daemon: junod, video.

[money]

( be well, xistentia! and enjoy the look of a handsome man lighting up your daemon screens, well-dressed by the looks of it, and certainly not missing an accessory here or there. from the silver in his ears down to the intricate locks of rings around his fingers, this man seems to be the very epitome of fashion — from somewhere, at least. nonetheless, he radiates confidence, with a sly smile that seems to know something you, specifically, don't but — what he knows, or if he really knows anything at all, remains to be seen.

waggling his fingers, )

Hello and a very warm greeting to you, Xistentia! My name is Colton. I apologize for not introducing myself sooner, but I was a touch distracted, what with the war and whatnot. Such terrible times. And a terrible welcome party, for me!

Allow me the chance to sweeten some welcome for all of us newcomers, hm? Myself and resident Juno Steel will be hosting a party in the following weeks in a ... ah, 'get to know the neighborhood' type vein. It's also a rather poor excuse to gather a launch party for my lingerie store, Pulsar, which will be up and rising soon enough.

Hope to see you all there! Do give us a mention if you plan on coming, yes? I've promised to go live in the mountains and never show my face again if no one attends, no pressure to all of you, of course. ( and just before he says goodbye, ) Did I mention dress-up is necessary? I certainly hope I did. Bring me your best, Xistentia, I expect no less!

Ta!

Comments

[money]

If you want me to doodle your portrait, you need only ask, Juno.

[monologue]

Sounds like a commission that's outta my price range.

[money]

Take me out tonight and we can call it even.

[monologue]

[ did you just



he's not saying no. ]

Where do you wanna go?

[money]

Shopping. Know any good stores?

[monologue]

Bars count, right?

[money]

They don't, but a bar will be a suitable finale, I think. I need shoes first.

[monologue]

Well, we'll have a look around for those to start then.

Are we looking for like

Practical shoes or...?

[ juno... ]

[money]

Practical, yes. A good pair of heels will do nicely.

Perhaps we'll pick up a pair for you while we're there. Yes, I can picture it now.

[monologue]

[ he's zero surprised by that response. ]

Does the picture look something like "I don't actually need a new pair of heels"? Because that's pretty much what I'm seeing.

[money]

No, you must not be looking hard enough. Pick me up soon.

[monologue]

I think I'm looking plenty hard.

Bossy.

[money]

Ah, but you like when I'm bossy.

Come come, Juno! Time is wasting!

[monologue]

Making an awfully big assumption there, Colton.

[ that name sounds. really douchey holy shit. makes a mental note to try to make fun of him for it later ]

On my way.

[ and u let me know if u wanna do some action in here or in an inbox or somewhere else xoxo ]

boops to continue here.

[money]

And right all the same, hm?

( regardless of whenever juno shows up at temporary house peter has commanded, the door opens before he has the chance to knock, peter in the doorframe with all the majesty of a spoiled housecat, bedecked in head to toe black with the little accents of silver glittering throughout. he turns a pleasant grin to juno, head tilted, and

when he steps outside, his shoes seem very new, shiny black heels with red bottoms. new. or very well taken care of, at least. )

Come along, dear detective. Time is money.

[monologue]

[ terrifyingly.

juno arrives at peter's apartment not too long after, but glancing at his shoes and then back at his face, he cocks a brow skeptically. he has his hands buried in his trench coat pockets, collar turned up just a little at first but seeming to slowly deflate a little as he begins to walk beside nureyev, listening to the rhythmic beat of his heels against the street.

he looks about as beat up as ever, is pretty sure nureyev would look much better with someone else just shy of his arm, maybe on it instead. ]

You sure you need to hustle for new shoes just yet? You're doing pretty well with those.

[money]

( the sidewalk makes a quiet one-man symphony as peter's shoes slash the ground, although the scuttle of juno's feet offer a satisfying strings to peter's percussion. even with one hand in his pocket, the one flanking juno's side remains outside in the bitter cold, just. you know. in case juno wanted an invitation.

not drawing attention to it, peter sighs, shrugging his shoulders dramatically. )

Oh, twist my arm, why don't you! Fine, fine. ( his eyebrows dance on his forehead, implication laced. ) This is more a shopping trip for you than for myself. Since you like to throw a fit at every turn that I did all the shopping on my own the last time, I thought I'd involve you in the trade this time.

[monologue]

[ oh don't you invite him to do that, it's about as tempting as it should be, and juno is resolute in not giving himself exactly what he wants. his mouth twitches a little bit, smile weak, but very much privately there. ]

The reason I "threw a fit" last time because it was -

[ juno's mouth presses into a thin line before he shrugs his shoulders. he doesn't finish that sentiment, looking away. ]

There was just a lot going on, okay? Not everyday some [ roguishly handsome thief ] guy just shows up in your apartment draped over the couch like he owns the place saying that you've gotta go out to the middle of the desert for a good old fashioned train heist. When he gets you a suit that fits like a goddamn glove on top of it all... a guy might blow up just a little.

[money]

Hm. ( a sound of understanding escapes him. yes -- the second part makes a lot of sense. juno spoiled the way he's never been, and peter being all to happy to offer certain ... luxuries on a silver platter. still, he can't say he's too apologetic about it. if anything, it makes him all the more excited for this shopping trip and subsequent party, where he can spoil juno all over again.

he seems to have a place in mind and takes the lead while they walk, humming thoughtfully at some of the buildings. )

Blowing up, yes, I suppose I do see your point. ( the look on his face says the exact opposite. ) Well, it won't be a suit this time, so maybe you can learn to lighten up, a little? I have a whole new vision, Juno! You'll be the belle of the ball.

