair games don't seem suited to it. But for you I'll try.

[He reaches out and takes Billy's hand briefly to kiss the back of it. What? He's an affectionate fool.]

I belong to you tomorrow, beloved. I'll even pay for food.

All you need is practice. And maybe a few private lessons.

[Listen...no he's not ashamed of it. It's nice to be sweet and silly, especially in the midst of some chaos, and he's grinning like an idiot when Nida kisses his hand, pushing lightly at his chest.]

What a gentleman. Go on, I'm supposed to be working. Text me later?

[Private lessons sound good. Nida even gives a little eyebrow wiggle at that before he laughs. He's being silly and he knows part of that is sleep dep, but he doesn't care.]

Only a gentleman for you, beloved. And yeah. Later.

[He backs away and winks, taking out his device and starting a text already. What? It's later. He offers a brief wave as well as he backs away.]

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ya gotta wanna be a battering ram

Re: Cw: explosions and injuries, all the associated trauma

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