Johnny O'Marten
Civilian
Posts: 17
Age: 22
Power: Holograms
Player: Admin Yoloswek.
Faction: Civilians
|
Post by Johnny O'Marten on Jun 4, 2016 22:38:01 GMT
(I really wanted to write this character, which is why this is just a random open thread. Anyone who feels like it is free to respond.)
There was completely sound explanation for this. If anyone were to ask, Johnny would be able to explain everything. And surely this was something that could happen to anyone. However, explanation or no explanation, fact was that the door to his apartment was closed, that he himself was not on the right side of that door, that the key was somewhere on the kitchen counter, that none of the other three housemates were home right now, that his phone was also still inside, and that he was only wearing his underwear. It wasn't cold outside per se, but Johnny would have been very happy with at least a T-shirt. His arms were wrapped around his tattoo-covered torso - though to be fair, his arms and hands were no different - and he just stood there on the sidewalk, a little unsure as to what to do next, mostly due to the absurdity of his current situation. He rubbed his upper arms and looked around, considering his options. The Outer ring wasn't like some of those neighborhoods in the Middle ring, where people apparently gave their neighbors spare keys in case they needed eachother to do something in or around the house while they were away. No, doing that over here was something even Johnny wasn't naive enough for. That did mean, however, that he couldn't just go up to the people living next to him. It also didn't help that it was around midnight. Kicking in the door was not an option, because he'd probably be robbed by the end of the night and he did not have lockpicking skills either. So either he'd have to wake up some neighbors, or he'd have to think of something genius.
|
|
Benjamin Evans
Civilian
Posts: 20
Age: 20
Power: Empathy
Player: vloer
Faction: Civilians
|
Post by Benjamin Evans on Jun 5, 2016 13:27:20 GMT
(This is perfect timing because I also really wanted to write this character so thanks)
Benjamin was pretty sure that he hadn't felt this tired in a really long time. It was already dark out, and he walked along the streets with his hands buried deep in his pockets and his head bowed low. Work had been hard today, not because the building where he cleaned had been more dirty than usual, but because for some reason all his coworkers had felt like talking. A lot. He always made sure to avoid them as much as possible, something he had become very talented in, but the downside of that was that after three years of work he still had no idea what kind of people his colleagues actually were. Which meant that he had been constantly censoring himself, never letting down his guard during conversations. When he finished up and looked at the bus stop where he would normally go to get home, he just couldn't make himself go there. The thought of having to spend another hour in close proximity to other people had been too much, which had ended in Benjamin deciding to walk home. Now that it was close to midnight, and he still had two blocks to go, he kind of started ro regret that decision. He was just really glad that tomorrow was his day off, and at least he could sleep in a little. His brain felt muddled, and the skin on his left wrist felt sore from the constant pinching - a bad habit he had picked up years ago in an attempt to pull himself out of his anxious trains of thought. It was probably this that stopped him from noticing he was rounding the corner and walking right towards another person. The realisation didn't hit until he was close enough for the feeling of someone else's emotions to break through to his thoughts. He froze in the middle of his tracks and looked up, only to be even more surprised. Because right in front of him was a guy standing in- well, in close to nothing really. Shit, was the guy drunk? High? Both? Instead of voicing any of his worries, or asking for an explanation like a normal person would, all that came out of his mouth was a very eloquent, "Uhm".
|
|
Johnny O'Marten
Civilian
Posts: 17
Age: 22
Power: Holograms
Player: Admin Yoloswek.
Faction: Civilians
|
Post by Johnny O'Marten on Jun 5, 2016 14:11:08 GMT
Johnny had been about to start walking when around the corner came a guy with relatively long, dark hair and who seemed very taken aback by almost bumping into a nearly naked man. Johnny could very much understand this and grinned sheepishly. "Uhm," was all the other seemed capable of saying at this point. "Look, man," Johnny started, laughing a bit, mostly due to the fact that he had no idea how to behave right now, "I- there is a perfectly rational explanation behind this, alright?" He ran a hand through his hair. "I realized I had left my phone outside, right? Or- that's what I thought. I clearly remembered putting it down somewhere when I was looking for my keys. So I'm like 'Shit! 's probably been stolen, but better check it, right?' So I go and check. Then suddenly remember having had it like, an hour ago when I was making myself some food, but then the door fell shut, so I'm outside here, almost naked, my phone and keys are inside, and I'm pretty sure I kind fucked up here." He realized he was rambling, but since the other seemed uncomfortable, he had felt the need to explain why it really did make sense that he was standing here in black boxers. He just was generally way better at this sort of thing, when he was dressed and not highly uncomfortable himself. "So... yeah. I ehr, I don't approve of crime, but you don't happen to know someone who can pick a lock without wrecking it, now, would you?" he asked hopefully.
