burnlikeme

[burnlikeme]

I am considering doing a partial thread wipe? Not set on it yet. Let me mull it over on the holiday weekend.

I think it would help me gain momentum again. But I also don't intend to drop everything. So.

[burnlikeme]

You snuggling me over an open flame is an invitation for my nipples to disappear. ❞

Maybe hanging the hammock so close to the campfire wasn't smart. It's not like they do outdoorsy adventuring often. Stu scratches at the back of his neck, thinking about how much effort he put into getting the hammock secured before Murdoc arrived with their cooler full of groceries and three coolers full of beer and at least one giant bag full of substances to abuse. He exhausted himself doing it and isn't so sure he has the energy to move everything again. Looks like they might end up sleeping on the ground after all.

"I...ah, sorry. I didn't think about that..." He scans the campsite, trying to decide where else they could even string it up that makes sense. There's one more decent spot, but it's farther from the fire and closer to the ominous, dark woods beyond. "Can you h-help me move it...?"

obscenely domestic

[burnlikeme]

"Heh, that's wh-what Noodle is for when it comes to us. Russ, too, but he's been a bit...ehm, busy lately." His poor friend juggles possession and grief so frequently that Stu's not quite sure how he's still standing. He misses Del as well. A few times of year, the ghost finds way to come visit- that's exactly how they managed to record Captain Chicken- but it's not the same. He questions if, maybe, those visits are more painful than joyful for Russ now as well.

Sometimes he's jealous regular celebrities don't have to deal with this level of Toon bullshit.

"Well," he says, clapping Jordan on the back with a friendly hand, "I trust you t-to not fuck it up so badly you need saving. Honest."

There's a snort of laughter. "Well it's a good thing Mercedes is the singer and not me, we both know I have the charisma of a skunk." He musses his own hair a little with his right hand, it's fine, he needed to shower and restyle it anyway. "If anyone can play off my fuck up it's her."

[burnlikeme]

Stu nods sagely. Jordan's nailed it, in his opinion.

"Every ride can make you nauseous if you g-go on it right after eating, or with a hangover, or-or when you're jetlagged and haven't slept and don't know up from down, on account of that then up is down and down is up, and then you're also spinning while trying to sort it all out, heh." This is coming from hyper-specific experience, unfortunately. When Noodle was younger, they went out of their way on tour to stop at famous theme parks- and some little dives, too, just for the memories. Sometimes the meds fight back.

"I don't know if that's how it works. I think Apollo just reveals what needs to be revealed when it happens or whatever. But I can ask."

He takes a moment to recall the ride, he'd never been but he'd seen a photo once, he thinks. Or maybe it was a still from the movie. "I don't give a shit about a lot of rules but I respect coaster rules." That's not the point, Jordan. "Is it also a spinner because sometimes it makes you nauseous?"

[burnlikeme]

Stu loads the documentary he had in mind, hits pause, and then slips away to bring snacks. It doesn't take him too long to return with fresh popcorn, an assortment of candy, and a handful of cheese sticks. He arranges this tableau on the coffee table and settles back in. There's a mini fridge nearby of drinks- alcoholic and non. They should be set. He offers them another blanket, should they wish, and hits play, tossing a handful of popcorn into this mouth as he settles back.

Time to get lost in the majesty of...oh, that baby bird is ugly as hell. He gapes in fascination.

"Little dinosaurs..."

"Oh. Those sound like good documentaries to watch, I'd definitely be okay with following more about those." Z had watched nature videos about all kinds of animals, they found it legitimately interesting to learn about behaviors in unexpected ways.

"I could go for some snacks for sure. I'm open to whatever that you have available." Z wasn't feeling in a mood to be too specific about what they ate, as long as it was edible enough to give them a little bit of comfort.

[burnlikeme]

The library is, of course, not smoking friendly, so Stu makes sure to ditch his latest before heading up the steps, pulling open the big, heavy door, and entering the welcoming facility. It's everything a good modern library should be, walls covered in art, shelves stocked, play areas set up for children. Hell, there's even a 3D printer, a recording booth, and rental equipment for crafts like a sewing machine. Stu's an audiobook guy for somewhat obvious reasons, but that doesn't mean he can't appreciate the physicality of media- especially as a vinyl collector.

Checking in at the desk is easy. They're given a guest log-in they can use for three hours before needing to go back to the desk to add more time. It costs them nothing, as it should be, and before too long Stu's picked a worn but functional PC in a far corner near a large window. Seated and scooted over to give Badou room next to him, he loads the FIND MY website to try and load his credentials.

