"You've reached the inbox of Jeremiah Gottwald. I'm unavailable at the moment, but leave a message and I'll return your call as soon as possible. Thank you."
[Every measure as dry as it should be. He really is trying, for what that's worth, and it's been effective so far in keeping his head above water. He has shelter and at least something to eat, even if it's not much. Could be better, though.]
My apartment has a nice view, at least.
[Seating himself for the moment, Jeremiah considers his options before asking for a gin and tonic. Whether or not that's all he'll receive in his glass given their bartender is another damn robot, who can say.]
It's nicer than anything else about it, let's put it that way.
[At least he can see patches of green in the distance when he opens the windows, see the sky, for what that's worth with so many clouds. The cityscape itself is striking, in a sense. Silver linings, right?
Jeremiah raises his glass for a sip, equally surprised by the quality of the gin in it. A decent choice, it turns. Wine suits Angelo, he'll admit. He'd ask about it, but the conversation doesn't leave room.]
Yes... let me. [Setting down his glass, he begins fiddling with it, quicker now to pull up the correct thing. Ta-dah. He's looking less embarrassed every time, go him.]
[ given time, even cages can look nice, though angelo is being pithy at how he says it. ]
It is awfully convenient of them to put up this card for us. It saves the awkwardness of having to figure out what people would like to try and gives better direction.
[ angelo takes a sip of his wine as he goes through his card with an impassive face. ]
Especially since most people don't know what they want.
[ after scanning it, angelo swirls the red in his glass and takes another sip. ]
"Size Difference" is an easy one. [ luckily, jeremiah was handsome enough that this will be interesting. ]
It's a bit... broad in its array. I can't say everything on mine seems comfortable for a first encounter.
[Or in the case of any repeat partners, a second, sometimes even a third. Some of the squares he's questioning trying to touch whatsoever. But if they're willing, and he can find a way to be willing as well, for the sake of all this, he must. Right?
Maybe "must" is a strong word.]
That would work.
[It's something he's certainly noted since arriving here, finally next to Angelo and not just speaking from a distance. He only rises up so far while standing side by side. Jeremiah's eye flicks away briefly, then lands to the bracelet on the younger man's wrist.]
[ he'll let him see it, with a flourish. angelo doesn't have any complaints on it, except for the one square that says "snuff", which he still looks at in dismay. ]
I'm rather direct in what I want, [ angelo says with narrowed eyes. ] but I like to think I don't indulge in meaningless suffering.
[ a thin smile. there is a certain kind of madness in angelo that's inhuman, sometimes only lingering in the stiff gestures that rule him. a newtype, everything about his appetites are dark and deep. ] Though if a certain kind of man presents the opportunity to mark off "snuff", I would be very grateful.
[ preferably a gundam pilot, but one can dream. ] I do feel pity for anyone who wants a first encounter. I'm about to teach someone the basics of it; it is always slow and awkward to begin with.
Goodness. [It's said with a chuckle, the astonishment clearly put on. His eyes are on the card, but it could apply to the quiet zeal in the young man's voice too.]
I have to wonder how many people received the square, considering you're already not the first I've heard of having it. Your chances can't be bad.
[And for those who would die as a result, would the Augur grant them life anew while on the island, as it had undone deaths of the past when some of them had first arrived? It seems likely, but he hasn't heard of it happening yet. It's hard to know.
He takes another sip of his drink, considering a moment longer. Tilting his chin, Jeremiah glances down the series of gold closures on his jacket.] Clothing wouldn't be hard to make a focal point. Or flexibility, if that's doable for you.
[His smile as he looks to Angelo's eyes has grown fainter, calmer.]
If you want to check off one that's not too severe, I'm open to suggestions.
"Clothing" is fine. At least I won't get in trouble fraternizing with anyone I shouldn't be as a lieutenant anymore.
[ angelo swirls the wine in his glass, and takes a thoughtful sip on it as he eyes the card again before putting it away. ]
I have a grocery list for this Augur, on top of working to leave this awful planet. Luckily there's nothing else in this stupid wasteland to busy ourselves with other than each other.
[Jeremiah chuckles softly in lieu of a verbal agreement. No doubt in another place, another world, he could never seek an acquaintance out of a man like him. He comes with his own set of entanglements, seemingly never quite coming to an end even when he expects it. The rules here, however, are far different from home. Or rather, it seemed there were very few rules at all.]
All part of the design, I'm sure.
[He glances to his glass, smiling a little.]
