[ there's a perceptible difference today compared to the usual. he isn't sure if that's a product of him overanalyzing their circumstances, or because there really is some unspoken, subtle shift in their relationship. in the same vein, he swiftly realizes he's squeezing tobari's hand tighter than he intends, and he loosens his grip by the time he mentally recovers from the fact that... tobari? might be hitting on him? hello?
normally, he'd ask him to clarify and squeeze another compliment out of him, but that feels... dangerous today. ]
Sure. But, you planned a whole course? [ he tilts his head curiously, gradually doing his best to fall back to routine. ] Funny, since in the end you're just coming back home with me.
[ is it abnormal to hit on the purpose youāre on a date withā¦? ]
Tell me about it. Is it weird if I ask you for a ride back home? Should I just stay with Suzune tonight?
[ he actually hasnāt found a solution for this yet but he canāt deny that the first option sounds kinda lame to himā¦ who asks their date to drive them backā¦ is it different when theyāre living together perhapsā¦
but tobari will gently pull rafayel along down the street—not too far, but theyāre apparently going to a different bar ]
Dinnerās classic but I figured we should actually do something fun.
[ since they can justā¦ eat dinner togetherā¦ anytimeā¦ ]
To be honest, I'd actually prefer not driving home alone?
[ so that solves that. besides, depending on how late this runs, he'd like to have some peace of mind of knowing tobari isn't just roaming the streets? what if he ends up in the n109 zone? lol. ]
Something fun...? Should I be worried? I was beginning to think your definition of fun was nagging, though? [ he's kidding. he likes doing most things with tobari, and thinks they always manage to have fun even doing mundane things like grabbing groceries. maybe because they're things he didn't have to do alone anymore. ]
[ with a little huff of disbelief. really, tobari is too easy!! even heās willing to acknowledge this!!
but also, ] I canāt deny that.
[ he nags so much, but also now he just openly grins as he looks over to rafayel, a look in his eyes that can only be called challenging ]
But Iāll have you know Iām a decent entertainer when I want to be. I think you only have to be worried if youāre a sore loser.
[ given the fact that theyāre walking up to what can only be called a barcadeā¦ the arcade machines can be seen through the window even though the rest of the decor is appropriately dim for a bar except for the on theme neon signs and the tv thatās inevitably playing something that no one is actually watching. itās probably the super mario movie because the staff has no better ideas ]
rafayel does a terrible job of suppressing a laugh about it. ]
A sore loser? I wouldn't worry about that, because... I get a feeling I'd win? [ he'd like to think he has home ground advantage here. ... even if he's a fish, and isn't actually all that well-versed.
he at least puts on a good front. maybe this is where they both learn to mario kart, or what's that mario olympics game called. ]
[ look. yes. rafayel would have an advantage here because tobari hasn't played a single video game in his life—but there's actually a specific game he's looking for as they step in. though he does catch the eye of the bartender at some point and gives a wave in greeting as if familiar with him, except the bartender is not a subtle person and catches sight of their joined hands and just gives the most enthusiastic thumbs up known to man.
tobari ignores this and keeps walking. just kidding he hates people again ]
Hmm, I don't know. I'm a quick learner.
[ he says this but he did ask thomas what rafayel likes which means they are going to the crane game... except tobari turns to rafayel then and looks mock serious about the whole thing: ]
he does shoot the bartender a curious look, before he focuses back on their joined hands and soaking in the sights of all the arcade games. each one is neatly aligned, and oddly well-maintained despite being in an establishment where most people are at least slightly buzzed before settling into any games.
when he sees the crane games, it's clear his eyes light up with excitement. he does think there are certain charms and novelties specific to the surface world, and he can't help but be in awe for a moment all over again. he barely hears tobari as he's already tugging on him to get a closer look. ]
Oh, there are rules now? You must be serious about this being a competition.