"C'mon..." He's gotten the password wrong twice. Third time's the charm. And, to his relief...some of the air tags are still active. He cheers in relief. Thankfully, this is not a silent facility- there's a zone for that elsewhere in the building- and nobody looks twice. "Hopefully at least a lot of-of the equipment's there! Do you recognize this spot on the map?"

Badou brightens--

"Dude, that's a brilliant fuckin' idea!" He grins, reaching over to jostle Stu by the shoulder. He has some burners on him, but none of them are tech-y enough to search anything like that.

"We'll try the library? Think there should be one around here within the city, don't haveta go far."

Now that feels like some hope. Sure, Badou had run some ideas around in his head last night, but it all seemed like a long, winding road of what-ifs. At least it isn't (mostly) life or death, but it was important.

This is truly a light at the end of the tunnel.

[burnlikeme]

"Yeah, lots of places. I've got friends and-and contacts all over the world, and even off of it!" That last part often sounds unbelievable, but Stu's also not one to reel back in or clarify unless pushed. "Last year, we, ehm, we went down to Brazil. Nonstop party. They always say come to Brazil so I decided we should, and I don't remember much of that trip on account of the substances, but it was an incredible time. Just...a general sense I'd had a non-stop rager for a month, you know?" And was then strung out for a month and a half after while recovering from his bender, not to mention getting back in stage shape.

Stu's wealth is suggested in subtle ways- in the brand of his watch, in the youth on his face despite the uncanny eyes, in the fact his clothes are new and cool in an effortless way. He dresses to project a very specific confidence, and he pulls it off despite his occasional social hangups.

"What's your favorite place you've ever visited, then?"

Oh very different indeed. It was odd. In some ways it was comforting..? Or maybe familiar was the right word, taking orders. But there was always a part of Dottie that craved freedom, and wanted to do what she wanted. Kill who she wanted, not who she was told too. Maybe have a bit of normal somewhere... Whatever normal looked like to her.

"Tour dates? An entertainer then? How fancy!" He looked the type she supposed. Hopefully a successful one, maybe he could afford another round. "Well that sounds exciting, getting to travel so much. But I can understand why you'd want to kick back and relax. It's nice to have some down time from work." Even the assassin could relate to that. It was times like this she could pretend she was a normal girl and get a taste of that life that she'd always been so jealous of Peggy for having. "So seen any interesting places on your globe trotting adventures? I've always wanted to see more of Europe but I've never really had the chance."

[burnlikeme]

how do you need to be touched?

fervently.

you crave a hug that cracks your ribs… the feeling of your wandering soul being crushed back into the bones that can't seem to hold it. you need a hand gripping yours so tightly you almost fear it may leave a bruise, a reminder that you are here. and that you are not

tagged by: @yukikorogashi <3 tagging: you!

[burnlikeme]

"Oh, s-sure. Shouldn't be hard to miss. Green luggage is rare! I've got a bright blue one to spot it easily myself, heh." He turns his attention to the conveyor belt, noting the alarm hasn't flashed yet and nothing's rolling out. He glances at the board, sees it's still being unloaded, and decides they've got time to chatter until they're alerted. It shouldn't be too long.

"Things are good. Real good, actually. It's been n-nice to not tour so much this cycle. W-we had some other stuff going on..." Yeah, well, a cult technically is stuff, but it's about the biggest downplay of the century. "Mudz has calmed down." That's his kind way of saying he doesn't get hit anymore. Prison, time, and distance turned their toxic mess into a slightly less jumbled one. Still not healthy. Nothing about Stu is. It's a tiny victory, but one worth celebrating, anyway. Stu's even put his foot down a few times- unheard of personal progress.

His eyes are white more days than not.

"Wh-what about you, huh? There were all of those rumors about you off faffing about in the desert, but you never told me WHY you created those and let them s-spread in the first pl-place! What was the big, secret project?"

Ace laughs, his carry-on bag falling to the floor as he moves to catch Stu and return the embrace. (Whatever, nothing's fragile in that old duffel bag anyway.)

"I've missed you, too! Can't wait to catch up, really. The new album was great, man; your voice sounds as good as it always does. Hey, you mind helping me look for my suitcase on the - suitcase rolling rack, whatever it is? It's green. Christ, I hope they didn't lose it. That happens on planes, y'know."