[monologue]

[ he definitely does not see his point, and you'd have to be an idiot not to notice the tone in nureyev's voice that says just that. still, juno remains instep with him, clearing his throat a little, but not yet bringing himself to unhunch his shoulders. he does take a long look around at where they're walking. ]

Thought this was more about you making friends and not becoming a bird-watching mountain hobo?

[ his face is so fucking hot how dare you. ]

[money]

( the walk isn't too far. as they speak, peter can already see the silhouette of the dress boutique rearing its head, though juno of course doesn't know that as they make their merry way along the cobblestone, midday light bathing them in sunny yellow. )

It can be about any number of things, not one thing more than the next. Saving myself from the mountains, meeting the neighbors, spoiling Juno. All worthy topics of interest, in my humble opinion. First things first!

( he stops pointedly at the store front, a very quaint looking dress shop in direct contrast to how peter generally presents himself, but they aren't shopping for peter, so that makes its fair bit of sense. in the window, there's enough room to fit a single saree on either side, each bedecked in its own expression of intricate embroidery and beadwork, sewn by hand and made with love. peter nods his head to the door. )

Shall we? After you.

[monologue]

[ juno’s about to throw out a retort when they come to a stop, his eyes falling on the storefront with a slow blink before his eyes snap open a bit more widely. there’s a moment when he’s pretty sure the only way to handle this is to turn on his heel and to call it a day. but when he catches peter’s eyes, the color of them warmed in the light.

he looks to the door again, arms folding over briefly like he’s debating it before letting out a very long, relenting noise, mouth only faintly twisting up.

yeah.

yeah ok.

he can do this. maybe. fingers tapping on his elbows nervously before walking towards the door and flexing fingers against it like he’s waiting for it to burn his palm. ]

Didn’t even know this place existed.

[ he’s already regretting it. just a bit, eye trailing and lingering on something brilliantly red in his peripherals, and he swallows before clearing his throat roughly. ]

Why here, huh?

[money]

( peter follows step by step as juno saunters through, letting the door fall shut behind them. the shop is warmer than the outside weather, and peter flexes his fingers in his palm, working feeling back into them. juno's own hand could've helped that, but he bites off that line of thinking as soon as it comes to him, watching the racks of brightly colored clothing.

when a salesperson comes up to them, peter politely says: ) We're fine, thank you.

( with a charming smile, that probably looks nicer than it actually is. encountering some rack, peter lets his fingers drift across some particular saree, enjoying the interesting feeling of bumpy embroidery under the pads of this thumbs. )

Why? I saw it and imagined you in each garment, and thought you'd look lovely in each. So -- even if you oppose my final judgement, you'll look good anyway. Hm! ( noticing juno's gaze lingering on a red outfit ( he tries to cover up his staring but come now juno, peter is good at picking up on the small things ), peter dances his way over in that direction, picking it up, holding it to the light. ) Seems my scheming was misplaced! This is quite the piece, I approve thoroughly. Caught your eye, did it, detective? ( he looks over his shoulder, to see the sickly look on juno's face, and the carefree jovial nature of peter is misplaced with knitted brows, and pout framing his lips. ) Ah -- Juno?

god that phone tag was atrocious i’m so sorry

[monologue]

What.

[ juno snaps almost immediately when peter’s brow starts to draw. his eyes are ultimately looking anywhere and everywhere but the piece of fabric in peter’s hands. no, it isn’t the same damn thing, but it’s the color. brilliant crimson with a honeyed gold accented throughout that makes his stomach churn in a way that hasn’t in years because he’s pushed that dress to the far end of his closet and avoids looking at it whenever possible. he doesn’t mean to bark, but it comes out of him far faster than he can take it back.

there he goes again, ruining things. it’s what he was practically put on this damn earth to do so why even bother trying to fix it, right? why bother trying to amend what he’s already gone and shattered into pieces on the ground at his feet. his eyes turn up to linger on the draping over it again, on how it sits in peter’s hands because at the end of the day he’s a master thief sure.

but peter nureyev is not a mind reader. at least not a precise one.

the sigh comes softly past his lips as he lifts a hand out of his pocket, striding over to where peter had traipsed and settling a hand on the dress, guiding it steadily with his palm. ]

Not that one, okay?

[ straight, to the point, and he’s not going to elaborate. ] Hate red, I wash enough of the stuff down the drain on a case. Last thing I wanna do is wear it somewhere on purpose.

[ absolutely a smooth...... save..... ]

slander!!!!

[money]

( there is a bit of recoil when he hears the sharp pinch of juno's voice, but he isn't especially put out by it. certainly he knows that juno comes with his fair share of ... baggage. maybe he shouldn't be surprised by a dress setting him off, but he is anyway, since the implications of a dress, on someone like juno who scarcely dresses up, are heavy ones. not to mention that it's red. the knit of peter's eyebrows twist from concern to the brief symbolism of the cogs in his brain working around this new bit of information. information on juno, no less.

information isn't a rarity but a glimpse at juno's past life certainly is. it's been awhile, since he heard the story of his mother and his brother. perhaps it's a bit overdue ...

following the motion of juno's hand, peter settles the saree back on its rack. he's a professional liar, which means he can certainly pick out a lie when he hears one. but -- he also scarcely hears them from juno, the protector, savior, all around do-gooder, so he imagines this must be something relatively important, and a sensitive wound peter shouldn't go prodding his fingers around into. juno will tell him when he's ready, if he's ever ready. that's how trust works.

and he's attempting to trust juno again. so.

he steps away from the rack, dismissing the subject entirely, to set juno's mind at ease. he saunters elsewhere, other racks, lifting up different materials to test. )

How do you feel about green? Or blue? We've exhausted warm colors with the orange suit, anyway, it's time for something a little more ... winter-y. ( his lips turn up over his shoulder, showing up pointed canines that plump his lips. ) The weather on Mars is never like this, hm? We should take advantage.