Video; UN:revolving

[m19_lover]

[After much, much fiddling with the device on his wrist - which at first brougt some interesting flashbacks of a certain other wrist device he was forced to wear one time - Jigen finally manages to get the video feed feature of the thing going, and the first thing that's on the screen is his less than amused face, a cigarette burning between his lips.]

So, this "moonlacing" deal... [He takes a long drag from his cigarette, head shaking for a moment.] Not sure what this place's plan is but they couldn't have picked a worst guy for the job. [The only other person he can think of that would be a worse fit is Goemon.]

Am I really expected to get all lovey dovey with strangers to generate some mystical energy? Yeah, not happening any time soon.

But I should at least introduce myself, since I'm here and all. Name's Jigen Daisuke, and despite these... [He points at the bunny ears that have now replaced his own.] I'm a completely normal human. Well, I guess these have their advantages. I feel like my hearing is more accurate.

I guess I'll be seeing you people soon, hm? [The feed unceremoniously ends without either a good bye or wave of a hand. Yeah... not the friendliest guys around.]

Comments

(Video; UN: motherofdragons)

[decisiveconquest]

All you need do is hold someone's hand. Going further is your choice.

(She has no trouble giving into said desires, but not everyone is like her.)

I think your new ears are fetching.

Video; UN:revolving

[m19_lover]

I see. Well, I'm not a big fan of being close to people, but I think I can live with holding someone's hand. [The folks that explained things to him when he first arrived made it sound way more 'romantic' than that.]

These are... [He touches the tip of one of the ears.] These are weird, but I guess it could be worse.

Video

[decisiveconquest]

I have made friends (and allies) without much effort. You will surely find someone who wouldn't mind holding your hands now and then.

(That seems an easier task than seeking sex.)

Yes, it could be. Some of the traits the moons give us are...difficult.

[Video]

[m19_lover]

Well, I guess we'll have to see if that's the case. [There's some slight amusement in his voice when she mentions others not minding holding his hand.] Still, it's a load off my shoulders knowing I don't really need to be that close to anyone.

And just how difficult are we talking about?

text; un: weiwuxian

[resurging]

ah! you have such cute ears! can i touch them?

Text; UN:revolving

[m19_lover]

Did you even hear what I said?
And no!
You are not touching them!

text;

[resurging]

you only said you won't moonlace, not keep people from touching your ears. i'll cover my hands! they look so soft...

[Text]

[m19_lover]

[Well, he did say that...]

Why would I let a random stranger touch my ears?

video; UN: mercy ) o nyello again 😚

[cadeuces]

( It seems he's already received a reply to his actual question, so maybe she can help soften the blow a bit with a friendly face and some further (unfortunately compelling) detail. She isn't a doctor for no reason, after all; always here to help with a skill toward turning facts into something easier to swallow.

A spoonful of sugar, as Mary Poppins says. She's bundled up in a sweater with some steaming mug between pale palms, looking fresh in from the cold with color high in her cheeks and thankfully no traits in sight. She'd be a fair bit fluffier in the hair (and, you know, there'd be ram horns and sharp teeth and all). )

Perhaps I can help elaborate a bit further; that "mystical energy" does serve a few different purposes, one of which I'm sure you'll find important. It keeps us from crystallizing, for starters. Running too low has adverse effects, but as others have said, it doesn't have to be anything too terrible to maintain. Some people just push their way through crowded markets and let that count, fleeting as it may be. Or sitting closer to others on the trams. Since that energy is what essentially powers the city here and assists in plant growth for crops, you're compensated for being the middleman as well.

You'll find you're far from alone with those ears, though not everyone's "traits" arrive at the same time. My name is Angela; I'm a doctor who was brought here the same as you, some months back. I have a clinic here on the beach if you ever find yourself in need of a bit of bandaging.

( Whether he answers or no doesn't bother her. So long as he gets the memo that it's a bit crucial in the end, she'd be content, really. )

Video; UN:revolving (good golly it's you! 😲 you here too!!)

[m19_lover]

[That was... and incredibly detailed explanation. Far better than what the people he first met in here told him, that's for sure. They talked about the moonlacing deal like it was something super romantic and affectionate, which Jigen isn't the biggest fan of. But just being around people in general? He can deal with that.

He figures it's polite to at least thank this lady for her help and for making him less nervous about the whole thing. He did remember the welcome committee telling him he would pretty much turn into a crystal if he didn't do the moonlace deal, and that was certainly making him very uneasy.]

Well Angela, I guess I gotta thank you for that run down. So I guess as long as I don't hole myself up inside my home I'm good, hm? [Well, he does like staying isolated, not only because he prefers to lead his life like that, but also because his life of crime forced him to do that on a daily basis. But here, no one knows about who he is, right?] The bustle and hustle of the city isn't really my thing, but I guess it's better than the alternative. [That is having to get involved with people, or turning into a crystal.]