A lot to say at once, but it's one thing to talk over text messages or phone calls or video calls; it's another to see each other in person again.

"How are things going? Not getting any trouble from anyone, are you?"

{ @burnlikeme }

[burnlikeme]

you just love bringing that back up to annoy me. ~ @who-is-muses (Ma'al ofc <3)

"If you don't like being teased, stop being so easy to pick on!" Stu nudges Ma'al on the arm, grin bright. "Really, though, I dunno how you misunderstood that badly. It's not like it's your f-first day on earth. I'm not letting you live this down any time soon."

He asked Ma'al for breakfast the morning after he'd stayed the night. A simple order, really- an egg and cheese bagel. He was handed a bagel cut open, slathered with cream cheese, with a hardboiled egg sitting dead in the center of it.

At least it wasn't raw.

pre established connections

[burnlikeme]

pluck,sender plucks something out of receiver's hair.

Stu's had a helicopter seed stuck in his hair for about twenty minutes, blissfully unaware of that fact, and while it's amusing to watch bob around amidst the blue, it's also distracting. He's been infodumping about footy for quite some time before Atieno reaches forward and plucks it free. His bad vision being what it is, he's confused before they show him, at which point he oohs in delight and reaches forward to take the seed.

"These are well cool, but annoying to clean up. Heh- thanks, by the way. I'm just surprised there w-was only one!"

actions speak louder than words

[burnlikeme]

"Summer squash. Like...ehm, like zucchini?" He can't think of any other variety, so he's clinging to what he knows. Vegetables don't make up a very big part of his diet, which is mostly peppermint tea and cold pizza when he cares to raid the fridge at ungodly hours. Such is the life.

“Mostly just collecting the last of my spring crops to get ready for some summer ones,” Phil explained. “Starting up some corn and wheat, then gonna plant some melons, radishes, red cabbage. and some summer squash!” Phil rattled off, clear pridein his voice.

[burnlikeme]

@markerexposed continued

Well, it's a fair question, but as Stu takes a seat to join Isaac and keep a load off of his legs for a while, he's already averting his eyes sheepishly. He's not exactly mission critical. He didn't think it would be this embarrassing to discuss, but faced with all of these hardened professionals and experts...? He's feeling a little bit small.

"We're a unit, the four of us. My daughter Noodle's a whiz mechanic- best I've ever met. Murdoc, he's big into robotics. Built an entire cyborg, AI learning module and everything, out of scrap! And my mate Russ, he started with taxidermy, b-but he's a programmer!" He could talk about his family for hours without growing bored, face alight with pride. They're everything to him at the end of the day. Outside of music, little else matters to him. Sure, he might say otherwise, but his life circles back to these three people, time and time again. Always will, it seems.

"Me, heh...I'm not really useful. I'm an artist," he clarifies. "Musician, mostly b-but...artist, in general. While I'm out here, I'm w-working on an album and keeping a, em...a commonplace book? If you've heard of those? Except it's not just got words in it- pictures too. Drawings, paintings, the like. I, ah, I know this isn't cool or nothing like that, but it's what I do!"

[burnlikeme]

D-day incident.

Gorillaz

[burnlikeme]

D-Day collab i did w a friend>_< (they drew 2D)

[burnlikeme]

quiet, sender gestures for receiver to be quiet.

Stu snaps his mouth shut. He realizes he's been rambling for quite some time, and it's out of nerves. His body language betrays how on edge he is. This is NOT his usual locale, and his disguise is awful, temporary black hair dye not even completely drowning out his usual riot of blue. Doubtless, he ruined a towel in the hotel room doing that. Probably stained the hell out of the tub, too.

And so, he shuts up, squinting a smile of apology like a submissive dog.

The music here's great- remixes of tracks he's familiar with and plenty of innovative new material he's never heard before. He already got chastised for pulling out his phone to try and use the Shazam app to see if any came up on there. With remixes, it's hit or miss. Dim lighting is hell on his eyes, but he's used to places like this one and can generally intuit where it's safe to walk and where he should take more care.

Did he ask WHY they were coming to this club? No. Did he gladly use his clout to get them in without waiting in line, breezing past the bouncer with ease? Yes, and that's exactly how he was roped into this in the first place.

actions speak louder than words

[burnlikeme]

I don’t have anything to say to my defense….im just….im sorry.

Better neuter that green dog, he looks like he’s got behavioral problems….