[ this is a cute reaction... tobari watches rafayel for a second more than the actual game, if only because he's already familiar with it? the crane game prizes are the typical fare—plushies in all shapes and sizes, though there are exactly three that stand out that have ribbons and tiny scrolls of paper tied to their plushie arms or legs. a pink bear with a red ribbon. a brown otter with an orange ribbon. a blue octopus with a green ribbon. tobari taps the glass to point them out. ]
The goal is to get these three out. Each of the scrolls has a special coupon that can only be used for the duration of the date. The person who pulls out the plush gets ownership of the scroll—but we can barter if at the end if we're not happy with what we got.
[ tobari already knows what they all are but realistically this is just if raf wants a different prize... but he'll pull out a stack of tokens for the crane game that he got ahead of time because he knows money isn't an issue for rafayel but there's really some part of tobari that inherently rankles at the idea of his date paying for anything. let him pretend just this once.
he just got to know the bartender after bribing him to let tobari use the crane game for yaoi purposes..... ]
[ the fact that he is using this for yaoi purposes is taking me out...
imagine if someone brought their kid here, tobari... but, he does look at each prize, and he smiles at each one. he can appreciate the vision and the usage of colors. ] You sure the goal here wasn't for me to win all three? [ what happened to bartering? this is the greed that the bible talks about...
but, we all know that clearly rafayel is entirely all talk. in spite of his best efforts and weeks of practice, he can still whiff getting a prize. though, that doesn't do much against the sheer enthusiasm he seems to have. he's already grinning as he's contentedly already decided to free the blue octopus first.
he's already reaching to grab a token from tobari. ]
Who goes first? [ says rafayel already putting the token in to go... first. i'm sorry this is canon. ]
[ WHO WOULD BRING A KID TO A BARCADE it's fine tobari only set this up today and they're here before busy business hours purely to not get in the way. he's trying to be thoughtful while also setting up their date with a stupid little competition. ]
I forgot to mention the most important rule that if Rafayel gets all three then the date is over.
[ no he's fucking around
i think about how sometimes hinagiku is like wow tobari you really are 21 sometimes and it's mostly when he's being a little shit at her
roll to see if raf gets the octopus i guess OR YOU CAN JUST LET HIM HAVE IT... IMAGINE IF THEY ROLL LIKE SHIT THE ENTIRE TIME FOR CRANE GAMES. let his weeks of practice mean something ]
tobari was going to make some snide comment back but he's actually surprised at raf just getting it? hello? ]
Whoa. Are you actually good at this?
[ but also for the record this is the first time he's ever actually seen a crane game machine work so he's kind of also just amused at how much serotonin it brings out of just doing its thing....
still, the octopus makes its way down and the little chute and can be picked up!! tobari will grab it for rafayel, offering it up to him to undo the little ribbon... whenever he does, the scroll reads in simple script: coupon for one free question that must be answered honestly ]
[ normally, rafayel would be firm and entirely too pushy about going next right away, but he is distracted by the ribbon on its limbs. he undoes it, before reading the scroll, and...
is it bad if he's kind of glad he got this, just so that tobari can't ask him anything? the thought does give him pause, before he pockets the slip into his jacket pocket. ] Are you scared now that I have this? [ as for mister octopus, he does end up using one of its tentacles to pat tobari on the shoulder, as if encouraging him. ]
[ tobari is already grabbing a token, pausing as he realizes as he's about to play and dana also realizes as she's writing the tag that tobari knows what the other plushies and ribbons are so he tells raf, ]
Tell me which one I should aim for.
[ and after that it's just beginners luck that soMEHOW LETS HIM GET THE PLUSHIE ON THE FIRST TRY ]
[ what does this mean... he can't deny it's cute though... i think about how tobari probably didn't know what any of these animals were before he came to linkon and then he probably got stuck watching the capybara onsen livestream for four hours because he didn't know the perfect animal could exist
but he's just snorting, amused ]
I was pretty good at games back in the district since I'd kept getting invited to gamble. Maybe it's because the stakes are high?