At least we have passable alcohol. I have to wonder how the Augur managed to get that one right.
I hear from others that you have to request it. Imagine. Living for months without such supplies.
[ angelo tilts his wine glass, finishes it in one. ]
Not even the military would be so stingy. That armies don't march with an empty stomach goes the same for alcohol as well.
[ he glances aside at him -- ] Have you made other friends? [ speaking in a tone which doesn't really care as to how shallow or deep the connections are where 'friends' are concerned. ]
[Oh he has been considering it, and he doesn't appear to like it much at all. Well, hence the incentive for trade, right? He'll have to remember to add it to the shopping list.]
That's certainly more considerate, although I suppose that's a quality I shouldn't expect out of our providers here.
[Jeremiah takes another drink, the quinine tart on his tongue.]
I have made some connections. Some are people I knew from home. [He returns the younger man's eye contact.] Do you have anyone like that here?
You are correct in that, but I unfortunately miss the company of a few good men.
[ like a certain captain. or members of his squad, for example. it's not quite homesickness but it's there, festering in his mind like a disease. he dislikes it.
[That he's sure of. It occurred to him after saying it that it extends to the captain Angelo protects with his very life. A saddening thought, but really, Jeremiah always was a romantic about these things.]
Understandably.
[Well, all the more reason to assist each other in their goals. A barter for departure from this place is surely worth pursuing. Jeremiah glances over, the turn of conversation abrupt but not unwelcome. His mind hasn't wavered in the path on the way.]
[ and angelo doesn't mind whether someone watches or not -- this is not the first time he's had to trade sex for favours, and the only reason why his skin isn't crawling right now and he's not having nightmares about white, blank sheets is the fact that everything is on equal terms.
but he is not here to dwell on that, and so he waits on jeremiah to decide. ]
[Jeremiah only just stifles his surprised laugh. He'd expected the usual courtesy of asking whose place is closer, but... well, first off, he knows he's a bit traditional, and in looking around he notes it's nicer here than his apartment. He'd be a little embarrassed to offer his regardless. Who knows what Angelo has found for himself, other than unacceptable by his standards.
Someday, he's fairly sure one of these encounters will happen behind closed doors, perhaps even on a bed, but for now?]
... The restrooms would still be more private.
[Jeremiah finishes his drink, the curl of his mouth growing a little sly as he rises to his feet, then offers his hand to Angelo. A standard courtesy, but one he still loves to offer.]
[ angelo has unfortunately way too much experience with men who try to be slick with him and he just notes with amusement that it was offered in the first place. he won't be taking it. being affectionate isn't for acquaintances at all.
maybe if jeremiah levelled up to friendship level 3.
in any case he's not opposed to the restrooms. hopefully they're clean enough? they pass by several couples on the way who were certainly very busy with themselves, angelo tossing his hair to the side more out of annoyance as they get in his way towards the restrooms.
and if there were anybody else in there, he certainly doesn't care; he'll pick the largest stall. ]
[It rolls off him just fine, letting his hand drop, the humor in those eyes soothing the faint tick of disappointment. Even back home some thought it a little excessive, so he doesn't mind it much, following Angelo through the crowd.
Not exactly what he's used to seeing openly in establishes he frequented, either. Well, to each their own. None of this should surprise him, at this point.
Even with the most space, the stall doesn't afford much as he shuts the door and latches it. Just the two of them now, Jeremiah looks him in a little closer, his smile growing slightly, a little more genuine, maybe even tentative. He hadn't reached for his hand before, so he hesitates to reach out again. Instead, he shoots for middle ground, standing close.]
-- hopefully you'll want to do more than just kissing.
[ this kind of touch is fine. they're here for a trade, after all, and it will be fulfilled. angelo initiates the gesture, flipping the seat shut so that he pushes him gently onto it and plant his thighs on either side his waist, flush against his body.
angelo settles his arms over his shoulders, giving him a smile as he leans his forehead against him. he can be soft, certainly. but not right now, not when he's moving his hips and grinding down against jeremiah's crotch nice and slow, letting him feel as much friction and heat against that clothing as he kisses him slow. ]
[Simply a place to start, a place to begin familiarizing himself along the way. Angelo isn't shy in making that happen for them, Jeremiah following his direction and accepting him into his lap, alighting his hands on his hips. He's as sure of what he wants as he'd been so far, as if Jeremiah could expect differently, even in the short time they've known each other. He's still not used to being the older party in situations like this, but he stays mentioning it now. There's no unease, no hesitance to give him pause. Mostly just assumptions on appearances, really.