|
|
Benjamin Evans
Civilian
Posts: 20
Age: 20
Power: Empathy
Player: vloer
Faction: Civilians
|
Post by Benjamin Evans on Jun 5, 2016 14:46:16 GMT
The man was grinning, and Benjamin could already feel his heartrate picking up. Shit, he had been so close to getting home. "Look, man," the guy said, laughing. "I- there is a perfectly rational explanation behind this, alright?" He said, and Benjamin blinked. "Alright," he said hesitantly, and he was about to awkwardly continue walking when the guy started talking again. Oh. "I realized I had left my phone outside, right? Or- that's what I thought, I clearly remembered putting it down somewhere when I was looking for my keys. So I'm like 'Shit! 's probably been stolen, but better check it, right?' So I go and check. Then suddenly remember having had it like, an hour ago when I was making myself some food, but then the door fell shut, so I'm outside here, almost naked, my phone and keys are inside, and I'm pretty sure I kind of fucked up here," he explained. Oh god, this man was very... extroverted. Benjamin had to give it to him though, his explanation did actually make sense. Some of the tension left his shoulders as he took another look at him. He didn't seem drunk. Just very enthusiastic. Benjamin was sure that he would've been a blubbering mess if he had locked himself out of his apartment. "So... yeah. I ehr, I don't approve of crime, but you don't happen to know someone who can pick a lock without wrecking it, now, would you?" He asked. Benjamin fished his hands out of his pockets, changed his mind and put them back again, trying to figure out how he could politely tell the man that he was really tired and just wanted to sleep. Then again, this man was locked out of his apartment and only wearing boxers, and the thought of just leaving him made Benjamin feel vaguely guilty. If he tried to help, it could be his Big Social Thing of the week, and he wouldn't have to force himself to do something else like getting groceries and counting out money in front of the cashier. He hesitated a few seconds longer, panicked a little when he realised he had been silent for a while now, and threw a look at what he guessed was this man's front door. "Uhm," he said, again, "have you tried the creditcard thing? I mean, uh, you probably don't have a creditcard, but you know the- the.. thing?" Great. Well done. Very well worded. Benjamin pursed his lips, and tried to quell his nerves. "Wait, you could use my card. I mean, my keycard. From work. I don't live in a hotel. Obviously," he rambled, fishing out his key chain and handing the man his keycard. Only afterwards did he realise that that was probably a little stupid, because he didn't know this man. What if he'd just run away with Benjamin's keycard? What would he say to his boss? He'd probably get fired. Shit.
|
|
Johnny O'Marten
Civilian
Posts: 17
Age: 22
Power: Holograms
Player: Admin Yoloswek.
Faction: Civilians
|
Post by Johnny O'Marten on Jun 5, 2016 15:00:31 GMT
The other guy was quiet for a while. Johnny had realized by this point that this guy wasn't much of a social butterfly, and he did feel a bit bad for putting him in such an awkward situation. The man then suggested 'the credit card thing' and Johnny had to think for a moment, but then it clicked. "I mean, uh, you probably don't have a creditcard, but you know the- the.. thing?" Johnny nodded. "Right- yeah, I get what you mean, yeah. 'fraid I don't have one, no," he answered, gesturing at the fact that the only possession on his person was his underwear. "Wait, you could use my card. I mean, my keycard. From work. I don't live in a hotel. Obviously," the other one then said, however, and relief washed over Johnny. "Oh, thanks man!" he said. He had never done this before, however, and could only hope it would not get damaged. That would be a dick move. He turned back to the door. He was lucky that it was an old lock. Had he possessed valuable things and had people been aware of that, he would already have been robbed, probably, though he did have a fairly good reputation in the area, just by being his own cheery self. Now, however, his trademark smile had been replaced with an expression of concentration. He was a little bit tense as well. He knew that a cop witnessing this would be a very, very bad thing. Gently, he slid the card in between the door and the doorpost. It took several tries, and with each one he was feeling more and more rushed, but then he heard the click and he sighed with relief as the door openend. He turned around, back to the guy and handed him the card back. "It got a tiny bit damaged, sorry," he said. "If they make you pay for that, please, please let me know, because I'll cover it, promise," he added with emphasis. "By the way, if you want something to drink, let me know, I'll get you something, least I can do," he then said with a grin. "Only have non-alcoholic things, though."