[ but he'll undo the ribbon on this one: coupon for one free secret to be admitted by the other person ]
the first hour rafayel thinks it's adorable that tobari finds it so enchanting. three more hours in and rafayel is like "you know, i'm here, right?" jealous of capybara...
that said, he is still impressed at how quickly tobari got the hang of it. even if he was used to games? then again, maybe crane games could be seen as more intuitive. but? fuck? rafayel tilts his head?
oh...
so it that the one they're aiming for? he's soooo smug right now, like he's just found a weakness.
or that's the expression rafayel wears as his eyebrows raise just slightly and he flashes tobari an annoying smile. he's already pushing past tobari, while still hugging onto the octopus as he works the controls... ]
Sorry, but I'm going to have to win this and ruin all your plans.
raf still gets a fourteen and succeeds in getting the bEAR but tobari is annoyed enough at that gesture that he once again decides to retaliate. mostly where after raf has already pressed the button to release the crane, tobari will move much closer than he needs to, letting his chin rest on raf's shoulder and hand fall to the small of his back as he peers into the machine ]
Hoh? Is this how a master does it?
[ but he's truly just being a menace for fun—he'll pull back not a second later to pull the bear from the prize slot and lift it so raf can undo the ribbon....
coupon for the other person to complete one command within reason
but, at the same time... is being poked like that not actually increasing his affection, so he can better perform? that's what lads says. even if it makes no sense, when he tenses at tobari's touch, and feels so conscious of his every breath. that said, even when he wins the plushie, he almost stays locked in place, his ears still a little red.
though, he does seem to recover as he grabs hold of the bear.
he reads the scroll carefully. ]
Silly, aren't you always commanding me without this?
[ not the poke to increase affection and performance
but tobari is honestly a perfectly reasonable loser, crossing his arms around the otter which probably looks like he's hugging it close to himself which also definitely looks ridiculous
and he can't help his look of disbelief when raf tries to give him the scroll ]
I think you have a vast misunderstanding of our relationship.
[ tobari's bossy but somehow he feels like he loses to rafayel often ]
[ tobari does look really cute holding that otter...
he's going to have to take a picture later. ]
Do I? I think I got it just right. If I don't grant your requests, you might just never get to them. [ since he seems so busy prioritizing everyone but himself. ] Buuut, in return, all your secrets and truths are mine, yeah?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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normally, he'd ask him to clarify and squeeze another compliment out of him, but that feels... dangerous today. ]
Sure. But, you planned a whole course? [ he tilts his head curiously, gradually doing his best to fall back to routine. ] Funny, since in the end you're just coming back home with me.
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Tell me about it. Is it weird if I ask you for a ride back home? Should I just stay with Suzune tonight?
[ he actually hasnāt found a solution for this yet but he canāt deny that the first option sounds kinda lame to himā¦ who asks their date to drive them backā¦ is it different when theyāre living together perhapsā¦
but tobari will gently pull rafayel along down the street—not too far, but theyāre apparently going to a different bar ]
Dinnerās classic but I figured we should actually do something fun.
[ since they can justā¦ eat dinner togetherā¦ anytimeā¦ ]
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To be honest, I'd actually prefer not driving home alone?
[ so that solves that. besides, depending on how late this runs, he'd like to have some peace of mind of knowing tobari isn't just roaming the streets? what if he ends up in the n109 zone? lol. ]
Something fun...? Should I be worried? I was beginning to think your definition of fun was nagging, though? [ he's kidding. he likes doing most things with tobari, and thinks they always manage to have fun even doing mundane things like grabbing groceries. maybe because they're things he didn't have to do alone anymore. ]
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[ with a little huff of disbelief. really, tobari is too easy!! even heās willing to acknowledge this!!
but also, ] I canāt deny that.
[ he nags so much, but also now he just openly grins as he looks over to rafayel, a look in his eyes that can only be called challenging ]
But Iāll have you know Iām a decent entertainer when I want to be. I think you only have to be worried if youāre a sore loser.