The warmth draws him in, their mouths fitting together as Angelo makes himself comfortable. It's slight, but Jeremiah presses back up into that weight, hips pushed upwards to feel him out. Just a tease, the slow drag of lips on lips still capturing most of his attention. One hand slides further up his back, and Jeremiah only parts his lips enough to find better purchase, but doesn't deepen it yet.]
[ he kisses him the way he expects a man like him to do so. soft and genial, and angelo doesn't doubt that if he lets him, he'd be even more affectionate than he already is right now. it is not unpleasant. he treats him accordingly; angelo lets his eyes flutter shut as he gets lost in the soft press of lips against his own, enjoying the way his hand feels warm down his back. his hips are responsive against that weight pressed up against him; angelo responds in kind.
angelo moves opposite of how he acts. for someone too blunt and too abrasive, at times, as he is, he is gentle and seductive in ways he normally isn't. too much experience with men (mostly men, always men) who have wanted him in different beds and in unpleasant ways means that he can adjust, quite well, where the need is for him to fulfill. he enjoys it, at least. he's not going to make it as much of a chore even if this has all the hallmarks of a transaction written in it. ]
[It's still faster than he's used to. The rush tells him that's not a bad thing, doesn't feel like one. For their lack of familiarity, for the minutes or even hours spent talking before getting here, Angelo reaches right out and makes himself comfortable meeting him where he is, opening right up to him. Jeremiah can't help how naturally it comes, how he wants to reach back in kind.
The one hand slides just a little lower, thumb sitting at the crease where Angelo's thigh meets his hip. It's comfortable where he's at, fitted together to feel each other out with slow persistence. It's his lips that part a little further, asking admittance to his mouth with a curious press of his tongue, wanting to see more.]
[ he'll allow it. just as angelo allows him to explore his mouth, softer than it has any right to be, cruel as it can be often. angelo is still made of human parts which can form a seductive unit where needed. not dominating his mouth, when he can easily do it, but allowing jeremiah as much as he would wish to taste of him, soft sighs against his mouth as he parts his lips for him.
his hands are tantalizing on his thigh, warm against skin. this uniform is quickly becoming a hazard, and yet it's the one for his card that he'll fill out. angelo, fastidious as he is, tries to put that discomfort aside in favour of a greater purpose. he may not be the blond he wants, but jeremiah is handsome in his way; he can accept that. ]
[There's no hurry in the other man's movements, so Jeremiah kisses just as slow as before. It gives him time to really luxuriate in the feeling, slipping his tongue in but not pushing for control either. For all his propriety, Jeremiah isn't shy to map him out with that touch, sinking a little deeper.
Both hands gravitate to the curve of his hips, holding him in place as Jeremiah shifts, trying to find better purchase. His own slacks don't offer the same access, not tailored the same way Angelo's are, lord, so he has to improvise. Seems easy enough to sink his weight a little lower, canting his hips forward to press more firmly. Jeremiah hums into his mouth a little, spreading his legs a little further-
And swiftly bangs his knee right into the stall partition, hard enough that he jumps, more startled than in pain. Jeremiah breaks the kiss, of course, peering to the side to glare at the wall briefly, breathing a little hard but red from embarrassment, not exertion. So smooth.
Still, Jeremiah persists in trying to adjust, instead... bumping his toe against the section next to the stall door, having run out of room to stretch. Hm.]
... is it too late to recast my vote? Your card had "confinement," correct?
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[Every measure as dry as it should be. He really is trying, for what that's worth, and it's been effective so far in keeping his head above water. He has shelter and at least something to eat, even if it's not much. Could be better, though.]
My apartment has a nice view, at least.
[Seating himself for the moment, Jeremiah considers his options before asking for a gin and tonic. Whether or not that's all he'll receive in his glass given their bartender is another damn robot, who can say.]
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[ the wine ... isn't bad. could be better. ]
But I suppose we make do of what we're presented with.
[ angelo gestures at his bracelet. not one to waste time -- ] Show me your card.
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[At least he can see patches of green in the distance when he opens the windows, see the sky, for what that's worth with so many clouds. The cityscape itself is striking, in a sense. Silver linings, right?
Jeremiah raises his glass for a sip, equally surprised by the quality of the gin in it. A decent choice, it turns. Wine suits Angelo, he'll admit. He'd ask about it, but the conversation doesn't leave room.]