|
|
Benjamin Evans
Civilian
Posts: 20
Age: 20
Power: Empathy
Player: vloer
Faction: Civilians
|
Post by Benjamin Evans on Jun 5, 2016 15:16:09 GMT
Benjamin felt a wave of relief wash over him when Johnny seemed to catch on to his not very clear explanation, though he did feel a little stupid when Johnny gestured to himself and Benjamin realised his mistakes. Right, of course, stupid. As if someone would carry a card inside their boxers on default. Fortunately for Benjamin, he wasn't annoyed by his awkward stuttering and fidgeting. Then again, that could always change at any moment. "Oh, thanks man!" the man said when Benjamin handed him his keycard, and Benjamin was a little overwhelmed by the amount of gratitude that sounded through in his voice. This man definitely wasn't like most people Benjamin knew (not that he knew that many people, but still). He watched a little nervously as the man used his card to try and get his front door open, and it took him a few seconds to realise that the tension he felt wasn't just his own. Oh, right, shit. What if there were cops? What if they arrested Benjamin as well? His name was on that keycard. Besides, it wasn't as if he'd had the guts to lie to a police officer anyway. Before he could get any more stressed out about the possibility of cops passing by, the man straightened and handed him back his card. "It got a tiny bit damaged, sorry," he told Benjamin. "If they make you pay for that, please, please let me know, because I'll cover it, promise," he added, and Benjamin was surprised to find he was actually being sincere. Most people would just assume that they'd never walk into each other anyway. At least, that's what he thought they'd do. He hadn't really been in a situation like this before. "Uhm- okay," he said, a little late, realising immediately after that the man had already offered him a drink, and Benjamin had just agreed. He pulled the sleeves of his shirt over his wrists and repressed the urge to scuff his feet on the pavement. He probably already looked like a nervous wreck to this man, and he didn't want to make it even worse. Which was also why he didn't correct himself, but instead very meekly told the man that he didn't drink anyway. At least this would be an actual Big Social Thing. He could even tell his mother about it afterwards, if this man didn't turn out to be a serial killer and he'd end up with twenty stab wounds. She might even be a little proud.
|
|
Johnny O'Marten
Civilian
Posts: 17
Age: 22
Power: Holograms
Player: Admin Yoloswek.
Faction: Civilians
|
Post by Johnny O'Marten on Jun 5, 2016 15:30:09 GMT
The guy agreed, but hesitant. For a moment Johnny considered emphasizing that he didn't have to if he didn't want to, but he figured there was also a fair chance of that coming off as 'I'd hoped you'd decline', so he decided not to. The guy looked incredibly insecure and Johnny felt bad for him. When he said he didn't drink Johnny smiled. "Oh, me neither. Just mentioned it because some people would expect a beer, or something, you know?" he said. He went inside and turned around. "Come on in," he said. "Make yourself at home. Living room's through that door - I'll be back in a minute. Getting dressed and all that," he said, gesturing. The door had led to a very narrow hallway with one door to the shared living room and kitchen, one to the toilet - conveniently decorated with a sticker of a toiler - and a narrow, old staircase that led to the bedrooms that each were hired by one of the inhabitants of the building. Upstairs there was also the bathroom in which Johnny had been about to take a shower, but that could wait for now. He hurried up the stairs, which creaked in a way that would make someone unfamiliar with them worry they might collapse, and went into his room. He grabbed a pair of jeans off of the floor and put them on. There were holes in the knees big enough to fit his lower legs through - which had happened on accident a few times - and at the thigh area there were several patches stitched on. All were from relatively safe groups, however. Johnny listened to music that could get him into trouble regularly enough, but despite the fact that he could certainly be provocative, he wasn't dumb enough to openly wear symbols of those kinds of bands. He also scooped a black T-shirt off the floor and considered himself dressed, after which he made his way downstairs again, and into the living room.
|
|
Benjamin Evans
Civilian
Posts: 20
Age: 20
Power: Empathy
Player: vloer
Faction: Civilians
|
Post by Benjamin Evans on Jun 5, 2016 15:47:07 GMT
"Oh, me neither," the guy said when Benjamin told him he didn't drink, and he relaxed a little. Some people could be real jerks about it, so he was glad this man didn't mind. "Just mentioned it because some people would expect a beer, or something, you know?" He explained, and Benjamin nodded, even though he didn't know. It wasn't as if he invited people over that often. Or at all, really. "Come on in," the man said. "Make yourself at home. Living room's through that door- I'll be back in a minute. Getting dressed and all that," he said, and Benjamin nodded again. "Right," he muttered, watching as he disappeared up a narrow set of stairs, leaving Benjamin in the hallway. He eyed the two doors, and even though one of the two clearly had a sticker of a toilet, Benjamin hesitated. What if this was one of those weird houses where they put the sticker on the wrong door as a joke? What if it wasn't? Shit, he should've asked which door the guy meant, even if it would've made him look like an idiot. He probably already looked like one, anyway. Oh god, what if one of the doors led to someone's bedroom? What if he'd walk in on someone changing or something? Very hesitantly, Benjamin walked to the door without a sticker, throwing a quick last glance up the stairs. If he just opened the door very quietly, he could always close it again without the man noticing if it turned out to not be the living room. He pushed down the door handle and flinched when the door fell open with a very loud creaking noise - so much for his plan. Fortunately, it turned out to be the right door, because Benjamin could see a couch, and no toilet or bed. Just as he had sat down and started fidgeting with his sleeves again, the man appeared in the doorway, this time wearing clothes. At least that made it a little easier to look at him. "Uh, hi," Benjamin said, immediately regretting it.
