metalogs | [Open] A Man Around Town

Entry tags:

[Open] A Man Around Town

Who: Mark Bryant

welcome_summer
What: Photoshoots and Karaoke and Another Mugging Attempt
When: Mid September
Where: Central City, Descendant Bar, Downtown Area
Content Warnings: N/A, Update if needed

I. Smile For The Camera | Closed to Sleeper

"Never work with cats," Mark says with a sigh as he comes back from talking to the volunteer from the shelter. "Present company excluded."

Both he and Sleeper knew that present company was perfect to photograph. The symbiote knew his best angles, where his light was, and how to make the little setting work for his best ends. But the latest cat from the shelter, an older queen with gray fur and a kinked tail, definitely didn't.

"Sorry she got scratchy," Mark says. "The lights are apparently stressing her. Not sure how to deal with it. Might just get one of the backups. What do you think, Sleeper?"

II. Sing Your Heart Out | Open

Best way to unwind from an intense project? A night at Descendant. Tonight wasn't even a Coyote Ugly night, just one where Mark could sit at the bar, enjoy his soda and plate of fries, and wait.

"I knew I should have reserved a room before swinging by."

Could you even do that online? Mark didn't know. He spent less time on the website than he should probably. Doesn't matter. Tonight is a night of rest.

"What I need is some people to share a room with. It's always so sad to go in alone.

III. It Just Keeps Happening | Open

Walking home. The most dangerous hour of the day for Mark. Literally at any hour actually. Tonight was no different. Another armload of bags, this time groceries, and there he was, grabbed and forced into an alley.

"Oh come on!" Mark says, groaning in frustration. "Can we not do this? I have ice cream man! It's going to melt! Can you have pity on my ice cream?"

And of course, the mugger looks confused. Because who reacts to a mugging like this?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Perhaps I trigger some kind of uncanny valley effect in some cats? I never really thought about it."

It might explain why some of the cats were definitely freaked. The kittens had been easy to distract, but since they also were easy to home, that wouldn't be good to feature too much.

"What do you think? Should I tone down the otherworldly cat vibes?"

"Perhaps," Mark says, frowning. That was going to make things complicated. Then again...

"A lot of the cats that end up in shelters are strays and ferals. They can be afraid of other cats too. It's possible that's what's happening here."

"I guess we'll just keep going through the candidates until we find enough to work from?"

Sleeper doesn't really want to leave anyone out. Homeless isn't fun for cats any more than people.

"I guess we will. But we could also try and take things back. I could photo shop things together if needed."

But he wants these cats to get chances too.

"I suppose we'll make it work, even if we do have to resort to technology."

The only problem with photoshop is that no composite picture is truly perfect. Not without incredible effort.

"I'd rather not make you do all that hard work. When it comes to computers, I'm pretty much all thumbs."

"And now I'm imagining you with extra thumbs."

He laughs and moves to get another cage.

"I've got one here said to be even tempered and three legs?"

"I think the special needs rescues should get featured as widely as you and I can manage. I just hope you don't feel like you're the one herding cats."

They consider the extra thumbs thing, and can't help a wry chuckle.

"I think that would mostly depend on quantity and placement. Anything looks strange in the wrong places or amounts. But this is a cat calendar, not a cryptid one."

"I'm always herding the cats of my life," he says with a smile. "And I don't regret it yet. Not when I get to meet people like you."

And he does finally moves to select the cage. He opens it carefully and pulls the sweet thing out. Very good. There's already purring going on.

"You effectively are a cryptid in some eyes, Sleeper."

Mayuko is at the bar waiting for a refill of her orange mocktail-- last visit, she had had one too many flagons of mead to make the next day comfortable. It takes her a moment to place Mark, but then she's attentive.

"A karaoke room? All the single occupancy ones are taken?"

"Yeah, how sad is that? There's so many of us who are just totally so sad that we have no company and so we have to rent rooms alone."

Okay, that has more to say about him than other people. Damn he wished Doreen was free tonight. They always jammed together.

"What about the people are self-conscious about their singing voices but still want to sing? They need the space, too."

Like Mayuko. She wouldn't classify herself as sad. Tired, maybe. Longing for home, but that's an ache six years old. She scrolls through the scheduling app, looking for open slots.

"The singles are booked through the night. There's a mid-size room open now-- if you'll split the cost with me."

Edited 2023-09-16 21:53 (UTC)

"Okay, that's fair," he says with a nod, but he still wished he wasn't alone for this. Especially if he could try and get some practice after all.

Though the news of through the night has Mark groaning.

"I came out just for this. Da-"

Wait. Split the cost?

"Yeah! Please?"

"All right, let's see...."

It only takes her a moment to reserve the room for a few hours. The online scheduling page is a lot clearer and easier to use than it was starting out, probably thanks to some clever coder out there.

"There, that should do it. Did you want to finish your fries out here, or take them with you?"

"You mind if I bring them? I promise not to spill and get us charged."

The drinks they could definitely be useful back there, but they can order those as needed. Which was not now.

"You want me to wire the money, or do you take cash?"

Mayuko pays for her very-orange drink and takes up the glass.

"I don't mind! It's about the right time, let's see... if there's a server to check us in...."

She scans the room for a minimally occupied employee. Hopefully not the proprietor, she's... well. She's not angry at Jason for being so evasive, per say. She's used to being on the outside looking in on so many things, why would the vigilante world be any different? If it were even really him dealing with the black holes... Frustrated. Yes, that's closer.

"Money? Hmm. Electronic's fine. Remind me once we wind down for the night?"

Mark stands with his cocoa, considers ordering a nice juice, but he decides instead to just follow her.

"Awesome, you got it. If we can't find a server, I could ask Jason to help us out."

Because of course Mark is close enough with the proprietor to be on a first name basis.

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