Yes... let me. [Setting down his glass, he begins fiddling with it, quicker now to pull up the correct thing. Ta-dah. He's looking less embarrassed every time, go him.]
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[ given time, even cages can look nice, though angelo is being pithy at how he says it. ]
It is awfully convenient of them to put up this card for us. It saves the awkwardness of having to figure out what people would like to try and gives better direction.
[ angelo takes a sip of his wine as he goes through his card with an impassive face. ]
Especially since most people don't know what they want.
[ after scanning it, angelo swirls the red in his glass and takes another sip. ]
"Size Difference" is an easy one. [ luckily, jeremiah was handsome enough that this will be interesting. ]
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[Or in the case of any repeat partners, a second, sometimes even a third. Some of the squares he's questioning trying to touch whatsoever. But if they're willing, and he can find a way to be willing as well, for the sake of all this, he must. Right?
Maybe "must" is a strong word.]
That would work.
[It's something he's certainly noted since arriving here, finally next to Angelo and not just speaking from a distance. He only rises up so far while standing side by side. Jeremiah's eye flicks away briefly, then lands to the bracelet on the younger man's wrist.]
Would you show me yours as well?
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[ he'll let him see it, with a flourish. angelo doesn't have any complaints on it, except for the one square that says "snuff", which he still looks at in dismay. ]
I'm rather direct in what I want, [ angelo says with narrowed eyes. ] but I like to think I don't indulge in meaningless suffering.
[ a thin smile. there is a certain kind of madness in angelo that's inhuman, sometimes only lingering in the stiff gestures that rule him. a newtype, everything about his appetites are dark and deep. ] Though if a certain kind of man presents the opportunity to mark off "snuff", I would be very grateful.
[ preferably a gundam pilot, but one can dream. ] I do feel pity for anyone who wants a first encounter. I'm about to teach someone the basics of it; it is always slow and awkward to begin with.
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I have to wonder how many people received the square, considering you're already not the first I've heard of having it. Your chances can't be bad.
[And for those who would die as a result, would the Augur grant them life anew while on the island, as it had undone deaths of the past when some of them had first arrived? It seems likely, but he hasn't heard of it happening yet. It's hard to know.
He takes another sip of his drink, considering a moment longer. Tilting his chin, Jeremiah glances down the series of gold closures on his jacket.] Clothing wouldn't be hard to make a focal point. Or flexibility, if that's doable for you.
[His smile as he looks to Angelo's eyes has grown fainter, calmer.]
If you want to check off one that's not too severe, I'm open to suggestions.
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[ angelo swirls the wine in his glass, and takes a thoughtful sip on it as he eyes the card again before putting it away. ]
I have a grocery list for this Augur, on top of working to leave this awful planet. Luckily there's nothing else in this stupid wasteland to busy ourselves with other than each other.
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All part of the design, I'm sure.
[He glances to his glass, smiling a little.]
At least we have passable alcohol. I have to wonder how the Augur managed to get that one right.
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[ angelo tilts his wine glass, finishes it in one. ]
Not even the military would be so stingy. That armies don't march with an empty stomach goes the same for alcohol as well.
[ he glances aside at him -- ] Have you made other friends? [ speaking in a tone which doesn't really care as to how shallow or deep the connections are where 'friends' are concerned. ]
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That's certainly more considerate, although I suppose that's a quality I shouldn't expect out of our providers here.
[Jeremiah takes another drink, the quinine tart on his tongue.]
I have made some connections. Some are people I knew from home. [He returns the younger man's eye contact.] Do you have anyone like that here?
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I haven't met anyone from my fleet and it better stay that way. We are understaffed.
[ spoken with the airs of a man who has had to run too many things at once because of such understaffing. ]
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[Jeremiah leans back a little, contemplating his almost-empty glass, Angelo's already finished.]
It's good then that you're unaccompanied. Besides, the fewer people trapped here, the better.
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[ like a certain captain. or members of his squad, for example. it's not quite homesickness but it's there, festering in his mind like a disease. he dislikes it.
angelo toys with the rim of his empty glass. ]
We have talked long enough.
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Understandably.
[Well, all the more reason to assist each other in their goals. A barter for departure from this place is surely worth pursuing. Jeremiah glances over, the turn of conversation abrupt but not unwelcome. His mind hasn't wavered in the path on the way.]
Where shall we excuse ourselves to?
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A booth, or the restrooms. Take your pick.