[ given the fact that theyāre walking up to what can only be called a barcadeā¦ the arcade machines can be seen through the window even though the rest of the decor is appropriately dim for a bar except for the on theme neon signs and the tv thatās inevitably playing something that no one is actually watching. itās probably the super mario movie because the staff has no better ideas ]
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rafayel does a terrible job of suppressing a laugh about it. ]
A sore loser? I wouldn't worry about that, because... I get a feeling I'd win? [ he'd like to think he has home ground advantage here. ... even if he's a fish, and isn't actually all that well-versed.
he at least puts on a good front. maybe this is where they both learn to mario kart, or what's that mario olympics game called. ]
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tobari ignores this and keeps walking. just kidding he hates people again ]
Hmm, I don't know. I'm a quick learner.
[ he says this but he did ask thomas what rafayel likes which means they are going to the crane game... except tobari turns to rafayel then and looks mock serious about the whole thing: ]
Ready to hear the rules?
[ minigame time ]
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he does shoot the bartender a curious look, before he focuses back on their joined hands and soaking in the sights of all the arcade games. each one is neatly aligned, and oddly well-maintained despite being in an establishment where most people are at least slightly buzzed before settling into any games.
when he sees the crane games, it's clear his eyes light up with excitement. he does think there are certain charms and novelties specific to the surface world, and he can't help but be in awe for a moment all over again. he barely hears tobari as he's already tugging on him to get a closer look. ]
Oh, there are rules now? You must be serious about this being a competition.
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[ this is a cute reaction... tobari watches rafayel for a second more than the actual game, if only because he's already familiar with it? the crane game prizes are the typical fare—plushies in all shapes and sizes, though there are exactly three that stand out that have ribbons and tiny scrolls of paper tied to their plushie arms or legs. a pink bear with a red ribbon. a brown otter with an orange ribbon. a blue octopus with a green ribbon. tobari taps the glass to point them out. ]
The goal is to get these three out. Each of the scrolls has a special coupon that can only be used for the duration of the date. The person who pulls out the plush gets ownership of the scroll—but we can barter if at the end if we're not happy with what we got.
[ tobari already knows what they all are but realistically this is just if raf wants a different prize... but he'll pull out a stack of tokens for the crane game that he got ahead of time because he knows money isn't an issue for rafayel but there's really some part of tobari that inherently rankles at the idea of his date paying for anything. let him pretend just this once.
he just got to know the bartender after bribing him to let tobari use the crane game for yaoi purposes..... ]
Got it?
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imagine if someone brought their kid here, tobari... but, he does look at each prize, and he smiles at each one. he can appreciate the vision and the usage of colors. ] You sure the goal here wasn't for me to win all three? [ what happened to bartering? this is the greed that the bible talks about...
but, we all know that clearly rafayel is entirely all talk. in spite of his best efforts and weeks of practice, he can still whiff getting a prize. though, that doesn't do much against the sheer enthusiasm he seems to have. he's already grinning as he's contentedly already decided to free the blue octopus first.
he's already reaching to grab a token from tobari. ]
Who goes first? [ says rafayel already putting the token in to go... first. i'm sorry this is canon. ]
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I forgot to mention the most important rule that if Rafayel gets all three then the date is over.
[ no he's fucking around
i think about how sometimes hinagiku is like wow tobari you really are 21 sometimes and it's mostly when he's being a little shit at her
roll to see if raf gets the octopus i guess OR YOU CAN JUST LET HIM HAVE IT... IMAGINE IF THEY ROLL LIKE SHIT THE ENTIRE TIME FOR CRANE GAMES. let his weeks of practice mean something ]
1/2
but, at tobari's words, he does end up pausing, his mouth agape. ] Hey, you better be nice.
[ don't make him pout already. ] That's pretty unfair since I'm like really good at this? [ he's not really according to everyone on twitter. ]
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this seems wrong. he's so excited and it's obvious!!!!! ]
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tobari was going to make some snide comment back but he's actually surprised at raf just getting it? hello? ]
Whoa. Are you actually good at this?