And I don't think I'll need a doctor while I'm here. At least I hope I don't. [OK, that kinda made it sound like he doesn't want to see her, which is a bit rude to say to someone he just met.]

(me here!! take two electric boogaloo for jigen & angie cr yaaaaay)

[cadeuces]

( It certainly could be romantic and affectionate, but it could also be platonic, or offered stranger to stranger in need— she's held a lot of hands and hugged a lot of arms of those she barely knew, and meets regularly with a friend who has zero interest in anything below the belt with anyone. It's possible to make it work, here. It's an important distinction to make. It doesn't help that the welcome committee are all overeager scientists that speak a mile a minute and ask far too many questions, either, so she tries to simplify what they provided before and bolster it anew once things have settled down. )

That's about the gist of it, yes. And you're absolutely welcome. I know how overwhelming it is on arrival, here, and the scientists' enthusiasm hasn't dulled one bit since I arrived with the first group here, about nine months prior. The "holing up" may seem appealing during some parts of the months though, I'll admit. Especially seeing as you seem to be under Iris, with those ears. I had been under Iris for most of my time here too, until recently, but everyone is affected differently. Do you recall what you were told of the various effects of the moons, here?

And no, I don't suppose so! No one likes needing a doctor, but I promise I can make good conversation if you'd ever like to come see me anyway; I have fresh croissants most mornings.

( No harm done, clearly. She didn't take offense and just twisted it into something playful, so you know. )

video | un: stormflower

[sleepinglotus]

[Video for video. It seems like the proper way to respond, anyway. He's also not the only one with bunny ears - Ren's just happen to be floppy with fluffy black fur and a small highlight of pink matching the one in his hair.]

I thought much the same when I first arrived. I'm certainly not chomping at the bit to do so now, but don't be surprised if being here does change your inclinations some.

[Video]

[m19_lover]

[He's pretty glad he isn't the only one with random animal features around here, as Lie is the second person he sees who has them. At least he isn't going to be turned into a mockery.]

"Change my inclinations" how? I don't think I like where that's going.

[sleepinglotus]

[If someone legitimately mocked others for their features here, there's a high chance they would be the one ostracized.]

Not in a forceful way. More like... being exposed to different ways of thinking and interacting with one another on a fairly large scale. There's a lot of events that happen here that encourage people to break out of their comfort zones, though of course it's always optional to go to any of them.

[He'll kindly not mention some of the actual forced things that have happened to him and his friends since he got here.]

text

[badluckblues]

lovey dovey is optional. you could just fuck.

[ #helpful ]

[Text]

[m19_lover]

How is that a better option??

[You made him choke on the smoke of his cigarette there.]

[badluckblues]

ah, you're one of those. well, good luck with that hand-holding life.

though on the off-chance that you're asking seriously, it's more efficient and will hold you over for awhile.

video

[taketheblame]

If you don't feel like getting cuddly, you could high five strangers in the street.

[This may or may not be a serious suggestion.]

Video

[m19_lover]

... I have a feeling people will think I'm crazy if I actually do that. I'll pass. [He's not about to give everyone the worst first impression ever.]

Video

[taketheblame]

Find one person who doesn't think you're crazy and high five them over and over?

[Yuri, stop.]

Really, though, just make a friend or get a roomie who'll help you out. Like the others said, how far you take it is up to you.

video;

[good_bamf_ugly]

[McCree is also enjoying his cigar. It's hard to find the guy without one in his mouth.]

Don't think much of us had the luxury of choice. Guess there could be worse things... or worse blessings.

[Video]

[m19_lover]

[Hey there smoking buddy.]

Choice doesn't seem to be a big thing in this place, considering being here itself isn't a choice. [He rolls his eyes, but you can't really see it behind the hat and hair.]

This isn't really all that bad, considering some of the stuff I had to go through in my life, but I'm a little partial on whether or not I consider this a "blessing".

[good_bamf_ugly]

[Invisible eyeroll may meet a soft sardonic chuckle.]

Mooncursed ain't got a pretty ring to it, least of all when this chroma production's supposedly helping them.

Might as well call a spade a spade... or uh, a werewolf a werewolf.

[text | @hot.damn]

[circumitus]

had exactly this beef after coming here

[...]

been STILL having this beef actually.

[She sees people making suggestions as well, but the fact is... Rey would rather not jump right in and partake with the crowd, period. And there's some benefit in being able to test her limits to how long she can go. It might not be the most prudent plan on the agenda.]

[Text]

[m19_lover]

[He can absolutely sympathize with her point of view on that.]

I'm pretty sure I'm gonna have a hard time getting used to that as well

I guess at some point I'll have to accept it but I don't think it'll make it any less annoying to deal with.

[He isn't a fan of being poor and hungry, since he's been there more times than he would like to admit, so he isn't about to test his limits on that. If he has to hold someone's hand to be able to buy a piece of bread, then so be it. But he's gonna complain about it the whole time!]

Just hoping people here aren't pushy about that