|
|
Johnny O'Marten
Civilian
Posts: 17
Age: 22
Power: Holograms
Player: Admin Yoloswek.
Faction: Civilians
|
Post by Johnny O'Marten on Jun 5, 2016 17:17:10 GMT
"Uh, hi," the young man said and Johnny smiled. He had not failed to notice how the guy was fidgeting with his sleeves and wondered what the bloke was so hung up about. Had something bad happened? "Hey," he greeted. "Lot better this way, innit?" He walked on to the kitchen, where he opened the fridge. There wasn't all that much in it - he really needed to get some groceryshopping done, soon - but at least there was some choice regarding drinks. "Uhm, would you like orange juice, yoghurt drink, Fanta or milk?" he asked, raising his voice a little bit, so he would be audible in the living room. He took out the orange juice for himself and took two glasses from one of the cabinets. Each person in the house had their own cabinet, although they often just borrowed stuff from one another. Nobody made a really big fuss about that.
|
|
Benjamin Evans
Civilian
Posts: 20
Age: 20
Power: Empathy
Player: vloer
Faction: Civilians
|
Post by Benjamin Evans on Jun 5, 2016 18:28:30 GMT
He was glad that so far the man didn't really seem bothered by Benjamin's nerves. He even greeted him back, despite the fact that it wasn't necessary. At all. Benjamin had no idea why he'd greeted him. The guy had been gone no longer than ten minutes. "Lot better this way, innit?" He said, and Benjamin couldn't stop the quick smile. He was a little baffled by how little the man seemed to care that he had been standing outside in his boxers. "Uhm, would you like orange juice, yoghurt drink, Fanta or milk?" The guy said, and Benjamin turned on the couch a little to catch the words. "Milk?" He said, though it came out as more of a question. He hadn't had milk in ages - his mother was lactose intolerant, so he'd just adapted to a diet without any milk or other ingredients she couldn't handle. "Wait," he said, out loud, when he suddenly realised that his mom would probably wonder where he was by now. "How- what's the time?" He asked, though he was already pulling the crappy cheap phone from his pocket to check. "I'll- sorry, I kinda need to text my mom. Uhm," he said, and frowning a little at his own words. The guy would probably think it weird that he still lived with his mom, shit. "I, uh, it's less rent. Also I didn't want her to be alone," he added quickly, trying to explain himself. To be honest, the main reason was that he was too scared to move out, since that would mean having to live with housemates. He typed out a quick text, letting his mom know that he'd be late but that he was fine, before shoving his phone back into his pocket. "Sorry," he mumbled, not wanting to seem rude.
|
|
Johnny O'Marten
Civilian
Posts: 17
Age: 22
Power: Holograms
Player: Admin Yoloswek.
Faction: Civilians
|
Post by Johnny O'Marten on Jun 5, 2016 18:38:30 GMT
“Milk?" Johnny felt bad for the kid. He just seemed to very insecure. Johnny himself wasn’t the pinnacle of macho confidence either, but he was definitely extremely secure in his skin. He was a more assured, calm kind of confident. “Wait!” the guy then said. Johnny had already poured the glass of milk, but waited and listened all the same, only to smile faintly when the guy mentioned texting his mother - and he was glass the other couldn’t see it, as he didn’t want to make him feel shitty. It did not surprise Johnny the guy was still very close with his mum; he seemed the type. “Don’t worry,” Johnny replied. “I’m not judging.” He walked into the living room with the two glasses and put one down in front of the guy and the other in front of a chair he himself sat down in, slumped comfortably. “Sorry." “Oh, don’t worry about it,” Johnny said casually. He studied the other for a moment and then realized something. “Shit- haven’t even introduced myself,” he said. “I’m Johnny."