[ but also for the record this is the first time he's ever actually seen a crane game machine work so he's kind of also just amused at how much serotonin it brings out of just doing its thing....
still, the octopus makes its way down and the little chute and can be picked up!! tobari will grab it for rafayel, offering it up to him to undo the little ribbon... whenever he does, the scroll reads in simple script: coupon for one free question that must be answered honestly ]
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[ normally, rafayel would be firm and entirely too pushy about going next right away, but he is distracted by the ribbon on its limbs. he undoes it, before reading the scroll, and...
is it bad if he's kind of glad he got this, just so that tobari can't ask him anything? the thought does give him pause, before he pockets the slip into his jacket pocket. ] Are you scared now that I have this? [ as for mister octopus, he does end up using one of its tentacles to pat tobari on the shoulder, as if encouraging him. ]
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[ tobari is already grabbing a token, pausing as he realizes as he's about to play and dana also realizes as she's writing the tag that tobari knows what the other plushies and ribbons are so he tells raf, ]
Tell me which one I should aim for.
[ and after that it's just beginners luck that soMEHOW LETS HIM GET THE PLUSHIE ON THE FIRST TRY ]
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[ what does this mean...
that said, he is...
shocked. ] Liar, are you sure you never played before? Wow, they must really wanna come home with us?
[1/2]
[ what does this mean... he can't deny it's cute though... i think about how tobari probably didn't know what any of these animals were before he came to linkon and then he probably got stuck watching the capybara onsen livestream for four hours because he didn't know the perfect animal could exist
but he's just snorting, amused ]
I was pretty good at games back in the district since I'd kept getting invited to gamble. Maybe it's because the stakes are high?
[ but he'll undo the ribbon on this one: coupon for one free secret to be admitted by the other person ]
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Fuck.
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the first hour rafayel thinks it's adorable that tobari finds it so enchanting. three more hours in and rafayel is like "you know, i'm here, right?" jealous of capybara...
that said, he is still impressed at how quickly tobari got the hang of it. even if he was used to games? then again, maybe crane games could be seen as more intuitive. but? fuck? rafayel tilts his head?
oh...
so it that the one they're aiming for? he's soooo smug right now, like he's just found a weakness.
all is right in the world. ]
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when rafayel fails to get the bear, tobari just huffs out a mean-sounding laugh ] Hah.
[ and then he too immediately gets humbled with a matching 2
okay ]
What the hell.
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or that's the expression rafayel wears as his eyebrows raise just slightly and he flashes tobari an annoying smile. he's already pushing past tobari, while still hugging onto the octopus as he works the controls... ]
Sorry, but I'm going to have to win this and ruin all your plans.
[ :)
jk, maybe he's nice enough to trade. ]
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raf still gets a fourteen and succeeds in getting the bEAR but tobari is annoyed enough at that gesture that he once again decides to retaliate. mostly where after raf has already pressed the button to release the crane, tobari will move much closer than he needs to, letting his chin rest on raf's shoulder and hand fall to the small of his back as he peers into the machine ]
Hoh? Is this how a master does it?
[ but he's truly just being a menace for fun—he'll pull back not a second later to pull the bear from the prize slot and lift it so raf can undo the ribbon....
coupon for the other person to complete one command within reason
this really was the grand prize ]
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[ THAT'S CHEATING!?!
but, at the same time... is being poked like that not actually increasing his affection, so he can better perform? that's what lads says. even if it makes no sense, when he tenses at tobari's touch, and feels so conscious of his every breath. that said, even when he wins the plushie, he almost stays locked in place, his ears still a little red.
though, he does seem to recover as he grabs hold of the bear.
he reads the scroll carefully. ]
Silly, aren't you always commanding me without this?
[ so he does end up holding it out to tobari. ]
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but tobari is honestly a perfectly reasonable loser, crossing his arms around the otter which probably looks like he's hugging it close to himself which also definitely looks ridiculous
and he can't help his look of disbelief when raf tries to give him the scroll ]
I think you have a vast misunderstanding of our relationship.
[ tobari's bossy but somehow he feels like he loses to rafayel often ]
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he's going to have to take a picture later. ]
Do I? I think I got it just right. If I don't grant your requests, you might just never get to them. [ since he seems so busy prioritizing everyone but himself. ] Buuut, in return, all your secrets and truths are mine, yeah?
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