[ and angelo doesn't mind whether someone watches or not -- this is not the first time he's had to trade sex for favours, and the only reason why his skin isn't crawling right now and he's not having nightmares about white, blank sheets is the fact that everything is on equal terms.
but he is not here to dwell on that, and so he waits on jeremiah to decide. ]
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Someday, he's fairly sure one of these encounters will happen behind closed doors, perhaps even on a bed, but for now?]
... The restrooms would still be more private.
[Jeremiah finishes his drink, the curl of his mouth growing a little sly as he rises to his feet, then offers his hand to Angelo. A standard courtesy, but one he still loves to offer.]
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maybe if jeremiah levelled up to friendship level 3.
in any case he's not opposed to the restrooms. hopefully they're clean enough? they pass by several couples on the way who were certainly very busy with themselves, angelo tossing his hair to the side more out of annoyance as they get in his way towards the restrooms.
and if there were anybody else in there, he certainly doesn't care; he'll pick the largest stall. ]
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Not exactly what he's used to seeing openly in establishes he frequented, either. Well, to each their own. None of this should surprise him, at this point.
Even with the most space, the stall doesn't afford much as he shuts the door and latches it. Just the two of them now, Jeremiah looks him in a little closer, his smile growing slightly, a little more genuine, maybe even tentative. He hadn't reached for his hand before, so he hesitates to reach out again. Instead, he shoots for middle ground, standing close.]
May I kiss you?
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[ this kind of touch is fine. they're here for a trade, after all, and it will be fulfilled. angelo initiates the gesture, flipping the seat shut so that he pushes him gently onto it and plant his thighs on either side his waist, flush against his body.
angelo settles his arms over his shoulders, giving him a smile as he leans his forehead against him. he can be soft, certainly. but not right now, not when he's moving his hips and grinding down against jeremiah's crotch nice and slow, letting him feel as much friction and heat against that clothing as he kisses him slow. ]
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[Simply a place to start, a place to begin familiarizing himself along the way. Angelo isn't shy in making that happen for them, Jeremiah following his direction and accepting him into his lap, alighting his hands on his hips. He's as sure of what he wants as he'd been so far, as if Jeremiah could expect differently, even in the short time they've known each other. He's still not used to being the older party in situations like this, but he stays mentioning it now. There's no unease, no hesitance to give him pause. Mostly just assumptions on appearances, really.
The warmth draws him in, their mouths fitting together as Angelo makes himself comfortable. It's slight, but Jeremiah presses back up into that weight, hips pushed upwards to feel him out. Just a tease, the slow drag of lips on lips still capturing most of his attention. One hand slides further up his back, and Jeremiah only parts his lips enough to find better purchase, but doesn't deepen it yet.]
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angelo moves opposite of how he acts. for someone too blunt and too abrasive, at times, as he is, he is gentle and seductive in ways he normally isn't. too much experience with men (mostly men, always men) who have wanted him in different beds and in unpleasant ways means that he can adjust, quite well, where the need is for him to fulfill. he enjoys it, at least. he's not going to make it as much of a chore even if this has all the hallmarks of a transaction written in it. ]
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The one hand slides just a little lower, thumb sitting at the crease where Angelo's thigh meets his hip. It's comfortable where he's at, fitted together to feel each other out with slow persistence. It's his lips that part a little further, asking admittance to his mouth with a curious press of his tongue, wanting to see more.]
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his hands are tantalizing on his thigh, warm against skin. this uniform is quickly becoming a hazard, and yet it's the one for his card that he'll fill out. angelo, fastidious as he is, tries to put that discomfort aside in favour of a greater purpose. he may not be the blond he wants, but jeremiah is handsome in his way; he can accept that. ]
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Both hands gravitate to the curve of his hips, holding him in place as Jeremiah shifts, trying to find better purchase. His own slacks don't offer the same access, not tailored the same way Angelo's are, lord, so he has to improvise. Seems easy enough to sink his weight a little lower, canting his hips forward to press more firmly. Jeremiah hums into his mouth a little, spreading his legs a little further-
And swiftly bangs his knee right into the stall partition, hard enough that he jumps, more startled than in pain. Jeremiah breaks the kiss, of course, peering to the side to glare at the wall briefly, breathing a little hard but red from embarrassment, not exertion. So smooth.
Still, Jeremiah persists in trying to adjust, instead... bumping his toe against the section next to the stall door, having run out of room to stretch. Hm.]
... is it too late to recast my vote? Your card had "confinement," correct?
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