prismatica | 03 | Text: Marriage of Backstay Sailor Boys

[Someone has heard Rasha's voice, but for Don - well. Loving himself is pretty much par for the course.]

So back in my time we have this thing called the Mickey Mouse club. A whole bunch of kids who sing and dance about Mickey Mouse. He's got a song. Who's the leader of the club that's made for you and me M I C - K E Y M O U S E And so on, and so forth. he's a talking mouse and he's Disney is amazing. He's pretty damn fantastic. He's not as great as I am but he's still pretty damn good. Where was I. Anyway this boy band thing for those who are curious seems like the Mickey Mouse club and all of you look stupid in your hats and T-shirts. No class. No style. Nobody has any idea what class or style looks like and the only thing you have to turn to is my era. We defined it. We peaked in the 60s. I'm at the peak. All there is to it, but I thought I'd provide some insight. Namely that. Children are dumb. And that's what this is.

[OOC: for anyone who wants to find Don, he'll be strutting around in his nicest 1960s cut suit at ~~100% Thot~~ level 2 clubs flirting with anyone who gets close. Leave some action tags for him.]

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[ ... All right. Yeah, all right. It still seems a little excessive, but maybe something about youth and music has him feeling different tonight.

What other explanation is there?

Finn laughs and shakes his head. ] I'm going to tell you that, huh? I wouldn't say I'm an expert, but... yeah, it sounds fun.

Maybe we both need to get out more, anyway.

Yes.

[He taps his friend on the chest.] Yes. We do. You're not bad enough kid see...

[Don looks distant and a little sad] See a man can be measured by his sins and this - this life needs to be lived to it's fullest.

I had a terrible childhood and I mean - look at this face. And how far I've come I have come so far.

[ ... Mm. If a man is measured by his sins, Finn wonders if he's a microbe or a galaxy.

But Don's probably talking about the fun kind of sinning. Still, his face falls a little, anyway. ]

I'm worse than you think. Just don't usually take interest in this kind of stuff. [ He shrugs. ] We've both come a long way, though. Might as well enjoy it. Especially with... your face and all.

[ His lips twitch a little, unsure what the sudden vanity is all about. ] All right, yeah. Let's figure out how to paint the town.

[He gestures, beaming. It's his million dollar smile and even if people aren't into it - it might draw the eye. It might be sharp. He's famously good looking as he orders two shots to go, setting one in front of Finn.]

To painting the town. And basking in my greatness - and me teaching you. You see Finn, you want to sell your sake, you want to learn the trade - I think you could do it. That means a lot.

[He gestures, throwing back the shot when he does before moving to pull him to his feet. When they're there - arguement or otherwise, he gestures.]

What is happiness? A moment before more happiness. We give people happy. That's the creed.

Life is terrible. It's shit. Let's be honest. One food in front of another.

[He gestures.]

...We give people a little sweet. A pause. Connect them. Who do you connect to here? Besides me. Who's someone you care about.

[ Finn didn't want to sell the sake, Don did. He squints at him, still trying to figure out this whole mess.

But he likes the compliments and selling what he makes still doesn't sound terrible... Anyway, he hurriedly takes the shot, coughs, sputters, then gets pulled to his feet. He still coughs a little but manages himself. ]

Um, Rey... and James. Mostly them and you, to be honest. Why?

[Rey and James. Interesting. Interesting names. As they are leaving Don grabs a shot off a passing waitress's tray before running a hand over her shoulder. She turns - angry - before she sees Don and melts.

He grins.]

That's Charlie.

[Tossing back the shot he points.]

Charlie. Rey. James. They all will have moments of...doubt. Of a lack of happiness. Happiness, I'd say - is the smell of a new...space ship. Let's go with space ship because you're from space.

[his tone turns sincere and he sounds remarkably sober.]

Finn, it's...giving people who don't have something to connect to culture. So we do it...through products.

I had a shitty childhood. It was dark and terrible and...

[something is clearly swimming up in his mind. He has been through a lot here and maybe, just maybe...]

And to be honest knowing that there was something bigger out there made me happy. Buying things...it was like people didn't care where I was from. Anybody could buy a ...a candy bar. You have candy in your world?

[ Finn does not like the smell of new ships. The recycled air, the amonia, it's all bad memories. He likes old ships, something that someone's cared for.

But Don seems to be talking about the novelty of having something new, some happy little bead as a break in life's horrors and/or monotony. ]

I think so... [ About having candy (though he's never had any before leaving his galaxy) and about how this conversation is turning. ] But I'd argue that things, objects, can't give lasting happiness. People and experiences do that. Right?

[ It's an honest question, because maybe it's just him that thinks this way. He's not exactly a material person but he's grown up very different from most. ]

[He smiles. It's a little feral.]

Sure.

[And it dissolves] If you're lucky. I mean you have James, and I am profoundly honored to be counted among your friends.

[He bows. Out in the air he feels a little more normal. The alcohol is a pleasant buzz.]

I can explain with a metaphor better. We're going to go find you chocolate before we hit another bar. These friends, apart from me are they here right now? No. But I'm about to show you something you can share with them.

[There's a small hole in the wall store that has exactly what Don's looking for. He points.]

Follow me.

[ He's still confused, feeling as if he stepped on a line somewhere in that conversation. His earlier thoughts about Don just trying something new are pretty much gone. Something's wrong with him. Or, rather, something's changed him.

Finn just can't figure out if this is a conscious choice or not, but something definitely happened. Maybe at that concert he mentioned?

Whatever the matter, Finn follows him without complaint and glances around the store. ] I guess sharing things are definitely part of happiness.

[There are chocolate bars at the counter and when Don returns he hands Finn one and looks normal.]

Try one of these.

Trust me. If you've never had chocolate this will explain everything.

[He passes one over and opens one himself trying it first...and smiles.]

It's not as good as Hershey but it's pretty good. Tell me what you think?

[ Finn shrugs and takes a bite, still pretty confused... But then he pauses and looks down at the candy. ]

I've never tasted something like this before.

[ Instead of awed, he looks even more confused. But then it turns into a smile he gives to Don. ] It's good. You have this back home?

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[ Finn shrugs and takes a bite, still pretty confused... But then he pauses and looks down at the candy. ]

I've never tasted something like this before.

[ Instead of awed, he looks even more confused. But then it turns into a smile he gives to Don. ] It's good. You have this back home? <small[ Maybe too sweet for him to eat it all, but he likes it a lot. ]

03 | Text: Marriage of Backstay Sailor Boys

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