|
|
Benjamin Evans
Civilian
Posts: 20
Age: 20
Power: Empathy
Player: vloer
Faction: Civilians
|
Post by Benjamin Evans on Jun 5, 2016 19:44:39 GMT
"Don't worry," the man replied, "I'm not judging." Benjamin relaxed a little, paying more attention to what the man was really feeling and discovering that he was being honest. It appeared that Benjamin had actually found someone that was genuinely being nice and understanding. He watched as the man walked back into the living room and placed a glass of milk in front of him. He considered waiting until the other guy had taken a sip first, because he wasn't sure if it was rude if he didn't, but then decided that he was too thirsty to wait. He grabbed the glass from the table and took a large gulp, closing his eyes for a few seconds. Oh god, this was so good. He hadn't realised before how much he missed drinking milk, but he really, really had. Milk was underrated. "Thanks," he said, as he put the glass back on the table. It was already half empty, he noticed. Oops. "Shit-," Johnny started, and Benjamin looked up in worry. "haven't even introduced myself," he finished the sentence, and Benjamin relaxed again. "I'm Johnny." He sat back into the couch and tried to look a little more comfortable, finding to his surprise that it was a little easier. "Benji," he said. "Uh, I mean, it's Benjamin, but that's too long for most people," he said, kind of mumbling the last few words.
|
|
Johnny O'Marten
Civilian
Posts: 17
Age: 22
Power: Holograms
Player: Admin Yoloswek.
Faction: Civilians
|
Post by Johnny O'Marten on Jun 5, 2016 20:21:25 GMT
"Benjamin sounds nice, though," Johnny said. He took a sip of his drink. It hadn't escaped his notice that Ben had seemed fairly thirsty. "If you want another glass after that one, all you need to do is ask," he said neutrally. He slowly breathed out, only now fully realizing just how stupid the whole situation he had gotten himself into was and how lucky he had been to run into someone willing to help. God, this was so typical for him. But at the same time he couldn't really be bothered about it. Shit happened. He looked at Benji, who seemed a lot more relaxed now than he had seemed earlier. "So, what were you up to before you ran into a nearly naked guy that locked himself out of his house?" he asked blithely. He drank the rest of his orange juice and put the empty glass back on the table.
|
|
Benjamin Evans
Civilian
Posts: 20
Age: 20
Power: Empathy
Player: vloer
Faction: Civilians
|
Post by Benjamin Evans on Jun 5, 2016 20:34:51 GMT
"Benjamin sounds nice, though," Johnny said, and Benjamin rubbed his knee, not sure how to respond to that. Was he meant to say thank you? It wasn't as if he had picked out his own name, so he didn't think that'd be the right reply. "If you want another glass after that one, all you need to do is ask," Johnny said, saving Benjamin from having to think of something to say to his earlier comment. "Thanks, uhm, I'm fine," he muttered, but then hesitated. "I mean- if you're sure it's okay, maybe I'd like another glass," he corrected himself. Johnny had already proved multiple times now that he didn't just say things to be nice, but that he actually meant them. Plus, he seemed to be pretty confident, so Benjamin had a feeling that if he didn't want to give him another drink, he wouldn't have offered one. "So, what were you up to before you ran into a nearly naked guy that locked himself out of his house?" Johnny asked suddenly, and Benjamin had to smile a little at the way he described himself. "I was looking for a nearly naked guy that had locked himself out, actually," he joked, and immediately could feel the heat rising to his face. Shit, that sounded a little weird, didn't it? Idiot. "I mean, I was walking home from work. Uh, I work for a cleaning company, so I was at the Middle Ring," he explained.
|
|
Johnny O'Marten
Civilian
Posts: 17
Age: 22
Power: Holograms
Player: Admin Yoloswek.
Faction: Civilians
|
Post by Johnny O'Marten on Jun 6, 2016 16:14:22 GMT
"I mean- if you're sure it's okay, maybe I'd like another glass." “Not a problem, mate,” Johnny said and he took both glasses, with which he walked back to the kitchen, returning with another glass of milk for Benjamin. The young man’s reaction to his question made him laugh out loud. Benji then explained the real reason he was out that late. “Ah, I see,” Johnny said. That made sense. Benjamin didn’t strike him as the type that would hang around after dark for shits and giggles. “Makes sense, now that I think about it, I mean what with the card and all that,” he said with a grin, realizing that just looking at that card could have answered this question at the door. Oh well, he’d had other things to think about at that moment. Like getting back into his house. And getting his ass in some clothes. “What’s it like, working there?” he asked curiously. He’d been in the Middle ring a handful of times, but never for long and certainly not long enough to really get a clear impression of it.
|
|